Just heard Uptown grill will be leaving the Breakaway

[SailBreakaway]

I will add however, that if the Loaded Nachos are as good as the regular Margaritaville, and are on the menu, I can somehow make a unique exception for this. [emoji6]

 

 

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[punkincc]

I will add however, that if the Loaded Nachos are as good as the regular Margaritaville, and are on the menu, I can somehow make a unique exception for this. [emoji6]

 

 

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Sorry, but they were a soggy mess.

[AdoraBelle]

Sounds like I should have said "Taco Bell" instead of Burger King. :)

[SailBreakaway]

Sorry, but they were a soggy mess.

 

 

[emoji20]

 

 

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[mking8288]

Sounds like I should have said "Taco Bell" instead of Burger King. :)

Five Guys are more upscale for NCL's dream image :p

Might as well outsource to Pizza Huts or California Pizza Kitchen, and, add in Dunkin Donuts

Bubbagump - anyone ??

 

As for a changeover, it can happy very quickly - how difficult can it be to hang up the new sign, layout the new menu, and do in-service to "re-train" the crew on the sailing ... we actually watched something similar being remodeled during one of our cruises on another line 3 years ago. Contractor stayed onboard, got everything done & ready during the sailing and by the next cruise - viola !!

 

Sailing in 28 days on the BA - we will find out soon enough :rolleyes:

[Jasalth]

After eating at the Margaritaville on the Escape, I wondered the same thing. Does Jimmy know or care? The experience was nothing which would encourage me to try it on land. And then I ate at the one in Nashville, assuming it had to be better. Wrong! Unbelievably bad food. I am surprised. I don't know if Jimmy Buffet has any oversight, or if he just sold his name. If so, bad move, Jimmy.

 

Actually Jimmy Buffet sold all of the US Margaritaville holdings and franchises in 2013 or 2014? One of those two. I believe the only one he still owns is the casino.

 

While never having sailed NCL or any places with one of the grill options I can only hope that these changes don't take place before we sail in June on the BA. The main reason I say this is because I have been telling my 14 yr old about how to use Uptown Grill for lunch and such instead of the buffet if it is really crowded from advice on here :D He won't care to much, he is a salad kid and eats a salad everyday for school lunch, but a good salad would mean the world to him!

 

As sad as it is, we haven't even sailed NCL yet, but since we booked 13 months ago there have been so so so many changes I have pretty much ruled out NCL for our next cruise after this one. It is going to have to be amazing and spectacular and have an amazing itinerary for me to risk a "what will totally change by the time we actually sail?" questions that keep happening. Who knows at that time NCL might be the winner, but for people like me who have no loyalty, or people who book based on what they will be expecting and then come onto the ship and a totally different experience?

 

Paying $6 for a burger (based on Escape prices) or for a salad or nachos? Yeah just never gonna happen for my family sorry NCL!

[LrgPizza]

I will add however, that if the Loaded Nachos are as good as the regular Margaritaville, and are on the menu, I can somehow make a unique exception for this. [emoji6]

 

I loved them on my cruise. I don't eat anything soggy at all (I won't even butter toast because it sogs it), so I certainly wouldn't have touched them if mine were the slightest bit of soggy. My only complaint is that they could have fed 6 people, and there were only 2 of us. (Is that a complaint?)

[LrgPizza]

Actually Jimmy Buffet sold all of the US Margaritaville holdings and franchises in 2013 or 2014? One of those two. I believe the only one he still owns is the casino.

 

While never having sailed NCL or any places with one of the grill options I can only hope that these changes don't take place before we sail in June on the BA. The main reason I say this is because I have been telling my 14 yr old about how to use Uptown Grill for lunch and such instead of the buffet if it is really crowded from advice on here :D He won't care to much, he is a salad kid and eats a salad everyday for school lunch, but a good salad would mean the world to him!

 

As sad as it is, we haven't even sailed NCL yet, but since we booked 13 months ago there have been so so so many changes I have pretty much ruled out NCL for our next cruise after this one. It is going to have to be amazing and spectacular and have an amazing itinerary for me to risk a "what will totally change by the time we actually sail?" questions that keep happening. Who knows at that time NCL might be the winner, but for people like me who have no loyalty, or people who book based on what they will be expecting and then come onto the ship and a totally different experience?

 

Paying $6 for a burger (based on Escape prices) or for a salad or nachos? Yeah just never gonna happen for my family sorry NCL!

If you had booked a month in advance, there wouldn't have been so many changes. I mean, cruise lines and ships are always going to change things, and since people book so far in advance (I do, too), changes are always going to happen after people are booked. That's unavoidable since people are ALWAYS booked. It sucks when the changes negatively affect you, but it happens everywhere, and it is hardly avoidable. If these changes had been made before you'd booked, someone else had already been booked. See what I mean? When are they supposed to make changes? People are always booked.

[LMaxwell]

If you had booked a month in advance, there wouldn't have been so many changes. I mean, cruise lines and ships are always going to change things, and since people book so far in advance (I do, too), changes are always going to happen after people are booked. That's unavoidable since people are ALWAYS booked. It sucks when the changes negatively affect you, but it happens everywhere, and it is hardly avoidable. If these changes had been made before you'd booked, someone else had already been booked. See what I mean? When are they supposed to make changes? People are always booked.

 

Maybe they shouldn't be making the change at all.

[AdoraBelle]

If you had booked a month in advance, there wouldn't have been so many changes. I mean, cruise lines and ships are always going to change things, and since people book so far in advance (I do, too), changes are always going to happen after people are booked. That's unavoidable since people are ALWAYS booked. It sucks when the changes negatively affect you, but it happens everywhere, and it is hardly avoidable. If these changes had been made before you'd booked, someone else had already been booked. See what I mean? When are they supposed to make changes? People are always booked.

 

 

I know it's a thing that you view all NCL changes as positive, but I've been lurking around here for over a year on ALL the mass-market lines, and while everyone's making little cutbacks here and price bumps there, and quality of food is down across the board, no one has made the sweepingly aggressive money grabs that NCL has in the last year. So yeah, this is an ESPECIALLY bad time to have booked 13 months ago.

[LrgPizza]

Maybe they shouldn't be making the change at all.

Sometimes things have to change. I can't expect walking on a ship and having food, decor, prices, etc. all identical to 1985. Things sometimes have to change. Sure, there are some I wish didn't happen, but when folks pretend things should never change, that's just, well, kind of stupid.

 

I know it's a thing that you view all NCL changes as positive, but I've been lurking around here for over a year on ALL the mass-market lines, and while everyone's making little cutbacks here and price bumps there, and quality of food is down across the board, no one has made the sweepingly aggressive money grabs that NCL has in the last year. So yeah, this is an ESPECIALLY bad time to have booked 13 months ago.

 

I don't view all NCL changes as positive. Not in the slightest! What I often say is that the changes only have a minimal effect on me personally. I'm saving money on my cruises, so while it sucks that the "money grabbing" is negatively affecting people, as long as I'm still getting value, I'm not going to have a sobfest on the internet. It doesn't mean I don't sympathize with others, but we all have different experiences. I didn't book 13 months ago, but I did book 15 months ago. I canceled and rebooked 2 months ago because it saved me money.

 

And we all talk about food as being subjective, which is true. I'm one of many who actually think the food quality has gotten way better. In addition, I've only had 4 NCL cruises, but the first was the worst cruise ever, and the most recent was the best ever. Sorry, but that says something about why I view this cruiseline the way I do.

 

I have no loyalty to any line at all. The only reason I keep sailing NCL is because it keeps giving me what I want. Before booking any cruise, I compare several lines, and this one keeps winning. When it doesn't, I'll be on a different ship. I couldn't care less.

 

And since this thread is about Margaritaville - I ate there 11 times on EScape and loved it. I didn't have a thing I didn't like. It was free then. It sucks that Uptown Grill won't be available on my Breakaway cruise. It's inconvenient not to have complimentary dining up there on the ship.

Edited April 24, 2016 by LrgPizza

[LMaxwell]

Sometimes things have to change.

 

Sure, but don't see how this is something that falls under "have to change".

 

I'd rather have a burger from a grill for no extra charge versus them changing the sign and charging me for the burger.

[ann41]

Ann, will you be joining us on Breakaway on the 15th?

 

>> Updated, I just looked at the Roll Call and you guys are our neighbors, we're from N Brfrd! See you guys on board! [emoji3]

 

I have to echo everyone's comments. This really is a shame. I read toward end of 2015 on various threads here about the line transitioning to this "higher end" model with all fresh refurb (paint wallpaper and light fixtures) ships, but at the cost of more a la carte and less in terms of product (like Uptown Grille) to the customer. I fear this is indeed a reality and perhaps the beginning of this movement. Let's hope not. After shelling out the $$$$$ for the experience and cruise, I don't want to have to bring my wallet to almost every restaurant for a lunch like a standard hotel resort. If I were the competitor, I'd be taking note of this and capitalizing on it. As loyal as I am to the brand and our local home away from home ship (see my screename) If this trend were to continue, I'm sad to say the "Allure" from across the harbor in Bayone would be calling my name, and I might just answer. Not there yet, but if this trend continues, the paint, wallpaper, floors and light fixtures won't be the experience I want to pay for.

 

Having said that,

 

21 more days!!! Maybe we will see Ann joining us for one last Burger and Salad!

 

 

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Yes we will be at the meet and great neighbor !

 

And I'll be at uptown hopefully so I can get my burger . I have been dieting for 3 months now. I WANT a burger! Lol

 

We are new to NCL but not new to cruising and from what I'm reading I'm kinda getting worried but hey I'll give it a try and I'll still be on vacation so that's all that matters .

 

I'm looking forward to meeting and making some cruising friends.

 

What time are you going ? We have the 9:30 checking in at the dock 😁 see everyone there !

 

Ann😄

[LrgPizza]

Sure, but don't see how this is something that falls under "have to change".

 

I'd rather have a burger from a grill for no extra charge versus them changing the sign and charging me for the burger.

 

Agree. However, when the first announcement was made for the partnership with Margaritaville in Dec. 2014, it stated that it would be on ships (plural) and also GSC and Harvest Caye. For that reason, no one should really be surprised. This is obviously the logical place to put it.

 

I still keep holding out hope that they change from an a la carte to a flat $5 cover charge, but I won't hold my breath.

[tartan cruiser]

Maybe they are waiting to announce the opening of Margaritaville on the ships and at GSC all at the same time. I believe GSC will get Margaritaville and at that time the free buffet will be discontinued along with being able to use your UBP. Just my opinion but I really feel this is the direction they are going. From what I've read this will be the case at Harvest Caye. No free food or drink. Just waiting to hear if they'll charge for the loungers. When I first booked my Getaway cruise more than a year ago I was excited for Harvest Caye instead of Belize City. Now not so much.

[zackarykeef]

I think the entire partnership with Margaritaville is silly. Like I said previously, there's one in virtually every port the ships already go to. Was that not enough? I didn't even know they wanted to put them at GSC and Harvest Caye. Do people love it that much that the other ports weren't enough, but we need it on the private islands AND on the ships, too?

 

I didn't know people were sad they weren't able to eat 24/7 at Margaritaville on their trips. :eek:

[tartan cruiser]

The Margaritaville experience on the ship is not the same. No atmosphere like on land and the food seems hit or miss according to the reviews. I refuse to pay a la carte prices, especially for lunch so not first hand knowledge on the food. On the Escape is takes up valuable space for the amount of use it gets. I saw very few dining here on the 2/13/2016 cruise the times I walked by. It was only open from 11-4. I feel this is why the buffet was so crowded, Not many choices after 1:30 pm. The same thing will happen on the Getaway and Breakaway when the free restaurant is gone.

[jdro]

Is there a time line for the change?

 

Thanks

 

Jennifer

[Sizzlechest]

Agree. However, when the first announcement was made for the partnership with Margaritaville in Dec. 2014, it stated that it would be on ships (plural) and also GSC and Harvest Caye. For that reason, no one should really be surprised. This is obviously the logical place to put it.

 

The surprise came when they started charging a la carte for it.

 

I still keep holding out hope that they change from an a la carte to a flat $5 cover charge, but I won't hold my breath.

 

Are the menu items in Margarettaville truly different than the rest of the ship or is it the same food repackaged but now costs money? Like the sundaes in OShennans. Same ice cream and toppings as on the buffet, but inexplicably has a fee because it's served in a different location on the same ship?

[LrgPizza]

The surprise came when they started charging a la carte for it.

 

Are the menu items in Margarettaville truly different than the rest of the ship or is it the same food repackaged but now costs money? Like the sundaes in OShennans. Same ice cream and toppings as on the buffet, but inexplicably has a fee because it's served in a different location on the same ship?

 

When I had it, it was truly different items. For instance, I've never seen a breakfast in MDR that I couldn't get in the buffet. This was different. On the other hand, the pretzel breadsticks were identical to the ones downstairs in the buffet. But you couldn't get guacamole in the buffet, and the burgers were better than I'd ever had anywhere on the ship. The nachos were miles above the ones served in O'Sheehan's. Same for the fish 'n chips. Conch fritters? Nope. Those aren't found anywhere else, and they are good. The beauty of it was that it was indeed unique. And free. *sigh*

[monkeybone]

When I had it, it was truly different items. For instance, I've never seen a breakfast in MDR that I couldn't get in the buffet. This was different. On the other hand, the pretzel breadsticks were identical to the ones downstairs in the buffet. But you couldn't get guacamole in the buffet, and the burgers were better than I'd ever had anywhere on the ship. The nachos were miles above the ones served in O'Sheehan's. Same for the fish 'n chips. Conch fritters? Nope. Those aren't found anywhere else, and they are good. The beauty of it was that it was indeed unique. And free. *sigh*

 

What a shame because Kevin Sheehan meant for this to be a free venue:

 

https://www.ncl.com/press-releases/Norwegian-Cruise-Line-Sets-Sail-For-Exclusive-Partnership-With-Margaritaville

 

Margaritaville's iconic name brings to mind the desire in everyone to kick back and escape the everyday, if only for a few hours or days. Norwegian Escape's Margaritaville restaurant and bar will embody that essence of escapism with a laid back atmosphere inspired by the lyrics and lifestyle of Jimmy Buffett. Nostalgic island moments will come to life with a menu that invites guests to take a bite out of paradise with signature items like the Cheeseburger in Paradise and Who's to Blame Margarita. This venue will be one of Norwegian Escape's many complimentary dining outlets.

Edited April 24, 2016 by monkeybone

[monkeybone]

Sure, but don't see how this is something that falls under "have to change".

 

I'd rather have a burger from a grill for no extra charge versus them changing the sign and charging me for the burger.

 

Agreed.

[SailBreakaway]

 

A picture just to capture the what one day will be Breakaway History....

 

 

 

 

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[esm54687]

, add in Dunkin Donuts

 

Do NOT tease me with a Dunkin on board =D

[monkeybone]

Do NOT tease me with a Dunkin on board =D

 

I wish!