I've been sailing NCL long enough to remember when...

[Linda the Book Lover]

On 9/22/2018 at 7:33 AM, Norovirus595 said:

...they used to have fireworks shows.

 

(your turn)

I have to admit I am amazed at all everyone remembers. It is funny what things stick in our minds. I can remember all of the nice people we met but not their names, and the places through photos. Yet, this thread has triggered so many fun events and memories for me. I have to say several times I said, wait I remember that now because someone mentioned an event or a place. Thanks for starting this "down memory lane" thread.

[bob brown]

I remember when N C L stood for,  Norwegian Caribbean Line.....

[peg013]

I remember real glass "fishbowl" glasses with freestyle sayings on them with the Rebellious Fish drink! And ship names on beer mugs/glasses in the bars. We have several of each. 

[NASA1]

$5.00 Cover Charge for Specialty Dining

[newmexicoNita]

8 hours ago, NASA1 said:

$5.00 Cover Charge for Specialty Dining

yep, that was Le Bistro and maybe even Cagney's at first. I am not sure about Cagney's. I do know, shortly after they were added the prices for specialty dining started it's upward movement. I will add, I do understand but it still was a wonderful way to eat in a place a little special and not break the budget. 

[Linda the Book Lover]

2 hours ago, newmexicoNita said:

yep, that was Le Bistro and maybe even Cagney's at first. I am not sure about Cagney's. I do know, shortly after they were added the prices for specialty dining started it's upward movement. I will add, I do understand but it still was a wonderful way to eat in a place a little special and not break the budget. 

I still enjoy the specialty restaurants even more when we made Platinum and could enjoy for free. It is still a nice change and/or variety from the main dining rooms. 

 

On 12/31/2018 at 8:39 AM, peg013 said:

I remember real glass "fishbowl" glasses with freestyle sayings on them with the Rebellious Fish drink! And ship names on beer mugs/glasses in the bars. We have several of each. 

I still have the glasses and keep them for what I have no idea. LOL

[peg013]

4 minutes ago, Linda the Book Lover said:

I still have the glasses and keep them for what I have no idea. LOL

 

If we ever cruise together I would love to take them off your hands! I have sea glass in mine and love the novelty.

 

[Linda the Book Lover]

35 minutes ago, peg013 said:

 

If we ever cruise together I would love to take them off your hands! I have sea glass in mine and love the novelty.

 

Hmmm now that is a great decorating idea 

[CruisinPandora]

We remember when dining in Le Bistro they would make your caesar salad right at your table. Real romano cheese, anchovies, etc. Chocolate fondue with fruit, delicious. (NCL Spirit)

 

We too remember:

Chocolate buffet

Hot chocolate chip/oatmeal cookies

Mint on your pillow

All the extra's in the cabin bathroom

NCL has the best croissants very small now but they use to be huge

 

What I really miss is having the cabin steward on the first day coming to introduce themselves and ask and answer any questions the guest my have or want. That's a service I wish was put back in place again. Sometimes I don't meet the cabin steward until three days in. I just leave notes in the cabin now. Sad thing is you can't get tipped if I can't find or see you.

 

 

 

[CruisinPandora]

On 9/23/2018 at 7:25 AM, Markanddonna said:

NCL's credit card gave you 5% back on all purchases. My second cruise, one going to Alaska, was free except of course for the port fees.

 

This was such an amazing deal! A few of our cruises came close to being free.

[newmexicoNita]

19 minutes ago, CruisinPandora said:

We remember when dining in Le Bistro they would make your caesar salad right at your table. Real romano cheese, anchovies, etc. Chocolate fondue with fruit, delicious. (NCL Spirit)

 

We too remember:

Chocolate buffet

Hot chocolate chip/oatmeal cookies

Mint on your pillow

All the extra's in the cabin bathroom

NCL has the best croissants very small now but they use to be huge

 

What I really miss is having the cabin steward on the first day coming to introduce themselves and ask and answer any questions the guest my have or want. That's a service I wish was put back in place again. Sometimes I don't meet the cabin steward until three days in. I just leave notes in the cabin now. Sad thing is you can't get tipped if I can't find or see you.

 

wow I do remember all you are talking about, but as for not meeting our cabin steward, I think we have only had 2 that have not introduced themselves the first day. One was on the Jewel when they may their first crossing from England back in 2005 or 06 and the other was on the Spirit about 8 years ago.

 

[katyjeka]

Bingo on paper only

[newmexicoNita]

8 minutes ago, katyjeka said:

Bingo on paper only

How about the horse races? I miss them and wish so much they would bring them back. 

[markf]

someone posted  when Klaus  was  a  HD--where  is  he today??

I  do remember  when Dawn and  Gem were the  new  and up and coming  ship--and  of course the  midnight buffets

[2bc cruisers]

What a fun thread!  My first NCL cruise was march 2014, sailed the Wind to western Carr.  Loved that cruise.

"dressed" for every dinner,

lobster, shrimp cocktail,

something more recent I miss is the nightly offering of cheesecake for dessert.

oh, and I miss winning at the casino.  😂😂

Edited January 5, 2019 by 2bc cruisers
Added

[Barb Nahoumi]

I remember when the Majesty did the Bermuda cruises out of Boston.

Formal Nights on NCL.

Lobster Nights on NCL.

NCL mailed tickets to your home.

When the waiters wheeled a desert cart to your table.

[runner15km]

On 12/28/2018 at 10:27 AM, Culverpuppy said:

 

The NORWAY!!!  ('nuff said - this ship was beautiful  Loved her)

 

Yes she was a grand ship. We booked very last minute with a inside GTY. Our cabin was just 66 sq ft with bunk beds. LOL  Cabin steward told us back when she was the SS France our cabin was for the butler who was employed by the passengers in the suite across the hall. The suite  guest would ring a bell in his cabin when they needed something. 

[CruiserEK]

I have been sailing on NCL long enough to remember when they still served Coca-Cola products on their ships.  

[cruiserchris613]

I was only a kid then, but still remember:

• Latitudes sent you a magazine by mail
• Blue Lagoon!
• Behind-the-scenes tours let you on the bridge
• Specialty dining was not a-la-carte
• Searching for your photo in the photo gallery's collapsible walls without the convenience of the binder system

 

[Tweinke]

The Norway in 1982.... After Christmas/ New Year's Cruise with celebrities!

Andy Williams playing blackjack in the casino with my dad (he was drunk and very rude).

Henry Winkler using a camcorder to take movies all around the ship (they were fairly new at that time.)  He also went trap shooting with my new husband on the ship... he didn't know how, so my husband taught him!  He was also on the beach at Half Moon Cay and took pictures with us. 

Doing the bunny-hop around the ship on New Year's Eve... with hats and horns... and Henry Winkler (who was taping everything again)!  Great memories.

Rita Moreno singing and dancing as one of the theater shows.  

2 very formal nights with long, formal dresses.  Lobster... as much as you wanted.

A country-western night, and everyone dressed up!

At the captain's reception... free champagne passed out on large round trays by ship staff in addition to huge trays of

hors d'oeuvres... I remember trying caviar!

Glass glasses as the souvenir glass.... I loved the 'Yellow Bird'.  I married at 18 and went on the cruise 6 months later with my whole family, so wasn't technically even allowed to drink yet... but I was never carded... served as many as I wanted!  

Practicing snorkeling for the "Dive In" Program in the lower full-size pool... on one of the lower levels. We also got a 'free' T-shirt (but I think we paid for the snorkeling program).  

BINGO... and everyone playing in the lounge... this was a big deal back then!

The midnight buffet (set up in the dining room) was huge... with ice sculptures. 

Dancing in the Disco.

Just a beautiful ship... classic.  

[newmexicoNita]

8 hours ago, cruiserchris613 said:

I was only a kid then, but still remember:

• Latitudes sent you a magazine by mail
• Blue Lagoon!
• Behind-the-scenes tours let you on the bridge
• Specialty dining was not a-la-carte
• Searching for your photo in the photo gallery's collapsible walls without the convenience of the binder system

 

I remember the first Blue Lagoon: it was on the Jewel as the ship sailed from Dover to America on it's maiden voyage. Now the Blue Lagoon is O'Sheehan's and has a much better selection. 

[Shellbelle28]

Was Blue Lagoon the small restaurant that had a walk-up counter and very limited menu with things like soup, sandwiches and stir fry? You'd order and they'd bring it to your table. I remember it was good and fast. 

[MrMike45]

The one or 2 night cruises to nowhere...leaving from Manhattan, about 20 min car ride away.  Quick weekend getaway with the wife to get away.  

[cruiserchris613]

10 hours ago, Shellbelle28 said:

Was Blue Lagoon the small restaurant that had a walk-up counter and very limited menu with things like soup, sandwiches and stir fry? You'd order and they'd bring it to your table. I remember it was good and fast. 

Yes. It was the predecessor to O'Sheehan's. Instead of Irish pub-themed fare, Blue Lagoon featured Asian fare like stir-fried rice, noodles, and wonton soup. 24-hours a day. I don't think it was a walk-up counter. They had wait staff.

 

On the Dawn & Star, it was located in a rather awkward place, in the middle of the main thoroughfare on Deck 7 where the photo gallery is now. 

[niborHS]

I thought I was the only one who would say The Norway, but I am not. However, I was on the WInd the first year that Roatan and Belize were used as ports, at least on bigger ships anyway, if you want to call that big.