Cheese

[RocketMan275]

4 hours ago, TheBeardedCruiser said:

I guess my point was that the prices are already high enough to justify better food and drinks, in my opinion. I'm not NCL's accountant though, so maybe they are just scraping by in the Haven... but somehow I doubt it!

 

1 hour ago, TheBeardedCruiser said:

I don't want better for less. I don't sail in the Haven, so I don't really care what kind of food they serve in the Haven.

 

This is the second or third time that you've attacked one of my responses on an NCL thread. It's it just me that you attack, or are you this rude to everyone on this website?

I'm not attacking or being rude.  I'm trying to understand you.   Aren't you the one who raised the issue of whether Haven prices were "high enough to justify better food and drinks."? Now,  you say you don't really know or even care what is served in the Haven.

We should end this conversation.

[Distinctive-Destinations]

15 hours ago, MarkieMarkNYC said:

On a recent Haven experience, I was returning to my cabin from the gym at around 1pm and noticed a cheese tray being delivered to an adjacent room. I thought "ooh, I want one of those" so asked my butler for a cheese tray. His response was "I don't have that today". 

So keep your expectations of the Haven low to avoid being disappointed.

I could be mistaken, but can’t you order (and pay for) cheese plates, like you would a cake, etc as an add on? That might have been a cheese plate that the room paid for to have delivered, in which case the butler would have been correct.

[ggTexasGal]

18 minutes ago, Distinctive-Destinations said:

I could be mistaken, but can’t you order (and pay for) cheese plates, like you would a cake, etc as an add on? That might have been a cheese plate that the room paid for to have delivered, in which case the butler would have been correct.

You are correct!  NCL offers a Fruit and Cheese Tray which can be pre-ordered when logged into your account (& cruise).  Select the Explore & Plan, the Gifts & More.

[The Traveling Man]

17 hours ago, MarkieMarkNYC said:

On a recent Haven experience, I was returning to my cabin from the gym at around 1pm and noticed a cheese tray being delivered to an adjacent room. I thought "ooh, I want one of those" so asked my butler for a cheese tray. His response was "I don't have that today".

Wow, that seems rather rude.

[The Traveling Man]

1 hour ago, ggTexasGal said:

You are correct!  NCL offers a Fruit and Cheese Tray which can be pre-ordered when logged into your account (& cruise).  Select the Explore & Plan, the Gifts & More.

We rarely travel in the Haven.  Perhaps because we are Diamond Latitudes members, though, we frequently receive cheese, fruit, hors d'oeuvres, and snack trays even without ordering them.

[MarkieMarkNYC]

3 hours ago, Distinctive-Destinations said:

I could be mistaken, but can’t you order (and pay for) cheese plates, like you would a cake, etc as an add on? That might have been a cheese plate that the room paid for to have delivered, in which case the butler would have been correct.

This was the standard cheese plate that I had received previously and again on a few subsequent days and was a regular amenity given by the butler. 

Our butler was really bad and there were other things that were problemmatic, but I pointed this out because of the cheese theme.

 

[Distinctive-Destinations]

15 minutes ago, MarkieMarkNYC said:

This was the standard cheese plate that I had received previously and again on a few subsequent days and was a regular amenity given by the butler. 

Our butler was really bad and there were other things that were problemmatic, but I pointed this out because of the cheese theme.

 

Okay fair enough. I was giving the butler the benefit of the doubt. 

[ggTexasGal]

3 hours ago, The Traveling Man said:

We rarely travel in the Haven.  Perhaps because we are Diamond Latitudes members, though, we frequently receive cheese, fruit, hors d'oeuvres, and snack trays even without ordering them.

We also are Diamond.  However, the only times we've received  those "extras" (aside from suite or Haven) is when we've actively interacted with ship's officers... I was lead for a CC Meet & Greet.

Also, we did get canapes/treats in a Club Balcony (as listed on reservation).

We have not had "dinner with ship officers" for decades.

[The Traveling Man]

6 minutes ago, ggTexasGal said:

We also are Diamond.  However, the only times we've received  those "extras" (aside from suite or Haven) is when we've actively interacted with ship's officers... I was lead for a CC Meet & Greet.

Also, we did get canapes/treats in a Club Balcony (as listed on reservation).

We have not had "dinner with ship officers" for decades.

We always make a point of interacting with the ship's officers, especially the senior officers such as the GM, F&B Director, CN Director, and GS Director.  It's always good to have an inside track to the folks who actually can solve a problem if one pops up.  More importantly, at least for us, we really enjoy getting to know people from other countries and other walks of life, hearing their stories, learning their points of view and how the customs and traditions where they grew up impacted their life and their world view.  If showing an interest in one or more of them results in getting a few extras like hors d'oeuvres, an extra night in a specialty restaurant, dinner with the GM or Captain, or a couple of free bottles of wine, then those are just bonuses.  The real benefit, though, is expanding our world view by getting to know others whose lives are vastly different from our own.

 

I have been the host for a CC Meet & Greet about a half dozen times.  That usually results in some extras coming our way.  I always try to introduce myself to the senior hotel officers on every cruise.  My wife and I have had dinner with officers 20 times on 18 different cruises.  Sometimes there would only be one officer with a half dozen guests, while other times we would have a table for four - my wife, myself, and two senior officers, usually in Le Bistro or Cagney's.  That sometimes would be in addition to the usual dinner with a junior officer in the MDR, sometimes instead of it.  Even though we rarely book a Suite or the Haven, we frequently have been put on the list to join the "suite people" for breakfast and lunch in Moderno or Cagney's.  Being nice to others, treating them with respect, and showing an interest in them as individuals really does pay dividends.

[TheBeardedCruiser]

4 hours ago, The Traveling Man said:

We always make a point of interacting with the ship's officers, especially the senior officers such as the GM, F&B Director, CN Director, and GS Director.  It's always good to have an inside track to the folks who actually can solve a problem if one pops up.  More importantly, at least for us, we really enjoy getting to know people from other countries and other walks of life, hearing their stories, learning their points of view and how the customs and traditions where they grew up impacted their life and their world view.  If showing an interest in one or more of them results in getting a few extras like hors d'oeuvres, an extra night in a specialty restaurant, dinner with the GM or Captain, or a couple of free bottles of wine, then those are just bonuses.  The real benefit, though, is expanding our world view by getting to know others whose lives are vastly different from our own.

 

I have been the host for a CC Meet & Greet about a half dozen times.  That usually results in some extras coming our way.  I always try to introduce myself to the senior hotel officers on every cruise.  My wife and I have had dinner with officers 20 times on 18 different cruises.  Sometimes there would only be one officer with a half dozen guests, while other times we would have a table for four - my wife, myself, and two senior officers, usually in Le Bistro or Cagney's.  That sometimes would be in addition to the usual dinner with a junior officer in the MDR, sometimes instead of it.  Even though we rarely book a Suite or the Haven, we frequently have been put on the list to join the "suite people" for breakfast and lunch in Moderno or Cagney's.  Being nice to others, treating them with respect, and showing an interest in them as individuals really does pay dividends

You come off as genuinely kind in your posts! I imagine that in person you are just as, if not more, kind! No wonder you score free stuff on your cruises! The thing is, reading the post above, it doesn't appear at all that you're doing it for the free stuff, which makes it even cooler!

We can all learn a thing or two about kindness from people like you 😀

[The Traveling Man]

1 hour ago, TheBeardedCruiser said:

You come off as genuinely kind in your posts! I imagine that in person you are just as, if not more, kind! No wonder you score free stuff on your cruises! The thing is, reading the post above, it doesn't appear at all that you're doing it for the free stuff, which makes it even cooler!

We can all learn a thing or two about kindness from people like you 😀

Thank you.  You're too kind by a mile.  Yes, we always try to enjoy our life.  My wife is a "glass half full" kind of person.  My take on life may be a bit more skewed.  I see a glass half full and can't help but thinking that someone really should have used a smaller glass.  Bazinga!  Anyway, sure, we're always happy to receive the extras, but on the few occasions when we haven't received any, we've just smiled and carried on.  No harm, no foul.  On our most recent three cruises with NCL, we have been the senior Latitudes members on board.  The GMs, CN Managers, and GS Managers each bent over backwards to be generous to us.  Sure, it stokes our egos, but the bottom line is that we really enjoyed becoming friends with GM Vitor, GM Cary, CN Manager Celeste, and others.

[dexddd]

There used to be cheese at the Lats parties, the cubes, but recent report no more.

[The Traveling Man]

9 hours ago, dexddd said:

There used to be cheese at the Lats parties, the cubes, but recent report no more.

If you go back far enough, they used to serve actual hors d'oeurves.  Some were mighty tasty.  They also used to give out door prizes.  Some were pretty valuable, like free laundry.  On a couple of our cruises they had a drawing for a free upgrade to a suite.  Those were the days.

[TheBeardedCruiser]

9 hours ago, dexddd said:

There used to be cheese at the Lats parties, the cubes, but recent report no more.

Great news: We had cheese on the Getaway two months ago, at the Latitudes party. So hopefully the tradition is still alive, and it was just a fluke. It wasn't any of the fancy cheeses, but they were edible 😀

[EngrJones]

4 hours ago, TheBeardedCruiser said:

Great news: We had cheese on the Getaway two months ago, at the Latitudes party.

Yeah, I had cheese and the "party" two months ago.  Probably not "great" news, just plain old news....

[TheBeardedCruiser]

On 6/27/2024 at 9:18 PM, EngrJones said:

Yeah, I had cheese and the "party" two months ago.  Probably not "great" news, just plain old news....

I'm really easy to please. Give me some swiss cheese and extra sharp cheddar cheese cubes and I'll be a happy man!

[dexddd]

On 6/27/2024 at 3:35 PM, The Traveling Man said:

If you go back far enough, they used to serve actual hors d'oeurves.  Some were mighty tasty.  They also used to give out door prizes.  Some were pretty valuable, like free laundry.  On a couple of our cruises they had a drawing for a free upgrade to a suite.  Those were the days.

I remember those.  Think they even had free cruise in an inside at one point. Never won anything though.

[GALSews]

On 6/25/2024 at 3:34 PM, Captain-John said:

My request for a 'cheese plate' (off menu, but still) instead of a sweet dessert on Joy in Haven last year was most disappointing.

 

MSC cheese carts are the best selection I've come across at sea

 

 

And up go the bad cholesterol numbers.  Do the olives counter the effect of the cheese?

[Captain-John]

1 hour ago, GALSews said:

And up go the bad cholesterol numbers.  Do the olives counter the effect of the cheese?

 

Grapes, I believe. I had a double serving - a large glass of the red variety as well as what was on the plate.

 

Even a big glug of wine couldn't overcome the processed and plastic taste of the sliced cheese (look at the shine!). The camembert was OK though.

[DebbieCruises]

On 6/26/2024 at 2:31 PM, The Traveling Man said:

I have been the host for a CC Meet & Greet about a half dozen times.  That usually results in some extras coming our way.  I always try to introduce myself to the senior hotel officers on every cruise.  My wife and I have had dinner with officers 20 times on 18 different cruises.  Sometimes there would only be one officer with a half dozen guests, while other times we would have a table for four - my wife, myself, and two senior officers, usually in Le Bistro or Cagney's.  That sometimes would be in addition to the usual dinner with a junior officer in the MDR, sometimes instead of it.  Even though we rarely book a Suite or the Haven, we frequently have been put on the list to join the "suite people" for breakfast and lunch in Moderno or Cagney's.  Being nice to others, treating them with respect, and showing an interest in them as individuals really does pay dividends.

I have hosted quite a few CC Meet & Greet gatherings and have never recieved any "perks" because of it. I have been asked several times if I do it for the "perks," and was always a bit amused by the question. When I say no, the next question is if I am a travel agent. Of course, that is another no from me. I do it because I like to meet new people and offer them a chance to do the same.  I always purchase a small souvenir to gift the officers as a way to thank them for making all of our cruises so wonderful and for the people atteending the M&G to just hopefully see them smile. I've kind of assumed there were no additional perks, because we are Ambassador Lattitudes level and for the last several years always stay in the Haven.  I figure our cruise life can't get much better.😊

[The Traveling Man]

14 hours ago, DebbieCruises said:

I have hosted quite a few CC Meet & Greet gatherings and have never recieved any "perks" because of it. I have been asked several times if I do it for the "perks," and was always a bit amused by the question. When I say no, the next question is if I am a travel agent. Of course, that is another no from me. I do it because I like to meet new people and offer them a chance to do the same.  I always purchase a small souvenir to gift the officers as a way to thank them for making all of our cruises so wonderful and for the people atteending the M&G to just hopefully see them smile. I've kind of assumed there were no additional perks, because we are Ambassador Lattitudes level and for the last several years always stay in the Haven.  I figure our cruise life can't get much better.😊

I was actually quite surprised and a bit apprehensive my first time as a M&G host.  We were traveling in a standard Balcony stateroom and had joined the check-in line for Latitudes members in the terminal.  We weren't in the Haven, were not top tier Latitudes members, weren't part of Casinos at Sea or any other specialty designation that might result in perks.  Just plain ol' folks waiting to check in.  We finally got to the counter, showed our IDs, had our photos taken, and then...RED FLAGS!!!   "Just one moment," the check-in clerk said.  "Let me call my supervisor."  After a few minutes of several folks staring at computer screens, but before receiving our key cards, we were told "Follow me."  They took us through the terminal, down a hallway, past several small rooms, until finally, voila, they led us into the sanctum sanctorum where the Haven guests were gathered.  "Oh, no,"  I protested.  "We're just regular Balcony passengers."  Then the Concierge greeted us, explained that the GM always invited CC M&G hosts to enjoy Haven benefits, regardless of what room category they have booked.  So, for the entirety of that cruise we enjoyed breakfast and lunch with the Haven guests in Moderno or Cagney's, afternoon snacks provided by a butler, priority seating in the Haven section of the theater, and priority tendering and debarkation.  We have experienced a similar reception on several other occasions when hosting the M&G, but not every time.  Not all GMs do that, apparently, but we thought it was a very generous offer and were happy to accept.  YMMV.

[ColdCruise]

On 7/1/2024 at 11:57 AM, The Traveling Man said:

I was actually quite surprised and a bit apprehensive my first time as a M&G host.  We were traveling in a standard Balcony stateroom and had joined the check-in line for Latitudes members in the terminal.  We weren't in the Haven, were not top tier Latitudes members, weren't part of Casinos at Sea or any other specialty designation that might result in perks.  Just plain ol' folks waiting to check in.  We finally got to the counter, showed our IDs, had our photos taken, and then...RED FLAGS!!!   "Just one moment," the check-in clerk said.  "Let me call my supervisor."  After a few minutes of several folks staring at computer screens, but before receiving our key cards, we were told "Follow me."  They took us through the terminal, down a hallway, past several small rooms, until finally, voila, they led us into the sanctum sanctorum where the Haven guests were gathered.  "Oh, no,"  I protested.  "We're just regular Balcony passengers."  Then the Concierge greeted us, explained that the GM always invited CC M&G hosts to enjoy Haven benefits, regardless of what room category they have booked.  So, for the entirety of that cruise we enjoyed breakfast and lunch with the Haven guests in Moderno or Cagney's, afternoon snacks provided by a butler, priority seating in the Haven section of the theater, and priority tendering and debarkation.  We have experienced a similar reception on several other occasions when hosting the M&G, but not every time.  Not all GMs do that, apparently, but we thought it was a very generous offer and were happy to accept.  YMMV.

That’s a very nice experience and memory @The Traveling Man, now I understand why some roll calls see people almost arguing over who is managing the M&G.

 

i volunteered to coordinate the M&G on my last cruise as no one had done so (late-ish booking, 3 months out) because I enjoy meeting other cruisers, and CCers.  I didn’t get any special perks but it was nice to be able to run into the department heads around the ship and recognize them (I am terrible with remembering faces to go with names) and have conversations … because almost all the officers were way better at recognizing people than I am!

 

[EngrJones]

31 minutes ago, ColdCruise said:

some roll calls see people almost arguing over who is managing the M&G.

Is this really true?

[zqvol]

9 hours ago, EngrJones said:

Is this really true?

It is some people will claim “the right” to lead a M&G over a year in advance of sailing. I find leading them to be more trouble than they are worth. What is even more interesting is that with the rise in other social media platforms CC Meet and Greets are diminishing in popularity and often don’t occur. 

[DebbieCruises]

53 minutes ago, zqvol said:

It is some people will claim “the right” to lead a M&G over a year in advance of sailing. I find leading them to be more trouble than they are worth. What is even more interesting is that with the rise in other social media platforms CC Meet and Greets are diminishing in popularity and often don’t occur. 

Do the officers attend the M&G's for other social media groups, too?