graphicguy

That was my experience, too. Don't rush to the restaurant the minute they open, and given that, getting seated was pretty quick, simple and painless.

Boy do I love your post!!!!!

I will eat in the Buffet. But, it's either for a LATE lunch, after the crowds have dissipated, or a Late Snack (again, after the crowd has dissipated) after a long day off the ship and I don't feel like being "fussed" over in the Haven restaurant. Nice having Room Service for breakfast in a Haven cabin, though. I do love the Nespresso machines in room.

I was thinking of that exact example. Had read the real reason they were late back to the ship was because the tour leader insisted on taking the guests to a shopping area, which I'm sure he got a commission from. They assured the guest would make the ship on time, too. Don't think the late guests were compensated in ANY WAY by the tour company. LOL!

Thinking the same. It's best suited for warmer climes. And, any Atlantic sailing is going to be dicey, weather wise (at least all the ones I've sailed). Strictly personal opinion..... -there needs to be a re-evaluation of routes and the ships that sail them -someone/somewhere within NCL there needs to be an assessment of how staffing affects guest satisfaction/relations -by now, the shortages of....well...anything are way behind us. That should no longer have ANY bearing on passenger consumables whether it be drink or food -whatever NCL saves in cost cutting, they'll lose in guest loyalty -can't quite put my finger on others' experience with Prima, as it seems less than ideal. Or, I just got lucky on my sailing. Mine was quite different. Maybe it's because I have an air of aristocracy that follows me. After all, I'm barely outside of Appalachia, a part of the country known for our deep appreciation and sophistication of fine food and liquors (like grits and moonshine).

Hmmmm....that's a tough one. Private tour with no NCL backing? I've done private tours, but never cut it that close. Glad that I didn't. Had two that were NCL sponsored that were late to the ship. One had the bus break down, the other was traffic related. Ship waited for us. Private tour? Doubtful. There have been way too many stories about private tour bus, car break downs, traffic hold ups, etc. Ending an hour before departure? Even if they assure they won't be late (what are you going to do if they are late?). Ship won't wait. Your time, your money, though.

Moreover....you can think of the fares like hotel rates at resorts. In addition to everyone's good advice above, hotel rates change from day to day, depending on occupancy as well as time of year. Two identical cruises in identical cabins sailing a week apart will more likely than not, have different fares.

What a great idea. Thanks!

I actually see a show in Q 3 different times.... -6:30-7:15 -8:00-8:45 -9:00-9:45

LOVED Blu on my EDGE sailing....way better than I did Luminae. I do supplement Haven dining with the SDP for variety. Love Food Republic on NCL as an example. I could dine there 3 times cruise and still want to go back to explore other menu items. Just noted the Luminae menu, while changing, is pretty small compared to the "every nite" menu in Haven. That said, I've been able to get MDR choices in the Haven. Don't order them often, but I have done that in the past. I like both Haven Restaurant and Retreat Luminae on Celebrity, just for different reasons.

I think we've probably confused the poor OP. There will always be exceptions. DO NOT count on the ship waiting for you if you're not there at the all-aboard time. There are hundreds of vides of pier runners watching their ship button up the ship for sailing as they'er running down the pier to catch it, only to watch it sail away. If you are planning an outing with no to little wiggle room, not taking into account possible delays about getting to the pier for all aboard, that's a huge risk. I tend not to tempt fate and plan on Murphy's Law to enter into the picture at some point during my cruises. I dont' want being held up for all aboard to be one of them. Do as you wish. But, the posted all aboard times will be listed in the Dailies as well as on a big sign as you disembark the ship at ports. Pad those times just to be safe.

Use the same mouse and phone when I cruise!

They did have cookies in Feb, along with some other delectable deserts free for the taking on a kiosk on one side of CoCos. Seems some ships are getting them, some aren't. Crazy. Waits for dining establishments is NOT understandable. If they can't do better, then someone at their HQ. Who's your Captain? He was very hands on with my Prima Feb cruise.

Loving your review. Thank you!

Told NCL to watch out for the likes of you all. I told them you'd be the type of person that would buy CN certs while chewing out the CN Manager for not being able to find hash browns at Spice H20. Seriously, I'm enjoying all the reports from everyone on this cruise. I'm happy y'all are having a good time and am jealous I'm not there with you.