cloud_nine

I don't mind at all, but then I have to order my starter, main and dessert the night before anyway (vegetarian with a food allergy).

51 minutes ago, Merion_Mom said:

 

They are not REmoving the comedy club.  They are MOVING it across the hall.  🙂 

 

I don't see it on the deck plans for after the refurb. Also - no need to yell just because I may have got something wrong. That's just what I heard. 

1 hour ago, George C said:

We did sister ship in suite, always enjoyed grand suites, you should get a email from concierge about 5 days before the cruise, you can then have him make any reservations. You can eat all meals in CK if you like. I really do not like the wine that you can get for free . Had no issues with getting seats for any of the shows. Only show that needed a reservation on oasis was comedy show. 

Thanks! I believe they're removing the comedy club on Allure to replace with Diamond Lounge, so won't be needing to book comedy show anyway (plus we're not "comedy show people" anyway) and as long as there's a sparkling wine in the Suite Lounge we'll be good as we can generally drink anything with bubbles! 

59 minutes ago, Southern latitudes said:

I was in a GS on Harmony.  I did reserve the shows in advance, but it was not necessary.  In fact, we changed our schedule once on board.  The only thing you do need to reserve is the comedy show, but the concierge was able to change dates for us for that as well.  You are correct on the drinks. They also serve a limited selection of cocktails in the early evening.  We got the drink package because I did not want to have to go to the 17th deck every time I wanted a drink, but we did not have a port intensive itinerary.   

Thanks, I think we'll probably do the same - book in advance and then possibly change our schedule when on board. That was the only thing I was thinking about...having to go up 17th to get a drink all the time (though it would be more exercise to work off the food at least!) but as this is quite a port intensive initerary perhaps we'll skip the package this time unless the price comes down a fair bit before we sail. 

We'll be sailing on the Allure in August in a Grand Suite, and as we have never sailed on an Oasis Class ship before I have a few questions.

Is making reservations for the shows a must? I know that there is a suite section, but I've also heard that The Key passengers are being allowed into that section, so just wondering if it's safer to make reservations if possible?

Am I correct in thinking we can get soft drinks and wine from 11am-11pm in the Suite Lounge? We're on the fence about getting the drinks package and if we can just get those from the Suite Lounge all day we may find it easier to just pay as we go for cocktails (despite the 10% Spanish Tax) 

How do we go about making reservations for Coastal Kitchen? We don't want to eat there every night, but will want to eat there a few evenings. Someone mentioned asking the Conceirge to make reservations before we go - is that right, or does it have to be done onboard?

Also, I'm assuming we'll be able to see CKs menus on the app like the MDRs right? It's too far out right now to see anything so I'm just curious. 

4 hours ago, Iamcruzin said:

That's what turned me off to NCL. From what I have heard from friends who sail them you have to eat in the specialty restaurants as the MDR is awful.

Specialty restaurants weren't much better in my opinion - but we did sail on a smaller ship so maybe the bigger NCL ships have better specialty dining. One thing I did like about NCL was their buffet for dinner. Found the food there far superior to the food in the MDR.

Our first cruise was Carnival and I said "never again", then we tried RCI and stuck with them. I've tried NCL and despite the great service, I wouldn't go back with them as I wasn't overly keen on the food, or the insane queues for the bar - I'm assuming because nearly everyone had the drinks package - which I've never experienced on Royal, yes there are queues but nothing like what I experienced on NCL (plus a lot more LOUD drunks). Personally, I would try Celebrity (they're next on my list of cruise lines to try) but I know they are a little higher in cost than some cruise lines. I've heard that MSC is slightly better out of the US than they are in Europe, so wouldn't rule them out either if you're looking for a lower price point.

56 minutes ago, cruisemom42 said:

 

Well, I guess those 400 additional people who died every day in the UK during the heat wave were just spoilt. Thanks for clarifying that.

Okay, I'll bite. Did you know that more people on average die in the UK winter months than those during summer heatwaves? Yes, you do get the more vulnerable in the population (the very young, the elderly and the ones with pre-existing medical conditions) suffering from the heatwaves, but generally speaking the rest of the population tends to take it in stride with just a bit of moaning (but the Brits moan about all weather's so don't take that too seriously either). I'm not sure what point you were trying to prove by putting words in my mouth, but I'll just say this and then I'm done, because I'm not going to continue arguing with you. In my post, I said that not everyone was like you. Meaning that there are those of you that can't tolerate the heat and those that can. Nowhere in my post did I mention the more vulnerable of the population here in Britain that made up the bulk of those deaths you mentioned. Nor did I mention that what I was stating was hard fact, just my opinion that people who had A/C all the time tended to be the ones who complained about the heat more. That is what I have seen and heard from people from the US holidaying in the Med (there are lots of reviews by people from the States etc complaining about no A/C in hotels, being too hot or whatever). I mean just look on here - the ones saying they actually like the heat in the summer in the Med are Brits and those that are die hard haters of the Med heat are from your side of the pond. Again, these are just my opinions and observations, I'm sure there are also Brits who don't like the heat as much too. As for the spoilt part, which you obviously took offence to, considering you have been to the UK and therefore know so much about it, you must realise that in Wales, we often use the word spoilt in a friendly manner (if someone has something we don't for example and we'd love to have it, we say "aw you're spoilt you are!") It was not meant to be offensive, though your response certainly was meant to be, I'm sure. I guess what I just meant was that in general, those who have air-con 24/7 tend to take it for granted somewhat and as they are generally always cool and don't really know or remember what it's like not to have it so aren't acclimatised to the hot weather as much and therefore feel hotter than someone who has never had air-conditioned houses or workplaces and has to sweat it out in the heat. That is all. Vulnerable people of course feel the heat more and struggle more with it - and I never said that they didn't. 

6 minutes ago, mom says said:

Did anyone say that you would? The discussion arose from Darren's question "Who complains about glorious weather ( summer in the Med)? And my response that not everyone can tolerate the heat. Which is not the same thing as disliking it, or claiming that it's all of nothing. Some people love/like the heat. Some people dislike/can't tolerate the heat. Simple as that.

I was replying to the post that stated: "There's no way that's not going to be a miserable experience in Greece or southern Turkey in August." It was not in response to any of your posts mom says. 

1 hour ago, cruisemom42 said:

 

I dunno but there was plenty of whingeing when I was in the UK in June and July this past year (the hottest on record, both of them, including two terrible heat waves). 

 

When people are on holiday, they often do things that they wouldn't do at home that pose dangers -- they drink more, they are likely more active, they are out in the sun for longer periods. 

 

I live in a place where the average summer highs are around 32 C (90 F) and frequently hotter. But when I'm at home I go from air-conditioned house to air-conditioned car to air-conditioned office. When I'm in the Mediterranean I'm trotting off to archaeological sites where I'm walking, standing, climbing in rocky areas that tend to radiate heat. There's no way that's not going to be a miserable experience in Greece or southern Turkey in August.

 

I've done Greece in August. Wasn't miserable in the slightest. Yes it was hot particularly in Athens when we went to see the Acropolis, but no way was I miserable in the slightest! I'm on holiday, why would I be miserable? This year we spent a night in Venice in August in a hotel room with no A/C - that was a pain, yes, but again we dealt with it. I often find that people who are spoilt by having air conditioning everywhere they go to be the ones who complain about the heat the most because they don't acclimatise to the heat as much, as like the above poster commented they are constantly going from air conditioned house to air conditioned car to air conditioned office, but just because you're used to one thing and would be miserable in Greece in August, doesn't mean we all are.

I like to cruise the med in May/June and late August/early September. No idea why people think it's too hot during those times - I find October/November to be too cool in most Med countries unless you're doing Greece, but maybe that's just me. Yes, it can also be crowded in July/August but I don't generally go to the "tourist" places so I haven't found it that bad (with the exception of Santorini, but then that's crowded pretty much until November anyway). 

From what I've heard Disney Cruise Line is exceptional with allergies - though they are on the pricier side. 

1 hour ago, kiddo76 said:

1. FIL tried to get through TSA with a full bottle of suncreen and was pissed 

When I first read this I thought you meant that he was really drunk (in the UK pissed means drunk) and was wondering why they even let him on the plane. I bet you're wishing they hadn't! Hang in there! Hope the rest of your vacation goes without further incident. 

Good question. I just looked but can't see anywhere to book flights. Very strange.

Yeah, I'm not a huge fan of it either, I liked being able to see what the C&A price was early on. If you're looking at a few different itineries, it's a bit of a faff now. And no it doesn't offer refundable deposits. Would be nice if they changed their T's&C's to be just like the US too! Wouldn't mind the website change if we could also get price drops and refundable deposits!

40 minutes ago, Host Clarea said:

 

Giovanni's would be a better choice for a vegetarian if that's possible.  Giovanni's has an excellent filet for those who want a steak.

I thought The Key only allowed you to eat at Chops. Does it allow you to eat at Giovanni's instead?

Also for those saying about eating fish - that would be a pescetarian, not a vegetarian. Just so you know.

The mushroom soup is vegetarian - or it was the last time I checked, but you can double check with the waiter before you orderm

Ah, great! I wasn't sure if it would be different to the other ships or not. Thanks!

So I'm trying to decide whether to go for traditional or late dining (6pm or 8.30 pm) on my Med cruise next year that I'm in the process of booking and having never sailed on the Oasis class before, I have no idea what times the shows are usually on. We usually do late on other cruises, but we don't want to miss any of the shows if we can help it, so if someone can give me a rough idea of the times they're usually on so we can coordinate our dining times, that would be great.

Thanks!

On 11/23/2019 at 9:05 PM, azmaui said:

I took Anthem of the list.

Sounds like both Allure and Explorer will be freshly refurbished with new kids spaces and slides.

 

I was leaning towards Greek cruise on Explorer but now I’m concern reading comment about Santorini. If you book excursion with ship don’t you have priority getting off ship and getting up from the harbor? 

Allure is still in the running but significantly higher cost.

Yes, you do - and that's what we did, BUT you still have to get the cable car back down (or walk the gross, donkey doo laden steps) and with more pax on the ship, and depending on what other ships are in port that day too this can make for a loooong queue. Not to mention a busier Fira in general. When we went last year (end of August) on the NCL star, Santorini was extremely overcrowded. The streets of Fira were very hard to get around without banging into someone, and the queue for the cable car was insane. We stood in that queue (in the Greek heat!) for over an hour (possibly an hour and 20 minutes) before we got to the cable car. So these are things to think about. Explorer is a lovely ship, but I personally would be put off going to Santorini on a ship that size. If you do decide that you want to do that itinerary, check the dates that you're looking at to see how many ships are in port that day. The less ships, the better.

I was just going to say the same thing, little britain. Explorer actually does more of the 'small European ports', so if that's an issue I would choose Allure over Explorer (and I have just made this decision today) because there's no way that I would do Santorini on the Explorer - no way! It was bad enough on the Jewel (and NCL Star) so I'd personally avoid going there on a bigger ship than those. The crowds there are horrendous, especially in the summer and being on a bigger ship that holds more pax, means that even if there aren't as many ships in port that day, you'll still have to queue for the cable car with everyone else from the Explorer. 

Cannes and Majorca are both very easy to explore on your own. For Palma, I have gone to the cathedral and walked around and shopped in that area, and I've also done a beach day (Palma Nova has some beautiful beaches but will require a taxi to get there).

Cannes is just lovely to walk around on your own. 

2 hours ago, graphicguy said:

I have cruised NCL the most, but I have also sailed RCCL 2nd most.

 

I like both.  Recently, I’ve found NCL my preferred line for many of the same reasons stated here.

 

I do feel more crowded on the large Royal ships (AOS, HOS, AOS).  It just felt like I was constantly in line.

 

Said this before, I prefer the way NCL handles the outside areas with the WATERFRIONT, dining and drinking al fresco, etc.  RCCL tries to move you inward, even with many of their balcony cabins being pointed inward of the ship.  What’s the point of being on a cruise if you’re not going to have terrific views off your balcony of the water and ports of call?

 

Entertainment is good on both.  I will give the edge to NCL because I Enjoyed their shows more.  They are really innovative when it comes to bringing big Broadway/Vegas type shows to their ships.  Actually, it’s quite a phenomena that they can pull that off on a ship.

 

Cabins....each category on each line is similar.  There’s nothing there that’s going to have me choose one over the other (except for the balcony placement on RCCL,

which I mentioned before).

 

I’ve sailed solo on both (something I seem to be doing a lot lately given I’m no longer “attached”).  NCL does this well.  They have solo cabins on their larger ships....so does Royal.  It’s just that NCL seems to be able to gear many activities to the solo traveler.  Even dining alone in Royal seemed to be a travail for them to find a table for me (seriously, even when I said I’d dine at a large table with more people).

 

My Time Dining on Royal has been a flop whenever I’ve attempted to use it.  Long waits.  And, being a solo, seemed like I was an afterthought for dining. NCL has Freestyle.  I never make reservations for anything.  If one restaurant can’t accommodate me in a timely manner, I find one that can.  Dining for me is easy-peasy on NCL.

 

I love....LOVE....me some Haven.  While I don’t always sail in the Haven, when I do, it’s always been fantastic. I’ve tried several times to book a Star suite with their version of the concierge (Genie?).  Prices have been crazy expensive, even over the expensive fares on NCL Haven.  I have read about the Royal Star suites here.  And, it sounds like they do similar functions as the Haven concierges.  Book dining and shows....take care of priority embarkation/disembarkation, resolve customer service issues (if any), escort to “best seats in the house” for shows, etc. 

 

Not sure if Star has Butlers, but the Haven Butlers take care of serving in cabin dining requests, delivering snacks and drinks to your cabin, etc.  When I was on the GEM slast year, someone on our “cabin crawl” had a party in their Haven Garden Villa Suite (which was amazing).  They hosted a party in their suite at the end of the cabin crawl. Their Butler acted as bartender and food server duping the affair, and he was really good at it.  Lots of fun.

 

Pricing,.....I realize some book their cruises a year in advance.  Obviously, prices change depending on date, time of year, cabin type, ship type, etc.  But, due to work, I steal away whenever I can.  I can’t book a year in advance.  Usually, it’s 90 days to a week in advance for me to book.  As such, I can get an NCL cruise much less expensive than a Royal cruise.  And, if you’re booking a balcony cabin (or above) that price differential is pretty large.

 

As an example, I can now book a Haven cabin on the Breakaway sailing next month for about the same price as a regular Balcony Cabin on Royal sailing around the same time (in this case, just under $4K/cabin).

 

Does any of this mean I don’t like Royal?  Not in the least.  I’ll probably sail them again.  It’s just that NCL has been offering me such a great product (vacation) on some beautiful ships, at a good price right now it’s hard to see me looking elsewhere unless there’s a deal to be had on another line.

 

I’ve sailed other lines, too.  Carnival....that’s a different experience....not bad, mind you....just different.  I have to be in a different mind set to cruise Carnival (and let’s face it, the news coming out of Carnival recently hasn’t been all that good).  

 

I’ve sailed MSC (Yacht Club) twice....once in the Mediterranean).  Great experience.  At the time, quite a deal, too.  These days?  Their deals seemed to have dried up.  It’s definitely a “European” feel, including the passengers (which seems to skew the experience for us Norte Americanos).  You either like it, or you don’t.

 

Sailed both HAL and Celebrity.  Nice ships.  I guess the best thing I can say, I couldn’t complain about the food, or the ships themselves.  But, if you’re looking for good entertainment or any night life, you’re on the wrong ships.  Most exciting thing I did on the Celebrity Solstice was watch a glass blowing exhibition.  That’s exactly as exciting as it sounds.

 

HAL I haven’t sailed in quite a while, but nothing really stood out.  That sort of says it all.

 

Good luck.  I love the “-Away” ships.  I think you’ll find them to offer a great cruise.

You're mixing up genies and concierge. The genies are your butlers, the concierge is the concierge on RCI star class. 

My mum turns 70 on our cruise and I was debating on getting her the birthday package. My only problem is the cruise is in 13 days. Is it too late to order now? First time on NCL and not sure how far in advance this needs to be preordered.

Wanted to add that if you're a drinker, the alcohol beverage package on NCL is better than Princess' in which you've got a limit  to 15 alcoholic drinks per day. However, Princess' drinks package does include specialty coffees and fresh juices unlike NCL. 

Following. We'll be in an aft penthouse on the Star in August.