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smillerholmes

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Everything posted by smillerholmes

  1. Awwww....I think I love this - long overdue. Thanks for posting this!
  2. I tried to take one for the team and called Bank of America directly. After getting a live rep I was put on a long hold which resulted in "no date information available yet". Sigh...I tried 😁
  3. It's been a long time since I've seen anyone noting the loss of the Edsel... signed a car girl from Michigan 😁
  4. This is correct. I was just on the Sun and the only additional info I can offer is that if you would like Veuve, the Champagne bar was the only place to get it besides LeBistro.
  5. I can't remember which cruise exactly changed my perspective, but I used to make reservations, primarily on Sea Days - I don't typically eat during prime hours (5:30 - 7:30), but even after 7:30ish I found the restaurants to be noisy and with longer than usual waits for service (Cagney's and LeBistro). I no longer make reservations I just wait to see what I feel like eating and then I choose. I typically head to the restaurants between 8:45 and 9:00. I know that's a bit late for some, but it's just me and I never have a problem getting a table and excellent service. I also love being able to decide what I actually feel like eating as opposed to pre deciding. I know that won't work for everyone, but you don't have to schedule "all" of your meals either - you can hold a couple in reserve and just wing it.
  6. Oh they sell passes, and it is quite disappointing. Depends upon the length of the cruise as to the amount. The steam/locker room is TINY I could not believe they sold passes either, but they do and it is a shame. The only reason I didn't cancel after day 1 is because the shower is nice and better than the transporter tube in my room.
  7. Just off the Spirit - Veuve available at the Champagne bar (as reported above) as well as Cagney's and LeBistro. Currently on the Sun - so far, I have only found it in LeBistro.
  8. I am currently on the Sun. I was on last year for the 20-day/Miami to Seattle | Panama Canal cruise. The ship is in good condition, but I am not noting anything that stands out as a significant change. Other than the rearrangement of the machines in the Casino - grrr.... my favorite game is now smack dab in the middle of a high traffic area where "BUFFALO" is screamed regularly. Also, I am just off the Spirit. That ship looks like they spent $100 million - it's beautiful. It was my first time on though, so nothing to compare it to.
  9. Sorry for the delay. Alas, I can't speak for all cabins, but I still have transporter tube/shower curtain that sticks to various body parts in an uncomfortable way.
  10. I was able to successfully do this on the Spirit. Excursions were booked onboard, tickets delivered to my room, the credit was applied at the end of each day as refundable even though I did *not* go on the excursions. I didn't even get my ticket(s) torn. Thanks for the tip!
  11. I will be on the Sun soon - May 10th. Looking forward to seeing how she may be spruced up a bit.
  12. My phone is doing some wonky things, I need that alarm feature and of course I forgot my handy dandy kitchen timer/clock this time that I bought specifically for cruising. I am currently using the timer feature on my phone and I just set if for the appropriate amount of hours to count down and wake me up.
  13. My experience matches what was described here. Since traveling through the Casino I have always declined the drink package so wasn't sure what to expect. UB was coded on my key card. I had the option for "300 minutes" available with my room type or "unlimited for 1 device" with a $3.95 activation fee which I have been assured will be removed at the end of the sailing. I will also miss getting espresso and sparkling water from the bar. I am currently on the Spirit which doesn't have a casino bar. The casino is sandwiched between the Local and a bar in the Social Club. Weird set up, but I liked getting those things from the bar. The casino hostess has hinted that my Starbucks fees may be waived as well. We shall see.
  14. The fee does actually show up on my bill as it stands right now. I spoke to the Casino Host(ess) and she stated that the fee is definitely one of the charges that will be waived - so thanks for saying something because I wasn't going to fight about $3.95 - I was just going to let it annoy me and it would forever remain a tick mark on NCL's soul.
  15. While I definitely agree with @zqvol. I pretty regularly tip more, but I go by service level not actual cruise length. I have some pretty standard request: egg crate mattress, ice and "if" time allows towel animals. All communicated day 1, I make sure I find him/her as early as possible after cabins are ready. If my steward remakes my bed with the egg crate that day. Wow - love that! Gratuity up front (usually $40) and as long as things continue swimmingly another $20 midway. I pay attention to things like laundry pick up and delivery, is my ice bucket filled at the end of shift instead of when they service my cabin, how many days I actually received towel animals etc. End of cruise tip can be anywhere from $40 - $100. Once upon a time my steward was reassigned mid cruise and that's why I try to "appreciate" as I go. My cruises are typically on the longer side usually 12 - 30 days. I do alot of B2B so that's my system. It is not my intention to kick the hornet's next on tipping around here, so just explaining what I do for those inclined to tip more and asking for guidance.
  16. I had no idea cruise ducks evoked feelings on the level of tipping. 😁
  17. I'm here to report back my experience when boarding the Spirit. I haven't needed to buy the drink package in a long time since previously my Casino drink card met my needs. At check in I was given my latitude card showing 2UP/3D/UB - I knew that 2UP/3D was for the upgraded meal package that I purchased. I wasn't too sure about UB. No explanation was offered so I figured I would head to the Casino for definitive answers. I spoke with Lei - one of the Casino Hosts. She looked me up in the computer and determined that since I was Ruby I was eligible for the Unlimited Open Bar even though I had not purchased a drink package with my Free at Sea. She gave me a packet from a stack that had not been delivered to the rooms yet and it contained my "Ruby" player card. Internet is basic unlimited 1 device for the entire cruise. There is however a $3.95 activation fee. I was also presented with the choice for 300 minutes as part of my free at sea. And upon arrival ther was a 12-pk of Flow in my room. No letter about OBC, but I went down to Guest Services and confirmed it is still $400. Side note - don't know why I didn't put 1 and 1 together, but no gambling in Hawaii. I knew the Pride of America had no Casino and now I know why. I'm OK with keeping a little more money in my pocket.
  18. Based on this feedback I am going to have him travel a bit with me on my next cruise on the Sun. Maybe there will be some kids on the Alaska cruise. 🏔️🛳️🐳 If not, I will rehide him anyway. Hopefully a non-cruise duck hater will find them for a little bit of joy on their cruise.
  19. I probably shouldn't be this excited, but it's my first cruise duck. Am I supposed to rehide it on this cruise or a future cruise? I have not seen one kid on this cruise. Happy Sailing! Very much enjoying the Spirit. I am not even remotely doing a "Live from" or even a "Semi-Live from" but I am happy to try to answer questions if anyone has any.
  20. I *think* I prefer older ships. I *know* I prefer less people. The only way to be sure is to try them all! CAS has made it possible for me to cruise more often - the least I can do is try to take advantage of my good fortune. As for the large(r) ships here's my current done list: Getaway Breakaway Epic Bliss Older smaller ships: Pearl Jewel Sun Pending: Spirit - 04/24 Sun - 05/24 Joy - 09/24 Gem - 12/24 Epic - 03/25 Star - 07/25 Viva - 11/25
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