Frick_&_Frack

As others said - I can't say anything good about it from Escape (9/10 - 9/17). Was constantly dropped; then couldn't log back in. And slow. Made for a lot of frustration to be forever just checking to see if I was still connected (and then reconnecting, etc.) to then actually look at e-mails.

I was disappointed - though, didn't have much better luck earlier in the year on Breakaway either. And never could get the iConcierge working right on Breakaway. Didn't even bother on Escape.

Never thought to ask that. Then again, had been lucky to have had the old UDP, so wasn't an issue (I just wanted my bottle of wine ;) ).

It's not weird at all ... As much as certain people like to crow about "unplugging", everyone gets to spend their vacation doing whatever they want.

 

Appreciate the heads up on Escape--will be on her in a few weeks, and after my last experience with the GA's non-functional internet, NCL isn't getting my "unlimited internet" money this time.

Guess I'm used to getting "bashed" for being connected on a cruise. :o It is what it is for me.

No problem for the heads-up. I had to keep shutting down, restarting, logging in, etc. I was really cranky at points. :eek:

I'm pretty sure the NCL "upgrades" didn't make any difference, based on reports I've seen.

Just FYI - Was on the Escape 2 weeks ago - it was mostly awful speed and connectivity really was an issue there. And, they did not complete the upgrades they had advised (at least as of yet they have not). ;)

Weird as it sounds, Internet connectivity was one of the factors in my decision to take RCCL cruises next. I need to be connected for work, and it makes a big difference if I'm less frustrated on vacation (hey, I have to work/be available - and fighting the internet doesn't help the mood much LOL).

I'm hoping VOOM works 1/2 as well as people report. I'll be one super-happy cruiser. :D

I think many will be surprised and find it is still included. A lot of people said the mini bar perk had been dropped, but as Andrew recently found out, that was hardly the case.

Matt - I have to think you've nailed it with the above. I think some things are just "included" - so they don't give them "shout outs". Maybe incorrect of them to do that; however, I'm thinking that may be the case. I think the literature has changed - but not the deliverables.

I'm just going and, I know, assuming, all will be good. :D Then again, as long as they make dining ressies for me, and maybe a few shows (I'm not really into shows - haven't gone to one in years and years now - but some seem so unique), that's about all I need. I still think the on/off escort is worth the price alone (just ask me about debark from the Haven on the Escape a week ago **shudders** :eek:).

Or you can just go sit somewhere & people-watch - it's much more entertaining:)

 

Pat

I spend the majority of my day doing that (and, yes, it can be very entertaining ;)). However, I have so very little time during the "regular" year to watch any movies, it's my downtime to do that, uninterrupted. Funny, started that with DH a number of years ago and it's just something I've come to enjoy. Oh well, if there's no DVD player, I'll just purchase the movies.

Thanks!

On Oasis in August our genie told us they discontinued that perk.

 

 

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Well, that's sad (and, yes, I'm sure it's sad that I watch movies on a cruise LOL). Did they have DVD players? I know I'm not going on Oasis; however, would just be interested in knowing.

It was on the original flyer that in house movies were included.

If you find out, could you please post? I like to watch a movie (well, attempt it - usually fall asleep :eek:) later in the evening.

The bus shelter, as we all used to call it [emoji3]

 

 

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I have to say, much nicer than the area they just had on the Escape! :D

Thanks to all for posting.

Last week they did show it at the main pool on the Escape on Thursday night. YMMV (they did note that it was satellite-dependent).

Sorry you didn't know. Thermal Suite access has never (to the best of my knowledge) been included with Massages/etc. (other than the purchase of a day/week pass to the Thermal Suite). At least it hasn't been in the last 2 or so years.

Yes. Morris' Nightmare.

Ugh....Thanks!!! Don't know how I didn't remember that! LOL

Thanks, Keksie.

I'm going to be lucky enough to have a "Genie" (I have a SLS), so I think (from what I understand), I can do embark/debark more when it works (as confirmed with the Genie). But, given the car service has to get me from Long Island to NJ and reverse that, well, I'm an over-planner - what can I say :D (and, yes, over-planner goes with over-packer!! :eek: :D)

The last RCCL trip I did with DH we planned to arrive around 9:30/10AM and were in line for the port at 9:15am (yes, super-early morning) and didn't get to the terminal until 11:00-ish. Same for debark - the driver called us and was on-line to get in at 8:30am....ugly hot mess. I had heard it's gotten considerably better over the years though. :)

Thanks, again and I hope you have a super weekend!

I agree with you a 100%! I wasn't that wowed by Cagneys, and I was a little disappointed because I had been hearing such great reviews about them. Don't get me wrong the food was good, but I was expecting great! And I have to say that our best meal by far was at Lacuna!

I just looked and I killed the spelling - it's La Cucina. ugh.

I can't count the number of times I've eaten at Cagney's over the years; however, one meal this time was "OK", one was "sort of OK-ish", one was not very good, and the last time I ate there (Thursday) was downright awful. Very unusual for them. I was really surprised and very disappointed.

I eat very little so, to me, it didn't mean very much. Left more room for a Mudslide upstairs on deck after dinner (which I used in lieu of dessert) ;) :D

I did stick with the Beef Carpaccio and the Osso Bucco at La Cucina (each of the 3 nights). It was really very good (to the point I ate almost all of it - which is unheard of for me). Meat was a bit more fatty than in the past; however, flavor was really good. I recommended it to someone I was speaking to and she sought me out the next day to tell me she really enjoyed it. Again, YMMV since food is highly subjective.

Hi Keksie -

Thanks for your review!

I was just wondering how insane the port is on embark and debark regarding traffic?

I haven't been to Cape Liberty in a number of years now and am starting to think on timing for arrival in March (and, also, what time to have the car come to pick me up at the end).

Way back when ;) it was totally awful there (as in up to 2 hours to just get into the port).

Any opinions are totally appreciated!

Thanks so much! I am so excited to be going!

Isn't there a Buffett song in which he makes fun of cruise ship passengers?

 

If you can't beat 'em....

I think you may be referring to Lovely Cruise? Not sure.

It was humorous for me since I'd just done the tailgating thing here in NY at Jones Beach in late August for Jimmy Buffett. So, I was going there (at least in the beginning) as a joke to my friends (and, of course, sending out a picture each time 'cause I'm mean like that :p ;) ) :D

I am staying in an H6 on deck 11 in 2 weeks. I sure hope that smell is gone! I would love to see any pictures you have of the cabin.

I didn't have any smell in 11312. At least none that I detected.

I didn't take any pictures of the cabin - sorry. I may have a random one of the balcony (only because it was so much smaller than the one I had on Breakaway). I'll have to check my phone tonight. Room itself appeared just a wee bit smaller than the same on Breakaway. But, since it was just me, it was all good. :D

That is false.

 

I ate breakfast there every morning of the cruise. It was a buffet breakfast and not a sit down and order from the menu breakfast but they were in fact open for breakfast.

It may have been on a different thread that I noted that I didn't see it open - then again, I only got coffee there when they first would open that area in the morning (I was usually up on 17 between 4 and 5 am) and generally wasn't back up on deck until later (I'd go back to my cabin around 7/7:15 and not come back around 9:30).

So they ran it as an extension of the buffet on 16 then? (I avoid buffets after seeing some really gross things over the years with passengers :eek: )

I just got off the Escape. I did eat there for lunch every day (only because it was included for me under a very, very old dining package NCL offered a number of years ago).

It is NOT even close to a Margaritaville on land. Most items aren't there (such as the main entrees - coconut shrimp, etc. - not on the menu).

I'm sure if you search, there's a menu - it's a few types of burgers, fish tacos, fish sandwich, quesadilla, chicken sandwich, and some other sandwich. That's about it (and I saw the starter of the nachos - that I **always** get on land - **shudders** - not even close).

It was good since it was hot, fresh food. If I would have had to pay, probably would have done it once or twice. And, again, only open 12 - 5 for lunch. No dinner hours.

Sounded much better than it was (except it was pretty empty most of the time, so that was a plus). And, location was super hot - due to design and location.

We also have a mini suite, on deck 13 and were also thinking of LaCucina for the sail away... were you overlooking Miami or the wide ocean? I'm a foodie so would love to hear more about your meal there (or anywhere!). :)

I was also on the Sept. 10 - 17 sailing. I was at Cagneys the first night. (Also, port side, inside and outside seating). I was inside during sail away. You don't overlook downtown Miami, but it really was still very beautiful to watch.

In LaCucina - I was outside for 2 of my 3 meals there. Our sailing was quite warm with not much breeze underway even, so it was pleasant. Cagneys I was inside each time (it was very very busy there each time - of the 4 times - that I was there). This was the first NCL cruise (see history below - and most of those were all/almost all meals in Cagneys because DH loved it there), that I was disappointed in Cagneys.

As odd as it sounds, I enjoyed LaCucina more. YMMV.

Happy Cruising! :)

Enjoy!

Hmmmm,,, the old UDP was never good for lunch. Only dinners.

The old UDP worked perfectly for lunch at M'ville. Zeroed out bill.

Well, just like Two Wheels Only, I have a week's worth of zeroed out bills for Margaritaville. Again, the old, original, UDP.

Thank you! I guess you enjoyed it since you ate there each day LOL

What side of the ship were you on and did you do Eastern or Western.

Thank you.

 

Can't wait!

I was in an H6 - Port Side - Deck 11. It was the Eastern Itinerary. Sometimes the Haven itself can be....boisterous... ;) :D - so I love the aft corners.

And, I had the Fish Tacos, Fish Sandwich, Quesadilla, 2 x Cheesburger and 2 x BBQ Cheddar Burger. I enjoyed all of them. Hard to choose (but, I rarely eat burgers, and that's a big cruise-thing for me to enjoy). Staff there was really sweet.

I know someone indicated that it was crowded/busy; but that could be a timing function. I only got coffee there super-early and probably had lunch 12/12:30pm. Maybe that's why I never saw a lot of people there?

Enjoy!

Sorry, you are correct :)

I just had the "old" UDP on Breakaway in August. Now have 4 nights for my February Getaway cruise but only 3 nights for Escape (but have Haven so all will be good LOL).

No problem. :) (I had others booked but switch to RCCL since they included all specialty dining (comparable to the "old" UDP) ).

This is the first time I have read that Margarittaville is open for free for Haven guests on the first day.

I think that may be sailing-dependent on if they do anything like that. ;)

Much of the week it was really, really empty there (I ate there for lunch each day). So, maybe they were trying to get people excited about the food there (and spread people out a bit to make it less crowded - for example, in the Haven itself)?

I am reading a review and this is what the poster also said, free to Haven guests the first day for lunch and 50% off Baymo I think the first day for Haven guests.

Last week, it was Food Republic that was 50% off for dinner (wasn't paying attention about lunch for that location - sorry). Again, Haven guests.

I'll caveat that I didn't read/pay attention to anything for those locations that weren't regarding the Haven. Plus, I had the OLD UDP, therefore, Margaritaville was included fully anyway for me. ;)