Monica887

The bistro stack thing is good, but it's been on the menu for forever. Time for them to mix it up.

La cucina has the most choices, and you can ask for multiple half portions to try a few things. I don't think their food is great Italian food but the options are nice and varied. 

Cagney's I get the stuffed baked potato and a few sides. They're willing to make a tofu dish, particularly if you call in advance, but I do like their veggie sides.

Teppenyaki will make extra veggies but I can't sit and watch my food cooked in meat juice so I skip it. 

The MDR depends on if you like the choice that night. A few times whatever the main veg choice was I considered to be inedible (the pad Thai comes to mind. And a risotto dish that I don't think they make anymore). I try to plan my specialty dining around what nights the MDR options suck.

I usually like the Indian food at the buffet, and the salad bar. 

I certainly never go hungry - the variety is great even when I think the quality is lacking.

Wow, Beringer must have really upped their game since I last drank that stuff years ago!

This week there was an angry guy stomping his feet at 5am because it wasn't open yet. (Sorry/not sorry...)

I usually sail NCL, but have also been on RCCL and Carnival. I'm considering a summer Mediterranean cruise on Princess with an 8 and 5 year old. I'm not familiar with Princess, and wondering what it's known for, what the vibe is etc. Thanks!

My kids hated it (5 and 8). But didn't have a good reason why. I sent them a few times anyway and they excitedly shared art projects, performed in a show, had face painting etc and appeared happy when they came out. But when I mentioned sending them the next day they protested each time, and when I asked if they wanted to go on another cruise they said "only if we don't have to go back to kids club." 

I thought the programming and facilities looked great and the staff was nice. 

Just out of curiosity, what is your preferred cruise line and ship, and why?

I hope you can get in your workout at 6am, and move past a coffee packet error in order to enjoy your time. There's still sunshine and music and fresh ocean air out there to enjoy. Little things like that annoy me too, but being out on the sea is still better than a regular old day at home.

It's SO disappointing. The menu is seriously lacking, and the food has no flavor. The cheese sauce on the nachos had no taste - it's my kids favorite junk food and they only took a few bites. The spinach dip, as others have mentioned, is watery. It should be think and creamy with a cheesy flavor, but it tastes like dipping a chip into some bland broth. The burger bun was twice the size of the burger, and dry. 

I remember Blue Lagoon and remember enjoying the spinach dip. They also had mozzarella sticks there, which Osheahans doesn't.

And why is there an upcharge for ice cream or milkshakes? 

Also, I would love if there were pictures or samples shown...very often what I order doesn't look like what I end up with. I would like to see it first to determine if it might be more jello-y than it should be.

I remember back in the day (but maybe not ncl?) they would bring around a dessert tray or cart so you can see it first.

2 hours ago, tomservo said:

That’s good to hear, I’m trying to limit my sugar intake, so if I do have dessert, it better be worth the calories (to quote Prue from British Baking). Previous comments indicated that many of the desserts in the buffet were variations on Jello No Bake-type desserts. 

Yes, very accurate description, "variations of jello no bake desserts". They're pretty but WHY are they lacking flavor and all have a weird texture?! I usually stick with ice cream or gelato, since it's listed as an accompaniment to other desserts. I do also like the profiteroles in Bistro. 

I got the $10 text plan. At times it was annoying to "have to" check my messages, but I enjoyed the random family meet ups when someone found a fun activity and let the others know. As long as you're travelling with people who will take no for an answer if you want to spend time alone.

I was on escape a few weeks ago with a hot dog obsessed child, so I would have noticed, but I didn't see one.

Nassau.

The deal or no deal near the skee ball is just an arcade game...my 8 year old played it to win tickets. I don't recall seeing one in the casino, but since we had the kids with us this time I didn't spend a ton of time there.

I did like some lucky leprechaun game there that I had never seen before.

I'm a vegetarian, so my experience might be different. 

Food wise- MDR is "fine". I've never eaten anything there where I think "wow, I need to eat this again". The menu is varied enough for me and my non veg family but the taste is mediocre. Specialty restaurants vary. BISTRO has one nice veg dish that tastes good. I'm actually happy with the sides at CAGNEY's. The ITALIAN restaurant is just poor...which is sad since that menu has the most variety for me and I usually love italian food.

Service/atmosphere: The MDR atmosphere is what you expect. The large one sometimes has music and is too loud. The smaller ones are nice but harder to get large tables if you have a big group. BISTRO service was awful last time we were there (escape) - food took forever (longer than leisurely dining) and they got some orders wrong. And they were in coordinated with the silly revealing of the food and we sat there for a full 2-3 awkward minutes while we waited for them to take the domes off. CAGNEY's service and atmosphere has always been lovely (I know, the vegetarian is singing the praises of the steakhouse...). And the ITALIAN service is MDR-esque - gets the job done, but is very formulaic in how they serve, so you throw them off if you ask for an extra appetizer or something to share.

If you get it for free as a latitude perk, it's nice to have an alternative to the MDR once in a while. But I would never pay for it.

Thanks, all! I was debating the spa pass, because of mediocre reviews here, but will now consider it. Back in the day I didn't like Gem and Jewel much, but after experiencing Getaway and Escape, I now miss their simplicity and how there were more places to just lounge. Hoping to find a similar vibe on Dawn. Definitely a balcony room, but I also love the people watching and casual interactions.

Anyone have a good tip for organizing the stuff that accumulates on top of the dresser? Dailies, sunglasses, pens...just random junk. I have the closets and bathroom under control, but need storage ideas for the rest

I have a tight timeline for my next trip and the only available sailing to me will be on the Dawn. Any thoughts on the Dawn, or things I should know? 

I like the Escape/Getaway for the features like ropes course and slides, and I like sitting by the waterfront (outdoor, quite, comfy chairs). I like the Gem and Jewel for lounges like the Spinnaker, with big windows and plenty of seating during the day. I'm not at all impressed by specialty restaurants.

This trip will mostly be for relaxing. What should I know or consider?

On 6/22/2014 at 9:32 PM, jordans mom said:

Ship - Escape

Deck - 12

Stateroom # - 12866

Stateroom Category – BB (midship balcony)

Starboard or Port Side - Starboard

 

Quiet Stateroom? (With comments on problems) – Yes. Occasionally heard people running through halls but nothing specific to the room or location.

 

Was stateroom a connecting stateroom? - no

 

 

Balcony View - Give comments on view, noting if location of any obstructions was an issue. – No obstruction. Beautiful views and sunrises/sunsets.

 

Balcony Size? Normal or oversized for class? - Normal

 

Was wind a problem? - No.

 

If an aft cabin, was soot a problem? - n/a

 

Any specific problems with this cabin? - no

 

Any other comments? - the couch is closer to the entrance; the bed closer to the balcony. Sleeps 4, with a pulldown from the ceiling.

The Escape definitely had a USB right next to my bed, in the wall lamp, in our balcony cabin.

3 minutes ago, newmexicoNita said:

op, did you problem ever get solved? It has been a couple of days now, hope everything is ok. 

I posted after the trip, so I didn't have a chance to give it a try, but I'm happy to have what sounds like a good solution if it should happen again! Thanks!

1 hour ago, GUT2407 said:

So many suestions about the only ones I’ve seen that we bother with are medications/first aid and a small sewing kit.

I felt the same way until I started cramming 4 people in one room, 2 (ok, 3) of whom were not so great at folding or organizing. Bringing extra items was the only way to keep 4 people's stuff accessible on one hanging bar and 3 shelves, and 2 drawers. Especially when it's a winter sailing and you have a mix of seasonal clothes, and prefer to dress for dinner.

1 minute ago, GeezerCouple said:

 

Do you mean a waterproof one, so you wear it over your bathing suit?

 

GC

I put the cash and card in a ziplock bag, then in the pouch. I usually wear a tankini, so it's under the shirt part, not too visible. 

Also a sports waist pack - if I go to a beach alone, I can put my money and ship card in it so I don't leave it unattended on the beach while I swim.

1 minute ago, Katie H said:

Magnetic hooks work great

 

https://www.amazon.com/Magnetic-Strong-Neodymium-Kitchen-Workplace/dp/B077PZLX6M/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1546124178&sr=8-4&keywords=magnetic+hooks

For a backpack with a bunch of books?? Hmm...