cruiseny4life

The icing you're referring to is probably frangipane, which is generally ground almonds, butter, sugar, and eggs. I work PT at a bakery making Almond Croissants (and other items). They are day (or two) old croissants, cut in half. Then the frangipane is added inside. On top, some frangipane is put on and this stickiness holds the almonds in place during the baking process. Haven Almond Croissants are yummy! But, I do prefer a bakery in Rochester (note, I didn't say the ones I bake). Lots of places make these. I did a quick Google search and found La Rose Patisserie and Paris Baguette, in Beaverton, make these. Try them out! You are correct that the Almond Croissants are not made on the ship, unlike most of the other pastries you'll find.

Unlike @Sailing12Away and @graphicguy and @RocketMan275 (not sure he's chimed in yet), my husband and I are get there as early as possible kind of cruisers! Sure it means we'll have to sit in the lounge for an hour or so after checking in, but there's coffee, tea, and some light snacks. We usually play Monopoly or some other game on our phone with each other while waiting. Then, when the concierge comes to get us, we're up and among the first group onboard (husband has been the first onboard and that gave him great glee - for no reason other than being first). We'll hang around the Haven Lounge until the Haven Restaurant opens, then be among the first in there to be served. Used to be American Diner was our go-to, but now it's Haven Restaurant (booo). Anyway, we enjoy a leisurely lunch as it normally isn't too hopping when we get there. It sure does pick up by the time we leave. Next up! It's change into bathing suit time and enjoy the pools, hot tub, and sundeck for several hours. It's just such a relaxing way to begin the day! We love it! And, I know this is a weird take (I'm a weird man)...I feel that I paid for a full day onboard, so getting onboard between 11 and 12 (depending on when boarding opens up) helps me maximize the time I'm on the ship. If it were my choice (it isn't), I'd stay onboard until the zero count is in the single digits, but our travel plans usually dictate that we need to get off the ship early, early. Here's to beautiful Haven embarkations, however you choose to spend the day!!

In my experience (non-Alaska itineraries), with a sail away time of 4 - 6 PM, the spa raffle has been between 5 and 6 PM. I don't know of any other raffles.

It's so hard not to be jaded when discussing NCL....and here's such a great example.

Sending good vibes to your familyso your brother-in-law is able to recover quickly! A little extra stress for your travels, I suppose, but meds will hopefully get him on the mend.

All is well here! As you prepare your indoor plants for their long time with no human interaction, we are prepping about 150 trees outside as we create an orchard in one of our fields. I just loaded my car up with a bunch of mulch - every day this week I'm grabbing 20 bags at Home Depot. So, it's quite the production at home! Looking into a nice side by side or small Kubota to lug all this stuff all over our acreage. I'm thinking my Ford Edge isn't the best for field work! Back on track, here's to hoping you are able to stop at all the ports. It's a quite interesting itinerary! I'm digging the Iceland stop and a few days in Europe before you wind up in Southampton. Please do kindly escort her safely across the North Atlantic! Hah, you have quite a memory! We did successfully manage with a backpack and what could be a carry-on. We actually checked it, even though it only weighed 36 or 37 pounds. It's a duffel bag so can easily be shoved under our feet on a plane if necessary. Thankfully, we had a lot of included luggage on our NCL BOGO Air on Air France. Hopefully our resident NYC photographer is able to get some sail away photos of y'all heading past the Verrazano. Wouldn't it be just around sunset as you cruise through those narrows? Maybe a nice clearing with puffy clouds, a bright descending sun, and gorgeous ship slipping peacefully underneath. Here's to hoping!

At least you can prepare ahead of time, I suppose. NCL has cut back a lot of things. There's a reason I have a self-initiated pause on booking cruises right now. 🤠

I'm sure folks will come here with every level of experience from servers that waived nothing, to servers that provided extra sides, appetizers, desserts, and salads at no charge. There is no real consistent answer based on all the feedback on these here boards. The best advice (at least I think so) is to order what you want and see what the check comes to. If you're charged for the appetizer, well it's only like what? $15? It won't break anyone. But hey, maybe you'll get lucky!

Based on my interpretation of the article, the vegan place is going to be one of the Indulge stations. My reading comprehension is sometimes...well, atrocious! So, I could be wrong, but I agree with @Sand and Seas that it'll be a station at Indulge which I'm ok with. I know I've mentioned I find it "gross." And yet, I'll probably try a selection or two if I'm ever on a ship with it, unless fake meat is used. If you're vegan, why eat a substance designed to be "meat?" I'm not sure how I feel about the Thai place replacing Food Republic. When we go to Food Republic, 7 of the 8 items (usually) are sushi, so we can just go to Nama, though I do enjoy Food Republic's items more than Nama's. Mmm....now I want some sushi!

A year ago, I was so excited about the Panama Canal. Then I watched a couple of videos. It does look kind of boring, but hey, I'd still like to experience the canal for the sake of having that experience. Plus, stops at Great Stirrup Cay, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Mexico, etc. would make it truly worthwhile. I've actually gone through locks on a canoe - very small locks. It's a cool experience while on a multi-day canoe trip. I'm sure it would be cool (but super sticky and hot) experiencing the Panama Canal! See - this is why that dratted NCL PCC needs to call me. It's a 2026 cruise. Surely I could scrape together the dough by then for this one. And I'll just "surprise" my husband. I'm sure he'd be (not-so) thrilled.

They know we'll just complain about a lack of certain items onboard, so they don't call us. I'm always logged into NCL. I kind of hope our PCC calls us. It'll give me an excuse to book the cruise. Especially if it's that beautiful 23 day cruise I want to take from Miami through the Panama Canal to the west coast....oh, to be retired.

I'm obviously here for your ride along the Atlantic! Wish I were joining you and @Sugar Magnolia on this one. Looked and only interior rooms available. Plus, my PTO balance is about 20 hours. Still haven't caught up after that October Arizona trip. I accrued nothing while on unpaid status for our previous Pr1ma crossing. But, I'm really interested in the Samsung comments as we are a very not-Apple friendly family! Except for one Beats by Dre speaker. If that charging cord ever gets chewed up by a mouse, we're in trouble! Anyway, I'm hoping for some positive results to your tech tests. Have a lovely and wonderful trip! I'll be here in my Central NY office following along jealously.

RE: tenders vs. life boats. Capt. Kate (an actual guest-relations minded captain, unlike NCL masters of old world stodginess) provided a lovely explanation of a tender vs. a life boat on her "captain's log." Look up day 68 when she's in St. Lucia. You can find it on the various socials.

Snap it up! It goes away tomorrow. And unlike Free at Sea, it really will go away after the celebrated 4/20 day.

You have to book through a travel agent that offers the perk.

Obviously...until it's not.

That hasn't been my personal experience. We've received tickets at 60 days (domestic) and 100 days (international) prior to the cruise. In both instances we were able to select great seats, next to each other. Since we do book with NCL BOGO Air, we always know there is a possibility we won't be able to sit next to each other or will have to deal with a middle seat...we live together. We can tolerate a few hours not glued to each other's arm skin, though that is kind of awkward when it's a stranger's arm skin instead.

Not how I'd want to drop $1,200 in Bermuda. I wonder if my desired for nonrefundable onboard credit would cover the fine. Then again, I'd actually need to partake.

Most people don't seem to receive luggage tags. If you're sailing in the Haven, you generally do (we have on our sailings). But, I have heard of folks not in the Haven receiving tags. If you want a real tag, just wait til you arrive at the port and have the porter put a tag on. We often forget the tags mailed and just do this (NCL, save money. Don't send us tags.).

Good golly gravy! How much does seat selection cost and how many bags are y'all taking? Is this for more than two people? Cuz, that's a lot of loonies for two! Sorry that happened to you. We always select our seats as soon as NCL sends us the tickets, so I get why you'd be upset.

I think I've probably mentioned this before...but, I will again...I know dang well that my husband and I could easily spend $1,000 of onboard credit, per person. Even the non-refundable kind. Unless it was given to us on the last day. Give us the length of the cruise and yep, I'd be spending like there's no tomorrow! Massage every day and after three days, I'd be broke. 🙂

Get the e-gift card, download the Starbucks app (if you haven't already) and add the e-gift card to your app. Then scan the barcode from the e-gift card when you want to pay.

I'm going to add what I love in the city, at least restaurant wise as it hasn't been mentioned. 1. Sullivan St. Bakery, 47th St., (cuz, I mention this constantly) - it's within walking distance of the cruise port, like three'ish blocks. Breakfast here is wonderful! I'm sure everything else is, but I love their morning pastries. I did try the focaccia and it is great too. 2. Becco, 355 W. 46th between 9th and 10th - unlimited, homemade pasta that changes daily. Yesterday one of their three options was fettucine with short rib ragu (wishing I was in Manhattan yesterday). They do have a non-all you can eat menu too. Close to Times Square, but decidedly not Times Square and that's a damn good thing! 3. Ubani, 37A Bedford St. between 6th and 7th - Georgian restaurant. Georgia, the country! Loads of pizzalike breads. I recommend the Adjaruli Khachapuri as it's a cheese boat with a raw egg yolk. We make them at home all the time, but this place has a really good one! Also, khinkali which is kind of like a Chinese soup dumpling where you bite into it and suck out the broth. Absolutely phenomenal here! I've had the veal stew (chakapuli) and friends had the Cornish Hen with Georgian Spices. Everything is just delicious. When you're at Coney Island, pop over to Brighton Beach. Stop at Tashkent Supermarket (it's an Eastern European/Russian store). As you enter, on the left is a great little "sandwich" shop. They make gyros (with a hard G) and shawarma. I get the gyro. My husband gets the shawarma (he's from Russia). With chicken. Absolutely yummy lunch. And if you're not a big eater, you can split it. They slice the meat off a kebab, like a real kebab, not that steak um stuff. It's delightful. Refreshing. Filling. And so much more! Mmmmm!! While you're at it, if you like carbonated mineral water, grab some Bojormi (it is slightly salty). Ok...I'm done. For now! 🙂 Enjoy your stay in NY and I hope you let us know where you wound up (even if you don't go to any of my recommended places, haha).

Grizzled grinders. I like it haha!! But, I think I'd prefer categories one and two. If I ain't making money, gambling ain't fun. 🙂 I especially like those that have mounds of chips who haven't a clue what they're doing. I'll clear them from the table all night long (well, at least I certainly hope so). Truth is, I've never played poker on a cruise ship. Only in Vegas, Atlantic City, and our local indigenous casino (Turning Stone). And it's been quite some time since I did anything but a slot pull onboard. I don't like losing my money.

To your first point, it's based on the next cruise they book and the fare, only. If the fare is $1,028, then they'd receive 20% of that....so what, $205? If they book in the Haven, then perhaps they'd get $500 - $1,000 depending on the room selected and the fare, exclusive of taxes, fees, service charges, etc. As for Hawai'i (I'm glad to see someone else spells it properly), I would never travel on a cruise ship. It's just not the right kind of travel mode for me. Land-based vacation only. But, I suppose it's not all about me. In this case, yea I'd probably register my complaints onboard, and later, so I could explore what I can.