dexddd

If I had a choice between a 800 calorie Crumb'l vs limited edition double Big Mac at 780 calories, Mac wins.  I've already had five, for my convenience, of course.

1 hour ago, Asawi said:

Ok, this discussion made me put this leftover pack of really nice Christmas cookies among things to pack.

("Leftover" because I have had so many other yummy things to eat. Love them and cannot believe I haven't eaten them already! Over two weeks until I leav though, so by then they may not still be around.)

Those look like what we call 'windmill' cookies.

20 hours ago, cruiser2015 said:

Consider this.

Many (not all) of the pastries served for dessert look a lot better than they taste.

But the cookies are of a decent quality (certainly not premium quality; I just picked up a few Crumbl's yesterday).

Having some instead of the "fancy" dessert items would often be a better choice.

Crumbl's - that equates to a deposit on a cruise.

Note ymmv with what actually happens.

The in room food is pretty consistent with pictures above.  In our experience, the snacks, even when requested, can vary widely.

Depending on suite level, OS and higher get booze in bottles in room plus water and soda.

If you are on deck 12, those are newer suites and near pool, buffet, and one deck up to bar and open forward deck.

P.s.  They won't bring drinks to room under drink package.

1 minute ago, LloydJr said:

We typically go to the MDR for breakfast, lunch and/or dinner when they open.  On our last cruise we had window seats every time.  And we just had a normal old card.  No Haven Halo needed! 😇💩

Think last time I recall we had window seats in a mdr was lunch on Spirit back in 2008 ironically at Windows Dining Room.

Whether in Haven restaurant or other, we never ask for window seats even though preferred.  I like to see where they'll seat us.  I guess our profile must be marked not by windows.  Maybe they found that on my airline preference that I like an aisle.

We've had Haven cards with high lats level for long time.  No flashing anything, just give card when asked going into restaurant.  I guess the benefit must be getting a seat near doors to kitchen as that seems to be the pattern for us.

4 hours ago, JGander said:

I agree, and many of those are Haven users who think that the card matters outside of the Haven area.

Welcome to CC.

10 hours ago, dmwnc1959 said:

So if I order these in advance and have them delivered to the room on embarkation day, just out of curiosity are these baked fresh on board or are they from packaged cookies?

 

Having worked in the provider side, you'd be surprised how much is par baked, frozen, shipped, then baked to finish.  Actually taste quite fresh.

Who knows.  They removed lounge on Star and Dawn and replaced with rooms.  I'm sure they've made more money on the rooms than people sipping coffee.

Sounds like a new thing.  Trying to figure out other than maybe less drinking how this cuts costs.

23 hours ago, laudergayle said:

Dang it!!  Still no xtra discounts.  I feel like chopped liver☹️

You can have my Bliss discount.

We had an H2 on Escape and probably one of best rooms ever.  Understand that you are looking at H3.

It is windy while underway.  Sitting not so bad as below railing height.  We were in Bermuda so in port for 2.5 days so wind not an issue there.

Yes, you get three bottles, in room soda, in room sparkling or still water.  Supposed to be one bottle of champagne but they cheap out with sparkling.

Not Breakaway.

If you don't have any seasickness issues, I'd book an inside on 12.  They are much newer added around 2011.  Quiet area, close to pool, buffet, one deck up to bar and front deck area.

we've sailed in those OS several times.  There is also a side balcony, room huge.  But at +40 percent, no unless more than two people.

It sounds like Arthur is now YC maitre d so things should be pretty good on Mera.

As a Rueben aficionado, note that some use corned beef and some use pastrami.  When we sailed Prima menu said pastrami but whatever it was, it was pretty good sandwich.

Our only point of reference is POA after drydock and spa was going to be worked on for 30-45 days after drydock.

We have same coupon for Bliss.

5 minutes ago, mking8288 said:

Thanks (not really) for the affirmation as it has been reported and observed by others lately, ourselves included - trending that began in 2023, it isn't really new but just heading not - suffice to say - in the right direction (as in going the wrong way)   $3 at McD for a single piece of greasy hashbrown and $4 for fries (where it used to be on the $1 menu ... nowadays, good luck finding something under $2 or $3 a piece, maybe the kid's special, depending on the franchise location.)  

 

However, comparatively speaking, the average daily costs for cruising (Haven & YC excluded) are still, relatively, reasonable compared to other forms of vacation.  We just booked a week of van rental - Budget & Hertz alike, $1,900 all inclusive w unlimited driving in a Ford Transit XLT that seat up to 12 plus luggage allowance - still "cheaper" than flying for 9 adults and 3 kids.  

 

Well, to balance things out, it means we are "eating lighter" as NCL menus are mostly "cooking light" in more ways than one.  The grass isn't greener elsewhere with the competition.  

What day and time will you be picking us up and you can mark us down for two bags and two carryons?

Just some general info.  Verizon used to sell a plan for Cell at Sea but it is long gone and now Ala carte.

POA does not have cell at sea if someone doing Hawaii.

Ready - hope MSC works for you.  We sailed YC eight times and would say except for last food was pretty good.  October we sailed 11 nights and walked out of YC restaurant twice and skipped it another couple.  My go to filet was rubber on six of eight I tried.

Hola's was good as was BC.  Buffet was o.k. but they ran out of some stuff like lettuce.

3 minutes ago, Yesimapirate said:

But if you read their board they're full of the same complaints. 

 

It's a the grass is always greener scenario.   Overwhelming debt from Covid and record bookings mean increased prices and lower standards, service and quality.   Every cruiseline (and most hotels for that matter) are going through it.  It will only change once there's a recession and bookings drop.  

If a recession, prices may drop but I can't really recall service or food getting better during such times.

As per pp, e.g. on Gem an OS on 9 or 10 would get you into the tiny Haven pool area but on these trips it is noted they don't.

22 hours ago, ShipawayAtx said:

Lol! Thank you all! I probably knew better than to ask. I’ve only been on Royal Caribbean cruises, and wasn’t sure what to expect from Norwegian. It’s likely I’ll be too pooped to do much more than sleep after full days on the islands. 

Right, not a lot of discussion about POA entertainment as a lot of folks tired from busy day on land.

Note the buffet has a stone oven that makes some good pizza.  It is port side in the front as you walk from the bar aft.