susique

Turraloon, I booked this cabin yesterday on the Escape. Thanks for the pictures. I think my twin sister can come with my husband and I now. Usually we book a 2 bedroom suite, but they are over our budget now. Wow, thanks.

Maniac - Yes, tipping is "customary ", and people do wonder what others tip so they can feel they are adequately expressing their appreciation. When we were new to cruising this forum helped me decide how much or little seemed 'average'. How else would a person know. It would be embarrassing to ask fellow passengers while onboard.

On our last cruise on the Jade in January we spoke to a few suite passengers that gladly let us know that they do not leave more that $50.00 per cabin to the butler. We do leave more that that, but $10.00 pp a day is probably a CC custom and not what the other passengers in suites leave. We leave $100.00 to the butler and maybe $50.00 to the concierge if he does anything for us.

Can I ask where you see that the gratuities is now a perk? I do not see that on the NCL website.

It's deck 12 aft. In front of the Great Outdoors (which I love), and next the back of the buffet. They actually use the seating at lunch when there's an overflow in the buffet.

Thanks, I see it now. It's funny that the "Explore our Ship" section on the website does not show it and we cannot do a reservation. I will wait and reserve when we board.

We were on the Jade in September, and all though we didn't have any dinners in the Italian restaurant on board this time, I am pretty certain they have one - La Cucina (it is situated on deck 11 aft, if I remember correctly).

 

But note that Jade still has the "old" menu in Le Bistro - and I believe that will be the status also in January, since she will be going in to dry dock in the spring of 2017, and on the other ships the new Bistro menu has been offered after dry dock...

I hope they still have the old menus. I loved the mussels the old way and my husband liked the lamb chops.

But when I searched the NCL website to explore what dining is available on the Jade it does not list an Italian restaurant.

We are sailing on the Jade for the first time in January. I was booking dinner reservations and noticed that the Jade does not list an Italian restaurant. We will have 2 vouchers for dinner and wine as a platinum perk, We used to love La Bistro, but after they changed the menus, not so much.

Does the Jade offer an alternate restaurant to use the platinum vouchers?

Thanks

We are also on the Getaway on 10/02. I read on the roll call that there will be a large group of home schooled children with their parents on board.

Nobody can tell you for sure now what exact shows will be there in four months, sorry.

Ok. Now does anyone know what production show are on the current Jade sailings?

I bought a diet coke out of that machine at POM on 8/29/16 boarding the Sky. Walked onto the ship drinking it. I guess no one noticed.

Same as the other NCL ships. Priority boarding and disembarkation, breakfast and lunch in Cagney's, concierge and butler service, suite and VIP party with officers and a small section reserved in the theater. We have been on the Sky 4 times. Only one time in a suite. Would have to be a great deal for us to do that again. We had a great time, but we feel it is a bit to much money for 3 or 4 days. We just got off last Friday and thought the balcony was enough.

We have sailed on the Sky 3 times in the last 2 years and will be on her again a week after you. I have never seen wings on the buffet at the main the main buffet. I do not like curried stuff and they had a lot of it. The buffet out in the Great Outdoors had the best comfort food, but I never notice wings there.

Longboards has a sliding door that leads to the Great Outdoors to the left. They had lots of great items to snack on (hamburgers, hot dogs, sandwiches, fruit and cheeses). There is also a breakfast and lunch buffet in Italian restaurant next door, as well. There is a bar in Longboards, but it is not open that often. We just got a plate of snacks, a drink at the Great Outdoors and sat in Longboards to eat. If you want a killer Bloody Mary, see Danley at the Great Outdoor Bar.

No. The Sky has only one perk and that is "Free Drinks" for all passengers over 21. Way better deal than gratuities.

If they consider $40 -reasonable for case of water -that's nuts -carnival's $4 -seems like that are trying to before consumer friendly

I may be wrong, but isn't Carnival's price $4.99 for 12 half liter (16.9 oz) bottles. That is not a case in my opinion.

Also when you search carnival on youtube there is about 20 videos of "how to sneak alcohol in water bottles", although it would be good to think most people are honest you can find hundreds of comments of people bragging how they do it and get away with it. With a sealed case of water they just simply pry one bottle from the outside and the rest are easily removed and then they simply fill them all with any clear alcohol and they buy new caps online they can reseal the bottles with and slip them back in the case. Most of us would not think of anything like this but it appears to be extremely common which would be very understandable why any cruise line would not permit cases of water.

What concerns me is that someone who wanted to create havic or mass murder could easily put flammable liquid in them, reseal them and be delighted to set fire to the ship. I know it is a very low likelihood of that happening, but I do not want to be in the middle of the Caribbean with the nut that finds it easy to do.

Thanks Larka. As I live in South Florida, my sister and I book the SKY for a girls only (no husbands or kids) trip once a year. I agree that the buffet is terrible and never have ate in the MDR. When we booked this cruise over a year ago, it did not have the free drinks, so we picked the UBP for a perk. When they changed it to free drinks, my PCC changed our perk to the UDP. We have dinner in the specialty restaurants each night.

Just off the Sky.

 

Very brief review for now.

Ship is in great condition and well kept. Crew was awesome

We had the All inclusive Drink plan. Worked out well especially if you tipped $1.

Awesome Dining room staff From Mr Collins to Waitress Ni to Asst Waiter Milton.

Great stateroom Attendant

 

Food was terrible. Had three good meals. One was breakfast. The other two were Steak Chimichurry and the Prime Rib.

Embarkation was very unpleasant. They scheduled us for 1030am. Finally started to board at 1150am.

Room Service is $7.95 added charge.

 

For a last minute quickie vacation it was fine. Would not be our first choice. This was our 33 cruise, Fourth on NCL. We booked this because our already booked cruise was cancelled with another line.

 

Comedian was also very good. Other shows - not so much.

You mentioned embarkation, what about debarkation? We are sailing on Monday and really need to be off by 8 AM. Do you think this is possible?

One bathroom right inside bedroom

I have the same issue. Made all my payments through NCL. I have 3 cruises booked, with 2 paid in full. The one that I still owe on is the one not showing any payments. I called yesterday and had a confirmation emailed showing all of the payments I made. The rep could not tell me what the issue was.

The Azipod mechanical issues that the Star has is the least of their problems. The Star needs to overhaul their entire passenger service program. There is so much to complain about the cruise we just got off this morning 10/25/2015 I dont know where to begin. By far the worst cruise we have ever been on. This happened to be our 1st cruise on NCL and WILL be our last. NCL needs to learn from Royal how to run a cruise company when it come to passenger service. Most everyone one we spoke to had the same feelings, its totally absurd to run out of strawberry daiquiri mix and Grey Goose vodka the 2nd day of any cruise especially after spending the amount to time they were in Tampa before we left last Tuesday morning. The waiting lines on pool deck and lack of servers to get drinks was just totally unbelievable. The list goes on and on and on. We have never been so happy to be home after a cruise, just to get away from the frustration of the NCL Star.:mad::mad::mad:

I am sorry you are upset about your cruise. You really should go back to Royal if waiting for a drink and the lack of Grey Goose meant so much. These nice people are discussing the azipod problems and not drink service.

Just my opinion, the service charge for suites is higher because you have option of Cagneys for breakfast and lunch. Crew in Specialty restaurant are not included in the DSC and suites do not pay the 18% gratuities on the perks that come with them.

Thanks for everyone's input on this thread! Looks like we sail today!!! :)

Brandon Girl,

Your handle gave me fond memories. I lived in Clair Mel area and was a graduate of Brandon High School Class of 1969. I will also be traveling to Tampa on 11/06/15 to board the Star. Have a wonderful cruise.

When I have a coupon for a free item it states that I will be responsible for any tax that is due here in South Florida at time of purchase. Just read the terms on the coupon.

How do you know in your UBP package if you got in before the gratuity charge ? I booked September 14 for my August 20 2016 sailing. I don't remember seeing any details about gratuities. Being in the Haven I received all 4 promos. My promos say CHOHS and EASYFARE. Thanks Gerry

Gratuities are included for UBP and UDP when you book a suite.

The butler is now included in the higher rate for suites DSC so you will be double tipping. That's just an FYI and feel free to tip all you want but know the facts.

Do you know this for sure? I am guessing the higher amount is for the personnel in the Haven restaurant or Cagney's for lunch.