markf

Curious, I bid about 3 weeks  ago  for an earl March cruise. where would I find  that my  bid is pending.. I checked on line in MY NCL and the  reservation page --I see  no indication that the bid is pending--and I assume it is  too early for them tohave accepted  or turned down the bid 

someone posted  when Klaus  was  a  HD--where  is  he today??

I  do remember  when Dawn and  Gem were the  new  and up and coming  ship--and  of course the  midnight buffets

I will be in  suite  soon, and  will go to the buffet, which should be empty when we get there rather than sit  at Cagneys  for lunch on embarkation day

years ago on the  Dawn , each person got free  bottles  of  wine  and free dinners in the pay for  dining rooms, by  the  Hotel Director, his name was  Klaus, he is currently in Corporate, or at least last I heard.

We had seen him a few  times after on different  cruises, and he made  the cruise  special each time

I just  recd an upgrade  bid  email.

We are --3  of us-booked in a  2 BR non Haven suite on the Gem  .

Recd  an upgrade  bid  for  $600  --for a 2  BR in Haven 

is  that  for  each  of  the  3  of  us?

Can I bid  less  than 600  ? 

I am slo guest of the  casino  and  recd  a  discount thru  them 

any  suggestions  would help..

Not  sure what I am getting in the  Haven , except maybe a larger  cabin--anyone have an idea??

• As  a point of  reference, I have cruised a few times in Haven and  few  times in Yacht Club MSC.  
• No  contest, MSC has  figured  it out, with maybe the exception of  cabin size--price  is better, service  is better, food quality  and ambience--much better  on MSC, perhaps not  on the regular MSC  but  comparing  Haven to Yacht Club, no contest

• aDD  $50  to thwe  cruise fare per  person and  stop nickle diming  people 

I was  going  to  do  just  that--but  was  discouraged.

Instead  , since  i am in  asuite, I called  the concierge desk, who assured  me  it will get  done, but not on line.

I have  an email from them.. but  seems odd  to me!!

Havent seen many reviews on the  Gem.. leaving in about 3 months. tried  to make  dining reservation for  3, they say  the system  doesn't  take  for  3.

You  can do for  1 , 2 4, 5, 6--does  that make  any sense???

yes Matt Baker was one of the CD  that I do remember ,a total entertainer who gave 100% 

actually after  about 35 cruises  on various  cruise lines, the  CDs on NCL in the old days were memorable

we  are booked  in a  2 BR suite on the Gem--haven't been in a suite on Gem in some time.

Is  breakfast and lunch served  in either  Cagneys and Moderno ?

Last time it was just Cagneys with essentialy the same menu each  day , which got a little boring 

I  would say about 5  years ago or  more  there were a  few  CD  who  actually stood out. In addiiton hotel directors , especially Klaus , who moved on the corporate. For some reason the  dynamic of  a CD has changed , less  talented  etc.   

I  disagree, and felt the  shows  were  amateurish, I have seen better  high school performances.

But  I  that would not  deter me from taking another cruise. They had  an imporvisation group on the cruise in early Oct.

They were ok, but  production groups were at best  so-so

no need  for  passport  after  arriving on a  cruise and going  from Dutch to French or  visa  versa--you need apassport if arriving by plane to enter  the country

they don't  care  if  you win or lose--they care about how much you bet and how  many hours a day  you bet.

everyone has  a story that contradicts  , but I am finding it difficult to win on ships-not  to say I don't see some people win .

Clearly at the end of  the week we  know who wins!!!

I have been on both , but not Haven for several years.

The last time on Haven , the menu n the haven was  very repetitive--not so on YC.

YC based on everything is far superior

An additional query--I am a  believer after  30  + cruises, that slots are looser  the  first 2  days  and  last 2  days of a cruise.

I know  people will challenge  this!!  We have won on NCL  lost  on MSC  and RCCL   won on  X as  well.

I have seen someone get a  royal flush  2 x  within 10 spins on a $5 dollar poker machine.

when its  time  to win you win!!

the cabanas are simply a  wicker frame surrounding 2 chaise  lounges.

On our  cruise early Oct. they were  always empty  

no need  to get one in my opinion , plenty of  chairs at any time are  available 

We are home  from the  YC  about 3 weeks--  the  cruise  is  even better  3 weeks  after--if  you know what I mean!!

I am ready for the next one , 

thanks  we  are  booked  on a 10 day  Caribbean cruise , after returning from MSC  yacht  club , I am a little  concerned  that there will be a let down. we have a suite on the Gem. But we will deal!!

French side  is  still not in good condition from the hurricane of  a year ago

we  were  on Seaside in early  Oct in St Martin--we spent  a full day --8-  5 Pm or  6Pm  I forget the actual tme.

I will tell you they discouraged  you to go to French side--that was  almost everyone I spoke to , on the ship and on shore

great review  we  were  on YC  late  Sept--interesting that you said the  food temperature was ok in outdoor buffet, we  had  an issue  with that.  I  also would have liked  more  TV  choices, CNBC  of  Fox  business.  But  I agree  with your assessment

On our trip 2 weeks  ago  in YC--no issues at all get a lounge chair--the cabanas were empty--no need to pay for  them 

I  mentioned  that I  did not  ask him for anything!!