Crown Vic

What’s in a name? Loup de Mer is better know as European Sea Bass, Mediterranean Bass and/or Branzino depending on the country in which is being served. No doubt other names as well. These names are more palatable to diners. Keep in mind that Chilean Sea Bass is Patagonian Toothfish. Perhaps a fishmonger could add additional details. Haddock or Cod anyone?

When will Latitudes’ Ambassador level guests be given complimentary access to the Vibe Beach Club? Providing access to such a small number of guests per sailing would add value to Latitudes highest level and provide an additional ‘thank you’ to top level repeat cruisers.

Mr del Rio:- 1) does NCL have a team reading Cruise Critic? There are some comments made to which NCL should listen. One such item is the reduction in cabin service whilst offset by an increase in the DSC. At what capacity point will your company take heed? 2) Why is the NCL Latitudes recognition program not linked to the other NCLH brands of Regent and Oceania? More NCL cruisers would upgrade to sister lines with a little encouragement…read ‘recognition’. Look forward to your positive responses. No bafflegab/Officialdom speak please!

Always nice to nap for a coupla hours after the tasting…zzzz… Cheers!

Sox Fan Cruiser, my Brahmin other half is from The Hill. Says she’ll take the Moet and Chandon but drink it with some Schrod. Gotta be from McMenamy’s. Cheers!

Horror of horrors! On a recent Equinox cruise, the bars ran out of Cinnamon Fireball Whiskey which is DW’s drink of choice. She tells people ‘she drank the ship dry’. Cheers!

Just back from an NCL cruise outta Tampa. NCL fare was 2 for 1. Going down we were booked on Air Canada non stop outta Pearson. The return was on AA with a change of plane in Charlotte. No problems at all. Suggestion is to read the cruise line’s procedure regarding non stops, one stops etc. If travelling overseas, the flights may have more than one leg and may go to an airport nearby rather than the one requested. Self booking for a similar price provides peace of mind…but…if there is a ship change of plans/delays then the cruise line will rebook your air for you if needed. This happened to one NCL cruise when the Port of Tampa was closed due to fog. The ship docked 11 hours late. Good luck!

Wot ?!? No Coopers? For shame… My Better Half enjoys Fireball Cinnamon Whiskey. Cheers!

Remember the kerfuffle when Celebrity stopped putting chocolates on the pillow at turndown time? Folks complained so much that the chocolates ‘reappeared’. Of course, the next step is the current transitioning to once-a-day cabin service removing the evening turndown. C’est la vie!

Same on Celebrity Equinox in November. No ‘prizes’ for Trivia winners. Gotta save money somewhere…but…it’s the little things that upset folks even though the prize may be a pen or something small. Usta like the t-shirts. BTW, NCL still gives ‘signatures’ for participation that can be turned in for ‘stuff’. Cheers!

On the Equinox last November. On both occasions, the sole was filleted table side. Cheese was plated the first time but offered from the trolley the second. Table side preparation and the cheese trolley made the evenings that much more enjoyable. Cheers!

Save room for the Cheese Board...

Alain came onboard on January 17. CruiseNext Manager is Glenn Benedicto. Think he is here for a while longer. Cheers!

Concierge is Therese Montines…

Had dinner with Alain yesterday evening in Le Bistro. He was in fine form. Super person and a very good GM. Enjoy your upcoming cruise. Cheers!

Dawn captain…Ronny Borg GM…Alain Magnier

Currently on the Norwegian Dawn. Shorts not allowed in Le Bistro or the Venetian main dining room although rule not being enforced in the Venetian…

On Equinox for the month of November, the clocks were changed to match local time…

Yes! Just back from the Equinox. Used our OBC to advance book in the Tuscan Grill. The restaurant charge reduced our OBC. The reduced balance was posted to our account which could be accessed via the TV. Enjoy…

Just back from the Pride of America where we dined in Le Bistro. Ordered the Lobster Thermidor. Found the dish very disappointing. Not tender and sweet as I expected. Only my opinion but, based on my experience, would not recommend it. Having said that the other dishes we tried during our next visit, like the Sole Grenobloise and the Fruits de Mer, were very good. Bon appetite…

Just as an ‘aside’, on Thursday, December 1, the Celebrity Equinox was delayed by port traffic and docked one hour late. Getting off the ship was straight forward. Everyone went through the same Immigration line. No Facial Recognition but very fast. Lotsa taxis available outside. Always best to factor possible delays into your plans. BTW, the incoming flight for the 11.05 departure was delayed leaving YYZ and was rescheduled to 11.25. Helped off set the ship’s delay in docking.

Just back from B2B PoA cruises. The American crew was very friendly and tried very hard to please. We heard that dispensation had been obtained, for a limited time, to reduce the ratio of American to International crew to 50%. Do not know if this was factual or was just a rumour. In any case, the cruises were very enjoyable. “Try it! You’ll like it”.

Just wondering if there’s any scuttlebutt regarding removal of the 10+ night cruise Covid test requirement. Cheers.

My NCL opens but does not provide any cruise details, no Online Check In etc. Same since Friday. Technical Support folks not available until Monday the 3rd. C’est la vie...

Don’t know where NCL has its’ Computer Centre but could the effects of Hurricane Ian be causing problems…?