Crown Vic

On 4/4/2023 at 9:49 PM, PompeySailor said:

Question regarding Diamond speciality meal, but for Kaito Teppanyaki on Seascape...Thanks in advance…Happy Days!

Looks like the ‘Sailor’ part of your ‘handle’ is well deserved.

Enjoy your Cadbury Easter eggs.

Cheers..

For the duck game onboard ship…👍  👍 …or should it be 🦆 🦆. Sorry the ducks aren’t yellow. Cheers…

On 3/15/2023 at 6:57 PM, jeh10641 said:

…Even though we were driving "on the wrong side of the road", it was an easy drive.

Wrong side of the road?? For shame…

On 3/3/2023 at 8:30 PM, DaKahuna said:

 

 My wife does not cook or eat lamb nor will she let me cooking inside the house.  She says it 'smells like meat."  DUH -- so I eat lamb almost every time it is offered when we cruise.  

 

Wow! Thought my DW was the ‘only’ one with a lamb aversion. Rack of lamb…yummy!

10 hours ago, kid_surf said:

I dined at the Murano in February…but Murano was incredible. 

👍 👍 for Murano. When I had finished my lobster, the waiter asked if I would like a second one. I declined graciously. Had to ‘leave room’ for the cheese board.

5 minutes ago, spunks said:

as a matter of fact she is and is quite well. Good to hear from you

 

Doug

Super! Just booked the Ruby after a looong spell on NCL and Celebrity.

Best regards to you both. Stay well.

Cheers!

2 hours ago, spunks said:

Am I the only one?The people we travel with would not use it.

Doug

Off topic personal question, spunks…is your better half Annie?

Talking of first cruises…pre NCL…

49 minutes ago, DCGuy64 said:

Thanks! I hate to say this, but what can and does happen when it comes to cruise and air planning often depends on the individuals you deal with…Sorry, this isn't relevant to what you said, at all. It's just been on my mind.

👍 👍 

6 minutes ago, DCGuy64 said:

What do you mean by "AA wouldn't talk to us"? You mean you called them and they said "go away, we're not talking to you" and hung up? Is this just shorthand for "they weren't able to make any changes?" I'm just curious what transpired. Anyway, glad you were able to upgrade to AA Business Class.

AA - very professional and pleasant. One of our top two airlines of choice.
The short answer, but phrased differently in conversation, from AA was ‘talk to the Cruise Line’. NCL Air said ‘No changes could be made once the flights were ticketed’. As stated, the experience for flights in both directions was very good. Would certainly consider using cruise line air again but with very careful thought, investigation and planning. 

35 minutes ago, DCGuy64 said:

Strictly speaking, this is not always the case. For instance, because my wife and I have a certain status with American Airlines, once the NCL flights are ticketed, we CAN (and do) upgrade our seats. NCL is only acting as a travel agent at that point. Once the flights are ticketed, you can work with the airline. It's two separate transactions. Now that may not be true of every airline, but it has been the case with us and American.

Interesting. AA wouldn’t talk to us…but…we managed to upgrade to AA Business Class at the airport. All’s well that ends well…

19 minutes ago, david_sobe said:

I have never booked a NCL cruise with NCL booking the airline.  I am curious.  Does NCL advise passengers to arrive a day early?   I know its a touchy subject because if they did, many would complain about having to pay for a hotel.  Its a huge risk to arrive the day of sailing.  But I am just curious if NCL advises passengers during making flight arrangements.  

Used NCL Air recently. Chose to go ‘in’ a day early ‘just in case’.  Believe that NCL allows a one or two day flight deviation. The NCL Air site is very specific. Flights are chosen for you and cannot be altered once ticketed. I even tried to upgrade. Neither the airline nor NCL would ‘talk to me’. BTW, flights to and from the ship worked out well. Non stop one way; one stop on the return. Different airlines. Guess it’s a case of Caveat Emptor when booking NCL Air…Buyer Beware…

On 3/12/2023 at 11:44 AM, Wendylvs2travel said:

 

We’ll be staying at the Hilton Southampton the day before sailing, but I still need to book a taxi from London. Any recommendations? 

 

Give aquacars.co.uk a look. May just fit the bill. Cheers!

6 minutes ago, Rob_H said:

If you're on the Encore, Bliss or Joy it'll sail through the new locks on the Panama Canal.  The older more historic locks are used for the smaller ships like the Sun.

Did the ‘new’ Canal on the Canal inauguration sailing of the Bliss. Frank Del Rio graced the occasion with a visit to the ship at one of the Locks.

BTW, you mention ‘Down Under’. If that’s your home country, gotta tell ya that we want the Ashes back.

17 hours ago, smillerholmes said:

I am on the Sun next month for this exact itinerary.  I am 99% I won't be doing "Live From...", but I'll be happy to share my experiences as time allows.

Wonder why the itinerary is Central America heavy but excludes any U.S. West Coast stops? A San Diego or San Fran day woulda been nice…

Was on PoA last October. There was a struggle to maintain good service because of the lack of staff. Only once a day cabin service, some specialty and one main dining room closed etc. Still a very enjoyable cruise which included the Napali Coast sail by.
Gotta save fuel somehow but not sure how much of a difference this change will make. Environmental sensibility, which is a good thing, is among the latest catch phrases.

Cheers!

Applied, by appointment in person, at a Service Canada Office on February 7. 
New passport hand delivered on February 20. Impressive!

Waiting for return of cancelled passport which, I was told, was delayed internally but should arrive by mid month.

On one QM2 transAtlantic crossing, men entered the dining room wearing a jacket but were not stopped from removing the jacket and placing it on the back of the chair. 

Submitted passport renewal documentation, in person, at a Service Canada office on February 7. The new passport was hand delivery February 27. Woo hoo!

42 minutes ago, RocketMan275 said:

Bless your heart.

Ouch!

42 minutes ago, RocketMan275 said:

 

Thanks.  We've two evenings scheduled at Le Bistro.  I plan on the lobster thermador the first night and I booked the second night to try the Dover Sole.  Glad to hear the excellent reviews on the Sole.

Have also had the Lobster Thermidor. Rather subpar and rubbery on the Pride of America last October but excellent on the Norwegian Dawn in January. Go for it!
Enjoy…

34 minutes ago, Turtles06 said:

Speaking of fish -- I had the Dover sole twice on Le Bistro during our very recent B2B cruises on the Gem, and it was excellent both times.

Good choice!
The Sole Grenobloise is my Better Half’s choice at Le Bistro and is usually excellent. 

17 hours ago, coscab said:

Hoping someone could post a pic of the filet de loup de mer at LeBistro, I am not a fish eater but would like to try sea bass, I don't want to be disappointed. 

For me a lot depends on looks, not just taste, any help would be appreciated.

 

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!