Positivity Thread!

[ScratchTheRat]

Lots of negativity on here and understandably! We are all sad at being stuck at home and not sailing.

 

BUT, let this thread be a positivity thread! A place for us optimists to hang out and discuss the good stuff!

 

Let's start with me asking "What is your favourite NCL menu item?" and if you have a photo, please show! 🙂

[littlelulu01]

I’m due for my 2nd vaccine in a couple days.  We would have been fully vaccinated by our April 30 sail date till it was canceled. 
 

I still think we’re not far out for return to “normalish”.  The focus on vaccine effectiveness on new strains... is a bit sensationalized IMO and is trying to scare us.  Bottom line, people ARE getting vaccinated, vaccines ARE highly effective and a ship full of mostly vaccinated people is just not going to pull into port full of Covid.

 

I think we’re shell shocked and don’t know what to believe but if we follow mainstream science and mainstream fact backed news, we are making huge progress. Teachers will be vaccinated, they will return to classrooms, we will start vacations again.  

 

I am hoping for an early fall return to cruising with an experience much like past sailings.  The big difference I see is the coughing sick passengers will no longer be able to sit in the dining room, tour bus, elevators.  Cruise lines will crack down on them which I welcome.

 

I’ve followed the recommendations all along.  Many of my neighbors, coworkers, community... are now receiving the vaccines and pent up demand for vacations is going to be crazy.  We’re going to Hawaii in a couple weeks leaving two weeks after our 2nd dose.   I figure we’re the tail end of the quiet tourist destinations.

 

The horribly clunky roll out of vaccine further cast doubt but I see the wheels really starting to turn.  I also see a shift in vaccine trust.  I originally had about 40% of our staff interested in vaccine.  But we’re now at about 80%!! That is huge progress.  Many changed their minds when they saw coworkers not having any side effects. The mood at work has gone from that despair to sheer happiness.   I think life for many of us is about to change for the better and this pandemic will be something we won’t debate or discuss in the not to distant future.   

[ScratchTheRat]

11 minutes ago, littlelulu01 said:

I’m due for my 2nd vaccine in a couple days.  We would have been fully vaccinated by our April 30 sail date till it was canceled. 
 

I still think we’re not far out for return to “normalish”.  The focus on vaccine effectiveness on new strains... is a bit sensationalized IMO and is trying to scare us.  Bottom line, people ARE getting vaccinated, vaccines ARE highly effective and a ship full of mostly vaccinated people is just not going to pull into port full of Covid.

 

I think we’re shell shocked and don’t know what to believe but if we follow mainstream science and mainstream fact backed news, we are making huge progress. Teachers will be vaccinated, they will return to classrooms, we will start vacations again.  

 

I am hoping for an early fall return to cruising with an experience much like past sailings.  The big difference I see is the coughing sick passengers will no longer be able to sit in the dining room, tour bus, elevators.  Cruise lines will crack down on them which I welcome.

 

I’ve followed the recommendations all along.  Many of my neighbors, coworkers, community... are now receiving the vaccines and pent up demand for vacations is going to be crazy.  We’re going to Hawaii in a couple weeks leaving two weeks after our 2nd dose.   I figure we’re the tail end of the quiet tourist destinations.

 

The horribly clunky roll out of vaccine further cast doubt but I see the wheels really starting to turn.  I also see a shift in vaccine trust.  I originally had about 40% of our staff interested in vaccine.  But we’re now at about 80%!! That is huge progress.  Many changed their minds when they saw coworkers not having any side effects. The mood at work has gone from that despair to sheer happiness.   I think life for many of us is about to change for the better and this pandemic will be something we won’t debate or discuss in the not to distant future.   

What do you miss most about cruising? 😄

[casofilia]

@ScratchTheRat

 

What do you miss most about cruising?

 

New places and new people.

[cruisekitty22]

Favorite menu item?  Easy answer! Le Bistro's mushroom soup! To die for!  We have it the first night on every cruise and will sometimes go back to Le Bistro for a second time just for this soup!!

[casofilia]

@cruisekitty22

 

AGREED.

#1 every time; that mushroom soup in le Bistro is wonderful.

 

BUT #2 would have been the Fish Chowder in Moderno but they removed it.

[ScratchTheRat]

8 minutes ago, cruisekitty22 said:

Favorite menu item?  Easy answer! Le Bistro's mushroom soup! To die for!  We have it the first night on every cruise and will sometimes go back to Le Bistro for a second time just for this soup!!

Le bistro looks good! Is it open for lunch or just dinner?

[casofilia]

@ScratchTheRat

 

Only dinner; remember you need to dress up, it isn't casual dress.

[littlelulu01]

22 minutes ago, ScratchTheRat said:

What do you miss most about cruising? 😄

After a long hot day of touring, a friendly welcome back on a clean ship, crisp cool sheets, watching the waves and knowing tomorrow we’re waking up somewhere new and exciting. 

[cruisekitty22]

Le Bistro is not too dress up. Just a pair of pants and a polo shirt is fine, no tie. Nice slacks or dress or skirt for women.  No shorts.

[BirdTravels]

27 minutes ago, casofilia said:

@ScratchTheRat

 

Only dinner; remember you need to dress up, it isn't casual dress.

The only requirement wrt dress is that gents wear long pants (jeans or dockers are fine). It is casual dress (just no shorts and flip flops). 

[delaware32]

We always have a lot of fun at Teppanyaki  .Just a fun atmosphere and good food .

[hernando52]

We took most of the money from our cancelled Nov. cruise and have had new plank flooring installed in our three bedrooms.   It's not a cruise, but it makes us feel really good to have been able to upgrade our land based "stateroom".  We're older seniors who may have sailed our last cruise because of Covid-19.....no matter what, we have the greatest memories that no one/nothing can take away from us!  

 

Favorite Dish???  Anything that we don't have to cook!!  

[ScratchTheRat]

This will be my first NCL cruise. I am really looking forward to the Teppenyaki and Cagney's!

[Solo Cruiser Memphis]

I don't really care for breakfast food so I was excited to see that the last 2 NCL cruises I've been on have had a hummus bar complete with cheese, olives, pita, etc. at the buffet.  Perfect for me and a nice addition for people that don't care for the typical breakfast of bacon and eggs.  Had a hummus breakfast every morning and savored every bite!

[bbnmom]

I am not much of a foodie so what I like most about cruising is feeling like it is a total escape from everyday life. A real honest to goodness disconnect from reality.

 

On a side note I just read an article that noted a small study out of Israel that saw very high levels of antibodies in people vaccinated with the Pfizer vaccine meaning, they think, you are likely not able to transmit Covid-19. That makes me feel that much better knowing I may not be able to pass on a possibly devastating disease to someone unknowingly.

[casofilia]

@ScratchTheRat

 

As it is your first NCL cruise you won't have any free Latitude dinners so take plenty of money!!   Meals in the specialty restaurants are NOT cheap.

[ScratchTheRat]

44 minutes ago, casofilia said:

@ScratchTheRat

 

As it is your first NCL cruise you won't have any free Latitude dinners so take plenty of money!!   Meals in the specialty restaurants are NOT cheap.

Oh I got the Free at Sea deal with 2 free specialty dinners 😄 Gonna be sailing on my birthday week so gonna do birthday night in Cagney's and another night at Teppenyaki 🙂

[casofilia]

@ScratchTheRat

 

Make sure they know about it so they can sing you "Happy Birthday" and give you a birthday cake.   That is if they still do that!!

[Falckon]

ScratchTheRat, it is very refreshing to find such a positive post, especially in these negative times. This board used to be so much fun to read. With the exception of a few snarky posts, it was full of valuable and interesting information for cruisers, both new and experienced.

I hope that people will respond favorably to your request for their favorite cruising moments. With your positive attitude, I'm sure that you will enjoy your first NCL cruise and many more.

My favorite place is the Haven bar. It is like the TV show, "Cheers". Within a few days, the bartenders know what you drink, and everyone knows your name. You meet extremely interesting people, from all over the world who are willing to open up with warm and friendly conversations.

[mcmomny]

5 hours ago, ScratchTheRat said:

Lots of negativity on here and understandably! We are all sad at being stuck at home and not sailing.

 

BUT, let this thread be a positivity thread! A place for us optimists to hang out and discuss the good stuff!

 

Let's start with me asking "What is your favourite NCL menu item?" and if you have a photo, please show! 🙂

Spring Rolls at The Noodle Bar on The Epic, great late night snack when hanging out in or near The Casino!

[oteixeira]

Always happy to see a positive post.

Favorite food?  Love the Seafood Fritto Misto in the Haven restaurant, as well as the Avocado Toast for breakfast.  

What I miss most.  Just the joy of being on an adventure at sea where every turn is fun and relaxing.  I boarded my last cruise a year ago Monday, and I really feel it.  Can't wait to get back aboard.

[Sweetnspicy]

I LOVE the mushroom soup at Le Bistro. I also had cream of asparagus once and it was so freaking good! I barely eat while we cruise because I love to stay busy and do everything. Plenty of drinks though 🤣

 

My husband and I rented an Airbnb in Cannon Beach, OR right on the beach in March and I’m so excited to not see the inside of my house. 

[JeanieTheMom]

Thank you for this post! My first cruise on NCL will be in February, 2023, on the Jade from Dubai to Athens. I'm gonna make a list of all the foods listed, starting with the mushroom soup. 😁 

 

I have 6 other cruises booked before then starting in January 2022. (Lots of OBC because of cancellations.) I hope they all go!

[BirdTravels]

8 hours ago, ScratchTheRat said:

This will be my first NCL cruise. I am really looking forward to the Teppenyaki and Cagney's!

Teppanyaki is one of our favorite. Personally, the food and service in Cagney’s has degraded over the years and we don’t go there any more.