*LIVE* Norwegian Encore – 7-Night Eastern Caribbean March 31, 2024 – April 7, 2024

[tokidoki]

40 minutes ago, BirdTravels said:

The previously loved handbag store

 

Thx!

[Texter2]

1 hour ago, gmbhardy said:

My bad. I get three for balcony. I guess ocean view gets two. My apologies!

No worries. We have traveled in Infinity (Celebrity Edge class), Sunset, and regular balconies. They are lost on us. We rarely use them. Just excited to be on this beautiful ship and try out NCL. 

[BirdTravels]

4 hours ago, tokidoki said:

Thx!

Point of Sale (cash register). Kinda a box on the ground. You have to hold your receipt in your hand to sign it. 

 

 

[IAcruising]

"Hey, is that a Vicodin?"

"Can't tell, pick it up."

"No, you pick it up."

 

[BirdTravels]

Tag. Gotcha. 
 

[BirdTravels]

Today’s featured beach is Long Bay Beach. Beautiful. Crystal clear water. Soft sand. Easy access to food and drinks. Two loungers and an umbrella $25. 
 

 

[BirdTravels]

Tortola, British Virgin Islands. 

[CAKEisgood]

6 hours ago, BirdTravels said:

Today’s featured beach is Long Bay Beach. Beautiful. Crystal clear water. Soft sand. Easy access to food and drinks. Two loungers and an umbrella $25.

sounds like a perfect recipe for a gorgeous day.  Enjoy!

[cruiseny4life]

15 hours ago, BirdTravels said:

(Does a beef tostada count???)

Yes! Because those little scrumptious chips of goodness are absolutely delicious! Just be sure to order three or four orders as it's a quite small portion, even for an appetizer! 

[BirdTravels]

[BirdTravels]

In the old days, “parking enforcement” used to walk the streets and chalk tires. If your car was still parked on their next round, you got a ticket. 
 

Chair Hogs Beware, you have been chalked. 
 

[BirdTravels]

One of the wonderful features of Breakaway/+ class ships is the Waterfront on Deck 8. It combines shaded sofas and chairs to watch the sea; tables for work (eeeww) or games or reading; and bars. 

 

[BirdTravels]

BBQ at sea and love country music is all you can get at Q Texas Smokehouse. 

[vacation44]

On 3/31/2024 at 11:16 PM, BirdTravels said:

Guess what The Bird found… not that The Bird would partake. 
 

 

 

 

On 4/1/2024 at 8:01 AM, vacation44 said:

You did not mention where you found the cookies.   Would be helpful for those on the hunt for cookies.

 

Did I miss where you said where you found the cookies?

[BirdTravels]

12 minutes ago, vacation44 said:

 

 

Did I miss where you said where you found the cookies?

The Skyline bar night buffet. Been there every night. 

[vacation44]

13 minutes ago, BirdTravels said:

The Skyline bar night buffet. Been there every night. 

Thank you. 

 

 Hidden in the casino.

Edited April 5 by vacation44
Edit

[chilliano]

On 4/3/2024 at 3:15 PM, IAcruising said:

 

 

We're well aware of the gnarly daily strip steak. We're watching the featured (changing) entrees. No beef yet.

 

 

Well, honestly, and sorry to digress from general post, but it's related to perceptions that cruise lines are cutting back (which, of course, they are as are many businesses).  I'm not surprised by this. There's always a classic entry and dining packages are common--so beef eaters have Cagney.  In general, the trend is away from beef (in US).  Beef consumption in US is down, what, maybe 40% or more in last 50 years?  I saw an interesting stat recently that 12% of the American population eats about 50% of beef consumed.  (most likely to be men, ages 50-65).  Plant-based diets are becoming more common as reserch shows links to greater healthy outcomes and longevity levels.  Med diet has taken root and is extremely common now.  I eat beef maybe 1 time a month at most.  The menus seem to be following "foodie" (not just health) trends.

Edited April 5 by chilliano
edited verb tense for clarity

[IAcruising]

56 minutes ago, chilliano said:

The menus seem to be following "foodie" (not just health) trends.

 

I can agree. Thus, pork belly seems to be a trend. Not for the animal fat conscious. I'd prefer a properly cooked beef pot roast.

 

[RocketMan275]

1 hour ago, chilliano said:

Plant-based diets are becoming more common as reserch shows links to greater healthy outcomes and longevity levels.  

I don't think so.  For example, Beyond Meat revenue has dropped 34% in the first nine months of 2023 on weak consumer demand.

 

[BirdTravels]

1 hour ago, chilliano said:

 

Well, honestly, and sorry to digress from general post, but it's related to perceptions that cruise lines are cutting back (which, of course, they are as are many businesses).  I'm not surprised by this. There's always a classic entry and dining packages are common--so beef eaters have Cagney.  In general, the trend is away from beef (in US).  Beef consumption in US is down, what, maybe 40% or more in last 50 years?  I saw an interesting stat recently that 12% of the American population eats about 50% of beef consumed.  (most likely to be men, ages 50-65).  Plant-based diets are becoming more common as reserch shows links to greater healthy outcomes and longevity levels.  Med diet has taken root and is extremely common now.  I eat beef maybe 1 time a month at most.  The menus seem to be following "foodie" (not just health) trends.

NCL has always been on the forefront of catering to the contemporary cruiser. Attracting the next generation customer who will sustain the business for the next decade (until they become the old timers who just sail and complain like us). 
 

There was a total uproar on cruise critic when the deep fried fish sticks were pulled from lunch menu and replaced with poached salmon. And when the good ‘ole chicken noodle soup was replaced with pho. And when chicken fingers were replaced with rotisserie chicken.

 

NCL has always made a big deal about revamps of their menus (the last big one was in August 2021 with the pandemic restart). Time for new menus across the fleet.
 

And between, they are not shy about pulling menu items that are not selling and ending up in the fish food grinder every time they are offered. Midnight chocolate buffet with 10,000 pounds of chocolate being thrown overboard each week,,, history. Mac & cheese on the dinner menu,,, bye bye. 

[BirdTravels]

[jrt.mom]

No, not mac and cheese! As a vegetarian it's my go-to food when the menu is too animal based. Oh well, there's always the nightly three cheese ziti that's been on every cruise I've been on...

[cruiseny4life]

15 minutes ago, jrt.mom said:

No, not mac and cheese! As a vegetarian it's my go-to food when the menu is too animal based. Oh well, there's always the nightly three cheese ziti that's been on every cruise I've been on...

Q Texas Roadhouse or whatever it's called has halfway decent mac and cheese. Better than the buffet version, for sure! Speaking of, you can get it at the buffet. 

[BirdTravels]

For the widest selection of beer on the ship, visit the District Brewhouse. There is also great sing along piano music on the evenings. 
 

[PATRLR]

57 minutes ago, BirdTravels said:

NCL has always been on the forefront of catering to the contemporary cruiser. Attracting the next generation customer who will sustain the business for the next decade (until they become the old timers who just sail and complain like us). 
 

There was a total uproar on cruise critic when the deep fried fish sticks were pulled from lunch menu and replaced with poached salmon. And when the good ‘ole chicken noodle soup was replaced with pho. And when chicken fingers were replaced with rotisserie chicken.

 

NCL has always made a big deal about revamps of their menus (the last big one was in August 2021 with the pandemic restart). Time for new menus across the fleet.
 

And between, they are not shy about pulling menu items that are not selling and ending up in the fish food grinder every time they are offered. Midnight chocolate buffet with 10,000 pounds of chocolate being thrown overboard each week,,, history. Mac & cheese on the dinner menu,,, bye bye. 

Funny, I don't recall seeing beef eliminated from the Cagney's or Q menus you posted.  And I believe you said they had beef in the buffett.  Eliminating beef options from the MDR menus has nothing to do with "contemporary cruisers" (just as the entertainment changes didn't) and everything to do with cost savings and revenue enhancement.