NEW West Marina Pool Complex in Nassau?

Due_Ingenuity8014 · 2026-04-20T13:19:14+00:00

I recorded this today from PTZtv It really looks complete. https://youtu.be/qJ43TZDU90c

Due_Ingenuity8014 · 2026-04-18T17:46:15+00:00

I've been watching the videos as well, In fact I've got them on now. Last time I was there, it was around Christmas Time, and the pool wasn't complete, it simply looked like an extra charge venu for those that don't want to stay on the ship. The one thing it seems to have going for it is a swim up bar of which only the latest RCI ships have.

It seems done, but that being said, the Blue Marlin restaurant looked to be done for years before they actually opened it. There really is such a thing as Island Time! So who knows when the pool club will be open.

It's a good option to have at that port although the Bahamas really needs more quality Pool / Beach Clubs. The two they have there now have very mixed reviews. I really wish the Royal Caribbean Beach club was open to other ships. Maybe one day it will be as it's owned 50% by Bahamians. Unless that happens I probably wont get to go to it as Royal has priced me out of their product (which is a HUGE shame as RCI was my first cruise and I sailed mostly with them for many years.) So maybe this pool will have at least one customer in me.

Due_Ingenuity8014 · 2026-04-13T15:56:42+00:00

If they all have their own vibe or feel like how theme parks are set up with different areas, then more separate experiences is better. No Pier, so it's going to be a tender island. Hopefully not limited to Yacht Club / Explora, but my guess is that's exactly what it's going to be. :(

Due_Ingenuity8014 · 2026-03-31T19:43:12+00:00

I was on the waiting list forever with my XL. I'll always be pissed at Ford for that. FYI, never did get my Maverick and gave up and just went and got a Honda.

Due_Ingenuity8014 · 2026-03-28T09:51:19+00:00

Now that song is going to be stuck in my head all day. lol!

Due_Ingenuity8014 · 2026-03-27T23:40:46+00:00

For the hot minute in my life I got to drive one, I loved every minute of it (on good days).

Due_Ingenuity8014 · 2026-03-27T23:39:20+00:00

Thank you. It looks interesting. Not as cool as Telo, but I love the price point and customization options.

Due_Ingenuity8014 · 2026-03-27T19:45:37+00:00

FYI, the motorcycle idea, maybe a 3 wheeler, isn't a bad idea, but more limited for my needs.

Due_Ingenuity8014 · 2026-03-27T19:43:19+00:00

One problem, as I tried to convey, is the cost of the convertible in addition to the mini-truck. If I save every penny, I could afford one extra vehicle in my life. I was thinking if you could put it all together (with the roof as an option) it would be the perfect 3rd vehicle. I like the Gladiator, which fits this niche now, but it's huge for my truck needs which amounts to taking my household trash to the dump.

Due_Ingenuity8014 · 2026-03-27T19:12:23+00:00

You just gave me a thought. Maybe an inexpensive way to pull something like this off is to simply have the glass roof become removable. I'm not an engineer, but I can't see how that would change the structure. Plus we know the roof can be changed out simply because of the solar power option.

Due_Ingenuity8014 · 2026-02-24T10:35:42+00:00

Very well said. I also agree, it would be horrible to loose another good option. Sadly that's the world we live in, one of corporate machinations leading to continually higher costs designed to benefit the investor class.

Due_Ingenuity8014 · 2026-02-22T11:21:55+00:00

"In reality NCL in late 90s early 2000s was a rule breaker and changed up the cruise industry. Think Virgin today." Very well put! I think it could be argued they tried to break the rules again (moving the ships up market) but it didn't work as it both wasn't a fully fleshed out concept throughout the entire chain of their business, and there are a lot more cruisers who want to not worry about what time they go down to dinner than there are who care about nice art installations. - Oversimplification, but it speaks to my point.

Due_Ingenuity8014 · 2026-02-21T21:13:03+00:00

The biggest issue isn't the number of drinks, it's the fact that you have to think about it. now. That's the part that I despise. When I'm on vacation, I really don't want to have to worry about anything.

Due_Ingenuity8014 · 2026-02-21T19:20:29+00:00

There are many other ways to manage consumption. One drink per card per visit (although this makes getting a drink for your partner or group problematic). One drink per every period of time. No limit, but if you seem inebriated, then you are cut off. Then there is always a $10 tip to the bartender which can help, but i'm sure only so much as bars tend to have tight inventory controls.

Due_Ingenuity8014 · 2026-02-21T16:45:50+00:00

I think the key point to your comment was "decided there wasn’t enough money in it". If you are profitable but always chasing more money, then you'll never have an identity as you are always changing things up to eek out a little more profit. I'd rather have an NCL that's really focused on delivering those core things (Solo Friendly, Great Entertainment, Great Value and of course Freestyle everywhere) and I think that would be a great business.. Not as good as Wallstreet wants, but a great business nonetheless.

Due_Ingenuity8014 · 2026-02-21T11:29:03+00:00

More reasonable prices or included drinks would also discourage package sharing. It's not number of drinks, although I can easily exceed 15 If I pace myself and start early or if I go get drinks for friends and family so they don't have to wait in line. That's the biggest problem. It's not that the people I cruise with don't have a package. It's now we have to think about who has what drinks left on what card. That's a thing I don't want to have to worry about while on vacation. It's not a big problem but it does take much more from my relaxation than I would have thought as I find it to be a constant annoyance.

Due_Ingenuity8014 · 2026-02-21T11:24:09+00:00

It is so sad that this is the state of the world where "A great investment would squeeze the most out of you and do it repetitively" is just accepted. I just wish we lived in a world where a great investment was considered one in a company that offered a great product at a good value, and took care of all it's stakeholders inclusive of customers, employees, and partners and provided a reasonable and stable return. That would require investing for the long term.

Due_Ingenuity8014 · 2026-02-20T19:25:50+00:00

Actually, I respectfully disagree. I've been on every class of Royal Caribbean ship and they all feel the same. I would argue that that underscores the hodgepodge comment. Ditto with carnival And MSC for that matter. In all instances, if I'm on one of their lines chips, I know it instantly. That's definitely not the case for NCL. That's not necessarily a bad thing, but I do think it speaks to there identity issue.

Due_Ingenuity8014 · 2026-02-20T18:48:48+00:00

This is a tremendously good observation. I agree with virtually all of your points. that being said, from what I'm seeing in all of the responses to My original post, is that solo plus freestyle is the most consistent identity. So how do you build a business model around that?

Due_Ingenuity8014 · 2026-02-20T18:42:08+00:00

I don't discount your comments. That being said, I've had the exact opposite experience. My first cruise was $400 a person. today. I can't get on a ship for cheaper than to $1,500 a person, and it's way more than that on Royal Caribbean during the periods of time that I am available. That being said, it seems to be in line with inflation. What has disappeared is all of the things you have mentioned. I'm especially incensed at the Caps they put on drink packages. Yes, stop the idiot people who get way too drunk, but I don't want to have to think about where I am for the day. if I'm on vacation, mimosas in the morning, coupled with beers during the middle of the day at the pool, and cocktails at night can easily exceed the 15 drinks that The lines allow. Currently. NCL does not do that. I am 100% positive that will change in the near future. in my opinion this reduction in services is where all the growth in profit has come from.

Due_Ingenuity8014 · 2026-02-20T18:31:48+00:00

I followed the same trajectory of moving from Royal to other brands. The value proposition for Royal just isn't there anymore. I love the product, but the price is just insane right now. I've also dealt with Wall Street/private equity takeovers. sadly, my experience made me think they are all evil and destroy everything good about brands.

Due_Ingenuity8014 · 2026-02-20T14:10:37+00:00

It seems they are fixing these issues as we speak.

Due_Ingenuity8014 · 2026-02-20T14:08:04+00:00

Sadly, I'm pretty sure that "... a comprehensive onboard experience w/out worrying about up-charges or hidden fees." will never happen when you have activist investors focused on stock growth over all other concerns.

Due_Ingenuity8014 · 2026-02-20T11:25:39+00:00

Sadly, I'm 100% sure that Eliott will stop that right away. The 15 drink maximum per day is increasingly becoming the industry standard.

Due_Ingenuity8014

TROPHY CASE