MemphisWife4

The big problem with the Classic Package is that any drinks over its limit will cost you full price. So basically one drink a day over the Classic limit pays for the Premium Package upgrade for that day. The Premium Package not only includes a higher limit, any drinks over the limit only cost you the excess amount.

Just looking for clarification on "any drinks over its limit will cost you full price". Are you saying there are a certain number of drinks per person / per day? Or if you ask for a alcohol that is on the "premium list" you will pay full price?

We will arrive in Palma De Mallorca on Sunday, October 16th. All of the websites that I have checked state that almost all shops (except large stores) are closed on Sundays. We are planning on doing a self guided walking tour or taking advantage of the HO/HO buses but I want to know if we should avoid certain places because we won't be able to get in? Or get something to eat...

Thank you in advance!

Mark and Cheryl

There are three drawers each in balcony (look in the mirror on the "panned" shot, below the fridge):

and inside rooms (Gem is sister ship to Jewel and I am assuming same layout):

 

Plus there should be a shelf or two above the fridge, and by the safe (part of that will be where your lifevests are). There may be additional shelves on one side inside the closet (there were in the N.Star last month where we kept folded pants). If not you can get additional 'trouser' hangers from your steward and hang pants inside a shirt.

 

I noticed that the inside cabin has more counterspace in the bathroom than the Balcony! That is very little space in the balcony bath -- the Star had a full-width shelf in front of the mirror, above the sink. You might do the "back of door shoebag" thing people talk about... we didn't have to, although I did hang a firstaid kit there for convenience.

Thank You very much!

I believe the comment about the balcony was a bit tongue-in-cheek meaning that outside, on the balcony, you will not find drawers. They are all "inside" the cabin. :-)

I did not catch that one ........ and it is a good joke too!:D

We will be on the Jewel out of NOLA in one week (YEAH)!

I am asking this question on behalf of my daughter who will be in an inside cabin, but I will be in a balcony. Am I understanding that there are no drawers in a balcony room?

I have tried search and looking at pictures provided by NCL, but I do not see a dresser or drawers. Is there?

I cannot fail to mention the toilet paper dispenser! You took the time and made sure to have the proper angle AND included it in your review! That is awesome, and might someday win you a prize:p

It is after 10:00 at my house, which is at least an hour past my bedtime but I had to catch up with your adventures.

I am finding what makes me smile the most are the pictures of your daughter. My two oldest (who are parents now themselves) grew up in Myrtle Beach and they were exactly like your girl. Always in the water, and it was a battle getting them out of the ocean, pool, intercostal waterway, and every puddle in between. It makes me very nostalgic to see your sweet little girl with a big grin and messy wet hair covered in sand. Brings back a lot of happy memories for me. And yes, even the tantrum (with her little head buried in the towel) was a trip down memory lane.

Did you room finally get cleaned? New glasses, and the trash emptied?

I am one that is sailing away on the Jewel on Jan. 12th and I too cannot get enough of your review!

That was way too much thinking for a Friday night 2 days after Christmas AND 2 weeks before my next cruise.

I think I will go back to lurking and reading about sneaking booze, handicap suites, that GREAT review on the NCL Jewel, wine packages, tendering, what to pack, and whether or not I can wear my bathing suit to dinner:p

FCC = Future Cruise Credit (a term that some people use for the Freestyle Cruise Reward but isn't really accurate)

FCR = Freestyle Cruise Reward (the actual term that NCL uses for the certificates that they sell for a future cruise deposit)

OBC = Onboard credit, also known as shipboard credit

 

It's not a "bait and switch". You do actually receive the OBC. The problem is that when NCL uses the term OBC to promote the sale of the FCR, most people think "OBC - great, that's free money, money that I can spend on other things." The problem is that the $100 OBC is automatically used to reduce the cost of the FCR in the first place, making the cost of the $250 FCR reduced to $150. So, you do receive the credit. It's just that there's no "additional" $100 OBC that you can spend on other things.

 

If it makes it easier to understand, forget the use of the term OBC completely. You're being offered the opportunity to purchase a FCR (value of $250) for $150, which represents a $100 discount. That's the deal. Period. No spendable OBC to think about.

OKAY! I think I get it! And that is confusing, but a good deal.

I will give $250 "deposit" and NCL will "credit" me back $100.... BUT I will have $250 towards that future cruise (but I only ACTUALLY paid $150). That is double talk and I am amazed that there are not many people complaining loudly. Actually because many are not complaining loudly that must mean that it is ME not getting it in my head. But now that I do, I must say that is a great deal. Really a win-win for both the cruise line and the customer.

FCC

FCR

OBC

I am so confused that I am starting to feel stupid. I am guessing to everyone else it is obvious, and I apologize in advance but I do not understand. Instant Onboard Credit for Current cruise. If that is not money to spend then I call it something different than a "gimmick". Seems more like a "bait and switch" to me, if you don't actually get it.

I think I will read this to my DH (an acronym that I figured out all by myself :))

and see if he can help me feel less .....ignorant

The Freestyle Cruise Rewards are a great buy! I buy one on almost every cruise I take. Here's a link to the full terms and conditions:

 

http://www.ncl.com/nclweb/cruiser/cmsPages.html?pageId=CruiseRewardsTC

 

Here's a quick rundown on how they work: you buy the FCR for $250. You are automatically given an OBC of $100, which reduces the cost of the FCR to a net of $150. The FCR can then be used as your full deposit on a cabin on any sailing in the next 4 years after purchase (some higher-end suites require additional on top of the FCR) with the full value of $250 credited as your deposit.

 

As for the OBC, here's how I look at it (not everyone does) - the $100 OBC is technically an onboard credit but it does NOT represent extra money that you can then spend on additional shipboard items. It's really a $100 discount on the $250 value of the FCR. Consider the $100 OBC pre-spent. If you spent nothing for the remainder of your cruise, you would owe NCL $150. Anything you charge to your account will be added to that base expense of $150. As much as I love the FCR program, to me it's a marketing gimmick to call the $100 an OBC, implying that you can then use it to spend on other items.

From their website:

When you charge a $250 Freestyle Cruise Rewards Deposit to your shipboard account, you will receive Cruise Reward credit in USD or CAD based on which office your current cruise was purchased (credit will go in your NCL guest record or NCL Latitudes account); and an instant $100 shipboard credit towards your current cruise.

It clearly says an instant $100 shipboard credit towards your CURRENT cruise....

I guess I am the very person they are aiming this "gimmick" towards ?

We take the Jewel out of NOLA in January, and I have really been enjoying your review!