Biffire

I am hoping they keep the free food and use of your beverage packages on the island. Hoping they don't eliminate those amenities and start charging like Harvest Cay. I know the circumstances are different, but they are spending big bucks. Looking forward to multiple pools, I like to be in the ocean, but wifey likes pools. 

I am happy about the pier at GSC. The tendering was often slow and sometimes the weather is not conducive to a safe tender experience. 

We signed up for a November Cruise, with free DSC, I asked our TA and she said it was a promotion from NCL. Not sure how it affects the cruise line employees. First time we have ever had this option, it does appear on our invoice from the TA.

We used to eat at the buffet on embarkation day, but it was always a zoo, crowded and people toting their carry ons. Finally learned that either taste or savor would be open, quiet and calm.  Vacation starts once we sit down for day 1 lunch. I agree staff readily give directions to the buffet, but we jujst head for the MDR. 

My last few cruises, the Syd Norman"s, or cavern club, had the best entertainment aboard, The Fleetwood Mack and Beatles shows were very good. The venue is too small and limits who can watch the show, and requires a ridiculous stand in line time, but the performers were very good. 

I wish they would have hot tubs for the young children. My last cruise was on the Joy in May of 2023. I am 60 something male, and a big part of my cruise experience is spending time in the hot tubs. A few times I would be in the hot tub, and about 5 little girls jumped in the hot tub, splashing, diving, coming up way to close to me. The parents thought it was fine. There is a big hot tub for adults only in Spice H20, but it is undercover. My wife enjoys the sun, so we had to be separated. I think having a hot tub for children, and their family would be a good idea. Some NCL ships designate hot tubs for adults only, with one for families. Kids love the warm water, but do not understand it is not for swimming, splashing diving underwater.

We u8sually have our TA book our specialty dining reservations for us. 2 FAS and 2 Platinum, never been charged in advance like some people have been. In my experience different ports to the priority embarkation differently. One time we were shown to a priority line, but ended up at the same place as our friends who were not priority we had a shorter line, but fewer staff. 

You get the 2X2 dinners each cruise you take once you earn platinum status. 

I think the concerns are valid. They will continue as long as the cruiselines are sailing at/near capacity. They lost boat loads of money due to the pandemic. As long as we cruise lovers continue to pay more money for a lesser experience they will continue the trend. Many of us are hooked on cruising and we tell our friends and family how great it is, increasing their customer base. I still enjoy cruising, although we only go once per year. I think airfare is getting out of control as well, which affects the overall cost of our cruise vacations, and that applies to a lot of other cruisers. I did a little math, estimating the costs of 3 meals per day, 7 nights lodging at an ocean front resort, entertainment tickets, drinks etc. So far cruising is somewhat of a value. I do believe if NCL ever drops the free at specialty dining and drink packages that I would have to reconsider my loyalty to NCL.

I did the free tour for Platinum members, on the Joy last May, which I believe is shorter than the paid tour. It was interesting, a couple of things to keep in mind. There were 24 people in our group, Some of the areas are noisy. Trying to hear/understand some one with a soft voice, accent, or not being right next to the various people who give the tour can affect your enjoyment. I will go on the free tour, but would not pay the $139 X 2 people. But that is just me. If you want to hear the tour guides, stay close. 

We used to always head to the buffet, which is normally a zoo on day one. We got tired of fighting for a table, and with people who kept their bags taking up room. Now we head to whichever MDR is open, and sit and relax. As soon as we sit down, we go into vacation mode, can't wait for November. 

We tried Q on the Joy in May of 2023. I had the pitmaster platter plenty of food. I enjoyed it, however I am certainly not an expert in BBQ, your standards may be much higher. We also stopped by a few times just to listen to the music. 

Some of the specialty restaurants do have a few entrees that you have to pay an extra charge for. We went to the seafood venue, and I used our FAS but had to pay extra for the lobster, (was not worth it).

I really enjoy the salad bar. The pineapple is so good. I could happily just eat those and still enjoy it, but luckily there is always several meat choices. 

On 5/12/2023 at 6:49 AM, TampaGambler said:

A good one for hanging by the pool is a Miami Vice…

Many of those have been consumed by me in a hot tub.

On 5/11/2023 at 5:02 PM, itsbaker said:

Mango Meltdown!!!

They go down very easily on a warm afternoon on the pool deck!

Being on the ocean

The all inclusive aspect

Lots of food already paid for

The Free at sea beverage package

Multiple ports in one week

Entertainment options

Being away from the work cell phone

Always feel safe on the ship

The hot tubs

40 minutes ago, Itchy&Scratchy said:

I came here to ask if the MDR food has improved since 2018. It was an utter disaster on the Getaway and the reason we swore off NCL.

But NCL has a reasonably priced cruise on a reasonably new ship, so I am considering it again. But if the food is still inedible.... 

Food is subjective, I never have an issue finding something I like. I have to admit we are not picky or foodies. I have never encountered anything inedible.I did have one meal where I did not order an entree, just a few appetizers, because there were several that I really wanted to try, and they are usually pretty small.  I finally made Platinum, so with the 2 free at sea specialty dinners, and the 2 latitude dinners, I only eat in the MDR 3 times per cruise. We always make our specialty dining reservations months in advance. The down side is you do not know which nights a favorite dish might be offered in the MDR, First world problems I guess.

We have enjoyed two cruises on the Dawn. It is my belief that the NCL ships all  utilize the same menu, with the same recipes. The crew all rotate on and off the ship every few months, with constant turn over. Some meals will be better than others, But I don't think anyone could draw a conclusion that food on one ship is better than the food on another ship. Will there be better food production crews sometimes? probably, but due to the constant crew rotation, I think that any differences are only temporary.

I am hearing about staff shortages on NCL. I doubt they will be devoting a lot of personnel resources to patrolling the pool deck with a watch to automatically remove towels and belongings from the sun loungers.

22 hours ago, EngrJones said:

So, those who put copies of their tags inside their bags are just wasting their time/paper/ink?

I never lock the bags, the locks won't keep anyone out. Having the tag in the bags help you prove it is yours, if you have to claim it in the naughty room.

2 hours ago, MKESail said:

Thank you for all your responses, a couple more questions.

1. Luggage tags - do I print those out after I complete the check in?

2. Dailies…. something (Cruise Compass in Royal lingo 😜) - I understand that the hard copy is placed in my room the night before. Is the schedule of activities also available in the app?

Yes print out the luggage tags, if you are flying don't attach until after the flight, so they don't get lost. I always put extra luggage tags and put in the luggage in case the tags get ripped off..

Dailies used to arrive in the evening, I have not sailed since they cut back to one service per day, someone hear can probably say if they put in rooms, or leave by the door.

9 hours ago, MKESail said:

Hi, all. 

 

Royal cruiser here, brand new to NCL, going on Pearl from Boston in less than 6 weeks. Here are my questions:

1. When will the rooms be ready on embarkation day? IT can vary, but one oclock is a good estimate.

2. When we do our online check in through the app, I guess we would be able to pick our embarkation time slot (similar to Royal). What if we are late for that time slot (but not late to the ship ;))? In my experience the assigned check in time means nothing.

3. Any recommendations for lunch on Pearl on embarkation day, other than the buffet?

Whichever MDR is open that day, or O'Sheehans

4. Do package/excursion prices ever go down? Probably not for this sailing because it's too close, but in general? With Royal I am used to booking stuff then cancelling and re-booking if the price goes down, is that a thing with NCL? I have never seen any fluctuation in the excursion prices, however I never book before getting on the ship.

5. At this point will there be more excursions added for our sailing? Again, we are a little over 5 weeks out. I doubt it

 

I may have more questions, but this is it for now. Any other tips and information from those who sailed both Royal and NCL, may be compare and contrast would really help. I did do my search on here but I would like some post-COVID info, may be from 6 months ago or less. Thank you in advance!

Going on the Joy at the end of May, hoping the tour returns, since I turned Platinum, it has been closed.

I have a feeling that as long as we all keep plunking our money down and accepting less for our money, he will continue. Since they have done the "free" at sea with the beverage package and free specialty dining, We have not tried the other lines. Then we earned platinum status, and got 2 more specialty dinners. If they ever drop the free at sea deals, I think they would lose a lot of customers. I understand the "free at sea is not really free, but we do enjoy the beverages and specialty dining perks.