Captain Scruffy

Okay thank you for the tip. I'm not sure if the thermal spa price is available yet. The cruise isn't until April 2019. I'm trying to judge the value between a regular balcony and the spa balcony. Just trying to get a general idea of the thermal pass price for the 12 day.

From what I can google it seems that the thermal spa pass is around $200 PP for 7 days. Should we expect to pay around $400 PP for a 14 day cruise or do you get a bit of a deal on longer cruises?

Looking at the Norwegian Getaway and it's actually a 12 day Cruise.

Are there free fountain machines anywhere on the ship? Some cruise lines will have some available on the buffet deck. Does NCL do this?

We went on the Jade and with NCL for the very first time at Christmas. Our previous cruises had been with Royal and Princess. We were impressed with the dining options on the ship. We liked the included Asian restaurant, Jasmine Garden I think, plus we did eat in the main dining room on a couple of occasions. We just turned up and sometimes we had to wait a few minutes but nothing major. Food quality was about the same on all the lines. The buffet wasn't bad though we mostly enjoyed the breakfast and lunch time selections.

 

Service was good and there seemed to be lots of kids enjoying themselves. I did find that the recliners around the pools on sea days filled up way to early (chair hogs) but you get that on every ship and every cruise line and its not the end of the world, there was always someone to sit.

Thank you for your perspective. I really appreciate it.

my apologies.

I accept your apology.

Regarding the MDR and the question do you need to go to specialty restaurants - what did you do on Carnival? The MDR food is about the same on CCL and NCL. We don't think it's as good as others on these boards state, so, we tend to hit specialty restaurants a few times in a week-long cruise. If you think Carnival food is good and you have no problem eating it for a week, then you will be happy eating in the MDR and no specialty restaurants needed.

 

(and we always brought our daughter on all trips. Wouldn't have it any other way. We just took her on Bliss 2 weeks ago, for college graduation trip. I fear that may be the last trip we do together for a long time as she enters the career world. Cherish every single moment of these trips, the time goes by really fast.)

CCL MDR was okay. DCL MDR was not as good IMO. I was wondering if the specialty restaurant were miles above the MDR. It doesn't sound like they are.

I understand your sentiments. Family moments are fleeting. We should enjoy them while we can.

No, it's not weird.

We see it many times... pax with kids at the center of attention.

However, I look at it as a waste of time and money.

I only asked if the late night entertainment was child friendly. I'm not sure how you extrapolated that our child was going to be the "center of attention". I also have questions about the thermal suites (for my wife) and the dining room question was for me. I'm not sure if you have a family, but if you actually like spending time with each other you don't mind looking into things that each other will enjoy.

Absolutely not a problem! There are plenty of families that sail NCL.

 

As to your questions:

 

1. How is the food in the main dining room? Is it worth/recommended to eat in the specialty restaurant?

 

We like the MDR food and don't feel the need to buy specialty meals. If they are given to us in a promo we take them, but rarely pay extra if not.

 

2. Are the shows/plays/comics/whatever at night family friendly? We have an 8 year old and keep things pretty PG

 

Usually they designate one of the late night comedy shows as the adult version, and there's plenty of warning. During the early evening, before 9 PM, it is usually pretty family friendly. On the Star the evening shows will be a musical/variety show in the main theater that has two showings, live music around the ship, and maybe a stand up comedian.

 

I'm gauging by my definition of "family friendly" so others may have a different opinion. If you let your 8 year old watch television then you won't have a problem with any of the entertainment prior to 10 or 11.

 

3. Is there a big difference between the standard balcony and mini suites?

 

On NCL the only difference will be a larger bathroom with a tub/shower combination instead of just a shower. The rest of the stateroom is the same size as the standard balcony cabin on the Star. I will take a mini-suite if the difference in fare is less than $100 total; if not, I don't think the larger bathroom warrants the extra cost.

 

4. Is there anything we should know compared to the other cruise lines? Or just general tips?

 

All dining in the MDR is Freestyle dining, and NCL handles it really well. You walk up, and they seat your party of three at your own table. There are two MDR on the Star and both will have the same menus each night. There is no formal night, so you can leave the extra clothes at home unless you like dressing up.

I really appreciate this. I'm glad to hear about the freestyle dining. I'm not a huge fan of sharing tables with other parties, so knowing we can get a table to ourselves is a relief. Thank you.

Umm the 8 year old is my daughter and is traveling with my wife and I. It's a family vacation and we actually want to include her lol. This will be her 4th cruise with us. Is that weird or something?

Our first cruise with NCL will be on the Norwegian Star. We have sailed Carnival and Disney before.

I am wondering...

1. How is the food in the main dining room? Is it worth/recommended to eat in the specialty restaurant?

2. Are the shows/plays/comics/whatever at night family friendly? We have an 8 year old and keep things pretty PG

3. Is there a big difference between the standard balcony and mini suites?

4. Is there anything we should know compared to the other cruise lines? Or just general tips?

TIA

Has anyone seen Santa on The Dream?

I'd imagine so. He was on the Magic last week.

The ship docks right at a shopping mall with more shopping along the street. I can't give you any specific places' date=' but I'm sure there are some there. Cozumel is not a place to go off the beaten tourist track. It is totally safe to take a taxi from the port to one of the tourist spots, but renting a vehicle or walking outside of tourist areas is more risky than some other islands.[/quote']

 

Thanks for the heads up. We have an excursion booked through the ship. It's going in to the Yucatan (Chichen Itza). Are there any safety concerns I should know about? I'm sure it falls well into "tourist" area, right?

Just looking to pick up a 6 pack or a bottle of wine. Are the prices pretty crazy at port? Any recommendations?

Be prepared that the person you talk to on the phone may not actually know the difference between the robes. They're just using printed literature to make sales, and many don't have actual experience with all the details.

You were right. The phone agent didn't know the difference. She was very friendly on the phone though. I did order them, so I'll post pics when we get back.

There are at least three "grades" or "types" of robes on the ship. The ones in the spa are well worn' date=' tacky, and don't fit anyone of size well. There are the ones that are in the concierge cabins which come in different sizes and are lovely--these are for guest USE only, not to keep. There was a good quality one in the gift shop--not as nice as in the concierge cabins, but still very nice for $120. Someone will correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe this one also came in assorted sizes. Sorry, but I do not know if the one in the pre-order package is the same as the one in the gift shop or not.[/quote']

 

Okay thank you. I'm going to order the romance package and I'll make sure to ask the agent on the phone if these are the gift shop ones or a different one entirely. I'll post when I find out.

Are the bathrobes (through Disney gifts) rather large? I'm a bigger guy 6'3/275lbs and was hoping they'd fit me okay. Are they decent quality?

Would like to buy 3 refillable water bottles and was wondering if (likely) they are available to buy on the ship? And how much they cost? Was debating on buying the "Cruise Adventure Bundle" and I wasn't sure how good of a deal it was.

Except for deep-set wrinkles, a small pray bottle with plain water spritzed onto the wrinkles work. Just smooth out and pull out (not enough to stretch fabric) wrinkles, let dry. I do this just about every single morning to my clothes before going to work.

You can get an empty spray bottle from Walmart in the trial/travel size area.

I've tried, but I like really crisp collars and and no wrinkles. The water bottle doesn't do it for me. I appreciate the suggestion though.

i can't help myself....i just have to go off topic...

but who has clothes that need ironing on a cruise?

 

we don't even own anything that needs ironing... :o

 

maybe it's because we live in a tropical climate?

 

 

 

.

At home we typically steam our clothes, but that probably won't be an option in our room ;p

Dress shorts, slacks, khakis, button up/dress shirts, ties...just off the top of my head and that's just for me. I'm sure my wife has blouses and maybe shirts that she would like to be wrinkle free.

You are amazing! Thank you.

We have an 8 year old and tend to use the verandahs often. We will spend the 30 minutes of the day out there drinking coffee and just talking about our plans for the day. We often eat lunch out there and it's a great place to hang out once the kids go to bed.

Sorry, I should have asked when asking about toiletries, but does DCL provide toothbrushes, toothpaste, mouth wash, floss etc...?

Is there a blow dryer and clothing iron in the room?

Great. Thank you!

Thank you for the help.

Is there anyway of knowing when "dress up" night Is? What Is typical attire?

1. We are going on a 5 night Merrytime Cruise and was wondering if they will have a formal night in the dining room?

2. What toiletries should we bring, if any?

3. Is the laundry coin or card operated?

I will try to upload pictures in the near future but yes it is a live "tree". We did a B2B2B totaling 11 nights over Christmas and New Years a couple of years ago. The "ornaments" are basically Disney figures attached with wire ties, not really ornaments except the red mickey head if I recall correctly. We sailed twice over Christmas since then and my son and I just took a small Santa Mickey tree with us instead.

Thanks for the info! It was exactly what I was looking for. :)