noobcruiser

Thank you!  I just booked this itinerary for September and this was extremely helpful.

I was on the Epic this past September in the Mediterranean and the ship's wifi was awful regardless of time of day.

This may not be an issue for you but:

NCL = Pepsi products

RCCL = Coca Cola products

The only shows that you can book ahead are Priscilla, Burn the Floor, and the Cirque Dinner show.

4 hours ago, Turtles06 said:

I wouldn’t leave money with a request note. It might strike someone as a bribe. I would also try to make any requests in person. (I know this isn’t always possible, given schedules.)

 

Tip at the end.

 

Enjoy your cruise. 

A "bribe" implies illegal dealings.  What is illegal about asking for a few things, then being generous about the tip?

That being said, I wouldn't leave cash until the request was fulfilled (why reward something that hasn't occurred yet?).

5 hours ago, dbrown84 said:

the other two can get two drinks every time they go to the bar.  Just pointing this out........ (bring on the morality police)

Morality is not an issue here.  IMO, NCL "turns a blind eye" to this behavior on purpose.  They designed the usage of the package to allow a customer to get 1+1 drinks on a single card.  On top of that they don't require the 3rd and 4th guest to be on a package of any type if they are adults, this reinforces the fact they don't care.  If they truly were concerned then they would force all passengers (of age) to take the package.

I was on the Epic last week with unlimited internet access and it did not work.  However, I am not sure if it was because of the horrible internet on the ship or because we were in Europe (it did not work in Rome either).

15 minutes ago, Sauer-kraut said:

Just the name changed, no worries.

There is also a new package that covers more, and it has a different name.

The upgraded package name is Premium Plus Beverage Package (because that isn't lazy or confusing, smh)

8 minutes ago, KarlChilders said:

might want to read the reviews, it seems those don't work all that well

beggars can't be choosers, lol.

4 hours ago, SouthLyonCruiser said:

I guess that, to be safe, I will go on line and see if there are any caps I can buy that would work and hold the carbonation for a day or so.

Thanks.

something like this?

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00U9ZTAJI/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_U_VrwzDbBJRKMW1

6 hours ago, dbdb said:

Any smell dampening techniques?

Poo-Pourri Before-You-Go Toilet Spray Bottle, Original Citrus Scent, 1.4 Fl. Oz
by Amazon.com
Learn more: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B019HMQU32/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_U_HfCvDb9YV3YQZ

If you google them they are all NCL promo codes

9 hours ago, gatorchinsky said:

 

Barcelona and Palma we just did the HOHO which worked out nicely for us.

We are going in September and plan on doing the HOHO  buses in the same cities. Could you provide any information on getting to the buses (walkable, distance, etc..)?  Did you pre-purchase bus tickets or purchase there?

Any insights would be helpful.  Thanks!

4 hours ago, Because_I_Said said:

 

LOL! Thank you!

 

I can tell that you're not diabetic. Is the meat marinated? What seasonings are added to the vegetables? It has been a real eye opener to me to find out how many things have sugar hidden in them. Did you know that lemon-pepper seasoning has sugar in it? Plus there is the fact that sugar hides itself under a lot of different names - maltodextrin and dextrose are probably the 2 most common. It's even in supposedly "sugar-free" foods. A lot of which spike my blood sugar levels. This is one of the reasons I find it difficult to eat at a restaurant. At home, I have control over what goes in and on my food. At a restaurant - or on a cruise - I don't. 

 

I hope you now understand the challenge that faces a diabetic. It really is more than just "manage it like you do at home". 

 

 

 

Lol, i can tell you're newly diagnosed.  I am a diabetic and I 100% agree with BirdTravels. When I first was diagnosed, I went over the deep end by completely eliminating sugar (hint: it is not possible while still trying to enjoy food), and you are right that sweeteners can affect the glucose levels.  

However, the real key is simply to manage it the best you can and not to overindulge in the worst things (full carb, non-fiber veggies and full sugar desserts).  Use the stairs instead of elevators, use the walking track or treadmill on board.  

There are plenty of options on the ship that are simply "plain" food.  If you really feel that you can't manage it on your own, then contact the Access Desk.  However, in my experience, if you are an educated "foodie", then you can manage the options successfully.  (The snag here is that this assumes you aren't a picky eater on top of being diabetic).

1 minute ago, ColeThornton said:

Just an FYI, the "UDP" is an old dining plan.

corrected! 

20 minutes ago, Wedgie23 said:

Unless you are drinking $700 worth in a week individually you are paying far more than 20% which per the posters here, is all the staff is getting from your $140 UDP gratuity charge. 

Rereading this....your real issue is the VALUE of the UBP.  Since you claim you won't consume it, then you feel the money is wasted.  You would be better off not getting the UBP and paying per drink which will still be charged 20% gratuity, but there would be no "waste" as per your perception.

The 20% gratuity fee of the UBP and the 20% per drink gratuity are totaled (by day or week) and then split among ALL bartending staff.

No, there is no way to adjust the 20% as there isn't anything leftover...it all goes to the staff.

You asked for explanations, so here you go. 

From NCL's FAQ about Service Charges and Gratuities (I have edited them down)

What is the onboard service charge?
Why is there a service charge?
The reason there's a fixed service charge is an important one: Our Crew (as are the crew from other lines) is encouraged to work together as a team. Staff members including complimentary restaurant staff, stateroom stewards and behind-the-scenes support staff are compensated by a combination of salary and incentive programs that your service charge supports. 

Why would I prepay my service charges?
The convenience of pre-paying the service charges allows you to plan your budget prior to your cruise giving you additional freedom while on board.

If there is a service issue can the service charges be adjusted on board?
Guest satisfaction is the highest priority at Norwegian Cruise Line. We have structured a guest satisfaction program designed to handle any concerns about service or on-board product quickly and efficiently. However, in the event a service issue should arise during your cruise please let our on-board guest services desk staff know right away, so that we can address these in a timely manner. It is our goal to reach a satisfactory solution to any issue when it happens and make sure our guests can focus on enjoying their cruise. Should your concerns not be met with satisfaction you can adjust the charges.

What about gratuities?
Unlike most other ships in the cruise industry, there is no required or recommended tipping on our ships for service that is generally rendered to all Guests. While you should not feel obligated to offer a gratuity, all of our staff are encouraged to “go the extra mile,” so they are permitted to accept cash gratuities for exceptional or outstanding service if you care to offer them. Also, certain staff positions (e.g., concierge, butler, youth program staff and beverage service) provide service on an individual basis to only some guests and do not benefit from the overall service charge. We encourage those Guests to acknowledge good service from these staff members with appropriate gratuities. Additionally, there is an 20% gratuity and spa service charge added for all spa and salon services, as well as an 20% gratuity and beverage service charge added for all beverage purchases and an 20% gratuity and specialty service charge added to all specialty restaurant dining and entertainment based dining.

The basic economics are this: 

If NCL were to move to a flat fee model (complete all-inclusive), people would have a meltdown because they would have no control over gratuities. So, NCL created this hybrid method so that those of us that don't care to quibble about how the money is distributed can pre-pay and be done with it.  For those of you that like to complain, you can abstain from paying and pay as you go or pay at the end of the week by chasing people down and handling them cash money.  (does anyone really miss that? I don't).

As a side note, in case it was missed in other replies...whether you pay for the UBP or by the drink (alcoholic or soda) you are always gonna pay the 20%.

I'll stir the pot.  

Why is it that people only question the cost of things when it comes to the hospitality industry?  

Did you ever ask yourself how much the price of a tv gets passed on to the employees?  How about a car?  How about the apple or banana that you may have recently eaten?  How about your utilities or cable or cellphone?  

The choice here is simple.  Pay it or don't (and by extension cruise or don't)  Why spend so much energy on figuring out where each penny is going instead of just enjoying yourself?

In-Room:

No Charges for on-demand movies

Instead of dealing with NCL, my family has decided to use the HOHO bus in Barcelona (September sailing).  I figured that disembarkation for the majority of the ship was going to be confusing enough, that I didn't want to worry about booking an excursion with them.

Aside from diet pepsi, you can find diet sierra mist (lemon-lime soda) at some bars.  You can get club soda\seltzer from any bar and ask for lemon/lime wedges.  You can bring flavor additives (like MiO drops) to flavor your water. 

The MDR's, buffet, Haven Restuarant, and most specialty restaurant will offer some sugar-free desserts.  There will NOT be a broad or deep number of choices, but they will be available.

Being on a cruise is not a helluva lot different than going out to eat at a restaurant in terms of choices.  There will be choices, but not as many as if you were in your own home.  I struggle to control my blood sugar on normal days, but I have found that being on a cruise doesn't make that process harder..it is simply my choices that make it harder.

If it really bothers you, write to admins here: community@cruisecritic.com. Especially, since none of us regular users in the NCL board can do anything about it....

I carry MiO branded water enhancers whenever I travel.  They have a flavor line, energy line, and electrolyte line.

If you have the UBP, can't you get 2 drinks per keycard anyway? So with 2 cards, you could get 4 drinks?