terrymtex01

We are wandering away from Carnival to give Norwegian a try. Frankly, we are bored with Carnivals itineraries and food! This will be our first Norwegian sailing in February of 2015 on the Pearl. We have a few questions, if anyone might be willing to help us out with thoughts and opinions.

1. How is the food, in all of the various dining options? Not sure if we are going to be taking advantage of all of the "pay extra" dining options, other than the steakhouse. This is one extra expense we always indulge in. If you've been on Carnival before, please make food comparisons, this will help out a lot.

 

We love Cagney's (the steak house on most of the NCL ships, but honestly the best value for your dollar is Le Bistro. Steak is also an option there. And again, being honest, we have always found the food in the main dining rooms to be very good. We rarely eat at the buffet but that is simply because it is usually too loud and crowded for my taste.

2. How is the dress code in the dining areas?

3. Are there any kind of "formal night" dining evenings?

4. Debarkation times ... early enough in Miami specifically, that a flight out around 1:00pm would be realistically possible?

 

You should have no problem making a 1PM flight at all.

 

5. Daily activities ... are there multiple things going on throughout the day that should provide something for everyone to do? I know that if I am bored, its my own fault but am wondering what kinds of things NCL has going on during the day.

 

Our experience is there are not as many activities on NCL during the day as Carnival (although we have only been on one Carnival cruise). But we have always found enough to keep us going.

 

Thats about all I can think of for now. Thank you everyone for your help.

I hope you enjoy your cruise. NCL is the best value around IMHO.

One tip for Alaska and two general cruise packing tips.

We were on an Alaskan cruise the early part of June and it was supposed to be cold. When we got to Skagway it was almost 90 degrees. People were fighting for any bit of shade they could get. So I recommend taking at least one set of clothes for ware weather.

Also I like to take a highlighter so as I go through the Freestyle Daily I can highlight what we may like to do the next day.

Also if you are going on a cruise where you think you might want to bring back items you purchase, take a few articles of clothing that maybe a bit old and you don't care if you bring back or not. You can always throw those away and you will have extra room for purchases. Usually I recommend small items like socks, maybe one old pair of shoes, etc. Use them on the cruise then toss them.

One thing I have not read mentioned in this posting that we look at too. For us, the mere fact the Butler and Concierge are always (or for the most part always) available for us to use their services. We were on the Dawn in a Aft Penthouse suite and the only time we ever requested anything from the Butler was to make sure we had soda's in the fridge and creamer for my coffee. Other than that we did not ask him for anything. He did stop by our cabin three or four times that cruise to see if he could do anything for us. On the last night of the cruise we asked him to stop by the cabin and we gave him a thank you card with his tip included. He literally refused the tip, saying we did not let him do anything for us. It really took a lot of talking to him to get him to accept it. We kept explaining to him that for us, the mere fact we could have picked up the phone and called him has a value to us.

And if you will indulge me to tell one other incident, our first cruise on the Star, last morning of the cruise, our cabin phone rang at 6:15AM and it was the Butler. He said he had to see us right away and he was just outside our cabin could he come in. Before we could even get clothes on he came in through the door and told us he was having to leave the ship on an "emergency" and could he collect his tip. We just happen to have his tip right there on a desk in a thank you envelope so while draped in the bed spread I grabbed it, handed it to him, and he left. I was in such shock I didn't know what to do. Within a minute of him leaving there was a knock on the door and it was our room steward who came in and apologized for the Butler doing that and told us he had called security on the Butler.. that the Butler had been dismissed and was told to leave the ship as soon as we docked. He said he had tried to stop him from coming into the rooms but couldn't. OTHER than that guy, the Butlers have always been AMAZING.

As far as amounts, as most have said, as you can do is suggest. People are going to tip what they want to or what they can, or not tip at all. Unless you have had bad service, I don't honestly understand how you could leave no tip at all, but that is just me.

That is not to say we have not had bad experiences. On one of the cruises (sorry I don't remember which ones) the Concierge was HORRIBLE. To the point he basically told us that we were lying about something that NCL's corporate office had told us. You can tell me that what I was told was wrong, but don't tell me I'm lying about it. I have no reason to lie. I do believe we did not tip him anything.

As others have stated before we board the ship we board with a dollar amount for the Butler and Concierge per person per day and we adjust from there. And, even though the Room Steward is apart of the DSC, we ALWAYS have tipped them extra because we find they do as much to make our vacation special as anyone.

I will never understand the idea of taking one cruise for the price that 2 or 3 would be (on the same ship, even!) simply so that someone can bring me food and stuff. I'm at a loss. I do understand when it's larger families wanting or needing the space.

For us it has more to do with we can only take off so many weeks a year from work and those weeks are usually limited to when they can be taken (for my partner at least). So rather than taking multiple cruises we like to make ours as special to us as we can and the room we get in a suite and the special services and dining fit us perfectly. When we are retired that will most likely change since we will be able to take more cruises in a year, at that point. Really.. its as simple as "to each his own".

I have never ever felt like a butler made me feel bad for asking them for something. They bend over backwards for you and are on duty 12hrs or more.

I had to post the above about the Butler literally refusing our tip after reading your post. Overall they are wonderful additions to our vacation.

I hate to disagree with you,, but as long as we have sailed NCL, their CAS department always told us their comp'ed cruise was a Thank you for our previous contributions int he casino. It is only in recent years that their attitude with that has changed. Based on our previous play experience I expect the drink card waiting on us before we put the next dollar in their casino. I don't know if it will be or not, but I have just read that it will only be provided to us once we have played to a certain points on that particular cruise.

Their comp process has REALLY gone down hill in the last few years. What I am appalled by is that I have heard your "free drink" card is given to you AFTER you have achieved so many points on your current cruise. The entire CAS comped cruise used to be a thank you for your previous cruise. Trust me.. the tighter they get, the less income they get. We used to spend 15 to 20K per cruise in the casino.. NOT any more.

OMG.. LOL. this is the BIGGEST joke of a posting in the YEARS I have been a member of CC. This OP has GOT to be a joke

You know.. some times I wonder if the non-smokers think if they just keep HOUNDING this subject to death that things will change.. For this instance it wont until the non-smoking casino dollars are more than the smoking ones.. It is as simple as that. Everyone will tell you the Casino is the most profitable venture on the ship. Speak with your non-smoking dollars and that will get it changed. Spend more in the casino as smokers and guess what.. issue resolved.

Thank you all for your replies.. We sailed in the OS on the Star and LOVED it. It is an amazing suite but just wasn't sure what is currently offered. I have to admit I also love the reserved theater seating. 8-)

I have been trying to search for the owners suite perks on the NCL Jade. We are in the Haven Owners Suite with large balcony (actually it has two balconies). Does anyone have a current list of perks as well as a list of the free liquors you can choose from (if that is still a perk).

First of all.. this was the funniest thread I have read in a LONG time. I literally have tears running down my cheeks from laughter. Thank you OP for starting it.

Mike, this gets my Post of the Day Award. Heck, maybe of the month.

 

I am a Southern Girl from Texas. Well, have lived here most of my life... Was born in Burbank but my mama was from Texas and can sure cook a biscuit!

 

 

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Donna.. Both of us being from Texas.. I think we would find it difficult to find a good biscuit no matter where we go.. you just can't beat a Southern "mama" when it comes to biscuits.. 8-)

Biscuits for breakfast and biscuits with gravy ??? As I have never been to the USA , it Looks like even the cruise ship will be a cultural experience for this Aussie :-)

PLEASE keep in mind what we call biscuits are most likely completely different than what you think of as a biscuit. When I was a senior in high school we had an exchange student from England and the first morning here her American Mom told her they were having biscuits and gravy and the girl got sick thinking of cooking floating in gravy..LOL.

I have to say when we were on the Dawn the food was the best I have ever had on an NCL ship. However I know things can change and that was a long time ago we were aboard her. i do have to say, if I could find my review of the Dawn still here on CC, my biggest complaint was the plumbing as well. Our hallway had leaks everywhere. It was kind of gross.

I swear I am the only one in the world who I ever hear say this.. (or write it) but I would NEVER go back to Dunns River Falls again. We went there several years ago while on a Carnival cruise and it was literally the worst experience of any travel we have ever done. Yes, the falls were beautiful. However after we left the falls we were trying to get back to our vans and we were herded into this "shopping" area. They were so aggressive they literally separated us and one vendor cornered me in the back of his shop. Finally Doug was able to get away from the guy who had him cornered and came and got me. Finally we made it out to the van area and, while all of the tour company guides standing right next to us, some guy literally threatened us with a knife because we would not buy pot from him. The tour company did NOTHING to get us away from that guy or to try to protect us..

I have had people who doubted the validity of my story, and honestly I don't care if anyone ever does. It happened to us and so I know it's true. It was a nightmare and it was so bad I will never step back on that island again.

I almost hate to ask if anyone else has had the same thoughts on this as I have.. but with the recent Costa disaster, it has bought to mind for me what I have always thought during the muster drills. If you read what the survivors are saying there was no organization, it was a "giant each man for himself" to quote a new report. It makes me wonder just what the muster drill is really worth. I have read that the crew didn't know what they were doing, etc. I don't know that I believe they didn't know what they were doing, I just really think the drills they go through are not realistic, etc. Kind of scary.

For us the rule of thumb that seems to have always worked is we get comp'ed a room for about 1/3 of what we lost on the cruise that is being "graded" for the comp (the previous cruise). So we generally ask for a comp for a stateroom that is 1/3 of the amount we lost out of pocket and see what we can get. Only twice have we had to actually pay an upgraded fee and that was when we had a certificate we needed to use from the old world points and used them to upgrade to an owners suite on the Star and on our cruise for next year which is ten days and we wanted a specific higher end suite that we have stay in before on that specific suite. So far using our rule of thumb has always been near or close to what CAS seemed to have offered us, although I think they were a bit tighter for our booking next year. I know that isn't officially how they look at the way they comp folks, just seems to always be true for us.

OP.. if you look at my signature, all of the NCL cruises we have taken or have booked in the future were comp'ed by CAS except for our very first NCL cruise. When you call CAS to book a cruise, they will tell you what cabin catagory they are able to comp for you based on your play in the casino on your last cruise. If you choose to book whatever catagory that is, then all you will owe is your taxes and port fees. This is a thank you from CAS for the play you did on your last cruise. While they do hope you will continue that same play or more on the comp'ed cruise, there is no obligation. If you do not play in the casino equal to or more than your last cruise, you just won't be given a simular offer until you cruise again (paying your own way) with same or better play.

Years ago, when we first booked our first cruise through CAS where they comp'ed us, we were told that if on the comp'ed cruise we did not play enough to satisfy them comp'ing the cruise we were on we could be charged back for the comp'ed cruise. I guess they had a hard time enforcing that because like I say they have not done that in a long time.

There maybe exceptions to you bringing a guest. For example I had never heard of a cabin being comp'ed where the second guest had to be paid for until this last offer for the slot tournament. I have read on CC where people called to book that but because they were taking a guest not invited by CAS, the second guest fare had to be paid. I had never heard of that before. Usually CAS just comp's the cruise period.

Bottom line is, whatever you are told, when you call to book the cruise with CAS, that you owe is all that you will owe, except of course whatever onboard expenses you incur. Daily Service Charges will be considered an onboard expense that you will be responsible for.

I've been in two suites on NCL. The first butler was not very good. I think some of it could have been a language barrier. For example, I am mostly a beer drinker and wanted to know if the alchohol could be exchanged for beer. He said 'yes, you can get two". I thought he meant two six packs for each bottle but I was shockingly mistaken. After I recieved the 2 sixpacks and drank them was when he told me that was all I was getting:eek: Stupid me exchanged 3 bottles of booze for 2 lousy six packs of beer. Another example was he would only give me 6 cans of each kind of soda it was NOT unlimited like I thought it was. This was on the Dawn.

Then we had an AB penthouse on the Spirit. The butler was very accomodating. He ended up waiting on two of the kids who were staying in the room but not booked in there. He gave us free soda even though it didn't come with the room. He brought the kids plates of cookies every night without being asked. I'm still not sure what to expect from the next butler.

Not for sure when you cruised or if this has changed, but when you are in the OS, you should get unlimited mixers, including soda's. I think your Butler must have been new or something. 8-)

OP.. I say if you feel strongly about something, make a stand.. and when a company has enough of it's customers feeling that way, they will change to conform. However I do have two things I want to comment on what you posted. You said let them raise the basic cost of the beverage and only those who purchase it will be paying for it.. well.. that's who is paying it now. And the second thing is that the auto tip is included for a reason. With their pricing in place now it is expected that you will tip for certain services. They must have had a reason to place it as an auto tip rather than letting folks tip on their own. Could it be that they were getting "stiffed" all too often?

I am sure once the base of customers change to be a majority of non-Americans, you will stand a better chance of getting it removed. However, in the end, you will pay it one way or the other. As long as it is going to end up costing you the same, I don't understand why it is a big deal if you pay it in the cost of the item or as a tip. The same amount of money is out of your pocket and for me, that's what I look at.

There are a couple of ways around the cash deposit; they could give you the cash, you could buy on board credits for them. they're listed on the NCL website in the bon voyage gifts sections.

 

The other option, if they don't have a debit card with a visa/mastercard logo, they can purchase one at most check cashing places, load it up as much as they'd like, and go from there. There are fees for buying the card initially, but it does solve the problem fairly well.

Debt.. the thing with buying the OBC is that is a good idea for most of it, but they would still be required to put down several hundred (at least enough to cover daily service charges) before boarding. The OBC's generally do not get applied to the onboard account for 24 to 48 hours after boarding. Also, we have never used the pre-paid credit cards, but I have read on here before that NCL wll not accept them. That is just hearsay, as I say, since we have never tried using one. 8-)

OP.. really they can use cash with no problem and from what I have been told several tiimes here on the boards as well as from the Concierge on the Pearl when I asked, as long as they have enough cash to cover daily service charges they are ok. The daily service charges are $12.00 per person per day. There are some restrictions when using cash though.

1. They will not be able to withdraw any of that cash until the last night of the cruise. Not from the front desk, nor from the casino. They will need to be sure and hold enough back to take with them into ports of call, for cash tips they may need, etc.

2. Once the cash they have put on deposit gets to zero, their keycards will stop letting them make any purchases onboard. They can always go by and put more cash on their account though, and that will solve their problem.

3. If using a debit card, they will run what I can pre-approved charges through the system. So if they put $500.00 down on the cruise they will get pre-approval for that. Then at the end of the cruise they will actually charge $500.00 or whatever the onboard account is up to that point. Then the debit card has a pre-approval of $500.00 on hold at the bank PLUS what is actually charged that last day of the cruise. The pre-approval can stay on hold for up to 30 days. This can cause probablems for some people.

Some of the best coffee I have ever had.

Keep in mind it could vary ship to ship and even cruise to cruise, but when we have been on NCL and it stopped in Cozumel, the doc we were tied to was the one right in front of the main shopping area.

after a few minutes she said "oh i just remembered, i have my nose pierced and could have shown that."

lol.. Too funny

First of all, incase you did not know.. I, Terry, am the big guy of the two in the pic on my postings. And I am here and proud to say not only do I wear speedo's on a cruise, but at my developements pool as well.

Yes.. I heard some of you gasp for air. I even saw some of my Southern sisters gasp for air while clutching an always appropriate strand of pearls drapped around your neck.

Now if you have survived the mental image I have put before you, you should know that my swim trunks are speedo BRAND. LOL. Believe me, they cover me all the way down to my knees.. LOL. I know I had some of you worried.. and I know I had some of you ready to dial NCL and immediately cancel your cruise when you saw by my signature that I was going to be on the same cruise as you. But rest assured you are safe.

And I will also agree that most people should never wear speedo's (the kind you think of when you hear the word speedo), however there are a few that should never take them off. LOL. Well.. I don't know about never taking them off.. :D

Alpmac, thanks for all of the info you have posted on CC about your beautiful island. We will be there this coming Nov and can not wait. We were so looking forward to Harrisons Cave, however with it now being closed during that time, thanks to you, we have pretty much decided to visit accra beach.

Love all of your photo's especially the monkeys in your back garden. Will they let you hand feed them fruit? Or will they not let you get that close? We feed wild rabbits in our back yard, not as exotic as your monkeys, but we love them anyway.. 8-)

Great thread to start, Bermuder...

I share a lot of the same giddy moments as you and Lowtyd. The biggest for me is probably when I am grocery shopping the week before we leave and I reach for a gallon of milk. When I see the expiration date is past when we leave for the cruise.. well.. I do a little happy dance right there in the grocery store.

The night before we leave I am like most people and can not sleep wondering what I have forgotten to pack.. hoping we don't over sleep and not make it to the airport on time... etc, etc. We usually try to spend a couple of nights in the port town of embarkation and the whole time we are there I keep thinking .... tomorrow at this time we will be onboard the ship... or while having dinner I will think.. tomorrow night we will be dining in Cagneys, etc. So really the whole time I am enjoying the port city, Im spending most of the time thinking of the cruise.. LOL.

OK, I'm going to be the rebel here...I'm bringing what ever I want and feel I need when it comes time to pack! And..I am going to use all 6 luggage tags!!

 

so there...I said it! :rolleyes:

Im with you Suzy..LOL