KeithJenner

So they are. Free at Sea is only guests 1 and 2 for us, so it is all correct. Guests 1 and 2 have the deals and no requirement for guest 3 to buy it.

If you are buying the drinks package then everyone has to buy it, but that stipulation doesn’t apply with the free at sea deal. So if guests one and two get the package through free at sea then there is no requirement for guest three to buy it. Sometimes everyone in the room gets the deals, but I don’t know if that applies at the moment (I’m not in the US).

Whatever. You may want to concentrate your replies on people who are actually disagreeing with your basic point now, or cares about this argument.

As I said, I’m taking no side in this. I’m just mentioning that there is a difference between speciality restaurants (which you would otherwise pay for) and the buffet (which is free for absolutely everyone) when making the argument that you did. I didn’t say that you were incorrect in your basic point about whether things are included in the fare (which I very much agree is often the case), but I have some sympathy with the argument that it is nice to have some included. Ultimately it is up to the individual to work out if they are getting value.

Not taking any side in this (I see both sides of the argument), but there is a difference between speciality dining and the other things that you mention in that those things are included for everyone, but the speciality dining has an upcharge without the free at sea offer. Regardless of any of the arguments about things being included in the cruise fare, they are offering something that there is usually an upcharge for at no charge (ie free). Of course, in saying this I am ignoring gratuities/free at sea upcharge etc.

When we sailed from Athens in a suite earlier this year there was a suite check in area, just before the main check in. After checking in we waited in that same area (no snacks/drinks available) before being taken on to the ship.

Hot Chocolate is certainly available. I didn’t particularly look at iced options but there were some available.

That is what usually happens if you try to book the same restaurant twice, so would explain it if you were booking Le Bistro a second time. However, you say that it doesn’t work for any restaurant, so it looks like there is an issue specific to you (or a temporary problem with the system). People have reported that they have managed to book the same restaurant twice by calling, so that will probably work. You could also wait until you board, which is what I’ve done when booking a restaurant twice.

Quite a few people on here have. We did so on the last two cruises and it is now an essential upgrade for us. A combination of coffee, sparkling water, champagne and a better selection of red wine are well worth the cost.

You can pick which one the dining package applies to. Just let them know when you arrive at the restaurant.

No, I very rarely order more than one of any course. Only done it a couple of times. Rather strangely, considering others seem to get told that you can only order one, about the only time I have done so is when I an struggling to decide and the waiter suggests that I have both as it’s included.

Every single reservation number I’ve ever had (other than my first one, 20 years ago, which had 7) has had 8 digit, and I have always been offered upgrade bids.

I have specifically asked on this board for any examples of people actually getting charged. I am yet to find a single person who has been, but there are many examples of people ordering multiples and not being charged. This is certainly not a case of “what you can get away with”. The T&Cs specifically mention a limit on entrees, but no limit on other courses. Personally, I have never actually been told about any restrictions on apps and desserts by any staff members, so I am just going on heresay that they ever do mention them. This is a subject which has been discussed many times over the years since the dining package was introduced, and the actual situation regarding whether you can order multiple apps and desserts is very clear. You certainly can. You are absolutely correct that the thread would be entertaining if someone took our advice and then got charged. We can only speculate though because despite this advice being given regularly for many years that thread has never been required. Just to be totally clear though, I’m not advising anyone to do anything, just saying what the actual situation is regarding charging of these items.

They can now be used anywhere.

Before the Epic the MDRs and Asian restaurants changed all the time. I may be wrong, but I think that all earlier ships have different names for the MDRs (although maybe there are a couple of Grand Pacific’s?). The aft MDRs have names like Versailles, Summer Palace, Tzars Palace etc and the mid ship are Aqua, Magenta, Indigo etc. The Asian restaurants are often “gardens”, Lotus Garden, Jasmine Garden, etc or another Asian sounding name (Bamboo, Chin Chin, Ginza). It was only after the Epic that names for MDRs being fairly similar with most being Manhattan, Taste and Savor, but as you say there was at least one Tropicana (although Manhattan came first. Garden Cafe has been very consistent though. I’m not sure of any buffets not called that other than on the POA.

Exactly this. If something stays the same then people will complain but if you change it then people will complain. 🙂

That isn’t the case. They sometimes tell people that (although not us for some reason), but if you were to order more apps or desserts then they don’t charge you. Basically, the servers give incorrect information.

You can only book Teppanyaki in advance without paying if you have a dining package and haven’t yet booked meals. For example, if you have a two meal plan then the first two you book with not be charged. After that you have to pay.

There is a lesson here. Don't confuse yourself by contacting NCL shoreside staff to ask questions. There is just one menu for Le Bistro, and that shows prices for each item. Whether you are paying for your meal or using the dining plan then you will be given the same menu. The only difference is that if you have the dining plan you will not actually have to pay those prices (unless you order two entrees or something with an uncharge). Don't overthink this.

If the cruise is in 2023 then you should only have paid a deposit at this point, which would not be refundable. The prepaid gratuities are generally paid with final payment. Did you specifically pay extra for these above your deposit?

Definitely not just a benefit of using a TA. I book directly and NCL applied all my discounts automatically without me having to point them out.

That is the way that it should be, in my opinion. It has always seemed a bit odd to me that freestyle is all about you deciding when to do things, and then they announce a night that you should "dress up or not". If that is what someone want to do then they can choose when.

I may just not have noticed them (I'm that uninterested), but I didn't see any "Norwegian Night Out" or "Dress Up Or Not" nights on either of our cruises this year. If they do still happen then they are even more low key than they were pre pandemic. Edit - Just flicked through the dailies. No mention that I can see.