They do have tables for two (on Ambience anyway). To get a 'guaranteed' sitting (1st or 2nd) you need to book the fare with the drinks/gratuities package included. It is not 100% clear whether you will also get preference for numbers of seats at the table.
DW wanted to see a couple of things in Rome, so adding a couple of off season days pre-cruise made this a no-brainer.
This is somewhat a last chance for NCL to redeem themselves for various reasons (though we do sail on Regent Seven Seas a couple of weeks later so that could make for some 'unfair' comparisons).
Yes it was - unfortunately some of our US cousins cannot get their heads around the fact that the rest of the world sometimes does and sees things differently.
We also have flights, transfers, Shorex discounts, dining package and Wifi package in that price, so not a bad deal all things considered (for a balcony cabin as well).
"Free at Sea" is NOT free in UK (despite what NCL's marketing wonks would like you to believe).
We have just booked 9 days on Prima in November and Free at Sea is £199 per person.
We did a short Princess cruise last year with that medallion thingy. I heard waiters on several occasions letting people know when they were close to their 15 drink limit, so the system does count.
You might want to keep an eye out for a sneaky-ish trend in the Carnival brands. The 15 a day limit used to refer to alcoholic drinks only. It is now beginning to be amended to cover all drinks. HAL started this trend and P&O's new drinks packages seem to be incorporating this change.
I'll bet that Princess won't be far behind.
If you get the shuttle coach from Victoria coach station, you go straight into embarkation when you arrive at Tilbury. We usually get given an embarkation time of 12.30 - the coach leaves Victoria at 12.30!
Apparently the term nowadays is 'pre-loading'.
In my Battalion shooting team days they were 'warmers into the bank' - followed later by 'shots down the range'🍻.
There is a further point to this thread. NCL has shown a history of these problems, unlike any other cruise line. They have been less than forthcoming about the cause(s).
There is a valid discussion to be had about NCL's administration and lack of communications between head office, customer services and the ships.
You seem to be deliberately avoiding these issues.