emcelh

We've been on the Gem a few times and I don't believe there is outside access on 8. The closest would be one deck below on 7 where there are no passenger cabins. Many of the outside cabins on 8 are obstructed view also, if that's an issue for you. I don't think there are cabins on any decks with outside access except 11 and those would be mini suites, suites, and inside cabins.

Yes, I am saying that. Of course, they want the tips, but they are also professionals. Treat them that way. There has been many posts on here about the butlers and other crew turning down tips and saying "tip me at the end of the cruise if you are happy with my performance".

Completely agree. I can't imagine handing someone money and telling them that if they do a good job there's more to come. I think I would find that a bit condescending if I were on the receiving end.

We had a situation a few years ago when a piece of luggage wasn't delivered to our cabin. Either the butler or steward found it (can't remember which) and DH tried to tip him when he brought it. He told us to wait until the end of the cruise.

Also new to NCL...............you have to make reservations for "Shows" ?

How do you even know what shows will be available 4 months in advance ?

 

Thanks

If you're sailing on the Epic or any ship newer than Epic reservations are recommended for some shows.

Shouldn't that be part of the daily service charge and not a bar service charge since the stateroom steward is stocking the fridge and not a bartender? Or who actually stocks the minibar? :confused:

Perhaps it should be but it isn't.

#1 as stated there is no real formal night. But people do dress up for dinner and pictures.

#2 My tween and teen love NCL. Push them to head to the team/kids club the first day to make friends. On cruises where they miss the first day or two, all they want to do is hang with us. On ones where they make friends its the opposite, we have to beg them to spend time with us. They do keep the kids pretty busy as well.

#3 as stated above, depends on the boat, But mostly no, no other charge but you do need to make reservations.

None of the shows on the Jewel can be reserved in advance.

YMMV but we got very good service from Carlos when we were on the Sun as Platinum cruisers and not in a suite

 

On all the ships we've been on the non haven concierge was the same person.

 

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I've read reports on CC from Platinum cruises that they didn't have much success using the concierge. You may have a better experience on a smaller ship like the Sun but Carlos is exceptional anyway.

That's one definition. The other is someone who enjoys good food. They could have chosen different wording though.

Terrific. Our cabin is an SC.

Then you have priority check in and boarding and all the suite perks except access to the Haven.

You can bring 2 bottles of wine for $15 apiece corkage. That's really your best deal. The gifts section of your MyNcl has wine starting at $48 a bottle. If you want liquor you can call the main number and order a bar set up. Ex: 1 liter of Grey Goose, 3 mixers, 3 garnishes = $130. Not as much for non premium brands, but still outrageous.

Regarding wine, correct...you pay $15 corkage fee for each bottle but you are not limited to 2 bottles. Take as much as you like.

I will be cruising in the next four years (probably once or twice a year) it just won't be with NCL If they aren't trust worthy on such a small matter are they trustworthy on bigger things

Are you angry that the itinerary no longer is being offered or that they won't refund your certificates?

You can make MDR reservations on the larger ships (Breakaway and Breakaway Plus class for sure, not sure about Epic). You can also eat at the buffet any time.

You can make MDR reservations on all ships.

I've been in a LOT of tenders as plat/+ and it's a rare single event if you get a concierge escort. Most of the time, it's like stated above, you join the line anytime,, where others will be given numbers, and called. You are allowed to take a few guests.

 

Especially for Santorini get in line EARLY. I'd suggest an hour prior to the posted time, if you have to get to something scheduled. This is a priority port that everyone wants off the ship. .

Do they leave priority tickets in you cabin so that, when you join the tender line, you have something to show if asked? Our next cruise has 2 tender ports, Grand Cayman and GSC. We probably won't be in a hurry to get off the ship anyway but I'd just like to know what to expect.

Another vote for Thenford Grey.

We have one on the Epic in November, first time on that ship. We've had aft facing cabins on the Pearl, Jade, Jewel and Gem and didn't feel any motion to speak of. There's some vibration from the thrusters when the ship is docking but that was about it. The views are amazing and worth it.

This is all very helpful! I’ve never used a TA before so I presumed NCL was telling me the truth. Wow I feel super gullible now!

 

 

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You're not super gullible. It's unfortunate, but you're not the first to get bad information from NCL's call center.

I was told that is a cruise is canceled NCL gives 50% off and because the TA owns the reservation, they don’t always give it to the consumer.

 

 

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I doubt it. First , I've never seen NCL give 50% off a future cruise because of a cancellation. We've had cruises canceled 3 times. We tend to book at least a year or more in advance and 2 were cancelled because the ships were later chartered and the 3rd was due to repositioning the ship. In all cases we were offered alternate dates or cruises and OBC.

Future cruise credit is usually given when something goes wrong on a particular sailing (the Carnival ship that lost power at sea and had to be towed back to port a few years ago or the more recent NCL ship that was apparently under constrution during a cruise) In any case, the credit for a future cruise would be linked to the passenger, not the TA.

We are on deck 14, category H5. From the map it does appear that we are in the Haven.

You're in the Haven if you're on deck 14. The restaurant where you'll have breakfast and lunch is on deck 13.

You have to pay additional $? In the regular, not specialty restaurants, are you able to order 2 dinners? On RC we usually ordered 2 dinners in the dining room.

 

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In the regular dining rooms you can order as much as you want.

Sounds like you booked a guarantee. You can call and request a change but it may not happen. That's the risk of booking a guarantee cabin. You save a bit but don't always get a cabin you're happy with.

TA's rate is always lower than NCL direct. If you want to bid on upgrade, no problem.

 

Price drop occurs after final payment, my TA is on the phone same day to request upgrade.

 

I find it interesting NCL is trying to steer you away from a TA. Many other cruise lines would rather you use one.

 

Different business models, I suppose.

If you book direct there's no commission to pay to a TA. The comment about the TA keeping "incentives" if a cruise is cancelled is odd though. What would the TA keep?

Can the butler bring alcohol when he brings room service? In the regular cabins room service would charge even though you have the UBP

 

 

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In our experience, the butler can bring it but you'll pay the regular price for the drink. UBP doesn't include room service.

How much would you be likely to spend for drinks, probably beer and soda and a light lunch? Prefer not to carry more cash than necessary.

Assuming Magen's Bay is open you really don't need to pay for a ship excursion to get there. Cabs go back and forth all day and cost much less than a ship excursion.

Someone will get hurt, there will be a lawsuit and it will be the end of them.

I only have one horror story to state. All other cruises were near perfect. One night after dinner, I headed back to my cabin to get some additional money for the casino. When I got off the elevator there was a man with a hockey mask at the end of the hall. I thought it was a joke until he started to chase me up and down decks 6 and 7. I was able to hide in a stairwell until a vampire bat flew down on my shoulder and tried to bite my neck. Fleeing the bat, I was able to get to the pool deck only to be met by a werewolf with huge fangs. This was just too much for me to handle and when I got to my cabin, I locked and barricaded the door. I swear I heard scratching and thumping almost like from a Frankenstein movie coming from the hall. There were so many flies around the balcony door and the walls started to bleed. I could hear a deep voice say over and over GET OUT, GET OUT. This trip is something I will never forget. But so far its been my only horror experience at sea.

And to think some people complain about the food.