HappyCruiser616

I was on the NCL Joy last month. There are no thermal suites. There is no men's locker room in the gym. The spa does have a tiny men's locker room (for reference about half the size of the men's locker room in the thermal suites on the NCL Breakaway) that has a decent size sauna and steam room in it. They charged me $60 for the 7 day cruise for use of the sauna and steam room. Just turn in your key card at the desk and walk back to the locker room. The locker room itself is barely big enough for a couple of people. There were two showers. The sauna had a great view of the ocean. I'm not sure anyone knows the sauna is available for use so it wasn't busy at all. 

On 3/28/2022 at 11:45 AM, tallnthensome said:

With NCL having the worst pricing to value right now versus other lines  I wouldn't book NCL right now. 

I'm def an NCL (have taken 12 cruises with them)  but you are 100% correct. They have forced me to look elsewhere. I booked one upcoming with NCL but my other two are with Carnival and Celebrity, where I got balcony/suites for the same price as the inside cabin on NCL. I will miss my favorite NCL speciality restaurants but not worth the price right now. 

I've been on 19 cruises but never alone. I'm now starting to travel solo for the first time and face the same predicament of the single supplement. I've done hours of research on cruise prices in the past few weeks.  I ended up booking NCL Pearl (had to pay nearly 100% for the single supplement), Carnival Glory (paid about 75% markup) and Celebrity Reflection (less than 25% markup..yay!). The "solo" cabins aboard NCL are intriguing although in my research they  frequently cost more than the inside cabins, even with the single supplement. (And I'm not a huge fan of the "Breakaway class" ships which have the most solo cabins)  It's a weird time for cruising as cruise lines try to recover.  I wish they would court solo travelers more but I doubt it makes much financial sense to them. Hope you enjoy your travels! 

Thanks for the list and all of the comments on this great thread. Cruise saunas (at least the free same sex ones) are a dying breed so it's nice to know there are still a few of us interested. Happy Cruising! 

Thank you all for the info. Much appreciated!

Sorry if my posting is in an inappropriate location. I will post to the NCL section.

I am normally a frugal cruiser but have recently booked the Owner's Suite on the Norwegian Gem. I enjoy Norwegian but their website and onshore customer service could use some improvements. Since I am getting conflicting info, I have a few questions for anyone who has been in the Owner's suite---I'm on the 10th by the way and will be cruising August 2nd.

1. At what time did you need to close the curtains to the large balcony so that the light would not bother the bridge? I'm guessing this meant that the larger balcony could not be used for dinners?

2. What kind of bed is the second bed? From photos I'm guessing it's a pullout sofa type thing. Was it comfortable? It will be used by my 11 year old niece so she's not too picky but want to make sure it's suitable.

3. Is it appropriate to tip the concierge/butler each time you use their services or do you wait until the end of the cruise? Also, what would you consider an appropriate tip for a week long cruise? I'm frugal but I'm a generous tipper as the crew on NCL seems to be worked especially hard but somehow remain friendly.

4. Are their expectations that parents will supervise their children in the Haven? Part of the reason I am booking this suite is for the Haven pool area as I know the main pool will be overrun by unsupervised kids for an August cruise with a stop at Disney. Did you experience the Haven as a real refuge or was it equally overrun with unsupervised children?

5. How was the steam room in the Haven? Is it big enough or should I plan on getting the spa pass for the week? I love the spa pass but if there's an adequate steam room in the Haven, not sure I need it.

6. What's in the mini bar in the suite? Wine? Beer? Soda? Also, the owner's suite (I think) comes with 3 bottles of liquor? Has anyone requested wine instead of liquor?

7. Anyone have CURRENT menu's for breakfast and lunch at Cagney's? For Haven room service?

Thanks much!!!!

I am normally a frugal cruiser but have recently booked the Owner's Suite on the Norwegian Gem. I enjoy Norwegian but their website and onshore customer service could use some improvements. Since I am getting conflicting info, I have a few questions for anyone who has been in the Owner's suite---I'm on the 10th by the way and will be cruising August 2nd.

1. At what time did you need to close the curtains to the large balcony so that the light would not bother the bridge? I'm guessing this meant that the larger balcony could not be used for dinners?

2. What kind of bed is the second bed? From photos I'm guessing it's a pullout sofa type thing. Was it comfortable? It will be used by my 11 year old niece so she's not too picky but want to make sure it's suitable.

3. Is it appropriate to tip the concierge/butler each time you use their services or do you wait until the end of the cruise? Also, what would you consider an appropriate tip for a week long cruise? I'm frugal but I'm a generous tipper as the crew on NCL seems to be worked especially hard but somehow remain friendly.

4. Are their expectations that parents will supervise their children in the Haven? Part of the reason I am booking this suite is for the Haven pool area as I know the main pool will be overrun by unsupervised kids for an August cruise with a stop at Disney. Did you experience the Haven as a real refuge or was it equally overrun with unsupervised children?

5. How was the steam room in the Haven? Is it big enough or should I plan on getting the spa pass for the week? I love the spa pass but if there's an adequate steam room in the Haven, not sure I need it.

6. What's in the mini bar in the suite? Wine? Beer? Soda? Also, the owner's suite (I think) comes with 3 bottles of liquor? Has anyone requested wine instead of liquor?

7. Anyone have CURRENT menu's for breakfast and lunch at Cagney's? For Haven room service?

Thanks much!!!!