Freestyle is a bit scary. Lots of Freestyle questions.

[idlewood4]

The info screen system sounds great. Does anyone know if the Spirit has this?

[sebas030]

Hi,

 

Just got off the GEM 2 days ago, sushi were 15 pp. all you can eat. They were full of fresh fish ( nothing cheap there ) even got the "chef special" not on the menu witch was grrreat.

 

Yes you can find sushi in the buffet but 2 kind only ( squid and vege ) so much for choise there.

 

Don't be afraid of freestyle, my wife and I are a little picky on food, so we planned our expenses on the fact that we would eat at speciality restaurant every night ( after reading alot of negative reviews about the "included" dining rooms), but after trying the Magenta for our first lunch on embarcation day and Garden Cafe for a late dinner ( after we ate too much sushi for lunch ! ) we can say now that the food served in the MDR and Garden cafe are very good and Grand Pacific is barely OK

 

 

 

NCL - Gem - feb 20/27 Florida and Bahamas

[KandJCruising]

Question:

Dose the all you can eat sushi bar only have sushi or does it have Japanese cooked food as well?

Thanks

J

You can also order from the Asian menu at the sushi bar (or vice versa- order sushi in the Asian dining area).

[CanadianTwosome]

Thanks everyone for your suggestions. I think I just read too many negative posts, and was getting nervous. Freestyle is more the way I actually live, so I think we'll love it.

 

I'm glad to hear the sushi is yummy. My daughter and I had a date everynight on our last RCCL cruise when they served sushi at 5. It would be well worth the $15 on NCL.

 

And when I consider I'm saving on airfare to Florida, and a hotel the night before, it certainly is less expensive overall.

 

Is is June yet? I can't wait!!!

 

We love it, too - for exactly that reason. I think for some they dislike it BECAUSE it's too much like 'regular life' - they have to make decisions and sometimes wait to get into a restaurant - just like at home! :p

 

For the record, my family is another that has never had to wait for a table, other than the time it takes for the people in front of us to be seated. I believe this is partly due to when we sail (usually off season or shoulder), and partly due to the fact that we tend to eat early. However, we have also had the same good fortune on occasions when we've gone directly to the dining room from a show or chosen to eat later for some other reason, so I'm sure the greatest factor is when we sail.

 

The most important thing to keep in mind is that NCL simply OFFERS many opportunities to enjoy 'extras', but it's entirely up to you if you want to take advantage of them or not. If, for example, you considered dining at Teppanyaki but thought the price was too much when you compared it to how much you would pay for the same experience at home, you could pass on it and then treat yourself - for less - when you get home, and even make a special 'reminiscing' night out of it as if it's an extension of your holiday. It's all about choices and how YOU perceive the value of the options. :)

[Peelboy]

Thanks folks for very useful information.

 

I am planning my Alaskan cruise, and have ruled out NCL from my shortlist, after reading quite a number of reviews. I may change my mind, since freestyle seems appealing.

 

Both Pearl and Star go to Alaska. How is their food quality at the MDR, compared to those with like RCCL, Celebrity and HAL? Does their all your can eat sushi include sashimi, i.e. raw fish only without the rice?

 

Thanks.

[mousey]

Thanks folks for very useful information.

 

I am planning my Alaskan cruise, and have ruled out NCL from my shortlist, after reading quite a number of reviews. I may change my mind, since freestyle seems appealing.

 

Both Pearl and Star go to Alaska. How is their food quality at the MDR, compared to those with like RCCL, Celebrity and HAL? Does their all your can eat sushi include sashimi, i.e. raw fish only without the rice?

 

Thanks.

 

 

I'll tell you what I've written in posts before, just take all the info you get on CC with a grain of salt, including mine. These are just people's personal views and experiences, everyone has different ones. Who's to say who is right and who is wrong. I learned this lesson well when upon planning a cruise on Costa, I was told by a travel agent that it was a horrible cruise line and that they did not recommend it to their clients. I also read lots of negative stuff about Costa here on the Costa board. However, we decided to go ahead and book the cruise, and it turned out to be one of our favorite all-time cruises, and we have cruised all over the world for years. So there ya go! If I had listened and taken all the negative comments to heart about Costa, I would have missed one of the best cruises we've ever taken.

 

We have cruised on NCL 3 times and have a spring break cruise planned on the POA to Hawaii on 4/3. Whether you like or don't like Freestyle dining is totally up to you. I like it fine, but I also like the tradional set seating time routine also. We are not loyal to any one cruise line, we just go with what we can afford at the time and have always had a great time. As they say, "Never met a cruise we didn't like!":D

 

One of our cruises was on the NCL Star to Alaska. It was also one of the best cruises we ever had. Great sightings of whales from the ship. The veiws of the glaciers as we cruised by them were awesome. I'd do it again in a heartbeat!. Lots of fun excursions were available. Book your favorite excursion early because they fill up quick!:D

[cruzndiz]

Thanks folks for very useful information.

 

I am planning my Alaskan cruise, and have ruled out NCL from my shortlist, after reading quite a number of reviews. I may change my mind, since freestyle seems appealing.

 

Both Pearl and Star go to Alaska. How is their food quality at the MDR, compared to those with like RCCL, Celebrity and HAL? Does their all your can eat sushi include sashimi, i.e. raw fish only without the rice?

 

Thanks.

 

I saw sashimi on the Gem last week.

[flashdog_1]

Each mass market cruise line will have only slightly different things that "nickel and dime" you. Premium lines may have all inclusive drinks/wine/sodas. You'll pay for it in the fare, though.

 

On RCCL you pay for Johnny Rockets, NCL has free Blue Lagoon. Celebrity's ice cream stations are free & there are lots of choices, NCL's is free but only 3 choices, RCCL charges at Ben & Jerry's.

 

Celebrity's sushi is free before dinner. NCL has a little free in the buffet.

 

Ship main pools are free. Some are fresh water, others have salt water. It just varies.

Celebrity has a free Thalossotherapy pool on their M Class ships. You pay for it on the C class ships that have one, & it includes a few other things. You pay for a spa pass on NCL where they have a pool.

 

On any line you pay for spa treatments, casino, drinks both alcoholic and "soda," photos, specialty coffee in coffee shops, drink "clinics" where you get say 5 Martinis in a martini class, or a Margarita class etc. If you drink LOTS of soda, you can buy a pass for the week for something like $6.75 a day. Oh, and a service charge will be added to all bar drinks. If you use something from your mini bar (on ships that have little fridge/coolers that is), you will be charged. Also the bottle of spring water in your cabin is not free. Tap water is good and free. HAL gives free capuccino in the dining rooms. NCL used to until very recently. You pay for it any time you order it on X, unless you are in a suite, in which case, you do not pay when your butler brings it to you. Don't think it applies in the dining rooms, though. Get the picture? Every line has its own rules, which are subject to change. Anything you read here today could be changed tomorrow.

 

NCL charges for its new Brunch. Last time I was on Celebrity it was free

 

Some line have drink or specialty restaurant "packages" where there is a slightly reduced price for prepaying for several meals/bottles of wine.

 

Most entertainment is free, but there may be a charge for something really special. All this information will be in your daily "newspaper" which will be delivered to your cabin each evening, telling what is going on the next day, what's on special, telling you about the port city etc.

 

Every line will have something free to drink all day, whether it's just tea or coffee and water as on NCL, or fake lemonade and punch on Celebrity in addition to the tea, coffee & water. This will be found only at the buffet unless there is a server walking around offering it.

 

All lines charge for a souvenir glass.

 

Most lines, except some premium ones, charge a daily service charge, or suggest the rates for gratuities. And even some premium ones charge it. It really varies. So NCL will not nickel and dime you any more than any other line.

 

To avoid waiting in line at main restaurants, if you go when they first open so that you can catch a show, go then. If you want to see a show first, go late. No one can say there is NEVER a wait, but many people say they've had luck that there was virtually no line. I've experienced both (different ships), so there's no guarantee. If you don't like the line at one main restaurant, try the other, or Blue Lagoon, buffet, or last resort, room service.

 

Speaking of room service, have your tip ready for the steward who brings your food. They tend to leave very quickly!

 

If you are an adventurous eater, some other lines might tempt you with more food you've never heard of, but NCL has its share, too. If you don't like something you've ordered, your waiter will bring you something else. You can always get chicken and salmon, unless things have changed with their experimental menus.

 

And when you don't find an answer in the literature provided you, ask your steward. If he/she doesn't know, call reception who will refer you to the right person/department if he/she doesn't know right off.

 

Cruising is really fun. There you are in a small town of 2000 people all enjoying the same things! I hope you enjoy all aspects of this your first NCL sailing from Boston!

[uppitycats]

Question:

Dose the all you can eat sushi bar only have sushi or does it have Japanese cooked food as well?

Thanks

J

 

The all-you-can-eat sushi bar has sushi, for $15 per person, all you can eat.

 

The Japanese restaurant has cooked Japanese food. The cover charge there is $25 I think. They are adjacent to each other, and one person in your party can eat sushi while the other orders off the Japanese restaurant menu (we did)..but they frown on "sharing".

[oLEEander]

 

To avoid waiting in line at main restaurants, if you go when they first open so that you can catch a show, go then. If you want to see a show first, go late. No one can say there is NEVER a wait, but many people say they've had luck that there was virtually no line. I've experienced both (different ships), so there's no guarantee. If you don't like the line at one main restaurant, try the other, or Blue Lagoon, buffet, or last resort, room service.

 

 

That's probably the best advise anyone could get about freestyle. I can't remember which cruise we were on, but a couple of times we went to the aft MDR and found people waiting on the stairs and in the halls on both sides! We turned around and went to the mid-ship MDR and walked right in and were seated. Poolside the next day was rife with complaints about the dining wait time, and no one would believe that we just walked in. Most didn't even know about the 2nd MDR. By the end of the cruise the wait times were a thing of the past as more folks learned about an additional dining venue, or chose off times to eat.

[Planer's Edge]

The all-you-can-eat sushi bar has sushi, for $15 per person, all you can eat.

The Japanese restaurant has cooked Japanese food. The cover charge there is $25 I think. They are adjacent to each other, and one person in your party can eat sushi while the other orders off the Japanese restaurant menu (we did)..but they frown on "sharing".

 

The Asian "complex" includes 3 venues. The Sushi bar is $15pp, the Asian Fusion is $15pp and the Teppanyaki is $25pp.

 

PE

[idlewood4]

Thanks for all the great advice. I'm psyched to try the freestyle now. The tips about avoiding lines seem very useful. I know what you mean about taking things with a grain of salt. I've written and many reviews on here, and there is a lot of great info, and some not so great! I am soooooo excited for my cruise. Is it June yet?

[MrLee]

Folks around here are always willing to offer advice...once in a while it's even accurate. ;)

[UandMe4Ever]

Hi, we just came back in November from a 14 day repo on the Jewel. It was great! The only time we had a little wait, about 15020 was the night of Halloween! Probably folks getting their kids for the Parade around...It wasn't bad and they even served 'champagne' to apologize for the wait. Not bad...There was maybe 1 or 2 nights in the Tsars' dining room (where we ate most times, except the 3 specialties), it was less than 5 minute total. We always were able to get a table for 2 with courteous service.

 

Enjoy!!!!

[UandMe4Ever]

We were just on a 14 night repo on the Jewel. Even on the "formal/not formal" nights, we ate somewhere between 7:30-8:00. I don't think we even had a 1 minute wait. We also tried to time dinner to the shows we were interested in seeing. Table for 2 all nights in the Tsars Dining Room. Nice Ambiance. Did enjoy three specialties...Mexican, LeBistro and Chinese. Each were excellent and we like good food! Enjoy & happy sails!!!

[srlafleur]

We love Freestyle. It's really great to get back from a shore excursion and not feel rushed to prep for dinner. Or, if we're starving, to not have to wait until a set time. Certainly nothing to be frightened of! We like it so much that we also chose the any-time dining on our last HAL & RCCL cruises, and will whenever it's available. On our RCCL cruise, we liked our server so much on the 1st night that we requested to be seated in her section every night (and were accommodated on most).

[UandMe4Ever]

I'm booked on NCL Spirit because the budget is tight this year, and I wanted to just drive to the port. We don't have a lot of options out of Boston, and I drive to Canada a lot, so the Canadian/Boston cruises don't hold a lot of appeal.

 

I'm starting to get concerned about the "Freestyle" costs. I know it's dependent on what we do and where we eat. But from reading the literature it seems like we will be nickle and dimed to death. For example on both Carnival and Royal Carribbean the sushi is free. On NCL it seems like we will be charged for it.

 

Sushi is a big deal for us, but since NCL charges, does anyone have specifics on how that works? By the piece? A flat rate?

 

For those who've done NCL and other cruise lines, does Freestyle end up costing you more over all?

 

We don't eat in the specialty restaurants typically, but will we need to to have a decent non buffet style meal?

 

How about room service? What is offered? Is there a charge or is it free?

 

Thanks for any advice. Can't wait for our cruise, and am looking forward to hearing from some NCL regulars.

 

Hi: I will answer those questions that I know for sure:

 

You never have to eat in any specialty restaurants. You can eat in either main restaurant -- FEE

 

Sushi I'm not sure about, but we DID have to pay for it on RCCL and CELEBRITY.

 

Buffets are not too bad...many choices, no trays, so we looked around until we decided. Drinks a little higher than RCCL, but not much more. Auto tip was the same %.

 

Room service on Jewel/Spirit is FREE. We always give a couple of cash bucks depending on how large an order. For coffee, muffins in A.M. we'd give $2. You can order anything at any time from the Room Service Menu in the Cabin!!

 

We had the Blue Lagoon. You can eat any meal there. FREE. iT'S a sit down informal place. Food pretty good.

 

You WILL NOT BE nickeled or dimed to death. If you want something, buy it. If not, don't. We NEVER play bingo anymore because all ships have gone nuts with the prices of bingo cards.

 

You can gamble at your ownn discretion. They have little mini sandwiches around 11:30 in the Casino...and punch or something else and little desert cakes. No bad.

 

You can drink alcohol if you choose or not.

 

We don't drink much soda or coffee so we don't buy the cards. It wouldn't justify the cost. If we want a 'fancy coffee' once in a while, we just get it.

 

There are folks who go and don't spend any money for anything, except maybe their drinks of choice.

 

Excursions were a little pricey. Won't do it again. Would get a cab or something else to get to a beach!!! Much cheaper. Live and learn!!!

 

We are quite content on some cruises just doing our own thing, unless something special catches our eye.

 

We did our 'own thing' in Aruba..A tour around the whole Island - got someoff off the pier. They 2 2/12 hour tour turned into almost 4 hours and she was amazing! Cost: $25.00 per couple...plenty of stops for pix, etc. Was the best excursion ever :-)

 

Well, that's all I can remember. We were on the Jewel for a 14 night repo from NY back to FL..had to fly home, but it wasn't terrible. got airafare for about $110.p/p. from Miami to Newark.

 

Our next cruise is again on the Jewel for 10-10-10 -- It's to Port Canavaral/Nassau 7 nites. We've been to the Western, Eastern, Southern, Bermuda. Never Nassau. Thought it would be something different and I feel quite MELLOW!

 

If I can answer anything else to your satisfaction, respond to this post. I'll save it.

 

You'll have a wonderful time. A cruise is what YOU want it to be. Never met a cruise I didn't like. Happy Attitude is our motto.

 

Safe sails!!!!

 

A Cruise Lover

[UandMe4Ever]

Hi, the waits in the MDR's are really minimum...the screens tell you. Even lobster night was no problem...How many times on traditional cruises when you are seated at a table of 8 or 10, they don't take anyone's order until everyone is seated? So prompt people still have to wait. Sometimes at 8:30 late dining, most of us were pretty hungry and hated to wait for the latecomers. Also, no biggie. At least with freestyle dining, you choose your time.

 

Have a blast!!

[sottovoce]

Hi: I will answer those questions that I know for sure:

 

You never have to eat in any specialty restaurants. You can eat in either main restaurant -- FEE

I hope you meant to write "FREE." There is no "fee" in the main dining rooms, buffet, Blue Lagoon, poolside venues and barbeques, and depending on the ship, Great Outdoors, Bier Garten, etc.

[UandMe4Ever]

I do apologize. I certainly meant FREE. I also forgot to mention about the "Great Outdoors", BBQ's. (one note: Poolside BBQ have LARGE hot dogs, but if you like regular size, they will have them INSIDE the Buffet! Again, I'm sorry, but hoped the info helped.

[idlewood4]

Buffets are not too bad...many choices, no trays, so we looked around until we decided.

We did our 'own thing' in Aruba..A tour around the whole Island - got someoff off the pier. ...plenty of stops for pix, etc. Was the best excursion ever :-)

You'll have a wonderful time. A cruise is what YOU want it to be. Never met a cruise I didn't like. Happy Attitude is our motto.

 

Safe sails!!!!

 

A Cruise Lover

 

Thanks for the detailed information. I do have a question and some comments.

 

On the buffet are there ever any trays available? Do they just not have trays or are they just out of them a lot?

 

My best shore excursion was one I booked that involved a private tour of the Mayan Ruins and lunch with a Mayan family. It was amazing, and the family had a daughter my daughter's age, so it they both really enjoyed it.

I found that tour through the CC boards. It's a great resource for private tours.

 

I love your attitude, a cruise is what you make it, and I'm positive we'll have a fabulous time. I am getting so excited. I love checking in with CC and letting my excitement build as my cruise date, ever so slowly, approaches.

[MrLee]

Trays were discontinued quite a while ago. It makes it difficult for those of us with mobility issues. I walk with a cane which only leaves one hand free. :(

[idlewood4]

Trays were discontinued quite a while ago. It makes it difficult for those of us with mobility issues. I walk with a cane which only leaves one hand free. :(

 

I know where you are coming from. I've had recent shoulder surgery, and that arm is currently useless. Guess I'll be bringing my own tray>;)

Happy cruising.