NCL secrets they don't tell you about

[toysrme]

Refrigerator question: From what I hear they do not have refrigerators in balcony cabins on the Spirit. Does anyone know if they will bring you a refrigerator if you ask your steward, of course with a tip upfront??

 

If you ask them as many times as you posted this, I'm sure they will!;)

[Glamourgal]

I am soooo sorry. I thought I was timed out, and it wasn't going through. I am so embarrassed!!

[Don Haynes]

Its happened to us all, multiple posts. I was hoping when they improved the website last month this would cease, but alas its still happening. And those of us still with 56k modems and phone hookups to the internet understand your thinking you were timed out....

 

The suites have refrigerators on the Spirit, but most of the cabins don't. There are a few refrigerators for those who need them for prescriptions, but alas, only a few.

[Glamourgal]

Thanks all for being so understanding. What a way to set a record!! I promise I'll be more patient in the future!!:o

[zydecocruiser]

[Frosting Master]

Great Stuff, thanks.

 

Do all the rooms on the Sun have safes?

[karebear]

Yes, the Sun has refers and safes in all the rooms.

[AztecCraig]

I always bring my clothes for the 2nd half of the week unlaundered - and send them to the ships laundy on day 1. It costs about the same as at home and beats wearing airline wrinkled clothes.

 

seen the initials DH posted a few times - I give up, what does it stand for "Damn Husband"? ;-)

[tray]

In our house, DH would mean 'darling husband'. But AztecCraig---you are too funny!! I guess your interpretation could definitely be used in some households!

[Barb Nahoumi]

Here's another small menu thing...it's written on the menu but might not be seen. You can always get Caesar salad, grilled chicken breast, baked potato and fresh steamed vegetables every meal any time.

 

This is a good thing. If my husband could not find other menu items which pleased him, he always relied upon the grilled chicken dish.

 

Barb

[shoreguy]

I always bring my clothes for the 2nd half of the week unlaundered - and send them to the ships laundy on day 1. It costs about the same as at home and beats wearing airline wrinkled clothes.

 

seen the initials DH posted a few times - I give up, what does it stand for "Damn Husband"? ;-)

 

Any "D" you think works - Dear, darling, damn, devious, disturbed, demented, devoted, or delightful.

[AztecCraig]

Having been called most of those, I like the abbreviation even more now...she can call me what she wants and I'll just assume she meant darling ;-)

[DragonflyCruiser]

Any "D" you think works - Dear, darling, damn, devious, disturbed, demented, devoted, or delightful.

 

Hi there! I have read about your one day cruise...jealous! Looks like a really great time. Hope you are working hard to do it again! I have a question...I noticed that Royal Caribbean offers registration for Cruise Critics and sets things set up on board automatically for the get-togethers. How would we get NCL do this? If a phone call would do it, who would we call?

[shoreguy]

Hi there! I have read about your one day cruise...jealous! Looks like a really great time. Hope you are working hard to do it again! I have a question...I noticed that Royal Caribbean offers registration for Cruise Critics and sets things set up on board automatically for the get-togethers. How would we get NCL do this? If a phone call would do it, who would we call?

 

Simple answer - RCI has an exclusive contract with CC that goes back years. Anything NCL does is off the record and takes a little effort by us. A little like Freestyle.

 

Ps - I loved my one day cruise

[DragonflyCruiser]

Simple answer - RCI has an exclusive contract with CC that goes back years. Anything NCL does is off the record and takes a little effort by us. A little like Freestyle.

 

Ps - I loved my one day cruise

 

Thanks...I'll be sure to get the plans underway when we board. Or, is there a way to do it prior? Hope we get a big group of CC this trip too. Hope you will join us! Are you still thinkin about it?

[almitra]

Hi there! I have read about your one day cruise...jealous! Looks like a really great time. Hope you are working hard to do it again! I have a question...I noticed that Royal Caribbean offers registration for Cruise Critics and sets things set up on board automatically for the get-togethers. How would we get NCL do this? If a phone call would do it, who would we call?

 

If your cruise is at least 7 days long with RCI, then there is a CC party onboard automatically. Just go to their website and sign up for it. We had fun on ours! If your cruise is shorter, you'll have to arrange on your own, but they may help with a suggestion for time/place.

[MariaG]

Hi everyone. This thread is about secrets and tips on NCL. Please keep responses on that subject. The tips are realy valuable to members and every time there is a new post, you think there's a new tip but it's now turned into a thread about the Dawn and what to bring. That's a great topic and worthy of it's own thread so other members can benefit from the information too. I'm sorry for the inconvenience. It just helps to keep information organized and easy to find if the topic doesn't stray too far off topic. Thanks!

 

I started a thread called, NCL Dawn Insider Tips, if anyone wants to post in there. :)

[cruisin0504]

Thanks for the great ideas!!!

[Phillip Toddy]

G'day All

 

These are great tips.

 

Here is one, locate the promenade deck and work out how many walking circuits will double your daily exercise average - then do them and enjoy the excess by which you are surrounded.

 

And a question, where can I get small notes for tipping if I run out? We are to be on Wind in Hawaiian waters and there will be no casino. What uses cash on board?

 

Phil

[DroopySails]

Phillip, the reception desk will break a large note for you if they can, but please note they sometimes say they don't have the cash. Someone please correct me if this has changed; maybe reception doesn't do that at all anymore.

 

Other than the casino (and one onboard ATM), it's pretty much a cashless society otherwise! You may want to pick up smaller notes while in port.

[SHJH]

I'm taking notes on the great tips! I have a few questions. I thought the tips and gratuities were automatically added to the account at the end of the trip. Extra tipping in restaurants is expected? Between the 4 of us going( 2 adults, one teen and one child) the total added will be $350.00. That sounds like a substantial tip. I know it is divided up by the cruise line. I like the convenience of having it already added, one less thing to try and figure out, and we dont have to carry a pocket full of cash around all the time. We did this on the Carnival, and I don't think extra tipping was expected. Is NCL different?

Since our son went to the kids program, and was treated to an amazing time(he enjoyed being there more than with us!), we gave a thank you note and a special tip to the kids counselor that attended him. But the kids camp counselors weren't included in the gratuities that were automatically added.

Also, does anyone know if Splenda is available on the Dawn? I will pack my own if it isn't.

[aashee]

Hello Fellow Cruisers,

 

I have one tip that I have been using on cruises after my honeymoon and it helps those that are trying to save money or are afraid of the food in the places they will be stopping at.

 

You can order sandwiches from room service and just bag it up and take it on any of your stops. If you have a 10 hour period to explore, having a few extra vittles will allow you to see more sites rather than worrying about either coming back to the ship to eat, or try a restaurant on land. I personally like to try the different foods at our stops, but in can help a ton having an extra bite or two available if necessary.

 

Chad

[SailAways]

I'm taking notes on the great tips! I have a few questions. I thought the tips and gratuities were automatically added to the account at the end of the trip. Extra tipping in restaurants is expected? Between the 4 of us going( 2 adults, one teen and one child) the total added will be $350.00. That sounds like a substantial tip. I know it is divided up by the cruise line. I like the convenience of having it already added, one less thing to try and figure out, and we dont have to carry a pocket full of cash around all the time. We did this on the Carnival, and I don't think extra tipping was expected. Is NCL different?.

Also, does anyone know if Splenda is available on the Dawn? I will pack my own if it isn't.

 

Yes, there are alternative sugars at each table, and buffet too.

 

My tip would be to tip - at least steward, stewardess, porters, baggage handlers of all types, and restaurant employees who go the extra mile. Tipping may not be expected, but it sure is a nice way to say "Thank You" for the extra care you took to make our cruise special.

[cruisingfromMN]

Hi there! I have read about your one day cruise...jealous! Looks like a really great time. Hope you are working hard to do it again! I have a question...I noticed that Royal Caribbean offers registration for Cruise Critics and sets things set up on board automatically for the get-togethers. How would we get NCL do this? If a phone call would do it, who would we call?

 

Do it ahead of time. Each ship has a different land person who coordinates it with the ship. Post what ship here and someone will have the contact person's email address. I've done it twice and it works great and is lots of fun.

[ceallaigh]

I would suggest trying www.wellwishers.com . They can price pretty much any booze you would want vs NCL's small selection of booze.

 

For instance NCL has for their Vodka selection only Smirnoff for ?, Absolut & Finlandia for $40.00 and Stoli for $55.00 plus the set-up charge. With Wellwishers I requested pricing for the following, and got....Grey Goose for $52.50 (750ml) or $67.50 (1 Litre) and Belvedere $45.00 (750ml) plus a $2.00 delivery charge per bottle.

 

Sure beats having to choose from only what NCL offers and even better yet, lugging those bottles in your luggage only to find out the "booze police" found it and confiscates it until the end of your cruise.

 

And best of all......they guarantee it will be delivered to your stateroom, as they pay NCL to be allowed to do this.

 

Sure seems to me that if NCL is so vigilant about finding that hidden bootle in your luggage wrapped up in your underwear or whatever.... that they would just do the same thing with hard alchohol as they do with wine, and just charge a corkage fee and be done with it.

 

Just my .02 cents......

 

I went to wellwishers.com and couldn't find any information about alcohol other than wine. Is there a specific website where they have that?

 

Thanks!

 

Kelly