My First Cruise

[AudiSean]

Hi guys (gals included). My name is Sean and I will be sailing on the Norwegian Sky for my first cruise. I will be going with my girlfriend (1.5 years).

 

I am new to this forum, but not forums in general (Many car forums). So before I ask my questions here; I will suit up in my flame gear.

 

For starters, we have an inside cabin, not ideal, but because we are young (23,21) we will be active on the shore and the ship. My girlfriend lives in Boca Raton, so I will be flying to her, then we will have a friend drive us to port.

 

I have seen various times to get to port, some say early, some say it doesn't matter, but I think that we will get there an hour or so before they begin letting passengers on.

 

I understand from searching that you can NOT bring anything alcoholic aboard, with the exception of wine ($15 corking fee). However, I think that we are going to take the Alcohol Package, as it is only a 4 day cruise. I don't think that we will trail off and drink less as the cruise continues, making this purchase worth it!

 

I have decided to put ~75$ a day away for gambling, I know I know, not much. And I have seen that the Daily Service Charge is $12-$15 per day, per person. We also plan to eat at two of the restaurants on board (fine dining)

 

Questions:

 

1) Beyond what I have listed, what OTHER onboard expenses could I incur while cruising for the four nights? I am now looking at $450 for drink package for two, $120 for two nights of dinner and $300 at the casino.

 

Totals $890 Not including tips. What is the usual tip amount NOT including drinks for a 4 night cruise, inside cabin with EXCELLENT service?

 

2) I have seen A LOT about EVERY shore excursion. If you could only do ONE on the Bahamas Cruise, what would it be and why?! They all look like a lot of fun, I am ruling out jet skis/waverunners because I have always owned one.

 

3) Is there one main language that the majority of the Stewards speak? From what I have read; a lot of employees are from the Philippines. Looking for a simple word for, Hello, Goodbye and Thank you (of course google to do this, on the other hand, google can make you look like a fool with languages). A little bit of intrest in someone and a smile go a long way!

I am trying to do everything for about $1,400 with ONE excursion (not including cruise tickets or my flight, no hotels will be needed). Is this easy to do on a 4 night cruise?

 

Thanks everyone. From everything I have read I have either seen A LOT of great information; or, a bunch of threads that fizzled away with bickering between members (not mentioning any names) :D

[kcdancerkc]

Be prepared - you will become a cruise-a-holic!

 

We just got back from Sky

 

If I were to go back and do one excursion it would be a private tour guide for Gold Rock Beach

 

And I will go back - cause hubby didn't get to see it!

 

It's In top lists of beaches / clean/shallow/gorgeous / vast / sparsely populated ...

 

go to tripadvisor.com -- type in Grand Bahama Island (freeport is just the city) --- It is usually rated #1 attraction

 

Don't go with the ship -- check the tide charts for bahamas the day you will be there before you book anything -- go to the Bahamas boards for more details--then we ate at Banana Bay - mmmmmm - and again beautiful beach

 

 

Tipping - all drinks on ship, auto 15% tip already added in

 

Room stewards do not get paid enough - we tip them extra because we always want extra ice in our room.

 

They will probably understand 90% of what you say - anything leftover I use hand gestures and a smile

 

toooooo many languages to count. In fact, this was our 5th cruise - and a small ship - and we have never heard so many passenger variety in languages!

 

The only other money we spent was a few dollars in the gift shop on board.

 

On private island:

 

Also spent $4.50 for rental of life vest required for snorkel - we brought our own masks etc.

 

Also spent $29 for a clamshell because shade is not plenty on this beach

 

Our Excursion to Gold Rock beach was $50 each for transport and $5 each to enter the national park

 

Hope this helps

[AudiSean]

Be prepared - you will become a cruise-a-holic!

 

We just got back from Sky

 

If I were to go back and do one excursion it would be a private tour guide for Gold Rock Beach

 

And I will go back - cause hubby didn't get to see it!

 

It's In top lists of beaches / clean/shallow/gorgeous / vast / sparsely populated ...

 

go to tripadvisor.com -- type in Grand Bahama Island (freeport is just the city) --- It is usually rated #1 attraction

 

Don't go with the ship -- check the tide charts for bahamas the day you will be there before you book anything -- go to the Bahamas boards for more details--then we ate at Banana Bay - mmmmmm - and again beautiful beach

 

 

Tipping - all drinks on ship, auto 15% tip already added in

 

Room stewards do not get paid enough - we tip them extra because we always want extra ice in our room.

 

They will probably understand 90% of what you say - anything leftover I use hand gestures and a smile

 

toooooo many languages to count. In fact, this was our 5th cruise - and a small ship - and we have never heard so many passenger variety in languages!

 

The only other money we spent was a few dollars in the gift shop on board.

 

On private island:

 

Also spent $4.50 for rental of life vest required for snorkel - we brought our own masks etc.

 

Also spent $29 for a clamshell because shade is not plenty on this beach

 

Our Excursion to Gold Rock beach was $50 each for transport and $5 each to enter the national park

 

Hope this helps

 

That is the info that I was looking for.

 

I now understand that this is one of the smaller ships?

 

I was looking more for the language of the crew, not so much of the passengers. I know my Chinese, Japanese, Korean, German, French, and Spanish (only enough to say Hello, Goodbye, or thank you). A little bit of speech witha smile goes a long way!

 

The tips for drinks will automatically be included in the beverage package, 15% paid up front. I am usually a 22-25% kind of tipper, so a few bucks a drink seems O.K. to me. I worked as a pizza delivery guy in college, so I always know what a tip means to someone..

 

I am looking forward to this!!! I have done PLENTY of world travel, just have never been on a cruise!

[DMH15]

Welcome, Sean. My favorite NCL ship so far is the Sun. It is very similar to the Sky.

 

No flames. You sound on top of things. Wish I had gone into my first cruise as well-prepared.

 

You might want to buy your first cruise photo. Maybe $20 bucks. It is a nice memento of your first cruise.

 

There is the late night pizza $5 from room service + few bucks tip.

 

Does your gf like the dpa? It is pricey. But great.

 

If you guys fall in love with cruising you might want to buy s future cruise reward. It costs $250 and can be used as a deposit on a future cruise. You have about 4 years to use it. Although the whole $250 will be credited toward your next cruise, NCL puts $100 OBC (on board credit) against your current cruise account.

 

On my first cruise I won big in the casino. Maybe you will too.

 

Have a great cruise. Everyone remembers their first!

[DMLyons]

1) Beyond what I have listed, what OTHER onboard expenses could I incur while cruising for the four nights? I am now looking at $450 for drink package for two, $120 for two nights of dinner and $300 at the casino.

 

Remember that you CAN get hit with the fuel surcharge when you get aboard, so plan for it in advance. It will not exceed $10 per day per passenger (according to their site), but it can be any amount up to that, and that will take a hunk out of your budget aboard if you don't plan to have it with you. Basically, if the price of oil/gas jumps above X amount, you get the extra charge. Better to plan for the full amount and be pleasantly surprised if it doesn't apply. And that gives you an extra $80 in your budget for other things if it doesn't. Just my two cents. I tend to micromanage the budgeting ahead of time and overbudget a bit, so it's easy sailing aboard.

 

If you want to have pizza delivered to a bar you're drinking at, it's $5 per shot plus tip, I believe. So you might want to plan for that as well.

 

As for tipping, since you don't have a butler or concierge and most others will share in the DSC, I would state that your most pressing tipping concern will be for servers when you buy drinks...a few bucks here and there, but that adds up. It would be nice to leave the room steward a little something as well and waiters who go above and beyond, but really...your drink servers are your biggest tipping concern.

 

DML

[Rounder]

NCL have not been charging the fuel surcharge as yet. I wouldn't worry to much about this.

 

As far as the people bringing your drink's , the 15% tip will automatically be added to the price of the drink. As stated above, should you wish to tip extra, your choice. :cool:

[spacepotatoes]

Definitely do not worry about the fuel surcharge! It has always been in the fine print but has not been charged.

 

The Daily Service Charge is $12 per person per day, regardless of the stateroom category. If you'd like to tip anything on top of that, it's optional. Not included in that charge, though, is bar service and the spa. The bars will charge you 15% gratuity on every order and the spa is either 15% or 18%.

 

Other charges: photos, shopping, very late night room service has a fee, some of the games if you opt to play (bingo, deal or no deal).

 

The crew is from all over. The majority tend to be Indonesian, Filipino, and Eastern European from our experience.

 

My husband and I did the Freeport Bike Adventure on our Sky cruise and really liked it, though I wouldn't say it's THE thing to do.

 

Have a great first cruise!

[KirkNC]

Welcome to Cruise Critic!

[shelly11]

I love the Sky! I have one review in my signature.

 

In Nassau the horse and buggy tour is cheap and easy. I also suggest walking or taking a cab to the fish fry. The restaurants serve fresh fish and conch dishes.

 

We did the NCL Sea & See tour in Nassau. It is a tour by boat to a semi-sub that tours the reefs. After the boat back to the dock you get a bus tour of the island. I enjoyed that a lot.

 

In Freeport cabs are expensive unless you get a group. We did the gardens excursion and enjoyed it. I think for all return trips to Freeport we will pick an excursion or just enjoy the ship.

 

Don't miss La Bistro on the Sky! We love it!!!! Great views while dining too.

 

Our stewards have all spoken English. Be sure to stop and talk to your and they will always greet you and usually by name. Our favorite spot on the Sky was Dazzles. Always a fun game show, dancing or demonstration in there.

[gra2172]

Hi guys (gals included). My name is Sean and I will be sailing on the Norwegian Sky for my first cruise. I will be going with my girlfriend (1.5 years).

 

I am new to this forum, but not forums in general (Many car forums). So before I ask my questions here; I will suit up in my flame gear.

 

For starters, we have an inside cabin, not ideal, but because we are young (23,21) we will be active on the shore and the ship. My girlfriend lives in Boca Raton, so I will be flying to her, then we will have a friend drive us to port.

 

I have seen various times to get to port, some say early, some say it doesn't matter, but I think that we will get there an hour or so before they begin letting passengers on.

 

I understand from searching that you can NOT bring anything alcoholic aboard, with the exception of wine ($15 corking fee). However, I think that we are going to take the Alcohol Package, as it is only a 4 day cruise. I don't think that we will trail off and drink less as the cruise continues, making this purchase worth it!

 

I have decided to put ~75$ a day away for gambling, I know I know, not much. And I have seen that the Daily Service Charge is $12-$15 per day, per person. We also plan to eat at two of the restaurants on board (fine dining)

 

Questions:

 

1) Beyond what I have listed, what OTHER onboard expenses could I incur while cruising for the four nights? I am now looking at $450 for drink package for two, $120 for two nights of dinner and $300 at the casino.

 

Totals $890 Not including tips. What is the usual tip amount NOT including drinks for a 4 night cruise, inside cabin with EXCELLENT service?

 

2) I have seen A LOT about EVERY shore excursion. If you could only do ONE on the Bahamas Cruise, what would it be and why?! They all look like a lot of fun, I am ruling out jet skis/waverunners because I have always owned one.

 

3) Is there one main language that the majority of the Stewards speak? From what I have read; a lot of employees are from the Philippines. Looking for a simple word for, Hello, Goodbye and Thank you (of course google to do this, on the other hand, google can make you look like a fool with languages). A little bit of intrest in someone and a smile go a long way!

I am trying to do everything for about $1,400 with ONE excursion (not including cruise tickets or my flight, no hotels will be needed). Is this easy to do on a 4 night cruise?

 

Thanks everyone. From everything I have read I have either seen A LOT of great information; or, a bunch of threads that fizzled away with bickering between members (not mentioning any names) :D

 

 

To answer your other question, yes the sky is one of NCLs smaller ships. But dont think its too small! :p

Anyway, as your cruise addiction grows, youll find that NCL has a lot of wonderful ships, each with their own personality.

 

The crew speaks english on every ship. They are multi national, so you can find someone who speaks almost any language (some countries dont seem to be represented in the crew for some reason), but the common language is english.

 

Are you going to great stirrup cay? Theres a lot of things to do there, from kayaking, snorkeling and jet skiing to just laying on the beach.

We went on the sky and went Kayaking. It was great! We also went parasailing in Nassau.

 

Enjoy! :)

[DMLyons]

Definitely do not worry about the fuel surcharge! It has always been in the fine print but has not been charged.

 

 

You cruise your way. I cruise mine. I deal with contracts as part of the day job and read them rigidly. As I told someone else on here, I tend to plan for the worst case the rules and contract throws at me up front. Better to do so and be pleasantly surprised if it doesn't happen/not risk that one eager beaver who will enforce a seldom-enforced rule than NOT plan and find myself boxed in by my lack of pre-planning and inconvenienced. It's common for me to drive myself to distraction with minutia in the planning phase and have a GREAT time aboard and very unlikely that I will be disappointed by overlooking something and getting smacked with it later.

 

It's up to the gent who asked the question to decide for himself if he wants to chance it will never be charged, in today's climate of rising fuel prices, or not. Forewarned is forearmed, more or less, IMO.

 

DML

[gambee]

The sky was our first cruise, after that the addiction started, you will never forget your first cruise.

 

In Great stirrup Cay we rented a clam shell(not worth it, they get extremely hot) and a vest for me to snorkel it is mandatory.

 

In Nassau we did Atlantis, it seems to be a very popular attraction, we found the place to be rundown and overpriced. I would suggest looking at blue Lagoon, if we go back in the future to Nassau that is what we will do.

 

Our cruise did not stopped on grand Bahama, but from what I read most people chose to stay on board, it might be a good way for you to catch up with the drink package.

 

We really did not have a budget, I think our total came out to be like $460. But there was little in the way of drinking and no specialty restaurants.

 

We also don't gamble, I think mom spent $20 in the casino one night and that was it.

 

You could easily stay below $1,400 just stay on top of your spending and that's it.

[DMLyons]

3) Is there one main language that the majority of the Stewards speak? From what I have read; a lot of employees are from the Philippines. Looking for a simple word for, Hello, Goodbye and Thank you (of course google to do this, on the other hand, google can make you look like a fool with languages). A little bit of intrest in someone and a smile go a long way!

 

As others have said, they usually speak English, but this was posted on another thread...in case you have a server from the Philippines and want to make that person's day.

 

A little basic Filipino goes a long way's .

Thank You = Salamat

 

Good Morning = Magandang umaga

 

Good Afternoon = Magandang tanghali

 

Good Evening = Magandang gabi

[spacepotatoes]

You cruise your way. I cruise mine. I deal with contracts as part of the day job and read them rigidly. As I told someone else on here, I tend to plan for the worst case the rules and contract throws at me up front. Better to do so and be pleasantly surprised if it doesn't happen/not risk that one eager beaver who will enforce a seldom-enforced rule than NOT plan and find myself boxed in by my lack of pre-planning and inconvenienced. It's common for me to drive myself to distraction with minutia in the planning phase and have a GREAT time aboard and very unlikely that I will be disappointed by overlooking something and getting smacked with it later.

 

It's up to the gent who asked the question to decide for himself if he wants to chance it will never be charged, in today's climate of rising fuel prices, or not. Forewarned is forearmed, more or less, IMO.

 

DML

 

There was no need to take my comment personally.

 

The fuel surcharge question comes up all the time on each line's forums that I follow (NCL, HAL, CCL) and the general consensus has been that it's highly unlikely the cruise lines will bring it back any time soon. Of course it's possible. If it wasn't, the fine print wouldn't be there. But it's very unlikely that the OP has to worry about it for their cruise.

[biker@sea]

Hi guys (gals included). My name is Sean and I will be sailing on the Norwegian Sky for my first cruise. I will be going with my girlfriend (1.5 years).

 

I am new to this forum, but not forums in general (Many car forums). So before I ask my questions here; I will suit up in my flame gear.

 

For starters, we have an inside cabin, not ideal, but because we are young (23,21) we will be active on the shore and the ship. My girlfriend lives in Boca Raton, so I will be flying to her, then we will have a friend drive us to port.

 

I have seen various times to get to port, some say early, some say it doesn't matter, but I think that we will get there an hour or so before they begin letting passengers on.

 

I understand from searching that you can NOT bring anything alcoholic aboard, with the exception of wine ($15 corking fee). However, I think that we are going to take the Alcohol Package, as it is only a 4 day cruise. I don't think that we will trail off and drink less as the cruise continues, making this purchase worth it!

 

I have decided to put ~75$ a day away for gambling, I know I know, not much. And I have seen that the Daily Service Charge is $12-$15 per day, per person. We also plan to eat at two of the restaurants on board (fine dining)

 

Questions:

 

1) Beyond what I have listed, what OTHER onboard expenses could I incur while cruising for the four nights? I am now looking at $450 for drink package for two, $120 for two nights of dinner and $300 at the casino.

 

Totals $890 Not including tips. What is the usual tip amount NOT including drinks for a 4 night cruise, inside cabin with EXCELLENT service?

 

2) I have seen A LOT about EVERY shore excursion. If you could only do ONE on the Bahamas Cruise, what would it be and why?! They all look like a lot of fun, I am ruling out jet skis/waverunners because I have always owned one.

 

3) Is there one main language that the majority of the Stewards speak? From what I have read; a lot of employees are from the Philippines. Looking for a simple word for, Hello, Goodbye and Thank you (of course google to do this, on the other hand, google can make you look like a fool with languages). A little bit of intrest in someone and a smile go a long way!

I am trying to do everything for about $1,400 with ONE excursion (not including cruise tickets or my flight, no hotels will be needed). Is this easy to do on a 4 night cruise?

 

Thanks everyone. From everything I have read I have either seen A LOT of great information; or, a bunch of threads that fizzled away with bickering between members (not mentioning any names) :D

 

Welcome to Cruise Critic .

Thank you = Salamat

 

How much = Magkano

 

where is ...? = Nassan ang...?

 

Drinks = Inumin

 

Beer = alak

 

Good Morning = Magandang umaga

 

Good afternoon = Magandang tanghali

 

Good evening = Magandang gabi

 

And for your Swedish officer's

 

Hello = Hej

 

Thank you = Tack

 

How are you ...?= Hur mar du ...?

[AudiSean]

Welcome to Cruise Critic .

Thank you = Salamat

 

How much = Magkano

 

where is ...? = Nassan ang...?

 

Drinks = Inumin

 

Beer = alak

 

Good Morning = Magandang umaga

 

Good afternoon = Magandang tanghali

 

Good evening = Magandang gabi

 

And for your Swedish officer's

 

Hello = Hej

 

Thank you = Tack

 

How are you ...?= Hur mar du ...?

 

Great information. Thank you!

 

 

Obviously, there is a time and place with tipping well, but I want to make sure that I am not double tipping with the 15% tip as soon as I purchase the package..

 

So correct me if I am wrong about that.

[AudiSean]

Sorry that I forgot to post the itinerary before..

 

 

Day Ports of Call Arrival Departure

Mon, Mar 4 Miami, Florida --- 5:00 PM

Tue, Mar 5 GREAT STIRRUP CAY 8:00 AM 5:00 PM

Wed, Mar 6 Nassau, Bahamas 8:00 AM 6:00 PM

Thu, Mar 7 Grand Bahama Island (Freeport), Bahamas 8:00 AM 5:00 PM

Fri, Mar 8 Miami, Florida 7:00 AM ---

[Rounder]

Great information. Thank you!

 

 

Obviously, there is a time and place with tipping well, but I want to make sure that I am not double tipping with the 15% tip as soon as I purchase the package..

 

So correct me if I am wrong about that.

 

You are correct, the only one you need to know is ---- Beer = alak :cool:

[AudiSean]

You are correct, the only one you need to know is ---- Beer = alak :cool:

 

When you get off a great stirrup cay, can you use the alcohol package at the bars?

 

From what I have found... The pop cards are honored.

 

I hope people here don't get the wrong idea that we are young and just want to booze and not do anything.. We just want to go away and not think about anything. And as long as we are enjoying what ever we are doing, that is cool with us! We cold just lay on a ship, or a beach ALL DAY!

[Rounder]

When you get off a great stirrup cay, can you use the alcohol package at the bars?

 

To the best of my knowledge , yes.

 

With you being in port, so many day's , you might not get to much use of the drink package ?

[AudiSean]

To the best of my knowledge , yes.

 

I updated my last post about the soda package. It seems that they honor anything that you do on ship

[Rounder]

I updated my last post about the soda package. It seems that they honor anything that you do on ship

 

Awesome enjoy

[AudiSean]

To the best of my knowledge , yes.

 

With you being in port, so many day's , you might not get to much use of the drink package ?

 

We figure have a drink or two before dinner, a drink or two at dinner, then after dinner until midnight-2 we could each have another 4 or 5 easy. I rule out the bar set up for more variety invade I want to throw a couple beers in!

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[ladybugpug]

Hi Sean, first of all I hope you and your girlfriend enjoy your first cruise!!

 

My family of 5 took our first cruise last April. We had a blast and are now hooked. We have booked our second cruise for December.

 

For the first cruise we booked two inside cabins. They worked just fine for us. Nothing fancy but we did not spend much time in the rooms. This time around we did go for a mini suite with balcony because they had free room upgrades.

 

I found that language was not a huge barrier by any means. The vast majority of the crew were perfectly understandable. All the crew was very friendly with the exception of our steward who apparently hated me and my daughters for some reason but loved my husband and son. :confused: He actually chastised us for using to many towels in our room (3 girls use a lot of towels) lol.

 

Anyway as for excursions we splurged and went to Blue Lagoon Island and did the sea lion encounter. THE HIGHTLIGHT OF OUR ENTIRE TRIP!! I cannot recommend highly enough. We did not book through NCL tho. I believe the company was called Shoretrips(??) and saved over 2 hundred bucks. Just be careful if you go ouside of NCL (for any excursion) that you make sure that you plan plenty of time to get back to the ship.

 

We also snorkled at Great Stirrup Cay which was a lot of fun. Very inexpensive excursion because you are really only renting the gear.

 

Again have a great time!!:)

[ladybugpug]

The sky was our first cruise, after that the addiction started, you will never forget your first cruise.

 

In Great stirrup Cay we rented a clam shell(not worth it, they get extremely hot) and a vest for me to snorkel it is mandatory.

 

In Nassau we did Atlantis, it seems to be a very popular attraction, we found the place to be rundown and overpriced. I would suggest looking at blue Lagoon, if we go back in the future to Nassau that is what we will do.

 

Our cruise did not stopped on grand Bahama, but from what I read most people chose to stay on board, it might be a good way for you to catch up with the drink package.

 

We really did not have a budget, I think our total came out to be like $460. But there was little in the way of drinking and no specialty restaurants.

 

We also don't gamble, I think mom spent $20 in the casino one night and that was it.

 

You could easily stay below $1,400 just stay on top of your spending and that's it.

 

We also rented the clam shell and I agree NOT worth it at all.