My first cruise with NCL, a bit confused

[Marie50]

How does it work for show times, do you have to make reservations for a particular time or just show up?

 

Also, how does the tipping work....can that be paid in advance on your onboard account or do you have to bring cash with you and what are the guidelines?

 

Thanks!!! BREAKAWAY 6/2/13!!!

[deege]

Typically you can check your freestyle daily that gets delivered to your stateroom the night before and it will list show times. If the show is a headline I recommended getting there 30 minutes or so early. Most of the time there are two showings.

As far as tipping goes NCL will charge you a daily rate and charge your onboard account. Normally we prepay all of our gratuities so it is one less thing to have to pay at the end of the cruise. You can always give something a little extra if someone made your cruise extra special.

Cash is not accepted onboard except in the casinos to pay for the machines.

[Zeno]

How does it work for show times, do you have to make reservations for a particular time or just show up?

 

Unless the Breakaway is different - you just show up. However to get good seats or for popular shows it's a good idea to be a little early.

 

Also, how does the tipping work....can that be paid in advance on your onboard account or do you have to bring cash with you and what are the guidelines?

 

Thanks!!! BREAKAWAY 6/2/13!!!

 

You can pay in advance for the Service charge (NO need to tip extra unless you want to. We only tip extra for exceptional service (We usually end up leaving our cabin steward a few extra bucks and we have occasionally tipped in the restaurants. My DH also tipped the pasta person at the buffet because he loves pasta so much.)

 

If you don't want to pay your Service charge ahead of time - you can wait until your cruise and then it will be charged to your on-board account. The Service charge is $12 a day per person. Remember NO additional tips are required OR expected - so there are no guidelines should you choose to leave a tip in addition to paying your Service charge.

[KeithJenner]

As you will be on the Breakaway, you will need to book in advance for the main shows (rock of ages, cirque and the other one that slips my mind).

 

You can book online 45 days out, but will probably by ok when you board. 30 minutes before will almost certainly be too late.

 

Edit to say that this is based on the Epic. I don't see any reason why the Breakaway will be different.

[time2cruise1]

You really can't just show up for the main shows on the Breakaway. Well you could but only be seated if there are no shows just before the show stars. You can make reservations 45 days in advance for Rok of Ages, Burn the Floor, and Cirque Dreams and Dinner which will have a surcharge.

 

On the other ships it is just like any other line. 2 shows a night and just show up.

[sdmike]

On the other ships it is just like any other line. 2 shows a night and just show up.

 

Except the Epic, where reservations are recommended.

 

To the OP -

 

The Daily Service Charge ($12 per day/person) take the place of the normal "end of cruise" cash envelopes. It covers your steward and restaurant staff. If you're in a suite you will need to tip your butler and concierge separately because they are not included in the DSC pool. Same with kid's club staff. For spa and bar service a tip is added to your bill. While room service is free, most will tip the delivery person a few dollars. No need to leave cash in envelopes at the end of the trip, and no need to leave tips in restaurants. However, some people do tip extra for stellar service (or out of habit)

 

There are lots of guidelines/discussions/opinions here on these various charges and tips. Using the search function will provide lots of threads. Warning though...the DSC is a hotly debated topic, especially when someone starts off by saying they don't want to pay it. :)

 

As for shows, most expect the Breakaway will be a lot like the Epic. The Cirque Dreams show (requires a surcharge) is very, very popular and sells out. It's difficult to get in unless you make reservations in advance. However, you CAN wait in a standby line the night of the show in case someone with reservations doesn't show up. The same standby line applies to the other shows (Blue Man Group and Legends on the Epic), but you have a greater chance of getting in because they don't normally sell out and the theater is larger.

 

Reservations are made online 45 days in advance, or 60 if you're in a suite (I believe). You can also reserve specialty restaurants in advance.

[jdvmd]

How does it work for show times, do you have to make reservations for a particular time or just show up?

 

Also, how does the tipping work....can that be paid in advance on your onboard account or do you have to bring cash with you and what are the guidelines?

 

Thanks!!! BREAKAWAY 6/2/13!!!

 

Marie50, you do not have to make reservations ahead of time. You can line up in the standby line and if there are spots available, you will go in. That said, I did make all of my reservations ahead of time on the Epic. I assume the Breakaway will be the same. Saw a lot of long lines and people who were made because they didn't get their desired time. The one time we didn't make it to a show we had reserved, we just went the next night in the standby line and we got it.

The Daily Service Charge will be added to your account each day. You can prepay the $12 per person, per day charge through My NCL. Any bar purchases or spa treatments will have an automatic gratuity added to the bill (15 and 18 percent respectively). It is nice to tip the room service guy a dollar or two.