Behind the scenes tour

[dallas16]

Hi

Can anyone tell me how much the behind the scenes tour are on Norwegian Spirit currently and what is included in these tours, I.e what do you see and do you get any gifts included in the price?

[rocklinmom]

When we did that tour on the Spirit last summer, it was about $75 a person or something like that. Well worth the price - we got to see the kitchens, food storage, laundry, sanitation area, backstage at the theater, and best of all the bridge. We each got a keepsake photo in a nice folder that included ship info and our itinerary.

[dallas16]

Thanks for your help rocklinmom definitely sounds interesting, may do it in September if the price stays the same

[BayStateguppy]

I just did this on the Dawn and Rocklinmom pretty much says it all. It was very interesting. Was supposed to run about 2 hrs but ran 2 ½ hrs. Tips: Wear 'sensible' shoes. Ask questions. The freezers are cold. :D

[Barb Nahoumi]

This tour is supposed to be free for platinums. I look forward to doing it on the Dawn this summer.

[candydane]

This tour is supposed to be free for platinums. I look forward to doing it on the Dawn this summer.

 

We're Platinum and will be on the Dawn in December.

 

Please come back amd post what you saw on your tour of the Dawn.

[mking8288]

Was $79 p/p on BA in late March (niece & friends were on GA last week, also $79 p/p) covering 5 areas.

Comp'd Platinum one is much shorter, about 1 hour skipping 2 stations & only doing 3 - and always conflicted with the scheduled Meet & Greet for CC, just a heads-up. And, you must register once onboard quickly within a few hours embarkation day only for the BA/GA - details in your Welcome package along with other Latitudes offer.

 

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[The P]

Was $79 p/p on BA in late March (niece & friends were on GA last week, also $79 p/p) covering 5 areas.

Comp'd Platinum one is much shorter, about 1 hour skipping 2 stations & only doing 3 - and always conflicted with the scheduled Meet & Greet for CC, just a heads-up. And, you must register once onboard quickly within a few hours embarkation day only for the BA/GA - details in your Welcome package along with other Latitudes offer.

 

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Which 3 are included in the Platinum tour?

[mking8288]

The watered down, comp'd Platinum tour on the BA was only for a brief Laundry tour, Gallery tour and the Provision Operations. So, the paid one get access to 3 additional area.

 

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[The P]

The watered down, comp'd Platinum tour on the BA was only for a brief Laundry tour, Gallery tour and the Provision Operations. So, the paid one get access to 3 additional area.

 

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Thanks for the info. Big difference between the two tours......:(

[sandinmyshoes]

How, when, & where do you get tickets for this? Is there a free option for not so special cruisers in a regular stateroom that still lets you see the galley? Is there a way to pre-purchase the tour with the bridge? I'd love to pay for my Dad to do that one. He's a retired engineer & will get a huge kick out of it.

[Fergus29]

How, when, & where do you get tickets for this? Is there a free option for not so special cruisers in a regular stateroom that still lets you see the galley? Is there a way to pre-purchase the tour with the bridge? I'd love to pay for my Dad to do that one. He's a retired engineer & will get a huge kick out of it.

 

There is a free tour for Platinum Members. When you board there is usually an envelope in your room with all of the vouchers for meals, invitations to the various Latitudes gatherings, and the information on the Behind the Scenes tours. You do need to book pretty early so that you don't miss out.

 

If you are not Platinum, you can book at the main reception desk, and they will advise when the tour will take place. But again, book as early as you can as they can fill up quickly :)

 

Make sure you wear closed in shoes, as some of the areas require that as a Health and Safety issue. Have seen tour members sent back to their rooms to change shoes, even though it clearly states on the invitation and confirmation.

[IndyColts84]

Prior to being Platinum, we did the full version on the Getaway. This was at the time (Jan 2014) only $55 per person and included tours of the stage/dressing rooms and Q&A with the stage manager and a few of the entertainment crew. Next was the galley with head chef complete with chocolate covered strawberries during the Q&A session. Moving forward...or below perhaps to "I-95," the crew only forward to aft hallway to meet with the provisions crew where we toured the cold/frozen storage as well as the recycling and trash area (exceptionally clean and organized!) complete with a Q&A with respective heads of departments. Moving down once more if I remember correctly to the laundry areas both crew and cruiser. Really interesting actually, again followed with Q&A. Lastly all the way up to the bridge for about 30 minutes complete with a...you guessed it, brief Q&A with the captain. All in all it was close to two and half hours and well worth it.

 

After becoming Platinum we did our first comped tour on the Epic (Jan 2015) which is only half as long and as some have already pointed out, not as detailed. Our first stop was the Spiegal Tent to talk about the productions on board with Q&A. Next was the galley tour at the Taste restaurant, a little shorter than the paid version but complete with chocolate covered strawberries. However, we did stop in the room service galley which was pretty interesting and was not a stop on the paid version. Lastly we were to do a brief bridge tour, however we were unable to do so and I fail to remember why. Instead, the First Officer came and met us in the bridge viewing room and it ended up being a Q&A. A little disappointing as the bridge is typically the most desired of the stops, at least for myself, but whatever the reason the First Officer was apologetic but equally informative.

 

As you can see from my limited experience, the two do vary considerably. Others miles may very. In the future, I may pay for the additional stops. Just know that the bridge is NOT a guarantee on any tour due to reasons beyond our control. Hope this helped.

 

Just as an addendum if you read this far. As others have stated, wear closed-toe comfortable shoes. At the time of booking if you pay and on the confirmation in your room if you are Platinum, it states the requirement of closed-toe comfortable shoes. This is for your safety and comfort and is NOT optional. One lady and her son were turned away because neither had the required shoes and failed to change them. No word if they were refunded/comped...but I suppose that is what you get when you think rules do not apply to you.

Edited May 12, 2015 by IndyColts84

[jeffregpuck]

Is there any way to book this tour ahead of time? Or do we have to do it when we get on board??

[Demonyte]

Is there any way to book this tour ahead of time? Or do we have to do it when we get on board??

 

 

You can only book after boarding. Don't worry, it won't sell out immediately and they have been also organizing multiple groups if there is a lot demand (not always though).

[sandyh85]

So are there no technical area stops? Engine control room? I ask since my friend was very jealous of my tour on the Carnival Liberty and was hoping we could do something similar on the Escape.

[conandrob240]

Does each Platinum cruiser get one ticket or may each bring a guest? And is it transferable? Can children attend? My niece (8) had tons of questions about this kind of stuff on our last cruise and I think she'd be fascinated. My parents are each Platinum so wondering if they could bring her and me as their guests? If not,mean one of my parents take her instead of going?

[Demonyte]

The ticket is personal and non-transferrable, no guests allowed.

 

But since kids can't have Latitudes status and I've seen some kids on those tours, I'd assume that taking a child with can be arranged with the cruise consultant.

[Demonyte]

So are there no technical area stops? Engine control room?

 

 

No. On the paid tour closest things to technical areas are the enviromental functions, laundry and the bridge (if applicable).

[don't-use-real-name]

NCL STAR Panama Canal cruise October 2014 the charge for the "Behind the

Scenes Tour" was $79 by reservation thru the Shore Excursions Desk and in

groups of 16 at a time. Done mid-day in open ocean about 2 hours + or -.

No engine room tour (too noisy) and the STAR does not really have engines

per sec the propelling movement is by twin azipods* under the stern of the ship.

* Giant electric motors *** See dry dock video:

 

http://www.kgw.com/story/news/2015/0...ship/24502487/

 

Unlike ships with engine driven drive shafts the azipods can be turned in a

full circle to thrust the ship in any direction all explained in the bridge tour

portion of the tour.

[Demonyte]

Having Azipods (or equivalent) or not has very little to do with how the engines would look - Epic has traditional propellers and has the same kind of diesel-electric engines as the ships with Azipods and the propeller shafts are powered by electric engines.

 

This is because electric engines have much better RPM to torque ratio and hence are becoming more common in general usage (one big exception is the mega freighter type of ship, like Maersk's E-class, where low speed engines are used - in the engine used on those freighters the engine produces only 22-102 RPM).

 

For a regular, non-technical passenger there is basically no difference between a diesel-electric engine and old kind of diesel engine (except the missing shaft to the propeller) - both are huge and make a lot of noise.

 

P.S. Regarding previous poster's signature; one can't cruise from one international airport to another, that is what airplanes do.

Edited July 22, 2015 by Demonyte

[Jay Sam]

Took the behind the scenes tour on another line and it was well worth every penny. Better than any shore excursion I have ever taken. Wow.

[gcdogwalker]

This tour is supposed to be free for platinums. I look forward to doing it on the Dawn this summer.

 

 

We're platinum too and went on the complimentary tour. We did not get to see the theater backstage or the bridge. I'm not sure, you can check, but the free platinum perk didn't include these places when we took it.

 

I did enjoy the parts of tour they took us to but was disappointed not to see the theater. I'm not sure if these places will be included this year and if it is I will definitely go. I don't think I'd go and see the same limited tour again.

[spidybabe]

We did Platinum tour in Jan on the Gem, we didn't get to go see the bridge, but we did see behind the scenes at the theater. We loved the tour and are hoping to see the same on our BA cruise

Safe sailing

[Demonyte]

This is being discussed in another thread too - the paid tour is different from the Platinum tour that is nowadays a cut version of the proper tour that Platinums got still in 2013.

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2237234