Specialty dining with no package

[cruisinjune]

Can someone tell me if you can just dine one or two nights in a specialty restaurant or do you have to buy a 3 package minimum? We don't cruise until April so reservations are not open to check this out.

[SuiteCruiser]

Can someone tell me if you can just dine one or two nights in a specialty restaurant or do you have to buy a 3 package minimum? We don't cruise until April so reservations are not open to check this out.

 

You don't have to buy a package at all, you can pay as you go. If you reserve online they may charge you at that time. The systems are changing over since so many restaurants are going a la carte.

 

The packages can save you a few dollars depending on what you order, but you need to buy 3 meals of those at a minimum.

[gpb11]

Plus on the Star in October they had monitors in different places displaying availability for that evening at the different restaurants. It was by the half hour as I remember and displayed a green, red, or yellow dot.

 

We never ate at any of them as we were happy enough with the complimentary stuff and honestly didn't feel like booking any reservations.

[casofilia]

Can someone tell me if you can just dine one or two nights in a specialty restaurant or do you have to buy a 3 package minimum? We don't cruise until April so reservations are not open to check this out.

 

You don't need a package. In any case you will need to book. They do take bookings, a certain percentage, before the cruise. However you will be able to book on board but I would suggest that you get on to it as soon as you board as they fill up fast. That is especially true when there are lots of B2B passengers; they get in before any new cruisers get on board.

 

Mike

[Husky61]

 

We never ate at any of them as we were happy enough with the complimentary stuff and honestly didn't feel like booking any reservations.

 

Where on a cruise that you paid for is the food complimentary? I thought the food was part of your fare cost.

[casofilia]

Where on a cruise that you paid for is the food complimentary? I thought the food was part of your fare cost.

 

Both MDRs and the Buffet are complimentary, that means at no cost. The smaller eating places are too. The only places that cost are the Specialty Restaurants where the cost is supplementary to the cruise fare.

 

Mike

[Husky61]

Both MDRs and the Buffet are complimentary, that means at no cost. The smaller eating places are too. The only places that cost are the Specialty Restaurants where the cost is supplementary to the cruise fare.

 

Mike

 

I understand what no cost means.:rolleyes: The buffet and MDR are not complimentary, they are paid for when you book your cruise and are included in the cost of the cruise. They are not free.

[casofilia]

From the NCL website looking at the Pride of America the following appears:-

 

COMPLIMENTARY DINING

 

Every cruise fare includes beautifully crafted menus in our two main dining rooms, a help-yourself buffet and a variety of casual cafés, grills and on-the-go choices. From fresh-baked breads, desserts and pastries to our chefs' original dishes made with the freshest ingredients, your dining can be as fine or fun as you want.

 

NCL uses the term regularly. It can be found in the write up for all ships' dining choices.

 

Mike

[hypercafe]

Where on a cruise that you paid for is the food complimentary? I thought the food was part of your fare cost.

 

Yes, your fare pays for your food however it does not pay enough to eat in some restaurants so you must add to it. You must also add to it if you want some better items in the MDR. It can be a flat rate or a la cart. Welcome to free style crusing.

 

Sent from my SM-T320 using Forums mobile app

[Husky61]

Yes, your fare pays for your food however it does not pay enough to eat in some restaurants so you must add to it. You must also add to it if you want some better items in the MDR. It can be a flat rate or a la cart. Welcome to free style crusing.

 

Sent from my SM-T320 using Forums mobile app

 

I agree with you. Your cruise fare pays for food in certain restaurants like the MDR and buffet. I did not say or indicate that it pays for specialty restaurants, etc.:)

[hypercafe]

I agree with you. Your cruise fare pays for food in certain restaurants like the MDR and buffet. I did not say or indicate that it pays for specialty restaurants, etc.:)

 

But it does pay for some of the cost of a speciality restaurant. NCL figure's on so much money for dinner each night. If you eat in a speciality restaurant it costs more so you must add money to that amount.

[NLH Arizona]

Can someone tell me if you can just dine one or two nights in a specialty restaurant or do you have to buy a 3 package minimum? We don't cruise until April so reservations are not open to check this out.

You don't have to purchase a dining package, but I would look at the cost of the SDP per person, which is $59 plus 18% gratuity = $69.62 or $23.20 per meal and then I would look at the menus for the restaurants and decide where you want to go and the cost of what you think you might want, either a la carte or flat cover (depending on the restaurant) and then compare them and see what is most cost effective. Sometimes, it will be less expensive to purchase the three meal program versus paying cover or a la carte for two days, depending on what you would be ordering. To give you a couple of examples; the Teppanyaki restaurant has a $35 cover charge per person which includes the gratuity and at Cagney's a wedge salad, small filet and baked potato with gratuity would be $26.

 

You can make reservations 100 days out if in a suite and 90 days out if in a non-suite.

Edited November 14, 2015 by NLH Arizona

[Oceanwench]

I understand what no cost means.:rolleyes: The buffet and MDR are not complimentary, they are paid for when you book your cruise and are included in the cost of the cruise. They are not free.

 

Cruise lines use the term "complimentary" to mean that there is no extra charge beyond the cruise fare.

That's why they don't say Internet is free, or excursions are free, laundry is free, etc.

instead, they list amenities as complimentary - or they indicate there is an extra charge.

[1stTIMECRUZER]

If you purchase a specialty dining package, for instance, the three meal package, and want to make advanced reservations, how do you do it? When I add the specialties to my cart, they show a price and I've already purchased the package. Do I need to call to make reservations?

[S.S.Oceanlover]

You don't have to purchase a dining package, but I would look at the cost of the SDP per person, which is $59 plus 18% gratuity = $69.62 or $23.20 per meal and then I would look at the menus for the restaurants and decide where you want to go and the cost of what you think you might want, either a la carte or flat cover (depending on the restaurant) and then compare them and see what is most cost effective. Sometimes, it will be less expensive to purchase the three meal program versus paying cover or a la carte for two days, depending on what you would be ordering. To give you a couple of examples; the Teppanyaki restaurant has a $35 cover charge per person which includes the gratuity and at Cagney's a wedge salad, small filet and baked potato with gratuity would be $26.

 

You can make reservations 100 days out if in a suite and 90 days out if in a non-suite.

 

Has Cagneys changed over to a la carte on all their ships?

 

Bill

[queenschick9b]

If you purchase a specialty dining package, for instance, the three meal package, and want to make advanced reservations, how do you do it? When I add the specialties to my cart, they show a price and I've already purchased the package. Do I need to call to make reservations?

 

 

I have the opposite question where I made and paid for 3 individual reservations and I would like to fh age to SDP but don't want to lose what I have already booked:

[S.S.Oceanlover]

I have the opposite question where I made and paid for 3 individual reservations and I would like to fh age to SDP but don't want to lose what I have already booked:

 

We had booked 2 restaurants and then found out about the package and figured we would get the package and add one more.

 

I called NCL and they said I would have to cancel my existing reservations and that they couldn't guarantee that I could get the same times I already had so we didn't add the third or get the package since I booked good times as soon as the reservations opened up.

 

Those times were no longer available.

 

Oh well.

 

Bill

[NLH Arizona]

Has Cagneys changed over to a la carte on all their ships?

 

Bill

I think only on the Escape and from what some have said, it will roll out to the other ships in January. Not sure how accurate this information is, however. I'll be on the Dawn in December, so I'll know then if it is on that ship. I answered the way I did, because the poster said they were cruising in April. But if it is not rolled out on the ship they are on in April, the SDP would be more cost effective with a $35 cover plus tips charge versus the 3 day SDP average per meal at $23. Edited November 14, 2015 by NLH Arizona

[NLH Arizona]

If you purchase a specialty dining package, for instance, the three meal package, and want to make advanced reservations, how do you do it? When I add the specialties to my cart, they show a price and I've already purchased the package. Do I need to call to make reservations?

You can go on line 100 prior to your cruise if in a suite and 90 days prior if in a non-suite and make your reservation. Yes, if you have already purchased the SDP or received it as a perk and are trying to make a reservation for those restaurants included and they are trying to charge you, do call NCL. If you have not yet purchased the specialty dining package, they will charge you in advance.

[S.S.Oceanlover]

I think only on the Escape and from what some have said, it will roll out to the other ships in January. Not sure how accurate this information is, however. I'll be on the Dawn in December, so I'll know then if it is on that ship. I answered the way I did, because the poster said they were cruising in April. But if it is not rolled out on the ship they are on in April, the SDP would be more cost effective with a $35 cover plus tips charge versus the 3 day SDP average per meal at $23.

 

Thanks for the reply.:)

 

We cruise in February so your answer explains the difference.

 

Bill

[NLH Arizona]

Thanks for the reply.:)

 

We cruise in February so your answer explains the difference.

 

Bill

Bill, I went back and found the press release on the a la carte dining and it looks like a la carte is already on the Escape and at Ocean Blue on the Getaway and Breakaway as of October 3rd and will go fleet wide on January 1st according to the press release:

 

Norwegian Cruise Line Introduces À La Carte Specialty Dining

 

Norwegian Escape, the line's newest and largest ship, will be the first in the fleet to feature enhanced menus and new per-item pricing that provides even more freedom and flexibility

 

Miami - Jul 14, 2015

Norwegian Cruise Line announced today the introduction of à la carte specialty dining at the line's signature specialty restaurants, providing guests the freedom to savor an array of tastes and gourmet dishes and the flexibility to choose how many courses they wish to enjoy during their meal.

 

Guests will experience the ultimate in Freestyle Cruising beginning this October on the all-new Norwegian Escape, where they can choose to dine at any of 11 complimentary dining options or experience new flavors at Norwegian's signature specialty restaurants La Cucina, Le Bistro, Cagney's Steakhouse and the new Bayamo by James Beard Award winning chef Jose Garces, on an à la carte basis.

 

Norwegian's signature specialty restaurants on Norwegian Escape will feature enhanced menus that include favorite dishes and new tastes alike, offering guests the freedom to select how many courses they'd like to enjoy during their dinner, with per-item pricing. Whether guests wish to have a light meal of a favorite appetizer and soup or salad, or indulge in a multi-course dinner featuring Maine lobster, with Norwegian's new à la carte options, guests will now have the opportunity to create their desired dining experience, just as they would at any land-based restaurant.

 

At Cagney's Steakhouse, starters on the new à la carte menu range from $4.99 to $7.95 and main courses from $17.99 to $29.99, featuring Certified Angus Beef® brand steaks, the world's leading Angus brand and consumers' top choice for premium beef. At Le Bistro, guests will find delicious new main courses in addition to traditional French favorites, including Bouillabaisse, Pan-Seared Jumbo Bay Scallops and Veal Medallions with Sauce Morrel, starting at $15.99. And guests looking to find a taste of "la dolce vita" will be transported to the Mediterranean when they choose from an expanded menu at La Cucina, featuring antipasti, pasta, risotto and traditional secondi courses starting at $12.99 including Osso Buco alla Milanese, Free-Range Chicken with Prosciutto or Pan-Seared Sea Bass Filet.

 

Moderno Churrascaria and Teppanyaki will remain at a cover charge of $19.95 and $29.95 respectively, as will entertainment dining including Wine Lovers The Musical and For The Record™: The Brat Pack.

 

Guests who purchase a Norwegian Specialty Dining Package have the freedom to indulge as they wish, as Specialty Dining Packages will allow guests to enjoy La Cucina, Le Bistro and Cagney's Steakhouse at no additional charge. Guests with a Specialty Dining Package can dine in Bayamo by Jose Garces for an additional fee of $15.

 

In addition to Norwegian Escape's specialty restaurants, Ocean Blue on Norwegian Breakaway and Norwegian Getaway will also begin offering à la carte options on October 3, 2015, and the new à la carte dining will be available fleetwide beginning January 1, 2016. Other entertainment dining across the fleet, including Cirque Dreams & Dinner and The Illusionarium, will remain at a cover charge. For those guests who wish to reserve their dining times ahead of time, they can continue to do so via MyNCL; there is no charge to make a reservation and guests will have any à la carte selections added to their onboard account at the time of dining.

 

For more information on Norwegian Cruise Line's specialty dining, visit https://www.ncl.com/why-cruise-norwegian/cruise-dining#specialty. To book a cruise on Norwegian, guests can contact their travel professional, call Norwegian at 888-NCL-CRUISE (625-2784), or visit http://www.ncl.com.

[queenschick9b]

We had booked 2 restaurants and then found out about the package and figured we would get the package and add one more.

 

 

 

I called NCL and they said I would have to cancel my existing reservations and that they couldn't guarantee that I could get the same times I already had so we didn't add the third or get the package since I booked good times as soon as the reservations opened up.

 

 

 

Those times were no longer available.

 

 

 

Oh well.

 

 

 

Bill

 

 

 

And with that information definitely just going to leave things. I am on a Christmas week cruise and when i booked the restaurants 90 days out at midnight it was already difficult to get prime times!

[CUontheC]

I am booking another cruise today and they are offering two options. We are taking the shore excursion and the dining package for 4 nights. We have been told that there is a fee for this complimentary package of $13.32 plus tax and fees. Does anyone know what the tax and fees are for dining package for 4 nights?

[LrgPizza]

I am booking another cruise today and they are offering two options. We are taking the shore excursion and the dining package for 4 nights. We have been told that there is a fee for this complimentary package of $13.32 plus tax and fees. Does anyone know what the tax and fees are for dining package for 4 nights?

There is no tax or mention of tax. You pay 18% gratuity on the price of the package. You will get 4 specialty meals for a total of $13.32 per person, which is a pretty darn good deal. If you find it's not a good deal, then decline the package, save your 13 bucks, and dine in the complimentary restaurants all week.

Edited November 30, 2015 by LrgPizza

[CUontheC]

There is no tax or mention of tax. You pay 18% gratuity on the price of the package. You will get 4 specialty meals for a total of $13.32 per person, which is a pretty darn good deal. If you find it's not a good deal, then decline the package, save your 13 bucks, and dine in the complimentary restaurants all week.

 

I just got off the Escape on Saturday and am booking the cruise on the Gem today. I booked it through an NCL Casino at Sea person. She is the one who said the price is $13.32. She also said when I asked her if that was the total amount that it does not include taxes or fees. So that is why I was asking the question.

 

Do I think $13.32 is a good price...I sure do....and with getting this cruise for almost nothing for a balcony...I just have to pay the port fees and taxes...it is a Fabulous deal. We had the same deal on the Escape and had an awesome time! Although on the Escape we did not do the specialty dining. However, the MDR's were fantastic. We especially like the Manhattan Room.

 

Thanks for the info!!