New NCL cruisers - a couple of questions

[don1976]

Hi all.

This is not just our first NCL cruise, but our first ever cruise, so be kind :-)

We're from Yorkshire, UK.

 

We have a couple of queries - we're on the Epic leaving Barcelona 17th July.

 

Embarkation day.

Whilst the booking info says that the ship leaves port at 6pm, and we need to be on board a couple of hours earlier, what's the earliest we can get there? I was hoping to book out of the hotel and head over there late morning or lunch time if the ship was open to people checking in.

 

Power in the rooms.

We're in a balcony room. Will we need a power strip or extension cable at all.

 

Keeping in touch with other family members on ship.

How do you go about keeping in touch with other members of your group?

I see there is an iconcierge app but do you have to buy an Internet package in order to be able to use this?

I see some mention they use walkie talkies as well.

 

Tipping for the likes of room service etc.

This question is more aimed at the non-Americans of you out there.

We're British, so getting hold of small denomination dollars for small tips is very difficult. Currency exchange over here would probably give us $20 as the smallest denomination.

So, on a European cruise, will staff accept Euros as tips instead?

 

Many Thanks

Steve

 

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[KeithJenner]

Quick couple of answer.

 

Boarding starts around midday. No problem getting lunch.

 

Power sockets are euro and US so you need adaptors. If you have a lot of things to charge, a strip is handy.

 

Iconcierge is handy for keeping in touch. It is separate from the Internet, but has a one off charge ($8 from memory) per device.

 

Euros are fine for tips. They can spend them onshore easily.

[Demonyte]

You can go to the port in the late morning (we usually aim for 10:30), after the check-in the actual boarding usually starts between 11am and noon, no matter the itinerary, ship or port. One MDR (Main Dining Room) is open approx two hours from noon for leisured sit-down lunch, that is what I suggest for anyone, much more peaceful than the mayhem of buffet on embarkation day.

 

There are US and EU outlets in cabins so you'll need an adapter for UK plug and we always have at least three-outlet extension cord with us so we'll get more EU outlets for all of our devices.

 

No need for internet package to use iConcierge, only the one time activation fee of $7.95 per device for intra-ship calling/texting within the app. Be aware though, it seems that on Epic the app still isn't that reliable - we were on Epic only once three years ago and found the connectivity of iConcierge quite poor (app/device dropping the network, messages not coming through, etc).

 

Here in Finland we have never had any problem getting any dollar bills (even ones) - sounds weird that you wouldn't be able to do so. You can give extra tips in euros also.

 

Room service (except for very limited breakfast) already has $7.95 service fee, no need to tip extra unless you feel like it because of exceptional service.

[don1976]

Thanks for answering so quickly.

Are there hairdryers in every room or is it something that we'd need to take?

 

 

 

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[Demonyte]

Yes, there is a hairdryer in the cabin.

[BirdTravels]

Embarkation day.

Whilst the booking info says that the ship leaves port at 6pm, and we need to be on board a couple of hours earlier, what's the earliest we can get there? I was hoping to book out of the hotel and head over there late morning or lunch time if the ship was open to people checking in.

Best advice is to arrive at the port between 10:00 and 10:30. You will go through a security check (x-ray machines and metal detectors), the proceed to check-in. At check-in, they will verify your travel documents and passport, take your picture for security, and issue your room keys. Boarding will commence around 11:30. The Garden Cafe Buffet on Deck 15 opens at 11:30 and the Taste Main Dining Room on Deck 5 opens at 12:00

 

Power in the rooms.

We're in a balcony room. Will we need a power strip or extension cable at all.

There is a US and European power outlet in the cabinet across the bed. We bring a power strip to bring the power to the counter top. You would need a UK adapter.

 

Keeping in touch with other family members on ship.

How do you go about keeping in touch with other members of your group?

I see there is an iconcierge app but do you have to buy an Internet package in order to be able to use this?

I see some mention they use walkie talkies as well.

The iConcierge application will allow you to make calls and send text messages to members of your party. There is a flat rate service charge of $7.95 US per device. The ship has cellular service (voice and data) which is charged at whatever your phone service provider charges for international calling on a cruise ship (usually expensive). We have been on dozens of cruises and never felt the need to be that connected to other members of our party. Whilst on a cruise ship, you are in a big metal box. Walkies don't work that well, especially on a large ship like the Epic.

 

Tipping for the likes of room service etc.

This question is more aimed at the non-Americans of you out there.

We're British, so getting hold of small denomination dollars for small tips is very difficult. Currency exchange over here would probably give us $20 as the smallest denomination. So, on a European cruise, will staff accept Euros as tips instead?

The crew will accept anything you give them. As in the UK, gratuity is included in all on-board charges. If you order a drink and are not on a drinks plan, gratuity is automatically added to your drink charge. If you eat in a specialty dining room, gratuity is automatically added to your bill. A daily service charge is automatically added to your room charges for the cabin steward and main dining room staff. Additional tips are at your discretion for outstanding service,,, and euros are just fine for that.

 

Are there hairdryers in every room or is it something that we'd need to take?

There is a hair dryer at the desk across the foot of the bed. The hair dryers on the Epic are good. The ship was completely refurbished during a dry dock in October 2015

 

We have sailed on the Epic 5 times, twice out of Barcelona. Enjoy your cruise. The ports you are visiting are wonderful!

Edited May 8, 2016 by BirdTravels