First time NCL cruiser and I have a few questions.

[Tlauden]

Good evenin' folks!

 

A few weeks ago I booked our first cruise through NCL on the Gem (Feb of 18') and have a few questions. We are still pretty new to cruising and so far have only sailed with Carnival twice, although by the time next February rolls around it will be 4 times with Carnival.

 

First Question,

With Carnival you pick dining times when you book, Either Early, Late, or "Your time" dining. I saw no options when it came to dining when I booked the NCL cruise. How does NCL handle and assign dinning times? (Assuming there are separate dining times).

 

Second,

I saw someone mention somewhere on these boards to "make sure you sign up for the shows you want to attend immediately after boarding the ship". Do we really need to plan our whole week of entertainment out on the first day? While cruising we don't really ever "plan" our day. We normally pick what shows we attend on a day-day basis.

 

Third,

So in my haste to save a few dollars I booked an interior room. I think I am now starting to regret that decision, and for 10 days a regular balcony may be a better choice. I know I could probably call them and upgrade but when I booked we got the free beverage package. Since that promotion is no longer running, would I loose the beverage package by upgrading?

 

 

I would also love to hear any other tips regarding NCL specifically. Maybe what to expect going from Carnival to NCL.

 

Thanks Again!

Tyler

[triptolemus]

1) You don't choose a dining time for dining in the MDRs as you do on other lines. Just show up. Many, however, do choose to make reservations for speciality restaurants.

 

2) I don't think there is any entertainment on Gem that you can pre-reserve anyway...(I could be wrong).

 

3) The promotion is still running. If a balcony is available at a price you want, jump.

 

Promo:

 

https://www.ncl.com/cruise-deals/choice

 

https://www.ncl.com/termsandconditions/FreeAtSea-Dec2016?hide_hf=true

Edited February 1, 2017 by triptolemus

[TheDougOut]

I'll provide a quick answer - NCL has no fixed dining times. When you're ready to eat, show up at one of the complimentary restaurants and you'll either have a short wait or be seated immediately.

 

On the Gem there's no advance entertainment reservations. Show up to whichever show you want to see.

 

The UBP beverage promo is still being offered. If you upgrade to an ocean view or higher, you'll be entitled to two perks instead of one. Maybe check out the dining package, which gets you 4 dinners at the specialty restaurants for a 10 day sailing.

 

Enjoy!

[Tlauden]

1) You don't choose a dining time for dining in the MDRs as you do on other lines. Just show up. Many, however, do choose to make reservations for speciality restaurants.

 

2) I don't think there is any entertainment on Gem that you can pre-reserve anyway...(I could be wrong).

 

3) The promotion is still running. If a balcony is available at a price you want, jump.

 

Promo:

 

https://www.ncl.com/cruise-deals/choice

 

https://www.ncl.com/termsandconditions/FreeAtSea-Dec2016?hide_hf=true

 

I'll provide a quick answer - NCL has no fixed dining times. When you're ready to eat, show up at one of the complimentary restaurants and you'll either have a short wait or be seated immediately.

 

On the Gem there's no advance entertainment reservations. Show up to whichever show you want to see.

 

The UBP beverage promo is still being offered. If you upgrade to an ocean view or higher, you'll be entitled to two perks instead of one. Maybe check out the dining package, which gets you 4 dinners at the specialty restaurants for a 10 day sailing.

 

Enjoy!

 

Thanks! I could have SWORN that I read that promotion ended a few days ago somewhere... I dunno, maybe that was a promotion on another line... :rolleyes:

 

Thanks for answering the other questions also!

[triptolemus]

Thanks! I could have SWORN that I read that promotion ended a few days ago somewhere... I dunno, maybe that was a promotion on another line... :rolleyes:

 

Thanks for answering the other questions also!

 

Pay attention to that second link.

 

The current promo ends February 6.

 

Although NCL is likely to continue with a very similar promo on Feb 7, if you see something you want at a price you like, grab it.

[MICHLEV1974]

I have sailed on the Gem twice -- June 2015 and April 2016. I had a picture window the first time, then an inside cabin the second time. I love this ship! We enjoy the pool, the band, the spa, and the shows. We were in the casino a few times also, but mostly we are poolside.

 

We were hardly in the room. The Gem has a lot of seating around the ship and its very comfortable open spaces.

 

This is one of the smaller ships so you don't reserve your entertainment. We never had an issue with obtaining a seat at any of the shows--and we went to all of them.

 

If you like the dining service at a fixed time with a fixed wait staff, you can reserve your dinner and request to be sat in the specific wait staff section. We did that once, and then ended up really enjoying the free style and showing up whenever and sat wherever. We did reserve Moderno, that's the brazilian place for a fee. OMG! get your eating pants on for that one! so much meat! loved it.

 

Every morning there is light food fare out on the pool deck, fresh fruit, cereal, muffins--we sometimes popped over there to skip the morning buffet rush and grab a light bite.

 

At the very back of the ship as you walk through the buffet to get there, there's snacks and ice cream and goodies out there---you can sit outside in the shade there...its very lovely there at night too.

 

If you are pool peeps, make friends with the deck hands that pass out the pool towels on the pool deck---we gave them a tip to hold chairs for us for the week :) Although most will say they wont do this, they will do it if you smile and ask nicely :) We loved sitting on the upper deck by the stairs...close to the bar and you can see the band playing...loved it!

 

O'sheehans has great chicken wings if you are into those! they are open 24 hours and they also serve breakfast there...it's a nice change of pace to the dining room/buffet. Service tends to be a little slower there but it is a nice change.

 

Just outside the Asian restaurant is an extra wide deck...we retired there for late afternoon naps when we were sun burnt...you feel the breeze, hear the ocean, and it's pretty quiet.

 

Hope a few of these help you plan your vaca :) Enjoy!

[Gregor4500]

 

If you are pool peeps, make friends with the deck hands that pass out the pool towels on the pool deck---we gave them a tip to hold chairs for us for the week :) Although most will say they wont do this, they will do it if you smile and ask nicely :) We loved sitting on the upper deck by the stairs...close to the bar and you can see the band playing...loved it!

 

 

I wondered how people got out there so early.

Edited February 1, 2017 by Gregor4500

[skeeter195]

Do not cancel and rebook as you will lose the UBP as you are within 30 days of sailing. Upgrade if you can, but if you rebook you will lose the perk.

[acpalmer]

Do not cancel and rebook as you will lose the UBP as you are within 30 days of sailing. Upgrade if you can, but if you rebook you will lose the perk.

 

I interpreted OP as going in Feb of 2018 rather than Feb 18 of 2017. That will make a big difference here. If 2018, you are fine to cancel and re-book.

[triptolemus]

Do not cancel and rebook as you will lose the UBP as you are within 30 days of sailing. Upgrade if you can, but if you rebook you will lose the perk.

 

Please pay attention.

 

OP is sailing February 2018.

[SandyBShores]

When choosing to dine in a main dining room can you call from your stateroom, like call ahead seating, to get your name on the list?

[Sauer-kraut]

When choosing to dine in a main dining room can you call from your stateroom, like call ahead seating, to get your name on the list?

 

Nope, just show up

[Tlauden]

Thanks for the advice folks! I called and was able to upgrade to an ocean view, picture window. Also, they added the second "free at sea" since the promo is until Feb 6. I opted for the dining package since we rarely do excursions and certainly don't need WiFi on vacation.

 

MICHLEV1974,

Thanks for the quick run down of the ship! It sounds like an amazing ship and we are certainly looking forward to trying a few of the things you mentioned!

[ClevelandCruisin]

I wouldn't do an interior room if they paid my cruise!! A balcony is the way to go in my experience.

 

I took my first cruise last year on the Getaway and loved it! Now have 4 booked over the next few years! The Aft balcony have us 180 degree views. Stunning pulling into port!

 

When it comes to dining, it's freestyle and at your leisure for free dining like buffet, main dining rooms. But note they are usually only open 5 or 530- 10pm. The main dining room can get busy at peak hours and do suggest reservations but not needed.

 

Fee dining will cost you if you don't have the dining package! I suggest you try a few places since the food can be amazing!

 

Shows can be booked early, and should always be reserved ahead of time if want to experience comedy shows or broadway shows. Not booking comedy shows ahead of time will get you put in the wait line if someone doesn't show. Broadway shows usually have 2 showtimes, but remember you're on board the Gem with 1800 other people.

 

Download the iconceriege app and when sitting in you're group to board the ship, book a few things if you haven't booked ahead of time. You can always book through your tv, the box office or touch screens throughout the ship.

 

The touch screens show you what's available and how busy dining areas are.

 

Have fun on your cruise and choose how you want to experience your cruise. I mean you're on vacation! Happy cruising!!!

[eml30fan]

Thanks for the advice folks! I called and was able to upgrade to an ocean view, picture window. Also, they added the second "free at sea" since the promo is until Feb 6. I opted for the dining package since we rarely do excursions and certainly don't need WiFi on vacation.

 

MICHLEV1974,

Thanks for the quick run down of the ship! It sounds like an amazing ship and we are certainly looking forward to trying a few of the things you mentioned!

 

You can make specialty dining reservations staring 90 days before the cruise. They can book up pretty quick. The nightly shows are at 7 and 9 pm.

[Starflyr3]

When choosing to dine in a main dining room can you call from your stateroom, like call ahead seating, to get your name on the list?

 

There is really no need to call ahead for MDRs, and reservations only if you have a large group. The longest we have ever waited was about 10 minutes (in line), and I know of reports of free champagne if you have to wait longer than that (if they break out the pagers, which, in my experience, is rare)

[MICHLEV1974]

I wondered how people got out there so early.

My boyfriend is a deckhand on the Breakaway..i got all the secrets to saving pool loungers :) hee hee :)<3

[MICHLEV1974]

You can make specialty dining reservations staring 90 days before the cruise. They can book up pretty quick. The nightly shows are at 7 and 9 pm.

You are going to have a blast!!!! enjoy

[khaide612]

Shows can be booked early, and should always be reserved ahead of time if want to experience comedy shows or broadway shows. Not booking comedy shows ahead of time will get you put in the wait line if someone doesn't show. Broadway shows usually have 2 showtimes, but remember you're on board the Gem with 1800 other people.

 

Download the iconceriege app and when sitting in you're group to board the ship, book a few things if you haven't booked ahead of time. You can always book through your tv, the box office or touch screens throughout the ship.

 

The touch screens show you what's available and how busy dining areas are.

 

There are no shows to reserve on the Gem. There is no box office on the Gem. You can reserve specialty restaurants. Other than maybe a short wait at peak times you can just show up at the included restaurants when you are ready for dinner. No shorts in the aft larger dining room. Shorts allowed in the midship dining room.