First timer on NCL questions

[alohagirl808]

We’re going on our first NCL cruise this summer but been on Carnival before.

 But it’s been 5 years. Would love some answers to the questions below and any other helpful tips.

 

1.  Best foods/must haves in the specialty restaurants - Cagneys, Le Bistro, La Cucina?

2.  Best foods/must haves in the free restaurants- dining rooms, buffet, Osheehans, etc.?

3.  Do I need to bring cash for the casino?  Do they put winnings on the room card like Carnival?

4.  Do we need to bring life vests with us to muster drill?  How do I know where The muster drill is at?

5.  We have UBP- can I just head straight to a bar to get a drink or do I need to do something first?

6.  When do I sign kids up for the kids club?

Any other helpful tips?  Thanks in advance!

[smplybcause]

1 & 2 will vary based on what ship you go on. Availability for sure, but I've seen posts on how they like one on this ship but less so on another. 

 

3 They charge a fee unless you get enough points in the system to waive it. I don't know particulars as I usually only gamble a small amount if at all. 

 

4 no life vests. Your card will have the station and plenty of employees with signs or can point you the right way. 

 

5 you can get drinks as soon as you get on board

 

6 no kids so I'll defer to those with them but I believe it's the first day

[fizboBunny]

Register the first day. Plus then you can tour kids area, after first day no adults alllowed

[JamieLogical]

1. Specialty restaurants are pretty subjective. Which ship are you on? I like Le Bistro and Los Lobos the best.
2. O'sheehan's is my favorite for lunch on embarkation day. It's also my favorite for breakfast. I love the corned beef hash.
3. Definitely bring cash. Charging against your room is a 3% fee and the ATMs charge a $6 fee no matter how much you withdraw.
4. No life vests for muster.
5. With the UBP you can and should start drinking immediately upon boarding. Just be aware that you may be charged a nominal tax on drinks while still in US ports.
6. Sorry, no kids so I can't answer about the kids club.

[alohagirl808]

Thanks for the answers so far.  We are sailing on Jade doing our first Med cruise😁. We are so excited!!

[Redsky5292]

We've sailed the Breakaway twice with our twins (they were three, then four).  We pretty much headed right to Splash Academy after we ate lunch and registered them.  They loved it!!!

[suzequ]

18 hours ago, alohagirl808 said:

1.  Best foods/must haves in the specialty restaurants - Cagneys, Le Bistro, La Cucina?

2.  Best foods/must haves in the free restaurants- dining rooms, buffet, Osheehans, etc.?

3.  Do I need to bring cash for the casino?  Do they put winnings on the room card like Carnival?

4.  Do we need to bring life vests with us to muster drill?  How do I know where The muster drill is at?

5.  We have UBP- can I just head straight to a bar to get a drink or do I need to do something first?

6.  When do I sign kids up for the kids club?

Any other helpful tips?  Thanks in advance!

 

Oh, we love the Jade, altho it's been 9 years since we sailed on her; also a Med vacation.  Fond memories.

1)  I think you're going to have to do a "Jade" search for restaurant must haves.  I love Le Bistro and Bayamo on Escape, but have no idea if the quality is the same on the Jade.  Our favorite restaurant on Jade was Jasmine Garden, which I understand is complimentary now.  That plus Teppanyaki and the sushi bar were our top choices.

 

2) I like the Garden cafe for breakfast - the eggs stations make omelets to order.  Love it.  O'Sheehans used to have a wonderful corned beef on rye sandwich, good wings, and a great pound cake with strawberry topping.

 

3) never been to the casino

 

4) Your room card will have your muster station noted on it.  When the drill starts there will be crew at all the stairwells and every floor directing you.  And no life vests anymore.

 

5) Once you have your key card - and are on the ship - you are good to go.  Thats all you need to purchase anything on board. (And Jamie's right about the local tax while in port.)

 

6) When you board you'll get a Daily with info about when the Kid's Club is open for sign-up, touring, etc.  They will likely be open several times day 1.

 

Have a great trip!

[snirpville]

18 hours ago, alohagirl808 said:

We’re going on our first NCL cruise this summer but been on Carnival before.

 But it’s been 5 years. Would love some answers to the questions below and any other helpful tips.

 

1.  Best foods/must haves in the specialty restaurants - Cagneys, Le Bistro, La Cucina?

2.  Best foods/must haves in the free restaurants- dining rooms, buffet, Osheehans, etc.?

3.  Do I need to bring cash for the casino?  Do they put winnings on the room card like Carnival?

4.  Do we need to bring life vests with us to muster drill?  How do I know where The muster drill is at?

5.  We have UBP- can I just head straight to a bar to get a drink or do I need to do something first?

6.  When do I sign kids up for the kids club?

Any other helpful tips?  Thanks in advance!

I just got off the Jade in March. Really liked it.

 

1) I didn't go to any specialty restaurants

2) I loved the pot stickers in Jasmine Garden and mostly ate every dinner in the MDR. I tried O'Sheehans on the Star and didn't care for it so I never went this time around. If I could have the lava cake every night in the MDR though...I'd be so fat! But happy!!

3) Didn't experience the casino

4) Nope and like others said, it's on your card. Make sure you advise the staff member that you are there so they can check you off their list.

5) Yep, grab a drink right away 

6) No kids but I heard as soon as you board you can register the tiny humans

 

Not sure if you are a lounge by the pool person but if you are not, I loved going to The Great Outdoors and sitting there on sea days. There is a bar and buffet and it's quite shaded too. A bit quieter than the pool area. Enjoy!!

[graphicguy]

You'll have a blast...

 

From your list....

 

1.  Osso Bucco in LaCucina (get it every NCL cruise)

2.  Grilled Hake in any of the MDRs

3.  I always bring cash for the casino

4.  No life vests during muster drill, but be on time.  I saw about a dozen people who had to repeat the muster drill the next day because they were late the first day

5.  UBP-just show your sea pass card at any of the bars and you're good to go

6.  No idea about kids

 

Have fun!

[trish1c]

If you are doing a Med Cruise eat on shore.  All cruise food is average at best.  There are too many people to feed.  

 

If you purchased UPB in advance just walk up to the bar & order.