Creating a FAQ: "What You Need To Know About Cruising on NCL"

[cp556]

NCL offers military discounts on many sailings .... it's called Military Appreciation Program.

It is for active duty, retired, veterans and honorably discharged.

Certain proof is required, but it's worth trying for!

Carol in SC

[Surfgirl]

NCL is "Celiac Friendly."

 

If you have gluten intolerance, you can get gluten free foods at every meal. Call NCL at least two weeks before your cruise and they will send you a list of gluten free foods you can select to have available to you at no extra charge while you're on board. Some of the choices include gluten free waffles, breads, etc.

 

During your first meal, contact the Maitre D. He/she will go over the menu with you and pre-order the next day's meals.

 

They even have a gluten-free prep area in the galley to avoid cross contamination.

[JoeJersey]

We just got back from our first cruise (Dawn)...Great! The following tips from this board really helped:

1) Upon embarkation, do not go to the buffet...the restaurant (Venetian) was nearly empty and we enjoyed lunch (and a "vacation" cocktail) at a window table overlooking the Hudson River...GREAT START!

2) Bring an extension cord/power strip...we had an AF mini-suite and only one standard 120VAC outlet....the rest ( a lot) were European 2-pin (240V???)

3) If you are used to washing/showering with bar soap..bring it!

4) Read this forum! We learned this (and more) from the helpful members of this forum...THANK YOU!

[jimc_usa]

After several cruises I learned this:

If you like coffee - take a coffee(travel) mug with you, the coffee cups are too small and the on deck breezes cool it to quickly.

If you drink water - bring a water bottle - the water in the buffets etc is good and you can carry the water around with you.

Immediately on boarding the ship - grab one of the small ship maps - I always get lost and go the wrong way. Which reminds me, usually the aft, mid and stern have different colored carpets so at least you know which third of the ship you are in.

[Bennett'sCruise]

passengercourtesySHIP@ncl.com

 

Replace SHIP with dawn or jewel or whatever ship you're going on.

 

Doesn't work ... does anyone have a different addy?

~d

[bmacri]

As you all know you need your ticket (either Edoc or hard copy mailed to you) and proper ID. Either a passport, or drivers license and original birth Certificate.

 

I just want you to be aware that there is also another form that you must have filled out and it's called the Advance Guest Registration Form. I found it online at NCL.com. You can do it now and it's all done. Or if you wait until less than a week before the cruise you can do it online and print it out and bring it with you. If you wait until you get to check-in, they put you through an extra station just for filling this form out. You need a seperate form per passenger. It takes a little while.

 

I like to have all my ducks in order before I get to check in.

Hope this helps.

Happy Cruising!

[goodcooker]

We just reutned from the Alaska trip on the Sun. Whereas I had read that blue jeans were not allowed in the main dining rooms they did allow blue jeans on our ship. Outside each of the two dining rooms was a note that tank tops. shorts or abrefeet were nto allowed but noothing about blue jeans. Most people, however "dressed" for dinner (resort casual) as the two main dinng room were very nice. But, we did see a number of diners in blue jeans.

[qvt21]

FYI: Not sure if it's common knowledge but apparently NCL will not allow price reductions once you've booked (even before final payment). Most other cruise lines allow this, or will at least give you an onboard credit or cabin upgrade. I booked six months early and was not able to take advantage of any of the numerous price reductions; I would have waited and followed prices had I known.

[gxchan]

FYI: Not sure if it's common knowledge but apparently NCL will not allow price reductions once you've booked (even before final payment). Most other cruise lines allow this, or will at least give you an onboard credit or cabin upgrade. I booked six months early and was not able to take advantage of any of the numerous price reductions; I would have waited and followed prices had I known.

 

This may be a new policy. Last fall I was on NCL, booked my cruise several months in advance and got two price reductions before final payment. In any case, it never hurts to ask for the reduction, worse they can say is no.

[calmac]

FYI: Not sure if it's common knowledge but apparently NCL will not allow price reductions once you've booked (even before final payment). Most other cruise lines allow this, or will at least give you an onboard credit or cabin upgrade. I booked six months early and was not able to take advantage of any of the numerous price reductions; I would have waited and followed prices had I known.

 

I would disagree with this. Always worth asking but if the new price is for "new bookings only" you won't be eligible for the reduction.

[sbharr]

FYI: Not sure if it's common knowledge but apparently NCL will not allow price reductions once you've booked (even before final payment). Most other cruise lines allow this, or will at least give you an onboard credit or cabin upgrade. I booked six months early and was not able to take advantage of any of the numerous price reductions; I would have waited and followed prices had I known.

Not true - I booked originally early this year for Sept 07 cruise - got to take advantage of a price drop before final payment.

 

It is important to keep in mind that some "price drops" are actually promotions aimed at new bookings only - but not every price drop is.

[Host CMLA]

This NCL FAQ has been around for a while and there's some great information. I wanted to post a note that as things change at the cruise line some of these FAQ answers may have changed so if you know of something that's changed, please post it so we have the most up to date FAQ. Thanks!

[tomk3212]

One thing we discovered on our fourth cruise aboard an NCL ship are discounts on the specialty restaurant's cover charges!:p

 

As a Latitudes passenger you can board an hour earlier than the masses. The last time we were on the Spirit we got on at noon, had a nice lunch in Windows then went through the atrium. A desk was set up for specialty restaurant reservations that offered half price on all reservations made then & there! The downside; your reservation had to be prior to 6:30PM. This was fine for my wife & I as we're early diners who like to hit the shows early then hang out in the casino or lounges late. So check it out!!;)

[reporterjen]

Q: I am on a low-sugar diet. What can I eat onboard?

A: NCL is very kind to cruisers who can't tolerate sugar. There are sugar-free dessert alternatives available at most food stations and in the main dining rooms each night. In addition, you can expect to find packets of Splenda on board (as well as, generally, packets of Sweet n Low).

 

Q: How can I get my daily coffee fix?

A: You can brew coffee in the machine in your stateroom, or get some java from the Garden Cafe or dining room onboard (during meals). You can buy coffee-based beverages from the coffee bar. And, you can generally count on free cappuccinos in the main dining rooms, available with breakfast, lunch and dinner. (If you don't see "cappuccino" on the menu, ask anyway).

 

Q: I drink so much iced tea, people think I should be a fish in the Boston harbor. Will I be okay onboard?

A: NCL supplies iced tea in copious amounts in its main dining rooms, specialty restaurants and by the buffets. That said, iced tea often is not available at breakfast. If you want iced tea before 11 a.m. onboard, make sure to fill a bottle with iced tea the night before and stash it in the fridge in your room.

 

Q: Does "freestyle cruising" mean I never dress up?

A: While freestyle cruising means you can dress most any way you want for dinner, there are sometimes opportunities for more formal dressing. In the top right corner of each Freestyle Daily, you'll find out if that evening is a semi-formal night. Dressing up is still optional, but you'll feel more at home with fellow cruisers donning their best attire on these nights.

 

Q: Are towels available for use at ports?

A: In some ports, where beaches are very much a part of the itinerary, you can check out towels from NCL by the gangway. However, you might find it more convenient to snag towels from the pool deck for use on shore (and as extra towels in the cabin).

 

Q: What happens if I don't get the shore excursion I want?

A: It's always smart to book shore excursions early -- online and by phone before you get on the cruise. But, if something is booked up when you try to get it, consider trying again on the ship. Folks might have canceled, freeing up space for you.

 

Q: What kind of storage space can I expect in the cabins?

A: Even in the most humble of cabins on the oldest NCL ships in service, you'll find a surprising amount of storage. For instance, you can slide luggage and other items under the beds. The closets are full of shelves. Bathroom mirrors are bordered by shelves.

 

Q: What supplies and electronics are in the cabins?

A: Even small staterooms on older NCL ships tend to be well-stocked. Generally, you can expect a hair dryer, a vacuum toilet and tons of shelving. In the bathroom, a shampoo-conditioner blend is generally available from a shower dispenser. There will be a safe in the room. You can expect a small fridge, a small television, a small coffee maker and a DVD player. The beds are generally dressed with sheets, pillows and a duvet.

 

Q: Tell me more about Great Stirrup Cay. What can I do on NCL's private island? What amenities are there?

A: Most people take advantage of a day at Great Stirrup Cay to chill on a private -- if occasionally crowded -- beach. But if that's not your idea of fun, there are lots of other things to do ashore.

Great Stirrup Cay used to be home to an Air Force satellite tracking station, and there are remnants of the military infrastructure beyond NCL's portion of the island. If you want to get away from the crowds on GSC, take the trail to the lighthouse and spend some time on the vacant military installation. But be warned: there's essentially no shade on the path out to the lighthouse. You'll want to cover up and carry some water with you.

If you are lounging on the beach, you should know that there are some nice reclining deck chairs at the far side of the beach, near the rock that juts out into the water (and on your left side, as you tender in).

There are no lockers on Great Stirrup Cay. If you bring cameras or other valuables, you'll have to keep track of them.

You are required to wear life vests (don't worry, they're not the big orange kind) when snorkeling at Great Stirrup Cay. The vests are free; just sign them out at the dive shop.

NCL will provide food on the island. Generally, NCL provides lunch; often, this is a barbecue. Expect pizza, hot dogs, burgers, and lots of sides. Dessert options generally include baked goods and a fresh fruit salad. Iced tea and water are available.

If you get soda on the island -- either a la carte or through your soda card -- you might not be able to get ice to go with it.

 

 

General Tips:

- Take advantage of the honeymoon/romance package, even if you're not celebrating one of those special occasions. The components of the $79 package cost more individually, and they're all things you might get and enjoy. Remember, the photo offer in the package is really just a $5 credit toward the purchase of an 8.5-by-11 photo.

- If you have your laptop with you on the cruise and are using wireless, make sure you check it out on the pool deck, which is often a hotspot on NCL ships.

 

 

Food and Drink Tips:

- The night before you head ashore, write-in "ice" as an order on your breakfast room service card, if you're ordering the meal for your room. Your room stewards will keep the room's ice bucket replenished, but they won't usually have visited for the morning clean-up before you head out on excursions. And it's handy to have ice for water bottles at the ready (without having to trek over to the Garden Cafe to get some).

- If you're ordering breakfast from room service and like orange juice, make sure to ask for two servings. The juice is served in smaller glasses than you'll find in the main dining rooms or at the buffets; it is about a six ounce serving.

- When ordering breakfast from room service, you can ask for various items to be combined on one plate. Otherwise, each individual item (a single wedge of cantaloupe, for instance) might come on individual plates -- and that's just a mess for everyone.

 

 

Packing Tips:

- Many NCL ships do not have self-serve laundry facilities. Plan and pack accordingly.

- Use space-saver bags or extra-large zipper bags in 2.5-gallon and much, much larger sizes to help condense your packed clothing. The bags also come in handy during excursions, for packing wet clothes, storing sunscreen and protecting passports and camera equipment from water.

- Some people find over-the-door shoe organizers handy for maximizing space in cabins.

- Bring insulated cups, either with lids or not, for filling with iced tea, milk, orange juice or coffee at the buffets. Since juice is only served at breakfast and iced tea isn't available then, you might want to stash some in your stateroom fridge for drinking at other times. The sealable bottles are also essential for bringing ice-cold water to ports.

- Bring wire or other light hangers. NCL will provide some hangers -- and your steward can bring more, upon request, but you still might not find that enough.

- Some people bring highlighters for marking up the Freestyle Dailies.

- With all of the activities onboard and excursions at shore, you'll be running around a lot -- and, trust me, you'll be showering a lot, too. The shampoo-conditioner mix in the staterooms is pretty weak. If you have long, thick or tangle-prone hair, bring your own conditioner.

- Pack an expandable, but lightweight, bag for carting stuff home at the end of the trip. You'll need it, no matter how much you plan to go through while on your cruise.

- If you're going to sunny spots on your cruise, make sure you get yourself a good hat with a wide brim that will stay put in the wind. These are invaluable for keeping the sun out of your face.

- Rooms have hair dryers -- the kind you'd find in most hotel rooms. If you have a hairstyle that demands precise blowout, or you have thick hair, you might want to bring your own.

[NY2NH2008]

There are no clocks in your room. Obviously you can call for a wake up call but I was lost without an alarm clock (apparently I stay in hotels too much and assumed cruise ships would have them and did not bring my own).

[msydpdx]

I take post-it notes and sharpies with me to leave notes for the cabin steward and I use the bigger notepad types to post alongside the vanity mirror. This keeps our schedule together as sometimes we forget what time we made a reservation for or if there is some goings on we want to catch. I can also use them to mark passages in tour guides I pick up or, heck, just about anything.

If you drink hot tea in the room don't forget to pick up tea bags in the cafe and, if you're going to Alaska, bring hot chocolate to put in your insulated mug while you watch all that ice go by at Glacier Bay!

A bungee cord is neat (a short one) to lash open your cabin door if you have people coming and going and then use it at the end of the trip to lash all your carry-ons together.

I never go without a 3-holer power strip. Great for recharging batteries, the iPod and the phone. A cheap, glow in the dark, battery operated clock is great for the cabin--put it where all can see it.

And my best tip for ANY travel...put a roll of 2-ply tissue in your suitcase. After a week of sandpaper t.p. the 2-ply feels like silk!

msydpdx:p

[dadof2]

For those sailing the Canada/New England itineraries during Sept., Oct., '07, the "early bird specials" in the specialty restaurants have now changed to "late specials".

It seems the passengers on these cruises are elderly and eat early so the "specials" have been changed to later dining hours.

[Carnac767]

This tip really helped my directionally-challenged spouse, who spent two weeks on the Norwegian Dream completely lost. This only applies to the Dream. I don't know about the other NCL ships: When you get off any passenger elevator on the Dream you are facing AFT (i.e. toward the rear of the ship), therefore PORT (left side of the ship) is to your right and STARBOARD (right side of ship) is to your left. Once I pointed this out, the Georgia Peach had far fewer Magellan adventures.

[dotsebeil]

Please be aware that NCL and NCLA (Norwegian Cruise Line America: Cruise ships that do not travel into international waters and fly the American flag such as cruises in Hawai'i) consider themselves separate entities. Although NCLA is a subsidiary of NCL and frequently use the NCL logo as a masthead for their ships and for many of their advertisements, their computer systems are apparently different and do not communicate with one another.

 

This means that NCLA will not honor many coupons and promotions that are offered by NCL. NCLA has its own coupons and promotions. Make sure before cruising that your coupons have the correct logo in the upper right corner (the NCL logo wavy red lines, looking like the American flag).

 

Because NCLA ships do not travel into international waters, they also do not have casinos or any other type of gambling onboard their ships.

[TPEINC1958]

Please be aware that NCL and NCLA (Norwegian Cruise Line America: Cruise ships that do not travel into international waters and fly the American flag such as cruises in Hawai'i) consider themselves separate entities. Although NCLA is a subsidiary of NCL and frequently use the NCL logo as a masthead for their ships and for many of their advertisements, their computer systems are apparently different and do not communicate with one another.

 

This means that NCLA will not honor many coupons and promotions that are offered by NCL. NCLA has its own coupons and promotions. Make sure before cruising that your coupons have the correct logo in the upper right corner (the NCL logo wavy red lines, looking like the American flag).

 

Because NCLA ships do not travel into international waters, they also do not have casinos or any other type of gambling onboard their ships.

 

Pretty much known facts around here. Oh, I see you just found this place. Welcome aboard to another "satisfied" customer.

 

John

[petesgirl]

This link will provide information on specific cabins. After clicking on the link just amend the cabin category (currently AF), cabin number (currently 11580) and ship's name (currently DAWN but must be in capitals).

 

https://seaweb.it.ncl.com/consumer/stateroom_detail.cfm?Cat=AF&Num=11580&SC=DAWN

Sadly, this is no longer available at least in the US.

[electricron]

The following NCL ships have self service laundries.

 

DAWN, JEWEL, PRIDE OF HAWAII ( JADE ), PEARL, and GEM.

 

The following ships do not have self service laundries.

 

CROWN, DREAM, MAJESTY, SPIRIT, STAR, SUN, PRIDE OF ALOHA, and PRIDE OF AMERICA.

 

All NCL ships have ship's laundries with valet services.

Here's a NCL Valet Service order form.

 

[MooJews]

Thanks for the info........very interesting thing you wouldn't know about.

[veryhotred]

If I take my 8yr old DD on a cruise with me, do I need anything special? I thought I once saw that I needed a note saying it was okay with my husband that I was taking her.

[GoHuskies!]

If I take my 8yr old DD on a cruise with me, do I need anything special? I thought I once saw that I needed a note saying it was okay with my husband that I was taking her.

This is actually a question for an attorney--however, you could save a lot of potential grief if you had a letter from your husband giving his permission to travel, plus permission to have any medical procedure done if necessary, and then have it notarized. A minor effort to get this done could save hassles in foreign countries, especially ones that don't recognize equality between genders. We traveled with nieces to Canada and took such a letter from my brother and his wife, just in case.