1st Time On NCL.. I have Questions .. Any tips? suggestions?

[NyYankees2k3]

Hello. I'll be 21 when I set sail on the NCL Sun on 3/4/07 that leaves out of New Orleans. This will be my third cruise. I have been on the Carnival Sensation and the RC Navigator of The Seas. I had a blast the first time I took a crusie it, was really fun, the second time was even more fun. The Navigator of The Seas was amazing. So far it's me and my roomate. I am hoping more of my friends can come..

 

My Questions:

 

1. Will I be disapointed with this ship after going on the Navigator? I mean I only used the ice skating rink once, I didn't even go rock climbing and don't play basketball. But the ship was very nice, clean and impressive.

 

2. Can you buy whole bottles of liquor on board? Prices?

 

3. Do they have drink cards for alcohol bevs like Carnival?

 

4. This freestyle dining.. is it recommend to book your dinner times in advanced? When do you do this?

 

5. Travelocity where I booked it says it gives 25% off on excursions, anyone know if that can be refunded if we decide not to go once we get there?

 

6. How is the age distribution? It's during our college spring break, will it be all older adults? Everyone claims Carnival is the 'party' ship, but I'm not sure. There prices were much higher, the flight cost to Miami was insane, and the ships leaving the time I wanted to go didn't look so impressive.

 

7. Anyone know the deal with the passports yet.. I read online they pushed it back to 2008, but the cruise line is still saying its going to be required for Jan 8th 2007..

 

Also, if you have any tips or suggestions on how to make it a more enjoyable experience, please let me know.. Thanks!

[Welove2cruise2]

Hello. I'll be 21 when I set sail on the NCL Sun on 3/4/07 that leaves out of New Orleans. This will be my third cruise. I have been on the Carnival Sensation and the RC Navigator of The Seas. I had a blast the first time I took a crusie it, was really fun, the second time was even more fun. The Navigator of The Seas was amazing. So far it's me and my roomate. I am hoping more of my friends can come..

 

My Questions:

 

1. Will I be disapointed with this ship after going on the Navigator? I mean I only used the ice skating rink once, I didn't even go rock climbing and don't play basketball. But the ship was very nice, clean and impressive.

 

I can't answer this question, but I'm sure someone else can.

 

2. Can you buy whole bottles of liquor on board? Prices?

 

Yes, but you can't bring them to your stateroom -- the will deliver/you pick up last night of your cruise. VERY reasonable prices. If there's anything particular that you want, you may want to buy early before they sell out.

 

3. Do they have drink cards for alcohol bevs like Carnival?

 

Sorry, no...

 

4. This freestyle dining.. is it recommend to book your dinner times in advanced? When do you do this?

 

You can book dinner reservations IF YOU WANT -- you may want to book specialty restaurants first day on board. See if you can view the menus for the week, and then make your choices based on that.

 

5. Travelocity where I booked it says it gives 25% off on excursions, anyone know if that can be refunded if we decide not to go once we get there?

 

Sorry, can't help you here either...

 

6. How is the age distribution? It's during our college spring break, will it be all older adults? Everyone claims Carnival is the 'party' ship, but I'm not sure. There prices were much higher, the flight cost to Miami was insane, and the ships leaving the time I wanted to go didn't look so impressive.

 

No idea...

 

7. Anyone know the deal with the passports yet.. I read online they pushed it back to 2008, but the cruise line is still saying its going to be required for Jan 8th 2007..

 

Get a passport NOW -- why stress about it at the last minute??

 

Also, if you have any tips or suggestions on how to make it a more enjoyable experience, please let me know.. Thanks!

 

Go with the flow, don't sweat the small stuff, and have a great time!

[newmexicoNita]

Hello. I'll be 21 when I set sail on the NCL Sun on 3/4/07 that leaves out of New Orleans. This will be my third cruise. I have been on the Carnival Sensation and the RC Navigator of The Seas. I had a blast the first time I took a crusie it, was really fun, the second time was even more fun. The Navigator of The Seas was amazing. So far it's me and my roomate. I am hoping more of my friends can come..

 

My Questions:

 

1. Will I be disapointed with this ship after going on the Navigator? I mean I only used the ice skating rink once, I didn't even go rock climbing and don't play basketball. But the ship was very nice, clean and impressive.

 

2. Can you buy whole bottles of liquor on board? Prices?

 

3. Do they have drink cards for alcohol bevs like Carnival?

 

4. This freestyle dining.. is it recommend to book your dinner times in advanced? When do you do this?

 

5. Travelocity where I booked it says it gives 25% off on excursions, anyone know if that can be refunded if we decide not to go once we get there?

 

6. How is the age distribution? It's during our college spring break, will it be all older adults? Everyone claims Carnival is the 'party' ship, but I'm not sure. There prices were much higher, the flight cost to Miami was insane, and the ships leaving the time I wanted to go didn't look so impressive.

 

7. Anyone know the deal with the passports yet.. I read online they pushed it back to 2008, but the cruise line is still saying its going to be required for Jan 8th 2007..

 

Also, if you have any tips or suggestions on how to make it a more enjoyable experience, please let me know.. Thanks!

First of all, I assume you are a Yankee fan: what happened?

 

1-The Sun is a great ship, if you are disappointed it is because you choose to be: don't do comparisons. It will get you thinking too much. Look at each cruise as a new experience.

 

2-if you mean buy and take to your cabin? like all ships the answer is no, but you can purchase it and pick it up the day of debarkation. If you want to drink in your cabin: you can order a bar set up prior to sailing. It will be waiting for you in your cabin.

 

3-No drink coupons. I didn't know Carnival offered them either. All lines offer soda cards though.

 

4-you will only want to make reservations for specialty restaurants; I suggest you try at least one. My favorite is Le Bistro. Otherwise no, you do not even want to make reservations for the main dining rooms. That spoils the fun of freestyle.

 

5-I am not sure I understand the question. If you cancel a tour in advance you will not be charged, but what money would you get back? That part I am not clear on.

 

6-Spring break combined with cruises means college kids. In fact some bitch about the number that are on all ships. Because NCL attracts quite a mixture of ages you will see families and even some retired youngsters, but have no fear, if you are looking for your age group they will be there.

 

7-we keep getting new information on the passport requirements: just get one, if you do it now it won't even seem like part of the cruise cost and you will be able to use it all over the world for 10 years.

 

How to make it more enjoyable: stay with your friends, expect to have a good time, as I said try one specialty dining adventure, don't over do the booze; it will only ruin your next day: the cruises are too short to loose anytime: I did it on one cruise and won't repeat. This doesn't mean you can't have fun, just keep your head clear. Among other things go to the tapa bar (Las Rambles) at least once in the early evening for tapas. You won't be sorry. rNita

[Cosmopolitan]

Bar set-up, 1-866-625-1159:)

[NyYankees2k3]

Wow I really appreciate the comments good to know.. I mean my first question was pretty dumb heh.. I just wanted to see what everyone thought about that.. I know its what you make of it.. Thanks for the comments about the drinks and dinning..

 

As for the Yankees.. haha.. better luck next year.. I hope they get there salaries cut, Arod is a choke in the post season..

 

Cosmopolitan: Not sure what that phone number? Bar setup??? What you mean

 

Thanks all..

[Maryfrei]

You can pre-order liquor to enjoy in your cabin. That is your bar setup, and Cosmopolitan is giving you the phone number to call and order one.

 

They do sell bottles on board, but those are for you to get a good buy on liquor to take home, not to use on board.

[judyf]

You will love NCl if you go in with an open mind. I've sailed CCL, RCCL and NCL as you can tell by my signature I keep going back to NCL now. I love the freestyle option, It's what a vacation is suppose to be.

 

I didn't miss anything after the Vogager of the Seaa. You will see difference in every line little things that make each line it's own and I love them all and miss a few things from each. Examples. I miss the midnight comedians on CCL> I miss the RCCL parades. But what I like about NCL makes up for waht I'm missing.

 

You should find a younger crowd during spring break but you really never know this till you #1 get on the roll call and see what everyone is like or #2 get on the ship. each sailing is different.

 

Don't miss the martini and margarita tastings on the NCL ships they are lots of fuin and a great way to meet fun people.

 

Have fun.

[NyYankees2k3]

Bar set-up, 1-866-625-1159:)

 

Thanks

[NyYankees2k3]

Don't miss the martini and margarita tastings on the NCL ships they are lots of fuin and a great way to meet fun people.

 

Have fun.

 

When do they have those?

[Cosmopolitan]

When do they have those?

 

Watch your "dailies". They will be posted in them.

 

It all depends on how many "sea" days you have.

 

Our last cruise, the martini, margarita (clinics) and wine tastings were all on the same day:eek: We only had one sea day.

 

If you have a few sea days, they will be spread out over the sea days.

 

Only one sea day...you have to choose which clinic/tasting you prefer:)

 

Martini clinic is great!

[samtig]

The Norwegian Sun is our favorite ship so far - 5 cruises - so that's a good place to start! We enjoy free-style dining & the Sun crew is fantastic. It's a clean, friendly ship & we had a lot of fun. There's a 1 table poker room in the casino for Texas hold em. It was a popular place of DH & a lot of other guys. If they couldn't play, they stood outside watching. We enjoyed it so much in Dec., we're going again in Feb. Have a great cruise!

[2Cruise4Ever]

Bar set-up, 1-866-625-1159:)

 

Hey, Cosmo, how's it going? I believe the bar setup is available only for Penthouse Suite passengers and up. Shoreguy can clarify this I'm sure... :D

[BeachBar]

Hey, Cosmo, how's it going? I believe the bar setup is available only for Penthouse Suite passengers and up. Shoreguy can clarify this I'm sure... :D

 

Bar Setup is available for anyone. Here's a link with all info:

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=395325

[caserko]

Just a little word of advice...my friends and I went on RCCL to Nassau and some other stops during spring break time when we were in college a few years ago. We were a group of girls. There were definitely a lot of college-age ppl on our boat and we had lots of fun.

My advice is this...if you're going to Nassau, be CAREFUL in the clubs if you're into that. Girls were outnumbered like 50 to 1 and we were actually really scared...lots of locals AND drunk spring breakers groping us. I'm sure others have had different experiences, just word to the wise about it.

[NyYankees2k3]

Just a little word of advice...my friends and I went on RCCL to Nassau and some other stops during spring break time when we were in college a few years ago. We were a group of girls. There were definitely a lot of college-age ppl on our boat and we had lots of fun.

My advice is this...if you're going to Nassau, be CAREFUL in the clubs if you're into that. Girls were outnumbered like 50 to 1 and we were actually really scared...lots of locals AND drunk spring breakers groping us. I'm sure others have had different experiences, just word to the wise about it.

 

Thanks for the advice.. This cruise is for Mexico, Guatemala, and Belize. I have been to the Bahamas my self on a cruise stop, didn't have a chance to go to any of the clubs though. My sister went their for spring break 2 years ago and she said the same thing as you did. There were a ton of guys, and the places were crowded. She also said she saw everyone from her school, and she wanted to get away with that so she was like like "ehhh". So that makes 2 people.. I guess im glad I didn't pick the Bahamas.

[NyYankees2k3]

Bar Setup is available for anyone. Here's a link with all info:

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=395325

 

Oh okay, yeah I saw that post before. I think I am going to do that. I dont understand why people think those prices are good, considering there about 2x more, but hey its a cruise I understand that. The way I look at it is if I bring a $20 bottle of vodka onboard and they take it, I'd rather just buy the $40 dollar bottle and not risking loosing anything.

 

Also, the bottles they give you a persume are 1L, not the 750ml they have in the USA?

[shoreguy]

Oh okay, yeah I saw that post before. I think I am going to do that. I dont understand why people think those prices are good, considering there about 2x more, but hey its a cruise I understand that. The way I look at it is if I bring a $20 bottle of vodka onboard and they take it, I'd rather just buy the $40 dollar bottle and not risking loosing anything.

 

Also, the bottles they give you a persume are 1L, not the 750ml they have in the USA?

 

The prices are great compared to the alternative - about $5 a shot onboard. That same 1L bottle would cost $170 :eek: I think the payback is 6 to 8 drinks or 4 of the large martinis:rolleyes:

 

Lets see a 1L bottle of Absolute is 26.50 plus 7% tax here for a total of 28.35. Paying $15 to make sure it is waiting in my cabin and not worry about hauling a bottle to the ship that may or may not make it to my cabin seems like a deal to me. I can even bring back 3 L of duty free for $30 and save money in the months after the cruise.:)

[NyYankees2k3]

The prices are great compared to the alternative - about $5 a shot onboard. That same 1L bottle would cost $170 :eek: I think the payback is 6 to 8 drinks or 4 of the large martinis:rolleyes:

 

Lets see a 1L bottle of Absolute is 26.50 plus 7% tax here for a total of 28.35. Paying $15 to make sure it is waiting in my cabin and not worry about hauling a bottle to the ship that may or may not make it to my cabin seems like a deal to me. I can even bring back 3 L of duty free for $30 and save money in the months after the cruise.:)

 

Yeah, I didn't realize you answered that question I had in your other post. I am def going to do this options. It seems like the best and most perfect idea to me. So I'm def going to do it! Thanks again!

[goat 65]

I am thinking of a trip in December or January on the Dawn. We will be sailing from NYC. What can I expect once I am in the Atlantic from NYC to the coast of Fla?

[NyYankees2k3]

Oh Yeah I had one more question.. do they give free drinks in the casino (like they do in AC and Vegas)

[shoreguy]

Oh Yeah I had one more question.. do they give free drinks in the casino (like they do in AC and Vegas)

 

Nope - the pit boss will on occasion pay NCL for a drink for you but unlike Vegas they will ask you to pay for most drinks. They do run late night 2 for 1 specials in the casino.

[NyYankees2k3]

Nope - the pit boss will on occasion pay NCL for a drink for you but unlike Vegas they will ask you to pay for most drinks. They do run late night 2 for 1 specials in the casino.

 

Oh alright. Thanks for the tip (and all your other help), you seem to know what you are talking about. Appreciate it! That 2 for 1 sounds good to me, I like playing blackjack. Do you know what kind of tables do they have $5, $10, $15, $25? Does it depend on the ship?