What's "free" with Freestyle?

[syndyj]

I have been reading nearly everything I can about freestyle cruising since I am looking at booking the Pearl for april 2007, however it seems to me that everything (with the exception of a few restaurants) comes at a fee.

 

Seeing as I have only cruised once on Adventure of the Seas where there were lots of "freebies" to be had such as free champagne at the art auction, Johnny Rockets (was free when I cruised), no charge for ice skating (read there would be a charge for the bowling on the Pearl) or any of the activites such as inline skating, golf or rock climbing ; plus we were not charged a corkage fee for having our own wine in the dining room (read that you have to declare your wine upon boarding all NCL ships and are charged the corkage fee right away).

 

What do you get "free" (i.e. do not have to pay extra for) on NCL ships?For example, do you get to use the spa sauna or hot tub for free?

[Lthouselady]

'Freestyle' does not mean that you get things for free.

 

It means that you are not locked into a specific dinner time and location. You can eat at whatever time you want, wherever you want. Also, you are free to wear whatever you like, (with some restrictions in the restaurants after 5pm). You don't have to bring formal clothes unless you choose to go to 'formal night' in the dining rooms.

 

I, personally, prefer to have a low cruise price and PAY for any extras I want, than to pay a higher fare to have things included that I have no interest in.

[syndyj]

Oh I am sorry if you thought I meant that I expected everything "free" because of the term free style, it was actually a "pun", you know a play on words! I am quite aware of what the concept of freestyle is, hence the reason I am leaning towards the Pearl.

 

Since I have been checking and comparing prices the Pearl is comparable to other 5 night cruises that I have been looking at in April, and in fact I can also get a 7 night for only a few dollars more on Carnival, and with even a few more dollars and a change of date I can also get a 7 night cruise on Royal Caribbean's Voyager class. So,for the price the Pearl isn't THAT cheap compared to the other ships where all the "extras" are covered in the cruise price and they are extras that I have utlized since I am an active vacationer.

 

My question was posed to get responses on what tips, hints or insider info that could be passed along to a newbie cruiser on "freebies" on the Pearl based on experiences with other NCL ships. Before my first cruise I got valuable information on what things we did not have to pay for, which helped with expectaions on what our cruise would be like.

[immargaret]

They always give you free champagne at the art auctions. Free drinks in the casinos at certain times (Check your Freestyle Daily).

 

There are free restaurants, with the option to go to an "extra charge" restaurant if you choose.

 

There are free hottubs and pools (on deck), or the option to pay an "extra charge" to use the relaxing spa facilities on some ships.

 

There are free seminars on a variety of topics, free movies in the theater on some ships, free shows, free entertainment, free craft activities.

 

There is free dramimine at the front desk.

[Nilla]

Wow I am very surprised that RCL lets you bring on your own Wine an take it with you to the dining room! When I was on RCL a few years back they woudl not let me buy a bottle and take it to my room but I had to pay a fee for this service! SO the fact that you can bringyour own wine on and not pay a dime to drink it in the dining room seems very interesting to me.

[Checkmate1955]

I have sailed on both Princess and NCL.... The NCL term FreeStyle is a little like Princess Personal Choice... The price for the cruises were similiar for a 7 day cruise and we dressed similiar (casual) for both cruises... There are restrictions on NCL as to how you dress for the main dining rooms and I bet they are very similiar to Princess... Most cruise ships allow you to dress in slacks and top (not formal) for the dining rooms... as does NCL.... (resort casual) It is mainly a play on words... ....:) ...marketing you know!:p

[tetleytea]

I think officially there is a corkage fee on RCL, but unofficially we were able to drink our own champagne in the dining room as well, no charge.

[syndyj]

Nilla , like teleytea said there is a corkage fee for wine consumed in the dining room, however we were not charged anything. I guess that decision was made by the waiter and he was just being extremely generous at that time.

 

From what I have read about NCL they make you pay the corkage fee upon boarding and not in the dining room as was the case with AOS.

 

immargret, thank you very much, your tips are exactly the type of feedback I was looking for.

[ute_fan]

One other thing to consider as you comparison shop for prices is that the Pearl is NCL's newest ship. Normally the newer ships tend to be more expensive than the older ones, so that may be increasing the price of the Pearl -- especially if the other ships you're looking at aren't the newest in their fleet. To me, it doesn't matter, but I guess there are some who are willing to pay more for that experience. Got to pay for that bowling alley, after all :D .

[syndyj]

Actually ute_fan you are quite right, the RC ship was Voyager of the Seas and the Carnival ships are Triumph and Victory I believe. Since I have no desire to cruise Carnival I do think that for a new ship the price of the Pearl is reasonable. :) I have already sailed a Voyager class ship, and I really like the idea of freestyle and trying something new. No "loyalties" here, just open to trying the ship that fits what I am looking for.

[Retired not Expired]

 

Seeing as I have only cruised once on Adventure of the Seas where there were lots of "freebies" to be had such as free champagne at the art auction, Johnny Rockets (was free when I cruised), no charge for ice skating (read there would be a charge for the bowling on the Pearl) or any of the activites such as inline skating, golf or rock climbing ; plus we were not charged a corkage fee for having our own wine in the dining room (read that you have to declare your wine upon boarding all NCL ships and are charged the corkage fee right away).

 

There's now a fee for Johnny Rockets and you are no longer allowed to bring wine or any other type booze on RCCL unless you are one of the ones who can find success in smuggling it on.

[immargaret]

 

immargret, thank you very much, your tips are exactly the type of feedback I was looking for.

 

Here's a few more freebies.....

 

There usually have a tequila tasting at the duty free store, I believe they offered rum tasting as well... This will be posted in the Freestyle Daily.

 

Normally when you first get on the ship there are raffles in different departments, including the SPA and the Internet cafe. I won a facial on one cruise.

 

The casino has a Spin to Win machine where you get a free pull of the lever every day with a chance to win a free cruise, dinner in the specialty restuarants or champagne......there may be other prizes that I don't remember.

 

If they have a rewards program meeting (Where they get you to buy into a future cruise) they keep the champagne flowing.

 

Usually during the Port/Shopping talks they give out prizes.

 

I've never requested one but I've heard you can get free playing cards from the pursers desk. There is a free large post card of the ship in each cabin.

[syndyj]

There's now a fee for Johnny Rockets and you are no longer allowed to bring wine or any other type booze on RCCL unless you are one of the ones who can find success in smuggling it on.

 

I am a Crown and Anchor member so I will get a "free" coupon to be used at Johnny Rockets. Don't know about the wine, but will take your word for it.

However, I am asking about NCL and it is amusing to me that the focus is RCL. ;)

[immargaret]

cappachino and expresso are free in the dining rooms with meals, or you can go to the optional extra charge java cafe. If you order a drink at the java cafe you can get a free dessert from the display case.

[Nilla]

All I was statign was I fidn it funny that they charged a fee to take booze to your room but dont pay a fee for wine in the dining room. Im sure that will all change with every cruise line sooner then later! They are all about the money, and making it off us any way they can!

[Retired not Expired]

I am a Crown and Anchor member so I will get a "free" coupon to be used at Johnny Rockets. Don't know about the wine, but will take your word for it.

However, I am asking about NCL and it is amusing to me that the focus is RCL. ;)

 

Could be because I also sail with RCCL and would not like anyone thinking about one of their cruises to have old information and be disappointed if they take a cruise with them. They may not get the "free" coupon and since July, can no longer take on wine.

 

Sorry you find that amusing but you were the one to bring up RCCL and I believe everyone should have the latest information regardless of cruise line.

 

I enjoy both lines and they both have the normal included in the fare items and some extra fee items.

[ce2000]

syndyj, I believe that you should give NCL try. To me it is not similar to any other cruise line, due to the fact that there are so many dinning choices. If you like to eat at many different venues while aboard ship, NCL may be for you. A lot of people much prefer NCL Freestyle over any other line. Freestyle is not for everyone however, I prefer the traditional dining concept, but I believe that it is a very good thing to have a choice. The only way to find out if freestyle is for you is to book an NCL cruise, I believe that you will have a good time on the Pearl, then you will know for sure if freestyle is for you.

[hotspur]

I am a Crown and Anchor member so I will get a "free" coupon to be used at Johnny Rockets.

It isn't clear to me why anyone would pay to eat at a Johnny Rocket's. Or even go with a free coupon when on a cruise ship.

 

A piece of advice: If you really want NCL regulars to be helpful here it would be better not to begin your request by taking a cheap shot at NCL.

[Retired not Expired]

 

A piece of advice: If you really want NCL regulars to be helpful here it would be better not to begin your request by taking a cheap shot at NCL.

 

And as they knew they would get a Johnny Rockets coupon as a C & A member, they also knew it is not free on RCCL as they stated. They also didn't seem to care for me correcting that or about the wine.:rolleyes:

 

I happen to like RCCL and believe they have a good product. I would like it better if they had freestyle dining and would probably use it more if they did.

 

I also believe everyone should have factual information about any cruise line without any agenda or my personnel feeling about that cruise line.

[Joanniebop]

Could be because I also sail with RCCL and would not like anyone thinking about one of their cruises to have old information and be disappointed if they take a cruise with them. They may not get the "free" coupon and since July, can no longer take on wine.

 

Sorry you find that amusing but you were the one to bring up RCCL and I believe everyone should have the latest information regardless of cruise line.

 

I enjoy both lines and they both have the normal included in the fare items and some extra fee items.

I sailed on the Grandeur of the Seas on Sept 15,2006 and I was shocked when I carried my 1.5L bottle of Chardonay into the dining room and was never charged the corkage fee, thought for sure it was a fluke, then when that bottle was done ( a few days later), I carried my 2nd bottle (1.5L) into the dining room and once again I was not charged the fee and this was after there had been so much talk , on RCL, about cracking down and the waiters were making such a fuss because the bottle was larger that what they were use to seeing in the restaurant.

 

The main difference between NCL and the "others" is for me, I have a blast on NCL ( Not to be confused with the " fun ship", which I personally would not sail on again even for free) I think that without all of the restrictions such as the ones that are imposed on other lines ,you are really able to relax and chill and have a great vacation.

[mbisson]

Some things you pay for, the rest is "priceless" ;)

[syndyj]

A piece of advice: If you really want NCL regulars to be helpful here it would be better not to begin your request by taking a cheap shot at NCL.

 

Ok, maybe I missed something here put please direct me to the "cheap shot" I took at NCL. I have never sailed any of their ships so it would be quite remiss of me to parlay an opinion or "cheap shot" in that regard.All I have been doing recently is reading information posted in this forum and it is because of that information I started this thread.

 

And "we" are not really interested in Royal Caribbean, hence the reason I did not stay on the topic of wine or Johnny Rockets. "We" wanted to know about NCL, I appreciate correcting the information by the way, just that it's not the feedback I was looking for.

 

Thanks to all who responded to my questions, especially immargaret, I think I will go back to "just reading" status now!

[cathi007]

Actually ute_fan you are quite right, the RC ship was Voyager of the Seas and the Carnival ships are Triumph and Victory I believe. Since I have no desire to cruise Carnival I do think that for a new ship the price of the Pearl is reasonable. :) I have already sailed a Voyager class ship, and I really like the idea of freestyle and trying something new. No "loyalties" here, just open to trying the ship that fits what I am looking for.

 

Just curious. why don't you want to cruise carnival? Have you had any bed expieriences with them? I loved my carnival cruise. Even though it was an old ship, it was the best cruise. The ppl were friendly, the entertainment was awesomel the price was right, no complaints from me. I just got off the Spirit, today actually, and although I would sail NL again, I loved CCL, Cathi

[electricron]

There's so much free stuff aboard the ships, and at various places, it's difficult to remember all of them. There's free food scattered everywhere, and free drinks if you attend the correct events. I find browsing through the Freestyle Daily every night for the next day invaluable in discovering where and when they are. I also suggest exploring the ship often with an eye out for the freebies. You aren't going to find them locked up in your cabin watching the TV. You'll be surprised what you'll find free just by walking around the ship.

Many times I've read someone give a familiar disappointment in a review, discovering something great about a ship very late on a cruise, and wish they had found it sooner. The best way to discover it sooner is to read your Freestyle Daily religously, and to stroll about the ship early on your cruise.

[syndyj]

Thanks for the tip about the Freestyle Daily electricon, on vacation I never stay in my room/cabin looking at TV, I am always out and about exploring ! That's why I am looking for a ship with lots of activities! My husband and I are very active vacationers and enjoy doing our own thing as well as having lots to do where ever we go.