Sissaaaaaa

i have been seeing cruises listed as 3rd and 4th sail free. I can see as a business decision this really helps the bottom line. But do crowded ships turn off cruisers? When I sailed Escape last year there were close to 5300 passengers on a ship listed at about 4200 passengers. I found everything jammed but the crew handled the masses beautifully. I just read a posting on Facebook from someone who just got off NCL and stated it was way too crowded and that they would not go back. I am sailing this Sept and checked, my sailing is listed as a 3, 4th sail free. So I am expectong crowds. Do you see this as a big negative? If so is an over crowded ship enough to make you consider another ship or another line? Makes me wonder if over filling ships works against a cruise line in the long run.

We usually sail during spring break, so the ships are almost always at capacity. We have never had it negatively impact our cruise.

Hi Everyone-

I am looking to try NCL this winter. Been on RCl, Celebrity, and Princess. We have a 4-yr old daughter. We would be doing a Haven suite. Anyone give me feedback on the kids clubs programs? I have been researching it and thought it would best to come to the board. We were leaning towards Disney, but for the cost of 3 of us in a balcony, we can stay in the Haven. I am pretty convinced, but need advice on the kids programming and of course safety.

Best!

My daughter loved NCL the best. We sailed Princess, Royal, and NCL when she was little, and she always enjoyed NCL the best.

Lucky you! Loved the Epic Haven in 2/17. Can't wait to go back. What ports?

 

 

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It's a 5-nighter out of Port Canaveral. We go to GSC and Cozumel, which is really why I jumped on it. I love both of these ports, and the price was $2,400 less than the 7-nighter the following week (go figure). We are anxiously waiting for the 2019 itineraries to be released. We really want to book a Mediterranean trip on this ship as well.

Been on the Epic 6 times (only once in the Havens) and love the ship.

It's our favorite ship!

Do tell!!!

 

Epic Haven I hope.

 

 

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Yes Ma'am!! We booked the 2-bedroom.

Just booked our 4th sailing on the Epic! Love this ship! :D

Salary pay the income tax.

TIP's pay the Butler.

Using that logic, they are better off without a tip. Income is taxed based on income, regardless of the country.

I think we all know no one on any ship works solely for tips. They all earn a wage. NCL is very good to their employees.

Tipping should always be based on service, not guilt.

You were told wrong if someone said you could make calls while in airplane mode. There is NO WAY your phone can make any kind of phone call or text while in airplane mode. It can only communicate through wifi (internet) and then you would need a special app to send messages( like Facebook). You could also make FaceTime phone calls, but never could you make a regular phone call with your phone in airplane mode. Just not possible.

Sure you can. I have made plenty of calls and texts over wifi. I have Verizon and have never had a charge or a problem.

And you're spot on. Tipping should always be about the level of service.

 

I've been flabbergasted at least twice reading something similar to below on CC:

 

'If the service is good I'll tip 20% and if it's bad 15%'. The craziest thing I've read on here.

 

 

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Agreed. I always tip based on service. If it's flat out horrible, why would I tip them?? I am not going to reward someone for bad service.

Butler's work for tip's.

 

So Great hard working butler's naturally can make lots more than slacker's.

They are salaried. The tip is extra.

Go Karts!!!

One evening on my recent cruise, I strolled through the duty free shop on the Jade. I spotted a sales table with some watches. I picked up a nice looking Invicta watch. The salesman pointed out its functions. I tried it on and it looked good on me. I examined the price tag and noted that the original price for the watch was $599.00 on sale for $169.00. I thought why not and purchased the watch. A couple of months pasted and had a question about the watch. I Googled the watch and was surprised to find that I could have purchased it new at many places between $80.00 and $100.00. I am disappointed in NCL for putting a false price on it. The actual list price of the watch is $159.00. I know that I was willing to pay their price but I believe NCL should not be inflating the list prices. It makes me wonder about all the prices in the duty free shop. My watch doesn't look as nice on my wrist as it use to.

I would never buy anything on the ship thinking it's a "deal". It never is.

I know I have read over the years that the beds on Epic are shorter than usual and on one of the"tips" threads, they suggest you can make them a little longer by pulling them out from under the headboard some. I have done a couple of searches without luck to find out just how awful they are for extra tall folks. Most folks say something to the effect, "I am six foot two and my feet hang off"

 

....as a six foot sevener, my feet always hang off! I learned when I was about 15 that I had to sleep angled and/or with my knees bent to "fit" on most beds. So here is my question, specifically aimed at extra tall folks - lets say 6'-5" or over:

 

How uncomfortable were the beds in balcony staterooms? Enough that we should consider taking a slightly more expensive TA on a ship without all the bells and whistles to keep us fully engaged for multiple sea days?

 

Are inside stateroom beds the same or are they more like others in the fleet?

 

TIA for any and all advice!

My husband didn't complain, but his feet did hang off the bed. He is 6'6

As someone who has stayed in the Haven on the Escape, the Haven is gorgeous but as like others have said, whether it would be worth it or not would really depend on your interests. For me, I love that the Haven is very exclusive (don't worry though, I am not stuck up) and there's an exclusive restaurant just for people in the Haven. It's also nice that the butler and cabin stewards will always greet you by name (cabin stewards for balcony or mini suites have never once asked me for my name). You definitely get pampered and treated like a VIP in the Haven but for me, I rarely use butler nor the Concierge. I have never done in-suite dining nor have I told the Butler to get me certain snacks in particular in the afternoons. I actually spend more time outside the Haven than inside.

 

Please check out my Escape review for info on Escape Haven. http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2284255

You really do not have to reserve anything in advance either. If you want a certain restaurant or show, just talk to the concierge.

As someone who has NCL-suited but never Haven-ed (though I know people who have), my view is that the Epic and larger Havens would be worth it while the Jewel-class Havens not so much.

 

Again, just my uninformed opinion.

The Haven on the Epic is 100% worth it. I'm not so sure it would be worth it on the away ships or the Escape. Smaller Haven, more cabins ... we are looking at the epic again specifically for the Haven - it was that good.

I am quite happy with this. My cost for transportation will only be 15 cents with my platinum plus and shore credit. In January it cost me over 200, now it will only be $100.15. SCORE!

Over Christmas? Am I reading this correctly? You will be lucky to get on 1 ride, 2 max.

Hey folks:

 

Was just wondering about the availability/propriety of taking a lunch off the ship?

 

We have some pretty long ports of call, and we'd love to be able to get some sandwiches or etc to take with us when we're walking around Junneau or Skagway. Is this a thing at all? Or do we pretty much have to either eat lunch on the ship, or buy lunch while we're out?

 

Thanks!

Either return to the ship, or buy your lunch.

Keep in mind that you do pay the 18% gratuity on the value of the 'free' drink package and the 'free' specialty dinners. IMO it's worth the cost, but some folks don't realize they have to prepay those gratuities.

Unless you book as a group ... then you do not pay.

My kids (3 & 5) usually go to bed around 7:30pm when we're at home, and while we won't be attempting anything close to that while on our cruise, I was wondering if they would be allowed to lay down on a mat in the corner somewhere if we want to leave them there until 9 or 10. I know they'll get tired and would probably be able to tune out the chaos of whatever's going on if they have a comfy place to lie down and a blanket. Think it would be an option?

 

Thanks!

If you know they are going to be tired and ready for bed, then pick them up and take them back to the cabin like good parents.

when you go to book a cruise in some instances you are entitled yo 2 free at sea. in the cruise i looked at if you pick dining pkg. and drink pkg. when to go to final cost there is a $220 plus charge.. doesnt seem like free at sea to me ?

If you book as a group, you do not pay these fees. Otherwise, yes, it's an added charge.

Deleted. Misunderstood post.

Yes, I realize that I overlooked an important detail. I'm not saying that this is somehow NCL fault. I am saying that what sets certain companies above the rest is their customer service. That even though this was my mistake, an excellent company will not fault me and will be accommodating if at all possible. It's just what sets some brands above the others.

 

 

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I would not want a 12-year old with 16- and 17-year olds. Excellent customer service, as far as I am concerned.

Yes, but I do want my daughter to be able to be with her friend for her birthday. If this is in Splash or Entourage, they should be able to celebrate together. After all they are only a year apart. To say that a parent would be ok with their 10yo child being with my near 13yo, but not her 14yo friend is so arbitrary.

 

 

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It won't happen. They 100% will not allow it. I don't know why you are still asking ...

Honestly, this issue will be a deal breaker. They're flexibility in accommodating my daughter who will be 13 a week after sailing is very important. Like I said, the whole purpose of the cruise was to celebrate her birthday. We allowed her to invite her friend. How awful to have to go to a separate club than your best friend for your birthday! Seriously, depending on how this issue is handled, it could ruin my child's birthday and we will never choose Norwegian again. We live in Florida and have cruised Carnival and Disney. Carnival allowed my 15yo, at the time, sister off the boat without parental permission!! As you can see, we aren't cruising with them anymore either. Might have to try another line after this.

 

 

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You should have researched that before booking. absolutely no leeway on this at all.

Has anyone had any experiences with bringing a small quantity of booze onto a ship without trying to smuggle in various containers?

 

I fully understand NCL's policy, having said that, I received 2 bottles 50 ml each of fine scotch as a gift. I was thinking that it would be nice to enjoy at a special time on our balcony. Has anyone had a small quantity "overlooked"? Confiscated?

We always bring a small amount for the balcony. You will have to repackage it though.