poohdreaming

No more chocolate night on the cruise. But you would still be able to find chocolate desserts at the buffet. I love the lava cake.

We cannot mention specific vendors or list travel agents. For me, I booked my first cruise through NCL and then my second cruise, I did not use NCL but a third party site. I used a site through my credit card. I would get like cash back rewards for paying through this travel agent site and then would receive the rest after the cruise was over. This was the only addition and other things were same on NCL site.

Go with Cagney’s based on your question. However, in my opinion Le Bistro would be more of a special day / more romantic.

It also depends on what time you are going for dinner. If its late at night like 8-10 pm, Le Bistro might be more quiet in the dark with candles. At Cagney's, the room would be more brighter. Anyway, these restaurants are good and their desserts especially at Le Bistro if you are a fan of creme brulee.

we are an older couple on the April 7th Escape cruise. Woukd like to meet another couple for dinner at Cagney’s on Wed or Thurs nite. They onky have seating for 4 or 6. We are from Dallas, this is our 20th cruise and we are 81 and 75 years old.

If you want to meet another couple for dinner at Cagney's, it is best to post it under your cruise roll call forum.

However, if it because you cannot make a reservation for 2 - you can either call NCL to reserve for 2 people, or book a higher # or wait til you are on board to book. If it was me, I will not wait as the restaurant could be fully booked throughout the cruise or for that certain date you are looking to book for.

ok, just booked at Le Cucina!

 

what is the next best for non-meat (seafood ok) eaters?

Well, this depend on which cruise ship you would be going on.

If going by your signature - your upcoming cruise ship is on the NCL Gem..

You might want to try Le Bistro, Cagney's or Teppanyaki or go to La Cucina more than 1 time.

Even though Cagney's is best known for it steaks, they have other good food.

As a first time NCL cruiser what do I need to know about sailing on the GEM out of NY to Canada? I've been on several other cruise lines but never NCL? Any tips, hints, etc would be greatly appreciated.

I went on a cruise with NCL Gem to Canada back of Oct 2017 and loved it even though the time at Quebec city was cut off.

Tips: Pack some warmer clothing...layers, layers. It depends on when you are going to Canada. It can be very cold or warm. Make sure to check the weather before going and to pack an umbrella.

On the cruise ship - Visit the Great Outdoors when it available and use the room in La Cucina when they offer it for breakfast. More table, room and space so it not crowded as everyone stay at the buffet area. Always find a table for breakfast in La Cucina.

Cagney's, Le Bistro, and La Cucina were my favorite for specialty dining. Make sure to book in advance. You can call up the specialty dining line to have them book for you.

You can arrive at the port at anytime. If you arrived early, you would be waiting in a lobby until they announce when people can be on board by calling their boarding #. For me, I do not mind waiting as I wanted to make sure I have enough time to get to the port as I travel to the port on the day the cruise ship leave. Once on board, the best place to eat on embarkation day for lunch would either be the Garden Cafe or the MDR.

Just booked Gem for June. No seeing much posed about her. Making me nervous. This will be my 1st time on NCL. Usually do RC. Anybody been her recently? Would love hear the good & bad. thanks

 

 

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Make sure you join your roll call for this cruise. You would then be able to then sign up for the meet and greet as well as to see what other cruisers are doing or planning for the cruise.

For me, NCL Gem is perfect in term of a cruise ship size. It is not too big like NCL Breakaway or too small.

You can definitely read about past reviews of the NCL Gem to get an idea. However, one should not focus or to be concern about some particular reviews that might be low. Your cruise might not be going to the same destination that a poster posted on. Even if its going to the same place, your experience would be different.

On the Gem, you should visit the Great Outdoors and for breakfast, you should go to La Cucina whenever they offer it.

More room & space and you can also visit the Great Outdoors to quickly grab a drink or some breakfast items rather than walk all the way back to the buffet area for drink.

On my recent cruise with NCL Gem, I had the dining package. I went to Cagney's, Le Bistro, and La Cucina for 2 times. I did not book in advanced so I had to go with La Cucina for 2 times, however it was not that bad.

I skipped Teppanyaki because I usually have this type of food back at home and I also skipped moderno because I did not like how it was about too much meat.

You might like Teppanyaki for the food entertainment part.

Cagney's seem to be more popular.

If you buy a specialty dining package or get it through the promotion - for those specialty restaurants at la carte price - you do not need to concern with the total price. It would be taken off at the end of the meal when you give them your ship card. You would be given the menu and to order what you want from the menu. However it is 1 entree and for the desserts and app. - it depends on the restaurant.

https://www.ncl.com/specialty-dining-package/faq

It is best to book those popular restaurants ahead of time.

The $50 shore excursion credit per each port will be applied to your acct after the shore excursion is completed. However, if a shore excursion is missed or cancelled as in the cruise skip the port, you would not have a refund. And if the shore excursion is less than $50, it would not apply the $50, but some portion of it. For example, if a shore excursion is $40 - they will apply like maybe $30-$38. And do not book shore excursions on your own. Call the shore excursion desk to have them book for you. Also it is best to book in advance in case some shore excursions are popular and would be sold out.

Thats going to be real interesting on my up coming 14 day cruise on the BA. Per Edocs boarding starts at Noon, do not arrive before 11am, we leave at 3pm. So in theory 4000 plus pax have one hour to board Lol

There are different check in times that people choose. The earliest one is at 9:30 am, but people can arrive there early to get in line. Once security start, these people would get an earlier boarding # pass and wait in the lobby/waiting areas. When they make an announcement by boarding #, these people would be able to be on board. If you are in Haven, or other VIP levels, you would be on board before these passengers.

Some choose to get there early in order to make sure they arrive on time as well as there are some group of cruisers that wanted to get the Vibe pass once on board. Then there are some that decided to choose to check in at a later time so once pass the security check in, would then be able to get on board.

From NCL site:

What about special dietary needs?

If you have any food allergy or a dietary requirement that requires Kosher meals or gluten-free food product, please advise a Norwegian Reservations Agent, or your Travel Agent at the time of booking. Obtaining the product for many of these requests requires 30-days notice prior to sailing, and we want to ensure that we are able to fulfill your request. We cannot guarantee Kosher Meal requests made within 30 days of sail date. For the protection of all of our guests, it is not permissible to bring aboard any food items that would require preparation by the ship’s staff, or food items that would require cold storage in our kitchen facilities.

In order to make your cruise experience as enjoyable as possible and so that we can try to meet your specific needs, call 1-866-584-9756 (voice), fax (305) 468 - 2171, send an email to accessdesk@ncl.com or have your travel agent contact us.

When you email them, they would get back to you. Then you would have to fill out a form & email it back to them about any food allergies. Once on board, you would meet with the person in charge. S/he would bring the MDR menu the night before for you to preview the next day dinner menu. If you are going to book at a specialty restaurant, just let him or her know & would bring that specialty restaurant menu. There are no reservations for the main dining room, but if you choose to get there early & wait in line, it should not be a problem.

For shows, some of them you can reserve ahead of time on NCL or once on board, you can do so through the TV or go directly to the box office. Check to see if you can do it online first. I am not so sure about the show time on the Bliss, but on the Breakaway & the Gem, the show was listed at 7pm and then the 9 pm show. The 9pm show is the repeated show of the 7pm, same topic/show. It will be listed on the freestyle daily newsletter.

I never cruised before and Breakaway was my first ever cruise that I went on with NCL, which I enjoyed it.

The cruise would be best for children, but as you mentioned late March - it is around spring break so the cruise ship would probably be totally booked and crowd are more crazy with their drink package (alcohol).

Outside areas - depends on the weather. If it is too cold, the pool would not be accessible but they do have hot tubs.

Might not be able to use it on the first day.

Port Canaveral - most cruisers stay on board at this port. If this is your first time here, you can choose to do the coco beach if the beach is your thing to do. For other tours like Disney, the space center, etc - it is not so worth it in my opinion for the time limited.

Nickel and Diming - All cruise lines do it. You just need to pick the right vacation package / the best deal as well as not to use like the room service beside the complimentary breakfast. NCL have the free at sea promotion as well as the distinctive voyages that you can combine if you choose any of those cruises that have these promotions. The distinctive voyages packages have the free excursions, free WiFi, free phone calls and the free air credit & the free hotel credit - need to book through NCL.

The 2 hrs is only for the 1st day of when you get on the cruise. When you are in ports, 30 mins before the departure time to get back on or the cruise ship will leave without you. Pay attention to the departure time listed on the freestyle daily newsletter. The time would also be posted on a pole when you exited. Remember, it is always the ship time. Ignore the time in the port you would visit.

Will be sailing out of Port Miami again but this will be my first cruise as platinum. Was wondering if any can explain how checkin would work as a Platinum member. My understanding is that there will a be a dedicated checkin area and that Platinum members are given the boarding group after Haven guests. Can anyone confirm this and possibly walk me through the process.

 

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I know they have a specific waiting room/lounge for Haven guests.

But for Platinum members, if there are a dedicated check in line - it would be best to ask when you showed up at the Port of Miami. They would have staffs to tell cruisers where to go. Just tell the staff that you are a platinum.

Hi all,

I'm planning a 10 day trip in January with NCL. Having only been on one cruise before (P&O) I'm a bit confused. On their website it says 'Premium All Inclusive' and all of your drinks/gratuities are included etc.

But when booking, the advertised price is for a 'Just Cruise Inside' deal priced at £619 but it appears that to be a 'Premium All Inclusive" customer we will need to select an Inside Room priced at £939.

I personally don't drink alcohol, so wouldn't see the benefit in spending £310 more for it, where as my partner does.

What do NCL charge for gratuities? It's all a bit confusing! Also, with a 'Just Cruise Inside' room, are all of the meals included when eating in the main dining room?

 

If anyone can help clarify on how NCL works, it would be much appreciated.

Many thanks!

It would help if you mentioned which cruise ship you would like to plan to.

I do not know which cruise ship you are going on nor which promotion you would choose.

If you choose the Norwegian Rate or the Sail Away Rate, you would not have any promotions.

NCL charge gratuities for the drinking package if you choose it as well as for the dining package.

Beside the specialty restaurants, all other restaurants are included in the cruise fare you paid for.

The main dining rooms are complementary as well as the buffet.

If you were to stay on board the Breakaway on a port day what activities would you do?

 

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There are still some activities for cruisers to do such as going to the spa, play sports, watch movies or do the ship behind the tour.

If 11 of you are sat at a table for dinner & wanted a drink, yes they would collect all 11 ship cards. Besides, dinner - it is same at the bar.

Yes, there is an awesome coffee / espresso machine in the Studio Lounge... Also, a large jug dispenser of both water and orange juice. Cookies and fruit are also there for the taking.

Yes, this would be the best thing that NCL offer for those staying in the studio.

Drinks from the coffee / espresso machine would be free along with cookies, fruits and cakes to take.

The UBP does not include bottle water and specialty coffee is also not included.

I have always sailed with a 4 p.m. departure. I usually try to get to the cruise terminal between 10 and 11. Does this mean I should try for 12-1 p.m.? On the 4 p.m. departures they seem to start boarding around 11:30. What time will they start boarding for a 6 p.m. departure? I assume the muster drill will be moved from 3:30 to 5:30?

They should start boarding at 11:30 am or whenever they cleared everyone off & is ready for new cruisers.

I have signed up for the M&G. I don't know I think really just relaxing, napping and sunning. I think the hardest time for me will be the evenings. Dining primarily. Do they just sit solos at a table all to themselves? I don't mind eating alone but it would be nice to not have to eat alone a day or 2.

 

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Well, in the evening - there are shows you can attend as well as other activities.

For dining - if you are meeting other from the solo travelers group - you can eat with these people that are interested in having dinner together. If not through this group, then you would be eating at a table all to yourself.

For me - early check in as I would take a train into the city and then a cab to the port. Early check in - not so bad and boarding pass was #7 for the recent cruise I went on. Some wanted to get there early especially for those that wanted to get the vibe pass on newer NCL cruises.

You will be fine going as solo on the cruise. Did you already join your cruise roll call if there is one?

If there is a roll call, join so you can chat with what other cruisers are doing. If there is a meet & greet, sign up for that.

On all NCL cruises, they have solo travelers meetings. The location & time would be posted on the NCL freestyle daily.

At these meetings, you can join other solo for dinner or you can eat by yourself.

Have fun!! :)

Yes, you would get a copy of the Freestyle Daily in your room in the evening with a towel animal.

And if you participate in any trivia or staff activities, remember to get an activity card & have the staff sign it.

At the end of the cruise, you would redeem it for NCL Logo prizes like t-shirt, pen, etc. based on how many points you got.

Enjoy your cruise!!

i totally forgot what we picked as far as dining and now can’t find any info (didn’t realize edocs would disappear.)

If you forgot which specialty dining restaurants you picked as well as the date/time, just go to the guest services desk to ask. They would tell you and if you need them to, they would reprint those confirmations for you. You would also go to the guest services desk if you wanted to change your specialty restaurant.