Hopes4

Can you purchase a Next Cruise Certificate with OBC? I was just thinking that it would be a better deal for us Canucks if we could purchase under the better exchange rate.

Yes, you can. :)

I can't seem to find it but I thought I read that the night we leave, the dress code is a bit lax?

 

I have a reservation for The Manhattan room at 6:30, can we wear shorts that night?

It has been my experience that dress codes are dropped that night only due to all passengers not having gotten their luggage yet.

Booked an inside guarantee on the Dec 2nd Dawn sailing. Got a really great price and the kids were free.

 

What I'm wondering is if I now want to upgrade my room do we have to pay the additional 3rd/4th person fees

 

Thanks

I read of someone keeping the kids free and upgrading. Then someone on my roll call upgraded and kept the kids free promo.

The first time she called, they told her the kids would have to pay, so if that is the answer you get, call again or speak to a supervisor.

Don't mean to hyjack but what about the gem

The Gem has a functioning cigar room.

Just back today and most, but not all of our requests were handled. We only had 4 and got 2. I still think it is worth doing. We did get the pillows we requested and the ones that stay cool...I loved them!

Out of curiosity (and to see if there is a trend when others give feedback as well), what requests weren't fulfilled?

I logged on to my Norweign cruise web site and it says I have $600 on board credit. I have no idea why. Is it a gimmick, is it really a coupon book worth $600. I leave on Aug 31 so I will let you know when I get back.

If its on the website, it's no joke. :D

Are you booked in a suite? Did you pay for that suite with an American Express card? If yes to both, that would account for $500 OBC right there.

Coupon books can be printed but they don't show up as OBC.

Edit: I just realized she is on her cruise right now. Oops. lol. Hope she's having fun!

I was the poster that indicated that my children tried lobster, calamari and escargot on a cruise. They were FOUR OR FIVE AT THE TIME (or did you miss that?)...fettuccine alfredo and lasagna I would not consider gourmet fare...lol...caviar, lobster and escargot are acquired tastes and not something I serve for dinner on a Tuesday night (unlike at your house obviously). My now adult children not only enjoy good food, but know how to behave in a fine dining environment. That was certainly not taught on a cruise BTW it was taught long before they ever boarded a ship.

I don't consider the fettuccine or lasagna gourmet fare either and escargot is NOT served in my home at all. As a matter of fact, the first time my son had it was on a cruise.

My point was that children can experience and enjoy all different foods and have good manners if they are given the opportunity to experience them. It can be at home, a regular restaurant or at a fine dining establishment. Just because children do not enjoy long dinners doesn't not mean they will only like nuggets and hot dogs. If you felt I was being disparaging in any way, I assure you I was not.

As for lobster and cavier, everyone knows you serve them on Wednesday, not Tuesday.... :D;):D

Great answer!!!

 

We dine out both with and without our children. They enjoy going to restaurants and know how to behave.

 

If you take your children out to eat at an early age and teach them what is expected of them there is absolutely no reason why you can't do it with them on a vacation as well. If you never take them out and expose them to different foods then that is when they only know how to eat chicken nuggets and have a 2 minute attention span.

I believe the key words here are "expose them". As I stated before, my children dislike long dinners and you will rarely find them sitting through one.. but food, oh my, food they like! Unlike one of the previous posters whose children first had lobster and calamari on a cruise, my children eat this at home. You are much more likely to eat fetticini Alfredo or lasagna at my house than mac and cheese. Same goes for Indian chicken or chicken saltimbocca than a chicken nugget. Also, a nice variety of "fine food" can be found in the regular restrauants on board. Dressing up and using good manners can be taught there (or even at home) as well as in Cagneys.

To play devil's advocate here, the poster did not say "why would you bring children to Cagneys, the don't belong there" It is quite possible the poster meant no disrespect to children at all. Many couples (myself included) rarely dine out together, the poster might be thinking it would be a wonderful opportunity for a couple to have a lovely dinner and each others undivided attention.

Personally, my children would not want to sit that long so you wouldn't see them there, but well behaved children are a joy to see anywhere. (Well, not at an adult comedy show, but that's a whole other issue ;))

If my 3 year old dines off the Cagney's (or other speciality restaurant) children's menu' date=' is she still free, or would we pay the half price? She's a great eater and loves trying new things, but I'm curious what the protocol is for that.[/quote']

 

I would assume that "always free" means just that.

 

http://www2.ncl.com/sites/default/files/DiningGuide_08302012.pdf

 

Check out the bottom left corner.

i read somewhere if children order off kids menu it is free. How can that be? The kids menu has the shrimp cocktail, crab cakes, salad, 5 oz. Filet. Dessert.

Awesome if this is true, but I thought it would be Mac and cheese, nuggets, etc

Children 3 and under are always free. Children (4-12) ordering off the regular children's menu are free. Ordering off the specialty restaurant children's menu is 1/2 price.

Hi there, you caught me. have been keeping up with all the roll call posts thru Howard, and really enjoying the back and forth. CC has always been his domain, but I did jump in on this thread. Looking forward to meeting you and everyone else in December. :D

Likewise! :)

we are sailing on Dec 9th on the Jewel

Hi David!! Silly me just assumed you didn't have a CC account. Come join our roll call!

Thank you all. Sounds like I have to get a pass ASAP when on board. Can you purchase spa pass prior to embarkation? Daughter is 15, with no interest in going to spa.

You can not pre purchase a spa pass. :-( But if you ckeck in before boarding time, there is usually a table set up in the waiting area where you can purchase the passes.

FYI, for anyone that might be considering a day pass, if the weekly passes sell out, day passes won't be offered.

My wife, my daughter and myself will be sailing on the Gem over Thanksgiving. Can't wait!!! My question is: Is the spa pass worth it? YES! Do the spas get crowded? I've heard they can be but did not experience that on the two trips I took. It may be a matter of timing because they do limit how many passes are sold. Is the spa a good place to get away from it all for a few hours? YES. Relaxing, quiet and some nice views out the front windows too. I love the Gem's spa.Thanks

You're welcome.

FYI, day passes will only be available if the weekly passes do not sell out.

While cruising past the Guest Relations desk I saw a sign about under age drinking waivers, I didn't stop to study it b/c I have no UA but it's for 18-20 and not 16 and up?

It is for an 18-20 yr old. Only a parent can give this permission and the parent must be sailing as well. It is valid for beer and wine only.

Great review! Thank you for taking the time to share your vacation with us.:)

I love your reviews! Please don't keep us waiting too long for the rest of it. :)

Nice pic. Can't wait for the full review. :)

Thank you Mr and Mrs L for making me LOL today. :)

I'm married to a chick that can make it. Not to make anyone jealous.

Are you planning on fulfilling some desires or just teasing? :D;)

Campbell's isn't involved.

I would hope not! :eek:

This is one of the best soups I have had and if anyone has any idea where I would find the recipe I would greatly apprciate it. Thanks and HAPPY CRUISING.

Was that the 4 mushroom soup? If it was, my son loved it. I don't like mushrooms but I'd make the soup for him if anyone shares the recipe.

Are there any "catches" to the NCL Soda Package where you get unlimited soft drinks for $6.25 per day? It seems like a good deal considering the cost of drinks on the ship.

 

Many thanks for any info on this.

No catch. Just be aware that it is fountain soda, not cans. Also, you do not have to carry their (included) cup around all day, as long as you have the sticker on your card, they will serve you.

I will be on the Gem 5/5-5/12. Disembarkation in NY is set for 8am. In reality what time can I expect to be off the ship and through customs? Does anyone have personal experience? I'm trying to see if we will be able to make a couple of events that day. I'm sure we'll be exhausted (or completely relaxed).

 

Gotta love the season of Communions, Confirmations, BBQs and birthday parties!

If you carry off your own luggage and line up early, I think you could easily be off before 9am. I was off and waiting for my ride by 9:30, but I was also on my balcony earlier watching others claim their cars from the parking lot.