Da-Painter

The Chinese and le Bistro were both excellent in December, and neither was more than half full. However as above, that was before the UDP came along.

I agree, we were on the Spirit about a year ago, Le Bistro had folks in there, but in Chin Chin, the Asian, I think we were the only folks in there, and both were excellent. Enjoy.;)

A few ideas for you, get Rick Steves' Med Cruise Ports book, this covers from the cruise ship perspective. You come in only for a day, and all the places to see in each port, how to get there and back, etc. It helps you determine how much you can see in each port.

We did the 12 day Grand Med last year, and did the research many months ahead of the cruise, and booked the shore excursions through the ship. We knew we were going to see what we wanted, and didnt have to worry any more about the cruise.

Lots of folks can find excursions cheaper, sometimes lots cheaper, some a little. DW did not want to save a few dollars and worry about getting from the port to sites, and back, possibly missing the ship. We have been on excursions, where traffic, for example, delayed our arrival back to the ship for over an hour, and the ship waited for our return, before departing.

For the most part they were good, few complaints.

We did our research months ahead of time, booked the excursions, and waited for the cruise date to come.

Do not wait until you get on the ship, and try to plan them. You want to maximize the time you are in each port city, to see all you can.

You can't see everything in a week, but try to see the sites that would be most important to you.

Check the Ports boards here on CC, lots of info for each port.

All the sites are great, you will have a wonderful time. ;)

We apologize that you are encountering issues in trying to book your shore excursions for your upcoming 28 day voyage on Norwegian Sun. We would like to assist you in any way we can. Please email your booking/reservation number, name, email address and telephone number to socialmedia@ncl.com and we will reach out to you directly to resolve. Thank you!

And give us a user friendly website to use, like the old NCL web site.:eek::mad::p

Looking for a discount before Spring break is like looking for the airlines to drop airfares just before the X-mas holidays, they do not have to, and don't plan on them doing so. They can keep the prices high as there will be demand there.

But anything can happen.

We were on a Med cruise last year, and about a month before our departure date, another cruise ship cancelled their cruise. All the remaining cabins of our ship filled immediately, with folks looking to rebook their cruise. The last minute shoppers were shut out.

Keep in mind, the Med cruises are quite port intensive, there are few if any sea days to enjoy the Suite benefits, such as parties with the captain, enjoying Cagneys lunches, maybe even Cagneys breakfasts, as you may need to get off the ship early for tour excursions.

If you have cruises with lots of sea days, then the suite benefits may be more enjoyed.

On our last Med cruise, we went with a balcony, as the suite benefits for the cost did not make sense for us to do so.

Also, 7 folks in 1 cabin wont work too well on NCL. I think you should look at at least 2 cabins. :cool:

We bring the 4 cup coffee filters, and our own coffee from home, which we grind.

The coffee in the cabins they give you is okay, but we just perfer to bring our own. Then we know what we will be drinking. ;)

Try reposting this under 'Ports of Call' section, under Europe, and then under Other Med Ports. :eek:

I doubt the crew post here but you can bet your bottom dollar that some of the corporate people do.

 

If you watch their posts it's pretty easy to pick them out ;)

Just go to the 'Buy Insurance Thread", they are there full time.:confused:

Which ship & cabin number?

You check in now on-line, just like your air-flight.

You need to print out your cruise docs, and bring them with you for entrance into the cruise terminal. You can print out luggage tags, if needed. Its easy to do, thats all. :)

If you read, and believe some of these comments here, folks tip everyone on the first day, everyone in every restaurant, everyone who holds open a door for them, their room steward every day, everytime they bring them ice, room service, etc.

I do not know if I really believe them.

I am on vacation, and am not handing out money everytime someone does something for me.

I gladly tip those who assist me during the cruise, at the end of the cruise. I do not feel I need to bribe or show that I am a big shot, treat me well and I will keep handing out $$ all the time. If you feel you need to do this, by all means do so.

I also fill out the 'Service Cards' available at the pursers desk when individuals go above and beyond assisting me. These cards may mean more time off, extra perks for them, goes into their service records, and assist their careers with NCL. This may mean more to them then a few more dollars, or euros in their pocket.

Do what you feel is appropriate, enjoy your cruise. :)

We did the 12 day Grand Med last April on the Spirit, and loved the cruise, the ship was great, meals were fine. We had a balcony, and would recommend it if you can, on such a long cruise. It is very port intensive, you will be tired when you return back to the ship in the evening. So pace yourself, do your home work for what you want to see at home, not at the last minute on the ship.

We enjoyed the ship and cruise so much, upon our return back home, we booked the 10 day Canary Island on the Spirit.

Thats our experience. Now you will read reviews from others who will give you a different opinion. ;)

I love having breakfast in my room each day. It's never seemed to be an issue on other lines with butlers (this is our first with NCL) and no one, especially the butlers, have ever made me feel high maintenance, but the butlers of course wouldn't. I just can't seem to get beyond the fact that I see this all the time on this forum.

I am sure your butler would be more then happy to accommodate you. It would help his scheduling, if you let them know you would like breakfast in your suite every morning, so they could plan their day/week better, with the other guests they are attending to. :cool:

I heard they brought back the cold soups, in the buffetts.

They can be a :cool:cool:cool: smoothie. ;)

We are sailing next week as platinum members (finally....yeah!!!). This is the first I have heard about a behind the scenes tour. Will we be notified about the time and meeting place once onboard or do I have to make an inquiry?

When you get to your cabin, you will have letters/confirmations of the perks for platinum, including the tour. :p

On our last cruise, the Cruise Director gave the ship tour, on the 2nd day of the cruise. (After the tour, she attended the M&G).

DW had been on these before, so another acquaintance joined me, (naughty I know), but it worked out fine. ;)

You're crying over $100?! Oh good grief.

Thank you. My first thoughts exactly.

What did the OP feel they were entitled to, moved to a Owners Suite, and also given $100 OBC? :eek:

On our last cruise, the Jewel in November, we were in an aft suite. John D'Souza was the concierge. On the first day, DW suitcase still had not arrived after 5PM. I called John to inquire, the suitcase was delivered within 10 minutes. Thats service.

We would get phone calls from John during the week, he would come through the various restaurants, Cagneys for breakfast & Lunch, the MDR and the speciality, during dinner to check on us and to see if he could do anything for us.

There are 20-30 suites on that ship, and he is really streched thin, to see everyone, and take care of everyone. He did a very good job. He was in charge of the Haven, took care of us for the chocolate buffett, departing the ship on the last day. He was a very busy person.

Its amazing he covered as much ground as he did.

We did not require his additional services much during the cruise.

We have also had concierges we saw once on the first or second day, and that was it. We never called on them.

Our Butler did a great job.

Maybe NCL needs 2 concierges, for these larger ships. I dont know that will happen. But whoever the concierge is, they better be on their feet 24 hours a day. For the most part, we have been happy with our service in the suites. ;)

We went on a safari in Africa for 2 weeks, 3 years ago, and bought insurance for that trip.

But for our cruises, 2-3 a year, I am a rebel, and will not buy insurance for them. Nor the other vacations we take every year.

We already give the insurance company over $12,000 a year for the policies we already have.

I do not buy the extended warranties the stores try to sell me, every time I buy something there.

I guess I am a real rebel.

To each, their own. What ever floats your boat. :eek:

We tip the butler at the end of the cruise, basing this upon how much we use their services.

While on a cruise, I do not feel like carrying money with me, to tip everyone whos assists me during a cruise. I would rather relax, and tip those at the end.

One can also leave a gratuity at the Pursers desk for individuals, if you do not see them at the end of the cruise.

Again, whatever you feel comfortable doing.

We received a letter about 30 days prior to the sailing, but you can call and put in your requests at the Concierge Desk at 855-625-4283, M - F, 9-9 EST.

Enjoy.:)

Be sure to go and book the shore excursions first thing, once you get on the ship. Then go eat, and don't stop....... til you depart the ship. :p

We have started booking more then a year out, for the lower prices, especially if you want an aft cabin, as there are so few afts available.

Also look at the suite afts, with the $300 OBC for a suite, booked 9 months out, it might be competitively priced to the non-suite aft cabins, :cool:.

We were on the Spirit last year for the 12 day Med cruise, and found the 2 MDR's fine. Occasionally there was a minor wait, but we are on vacation and thats okay, we do not need to be anywhere, til the next morning.

We found the food and service very good. If you need to eat immediately, go to the buffett.

We did not experience any extra long meals, our food always was delivered hot and good, no complaints.

We ate in a few of the speciality restaurants as well.

Overall, we were so happy with everything we book a 10 day Canary cruise in the future, on the Spirit.

Everyone has their own opinions on all of this, just my opinion from my experience. :)

Kids free not available on all cruises. :(