CruisingThom87

Hi all I’m looking for some general information about cruising on norwegian cruise lines . I’m not new to cruising but normally sail with Royal Caribbean we where due to be on the oasis TA on 21st April but due to it be cancelled have now switched to the NCL Getaway on 27th from New York:

so few questions - do NCL have gay meet ups FOD meetings etc?

what is the nightlife like? We normally party late on rcl and meet many others this way

Is there any fun to be had? Is there sauna steam rooms like some of the smaller rcl ships 😜

How does the freestyle dining work do we need to book restaurants etc or just turn up when we want?

any other general info or tips for NCL would be much appreciated.

Thanks 

Thomas 

I think that is one of the few times I've heard something positive about the Bionic Bar(s). I've yet to be on a ship with one.

What’s not to love never any queues fun to watch no time limit on drinks so just keep ordering remembers your favourite drinks makes new delicious ones generous size measures always plenty seats. Great if your on a drinks package [emoji106]

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Harmony for me because we love the bionic bar

Although mamma Mia on allure was fab

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Anyone else on this cruise?

I’m doing the oasis TA on the 21st April :)

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Hi Guys we are booked on this one too :)

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Hi cruiselovers21 I noticed your also in the harmony transatlantic roll call I'm on that one also so will be good to meet [emoji12] . we have been to airport beach a few times now normally just take a taxi from outside the port think it's like $8 dollars each once there at the sunset bar there is a big surf board that lists all the flights coming in etc it's a real fun experience so I would defo recommend if you have let been. I think this time we might just go to the beach at waterfront in town [emoji6] not long now .....

Happy new year everyone haven't checked in a while! Hopefully the year passes quickly and I can meet you all for a cocktail by the pool bar soon [emoji483][emoji483]🍾[emoji483]

Evening all from a rather wet n windy Scotland! Haven't checked in on this for while so good to see new additions can't wait

Good stuff looking forward to meeting you lets hope s few others join love the TA crossings sure you will too

So wishing this was happening October this year ...

I don't think it's due a refurb as isn't on the schedule as was done last May so that's a good thing as I also want the club still to be there and read they are removing it on freedom class! We are just off explorer and missed the nightclub not being there. I don't think there is another thread I couldn't see one there doesn't seem to be that many folk on the main roll call either as yet sure it will fill up soon [emoji3]

Has everyone done TA's before? This will only be my second and first for my partner.

 

 

 

Mark and Dale

We have done 2 so far and love the TA value for money plus I love sea days as like to party hard and late ;) so don't like to worry about having to get up too early and get off the ship if we are in port! We are booked on the independence transatlantic in May which we did last year and met some amazing people who have rebooked so that will b number 3 and this will be number 4 :)

we didnt have a drinks waiter but our assistant waiter was very speedy with our drinks in the mdr each night

I must say we experienced a wait last time on last cruise and noticed severe lack of bar waiters and our assistant waiter ended up getting drinks however the service on explorer in our dining room was fab we had bogdan from Romania who was over straight away as we arrived and kept us topped up during our meal the service was fantastic he even brought us extra cocktails etc each night as knew we where all on a package he didn't even take our cards as had made a note of our folio number and often remembered our orders and would deliver drinks as we looked to be getting low he also worked in a few other bars and made sure we were always ok! He got an extra large tip at the end outstanding service best I've experienced by far in fact our whole dining room experience was fab on this cruise!

CruisingThom - when you mention the lack of sunloungers, do you remember if there were deckchairs available in the more shaded areas by the sides? I burn too easily to lounge for any length of time, but like to sit in the shade and drip dry after a swim :)

 

 

 

I'm not going until October, so I suspect it may be quieter then anyway, and people from warmer climes than mine may not be as keen to strip off - maybe I'll have the pool to myself!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I wonder is this a cultural difference? Certainly in Ireland, the norm is to go to the bar and order and carry your own drinks (at the age of 17 you learn to carry 3 full pint glasses, 2 vodkas + mixers in your hands with no more than 2% spillage between the bar and your seat, or you are forever banished). Table service is rarely available in the majority of pubs, so unless someone accosts me the second I sit down, I usually expect to fetch and carry my own drinks from the bar.

 

 

 

This could also explain the funny looks I got in the US when I kept heading to the bar to get my own drinks. There were waitresses, but I assumed they were there only for food (which would be usual at home).

Hi Thoie

I did see a whole stack of what looked like new deckchairs that had been delivered I can't remember where I seen these but there where lots that look had just arrived I don't recall there being an issue for those type seats so you should be good :-).

I was looking forward to trying something new the idea of different venues and menus enticed me greatly so I'm a bit disappointed we won't be getting it on Harmony.

On this sailing it appeared everyone had some sort of package I did notice a few months ago it didn't seem to be selling to well so there where lots of drinks offers flying about there was a lot on the select package beer n wine and to be fair they did have extra stalls out at pool bar etc serving beer n wine to help with the service but I did notice a reduction of staff at the bars and experienced wait times much longer that before.

Hi there

 

Slightly off topic, but just wondering what you were disappointed with on Explorer? We are off on a 16 night cruise in September, so looking for a heads up on any particular issues.

 

Thanks

Karen

Hi Karen the main issues was lack of seating in bars lounges and waiting times at bar etc the ship was full to capacity with over 3500 passengers and it felt crowded, they recently removed or made some public areas smaller and put in more staterooms and specialty restaurants. The removed the 2 floor nightclub a favourite of ours on freedom class ships and made the nightly disco up in crown lounge which was not an ideal venue. We found it difficult to find sunbeds for the first time ever and there seemed to be a lot of new staff so service wasn't quite as good. We did however still have a really good time just wasn't as good as previous experiences! On a positive our dining experience was the best yet.

Wow so many already looking forward to meeting you all! I'm just back from explorer with a group of 8 friends we met lots of great folk and had a really good time was bit disappointed with some aspects of cruise but made the most of it this was smallest ship I had been on and think defo the bigger the better for me ;) so looking forward to this one. One of our friends priced this up onboard and think is also looking at booking so should be a good one ;)

Just came off explorer on Sunday after a 13 night med cruise have to say for the first time I have left disappointed with my experience due to a few things . I have wrote a recent review on here which is now live you can have a read off here. http://Http://www.cruisecritic.co.uk/memberreviews/memberreview.cfm?EntryID=508216&et_cid=2232003&et_rid=16634597&et_referrer=TripAdvisor

I'm not one for complaining but just didn't feel it was up to standard I did however still make the most of it and had a good time!

I have only done freedom class ships below and I did notice the difference in size it seemed they crammed as many people on but in much smaller space and for the first time on a cruise I felt it really overcrowded. Cruise was at full capacity with over 3500 people onboard. I am booked again for next year on Indy and harmony and hope these will restore my faith in RCI.

Main issues where due to removal of public spaces for more cabins and staterooms for the first time I experienced no sun beds available no seating in bars lounges. We had also booked MTD but they struggled with our request. There seemed to be a lot of new staff and for the first time I've experienced rude and unhelpful staff there was still a few however who did offer that wow service which made up for it.

I had read a few bad reviews before i went but thought it was just the usual complainer and went with an open mind but it pains me to say they where right. This has put me off trying any smaller ships. If anyone has any questions I'm happy to answer but just wanted to share as left somewhat underwhelmed by the latest cruising experience.

Slightly disappointed with this news as was looking forward to trying next year on harmony!!

Having always booked balconies previously last year we had went for an inside due to cost as meant could do 2 cruises rather than 1 that year!! My other half hated it n luckily we asked if any other rooms where available and they upgraded us to a promenade view! I didn't mind the inside and would have managed with it and would book again if meant could do more cruises. Having said that I did miss the balcony and my next 2 cruises I have booked balconies!

This is a UK offer on next year sailings free select package for inside and outside and free premium drinks package for balconies and above!! Ive also taken advantage of this offer for a transatlantic on independence in May and the Harmony transatlantic in October! Premium drinks package is great includes all cocktails premium spirits wine under 14$ beer soft drinks etc everything you can need really no speciality coffees tho need to pay more for that!

Im in also with my partner Rob met you pair on the same cruise last year along with a bunch of other crazy people be good to see this filling up ;)

Bit disappointed they have removed the disco they have done the same from explorer which I'm going on in few weeks this used to be one of my favorite places on board for late night drink and dance will see what it's like up in other venue which they are now using for disco.

We have just booked the transatlantic for next October for me it was the price and we have wanted to do an oasis class ship but have previously been expensive when we looked so when we seen this at their right price we booked I like the idea of the boardwalk and outside space and have booked a boardwalk balcony for a change! Plus the slides look fun