genealogyfan

I was told by the cruise next person on the Epic last month, that you can use two cruise next vouchers when you are booking 4 months+ out (balcony or above).

Club Balcony rooms are bigger then regular balcony cabins. Below is the link from NCL of the additional benefits you get while booking a club balcony cabin. It really depends on the ship the other differences. For example on the Sun, the bathroom, closet area was bigger. On the Epic, I think (not exactly sure) the only difference for the bathrooms is there is a tub/shower and not a shower. Might be a little bigger, but I don't know. I was talking with a couple who mentioned they hoped they would get double sinks on the Epic, but didn't. Some ships have two sinks for club balcony rooms. https://www.ncl.com/why-cruise-norwegian/cruise-accommodations/minisuites-and-balconies

I do remember reading another review that the free (latitude reward) behind the scenes tour is different, less stops and not as long. Maybe that's why it's not available to reserve ahead of time. Maybe it would be hard to figure out who reserved what tour ahead of time.

I took a paid Behind the Scenes Tour in April on the Epic. It included a group photo (used to be individual or with your family/friend photos). To be honest, I have no desire to get a photo with a group of strangers. Also included a tasting of a small chocolate. It included a talk with the stage manager, behind the scenes main stage tour, laundry, galley, freezer, engineer room, and the bridge. There were crew members at each stop. At the beginning it included a video of the overall history of Norwegian Cruise lines. The total time was a little over 2 hours.

You can actually put fake information in your mock booking. Add fake name, email, DOB, etc.. and then hit "continue" and it'll give you the total final amount. If you don't want to connect the mock booking to your name/account just open a browser window in "incognito window" and do the fake/mock booking. I just tried this and got the final price.

I was at Le Bistro on Apr 14 on the NCL Epic and two people were allowed to wear shorts to eat there, because their luggage hadn't been delivered yet. Maybe other ships don't allow that exception, but the crew on the Epic did.

There is an exception on the first day. I was at Le Bistro and overheard two people who had reservations and were wearing shorts. They said their luggage hadn't been delivered yet, so they were allowed to enter. Then on other days, I overheard the specialty restaurant enforce the no shorts rule. The great thing about Norwegian, you don't have to dress up for dinner - jeans or pants are the most you need to dress up.

Don't go by people's opinions, as they all have different ones for the exact same food, sailing etc. My friend and I went on the Pride of America and loved it. We met a family who had total opposite opinions on the same sailing. They thought it was crowded, we didn't, they liked dressing for dinner, we didn't, they liked having set dinner times, we didn't. On my most recent sailing of over 4000 people, I was expecting it to be a lot more crowded then it seemed. I read another review who complained about the long lines, the crowds, etc.. and I didn't think it was that way. Also I have read reviews about how some people loved the Epic Beatles performances and some went to every performance. I thought they were so bad, I walked out half way through, thought they were corny. Everyone will have a different opinion, even about the entertainment. Sometimes the food is excellent, sometimes it's mediocre Some sailings and ships have great entertainment, other ships/sailings it's not as good. Some people love sea days, some people don't. Sea days aren't my favorite, I'd rather be in port, but others like sea days better. Everyone will have a different opinion, and doesn't make them right or wrong. Do alot of research, research the ports, the tips of your sailing (like if you need to make reservations for entertainment or restaurants ahead of time), look on youtube for tours of your ships.

I used them in April to pick me up from the airport and then the next day to take me to the pier. I would definitely recommend them. Nice cars (Tesla), nice drivers and reliable pick up/drop off. They will pick you up outside of baggage claim at the airport. It was nice to have reliable transportation.

Here's the link to the hotel. Don't remember the exact time from the port (we took a taxi), but we could walk to the old town area - maybe a 10 minute walk. It was a nice hotel, nice room, friendly staff. I know Norwegian uses this hotel, we saw alot of future cruise passengers in the lobby. https://www.hilton.com/en/hotels/yqbhihh-hilton-quebec/

I got towel animals everyday on my recent cruise last month on the NCL Epic. I didn't ask for them. I tip the cabin steward daily, but I heard others on the same sailing tipped their cabin stewards extra and didn't get towel animals. I guess I was lucky I got one who liked doing them.

This makes sense. I'm just repeating what I was quoted by an NCL rep but considering people have been given different percentages, none of us know the exact percentage that is held back.

Again, do you work at NCL?

Google your specific ship and sailing. Find your "roll call" for your specific sailing". Norwegian is free style, which means you can eat anytime and dress casually. Some specialty restaurants have requirements for a dress code like no shorts, etc..but nothing too fancy. There will be info on your NCL account of which are free/complimentary restaurants and which are the specialty. I'd recommend going to a free sit down restaurant on embarkation day. More relaxed and quieter. Here on cruise critic, there is an option to search just for posts by your ship. It depends on your sailing, but if you can book your restaurant reservations, shows etc ahead of sailing. Not a major thing if you don't, as they always hold a large percentage back until you board. There are alot of youtube vloggers who are really good and informative. I personally don't know any of them and have no connection to them, but here are several that have been very helpful. "Life Well Cruised" "Tips for Travellers" "Emma Cruises" and "Cruise WIth Grant" does Norwegian Cruises only.

Were you ever quoted an expiration date for this credit? When you agreed to the credit, did you have to use it within a certain time limit when you agreed to the credit?

I assume you bought it more than 4 years ago, or is June the end of the 4th year? When was it originally supposed to expire?

When you board, just adjust your dining reservations. An NCL rep told me they only release 20/% of the dining reservations ahead of sailing. I would suggest as soon as you board go to the location for dining reservations and make them or adjust them.

Thanks for the review. We are going on the Prima next year. As with everyone, there are always different opinions about the same cruise/sailing. Glad you had a nice time. Interesting about the guy complaining about the Vibe pass. I read another review, where a couple asked to be put on a waiting list and then got a call the next day they were available. Maybe that's what the guy did. Stupid for him to blame the guest services staff though. I know on the Epic they have the Posh deck and don't sell passes ahead of time, only at guest services. They only sell 15-20 (Haven guests have automatic access). Maybe that's why the guy thought he could get some. I have read from someone else, that lemon juice gets out those soot marks. I wonder if it would be good to sell most online ahead of time and then maybe a small number when you board, so those booking at the last minute still have a small chance to buy some. I do like the option to purchase ahead of time.

I agree, especially when they only release 20% of the reservations ahead of time (which I was told by someone who actually worked at NCL). The only ones that might be an issue are specialty restaurants which are smaller venues.

BirdTravels: Do you work for NCL?

That's the percentage a rep from NCL told me over the phone. Do you work for NCL? Unless you work for NCL, how would you know?

If you are unable to book ahead of time, NCL only releases 20% of their dining reservations ahead of sailing. Just go straight to where they have dining reservations when you board and book it then.

Just be aware, NCL only releases about 20% of their available dining reservations ahead of sailing. If there is a time/restaurant you want to reserve and it's not available, just book when you board.

It should be listed in your specific itinerary or on your account. You can also check the cruisemapper site and search by your ship or by port- https://www.cruisemapper.com/ports

Norwegian is also using Amber Cove now for some cruises.