TrumpyNor

In my experience the larger of the MDRs are usually also requiring long pants, but the smaller MDR has only "resort casual" requirements.

Sign that was placed on the counters outside several restaurants on the Gem in July 2022 (also saw similar signs outside restaurants on the Escape in August 2022):

We have cruised with the Spirit several times in the past, and have had a great cruise each of those times. BUT those have been port-intensive-type cruises - with 5 sea days on board the Spirit I would get very bored.

I believe it varies between the ships if they let you have a coffee machine in an inside cabin, as in many inside cabins on NCL the question would be "Where to place the coffee machine" as there is often not much room for that in an inside cabin - at least not in the inside cabins we have had (mainly Jewel class ships though). This photo is from an interior cabin on the Jade:

When I try to do a mock booking on ncl.com (the European version) it gives me several specific Haven cabins (incl cabin numbers and location on deckplan) to choose from. As I am located in Europe, I can't access the ncl.com American version - but If I try to do a mock booking on one of the larger American cruise websites, then that place also gives me several numbers of Haven suites to choose from.

At least wait until a few weeks past the final payment date to purchase a regular upgrade - as the rates often drop around that time. And maybe even more as you get closer to the sailing date. You could always try to keep track on how many Haven suites are available to book at any given time by trying to do "mock" bookings online. Regarding the bidding-upgrade-program, it seems like you would be able to place a "very good bid" on a Haven suite, and still probably pay significantly less than you would pay to purchase a regular upgrade today. But that would of course only be the case if there were still a certain amount of unsold Haven suites available.

Yes, it is a "2-in-1 conditioning shampoo". If your hair "needs" hair conditioner to untangle and soften your hair, then you should bring your own conditioner. If you are in a regular suite, then there is a proper conditioner in the bathroom. But not in any of the "lower cabin types".

Will do!

I just want to thank all of you who took your time to write a comment on this matter, it is highly appreciateted. 😊

We did Mediterranean cruises both on the Gem and the Escape last summer, and on both ships towards the end of the cruise they were actually selling "port t-shirts" for $10. And with Norwegian Cruise Line printed on them as well.

Just quoting myself in order to let others here know that the "one time price-drop FCC" is valid also in case of a price-drop after final payment on your original cabin type even though you have received a Diamond upgrade to a higher category cabin. I noticed earlier this week that on our upcoming cruise for August 2023, there had been a significant price-drop on obstructed oceanview cabins (our originally booked cabin category), so I asked for FCC for the difference even though we have received a Diamond upgrade to a balcony cabin for that cruise. Yesterday I received the confirmation that on completion of our cruise, we will receive a total FCC of $1700.

Just follow the instructions on the top of the page here: https://boards.cruisecritic.com/forum/307-norwegian-gem-roll-calls/

We have a booked cruise for August 4-August 15, 2023 where there was a (to me) significant pricedrop after final payment, so I contacted NCL to request for the price-drop FCC, and yesterday received the e-mail stating that we in total got a FCC in the amount of $1700. We have already a cruise booked for August 2024, that starts on August 15 - where I am thinking of cancelling and rebooking as using the FCC would make the total price only half of what it is currently. But as English is not my first language, I am a little uncertain regarding the meaning of the following wording in the FCC e-mail I received from NCL: These credits will be available for one year to book and sail, upon completion of your current sailing on Debarkation Day. As my 2023-cruise embarks on August 4th and debarks on August 15th - does that mean that I can use the FCC for my 2024-cruise or not, as the embarkation date is August 15th? Or does it mean that I can only use the FCC for cruises that starts at no later date than August 14th, 2024? Or does it mean that in order to use the FCC the cruise has to be completed by August 15th? Or is my actual "date limit" that the cruise where I can use the FCC has to be completed by August 4th, 2024 as August 4th 2023 is the embarkation date for the cruise where I will have the FCC available upon completion of... For those of you who have English as your first language, this is probably a very "stupid" question - but I have actually managed to confuse myself very much in this matter.... So all replies from someone who can tell me the actual meaning of that sentence when it comes to price-drop FCC will be highly appreciated.

Shared yes - but only one at the time.

Yes, in addition to English. They often add this on some of the European cruises if the cruise has many Spanish or German speaking passengers - there should be a box that you have to "check" if you want guiding in any of those languages.

You will get the current Free At Sea offer for club balcony cabins - it may be different from the FAS offer you got at the time of doing your original reservation. If the current offer includes more specialty dining for a club balcony than you had in your original booking, then that is what you will get. Note that also other FAS perks may be different now than they were at the time of booking your original reservation. Some times these changes are "better" than originally offered, and some times they are actually the opposite...

I actually believe that it is now an official policy - as below is the reply I received from my PCC at NCL yesterday when I by e-mail asked for the possibility of FCC in regards to a significant price drop for my upcoming cruise in a few months: Quote: I can send the request to our Price Drop team for them to look into and determine if it is applicable. Keep in mind, this can only be done one time, so it is up to you if you want me to send that request now or wait and see what the pricing does as we get closer to the sailing. This request can be sent in all the way up until 16 days out from the sailing. End of quote.

The agent obviously have quoted the price of a private transfer for you (door-to-door-service), that is always rather expensive. I advice you to just take a regular taxi from outside the terminal at the airport and directly to your hotel, price would be around $35 if I remember correctly.

Thank you for posting this update, as it may help others.

Both my husband and myself take a large number of different prescribed medication on a daily basis (all original boxes/bottles would take up a significant space in a suitcase), and when on vacation (both cruises and land vacations) we just bring the medication in "pill-organizers" - but do however have all original prescriptions available online through the Norwegian health care authorities. We travel internationally several times every year, and it has never been a problem. When crossing international borders with larger numbers of medication, as far as I know you are obliged to either keep it in original bottles with your name on it OR be able to provide an original prescription in your name.

We had a club balcony "suite" on the Gem last summer, and allthough we were only 2 persons so didn't use the coach to sleep - it has a decent sice when in "regular position", with the width of what we in Norway call a "3-seater". Here are some other photos from the cabin:

The "two hour rule" is only for embarkation day (the very first day of your cruise). In all other ports on your cruise itinerary it is "all aboard" 30 minutes before the scheduled sailing time. And yes, they are strict with the 30 min. rule. In tender ports they always announce when the last tender will go back to the ship, it is often about 60 min. before the scheduled sailing time. Usually there is a long waiting line for the tenders when it gets close to sailing time.

As others have pointed out, unfortunately it will not be possible to see the northern lights/aka Aurora Borealis during your cruise. The fact is that the northern lights actually happens year round, but they are "invisible" because of the "lack of darkness". But the 24 hours sunshine/day light you will experience can also be fascinating and "exotic". I am pretty certain your cruise will be a great and different experience anyway. 😊

These photos are from the pool deck on the Escape last summer - I have no idea if they actually enforced it as I usually look for more quiet places than the pool deck to sunbade...

Since I pay gratuities for my FAS drink package, I never pay any extra tip when ordering a regular drink from the menu. And I have not experienced bad service because of that...! If I asked for something special that was not on the regular menu, then I would probably give $1-$2 per order (either by cash or ask for a slip and then add extra tips there). Many replies in this thread makes it seem like the majority of passengers on board give extra cash tips with every drink order - and that is NOT the case/nor the norm. Extra tipping is completely optional and at your discretion - and if you choose to not tip "twice" then that is completely fine too...