wichitastatecruiser

Also, the current special is for interiors as well.

The free UBP is only good for interiors booked prior to Dec 22 of this year (as stated in another thread) otherwise you have to book an ocean view or above.

I'm giving some thought to trying a singles cruise in the near future, but I'm going a little crazy trying to determine the best one. There are many things to consider, among them the time frame and the average age range of the other travelers.

 

First, can someone confirm for me that an "all ages" cruise tends to be mostly ages 50+? I saw that somewhere on this board. I'll be 42 this year, and would prefer not to be the youngest person in the group. This of course will limit my options considerably.

 

I'm also wondering about the time frame. I'm leaning towards doing something in the Caribbean. I found one with an itinerary that I liked, but it's in August and I can't see doing a tropical vacation when it's warm and sunny at home. At the same time, next winter seems like an eternity away!

 

My problem is, I feel like I'm being too picky, but I want to get the maximum enjoyment out of the experience. The idea of the singles cruise is very appealing to me, but it seems like each one I look at has at least one thing about it that I don't like.

 

Any thoughts? Thanks.

I've been on 3 singles cruises. Hopefully you've been looking at both companies.

If age is a factor for you both companies are doing a 20's-40-s cruise in March. One on NCL and the other on Carnival. NCL is offering a "free" promo item if you book before July 31st, the promo item depends on your cabin class. I have only done 1 all ages and it was 2 years ago for Halloween and the big glut of people fall between 30-60 so you should be good there.

As far as activities go both companies will have 3 theme nights/cocktail parties where you can get free drinks for @ an hour. Both companies will have dining options were you can sit with the group, and usually there is a group of singles that will throw 1, usually 2 Jell-O shot parties. In addition both companies usually arrange group excursions. One company has official pre-cruise party while the other does not.

Once you've been on one you'll quit planning cruises around itinerary and start planning them around who you know is booking what cruises. At least that's how I am.

My recommendation, if you want to do Halloween do the Carnival Conquest out of FLL, I know a lot of my cruise buddies already booked on it. June 16th it was reported 213 booked; 82 men, 131 women; 20s: 9, 30s: 37, 40s: 56, 50's: 68, 60s: 31, 70's: 9, 80's: 4. If you want to do age specific then do the 20s-40's on NCL Getaway in March out of MIA. 130 booked; 57 men, 73 ladies.

Those are two different companies so you'll have to go to different sites to see them.

Here is the link to the last thread on this, including the letter that a poster received from Andy Stewart:

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2209547&page=9

I apologize if this rumor has been brought up many times over. I'm a first time cruiser and have not been able to go through even one tenth of the postings on this board. Lots of great info here. Thanks for putting my mind at ease Witchita. I will dismiss it as a mere rumor with no fact behind it.

I did mention in a previous thread on this subject that there might be "up charge" items available at Cagney's on the new menu ($10-15 charge for Kobe or Black Angus cuts and other high end items) but the standard menu items will still be included in the cover price.

We just returned from our first cruise and really enjoyed the trip. We had the chance to eat in 4 specialty dining restaurants, Cagneys being my favorite.

 

We struck up a conversation with our waitress who has worked for NCL for many, many years, and was told that NCL plans on removing the cover charge and charging everything a la carte (At Cagneys), which will add up to a lot more money than the $30 per person. She said we were lucky to still be able to eat there with a simple cover charge.

 

Has anyone heard that this is happening? Are they going to roll this out to all specialty dining restaurants? I like paying a flat rate and not thinking about other costs, etc. I hope they are not going to do this for all restaurants.

Sure, because the NCL higher ups tell the waitresses about these plans and to talk to customers about it. :rolleyes: Never mind that the Specialty Dinner package still lists Cagney's as an option in addition that this rumor has been brought up so many times that a poster actually wrote a e-mail to NCL and got the response that there were no plans for Cagney's to go a la carte or not be included in any dining packages.

I swear there is a troll game concerning this subject on these boards. :eek:

I imagine they ring you up and give you a bill, at each restaurant, as a distinct transaction, it may be voided out and "free" but for accounting purposes they will "charge" you so to speak and I would think that would then place the hit on your SDP, unless you made it clear you don't want to take the hit and pay full price.

With the UBP they usually write "UBP" on their receipt and it just doesn't show up on the final invoice. Will have to keep my eye out on these boards once the SDP goes in effect to see the experiences of those who purchase various lengths of the package.

I would have to assume that they would go in order of attendance. So if you went to La Cucina, Teppenyaki, Modernos, and then Cagneys you would have a $30 charge on your bill whereas if you flipped the order you would have a $15 charge on your bill. To do anything else would be ludicrous as they have no way of knowing who is going to eat at specialty restaurants more times than they initially bought.

They don't charge you when you eat technically though. When they itemize your final bill they could apply the SDP to the three highest priced options so no matter what order you ate at them you would only be charged the $15. That or I might have to indicate that I don't want to use my package if I eat someplace cheaper like La Cucina or when I get sushi.

No I get it. But the only bill you would receive at the end of the meal at Bayamo is $10 and one SDP day/meal is history.

 

If you decide to eat at Bayamo after your 3 SDP's are used you pay full fare, whatever that final price is.

I'm curious if NCL will actually give you the best "deal" if you get a 3-4 day package but end up going to the specialties more.

For example if I do Cagney's twice, Le Bistro Once, Ocean Blue once, and have a sushi "snack" but only have a 3 or 4 day package would they go ahead and charge me the lowest cover charges or would the SDP cover them in the order in which I ate at them.

So the three day package with a $7 upcharge for sushi would be $30 for a meal. Around here, my local sushi restaurant will serve you between 18 and 24 pieces for $30! I can't imagine eating that much! Might be a good deal for some?

Yes, I looked at the sushi menu, I do sashimi, 8 pieces of tuna and 8 pieces of salmon would be $16, with gratuity that's $19.51. Unless they allow you to share the sushi or tapas I would request that my sitting there not count against my plan.

Am I missing something...

3 day package is approximately $20 per meal

 

Most restaurants are $20 per meal or less. If you do the show its an additional $15 or $35 and you can prepay for the show at $29...

 

Only makes sense if you are planning on paying for 3 nights at steakhouse or teppanyaki I guess

You need to add in the gratuity also. If I did the 3 day package I would probably do Cagney's, Le Bistro and Ocean Blue, under the plan that would be a total of $87.89 (this assumes they tack 18% gratuity on the $15 on Ocean Blue), if I reserved them without the plan it would be $108.54, so I would save $20.65 by doing the plan.

Here is the per day diem for the package:

3: $23.20

4: $21.83

5: $21.00

6: $20.45

7: 20.06

Hmm interesting, I have been to Nassau at least 5 times, probably more and never been offered any drugs.

So your saying you want them to come up to you and offer you drugs? :p

Food Republic on Escape isn't listed either.

Not sure if you were replying to mine. Raw bar is listed for a $7 upcharge, its a la carte and if its AYCE like sushi and tapas that means you could order as much lobster as you want!

I wonder if the Raw Bar is AYCE also for the $7 up charge, the do have 1/2 Maine lobster there....

You can use the package any days that you want, the price on the website includes the 18% gratuity. I am assuming that you would be responsible for a 18% gratuity on the upcharge at the a la carte places.

 

if you buy the udp or ubp, are you forced to pre-pay the 18% tip?

 

Yes, the gratuity is added onto the price of the package, meaning that you are pre-paying the tip.

I'm still just a little unclear about one part... If I buy for 3 days, it works out to be $23.21 per person, per day. Regarding the following "upcharges", it's my understanding that these dinners would count as one of my 3 meals. So, if I went to John Hughes Dinner Show on Escape, I'd be paying the $15 upcharge on top of the $23.21, so it would cost me $38.21. Is this how others interpret this? Or for those ships with sushi, you'd pay the $7 on top of the $23.21, so you'd have all-u-can-eat sushi for $30.21 pp, as opposed to ordering a la carte?

 

 

- Ocean Blue (Norwegian Getaway/ Norwegian Breakaway) - $15

- Cirque Dreams (Norwegian Breakaway/Norwegian Epic)- $10 general seats/$15 premium seats/$35 VIP seating on Norwegian Breakaway

- The Illusionarium - $10 general seats/$15 premium seats

- For the Record: Dear John Hughes (Norwegian Escape)- $15

- Bayamo (Norwegian Escape)- $10

- Pincho Tapas Bar (Norwegian Escape)- $7

- The Raw Bar (Norwegian Getaway/ Norwegian Breakaway) - $7

- Sushi Bar (fleetwide)-$7

I e-mailed NCL a few days ago and a rep contacted me. You are correct, each sitting "counts" against you. Sushi and tapas are AYCE in one sitting.

Overall it looks like a good deal except for sushi, I normally only eat $20-25 worth here in Kansas were the prices of sushi are higher than on the ship. So I'll have to do some math on which package I will actually get and maybe charge the sushi separately.

Really? Can you cite this anywhere? This would be a vast departure from how crimes at sea are otherwise handled.

Let me clarify my statement. In International waters yes you are technically under the laws of whatever country the ship is flagged under. However if a crime is committed the country of the victim or perpetrator can also press charges (which is why I indicated that usually the port country prosecutes because a large portion of cruisers are usually from the port country). On all ships porting from the US the FBI has jurisdiction of any sexual assaults that happen at sea. Not sure if there are any special rules for ships porting out of Europe, or the Asia area.

What LAW governs the drinking age at sea?

International... however whatever country that ship ports out of usually handles any prosecution if charges are ever pursued.

How would the UBP work in this instance. I was told anyone under 21 would receive the soda package. Would then just pay for beer and wine as consumed or would they get a beer and wine package?

Not sure if already answered in this thread, but think it was. Under 21 cannot get the packages, they have to pay per drink, this is to deter binge drinking.

OP, how are you able to get beer and wine if you are under 21?

NCL has a waiver, her parents are coming with her. They sign the waiver, they can serve her drinks in non-US waters.

We are wanting to book the Escape for next year (loved Breakaway!). My sister would like to book with us, too. We want to book before the end of the month to take advantage of the free beverage package. Unfortunately, due to the nature of my BIL's business, he won't know for quite a while if he can join her or not. If he can't come, her best friend will join her. We would be booking for next summer (2016). Is it possible for her to book a cabin now without knowing who her companion will be?

As long as one name on the reservation stays the same as the original booking and the change is made at least 3 days before sailing, your golden.

Based on the FAQ on the website, everything should be included... I guess we'll see how this pans out.

 

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ARE ANY MENU ITEMS EXCLUDED FROM SPECIALTY DINING PACKAGES?

 

No, all items listed on the menus are included in the package. Additional entrée charges also apply for dining at Cagney’s Steakhouse and Le Bistro.

The rep said some select high end cuts will be added to the menu for a upcharge. Being from the Midwest that makes me think that they might be adding Kobe cuts or some Black Angus cuts to the menu which typically go for $40-50 on land for a upcharge of $10. The Rib eye, NY Strip and Filet Mignon will probably remain free and also be joined by prime rib.

I have no problem believing you were told that, but I am skeptical that it is true under the new plans (if you have an old "unlimited" plan, that may be different).

 

Right now under explore & plan -> dining options, I see 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7 night options, all with the same description. I don't have options for 3-6 days and then a separate "unlimited" plan. So I take that to mean I am buying 7 sittings. If, in one evening, I go to Cagney's, Le Bistro, and then do 5 upcharges, my interpretation is that my package has been exhausted.

I'm wondering if they changed "unlimited" to "specialty" to mean that you can go to only one restaurant each day/night, especially since some have recently reported how hard it has become to get into the specialty restaurants on some ships. Maybe it is just me, but I really don't see the necessity to eat at more than one specialty restaurant for dinner each night.

I think you guys are correct. The rep had to put me on hold several times to clarify things with someone above her and at the end of the call she made sure to indicate that things were subject to change!

So is this the catch? Previously the Ultimate Dining Plan INCLUDES the Upcharge item, and now the Speciality Dining Plan no longer includes the Upcharge item?

I don't know if they will differentiate between the Ultimate Dining Plan and the Specialty Dining Plan. The new menus are not out yet so previously you were charged $10 for an extra entrée. It sounds like the new Cagney's menu will offer "higher" grades/cuts of steak than previously and other items that will incur an extra charge on top of what you already paid. Will have to wait till the new menus are out to see what those options are and what the additional upcharge will be.

Does this mean that those who are on the "full cruise plan" for all days of their sailing are free to eat at more than one establishment in a day without penalty? For example: sushi (with the upcharge) for lunch and then Cagney's for dinner?

Correct, if you buy the plan for all days of the cruise then there is no penalty and you can eat at as many specialty places as you want for the 7 days. Or at least that was the impression that the call rep gave me.