Haven't sailed NCL before

[Spender Nui]

My first time on this board. If it's like the other boards I've frequented I'm sure I'll get lots of help and thanks in advance to all who reply.

 

We've done a lot of cruising.

 

We are Elite on Celebrity.

We are Elite on Princess.

We are 4 Star Mariners on HAL.

We've sailed several other lines too.

 

We haven't tried NCL and think maybe we should. I'm starting my research and thought this would be the first and best place to look. Things important to us are:

 

Relaxation.

 

Accommodations. We like lots of room in our cabins and choose at least a balcony and often suites. We love large oversize balconies and also stern cabins. Balcony shade is a must for us as we've had too many skin cancers and absolutely need to be in the shade when outside.

 

Should we opt to choose a suite do we get amenities of any kind? What are the advantages?

 

A table for 2 at dinner, affording some privacy is also high on the priority list.

 

We enjoy evening shows, especially production shows and singers.

 

Immediate considerations are the Dawn or Gem to New England & Canada 2013. Might be looking at some other things sooner too; sailing from Tampa February or March, 2013. Also might consider Bermuda in the Spring, 2013.

 

Thanks again for any help.

[WaldosPepper]

Welcome to Cruise Critic! You have definitely found the right place to ask questions, and do research. The folks on the NCL Board are particularly friendly and helpful, and are a wealth of information! Spend a bit of time reading the various threads, and you'll find answers to questions you didn't even know you had.

 

In the meantime, I'll do my best to answer some of your current questions. See my answers below in red.

 

My first time on this board. If it's like the other boards I've frequented I'm sure I'll get lots of help and thanks in advance to all who reply.

 

We've done a lot of cruising.

 

We are Elite on Celebrity.

We are Elite on Princess.

We are 4 Star Mariners on HAL.

We've sailed several other lines too.

 

We haven't tried NCL and think maybe we should. I'm starting my research and thought this would be the first and best place to look. Things important to us are:

 

Relaxation. Plenty of relaxation, regardless of the ship/sailing you choose.

 

Accommodations. We like lots of room in our cabins and choose at least a balcony and often suites. We love large oversize balconies and also stern cabins. Balcony shade is a must for us as we've had too many skin cancers and absolutely need to be in the shade when outside.

Most NCL ships have covered balconies, but there are a few ships where some of the balconies on higher decks are uncovered. I'm sure someone here can detail which ships and decks. Forward-facing Penthouses and Owner's Suites do not have covered balconies, however they do afford shade, depending upon the position of the ship in relation to the sun. The Owner's Suites have a second side-facing balcony which is covered.

 

Should we opt to choose a suite do we get amenities of any kind? What are the advantages?

Suite Perks are better on NCL than on any other mainstream line. They include Priority Embarkation, with escort onto the ship (in small groups). Concierge and Butler service, Breakfast and Lunch in a private venue, any meal delivered to your suite and served by your Butler should you so desire. Some suites also have access to the Haven - a private area at the top of the ship, with it's own pool and hot tub, exercise area, steam room, refreshment station, private sundeck, and concierge lounge (the Haven is the ultimate area for relaxation). Certain levels of suite also have reserved seating in the theatre for all shows. Priority disembarkation with escort is another wonderful perk. There are others I'm forgetting, I'm sure.

 

 

A table for 2 at dinner, affording some privacy is also high on the priority list.

This is available in some venues on the ship, but not all. If you are in a suite, your Concierge can assist you with this type of arrangement. Keep in mind if you are in a suite you can dine privately in your suite. ;)

 

We enjoy evening shows, especially production shows and singers.

Shows on NCL are good to excellent. Great variety, and most ships also feature a Cirque show as well. Shows play twice each evening. There are also live entertainers all around the ship.

Immediate considerations are the Dawn or Gem to New England & Canada 2013. Might be looking at some other things sooner too; sailing from Tampa February or March, 2013. Also might consider Bermuda in the Spring, 2013.

 

Thanks again for any help.

 

Hope that helps! ;)

[che5904]

Sorry I can't help you compare to other cruise lines.

 

Relaxation. There are tons of places on NCL ships to meet this requirement.

 

Acommodations (large rooms) Well since large is subjective and as far as I'm concerned cruise ship cabins are smaller than my walk in closet :D. You may wish to look into a suite. Or at the least a stern balcony.

 

Here's a link to the suite ammenities

 

http://www2.ncl.com/freestyle-cruise/freestyle-accommodations/suites-and-penthouses

 

A table for 2. All dining venues work the same as land restaurants you are seated with how many is in your party (in your case 2).

 

Yes there are production shows and music, again subjective.

[fudgedown]

We too have cruised quite a bit on many lines. I can tell you that.. Diamond plus/elite etc with booking a suite on those lines does not come any where near the suite treatment we received on the Jade last march. Our concierge was in contact daily with us to set up dining venues of our choice (not in a bothersome way). He arranged last minute reservations for ourselves and a large group of friends at high Rez. Restaurants all while fighting some horrible cold. He was a presence in our cruise, unlike other concierges on other lines... NCL really has the best suite life and the best people supply that. Again we are a pretty laid back couple who enjoy just enjoying life and that is the product NCL delivers. I do love RCL and Celebrity and NCL delivers an extremely comfortable casual pampered product.:-)

[jd1966]

Just remember, NCL is not HAL, Celebrity or Princess:D Freestyle is a different experience. We just took our first NCL cruise in September on the Gem to Canada and had a great time (The Gem is a very nice ship). I think that we enjoyed our cruise a lot better because we didn't compare it to our previous experiences on Celebrity, RCL and Princess. Expect it to be different, keep an open mind and you will really enjoy your cruise.

[OnTheGoMom921]

 

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1581264&highlight=gem+haven+photos&page=5

 

IMHO, One of my favorite Jewel Class Ships is the Gem. The above photos are from the Haven area on this ship. NCL does a great job at the Suite level. The crew of the Gem is top-notch.

 

The link above is for a pictorial of the Gem, although the itin. is not the Canadian cruise. The Suite featured in this link is a DOS on Deck 15 and it has wonderful amenities (the photos for the suite start on page 6 of that link). The SF suites on Deck 10 have less amenities, but the aft decks on 10 are larger than standard.

 

The amenities for suites start with the following:

 

PENTHOUSES ~ SC, SD, SE, SF, SJ

Embarkation

Personal escort to stateroom

Metallic color key card

1 Full bottle of Sparkling Wine (House) w/compliments of NCL card

1 Floral Arrangement

Fruit Bowl *

1 Bottle of Spring Water

 

 

* Replenished upon consumption

 

 

Bath Amenities

Cotton ball & Q-Tip Caddie

Bath salts, presented in container, shell scoop

Loofah, cello wrapped, no logo

Elemis brand products presented on tray:

Pure Shine Shampoo 40ml

Pro-Vitamin Conditioner 40ml

Sharp Shower Gel 40ml

Vitamin Rich Body Lotion 40ml

Pure Zest boxed Soap 80g

Pure Zest boxed Soap 50g

Shower Cap, paper envelope

 

 

Other

Butler and Concierge Service

Access to Star Bar Day Lounge

Daily Breakfast and Lunch in Cagney's

Pillow menu selection (tent card on night stand)

DVD and CD Player

DVD & CD Library, with DVD movie library binder

Deluxe Coffee/Espresso/Cappuccino Machine serving Lavazza coffee

China cups/saucers, espresso cups, teaspoons

Coffee/Tea pod dispenser accompanying Lavazza Coffee Machines

Bathroom Scale

Clock

Bath Robes (Plush Terry Robe-Waffle Design)

Slippers, Standard

Feather Pillows, Queen/Euro

Feather Duvet Insert

Upgraded linen - 300TC with Embroidery

Towels including oversized bath towel

Long stem barware, 2 each or 1 per person, space available.

Full Breakfast Menu

24 Hour Room Service Menu (Suite Menu)

Food turn down amenity delivered each night

Priority restaurant reservations

Priority embarkation and disembarkation

In Suite Dining

__________________

 

 

OWNER'S SUITES ~ SA, SB

Embarkation

Personal escort to stateroom

Metallic colored key card

1 Bottle of French Champagne (w/compliments card from NCL)

1 Floral Arrangement

1 Fruit Bowl *

2 Bottles of Spring Water *

2 Bottles of Sparkling Water *

3 Bottles of Liquor From Menu **

6 Sodas * (Variety of Pepsi/ Diet Pepsi/Sierra Mist/Tonic/club soda)

Whole Milk/Skim Milk for Cappuccino Coffee set up

Warm face towels, embarkation by Butler

Upon request, unpack guest suitcases by Butler

 

 

** 1 & 2 Night Cruise Amenity - Set up in the Garden Villas and Owner’s Suites will not include full bottles of liquor, but will include one bottle of French Champagne. (Complimentary water and sodas are included as usual)

 

 

* Replenished upon consumption

 

 

Bath Amenities

Cotton ball & Q-Tip Caddie

Bath salts, presented in container, shell scoop

Loofah, cello wrapped, no logo

Elemis brand products presented on tray:

Pure Shine Shampoo 40ml

Pro-Vitamin Conditioner 40ml

Sharp Shower Gel 40ml

Vitamin Rich Body Lotion 40ml

Pure Zest boxed Soap 80g

Pure Zest boxed Soap 50g

Lip rescue 10ml

Cooling Eye Gel 10ml

Instant Refresh Gel 10ml

Shower Cap, paper envelope

 

 

Other

Butler and Concierge Service

Access to Star Bar Day Lounge

Daily Breakfast and Lunch in Cagney's

Pillow menu selection (tent card on night stand)

DVD and CD Player

DVD & CD Library, with DVD movie library binder

Deluxe Coffee/Espresso/Cappuccino Machine, serving Lavazza coffee

China cups/saucers, espresso cups, teaspoons

Coffee/tea pod dispenser accompanying Lavazza Coffee Machines

Bathroom Scale

Clock

Bath Robes (Plush Terry Robe-Waffle Design)

Slippers, standard

Feather Pillows, Queen/Euro

Feather Duvet Insert

Upgraded linen - 300TC with Embroidery

Towels including oversized bath towel

Long stem barware, 4 each, space available.

Binoculars

Bar Utensils

Full Breakfast Menu

24 Hour Room Service Menu (Suite Menu)

Food turn down delivered each evening

Complimentary pressing for formal night/shoe shining

Priority restaurant reservations

Priority embarkation and disembarkation

Personal Laptop Computer - (no internet time included; each guest must purchase time as they would if they visited the internet cafe onboard).

In Suite Dining

 

 

The only other suggestion I would have is to do a thread search for "Gem Haven Photos". Sorry, I am partial to the Gem, as I have not been on the Dawn. The Gem is newer than the Dawn, and some posters here suggest it might be in better shape than the Dawn (can't be sure, I've not seen the Dawn). However, leaving from NYC is SPECTACULAR! Just wouldn't be the same leaving from Boston.

 

Good luck, IMHO you will be pleased with a suite on any NCL ship!

 

~Michele

 

ps...in my signature below, I also have some photos of the SF on Deck 10 Aft, from our Gem cruise review.

[marazad16]

Nice post - helpful! Thanks :)

[Spender Nui]

Thanks to all for their response and helpful information. Now the questions start.

 

Are the aft penthouse sites on the Dawn covered? What is her age? What is her condition? I'm sure more will come to mind.

[GORDONCHICK]

Thanks to all for their response and helpful information. Now the questions start.

 

Are the aft penthouse sites on the Dawn covered? What is her age? What is her condition? I'm sure more will come to mind.

 

The Dawn was built in 2002 and last reburbed in 2011.

[WaldosPepper]

Here is a photo of the Aft, showing the penthouses on Decks 8, 9 and 10. They are all covered. It is important to note that Decks 9 and 10 get much better reviews because of their size (I believe 10 is the largest, but not positive), however those on Deck 8 should be avoided at all costs on the Dawn and the Star, unless you enjoy hearing thumping bass and music from the lounge one deck below until the wee hours of the morning. ;)

 

 

Another thing to note is that there is no Haven area on the Dawn or the Star, so if you do select one of these ships, and you enjoy relaxation, it might be worth your while and $$ to purchase a spa pass, so you can enjoy the amenities there. ;)

[Spender Nui]

All very helpful. What kind of furniture is on the balcony?

[Spender Nui]

Here is a photo of the Aft, showing the penthouses on Decks 8, 9 and 10. They are all covered. It is important to note that Decks 9 and 10 get much better reviews because of their size (I believe 10 is the largest, but not positive), however those on Deck 8 should be avoided at all costs on the Dawn and the Star, unless you enjoy hearing thumping bass and music from the lounge one deck below until the wee hours of the morning. ;)

 

 

Another thing to note is that there is no Haven area on the Dawn or the Star, so if you do select one of these ships, and you enjoy relaxation, it might be worth your while and $$ to purchase a spa pass, so you can enjoy the amenities there. ;)

 

When I look at your picture I see a long horizontal black??????. Almost looks like a movie under the stars screen but I know it can't be. Can you ID it for me.

[WaldosPepper]

When I look at your picture I see a long horizontal black??????. Almost looks like a movie under the stars screen but I know it can't be. Can you ID it for me.

 

I believe I can. The entire aft area of Deck 11 is the spa, and what you are seeing are special windows for that area. If I'm not mistaken, on the other side of those windows are heated tile loungers, facing aft. Ahhhhhhhhh. ;)

[WaldosPepper]

All very helpful. What kind of furniture is on the balcony?

 

Should be wicker-type loungers with cushions.