NCL question for newbie cruiser

[parttimr]

Our first cruise was Jan 13 on the CCL Valor with a balcony and we loved it. Were both 50 and even the fun times and loud music wasn't bad. Now we are looking to try NCL for the western caribean on either the Dawn or Jewel out of Miami or New Orleans in Jan 14. After reviewing the threads here it seems in order to take in the shows you need to always make reservations or get tickets which seems to maybe be a pain and not about this free style stuff either I'm kind of a structured type of guy, lol. Any insight on these would be appreciated. Also trying to look at booking a balcony, only way wifey will sail now. Oh forgot if not these ships were looking at the CCL Liberty for same time so plenty of time to book. Thanks for any help.

[GORDONCHICK]

The shows people are talking about making reservations aren't on the Jewel or Dawn. They are on the Epic and will be on the Breakaway when it launches.

 

If you like a set dining time, NCL may not be for you. For the MDRs, they work like a restaurant - if you show up when they are busy, you will have a wait. If they aren't busy, you will get right in. You can make reservations in the specialty/upcharge restaurants.

[school's_out]

I was on the Dawn and loved it. My husband and I would go to the MDR on the earlier side. We'd get in without a wait every night. Always would get a table for two right near a window and enjoy a relaxing dinner and drinks. Stroll on the deck for a little while and then catch the 7 o'clock show. We enjoyed the food and the wait staff was always excellent.

[jdvmd]

Our first cruise was Jan 13 on the CCL Valor with a balcony and we loved it. Were both 50 and even the fun times and loud music wasn't bad. Now we are looking to try NCL for the western caribean on either the Dawn or Jewel out of Miami or New Orleans in Jan 14. After reviewing the threads here it seems in order to take in the shows you need to always make reservations or get tickets which seems to maybe be a pain and not about this free style stuff either I'm kind of a structured type of guy, lol. Any insight on these would be appreciated. Also trying to look at booking a balcony, only way wifey will sail now. Oh forgot if not these ships were looking at the CCL Liberty for same time so plenty of time to book. Thanks for any help.

You cannot make show reservations on the Dawn or the Jewel. You just show up if you want to see it.

[parttimr]

Thanks for the replies all, clears things up a bit for us. Nice to know you can just go to the shows when you want on these two ships. Think the open dining would make this a bit easier to get to them since we had late dining on the first cruise and missed two shows we wanted to see.

[RIvacationgirl]

Hello, we just came back from the Dawn this past Feb.

We loved it. We also sailed the Jewel last April and loved her too. Both ships are very similar, but they do have a few things that make each unique. In Feb. we went to the western Caribbean from Tampa, and enjoyed the ports. On the ship, you do not have to make any reservations for shows or dining. That is what is nice about freestyle. We never had to wait for dining, and there were plenty of seating for the shows.

 

We are both 51 yrs. old, and these are the first cruises we have ever done. We are hooked on cruising and NCL. We will be going to Bermuda on the Dawn in August with family and friends and cannot wait to get back onto the Dawn. I hope you will enjoy trying a different cruise line. Ask any questions if you would like to know anything else!

[Shelli]

In my opinion, the layout of Jewel is better than Dawn because of its Great Outdoors restaurant-- we LOVED sitting outside at the very back of the ship and missed it recently on Dawn's sister ship, Star.

 

Also, as an experienced Carnival cruiser, you should know that NCL's cabins are significantly smaller than Carnival's! But I think NCL makes up for that by far superior service and entertainment.

[Cruzface]

I was also skeptical about the freestyle system. Having several Carnival cruises under my belt, including the Valor, I have to tell you that I don't think we will go back to Carnival unless it is an exceptional deal. We loved the freestyle dining, the food was so much better it wasn't even close. We loved just showing up when we wanted to eat. We waited sometimes, but they gave us a free drink coupons. So we hung out at the bar until they paged us. Never waited more than 20 minutes. One time we went to the casino while waiting and I was killing it in blackjack! Then the pager goes off! I think they did it on purpose! LOL

[mellygo]

DH and I were skeptical of freestyle after loving Celebrity, but tried the Jewel in 2008. . . . loved her so much we have been cruising NCL since. If you decide on the Jewel, I hope you get to meet John the hotel manager. He is the BEST I have ever seen!! Captain Costas(?) was also willing to speak to CC members that he remembered from the meet and mingle - and he waas very personable as well. Haven't been on the Dawn yet - but we love NCL!! Sailing the Sun in October and cannot wait!

[Oldgoat61]

We were on the Dawn March/2012, and will be on her again this April. I think you will really enjoy freestyle dining. With freestyle you can dress up or not, it is up to you. I would suggest showing up for the early show at least 20 min. or more before the show starts to insure good seats.

Another suggestion would be to make sure you have a cabin above and below you!;)

Have a great cruise!:)

One thing I forgot to mention, the crew is exceptional!

[Sequim88]

NCL newbie too but from what I've read if you really like servers in MDR and want to keep same you can make a sort of standing reservation arrangement to have same table and waitstaff very night. We always do My Time Dining on RCI and if we get some real winners we would make an arrangement for them - and if dining elsewhere we would let maître d' know we would not be there that evening. Hoping we can do this on Star next year.

[parttimr]

Lots of good info here. We just got a guest confirmation that is on hold until the 19th so just a matter of thinking about it now, lol. We will be going just don't know if a better deal will be there. Will make another post on total price when we get it to see if it's a deal or not in the experts minds, lol

[GORDONCHICK]

NCL newbie too but from what I've read if you really like servers in MDR and want to keep same you can make a sort of standing reservation arrangement to have same table and waitstaff very night. We always do My Time Dining on RCI and if we get some real winners we would make an arrangement for them - and if dining elsewhere we would let maître d' know we would not be there that evening. Hoping we can do this on Star next year.

 

It's sometimes possible to get the same servers but they move around the MDRs (within the same one, but different areas) so you won't get the same table.