Looking to sail NCL (A little help needed)

[belmontcrew]

Hello,

 

We (family of five...kids 23, 19, and 15) are looking at sailing on NCL for the first time in March of 2015. We were looking at either the Getaway or Epic, but in looking at a current post discussing the two I think we would like to try the Getaway. We have sailed Royal five times and also once on the Carnival Dream. We have never had a bad cruising experience.

 

We would love to hear from those that have sailed both lines with your thoughts about what each may do better, same, likes/ dislikes of both. Any info is helpful. I have tried to look at the NCL site as well as here to learn as much as possible.

 

Here is some of what I have so far:

- NCL charges a $15/ bottle corkage fee. Two bottles per room

- If my 19 year old wants to be able to drink adult beverages, we can give consent to do so.

- No formal nights unless we want to on our own. I was surprised my kids said they would miss the opportunity to get dressed up for dinner.

- If any of the kids want a soda card for the week, if we ask on board they should be able to purchase without the entire family having to do so.

- No problem bringing soda or water on board

- Even though it is free style, can/should we make reservations before boarding?

- I thought I read on the NCL site that they recommend getting back on board in port an hour before departure. Is this correct or is 30 minutes OK.

- how are the chair hogs?

- Lines for the water slides?

- there is a buy 5 get 1 on beer

- Beer selection did not look as large as it is on Royal. No Ultra, Bud products...not that it matters, or Red Stripe and others. Blue Moon looks like it is about $1 more on NCL.

- No, smoking on Balconies starting November 2014.

- Balconies are smaller on NCL unless you book the larger size.

- Does NCL have dodge ball or volleyball on the sports court?

 

Anything else would be great, from activities, shows, fun in the casino. As an example, we learned Indy has a Mexican buffet starting late afternoon on Sea days. Anything like this would be helpful.

 

Are there any promotions that usually happen certain times of the year? We just started looking a few weeks ago and I could smack myself for not booking for the 3rd-4th sail free promotion. If we book now, how do price drops work? If we book and a great promotion becomes available later, can we cancel and re-book the new promotion?

 

Thanks.

[Winston Wolf]

There is no limit on the number of bottles of wine you can bring on board.

[garycarla]

...

 

- NCL charges a $15/ bottle corkage fee. Two bottles per room

...

 

 

Wine Corkage - no limit to number of bottles, $15 each no matter where you open or drink it. They do have reasonable wine packages. Scroll down for one of the many threads over the last week with the prices, etc.

[sebas030]

Hello,

 

We (family of five...kids 23, 19, and 15) are looking at sailing on NCL for the first time in March of 2015. We were looking at either the Getaway or Epic, but in looking at a current post discussing the two I think we would like to try the Getaway. We have sailed Royal five times and also once on the Carnival Dream. We have never had a bad cruising experience.

 

We would love to hear from those that have sailed both lines with your thoughts about what each may do better, same, likes/ dislikes of both. Any info is helpful. I have tried to look at the NCL site as well as here to learn as much as possible.

 

Here is some of what I have so far:

- NCL charges a $15/ bottle corkage fee. Two bottles per room UNLIMITED AMOUNT OF BOTTLE

- If my 19 year old wants to be able to drink adult beverages, we can give consent to do so. YES AT SERVICE DESK

- No formal nights unless we want to on our own. I was surprised my kids said they would miss the opportunity to get dressed up for dinner. THERE IS "DRESS UP OR NOT" NIGHT

- If any of the kids want a soda card for the week, if we ask on board they should be able to purchase without the entire family having to do so. YES BUT ONLY ONCE ON THE SHIP...NO PRE-BOOK

- No problem bringing soda or water on board CORRECT

- Even though it is free style, can/should we make reservations before boarding? YES YOU CAN

- I thought I read on the NCL site that they recommend getting back on board in port an hour before departure. Is this correct or is 30 minutes OK. IT DEPENDS ON PORTS, SECURITY AND CUSTOMS

- how are the chair hogs? THEY ARE OUT THERE

- Lines for the water slides? EARLY IN THE DAY OR LATE IN THE DAY HAVE NO LINES

- there is a buy 5 get 1 on beer YES THE BUCKET OF BEER

- Beer selection did not look as large as it is on Royal. No Ultra, Bud products...not that it matters, or Red Stripe and others. Blue Moon looks like it is about $1 more on NCL. HAVE A LOOK AT THE MENU HERE http://shar.es/QHiPL

- No, smoking on Balconies starting November 2014. ONLY IN CASINO IF GAMBLING, WATERFRONT ON ONE SIDE OF THE SHIP AND NOT NEAR THE FOOD VENUE

- Balconies are smaller on NCL unless you book the larger size. REGULAR BALCONIES WILL HAVE 2 CHAIRS AND A SMALL TABLE..THAT'S IT

- Does NCL have dodge ball or volleyball on the sports court?

 

Anything else would be great, from activities, shows, fun in the casino. As an example, we learned Indy has a Mexican buffet starting late afternoon on Sea days. Anything like this would be helpful.

 

Are there any promotions that usually happen certain times of the year? We just started looking a few weeks ago and I could smack myself for not booking for the 3rd-4th sail free promotion. If we book now, how do price drops work? If we book and a great promotion becomes available later, can we cancel and re-book the new promotion?

 

Thanks.

 

Look at my comments....and have fun !

 

.

[LrgPizza]

- Beer selection did not look as large as it is on Royal. No Ultra, Bud products...not that it matters, or Red Stripe and others. Blue Moon looks like it is about $1 more on NCL. HAVE A LOOK AT THE MENU HERE http://shar.es/QHiPL

That link to Gambee's info is old, gives incomplete drink info, and the prices are not always correct anymore - especially the info about the UBP has all changed since then. Please take it with a grain of salt.

 

There is indeed Bud Light, Bud, and Mich Ultra. Blue Moon is $5.95. Here is one beer menu from the Getaway:

 

Edited July 16, 2014 by LrgPizza