New to NCL

[845couples]

We have always sailed Carnival....sailing on dawn 9/4.....beside freestyle what can we expect

[cliffd64]

We have always sailed Carnival....sailing on dawn 9/4.....beside freestyle what can we expect

 

 

The biggest difference with Carnival and NCL is defintely the whole atmosphere of Freestyle. First of all, you will not be "assigned" to a table, and a specific time for dinner with the same people as you are accustomed to. Rather, you can show up whenever time you feel like going to dinner, and with as few or as many people as you desire, at any of the main dining rooms. You can have a table for two by yourselves, or even sit with strangers if you so desire.... it's all up to you! For example, you may get back from a long day on shore and decide to rest a while ... No need to hurry and prepare for dinner and get dressed up... You can wait, freshen up at your leisure, and since resort casual is appropriate all the time, you can head out to dinner whenever you want dressed comfortably. Even formal night is optional, you don't have to dress up and rarely do more than 50 percent of the guests dress up for formal night.

 

Tipping is the other big difference. There is no tipping on the last night... etc. There is a $10 service charge added to your account (per person per day) which includes all gratuities for waiters, room stewards etc... You can still tip additionally if you so desire, but you are not expected to.

 

Some people enjoy that your waiter gets to know you during the week (on traditonal cruises), and your likes and dislikes... Typically this doesn't happen with freestyle because unless you specifically ask for the same waiter in the same restaurant, you hardly ever get the same waiter. There also is no song and dance routine put on by the waitstaff like on Carnival (usually this is the case... holidays can be an exception)

 

Basically Freestyle lets YOU plan your day around YOU and your personal choices and not assigned dinner seatings and show times.

 

 

The Dawn is a fabulous ship, and it is BUILT for freestyle, and it really shines :) I'm certain you will enjoy it!

[jeannep]

You can expect to have a great time on a beautiful, friendly ship. Although you are not usually seated with others for dinner, you can meet people all over the ship. Go to Trivia that they have everynight at 5:30 in the Pearly Kings Pub. It seems the same people go almost every night and it is alot of fun. Try the Mystery Dinner. It is new to the Dawn and we really enjoyed it.

 

You will probably love trying out all the different restaurants. Each one is so different from the others.

 

The crew definately is the friendliest group we have ever found on a ship.

 

Relax and have fun!!!

Jeanne

[newmexicoNita]

The biggest difference other than freestyle is the number of specialty restaurants and the prices. They are so reasonable it would be a shame not to try a couple of them. I think the buffets are better on NCL but the cabins are bigger on Carnival and you won't find as many pool games etc. There certainly is plenty to do, but it's not one big constant activity. We think the crew on NCL is about the friendlest at sea. Have a great time and report back. NMnita

[goldmom]

We have sailed both Carnival and NCL. We enjoy both but there are differences. On NCL the freestyle is great, but you have to figure out where and when you want to eat every night. There is no cheering in the dining rooms, which I have no problem living without.

The one problem I had with NCL was that I felt they were always looking to make an extra buck. Now don't get angry with me, I love NCL. But I felt that Bingo was ridiculously expensive, they are always selling those Krack-it cards and when we were on, if you wanted to see the "name act" show (in our case Jimmy Walker) you had to pay an additional fee. That was really the only negative I found, but we still had a great trip and you can decide whether or not it's worth it for yourself to pay for some "extras".

[newmexicoNita]

We have sailed both Carnival and NCL. We enjoy both but there are differences. On NCL the freestyle is great, but you have to figure out where and when you want to eat every night. There is no cheering in the dining rooms, which I have no problem living without.

The one problem I had with NCL was that I felt they were always looking to make an extra buck. Now don't get angry with me, I love NCL. But I felt that Bingo was ridiculously expensive, they are always selling those Krack-it cards and when we were on, if you wanted to see the "name act" show (in our case Jimmy Walker) you had to pay an additional fee. That was really the only negative I found, but we still had a great trip and you can decide whether or not it's worth it for yourself to pay for some "extras".

We just don't do Bingo anymore for that reason and I think the Jimmy Walker thing was a trial only or so I have been told. As for the krack-it cards we will buy a few, but you are completely right about those as well. Any other nickel and diming is about the same as all lines I now think. One thing that NCL does not do, that Princess does is charge is you get money from the casino cashiere. That really ticks me off. NMnita

[johnql]

if you wanted to see the "name act" show (in our case Jimmy Walker) you had to pay an additional fee.

Just for the record, this does not happen routinely on NCL. I believe Jimmy Walker and Laura Branigan were the only "name acts" that they ever attempted to charge extra for. I'm certainly glad that the experiment didn't succeed since I wholeheartedly agree that there shouldn't be a surcharge for entertainment. But I didn't want the OP to think that this was still going on as a rule.

[immargaret]

One thing that NCL does not do, that Princess does is charge is you get money from the casino cashiere.

 

 

Shhhhhh........Don't give them any ideas!

[johnql]

One thing that NCL does not do, that Princess does is charge is you get money from the casino cashiere. That really ticks me off. NMnita

Doesn't Carnival also charge the same 3% that Princess charges for money/chips from the casino?

[irisinseattle]

I agree with this:

 

The one problem I had with NCL was that I felt they were always looking to make an extra buck.

 

We just cruised the Norwegian Spirit. I felt like the crew was always in my wallet.

 

I don't know what budget the person who thought the specialty restaurants were cheap..they are expensive. My family paid a cover charge to get into the Shogun and extra for the food.

 

I don't plan on EVER sailing NCL again. NEVER..

[newmexicoNita]

I agree with this:

 

The one problem I had with NCL was that I felt they were always looking to make an extra buck.

 

We just cruised the Norwegian Spirit. I felt like the crew was always in my wallet.

 

I don't know what budget the person who thought the specialty restaurants were cheap..they are expensive. My family paid a cover charge to get into the Shogun and extra for the food.

 

I don't plan on EVER sailing NCL again. NEVER..

I confess, it was me who said they were not expensive: I am comparing them to Carnival and Celebrity. Celebrity charges either $30 or $35 and Carnival $25. Of course if you have a family it will be a chunk. As for the charge I don't know about Carnival, all I know is I can get my casino slot money without paying a charge. Thank God. NMNita