Newbies Questions-NCL Star

[framboesa]

hello! My parents will travel aboard NCL Star, May 1st, to Fjords. They have been in several cruises but never NCL. I'm trying to help them preparing for the cruise so I have some questions:

- When will they chose how to pay the onboard account?

- I read some people speaking about the flight times, and the time that they provided this information to NCL, but, contrarely to what we are used, when we done the check in online there was nothing regarding to the time of flights.When will my parents provide this information to the company?

-They have a beverage package included (it was a promotion when they booked the cruise).Do they have to do anything else or they only have to show the card/key and this will provide this information to the bartender?

-When I was in Epic several years ago I remember that we had to book all the shows, which was a new thing for us; is it necessary to book the shows or can they appear 10 minutes before it started with no reservation?

-Besides white party, what parties are expected to happen?

-Is there any "iconic" food that they should not miss? (in the included restaurants like the pub and the main dining restaurants)

-Is there any inside place with better views? ( for the fjords :D )

 

 

Thank you in advance!;)

[KeithJenner]

Onboard accounts are set up at the port.

 

I'm not sure what you mean about flight times, as I can't see why they are relevant to NCL. Maybe you are talking about the newer system where you select a check in time beforehand. If so, this doesn't seem to apply to European cruises (I've never had to do it).

 

The keycard will be stamped with UBP to show they have the beverage package. Just hand the card to the server.

 

Reservations for shows are only on the newer ships (Epic and more recent). Doesn't apply on the Star.

[framboesa]

Onboard accounts are set up at the port.

 

I'm not sure what you mean about flight times, as I can't see why they are relevant to NCL. Maybe you are talking about the newer system where you select a check in time beforehand. If so, this doesn't seem to apply to European cruises (I've never had to do it).

 

 

.

 

Thank you very much!!!:)

We always answer about the flight times in other companies when we do the check-in, specially because that's the way they give the check-out tags on the last night (earlier flights, earlier tags). When we book the cruise company shuttle from/to airport they only book the shuttle for specific arriving/departing times of the plains. That's it :)

[KeithJenner]

With NCL you select your own disembarkation group at the end of the cruise and get a luggage tag for that group, so if you have an early flight then you would select an earlier group. Or you can go for self disembarkation and leave when you want.

 

I've never used the shuttle to the airport (except the time when NCL did our flights), so in not sure how that works, but I assume that you agree a time when you reserve the shuttle onboard.

[BirdTravels]

You need to provide flight times ONLY if you have booked a transfer from the airport to the port. If you are traveling independently to the port on day of departure, or if you have booked your air the rough NCL, no information is required. If you booked a transfer from NCL, you should also see that transfer in your eDocs online. It would be a separate page with a transportation voucher. The flight information would have been collected when you made the transfer reservation (not online).

 

The beverage package will be printed on your parents key cards. Just order any drink under $15 at a bar. They would pay the differ evening price for anything over $15 (which is really rare). The hint to a good UBP is to order the drinks that you would never think of ordering in a bar. Try that Mango Meldown or BBC. Try every exotic drink you wouldn't be caught dead with ordering in your local bar. What happens on a cruise ship stays on a cruise (unless you Instagram it).

 

No shows to book in the star. They only do that in the mega ships

 

But,,, they should have already booked their specialty dining. That fills up fast during prime time.

Edited April 21, 2016 by BirdTravels

[mypleasure]

Thank you very much!!!:)

We always answer about the flight times in other companies when we do the check-in, specially because that's the way they give the check-out tags on the last night (earlier flights, earlier tags). When we book the cruise company shuttle from/to airport they only book the shuttle for specific arriving/departing times of the plains. That's it :)

 

 

NCL doesn't need to know your flight times because you get to pick your own time to disembark. A couple of days before the cruise ends they put the tags out at the reception area and you just help yourself to the colour that corresponds to the time you want to leave. This only really applies to those who wish to make their own way to a hotel or the airport or car or have someone picking them up.

 

If you book a transfer to the airport with NCL you need to book it with the excursion desk. Information about this comes with the Freestyle daily a few nights before the cruise ends. It may also be available to book and pay in advance through MYNCL or a PCC, I don't know as I have never done this myself. They will ask what time the flight departs and will book a time that gives ample time to get there. They will also issue specific tags that will say TOUR.

 

After leaving the ship your family will collect their bags and proceed to the vehicle where the driver will load the bags onto the vehicle and then take them to wherever they booked to go.

 

The process is simple but if they are unsure of any of it there are people on the guest services desk who will help them decide what is best for them. It is all part of the freestyle concept where individual guests make their own choices that suit them best from the range offered rather than the cruiseline telling them to like it or lump it.

[framboesa]

 

But,,, they should have already booked their specialty dining. That fills up fast during prime time.

 

Thank you :) They don't care for the speciality dining. We belong to a large family of restaurant owners and are friends of many top restaurants owners here in Portugal, so we eat out...too many times :rolleyes: .They love buffets because it's not usual for them to eat at buffets and at the MDR they even let the waiters to chose the menu, just to surprise them :D They love to relax so I booked them the spa package :)

[framboesa]

NCL doesn't need to know your flight times because you get to pick your own time to disembark. A couple of days before the cruise ends they put the tags out at the reception area and you just help yourself to the colour that corresponds to the time you want to leave. This only really applies to those who wish to make their own way to a hotel or the airport or car or have someone picking them up.

 

If you book a transfer to the airport with NCL you need to book it with the excursion desk. Information about this comes with the Freestyle daily a few nights before the cruise ends. It may also be available to book and pay in advance through MYNCL or a PCC, I don't know as I have never done this myself. They will ask what time the flight departs and will book a time that gives ample time to get there. They will also issue specific tags that will say TOUR.

 

After leaving the ship your family will collect their bags and proceed to the vehicle where the driver will load the bags onto the vehicle and then take them to wherever they booked to go.

 

The process is simple but if they are unsure of any of it there are people on the guest services desk who will help them decide what is best for them. It is all part of the freestyle concept where individual guests make their own choices that suit them best from the range offered rather than the cruiseline telling them to like it or lump it.

 

Thank you for all the information!:)

[Boschmann]

In response to OP's last question, the Star had it's forward observation lounge turned into suites back in 2010. There are only a few inside places with a view left, not necessarily forward. There are a few small nooks along the public decks 6 and 7. If they want drink service, O'sheehan's on deck 8 has limited seating with a view, same with 5 O'clock Somewhere bar on deck 7. The Marketplace cafe on deck 12 has decent views, but can be crowded when a lot of people want the tables for dining. For the best views they can try going before hours to the Sugarcane Mojito bar (and adjoining Moderno restaurant) on 13. It is officially closed to the public until around 5pm. The area is used for suite guests at breakfast and lunch. They won't get past the concierge or Maitre'd at these times, but I saw people there enjoying the views during unused hours. Cagney's restaurant was only used by suite guests the first day for lunch, after that it sat empty all morning & afternoon until it opened around 5pm. There are a few tables there with good views. There is some activity as servers/cooks prepare food for the suite meals, but your parents could try quietly sitting at a window table and may be allowed to stay. The concierge/staff are stationed right between the two restaurant's entrances, they are likely to tell your parents the area is closed so I would look for a time when they are away or just ask the staff saying they are considering making reservations there for dinner and would like to go in and see the restaurant. Hopefully they will be quickly forgotten and left to stay.

[Heather1972]

All I can add is foods not to miss:

- Chocolate crepes on buffet

- Boiled peeled shrimp on buffet

- Fish and Chips in O'Sheehans

- Pretzel rolls on buffet

[framboesa]

Thank you all for your answers! I'm really excited...and hoping that they have a brilliant time, they deserve it so much :D

Thank you again for all the information!

[BirdTravels]

NCL doesn't need to know your flight times because you get to pick your own time to disembark. A couple of days before the cruise ends they put the tags out at the reception area and you just help yourself to the colour that corresponds to the time you want to leave. This only really applies to those who wish to make their own way to a hotel or the airport or car or have someone picking them up.

 

If you book a transfer to the airport with NCL you need to book it with the excursion desk. Information about this comes with the Freestyle daily a few nights before the cruise ends. It may also be available to book and pay in advance through MYNCL or a PCC, I don't know as I have never done this myself. They will ask what time the flight departs and will book a time that gives ample time to get there. They will also issue specific tags that will say TOUR.

 

After leaving the ship your family will collect their bags and proceed to the vehicle where the driver will load the bags onto the vehicle and then take them to wherever they booked to go.

 

The process is simple but if they are unsure of any of it there are people on the guest services desk who will help them decide what is best for them. It is all part of the freestyle concept where individual guests make their own choices that suit them best from the range offered rather than the cruiseline telling them to like it or lump it.

 

NCL needs your flight info if you have a transfer on day of embarkation. An NCL greeter meets you in baggage claim or just outside of customs (depending on their arrangement with airport authorities). They escort You to the NCL transfer desk and check you in for the transfer to the port. Your luggage is sometimes taken at that point and delivered to your room. Sometime you need to take it to the bus yourself and it is delivered to your room.

[bobscoffee]

We are sailing on the Star on May 24th - Baltic Capitals.

 

Has anyone had any issues with using a VPN with the on-board Wi-Fi? I know some services (hotels, etc) block the use of VPNs.

 

Thanks in advance

[bobscoffee]

Will answer my own question about using a VPN - Doesn't work.

Actually the entire internet experience was about what I had expected, sub-par. Can't really complain because I was forewarned.