Freestyle dining help!

[SantanaTto]

I am thinking about booking the 10-night Eastern Caribbean cruise on the Dawn in March. Since this will be my first experience with "freestyle" cruising, I am not sure exactly how the whole dining thing works. I see that they have 10 restaurants to choose from but how many of them do you have to pay extra for? And which ones are included in your fare??

 

Thanks!!

[little britain]

IMPRESSIONS

Contemporary Cuisine

The grand hotels of Europe filled their walls with the work of the great masters. This retro-restaurant has wall-size reproductions of Impressionist artwork evoking Paris in the 1900s. The extravagant menu offers delicious choices both traditional and modern.

BAMBOO A TASTE OF ASIA

Japanese Cuisine & Teppanyaki Room

An elegant adventure into the world of gourmet Asian dining. A world-class experience of the finest Japanese-Thai-Chinese cuisine brings to guests the choice of a sushi and sashimi bar, a teppanyaki room and authentic Asian dishes.

* Specialty Restaurant, w/ cover charge.

 

LE BISTRO

French/Mediterranean Restaurant

While enjoying an intimate meal at Le Bistro, one could easily imagine sitting in a charming café on the Champs Èlysées. But the menu also reflects many delicious Mediterranean influences, it's clever mix of traditional specialties and inventive signature dishes has made Le Bistro "le favorite." Enjoy the best seat in the house as a Maître d' prepares a traditional Caesar salad tableside. Then get ready to say, "C'est bon!"

$10 per person cover charge.

 

AQUA

Contemporary Cuisine

The cool, clean lines of this modern restaurant combined with its contemporary cuisine create an ambiance of upscale city dining. Aside from the regular menu, a variety of exclusive President's Menu selections can always be found. The chefs have also teamed up with Cooking Light® magazine to offer a variety of dishes which are low in cholesterol, salt, and fat yet high in flavor. The ever-changing selections include Baked Flounder with Thai Scallion Sauce, Sauteed Veal Scallopini topped with Crabmeat and Sauce Bearnaise, and a Red Currant Glazed Pork Chop served with Root Vegetables.

 

VENETIAN

Traditional Cuisine

This elegant restaurant is reminiscent of an ornate French château, where master chefs prepare a sumptuous feast. Every artfully presented course is a delight to the senses. The traditional yet highly sophisticated dishes served include a wonderful Broiled Caribbean Lobster Tail, Duck â l'Orange, and Filet of Beef Wellington. An extensive wine selection makes it easy to choose the perfect complement to your meal.

CAGNEY'S

Steak House

Aged, prime beef cooked at a searing temperature results in some of the most succulent steaks and prime rib meals anywhere. Choose from a menu of steaks, filet mignon, prime rib, lamb, fresh seafood and grilled chicken dishes.

* Specialty Restaurant, w/ cover charge

[Maryfrei]

We sailed the Dawn in June and loved the Freestyle dining. It sounds intimidating, but in reality is very easy. When we sailed, the surcharge restaurants were half price the first two nights, and half price every other night before 6pm. You can make a reservation as soon as you board if you like, as they will have a table set up. Any other time there is a reservation desk that you can call or stop by at your convenience. Reserve as early as you can so you get your choice of times.

 

We liked all of the restaurants to varying degrees, with the Aqua being the least favorite, only went there once. The Venetian and Impressions are the main dining rooms. The Venetian is in the back, and the whole rear is windows over the wake of the ship. Try to sit there at least once, it is wonderful. Also, go to the Venetian as soon as you board for lunch, it will be open though most people don't realize it.

 

We went to Cagney's the first night, absolutely worth the cover, especially at half price. And everything they say about the chocolate Fondue at the Bistro is true, don't miss is. We didn't do the Asian or Tex-Mex. The variety and flexibility of Freestyle is great, enjoy!!!

[Maryfrei]

Forgot your main question, sorry, caught up in reminiscing! Cagney's, Bistro and Bamboo are the surcharge restaurants I believe.

Mary

[johnql]

Here's a breakdown of the dining venues on the Dawn.

 

The main dining rooms are:

Venetian, Aqua, and Impressions (free, no reservations)

 

The alternative restaurants are:

Salsa's - Tex/Mex (free, reservations)

La Trattoria - Italian (free, reservations)

Bamboo - Asian ($10 all-you-can-eat sushi, or a la carte; surcharge, reservations)

Teppanyaki - Japanese (surcharge; reservations)

Cagney's Steakhouse (surcharge, reservations)

Le Bistro - Continental (surcharge, reservations)

 

Also, don't forget the following (all free, no reservations):

Blue Lagoon (24-hr snack bar)

Garden Cafe Buffet

Room Service (limited menu unless you're in a suite)

Late night snacks (served in the casino)

Bimini Bar & Grill

On-deck BBQs

Pearly King's Pub (fish & chips, chicken & mushroom pie)

Chocoholic Buffet

 

My favorites were Le Bistro (excellent mushroom soup, delicious filet mignon, and marvelous chocolate fondue); Cagney's (great steaks); Teppanyaki (fun chef's preparation show, very tasty entrees); and Blue Lagoon (Buffalo wings, fried rice, burgers, chili). The on-deck BBQs always have something good. I love the Chocoholic Buffet. And the chocolate mousse through room service is worthwhile.

[Len3]

:confused: My first NCL experience will be on the Spirit, sailing Feb. 9th. Question - with all of the surcharge dining options, do you get the feeling that NCL is doing the old "nickle and dime" business?

[Zeno]

:confused: My first NCL experience will be on the Spirit, sailing Feb. 9th. Question - with all of the surcharge dining options, do you get the feeling that NCL is doing the old "nickle and dime" business?

 

You can always eat exclusively at the "included" restaurants if you are concerned about paying a surcharge. On our last cruise, we ate exclusively at the 'included' restaurants. On our next cruise we will probably eat at least once at the "pay extra" restaurants. It's up to you whether you pay a surcharge or not.

[johnql]

:confused: My first NCL experience will be on the Spirit, sailing Feb. 9th. Question - with all of the surcharge dining options, do you get the feeling that NCL is doing the old "nickle and dime" business?

My approach is that I price the surcharge restaurants into my budgeting. If the price still looks attractive, I go for it. I love having the number and diversity of restaurants that NCL offers on its newer ships. And I feel they are more than worth the nominal charge.

[electricron]

:confused: My first NCL experience will be on the Spirit, sailing Feb. 9th. Question - with all of the surcharge dining options, do you get the feeling that NCL is doing the old "nickle and dime" business?

 

Every large cruise line nickles and dimes you as you buy extras.

The cruise industry is a very competitive business, and potential passengers are comparing fares between the many cruise lines.

Therefore, the basic package is included in the fare, and the extras aren't.

 

You don't have to dine in a speciality restaurants. You can dine in the main restaurants, or free alternatives, during the entire cruise. The food in the main restaurants and the free alternatives is as good as the food in the speciality restaurants. The only difference is the cut of meat, size of entree, type of entree, and the quality of the waiter or waitress service.

Obviously, NCL places their best servers in the speciality restaurants.

 

The main restaurants are serving "continential" cuisine, not steaks. Many of the speciality and alternative restaurants serve specific cuisine that one would never find in a "continential" restaurant.

[Cruise_More_Often]

NCL offers many cruises that are less expensive than their competitors' cruises. We figure we're saving money on the cruise, so we spend it in the extra-charge restaurants. Freestyle (i.e., choices) is the reason we continue to sail NCL.

[Mrmacman]

I honestly did not feel like NCL was grabbing money from me on my cruise. Sure, the drinks are not cheap, but neither are they in your better restaurants and hotels. On my 10 night cruise, I only ate dinner in one additional cost restaurant (le bistro). It was well worth the $15. The rest of our meals were all in the no surcharge eateries, and we had a fantastic time. Portions are small at all the restaurants. I think that is good, since it cuts down on waste (or should I say waist). Knowing the portion size, we often ordered multiple appetizers and entrees. Never had a problem doing that, and no one looked twice....even on lobster tail night.

 

Loved the Dawn so much that am going again in January.

[Len3]

When should reservations be made for the extra charge restaurants and how much do they cost of the Spirit?

[SantanaTto]

Thank you all for the great information! I am definitely ready to go for it! It sounds great....

[electricron]

When should reservations be made for the extra charge restaurants and how much do they cost of the Spirit?

 

You should reserve your speciality restaurants tables as soon as possible.

The quicker you do, the more likely you'll get a table at the restaurant at the time of your choosing.

[Cuizer2]

I was on the NCL Star recently. I wrote a very long review. The review does discuss the Freestyle dining in detail. The restaurant names will be different, but otherwise the experience will be the same. If you are interested, you can read my review by clicking on the link below ...

 

http://www.cruisecritic.com/memberreviews/memberreview.cfm?EntryID=13327

[Cosmopolitan]

We sailed the Dawn in June and loved the Freestyle dining. It sounds intimidating, but in reality is very easy. When we sailed, the surcharge restaurants were half price the first two nights, and half price every other night before 6pm. You can make a reservation as soon as you board if you like, as they will have a table set up. Any other time there is a reservation desk that you can call or stop by at your convenience. Reserve as early as you can so you get your choice of times.

 

We liked all of the restaurants to varying degrees, with the Aqua being the least favorite, only went there once. The Venetian and Impressions are the main dining rooms. The Venetian is in the back, and the whole rear is windows over the wake of the ship. Try to sit there at least once, it is wonderful. Also, go to the Venetian as soon as you board for lunch, it will be open though most people don't realize it.

 

I ditto all of the above!

 

I believe Aqua is good for families with small children. I, personally, did not like it. My least favorite.

 

The Venetian when you board is an excellent idea. What a relaxing way to start you cruise:)

[SailorsMate]

I ditto all of the above!

 

I believe Aqua is good for families with small children. I, personally, did not like it. My least favorite.

 

The Venetian when you board is an excellent idea. What a relaxing way to start you cruise:)

 

One observation about the above- Families with children might take note that Venetian has bathrooms accessable right in the dining room- might be a "plus" in dining there. I remember vividly times when "junior" decided mid-meal that a bathroom run was a neccessity.. Aqua is nice, but a little remote if dining with the kiddies. Also, in Aqua the tables are a bit closer together, so getting in/out- often some of the party is seated on a banquette- so, getting in/out if it becomes necessary during the meal might present some difficulty. Venetian is a little more "spread out" due to its' size.

[BoscoBreaux]

I am thinking about booking the 10-night Eastern Caribbean cruise on the Dawn in March. Since this will be my first experience with "freestyle" cruising, I am not sure exactly how the whole dining thing works. I see that they have 10 restaurants to choose from but how many of them do you have to pay extra for? And which ones are included in your fare??

 

Thanks!!

Freestyle dining is great for those of us who aren't particularly enthralled by herding aspect of cruising. So, if you like smaller, more intimate restaurants, I think you'll like freestyle crusing. I don't mind paying a premium to dine in a smaller restaurant, but I wouldn't suggest that the food is any better in one restaurant or the other by virtue of whether the place levies a surcharge.

I didn't detect a notable quality difference between the "included" versus the "pay" restaurants. In fact, the worst meal I received was in Bamboo, a pay restaurant; the only saving grace was the food portions were miniscule. Conversely, I had great meals in both Aqua and Impressions.

Moreover, you'll notice some menu items at the pay restaurants are echoed elsewhere. For example, the meal I had at Le Bistro I had eaten before at Impressions (free)--right down to the dessert! I could not detect a difference in food quality either.

How about service? The worst service I received all week--at Le Bistro. The best? Impressions.

You'll find those places you like most. I happened to like Aqua and Impressions. My SO liked Le Bistro. As they say, to each his/her own!