First Time Norwegian Cruise Questions

[Nichayy21]

Hi there! First time cruiser here. We (boyfriend and I) are cruising on the Norwegian Pearl on the 25th to Mexico. I have a few questions!

 

It appears as though this is considered a closed loop sailing, so are I.D.'s and birth certificate or SS card acceptable? I read that it was ok - but a passport was still recommended.

 

Spending on the ship: I didn't plan on bringing tons of cash because this is a freestyle cruise and most things are included. We just want to lounge and eat/drink (we did get the drink package). Maybe play a bit at the casino. I didn't want to use a debit or credit card for onboard spending due to holds and it looks like if we do cash, we have to do a cash deposit of at least $150 (per person) due to the length of cruise. Is this correct?

 

Excursions: the first excursion we wanted was sold out before we could book it. We are in Mexico for one day. Is it best to pick another excursion and go ahead and book it or see what's available when we get there? Or book on the ship?

 

Is there anything else I should expect or plan for!?

 

Thank you all!

 

 

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[Nichayy21]

By the way, it is a 4 day cruise that begins and ends in the same U.S. port (Miami).

 

 

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[sparks1093]

Hi there! First time cruiser here. We (boyfriend and I) are cruising on the Norwegian Pearl on the 25th to Mexico. I have a few questions!

 

It appears as though this is considered a closed loop sailing, so are I.D.'s and birth certificate or SS card acceptable? I read that it was ok - but a passport was still recommended.

 

Spending on the ship: I didn't plan on bringing tons of cash because this is a freestyle cruise and most things are included. We just want to lounge and eat/drink (we did get the drink package). Maybe play a bit at the casino. I didn't want to use a debit or credit card for onboard spending due to holds and it looks like if we do cash, we have to do a cash deposit of at least $150 (per person) due to the length of cruise. Is this correct?

 

Excursions: the first excursion we wanted was sold out before we could book it. We are in Mexico for one day. Is it best to pick another excursion and go ahead and book it or see what's available when we get there? Or book on the ship?

 

Is there anything else I should expect or plan for!?

 

Thank you all!

 

 

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You will need your government issued birth certificate and government issued ID. Freestyle has nothing to do with onboard spending but is a concept regarding dress and dining. There is a service charge that is assessed daily per person (I want to say $13.95 but it's been a while since I've looked at it) so your cash deposit should cover this at least unless you pay it before your cruise. Your excursion may become available later because of a cancellation but it's a gamble. If there is another excursion you like it might be better to book it now.

Edited January 13, 2017 by sparks1093

[Nichayy21]

Thank you! We planned on paying our gratuities (service charge) before the cruise.

 

 

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[trish1c]

Use a credit card not cash to open your on board account. There are no holds on credit cards. The hold is on a debit card & even NCL warns you that using a debit card is not a great idea. If you spend nothing because you have already paid your tips & your booze is included, your cc will be charged nothing. You simply go home. With a cash deposit you have to go stand in a LONG line to get your cash back. P.I.T.A. If you do have a charge, your cash is safely in your bank. Go home. The day after you get home, pay the credit card bill with the cash you didn't cart around & possibly lose or have stolen. Voila -- no interest. As you know though the casino does require cash so do bring however much you are prepared to lose.

 

a passport is the safest traveling option.

 

If the excursion you wanted is already sold out, it won't magically become available upon arrival. You can try booking it independently. Do an internet search or ask on the ports of call board. Winging it, by seeing what you can cobble together upon arrival guarantees you will be disappointed.

Edited January 14, 2017 by trish1c

[Nichayy21]

Trish1c - thank you!

 

Is there a minimum amount I have to use to open my onboard account with a credit card?

 

I don't plan on spending much at all on the ship, other than a bit at the casino that will be cash.

 

Is it necessary to open an on board account?

 

 

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[cb at sea]

Your SS card is NOT suitable for ID....DL and BC is all you need.

 

Yes...everyone has an onboard account. If you don't spend anything, you won't owe anything. ANY drink you purchase will go on your account...as will your daily service charge, if you haven't prepaid that. You don't have to use a credit card...you can set up a cash account, if you wish. Although, a credit card (NOT a debit card) is the easiest...you can pay it off in cash on the last evening.

Edited January 14, 2017 by cb at sea

[trish1c]

Is there a minimum amount I have to use to open my onboard account with a credit card?

 

Is it necessary to open an on board account?

 

 

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Yes, you are required to open an on board account.

 

Having never done it, I don't know the number but there is some ridiculous minimum you have to deposit if paying in Cash. With a credit card, they take the info and IF you make a charge on board, they charge your sign & sail card, then charge your credit card at the end. It's like giving a credit card to the front desk at a land based hotel. They charge it if you rack up charges in the room & give you a zero balance if you spend nothing & don't steal the towels or damage the room.

 

N.B. -- You are given beach towels in your cabin & you must return them or you will be charged about $25 per towel.

[sparks1093]

Use a credit card not cash to open your on board account. There are no holds on credit cards. The hold is on a debit card & even NCL warns you that using a debit card is not a great idea. If you spend nothing because you have already paid your tips & your booze is included, your cc will be charged nothing. You simply go home. With a cash deposit you have to go stand in a LONG line to get your cash back. P.I.T.A. If you do have a charge, your cash is safely in your bank. Go home. The day after you get home, pay the credit card bill with the cash you didn't cart around & possibly lose or have stolen. Voila -- no interest. As you know though the casino does require cash so do bring however much you are prepared to lose.

 

a passport is the safest traveling option.

 

If the excursion you wanted is already sold out, it won't magically become available upon arrival. You can try booking it independently. Do an internet search or ask on the ports of call board. Winging it, by seeing what you can cobble together upon arrival guarantees you will be disappointed.

 

NCL will put a hold of $300 on a credit card or a debit card, but it can take some time for the hold on a debit card to be removed.

[firegal2539]

Have to open an Onboard Account. I used a debit card one time, never again, there was a huge hold on the card and took several days after the cruise for it to be removed.

 

I pay and book for everything before the cruise that way no surprises on the last day, no trouble booking an excursion. I wouldn't wait until you get to port if there is something special you want to do.

 

Several things I want to remind you of, even though you have bought a beverage package, most packages have a drink price maximum, like $15 a drink with grats added to it and believe it or not, many speciality drinks can run $18 to $20 each.

 

Next, don't order room service, NCL charges $7.95 for room service.

 

Don't use the ATMs, big service charges.

 

You can charge gambling to your room by using the slot machine but there are charges for doing that.

 

Pretty much cruise lines charge for everything.

 

Remember to bring cash for tips for porters, etc.

 

Hope this helps.

 

BTW, O"Sheehan"s is a great place to eat, pub food, open 24 hours, great prime rib, breakfast, chicken pot pie and burgers.

Candie

 

 

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[cml4958]

I think you can also purchase onboard credit and use that against your account.

[NMLady]

Trish1c - thank you!

 

Is there a minimum amount I have to use to open my onboard account with a credit card?

 

I don't plan on spending much at all on the ship, other than a bit at the casino that will be cash.

 

Is it necessary to open an on board account?

 

As Sparks1093 said there will be an initial hold of $300 placed on your credit card. This is even though you prepay DSC "gratuities").

So, yes you must open an onboard account.

 

I would recommend that you read some of the threads in the NCL forum. Lots of information there.

 

Also, a $7.95 room service charge was mentioned. This is true. However there is a complimentary continental breakfast so hang out the breakfast card if you want coffee, pastries, fruit, or yogurt delivered before 10:30am. There won't be a charge for that. Many of us do tip a $ or 2 to the server however.

[Nichayy21]

So now I have heard 2 different things. Some people have said you only get a hold on a debit card and now I'm hearing a hold of credit cards too? Per NCL website, if I use cash the minimum is $150 for my length of cruise.

 

 

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[sparks1093]

So now I have heard 2 different things. Some people have said you only get a hold on a debit card and now I'm hearing a hold of credit cards too? Per NCL website, if I use cash the minimum is $150 for my length of cruise.

 

 

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Welcome to Cruise Critic:), you'll get that. When I boarded the NCL Gem I put my credit card on my account. A couple of days into the cruise I went to the casino to take $100 off my account. They said that I couldn't because I didn't have a credit card associated with my card. I'm like :confused::eek: so I go to guest services. They tell me that my card was rejected and allowed me to place a call to my credit card company at no charge. I reached my credit card company and they said NCL had tried to put a hold on my card for $300 but I only had $275 available on my card (I forgot that I had used it on the way to the port:o). Guest Services ran my card again with a $275 hold and all was good. (I had $1100 OBC on my account which is why I didn't know about the rejection.)

 

On the same cruise our friend put $152 cash on her onboard account. According to NCL it was supposed to be $300 per person for our length of cruise, but they didn't say anything about the lesser amount (all of her service charges and excursions had been pre-paid).

 

So, from personal experience I know that 1) they put a $300 hold on credit cards and 2) they take less than the website says for a cash deposit.:D

Edited January 14, 2017 by sparks1093

[Nichayy21]

Thank you for the clarification! I think I'll just bring cash then and put some on my account because we prepaid everything else. I'll bring extra cash in case I need to put more on my onboard account.

 

 

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