NCL newbie questions

[Tallyfins]

Good morning all - I have been a lifelong Carnival customer who is finally tired of getting zero perks back from them (after 70+ days on board) and am officially making the leap onto another line. I am looking into doing the NCL Pearl for Spring Break next month and have a few questions. Most I have found the answers on by reading the board posts, google searches, etc., but I still have a few.

 

1) I plan to book a suite for me and my wife and an OV for the kids (both 18+). I plan to take advantage of all 4 perks offered for the suite for me and my wife and obviously we only get 2 perks with the OV. I will most likely go with the Specialty Dining and Wifi, as the $50/cabin shore excursions credit isn't as appealing. If it were $50/pp in each cabin, I might have considered it.

2) I'm looking at one of the aft penthouse suites with a large balcony. It says it comes with butler and concierge service. What exactly do I get with that?

3) If I'm going on this cruise next month, is it too near the sailing to book my 3 Specialty dinners online? (Going on a 7-day cruise)

4) Casino - for BJ, presumably they are 6-deck shoes. Does anyone know if they are continuous shufflers (meaning after each round, the card go back into the shoe), or if they play out an entire shoe before reshuffling/changing shoes.

5) I like the idea of the free drinks and understand that gratuity will be added. These folks need to make a living too! 🙂 Does anyone know where I can find a current listing of what drinks are offered specifically? I found an old PDF from 2017(?) (http://partners.ncl.com/destroot/norwegian/files/download/pieces/50611/downloads/34093_fas_flyer_3-17.pdf) - not sure how accurate and/or up to date that is now.

 

Thanks in advance, 

TF

[hallux]

40 minutes ago, Tallyfins said:

1) I plan to book a suite for me and my wife and an OV for the kids (both 18+).

Only 21 and up can be in a cabin without an accompanying person of 21+ unless the cabins connect.  https://www.ncl.com/cruise-faq/age-requirements

Traveling with Minors and Young Adults:
Norwegian Cruise Line's policy dictates that a minor or young adult under the age of 21 must be accompanied in the same stateroom (or a connecting/adjoining stateroom) by a guest 21 years of age or older at the time of boarding.

 

40 minutes ago, Tallyfins said:

3) If I'm going on this cruise next month, is it too near the sailing to book my 3 Specialty dinners online? (Going on a 7-day cruise)

NCL only opens 20-30% of available reservations for booking online before the cruise.  The rest open on embarkation day.  Generally, you want to book those as soon as you get on board to ensure you get the time you want.  However, it sounds like you're booking a Haven suite, that concierge should be able to get you what you want, including "overselling" the venue.

 

Drinks $15 and under are covered by the beverage package.  Drinks over $15 result in a charge of the difference between the drink cost and $15, plus gratuity on that amount.

 

Edited February 12, 2020 by hallux

[smplybcause]

45 minutes ago, Tallyfins said:

1) I plan to book a suite for me and my wife and an OV for the kids (both 18+). I plan to take advantage of all 4 perks offered for the suite for me and my wife and obviously we only get 2 perks with the OV. I will most likely go with the Specialty Dining and Wifi, as the $50/cabin shore excursions credit isn't as appealing. If it were $50/pp in each cabin, I might have considered it.

 

As hallux mentioned, because of the way NCL does it you and your wife can't both be booked in the suite unless one of your kids are over 21. If one isn't over 21 then I would either get both OV or both suites.

 

47 minutes ago, Tallyfins said:

3) If I'm going on this cruise next month, is it too near the sailing to book my 3 Specialty dinners online? (Going on a 7-day cruise)

 

Never say never, but considering March is when spring break starts, there's a good chance it'll be sold out online. You'll have to book on board.

 

48 minutes ago, Tallyfins said:

2) I'm looking at one of the aft penthouse suites with a large balcony. It says it comes with butler and concierge service. What exactly do I get with that?

This might be a moot point if neither of your kids is over 21, but the concierge helps with things outside your cabin (shows, dining reservations, getting on/off ship) and the butler helps within your cabin (delivering food, etc) 

 

50 minutes ago, Tallyfins said:

5) I like the idea of the free drinks and understand that gratuity will be added. These folks need to make a living too! 🙂 Does anyone know where I can find a current listing of what drinks are offered specifically? I found an old PDF from 2017(?) (http://partners.ncl.com/destroot/norwegian/files/download/pieces/50611/downloads/34093_fas_flyer_3-17.pdf) - not sure how accurate and/or up to date that is now.

 

That's more or less accurate. If you look at recent review threads a lot of people post current bar menus. There might be a couple that have moved to $15+ in the last two years. 

[Liljo22]

The link below has the liquor brands that are included in the drink package. 

 

https://www.ncl.com/sites/default/files/premium-beverage-package.pdf

[ggTexasGal]

Nobody has mentioned what the drink package does NOT included...

(Unlike Carnival, you won't get Bottled Water, Specialty Coffee, or Fresh-Squeezed juice).

Read this:

https://www.ncl.com/terms/premium-beverage-package

 

OR  more/better included (If you pay extra for upgrading to Premium Plus Beverage Package)

https://www.ncl.com/terms/premium-plus-beverage-package-full

[Tallyfins]

anyone have a rough idea on the price diff between the 2? Obv the 'Free at Sea' one only adds gratuities. 

 

Also - anyone have any insight into my blackjack questions?

Thanks so far for the help

 

TF

[Liljo22]

7 minutes ago, Tallyfins said:

anyone have a rough idea on the price diff between the 2? Obv the 'Free at Sea' one only adds gratuities. 

 

Also - anyone have any insight into my blackjack questions?

Thanks so far for the help

 

TF

On a 7 day cruise its $243.60 per person including the gratuities and everyone in the cabin 21+ has to upgrade.   

[JayS]

On the Bliss last DEC 6 for 5 BJ on lower limits, don't remember where or if 3 for 2 was offered. Continuous shuffle machine was used. If there was a shoe I didn't notice.

 

On the specialty diners you should get several appetizers , one entree , and several deserts.

 

https://www.ncl.com/specialty-dining-package/faq

 

Sometimes the wait staff will try to give you the Platinum package of one app, $35 max entree and one desert. There are up-charge for the package but it is on the menu.

 

DON"T forget to logoff when using the wifi or the time limit will run.