Insider tips for new NCL cruisers

[hallux]

5 hours ago, tashaaa said:

2. if you have tender ports, on embarkation day go to the BOX office, and reserve a tender ticket

This may depend on the ship.  I don't recall that being the location for them, but you can also use the touch-screen kiosks in the stair lobbies to reserve your tender tickets.  When they are available seems to vary.  In 2019 I was able to sign up for tender tickets on embarkation day, but the tender port was not until the second to last day of the 7-day cruise.  In other cases, you can't sign up until 2-3 days prior.

 

5 hours ago, tashaaa said:

so do you always need a ticket to get on the boat?

You don't need a tender ticket to get on the tender.  If you want to be sure of a time to get on a tender you do.  I was getting off a tender at GSC (private island) around 12:30, without a ticket and the tender boat was quite empty.

[RocketMan275]

9 hours ago, Anoynmous Phoenix said:

I wrote the following for cruises I am on, it might be of interest to some of you.   I haven't re-read it or changed some that don't possibly fit the but but "suck it and see!!"

 

====================================

 

Thoughts from an Ancient Mariner!!!

 

A number of thoughts gathered over the years and confirmed on recent cruises that many don’t know about.

I hope they help you enjoy the cruise.

 

5)    Watch the menu in Le Bistro, they have LOTS of upcharges, even the “normal” fillet had an upcharge of $10, I think; I was forced to choose the duck!!!   

10)                    A Vancouver hockey trick; which is where I learned it; if there is a large group waiting for a lift (after a show, for example) take the empty lift going in the WRONG direction!!!!   Then you are first in going the right way!!

11)                    If you are rushing for a lift, two points.   The bell tells you the direction; 1 up 2 down.   If you are at the wrong side of a bank of lifts and one is there you want on the opposite side press buttons while going to “moving” lift

 

 

 

Anoynmous Phoenix

It's been reported that they will remove the filet upcharge in Le Bistro if  you ask for a steak with no Foie Gras (duck liver pate).  I hate duck liver.

Didn't know about the one or two bells.  Thanks.

Great advice on going the wrong direction.

[Oakman58]

19 hours ago, HxFx said:

They also required my husband wear closed toe shoes. Has wearing nice Birkenstocks and had to go back to the room, and put on sneakers! The Birks looked nicer, oh well.

 

Birkenstocks...shoes that make you look like you attended The Last Supper.

[Sand and Seas]

7 hours ago, ggTexasGal said:

Yup, lots of changes in the past year!

They changed the rules quickly when they released their lost revenues!

Yes, we were lucky enough to read about it here on CC and got a clamshell rental 'free'.  

It was shut-down a little while after that😕

[KAE27]

Hello all, I'm an Elite Plus cruiser on Celebrity looking possibly to jump ship (pun likely intended) to the Haven on NCL.  Celebrity's pricing has become insane, while the service being offered is declining.  I wanted to thank sincerely those in this thread who have offered solid advice for new NCL cruisers!

 

A couple of questions specific to the Haven:

1.  When dining in the Haven restaurant, are you able also to order from the MDR menu?  On Celebrity in the suite dining room, they will give you the MDR menus to choose from as well.

2.  I read a thread on here indicating that some suites were outside the Haven but had access to it.  Did I get that correct?  If so, are there any watch-outs on that?  And more generally, are there any "avoid" cabins in the Haven of which I should be aware?  (I do see the pinned thread on cabin choices.)

 

I guess that was more than a couple of questions.  🙂  Thank you!

Edited November 22, 2023 by KAE27

[Sand and Seas]

2 hours ago, KAE27 said:

Hello all, I'm an Elite Plus cruiser on Celebrity looking possibly to jump ship (pun likely intended) to the Haven on NCL.  Celebrity's pricing has become insane, while the service being offered is declining.  I wanted to thank sincerely those in this thread who have offered solid advice for new NCL cruisers!

 

A couple of questions specific to the Haven:

1.  When dining in the Haven restaurant, are you able also to order from the MDR menu?  On Celebrity in the suite dining room, they will give you the MDR menus to choose from as well.

2.  I read a thread on here indicating that some suites were outside the Haven but had access to it.  Did I get that correct?  If so, are there any watch-outs on that?  And more generally, are there any "avoid" cabins in the Haven of which I should be aware?  (I do see the pinned thread on cabin choices.)

 

I guess that was more than a couple of questions.  🙂  Thank you!

1-   I haven't seen the MDR menus offered in the Haven, and haven't missed them.  However, when we were on a longer 12 day cruise, the Haven dining room offered some 'specials' later on in the cruise.  While the specials may have been from the MDR menu, it wasn't the entire menu.  We did enjoy Brisket one night.   Others might have a better answer for you on this.

 

2-  We have been inside and outside the Haven.  If you want to be close to the Haven bar and restaurant, inside is great.  We have also enjoyed cabins outside the are and enjoyed the walk to the Haven.    We loved our Forward Facing two room Haven.  It was less expensive than cabins inside the Haven proper, but had a great lay-out and awesome bathroom.  We also enjoyed the separate living area where the butler could set up our white tablecloth breakfast while we were still sleeping.  I would also love to try the Aft Haven suites.  

[KAE27]

1 hour ago, Sand and Seas said:

1-   I haven't seen the MDR menus offered in the Haven, and haven't missed them.  However, when we were on a longer 12 day cruise, the Haven dining room offered some 'specials' later on in the cruise.  While the specials may have been from the MDR menu, it wasn't the entire menu.  We did enjoy Brisket one night.   Others might have a better answer for you on this.

 

2-  We have been inside and outside the Haven.  If you want to be close to the Haven bar and restaurant, inside is great.  We have also enjoyed cabins outside the are and enjoyed the walk to the Haven.    We loved our Forward Facing two room Haven.  It was less expensive than cabins inside the Haven proper, but had a great lay-out and awesome bathroom.  We also enjoyed the separate living area where the butler could set up our white tablecloth breakfast while we were still sleeping.  I would also love to try the Aft Haven suites.  

 

Super-helpful - thank you!

[JGmf]

20 hours ago, tashaaa said:

on the embarkation day, go to the spa, you can win some free credit for use later

 

This is indeed true, but you have to be there for the drawings they do.  It's kind of time consuming, and it can get quite crowded, but my friend won a $150 credit certificate to the spa...that he promptly sold to someone for $100...so it happens.  This was in April 2022.

[BirdTravels]

7 hours ago, KAE27 said:

2.  I read a thread on here indicating that some suites were outside the Haven but had access to it.  Did I get that correct?  If so, are there any watch-outs on that?  And more generally, are there any "avoid" cabins in the Haven of which I should be aware?  (I do see the pinned thread on cabin choices.)

On NCL Breakaway/Breakaway Plus class ships, about 1/3 of the "Haven rooms" are outside the Haven proper. These include forward facing suites, aft facing suites, and some penthouses (formerly spa suites). We actually like the rooms outside the Haven courtyard because they are bigger, sometimes for a lot less money that small suites in the Haven. 

 

On NCL's newest ships, there are no room on the same deck as the lounge and restaurant,,, so technically, no rooms are in the Haven courtyard. 

 

The following link has some photos of the food in the Haven Restaurant. We are Diamond members on Royal and find the Haven Restaurant far far far superior to Royal's Costal Kitchen. 

 

Posts #227-#235 on the link below shows some of the Haven facilities on the Norwegian Encore. We sailed in a forward facing Haven suite on the Encore to Alaska in September. 

 

[KAE27]

43 minutes ago, BirdTravels said:

On NCL Breakaway/Breakaway Plus class ships, about 1/3 of the "Haven rooms" are outside the Haven proper. These include forward facing suites, aft facing suites, and some penthouses (formerly spa suites). We actually like the rooms outside the Haven courtyard because they are bigger, sometimes for a lot less money that small suites in the Haven. 

 

Thanks for all of this!  And this was particularly helpful to me, too.  We would be going on the Bliss for our initial foray into the Haven.  🙂

[schmoopie17]

On 11/22/2023 at 6:58 AM, RocketMan275 said:

 

Didn't know about the one or two bells.  Thanks.

 

 

This is wording from the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA):

 

407.2.2.3 Audible Signals

 

Audible signals shall sound once for the up direction and twice for the down direction, or shall have verbal annunciators that indicate the direction of elevator car travel. 

[ChiefMateJRK]

On 11/21/2023 at 8:11 AM, graphicguy said:

LeBistro Specialty Dining requires men wear long pants and socks, but only if you dine inside.

I believe that my very good friend @graphicguyis mistaken about this one.  I have NEVER seen socks mentioned in the NCL dress code!🤣

 

Or course, I've been known to disrespect "the code" from time to time (or always), so I'm likely not your best source.

[ChiefMateJRK]

On 11/21/2023 at 1:10 PM, HxFx said:

They also required my husband wear closed toe shoes. Has wearing nice Birkenstocks and had to go back to the room, and put on sneakers! The Birks looked nicer, oh well.

Just wear your slippers.  Those are never questioned.

[graphicguy]

53 minutes ago, ChiefMateJRK said:

I believe that my very good friend @graphicguyis mistaken about this one.  I have NEVER seen socks mentioned in the NCL dress code!🤣

 

Or course, I've been known to disrespect "the code" from time to time (or always), so I'm likely not your best source.

I concur!  But, I was turned away once at LeBistro for no socks.  Another guest, who I did not even know, offered me socks of I would wait until he fetched them from his cabin.  Few minutes later, he brings me some socks with big marijuana plants on them.  I put them on right by the scheduling kiosk.  They then let me in.

 

May have been the scheduler’s misunderstanding but I complied. 😉

[ChiefMateJRK]

2 hours ago, graphicguy said:

I concur!  But, I was turned away once at LeBistro for no socks.  Another guest, who I did not even know, offered me socks of I would wait until he fetched them from his cabin.  Few minutes later, he brings me some socks with big marijuana plants on them.  I put them on right by the scheduling kiosk.  They then let me in.

 

May have been the scheduler’s misunderstanding but I complied. 😉

That, my friend, is a FANTASTIC story!  We need more of those here on the forum! 😎

[graphicguy]

1 hour ago, ChiefMateJRK said:

That, my friend, is a FANTASTIC story!  We need more of those here on the forum! 😎

We need something….not sure what, though!!!!  I need to join you on another cruise…that’s what I need!

[VUCruiser]

Blankets available at outdoor dining on the Waterfront for Alaska sailings....and the Waterfront is usually not busy at all-fantastic location at all hours for comfy ocean viewing, reading, napping, etc....

[ChiefMateJRK]

2 minutes ago, VUCruiser said:

fantastic location at all hours for comfy ocean viewing, reading, napping, etc....

Yep.  I sail steerage and consider the waterfront my personal steerage balcony.  Unlike the balconies that the good folks have, mine has nicer seating and alcohol service.

[irisbax3]

I have only been on one NCL cruise many years ago so I am a NCL newbie. We are cruising in March 2024 on the Bliss in a Club Balcony. Specialty restaurant dining is included. I understand that we pay the $39. gratitude. Is there a certain number of times you can eat in the specialty restaurants? 

[RocketMan275]

40 minutes ago, irisbax3 said:

I have only been on one NCL cruise many years ago so I am a NCL newbie. We are cruising in March 2024 on the Bliss in a Club Balcony. Specialty restaurant dining is included. I understand that we pay the $39. gratitude. Is there a certain number of times you can eat in the specialty restaurants? 

Y ou can eat there as often as you wish to pay for the priveledge.  Free At Sea includes two visits for two people.   To eat there more,  you will have to purchase additional meals.  

[ggTexasGal]

54 minutes ago, irisbax3 said:

I have only been on one NCL cruise many years ago so I am a NCL newbie. We are cruising in March 2024 on the Bliss in a Club Balcony. Specialty restaurant dining is included. I understand that we pay the $39. gratitude. Is there a certain number of times you can eat in the specialty restaurants? 

Perhaps you didn't notice NCL's Terms and Conditions when you were booking your cruise:

Specialty Dining Package

• Applicable to guests 1-2 on the reservation
• Dining package is applicable to guest ages 2 and older
• Package prices are subject to change
• Guest is responsible for 20% gratuities on the retail value of the Specialty Dining Package prior to cruise
• 20% gratuities on the retail value of the Specialty Dining Package are included when booking through the Australia office
• For Casino booked reservations – promotion code CASFAS will be added under referral code CASUPALL on sail lengths 7 nights or longer for Balcony and above staterooms
• Packages are based on a per meal basis
• Any Harvest Caye bars, restaurants, or venues, The Bake Shop, Ice Cream Bar, Gelato, specialty items in the Asian restaurant, Special Occasion/Holiday menus (New Year's, Christmas, etc.),
• Jazz Brunch, Wine Lovers and Murder Mystery lunches, and beverages are not included as part of the Specialty Dining Packages
• Guests are permitted to pre-reserve specialty dining with entertainment included However, the guest is responsible to pay the full retail value
• If the guest chooses to use the reservation as part of their specialty dining package, they will need to make these arrangements once onboard
• Specialty Dining Packages include one main course per person at Cagney's and Le Bistro
• Additional main courses will be charged at the a la carte price listed on the menu
• There is no minimum or maximum to the number of meals that can be redeemed in a day, however each meal is counted towards the package

[hallux]

52 minutes ago, ggTexasGal said:

Perhaps you didn't notice NCL's Terms and Conditions when you were booking your cruise

It seems like nobody ever notices them...

Edited November 24, 2023 by hallux

[ggTexasGal]

Just now, hallux said:

It seems like nobody ever notices them...

I agree that many don't bother.

I like to check them when we are about to make a new reservation, since NCL likes to change some of their things (like pricing and/or "included items") somewhat often.

[hallux]

12 minutes ago, ggTexasGal said:

I agree that many don't bother.

I mean - why bother doing 2 minutes of research of the materials the cruise line makes available when you can ask someone and get your answer 15 minutes later?  So much easier, isn't it? 🤣

[destar]

1 hour ago, hallux said:

2 hours ago, ggTexasGal said:

Perhaps you didn't notice NCL's Terms and Conditions when you were booking your cruise

It seems like nobody ever notices them...

Edited 1 hour ago by hallux

Terms and Conditions, nobody reads them, everybody press I agree, Im guilty of it.