Other NCL Questions

[rnick821]

I hope that I am not making a pest of myself...I really am having a hard time 'consolidating' all the info I am picking up, so I thought I'd ask a couple more questions about NCL.

 

 

1. Two for Ones at the pay restaurants...I can't find info about them on the NCL page, but it has been mentioned several times here. Are those advertised specials that I will see once I am on the ship, or is it something they surprise you with, or what? Am I correct in my understanding that they are for pretty much all the pay restaurants except for the Japanese steak house, after 8pm?

 

2. First lunch on board the ship. I read a review (for the Star, but I'm sure it's similar on the Pearl) that the lunch buffet the first day on the ship is always quite packed and uncomfortable as seating is limited. Do you agree or disagree? If this is the case, is there another dining venue open that not as many folks will congregate to? The reason I ask this is that my in-laws are not thrilled about the cruise to begin with, and I want to make sure that they have the best first impression possible.

 

3. Entertainment/shows. Is there a list provided when we board so that we can make our plans for the evenings ahead of time? (some nights we might want to go to the casino, some nights to the shows, etc...) My military mindset always wants me to plan ahead.

 

I guess that's a start.

 

For the record, we're sailing on the Pearl to Alaska at the end of August/first part of September.

 

Thanks.

[Zeno]

I hope that I am not making a pest of myself...I really am having a hard time 'consolidating' all the info I am picking up, so I thought I'd ask a couple more questions about NCL.

 

 

1. Two for Ones at the pay restaurants...I can't find info about them on the NCL page, but it has been mentioned several times here. Are those advertised specials that I will see once I am on the ship, or is it something they surprise you with, or what? Am I correct in my understanding that they are for pretty much all the pay restaurants except for the Japanese steak house, after 8pm?

 

2. First lunch on board the ship. I read a review (for the Star, but I'm sure it's similar on the Pearl) that the lunch buffet the first day on the ship is always quite packed and uncomfortable as seating is limited. Do you agree or disagree? If this is the case, is there another dining venue open that not as many folks will congregate to? The reason I ask this is that my in-laws are not thrilled about the cruise to begin with, and I want to make sure that they have the best first impression possible.

 

3. Entertainment/shows. Is there a list provided when we board so that we can make our plans for the evenings ahead of time? (some nights we might want to go to the casino, some nights to the shows, etc...) My military mindset always wants me to plan ahead.

 

I guess that's a start.

 

For the record, we're sailing on the Pearl to Alaska at the end of August/first part of September.

 

Thanks.

 

I cannot speak for the pearl specifially but:

#2 - On every NCL cruise I have been on - in addition to the buffet - one of the main dining rooms has been open at lunch on embarkation day. On our last cruise we had a totally uncrowded and very pleasant lunch there.

# 3 - ALL info you need re" open times of restaurants, whether there is a "special", which ones have cover charges and how much and all the info about what entertainment, where and at what time can be found in The Freestyle Daily - which will be delivered to your cabin every day - read it carefully - really - that was the best and most useful piece of advice given to me before my first NCL cruise.

Have a great cruise!

[ZoneHPH]

oh you'll have plenty of time to schedule your activities. just check that Freestyle Daily...daily.

[dwrist]

I hope that I am not making a pest of myself...I really am having a hard time 'consolidating' all the info I am picking up, so I thought I'd ask a couple more questions about NCL.

 

 

1. Two for Ones at the pay restaurants...I can't find info about them on the NCL page, but it has been mentioned several times here. Are those advertised specials that I will see once I am on the ship, or is it something they surprise you with, or what? Am I correct in my understanding that they are for pretty much all the pay restaurants except for the Japanese steak house, after 8pm?

 

2. First lunch on board the ship. I read a review (for the Star, but I'm sure it's similar on the Pearl) that the lunch buffet the first day on the ship is always quite packed and uncomfortable as seating is limited. Do you agree or disagree? If this is the case, is there another dining venue open that not as many folks will congregate to? The reason I ask this is that my in-laws are not thrilled about the cruise to begin with, and I want to make sure that they have the best first impression possible.

 

3. Entertainment/shows. Is there a list provided when we board so that we can make our plans for the evenings ahead of time? (some nights we might want to go to the casino, some nights to the shows, etc...) My military mindset always wants me to plan ahead.

 

I guess that's a start.

 

For the record, we're sailing on the Pearl to Alaska at the end of August/first part of September.

 

Thanks.

 

On the Pearl...

1. These will be listed on the Dailies but you need to read it to find it:)

2. The Garden Cafe (buffet) will be open, the sitting will be crowded but you could your plates to the Great Outdoors and find a spot and watch of the aft of the ship. Beautiful place to watch. Summer Palace(sit down and served) will be opened for lunch. This is one of the main dining rooms.

3. The shows are always listed in the Dailies.

Have a great cruise.

[ute_fan]

Don't worry about being a pest -- I'm sure I had LOTS more questions when I first started posting.

 

Two for ones should be listed in the freestyle daily that will be left in your room each night. On our recent Pearl cruise, they were available between 8:30 and 9:30. It can vary -- they used to be listed for early diners, and I'm not sure why they switched. It's for the cover charge only -- doesn't apply to the Sushi bar, Teppanyaki, Le Bistro's tasting menu, or A'la carte items in Cagneys.

 

First lunch on the ship. Don't bother with the crowded buffet -- head straight to the Summer Palace (aft, deck 6), but remember you have to approach it from deck 7. It tends to be not nearly as crowded, since most passengers don't realize it's open. It will be open every day for breakfast and lunch, along with being one of the main dining rooms.

 

Entertainment/shows -- no week-long list that I'm aware of. Again, check your freestyle daily for what is available that night. There will be a freestyle waiting in your room when you board, and then a new one for the next day's activities will be placed in your room when they come to do "turn down" service.

 

From checking my freestyles, I can tell you what was available the week we sailed, but timing and entertainment may very from week to week.

Sunday -- Welcome aboard show (only one showing 9 pm). An overview of what will be happening during the week.

Monday -- The Second City (7:30 and 9:30) Improv comedy

Tuesday -- Juggling and Comedy of Barry John (looks like 9:30 only)

Wednesday -- Sea Legs, A Showgirl revue (Jean Ann Ryan production) 7:30 and 9:30

Thursday -- Magic & Comedy of Bob & Sarah Trunell (7:30 and 9:30)

Friday -- Garden of the Geisha (acrobatic routine with Jean Ann Ryan dancers) 7:30 and 9:30

Saturday -- Farewell Variety Showtime (4:15 pm)

 

Hope that helps!

[ZoneHPH]

dwrist,

 

you can't be a pest if you goal is to have the best fun of your life on a cruise. i am concerned for similar thing this coming Aug 4 Spirit cruise. my wife never cruised before. all she knows is the perspective of "what will i do on the ship".

 

so in a way...i too want to ensure that she gets a "wow factor" everywhere she goes on the ship.

 

you have a great cruise. oh...and as for your in-laws...if the continue to be a thorn in your side, at least you did the best that a SIL can do...you can't be blamed for not giving it your best.

 

then next cruise...LEAVE THEM HOME! hehehehhehehe...(respectfully kidding of course).

[dwrist]

dwrist,

 

you can't be a pest if you goal is to have the best fun of your life on a cruise. i am concerned for similar thing this coming Aug 4 Spirit cruise. my wife never cruised before. all she knows is the perspective of "what will i do on the ship".

 

so in a way...i too want to ensure that she gets a "wow factor" everywhere she goes on the ship.

 

you have a great cruise. oh...and as for your in-laws...if the continue to be a thorn in your side, at least you did the best that a SIL can do...you can't be blamed for not giving it your best.

 

then next cruise...LEAVE THEM HOME! hehehehhehehe...(respectfully kidding of course).

 

zone---i am not the OP but thanks for the thoughts!:) We had the WOW factor on our Panama Canal cruise on the Pearl!!

[ZoneHPH]

zone---i am not the OP but thanks for the thoughts!:) We had the WOW factor on our Panama Canal cruise on the Pearl!!

 

heheheh...well look at that...you are right! (trying to multitask and putting in more than my 2-cents here on CC).

 

my cruise just can't get here fast enough!

[Luckyroot]

Just a quick note about the dining room vs the buffet..........

 

When we boarded the Dawn last October, they were directing EVERYONE to the left to proceed to the buffet. We just went around them and walked to the right and the dining room (thanks to the great advice received here on CC). There were 10 of us, and as has been stated again and again, the dining room was nearly empty. We had wonderful service, relaxed and by the time we were done eating, they had just made the announcement that cabins were available.

 

DEFINITELY go to the dining room, the wow factor can't be beat! (worked so well for us, that 6 of the 10 are going on another cruise this October!)

[VTSKIandCRUISEGUY]

If you embark early enough, the buffet will be nice. If you get on 2 hours after they start, then head to the dining room.

[KarenMF]

Ruth!!! Wow - when I saw that screenname I said "no one else could be LuckyRoot!" LOL

 

KarenMF :)

[nask]

When you embark they will try to push you to the buffet insist on the formal dining room. It won't be crowded and the service and food will be great. We also had a great barbeque that first afternoon by the pool. BBQ ribs,corn,burgers, the works. Everything was fantastic!:)

[Luckyroot]

Ruth!!! Wow - when I saw that screenname I said "no one else could be LuckyRoot!" LOL

 

KarenMF :)

 

Yup, it's me! Small world, huh?

[MrLee]

I haven't sail the Pearl (yet) but the cruises I've been on had a daily in the cabin when I boarded with that days activities, including restaurants. I always take 15 minutes to look it over while my wife unpacks. ;) (God bless her!)

[dwrist]

I haven't sail the Pearl (yet) but the cruises I've been on had a daily in the cabin when I boarded with that days activities, including restaurants. I always take 15 minutes to look it over while my wife unpacks. ;) (God bless her!)

 

MrLee...sometimes NCL passes the first day's dailies out while you are waiting in line to board. You can plan while waiting to board.;)

[MrLee]

MrLee...sometimes NCL passes the first day's dailies out while you are waiting in line to board. You can plan while waiting to board.;)

 

That's nice but then how do I get my DW to do all the unpacking? ;)