New to Norwegian

[cmalibu1]

Hi

 

I am looking for some help. I have never been on a Norwegian cruise before and was wondering if you all could tell me a little about it before I book with this line.

 

Are all the different restaurants included in the price or are they extra to Dine at? We were looking at possibly traveling on the Jewel, does anyone know any specifics about this ship? It would be for our honeymoon so I want to make sure it will be the right experience for us. We are 23/33 and like to have fun and do lots of activities, but also want to relax and have a romantic atmosphere. We were hoping to book a suite, and I think the prices for those online are for minisuites..anyone know much about those?

 

Also do they let you bring wine on board?

 

We were debating between this line and Probably one of the newer princess ships so any advice would be much appreciated!

 

Thanks!

[fatsassygirl]

you can bring your own wine for 15 dollars "corking fee" per bottle i believe...

[newmexicoNita]

The Jewel is a beautiful and fun ship. You will find a mixture of ages, probably the most diverse age spread of any line. Depending on when you are planning on cruising and how long the cruise is, you may find the ship with more 50 pluses than 30 pluses or you maybe just the opposite but there will be a good mixture regardless.

 

As for dining, the Jewel has 2 main dining rooms that are part of your cruise price plus Mama's Kitchen which requires reservations but has no cover charge, the same with Tangos, the Mexican restaurant which, btw serves great ribs. Why ribs in a Mexican restaurant? Beats me. For snacking or a quick breakfast there is Blue Lagoon which is open almost all the time. It is more like a small coffee shop complete with buffalo wings, fish and chips, hamburgers, homemade soup and other items, plus they do serve a limited breakfast. Servings are not huge but you can always get more.

 

In addition there are 3 or 4 sur charge dining rooms. The prices range from $15 to about $25 per person and require reservations. Of course, like all cruise ships the Jewel has a buffet that is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

 

If you bring your own wine aboard, there is a $15 corkage fee per bottle. You can also order a bar set up for your cabin prior to sailing.

 

Mini suites are smaller as the name indicates and do not offer the amenities. As for booking, as this is your first cruise I would certainly suggest you book either through a travel agent or NCL directly. For seasoned travelers on line can work well, but for your honeymoon it would make sense to have contact with someone that is there to assist and be your friend if you need something. Usually things go smoothly but when they don't having someone on your side can be a life savor. If you are looking at price, not always are on line companies cheaper nor do they offer the service.

 

AS for NCL versus Princess, both are good lines, NCL has the advantage with freestyle working a little different and better in my opinion than what Princess calls "Personal choice dining" and Princess is a little more subdued with an older crowd. This doesn't mean there will be no night life or younger people but overall the line does attract more 50 plusers.

 

I give the edge to NCL for cabins and bathrooms plus entertainment and the dining choices. Princess does let you bring on some wine without charging as long as you drink it in your cabin and the entrees are better as well as the appitizers. NCL has better salad choices, better soups and better breakfasts in the dining room.

 

Hope this helps you some.

[garycarla]

Welcome Aboard!

 

As said above, there is a mix of free and extra fee restaurants. Some love, some don't.

 

Mini-suite is an oversized balcony. Nice, but do not expect too much from it.

 

You might want to read this group of FAQs that were posted recently. click here

[cmalibu1]

Thanks for the help!

I was also curious about what there is to do on board. One of the cruises we are looking at is Oct 28 NY - Miami and since its a 12nt. there are 6 days at sea. Are there alot of things to do on board? I know some lines have mini gold, inline skating, tons of pools...ect? What about this ship?

Thanks for all your help. This is really a last minute change of pace, because I ALMOST booked with princess then I saw these caribbean cruises.

And I just want to make sure it will be a good place for a honeymoon!

[Tammiko]

Just wanted to mention the Romance Package... excellent deal! $79.00

 

Honeymoon / Anniversary Package

Sparkling Wine and strawberries in your stateroom upon embarkation

Canapés delivered to your stateroom one evening

Honeymooners' Champagne and Cake party

Honeymoon photograph

Romantic dinner for two in Bistro with a complimentary bottle of wine

 

There is other packages as well under the bon voyage gifts that you will find under the onboard activities tab.

 

So many people buy this package even if they are not having an anniversary or honeymoon just because of the amazing price. Congratulations by the way!

[cmalibu1]

Just wanted to mention the Romance Package... excellent deal! $79.00

 

Honeymoon / Anniversary Package

Sparkling Wine and strawberries in your stateroom upon embarkation

Canapés delivered to your stateroom one evening

Honeymooners' Champagne and Cake party

Honeymoon photograph

Romantic dinner for two in Bistro with a complimentary bottle of wine

 

There is other packages as well under the bon voyage gifts that you will find under the onboard activities tab.

 

So many people buy this package even if they are not having an anniversary or honeymoon just because of the amazing price. Congratulations by the way!

 

Is it 79 per person?

Thanks!

Do you know can people go on that website and 'gift' us things? We did this with carnival, and I jsut thought that it would be a good thing to add the our registry!?

[niki1785]

The romance package is $79 for the couple... not per person. For our honeymoon we received onboard credit as gifts, it was really nice! Our parents ordered us a cake and for the room to be decorated but we never received it (we were on the Pride of Hawaii for our honeymoon) we ended up being credited for the missing cake and decorations.

 

We also had some trouble with receiving the onboard credit... our parents let us know it would be waiting for us when we boarded, but when we got on the ship the credit was not applied. After going back and forth between the cruise line and travel agent, the money was finally applied to our account. I am not sure why there was a problem, but when it was finally credited to our account it was very convenient to have. So I thought you may want to be aware of what we went through with the gifts before you add that to your registry.

 

Have an amazing honeymoon!

[flashdog_1]

If you go to NCL.com you can see photos of the ship and cabins, getting dimensions etc. Short of that you can use any of the busy on line travel agencies which will show you photos and deck layouts, plus dining venues. If you click on the top "Cruise Agencies" you will get a listing of where to check. They will also give a professional review of the ship, and tips for travelers. I like the one that says, "if you want 24 hour action, fine cuisine, then xxx ship is NOT for you" or vice versa so you can get an idea if YOUR expectations for a particular ship are going to be met.

 

You can also read reviews written by other cruise critics. On the same line at the top of this page where you see "Boards" on the other end you will see "Reviews."

[Tammiko]

Is it 79 per person?

Thanks!

Do you know can people go on that website and 'gift' us things? We did this with carnival, and I jsut thought that it would be a good thing to add the our registry!?

 

The romance package is $79 for the couple... not per person. For our honeymoon we received onboard credit as gifts, it was really nice! Our parents ordered us a cake and for the room to be decorated but we never received it (we were on the Pride of Hawaii for our honeymoon) we ended up being credited for the missing cake and decorations.

 

We also had some trouble with receiving the onboard credit... our parents let us know it would be waiting for us when we boarded, but when we got on the ship the credit was not applied. After going back and forth between the cruise line and travel agent, the money was finally applied to our account. I am not sure why there was a problem, but when it was finally credited to our account it was very convenient to have. So I thought you may want to be aware of what we went through with the gifts before you add that to your registry.

 

Have an amazing honeymoon!

 

I too have read about problems from people and have been told that if you buy it yourself to make sure you bring proof (maybe a copy of fax/more likely copy of credit card statement) but even better than that, instead of just faxing it in as it says to on the web site you should actually phone in what you want to order for yourself or for others. I did this to order our package! This way you have confirmation that the order did indeed happen.

[cmalibu1]

Thanks! That helps. I may not put this on the registry, but something nice for close friends to feel like they can be a part of our honeymoon!?!

[newmexicoNita]

There can always be problems with OBC and gifts ordered. AS a TA, this has happened to me but not often. Actually I don't think I have even had it happen on NCL> there is another line that I seem to have more trouble with but I would rather not mention which one. It doesn't serve any purpose. it does help if you have some way of checking ahead of time. I usually call the cruise line before my clients leave to make sure whatever they are supposed to get is on file.

 

Activities: the long transatlantic crossing are not quite as busy as port intensive cruises. Because freestyle 2.0 should be completely implemented by the time you cruise there should be lots of activites. Nightlife will exist, but not like on CArnival. There will be games during the day, lectures, trivia, etc. You do have to read the freestyle dailies each night to know where and when things are happening like cooking classes, wine tasting, etc.

 

Hope this answers some more of your questions.

 

Nita

[cmalibu1]

What is freestyle 2.0 in a brief synopsis?!

[chrisbd1]

What is freestyle 2.0 in a brief synopsis?!

From NCL's Pressroom

Guests on Norwegian Jade's March 30 12-day Classic Mediterranean cruise will be the first to experience the Freestyle 2.0 initiatives. Additional ships will launch Freestyle 2.0 within the following weeks, with fleet-wide roll out implemented by June 1, 2008. More specific details of the enhancements include:

• Freestyle Dining:
  • A "bubbly welcome" - a welcome aboard glass of bubbly for everyone;
    
  • New menus with expanded choices in every restaurant;
    
  • Lobster Galore - Lobster in the main restaurant twice per cruise and in every specialty restaurant every night of the cruise;
    
  • Steak & Eggs Breakfast Feast in Teppanyaki restaurant with unlimited Bloody Mary's and mimosas;
    
  • Lavazza coffee in all Java Cafes and top suites;
    
  • A signature specialty dish in every restaurant, including the following:
    • Le Bistro: Côte de Boeuf, a 32-ounce premium gold angus rib eye steak; Plateau de Fruits de Mar, a cold seafood platter including mussels, lobster tail, shrimp and raw oysters on the half shell; and Cardinal of the Seas, a braised Maine lobster;
      
    • Italian: Osso Buco, Lobster Ravioli;
      
    • Cagney's: Maine Lobster, 32oz Porterhouse, Surf & Turf, Alaskan King Crab Legs;
      
    • Tex-Mex: Jumbo Tiger Prawns;
      
    • Asian: Szechuan Stir-fried Maine Lobster;
      
    • Action Station: Chocolate Fountains;

    [*]The action station restaurants will also receive plasma menu boards, a world-class salad bar, soft serve ice cream machines, and improved service and nighttime ambiance with tablecloths and candlelight;

    [*]A new and expanded room service menu.

  [*]Stateroom Experience:

  • Elemis bathroom amenities;
    
  • Memory foam mattress toppers;
    
  • Pillow upgrade and addition of Euro pillows to all beds;
    
  • Upgraded linens;
    • All beds will receive a top sheet.

    [*]Expanded mini-bar options and item customization option;

    [*]Upgraded room service menus.

  [*]Balcony and Mini Suites, all of the above plus:

  • Bathrobes;
    
  • Customized Fruit Menu;
    
  • Fresh-baked cookie at turn down on last night of cruise;
    
  • Escort to stateroom on embarkation day;
    
  • Special color keycard;
    
  • Priority Restaurant Reservation and Reception hotlines.

  [*]Suites and Villas, all of the above plus:

  • NCL branded bedding collection;
    • Upgraded mattress, linens and feather pillows.

    [*]Upgraded sofa bed;

    [*]MP3 Player connections;

    [*]Pillow Menu;

    [*]Plush Bathrobes;

    [*]Customized Fruit Menu;

    [*]Customized Canapé Menu;

    [*]Turndown cookie last night of cruise;

    [*]Personal escort to stateroom on embarkation;

    [*]Bottle (or Half Bottle depending on category of suite) of Moet Chandon White Star Champagne upon embarkation;

    [*]Priority Restaurant Reservation and Reception Hotlines;

    [*]Special color keycard for ship-wide recognition;

    [*]VIP Breakfast & Lunch in Cagney's;

    [*]Private Breakfast & Lunch with action station set-up in Courtyard for Villa Guests;

    [*]Dedicated Butler in Courtyard.

  [*]On-board activities:

  • An enhanced educational, entertainment and lifestyle program - NCL "U" - offering a range of new classes in:
    • Humor hosted by Second City;
      
    • Food, wine and spirits;
      
    • Destination education;
      
    • Digital technology.

    [*]Library transformed into a coffee shop atmosphere with:

    • Implementation of honor system for book borrowing;
      
    • Complimentary coffee and tea;
      
    • Plasma screens (muted) broadcasting news.

    [*]Enhanced nightlife with new party experiences, such as:

    • NCL's White Hot Party;
      
    • NCL's Monte Carlo night.

    [*]An enhanced Pool Deck experience:

    • Entertainment taken upscale;
      
    • Relaxing ambient music;
      
    • Drink flags on all deck chairs;
      
    • Pool of indulgence - Evian sprits, cold towels, etc.;
      
    • Quiet zones and times.

    [*]Exciting sports deck programming;

    [*]X-box game consoles in video arcades;

    [*]Expanded and increased flexibility of Kids Crew hours;

    [*]Enhanced Teen Centers to include:

    • X-box game consoles;
      
    • Nintendo Wii;
      
    • Table games such as foosball, billiards and air hockey.