Helpful To Newbies - After 5,000 postings

[garycarla]

Okay, I have spent way too much time on these boards. We have traveled many cruiselines over the past few years, including 6 trips on NCL. We like them, even though they are not the best out there. Just the best for our time and money.

 

So, what can I share after reading these boards after making 5,000 posts, and does anyone care?

 

1 - Many questions are asked every few days. Scroll down for at least one weeks worth of postings and you will find your answer. Search is better, but some do not want to bother.

 

2 - Is NCL the best for me? That is an impossible question to answer. It is good for thousand, or hundreds of thousands of folks. But, others do not like them. Hard to say exactly what is important to you. Biggest difference is the freestyle dining, meaning you do NOT have a set time to eat.

 

3 - Is the food good? We think it is good, not great. See #2.

 

4 - Do I have to dress up?

No you do not. There is a "formal" night, but a small share will have suits or tuxes on.

 

5 - Can I bring Wine aboard?

Yep, plan on paying $15 per 750 ml bottle, no matter where you consume it. Pay more for larger bottles. And yes, some pay nothing.

 

6 - How about hard booze?

Nope. They will hold it for you until the last day. Bar Setups are available. Booze you buy in the gift shop or ashore will also be held. Do a search.

 

7 - Water or Soda?

No problem, but why people drag bottled water aboard is beyond me.

 

8 - Free vs Pay Restaurants.

All ships have at least two main restaurants, usually a few others, buffet and room service for free. Others are $10-25 each. We have never waited more than 5 minutes to be seated. Some say they have seen long lines. This will happen right after the show each evening.

 

9 - When do I tip?

You are required (with rare exceptions) to pay $10 per day per person to cover room stewards and dining. Room service, extra quality service might be extra - your choice. Ps - this is going up to $12 January 1st.

 

10 - Passport

This varies by destination, but it sure is easier to just get one now. The are coming back in a few weeks.

 

11 - Boarding time

There are variables, but in most cases it is around noon. They do have to get everyone else off and clean the rooms. You can handle the pier side stuff and be on early, then go eat. The sit down dining room will be empty and quiet. They will try to get you to go the buffet. Say thank you and keep moving.

 

12 - Getting off -

You can leave via the announced color code after the ship is cleared or do self disembark, meaning carry your own stuff off.

 

13 - Getting to and From the Ship-

You can use their transfers and pay extra and wait and wait, or just use a cab. The cabs are quick and know where they are going.

 

 

14 - Meeting Other People on your Cruise

Click on BOARDS at the top left of this page, then ROLL CALLS, then find your ship and date. You will meet others and learn about your ports of call and options.

 

15 - Ports Of Call

Like in #14, but click on PORTS OF CALL. Here you will find people from all cruiselines share information about what to see, excursions you can take and lots more.

 

16 - FAQs - Frequently Asked Questions

Go to NCL.COM and get lots more information. Here is the current link to their FAQs.

 

17 - What is 2.0?

Freestyle 2.0 came out earlier this year and provides a number of enhancements to their operation. Lots of little stuff. From the ncl.com main page, you can use their menu to read more marketing hype. Here is the current link, but it will probably change any day now.

 

18 - Internet

Pretty much all cruise ships these days have the same options. There is an internet cafe where you can use the ships computers. Some cabins have internet access. Certain areas of the ship will have wireless. You will have to pay $.75 to $.40 per minute no matter what computer you use to get on the internet, and this is for a slow connection.

 

19 - Cash Needed

Almost everything onboard is charged to your room. You might need some cash for extra (not required) tips. Casino requires cash, though currently you can get cash, charge it to your room assuming you have a credit card on file with the ship. No extra charge. ATMs are on each ship as well. Pretty much all ships have a small safe in the room. Not positive of older ships.

 

20 - Menus

Some folks want to know what the menu is each night. There are multiple options every night, and menus do sometimes change. You can do a search and find a PAST menu if you want to try to figure out what you want to eat a few months from now.

 

21 - Daily Newsletter

You will get this each evening in your room listing the millions - okay thousands, okay a bunch of events going on the next day. There is plenty to do.

 

22 - Need help with shopping, tours, customs, getting off, etc?

They will have in person sessions for all of this on the ship. Most will also be repeated over and over on the tv in your room. They will print up stuff and give it to you.

 

23 - Ship Reviews

I should have put this at the top. Click on REVIEWS at the top right of this page and find your ship or itinerary. Lots of experience from others.

 

24 - Cabins

Keep in mind that all Oceanviews are pretty much the same. All inside as well. All balcony too. There are a few exceptions, but getting upgrade 2, 3, 4 within the same category is only a matter of location. Want to see where your cabin is located. Go to NCL.com and look at the floor layout. You can even open two windows side by side on your PC to see what is above and below you. Generally, you are best off if there are other cabins above you. Remember all cabins other than FULL suites are small.

 

24 Upgrades or Upsells

If you want to PAY for better cabin, call and ask how much it would cost, if even available. Ships tend to sail full. Do not except an upgrade option on the pier. Upsells are different. In an effort to fill higher level rooms, they will call your or your TA and make an offer. Usually at half the normal price to upgrade.

 

25 - Cheaper Cruise Next Time

NCL has a program onboard that will drive you nuts - the constant reminder that is. Not a bad deal though. Give them $250 down for a future cruise, no date required. They will give you an immediate $100 on board credit to spend anyway you want for the current cruise.

 

26 - Asking questions here

Feel free to ask just about anything. Chances are it was answered in the past week, so scroll down. If you do not see it, ask. PLEASE make sure the subject/title is descriptive of your issue.

 

27 - How to Pay

When you board, you will be required to put something down to secure your onboard credit account, which can be set up per person. Credit card is the very best way. Debit card has some problems tied to HOLDS. If you have lots in your checking account, no problem there. Cash is fine too. I would still tie a credit card to the account if using cash. That way the last minute charges can be placed there instead of standing in line on the last day,which can be a royal pain.

 

28 - Documents needed

Chances are you will be getting e-docs via email. You might also get the older regular kind. You should, make that must, do the advance online registration. If you do that, the checkin at the pier will be short and sweet. Go to NCL.com and do it now. You will need some kind of paperwork to get past the rent a cop on the pier. You will need nothing to get through NCL other than the proper ID. They prefer either the advance registration or ticket, but can find your in their computers.

 

 

 

I hope all of this helps folks. Enjoy your cruise.

[CanadianTwosome]

Nicely done. A lot of thought went into this, I'm sure it will help a lot of people. :)

[superflyjeff]

This should get a sticky at the top :-) Nicely done

[AFAMILY]

Pretty much one-stop shopping. Nicely done!

 

Happy Cruising! :)

[Sea Hound]

What about towel animals, saving pool chairs, and flip-flops in the dining room?:confused: ;) :confused: ;)

 

Great list!

 

Sea Hound:D

[nautica34]

Thanks for all the helpful information. You mentioned doing a search for past menus. I tried doing so on this site as well as NCL and couldn't find anything. Any other places to search?

[johnql]

Well done. Should be helpful to a lot of people.

[brunolvr]

Thanks for all the helpful information. You mentioned doing a search for past menus. I tried doing so on this site as well as NCL and couldn't find anything. Any other places to search?

 

Try here:

http://jade08.sellie.de/Menus/thumbpage0.html

[NJLVW]

Very valuable information. Nicely put together. This is why I keep coming to these boards because people like you take the time to post and give your experiences.

[DMH15]

Thanks for sharing some good information! I appreciate the time you spent to lay it out so well.

[terrymtex01]

Agree with everyone else. Nice posting with a lot of good info. It is a shame it's not a sticky up top.

[LOWTYD]

What about towel animals, saving pool chairs, and flip-flops in the dining room?:confused: ;)

 

Great list!

 

Sea Hound:D

 

And don't forget shorts/jeans in the dining room! ....and smoking decks, balconies and in stateroom.;)

 

Otherwise, excellent job. Covers just about everthing. Congrats on your 5000 post!:)

[dpal2208]

Welll now that everyone has all the answers we can close down the cruise critic site.

:)

[cruzndiz]

Welll now that everyone has all the answers we can close down the cruise critic site.

:)

 

Just the NCL forum LOL!! :D

[crew mom]

Well done! Thanks for doing that!

 

It's amazing how frequently some of these basic questions are asked. And most, if not all, can be found on NCL's FAQ page.

[sugarlipz]

Thanks for putting this together! Very helpfull info that all new cruisers to NCL should read!

[*Luv2Cruz*]

Good summary of the questions/answers that are asked about a lot. It would make a good "sticky" for the forum!;) Thanks!:)

[BellaBaci4]

I appreciated your post, however, I have attempted for over a week to do several searches, getting the message the search is down. Sometimes, questions need to be repeated....................

Bella

[ktpc2005]

Nice post, this one should be placed right at the top of this board as a starting point for new members and those looking for a quick answer.

[OceanDreaming2]

Can you please put this post as a "sticky" at the top of the NCL page? Many people have requested it.

 

GaryCarla-

Thanks for taking the time to post answers to some of the most asked questions!

[michellie9183]

To answer the menu question a good place to look is the photo sharing sites like flickr and such. Hope that helps

[Philly Steve]

Congrats on 5K on one of the few websites worth the time. ;):cool::D

[liv2xplr]

Great information - will definitely help a lot in the community.

[thlady]

I have not seen this addressed and cannot find it on NCL's site so I am thinking that there are no robes in the cabins. Just trying to decide whether to pack one for this weeks cruise on the Jewel.

[Cosmopolitan]

What about towel animals, saving pool chairs, and flip-flops in the dining room?:confused: ;) :confused: ;)

 

Great list!

 

Sea Hound:D

 

For those of us, who do have the patience to answer daily questions...(GC seems to think everyone has time to search)...ask away....

 

Towel animals...request from your cabin steward if it is important to you or your children to ensure that towel animals will be in your cabin/suite.

 

Saving pool chairs..never have we requested in a suite (i'm sure you can...though we have never requested same)...get to the pool early and drop your towel early.

 

Flip-flops in dining room - haven't done it but have seen others who did