NCL Cruise

[disney4us2002]

We cruised the NCL Dawn out of NYC for dh's 40th birthday w/o kids and had a fabulous time. It didn't hurt that we kept upselling every time there was a price drop. We started with a window and ended up in a Aft suite with butler and concierge. What a trip! We were sooooo pampered. That was our very first cruise experience and it was unbelievable. I hope to get the royal treatment again one day (when the kids are grown and gone probably)! I can't imagine (but I am a Type A planner) anyone planning a cruise without researching the actual costs and auto-tipping.

We've since sailed on Carnival and again on NCL and tips are added to all alcohol drinks.

 

[Vacation Lover]

***we sailed with Royal Caribbean in July of last year. It was an older ship (Monarch of the Seas) It was smaller than Norwegian and even though it was clean, it just didn't have much character??? I don't know. Again, this ship went to Nassau (that was it along with it's private island) we went to Blue Lagoon Beach (if you have the chance, go there. You had to take a water taxi over to the beach which was like 20 mins but well worth it) Our favorite beach yet. There wasn't many people there, food was good and all around beautiful!!!

We just returned from this cruise and had a great time. I second the recommendation for Blue Lagoon Beach. My daughter was dying to do the dolphin swim (and paid half out of her own pocket!) It was much cheaper than the exact same excursion the ship offered--$140 through the ship and $80 directly. We took a cab from the ship to Paradise Island ($4 per person) and purchased our tickets there--my DH and DD did the dolphin swim and the rest of us paid $25 to be "observers" (This was $40 if booked through the ship.) After we bought our tickets, the ferry took us to Blue Lagoon Beach and we enjoyed the beach for a while before the dolphin encounter. Here is their website: http://www.dolphinencounters.com/programs-swimwithdolphins.php

 

[lily28]

I have done the 4 day trip from miami to bahama from miami 11/2 years ago on norwegian sky which is a smaller and older ship compared to norweigian jewel and pearl which we went on more recently (10 day and 7 day trip). there was a stop everyday and full of activity. We did not do any speciality restaurent on the shorter trip; I think the foods at the main dinning rooms arfe pretty good.compared to the newer ship, the kid program areas are smaller on the N. sky.

We also got free champagne with no tip required when we boarded the ship. for first 2trips the tip for adult was $10/day and for kids was $5/day. On my last trip on norwegian, now it is $10 per day for everyone above 3.

When we were at Nassau, we paid $4 per person to be shuttled to atlantis resort. You can get a day pass to the resort for about $110 /person, slightly cheaper for kids. for this price, you get to see the dig and use all the pool and slides. It was abou $60 if you only want to see the dig and use the beach at atlantis (but no pool priviledge). children less than 4 year old is free

 

[MylilTink]

My first cruise experience was on NCL's Jewel and I loved it! DH has cruised with Disney before and he said the NCL cruise was so much better than Disney, with the main reason being he didn't feel rushed and on a schedule with NCL.

The food is amazing on NCL; though we went to just about every paid specialty restaurant - especially Cagneys!

We also booked the spa pass for the entire week, but I learned I didn't use it enough to justify the cost, so I was refunded the difference.

Personally, I have no desire to cruise any other cruise line than NCL because they offer everything I want.

 

[kaseyC]

I should clarify when i said "hot tub" i meant the really nice ones indoors by the spa, not the ones on deck by the pool, I'm sorry i should have been more specific. The ship i was one had a beatiful indoor hot tub/ suana / lounge area that was an extra 240 if you wanted to use it for the week. I guess my problem is I called to book and I don't feel like I was told in advance about the fee. So we went through the week being generous and tipping at each meal and leaving money out each night for housekeeping. Only to be treated like we are scum bags at the end of the trip when i explained we had been tipping all week and did not want to tip an additional x dollars a day. Also we on many occasions felt tricked by money making tactics.
For example after being on board for 10 min, we went to the top deck to find a spot to sit while the ship took off, A guy handed use a each a filled glass of champagne and said Welcome to the Norwegian dawn, we said " oh thank you " each took a sip and then he asked for payment ! lol. Each glass was 10 dollars ! with 20% tip. It wasn't just us because we talked about it with another couple about 15 min later still on the deck, they got the same impression.

I'm sorry you had that experience but most mass market cruise lines are the same way. The luxury lines are closer to being all inclusive with tips and all beverages included but you still must pay for spa, excursions and gambling.

Cruisecritic.com is a great resource for researching cruises.

 

[rockundergirl]

I guess sometimes a crave a world where I do not have to research every detail before buying anything.. it seems like everything has some sort of a catch to it, making it less of a deal. Should i have looked into how to tip before leaving.. sure... but if the cruise line really meant for my tip to be taking in bulk for my convenience , they would have just included it while booking. I hate to say this, but i think they prob pay their employees less and tell them how they will most likely get tips when serving and when the cruisers close the stateroom account. Even at meals included in the cruise price your handed a slip with a line to give a tip...

 

[mjkacmom]

I guess sometimes a crave a world where I do not have to research every detail before buying anything.. it seems like everything has some sort of a catch to it, making it less of a deal. Should i have looked into how to tip before leaving.. sure... but if the cruise line really meant for my tip to be taking in bulk for my convenience , they would have just included it while booking. I hate to say this, but i think they prob pay their employees less and tell them how they will most likely get tips when serving and when the cruisers close the stateroom account. Even at meals included in the cruise price your handed a slip with a line to give a tip...

I'm sorry, but I have to a little at this, only because in on the budget board on the DIS! It's like someone posting "I bought the dining plan, but when I got to the parks during Christmas week, I couldn't find any ts restaurant that I could get into - even CRT was booked!" Actually, the cruise brochure clearly indicates tips are combined, whereas I think someone going to WDW for the first time, not on these boards, without books, would have no idea how important making ADR's ahead of time is.

 

[tinks4]

This is the only cruise line that we have sailed on and we loved it! You are free to do what you want and eat when you want to, which is great. You don't have to tip unless you want to. There is enough to do on the ship that you don't have to spend much money at all.

 

[marcyinPA]

Oh, I almost forgot one of my favorite parts of our cruise! The martini tasting! LOL We sailed with friends of ours and their daughter....my friend and I did the martini tasting as a "girls only" thing. It was the best $15 we spent! We had a blast, met some really fun people, and tasted six extremely generous "samples" of different martinis. Needless to say, we didn't need to buy any wine or drinks at dinner... The bartender was a lot of fun to watch too!

 

[marcyinPA]

I'm sorry, but I have to a little at this, only because in on the budget board on the DIS! It's like someone posting "I bought the dining plan, but when I got to the parks during Christmas week, I couldn't find any ts restaurant that I could get into - even CRT was booked!" Actually, the cruise brochure clearly indicates tips are combined, whereas I think someone going to WDW for the first time, not on these boards, without books, would have no idea how important making ADR's ahead of time is.

Me too Seriously, you drop a couple thousand dollars on a vacation and you don't read the brochure, or the website or anything??? That's not how I roll, but maybe I'm a little OCD about planning. They don't call it Freestyle Cruising for nothing! They advertise themselves as being simple...tips included, eat when you want, etc. etc.

 

[roscoepc1]

Just to clarify, for someone who has never cruised, and is hoping to next winter. Norwegian seems to be the only one we can afford, with their early booking credit! lol

The tip charge they add...the $240 per couple....you need to pay that at the end of the trip? Or do you pay it when you're paying for the trip? (Love the concept, btw!)

Just trying to figure out the budget and timing....thanks!!

 

[marcyinPA]

Just to clarify, for someone who has never cruised, and is hoping to next winter. Norwegian seems to be the only one we can afford, with their early booking credit! lol

The tip charge they add...the $240 per couple....you need to pay that at the end of the trip? Or do you pay it when you're paying for the trip? (Love the concept, btw!)

Just trying to figure out the budget and timing....thanks!!

If I remember correctly, the charge you at the end of your cruise. We had a credit card on file, and all of our "extras" (drinks, tips, excursions, activities) were on there. My DH took care of it, so I really don't remember but I'm pretty sure that's how it worked!

 

[mjkacmom]

Oh, I almost forgot one of my favorite parts of our cruise! The martini tasting! LOL We sailed with friends of ours and their daughter....my friend and I did the martini tasting as a "girls only" thing. It was the best $15 we spent! We had a blast, met some really fun people, and tasted six extremely generous "samples" of different martinis. Needless to say, we didn't need to buy any wine or drinks at dinner... The bartender was a lot of fun to watch too!

Oh, that was awesome, and what a deal! I got the ingredients for the french martini as soon as we got home!

 

[nikkistevej]

I have gotten so much info over on cruise critic as well- my sister and I are planning a huge family gathering on the Norwegian Pearl to Alaska next summer- so gathering all of the details is fun!! Bring on all of the info you have- I'm going to need it.