NCL Wedding with New Coordinators

[chellebells]

I have not seen any reviews yet for NCL weddings since they switched from TWE to Royal Ocean Events. Looks like mine will be the first in TEN days! Wish me well as it has been stressful knowing that everything is now in someone else's hands.

If any other NCL brides want me to ask specific questions or take certain pictures of set up please let me know and I will do my best. Haha, probably not me but I will make sure someone with me does it as i may be a bit absent minded that day.

[mikeriv79]

Originally Posted by chellebells

I have not seen any reviews yet for NCL weddings since they switched from TWE to Royal Ocean Events. Looks like mine will be the first in TEN days! Wish me well as it has been stressful knowing that everything is now in someone else's hands.

If any other NCL brides want me to ask specific questions or take certain pictures of set up please let me know and I will do my best. Haha, probably not me but I will make sure someone with me does it as i may be a bit absent minded that day.

I'm interested to hear your evaluation of the wedding planning process with NCL and Royal Ocean Events.

[chellebells]

This is a tough one only because Royal Ocean Events took over after all the planning and decisions were made. I must say that whenever I emailed, Ozzy was always quick to reply and keeps telling me no worries. With that being said, I am still waiting for my written confirmation of all the details which she said I will have by Mon 11/19/12 and my wedding is Sun 11/25/12. Of course, I wish I had it sooner only because if there are any issues I would like the time to be able to address them and change anything that needs changing.

[dawnie216]

Can you explain how the charges for reception on Norwegian work???

[rxbxcca]

Originally Posted by chellebells

I have not seen any reviews yet for NCL weddings since they switched from TWE to Royal Ocean Events. Looks like mine will be the first in TEN days! Wish me well as it has been stressful knowing that everything is now in someone else's hands.

If any other NCL brides want me to ask specific questions or take certain pictures of set up please let me know and I will do my best. Haha, probably not me but I will make sure someone with me does it as i may be a bit absent minded that day.

yes please! and can't wait for your review when you're back! I'm 3/4/13 on the Gem out of NYC.

have an amazing wedding, wishing you the best!

[chellebells]

Originally Posted by rxbxcca

yes please! and can't wait for your review when you're back! I'm 3/4/13 on the Gem out of NYC.

have an amazing wedding, wishing you the best!

Thank you! There aren't that many of us NCL brides so I am glad to be of any help....especially since we are both getting married on the GEM! My wedding will actually be in the courtyard of the Garden Villa rather than chapel or bar. Did you request a certain venue?

[rxbxcca]

Originally Posted by chellebells

Thank you! There aren't that many of us NCL brides so I am glad to be of any help....especially since we are both getting married on the GEM! My wedding will actually be in the courtyard of the Garden Villa rather than chapel or bar. Did you request a certain venue?

ooooooh, interesting location! let me know how that goes! right now, i'm in the Spinnaker Lounge for the ceremony and waiting for Ozzy to confirm Le Bistro for my reception.

are you in the area? i live in NJ and i'm driving into the city that day. if you're from around here - where are you getting your hair and make-up done?

if you let me, i will pick your brain like nobody's business! (not yet, after the whole thing, haha) i'm really excited for you. i've been on the Dawn twice before and it's almost exactly like the Gem. looooove it.

[chellebells]

Feel free to pick my brain! I have been on the Jewel several times so I know I will just LOVE the GEM, plus being in the Garden Villa helps.

You can email me at mdeluca_65 hotmail (fill in the blanks)

Michelle

[chellebells]

Just got my final confirmation and itinerary! If anyone else is just doing the basic package let me know and I will email you a copy.

[rxbxcca]

Originally Posted by chellebells

Just got my final confirmation and itinerary! If anyone else is just doing the basic package let me know and I will email you a copy.

i do!

i'm doing the reception luncheon, no DJ. but i still would like to see what they sent you.

i can't believe you leave this weekend! i feel like mine is tomorrow (it's March 4, lol). i can't imagine what the butterflies will be like the WEEK OF!

are you sailing with others? we mulled this over and over and ultimately decided to just have it be us two. so i'm still wondering how to schlep all the stuff on board and then have family schlep it off (decorations, etc.). but don't answer all that now... when you get back! you'll probably answer a million of my questions in your review, so i'll (im)patiently until you get back. :P

[chellebells]

There are only six of us, me and Duane and both sets of parents and we are all sailing. Here is what they sent me....

Royal Ocean Events Inc.
Specializing in Cruise Ship Weddings

Dear Michelle and Duane,

The guest list is in, the planning is finished and your wedding is just around the corner, all that is left is to pack your bags and board the ship!
Your shipboard contact will be the Guest Service Coordinator,
Your wedding in New York will be coordinated by Stephanie Cai and your Non-Denominational Marriage Officiant will be Captain Arnold Wonsever.

The evening before your wedding day, Stephanie, will call you to go over the details for your wedding and arrange a place to meet with you at the cruise ship terminal.

On your wedding day you will meet with your wedding coordinator at 10:30am at the Cruise Ship Terminal. Check In will begin as soon as the ship has been cleared by customs and security.

You should pack your wedding attire in a garment bag (to prevent wrinkling), and any other necessities for the wedding in a carry-on. You will hand carry these items onboard the ship.

Ceremony and Reception:
Please ensure that if you have guests attending, that they are aware of the time they need to be at the ceremony and they know the location. Maps of the ship are available at the information desk onboard. Guests must be on time. Delays on the part of the wedding couple and/or the wedding guests may result in a limited ceremony or reception time. All ceremony times are approximate and can be delayed due to unforeseen events.

Your wedding onboard the Norwegian Gem will take place in your Garden Villa Suite #14500. We have arranged for your Single Tier Vanilla Cake with Buttercream filling and White Icing to be delivered your stateroom along with your bottle of champagne.
Your Ivory Rose Bouquet and Matching Boutonniere will be brought to your room before the ceremony time.

If you have any questions before leaving home please feel free to call Royal Ocean Events at 1-888-475-5511.
You can reach Stephanie Cai at **********, if you are unable to reach her, Captain Arnold will be available to assist you 516-413-4555

It has been a pleasure working with you and all of us here at Royal Ocean Events wish you both a long and happy life together – Congratulations!

We would love a photograph!

Kindest Regards,
Ozzy Goksel
Norwegian Wedding Program





Royal Ocean Events Inc.
Specializing in Cruise Ship Weddings

Wedding Itinerary for Michelle and Duane


10:30am Michelle, Duane and all sailing guests will meet with Stepanie Cai at the Cruise Ship Terminal

11:00am Michelle, Duane and all sailing guests will begin checking into their cruise

11:30am Stephanie will escort Michelle and Duane to their Garden Villa Suite #14500

12:30pm Wedding Cake and Champagne to be delivered to Michelle and Duane’s Garden Villa Suite #14500

1:00pm Your Non-Denominational Marriage Officiant Captain Arnold will come to your stateroom to introduce himself and go over your Marriage License

1:00pm Stephanie will hand Michelle her Ivory Rose Bouquet and pin Duane’s boutonniere on him

1:15pm Ceremony to begin with Michelle walking into ‘When I’m With You’ by Sherriff, this will be played on their iPad.

1:35pm Michelle and Duane will cut their Single Tier Vanilla Cake with buttercream Filling and share a champagne toast with their family

2:30pm Captain Arnold and Stephanie Cai will say their goodbyes and disembark the ship

3:15pm All guests to attend boat drill

I will take lots of pictures and bring you back as many details as I can because I know how much I craved all the info I could get and unfortunately there wasn't much out there. Hang in there as March will be here before you know it!

[rxbxcca]

thanks so so so much, michelle.

p.s. muster schmuster - if they think i'm gonna go to muster, they got another thing coming. lol. not because i care about going in my wedding dress, but because it'll cut into my reception!

oooooh and now i get how you're doing your ceremony in the haven - duh, you're IN the villa. i need to learn a thing (or ten) from you... haha. i got a measly suite! :P

[chellebells]

Originally Posted by rxbxcca

thanks so so so much, michelle.

p.s. muster schmuster - if they think i'm gonna go to muster, they got another thing coming. lol. not because i care about going in my wedding dress, but because it'll cut into my reception!

oooooh and now i get how you're doing your ceremony in the haven - duh, you're IN the villa. i need to learn a thing (or ten) from you... haha. i got a measly suite! :P

I LOVE LOVE LOVE NCL suite life! Of course we do not ALWAYS stay in the Garden Villa but always up in the Haven.

What I found amusing about my itinerary is we are not doing a reception and ceremony will be over by 1:30 but the officiant and coordinator stay til 2:30. How am I going to entertain them with my single layer cake for 2?

[rxbxcca]

have an amazing day tomorrow!!

[chellebells]

Originally Posted by rxbxcca

have an amazing day tomorrow!!

Sorry took so long to get back with details! But for a quick review.....it was everything I dreamed of.

NCL and their entire staff could not have been any better, we received more champagne than I would ever drink in a lifetime and no matter where we went to dinner on the ship at the end of the meal was an "anniversary" cake lol. We had our 1 day anniversary, 2 day anniversary etc and best part were no two cakes were ever the same.

Capt Arnold was awesome, a very touching ceremony that was from his heart rather than the scripted norm. He would bring us to the point of sappy tears and then say something that just made us smile and laugh.

I will post some pics but remember I did not have a big ceremony or reception, it was the six of us in our suite's courtyard.

Please ask away with any specific questions....

Oh and if you can definitely sign up for the Chef's Table as it was phenomenal!

[rxbxcca]

Originally Posted by chellebells

Sorry took so long to get back with details! But for a quick review.....it was everything I dreamed of.

NCL and their entire staff could not have been any better, we received more champagne than I would ever drink in a lifetime and no matter where we went to dinner on the ship at the end of the meal was an "anniversary" cake lol. We had our 1 day anniversary, 2 day anniversary etc and best part were no two cakes were ever the same.

Capt Arnold was awesome, a very touching ceremony that was from his heart rather than the scripted norm. He would bring us to the point of sappy tears and then say something that just made us smile and laugh.

I will post some pics but remember I did not have a big ceremony or reception, it was the six of us in our suite's courtyard.

Please ask away with any specific questions....

Oh and if you can definitely sign up for the Chef's Table as it was phenomenal!

hey, welcome back! so glad to hear it all went well and how happy you are.

ok, a billions questions, so i'll ask two for now.

1) how was embarkation day and the organization of everything? was it smooth? how were the wedding planners/coordinators that day? i feel so weird that we plan with Ozzy, and then we show up that day and have to meet someone else.

2) where did you have you make-up and hair done? i'm a little freaked out over this part right now. everyone has some sort of minimum, but all i want done that morning is me alone. (i mean, before we get to the terminal)

[chellebells]

1. Embarkation
If you are in a suite insist on waiting in the suite area rather than the events area. My mom needed a wheelchair and the suites took priority over the events so she waited well over an hour after we had all gone aboard. If no one needs a wheelchair then it goes so incredibly smooth and you are the first ones on the ship.

Stephanie was great except for the whole wheelchair fiasco as she did not know any better and thought the events took priority over suites. She called me the evening before to go over all the details and make sure I was calm, cool and collected. LOL

2. My ceremony was not until 1:15 and we were on the ship at 11:00 and I just took that time to do my own hair and makeup. I am glad that I did not pay because it was so windy that day it would have had to be redone after getting onboard anyway

Trust me I know how stressed out you are and how you feel like you have no control over anything but honestly everything was so perfect! And if some of your guests are not there yet and the ship is cleared then ask coordinator if you can go on ahead with your bridesmaid or your mom to give you a few extra moments to get ready without the stress of waiting for people. That's what I did and was so glad....oh and most important of all, make sure you eat something that morning and have a bottle of water while you are getting ready. It is amazing how many hours go by when you realize you have not eaten or drinken anything.

[rxbxcca]

i'm SO glad you mentioned the wheelchairs. i have 5 that i need, thank you!

i budgeted extra time too. i'm making a "day-of" booklet to hand out to everyone in the terminal, with the assumption that they will have some time to roam around the ship. during that time, the reception will be set up while i grab my mom to go to my cabin and she's helping me get dressed. arriving at the terminal, i'll have hair and make-up done, jewelry on, everything except pulling on the dress.

[chellebells]

You are way more organized than me! Everything will be fine and I will keep my fingers crossed on the wheelchairs. Make sure you keep stressing to Ozzy and whoever your coordinator will be that you need 5 wheelchairs. Trust me after my mom chewing Stephanie out I am sure that you will not have same problem.

Keep me posted on everything and I subscribed to this thread so any questions you come up with just ask and I will get right back to you.

[rxbxcca]

Originally Posted by chellebells

You are way more organized than me! Everything will be fine and I will keep my fingers crossed on the wheelchairs. Make sure you keep stressing to Ozzy and whoever your coordinator will be that you need 5 wheelchairs. Trust me after my mom chewing Stephanie out I am sure that you will not have same problem.

Keep me posted on everything and I subscribed to this thread so any questions you come up with just ask and I will get right back to you.

thanks so much, I definitely will have more questions later! and please explicitly convey my thanks to your mom for chewing them out.