Newbie NCL Questions Please!

[OnlyMe]

Hi all,
I am a newbie to NCL but we are looking at booking a fairly last minute cruise for January 2010.
I have done a fair bit of searching (have read the entire tips thread at the top of the board also) but I still have some questions please and will most likely have lots more to come so here goes

1. We sailed RCCL and Celebrity before and on their ships some cabins (within the same categories) are better than others, ie one or two might have larger balconies / bigger cabins etc etc - are there any of these 'secret' cabins on NCL Jade?? - We're looking at booking one of the balcony / mini-suite categories most likely so just wondering if any are better over others?

2. I've read that discounts may be had for people who have casino cards - DH (and I) have casino cards for some of the casinos in Vegas (some well used too I might add ) BUT,, it's a few years since we were there.... would these be any good for getting discounts.

3. Another cabin question - is there any kind of 'curtain' that can be pulled between the bed and seating area in the cabins? - Will have DS with us and would be brilliant if there was - DH said he read somewhere that there was but I can't find anything?

I'm sure I will have loads more questions when I start looking more (we've only just 'found' this cruise so we need to get booked asap and get flights etc organised so any help would be gratefully appreciated.

Oh, one more - what is the earliest time they usually let you board. I know with RCCL / X they say boarding is at 2pm but we always got to board earlier - is it the same with NCL?

Thanks all!

[TG2005]

Originally Posted by OnlyMe

Hi all,

3. Another cabin question - is there any kind of 'curtain' that can be pulled between the bed and seating area in the cabins? - Will have DS with us and would be brilliant if there was - DH said he read somewhere that there was but I can't find anything?

Oh, one more - what is the earliest time they usually let you board. I know with RCCL / X they say boarding is at 2pm but we always got to board earlier - is it the same with NCL?

Thanks all!

3. Mini's have a curtain

I believe check in starts around noon

[exarche02]

We sailed on the Jade a little over a year ago...what a great ship! We had a mini-suite and yes, there is a curtain. I also have sailed on RCCL and was on the lookout for those coveted "hump" cabins on NCL. There aren't any on Jade though. Although some of the mini-suite balconies have an overhang and some do not, so you can check on that. I also have always boarded the ship around 12-1pm, and there are plenty people on board! I don't know about the casino card, sorry.

[jocap]

The Jade cabins with large balconies are aft, deck 8, 9 and 10- that I know of.
Both in Southampton and Barcelona, we were early at the docks, and were sitting in the Great Outdoors by 12.30.- jocap.

[cassrebecca]

Hi all,
I am a newbie to NCL but we are looking at booking a fairly last minute cruise for January 2010.
I have done a fair bit of searching (have read the entire tips thread at the top of the board also) but I still have some questions please and will most likely have lots more to come so here goes

1. We sailed RCCL and Celebrity before and on their ships some cabins (within the same categories) are better than others, ie one or two might have larger balconies / bigger cabins etc etc - are there any of these 'secret' cabins on NCL Jade?? - We're looking at booking one of the balcony / mini-suite categories most likely so just wondering if any are better over others?

Mini's are slightly bigger

2. I've read that discounts may be had for people who have casino cards - DH (and I) have casino cards for some of the casinos in Vegas (some well used too I might add ) BUT,, it's a few years since we were there.... would these be any good for getting discounts.
Can't help you with that one

3. Another cabin question - is there any kind of 'curtain' that can be pulled between the bed and seating area in the cabins? - Will have DS with us and would be brilliant if there was - DH said he read somewhere that there was but I can't find anything?
Mini suites do

I'm sure I will have loads more questions when I start looking more (we've only just 'found' this cruise so we need to get booked asap and get flights etc organised so any help would be gratefully appreciated.

Oh, one more - what is the earliest time they usually let you board. I know with RCCL / X they say boarding is at 2pm but we always got to board earlier - is it the same with NCL?

Thanks all
Have a great cruise!!

[weltek]

NCL generally is boarding passengers by noon, sometimes earlier. Check in lines are reasonably short around 11 a.m. and gets really busy by 11:30. So, if you want to board as early as possible, I recommend getting there around 11:00.

If you have VIP boarding, you'll be able to get on first (some cabins get priority VIP boarding, so check that when you book!), so definitely get there early.

[OnlyMe]

Thank you all VERY much for your replies, I really appreciate it!

Great news about the early boarding! We just love getting on early - also this will be our first vacation with our toddler so he will be needing a nap in the afternoon so it would be great to get on and get into the cabin as soon as they allow (I know that's later than the time they allow you to board - assuming it's the same as RCCL and X)
Any advice on whether it's worth the extra for the mini suite over a balcony? - the difference between the mini suite and a BB is $200 - I just looked and the lowest grade balcony isn't available on the NCL site (it was this morning!) but the difference there would have been $400. I would be inclined to book the lowest grade balcony assuming that the only difference between balcony grades is location ... am I correct in this???? They all seem to be the same size so it just seems that??
Also, there are Guarantees available and we have had great luck once before with a guarantee cabin BUT on NCL is there any 'bad' cabin(s) we could end up with within the balcony grades does anyone know?? On the X board there is a thread with all the 'cabins to avoid' for one reason or another listed - can anyone guide me towards any here? Have searched but maybe not in the right place


One more question - does VIP boarding come with certain category cabins and if so which ones? OR is it given as a kind of 'perk'?

Thanks again everyone!!!

[2Cruise4Ever]

The main difference between a balcony cabin and a mini-suite is size and bath tub. The Mini has a curtain (as others have said) and it's a bit bigger. And, it has a bath tub. The balconies are smaller and no tub or curtain.

As far as VIP boarding, that's a perk for suites and above (not mini suites). Usually category AE and higher.

[Giantfan13]

Usually, on most NCL ships you can be onboard by noon if you so desire.

[OnlyMe]

Thank you both for your replies ... am gradually getting things clearer in my head - thank you all!

[exarche02]

Like the other poster stated, the main difference in the mini-suite/balcony is the size of the room and balcony and the fact you have a tub shower instead of the cubicle. For our 14 day Jade cruise we chose the mini-suite just to have the extra room for such a long cruise. We had plenty of room and were very comfortable. The difference in price was also about $200, but IMO it was worth it.

[terrymtex01]

OP.. just my honest opinion, if the difference is only $200.00 it would be worth it to get the mini, just for the size and the curtain that you are looking for to help your son take naps. I don't know if you are one that likes having a bathtub, but that could also make it worth the dollars. As others have said, the one thing I caution anyone on is booking mini's for the suite perks. Really a mini is just a deluxe balcony. Please remember to come back here and tell us all about your first NCL cruise and feel free to post any questions you have. Thats what CC is all about. 8-)

[Catz4001]

on The SKy....if you were balcony or above, you were invited to eat breakfast in the MDR.....is the DAWN the same?

[ictcruiser]

Any passenger on an NCL ship can eat breakfast in the Main Dining Room; it doesn't matter what type of stateroom you have.

[terrymtex01]

Originally Posted by Catz4001

on The SKy....if you were balcony or above, you were invited to eat breakfast in the MDR.....is the DAWN the same?

Originally Posted by ictcruiser

Any passenger on an NCL ship can eat breakfast in the Main Dining Room; it doesn't matter what type of stateroom you have.

ICT I believe the poster above just used the wrong words. Up until recently balcony and mini-suite guest were invited to have breakfast in one of the MDR's. This was different than the MDR where anyone can have breakfast. My understanding from reading here on CC that this was recently (within the last month or so) done away with. I can't imagine why as it seemed like a very popular option.

[MrLee]

Originally Posted by terrymtex01

ICT I believe the poster above just used the wrong words. Up until recently balcony and mini-suite guest were invited to have breakfast in one of the MDR's. This was different than the MDR where anyone can have breakfast. My understanding from reading here on CC that this was recently (within the last month or so) done away with. I can't imagine why as it seemed like a very popular option.

Yes, last year on the Dawn repo the balcony and mini-suite passengers could have breakfast in Aqua. They had, of course, the sit down hot food, but also a buffet type setup with breads, pastries, cereal etc.. It was quite peaceful and we did enjoy it.

I wasn't happy to hear they did away with it. As you know, we're joining you Sunday for 2 weeks aboard and, although it certainly isn't a major annoyance, it could have been an additional pleasure.

[newmexicoNita]

Originally Posted by OnlyMe

Hi all,
I am a newbie to NCL but we are looking at booking a fairly last minute cruise for January 2010.
I have done a fair bit of searching (have read the entire tips thread at the top of the board also) but I still have some questions please and will most likely have lots more to come so here goes

1. We sailed RCCL and Celebrity before and on their ships some cabins (within the same categories) are better than others, ie one or two might have larger balconies / bigger cabins etc etc - are there any of these 'secret' cabins on NCL Jade?? - We're looking at booking one of the balcony / mini-suite categories most likely so just wondering if any are better over others?

2. I've read that discounts may be had for people who have casino cards - DH (and I) have casino cards for some of the casinos in Vegas (some well used too I might add ) BUT,, it's a few years since we were there.... would these be any good for getting discounts.

3. Another cabin question - is there any kind of 'curtain' that can be pulled between the bed and seating area in the cabins? - Will have DS with us and would be brilliant if there was - DH said he read somewhere that there was but I can't find anything?

I'm sure I will have loads more questions when I start looking more (we've only just 'found' this cruise so we need to get booked asap and get flights etc organised so any help would be gratefully appreciated.

Oh, one more - what is the earliest time they usually let you board. I know with RCCL / X they say boarding is at 2pm but we always got to board earlier - is it the same with NCL?

Thanks all!

quick answers but I don't have all of them: yes, cabins can very in the same catagory, but not much..

Probably your casino cards will not help you, give it a try, but they are normally only used for rather high rollers.

I am not sure about the curtain thing, some ships have them, others do not and I am just not completely sure about the Jade. I am pretty sure the mini suites do have a curtain.

GOod luck

Nita

[OnlyMe]

Thanks so much for everyones help. Being new to NCL I have a lot to learn :-)
We have booked a mini-suite and hope to get to the ship as early as possible - our flight arrives in Barcelona just after 10am so we will be going straight to the port so hopefully we will get there before the Q's get too long!
Thanks again!!
Only

[BarbCT605]

Originally Posted by OnlyMe

2. I've read that discounts may be had for people who have casino cards - DH (and I) have casino cards for some of the casinos in Vegas (some well used too I might add ) BUT,, it's a few years since we were there.... would these be any good for getting discounts.

Harrah's Total Rewards have a partnership with NCL.

Here's the link with info:
https://www.harrahs.com/NCL/