Excited for first NCL cruise! Questions

Hey, just booked out first cruise (JADE Nowray Fjords in August) and realised I had many questions built up in my head.

1) How often is daily trivia on average?

2) Is it true the italian restaurant does free pizza/pasta at lunch? (and are there any other fee resturants that have free lunch offerings)

3) We have the UBP, if we want a top shelf spirit etc do we just pay the difference?

4)How is boarding scheduled? Do they send you a time to come like Royal (depedent on deck) or you have to book a time like CCL? I know suites and High L members will be on first but we sorta want to be on as soon as possible.

5) Is there anywhere to eat really late thats not O sheehans on a jewel class ship? We like getting midnight pizza and sandwiches...don't really want to pay room service fees.

6)I have heard there is an adult pool and a general pool..how strictly is this enforced? We are sailing in summer hols as we are teachers.

7)We really love Teppenyaki etc back home but heard they sing and stuff in the Teppenyaki restuarant while cooking...is this true? Not sure how I would feel about that. :)

8)Is the Medusa night club still there? I heard they took it out/made it into a lounge with the refurb.

9)We booked a OV Guarantee on a ship with 4 cabins left on the website,likely to get a balcony?Ship just sold out days after we booked.(We are very happy with whatever OV/Porthole we get as I looked through the deckplans but getting anything higher would be nice obviously)

Thanks so much! :)

The best advice I can offer a new cruiser is to scan through the posts from the last few weeks or even a month. You will find answers to not only these questions, but ones you did not even know you had.

Before drydock when we were on Jade in April and again in October there was no lunch in La Cucina. Instead La Cucina held the overflow folks from the buffet. You could get free pizza and pasta in the buffet along with lots of other choices.

My understanding is that Medusa is now Bliss lounge. I think they took out the karaoke rooms to make it larger.

Hey, just booked out first cruise (JADE Nowray Fjords in August) and realised I had many questions built up in my head.

 

1) How often is daily trivia on average?

The daily trivia is done DAILY. But, since your itinerary is port intensive, you may not make many.

2) Is it true the italian restaurant does free pizza/pasta at lunch? (and are there any other fee resturants that have free lunch offerings)

The buffet serves free pizza. There is no free specialty dining.

 

3) We have the UBP, if we want a top shelf spirit etc do we just pay the difference?

You pay the difference over $15 plus 18% mandatory gratuity.

4)How is boarding scheduled? Do they send you a time to come like Royal (dependent on deck) or you have to book a time like CCL? I know suites and High L members will be on first but we sorta want to be on as soon as possible.

When you do online check-in, you may be asked for a check-in time. Just show up on a schedule that meets your needs.

5) Is there anywhere to eat really late thats not O sheehans on a jewel class ship? We like getting midnight pizza and sandwiches...don't really want to pay room service fees.

Unfortunately, O'Shehans is the only 24 hour restaurant. You may find some snacks in the casino. No midnight pizza without paying the $7.95 delivery charge for room service.

 

6)I have heard there is an adult pool and a general pool..how strictly is this enforced? We are sailing in summer hols as we are teachers.

There is no active "enforcement". Your cruise will likely be more senior with fewer children.

7)We really love Teppenyaki etc back home but heard they sing and stuff in the Teppenyaki restuarant while cooking...is this true? Not sure how I would feel about that. :)

It's a performance just like any other Japanese Steak House back home. There may be one song as they chop up food. The Teppanyaki restaurant is very popular. Suites reservations opened on May 1st and General Reservations opened on 5/11. The restaurant may be sold out already. Book soon if you want to eat there. Or you need to try to book on embarkation day.

8)Is the Medusa night club still there? I heard they took it out/made it into a lounge with the refurb.

The Bliss Ultra Lounge is mid-ship. Same lounge, different name.

9)We booked a OV Guarantee on a ship with 4 cabins left on the website,likely to get a balcony?Ship just sold out days after we booked.(We are very happy with whatever OV/Porthole we get as I looked through the deckplans but getting anything higher would be nice obviously)

The cruise has been showing sold out/not sold out for a while. Probably unlikely that you will move up to a balcony. Non-guarantee guests can upsell (for additional money) to higher classes at significant discounts. NCL process people paying for upgrades to make space for you.

 

Thanks so much! :)

Have a great cruise! We were considering that cruise for a while, but decided to pass.

Thanks for the replies, I have been scanning these boards for a while as I am usually on other lines boards but there was a lot of conflicting information especially as Jade has come out of a refit recently. :)

Surprised Japanese places in the USA are also entertainment. Here in Europe they are certainly a much more serious affair but the chef will tell you lots about the food and its history instead. :)

Thanks for the replies, I have been scanning these boards for a while as I am usually on other lines boards but there was a lot of conflicting information especially as Jade has come out of a refit recently. :)

 

Surprised Japanese places in the USA are also entertainment. Here in Europe they are certainly a much more serious affair but the chef will tell you lots about the food and its history instead. :)

Heya! Completely agree with the above answers so I won't bother answering them all again.

I've been on 9 NCL cruises and I absolutely love them! The jade is such a cute little ship too.

Here are my top 8 tips you should know before cruising with NCL, I hope that this helps! http://cruisingisntjustforoldpeople.co.uk/2016/12/04/8-things-ncl/ (Be aware that you don't have to book shows on the smaller ships)

Have a fabulous time :-)

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Thanks for the replies, I have been scanning these boards for a while as I am usually on other lines boards but there was a lot of conflicting information especially as Jade has come out of a refit recently. :)

 

Surprised Japanese places in the USA are also entertainment. Here in Europe they are certainly a much more serious affair but the chef will tell you lots about the food and its history instead. :)

Lol surprised they are serious! Here they are totally goofy, they shoot saki into your mouth, and make jokes the whole time.

Hey, just booked out first cruise (JADE Nowray Fjords in August) and realised I had many questions built up in my head.

 

1) How often is daily trivia on average?

 

2) Is it true the Italian restaurant does free pizza/pasta at lunch? (and are there any other fee restaurants that have free lunch offerings)

 

3) We have the UBP, if we want a top shelf spirit etc do we just pay the difference?

 

4)How is boarding scheduled? Do they send you a time to come like Royal (depedent on deck) or you have to book a time like CCL? I know suites and High L members will be on first but we sorta want to be on as soon as possible.

 

5) Is there anywhere to eat really late thats not O sheehans on a jewel class ship? We like getting midnight pizza and sandwiches...don't really want to pay room service fees.

 

6)I have heard there is an adult pool and a general pool..how strictly is this enforced? We are sailing in summer hols as we are teachers.

 

7)We really love Teppenyaki etc back home but heard they sing and stuff in the Teppenyaki restuarant while cooking...is this true? Not sure how I would feel about that. :)

 

8)Is the Medusa night club still there? I heard they took it out/made it into a lounge with the refurb.

 

9)We booked a OV Guarantee on a ship with 4 cabins left on the website,likely to get a balcony?Ship just sold out days after we booked.(We are very happy with whatever OV/Porthole we get as I looked through the deckplans but getting anything higher would be nice obviously)

 

Thanks so much! :)

a few quick answers: trivia is played about 3 or 4 times a day even on port days.

Modernos is usually the restaurant that will be open at noon. On the Jewel and Pearl they served Italian food. On the BA it changed each day. I have no idea about the Jade.

Don't know of anyplace other than O'Sheehan's to get a late night snack. Oh, the casino usually has sandwiches etc but nothing exciting.

When you do your on line registration they should ask you what time you will be arriving. They do no actually assign an arrival or boarding time.

Pool rules are pretty well enforced. Of course it depends solely on the ship. Some are a little more lax.

GTY cabin: anyone's guess about upgrades. We have one on our next cruise and have in the past.. ONly once and it wasn't NCL did we get what I would consider a better cabin

Hopes this and other posts have helped you. Have a great cruise.

I am also cruising this summer as a teacher on holiday and I am looking to avoid the younger children ... I booked a spa pass to help with this, however, I had excellent luck on the Epic in late April/May even though it was half term. There were no kids until like day 3 or the Rome day.

The other questions you had pretty well answered. Relax and enjoy it is a great trip! I looked at Norway but put it off until next year and I am doing the Baltic this year to see a friend who is working on the ship.

Just back from Norway on Jade.

Boarded at Southampton. Our e docs did not give a specific time, just advised that boarding would not start till 12, (and not to arrive more than half an hour early) and that we had to be on board two hours before departure, which meant 2pm on our sailing.

Due to computer problems at the terminal, there were lengthy delays, we queued to get into the terminal building, then again to go through security, then another queue at the check in desk.

Finally headed up the gangway, only to be stopped again because of a problem requiring the gangway to be repositioned. Instead of entering on deck 7 and into the atrium area, we had to make our way through the rather smelly casino, not the most inviting start to the holiday. Took almost two hours, standing the whole time. This was hopefully a one off occurrence, but not much fun.

Disembarkation was excellent though. You pick your preferred departure time and don't need to leave your cabin till 8.30am. Breakfast was still available until 9 am. You don't need to wait in a specific lounge with your departure group, just listen for your group to be called and head to departure from wherever you are on the ship. We were able to walk straight from our cabin to the gangway and off the ship. Best disembarkation ever.

People who book GTY OV on the Jade and sisters ships usually end up with a porthole on Deck 4 or 5 FWD. These are not very desirable cabins (in my opinion), but you'll survive… Let us know when you get your assignment!

I've never been to a Japanese Steakhouse where they SING (unless it's someone's birthday!)...during food prep! They will "entertain"...make onion volcanoes, etc...and lots of funny chatter and teasing of the guests....that's what it is!

Thanks for more replies!

We haven't got our cabin yet but I booked an OV Guarantee so we had natural light in some form so happy for anything porthole/obstructed and above really. We can do an inside on short cruises but this is a 10 day. I have also purchased sleep ear plugs in case...although we go to sleep very late on cruises.

When I booked the guarantee the only OV left were obstructed but I guess you never know once people have been upselled and whatnot.

Any other questions I might be able to help with?

Just back from 8 day fjord cruise on Jade

Any other questions I might be able to help with?

Just back from 8 day fjord cruise on Jade

How was the quality of the food on both the buffet and MDR?

How expensive was the food/alcohol in Norway? My research tells me its steep. :)

Also was the passenger mix mainly British or were there also quite a few US folk?

Also, who is the CD, I keep hearing 2 different names.

Thanks!

Thanks for more replies!

 

We haven't got our cabin yet but I booked an OV Guarantee so we had natural light in some form so happy for anything porthole/obstructed and above really. We can do an inside on short cruises but this is a 10 day. I have also purchased sleep ear plugs in case...although we go to sleep very late on cruises.

On a 10-day cruise you won't have nearly a many children as even a 7-day cruise. You may be see some, but not a ton.

 

Surprised Japanese places in the USA are also entertainment. Here in Europe they are certainly a much more serious affair but the chef will tell you lots about the food and its history instead. :)

If you do a youtube search, you'll find many videos of Teppanyaki. The singing is intermittent--just a line or two from a song now and then. Sometimes the chef behind yours will join in and it'll be a 10-second duet. My first visit to a Japanese restaurant was not at all what I expected. I knew they cook in front of you but I didn't expect them to put on a "show." It's not as goofy as on the ship, but still entertaining.

How was the quality of the food on both the buffet and MDR?

How expensive was the food/alcohol in Norway? My research tells me its steep. :)

 

Also was the passenger mix mainly British or were there also quite a few US folk?

 

 

Also, who is the CD, I keep hearing 2 different names.

 

Thanks!

Only ate in the MDR once, was tempted by the roast turkey, stuffing, roast potatoes and sprouts.

The turkey was well cooked and plenty of it, the stuffing was, well, weird! Imagine left over bread pudding, soft and slightly sweet. The roast potatoes were not British version crispy, never had decent roast potatoes on a ship. My plate was graced with one and a half Brussels sprouts! Not up to speed for British passengers yet! A quick request to the wait staff for extra veg, and a generous plate of broccoli, mange tout and more sprouts appeared immediately.

The hot lava cake with fruit compote and ice cream was very nice.

We mainly ate in the buffet. Usual offerings for lunch and breakfast, with omelet stations, stir fry and pasta etc. Dinner again had the usual suspects, a carvery of some sort, the occasional themed section, German sausages etc one night, Italian another. There was always a good Asian and curry selection. Nothing exceptional, but there was enough to eat and usually hot enough. The chef in charge was in evidence at all meals, keeping an eye on things and helping out behind the counters when needed, which was good to see. The food was nothing to write home about, but I didn't have to cook it, and I managed to put on a few pounds! No worse than any other cruise ship I've been on, and better than Princess and definitely better than P and O.

There were about 1200 Brits out of the 2000 odd passengers, with quite a lot of Americans, many of whom were still on from the transatlantic crossing. Quite a lot of Asian passengers as well, although many had strong American accents when speaking English. There was quite a cosmopolitan feel, and I would have guessed there were fewer Brits on board than it turned out.

The cruise director was called Roberto, pleasant Italian guy, very much in evidence around the ship, although occasionally hard to follow all his announcements, he seemed to be working hard.

Only had coffee and Danish style pastries on shore in Norway. Two large proper coffees and two cinnamon rolls cost us between £11 and £14 in various establishments ( exchange rate was between 10 and 11 NOK to the £, our credit card doesn't charge commission etc)

Otherwise, I don't know what the cost of other meals would be like. I am pretty sure that alcohol is eye-wateringly expensive though, like most of Scandinavia.