New to NCL?

We are getting ready to try something new.

I have a few questions from all you experts.

1 Can you Pre purchases OBC and if so how? (on line or by phone.)

2 If you have left over OBC how do you get reimbursed?

3 Are you allowed to bring non alcoholic beverages when you board?

4 Approximately what time does NCL start boarding? ( I know it can vary)

5 Approximately how soon are rooms available?

6 Is NCL really freestyle? (flip flop and T shirts in the dining room)

7 Are the pools fresh or salt water?

8 Are the pool heated?

For veterans cruises who have sail multiple lines

What is the one thing you think make NCL stand out

and what would be the one thing NCL could improve the most.

PS I know it says 2 NCL in my signature but that was back in 81 & 85 so

I'm sure that it doesn't compare to today's NCL

We are getting ready to try something new.

 

I have a few questions from all you experts.

 

1 Can you Pre purchases OBC and if so how? (on line or by phone.) YES

3 Are you allowed to bring non alcoholic beverages when you board? YES

4 Approximately what time does NCL start boarding? ( I know it can vary) what ship; what port; usually 11:30ish

5 Approximately how soon are rooms available? usually 1:30

6 Is NCL really freestyle? (flip flop and T shirts in the dining room) hmm, don't think they're looking that closely and I really don't pay attention if anyone is wearing flops or a t.

 

. . .

Freestyle dining is being copied by other cruiselines in their "anytime" or your time" dining. I like it. But I don't mind fixed dining either.

I am a NCL fan; but I like other lines too. Why not try it (again) for yourself. I decided to try "something new" (as you put it) some years ago. And I liked it and have been back many times. ;-)

I always pre-purchase OBC and if there is left over, NCL will mail you a check within a few weeks.

I'm not sure about the t shirts and flip flops, but there are a few dining venues where shorts are not acceptable. And pools are salt water, not heated as far as I know.

Yes, you may bring on non-alcoholic beverages.

Yes, you can buy on-board credit, log in to your NCL account, and look under "gifts and more", and you will see the options.

I hope this helps!

We are getting ready to try something new.

 

4 Approximately what time does NCL start boarding? ( I know it can vary)

5 Approximately how soon are rooms available?

6 Is NCL really freestyle? (flip flop and T shirts in the dining room)

 

You are correct embarkation times will vary.

No FTTF on NCL :) (my favorite Carnival buy) so the cabins are ready at varying times. We found that after lunch about 1pm our cabin has been ready.

I'm not sure about the t shirts and flip flops, but there are a few dining venues where shorts are not acceptable. And pools are salt water, not heated as far as I know.

You are allowed to wear sorts, tee shirts and flip flops in the smaller mid ship dining room. I have never had an issue wearing a nice pair of dockers type shorts. They are not allowed in the aft dining room or in Le Bistro. I am not sure if the other specialty restaurants would allow them as I have always dressed in pants for those venues.

I think most of your questions have been answered:

yes, you can purchase OBC prior to sailing

Yes, you can bring non alcoholic drinks on

yes, you can wear Tshirts in one of the MDRs, the other one will be more formal. NO, I don't mean totally after 5 dress, but more like nice casual; slacks for the guys, nice capris or slacks for the gals and you will see a lot of sun dresses.

Freestyle means. just that, do pretty much what you want, but be considerate of others. The main idea, originally behind freestyle was dining choices and no set times to eat.

Boarding usually starts about 11:30 to noon and your cabins can be ready as early as 12:30,but plan on closer to 1pm or a little later.

WE have cruised every mass marketed line and more than once; We prefer NCl because of the total free style, the dining choices and the awesome, friendly crew.

Thanks so much for the reply's.

Sounds like our cup of tea.

It doesn't really matter what time you board... FTTF is overkill on NCL as you can drop off your carry on bags in one of the lounges...unlike CCL where you have to carry it around if you don't have the FTTF package.

SO, no matter when the cabins are ready you do not have to park yourself someplace with a pile of bags. :D

Cabins generally are ready around 1 pm.