BirdTravels

All of the “old pros” have left/RIF. Only the newbie rookies left who mindless try and follow the rules and not be creative and research every option. Kim’s departure was recent.

I can not be done online. You need to call or chat with an NCL rep to do it.

Neither change was NCL’s fault. Stuff happens. Being in port is better than being at sea (at least for us).

Make sure to make reservations 125 days prior to departure. You book both your Free at Sea and Platinum meals at the same time. The reservation system just books a table - it does not care how you are paying for the dinner. You will have two vouchers in your room when you arrive. You must take the vouchers with you to dinner. Example free wine list from a few weeks ago (selections will vary depending on what the ship has available). Like @KeithJenner said, we often will take our bottle unopened and enjoy it later.

Our upcoming cruise

You should tip the person delivering your food.

$2 each * 6 = $12 + 20% tip = $14.40 for cookies with your coffee

Which one did you pick?

We have sailed on the Epic 7 or 8 times and would gladly sail on her again. She is a beautiful ship inside and out.

Always cash. Bring it with you. Don't forget: NCL: Certain staff positions (e.g., concierge, butler, youth program staff and beverage service) provide service on an individual basis to only some guests and do not benefit from the overall service charge. We encourage those Guests to acknowledge good service from these staff members with appropriate gratuities.

ATM machines onboard. $6.99 service charge + anything your bank charges you.

Request two 8-tops. And, most groups may eat together once or twice in a 7-night cruise. The rest of the nights they will be off exploring specialty dining or something more flexible like the buffet. You don't want to be the one the group resents by insisting that they eat together... because families don't do that any more.

I do not believe that the table minimums are set by the day. The casino will set the minimums to whatever the crowd will tolerate. Every night, the minimums go up as the night goes on. If you are looking for a $2 table, you won't find one. You'll find a $25 table. Which is reasonable.

The information from Jackie O'Donnell is correct. The calling party will need to provide a credit card and it is charged $7.95/minute from the second the call connects to the ship, regardless of whether the calling party reaches you or not. So, all of the time the calling party is listening to "All operators are busy, please stand by for the next available operator" and the time the calling party is talking to the operator trying to find you, and the time your cabin phone is ringing, it is $8/min.

Is there a specific perk you are concerned about?