Doitforlove

I can only tell you our experience in July 2016. We had an early boarding time (can't remember what time but one of the earliest), but arrived even earlier. There were only a few people in the terminal. We were on a quest for VIBE tickets and wanted to do everything we could to maximize our chances. There were 6 of us, and we split up and spoke to every employee we could find (nicely of course!) to see how things might go. At one point we were allowed to start a line to go through security. We were quite excited about this, as we were first in line. Our group got split up going through security.

 

Immediately after security we proceeded to the check in line. Here is where we were handed our boarding numbers. My group of 3 got boarding #5, which I was pretty happy with knowing that Suites and CAS board first, but our 2nd group of 3 (right behind us but in a different line) got boarding group 17. We knew that we all had to be present to get VIBE tickets so this worried us. Here's where we got a bit aggressive and the 2nd group approached the person handing out the tickets in our line (twice) and eventually got a #5 boarding ticket.

 

At this point we were shepherded to a seating area that corresponded to our boarding ticket. They try really hard to keep the middel area clear, but of course, people are milling around trying to figure out what is happening. I don't remember the exact time, but I feel like we saw the suites/CAS areas boarding around 11:00 or so... Now everyone starts to get antsy and the milling about increases, as do the attempts to usher people back to the seating areas.

 

Once again, we became a bit more aggressive with one of our party heading towards the far end of the terminal to see what was happening there. She called us to say that the people there said we could board right then. Although this seemed odd, off we went to join her, and sure enough we were ushered through to where they scan your cards. At this point, we got held up as the scanners weren't working, and I want to say they started calling some boarding numbers in the main part of the terminal, but we were on our way pretty quickly when they fixed the scanning issue.

 

I knew exactly where the Vibe passes were sold, so we basically ran (walked really fast, tried not to be pushy) to that spot and I believe we got numbers in the 40's... phew!

 

If you're not trying to get Vibe passes or aren't in a huge hurry I wouldn't worry about just waiting for your boarding number to be called. It all goes pretty smoothly.

What a way to start vacation. Too much stress for me to get VIBE! Wish they allowed you to pre book it to save from aggravation of worrying during embarkation.

I'll be on the 4/23 sailing and will try my best to take pics of dailies and menus :)

We're planning to sign up for this on our cruise next week. Will report back our experience :)

I've not sailed on NCL yet (two weeks!) but would love to sail in the Haven. Unfortunately it's not in the budget right now (we're in our 20s and early in our careers) so we are doing Haven Lite. Spa passes and speciality dining each night. We get our own slice of "haven" in the form of dedicated loungers/pool area in the spa - also no kids!! Plus the upscale dining experiences at places like Ocean Blue, Le Bistro and Cagney's.

We ended up paying an extra $750 - if that- for these experiences. Much less than booking a Haven room. It works for us for now. Plus we may sail again later this year!

Glad you had an awesome trip. Well be sailing on Breakaway in a month! Can't wait to hear all about your trip.

Thanks so much for your lovely review!! I thoroughly enjoyed it and am interested in checking out Vista soon!

Over a decade ago on a Royal Caribbean ship sailing to Bermuda with extremely rough seas. While sitting in the MDR the waves were crashing over the windows and the waiters were dropping plates left and right. In my over dramatic teenaged brain 100% thought the ship may go down Titantic style which lead to a panic

Where does it tell you if your bid is "poor"/"fair"?

When looking at the upgrade it just gives me a bar to slide to increase or decrease my bid but no feedback as mentioned by some previous posters. I am accessing from mobile so not sure if that may be it.

I'm currently booked in an OA cabin. Thinking about bidding for a mini-suite near the bottom of the scale because we're not super invested in an upgrade but it would be nice to have the couch/balcony/larger bathroom if we could get it for not much additional cost.

I think the answer is an obvious no for safety reasons but if flying a kite is important to you and your family there should be nothing stopping you from flying the kite on a beach when in port.

It's like one of the escape the room challenges-- you work in teams to solve the clues.

 

 

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Ooooh very cool!!! Was it included or was there an extra cost?

What is "escape the big top"

For our upcoming sailing in April, which is in an oceanview cabin, we chose drinks and dining. These promotions were at least 95% of the reason we decided to book with NCL as my boyfriend is a big drinker on vacation and I enjoy finer dining experiences (and fancy cocktails ;)). I would have gone with free gratuities over dining if it had been an option.

Glad to hear it!! Looking forward to your additional thoughts :D

64 days till we sail away on Breakaway for my 26th birthday cruise to Bermuda :cool:

Already have the $100 credit applied to my Amex account :D

Can anyone provide any insight on the busy times for the thermal spa and how busy does it really get?

I'm sailing on Breakaway on the first Bermuda cruise of the season so I'm thinking it may be quite popular because it may still be a little chilly outside.

Just trying to gauge if it'll be like a madhouse

If you already purchased, click on vacation summary and scroll down it will be under any "freebies" you got when booking (i.e. Speciality dining package, adult beverage package, etc) under purchased items. If you don't see it there I would call and ask them for amentiy statement/confirm you have the OBC attached to the reservation.

If you're looking to where you can actually find it to purchase it's under Explore & Plan under Onboard Credits.

I have an American blue cash everyday card

Sounds like this can only be used for a payment on a booking, right? Not to buy $500 of OBC?

I'm past final booking but just used my Amex to buy OBC and additional 4 night dining package (so we can eat speciality every night) and it worked for me.

It looks like a couple people last year successfully got credit after using it to pay gratuities and/or buy OBC. To me, "purchases onboard" means if you are on the ship and charging purchases to your amex.

Yep. Just purchased some extras/OBC on myncl.com and got the email from AMEX saying I completed the offer.

Interesting. I wonder if purchasing a dining package and spa passes via myncl.com would could as "booking" or if that would count as "purchases onboard"

Thanks everyone! I went ahead and booked dinners from between 6:30-7:30 and told the boyfriend that there's a buffet and a pub where he can get more munchies later in the evening :p

Hello! I am a NCL newbie so I'm still getting my sea legs when it comes to all things NCL :)

I have previously sailed RCCL, CCL and most recently DCL and have always suffered through the odd, forced traditional seating arrangements at dinner. This is my first cruise vacation with my boyfriend so I am BEYOND excited to not have to go through that ordeal on my upcoming cruise to Bermuda.

With that being said I'm having a bit of trouble when it comes to scheduling dinner and entertainment and was hoping some seasoned vets could weigh in.

My boyfriend and I tend to eat dinner later (7:30-9:00) but we also want to enjoy evening entertainment and from my past experience I know that cruise dinners can be very lengthy at times. What is the best time to book dinner as to not miss out on comedy shows and other late night entertainment?

If it helps we plan to eat 6 dinners in speciality restaurants and are planning on doing Cagney's twice, Moderno, Teppanyaki, Le Bistro and Ocean Blue. Will probably do Taste/Savor our MDR night.

Additionally was wondering what people's experience was on eating al fresco on the waterfront later in the evening. We will be sailing to Bermuda end of April so I'm thinking it will probably be pretty chilly? But not entirely sure.