OneParticularHarbour 71

I have read many posts about tipping on NCL but it seems there have been so many recent changes that a lot of the info I have read is outdated, so here are my questions:

Who does the daily service charge cover? Can we add additional amounts for certain people (like our cabin attendant)? Is it better to just give them the extra amount in cash?

We were charged 18% gratuity for the unlimited dining plan - is it expected to tip additional amounts on top of that?

Do you tip at breakfast or lunch?

Do you tip at Illusionarium?

Is an auto gratuity added to bar purchases?

Is an auto gratuity added to spa purchases?

When free continental breakfast room service is delivered, can you sign a slip to add the tip to you account or do you have to tip in cash?

For room service that has the 7.95 delivery charge, do you tip on top of that? In cash or can it be added to the room?

I realize tipping is always a hot button topic, but I am just trying to figure out how it works on NCL so we can be prepared. Thanks for any responses!

Thanks for the responses. That is too bad they discontinued bag service. It so nice just walking off the ship and not having to deal with any luggage and not having to wait in line at the airport to check the bags.

We are sailing on Getaway next month - does NCL offer airline check on onboard and/or a luggage service so that we can put our luggage out on the last night of the cruise and then not see it until we get to our home airport?

Also, how much are they charging for transfers from Port of Miami to FLL?

Thanks for your input!

I just booked the Getaway a few days ago and booked Illusionarium for the first night and was charged for it. I spoke to NCL the next day and was told it was no longer included in the UDP.

Thanks everyone!

James, the show schedule was very helpful!

I booked the cruise tonight and now am trying to get the reservations done but the NCL site is a little wonky at the moment, lol

33 days to go!

Great, thank you! See you on board :)

Thanks for the responses! Is there a way to see what the show times are before booking the cruise?

Hi there,

We are a family of 5 and new to NCL and have decided to book the Getaway for next month (8/22). I would like to choose the UDP as our free add on but am worried about getting reservations. I don't want to pay the 18% gratuity up front and then find out we can't get reservations! What are the odds that there will still be reservations available online at this point? If we can't get them online, how do we try to make the reservations once we are onboard?

Also, will we be able to get reservations for the shows at this point? And if we can't get those online, how do we book those when we get onboard?

I realize it is last minute but I don't want to book and then find out we can't see the shows or dine in the specialty restaurants. I also don't want to stress out the first day running around trying to get the different reservations, I am hoping it is a fairly easy process to do onboard.

Thanks for any input!

Two things I wanted to add:

Verify that your TA does not charge a cancellation fee.

What category are you booked in? Concierge bookings are non refundable, so I am not sure if they would allow you to cancel the first reservation. Maybe someone with this experience will chime in.

Enjoy your cruise!

I just wanted to add to check the first day's Navigator (daily schedule of events) regarding the wifi - when we sailed on the Wonder on 10/31, they offered a free wifi package if you signed up on the first day. I think it was on the back page of the Navigator. It wasn't a big package, but it gave you a little that you didn't have to pay for.

Just off the 5 day (with 2 sea days) Wonder yesterday and Anna and Elsa were there. It was listed in the Navigator to pick up tickets for Anna and Elsa and also for the princess meet and greet at Guest Services on the first day.

We go our assignment 12 days out.

Ok, thanks, sounds like I've got a couple more weeks to wait then.

Have a great cruise!

Hi, sorry no experience with the navigator's verandah but was wondering what your sail date is? We are waiting on our vgt assignments for the Wonder - sailing at the end of October.

Hi,

 

We are planning a Disney Cruise for January or February 2015. From what I've read on the boards thus far, we missed the window for booking when the itineraries were first released and prices won't get cheaper unless we want to do a last minute. Is there another option besides checking back everyday to get a better price? We booked 3 cruises for January and February of 2015 prior to them being released to the public and only one of them has the price risen slightly - the others are still the same as opening day, so don't feel bad about missing opening booking! If you book now, most cruises are fully refundable up until 75 days prior to cruising (concierge deposits are non refundable).

 

So here are some of my other questions

1. Besides space, what is the benefit of booking 2 rooms for a family of 5? From the searches I did on the Disney site, it is more expensive to book 2 rooms (we will be 2 adults, 3 kids aged 7, 5 and 1.) If you are looking to book a family verandah cabin for 5, sometimes it works out to be close to the same amount of $ to book 2 window or inside cabins. It can be nice to have connecting rooms so you can put the kids to bed in one room and still stay up in the other without worrying about disturbing them.

 

2. Where do I find the*GT special rates people keep referring to? And what is a GT rate? These rates usually don't get released until after the paid in full date for a particular sailing. They are very restricted in that you need to pay in full at time of booking, you cannot make any changes to the reservation, and you are not able to choose your own room. You choose IGT (inside room), OGT (outside room), or VGT (verandah room) and you will be assigned a room of Disney's choosing. Your room usually isn't assigned until a week or two before sailing. These rates also are not available to book for 5 people (unless you are booking 2 rooms).

 

3. Any tips from Canadians on where they fly from to get cheaper flights? We are in Ottawa.

 

4. We are not too picky on itinerary but would like to sail on the dream or fantasy. Best categories to look at for our family of five? We are a family of 5 and when our kids were close to your kids' ages, we would either book one family verandah, 2 lower category connecting verandah rooms or a 1 bed suite. We liked having the verandah so that we could still get to enjoy the outdoors while the kids were napping or after their bedtime and not feel like we were "stuck" in the room.

 

Thanks everyone!

Enjoy your cruise!