kirsty_r

Are non-alcoholic milkshakes included??

I got one too..i thought it was linked to latitudes .

Where exactly did the tour bus drop passengers off once you got to Gibraltar?

Thanks!

I've booked this and could tell you when i get back in Feb?

does anyone know how this corresponds to European ports? Especially those that have a non-EU port ie don't pay the Spanish tax....

my room steward has left 2-3 in the room with the dailies towards the end of the cruise, and sometimes they might be on the table in the dining room, but never had anyone push any to be completed.

I believe ncl's demographics vary by ship - the newer ships much more family friendly and younger couple type, the older ships better suited to the older generation.

I don't mind the cost of the add on's - as you get that anywhere, and you can choose a cheaper cruise with no add ons, or a more expensive cruise by buying more... its your choice.

Also with entertainment, the last thing you want is to miss shows, or have to choose between one or another, I think ncl get the variety and timing spot on.

I would bring my own things to flavour water... in the uk we have loads of 'squash' flavours as we call them and they are all sugar free.

iced tea, water, lemonade and other flavoured water stuff, hot tea/coffee/hot chocolate, fruit juice at breakfast(not the freshly juiced), milk.

Yes my dear!!! We'll have to share a toast ;-) :D

Most definitely!! :)

No, the $15 is the limit on the listed price, before gratuity. Even if the total amount on the ticket ends up going over $15 because of the auto-gratuity, the drink is still completely covered by the UBP.

This is totally correct!! :)

Just wondering how come on NCL epic for the dec 19th cruise that no dining options are showing for that day

I had the same for 31st Jan on EPIC, I called and they could book over phone so it was a website glitch for me.

Small update and useful info for anyone cancelling a cruise wedding ;)

 

Finally opted to cancel wedding with ROE, we'll get married at home with our family the day we fly out for the cruise.

 

Good to know info: of course there are cancellation fees, to be expected. I've no problem with that. But the cancellation fees are not as advertised in the wedding brochure given by NCL. The subcontractor slaps on an extra cancellation fee... (example: 300$ advertised + 150$ for subcontractor).

 

On a positive note: less fretting over wedding dress transportation by plane :-)

No surprise there!! Ouch!!

Good thing is we are on honeymoon together!! :)

I'm a Brit and I like poutine!

 

now if only they'd get some black pudding in there for breakfast....

a proper slice of bacon, and a british sausage... although i think british style sausage is occasionally available ;)

There I was thinking O'sheehans was irish/british style, and up pops poutine!!

you can definitely get the menus - the folk with food allergies get a set so they can decide where to dine on which days. :) The joys of travelling with someone with a food allergy. Maybe ask one of the restaurant managers.

I like the fact there is the choice of good quality lobster and large prime rib versus the smaller complimentary steak options. As others have said, when in a large group it is enabling those that want these options to pay the upcharge. I don't see it as such a big deal. It also gives those with onboard credit another option to spend it.

mmmm!! hopefully these will make their way to EPIC in the new year... yummy!!

Why pay the cruise line anything more than required deposit prior to final payment due date? Put the money in your own bank account and pay it when due. Should something happen and you cannot go on your cruise, do you want to fight with them to get your payments refunded?

 

sometimes its easier to pay while you remember... I paid mine prior to final date.

Thanks to all who have posted with photos and information. I will be on the Epic for the first time in April with a solo cabin in the Studio. Does anyone have information about changes there. I am hoping that they kept the original coffee machines there, as I truly enjoyed that perk on my cruise on the Breakaway last year.

Thanks again!

I haven't heard about any changes, I imagine they probably kept that coffee machine. :) the officers also use it, so there would be uproar if it went!! If the door is still open I will sneak in for a peek in January!

Hey, we are not experienced cruisers. So far we have sailed 3 times, all with carnival. I'm currently looking at booking the NCL Epic next year. I have read a lot of posts here as well as checked the NCL website but still remained confused on some stuff. I hope you guys don't mind me asking a few questions.

 

If there enough free dining rooms to eat dinner at night within purchasing the dining package? And if so is the food decent?

If we do book the dining package can it be done later on or must it be done at the time of the booking?

Can you order Anything at the listed restaurants in the package?

We will purchase the beverage package, can this be used while in thee specialty restaurants?

Is there a limit to the amount of drinks you can get on the beverage package per day?

Shows? are they free or are we required to purchase tickets?

 

And one final question. If you could list one thing that you love about NCL, what would it be?

 

Thanks for any help

Rob

There is always space to eat for free, in the buffet, o'sheehans or the MDR's or shanghais. You occasionally at primetime need to wait 15-20mins for a table. I enjoy the food - and have only eaten once in a speciality dining option (cirque show)

I think you can purchase dining onboard, but maybe only on the first day. You can make reservations for speciality restaurants onboard without the package. The package T&C's are changing all the time, there is talk of a la carte pricing, and its unclear at present what this will mean for package guests.

No limit on drinks and yes can be used anywhere on ship including restaurants.

Most shows are free (Priscilla and burn the floor, howl at the moon, beatles etc) The only pay one is cirque dreams which comes with a meal. You can reserve from 90 days out for the main shows.

The thing I love about NCL is freestyle - dine when you want, where you want with whoever you want, and dress up if you want or just smart casual if not!!

I've only ever paid to see cirque on 1 cruise, the rest have all been complimentary - I love the range in the buffet, and always find multiple dishes on the MDR menu. O'sheehans is great late night... you will survive.

I am on this cruise & hoping to get off by 7am to visit a friend on the Diadema which is also in port that day. Disembarkation from 6am would be perfect. From previous cruises it looks like the epic reaches Barcelona at 3am?

officially arrives at 5 but i have been docked at 4:30 before. All depends on port staff to receive vessel, and weather conditions etc. Certainly announcements to disembark started around 6-6:30 when I was onboard, even though we docked earlier.

i would say if you wanted to do it that way use a US TA. Someone else on here booked in US and their reservation appears to have got transferred to the EU site.

I've always managed to get really good deals using a UK based NCL cruise consultant though, sometimes onboard credit, other times free meals/shore excursions on top of the usual deals. They can't usually discount the cabin price though, but can throw in extras.

Hi Suzanne we a have similar plans regarding early dining. What are the main differences between the two MDRs (The Manhattan and Taste)?

I heard that Moderno is nice as a speciality dining room. May I ask you what charge you are seeing for Cirque Dreams as there seems to be some differential pricing there based on location or other factors?

both manhattan and taste have similar menus, but manhattan is the dressier venue. Sometimes there is ballroom dancing/swing band etc, but then I've been in taste with piano's and violin playing...

Taste is more a smart casual restaurant in comparison - I prefer it, but each to their own.

Cirque has 2 price bands I believe - premium seating is upstairs.

on the EPIC and the Star we gave our 'slips' to our steward and they were put in our room on the last evening for packing. Maybe different ships have different protocols?