TrumpyNor

We did Mediterranean cruises both on the Gem and the Escape last summer, and on both ships towards the end of the cruise they were actually selling "port t-shirts" for $10. And with Norwegian Cruise Line printed on them as well.

Just quoting myself in order to let others here know that the "one time price-drop FCC" is valid also in case of a price-drop after final payment on your original cabin type even though you have received a Diamond upgrade to a higher category cabin. I noticed earlier this week that on our upcoming cruise for August 2023, there had been a significant price-drop on obstructed oceanview cabins (our originally booked cabin category), so I asked for FCC for the difference even though we have received a Diamond upgrade to a balcony cabin for that cruise. Yesterday I received the confirmation that on completion of our cruise, we will receive a total FCC of $1700.

Just follow the instructions on the top of the page here: https://boards.cruisecritic.com/forum/307-norwegian-gem-roll-calls/

We have a booked cruise for August 4-August 15, 2023 where there was a (to me) significant pricedrop after final payment, so I contacted NCL to request for the price-drop FCC, and yesterday received the e-mail stating that we in total got a FCC in the amount of $1700. We have already a cruise booked for August 2024, that starts on August 15 - where I am thinking of cancelling and rebooking as using the FCC would make the total price only half of what it is currently. But as English is not my first language, I am a little uncertain regarding the meaning of the following wording in the FCC e-mail I received from NCL: These credits will be available for one year to book and sail, upon completion of your current sailing on Debarkation Day. As my 2023-cruise embarks on August 4th and debarks on August 15th - does that mean that I can use the FCC for my 2024-cruise or not, as the embarkation date is August 15th? Or does it mean that I can only use the FCC for cruises that starts at no later date than August 14th, 2024? Or does it mean that in order to use the FCC the cruise has to be completed by August 15th? Or is my actual "date limit" that the cruise where I can use the FCC has to be completed by August 4th, 2024 as August 4th 2023 is the embarkation date for the cruise where I will have the FCC available upon completion of... For those of you who have English as your first language, this is probably a very "stupid" question - but I have actually managed to confuse myself very much in this matter.... So all replies from someone who can tell me the actual meaning of that sentence when it comes to price-drop FCC will be highly appreciated.

Shared yes - but only one at the time.

Yes, in addition to English. They often add this on some of the European cruises if the cruise has many Spanish or German speaking passengers - there should be a box that you have to "check" if you want guiding in any of those languages.

You will get the current Free At Sea offer for club balcony cabins - it may be different from the FAS offer you got at the time of doing your original reservation. If the current offer includes more specialty dining for a club balcony than you had in your original booking, then that is what you will get. Note that also other FAS perks may be different now than they were at the time of booking your original reservation. Some times these changes are "better" than originally offered, and some times they are actually the opposite...

I actually believe that it is now an official policy - as below is the reply I received from my PCC at NCL yesterday when I by e-mail asked for the possibility of FCC in regards to a significant price drop for my upcoming cruise in a few months: Quote: I can send the request to our Price Drop team for them to look into and determine if it is applicable. Keep in mind, this can only be done one time, so it is up to you if you want me to send that request now or wait and see what the pricing does as we get closer to the sailing. This request can be sent in all the way up until 16 days out from the sailing. End of quote.

The agent obviously have quoted the price of a private transfer for you (door-to-door-service), that is always rather expensive. I advice you to just take a regular taxi from outside the terminal at the airport and directly to your hotel, price would be around $35 if I remember correctly.

Thank you for posting this update, as it may help others.

Both my husband and myself take a large number of different prescribed medication on a daily basis (all original boxes/bottles would take up a significant space in a suitcase), and when on vacation (both cruises and land vacations) we just bring the medication in "pill-organizers" - but do however have all original prescriptions available online through the Norwegian health care authorities. We travel internationally several times every year, and it has never been a problem. When crossing international borders with larger numbers of medication, as far as I know you are obliged to either keep it in original bottles with your name on it OR be able to provide an original prescription in your name.

We had a club balcony "suite" on the Gem last summer, and allthough we were only 2 persons so didn't use the coach to sleep - it has a decent sice when in "regular position", with the width of what we in Norway call a "3-seater". Here are some other photos from the cabin:

The "two hour rule" is only for embarkation day (the very first day of your cruise). In all other ports on your cruise itinerary it is "all aboard" 30 minutes before the scheduled sailing time. And yes, they are strict with the 30 min. rule. In tender ports they always announce when the last tender will go back to the ship, it is often about 60 min. before the scheduled sailing time. Usually there is a long waiting line for the tenders when it gets close to sailing time.

As others have pointed out, unfortunately it will not be possible to see the northern lights/aka Aurora Borealis during your cruise. The fact is that the northern lights actually happens year round, but they are "invisible" because of the "lack of darkness". But the 24 hours sunshine/day light you will experience can also be fascinating and "exotic". I am pretty certain your cruise will be a great and different experience anyway. 😊

These photos are from the pool deck on the Escape last summer - I have no idea if they actually enforced it as I usually look for more quiet places than the pool deck to sunbade...

Since I pay gratuities for my FAS drink package, I never pay any extra tip when ordering a regular drink from the menu. And I have not experienced bad service because of that...! If I asked for something special that was not on the regular menu, then I would probably give $1-$2 per order (either by cash or ask for a slip and then add extra tips there). Many replies in this thread makes it seem like the majority of passengers on board give extra cash tips with every drink order - and that is NOT the case/nor the norm. Extra tipping is completely optional and at your discretion - and if you choose to not tip "twice" then that is completely fine too...

NCL shore excursion priority is ONLY for tender ports. And in Santorini, you have no choice but to get tendering from NCL in to the "regular port" where the cable car station is located. And for your information most private shore excursions for Santorini island are available from the upper cable car station - in Fira town (the capital of Santorini), not from the old port. There are also boat tours that goes from the regular Santorini port to the old port, ticket office is located on the pier.

I actually believe that NCL offers various flavored water in their buffet restaurants (free of charge) - I am not sure that is with bubbles though....

That obviously varies a bit then, as we have been to Bergen with NCL twice in recent years - once with the Star and once with the Jade, and both times we docked where it is marked on the map as Cruise Terminal Bergen. This photo is taken from the Fløien mountain and it shows the Star on the right hand side of the photo.... And even if the ship is docking at the Jektevikstermal this time, it is still less than 20 minutes walk from the pier to the funicular station.... So the essence of my reply would be the same anyway. 😊

Yes, if you plan your day well. For the Ulriken cable car we experienced a very long line to get "on board", as the weather was very nice that day and "everyone" seemed to be waiting in that line. Would probably be a good idea to get there early in the morning, then when you are back down take a taxi from the lower station if the Ulriken cable car to the Fløibanen funicular, and after that just explore the city on foot.

Actually there are two different "funiculars" in Bergen, and both offer spectacular views and are worth a visit, as the views are very different - and the "way to the top" is also very different. We have done both while visiting Bergen on a cruise - allthough on two different occasions. The photos below I have taken myself. The more touristic Fløibanen is a regular funicular up the steep hill and offers a nice view over the city centre of Bergen and its surroundings: And the other one is a regular cable car, it is called Ulrikenbanen and takes you to the top of Ulriken mountain (a popular spot for the locals to go hiking). And the view from there is even more spectacular:

Actually the funicular station of Fløibanen is located less than 20 minutes walking distance from the port, so not really any need for bus transportation unless you have difficulties walking.

Nope, not in suite or Haven. Maybe just some extra "non-official" benefit as we were only ones onboard with Diamond status? I didn't realize that the complimentary Latitudes sparkling wine was not offered anymore....

Personally I love prosecco, "all types", but I really dislike the Duc sparkling wine NCL for years used to offer (and maybe still does?) as complimentary welcome for Latitude members. Last year we went back to cruising again for the first time after covid - and did two NCL cruises with the Gem and the Escape in July/August 2022. A nice surprise that on both occasions we received a proper prosecco and NOT the Duc on embarkation day. I honestly thought that NCL finally had gotten rid of their entire stock of Duc and now were offering actual prosecco instead. But maybe the explanation was just that both cruises started in an Italian port..... Well, we were satisfied as it definitely tasted MUCH better than the Duc...

When we did a Mediterranean cruise with NCL in May 2019, and the only place we could watch the Eurovison finale on board, was in our stateroom. It was one of the European channels offered, and it was not English spoken (could have been Spanish, but unfortunately I don't remember anything specific. But as the finale is usually broadcasted bi- or tri-lingual anyway, that was not a problem.