sarcher

Please stop comparing the NCL Breakaway Nor'Eastern to the Anthem of the Seas debacles. The Anthem of the Seas ship began breaking apart twice. The NCL Breakaway experienced flooding, which usually doesn't happen during a Nor'Eastern. However, I have sailed in 40 foot swells twice during Nor'Easterns, so what the Breakaway experienced is not out of the ordinary for winters out of NYC. Also, the Breakaway would have been diverted to Canada if it had been in the Anthem of the Seas situation.

Hooray!!! :D

The food on the newer ships (Breakaway, Escape, etc) is the best quality food. Overall, the food has been changing to be more in line with Frank Del Rio's tastes. In some ways it's better... much more variety in the main dining room. I don't like how the specialty restaurant food is changing. I think NCL is just catching it's swing from the way it used to do things.

We have an uncle that travels with us often and is dairy free. Do have the dietary restriction added to your reservation. However, you'll have to tell your waiter at the first restaurant that you have a restriction. They will direct you to the waiter that deals with dietary restrictions. Depending on the ship, you may have to order meals ahead of time with this person each day. Or, they may meet you at the restaurants you attend.

Never eat at the buffet unless you are 100% sure something is gluten/ dairy free. There is no particular way of knowing what is in buffet food. The ingredients change from day to day. You should be able to look at menus the day before and ask questions too. Gluten free and dairy free items often are one in the same at NCL. Or, they may have special items for you if the dietary restriction rep orders them.

Don't assume that your waiter is aware of your allergy, let them know when you sit down. Remember, some waiters are very knowledgeable about food restrictions and some aren't. This is why using the dietary restriction rep is essential.

Happy cruising.

Hello All... I am trying to make an educated decision between a NCL Haven Suite and a Suite on Royal. My DH and I are celebrating our anniversary after a roughy year of just life happening. We use to cruise more fequently, but it's been almost a year since our last cruise. We like cruising with RCL a little more than NCL bc the ships don't seem as crowed and it seems to be more entertainment. With that being said the Suite Perks on NCL far exceed what you receive on RCI. I also think the rooms are nicer on NCL. We have never cruised in a Suite before does it make much of a different ?

 

Thanks for any input!!!!

Jenn

That's a no brainer. Do NCL's Haven on one of the newest ships. Enjoy. :D

Small group of Friends going on Adventures of the Seas. Jan. 21st. Out of San Juan. You are welcome to Join. :D :)

I usually plan my cruises a year to 18 months in advance. Let me know about your next cruise in 2018 or later (when that happens). You can email me at archlab2001@yahoo.com .

There are cruise websites that allow you to fish through the history of cruise prices. :)

That link told me nothing about the price difference.

 

So, there is now a cost difference if you pre-buy vs buy on board? What is that difference?

Check out this thread: http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2167025

Which photo? If you went bowling with us & have the group picture from that, I was in the long purple dress, I won! I got a bottle of wine from Kyle/Ben for that! Not long after, Kyle (not Ben) sent out a FB message with some of our email addresses. That message is gone somehow, weird.

I think I remember you. My aunt was in last place and got the bottle of wine that you didn't drink. We finally opened it about a year ago.

Pricing is cheaper if you buy ahead of time. Personally, I would go on a cruise where UBP is complimentary.

https://www.ncl.com/terms/ultimate-beverage-package

He is!

 

Hey we were on the Gem together in 2013! Were you involved in that roll call and all the activities? That's the cruise we met Ben & Kyle!

Yeah, that was a fun cruise. Met a lot of great people. I was still a newbie at cruising back then. I've been cruising a bit more since finishing grad school... platinum with NCL after my next cruise. :)

Remind me of who you were, may'be in the photo.

Kyle's a great guy... this post kinda worried me at first, glad to hear that he's ok. :)

We have several certificates that we bought on our cruise in Nov. 2015. I have used future certificate certificates on Princess and HAL but never on NCL. When I booked with Princess and HAL the agent automatically applied the certificate when we booked the next cruise. We are booked on an NCL cruise for Dec 2016 and I am not seeing any certificates applied on our booking reservation. So, my question is....do the certificates need to be applied at time of original booking as a deposit or can I have it applied now to pay off the balance?

Thanks.

I would just call NCL and have them apply the certificate after booking. In the past NCL has had no issue with this. I'd be very surprised if this policy has changed.

Surprised this thread exists. I'm Steve from Lake Forest CA congregation. If you're going on a cruise that my signature corresponds to let me know. I cruise NCL about twice a year and the signature updates on old posts. :)

Sorry luvtheships;50679147 you are incorrect. Every time we purchased the certificates we received onboard credit. This is what happened in April 2016.

 

My DH and I purchased four CruiseNext Deposits on our Jade cruise this year for $1000 total. The offer on our cruise was if you purchased four (4) certificates/deposits you would get $500 OBC on the cruise we were on. We did purchase the four (4) certificates/deposits) and we did receive $500 OBC. So instead of the $1000.00 we paid for them we actually paid $500 as the other $500 was given to us as an OBC. This meant we had four (4) certificates for the price of two. This is the number to CruiseNext (866) 234-7352. I am sure they can explain which offers are available during which times on the ships as they change periodically much better than I can.

 

The CruiseNext Deposit may be used per stateroom. The $250 certificate may be used as a full deposit with the exception of specialty suites and the Haven which then may be used a partial deposit towards the full deposit.

 

In the past we have used our CruiseNext certificates to book our suites on the smaller NCL ships. This time however my DH could purchase a Haven CruiseNext Certificate or use one of our existing certificates and pay the rest of the deposit with a credit card. Since I already sent him the best price we could get through military TA (my husband is a Viet Nam Vet 3x) he decided to wait until he returned home.

 

For us the Certificates have been a good value. It is a personal choice should anyone decide to also purchase them.

You guys are both technically right. The last I heard (and observed myself) NCL uses credits and debits. So, if you purchased 4 CruiseNext certificates and just that... you would have a balance of $500 (debit) on your account. You have no obligation to spend the $500 credit that was given to you, it instantly takes effect and cuts your bill from $1000 down to $500.

NCL even allows you to cash out at the casino without actually playing. Exceptions to this are some onboard credits awarded before the cruise... it must be used or forfeit. Also, you cannot use onboard credit to pay for gratuities... which is why I pre-pay them.

Happy Cruising Everyone :)

Sarcher, how would you do that when the cruise is completely booked and paid for?

I would still speak with NCL... I don't see an issue as long as final payment isn't due yet... they can do rebooks that grab the current rate and specials without letting go of your room. They've been accommodating for many people in the past... even after final payment. There's no harm in asking for information. :)

I'm guilty of missing my last two M&Gs. For one particular M&G my travel companions did not want to go. For the other one we missed the ship during embarkation and had to catch it later. :mad:

I can't believe how many conflicting answers I have found to this question. Do all cabins on the NCL Spirit have a fridge? It seems many folks here on the forum say yes, but on the NCL website, it says no. We are in two inside cabins and are wondering if we should do the soda package or bring our own sodas/waters and restock a couple times in port. Warm soda would not be very appealing. Would someone who has been in an inside cabin recently confirm that we will definitely have a fridge?

 

By the way, this is our first NCL cruise, and we are on the July 6th Grand Med.

 

Thanks in advance!:)

NCL is basically giving away Unlimited Beverage Packages right now... I would see if you can modify your reservation and save money.

I am embarking next week on my first NCL cruise, and starting to question what I need to pack.

 

We have UDP, and are scheduled to eat mainly in either Cagneys or Moderno, with one night in La Cucina.

 

One of the things that got us excited about NCL was not needing to bring formal wear, but it appears that isn't necessarily the case.

 

Basically, what are we expected to wear? We don't necessary care about a formal picture with the captain, or any other pictures for that matter. We just don't want to look out of place.

 

For most nights, at Cagneys or Moderno, would a collared button down shirt and a pair of khakis be ok? For that matter, could I just do a collared pullover versus a button down? Will I regret not bringing a jacket? I believe the night we eat at La Cucina is the "dress up or not" night.

 

Thanks.

The outfit you've described is fine... you will probably be better dressed than 2/3 of your fellow guests. Pants and something nicer than a plane T-Shirt are what you should wear on NCL for dinner. :) A jacket is not necessary unless you would like to participate in the formal night... which I never go to.

Kinda irritated that the mini suites we paid over 1500 pp for are now down to less than 1100 pp one week out. Tried to get an upgrade a couple weeks ago when suites were the same price as mini suites. No luck since she said we had to pay the going rate from our original booking. Oh well guess that's the chance u take when you decide to plan ahead or wait for last minute. Now I don't know what I will plan to do for our next trip

Usually, NCL will let you pay the difference between the price you paid and the current price of the suite. You may have to upgrade to a higher priced cabin or get a manager to make an exception. Either way, I'd call back and speak to a different rep. If you're booking through a TA then things can be much more complicated... which is why I usually book through NCL directly.

I tried the suite life once and enjoyed it. Breakfast and lunch at Cagney's and priority embarkation/ disembarkation were nice. The concierge and butler were nothing special. I personally do not think it's worth it to book a suite unless you can get a really good deal. Like many others on this thread, I'd rather go on two cruises. We're doing it again next year because some of the specials NCL has been having lately make it more than worthwhile.

The Martini tastings are a great value. One Martini flight is equivalent to 3 Martinis in alcohol volume. So, you're getting $30 worth of alcohol for $15. :) The wine tastings are fun and educational, but not worth the money. You're getting perhaps one full glass of wine in total and most of the wines are low quality. :(