A quick few NCL Newbie Questions

[jetteh22]

Ahoy, NCL'ers!

 

I'm not new to cruising (though I'm not a cruising vet by any means but I do love it!) but I am new to NCL to I have a few questions regarding cruising on NCL. I didn't do too much searching/reading on the boards because I see too many negative threads and I just like to ignore those and form my own opinion so I don't get ideas stuck in my head before I even go on and I don't have a lot of time so I hoped to streamline some stuff.

 

1) Ultimate Beverage Package - Unlimited?

The last cruise we went on Carnival had the unlimited drinking package but if I remember correctly it wasn't actually unlimited (limited to 15 drinks per person which I wouldn't drink that much anyways). We got this for free with booking our cruise and I probably won't drink more than 4-5 drinks per day but I just wanted to check on this package... Is it REALLY unlimited?

 

2) Ultimate Beverage Package - Convenience?

Do the bartenders/service staff treat you any differently? Do you have to go to an actual bar area to get a drink or do wait staff who walk around and such also provide you with these drinks? And the sales person assured me that we can actually use the package ON their private island too which is awesome for a beach day so if that's not true please let me know.

 

3) Ultimate Beverage Package - Tipping?

When you purchase drinks I assume they automatically add a tip to each purchase... How do you 'tip' the bartender when you have the ultimate beverage package? Cash? Or are we even 'supposed' to tip them?

 

4) What IS freestyle cruising?

The main reason we wanted to try NCL was because I've heard quite a few people say they loved NCL and their 'freestyle' cruising... What about NCL is different from another cruise line (Carnival, for instance)?

 

5) Private island (Half moon cay?)

I didn't want to pay for a 'small' cabana because I feel like the price isn't worth it for two people.. Do they have free or rental umbrellas or any sort of shaded area we can sit on the beach and relax?

 

Luggage tags??

Carnival provides luggage tags with the printable tickets and such. I don't see this for NCL. Do they do this at the port or do we carry on our luggage and take it to our room ourselves?

I may have more questions as some of these are answered so any help at all would be appreciated!

Edited April 1, 2015 by jetteh22
Another question...

[Bettytrouble]

The UBP is awesome. We have had no problems receiving service nor have we been limited on number of drinks. But I haven't tried to drink 15 drinks, either.

 

You do not have to add a gratuity, but if you want to you can add it to your check or give the bartender cash.

 

I cannot compare Carnival to NCL because I don't like Carnival and it wouldn't be fair!

 

Freestyle means whatever you want it to- no dress up nights required, eat when and where you want - however, you may need ressies for the more popular venues..trying to define"freestyle cruising" , which is simply a catch-phrase slogan, is like trying to define " just get out there" or "fun ship". The original intent Freestyle seems to have been diluted as even some shows need reservations now, which limits your Free- dom.

 

You picked a bad day to ask questions- some changes have taken place on NCL and in the company and you will read a lot of mis-information. Plus it's April Fool's Day.

 

Have a great trip! Awesome having the free UBP

[Bettytrouble]

I just saw your signature. I have not been on a 3 night cruise, so none of my answers may apply!

Oops- yes, you can print up luggage tags once all your e-docs are ready. You cannot print them too far ahead of your cruise date. If you are in a suite you will be mailed the old- fashioned kind.

Edited April 1, 2015 by Bettytrouble

[Dorhead1230]

I am only going to comment on those questions that I believe I can answer confidently, as I don't want to give you incorrect information.

 

 

1) Ultimate Beverage Package - Unlimited?

The last cruise we went on Carnival had the unlimited drinking package but if I remember correctly it wasn't actually unlimited (limited to 15 drinks per person which I wouldn't drink that much anyways). We got this for free with booking our cruise and I probably won't drink more than 4-5 drinks per day but I just wanted to check on this package... Is it REALLY unlimited? Yes, it is unlimited, all drinks up to $11. I suppose they would only cut you off if you're sloppy drunk or disruptive, although I've seen some of them, too :p.

 

3) Ultimate Beverage Package - Tipping?

When you purchase drinks I assume they automatically add a tip to each purchase... How do you 'tip' the bartender when you have the ultimate beverage package? Cash? Or are we even 'supposed' to tip them? There is an 18% gratuity on each drink that is covered under your UBP. You need not tip extra. I can only compare this to the casino drink cards my boyfriend and I have received on our cruises. We pretty much only drink in the casino, as we don't hang out by the pool or sit at bars much, and we do tip $1 per drink as we are not paying for them anyway. But, hey, that's just us, and the gratuities are included in your drink package.

 

4) What IS freestyle cruising?

The main reason we wanted to try NCL was because I've heard quite a few people say they loved NCL and their 'freestyle' cruising... What about NCL is different from another cruise line (Carnival, for instance)? Freestyle applies mainly to the fact that there are no set dining times or table assignments, and there is also a very casual dress code, with no formal nights. My boyfriend and I have enjoyed this very much as we don't like to feel forced into a particular schedule each day, nor do we like the idea of dining with strangers. He also isn't particularly into having to really dress up.

 

5) Private island (Half moon cay?)

I didn't want to pay for a 'small' cabana because I feel like the price isn't worth it for two people.. Do they have free or rental umbrellas or any sort of shaded area we can sit on the beach and relax? We did get a small cabana on Great Stirrup Cay last summer, but we split it with another couple we met on the roll call. I am pretty cheap, but boy oh boy was it worth every penny! There isn't a whole lot of natural shade, but if you get off the ship early and don't mind walking down a little farther from the main part of the beach, you can probably stake out some chairs in a shady area. You can also rent a clamshell for shade, but I've read that they can get really hot if they are not the ones with the mesh, and also that if you're not in the front row, you just end up with a view of rows of clamshells!

 

Luggage tags??

Carnival provides luggage tags with the printable tickets and such. I don't see this for NCL. Do they do this at the port or do we carry on our luggage and take it to our room ourselves? You should be able to print your luggage tags once you complete your online check-in on MyNCL. You will leave your luggage (except carry-ons, of course) with porters at the port.

[NYteacher]

There are umbrella type things to rent but I'm having a mental hiccup and can't remember their actual name. Ok, clamshells--just remembered. They do get hot but it helps to prop up the rear with your beach bag. That little bit of cross ventilation makes a huge difference. Half Moon Cay is the name of Carnival's private island. NCL's is called Great Stirrup Cay.

 

I am about to try the UBP in four days myself. I have read that there is no problem in getting served. My private suggestion is that if you have a favorite bar, a little tipping will not go amiss. The UBP does not include bottled water, energy drinks, or specialty coffee (lattes, etc).

 

Have fun.

Edited April 1, 2015 by NYteacher

[vanchelle]

Ahoy, NCL'ers!

 

I'm not new to cruising (though I'm not a cruising vet by any means but I do love it!) but I am new to NCL to I have a few questions regarding cruising on NCL. I didn't do too much searching/reading on the boards because I see too many negative threads and I just like to ignore those and form my own opinion so I don't get ideas stuck in my head before I even go on and I don't have a lot of time so I hoped to streamline some stuff.

 

1) Ultimate Beverage Package - Unlimited?

The last cruise we went on Carnival had the unlimited drinking package but if I remember correctly it wasn't actually unlimited (limited to 15 drinks per person which I wouldn't drink that much anyways). We got this for free with booking our cruise and I probably won't drink more than 4-5 drinks per day but I just wanted to check on this package... Is it REALLY unlimited?

 

2) Ultimate Beverage Package - Convenience?

Do the bartenders/service staff treat you any differently? Do you have to go to an actual bar area to get a drink or do wait staff who walk around and such also provide you with these drinks? And the sales person assured me that we can actually use the package ON their private island too which is awesome for a beach day so if that's not true please let me know.

 

3) Ultimate Beverage Package - Tipping?

When you purchase drinks I assume they automatically add a tip to each purchase... How do you 'tip' the bartender when you have the ultimate beverage package? Cash? Or are we even 'supposed' to tip them?

 

4) What IS freestyle cruising?

The main reason we wanted to try NCL was because I've heard quite a few people say they loved NCL and their 'freestyle' cruising... What about NCL is different from another cruise line (Carnival, for instance)?

 

5) Private island (Half moon cay?)

I didn't want to pay for a 'small' cabana because I feel like the price isn't worth it for two people.. Do they have free or rental umbrellas or any sort of shaded area we can sit on the beach and relax?

 

Luggage tags??

Carnival provides luggage tags with the printable tickets and such. I don't see this for NCL. Do they do this at the port or do we carry on our luggage and take it to our room ourselves?

I may have more questions as some of these are answered so any help at all would be appreciated!

 

Luggage tags---you can print them from myncl. When you click on "my edocs" there's a "print" logo on right side I believe and it says next to the print: "luggage tags" on pg 1 of edocs.

When u click it, the luggage tag pops up so up can print them out:) they have your cabin number and color. (Can still print in b+w)

You write in your contact info, fold and staple.....just like carnival:)

 

 

Sent from my KFSOWI using Tapatalk

[jetteh22]

Thanks everyone for your help! Greatly appreciated and so excited!

[tanyaewa]

Loved all the info! Thx to the OP for the great questions

[jetteh22]

Luggage tags---you can print them from myncl. When you click on "my edocs" there's a "print" logo on right side I believe and it says next to the print: "luggage tags" on pg 1 of edocs.

When u click it, the luggage tag pops up so up can print them out:) they have your cabin number and color. (Can still print in b+w)

You write in your contact info, fold and staple.....just like carnival:)

 

 

Sent from my KFSOWI using Tapatalk

 

Thanks for the info but I am not seeing it. The only thing I see is a "Download E-Docs" link which I click and then it pops up in a new window with the documents, etc, etc with no luggage tags. The only other thing I can click on there is "Print this document" with no option for luggage tags.. just automatically goes to my print screen when I click the button.

 

I tried using the 'download e-docs' link on MyNCL and also using the link from the email I received saying my e-docs are ready.

[Monker2001]

Once your e-docs are up there is a very tiny caption that reads print luggage tags here. It will pop up.

It is under the header "At The Pier" and there is a suitcase emblem....just double click on that and it will pop up.

[jetteh22]

Once your e-docs are up there is a very tiny caption that reads print luggage tags here. It will pop up.

It is under the header "At The Pier" and there is a suitcase emblem....just double click on that and it will pop up.

 

Thanks found it!!!!