Help Please with Misc Questions

[GMoney]

I just booked a February cruise on Encore in a studio. I haven’t sailed NCL in years, and am looking for answers to a few questions. I may not have all the NCL lingo / branding correct. Thanks. 

 

1. Dining Package. I’ve purchased one, but see prices on the menu.  😳 How does this work?

 

2. Is there a pass to the thermal suite and how much is it?

 

3. The studio lounge appears to have a coffee machine. Is it free or charge?

 

4. Can the tv in the studio cabin be repositioned?

 

5. Is the ultimate WiFi really better than regular wifi?  Is there a tangible difference in speed?

[Pduaime]

We'll be on our first NCL cruise in February, so I don't have answers to most of your questions, but regarding the WiFi, I think it's labeled "unlimited",  not "ultimate", so I don't think the difference relates to the quality of usage, just the amount.  

[mjkacmom]

I believe the pass is $220 onboard or $200 if purchased ahead of time. If you have dining pass, if you eat at a la carte restaurants, you won’t pay.

[KeithJenner]

I'll answer what I can:

 

1. The prices are what you would pay if you didn't have the dining package. With the dining package you just order what you want, although you are restricted to one entree. There are some items which have an uncharge, and that is also stated on the menu.

 

3. Yes, it is free.

 

4. I've never tried, but I very much doubt it.

 

5. As above, I haven't seen the internet described as "ultimate". You can get packages which include a set number of minutes, or unlimited. The unlimited packages have different tiers. Social Media, which gives access to a limited number of sites, Standard, which doesn't have restrictions to sites, but doesn't include streaming etc., or premium, which includes everything.

Edited November 30, 2019 by KeithJenner

[Sauer-kraut]

23 hours ago, GMoney said:

I just booked a February cruise on Encore in a studio. I haven’t sailed NCL in years, and am looking for answers to a few questions. I may not have all the NCL lingo / branding correct. Thanks. 

 

1. Dining Package. I’ve purchased one, but see prices on the menu.  😳 How does this work?

You can order one entree and and many sides and appetizers as you wish.

 

2. Is there a pass to the thermal suite and how much is it?

$220 but you can pre purchase, you can take a tour once you board if you are undecided.

 

3,The studio lounge appears to have a coffee machine. Is it free or charge?

Free!!  A really good perk, and it makes hot chocolate as well.  There will be small snacks set out too, cookies in the afternoon, cereals in the morning.

 

4. Can the tv in the studio cabin be repositioned?

Only angled, you can't move it.  You can lie in bed and watch it laying on your side.

 

5. Is the ultimate WiFi really better than regular wifi?  Is there a tangible difference in speed?

Answers in red

Have fun!!

[brookie848]

Please note that when eating on the dining package, you will often be told one appetizer, one entree, one dessert by the server. The only part of this that is correct is the one entree.

 

The terms and conditions on the dining package are pretty easy to find on NCL's website. I always print a copy of those out and bring them along with the rest of my paperwork just in case, but we've not had any issues -- mainly because we usually only order one appetizer and one dessert. 😀

[mking8288]

On satellite WiFi, Unlimited Premium WiFi (with Streaming) is priced $5.00 higher per day (currently at $34.99 per day) than Unlimited WiFi without streaming.  Otherwise, speed is dynamically cached and the same ... friends just came off the Bliss this morning, they paid/expensed the costs being self-employed.  There is no "ultimate" difference - just a matter of opening/closing off those UDP/TCP ports (comm endpoints) behind/at the firewalled servers to allow/block streaming of data.  

 

With extremely high latency at sea, streaming will remain a challenge depending on numerous factors - slow/similar to old copper DSL over landline ... especially if you compare it to Royal's Voom or Princess's newest satellite tech, using different signals at lower earth orbits vs. NCL's 

[GMoney]

Thank you all very much