New to NCL

[JanNSteH]

Hi, 

Looking to the future and considering the Bliss or Encore.  Can someone explain the spa balcony rooms to me.  If I book this type of room, are spa treatments included?  If so, what would it be.  Also saw something about Thermal Suites.  What is this?  Also how many pools are on this ship.  Read somewhere that there are some dedicated to be used by Haven suite passengers only.  Is this true?  Sorry for the questions but I've been true a true RCL cruiser.  Looking to expand now.  Thanks,

Jan

[beerman2]

Have sailed Bliss, Spa Balcony doesn't include treatments but does let you use the thermal Spa area. Which is very nice!

 

Bliss has an area called the Vibe ( extra fee and usually have to be one of the first ones on) no pool but a couple of hot tubs, your own private bar, padded loungers with umbrellas, plenty of towels, restrooms, continental breakfast, cold wash cloths to cool down, carafes of water infused with fruit, fresh fruit skewers, bartender and 1 server ( also bartends)

 

Haven is an exclusive area  and I believe has its own pool/bar/restaurant.

 

 

 

Edited October 26, 2020 by beerman2

[Two Wheels Only]

26 minutes ago, JanNSteH said:

Can someone explain the spa balcony rooms to me.

 

Spa balcony - "These staterooms feature tranquil spa décor and include two lower beds that convert to a queen-size bed, a single sofa bed, easy access to the adjacent Mandara Spa and fitness center, as well as complimentary access to the Thermal Suite during regular Spa hours."

 

 

26 minutes ago, JanNSteH said:

If I book this type of room, are spa treatments included?

 

No. 

 

26 minutes ago, JanNSteH said:

Also saw something about Thermal Suites.  What is this?

 

Haven Spa Suite - "The perfect way to experience a total spa vacation, the Spa Suites include a king-size bed, hot tub, spa décor, easy access to the adjacent Mandara Spa and fitness center, as well as complimentary access to the Thermal Suite. Access to The Haven."

 

There are also Spa Club Balcony Suites - "Spa Club Balcony Suites feature tranquil spa décor and include a queen-size bed, oversized waterfall shower and multiple body spray jets, easy access to the adjacent Mandara Spa and fitness center, as well as complimentary access to the Thermal Suite during regular Spa hours." which include some Club perks. 

 

 

26 minutes ago, JanNSteH said:

 Also how many pools are on this ship.

 

1 pool for adults only, 1 pool for all ages, 1 indoor pool for those with Spa access, 1 pool for Haven guests. 

Multiple hot-tubs on the ship. Some for all ages, some for adults-only.  

 

26 minutes ago, JanNSteH said:

Read somewhere that there are some dedicated to be used by Haven suite passengers only.  Is this true?

 

The 1 pool in the Haven is only for Haven guests. Hot-tubs in the Haven are also only for Haven guests. 

 

 

Edited October 26, 2020 by Two Wheels Only

[Two Wheels Only]

Bliss...

 

 

Edited October 27, 2020 by Two Wheels Only

[JanNSteH]

Hi, thank you for the quick responses.

 

the vibe area - what are the fees and what’s it mean to be first one on?

Edited October 27, 2020 by JanNSteH

[BirdTravels]

To be first on, you need

to queue early in the morning before the terminal opens. Try to get the earliest boarding group. Then push and shove and run to the ticket distribution center to try and get a pass. There are 80-300 passes available for the 4500 passengers. And there are passengers who board early because of their status, so even if you are the first general boarding passenger, passes may be sold out. 

[farmersfight]

5 hours ago, JanNSteH said:

the vibe area - what are the fees and what’s it mean to be first one on?

 

5 hours ago, BirdTravels said:

Then push and shove and run to the ticket distribution center to try and get a pass.

 

Kind of like this;

 

 

NCL passengers can be ruthless when vying for those Vibe passes...

 

 

[beerman2]

6 hours ago, JanNSteH said:

Hi, thank you for the quick responses.

 

the vibe area - what are the fees and what’s it mean to be first one on?

I think the fee is up to 225.00 per person for the week. It was a deal when it was 99.00 but with supply and demand NCL took advantage.

 

Don't know if I would pay the 225.00 now, but it was certainly a great experience for us , getting there at anytime of the day and getting a lounger. Not to mention " shot o'clock" where the bartenders would just line up various shots for those that wanted.

[JanNSteH]

So if I get a spa balcony, I would have access to the thermal suites to use.  Silly question, but would I also have access to use the pool in the spa area?  

 

As the Vibe, it would be a nice perk but it doesn’t sound great to have to push and shove your way to try and get a pass especially when it’s first come, first serve.

 

With RCL, we are given boarding times within a certain window to board.  This eliminates a back log of passengers all coming in at the same time.  It seems everyone wants to get there first.  I’m  surprised that NCL does not have something like this in place.

 

Again, thanks for all the information given already.  It’s very helpful.

 

Jan

 

[MeHeartCruising]

1 hour ago, JanNSteH said:

So if I get a spa balcony, I would have access to the thermal suites to use.  Silly question, but would I also have access to use the pool in the spa area?

 

 

Yes, the pool in the spa is part of the thermal spa.  You get access to everything in the thermal spa.  You just don't get any "spa treatments" that involve other people doing things to you -- massage, acupuncture, mani/pedicures, etc.

 

It is a warm (some might find it too warm?) and relaxing spot.  However, if you have loud people in there, the relaxation can be tested at times.  On the Getaway, I found that it was a quiet area, however, so quiet that when people carried on conversations above a whisper, I found it annoying when they chit-chatted the entire time they were there.  Sort of like being in a library.  

[beerman2]

2 hours ago, JanNSteH said:

So if I get a spa balcony, I would have access to the thermal suites to use.  Silly question, but would I also have access to use the pool in the spa area?  

 

As the Vibe, it would be a nice perk but it doesn’t sound great to have to push and shove your way to try and get a pass especially when it’s first come, first serve.

 

With RCL, we are given boarding times within a certain window to board.  This eliminates a back log of passengers all coming in at the same time.  It seems everyone wants to get there first.  I’m  surprised that NCL does not have something like this in place.

 

Again, thanks for all the information given already.  It’s very helpful.

 

Jan

 

You can get on a wait list for Vibe if sold out. 

 

The hydrotherapy pool in the spa is fantastic. Just make sure you have your balance under the waterfall spout.  

[Two Wheels Only]

3 hours ago, JanNSteH said:

With RCL, we are given boarding times within a certain window to board.  This eliminates a back log of passengers all coming in at the same time.  It seems everyone wants to get there first.  I’m  surprised that NCL does not have something like this in place.

 

NCL has something similar but the times aren't enforced. People arrive whenever they want. There are ways to get priority boarding (able to board before general boarding begins) which allows people to arrive just before general boarding begins and they are able to get VIBE passes without having to rush to beat the masses. If sailing NCL for the first time, you can get priority boarding by booking (or upgrading to) a suite or by purchasing a Priority Access Pass which comes with a few perks (see HERE) in addition to priority boarding.  

[smplybcause]

4 hours ago, JanNSteH said:

So if I get a spa balcony, I would have access to the thermal suites to use.  Silly question, but would I also have access to use the pool in the spa area?  

 

As the Vibe, it would be a nice perk but it doesn’t sound great to have to push and shove your way to try and get a pass especially when it’s first come, first serve.

 

With RCL, we are given boarding times within a certain window to board.  This eliminates a back log of passengers all coming in at the same time.  It seems everyone wants to get there first.  I’m  surprised that NCL does not have something like this in place.

 

Again, thanks for all the information given already.  It’s very helpful.

 

Jan

 

 

NCL does the same thing. But just like RCL the times aren't enforced. I've always gotten to the port whenever I wanted for both RCL and NCL and neither cared if my checkin time was still a couple hours away.

 

Though in this new covid world that might change. 

[JanNSteH]

Thank you ALL for your answers.  We are thinking of doing a Panama Canal cruise in 2022 so all of your answers are a great help.  We've cruised pretty much exclusively with RCL but what's listed for Panama Canal on RCL isn't cutting it for us this time around.  NCL seems to have more dates and ships for us to choose from.  Currently looking at the Bliss.  This trip will be for four couples.  Will need to discuss with all of them before a decision can be made.  I welcome anyone to chime in and let me know of their experience on the Bliss and NCL as I'm sure I have more questions that I have not thought of yet.

 

I love reading these boards as I get quite a wealth of good information from cruisers.

 

Again thank you!   

[smplybcause]

14 minutes ago, JanNSteH said:

Thank you ALL for your answers.  We are thinking of doing a Panama Canal cruise in 2022 so all of your answers are a great help.  We've cruised pretty much exclusively with RCL but what's listed for Panama Canal on RCL isn't cutting it for us this time around.  NCL seems to have more dates and ships for us to choose from.  Currently looking at the Bliss.  This trip will be for four couples.  Will need to discuss with all of them before a decision can be made.  I welcome anyone to chime in and let me know of their experience on the Bliss and NCL as I'm sure I have more questions that I have not thought of yet.

 

I love reading these boards as I get quite a wealth of good information from cruisers.

 

Again thank you!   

 

I liked the Bliss. I did it for Alaska and it's definitely great for not bathing suit weather all the time. I have asthma so I think it ranks as my favorite NCL ship due to it having the smoking part of the casino walled in and a very small smoking area up top. 

 

My cruises are split probably around 60/40 NCL/RCL. The main reason NCL has more is because they are more solo friendly than RCL in both cost and atmosphere on the ship. I also like the drink package and solo + drinks on NCL is almost always cheaper than solo + drinks on RCL. Though RCL had some great solo deals for May that I signed up for.

 

But personally besides pricing I find the two lines pretty much equal. There's few differences like a race track on Bliss instead of a flow rider, and NCL has a few less pools, and I prefer NCL's freestyle dining, but none of them are huge differences if you ask me. 

[JanNSteH]

18 hours ago, smplybcause said:

 

I liked the Bliss. I did it for Alaska and it's definitely great for not bathing suit weather all the time. I have asthma so I think it ranks as my favorite NCL ship due to it having the smoking part of the casino walled in and a very small smoking area up top. 

 

My cruises are split probably around 60/40 NCL/RCL. The main reason NCL has more is because they are more solo friendly than RCL in both cost and atmosphere on the ship. I also like the drink package and solo + drinks on NCL is almost always cheaper than solo + drinks on RCL. Though RCL had some great solo deals for May that I signed up for.

 

But personally besides pricing I find the two lines pretty much equal. There's few differences like a race track on Bliss instead of a flow rider, and NCL has a few less pools, and I prefer NCL's freestyle dining, but none of them are huge differences if you ask me. 

Thank you.  I will keep what you say in mind when making our decision.  Since we are going to be in the tropics, I wonder if the pools are the ship will be enough or will it be super crowded....

[smplybcause]

1 hour ago, JanNSteH said:

Thank you.  I will keep what you say in mind when making our decision.  Since we are going to be in the tropics, I wonder if the pools are the ship will be enough or will it be super crowded....

 

They might be? Since the all ages pool is pretty much right next to the adult only pool on NCL 95% of my time when it's in the Caribbean I spent back in Spice which is adults only. There's a water feature back there you can use to cool off and a decent breeze. And of course no kids. 

[JanNSteH]

Bear with me.  I have never been on an NCL ship before so I am at a loss.  What is Spice and the water feature you mentioned?  

I am planning to do this in January or February so I’m hoping there will not be too many kids onboard during this time of the year. Even wondering if this itinerary is of interest to families with kids.

[Two Wheels Only]

6 minutes ago, JanNSteH said:

What is Spice and the water feature you mentioned?  

 

Spice H2O is the adult-only (6a-7p) area at the aft of the ship which is no charge. VIBE Beach Club is the "pay extra" adult-only area towards the front of the ship. 

 

 

 

 

Another CC member and her s/o have this 360 video of the area. 

[smplybcause]

The water feature is the thing you see when the video turns right and goes up the stairs. The water didn't look like it was on, but it has some water that rains down and pools a little. 

 

Jan/Feb will have less kids than say Mar/Apr or the summer, but there will still be kids. Some schools have a Feb break. There's also families with kids that aren't in school or are homeschooled or parents that still pull kids out for vacation. The kiddie water play area is where the main pools are so even if it's not packed with kids there's a bit of kids having fun. 

 

Man that sounds like I'm really anti-kids 🤣 

[JanNSteH]

No, not at all.  Kids are great.  

 

Looks like the spa spa balcony rooms are sold out for the dates I’m looking at.  Do you know if NCL have day passes for the use of the spa.  

[smplybcause]

From what I hear they're rare and pretty much only exist on port days. I think they're only sold if they don't sell the passes that are good for the whole cruise. So if you really want a spa pass you can just buy one for the whole cruise. I think it's around $200pp depending on length of cruise. Hopefully someone who knows more specifics will chime in. 

[JanNSteH]

Thank you.  You’ve given me a wealth of info.