avid cruiser on Holland America with a free cruise offer on Norwegian

[Toopytoes]

I know what is expected of me on Holland America, I know the food, my way around the ships, been on 7 cruises with them.  My casino is handing out vouchers for a free room on a norwegian ship for "2023-2024 sailing.  On sunday I will know my room class.  I'm a fairly heavy gambler and am, at least hoping for a balcony.  Can someone tell me about gratuities, how much for a normal room compared to a suite.  Are there a bunch of hidden charges I should watch for?  what costs on the ships and what doesn't?  like I said I know a bunch of ships from Holland but have never been on anything else but Holland,  thank you in advance for any help you can give me.

[jsn55]

You might want to read the reviews on NCL ships ... we took our first cruise on NCL last fall and it was fine.  Our last cruise had been on Queen Victoria, so we did not expect to enjoy NCL much at all.  It was a nice surprise.  NCL's website will lay out all the information you need about included goodies, extra-charge items and tipping.  Then come back to us with specific questions.  

[navybankerteacher]

A free room has to be worth at least what it costs you.  Of course, they only gave it to you because they think that you will lose more to them in their casino than they could get from a fare paying passenger for whatever space they give you (and they are the professionals ---- so they know a whole lot better than you what your chances are).

 

I would suggest you plan on dining in alternative (extra cost) restaurants;  NCL holds down fares by economizing on included meals.

 

From my recollection of both lines-- you will wind up preferring HAL -- but then: free is free.

Edited February 3, 2023 by navybankerteacher

[mammajamma2013]

Food is subjective and I've never thought I have a superior palate. Having said that, I think the food on NCL is good. I like NCL overall, which goes against a lot of the regular posters' opinions.

 

I've never sailed on HAL, so unfortunately can't do a comparison. Good luck making your decision!

[9tee2Sea]

On every casino offer I had, drinks were included as long as you were gambling.   NCL website states what the daily gratuities are for their cabins.  I am pretty sure everything that is included in your casino offer should be spelled out in fine print and asterisks somewhere in your paperwork.  

[hallux]

17 hours ago, navybankerteacher said:

I would suggest you plan on dining in alternative (extra cost) restaurants;  NCL holds down fares by economizing on included meals.

I just watched a video from an avid Princess cruiser that is currently sailing on an NCL ship.  He said he enjoyed both the included venues and the specialty, had no complaints.  He even said the buffet was good.  He's on the Breakaway.

[thinfool]

I have not seen this mentioned on CC yet....it seems that NCL has re-instituted outdoor, in-person muster drills, complete with standing around in the heat or cold for no apparent reason.  Important?  I have no idea, never been on NCL.

Edited February 5, 2023 by thinfool

[jsn55]

I've read that about NCL as well.  Everybody 'hates' standing around but if the ship starts to sink, at least some of the pax will remember something from their muster.  (Not) watching a video will make little impression.  On our first (and last) Princess cruise over the holidays, we were required to watch the video 3 times at home. 

 

It's one of those things that needs a little thoughtful consideration.  What's the main sticking point?  Your muster station location, of course.  Closely followed by the location of life vests in your cabin.  If people don't know how to put on a life jacket, someone will help them.   With musters required 'in person', at least everyone will know where their life jacket is and where their muster station is.  

[ontheweb]

5 hours ago, thinfool said:

I have not seen this mentioned on CC yet....it seems that NCL has re-instituted outdoor, in-person muster drills, complete with standing around in the heat or cold for no apparent reason.  Important?  I have no idea, never been on NCL.

I believe on most of the NCL ships the muster stations are in lounges, not outdoors. 

 

And good for them putting safety ahead of "the only Covid change passengers want to not go away is the real muster drill".

 

And BTW, it has been mentioned in CC in the Norwegian cruise forum.

Edited February 5, 2023 by ontheweb
added last paragraph