General NCL Questions - never been on a NCL cruise

[cruzbound]

Hi All,

 

I have a few questions regarding the drink package.  So our friends got it on their reservation and we have four sea days in a row.  I am sure they will be hanging at the pool with us most of the time (we don't drink) and I know of with Royal Caribbean people can get buckets of beer (like 6 at a time).  Does NCL allow this on the drink package?  Or do they allow one of them to go up and get two drinks (one for the wife or husband)?  Do they only allow you to get drinks every so often - like once an hour, etc.?  We have been on RC so much I know how their system works but never on NCL so I don't know their system and what to tell our friends.  Any information would be helpful.

 

I also have questions about leaving and returning to the ship on port days.  So say the itinerary states we arrive at 8 AM - what is the normal time people can get off the ship?  Say the leave time states 5 PM - what time do they say you need to be back on board?  Can any tell me about their tendering process?  We are tendering at one of the French Polynesian stops and we will have to get on the first tender - how do we make this possible?

 

If we are in a port overnight - the next day, will we be able to get off the ship at any time (like even at 6 AM in the morning)?  I am trying to plan excursions (on my own) and want to make sure there would be no hold-up on the second day we are in port as I would think that we would have gone through the custom check or whatever it is when we arrived the day before and nothing else would need to be done.

 

We are going on NC Spirit - can anyone tell me what the shows on that ship are like?  What are the timings for the shows - do they offer shows only once or twice a night?

 

Sorry for all the questions but the website does not get this specific to answer these questions.  So I am looking for you experienced NCL cruisers for insight.

 

Thanks,

cruzbound

[BirdTravels]

54 minutes ago, cruzbound said:

Hi All, Sorry for all the questions but the website does not get this specific to answer these questions.  So I am looking for you experienced NCL cruisers for insight.

So our friends got it on their reservation and we have four sea days in a row.  I am sure they will be hanging at the pool with us most of the time (we don't drink) and I know of with Royal Caribbean people can get buckets of beer (like 6 at a time).  Does NCL allow this on the drink package? Or do they allow one of them to go up and get two drinks (one for the wife or husband)? 

No. Up to two individual drinks at a time per person. Buckets and flights are not included as individual drinks.

 

Do they only allow you to get drinks every so often - like once an hour, etc.?  We have been on RC so much I know how their system works but never on NCL so I don't know their system and what to tell our friends.  Any information would be helpful.

Technically, it is every 15 minutes. But I have never seen that enforced if you are sitting and drinking at a bar. But, "legally" you can get 24 hours * 15 minutes * 2 drinks = 196 drinks a day. 

 

I also have questions about leaving and returning to the ship on port days.  So say the itinerary states we arrive at 8 AM - what is the normal time people can get off the ship? 

Gangway is normally open within 30 minutes of arrival time. Mostly to get the gangway deployed. If you are on a Pacific Island cruise, there may be a little time spent getting the ship cleared by the local authorities. That being said, a lot of people will be in line to get off as soon as the gangway opens. 

 

Say the leave time states 5 PM - what time do they say you need to be back on board? 

Normally, all aboard is 30 minutes before departure, so 4;30. Last tender would be slightly  before that. 

 

Can any tell me about their tendering process?  We are tendering at one of the French Polynesian stops and we will have to get on the first tender - how do we make this possible?

Once onboard, you request a tender group from one of the touch screen kiosks. First come first serve. NCL sponsored shore excursions sometimes will get priority tender boarding. 

 

If we are in a port overnight - the next day, will we be able to get off the ship at any time (like even at 6 AM in the morning)?  I am trying to plan excursions (on my own) and want to make sure there would be no hold-up on the second day we are in port as I would think that we would have gone through the custom check or whatever it is when we arrived the day before and nothing else would need to be done.

Once open, the gangway remains open 24/7. 

 

We are going on NC Spirit - can anyone tell me what the shows on that ship are like?  What are the timings for the shows - do they offer shows only once or twice a night?

They are traditional cruise ship production shows. Yours is kinda of a one-off type cruise, so the show schedules are less predictable. On a "normal" cruise, shows will be twice a night. First come first serve for seating. 

 

Edited April 20, 2023 by BirdTravels

[cruzbound]

Thanks BirdTravels - very informative.

[CaptainBazz]

3 hours ago, cruzbound said:

We are going on NC Spirit - can anyone tell me what the shows on that ship are like?  What are the timings for the shows - do they offer shows only once or twice a night?

We just got off the Spirit after a 2 week cruise. The main shows were World Beat, Blazing Boots and Elements. These were on once each with two showings on the night, 7.30 and 9.00pm. There was also a Comedian on one night, a Magician another, an illusionist, an aerialist show and two different singers. Some of those shows were only on once in the evening at 8.30pm. They also showed movies 3 nights. We enjoyed all the shows.

Edited April 20, 2023 by CaptainBazz

[jeffregpuck]

I know many may disagree with me since it doesn't offer the "thrill rides" so to speak like go carts, ropes courses, etc....but the NCL Spirit was my absolute favorite ship in the fleet...and I haven't sailed on her since the big refurbish!!  Absolutely loved the small intimate feel of that ship.

 

All of your questions were answered pretty well above, but I will add just a bit to the tendering question.  If you are needing a really early tender for whatever reason, you will want to go to Guest Services.  There are many guests who will receive "priority" over you since you are a first time cruiser.  Suite guests, higher level latitudes members, ship excursions, etc. will all get priority tickets.  So if you have a need for an early tender, the kiosk won't be much help.  Good luck!

[kitkat343]

It's an excellent idea to book private excursions, but especially on NCL please be extra careful because there have been issues with itinerary changes.  Make sure you carefully research cancellation policies for excursions or your insurance coverage in case NCL cancels/replaces ports/cut port times in half.   On my cruise, the first sign people had of our port cancellations was when contacting private tour operators, instead of describing tours they asked "are you sure you are docking here" and they immediately started their replies by talking about their generous refund policies if the ship didn't dock.  

 

 

[Sailing12Away]

I had 2 overnight stops on the Pride of America around Hawaii. You could come/go whenever you wanted. So for folks who wanted to do an early morning sunrise tour, they simply walked off the ship at 4am. Folks who wanted a late night luau dinner came back onto the ship at midnight.

 

There should be paperwork in your cabin when you get on board explaining the process. Just pay attention to any additional documentation you may need based on the security at the port. We had to have a photo ID with us in addition to our room card for the car to be allowed into the port area to drop us back off. Every single passenger in the car was checked to make sure they were on the cruise before the car was allowed in. 

[cruzbound]

On 4/20/2023 at 11:31 AM, BirdTravels said:

Hi all

 

Thanks for all the helpful information. I have another questions. I have been told that NCL is very informal for dinners. With that said do they have any official “formal” nights?  Trying to see if the hubby needs t bring his suit or not. 
 

cruzbound

[complawyer]

as quickly as you can guzzle them down, you can reorder. also depends on your capacity to hold your liquor. this has also been mentioned before. if you use the same bartender, and show some small token of appreciation (ie. tips) you may find the strength of your drink greatly enhanced  dare we  say "double shots" 

[Two Wheels Only]

1 hour ago, cruzbound said:

Hi all

 

Thanks for all the helpful information. I have another questions. I have been told that NCL is very informal for dinners. With that said do they have any official “formal” nights?  Trying to see if the hubby needs t bring his suit or not. 
 

cruzbound

 

NCL doesn't have formal nights. You can dress up if you choose on any night. 

A tie is never required in any NCL restaurant....

 

 

...something as simple as this will work in any NCL restaurant on any night even though many will dress "under" this.

[wacruiselover]

Darn! I guess I'll have to shave, dye my hair, and lose 100 lbs. 🙃

[jbcallender]

On 4/20/2023 at 9:38 AM, cruzbound said:

Hi All,

 

I have a few questions regarding the drink package.  So our friends got it on their reservation and we have four sea days in a row.  I am sure they will be hanging at the pool with us most of the time (we don't drink) and I know of with Royal Caribbean people can get buckets of beer (like 6 at a time).  Does NCL allow this on the drink package?  Or do they allow one of them to go up and get two drinks (one for the wife or husband)?  Do they only allow you to get drinks every so often - like once an hour, etc.?  We have been on RC so much I know how their system works but never on NCL so I don't know their system and what to tell our friends.  Any information would be helpful.

 

I also have questions about leaving and returning to the ship on port days.  So say the itinerary states we arrive at 8 AM - what is the normal time people can get off the ship?  Say the leave time states 5 PM - what time do they say you need to be back on board?  Can any tell me about their tendering process?  We are tendering at one of the French Polynesian stops and we will have to get on the first tender - how do we make this possible?

 

If we are in a port overnight - the next day, will we be able to get off the ship at any time (like even at 6 AM in the morning)?  I am trying to plan excursions (on my own) and want to make sure there would be no hold-up on the second day we are in port as I would think that we would have gone through the custom check or whatever it is when we arrived the day before and nothing else would need to be done.

 

We are going on NC Spirit - can anyone tell me what the shows on that ship are like?  What are the timings for the shows - do they offer shows only once or twice a night?

 

Sorry for all the questions but the website does not get this specific to answer these questions.  So I am looking for you experienced NCL cruisers for insight.

 

Thanks,

cruzbound

We were on Spirit for 12 days in November.  If they have the same shows, the entertainment was one of the highlights.  Very talented and versatile entertainment, five or six fully choreographed shows.  Shows were once a night, at 8:00, I think.  We had the drink package, but are not heavy drinkers, so I can;t comment on timing or drinks per hour.  I did not see "buckets".  I ordered two drinks at a time (one for me, one for DW) so I know that is OK.  We had four days at sea from Tahiti to Hawaii.  I think you'll like Spirit.  Great crew, ship is great, newly refurbed.  Best bedding I've had on a cruise.  We were in a suite, the bathroom and shower were magnificent.

[cruzbound]

20 hours ago, Two Wheels Only said:

 

NCL doesn't have formal nights. You can dress up if you choose on any night. 

A tie is never required in any NCL restaurant....

 

 

...something as simple as this will work in any NCL restaurant on any night even though many will dress "under" this.

Hi,

 

So hubby could wear a tropical shirt and nice shorts for dinner and he won't stick out or be underdressed?

 

Thanks,

cruzbound

[ggTexasGal]

18 minutes ago, cruzbound said:

So hubby could wear a tropical shirt and nice shorts for dinner and he won't stick out or be underdressed?

Actually, it depends on the restaurant at dinner time!  Long pants are required at many of the restaurants for dinner hours.

[Greenpea2]

29 minutes ago, cruzbound said:

Hi,

 

So hubby could wear a tropical shirt and nice shorts for dinner and he won't stick out or be underdressed?

 

Thanks,

cruzbound

Two Wheels Only can give you the scoop. All I can say is that I believe there are 2 restaurants (Onda? Another?) that don't allow shorts at dinner.

[Sailing12Away]

Only get dressed fancy if you want to. There are some specialty restaurants that require long pants, but that can be jeans or khakis - no need for a formalish suit unless you enjoy being a bit fancy.

[Elvis1209]

Technically, it is every 15 minutes. But I have never seen that enforced if you are sitting and drinking at a bar. But, "legally" you can get 24 hours * 15 minutes * 2 drinks = 196 drinks a day. 

 

 

Only 196 drinks a day?  I want my money back!!!!!

 

Elvis

[mjkacmom]

9 hours ago, Elvis1209 said:

Technically, it is every 15 minutes. But I have never seen that enforced if you are sitting and drinking at a bar. But, "legally" you can get 24 hours * 15 minutes * 2 drinks = 196 drinks a day. 

 

 

Only 196 drinks a day?  I want my money back!!!!!

 

Elvis

I’ve never heard of a 15 minute rule on NCL, is it in writing?

[cruzbound]

On 4/24/2023 at 1:46 AM, jbcallender said:

We were on Spirit for 12 days in November.  If they have the same shows, the entertainment was one of the highlights.  Very talented and versatile entertainment, five or six fully choreographed shows.  Shows were once a night, at 8:00, I think.  We had the drink package, but are not heavy drinkers, so I can;t comment on timing or drinks per hour.  I did not see "buckets".  I ordered two drinks at a time (one for me, one for DW) so I know that is OK.  We had four days at sea from Tahiti to Hawaii.  I think you'll like Spirit.  Great crew, ship is great, newly refurbed.  Best bedding I've had on a cruise.  We were in a suite, the bathroom and shower were magnificent.

Hi jbcallender and all,

 

So say the shows are only once a night at 8 PM on Spirit for our cruise, what time should we make our dinner reservations at to be able to catch the shows?  I don't know how long it takes on NCL for dinner.  There will be 4 or 6 of us at the table.  I know on RC we normally do the 8 PM dinner time and are done by 9:30 PM (at the latest, this last cruise we did, we were done early than that a lot of the nights).

 

Thanks,

cruzbound

[BirdTravels]

On 4/23/2023 at 7:04 PM, cruzbound said:

 I have another questions. I have been told that NCL is very informal for dinners. With that said do they have any official “formal” nights?  Trying to see if the hubby needs t bring his suit or not. 

No suits. 

 

Shorts are allowed in all restaurants for all meals except Le Bistro and one other restaurant (two restaurants on the ship). In Le Bistro and one other restaurant, hubby will be asked to wear long pants (dockers or jeans are fine). The "other" restaurant would be Ocean Blue, Bayamo, or Palomar (on big ships), or the aft main dining room on small ships and the Epic. Just any long pants is fine. No formal nights. Onda on the Encore and Prima do not require long pants.

[Sailing12Away]

3 hours ago, cruzbound said:

Hi jbcallender and all,

 

So say the shows are only once a night at 8 PM on Spirit for our cruise, what time should we make our dinner reservations at to be able to catch the shows?  I don't know how long it takes on NCL for dinner.  There will be 4 or 6 of us at the table.  I know on RC we normally do the 8 PM dinner time and are done by 9:30 PM (at the latest, this last cruise we did, we were done early than that a lot of the nights).

 

Thanks,

cruzbound

Depends on where you plan on eating and how fast/slow you tend to eat. Generally speaking, a time of 6-6:30 would be fine to take your time and still casually make your way to the show. When you sit down, it's always best to let the wait staff know you're trying to catch a show and they will push things through a bit faster to keep you in/out in time.

[AstoriaPreppy]

On 4/20/2023 at 10:38 AM, cruzbound said:

I also have questions about leaving and returning to the ship on port days.  So say the itinerary states we arrive at 8 AM - what is the normal time people can get off the ship?  Say the leave time states 5 PM - what time do they say you need to be back on board?  Can any tell me about their tendering process?  We are tendering at one of the French Polynesian stops and we will have to get on the first tender - how do we make this possible?

 

If you want to be on the first tender, book a suite or the Haven... the concierge will take you down on a service elevator and cut ahead of any lines. Alternatively, book an excursion, as they have priority over all of the other guests. 

 

On 4/20/2023 at 11:31 AM, BirdTravels said:

Once onboard, you request a tender group from one of the touch screen kiosks. First come first serve. NCL sponsored shore excursions sometimes will get priority tender boarding. 

 

Is this only on the newer/bigger ships, or fleetwide? I don't know that I've ever seen this happen on the Gem or other Jewel class (or smaller).

[jbcallender]

22 hours ago, cruzbound said:

Hi jbcallender and all,

 

So say the shows are only once a night at 8 PM on Spirit for our cruise, what time should we make our dinner reservations at to be able to catch the shows?  I don't know how long it takes on NCL for dinner.  There will be 4 or 6 of us at the table.  I know on RC we normally do the 8 PM dinner time and are done by 9:30 PM (at the latest, this last cruise we did, we were done early than that a lot of the nights).

 

Thanks,

cruzbound

We typically ate about 6:30 in the specialty restaurants and had plenty of time.