hallux Posted November 22, 2023 #26 Share Posted November 22, 2023 5 hours ago, tashaaa said: 2. if you have tender ports, on embarkation day go to the BOX office, and reserve a tender ticket This may depend on the ship. I don't recall that being the location for them, but you can also use the touch-screen kiosks in the stair lobbies to reserve your tender tickets. When they are available seems to vary. In 2019 I was able to sign up for tender tickets on embarkation day, but the tender port was not until the second to last day of the 7-day cruise. In other cases, you can't sign up until 2-3 days prior. 5 hours ago, tashaaa said: so do you always need a ticket to get on the boat? You don't need a tender ticket to get on the tender. If you want to be sure of a time to get on a tender you do. I was getting off a tender at GSC (private island) around 12:30, without a ticket and the tender boat was quite empty. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RocketMan275 Posted November 22, 2023 #27 Share Posted November 22, 2023 9 hours ago, Anoynmous Phoenix said: I wrote the following for cruises I am on, it might be of interest to some of you. I haven't re-read it or changed some that don't possibly fit the but but "suck it and see!!" ==================================== Thoughts from an Ancient Mariner!!! A number of thoughts gathered over the years and confirmed on recent cruises that many don’t know about. I hope they help you enjoy the cruise. 5) Watch the menu in Le Bistro, they have LOTS of upcharges, even the “normal” fillet had an upcharge of $10, I think; I was forced to choose the duck!!! 10) A Vancouver hockey trick; which is where I learned it; if there is a large group waiting for a lift (after a show, for example) take the empty lift going in the WRONG direction!!!! Then you are first in going the right way!! 11) If you are rushing for a lift, two points. The bell tells you the direction; 1 up 2 down. If you are at the wrong side of a bank of lifts and one is there you want on the opposite side press buttons while going to “moving” lift Anoynmous Phoenix It's been reported that they will remove the filet upcharge in Le Bistro if you ask for a steak with no Foie Gras (duck liver pate). I hate duck liver. Didn't know about the one or two bells. Thanks. Great advice on going the wrong direction. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oakman58 Posted November 22, 2023 #28 Share Posted November 22, 2023 19 hours ago, HxFx said: They also required my husband wear closed toe shoes. Has wearing nice Birkenstocks and had to go back to the room, and put on sneakers! The Birks looked nicer, oh well. Birkenstocks...shoes that make you look like you attended The Last Supper. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sand and Seas Posted November 22, 2023 #29 Share Posted November 22, 2023 7 hours ago, ggTexasGal said: Yup, lots of changes in the past year! They changed the rules quickly when they released their lost revenues! Yes, we were lucky enough to read about it here on CC and got a clamshell rental 'free'. It was shut-down a little while after that😕 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KAE27 Posted November 22, 2023 #30 Share Posted November 22, 2023 (edited) Hello all, I'm an Elite Plus cruiser on Celebrity looking possibly to jump ship (pun likely intended) to the Haven on NCL. Celebrity's pricing has become insane, while the service being offered is declining. I wanted to thank sincerely those in this thread who have offered solid advice for new NCL cruisers! A couple of questions specific to the Haven: 1. When dining in the Haven restaurant, are you able also to order from the MDR menu? On Celebrity in the suite dining room, they will give you the MDR menus to choose from as well. 2. I read a thread on here indicating that some suites were outside the Haven but had access to it. Did I get that correct? If so, are there any watch-outs on that? And more generally, are there any "avoid" cabins in the Haven of which I should be aware? (I do see the pinned thread on cabin choices.) I guess that was more than a couple of questions. 🙂 Thank you! Edited November 22, 2023 by KAE27 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sand and Seas Posted November 23, 2023 #31 Share Posted November 23, 2023 2 hours ago, KAE27 said: Hello all, I'm an Elite Plus cruiser on Celebrity looking possibly to jump ship (pun likely intended) to the Haven on NCL. Celebrity's pricing has become insane, while the service being offered is declining. I wanted to thank sincerely those in this thread who have offered solid advice for new NCL cruisers! A couple of questions specific to the Haven: 1. When dining in the Haven restaurant, are you able also to order from the MDR menu? On Celebrity in the suite dining room, they will give you the MDR menus to choose from as well. 2. I read a thread on here indicating that some suites were outside the Haven but had access to it. Did I get that correct? If so, are there any watch-outs on that? And more generally, are there any "avoid" cabins in the Haven of which I should be aware? (I do see the pinned thread on cabin choices.) I guess that was more than a couple of questions. 🙂 Thank you! 1- I haven't seen the MDR menus offered in the Haven, and haven't missed them. However, when we were on a longer 12 day cruise, the Haven dining room offered some 'specials' later on in the cruise. While the specials may have been from the MDR menu, it wasn't the entire menu. We did enjoy Brisket one night. Others might have a better answer for you on this. 2- We have been inside and outside the Haven. If you want to be close to the Haven bar and restaurant, inside is great. We have also enjoyed cabins outside the are and enjoyed the walk to the Haven. We loved our Forward Facing two room Haven. It was less expensive than cabins inside the Haven proper, but had a great lay-out and awesome bathroom. We also enjoyed the separate living area where the butler could set up our white tablecloth breakfast while we were still sleeping. I would also love to try the Aft Haven suites. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KAE27 Posted November 23, 2023 #32 Share Posted November 23, 2023 1 hour ago, Sand and Seas said: 1- I haven't seen the MDR menus offered in the Haven, and haven't missed them. However, when we were on a longer 12 day cruise, the Haven dining room offered some 'specials' later on in the cruise. While the specials may have been from the MDR menu, it wasn't the entire menu. We did enjoy Brisket one night. Others might have a better answer for you on this. 2- We have been inside and outside the Haven. If you want to be close to the Haven bar and restaurant, inside is great. We have also enjoyed cabins outside the are and enjoyed the walk to the Haven. We loved our Forward Facing two room Haven. It was less expensive than cabins inside the Haven proper, but had a great lay-out and awesome bathroom. We also enjoyed the separate living area where the butler could set up our white tablecloth breakfast while we were still sleeping. I would also love to try the Aft Haven suites. Super-helpful - thank you! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare JGmf Posted November 23, 2023 #33 Share Posted November 23, 2023 20 hours ago, tashaaa said: on the embarkation day, go to the spa, you can win some free credit for use later This is indeed true, but you have to be there for the drawings they do. It's kind of time consuming, and it can get quite crowded, but my friend won a $150 credit certificate to the spa...that he promptly sold to someone for $100...so it happens. This was in April 2022. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare BirdTravels Posted November 23, 2023 #34 Share Posted November 23, 2023 7 hours ago, KAE27 said: 2. I read a thread on here indicating that some suites were outside the Haven but had access to it. Did I get that correct? If so, are there any watch-outs on that? And more generally, are there any "avoid" cabins in the Haven of which I should be aware? (I do see the pinned thread on cabin choices.) On NCL Breakaway/Breakaway Plus class ships, about 1/3 of the "Haven rooms" are outside the Haven proper. These include forward facing suites, aft facing suites, and some penthouses (formerly spa suites). We actually like the rooms outside the Haven courtyard because they are bigger, sometimes for a lot less money that small suites in the Haven. On NCL's newest ships, there are no room on the same deck as the lounge and restaurant,,, so technically, no rooms are in the Haven courtyard. The following link has some photos of the food in the Haven Restaurant. We are Diamond members on Royal and find the Haven Restaurant far far far superior to Royal's Costal Kitchen. Posts #227-#235 on the link below shows some of the Haven facilities on the Norwegian Encore. We sailed in a forward facing Haven suite on the Encore to Alaska in September. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KAE27 Posted November 23, 2023 #35 Share Posted November 23, 2023 43 minutes ago, BirdTravels said: On NCL Breakaway/Breakaway Plus class ships, about 1/3 of the "Haven rooms" are outside the Haven proper. These include forward facing suites, aft facing suites, and some penthouses (formerly spa suites). We actually like the rooms outside the Haven courtyard because they are bigger, sometimes for a lot less money that small suites in the Haven. Thanks for all of this! And this was particularly helpful to me, too. We would be going on the Bliss for our initial foray into the Haven. 🙂 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
schmoopie17 Posted November 23, 2023 #36 Share Posted November 23, 2023 On 11/22/2023 at 6:58 AM, RocketMan275 said: Didn't know about the one or two bells. Thanks. This is wording from the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA): 407.2.2.3 Audible Signals Audible signals shall sound once for the up direction and twice for the down direction, or shall have verbal annunciators that indicate the direction of elevator car travel. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChiefMateJRK Posted November 23, 2023 #37 Share Posted November 23, 2023 On 11/21/2023 at 8:11 AM, graphicguy said: LeBistro Specialty Dining requires men wear long pants and socks, but only if you dine inside. I believe that my very good friend @graphicguyis mistaken about this one. I have NEVER seen socks mentioned in the NCL dress code!🤣 Or course, I've been known to disrespect "the code" from time to time (or always), so I'm likely not your best source. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChiefMateJRK Posted November 23, 2023 #38 Share Posted November 23, 2023 On 11/21/2023 at 1:10 PM, HxFx said: They also required my husband wear closed toe shoes. Has wearing nice Birkenstocks and had to go back to the room, and put on sneakers! The Birks looked nicer, oh well. Just wear your slippers. Those are never questioned. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare graphicguy Posted November 23, 2023 #39 Share Posted November 23, 2023 53 minutes ago, ChiefMateJRK said: I believe that my very good friend @graphicguyis mistaken about this one. I have NEVER seen socks mentioned in the NCL dress code!🤣 Or course, I've been known to disrespect "the code" from time to time (or always), so I'm likely not your best source. I concur! But, I was turned away once at LeBistro for no socks. Another guest, who I did not even know, offered me socks of I would wait until he fetched them from his cabin. Few minutes later, he brings me some socks with big marijuana plants on them. I put them on right by the scheduling kiosk. They then let me in. May have been the scheduler’s misunderstanding but I complied. 😉 9 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChiefMateJRK Posted November 24, 2023 #40 Share Posted November 24, 2023 2 hours ago, graphicguy said: I concur! But, I was turned away once at LeBistro for no socks. Another guest, who I did not even know, offered me socks of I would wait until he fetched them from his cabin. Few minutes later, he brings me some socks with big marijuana plants on them. I put them on right by the scheduling kiosk. They then let me in. May have been the scheduler’s misunderstanding but I complied. 😉 That, my friend, is a FANTASTIC story! We need more of those here on the forum! 😎 1 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare graphicguy Posted November 24, 2023 #41 Share Posted November 24, 2023 1 hour ago, ChiefMateJRK said: That, my friend, is a FANTASTIC story! We need more of those here on the forum! 😎 We need something….not sure what, though!!!! I need to join you on another cruise…that’s what I need! 2 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VUCruiser Posted November 24, 2023 #42 Share Posted November 24, 2023 Blankets available at outdoor dining on the Waterfront for Alaska sailings....and the Waterfront is usually not busy at all-fantastic location at all hours for comfy ocean viewing, reading, napping, etc.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChiefMateJRK Posted November 24, 2023 #43 Share Posted November 24, 2023 2 minutes ago, VUCruiser said: fantastic location at all hours for comfy ocean viewing, reading, napping, etc.... Yep. I sail steerage and consider the waterfront my personal steerage balcony. Unlike the balconies that the good folks have, mine has nicer seating and alcohol service. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
irisbax3 Posted November 24, 2023 #44 Share Posted November 24, 2023 I have only been on one NCL cruise many years ago so I am a NCL newbie. We are cruising in March 2024 on the Bliss in a Club Balcony. Specialty restaurant dining is included. I understand that we pay the $39. gratitude. Is there a certain number of times you can eat in the specialty restaurants? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RocketMan275 Posted November 24, 2023 #45 Share Posted November 24, 2023 40 minutes ago, irisbax3 said: I have only been on one NCL cruise many years ago so I am a NCL newbie. We are cruising in March 2024 on the Bliss in a Club Balcony. Specialty restaurant dining is included. I understand that we pay the $39. gratitude. Is there a certain number of times you can eat in the specialty restaurants? Y ou can eat there as often as you wish to pay for the priveledge. Free At Sea includes two visits for two people. To eat there more, you will have to purchase additional meals. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ggTexasGal Posted November 24, 2023 #46 Share Posted November 24, 2023 54 minutes ago, irisbax3 said: I have only been on one NCL cruise many years ago so I am a NCL newbie. We are cruising in March 2024 on the Bliss in a Club Balcony. Specialty restaurant dining is included. I understand that we pay the $39. gratitude. Is there a certain number of times you can eat in the specialty restaurants? Perhaps you didn't notice NCL's Terms and Conditions when you were booking your cruise: Specialty Dining Package Applicable to guests 1-2 on the reservation Dining package is applicable to guest ages 2 and older Package prices are subject to change Guest is responsible for 20% gratuities on the retail value of the Specialty Dining Package prior to cruise 20% gratuities on the retail value of the Specialty Dining Package are included when booking through the Australia office For Casino booked reservations – promotion code CASFAS will be added under referral code CASUPALL on sail lengths 7 nights or longer for Balcony and above staterooms Packages are based on a per meal basis Any Harvest Caye bars, restaurants, or venues, The Bake Shop, Ice Cream Bar, Gelato, specialty items in the Asian restaurant, Special Occasion/Holiday menus (New Year's, Christmas, etc.), Jazz Brunch, Wine Lovers and Murder Mystery lunches, and beverages are not included as part of the Specialty Dining Packages Guests are permitted to pre-reserve specialty dining with entertainment included However, the guest is responsible to pay the full retail value If the guest chooses to use the reservation as part of their specialty dining package, they will need to make these arrangements once onboard Specialty Dining Packages include one main course per person at Cagney's and Le Bistro Additional main courses will be charged at the a la carte price listed on the menu There is no minimum or maximum to the number of meals that can be redeemed in a day, however each meal is counted towards the package 1 1 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hallux Posted November 24, 2023 #47 Share Posted November 24, 2023 (edited) 52 minutes ago, ggTexasGal said: Perhaps you didn't notice NCL's Terms and Conditions when you were booking your cruise It seems like nobody ever notices them... Edited November 24, 2023 by hallux 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ggTexasGal Posted November 24, 2023 #48 Share Posted November 24, 2023 Just now, hallux said: It seems like nobody ever notices them... I agree that many don't bother. I like to check them when we are about to make a new reservation, since NCL likes to change some of their things (like pricing and/or "included items") somewhat often. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hallux Posted November 24, 2023 #49 Share Posted November 24, 2023 12 minutes ago, ggTexasGal said: I agree that many don't bother. I mean - why bother doing 2 minutes of research of the materials the cruise line makes available when you can ask someone and get your answer 15 minutes later? So much easier, isn't it? 🤣 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare destar Posted November 24, 2023 #50 Share Posted November 24, 2023 1 hour ago, hallux said: 2 hours ago, ggTexasGal said: Perhaps you didn't notice NCL's Terms and Conditions when you were booking your cruise It seems like nobody ever notices them... Edited 1 hour ago by hallux Terms and Conditions, nobody reads them, everybody press I agree, Im guilty of it. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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