can't a ncl cruise be inclusive

[micro yaya]

i'm new to ncl, and i'm wondering. can't we cruise and not spend any extra money for meals. it seams to me from everything i've read that the food that is included in the cruise price is pretty darn good. just asking so i know what to expect. thanks

[mpk218]

i'm new to ncl, and i'm wondering. can't we cruise and not spend any extra money for meals. it seams to me from everything i've read that the food that is included in the cruise price is pretty darn good. just asking so i know what to expect. thanks

 

 

You dont need to spend another dime . They are the same as the other lines. NCL just offers a few optional choices if you are so inclined to try them .

[WinnieinWA]

My experience with NCL has been very positive and I found the food in the main (free) dining rooms and buffet to be very good. NCL just gives people more options than more traditional cruise lines.

 

Alcohol, soda, bottled water, onboard purchases, specialty restaurants, casino, excursions etc. will cost you extra but there really is no reason to ever have a bill at the end of your cruise if you choose not to do any of the above mentioned.

 

Your cabin, food and entertainment are all included in your cruise price.

 

Happy sailing!:)

[DAGVBSB]

My experience with NCL has been very positive and I found the food in the main (free) dining rooms and buffet to be very good. NCL just gives people more options than more traditional cruise lines.

 

Alcohol, soda, bottled water, onboard purchases, specialty restaurants, casino, excursions etc. will cost you extra but there really is no reason to ever have a bill at the end of your cruise if you choose not to do any of the above mentioned.

 

Your cabin, food and entertainment are all included in your cruise price.

 

Happy sailing!:)

 

Let's add that there are alot of other free activities and games (sexy legs contest, etc) during the day that are free on NCL. So yes, you could have an almost no charge bill.

 

I say almost no charge, because of the gratutities. On all NCL ships except the Pride of America, you can have your auto gratuity charge ($10 a day per person) taken off your bill. (or decreased or increased) But this $10 a day is a tip for not only the service staff that you come in contact with (Room stewards, waiters, etc.), but also the staff that you don't see like those who clean the public areas and do other work like that.

 

If you do decide to remove the $10 a day charge in order to have a clean bill... please don't forget to provide a tip to your room steward and waiters. The crew on NCL, like on all the lines, depends on these gratuities to help support their families. (because what they make in salary is not nearly enough!)

[Toyz711]

you will have the $10 pp per day....

other things are up to you. you can bring your sodas, use the tap water (water/ice at the buffet area)...save the morning juice for later in the day. we don't do the surcharges dining...too busy to worry about what we are/aren't missing.

we still cruise for the ports/adventure..excursions/tours are very important to us. whether through the ship or local, maybe not every port..

the cruises that are really all inclusives are WAAAY out of our budget, especially this year!

[WinnieinWA]

Let's add that there are alot of other free activities and games (sexy legs contest, etc) during the day that are free on NCL. So yes, you could have an almost no charge bill.

 

I say almost no charge, because of the gratutities. On all NCL ships except the Pride of America, you can have your auto gratuity charge ($10 a day per person) taken off your bill. (or decreased or increased) But this $10 a day is a tip for not only the service staff that you come in contact with (Room stewards, waiters, etc.), but also the staff that you don't see like those who clean the public areas and do other work like that.

 

If you do decide to remove the $10 a day charge in order to have a clean bill... please don't forget to provide a tip to your room steward and waiters. The crew on NCL, like on all the lines, depends on these gratuities to help support their families. (because what they make in salary is not nearly enough!)

 

Thank you for adding that! Very important item I forgot.:eek:

 

to the OP....please don't have your auto tips removed. The crew work very hard to make your vacation enjoyable and their base salary is close to nothing. I always add on more for those crew members who go a bit above the norm.

[micro yaya]

thanks for all your info...

[peanutJMV]

Yes, you have many choices, just to name a few: dining rooms, buffet, blue lagoon, salsa mexican rest (for now anyway). The specialty rest charge fees ie Cagneys, LeBistro.

 

 

i'm new to ncl, and i'm wondering. can't we cruise and not spend any extra money for meals. it seams to me from everything i've read that the food that is included in the cruise price is pretty darn good. just asking so i know what to expect. thanks

[MrLee]

One of my favorite things about NCL is that the basics are taken care of and if I feel like something special it's there for us. This way I'm not subsidizing others who may want all of the "special offerings" all of the time. ;)

 

I believe in paying for what I get but I also want what I pay for! :D :D

[coffeebean]

As everyone has already advised, you do not have to pay extra for food. You will not go hungry on the included food.

 

Having said that...treat yourself to at least one specialty restaurant meal. I highly recommend Le Bistro or Cagney's. The food and service is exceptional. You can get as many appetizers, salads, soups and deserts for the price of the surcharge. The surcharge includes only one entree but the experience and food quality is worth every penny.

 

I almost forgot about Teppanyaki. That is another specialty restaurant that is a favorite of mine and DH. We have never done an NCL cruise without going to Le Bistro, Cagney's and Teppenyaki at least once on each cruise.

[newmexicoNita]

i'm new to ncl, and i'm wondering. can't we cruise and not spend any extra money for meals. it seams to me from everything i've read that the food that is included in the cruise price is pretty darn good. just asking so i know what to expect. thanks

You can cruise any line and not spend money on food if you choose. Most NCL ships have 2 main dining rooms, a buffet either Blue Lagoon (a 23 hour diner with hamburgers, fish and chips, chili, wings, etc) plus maybe one other inclusive dining place. Many people do choose to try one of the sur charge dining rooms, but others are content to eat for free. People can cruise without spending a dime other than tips, is it easy? Of course not, but possible.

 

Nita

[andychris]

you will have the $10 pp per day....

other things are up to you. you can bring your sodas, use the tap water (water/ice at the buffet area)...save the morning juice for later in the day. we don't do the surcharges dining...too busy to worry about what we are/aren't missing.

we still cruise for the ports/adventure..excursions/tours are very important to us. whether through the ship or local, maybe not every port..

the cruises that are really all inclusives are WAAAY out of our budget, especially this year!

 

 

We are on the dawn in a few weeks and was wondering what type of juices are available in the am?? I am hoping that they have more than just apple/orange. Is there pineapple?

Thanks

[Toyz711]

i saw pineapple on the menu for breakfast in one of the main dining rooms, on the spirit. on the buffets, it was mostly orange juice, but the 2nd juice varied on some days.

when we were on the star, i had 3 glasses of juice in the frig at all time. DH loves juice and we had his dad, ill with cancer, to worry about. between the juices, candy bars (i packed) and the blue lagoon, everyone was happy and it didn't cost us anything extra.

[andychris]

thank you

[salty dingo]

Yes, aside from tips you do not need to spend any more money. Of course, most people DO spend more, sometimes a LOT more. The big expenses are casino, liquor, pay restaurants, shore excursions, photos, and purchases in shops both onboard and in port. All of these are optional, but many if not most passengers do partake.

 

The food you get for free is perfectly fine - probably a whole lot better than we eat at home and certainly more variety.

 

About shore excursions, if you have never been to a port, you will probably find plenty to do just walking around and exploring town. Often the port is within easy walking distance of interesting sights. Other times you may need to pay for a cab.

[sueinphilly]

I've done several cruises where I didn't spend a dime on board except for tips. I don't drink or gamble or play bingo, buy artwork, pictures, fancy ice cream or coffee, etc. I'm not picky and pretty much anything I can get with my 'included' fare is fine with me. Trust me when I tell you I don't feel deprived at all.

 

I have never booked a ship excursion, but I have spent money while in port on things we do. I collect shot glasses and/or thimbles. Small and inexpensive and easy to display.

[deepnite10]

remember too..all the ship excursion s will also appear on your

bill..

 

where our bill really add s up are the specialty restraunts, the

specialty drink s in the clubs and my latte s at their coffee

cafe..

 

any charges are done thru your key card..you ll get your bill

the night befor to review..if it s all good then there s no need

to do anything..the charge s will be bill d to your credit car if

you disagree with any charges then you ll need to go the front desk..

[98Charlie]

I say almost no charge, because of the gratutities. On all NCL ships except the Pride of America, you can have your auto gratuity charge ($10 a day per person) taken off your bill. (or decreased or increased) But this $10 a day is a tip for not only the service staff that you come in contact with (Room stewards, waiters, etc.), but also the staff that you don't see like those who clean the public areas and do other work like that.

 

If you do decide to remove the $10 a day charge in order to have a clean bill... please don't forget to provide a tip to your room steward and waiters. The crew on NCL, like on all the lines, depends on these gratuities to help support their families. (because what they make in salary is not nearly enough!)

We've never had any reason to even consider removing tips on any cruise, NCL or other line. But, NCL's policy now is that they have a "Service Charge" of $10 per person per day ($5 for kids 3-12, under 3 free). It would appear that it is not as simple anymore as going to the purser's desk and having them removed.

 

From the NCL web site:

Our crew is encouraged to work together as a service team and compensated by a combination of salary and incentive program that the Service Charge supports. It is our earnest wish that you enjoy your Freestyle Cruise experience and that our entire crew in all areas of the ship will provide you with the standard of service for which NCL is known. Therefore, if you have any concerns about the service you receive during your cruise; please bring them to the immediate attention of our reception desk staff on board so that we can address any issues in a timely manner before the cruise is over.

 

Both NCL and NCL America have a structured guest satisfaction program on board designed to handle any concerns raised by our guests relating to the service or on board product quickly and efficiently. In almost all cases we are able to come up with a satisfactory solution to any issues which are raised and make sure our guests can focus on enjoying their cruise holiday. In the unlikely event we cannot satisfactorily resolve the issues through our guest satisfaction program; guests will be able to adjust the Service Charge according to the level of inconvenience they feel they have experienced.

 

Our clear priority is to have the opportunity of resolving the issue, when it happens, to everyone's complete satisfaction.

 

Just an FYI that the $10 is the one charge that will be there. Other than that it's possible to cruise "additional fee free".

 

Charlie

[98Charlie]

any charges are done thru your key card..you ll get your bill the night befor to review..if it s all good then there s no need to do anything..the charge s will be bill d to your credit car if you disagree with any charges then you ll need to go the front desk..

We check our bill a day or two before the end of the cruise. That way if there is any question about the bill so far, we won't be in the line on disembarkation day. They can be rather long lines:eek:

 

Charlie

[newmexicoNita]

We check our bill a day or two before the end of the cruise. That way if there is any question about the bill so far, we won't be in the line on disembarkation day. They can be rather long lines:eek:

 

Charlie

WE do the same and would never remove the gratuities. We usually tip above and beyond to a few crew members, normally our cabin steward, someone in the bar and sometimes a really nice person working the casinos. I say sometimes as we have found many in the casino not seemingly liking their job. I don't know why, we give them lots of money.

 

Nita

 

ps gas here is now 3.63 and no this isn't the price for a gallon of wine. Even I couldn't drink wine that cheap....lol

[98Charlie]

WE do the same and would never remove the gratuities. We usually tip above and beyond to a few crew members, normally our cabin steward, someone in the bar and sometimes a really nice person working the casinos. I say sometimes as we have found many in the casino not seemingly liking their job. I don't know why, we give them lots of money.

 

Nita

 

ps gas here is now 3.63 and no this isn't the price for a gallon of wine. Even I couldn't drink wine that cheap....lol

We limit our offerings to the Captains retirement fund in the casino:rolleyes: I have heard that the casino workers have some pretty long hours (not that there are short hours for any cruise worker) and the only real benefit is the experience so that they can work a land based casino.

 

Drove in from Indy today. Gas there just dropped from $4.04 to $3.93. Back here it's in the mid $3.60's except near the interstates where it 10-15¢ more.

 

Charlie