How much is the average price of drinks on the NCL; are you allowed to take any liquor on-board?

Question

This is our 1st cruise and we're going on the 8-day Mexican Riviera with NCL Star. If anybody has ever been on this cruise, I will appreciate any suggestions or information you could give us. Also, I am worried about getting sea sick; normally I don't have any problems with motion sickness, but just in case; is there anything I can do to prevent it?

Answer 1

We cruised on the Norwegian Star to the Mexican Rivera in October 2004.  The ship was very nice, we had a balcony cabin which had good amenities.  The food and service was good.  Our cruise port stops were altered because a hurricane came across Mexico and was near one of the ports we were to stop at.  However, we never had rough seas because by the time we were near that port it was all clear, sunny and hot.  But we did miss one port stop.

We did stop in Cabo and I loved it there best of all of our stops.  Then we did Acapulco and Puerto Vallarta.  In Acapulco we did the tour to see the cliff divers (recommended) and also a tour of the city.  In Vallarta we did the tour to the Tequila (recommended) factory with a city tour also.  The factory was not much but the tequila samples are good.

There was not much in the way of ship motion on our cruise.  All of the new ships now being built have automatic stabilizer that all but eliminate any rocking from side to side. And these newer passenger ships are so long, most 900 feet to almost 1,000 feet, that the front to back motion is also all but eliminated.   Cruise ships make every effort to stay away from bad weather, even changing the order of port stops (as they did with us) if weather is bad at one.

There are some options to combat sea sickness. One is a prescription from your Dr for either pills or a patch that is applies behind the ear. Another option is a wrist bracelet that you can purchase at boating stores. And the ship will have a doctor who can dispense sea sickness pills.  I have been on almost 20 cruises and never gotten seas sick.

NORWEGIAN does not allow you to bring any liquor on board without written PRIOR permission of the carrier.  Drinks will vary by type but are generally about $5.50 to $6.50.  You can save on drinks by ordering them in a plain glass rather than the souvenir glasses which add about $1.50 to the cost of each.  You also need to be aware that they will automatically a 15% gratuity to every drink order check (that's standard on all cruise ships now) so you do not have to tip the server separately.  Also, your cruise includes all meals in the main dining room and buffet and coffee, tea, milk, juices, and lemonade and punch are free but you do have to pay for soft drinks (Coke/Pepsi will be about $1.50).  I always take a 6-pack of 16 oz Pepsi on board in my carry on bag for my cabin and  then put a bottle or two in the mini-refrig.

You should also be aware that with the Freestyle cruising there will be many alternative restaurants on the ship, and while the food is free there is  a gratuity/service charge of $15 to $20 per person each time you go.  The restaurants are good but if you use them all week then you will add a lot to your tab at the end of teh cruise.  We always prefer to just go to the main dining room and the buffet.  The main dining room will have great meals like Lobster, prime rib, fillet mignon, roast pork, and all types of salads, soups and desserts FOR FREE!!!!

Since this is your first cruise, here are some more tips:

-Join the cruise club so that the cruise line will send you their specials and so that you can get discounts on future cruises with them. The discount will typically be $50 to $100 per person. If you will be celebrating a honeymoon, anniversary, or birthday during the cruise, be sure to tell them, they will do special stuff for that.

- Cruise lines charge a lot for the photos they take so take your own photos around the ship when you get the chance, especially on the formal nights. Ask other passengers to take photos for you, they generally are very willing.

- Take a 6-pack of water and/or soft drinks in your carry on for your cabin.

- take a cup or mug with a lid for cold drinks when you are around the pool, most plastic glasses on cruise ships are small.

Its best to pack using soft-sided luggage because with space limited in your cabin it fits under the beds better if its not hard sided luggage. Take a small carry-on bag for the last night of the cruise. On the last evening you will be required to put your luggage outside your cabin by about 2:00 AM so that they can start taking it down to the lower deck for offloading the next morning. So you will need a small bag for your toiletries and and your clothes that you sleep in.

Answer 2

i would get some sea sickness pills or a patch from your doctor from the cruise.

i would also go to cruiseclues.com and cruisecritic.com

good luck.

Answer 3

I was just on the NCL Star in May - to Alaska. Drinks are anywhere between $3.00 - $8.00.  If you get the souvenir glass, they are $8.00.  Make sure you tell them you do not want that or they will automatically give it to you.  

You can bring alcohol in your checked in luggage.  It is not allowed, but we have always been able to sneak it on board with no problem.  If they find it - which they never do - they will simply take it away and give it back at the end of the cruise.  

We really did not enjoy NCL at all - hopefully the crew has gotten better since May.  

Sea sickness - get the patch BEFORE you leave.