What is a Norwiegan Cruise Line cruise like? Help! I am going on a cruise and don't know what to expect.?

Question

Will I need money for food? Will I have to pay for entertainment? Is anything free with the cruise?

Answer 1

lots of food, dance and gambling.  The sea is beautiful but take something for sea sickness just in case! It is never all inclusive...you will more than likely spend more that you thought!

Answer 2

NCL is great.  You don't need money at all.  Have you ever stayed in a motel/hotel that uses a card for a door key?  Well, NCL does something similar, only that key card is connected to your account you've set up so anything you want to buy on the ship you use the card.  The won't even accept cash (but I would bring some so you can buy stuff at the ports).  And most NCL ships have about 10 restaurants on them.  Half of them are free, half cost money (there's a pamphlet in your room that will tell you which ones are free and which ones aren't).  Most of the restaurants are casual dress, and the other ones are casual dress until 6 PM, then the dress requirements are a collard shirt (for males) or a dress/skirt (for females).  And if I remember correctly, 24 hour room service is free too.  Most of the entertainment on board is free.  The only things I can think of that cost are the spa and gambling games.  If you want drinks (soft drinks or alcohol), that costs money as well.  Water, milk, tea, hot chocolate and coffee are free, however.  If you have any question on board the ship, the crew is always there for you.  It's their job to attend to you, so don't feel like you're bothering them.  They're very friendly and happy to help you.  I remember my first cruise.  I was worrying about the same things you were and I've tried to answer all the questions I had.  

By the way, bring your own pillow.  NCL pillows are comfortable...for the first five minutes but then they collapse on you and will give you a kinked neck and a headache.  And don't bring a lot of stuff you don't need.  Standard cabins are 9x15 and the storage space is like 2x5.  Also, don't bring things for you to do in your room because I can almost guarantee that you will only go there to sleep.

Answer 3

I just got off my first Norwegian Cruise in early June.  I left New York on the Norwegian Spirit and went to Bermuda, St Thiomas, and Tortolla.  I have also been on 4 Carnival, 1 Royal Caribbean, and 1 Celebrity.  For a cruise line that does thigns very differently (especially something trademarked as "cruise things") it kept pace with the other ones nicely.  

On a normal cruise ship you are locked into your dining time which has its pro and cons....what you gain in convenience of never having to wait for a table is balanced with the fact that you have no flexibility when you want to go.  Norwegian was great because we avoided the rush in the middle of the evening by going late (8-830) then realized that liked early dinners (so we could do mroe around the ship at night) and started going before the rush (right when the restaurants opened at 530).  This worked out great every night and we didnt get stuck waiting once.  If we got hungry at night there was free room service with a nice little menu.  We did not trry and of the specialty restaurants since I so enjoy the normal cruise dining style.  Even if you want to you do not need extra cash because it will go on a card they give you for all your purchases on the ship.  No where, other than the casino and game room, takes cash on the ship.  Food, drinks, gifts etc all go on this card which acts liek a credit card (bill on last day is linked to a credit card before you get on the ship).  

On the ship are the specialty restaurants while there are a few free ones.  The free ones were just like the other crusie style dining: 5 courses, highly gourmet and delicious food.  By doing that dining room every night we avoided the surcharges for the other restaurants.  Otherwise, lunch and breakfast are also free in the buffet or those other restaurants (not the specialty ones).  

Entertainment is free of course.  Other than drinks, gifts, specialty restaurants, and the casino everything is free.  The cruise line works in the same fashion as every other with the exception to these added restaurants.  They are good, but its up to you to decide if you want to spend the extra money.

Tipping is good too because on your bill they charge 10$ a day per person.  This includes everythign so there is no need to tip ANYONE extra unless you want to.  Even room service doesnt look for a tip.  I tipped a waiter crew that i liked and our room steward who was good, otherwise dont feel the need to over tip.

Answer 4

All you need to pay for is any  alcohol you consume.  If you buy art at their auctions, do wine tasting, get massages, or buy in their stores on board you'll need money.  If you dock somewhere and get off the ship you'll need lots of money.  There are side excursions that cost you plenty, but you have the option of staying on board the ship.

Answer 5

lol just try not to DISSAPEAR on your Norwiegan cruise. i see it on the news all of the time.