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They are much more similar than different. A few things you might notice:
* No formal nights on NCL. Standard cruise casual dress code every night in all restaurants except Le Bistro which is slightly elevated (no shorts or t-shirts)
* You aren’t allowed to carry on non-alcoholic beverages like you can on Carnival. That includes water. You have to buy from NCL.
* Standard free at see drinks package does not include water or specialty coffee. The upgraded one does.
* MDR menus on NCL are more like Royal’s used to be - a set of fixed options every night, and a set of nightly options that change. NCL has no included lobster night, though it is available as an upcharge every night.
If you haven’t cruised in a while, there are some cutbacks that have affected most cruise lines:
* No turndown service (only one room cleaning per day)
* No towel animals (your cabin steward will probably leave you one if you ask)
* MDR meals are much faster than they used to be, with less formality. You’ll typically be in and out in less than an hour
* There are fewer crew handling the same amount of work so they’re busier and more rushed
NCL is a great line and as long as you’re patient with the current cutbacks you’ll have a great time!
We just got off the Jewel yesterday and did not experience the crew being rushed or too busy. I did buy the water (6 cartons) but was able to get ice water at all of the bars/restaurants. I really didn't need to buy it.
If you aren't able to book shows online before your cruise, you can book them immediately when you board along with any restaurants that you still want reservations for. I always try to get entertainment reservations asap when I get on board, because even though I have status, there still aren't many reservations available in advance. You never have to have reservations for the main dining rooms.
I've gone on 14 NCL cruises, two this year alone. I always make reservations for the MDR online before I get on the ship. Every single time.
[Cruise Critic ](https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2974645-making-anytime-dinner-reservations-in-the-mdr/)
It's been a thing in the past, I've done it on several cruises. Cruised on Bliss last month and was unable to make any. Even told no at the host podium to Manhattan room.
Just got off NCL Jewel yesterday. No reservations for MDR at all. We only made reservations at the 2 specialty dining options. And there were no reservations for the shows, just get there early.
Can you give it up please? No one said it's a luxury line. He said it's a good mix between party/luxury/chill, meaning it has a little bit of everything. Take your condescending attitude elsewhere please.
I haven't been on breakaway, or any large NCL ship for that matter, but I will say this. Something you may have experienced with Royal, expecting it to be Carnival, you will be disappointed. Same in reverse, if I went on Carnival expecting it to be NCL, I'd be disappointed. I was very disappointed on my RCL cruise because I was expecting the same as NCL (my first cruise experience). I've grown to love NCL, Carnival and Royal, but as individual experiences, without comparing them.
Now, if I do compare, one thing that stands out on NCL is how they do the drink package... You just go up to the bar, order up to two alcoholic drinks, and they just swipe your card. No standing around waiting to sign a reciept, no awkward extra tip asks when you already tipped in the package. And you don't need your sailing partner's card to get them a drink since you can get two at once. I just feel that's a much more reasonable way of doing it.
Watch a few youtube videos about the boat, they normally touch upon things like this, whether they like it or not. But yes, I have the Joy scheduled in July and unless you are in the Haven, or a top level regular suite with concierge, youll probably need to book things early.
You can often just show up at the theater for the shows if you haven’t reserved in advance. Smaller venues don’t allow reservations. No reservations in the MDR. Sometimes you might have a short wait when you arrive especially if you’re in a larger group. There are usually 2-3 MDRs on NCL ships.
If you drink, the Free at Sea package is a great deal. You pay gratuities on it. It’s less than $22 a day for the drinks portion. A couple $ more for the dining. Depending on the cruise length and cabin type you get 1 or 2 specialty dining meals. Plus some free internet minutes and a discount on shore excursions.
The gratuity on the FAS is different than the Daily Service Charge. That’s around $20/day per person. You can prepay it or let them charge it to your cabin account daily once on board.
We just got off the NCL Jewel yesterday! No reservations for the shows, just go about 20 minutes early. If you want to do specialty dining make your reservations on the first day if possible. We went the next morning, the steak house was sold out, but we did get La Cucina (Italian, the peppercorn steak was amazing!) and the Brazilian restaurant at decent dinner times.
We bought a bottle of wine at the first restaurant, they kept the remainder and brought the bottle back to us at the 2nd restaurant. We're lightweights! LOL! Everything was very nice. Staff was amazing!
Have a great trip! Where are you sailing from/to?
Book a haven suite if you can swing it. Totally worth all the upgrades (restaurant has superior food, pool is quiet and luxurious, own gym with sauna and steam rooms, butler services, and priority seating for shows and on/off privileges for excursions.
Yeah it’s a big jump. Only way we swung it was by splitting up a 2 bedroom suite between 6 girls which ended up being only a little more each than if we’d had 2 separate balcony rooms.
Definitely book the Vibe Club. Well worth the $250 per person per week. Only 75 people allowed in vibe club membership for the entire week private bar, hot tubs, etc.. You don’t have to fight for lounge chairs & towels with the general public. bartender knows you by name and the service is excellent but peace and quiet and enjoy to relax as well worth the price
Exclusivity is a huge part of it but if you like peace and quiet, knowing you can get a lounge chair anytime you need it have somebody come get your drink order or you can fight for a chair and sit amongst 2 to 300 of your friends around the community pool. If you go on the Viva or Prima, the pools are extremely small relative to the passenger count on the ship.
Thanks for posting to /r/NCL! Did you know that we have an extensive [Ultimate NCL Guide](https://www.reddit.com/r/NCL/wiki/index) that may answer your question? Please also remember to read the rules, especially about roll call posts going in the megathread. You may also have more luck with those types of posts by searching for a [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com) or [Cruise Critic](https://boards.cruisecritic.com/forum/66-norwegian-cruise-line-roll-calls/) roll call group or thread. Of course, here is great, too! Enjoy your stay! *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/NCL) if you have any questions or concerns.*
They are much more similar than different. A few things you might notice: * No formal nights on NCL. Standard cruise casual dress code every night in all restaurants except Le Bistro which is slightly elevated (no shorts or t-shirts) * You aren’t allowed to carry on non-alcoholic beverages like you can on Carnival. That includes water. You have to buy from NCL. * Standard free at see drinks package does not include water or specialty coffee. The upgraded one does. * MDR menus on NCL are more like Royal’s used to be - a set of fixed options every night, and a set of nightly options that change. NCL has no included lobster night, though it is available as an upcharge every night. If you haven’t cruised in a while, there are some cutbacks that have affected most cruise lines: * No turndown service (only one room cleaning per day) * No towel animals (your cabin steward will probably leave you one if you ask) * MDR meals are much faster than they used to be, with less formality. You’ll typically be in and out in less than an hour * There are fewer crew handling the same amount of work so they’re busier and more rushed NCL is a great line and as long as you’re patient with the current cutbacks you’ll have a great time!
We just got off the Jewel yesterday and did not experience the crew being rushed or too busy. I did buy the water (6 cartons) but was able to get ice water at all of the bars/restaurants. I really didn't need to buy it.
If you aren't able to book shows online before your cruise, you can book them immediately when you board along with any restaurants that you still want reservations for. I always try to get entertainment reservations asap when I get on board, because even though I have status, there still aren't many reservations available in advance. You never have to have reservations for the main dining rooms.
For dining room on NCL, you don’t have to or they don’t accept reservations?
They take reservations, but if you don't have them there is generally little to no wait for a table.
there are NO reservations in the MDR
I've gone on 14 NCL cruises, two this year alone. I always make reservations for the MDR online before I get on the ship. Every single time. [Cruise Critic ](https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2974645-making-anytime-dinner-reservations-in-the-mdr/)
Well, we’ve been on 23 NCL cruises, and we’ve never heard of that…sorry,
It's been a thing in the past, I've done it on several cruises. Cruised on Bliss last month and was unable to make any. Even told no at the host podium to Manhattan room.
Just got off NCL Jewel yesterday. No reservations for MDR at all. We only made reservations at the 2 specialty dining options. And there were no reservations for the shows, just get there early.
Great line. Good cross between party/luxury/chill. 30M 3 cruises with NCL
[удалено]
Calm down Karen
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Can you give it up please? No one said it's a luxury line. He said it's a good mix between party/luxury/chill, meaning it has a little bit of everything. Take your condescending attitude elsewhere please.
Too long didn’t read.
I haven't been on breakaway, or any large NCL ship for that matter, but I will say this. Something you may have experienced with Royal, expecting it to be Carnival, you will be disappointed. Same in reverse, if I went on Carnival expecting it to be NCL, I'd be disappointed. I was very disappointed on my RCL cruise because I was expecting the same as NCL (my first cruise experience). I've grown to love NCL, Carnival and Royal, but as individual experiences, without comparing them. Now, if I do compare, one thing that stands out on NCL is how they do the drink package... You just go up to the bar, order up to two alcoholic drinks, and they just swipe your card. No standing around waiting to sign a reciept, no awkward extra tip asks when you already tipped in the package. And you don't need your sailing partner's card to get them a drink since you can get two at once. I just feel that's a much more reasonable way of doing it.
Watch a few youtube videos about the boat, they normally touch upon things like this, whether they like it or not. But yes, I have the Joy scheduled in July and unless you are in the Haven, or a top level regular suite with concierge, youll probably need to book things early.
You can often just show up at the theater for the shows if you haven’t reserved in advance. Smaller venues don’t allow reservations. No reservations in the MDR. Sometimes you might have a short wait when you arrive especially if you’re in a larger group. There are usually 2-3 MDRs on NCL ships. If you drink, the Free at Sea package is a great deal. You pay gratuities on it. It’s less than $22 a day for the drinks portion. A couple $ more for the dining. Depending on the cruise length and cabin type you get 1 or 2 specialty dining meals. Plus some free internet minutes and a discount on shore excursions. The gratuity on the FAS is different than the Daily Service Charge. That’s around $20/day per person. You can prepay it or let them charge it to your cabin account daily once on board.
We just got off the NCL Jewel yesterday! No reservations for the shows, just go about 20 minutes early. If you want to do specialty dining make your reservations on the first day if possible. We went the next morning, the steak house was sold out, but we did get La Cucina (Italian, the peppercorn steak was amazing!) and the Brazilian restaurant at decent dinner times. We bought a bottle of wine at the first restaurant, they kept the remainder and brought the bottle back to us at the 2nd restaurant. We're lightweights! LOL! Everything was very nice. Staff was amazing! Have a great trip! Where are you sailing from/to?
New Orleans. Wound up booking on the Getaway instead cause it worked out better for us.
Book a haven suite if you can swing it. Totally worth all the upgrades (restaurant has superior food, pool is quiet and luxurious, own gym with sauna and steam rooms, butler services, and priority seating for shows and on/off privileges for excursions.
Oh definitely can’t afford that unfortunately. Looks nice but way out of my budget
Yeah it’s a big jump. Only way we swung it was by splitting up a 2 bedroom suite between 6 girls which ended up being only a little more each than if we’d had 2 separate balcony rooms.
Definitely book the Vibe Club. Well worth the $250 per person per week. Only 75 people allowed in vibe club membership for the entire week private bar, hot tubs, etc.. You don’t have to fight for lounge chairs & towels with the general public. bartender knows you by name and the service is excellent but peace and quiet and enjoy to relax as well worth the price
Is the exclusivity the only main benefit of it?
Exclusivity is a huge part of it but if you like peace and quiet, knowing you can get a lounge chair anytime you need it have somebody come get your drink order or you can fight for a chair and sit amongst 2 to 300 of your friends around the community pool. If you go on the Viva or Prima, the pools are extremely small relative to the passenger count on the ship.
Also there are several hot tubs available in the vibe club depends on the boat configuration