K
Karin
Guest
Planning to book my first on NCL after over 25 on the other lines, so I need to know the ins and outs of this freestyle version of cruising.
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N
nmnita
Guest
Good for you. What you need to know depends on what ship you are considering. if you ar looking at one of NCLs ships designd for for freestyle I think will will be happy and surprised at how well it works. If you are looking at one of the 2 older ships, that could be a little different.
I am the first to say, freestle isn't for everyone but is gaining in ppularity all the time.
The Pros: yes, you will have so many more dining chouces, a few come with sur charges, just like the other lines, but there are still many options and we love being able to eat when we want. debarkation is much better on NCl. The dress code makes packing less of a hassle but you can still bring that special outfit if you choose to dress more formally one or two nights. The auto tipping, which has been adopted by many lines is so much easier than running around looking envaloped and getting the right change that last night.
Drawbacks, yes, just like your favorite land restaurant that doesn't accept reservations: if you choose to eat from 7pm to around 8pm you many have a 10 or 15 minute wait. No, you will not build that phoney report with your wait staff and you will not be spending X number of nights with the same dinner companions. This can be a pro or a con. We normally choose to dine with another couple and have made more friends on freestyle cruises than traditional ones.
I really can't think of any unglies and have only mentioned a few of the differences between traditional and freestyle cruising, I haven't given the total run down on NCL ships.
Nita
I am the first to say, freestle isn't for everyone but is gaining in ppularity all the time.
The Pros: yes, you will have so many more dining chouces, a few come with sur charges, just like the other lines, but there are still many options and we love being able to eat when we want. debarkation is much better on NCl. The dress code makes packing less of a hassle but you can still bring that special outfit if you choose to dress more formally one or two nights. The auto tipping, which has been adopted by many lines is so much easier than running around looking envaloped and getting the right change that last night.
Drawbacks, yes, just like your favorite land restaurant that doesn't accept reservations: if you choose to eat from 7pm to around 8pm you many have a 10 or 15 minute wait. No, you will not build that phoney report with your wait staff and you will not be spending X number of nights with the same dinner companions. This can be a pro or a con. We normally choose to dine with another couple and have made more friends on freestyle cruises than traditional ones.
I really can't think of any unglies and have only mentioned a few of the differences between traditional and freestyle cruising, I haven't given the total run down on NCL ships.
Nita
K
Karin
Guest
Yes I did mean freestyle and and you for your comments.
C
cruisebuddy
Guest
NCL review...
GOOD: I find that their ships are beautiful. I especially liked the Spirit, but out of the three I've been on, they were all very nicely decorated. Gorgeous! As for entertainment, some shows are better than others, but for the most part, the entertainment was very good.
GOOD & BAD: Freestyle dining. They promote the fact that you can make your choice instead of being told "when and where" to dine, but for us, we do not necessarily mind being told when and where. Depending on who you end up with at your table, sometimes assigned seating can work in your favor, and sometimes not. Having said that, when you have a choice of where, it can be a plus, though you will want to make your reservations in advance. If you wait til the day of, you may get boxed out. Out of all of the dining options, I HIGHLY recommend the French resturant Le Bistro. It is the best on the high seas! Stay away from the hibachi (been there, done that on land), and the sushi (very average menu, not for the true sushi connoisseur).
UGLY (IMO): Optional formal nights. This is where NCL and I have a disagreement. You can dress up for formal nights if you want. For me, I HATE that. Call me old fashioned, but part of the glory of cruising is formal nights for me. To be one of the only men on board actually wearing a tux on formal night made me feel like an outcast. I totally hated that feeling. It might seem like a minor point to some, but I LOVE formal nights.
Other than that, I can't think of anything wrong with NCL. I would definitely cruise them again.
GOOD: I find that their ships are beautiful. I especially liked the Spirit, but out of the three I've been on, they were all very nicely decorated. Gorgeous! As for entertainment, some shows are better than others, but for the most part, the entertainment was very good.
GOOD & BAD: Freestyle dining. They promote the fact that you can make your choice instead of being told "when and where" to dine, but for us, we do not necessarily mind being told when and where. Depending on who you end up with at your table, sometimes assigned seating can work in your favor, and sometimes not. Having said that, when you have a choice of where, it can be a plus, though you will want to make your reservations in advance. If you wait til the day of, you may get boxed out. Out of all of the dining options, I HIGHLY recommend the French resturant Le Bistro. It is the best on the high seas! Stay away from the hibachi (been there, done that on land), and the sushi (very average menu, not for the true sushi connoisseur).
UGLY (IMO): Optional formal nights. This is where NCL and I have a disagreement. You can dress up for formal nights if you want. For me, I HATE that. Call me old fashioned, but part of the glory of cruising is formal nights for me. To be one of the only men on board actually wearing a tux on formal night made me feel like an outcast. I totally hated that feeling. It might seem like a minor point to some, but I LOVE formal nights.
Other than that, I can't think of anything wrong with NCL. I would definitely cruise them again.
D
Don Clark
Guest
NCL's Freestyle works better for me than Traditional.
The main difference is that you're not assigned a table and time for dinner in the main restaurants, and the dress code is much more relaxed on every night.
A collared shirt, either sport, dress, or polo; and a pair of long pants, either jeans or slacks, is sufficent every night. No ties, suits, or tuxedos need to be pack for "Formal" or "Semi-Formal" nights, because they no longer exist on NCL ships. NCL will have an occassional "Dress Up or Not" night for those who like to dress up to the nines, but it's completely optional. Resort Casual attire is always appropriate on NCL ships.
Dinner is just like Breakfast and Lunch on other cruise lines at the main restaurants. First to arrive, first to sit. If all the tables are full at the restaurant, you'll have to wait for one to become free. I've never experienced a wait longer than 5 minutes. But, I dine rather early before all the tables are full.
Likewise, you'll need to get reservations for many of the specialty restaurants, whether they have a surcharge or not. These restaurants are much smaller, and fill up fast. Because they do use reservations, what appears to be an empty restaurant make be booked solid. Since most dinners can take from 90 minutes to 2 hours; an empty table may be booked 90 minutes later by someone, which you couldn't possibly finish your dinner before they arrived.
The best help you'll find aboard your ship, is the Freestyle Daily. It lists al the restaurants, whether they have a surcharge, and whether they require reservations. If the restaurant you wish to dine at requires a reservation, make one. Just drop by the reservations counter, usually in or adjacent to the main atrium, and make one. You can also use the telephone in your cabin, although the restaurant reservation telephone can be very busy.
If you are living in a suite, the coincerge available for you as a perk, will help you make your reservations for the entire cruise. That's a really nice perk. If not, you'll only be able to make a reservation for tonight and tommorrow night.
So don't get discourage if you hear your restaurant of choice is booked solid for tonight, try to make one for tommorrow night. Be flexible - Be happy.
P.S. The main restaurants are large enough where you shouldn't need to make a reservation. But, if you wish to dine at a large table with a large group, you can make reservations at them too.
Have a great cruise. Freestyle isn't that complicated, but it is different.
The main difference is that you're not assigned a table and time for dinner in the main restaurants, and the dress code is much more relaxed on every night.
A collared shirt, either sport, dress, or polo; and a pair of long pants, either jeans or slacks, is sufficent every night. No ties, suits, or tuxedos need to be pack for "Formal" or "Semi-Formal" nights, because they no longer exist on NCL ships. NCL will have an occassional "Dress Up or Not" night for those who like to dress up to the nines, but it's completely optional. Resort Casual attire is always appropriate on NCL ships.
Dinner is just like Breakfast and Lunch on other cruise lines at the main restaurants. First to arrive, first to sit. If all the tables are full at the restaurant, you'll have to wait for one to become free. I've never experienced a wait longer than 5 minutes. But, I dine rather early before all the tables are full.
Likewise, you'll need to get reservations for many of the specialty restaurants, whether they have a surcharge or not. These restaurants are much smaller, and fill up fast. Because they do use reservations, what appears to be an empty restaurant make be booked solid. Since most dinners can take from 90 minutes to 2 hours; an empty table may be booked 90 minutes later by someone, which you couldn't possibly finish your dinner before they arrived.
The best help you'll find aboard your ship, is the Freestyle Daily. It lists al the restaurants, whether they have a surcharge, and whether they require reservations. If the restaurant you wish to dine at requires a reservation, make one. Just drop by the reservations counter, usually in or adjacent to the main atrium, and make one. You can also use the telephone in your cabin, although the restaurant reservation telephone can be very busy.
If you are living in a suite, the coincerge available for you as a perk, will help you make your reservations for the entire cruise. That's a really nice perk. If not, you'll only be able to make a reservation for tonight and tommorrow night.
So don't get discourage if you hear your restaurant of choice is booked solid for tonight, try to make one for tommorrow night. Be flexible - Be happy.
P.S. The main restaurants are large enough where you shouldn't need to make a reservation. But, if you wish to dine at a large table with a large group, you can make reservations at them too.
Have a great cruise. Freestyle isn't that complicated, but it is different.
