Return to NCL?

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Hal

Guest
Several years ago we cruise on the Norwegian Sea, out of Miami. We were disappointed by the overwhelming informality of Freestyle Cruising on that ship. We typically cruise over the Christmas Holiday and enjoy the family time and formal nights. On the Sea, on Christmas evening, on what was denoted a formal night in the main dining room, many (not just a few) passengers choose to dine in shorts and t-shirts or jeans. We aksed our served and the maitre de, but were told they do not want to refuse entry to any passenger. Part of the allure of cruising is that there is the occassional formal evening to enjoy. We recognize that the Sea is a smaller ship and was not built for freestyle, but it did have two dinning rooms, a specialty restaurant, a buffet and another restaurant, as well. Has NCL become a bit more discriminating and redirecting passengers to less formal venues if appropriate, or is it everything goes? Since our Sea cruise we have returned to RCL and HAL, for more traditional cruising. However, we are interested in the Star's Mexican itinerary next Christmas, but are concerned that we will be personally disappointed by the informality. We do, however, understand that for some this is great, just not for us. Does anyone have thoughts as to what to expect on the Star?

Hal
Voyager - Christmas 2004
Zaandam - Christmas 2003
Norwegian Sea - Christmas 2002
Monarch - Christmas 2001
Color Festivale - Summer 2001
 
S

shadowledge

Guest
Free Style cruising is what it is. On some ships one of the dining rooms is designated on the formal night but you are not kept out if you are tieless and/or jacketless. Shorts and torn jeans are a no-no in NCL dining rooms and most guys show up in collared sport shirts and slacks at the very least. If you don't like Free Style, I'd advise staying away from NCL. We love it.
 
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Anonymous User

Guest
On the Star the formal nights are done in the Versailles dining room which is one of the most beautiful dining rooms I have ever seen,we noticed that everyone on formal nights were wearing formal or very dressy clothes,no jeans whatsoever,they also stick to no jeans or shorts on nights that are not formal in the Versailles,a truly beautiful room.
 
L

Luci

Guest
Yes, the NCL STAR has the most beautiful dinning room I have ever seen. It also has the most beautiful bathrooms I have ever seen on a cruise ship. I have cruised with many different cruise lines (20) times,
My question is..... Are you willing to pay the $10. fee per day that is required. It has nothing to do with tipping the staff. The money is not used to tip your waiters or cabin steward. They call it a service fee and not a tipping fee.
The Diamond Princess is a more formal ship than NCL Star. Almost everybody dressed really nice almost every night. It is a fun adult ship. My sister wants to go back on it again as soon as possible. It was a dream cruise during the Thanksgiving/Christmas Holidays. People dressed nice but if you want ultra nice.... then the Celebrity cruise line is the ship for you.
 
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