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Welcome Aboard Norwegian Cruise
Line [top]
NCL's mid-size ships offer affordable cruises with good service and a choice of
many exciting cruise itineraries. Their innovative Freestyle Cruising policy
lets you enjoy a vacation that's tailor-made to your specifications. Best of
all, it allows you the freedom of choice on board ship.
On a Norwegian Cruise Line Freestyle Cruise, you'll have the opportunity to dine
where you want, at whatever time you want, and with whomever you choose - be it
in one of the ship's intimate alternative dining restaurants or the more
traditional formal dining room. You'll also enjoy the flexibility of freestyle
dining attire - meaning no strict dress codes. There are also Lifestyle Program
activities, a myriad of evening entertainment and activities, friendly staff,
and more service. All in all, Freestyle Cruising lets you cruise without
boundaries, making your cruise a unique experience.
Frequently Asked Questions About
Freestyle Cruising [top]
Q: What is Freestyle Cruising?
Freestyle Cruising is a completely new way to cruise. Norwegian Cruise Line has
taken every aspect of traditional cruising and made it more unstructured.
They've left in everything people love about cruising, then added more freedom,
more dining choices, more activities, a more relaxed dress code, and new ways
to disembark.
Q: What is Freestyle Dining?
Norwegian Cruise Line's Freestyle Dining policy means that you'll have the
flexibility to dine when you want, where you want, and with whomever you like.
You won't be assigned dining times, table numbers, or dinner companions. In
addition to the main dining room, NCL also offers a number of alternative
dining options, such as Italian and French. All of these options offer you the
flexibility to enjoy dinner with a group of friends, enjoy an intimate table
for two, or make new friends by sitting with a different group of people each
night. What time you dine is also up to you. There's no need to worry about
early or late seatings, losing time in port to make a dinner seating, or being
limited to the same schedule everyday. On board an NCL cruise, choice is on
every menu.
Q: How do we know where to eat each night?
It's up to you. There are as many as 13 different restaurants depending on your
NCL ship. There are no rules as to where you eat or when you eat, so try them
all. There's everything from traditional six-course dining to authentic
Italian, Spanish tapas, and Asian fusion.
Q: What time are the dinner seatings?
NCL ships do not have structured dinner seatings. They leave what time you dine
up to you. If you're in port, you don't have to hurry back to the ship and rush
to get dressed to make a 6:00 pm seating. If you like, you can stay in port and
enjoy whatever you're doing, or, if you're hungry, return to your ship for a
delicious meal. NCL restaurants are open from 5:30 pm to midnight, with seating
available until 10:00 pm. You can dine early or late. It's all up to you. And
if you want even more flexibility, room service is available 24 hours a day.
Q: We like to meet new people. Can we sit with other guests at dinner?
Certainly. You can dine with your group, or just ask and NCL will seat you and
your party with other guests who also enjoy meeting new people. Choose a
different way to dine every night. Meet new people during the cruise and dine
with them as the week progresses. You're not limited to dining with the same
people every night. If you want to be alone, a table for two is their
specialty.
Q: Can we still sit at the same table every night?
Yes. If you prefer the traditional cruise dining experience and would like to
be with a group that sits together every night, the Maitre D' will be happy to
arrange that for you once you are on board. If you change your mind and want to
try something new, feel free to dine at a different table or in one of the
ship's other restaurants. With Freestyle Cruising it's all up to you.
Q: What is appropriate dinner attire?
Almost whatever you want. NCL doesn't ever require you to wear a tie or other
formal attire to dinner. It is requested however that guests wear "resort
casual" attire to dine in any of the specialty and main restaurants in the
evening.
Q: What exactly is "resort casual" attire?
"Resort casual" is a much more comfortable way to dress for dinner. Basically,
it's collared shirts and pants or nice jeans for men, and pants, slacks, a dress,
or skirt for women. Jeans, shorts, T-shirts, swimsuits, and beachwear are not
permitted in the restaurants after 5:30 pm.
Q: Do I pay extra for all these dining choices?
Meals in the main restaurants and the buffet are included in your cruise fare.
Snacks throughout the ship and on-deck grills are also complimentary. Certain
specialty restaurants have a nominal cover charge (up to $25 per person) or
à la carte pricing, and reservations are recommended.
Q: How does tipping work with Freestyle Cruising?
For your convenience, NCL now automatically applies a service charge of $12 per
person per day (as of January 1, 2009) to your shipboard account. All of the onboard service personnel
(i.e. Cabin Steward, Waiter, Busboy, and Maitre D') receive gratuities from
this service charge, and there is no need for you to think about additional
tipping. Additionally, please note that a 15% gratuity is automatically added
to bar tabs, beauty salon, and spa services. The suggested gratuity for Vantage
Program Managers is $3 to $5 per person per day.
Q: What's different about Freestyle Cruising disembarkation?
It's a lot more enjoyable for starters. Disembarkation used to be a lot of
hurry up and wait - get up early, leave your stateroom, and wait in a public
area. With Freestyle Cruising disembarkation, you can relax. If you don't have
an early flight, you can sleep in. Relax over coffee in the restaurant or enjoy
room service and luxuriate during your last day on board.
Q: Are there scheduled activities on a Freestyle Cruise?
There's only one schedule with Freestyle Cruising - yours. For those who prefer
to be active, NCL's new Lifestyle Program features computer classes, physically
active excursions, health and wellness programs, cooking demonstrations - all
kinds of activities aimed at challenging your mind as well as your body. Or,
those who want to simply relax and enjoy can languish in a hot tub, treat
themselves to a spa service, bid at an art auction, read a book from the
well-stocked library, or shop for souvenirs.
You might also want to work out in the 24-hour Fitness Center, play basketball
or volleyball, take a swing in the golf driving net, or take a dip in a
swimming pool. In the evenings, see a spectacular Broadway show, catch a movie,
try your luck at the casino, or dance the night away under the stars. With so
many different activities, there's something for everyone. Do it all. Or do
nothing at all. We pick the ports, but the rest is up to you.
Q: What if I have a special cabin request?
Although the special group rate you have taken advantage of on your Vantage
cruise does not guarantee cabin selection, we will be happy to advise the
cruise line of any special requests. We must receive your request at the time
of booking. Please note that cabins within your category may be located on
several different decks and cabin availability on your deck of choice may be
limited.
Periodically, cruise lines will randomly upgrade passengers for space allocation
purposes. Please keep in mind that these upgrades are at the discretion of the
cruise line and selection of passengers to be upgraded is not in Vantage's
control.
Q: Can NCL accommodate my special dietary requirements?
The ship will be able to accommodate a variety of special dietary requirements,
provided requests are received at the time of booking. NCL offers alternative
dining menus such as Kosher (frozen entrées only), low-sodium, low-fat,
low-sugar, and vegetarian. Please confirm any dietary requests with your
Vantage Program Manager once on board.
Q: I'll be celebrating a special occasion at sea. Can NCL help?
If you will be celebrating a birthday, anniversary, or honeymoon during your
cruise, NCL will be happy to honor the event with a special cake in the dining
room. Please advise Vantage of such occasions at time of booking. We will
forward the information to the cruise line. Please verify the arrangements with
your Vantage Program Manager once you are on board.
Money Matters While On Board [top]
NCL's on board credit program lets you charge just about everything to your
shipboard account. Sign up on the first day of your cruise and settle your
account on the last, paying with cash, Visa, MasterCard, American Express, or
travellers' checks. Restrictions may apply to the amount you can charge in the
casino. Personal checks are generally NOT accepted on the land portions of your
tour or on board ship, except as payment for a Vantage optional tour.
Currency Exchange
The Front Office does not handle currency exchange on board. U.S. dollars are
accepted for exchange at most ports of call, as are travellers' checks and
major credit cards.
General Information While On Board [top]
Air Conditioning
All cabins and public rooms on board are fully air-conditioned. Individual cabin
temperature can be regulated by passengers.
Electrical Current
The current on board all Norwegian Cruise Line ships is 110 volts (A standard
U.S. 2-pin plug is required.)
Keeping in Touch
To provide greater peace of mind while you're away, friends and family can reach
you by calling 1-900-329-SHIP from the U.S. Once on board, all cabins have a
telephone for intership calls. Reception will provide the desired connections
(depending on the ship's location). Please keep in mind that ship-to-shore
telephone calls can range from $12 to $15 per minute. Please refer to the
instructions provided in the information packet in your cabin. Phone cards are
not accepted on the ships. Fax facilities and e-mail service are also available
on board. Fees for your use of fax, Internet, and e-mail services will be
charged to your shipboard account. Keep in mind that phone centers and Internet
cafés in various ports may offer less expensive alternatives for keeping in
touch.
Laundry
Laundry, pressing, and dry cleaning facilities are available on board all ships.
Medical Facilities
There is a medical center on board ship. A US or Canadian licensed doctor and
three registered nurses are in permanent attendance. The on board pharmacy
stocks only USDA-approved medication. There will be a fee charged for all
medical services and medications obtained on board.
Please note that Medicare and U.S. health insurance are generally not accepted
on board ships or in foreign destinations. Claims made upon return to the USA
should be filed through your health insurance provider or through the Travel
Protection Plan if you have purchased it. All receipts and doctors reports are
required to process claims.
For further information on Norwegian Cruise Line and your ship, please refer to
their website at www.ncl.com
Shore Excursions [top]
Norwegian Cruise Line's "Shore Excursions" booklet will be provided in a mailing
prior to your departure. This booklet will provide detailed descriptions of the
excursions offered by the cruise line, including degree of difficulty, meals,
and tour highlights. You will have the opportunity to purchase these tours
while on board ship through your Vantage Program Manager.
The NCL optional shore excursions are offered solely by the cruise line and must
be reserved directly through them.
To pre-reserve shore excursions: fax or mail to NCL, or online at www.ncl.com ;
you'll need your 7-digit NCL identification number from your cruise cabin
confirmation notice that Vantage sends you approximately 7 to 10 days after
making your reservation.
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