First Time Cruising With Norwegian Cruise Lines (NCL) – Part 3: Making Your Onboard Experience The Best

• First Time Cruising With Norwegian Cruise Lines (NCL) – Part 1: Tips Before Booking
• First Time Cruising With Norwegian Cruise Lines (NCL) – Part 2: Boarding the Ship Embarkation Day
• First Time Cruising With Norwegian Cruise Lines (NCL) – Part 3: Making Your Onboard Experience The Best <-This Post
• First Time Cruising With Norwegian Cruise Lines (NCL) – Part 4: Leaving the Ship Disembarkation Day <-Up Next

You have finally made it onboard and after very meticulous and careful pre cruise planning (see post above) as well as doing all the right things the day you boarded the ship (again, see post above) you are now abuzz from the wonders of being onboard. Now it is time to think about things to maximize your cruise experience.

If you have never cruised before there is something amazing that happens almost every night on a ship and that is “sail way”. It is something special that you absolutely should try not to miss the first night. Find a neat spot onboard (if you don’t have your own balcony) to have a nice refreshing drink and take in sailing away from the port into the big blue. You will likely get hooked by this experience and want to enjoy it every night onboard.

Your next item you want to knock out is looking at the entertainment onboard during your voyage. There can be shows that require reservations and that can sometimes be done in the APP. For shows that do not require reservations look at what days they will be performed or check the daily cruise letter at least to see what shows and or comedians and so on are scheduled for that night so you can plan accordingly around your excursion and dinner plans. A #ProTip for shows – Haven / Suite guests will have an area blocked off for them but as soon as the show begins unused seats open up for anyone so arriving just before the show begins can be wise. Also keep in mind normally the comedians have a family friendly show early in the evening and an adults only show later on.

Now some dinner tips. Keep in mind the crew are there to make sure you have an amazing time. While the menu may look set – it is not. If you like, for example, the protein from one dish and the sides from another – just ask and that will be provided. Want extra of something – no problem just ask. Want more bread or only one type – again just ask. Even for restaurants like the sports bar if you like wings and want 10 wings (8 is default) then ask. Want all drums? Ask. Want a plate or extra plates? Just ask and it will be provided with a smile.

There are number of things you need to be careful with and the foremost of these is your phone. Your phone, if you keep it on cell service at sea, may connect to the ship’s “Cellular at Sea”. Unless you have unlimited cash (or have a CAS phone plan) you want to not use this service. It is VERY expensive. Put your phone in airplane mode when not at a port and connect to the ship’s wifi. If you have paid for the unlimited wifi plan and your phone supports it wifi calling works great and you can both call and text at no extra charge beyond your normal plan. BTW the first day(s) of the cruise NCL oftentimes offers you a discount price to upgrade to the unlimited plan so it is worth taking a look at as well.

If you are worried that you did not pack enough cloths you should not worry too much. About half way into the cruise you can expect with your daily newsletter from your room steward a leaflet that tells you that you can get laundry at 50% off. You do pay per item but there is still value here if you are in a pinch.

Don’t forget about “Cruise Next”. If you find yourself loving NCL and are sure you will want to book another cruise sometime in the future then visit the cruise next desk. You can get either 50% off your credits (if you owe nothing on the ship) or if you do owe something they will apply the credits toward your bill.

Speaking of your bill, there is something you absolutely want to do the day before you arrive back in port. If you have, like me, loaded up the fully refundable onboard credit you will want to go to the finance desk and get cash. This is also important if you are wanting to have whatever cruise next credits you have purchased bill to whatever card you have put in as your default cruise card – and why not earn points for the purchase rather than burn up your onboard cash!

These are my favorite onboard NCL tips and if you apply them they should make your cruise just that much better. Next up we have some important reminders about the day you get off the ship and how to deal with PCDS! – René