Norwegian’s Epic New Ship

Norwegian Cruise Line  has recently announced the name of its  brand new ship, which was known before as the “F-3”.  Under construction at STX shipyard in Europe, NCL Executive Vice President Andy Stuart told a trade group on January 27th that the ship will be named Norwegian Epic in recognition of the many ground breaking features and amenities planned for the ship. 

The ship will sport “New Wave” cabins with curved walls and all ocean view staterooms will have balconies (an industry first).  Some other new features include the first ice bar at sea, an “uber bar’ and the elimination of traditional large dining rooms.

The Norwegian Epic’s maiden cruise will take place in summer 2010 but the specific date has not yet been announced.  The 150,000 ton ship will sail Saturdays year round from Miami on alternating Eastern and Western Caribbean itineraries.  Individual reservations are expected to open in April.

Norwegian Cruise Line

Time to Ditch the Rolex

Sometimes you just don’t want to follow the rest of the crowd. In everyday life, you follow a certain routine – get up at 6:30, arrive at work at 8:30, lunch at noon, leave at 6, and dinner at 8. Wouldn’t it be nice to find a vacation where you don’t have to be a slave to the clock? Well, wait no more because NCL’s Freestyle cruising may be just what the doctor ordered.

The sleek cruise ships of NCL deliver modern, contemporary cruising with a unique twist. Instead of fixed dining times, NCL offers Freestyle cruising which allows you to dine when and with whom you please in a variety of restaurants. You can select from up to 13 restaurants on board. All meals in the main restaurants are included in your fare. But most passengers choose to dine at the specialty restaurants several times during their cruise. The cover charge in the specialty restaurants is very modest in light of the dining experience – ranging between $10 and $20 per person. Options include a steakhouse, Teppanyaki (think Benihana), French Country Bistro, Italian Trattoria, Asian Fusion, All You Can Eat Sushi Bar, Tapas and Tex Mex. Advance reservations are available or you can call for same day arrangements. In the event that the restaurant of your choice is full, the maitre d’ can suggest alternatives using the ship’s computerized system or you can elect to take a pager that will alert you when your table is ready.

Norwegian Cruise Line has carefully arranged the entertainment and activity schedules to complement the Freestyle dining approach with extra shows and more convenient timing of activities. In addition to the Freestyle features, NCL has not left out any of the traditional trappings found on conventional cruises – large casinos, vast pool decks, complete spa and workout areas, internet cafes, shopping arcades and more. And on their newest ships, they’ve thrown in something not found anywhere else at sea – regulation bowling alleys in a vibrant entertainment complex.

NCL operates a fleet of 14 ships to destinations including the Caribbean, Mexico, Alaska, Europe, Bermuda, and (under sister brand NCL America) inter-island Hawaii cruises.

 

Dress/Packing Tips

There are really no “dress codes” on cruise ships but more like cruise packing tips to assist you in bringing the right items. Having traveled with a spouse and two teen age daughters, this editor is, however, painfully aware of the cruise shoe formula – take the number of cruise days and multiply by 5. How else could one possibly pack 35 pairs of shoes for a one week voyage?

But seriously, packing less is often more beneficial than packing more on a cruise. The style of ship you have selected usually dictates the way that passengers dress. The shorter and less expensive cruises skew toward very casual and the longer cruises on luxury ships tend to be more formal. Speaking of formal, most cruise ships have at least one gala night where passengers generally dress their best. Does this mean tuxedos and evening gowns? Yes, you will find these in evidence on longer cruises but the trend is to allow more freedom of choice on ships and this translates to dress guidelines that suggest instead of require formal wear. And even on gala night most ships offer an alternate dining venue for people who just plain refuse to dress up.

The best place to get some hints as to the suggested dress on board is in the Welcome Aboard materials provided by the cruise lines prior to your trip. But again, keep in mind that these are created to cover broad a spectrum of diverse guests. In almost all cases, shorts, bathing suits and t-shirts are banned from the main dining room at dinner time.

Ladies should remember to bring a sweater or shawl because the public rooms may be chilly.

Ashore, clothing suggestions depend a lot on what part of the world you are in. In the tropics, shorts, t-shirts and jeans (basically everything you are not supposed to wear in the ship’s dining room) are fine ashore in a beach environment. In Europe and Asia, travelers tend to be more conservative. And if your shore excursions include a visit to a cathedral or house of worship, bare shoulders or abbreviated wear for the ladies may result in denied entry. The shore excursion or purser’s staff can provide specific guidance on board. And always check to see that at least one pair of those 35 pairs of shoes are COMFORTABLE WALKING SHOES. Navigating the stairway of the Sistine Chapel in stiletto heels would be an excursion of its own!

When packing, again, less is more for a cruise. Most first time cruisers report back that they used about half of what they brought. Veteran cruisers try to see how little baggage they can get away with, somewhere in between will probably work for you. Most of the medium to larger ships offer laundry and pressing service. And some of them have self-service laundry facilities (although we don’t think most people consider doing laundry a fun vacation event. Take a lot of mix and match clothes based on the length and style of your cruise. A folding umbrella is always a good idea.

Planning is the most important part of the packing process. Don’t throw your suitcases on the bed the night before you leave and start to toss everything you own inside them. Remember, during many parts of the trip, YOU will have to drag, roll, or coax them to their check in point.

Tip: Make a list. Take half the stuff off the list. Divide by 2 and you have the ideal amount of cruise wear for your trip! A good rule of thumb is that if you find your travel mate looking in the yellow pages under “Moving and Storage Companies”, you may have packed too much. Bon voyage!

First Cruise Travel Tips

Selecting Your Cruise

Research indicates that most first time cruisers are focused on where the ship goes and choose cruises based on ports of call. There are several major destinations including Caribbean, Alaska, Europe, Hawaii & Asia Pacific, and Mexico to name a few.

Once you have zeroed in on the general area, the next step in how to select a cruise is deciding what kind of port experiences you are looking for. Beaches, shopping, historical sightseeing, action packed excursions… today’s ships offer so many choices of activities that some veteran cruisers often remain on the ship in a few ports of call.

Tip: Most first time cruisers believe they want to be in port and off the ship as much as possible. They often choose what is known as a port intensive itinerary. But, during their first cruise many spend a day or more “At Sea” and they realize that these were some of the most enjoyable days they ever spent. Total relaxation, sleeping ‘til noon, breakfast in bed, a soothing massage, and kicking back by the pool with a good book are a just a few of things that you can do (or not) on a day at sea.

Next is the perennial ship size question. Just like pizzas ships come in small, medium or large. And like toppings their amenities vary widely. Ships considered “smaller” may not have some of the more elaborate facilities found on bigger ships like large theatres, giant casinos, boutiques and ice skating rinks. That being said, the service, dining and ambiance on board these boutique liners is generally held to a higher standard (an expectation of higher rates charged).

If you are traveling with children, finding a cruise with programs available to them becomes very important. Likewise, if you enjoy elaborate entertainment or major casino action, then choosing medium to larger ships may be more suitable.

Clearly, this is a case where one size does not fit all. But by spending a few minutes in contemplation of what you like to do on vacation, you will be able to give your cruise specialist a lot of guidance on how to find and select a cruise for you.

 

Using a Cruise Specialist

Many first time cruisers mistakenly believe that using a cruise agent will cost them more due to fees being charged above and beyond the cost of the cruise. But savvy cruisers know that cruise travel agents receive their compensation from the carrier and do not “mark up” the cost of the cruise.

 In the current market environment, pricing is virtually standardized in terms of rates that a cruise specialist, online seller or cruise line direct planner will see. That’s because the cabin rates they see all come from the cruise line themselves on a common computer “feed”. Cruise lines generally discourage rebating and discounting and for all practical purposes rate quotes are consistent.

 One thing that a knowledgeable cruise agent does bring to the party is that they don’t have a built in bias to one line over another. Sure they may have their personal favorite, but they also know that to get you as a repeat customer the important thing is that they get the cruise that is right for YOU and not for THEM. They can view multiple cruise lines, departure dates and promotions to develop the best offer available.

 Cruise specialists also deliver an important intangible ingredient – insider tips, knowledge about pre and post cruise logistics, and personal experience. It is a good idea when selecting a cruise travel agent, first “interview” them for the job. Gauge their cruise experience, how long have they been in their business, and the reputation of their company. Remember anyone with a few dollars can have a slick web site. Don’t be shy to ask for credentials and references.

 Ask your cruise specialist to look for “specials” once you have narrowed down the choices. There’s a myriad of offers available at any given time such as Senior, Military, Regional, and Past Passenger rates as well as cruise line on board credits, upgrade programs and transportation credits. A good cruise agent will research all these programs to check if you are eligible to take advantage of any or all of them.

 Next time you are going on a cruise take a friend along – a good, knowledgeable cruise agent. You’ll be glad you did.

 

 

 

 

 

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This is the right place to get you started on the cruise vacation of lifetime.  With nearly 200 ships and destinations around the world, the choices can seem overwhelming.  Our goal is the help sort out the questions, concerns and misconceptions that abound for first time cruisers.  Our editors have been on more than 200 cruises and can help you enjoy your first cruising experience.

 

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