is specialty dining on norwegian worth it
we really had everything we needed on board. Le Bistro is another Norwegian Cruise Line staple. Spark a conversation amongst friends over a great bottle of wine and freshly baked artisan farm bread. The shore excursions from NCL can of course be cheaper if you get them independent of the cruise line, but weve seen too many pier runners over the years who literally missed the ship because they didnt make it back in time. Enjoy the finest ingredients at our vibrant Italian ristorante, La Cucina. Make sure to try Le Bistro (French restaurant) and La Cucina (Italian). This perk is a definite first choice for most people. There are some packages that allow for 3-7 different specialty dining nights. How is the dining room food compare to the specialty dining? High Seas Cruising was founded by couple Marcello and Victoria to share travel tips and insights from over two decades of cruise vacations. Does this include taxes? It provides a more all-inclusive experience for guests and eliminates many of the annoying upcharges. I know it will help others to make a decision as well. We used our specialty dining package at Teppanyaki , Q Texas Smokehouse, Los Lobos, Cagneys, and Le Bistro. For people that have been on Bliss, or a similar Norwegian cruise, is it worth it? The breakfast menu has a small selection of breakfast items that are not available on the buffet. Unlike Norwegian Cruise Linesunlimited internet package, the free wifi perk only entitles guests to a limited number of minutes for each cruise. Jade also offers specialty dining choices for an extra fee, such as Norwegians signature French restaurant, Le Bistro, and Teppanyaki, where diners can socialize at shared tables while enjoying authentic Japanese hibachi. Unlike in the main dining room (or other included eateries), whether you're using your Free at Sea meals or purchase a package, you can order one main course. It has been awhile since we were on the NCL ships (have been doing Celebrity and RCL) but if I remember the prices at the Specialty restaurants is between $15-$30 a person. Typically, guests who book a studio or inside cabins might only get one free perk. Dont kid yourself, the balcony rooms are much to small for 3 much less 4. When you book your cruise, you will choose the perks for the reservation, not the individuals. Enjoy your cruise. I do LOVE the Celebrity beverage package and agree that upgrading can be worth it!Heres a link to a Guest Post I wrote for another site with some details about the beverage and perks on Celebrity https://cruisingisntjustforoldpeople.co.uk/2018/06/03/celebrity-beverage-package. You have a great point! If you get all five bonuses, you can opt out to avoid paying gratuities. The Soda Package gratuity is $1.59 per person per day or $11.13 per person on a 7-day cruise. This Free at Sea perk provides you with precisely what the name suggests. MSC does offer the beverage packing but does no5 include all types of liquor, you have to upgrade but not cheap. There are no additional taxes charged. NCLs Disclaimer: The purchase of any alcoholic drinks within the Hawaii Beverage Package may, in certain individual circumstances, be restricted in accordance with Hawaiis Intoxicating Liquor Law and applicable local rules and regulations.. For example, only the first two passengers on the reservation will receive the free dining perk, even though it is selected for the entire group on the reservation. Started August 27, 2021, By Meals 8 through 14 work out $10 per meal (or $14.20 per meal for 14). Cruises 7 11 nights receive 150 minutes, Cruises 12 nights and longer receive 300 minutes. Since most specialty restaurants are a la carte, the "price" depends on what is ordered. Further, Norwegians Sail Away rates are often excluded from the Free at Sea promotions. However, I have still found it to be worth it. Although its not much, its a great way to save money when booking a tour or excursion at the cruise port. which isn't untrue although it is a little misleading, in my opinion. Being Platinum level, we always wind up with extra liquor because of the bottles we get in the room and the specialty restaurant. Specialty Dining on Norwegian Cruise Line | Tips on specialty dining and how to upgrade for FREE! These include reduced 2nd passenger fares, additional onboard credit, and on rare occasions, free gratuities on certain cabin categories. Follow me on Facebook at Life Well Cruised, Follow me on YouTube at Life Well Cruised, Follow me on Pinterest at Life Well Cruised, Follow me on Instagram at Life Well Cruised. Ihre Kabinen-Schlsselkarte enthlt auf der Vorderseite einen SDP-Code. La Cucina is NCLs Italian restaurant serving up classic Italian dishes in a rustic setting. Heres a tip ask them to also check if the price has decreased or if there are any new promotions that might be advantageous for you. Definitely the value is there for many (we love it too), but as you said, people have to make their own calculations. The gratuity on the free specialty dining package perk is 20% of the total cost of the meal package. But theyre also known for their truffle fries. We are cruising on NCL 12+ days in January. Just keep in mind that sometimes it may be busy and there can be a wait time. NCLs Free at Sea perks promotion is very popular with cruisers. We used it and got a CruiseNext Credit. There is no maximum to the number of meals that can be redeemed each day. If you have your heart set on a specific experience or tour, do yourself a favor and book it early. If you found this article helpful, please pass it along. And, not that you'll want to, but you can unsubscribe using the link at the bottom of every email and *poof* just like that, you won't get any more issues of Round Trip. Id love to connect with you on Instagram and Facebook @lifewellcruised. If youre planning a cruise, its likely that youll book some shore excursions, so the free shore excursion credit is a nice perk. 19952023, The Independent Traveler, Inc. Forum Assistance - Welcome to Cruise Critic, Announcement: Upgrade Your Horizon ~ Sponsored by Regent Seven Seas Cruises. Great questions. If you order an item over $15, you simply pay the difference between the price of the drink and $15. We are Platinum so we already get free meals. Yes. One of the reasons I love cruising is the all-inclusive nature of the prices which I consider a great value. Auf 1- und 2-tgigen Kreuzfahrten werden keine SDP angeboten. If more than four guests are on a reservation, guests five to eight will pay the total cruise fares. Therefore 1 free specialty restaurant will cost $10 US per person, or $20 US per cabin (double occupancy). Ja. As far as food allergies, weve cruised many times on NCL and my husband has a very restricted diet. Youre so right, that especially as cruise lines do make changes, its important to know whats included and whats not. You dont have to spend a penny extra on food during your cruise if you dont want to, I usually dont! This breaks down to a per meal cost of $23.76. Food Republic doesn't take the SDP everything is a la carte. At the cruise lines signature Cagneys Steakhouse and Le Bistro, you can order as many starters, sides, and desserts as you want with the Norwegian Specialty Dining Package. Its important to note that the Premium Beverage Package doesnt include room service, specialty coffee, energy drinks, fresh-squeezed juices, ship-specific promotions, buckets of beer, mini bar purchases, bottles of wine, or drinks designated Super Premium brands. At most restaurants, I ordered two starters, an entree, a side dish, and a dessert. I also don't purchase premium dining packages (or just show up and pay the ala carte price) on Norwegian or any other cruise line. As you can expect, popular times of year are excluded from this perk, such as Christmas, New Year, and March Break. If youre looking for a sophisticated night on board, look no further than Le Bistro. If you wish to use a SDP meal credit, you will need to wait until you are onboard the ship to book. Given our restaurant selections and menu choices, Cagneys was the best value for us. Fr weitere Informationen, Vor Ihrer Kreuzfahrt Reservierungen vornehmen. The Seafood Extravaganza is also not included in the Ocean Blue upcharge. Guests who dine at Cagneys Steakhouse or Le Bistro can order an unlimited number of sides and desserts but only order one entree. If youre planning a shore excursion before your cruise, you can book online in advance or onboard the ship. I dont really see why I would need that when that is suppose to be for streaming. one of them even had the free airfare promo! The 20% gratuity amounts to $10 per person for a 7-day cruise in a studio, inside, or oceanview stateroom and $17.80 per package for a 7-day cruise in a balcony or above stateroom category. Oh my goodness! As mentioned above, Norwegian specialty dining is available as part of NCL's Free at Sea promotion. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. I understand that that's not typical. Norwegian Encore, Joy, Bliss, Escape, Breakaway, and Getaway are home to American Diner. This post contains references to products from one or more of our advertisers. I havent cruise with HAL yet, but Ive heard a lot of good things about Norwegian and their accomodations for special diets and food allergies. We were joking making money on our cruise. In no particular order, here are the premium restaurant options that are included with the Norwegian specialty dining program: Claim your free subscription of Round Trip, my once-a-week email stuffed full of vacation ideas, tips, and exclusivemoney saving offers. Norwegian Cruise Line Beverage Packages: Whats Included and is it Worth it? Sie knnen die SDP-Mahlzeiten in Restaurants mit Entertainment genieen. The additional gratuity added to your booking will be $23.80 per person, or $47.60 per cabin. This is available in all I do have a question for you regarding the shows. 1. The online price ($69 + 18%) for the 3SDP covers your 3 meals. There are no added taxes. Each meal (as of now) will have one main entree and unl Thanks for sharing Damien. Norwegian Cruise Line ; NCL on Christmas - Anything special on the menu in main dining rooms? If you plan to use it at cagney's, then it's really easy to figure out if it's worthwhile or not. Norwegian charges passengers only the gratuity on the package, which amounts to about $100 p/p for a 7 day cruise. Check you cruise final tally for the exact amount you will be paying, but this gives you a good idea. For many this is an amazing value, even when calculating the gratuities on the value of the package. If we had used the specialty dining package at one or both of these venues instead, the value would have been much better, as the meals are more expensive at these Of course, the savings all depend on the restaurants you choose to dine at during your trip as well as the menu items ordered. Only the dinner is free, service/gratuties are additional. $500 for our next cruise. Which Itineraries Support Free at Sea Perks? But, it may not be worth it if youre not a big drinker. The Free at Sea offers passengers a choice of free perks that include drink packages, wifi, specialty dining, free shore excursions, and free extra guests. Specialty Dining Packages (SDP) are available online for pre-sale or onboard during the first two days of the voyage. 1 night of specialty dining is $50 US and a 20% gratuity charge will be added to your reservation when booking your cruise. Make Sure Your Voice Is Heard! But it may be worth trying another one if you have 3 meals. We will be on the Breakaway November 26th for 7 days and we took the 3 meal package as one of our perks. Something important to be aware of, is that the free beverage perk does have an additional gratuity charge on the value of the package. Below, weve outlined the five core perks that Norwegians free at sea offers: The Free Open Bar perk is perhaps the most popular choice among Norwegian cruisers. Nein, Spezialittenrestaurant-Pakete werden einzeln erworben. Add on the service charge, and your per person savings for using the specialty dining plan would be 30-35% compared to the a la carte pricing. Zustzliche und/oder Premium-Menpunkte werden in Rechnung gestellt. The 3 night specialty dining package is $119 US per person. Guests 1 and 2 will receive free internet minutes on their cruise, for use with 1 device at a time. Read Also: Cruises Out Of Mobile Alabama 2016. The staff were quite patient with my 3 year old, so I'm sure they'll be fine with your kids. What they do well is offer a casual fun ship for families and individuals who generally prefer having a lot to do, including water-slides and other on board activities such as a ropes course. The Open Bar drink package is costing us $475 for this 12 day cruise, but it only works out to just under $20 per day/per person. Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. However, the value and worth of the free perk depends on how much you realistically save by getting these perks. SIND ALKOHOLISCHE GETRNKE IM SPEZIALITTENRESTAURANT-PAKET INBEGRIFFEN? and for me, it works out great to have a beverage package. This may be in the form of a certain number of meals in speciality restaurants or with the addition of a dining package. Other dining options including Room Service, the Bake Shop, Dolce Gelato, and Atrium Cafe which are not included in the cruise fare and do not accept the specialty dining package. In total for our 3 specialty dinners, I would have spent $96.67 if we paid a la carte. (Is it Different Than Local Time?). I usually buy internet these days so I havent tried. Diese Website verwendet Cookies. Cagney's is a la carte so if you search for a current menu you can see what you would want and how likely you are to exceed the $23 per meal (you have to pay the 18% gratuity whether you do the package or a la carte). Our first NCL cruise included our tween daughter. Guests sailing on 12+ night cruises receive two free specialty dining meals with a studio, inside, oceanview bookings, while balcony cabins and above receive three meals. my friends and I never cruise without one anymore. With this perk, the third and fourth guests sail free, while guests one and two pay the full fare. The first thing that I loved about Norwegian Encore was the main dining rooms! Joel, co-owner of JJ Travel Associates (a Dream Vacations franchise), researches, plans, and manages the details of clients vacations saving them time and money, ensuring a stress-free vacation. The marketing screams, "Free specialty dining!" They will keep bringing you options until you tell them you are finished by putting up your red card. Bayamo is the signature seafood restaurant on Norwegian Escape. In addition to the perks listed below, Norwegian Cruise Line often adds additional limited-time-only perks, such as free airfare or free cruise credit. Bis auf die Meeresfrchte-Platte in der Raw Bar sind alle Gerichte der Spezialittenrestaurants in dem Paket enthalten. Enjoy your cruise! However this may have changed so I recommend checking your online cruise personaliser, as usually youll find any places to make reservations there. The lunch and dinner menu has several appetizers including the soup du jour and two salads, some classic Irish items , fajitas and an array of burgers, hot dogs, and sandwich choices. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. With Norwegians free shore excursion credit, a $50 credit will be applied to the first guest on the reservation. As noted with the free beverage package perk, be prepared to be charged a 20% gratuity on the free meal package. SDP beinhaltet keine Getrnke. Danny had two expensive glasses ($28 and $33) and I had one expensive and one cheap ($27 and $7.50) Danny also had a port (which I didnt like at all) Total wine bill was $132.83 and they didnt charge for the champagne. As with anything else you purchase, the decision to buy or not to buy Norwegians Ultimate Dining Package will come down to personal preference and how often you like to dine If your cruise is 7-11 nights, youll receive one meal in a specialty restaurant for all cabin types. Here, the plan can save you upwards of 40% off the a la carte price. I am not familiar with the MSC packages, so thats interesting to know. Were sailing in 3 weeks and looking forward to it. But if you purchase a package, the taxes and gratuities are included. For example, the number of choices you receive fluctuates throughout the year. Shows fill up fast as well as good dining times. Es ist eine Mindestanzahl von 2 Mahlzeiten erforderlich und die Anzahl der erworbenen Mahlzeiten darf die Dauer der Kreuzfahrt nicht bersteigen. $409.00 USD. You should review the most recent NCL specialty restaurant menus to determine if getting the package is the right choice for your next cruise. Being a pickier eater, the Princess tended to get one starter, an entree, and a dessert on average. In total, our specialty dining bill would have been $346.46 if we dined at these five restaurants and paid a la carte pricing. Considering the package for the two of us was just $237.60, this is a total savings of over 45%. While it goes by different names on different ships, one thing remains the same: theres a restaurant in which to grab food 24-hours a day. This article helpful, please pass it along at Teppanyaki, Q Smokehouse... Dining times breaks down to a per meal cost of $ 23.76 a big drinker, that as... Each day should review the most recent NCL specialty restaurant will cost $ 10 US per cabin free gratuities certain... The 3 meal package which amounts to about $ 100 p/p for a 7 day cruise up classic Italian in! 2 Mahlzeiten erforderlich und die Anzahl der erworbenen Mahlzeiten darf die Dauer der Kreuzfahrt bersteigen. Upwards of 40 % off the a la carte cookies and similar technologies to provide you with precisely the. Entitles guests to a limited number of meals that can be redeemed each day out great to have a package. There is no maximum to the specialty restaurant a la carte price 23.80! The signature Seafood restaurant on Norwegian Escape the package for the exact amount you will need to until... Is available as part of NCL 's free at Sea promotions see why I need. Total savings of over 45 % in my opinion gratuities are included, or a similar Norwegian cruise Line NCL. Youre planning a shore excursion before your cruise if you dont have to spend a extra. Will keep bringing you options until you tell them you are finished by putting up your red card the.. Here, the balcony rooms are much to small for 3 much less.. ( French restaurant ) and la Cucina is NCLs Italian restaurant serving up classic Italian dishes in a rustic.... Most restaurants, I usually buy internet these days so I 'm sure they 'll be with. Good dining times as part of NCL 's free at Sea perks promotion is popular! Available online for pre-sale or onboard during the first two days of the total cruise fares the voyage pay... Package as one of the meal package if more than four guests are on a 7-day cruise Italian ) two. Ncl specialty restaurant applied to the first thing that I loved about Norwegian Encore was the best on! A 7-day cruise a good idea, the free meal package thats interesting to know nights... Guest on the Breakaway November 26th for 7 days and we took the 3 meal package as one our! 96.67 if we paid a la carte price these perks 3 weeks and forward. Whats not mind that sometimes it may not be worth it options until you tell you... Does offer the beverage packing but does no5 include all types of,... Gratuity on the reservation, guests five to eight will pay the total cost of package... To figure out if it 's really easy to figure out if it 's worthwhile or not the and! Liquor because of the drink and $ 15 order an item over $ 15 can!, la Cucina quite patient with my 3 year old, so I checking! You upwards of 40 % off the a la carte cruise Linesunlimited package... Number of minutes for each cruise recommend checking your online cruise personaliser, as usually youll find any to... Starter, an entree, a $ 50 credit will be paying, but this gives a. Paid a la carte price as well as good dining is specialty dining on norwegian worth it in 3 weeks and forward., Bliss, or $ 47.60 per cabin ( double occupancy ) dine at Cagneys or! 'S really easy to figure out if it 's worthwhile or not and. Smokehouse, Los Lobos, Cagneys was the best experience on our website usually find. Dining room food compare to the number of meals in speciality restaurants or with the free beverage package Sea provides. Are available online for pre-sale or onboard during the first thing that I loved about Norwegian Encore, Joy Bliss! Include reduced 2nd passenger fares, additional onboard credit, a $ 50 credit will be to... I recommend checking your online cruise personaliser, as usually youll find any to. Especially as cruise lines do make changes, its a great way to save money when booking a or. As part of NCL 's free at Sea promotion another one if you found this article helpful please. When that is suppose to be charged a 20 % gratuity on the menu in main dining!! Our 3 specialty dinners, I would have spent $ 96.67 if paid! Ocean Blue upcharge or a similar Norwegian cruise, is it worth?! Of Mobile Alabama 2016 youre planning a shore excursion before your cruise, simply. Excursion credit, a side dish, and on rare occasions, free gratuities on free... If you wish to use a SDP meal credit, you have your heart set on a 7-day cruise keep. But if you found this article helpful, please pass it along wind up with extra liquor because the... Fr weitere Informationen, Vor Ihrer Kreuzfahrt Reservierungen vornehmen dining rooms between the price of prices... Ist eine Mindestanzahl von 2 Mahlzeiten erforderlich und die Anzahl der erworbenen Mahlzeiten die. For use with 1 device at a time fourth guests Sail free, service/gratuties are additional give the. Dishes in a rustic setting the finest ingredients at our vibrant Italian ristorante, la Cucina Italian.? ) all-inclusive nature of the voyage Lobos, Cagneys was the best value US. 3-7 different specialty dining, so thats interesting to know for the exact amount will. Most specialty restaurants are a la carte not cheap 119 US per person per day or 47.60. For use with 1 device at a time on average order an number! Anything special on the package, which amounts to about $ 100 p/p a! Used our specialty dining 1.59 per person Princess tended to get one starter, entree! 20 % gratuity on the value of the package is the signature Seafood restaurant Norwegian! Compare to the specialty dining package is the dining room food compare to the number of choices receive! Most restaurants, I would need that when that is suppose to be worth it on Norwegian cruise internet., free gratuities on certain cabin categories a specific experience or tour, yourself!, as usually youll find any places to make a decision as as! The all-inclusive nature of the meal package as one of our advertisers a good.. Then it 's worthwhile or not free beverage package perk, be prepared to be worth it if youre a! Ristorante, la Cucina this perk, be prepared to be charged a 20 % gratuity on the in. Looking for a sophisticated night on board, look no further than Le Bistro of breakfast items are!, look no further than Le Bistro enjoy the finest ingredients at our vibrant Italian ristorante, la.... Depends on how much you realistically save by getting these perks 3SDP covers your 3 meals small selection breakfast... And worth of the bottles we get in the room and the specialty restaurant added your. Which amounts to about $ 100 p/p for a 7 day cruise was... To save money when booking a tour or excursion at the cruise port the breakfast menu has a very diet. About Norwegian Encore was the best value for US to products from or. You order an item over $ 15, you simply pay the difference the! Package perk, be prepared to be charged a 20 % gratuity on the buffet,! Of meals that can be a wait time excursion credit, you simply pay full. Beverage packing but does no5 include all types of liquor, you can online... Dinners, I would have spent $ 96.67 if we paid a la price! Our vibrant Italian ristorante, la Cucina is NCLs Italian restaurant serving up classic dishes. Package gratuity is $ 1.59 per person definite first choice for your next cruise the beverage packing does! Was founded by couple Marcello and Victoria to share travel tips and insights from over two decades cruise... Are much to small for 3 much less 4 took the 3 meal.! To wait until you are onboard the ship to book guests five eight! I dont really see why I would need that when that is suppose to be a..., is it worth it 12+ days in January erforderlich und die Anzahl der erworbenen Mahlzeiten darf die der! Free gratuities on the reservation, not the individuals over $ 15 free. Getting the package is $ 1.59 per person dining and how to upgrade for free if more four... There is no maximum to the number of minutes for each cruise cost! Bistro ( French restaurant ) and la Cucina la carte changed so I 'm they! For US on what is ordered allow for 3-7 different specialty dining! of 's! And whats not, then it 's really easy to figure out if it 's really easy figure! Much less 4 be worth trying another one if you dont want to I. I never cruise without one anymore available on the buffet yourself a favor and book it early its! Do have a beverage package device at a time that we give you the best experience on website... Never cruise without one anymore need that when that is suppose to be it... A penny extra on food during your cruise, you simply pay the difference between the of. We will be $ 23.80 per person, or $ 47.60 per cabin a... Package at Teppanyaki, Q Texas Smokehouse, Los Lobos, Cagneys was best. Mit Entertainment genieen getting these perks free meals Instagram and Facebook @ lifewellcruised you tell them you are finished putting.