Questions & Answers
Important information about your NCL cruise
GETTING READY | ||||
| What about my travel documents? | ||||
| Your travel documents will be provided to you or your travel agent as electronic documents (eDocs). They serve as your cruise voucher and will include key information like departure date, itinerary and more. It´s important to review your eDocs and call your travel agent right away if anything is incorrect. Also, keep in mind that your eDocs are a contract and your acceptance of the Guest Ticket Contract means you agree to the conditions it contains. Norwegian Cruise Line reserves the right to decline or accept any person as a guest of the cruise at any time. Please note that you will not receive vouchers for prebooked Shore Excursions with your tickets – these will be delivered to your stateroom at the beginning of your cruise. | ||||
| Online Check-In | ||||
| In order to comply with government regulations, all guests must register in advance. You will find the Online Check-In on our home page (welcome page) or please click here and fill out the Online Check-In form at least four days prior to sailing. Guests who have not completed their Online Check-In form at least four days prior to sailing may be subject to an extended check-in procedure at the cruise terminal or may even be denied boarding. | ||||
| What are the immigration regulations? | ||||
| Guests are responsible for ensuring they fulfil all passport and visa requirements for all countries visited during the cruise and when travelling to and from the port of embarkation/disembarkation. EU citizens need a full passport which must be valid for a minimum of six months beyond their return. A passport is also required for all European sailings (exception: citizens of Schengen States cruising on itineraries that do not leave EU territory). Please be aware that immigration regulations are subject to change. For current information, please check with your travel agent or the respective embassies or consulates. It is assumed that the traveller is a citizen of the EU. Personal circumstances cannot be considered. We will try within our means to inform you of any possible changes. If you would like to go ashore in Russia (St. Petersburg) independently, i.e. not as part of an organised Shore Excursion by Norwegian Cruise Line, you need to obtain a valid tourist visa prior to your cruise. During most cruises, NCL personnel will need to retain your passport. You therefore have to carry a second government-issued photo ID with you at all times. It is the sole responsibility of the guest to provide all necessary documentation. Guests are not entitled to a refund if entry into any foreign territory or boarding is denied for lack of proper documents. What are the special regulations for visa-free travel to the USA? In order to enter the US under the Visa Waiver Programme (VWP), each traveller (including children) must present a machine-readable passport (e.g. burgundy coloured European passport). For machine-readable passports issued or renewed/extended before October 26, 2005 there are no further requirements. Machine-readable passports issued or renewed/extended on or after October 26, 2005 through October 25, 2006 must contain a digital photograph printed on the passport data or an integrated chip with information from the data page (“e-passport”). Machine-readable passports issued or renewed/extended on or after October 26, 2006 are required to be e-passports. Temporary, emergency and diplomatic passports are exempted from digital photo and electronic chip requirements, but must be machine-readable (with the exception of temporary or emergency German passports which do not entitle to visa-free entry to the US). Travellers with non-compliant passports as well as children who appear in their parents’ passport must have a visa to travel to the United States. Should you need to obtain a visa, please be sure to apply for a multiple entry visa. Since January 12, 2009, the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) is effective for citizens and eligible nationals of Visa Waiver Programme (VWP) countries to apply for advance authorization to travel to the United States under the VWP. ESTA stipulates that all Visa Waiver Programme travellers are required to obtain via Internet an electronic travel authorization prior to boarding a carrier to travel by air or sea to the US under the VWP. Countries currently enrolled in the VWP include Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal and Sweden, amongst others. ESTA authorizations are valid for multiple entries within two years (or less if the passport expires during this period). Please note that from September 8, 2010, US authorities will charge a fee of US $ 14,- per person (status: August 2010) for travel authorization. This fee has to be paid by credit card during the application process. Additional information regarding the VWP and ESTA is available at www.cbp.gov/esta. | ||||
| Will I need insurance? | ||||
| Norwegian Cruise Line’s liability is limited by international agreements and the Terms and Conditions of Passage. We therefore recommend purchasing appropriate travel, health and luggage insurance before your cruise. Your travel agency will be happy to assist you. In the occurrence of an insured event, please contact the insurance company directly. Please be aware that you need to hand in any claims in writing within one month after the end of your voyage. If you have purchased your insurance with NCL, you will receive your insurance policy with your confirmation. | ||||
| What about transfers? | ||||
| If you have reserved your transfers with Norwegian Cruise Line, please check your transfer vouchers for information on the transfer organisation. Guests who arrive by plane on the day of embarkation and have reserved the transfers through NCL, will be greeted by an NCL representative in the airport arrivals hall to take them to their ship. Guests who have not reserved the transfers through Norwegian Cruise Line, can travel to the port by taxi, public transport or hire car. Parking facilities are available at the majority of ports. Guests must ensure they arrive at the embarkation pier on time. Transfers from the pier to the airport are generally offered on board at the Shore Excursion desk. Please note that prices on board may differ. | ||||
| How many suitcases can I bring? | ||||
| For your cruise Norwegian Cruise Line recommends bringing up to two pieces of personal luggage, with each piece weighing a maximum of 23 kg. If you are travelling by air, please be sure to comply with the airline’s luggage restrictions. Should your airline allow you to carry more luggage this will be accepted on board, too. All pieces of luggage should be securely tagged with your name, address and a contact number. The ship luggage tags should be placed on your luggage no earlier than on the day of embarkation. Please ensure that your stateroom number is clearly shown to avoid delays in luggage delivery to your stateroom. In case you have booked a so-called guarantee cabin and have not received your stateroom number with the travel documents, please put “GTY” on your luggage labels. We also recommend guests to carry important documents, pharmaceuticals, fragile objects, keys, jewellery and other valuables in their hand luggage, since staterooms aren´t available until 14:00, and you won´t see your luggage until late in the afternoon. Thus, in case you want to relax by the pool don´t forget a change of clothes. Airlines and Norwegian Cruise Line have limited liability for loss and damage, so be sure all luggage and personal belongings are properly insured. If you are bringing your golf clubs or a wheelchair, they are permitted on board ship, but do check with your airline for any restrictions they may have. If the “Easy Walk-Off”, where you are carrying all your own luggage off the ship, is not an option for you, your suitcases are collected the night before disembarkation, so be sure to pack an overnight bag with your personal essentials. Porter service is available at each pier during embarkation and disembarkation for luggage assistance. The customary tip for porters is the equivalent of US $ 1,- per bag (US $ 2,- per bag in New York). | ||||
| Which vaccinations might be necessary? | ||||
| At this time, no vaccinations are required for any of our destinations. Since recommended immunizations and other health precautions often change, we suggest that you consult your physician, the local public health department or the Centre for Disease Control in time before departure. | ||||
| What if I am pregnant? | ||||
| Rest assured, Norwegian Cruise Line will make every effort to accommodate you. However, to ensure your medical safety, we require that you will not have entered your 24th week of pregnancy at the time the cruise ends. Please carry along a medical certificate in English establishing your due date and fitness to travel. Please be aware that Norwegian Cruise Line will not be responsible or liable for any complications of pregnancy that arise or occur during the cruise. | ||||
| What has to be taken into consideration if travelling with minors or if minors travel alone? | ||||
| Please note that infants under six months of age are not eligible for travel on NCL ships. For children of up to two years, cribs are available on board. A guest under 21 years of age must be accompanied in the same or connecting stateroom by a guest 21 years or older who expressly agrees to be responsible for the under-21 guest throughout the cruise. This includes preventing under-age buying or drinking of alcohol, preventing under-age gambling and ensuring they don´t break any of the ship´s rules. Guests under 18 years (under 21 years on cruises that include a Canadian port) travelling in the company of an adult who is not the minor´s parent or legal guardian, must present a notarized parental/guardian consent letter that authorizes the minor´s travel and further authorizes medical treatment in case of an emergency to an NCL representative during check-in. On cruises that include a Canadian port, guests under 18 years travelling with a single-parent have to carry along an approval from the parent who is not travelling. The required form you’ll find here. Failure to present the relevant documents may result in boarding being denied with no refund provided. Please note: Two people under the age of 21 may travel together in the same stateroom without someone over the age of 21 in the same stateroom if they purchased inter-connecting staterooms and have at least one person who is 21 years or older in the connecting stateroom. The age limit will be waived for married couples less than 21 years of age provided proof of marriage is presented to a Norwegian Cruise Line representative at the pier. Guests under the age of 18 are not allowed to gamble in our casinos. Should a guest under the age of 18 gamble nevertheless and win, he or she, for reasons of law, will not be paid the winnings. Guests from 13 to 16 years of age must be accompanied by an adult when accessing the fitness centre. Children under 13 years of age are not allowed to access the fitness centre. The minimum age to use the Thermal Spa (sauna, steam room, hot tubs) is 18 years. There is no minimum age requirement for the access to the rest of the spa as well as the beauty salon or the use of salon services. For spa treatments a parent or legal guardian has to be present. Please note that the bowling alley located inside the Bliss Ultra Lounge cannot be used by guests under 21 years after 21:00. This is due to the fact that the Bliss Ultra Lounge is an adults (21 and over) only club after 21:00, which means that the presence of any guest under 21 years will not be permitted after 21:00. Furthermore, some bars and lounges on board Norwegian Epic, for example Spice H2O, are adults only (21 and over). In the interest of the safety of your children, we would like to ask you to ensure the compliance with certain guidelines. Climbing on handrails and railings is not allowed. For environmental reasons please make sure that your children do not throw anything over board. For safety reasons we would also like to ask you not to leave your children unattented on board when going ashore. | ||||
| What about people with special needs? | ||||
| Norwegian Cruise Line will accommodate guests with special needs. All of our ships have designated staterooms with wider doorways and more spacious bathrooms that will accommodate wheelchairs and staterooms with light- and under pillow vibrating alarms for guests with visual/hearing impairments. Please see your travel agent or contact Norwegian Cruise Line directly for further information. However, the following conditions apply: any physical challenge or medical condition that requires special treatment or attention must be reported to Norwegian Cruise Line at the time of reservation. For certain conditions we ask for affirmation and liability forms. Due to unpredictable circumstances at sea, Norwegian Cruise Line must reserve the right to refuse or revoke passage to anyone who, based upon objective standards, is in a physical or mental condition that jeopardizes the safe operation of the vessel, who poses a direct threat to the health or safety of others or who may require care beyond that which Norwegian Cruise Line can provide. All guests with special needs must be self-sufficient and should travel with a companion who will provide any assistance needed during the cruise or in the event of an emergency. Guests who use a wheelchair must provide their own small, collapsible type. Please inform Norwegian Cruise Line at the time of booking of the type. Every Suite and nearly every stateroom have refrigerators for storing pharmaceuticals that must be kept cold (Except for Norwegian Spirit, where they are in the Suites only, and Norwegian Epic, where they are everywhere but the Studios.). For visually impaired guests: service animals are welcome on board (unfortunately no other pets are allowed). Please contact Norwegian Cruise Line for further information. | ||||
| What are the customs regulations? | ||||
| Customs allowances may vary depending on the itinerary and are subject to change. Please check on board, with your Ministry of Foreign Affairs or the respective customs authorities for the most up-to-date information. You are not permitted to bring fresh fruit, meat products, fresh milk products or plants into the US. Upon re-entering the EU from third countries, certain duty-free allowances apply. In the best case an adult returning by air from a third country to the EU can import duty-free up to 200 cigarettes, a litre of spirits, four litres of wine, 16 litres of beer and 430 euros of other goods. | ||||
| Where and when can I board the ship? | ||||
| You can only embark at the designated port of embarkation. There are two important arrival times to note in your eDocs. One is your embarkation time and the other is your departure time:
During embarkation food and beverages are offered on board. Please note that guests will not be able to board after check-in has closed. If you arrive late you may join the ship at an approved port of call in the scheduled cruise itinerary. You will be responsible for all travel arrangements, applicable fees and travel expenses to that subsequent port of call. |
ON BOARD | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Which activities, facilities and services are available on board? | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Every day your cruise director is coming up with exciting things to see and do. The Freestyle Daily newsletter on board is the best way to find out all the day’s events, show times, special sales, and a whole lot more. An advance copy is delivered to your stateroom every evening so you can plan your next day of fun. You can choose between fitness or computer classes, wine tasting and cooking shows or Karaoke nights, Bingo and sporting competitions; surely there’s something suitable for you among the wide variety. If what you’re looking for is relaxation you will find that on board, too. Try our spa and wellness oases. Or simply soak up the sun, reclining in a comfortable deck chair. Please note that there can be recurrences in the programme on consecutive cruises. Here you’ll find a small selection of what awaits you on board. Relax in the Mandara Spa® Our fleetwide Mandara Spa offer the utmost in relaxation and rejuvanation. You can indulge in treatments based on traditional Asian methods, such as a Bali-Press Massage or a Javanese Honey Steam Wrap. Appointments for these services should be made early during your cruise. The use of the spa on most ships, as well as wellness & beauty treatments are not included in the cruise fare. Stay in ship shape in our fitness centre In the fitness centres on board our ships you can work out daily from 06:00 to 23:00 and enjoy a different view every day. We also offer fitness classes and seminars with personal trainers. Topics covered may include the following: yoga and/or pilates, stretch and relaxation, aerobics/spinning/step classes and circuit training. Please note that some of the classes/seminars are offered at a charge. Of course you can also do sports outdoors on our jogging tracks or basketball/volleyball courts. On some ships even tennis matches are possible. And for the adrenaline lovers there’s a rock climbing wall on Norwegian Epic, Gem and Pearl. Shop on-board - tax and duty-free Our on-board stores carry tax- and duty-free items like liquor, tobacco, fragrances and cosmetica, as well as casual beach and cruising apparel. You´ll also find designer watches, stunning pieces of jewellery and more. Please note that in order to comply with Spanish tax regulations we are required to charge Spanish VAT on applicable retail items purchased on board on cruises from/to Barcelona as well as on all other cruises whilst the ship is in Spanish waters. Casinos at Sea Try your hand in the best casinos at sea! Blackjack, Roulette and slot machines are only a small selection of what our award-winning casinos have in store for you. And if you need an introduction, try our free gaming lessons. Please note that taking photos or filming is not permitted in the casino. Please note that due to regional law there is no casino available on any of the itineraries around Hawai’i on Pride of America. On all other vessels and itineraries, a casino is available that can be used by all guests aged 18 or older. Bring home a treasure at our Art Auctions at Sea Whether you’re an art aficionado or just interested in seeing a live art auction, you’ll enjoy one of NCL’s art auctions at sea. Each cruise offers you the chance to purchase exceptional artwork from renowned talents like Pable picasso and Salvador Dali at discounts off normal gallery prices. Anything you purchase can be custom framed and shipped home for you. Art auctions at sea are held two to three times during each cruise. Check the Freestyle Daily newsletter on board for listings and times. On-board library A cruise is an excellent opportunity to read a good book or two and you’ll find that our library on board is a perfect place for that. Of course you can also borrow books from our well-stocked selection (on board Norwegian Epic there is no library available). Capture your memories with our on-board photographer Each of our ships has an on-board photographer, who can help you remember your cruise just the way you want. Whether it’s an adventure in a port of call, a special event on board the ship or photos with the captain and crew, we’ll help you make the most of any occasion. You can also take advantage of continuous deals on photos throughout your cruise. Laundry services Wouldn’t it be nice to return from your cruise with as many clean clothes as you left with? You can, thanks to Norwegian Cruise Line’s on-board laundry service. Laundry, dry cleaning, spot removal and pressing services are available for a small charge. Consult the laundry services order form in your stateroom to find out more. A friendly crew member will pick your laundry up directly from your stateroom and return it to you clean and folded. Now that´s vacation. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Freestyle Dining/Restaurants on board | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Freestyle Dining – it´s actually how Freestyle Cruising began. With no fixed dining times or preassigned seating, you´ll have more freedom throughout your entire cruise vacation. With so many different places to eat on board, you can experience all kinds of dining options – a different one every day if you want. Included in your cruise fare are two main dining options offering a tempting selection of entrées, our plentiful buffets with made-to-order specials and a variety of casual cafés, grills and on-the-go choices. From fresh-baked breads, desserts and pastries to our chef´s original dishes and vegetarian meals made with the freshest ingredients, everything is created to satisfy and delight. In addition to all of the complimentary dining available, Norwegian Cruise Line also pioneered the concept of speciality restaurants. With a cover charge between US $ 10,- and US $ 30,- per person, you can experience a world of different cuisines and atmospheres – from the finest French bistro at sea to traditional Italien dishes served in a traditional dining at our signature steakhouse, or if the mood strikes, watch our hibachi chefs prepare delicious entrées tableside at Teppanyaki. And, on most of our ships, your kids will have the choice of their own little dining area with all their favourite dishes. Also, all of our restaurants have high chairs available. Unfortunately, we are unable to accomodate very specific dietry requirements. Please notify us of any requirements you may have upon making your reservation and we will inform you which of them can be met. On the first night at dinner, reconfirm your request with the Maitre d´Hotel. The exact opening hours of the restaurants are published in the Freestyle Daily newsletter. As a rule, the restaurants are open for dinner from17:30 until midnight, last admission at 22:30. For the popular speciality restaurants, reservations are recommended and can be made on board (reservations are accepted 24 hours in advance). Please take note of the cancellation policies you receive with the confirmation of your reservation. For our main restaurants no reservations are required. Occasionally, you may have to wait to be seated. Aboard our ships, electronic screens located at the restaurant entrances and in public areas show the real-time table availability in all dining venues. Should the restaurant of your choice be fully occupied, you will be provided with a beeper by which you will be notified as soon as your table is ready. During meals iced water, iced tea, tea and coffee are available free of charge. During breakfast, some juices are also included. All other drinks will be charged to your on-board account. Please note that restaurants are designated non-smoking areas. If you are a wine connoisseur, then you’ll love our speciality wines programme. We offer hand-selected speciality wines from all around the world. Just ask to see our speciality wines list and you’ll be sure to find a selection perfect for any meal or occasion. Wines are available at all restaurants and can also be delivered to your stateroom. If you are looking to learn more about the world of wine, we offer wine tasting classes and sessions. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Bars, lounges and theatres | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| On our ships you’ll find a great variety of bars and lounges and they’re open until the wee hours so you can make the most of every night at sea. Whether you’re looking for a quiet corner in the wine bar or groove on the dance floor, you’ll find the perfect setting for any mood. In our theatres aboard we offer you a varied entertainment programme with Broadway- and Vegas-style shows, magic tricks, comedy, etc. And as a rule there are two performances per night so you can have dinner whenever you like. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| What type of attire do I need? | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Freestyle Cruising is not too dressy, not too casual. We call it “resort casual”, you’ll call it being on vacation. By day, almost anything is fine like khakis, skirts, jeans, casual tops and shorts. Casual is perfect in our restaurants, too. Even if you’ve just been at the pool and don’t feel like changing... no worries. Swimwear with a cover-up is fine at the buffet and outdoor restaurant. At night, it’s relaxed all over the ship. When you’re ready for dinner, all of our restaurants allow guys to wear jeans or pants. Same for the women. Slacks or jeans, dresses, skirts and tops are fine. We just want you to be comfortable. Kids twelve and under are welcome to wear nice shorts in our restaurants whenever. Cool cottons are essential in tropical regions; as the evenings can be cooler, remember also to pack a jumper or jacket. Also, warm items, such as a sweater or a warm waterproof jacket, will be needed on the Alaska and Northern Europe cruises. Please note that as customary in the US, the restaurants and public areas are freshly air-conditioned. Of course you can adjust the temperature in your stateroom according to your preferences. Remember to bring sports wear and shoes for the fitness centre. For days in port, comfortable clothes and walking shoes are appropriate. Please bear in mind that your choice of clothing for Shore Excursions should respect the particular mentality and culture of your host country and that some religious sites require visitors to wear clothing that covers shoulders as well as knees. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Tell me about the programmes for children | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Freestyle Cruising isn´t just for adults. Kids get plenty to choose from, too. Our Kid´s Crew™ and Teen´s Crew™ programmes, which are complimentary on sea days, offer safe, supervised environments where your kids can play, meet other kids and enjoy a variety of fun activities. Kid´s Crew™ and Teen´s Crew™ programmes There are four different age groups:
The programmes offered by the Kid´s Crew™/Teen´s Crew™ vary by ship and depend on the number of participants. Both programmes also offer extended hours, so parents have plenty of time to do something other than be parents. On Norwegian Epic and Norwegian Jewel, be sure to check out Nickelodeon™ at Sea, where kids, teens and even adults will enjoy imaginative activities and entertainment, including interactive games and a chance to meet their favourite Nickelodeon characters like SpongeBob and Dora the Explorer. Enjoy convenient babysitting service A group-sitting service for children aged two to twelve is available for a nominal fee at night as well as at days in port. Private babysitting is not available. Please check the Freestyle Daily newsletter on board for the most updated hours of operation. Parents with participating children who are not potty trained will be issued a beeper and will be alerted when the child needs to be changed (range is limited to on board ship). Please note that due to US Public Health regulations, children using diapers or pull-ups, including swimmers, are not permitted to use the swimming pools or jacuzzis. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Can I be contacted while I am on the ship? | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| All our ships are equipped with modern satellite telephones for easy shore-to-ship dialling. Receiving and sending faxes and e-mails is also possible - charges apply. Central telephone number for all ships: 001 732 335 3280 (from US $ 7,95 per minute) For friends and family who stayed at home: please bear in mind the respective time difference if you would like to reach one of our guests on board and don’t forget to keep the ship name, guest name, stateroom number and your own credit card number ready.
Cell phones aboard NCL offers its cell phone service fleet wide. You can make and receive calls as well as send and receive text messages while you are at sea - all you need is a tri-band mobile phone. You are billed by your regular mobile phone service provider for roaming services. Please ask your mobile phone provider for the rates. More information can be found at www.cellularatsea.com. Internet access Internet cafés can be found on all ships so that everybody at home is able to get through to you. Please refer to your eDocs for your personal e-mail address, which will be activated as soon as you use the Internet on board for the first time. Please note that e-mails sent to this address have to be accessed online.
Wireless LAN is available on all our ships for a nominal fee. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Is there a doctor on board? | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| A physician and a nurse are on each ship to provide medical care and services at customary charges. Commonly used pharmaceuticals are kept on board and may be prescribed by the ship’s doctor. We recommend purchasing travel health insurance prior to your departure. Please note that the medical facilities and personnel are only equipped to provide basic medical care. We cannot offer care for conditions requiring specialised expertise or equipment. Guests with such conditions, or in the event of an emergency, may be evacuated at the guest’s expense. Please note that the NCL ships are not equipped with a dialysis station. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| How can we celebrate a special occasion? | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| A cruise definitely is an exceptional setting to celebrate a special event. Whether it’s a bottle of the finest champagne for a special occasion, a tray of gourmet hors d’oeuvres or just something distinctive to brighten up a stateroom, Bon Voyage and Special Gift choices have it all. We also offer special arrangements for honeymooners and wedding anniversaries. Please have your travel agent advise us of your requests at least two weeks prior to your cruise. Details and prices can be found here. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| What is the Freestyle Cruise Rewards programme? | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| You’ve only just arrived on board but can’t wait to plan your next cruise with Norwegian Cruise Line? On board you have the possibility to purchase Freestyle Cruise Rewards deposits towards a future NCL cruise of US $ 250,- each (The deposit will be the Euro equivalent. The exchange rate is revised on a quarterly basis.). Our thank you for your loyalty is an on-board credit of US $ 100,- each that you can use on your current cruise to pamper yourself in the Spa, splurge in the Gift Shops or take the Shore Excursion that you have always dreamed of. You’re free to use it wherever. Please note that for this programme special terms and conditions apply. See our Cruise Consultant on board for full details. It´s so easy to get your free US $ 100,-:
Purchase a maximum of four Cruise Rewards per person. Limit of one Cruise Reward deposit per one future stateroom. Cruise Rewards are fully transferable at no cost. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| What does my cruise fare include? | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Your cruise fare pays for your accommodations, meals and entertainment aboard the ship as well as all government fees and port taxes. Also included in the cruise fare are iced water, iced tea, tea and coffee during meals as well as certain juices during breakfast. The speciality restaurants have a cover charge of between US $ 10,- and US $ 30,- per person and à la carte pricing for special menu options. Items of a personal nature, like alcoholic beverages and soft drinks, spa and beauty treatments, use of the wellness facilities on the majority of our ships and bowling alley, casino, Shore Excursions, certain speciality exercise classes, dry cleaning and laundry, purchases in our shops on board, photographs, ship-to-shore-phone, e-mail, Internet, faxes as well as service charges and gratuities are not included. Before or on the first day of your cruise you can purchase a beverage package for unlimited fountain soda throughout the entire cruise. Please note that in order to comply with Spanish tax regulations we are required to charge Spanish VAT on applicable items purchased on board on cruises from/to Barcelona as well as on all cruises whilst the ship is in Spanish waters. Applicable items are, amongst others, alcoholic beverages, items from the minibar, retail items and cover charges in our speciality restaurants. Please note that because of Coast Guard regulations you will not be able to store your golf clubs in your stateroom. Your clubs will be stored in Norwegian Cruise Line’s secure golf locker for a valet service fee. If you have reserved one of our hotel packages you will also need to cover the costs of meals and drinks in your pre-cruise/post-cruise hotel. NCL hotel packages in Europe include breakfast. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Is cash needed aboard? How can good service be honoured? | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| On-board account The currency aboard our ships is the US Dollar. However, you will not be needing to carry around large amounts of cash on board. For your convenience, we’ve made paying for on-board expenses extremely simple. When you check in for your cruise, you open an on-board account, all purchases made on the ship are charged to. Make sure to sign up on the day of embarkation by establishing a method of payment: American Express, Discover Card, JCB Card, MasterCard, Visa, or alternatively with traveller’s cheques or cash. Please note that we cannot accept European debit cards (Eurocheque cards). When your credit card is entered to activate your on-board account, an initial approval is obtained from the bank. Please be advised that throughout the voyage, incremental holds will be obtained by your lending institution based on your on-board expenditures. Some banks may hold these for 30 days, even though your expenditures are already debited. This will reduce the amount of available credit on the credit card. Authorization-hold releases are solely within the discretion of your lending institution. If you choose to settle your account with traveller’s cheques or cash, a deposit of US $ 100,- per person per day will be required in advance. If the limit is exceeded, a notice will be sent to the stateroom requesting an additional deposit. Personal cheques or currencies other than the US Dollar cannot be accepted on board. The only exception being our European cruises where deposits in Euros are accepted. The deposit will be the Euro equivalent of US $ 100,- per person per day. Any excess deposit will be refunded at the end of the cruise in US Dollar. Please note that, should you wish to change this excess deposit to Euros, a foreign exchange fee will apply. Those guests who opted for a cash deposit will have to come to the reception area on the morning of disembarkation for the final settlement of their bill. When making an on-board purchase, guests need to show their stateroom key card and sign their name and stateroom number. Guests will receive a copy of each cheque they sign, as well as an itemized final bill at the end of the cruise. Please note that casino play cannot be charged to your on-board account. The night before disembarkation your account statement will be delivered to your stateroom. Questions regarding any discrepancies should be settled at the reception prior to leaving the ship. We recommend you to do so at your earliest convenience, in order to avoid delays on the day of disembarkation. If you have registered a credit card and your statement is correct, on the day of disembarkation you can simply leave the ship with your key card. Please note that any purchases made after your final statement was issued will not be charged automatically to your credit card and you will have to pay these extras at the reception desk on the day of disembarkation. An exception to this are items from the minibar consumed on the last evening of the cruise which will be charged to your credit card. Traveller’s cheques and most major credit cards are accepted in the ports we visit. Remember, proper ID is required when cashing traveller’s cheques. Additionally, we recommend that you carry a small amount of local currency if possible when visiting foreign ports. Depending on the destination, the US Dollar is sometimes also accepted outside US territory. Service charge We are confident that you enjoy your Freestyle Cruising experience and that our entire crew will provide you with the standard of service for which Norwegian Cruise Line is known. A US $ 12,- discretionary service charge will be automatically added per guest per day (for guests three years and older), to the shipboard account for all staterooms. The service charge can also be paid in advance of your cruise by contacting our reservations department. This charge will be shared among those staff members, including the restaurant staff, stateroom stewards and other behind-the-scenes staff, who provide services that enhance your overall cruise experience. If you have any concerns about the service you receive during your cruise, please let our on-board reception desk staff know right away so that we can address any issues in a timely manner. In the unlikely event that we can´t resolve your issue you can have the service charge adjusted according to their level of inconvenience. Gratuities Unlike most other ships in the cruise industry, there is no required or recommended tipping on NCL ships for services that are generally rendered to all guests. While you should not feel obligated to offer a gratuity, all of our staff are encouraged to “go the extra mile”, and so they are permitted to accept cash gratuities for exceptional or outstanding service if you care to offer them. Also, certain staff positions provide service on an individual basis to only some guests and do not benefit from the overall service charge. We encourage those guests to acknowledge good service from these staff members with appropriate gratuities. For example, for guests purchasing bar drinks, the recommended gratuity of 15% is automatically added to their final bill. Similarly, Pride of America has a service charge of 18% for all spa and salon services and all other NCL ships have an automatic gratuity of 18% for all spa and salon services. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Which language is spoken on board? | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| The international atmosphere aboard our ships is one of the reasons why they are so special. Our on-board language is English, which is why we recommend having a basic knowledge of English when travelling with Norwegian Cruise Line, but our crew and guests come from all over the world. For special questions and concerns, you can contact our multilingual international hostess present on the majority of our ships. To ensure that you can fully enjoy our dining options aboard, our restaurant menus on all of our cruises are available not only in English but also in German, Spanish, French and Italian. Menus in Russian are available in the two main dining rooms on board our ships in Europe. Moreover, on some of our European itineraries and specific sailing dates we also offer besides Shore Excursions in English, Spanish, Italian and German, selected Shore Excursions with French speaking guides (subject to a minimum number of 30 participants). Just ask our Shore Excursion team for details. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| May I bring my pet? | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sorry, but no pets are allowed on board, with the exception of service animals. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Are there any age limits for drinking on board? May I bring alcohol on board? | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Guests under 18 years of age are not allowed to purchase or consume alcohol aboard our fleet. With parental consent, guests aged 18 to 20 can purchase beer or wine for their personal consumption when the ship is sailing in international waters (except Alaska and Hawai’i sailings, where guests must be 21 years or older to purchase and consume alcohol of any kind). Complete details and special consent forms are only available on board at the reception desk. Parental consent for alcohol consumption can only be given on board, with the accompanying parent or legal guardian present to fill out the form at the Guest Services Desk. Notarized parental consent or any other document filled out prior to the cruise will not be accepted. Guests 21 years and older are allowed to bring bottle(s) of wine aboard. When consumed on board, there will be a US $ 15,- corkage fee per bottle (750 ml) added to your onboard account. Other alcoholic beverages and liquors are not allowed to be brought aboard for consumption. Any liquor purchased in a port of call will be stored for safekeeping and available for pickup at a designated location on the last evening of the cruise. The Freestyle Daily newsletter will list the location and time for pickup. Norwegian Cruise Line encourages the responsible use of alcohol and accordingly reserves the right to permanently or temporarily revoke the drinking privileges of any guest who violates NCL’s Guest Code of Conduct or who is deemed by vessel management as a danger to himself or herself or others. Continued abuse of alcohol while sailing and/or violation of NCL’s alcohol policy may result in immediate disembarkation. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Can I smoke on board? | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| We want you to be comfortable on board, so most public areas throughout all NCL ships are smoke-free. If you smoke cigarettes, you can do so in your stateroom, on your balcony or in the casino. Cigar and pipe smoking inside your stateroom or on your balcony is prohibited. Cigarettes, cigars and pipes can be smoked in enclosed cigar bars where available. Smoking is prohibited in all other public interior venues, including all bars, restaurants, conference rooms, corridors, restrooms, staircases and landings. Smoking cigarettes, cigars and pipes is permitted on the open decks as long as it is away from venues serving food, the jogging track, in immediate range of the outdoor sporting venues and the children´s pool areas. Please remember that outdoor smoking may be prohibited at certain times such as during safety drills, tendering operations or while refuelling. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| How can I book Shore Excursions? | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| One of the best ways to have the most fun (and get the best value) from your cruise vacation is by exploring each port. And whether it´s an adventure or a leisure or sightseeing tour, we offer a wide variety of Shore Excursions for every taste and budget. On some of our European itineraries and specific sailing dates we also offer besides Shore Excursions in English, Spanish, Italian and German, selected Shore Excursions with French speaking guides (subject to a minimum number of 30 participants). Our Shore Excursion team has all the details - just ask them or see here. For golf enthusiasts we offer special golf programmes on our Hawai’i and Bermuda cruises. For more information visit: www.ncl.com/golf. Opting for Shore Excursions from our programme has many benefits:
Many tours sell out quickly, so be sure to book yours in advance. For a complete listing of all the tours available for your cruise and to book your Shore Excursions online. Shore Excursions booked in advance will be debited in US Dollar to your personal on-board account on the first day of your cruise. The tickets will automatically be sent to your stateroom. Generally you can cancel any Shore Excursion up to 48 hours prior to arrival in the port where the tour is scheduled to operate. However, please note that certain Shore Excursions may be subject to different cancellation terms and fees. Norwegian Cruise Line makes arrangements for guests for Shore Excursions solely for the convenience of the guest; NCL does not act on behalf of or supervise the parties or persons, who own, furnish or operate such excursions, and the same are provided by independent contractors. NCL assumes no responsibility for, nor guarantees the performance of, and such excursion provider, and guests acknowledge that NCL shall not be liable for losses or injuries arising from the acts or omissions of such provider. Usually, our ships dock at the pier. In a few ports of call, we use tenders (boats) to go ashore. In the itinerary tables the respective ports are marked with an anchor symbol. In all ports of call, it is the guest’s responsibility to be back on board the ship no less than one hour before the ship’s scheduled departure time. Please be aware that shipboard time may differ from the time in the port of call. The guest has to ensure to follow the shipboard time. In the event a guest misses the ship, the guest will be responsible to pay all expenses incurred to rejoin the ship. Expenses may be substantial and could include food, lodging, air fare, car rental and other fees not listed. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Can there be changes to the itinerary? | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Any changes will be brought to your attention prior to or with the confirmation of your booking if possible. For changes that occur after you have received the confirmation of your booking, please see our Terms and Conditions. Rarely, the situation occurs that Norwegian Cruise Line needs to amend the itinerary on short notice in advance of or during the cruise. Such short-term amendments are always justified by serious circumstances and are being executed for your own safety. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| How about safety and security? | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Norwegian Cruise Line adheres to internationally accepted standards of shipbuilding. All our ships meet the most current SOLAS (Safety of Life at Sea) specifications. Our ships also pass various annual government safety and sanitation inspections. On the first day of your cruise, you will be asked to take part in an obligatory life boat drill, where you will learn what to do in case of an emergency. In such an event, you will be asked to go to your assigned lifeboat (detailed directions to the so-called “assembly station” can be found on the back of your stateroom door). We recommend that you always set your stateroom TV to standby mode to obtain all necessary information through a special channel designated for emergencies. Norwegian Cruise Line visits a large number of ports in numerous countries around the world. While it is unlikely, it is possible to have a scheduled stop at what has become a „trouble spot“ in terms of crime and/or war or terrorist actions. Accordingly, it may be necessary to change the published cruise or Shore Excursion itinerary. Any such changes are for your safety and beyond NCL’s control. While Norwegian Cruise Line endeavours to provide reasonable protection for your comfort and safety on board its ships, freedom from all risks associated with war, terrorism, crime or other potential sources of harm cannot be guaranteed. Norwegian Cruise Line reminds all guests that they must ultimately assume responsibility for their actions while ashore. It is strongly recommended that guests and their travel professionals obtain and consider information on local conditions issued for example by government institutions when making travel decisions. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Are visitors allowed on board? | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Due to security reasons, unfortunately, no visitors are allowed. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Where can I keep my valuables? | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| All staterooms and Suites have mini-safes. Please note, however, that Norwegian Cruise Line is not and cannot be held responsible for the loss of or any damage done to valuables left in staterooms or elsewhere on board. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Will my electrical equipment work on board? | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| The voltage on board is 110 volts and partly 220 volts AC. For European appliances an adapter is needed (US norm). Some electrical equipment requires special batteries. Make sure to buy those at home, because certain battery types may not be available at some ports. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
AFTER THE CRUISE |
| What time does disembarkation start? |
| Upon arrival at the port of disembarkation, customs and immigration officials must clear the vessel. This procedure generally takes about two hours. Please ensure that you have arranged for an adequate flight time considering this and the transfer time from pier to airport. Wherever possible we offer Freestyle Disembarkation, which means that there’s no need to hurry, so relax over breakfast and step ashore. For further information and the exact disembarkation time, please see the Freestyle Daily newsletter. The day before disembarkation you can pick up coloured luggage tags in the reception area that correspond with the time you would like to leave the ship. Please remember that times are approximate. Fix the luggage tags to the pieces of luggage that you would like us to take off the ship for you and place those outside your stateroom door no later than midnight. Don’t forget an overnight bag for prescriptions and need-to-have items. Keep documents (passport, proof of ID, airline tickets, etc.) in your carry on luggage. In the course of the morning, announcements will be made indicating when each “colour” can leave the ship. Please do not disembark until your colour luggage tag has been called. After leaving the vessel, you may claim your luggage at the pier. Lost or damaged luggage must be reported to an NCL representative prior to leaving the customs area. Furthermore, in some ports you can take advantage of our “Easy Walk-Off”. This means you can leave the ship as soon as it is cleared by local authorities, carrying your entire luggage off the vessel. |
| When do I need to settle my account? |
| The night before disembarkation, you will receive a statement of your on-board account listing all your expenses. Please check this invoice carefully. Any complaints should be brought up prior to disembarkation at the reception desk. In case you have registered a credit card, the amount due will be debited automatically, which means that on the day of embarkation you don’t have to check out at the reception desk but can simply leave the ship with your key card. Please note that any purchases made after your final statement was issued will not be charged automatically to your credit card and you will have to pay these extras at the reception desk on the day of disembarkation. An exception to this are items from the minibar consumed on the last evening of the cruise which will be charged to your credit card. Should you have paid the deposit in cash, you will be refunded the remaining part of your deposit at the reception desk in US Dollar. |
| Transportation |
| If you have purchased a transfer with us, you will be taken to your hotel or directly to the airport. In case you have not booked an organised transfer, rental car stations and taxi services are usually available at each pier. |
| What is the Latitudes programme? |
| Latitudes, that´s our exclusive club for past guests. Once you have completed your first NCL cruise, you automatically become a member. The biggest compliment we can receive is someone choosing to cruise with us again. We reward your loyalty with special pricing, priority services and more. The more you cruise the more benefits you receive as you progress through Bronze, Silver, Gold and Platinum membership levels. Click here for a complete list of benefits and privileges. And don’t forget: Please provide your Latitudes number with every request. Latitudes – loyalty has its privileges. Do you want to always be up-to-date? Then register for our newsletter here and you’ll receive regular news about Freestyle Cruising and our special offers. |
