Embarking on your first cruise or your first Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) voyage? Prepare for your trip with these essential tips for first-time NCL cruisers. From preparing for your cruise to navigating onboard experiences and disembarkation, ensure a memorable and seamless experience.
Booking Your Cruise:
- Not all cruise lines and ships are the same; each has its own benefits. Therefore, it’s essential to book the ship that best suits your preferences and needs!
- Considerations should include the destinations, ship activities, food options, entertainment, and more.
Preparation and Planning:
- Be sure to read the fine print of your cruise documents to understand what to expect.
- IMPORTANT: Cruise insurance is not just an added expense; it’s a crucial investment that can safeguard your trip against unexpected events. Whether facing unexpected cancellations, medical emergencies, unforeseen disruptions at sea or medical emergencies abroad, cruise insurance provides financial protection and peace of mind. It can cover expenses such as trip cancellations, lost luggage, medical emergencies, and more. Without it, you could be left with significant financial losses and stress. By spending a little extra on cruise insurance, you’re ensuring that you can enjoy your trip worry-free, knowing that you’re prepared for whatever may come your way.
- Act quickly and book your cruise line excursions as soon as possible! Popular activities tend to fill up fast, so don’t wait. Remember to complete the checkout process after adding them to your cart—your excursion isn’t confirmed until payment is made.
- When booking a non-cruise line excursions, please allow ample time for scheduling and coordination. These independent tours may have limited availability and can require extra time for transportation and logistics. Additionally, be sure to check the refund policy in the event of itinerary changes by the cruise line, as this could affect your excursion plans. Plan ahead to ensure a seamless experience during your voyage.
- If you’re flying in, it’s advisable to arrive at your embarkation port at least one day prior to sailing. This allows for any potential flight delays or unforeseen circumstances, ensuring you won’t miss your cruise departure.
- Consider booking your return flight for later in the day to allow ample time for disembarkation and transportation to the airport.
- If you have any allergies or dietary restrictions, it’s crucial to inform your travel agent. They can then contact the cruise line on your behalf to ensure that your specific requirements are accommodated during your cruise.
- Inform your travel agent if you have any disabilities or special needs, such as bringing a CPAP machine or other medical devices requiring an extension cord or distilled water. They can assist in arranging necessary accommodations to ensure your comfort and safety.
- Recommendation: Bring your own extension cord, as the supply on ships is often limited. Ensure that the extension cord does not have surge protection, as these are not permitted on the ship.
- Search and join a Facebook group for your sailing date. Each group varies, but some organize additional activities you can participate in once on board, such as slot pulls, bar crawls, and meet & greets.
Booking and Onboard Management:
- Book onboard dining 120 days in advance, 125 days for Club Balcony and Platinum Latitude members and above or 130 days for Suites and Haven.
- It’s recommended to complete the Check-In process online using a laptop or desktop starting 3 weeks before your departure date. During this process, select an early boarding group to kickstart your vacation sooner. Shortly after completing check-in, eDocs will be available for download, allowing you to print out your luggage tags and cruise documents, which will serve as your boarding pass.
- Book onboard entertainment 21 days prior to sailing, or 26 days for Haven guests and Platinum Latitude members and above.
- Daytime onboard is casual.
- Wear good rubber-soled shoes or sandals onboard—decks can be slippery.
- Evenings: no shorts in the dining room. Many dress up a bit for dinner each night, especially on formal nights.
- Pack a sweater/jacket for cool evenings and indoor air conditioning.
- Check your cruise line’s dress code before packing—some are more casual than others.
- Leave expensive jewelry at home; opt for costume jewelry instead.
- If prone to motion sickness, pack non-drowsy Dramamine or Bonine, or try natural remedies like ginger chews or Sea Bands.
- Pack your own water bottle and/or travel coffee mug for use in port.
- Pack a day bag, beach bag, or small backpack for excursions.
- Secure your beach towel on windy decks with big clips or bands (towels provided onboard).
- Bring a flashlight or nightlight for the dark cabins.
- Utilize the metal cabin walls by bringing magnets for papers and magnetic hooks.
- Bring small clips for the clothesline in the shower.
- A hairdryer is provided onboard; no need to bring your own.
- Bring a multi-plug port, but avoid extension cords or power strips with surge protectors as they are not allowed.
- Leave behind candles and items with heating elements like travel kettles or irons—they’re prohibited.
- Carry some cash (small bills) for tipping porters at the port, shore excursion guides, and for additional gratuities for cabin stewards and waiters.
- You’ll also need money for transportation to and from the ship, as well as for souvenirs and other purchases ashore. Credit cards are widely accepted in stores.
Travel Documents and Technology:
- Before leaving home, download the Norwegian app to your device for WiFi access onboard.
- Make a photocopy of your passport to carry with you in port and take a picture with your phone to save in your camera roll.
- Attach your cabin luggage tags to your bags; they’ll be taken from you upon arrival at the port and delivered to your cabin.
- Keep all cruise documents and your original passport with you during check-in and boarding—do not leave them in your luggage.
Embarkation Day Tips:
- Be prepared to have your picture taken by ship photographers when you board and throughout the cruise.
- Cabins are typically not ready upon boarding, so keep essential items with you such as medications and bathing suits. Haven suites are typically ready around noon and other cabins around 3pm.
- Expect a safety (muster) drill, either on deck, through cabin TV, or on the app.
- TIP: Enjoy lunch in the main dining room upon boarding. Watch the safety video in the app during lunch, then proceed to your muster station.
- Take a self-guided ship tour on embarkation day to familiarize yourself with the layout.
- Unless you have an international plan, turn off roaming and keep your phone in airplane mode.
- TIP: Carry swim attire, cover-up, sunscreen, etc. in your carry-on and enjoy the less crowded hot tubs and pools on embarkation day.
Onboard Experience:
- Utilize the safe in your cabin to store valuables securely.
- Warning: Toilets have a loud, aggressive flush similar to those on airplanes.
- Keep your bathroom door closed or latch it to the outside magnet to prevent it from swaying with the ship’s motion.
- Visit Guest Services late at night or early in the morning to avoid lines.
- Note: Unless pre-paid, ship gratuities will be automatically added to your ship account daily ($14-25 a day depending on your cabin type)
- The spa automatically adds an 18%-20% gratuity to all services; additional tipping is not necessary.
- You don’t need cash onboard; charges will be settled at debarkation with your credit card on file. Track your spending on the app or cabin TV.
- Feel free to order as much food as you like!
- Expect a daily newsletter of activities delivered to your cabin each evening; it’s also available on the app.
- Each evening features a main show and various entertainment options.
- Stay Hydrated: Drink plenty of water throughout the day, especially in hot climates or during physical activities onboard.
- Keep important documents, such as passports and cruise documents, organized and easily accessible throughout the trip. Also, secure valuables like credit cards, cash, jewelry, and other valuable items in the safe when not needed for added security.
- Take advantage of onboard activities and facilities for staying active, such as fitness centers, sports courts, and organized fitness classes.
- Stay mindful of the time as some ports may operate on a different time zone than the ship. Adjust watches and devices to the ship’s time zone and pay attention to ship time for scheduled activities and port departures.
- TIP: Before departing the ship in port, take a picture of the return time sign for easy reference later.
- Pace yourself—there’s a lot to do, and you can’t do it all!
- Itinerary changes may occur due to weather or port issues; remain flexible.
- Your flexibility and attitude can greatly impact your cruise experience.
Disembarkation Information:
- On the final night, place your suitcase in the hallway with the provided luggage tag by 10 pm. Keep a carry-on for the next morning and leave out clothes for the next day. When picking up your luggage after disembarkation, you can add toiletries and pajamas if needed.
- For disembarkation: Each cabin is assigned an early morning meeting place and departure time. Wait at your designated location until your group is called to disembark.
Post-Cruise Feedback:
- Keep an eye out for a survey from the cruise line in your email and be sure to complete it.
- We’d love to hear about your cruise experience! Please share your feedback with us after your trip.
Embarking on your first cruise can be both exciting and overwhelming. By following these essential tips, you’re well-equipped to make the most of your journey. Remember, each experience is unique, so embrace the moments, savor the memories, and have an incredible time exploring the high seas.
Here are cabin videos of Norwegian Bliss Club Balcony, Norwegian Getaway Balcony, Norwegian Jewel Balcony, and Norwegian Joy Family Oceanview.
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Bon voyage and happy cruising!
