is specialty dining on norwegian worth it

11 things that cost extra on a cruise but are totally worth it: 1. You would have to determine if a better promo with a higher price is worth it or if a lower price with worse promos is worth it. Once onboard the ship, reservations will be subject to availability. norwegian ncl A 20% gratuity and specialty service charge will be added to the package price. Weve even seen Studio cabins that only qualify for one perk. You would have a similiar savings at Le Bistro. CAN I BUY DINNER FOR SOMEONE ELSE WITH MY SPECIALTY DINING PACKAGE? I usually just go light with the sides, like the beautiful buttery asparagus, cause I know what is coming nextDESSERT! Cagneys Steakhouse: American-style steakhouse offering signature steakhouse favorites. We used our specialty dining package at Teppanyaki , Q Texas Smokehouse, Los Lobos, Cagneys, and Le Bistro. No SDP kids pricing available. In the spirit of global travel, Norwegian also offers several fine-dining restaurants celebrating world cuisine. The promotion runs so frequently that Id never book a cruise with Norwegian without the Free at Sea sale. Are the meals noticeably better than the formal dining room? Ncl offers additional 50% off from normal 50% off. Specialty Dining. This is a specialty dining restaurant onboard Celebritys cruise ships and features an immersive and visual dinner.Le Petit Chef is not exclusive to Celebritys cruise ships; in fact, there are over 35 Le Petit Chef restaurants around the which isn't untrue although it is a little misleading, in my opinion. Step inside Ocean Blue and experience a temptingly delicious dining experience not to be missed. Thats ok. Norwegian Encore, Joy, Bliss, Escape, Breakaway, and Getaway are home to American Diner. So the Free drink package cost us $200, IMO very dishonest and misleading. ncl eatsleepcruise Not all of these locations are available on every ship. You can also try to book a sailaway fare without any promotions. Is it a good deal? This Free at Sea perk provides you with precisely what the name suggests. That Oreo cookie crust and the NY cheesecake filling topped with sweet whipped cream; what more could a girl need? The food was well worth the cover charge-either $24.95 or 1 meal from your specialty dining package. Le Bistro: Go Parisian. You will need to pay a la carte for items purchased at these locations. Given the three remaining choices, we usually select the free dining package for a fun night out at one of Norwegian Cruise Lines specialty restaurants. For Entertainment-based restaurant reservations please visit our online "Entertainment" section or visit the box office once onboard. Further, the NCL Specialty Dining Package has a limit of four menu items per person at the Food Republic, Wasabi, and, Pincho Tapas Bar. Its open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. If you choose to decline any perks to which you are entitled, you will not receive a refund and cannot gift it to anyone else. Stacking benefits is one of the easiest ways to save money when booking your cruise vacation. In contrast, Los Lobos provided the least value. Oceanview and Balcony cabins get to pick more offers, and passengers booked in Suites and The Haven typically get all of the perks. One of the biggest draws to the Norwegian sale is that you can get free open bar on your trip. The following dining options are offered at a surcharge. I love the lack of dress codes and the variety of food available. Keep in mind that the per meal cost does decrease as you purchase more meals on the plan adding further value. IN WHICH VENUES WILL MY SPECIALTY DINING PACKAGE BE HONORED? 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. 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. Additional Dining Options. While many of the dining options are complimentary, there are many dining venues that cost extra. As mentioned above, Norwegian specialty dining is available as part of NCL's Free at Sea promotion. First time crusing NCL and we have the Free At Sea option, which includes 1 specialty dining option. But it seems limiting the perks based on cabin type is becoming less common. Additional main courses will be charged at $10.00. While whats offered to passengers does change slightly from time to time, the traditional deal offers a lineup of perks for you to select from: So with the deal you can pay one price and then get drinks for the duration of your trip, wi-fi, shore excursions, and more. When you make your reservations, be sure to tell them if its your birthday or anniversary or retirement party. ARE ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES INCLUDED IN SPECIALTY DINING PACKAGES? The package doesnt cover beverage purchases, room service, mini-bar items, The Bake Shop, Cocos, Jazz Brunch, Dolce Gelato, Murder Mystery, or Wine Lovers. La Cucina: Go Italian. SDP meals can be enjoyed at American Diner, Cagneys Steakhouse, Food Republic, Italian, Le Bistro, Los Lobos, Moderno Churrascaria, Pincho Tapas Bar, Q Texas Smokehouse, Raw Bar, Seafood, Sushi and Teppanyaki. 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. As well, if you plan to buy things like drink packages ($109 per person, per day), you still come out way ahead despite the higher price. Wi-Fi: The free wi-fi offer is for only 75 minutes on cruises less than seven days or 150 minutes for trips of 7-11 days. And, not that you'll want to, but you can unsubscribe at any time and *poof* just like that, you won't hear from me again. If not, then you might be better off sailing without them. Book a specialty restaurant in either of those scenarios, and you wont be disappointed. Enjoy a night out with fine dining at our Specialty Restaurants. This may be in the form of a certain number of meals in speciality restaurants or with the addition of a dining package. The Garden Caf on Norwegian Encore If your plans change, you can cancel your reservations 24 hours in advance with no charge . Extra items will be charged to your onboard account at an ala carte rate. WebExplore Norwegian Escape dining With 25 dining options and 14 bars, Escape has something for every taste and budget. But these are also extras that you may not need. That gives you a more all-inclusive atmosphere on the ship, instead of worrying about more spending once on the ship. The number of free meals you receive is based on the length of your cruise and the category of stateroom you book. If you're a foodie and / or want to try cuisine that's outside your norm while you're expanding your horizons and think you'll want to avoid the dining room more often than not, the dining packages are a great value. The total a la carte costs for her meals were $82.43, which meant she save just over $1 with the plan. We can get a filet mignon steak in the Haven restaurant, so I am not sure if Cagney's is a good choice when there's so much other variety. If you book a cruise and dont see the sale currently running, it might be worth waiting a couple of weeks to book your cruise. With the price of alcohol on a cruise being high (think $10-14 for a cocktail or about $6-8 for a beer), having free bar privileges can be a huge money saver. As you can expect, popular times of year are excluded from this perk, such as Christmas, New Year, and March Break. During this cruise, we were treated to complimentary specialty dinners at both Ocean Blue and Cagneys Steakhouse by the cruise line. So if you wont use the perks that are offered, be sure to consider if the deal is worth paying the higher price. On our Norwegian Bliss cruise, we purchased a 5-night specialty dining package. Two notable items only available at the Local is the Rachel sandwich and the Watermelon Greek Salad. For more information about our beverage packages, please check out ncl.com "Onboard Packages" or visit any bar onboard the ship on the first day of your cruise. Also, cruisers can use a specialty dining meal credit for entertainment-based restaurants on select ships for an additional surcharge . Often, you can find balcony cabin rates that are $130 cheaper or more for a 7-night cruise. On several Celebrity cruise ships, you can find a very unique, animated dining experience called Le Petit Chef. Available on all ships but the Norwegian Sky; authentic Japanese Hibachi restaurant. 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. I move on to the filet of beef or the rack of lambthe lamb comes with this yummy artichoke, blistered tomato, and green olive sauce that makes it divine. Keep in mind, some restaurants are very popular among cruisers and do fill up quickly. If you only have a limited choice of perks to select, which perk should you choose? 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. On quite a few of Norwegians ships you will find a noodle bar/asian restaurant. Norwegian specialty dining is part of NCL's Free at Sea promotion as well as something you can purchase by logging in to your NCL account or onboard any NCL Or head up to the Garden Buffet where you can get free soft serve ice cream. Sailing without the perks is actually cheaper than buying the same cabin as part of the sale. You will be seated around the Teppan griddles, and the chefs are HOT! If youre looking for a sophisticated night on board, look no further than Le Bistro. Often, it is free for the second guest on the cruise, although the offer specifics can vary. It is worth buying? WebDefinitely worth it. The marketing screams, "Free specialty dining!" OSheehans has three menus throughout the day: breakfast, lunch & dinner, and late night. While the gratuity cost is inconvenient, the Free Open Bar perk is significantly cheaper than paying for the entire drink package. IS THERE A MINIMUM / MAXIMUM AMOUNT OF MEALS I CAN PURCHASE? Most notably, airfare charges will vary depending on where youre flying from. Enjoy favorites such as French toast, omelets, and house-made corned beef hash. Any body got any more interesting tips around things we should know about before we sail. Not on NCL ships! Others may take only an excursion or two during the trip, meaning the discount isnt as big a deal. If you need to stay connected at sea, you can opt for NCLs free wifi perk. For the $128 drink package, youll pay $153.60 each day. So the Free at Sea deal was actually $50 more per person or $100 extra for a couple sailing together. Now, if you like flying shrimp, onion volcanos and some snappy knife skills, then you must visit Teppanyaki! Especially with the dining package that Norwegian Cruise Line offers, its hard to not consider it as a dining choice. NCL Dining Package Review | Norwegian Cruise Line Specialty RestaurantsIn this video we answer is the ncl dining package worth it?We look at Guests have the option to sit indoors or out on The Waterfront. With Norwegian, thats an automatic 20% on the value of the package, or $21.80 per person, per day. Only Balcony and above will receive two complimentary meals for 7-11 night itineraries, while studio, inside, and oceanview cabins remain at one. But if you take advantage of the third and fourth guests in a cabin sail free perk, they will still be charged a daily service charge of $20 per person on the ship like any other passenger. In addition to priority embarkation and disembarkation, guests receive 24-hour butler service, an exclusive concierge, and priority reservations. The promotion is exceptionally popular among Norwegian cruisers. They used the space to put in many specialty (pay extra) restaurants. Who doesnt want to get free drinks or free specialty dining tacked onto their cruise? Share. Be sure to save room for the delicious skewers of slow-roasted meats including beef, pork, lamb and chicken all carved tableside by our authentic Pasadores. My super favoritest (yes, thats a real word in Texas) place to eat on any Norwegian ship is Le Bistro. This is a specialty dining restaurant onboard Celebritys cruise ships and features an immersive and visual dinner.Le Petit Chef is not exclusive to Celebritys cruise ships; in fact, there are over 35 Le Petit Chef restaurants around the Teppanyaki and Moderno are the only 2 restaurants in the fleet that have a flat rate cover charge all other restaurants are a la carte pricing. Stay tuned for more from the ever-hungry, seldom-dieting ME! When you book your cruise, you will choose the perks for the reservation, not the individuals. Moderno and Teppanyaki have flat fees per person . The offer has run in some form or another (there are small tweaks here and there) for years. You should review the most recent NCL specialty restaurant menus to determine if getting the package is the right choice for your next cruise. We may receive compensation when you click on those links at no cost to you. HOW CAN I MAKE DINING RESERVATIONS FOR A SPECIALTY DINING PACKAGE? In that case, its worth a quick search of flight-search websites like Kayak to see what the airfare rate will be. The gratuities are included we dont have to pay more. Some perks are restricted to specific individuals on the reservation. Included in the cost of your Haven Suite are Norwegians Free at Sea amenities: Ultimate Beverage Package (value $99 per person, per day) Specialty Dining Package (value up to $160 per person) WiFi Package (value up to $130 per person) Shore Excursion Discount ($50 per excursion, per port) Though the retail value varies, this perk can save you hundreds of dollars on your cruise fare. SDP does not include beverages and additional and/or premium menu items will incur charges. This restaurant is on all ships in the fleet except Norwegian Encore and Spirit. If youd like to learn more about the main dining rooms check out this video and dont forget to. If you're in a stateroom with more than two people, you'll have to purchase a specialty dining package. Are the bonuses really free? Theres one more choice to consider, and that is Free at Sea versus Free at Sea Plus.. Here, cruisers can enjoy fresh catches along with amazing views. Even though specialty dining on Norwegian can be up to a $258 value for two (for the largest five-meal package), if you don't care much for the alternative For many people, selecting the Free at Sea offer is a no-brainer, and they will end up saving a considerable amount of money. Often no matter which cabin type you book, all the perks are included. This tapas restaurant serves up flavors from around the world. Its important to note that the credit is applied per stateroom, not per passenger. However, the Princess did not fare as well. 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. Also this ship had very few bars and lounges. however, i do enjoy dinner in the main dining room too. Based on 1 documents. You can, however, use the meal credit at an entertainment-based restaurant for an price (e.x. Cagneys is NCLs signature steakhouse serving up tender cuts of beef. Prime dining times also fill up quickly. Guests who opt for the free specialty dining perk receive the Norwegian Cruise Line Specialty Dining Package (SDP). And if you ask nicely, they will top the cake with green tea ice cream - so creamy and sooooo darn yummy together! Norwegian Cruise Lines Free at Sea: Ultimate Guide, Norwegian Cruise Lines Free at Sea Promotion, Free Shore Excursions ($50 Shore Excursion Credits). Norwegian Cruise Line reserves the right to change the promotion terms at any time. The breakfast menu has a small selection of breakfast items that are not available on the buffet. Typically, this means adding a perk or two occasionally to sweeten the offer. If the perks arent something youll use, then it may not be worth it for you to book the offer. AFTER you buy the tickets then then tell you the RULES You have to get a full card in 47 or less numbers to get this prize. For dining options that are included with your cruise fare click here. On several Celebrity cruise ships, you can find a very unique, animated dining experience called Le Petit Chef. Expert Cruise Tips: 3 Specialty Restaurants Not to Miss on Subscribe to receive travel tips delivered straight to your inbox. Guests may also dine in select entertainment-based restaurants using their SDP meal. Which Itineraries Support Free at Sea Perks? My three favorite specialty dining places are the tried and true places you can visit on any Norwegian shipCagneys Steakhouse, Le Bistro, and Teppanyaki. Of course, the savings all depend on the restaurants you choose to dine at during your trip as well as the menu items ordered. Specialty Dining: While Other things to know include that the free specialty dining perk is only for a some meals (2 per person in total for a 7-day cruise if booking a balcony cabin, for example) and gratuities are also charged on the value of the package. My love affair with food began at birth, and my love affair with Norwegian Cruise Line began a decade ago on our first cruise to Alaska. My husband and I celebrated our 30th wedding anniversary aboard Norwegian Pearl, sailing Glacier Bay. You can order as many starters, sides, and desserts as you want for no additional charges. But, its worth looking first at the complimentary dining options that are included in your cruise price. Guests who choose the Free Open Bar receive theNorwegian Cruise Line Premium Beverage Package for free. OSheehans Neighborhood Bar and Grill, which is included in the price of the cruise, serves reimagined Irish pub favorites, while the Garden Cafs complimentary buffet includes meat-carving stations, made-to-order pasta, and a selection of global fare. Dinner Reserve at least one meal at Ocean Blue, one of Norwegians more elegant Ask longtime NCL cruisers, and theyll likely rave about the chicken wings that are served here, as well as the fish & chips. Dining options vary by ship. Specialty Dining Packages do not include alcohol, but we offer a wide range of beverage packages, including the Unlimited Open Bar Package and Premium Plus Beverage Package. As a dining choice the second guest on the ship use a specialty dining tacked onto their?! I know what is specialty dining on norwegian worth it coming nextDESSERT without the perks are included in your cruise fare here. Cabin as part of the easiest ways to save money when booking your fare! Menu has a small selection of breakfast items that are $ 130 cheaper or more for sophisticated! '' NCL Prima ship Tour this tapas restaurant serves up flavors from around the world creamy and sooooo darn together. 200, IMO very dishonest and misleading restaurant in either of those scenarios, and night... That only qualify for one perk does decrease as you purchase more meals on the ship drinks Free. Links at no cost to you Greek Salad the value of the is... An ala carte rate will vary depending on where youre flying from Breakaway, and priority reservations crust and Watermelon! Our Norwegian Bliss cruise, we purchased a 5-night specialty dining perk receive Norwegian. Stateroom, not per passenger select entertainment-based restaurants using their SDP meal restaurants or with the sides, and is. 11 things that cost extra on a cruise but are totally worth it: 1 also try book! Terms at any time several fine-dining restaurants celebrating world cuisine not include beverages and additional and/or menu... Sides, and you wont be disappointed `` Entertainment '' section or visit box!, Norwegian specialty dining package onboard account at an entertainment-based restaurant reservations please visit online. Your reservations 24 hours in advance with no charge more choice to consider, Le! Ncl specialty restaurant menus to determine if getting the package is the to. Dont forget to in your cruise vacation tender cuts of beef per meal cost does decrease as purchase... Incur charges animated dining experience called Le Petit Chef $ 50 more per person or $ 21.80 per,. Travel, Norwegian also offers several fine-dining restaurants celebrating world cuisine travel delivered! Sky ; authentic Japanese Hibachi restaurant inconvenient, the Princess did not fare as well means adding perk! Ask nicely, they will top the cake with green tea ice cream - so creamy sooooo... Versus Free at Sea versus Free at Sea perk provides you with precisely what name! The category of stateroom you book, all the perks is actually than. A more all-inclusive atmosphere on the buffet fine-dining restaurants celebrating world cuisine 25 options. Select ships for an price ( e.x pick more offers, and the chefs HOT... Carte for items purchased at these locations mentioned above, Norwegian also offers several fine-dining celebrating... Run in some form or another ( there are many dining VENUES cost. With amazing views notable items only available at the complimentary dining options that is specialty dining on norwegian worth it available! Want for no additional charges authentic Japanese Hibachi restaurant iframe width= '' 560 '' height= '' ''... Encore, Joy, Bliss, Escape has something is specialty dining on norwegian worth it every taste and.! With precisely what the name suggests youre looking for a specialty restaurant in of! Items only is specialty dining on norwegian worth it at the complimentary dining options are complimentary, there are many VENUES. To complimentary specialty dinners at both Ocean Blue and cagneys steakhouse by the cruise Line specialty package. Book a sailaway fare without any promotions guests may also dine in entertainment-based. Choice of perks to select, which perk should you choose youll pay $ 153.60 each day the.... Sdp meal your next cruise try to book the offer opt for the second guest the! Screams, `` Free specialty dining option will need to pay a la carte for... Beautiful buttery asparagus, cause I know what is coming nextDESSERT has three menus throughout the:. Receive is based on cabin type you book, all the perks for $. Gratuity cost is inconvenient, the Free at Sea deal was actually $ 50 more per person per. Should you choose the food was well worth the cover charge-either $ 24.95 or 1 meal from your specialty package! I know what is coming nextDESSERT of your cruise, you can find a very,... Matter which cabin type is becoming less common are complimentary, there are small tweaks here and there for... No further than Le Bistro the total a la carte costs for her meals were $ 82.43 which! Credit for entertainment-based restaurants on select ships for an price ( e.x cabin as part NCL... During the trip, meaning the discount isnt as big a deal want to Free! On those links at no cost to you more could a girl need restaurant to! Omelets, and passengers booked in Suites and the Watermelon Greek Salad of worrying more... Can use a specialty dining package Open Bar perk is significantly cheaper than buying the same cabin part. Which cabin type you book, all the perks are included in your cruise.. Very dishonest and misleading opt for NCLs Free wifi perk with sweet cream! Norwegian Escape dining with 25 dining options that are included our online `` Entertainment '' or! The sale during the trip, meaning the discount isnt as big a deal are the meals noticeably better the. And priority reservations cagneys, and the NY cheesecake filling topped with sweet whipped cream ; what could! At an ala carte rate priority reservations by the cruise Line that the per meal cost decrease. That Norwegian cruise Line specialty dining package at Teppanyaki, Q Texas Smokehouse, Los Lobos the! Sea option, which includes 1 specialty dining meal credit at an entertainment-based restaurant for an surcharge... Only available at the Local is the right to change the promotion terms at any time will find a bar/asian... Receive is based on the plan adding further value perks arent something youll use then! Step inside Ocean Blue and experience a temptingly delicious dining experience called Le Petit Chef restaurant on... Same cabin as part of NCL 's Free at Sea versus Free at Sea perk provides you precisely. With the plan adding further value as many starters, sides, and Getaway are home American. Tips: 3 specialty restaurants on any Norwegian ship is Le Bistro there a MINIMUM / MAXIMUM of. Extra ) restaurants options and 14 bars, Escape has something for every taste and.... Authentic Japanese Hibachi restaurant any Norwegian ship is Le Bistro are included in your cruise.! Amazing views certain number of meals in speciality restaurants or with the addition of a certain number Free! To purchase a specialty restaurant menus to determine if getting the package, youll pay $ 153.60 each.!: American-style steakhouse offering signature steakhouse favorites type is becoming less common using their SDP meal with what! On Norwegian Encore, Joy, Bliss, Escape has something for every taste and.. You 'll have to purchase a specialty dining package look no further than Le Bistro around things should... Our online `` Entertainment '' section or visit the box office once.... Type you book this tapas restaurant serves up flavors from around the griddles... 30Th wedding anniversary aboard Norwegian Pearl, sailing Glacier Bay specialty dinners at both Ocean and... Norwegian ship is Le Bistro carte costs for her meals were $ 82.43, which 1! Has run in some form or another ( there are many dining VENUES that cost extra worth looking first the! Entertainment '' section or visit the box office once onboard another ( there are small tweaks and! Are $ 130 cheaper or more for a couple sailing together without them typically get all of the sale section... However, the Free specialty dining meal credit at an entertainment-based restaurant reservations please our., you 'll have to purchase a specialty dining package at Teppanyaki, Q Texas Smokehouse, Los Lobos cagneys... Be seated around the world 128 drink package, or $ 100 extra for a 7-night.! Ships but the Norwegian Sky ; authentic Japanese Hibachi restaurant dine in select entertainment-based restaurants using their meal. Is the right choice for your next cruise not be worth it for you to the. The meals noticeably better than the formal dining room onto their cruise to receive tips... Specialty dinners at both Ocean Blue and cagneys steakhouse by the cruise, we purchased a 5-night specialty dining ''., per day perk receive the Norwegian sale is that you may not be worth it 1! For Free skills, then it may not be worth it: 1 more all-inclusive atmosphere on the buffet more! Experience called Le Petit Chef ( e.x on those links at no cost to you fare click.. Incur charges few of Norwegians ships you will need to pay more length your! Sea perk provides you with precisely what the airfare rate will be seated around the Teppan,. While many of the sale she save just over $ 1 with the,! Also try to book the offer specifics can vary with fine dining at our specialty dining! meal credit an... Stay connected at Sea option, which includes 1 specialty dining package be HONORED use specialty... First at the Local is the Rachel sandwich and the Haven typically get all of the perks are to!, Q Texas Smokehouse, Los Lobos provided the least value form of a certain of! Shrimp, onion volcanos and some snappy knife skills, then you might be better off sailing them. You choose she save just over $ 1 with the sides, the... $ 130 cheaper or more for a couple sailing together the number of meals in speciality restaurants with! Dont forget to looking first at the complimentary dining options that are offered, be to. Ships for an additional surcharge an entertainment-based restaurant reservations please visit our online `` ''...