Hi 1st time poster & also new to crusing.

I am sailing with my wife & 15 year old daughter on the Jade on July 26th.

Can anybody let me know if I am likely to be on my own when wearing a tuxedo? I have seen plenty of chat regarding the food but precious little about the attire required. I, for one, will be disapointed if I am made to feel alianated on the odd night when I wish to "glam up".

Also, I am aware that my daughter cannot gamble in the casino but is she also likely to be refused entrance?

Your answers will be much appreciated.

Dj's are not the norm but some will be wearing them our pevious NCL jewel class cruises it has been very mixed when it comes to dressing up.

NCl allows just about anything so you would have to accept that even on "dress up or not" night there will be others still in their jeans they are only not allowed in one of the dinning rooms and not always enforced.

We will be taking out POSH stuff on this trip we are driving down so can fill the car with bags.

The casino is a difficult call, sometime they get very strick other time not, remember the casino is a walk through to get around the ship so everyone can go through, as for staying to say watch you gamble it might be an issue.

If she is on her own (or with new mates) and looks young then more likely top be aske to move on if they start to hang out there, walking into the bar to get a soft drink and then move on probably ok, If she look a bit older then likely she could hang around adults/parents etc, chating to the manager is always a good option to get a bit off rapor going and they will tend to be more lenient.

NCL have a new casino promotion is you sign up forthe casinos at sea card you get free drinks while gambling.

I will look out for this on our trip next week and may ask the casino manager about his.

Another thing to add to the list forthe report back after the cruise.

To Dirk Diggler, we were on Jade 30 May to 13 June. DJ's were extremely scarce, with only at most 2% of gents wearing them. I am quite serious about that figure as I only ever saw a couple of handfuls of men wearing them. What you wear is entirely your call, but it is only fair that you know what the situation was our cruise.

Incidentally, I speak as one who enjoys wearing Tuxedo on more formal cruises and certainly would have felt out of place on the Jade. Fortunately we decided to leave the formal gear at home on this ocassion. A couple of men we spoke to had taken theirs, and worn on the "dress up or not" night and said they wished they hadn't and would be putting it away for remainder of cruise.

You certainly will not be alienated, but your daughter may feel slightly uncomfortable about you!! As a father of 3 almost grown up kids, including 17 year old daughter, I know how she may feel about you standing out from the "norm". Remember though, Freestyle...it is your call alone!

Windjammer/Hamrag

Thanks for your responses.

Got back Friday from the North Cape trip but with the boards being down chose wait to do the followups.

Rather than start any new threads, I will post here my thoughts/findings on the Jade here.

For those that don't know NCL operate a class system on their cruise ships which can give two people on the same trip two very different cruise experiences.

Simply put if you are in a suite(AE up) or on the VIP list you get perks. Since this was our first cruise as a suite guest I can report on these perks.

To pick up on a few points asked about earlier.

Casino

did not meet my criteria so I only played one night.

Passed through many times and having older kids hanging around with parents did not seem to be an issue.

On this trip there was a large contingent of spanish that basicaly ignored the 18+ rules on the ship and management basicaly did nothing.

Tuxes

Very rare on the night we chose to wear ours we were the only ones, following night I saw two more, that was it.

Jeans

Not allowed in the main dinning room, allthough one night we had dressed and then decided to go to the main room, so booked(VIP perk) and on arrival were escorted to our table by the Matre'd and restaurant manager, later I realise I was in jeans "duh".

Booking restaurants

The VIP perk means you can book just about any time, we booked most of ours after 6pm for the same night unless a big group meal.
Most nights it would have been possible to get a speciality booking same night in at least one or two of the rooms as a regular guest, asian was hardly ever full. only saw a two queues for the 2 main rooms at peak show turn out times.

Selling stuff

This is one cruise where nothing was pushed that much, the shops are at the back and the stalls are only set up in the atrium so it was possible to avoid all the merchendise if you never went to these areas, the two "t-shirt" nights(monte carlo,white night) were not pushed hard at all, all the staff wore the t-shirts but very little pushing to buy them. Even the Bingo anouncements were not that intrusive.

Buffet
Went by many times and plenty of cutlery laid out, never checked peak B,fast or lunch time though.
Did not each much from the buffet(VIPs, get Cagnies for B,fast and lunch every day including embarkation) what was there looked good, full monty B'fast at one station, usualy range of cruise buffet food.

More to come later.

I think it is in very bad taste to say that NCL operate a 2 class system. In fact you say this rather smugly!
Being able to get into a restaurant which is free style dining surely it is not that difficult if you are in a suite. Did you have different food I don't think so!
How do you think other cruise lines operate? Of course those in more expensive may well get perks and if you take QM2 then they do operate a 3 class system. The people who book Queens Grill and Princess Grill have their own dining room with different menu's private lift private lounge and many more things. Is this right of course it is! They have paid an awful lot more to be in their accommodation.
People who have Butlers in suites will often have favours done for them.

I too have been in accommodation where I have had a lot of perks. Do I want to broadcast them all over the place NO.
If I have had any perks then that is a private matter and I could come on these boards and advertise them but that is not my style. I have had perks because I knew people would I broadcast this absolutely not! I would not do it out of consideration to the people who were kind enough to afford me those perks!

I am sure that every line will give perks to the people who are paying a huge amount of money and I mean a HUGE amount for the priviledge of staying in those suites or Penthouses. Do I mind of course I don't I just get on with my holiday and enjoy it. Do I watch people who book first or business class flights who turn left instead of right on an aircraft? Yes maybe do I think they have a right to be there absolutely! Have I ever been upgraded YES! Did I enjoy it YES! Have I paid to travel business class YES. Was it worth the money Yes when I did it travelling to Australia on a long haul flight or the first time I travelled alone.

I am glad that the tip situation seems to be settling down and that the crew are being rewarded for their efforts. NCL and free style does not appeal to me although I have cruised with Princess and did traditional dining with a few night freestyle which was just fine. I have cruised where it was open sitting with the same table but you could go anytime between 7pm and I think 9-930pm 6 years or so ago Did it work well yes it did and I was fortunate to be a Member of the Table 26 Society so I had an excellent cruise.
I hope the rest of you out there are not put off by what Windjammer has said. Yes the world is a funny place. Please do not spend your holiday wondering when you have to wait for a table if someone else has just walked in because they are in a suite. Does it matter that much I for one don't think so.

Sue

I think it is in very bad taste to say that NCL operate a 2 class system. In fact you say this rather smugly!

I have to agree with this comment, I find windjammers comments a bit condecending, I have looked to him for advice about cruises for some time, and admired his way of looking out for deals. To find this report all about suite perks leads me to think that someone in a balcony or inside cabin will feel they might have an inferior cruise !
Comments about class systems seem very outdated to me, to have the suite perks you will have to pay a lot more, so you are getting what you pay for, not being given perks for free.

Got to agree that Windjammer has let himself down, especially the comment about being a VIP, IMO all guests on a cruise are VIP's.

Bob

Sorry but I have to say that I did not find Windjammers remarks at all offensive.

I sure he will explain himself but I believe that the point is that if you pay for a particular suite then you will receive a different level of service. I am not neccessarily saying that is right but quite possibly a fact.

I also feel that his acceptance as a VIP is due to the suite he was in as opposed to who his friends may, or may not be.

For the record I am in an "inside" stateroom, without a porthole, on deck 11 sailing on July 26th.

I am glad that at least some people feel as I do about the manner in which Windjammer has written this particular post.
I don't think for one minute that anyone will disagree that if you pay a fantastic amount for a cruise then the standard of accommodation as well as extra services will be appropriate.
I have just had an email from Cunard with an offer for the QV November 27th upgraded to balcony and twin occupancy is around £1299.
Compare that with their highest available accommodation and this is discounted to !!! £21,000 surely you expect more. None of us would deny that people in those rooms are entitled to expect a bit more for their money.
Whilst I have been on the QM2 I know that I have mingled with some of those in high grade accommodation. Not that they have said so but I have been able to read between the lines. Were they out to make me feel inferior because I was eating in the Britannia Restaurant. Not a bit of it!
Perhaps Windjammer did not mean his post to be interpreted in this way. ie VIP!

Sue

Missed the point, and got personal, bad form.

Some don't realise that most cruse lines have a class systems and when the price is right they can get great value cabins with perks for a small incriment in cruise cost or for example take a two bedromed suite with perks for the same price as 2 balcony rooms without them if traveling with friends.

With NCL these perks have significant value outside just having a better cabin & cabin services, considered by many the best value in the cruise industry especialy the courtyard/garden villas.

One example is B,ast and lunch in a private restaurant, I will be reporting others later, many cruise lines may offer some of the same perks(tell us) but by knowing what these perks are, people can make informed choices. the boards are about sharing infomation not keeping info secret.

By lettng people know what the perks are they can make value choices when booking along with other choices like inside/outside/balcony. It is what we did on this cruise, we raised our trip budget for a special cruise grabbed a bargain when it came and took the upgrade to the suite when offered and were still left under budget, no brainer.

I am now in a position to share the suite experience on NCL Jade which I choose to do this time.

Lets clear up the VIP, NCL use this as an internal status for passengers on a list.

All suite passengers(50ish/1200 cabins on Jewel class ships), and special guests in other cabins maybe an invite(free cruise) from the casino or perhaps seleced by the hotel director or a travel agent etc. the list is limited since some perks are capacity controlled.

I must have missed the poing because I just found it informative. No one moans when doign a review for other lines stating what you get in different class's so why NCL
On CC they are often weighing up the difference in the class off cabin such as concerige or suites to normal balcony and if people think the extra money is worth the perks.
Windjammer was just pointing out what you get if you choose to book an higher grade

TravelMandy wrote:

Windjammer was just pointing out what you get if you choose to book an higher grade

Have chosen not to enter the debate about whether W/J's original post was smug/condescending/informative etc.

Must admit that Mandy's post caused me to go back and read W/J'S original post again, which confirmed my original impression that very little is pointed out about what you get by choosing a suite. There are various categories of suite on NCL Jade: Penthouse/Romance; Courtyard Villa; Owner's Suite; Deluxe Owner's Suite; and the ultimate Garden Villa.

We chose a bog standard inside on deck 4, had the same opportunity to book the speciality restaurants as W/J and every other passenger had for evening meal and did so on at least 2 evenings, possibly 3. We paid for the privilege, just like W/J and everyone else. As Bob correctly says every passenger is a VIP and, for us at least, the whole ship is our suite!

More on the cruise a couple of weeks gone by so timing are approxiimate

Departure, at Southampton.

This trip was from the City terminal and there were porters to unload the cars then directed to the car park nearby.
Our group arrives early(10:30ish) and the main enterance was still closed a group of about 100 were waiting
The ship was late off loading after the 2 day booze cruise door opened around 10:50

City terminal is security before checkin so single queue to get through security 2 lines more were put on later.

Then you get to one of three choices regular, latitudes(NCL repeat), suites&villas(VIP)
This is the first bit of fast track the VIP queue get priority for checkin agents so reduced wait.

Due to the late offload boarding was delayed so a fair number(500+) built up in the waiting area, around 12:00 boarding started.

Suites were boarded first then the Mobile impared, others were given boarding numbers based on checkin time no idea how long the backlog took to clear.

So this is the first of the perks(common on most cruiselines) rapid boarding for the suiites/VIPs

We always arrive early if we can travelling ex-uk and it is only if boarding is late does this perk have any value to us, normaly we just walk on in a few minutes anyway at Southampton.

Cruiseline refreshments(free) were available to those waiting, Port bar for pay drinks.

hamrag wrote:

TravelMandy wrote:

Windjammer was just pointing out what you get if you choose to book an higher grade

Have chosen not to enter the debate about whether W/J's original post was smug/condescending/informative etc.

Must admit that Mandy's post caused me to go back and read W/J'S original post again, which confirmed my original impression that very little is pointed out about what you get by choosing a suite. There are various categories of suite on NCL Jade: Penthouse/Romance; Courtyard Villa; Owner's Suite; Deluxe Owner's Suite; and the ultimate Garden Villa.

We chose a bog standard inside on deck 4, had the same opportunity to book the speciality restaurants as W/J and every other passenger had for evening meal and did so on at least 2 evenings, possibly 3. We paid for the privilege, just like W/J and everyone else. As Bob correctly says every passenger is a VIP and, for us at least, the whole ship is our suite!

I provided answers to previous questions, in context of our cruise, I said more later, and it will come but not all in a single post.

Those like yourself that have actualy experienced NCL and in particular the Jade may find the information usefull when considering future cruises.

windjammer wrote:

I provided answers to previous questions, in context of our cruise, I said more later, and it will come but not all in a single post.

From what I have read so far there is nothing you report that has not already been said by those who were on the 30th May cruise! No problem with you affirming previous comments, just don't ask us to believe that they are new answers.

Over and out, from me at least, on this particular spat which seems to have been running for a good few hours now!

OK, keep it friendly folks.

Thanks

luci

To pick up on a couple of points.

keela1eva2 wrote:

I think it is in very bad taste to say that NCL operate a 2 class system.

NCl actively promote there multi tier(class) product offering.

http://www.nclsuitesandvillas.com/

cazza1 wrote:

Comments about class systems seem very outdated to me, to have the suite perks you will have to pay a lot more, so you are getting what you pay for, not being given perks for free.

Call it what you like it exists on most cruise lines and some are making it clearer look at celebrity and the "Aqua class".
Your assumption that it must cost a lot more may be incorrect depending on what you consider a lot.
The key point is that the price differential is not always that much, it varies a lot cruise to cruise but when looking for your value point it is no different to looking at the difference between say an inside/outside or budget/midmarket, the cost to move into the suites MAY be worth it depending on how you value the perks. On this trip early bookers into balcony cabins and mini-suites could get suites for less money when the prices dropped and with NCL policy of refunding price drops(sometimes) some of our group changed when a suite cabin became available rather than take the refund.

Helps to know what those perks are if you are interested in making those choices, I was lucky enough to be given access to some of those perks on a previous cruise and this is the first cruise that met the criteria on value, I can now share the information based on a real cruise so others can make their choices.

It would be nice to get information about other cruiselines perks systems but this will only happen if those that have the experience are prepared to share. I know for example from expeience that if the choice was between a Concierge class on Celebrity or the lowest suite on NCL, NCL wins easy, if the choice was lowest suite on celebrity I don't know and would need look to others for info.

It is not always about chasing the cheapest deal.