Question about Freestyle/NCL

[Suzila]

Hi everyone,

I'm considering a cruise next summer on NCL/Pride of America. They have 'Freestyle' dining. It is my understanding that they also have traditional dining...in the main restaurant. So, if we don't want to go to another restaurant onboard, we won't have to pay extra to dine. Is this the way it works? Does anyone know this?

Truthfully, both hubby and I enjoy the regular, traditional dining room experience and I don't want to have to go on a cruise and start paying for every meal.

However, we are very interested in a cruise around the Hawaiian Islands...not a cruise GOING from the mainland to Hawaii. So, I think NCL is our only choice. Am I right?

Any info would be much appreciated. Thanks, Sue

[cruisinmama]

With Freestyle Cruising

THE CHOICE IS YOURS.

Different from anything else on water.

With Freestyle Cruising, you’ll discover something you won’t find on other cruise lines - freedom. An NCL Freestyle Vacation cruise offers diverse and exciting restaurants, a more relaxed dress code and more things to see and do. And that’s just the beginning. We’ve designed the entire cruise experience around giving you the option to choose. It’s proven to be very popular with our guests, and it’s only available with NCL. Now is the time to come see how different a cruise can be.

Dining

The choice is yours. With Freestyle Cruising, you travel a world of dining options all in one week. From elegant French bistros and Italian trattorias to sushi and tapas bars, and more, there’s a different dining option for almost every night of your cruise. With up to 10 different restaurants, each featuring a diverse an ever-changing menu, you’ll always find exactly what you’re in the mood for. And there are no fixed seatings. Imagine restaurants open from 5:30 pm to midnight so that you can choose from an early dinner before the show or a later romantic dinner for the two of you. And of course there’s always the option of 24-hour room service. You’re free to dine where, when and with whom you choose. Just as it should be on your vacation.

HTH :smiley:

[Suzila]

Thanks for your post cruisinmama. I had read all that on the NCL site and was just hoping someone who had experienced freestyle dining would give me some info about it.

I did call NCL and they told me that the main restaurant and 'some others' were included in the cruise price. But if we wanted to take advantage of one of the freestyle restaurants, it would be something like a $15 cover charge.

I'm still looking into booking a Hawaii cruise, but not so sure I'll like the freestyle dining. I'm still hoping someone who has done it can give me some insight.

Sue

[JoeyandDavid]

Hi Sue..

Let me start by saying I know nothing for a fact!

Have not done “freestyle dinning beforeâ€Â

We have not cruised with NCL before , but are interested in looking into them as a possible Hawaii retreat in a few years.

Based on your last post.

But if we wanted to take advantage of one of the freestyle restaurants, it would be something like a $15 cover charge<]

It sounds like to me what they are calling free style is what others are calling specialty restaurants.

I realize that didn’t help you much .. Just more of an observation.

[Suzila]

I agree with you Joey. "Freestyle" seems to mean that it's 'your choice' where you eat.

Hubby and I enjoy the main dining room experience...I'm not that interested in going to different restaurants and PAYING a fee while we're on a cruise. The main restaurant on a traditional cruise will serve different types of meals. I just want to make sure that the main restaurant on a freestyle cruise isn't diminished because there are freestyle/specialty restaurants.

In other words, I don't want to have a 'Lido Deck' experience at dinner every night, and be forced to eat in the freestyle restaurants in order to have a nice meal.

Hope I'm making that clear. Just trying to find out how it all works from someone who has done it.

Sue

[JoeyandDavid]

Sue,

We looked at the Specialty Restaurant experience as a special treat.

Sometimes we would book for the first night out when they hade a 2 for 1 offer.

Other times they have been gifts of our TA and so we made the reservations when we got on board for which ever night we choose.

The main reason is the menu is more 5 star IMHO with its own Chef and kitchen staff, I cant tell you the difference in the Hollandaise sauce alone was remarkable.

The Service charge supposedly is to cover "the t<] word again TIPS for the wait staff"

[DaCruzNut]

I have, unfortunately, suffered through "freestyle" on the Norwegian Star.....

First of all, there is NO regular dining. You must do "freestyle." There are a number of 'free' restaurants to choose from, but they get very crowded at the "usual" meal times. Waiting times, at dinner (any time betwwen 6:00 pm and 8:30 pm) is almost never less than a half an hour, and often it's closer to an hour. Then, when you finally get seatd, they rush you through dinner to get the next people in.

Also, while NCL used to be one of my favorites, as far as food quality, "freestyle" changed that, too. The food, at best, is mediocre....

On the other hand, Princess, which offers "Personal Choice" has gotten it right! I've never waited more than 10-15 minutes, on Princess, and the food is excellent.

[Suzila]

Great info Jeff...exactly what I needed to know. Thanks so much.

So now, the question is, do I want to do NCL Pride of America in Hawaii (the destination we really want to do), or will being on an NCL ship really take away from the great cruise experience. We were on an NCL about 10 years ago, and I also thought their food was the best. Tough decision to make now.

As far as everyone knows, NCL is the only cruise line travelling AROUND the islands, is that right?

Thanks again Jeff. Sue

[Shari2]

Sue...

That is correct! NCL is the only line sailing around the islands. To do that it has to be American flagged ships, because you are sailing from an American port to an American port. American Hawaii used to do this, but they are now out of business. I did this cruise on American Hawii's "Constitution" back in 1992. You do have much more time in the islands this way. We had a night overnight in Maui on our trip and we were able to see a wonderful luau that way.

I believe that NCL's " Pride of America" and "Pride of Aloha" will also stay overnight in at least one port. I'm with you on the freestyle dining. I'm not sure that I want to do that, although, it could be nice being in Hawaii and being able to be much more casual. It could work out just fine. I do like to have a nice dining experience, though. That's part of why I like Celebrity. We took the "Infinity" to Hawaii last December from San Diego. I would like to have more time in the islands, though, so I have considered the "Pride of America." Good luck with your decision!!!

[dahdwdp]

My husband and I did one of those "free styling" and didn't like it. We like being assigned a group of people to eat with. We ended up sitting by ourselves each meal and honestly, we do that all the time at home. Having new people to eat with was more fun. we said we would never do it again.