Has anyone ever cruised freestyle with Norwegian Cruises?

Question

I am thinking of giving this as a gift for first time cruisers.

Answer 1

Yes, I took a cruise on the Norwegian Star in October 2005 and have another Norwegian cruise booked for February 2008. I wrote a long review of my cruise. The following is from my review ...

What sets Norwegian apart from everyone else is the Freestyle dining. As I mentioned, there are ten dining areas. Six are free, four cost extra, and only three do not require reservations (Aqua, Versailles and the Blue Lagoon). It is noted that Norwegian does not allow blue jeans, tank tops, shorts, T-shirts or beachwear in any of the restaurants after 5:00pm. It is also noted that Aqua and Versailles (the two main restaurants) get very busy between 7pm and 8pm.

The advantage of Freestyle dining is you can eat when you want. However, that is only true in three of the ten restaurants. All the other restaurants require reservations. What is the difference between making a reservation and having a set dining time? Also, for groups this can be a problem. In traditional dining you show up at your table at the assigned time. You know the rest of your group will either already be there, or will arrive soon. With Freestyle dinning, your group has to decide where it wants to eat and when. If you have ever tried to get a group to agree on anything, you know what a chore this can be. Also, if your group is large enough, you can guarantee that someone will show up at the wrong restaurant at the right time, or show up at the right restaurant at the wrong time. For me, I don’t like having to take time out of my day to make a reservation. The whole idea of cruising is to have a carefree vacation. I believe that having to make reservations takes away from that experience.

Here is a link to my entire review if you want to read it ...

http://www.cruisecritic.com/memberreviews/memberreview.cfm?EntryID=13327

Answer 2

There are other things to consider too. NCL has the best entertainment and the best desserts. Sitting down at the same table with a poor wait team like my last cruise or some mouthy racist from Texas can ruin your holiday. If thats the case you can asked to be moved but if thr early seating is full you might have to always eat at 830. You meet more people on Freestyle if you want to sit at a large table. On nights when you want to be alone reserve ahead for a table for 2. Princess is the only one that has both. P.S. New ships are a lot nicer than old ships especially on NCL.

Answer 3

Yes, I have been on many of Norwegians Freestyle cruises.
Look at it this way yes, it is nice to sit at the same table & have the same people wait on you.
However for first time cruisers it will be a first time experience and they can try new foods. Standing in line ? So are they afraid to talk to people, what better way to get to meet new people.Plus, you can eat whenever you want.
Norwegian also has regular style dinning areas if they prefer.
Norwegian also has some speciality dinning that is by invite only. You need to talk to the front desk on ship. We do this every cruise for at least 3 meals and they are great & you always get the same table & the same 4 servers.
Like anything some people like it and some don't but, they should at least try.
Also for the specality dinning not everyone gets in. It is something each ships does on their own.
Go For IT.

Answer 4

I have been on eight NCL cruises. NCL is a good cruise line with good ships. We just got back from a NCL cruise but I personally do not care for the freestyle cruising. Freestyle essentially means that you do not have to select a time to go to dinner each evening; just go whenever you want. That's different from other cruise lines where you have to select between a 6:00 PM dinner seating or an 8:00 PM dinner seating. I personally prefer to have a table of my own and a the same waiter for the duration of my cruise. I like to get to know my waiter and prefer for him/her to learn what I like. I also do not like Freestyle because you must either make a reservation for dinner each night or stand in line awaiting a table. I have seen that happen on several of our NCL freestyle cruises, including this one that we just completed.

The other thing that is different with freestyle is all meals are pretty much casual. Even on nights that they designate as "dress up if you want' nights, you do not have to and most people on freestyle cruises do not. That's different from other cruise lines where the have REQUESTED formal dress nights and most people do dress up.

So freestyle is really only different for dinner and its a more casual dinner than on other ships. if the recipients of your gift would like a casual cruise, then give them a NCL cruise. Otherwise, I recommend Royal Caribbean, Celebrity, or Princess for great cruises at a comparable price.

Princess cruise line has something similar to freestyle which they call "personal choice" cruising. You can either select a dinner seating OR just go when you want to go.

Answer 5

From studying stories on Cruise Critic, it sort of feels persons both love or hate NCL. Given that, the total standard affect I get is that the road isn't as well in both meals or provider as the opposite mass marketplace cruise strains. But for those who wish whole freestyle, then I bet this perhaps the road for you. I realize anybody who is sailed on each Carnival and NCL they usually select Carnival however mentioned NCL is "OK".

Answer 6

Yes I have been on NCL and did not like the free style dining at all. I prefer to meet people on cruises, and the best way to do that is at dinner. We have made some very good friends over the years just by having great table mates on cruises.
Free Style you will sit by yourself, and you will not have the same waiter every night - which I also enjoy. Your waiter is a big part of your cruise!!
I wouldn't recommend NCL at all.

Answer 7

this site has great info
http://allcruiselines.info