Norwegian Cruise Lines:
Terms and Conditions and FAQs
What does my cruise fare include?
Your cruise fare entitles you to accommodations, meals and entertainment aboard ship. In addition to the main restaurants, certain specialty restaurants are available with either nominal cover charges, fixed price menus or à la carte pricing. Items of a personal nature are not included, such as alcoholic beverages and soft drinks, spa treatments, certain specialty exercise classes, laundry, photographs, casino, ship-to-shore phone, e-mail, Internet, fax and Shore Excursions (including all Dine In programs). Government taxes and fees are also not included.
What does my ticket say about my cruise?
Please check your tickets to be sure you are booked on the proper date, ship and itinerary. If you have booked flights through our Air/Sea Program, check your air ticket date and time of departure. You should reconfirm your flight numbers, dates and flight times with the appropriate air carrier at least 72 hours prior to your departure. The passenger’s acceptance of the Passenger Ticket Contract constitutes acceptance of the conditions contained therein. NCL reserves the right to decline or accept any person as a passenger of the cruise at any time.
How do I pay for onboard expenses?
For your convenience, all shipboard expenses are charged to NCL’s special onboard credit program. Sign up on the first day of your cruise by establishing your method of payment with Visa®, Master Card®, American Express®, Discover®, travelers checks or cash. If you choose to settle your account with cash, a deposit will be required in advance. You may also use your debit card; however, please be advised that NCL obtains pre-authorization which some banks may hold for up to 30 days.
You may cash travelers checks at the Reception Desk. Currency exchange, at prevailing rates, is available on some cruises. Travelers checks and most major credit cards are accepted in the ports we visit. Proper ID is required when cashing travelers checks. We recommend you carry a small amount of local currency when visiting foreign ports, although credit cards are commonly accepted in shops and restaurants. The shipboard newsletter will advise you of exchange facilities, current exchange rates and opening hours for local banks.
What are the customs allowances?
Customs allowances may vary depending on the itinerary. Please check on board for the most up to date information. You are not permitted to bring fresh fruit, meat products, fresh milk products, plants or tortoise shell products into the US. Additionally please refer to details on our Question and Answer page in the current NCL brochure.
The gift shops on board are all duty-free (local tax is not added to the prices). Due to local customs regulations, the shops are only open while at sea. Hours are posted outside the shops and in the daily onboard newsletter. Items purchased in the gift shops must be included among your “purchases from abroad” when clearing customs on your return to the U.S. or Canada.
It is a condition of travel that all passengers take out holiday insurance for all travel cancellation and medical liabilities. NCL’s liability for loss or damage to baggage in connection with the vessel is limited by the Passenger Ticket Contract up to a maximum of $100 per Guest. NCL does not accept responsibility for the loss or damage of contents off the vessel. NCL cannot accept responsibility for valuables left anywhere on the ship. Safety deposit boxes and/or security envelopes are available at the Reception Desk. Please be sure to make arrangements when you board the ship. Jewelry, valuables, fragile items, medications and important papers should not be packed with baggage but should be hand-carried.
How many suitcases can I bring?
Each person is allowed up to 200 pounds of personal luggage on board. However, if you are traveling by air, ask the airline if it has different restrictions. Airlines and NCL have limited liability for loss, so be sure all baggage and personal belongings are properly insured. Suitcases should be securely locked and tagged. You should hand-carry medication, jewelry or other valuables and important documents.
All arriving guest luggage must be claimed by each guest at your respective airline’s baggage claim area. Airport porters and self-service luggage carts are available at all airports for assistance.
Porter service is also available at each pier during embarkation and disembarkation for luggage assistance. The customary tip for porters is $1.00 per bag ($2.00 per bag in New York). Gratuities are the guest’s responsibility.
Please be sure each piece of a luggage has a tag listing your name, ship and stateroom number. You will receive tags upon arrival at the pier.
Regardless of the embarkation port, you must be on board one half-hour prior to sailing time or your cruise reservation is subject to cancellation. There are no restaurant facilities inside any pier terminal. However, a complimentary lunch is available on board all ships during embarkation hours. Lounges are open for the purchase of cocktails and soft drinks. As stated on the Passenger Ticket, please be reminded that it is prohibited to bring personal liquor on board the vessel. Additionally, liquor purchased in any port of call will be placed in a secure area and delivered on the last evening of the cruise.
What about smoking, drinking and gambling on the ship ?
Smoking is permitted in designated areas in the bars and outside on open decks. All other areas on board ship are non-smoking. Guests must be 21 to purchase or drink alcohol or to gamble on the ship. If a guest under the age of 21 wins in the casino and cannot provide proof of age, he or she will not be paid the winnings. Guests are not allowed to bring on board the vessel any alcoholic beverages of any kind.
What time would you like it to be? NCL’s exclusive Freestyle Cruising lets you choose. We offer open-seating dinning in a variety of restaurants and cafes with individual menus, so it’s your choice. You can have lunch or dinner with friends in one of the elegantly appointed restaurants. Reserve a table for two in an intimate bistro. Order an omelette prepared just the way you like it from the breakfast-buffet chef. There are special menus for youngsters and great sail away barbecues. Special meals are available including low-calorie, vegetarian, no MSG, low/no sodium and low/no cholesterol meals, as well as no sugar added desserts and kosher meals. All of our restaurants are non-smoking. Most specialty restaurants require a per person cover charge or offer a la carte pricing and reservations are recommended and can be made on board.
Will I need an electrical converter?
The current on board is 110 volts AC. Some high-voltage hair dryers, electric rollers and electric razors may require a converter.
Are there children’s programs?
The fun and flexible, complimentary Kid’s Crew” and Teen Club programs are designed for kids from age 2 to 17. The well-trained counsellors offer an age-appropriate array of fun-filled options so kids can get as much excitement out of the cruise as you do. And on NCL, your kids can also learn while they are having fun! With everything from parties to video arcades to stimulating learning sessions, we provide so much fun we know your kids will have the trip of a lifetime.
NCL offers group sitting for ages 2-12 for a nominal fee with the Kid’s Crew counselors. In addition to regular sitting hours of 10pm-1am, group sitting is available in port from 9am-5pm.
What other services are available?
- Beauty parlor and spa services include hair styling, manicures, pedicures, facials and massages
- Gift shops feature duty-free shopping, with fine jewelry, perfumes, clothing, cosmetics and limited drug store items
- Laundry & dry-cleaning services
- Tuxedo rental prior to sailing
- Internet Café
- Art auctions
- Photographs taken throughout the cruise
No pets are allowed on board, except service dogs.
What about people with special needs?
NCL welcomes guests with special needs. Guests are encouraged to contact NCL’s Passenger Courtesy Department regarding their needs at least 3 weeks prior to their cruise. All of the ships have designated staterooms with wider doorways and bathrooms that will accommodate wheelchairs, and staterooms with lights and under-pillow vibrating alarms for guests with hearing impairments. Guide dogs are permitted on all NCL ships. Many staterooms have refrigerators that can be used to store medications that must be kept cold. Guests who need oxygen or require oxygen therapy are welcome on all NCL ships; however, they must provide their own. Norwegian Cruise Line must be notified at least 48 hours prior to sailing, as to the number of oxygen canisters being brought onboard the vessel. Failure to comply may result in denied boarding. Visit the website www.ncl.com for information about accommodations on specific ships.
A physician and nurse are on each ship to provide medical care and services at customary charges. Commonly used medications are kept on board and may be prescribed by the ship’s doctor.
Pregnancy must be regarded as a medical condition. An expectant mother’s application for passage, must be accompanied by a medical certificate establishing her due date and fitness to travel, and acceptance is subject to the following conditions:
- NCL will not be responsible or liable for any complications of pregnancy, which arise or occur during the cruise.
- NCL will not accept passengers who will have entered their 24th week of pregnancy by the time their travel with NCL concludes.
- For further information please contact our Passenger Courtesy Department.
Shore Excursions can be pre-requested by visiting www.ncl.com , please see cover letter for direct link or by faxing the completed pre-request form on the website to 0207 591 8201. Once on board, Shore Excursions can be purchased at the ship’s shore excursion desk.
How can we celebrate a special occasion?
You may purchase wine, fruit baskets, champagne, birthday cakes, canapés, flowers or other gifts for your stateroom. Please contact passenger courtesy at least three weeks in advance of your cruise on 0207 591 8201.
How can I send a gift to someone on board?
NCL is happy to go the extra mile to provide just the right gift for someone special. Choose from wines and champagnes, gourmet hors d’oeuvres, elegant flower arrangements, on board credit certificates, signature memorabilia and cruise wear. For advance orders contact Passenger Courtesy at least three weeks in advance of your cruise at 0207 591 8201 or on www.ncl.com. While on board please call the Reception Desk for details.
What if I need to stay in touch while away?
All of our ships have computer terminals you can rent for $.75 per minute in the Internet Café. You can also telephone, telex, radiogram or fax to anywhere in the world and be billed at applicable ship-to-shore rates
How can I be reached while on board?
You are never out-of-touch when you sail with NCL. Friends, family and work associates back home can reach you via the personal e-mail address we have printed on your cruise ticket. They can dial you directly by calling 1.888.NC.SHIPS, or from outside the U.S. 1.732.335.3280. Your family and friends can visit our website at www.ncl.com, for easy shore-to-ship instructions.
Service Charge
A fixed service charge of $10 per person, per day will be added to your onboard account. For children ages 3-12, a $5 per person per day charge will be added to your onboard account; there is no charge for children under the age of three. Our crew is encouraged to work together as a service team and is compensated by a combination of salary and incentive programs that the service charge supports. It is our earnest wish that you enjoy your Freestyle Cruise experience and that our entire crew in all areas of the ship will provide you with a standard of service for which NCL is known. Therefore, if you have any concerns about the service you receive during your cruise, please bring them to the immediate attention of the NCL reception desk staff on board so that they can address any issues in a timely manner before the cruise over. Both NCL and NCL America have a structured guest satisfaction program on board designed to handle any concerns raised by our guests relating to the service or on board product quickly and efficiently. In almost all cases NCL are able to come up with satisfactory solution to any issues which are raised and make sure our guests can focus on enjoying their cruise vacation. In the unlikely event we cannot satisfactorily resolve the issue through our guest satisfaction program, guests will be able to adjust the service charge according to the level of inconvenience that they feel they have experienced. Our clear priority is to have the opportunity to resolve the issue, when it happens to everyone’s complete satisfaction. Gratuities: Unlike most other ships in the cruise industry, there is no required or recommended tipping on NCL America or Norwegian Cruise Line ships. Guests should not feel obliged to offer a gratuity for service that is generally rendered to all guests. However all of the staff are encouraged to “g o the extra mile “ and as they are permitted to accept cash gratuities entirely at the discretion of our guests who wish to acknowledge particular staff members for exceptional or outstanding service. In other words, there is a genuinely no need to tip but you should feel free to do so if you have a desire to acknowledge particular individuals. Also, certain staff positions provide services on an individual basis to only some guests. We encourage those guests to acknowledge good service from these staff members with appropriate gratuities. For example, for guests purchasing bar drinks, the recommended gratuity is 15% similarly, for guests using concierge and butler services, we recommend they consider offering a gratuity commensurate with services rendered.
Documentation, Visas and Passports
Guests are responsible for ensuring that they have the correct passport and visa requirements and comply with health formalities required for their holiday. Please note that general information provided by NCL on passport and visa requirements and health formalities should be checked. These requirements are subject to change and complying with them is the responsibility of the individual Guest. Guests are recommended to check with their travel agents and appropriate government agencies, embassies or consulates as necessary.
The following notes of current general requirements are for your guidance: -
United States visa information:
British Citizens require a full passport that must be valid for a minimum period of 6 months beyond the end of the holiday. Guests who are embarking or disembarking in the US do not require a visa if they are British Citizens and hold a machine readable passport which was issued before 25 October 2005. The airline will provide a visa waiver form on check in. Guests flying into the US will need to present this form at immigration upon landing. British Citizens, who obtain or renew a UK passport on or after 26 October 2005 and before the introduction of biometric passports in 2006, will need a visa to enter the USA. This must be applied for in person at the US embassy. In addition, from 26 October 2004, all children must have their own documentation to enter the US and are no longer permitted to travel on a parent’s passport. If you are British National or Subject but not a British Citizen, you will need to apply for an individual US visa in the normal way. Should you have any queries regarding your eligibility for participation in the US Visa waiver scheme, you should contact the US embassy directly to answer these. Please note that non US Guests will be required to complete US immigration procedures on board when re-entering US Territory. (e.g. at St Thomas). Additionally, tourist visas are required on certain other cruise itineraries.
Russian Visa information:
Guest purchasing shore excursions from NCL for the Russian port of St Petersburg do not need a Russian Tourist Visa. Russian Tourist Visa fees will be included in the price of the shore excursion. However, those who wish to visit this port on their own, must obtain a Russian Tourist Visa prior to departure from the United Kingdom.
IT IS THE GUESTS RESPONSIBILITY TO SECURE ALL NECESSARY DOCUMENTATION FOR THE HOLIDAY.
There can be no refund if a Guest is refused entry into any foreign territory or denied boarding by immigration officials for proper lack of documents.
In order to comply with mandatory regulations and policies of the United States Government, please ensure that all required passport information is submitted in advance, either via your Travel Agent, by submitting to NCL directly by phone or in writing, or by registering on our website (visit our website at www.ncl.com and click on "Booked Guests Register Here").
Please ensure that you retain a copy of this information and a photocopy of your passport (picture page) during the cruise. If you have any queries, please refer to NCL UK Terms and Conditions, call NCL on 0845 658 8010 or refer to your Travel Agent.
To destinations in Canada, Bermuda, Mexico, the Bahamas and the Caribbean, guests who are not U.S. or Canadian citizens must carry a valid passport and multiple entry visa for entry into the United States (B-2 Visitor’s Visa), or a visa waiver. As visa requirements vary by country and are subject to change, guests who are not United States or Canadian citizens are urged to contact your travel professional, local immigration office and/or respective embassy or consulate to determine the entry requirements for your cruise destinations.
At the time of printing, U.S. Immigration regulations required all guests on Hawaiian cruises that call at Fanning Island in the Republic of Kiribati to carry a valid passport.
As visa requirements vary by country and are subject to change, all guests traveling abroad are urged to contact your travel professional, local immigration office and/or respective embassy or consulate to determine the entry requirements for your cruise destinations.
Where can I keep my valuables?
Security envelopes and/or sale boxes are available from the ship’s purser at no charge. Most staterooms and suites have mini-safes. Please note, however, that NCL is not responsible for valuables lefts in staterooms or elsewhere on board.
Are visitors allowed on board?
Due to security reasons, unfortunately, no.
What is the Latitudes® Program?
Latitudes, is NCL’s past guest program. Once you complete your first NCL cruise, you are automatically a Latitudes® member of Latitudes. Visit us at www.ncl.com for a complete list of benefits and privileges. Latitudes. Loyalty has its privileges.™
Freestyle Cruising gives you the freedom to dress as you please. So come as you are. No need to check for a suggested dress code in the ship’s Freestyle Daily as you would on traditional cruises. Resort casual attire is always appropriate – morning, noon and night. If you like, you can slip into a pair of khakis and a polo shirt, a skirt and blouse or a sundress for dinner. We do not allow jeans, T-shirts, shorts, cut-offs, tank tops, bare feet, etc. in any of the restaurants at dinner. For those who do love to dress to the nines and get that annual formal portrait photography done, there is one optional formal evening in at least one of the main restaurants on every 7-day cruise; at least two formal evenings on longer cruises. This means black tie or dark suit for gentlemen and evening gown or cocktail dress for ladies. But remember, on formal evenings you can always choose to dine in one of the alternate restaurants and enjoy some of the other lounges and leave your dressier clothes at home.
Whether you are sailing to the warm tropics or the glaciers of Alaska, remember to bring clothing that can be easily layered. A sweater is a versatile accessory that’s ideal for everything from air conditioning to a cool breeze. For visits to places of worship, check your Freestyle Daily for attire guidelines. Be sure to bring a pair of comfortable walking shoes, too. Other essentials: sunglasses, a sun hat or visor and sunscreen. Don’t forget to bring prescription medicines in original containers and an extra pair of glasses or contact lenses. Carry valuables and medication in a handbag you keep with you at all times.
IMPORTANT NOTE: All suitcases are collected the night before we return to our home port, so be sure to bring an overnight bag packed with your personal essentials.
Can I rent formal attire for my cruise?
NCL has a designer collection of tuxedos for both men and women available for that memorable evening. Please contact our toll-free number at 1.800.833.5621 to check for last-minute availability.
NCL visits a large number of ports in numerous countries around the world. At any given moment there are likely to be “trouble spots” in the world in terms of crime and/or war or terrorist actions. Accordingly, it may be necessary to change the published cruise or Shore Excursion itinerary. Any such changes are for your safety and beyond NCL’s control. While NCL endeavors to provide reasonable protection for your comfort and safety on board its ships, NCL cannot guarantee freedom from all risks associated with war, terrorism, crime or other potential sources of harm. NCL reminds all passengers that they must ultimately assume responsibility for their actions while ashore. The U.S. Department of State and other similar government agencies regularly issue advisories and warnings to travelers giving details of local conditions in specified cities and countries according to the agency’s perception of risks to travelers. NCL strongly recommends that passengers and their travel professionals obtain and consider such information when making travel decisions.
Please contact us on 0845 658 8010 or refer to your Travel Agent.
