Originally Posted by
Mary2e
I'm thinking about taking a cruise next year on NCL. We've only cruised once before, 20 years ago, and may try it again. We did not like the formal night & assigned dining times and from what I've been told, we don't have to do either.
Most of the mass market cruise lines have adjusted their dress codes in response to NCL. Holland America, once considered one of the more formal lines, doesn't even call them "formal" nights any longer, but rather "Gala" nights. For men, collared shirts and slacks are required. For women, dresses, skirts, and slacks are all acceptable. That's the extent of the requirement. And it only applies in the full-service dining rooms; the rest of the ship is casual dress permitted.
And Holland America offers Open Seating dining as well as set-time dining. You choose when you book.
So don't limit yourself to NCL just on account of dress code or set-time dining.
Originally Posted by
Mary2e
Anyway, I looked at their website and I do get some sort of a discount for being a past cruiser because I joined latitudes at that time. They also give some other incentives for booking directly with them.
Both are good reasons to go with NCL, but only as long as you're not compromising on the itinerary you want.
Originally Posted by
Mary2e
Is there a better place to book?
I prefer to book with the cruise line. Others have other preferences which they may choose to share.