pricing | ship | ports | entertainers | excursions | new orleans | overview | faq
Are you ready to set sail for the Caribbean? We’re looking forward to a week of fun, relaxation and celebration with you. This FAQ will provide you with the latest information on how to prepare for our cruise. If you have questions, please add them as a comment below and we’ll update the FAQ with answers.
GUEST NEWSLETTERS
August 11, 2009: Sweet Caribbean Cruise FAQ
August 28, 2009: Caribbean countdown: 10 weeks to glee
September 24, 2009: Packing for your Sweet Caribbean Cruise
October 1, 2009: Making a difference in Roatan
SIGN & RETURN
In order to join us on this fantastic cruise, we’ll need your e-signature agreeing to our terms and conditions. Please review and sign at your earliest convenience. Sign now!
ATTENTION: PAYMENT PLAN GUESTS
If you’re using the 12-month payment plan, please review and acknowledge the terms. We need this form completed prior to sailing. Sign now!
EMERGENCY CONTACT FOR THE NORWEGIAN SPIRIT
If you need to reach us urgently while we’re away, please call the ship at 011-871-331174610.
PACKING FOR YOUR CRUISE
After your passport, what should you bring? Find out in our handy packing blog.
AIRFARE
Book your Sweet airfare with Southwest, the official airline of the Sweet Caribbean Cruise. Book now!
YOUR FLIGHTS
If you’re not joining us for our New Orleans adventure, it’s best to fly in on Saturday, Nov. 7. In the event of flight delays, you don’t want to be caught watching our ship sail away on Sunday.
On your way home, it’s best to book your flights after 1pm. It takes a long time to disembark and the airports are busy when a ship comes in. We’ll be off the ship by 11am. That gives you plenty of time to get to the airport, check in and enjoy one last beignet for the road.
PARKING AT THE PORT
There’s affordable parking at the port. No need to reserve your space. It’s $16 a day ($112 for the week).
NEW ORLEANS
Want to experience the best of the legendary French Quarter? Try our three-day pre-cruise package, featuring a Creole cooking (and eating) demonstration, lesbian history tour, French Quarter tour, Hurricane Katrina relief project and an exclusive rooftop party. Details & pricing >>
Sweet is staying at the gorgeous and historic Hotel Monteleone. We have a block of rooms set aside for Sweet. Make your reservations before Oct. 31, 2009, by calling 504.523.3341 (reference “Sweet 2”).
NEW ORLEANS LAUNCH PARTY
Let’s start our vacation in grand style with a party along the mighty Mississippi. Enjoy Sweet DJs and celebrity guests, dancing, fantastic food festival stations where you can buy classic Cajun treats (mmm, Jambalaya and Bayou Gumbo) and cash bars. Everyone is welcome. Bring your friends from New Orleans. No cover.
Meet us at Toulouse Street Wharf
Saturday, Nov. 7, 7-10pm
Tell your cab driver to take you to the “Natchez Steamboat.”
THE PIER
Erato Street Cruise Terminal
1100 Port of New Orleans Place
New Orleans, LA 70130
www.portno.com
It’s 18 miles (20-30 minutes) from the airport to the pier. A cab ride is about $28 per person.
Shopper alert: The Riverwalk Marketplace is adjacent to the pier.
DRIVING TO THE PORT
From off I-10, take the Business 90 expressway towards the Westbank. Before crossing bridge exit at Tchoupitoulas/S. Peters. Continue straight until red light at Convention Center Blvd. Take a right to stop sign (Hendersen St.) take a left to the Port Road (just over railroad tracks). Take a left for about one quarter mile until you see Erato Street Cruise Terminal on right hand side. Carpool, if you can.
SHUTTLE SERVICE
To reserve your Sweet discount airport shuttle, click here.
Book your shuttle at least 24 hours prior to your flight departure time. To change an existing reservation, call 866-596-2699. Discount not applied to reservations made by phone.
UPON ARRIVAL AT NEW ORLEANS AIRPORT:
• Passengers do not need to stop at the Airport Shuttle Ticket Desk with their E-Ticket.
• Please proceed to the lower level of the terminal and exit the doors located across from Baggage Claim Area 6 onto the loading dock.
• Look for our staff to help direct you to the next available vehicle. You can proceed directly to the van and present this ticket to the driver at time of travel.
EMBARKATION
At the port, you may check in at noon. We can begin boarding the ship at noon. Your rooms won’t be ready until 2pm. In the meantime, you may securely store your carry-on luggage in the casino while you explore the ship, check out our mixers and eat lunch. All passengers must be on board by 4pm. Our mandatory lifeboat drill is at 4:30pm. Our sail away barbecue and party is at the Tivioli pool at 5.30pm.
TRAVEL INSURANCE
If you would like to purchase traveler’s insurance, we highly recommend CSA Travel. You can reach them directly at 800-873-9895 or on the web at http://www.csatravelpro.com/. Please be sure to mention agent # 20080536 when booking. This ensures that they know you’re traveling with us.
DURING OUR CRUISE
MAKE THE WORLD A BETTER PLACE: Participate in a 3- to 4-hour volunteer project in one of our ports. Details.
SEND A GIFT TO ANOTHER GUEST: Surprise your sweetheart with flowers or chocolate-covered strawberries or champagne or all three. NCL makes it easy. Click here to send a gift.
SWEET WEDDINGS: Enjoy the wedding of your dreams aboard our Sweet Caribbean Cruise. Details.
SWEET SPARKS: Join our on-board networking and empowerment series. Details.
SWEET SWEAT BOOTCAMP: Work it all out with celebrity fitness guru Shawnee Harkins from “Dr. Phil’s Weight Loss Race.” Get your Sweet Sweat on! Bootcamp details.
SWEET PHOTO PACKAGES: Enjoy Sweet discounts on your on-board photo packages when you purchase early. Details.
THE SPA
Norwegian Spirit features a top-notch, full-service spa. Indulge yourself in a facial or massage, try a new haircut or enjoy a full bodywrap. View the full menu of spa services.
FITNESS CLASSES
• Early Morning Stretch
• Tai chi
• Yoga ($12)
• Super Circuit “for the fit”
• Powerful Posture for lower back pain seminar
• 5km Run with fitness Instructor and friends
• The ‘ABC’ of ABs workout
• Total Body Workout
• Seminar: How to eat more and weigh Less
• Pilates for Beginners ($12)
• Seminar: Secrets to a flatter stomach
FITNESS SERVICES
• Body composition analysis
• Nutrition consultation
• Personal training
• Fitness packages
• Lonithermie cellulite reduction
• Gym open 24 hours
SODA CARDS
Unlimited soda cards are available for purchase on board for $6.25 a day plus 15 percent gratuity. It does not include water or sparkling water.
INTERNET ACCESS ON THE SPIRIT
It’s not the best you’ll ever have, but it’s not the worst and, hey, you’re on vacation, you need some time away from e-mail anyway. Internet cards work on your computer and the ship’s computers.
Here are the rates you’ll pay on board:
250 minutes: $100 at 40 cents per minute
100 minutes: $55 at 55 cents per minute
Pay as you go: 75 cents per minute
If 50 or more of you want to pre-pay for your cards, we can get a discounted rate. Here are the discounted rates:
500 minutes: $125 at 25 cents per minute
1000 minutes: $200 at 20 cents per minute
Comment below if you’d like to buy a pre-paid card.
ALCOHOL ON BOARD
A lot of you are asking if you can bring your own alcohol on board. NCL prohibits bringing outside alcohol on board. If you try, your alcohol will be held for you until the end of the cruise. Now, I know that sounds like a big bummer, but NCL’s drink prices are affordable and include the tip.
THE RESTAURANTS
We love NCL’s Freestyle dining. It means you eat what you want on your schedule. Some of the specialty restaurants have a surcharge or require reservations. We’ve tried all of the restaurants and we all agree, it’s the best food we’ve ever had at sea.
Windows Main Restaurant: No additional charge < Stunning dining room and amazing service.
The Garden Room Main Restaurant: No additional charge.
Raffles Court (Buffet): No additional charge. < Best buffet I've ever had!
Blue Lagoon (24-Hour Diner): No additional charge < For your late-night cravings.
Bier Garten Grill (Pool Bar): No additional charge. < There's no reason to leave the pool.
Le Bistro: $15. < Tres yummy!
Shogun Asian: $15.
Shogun Teppanyaki: $25. < It's basically dinner and a show. Reserve your spot early.
Shogun Sushi: $15. < Top-notch sushi (oh and you can order as much as you like).
Cagney's Steakhouse: $25.
La Trattoria: $10 < Deliciouso Italiano.
If you have dietary restrictions or allergies (and didn't tell us when you booked), please send us an e-mail at sweeties [at] discoversweet.com. Include your full name and a detailed description of your restrictions. NCL and Sweet are committed to making sure everyone eats like queens this week, but we need to know now, so we can adjust the week’s menus.
24-HOUR ROOM SERVICE
Yes, it’s really free, unless you order premium items, such as caviar or alcohol. Bar service in your room is available from 9am to 2am.
RESTAURANT & BAR EXTRAS
• Bistro Brunch from 10am to 2pm on Monday, Nov. 9. Amazing French brunch buffet for $15.
• Pub Crawls held 2 times per week at $25 per person plus 15 percent gratuity. Enjoy a libation from each of the ship’s fab bars and lounges in a fun-filled romp all over the ship.
• Happy hours, Saturday to Thursday from 6 to 8pm in Maharini’s Bar, feature 20 percent discount on all premium martinis.
With seven fantastic DJs from all over the world, we’re sure to get you moving. We’re hosting a number of parties on board. Here’s a list, so you can start planning your outfits. Nights subject to change.
SUNDAY
Welcome party
MONDAY
Day: Club Skirts’ Pool Party
Night: Pink Party
TUESDAY
80s Rewind
WEDNESDAY
Club Skirts’ Dinah Shore at Sea
THURSDAY
Champagne and Bubbles
FRIDAY
Sassy & Sweet (Naughty or Nice)
SATURDAY
Day: Fun, Games and Dancing at the Pool
Night: PJs and Lingerie Farewell Party
CREDIT CARDS ON BOARD
When you check in, you’ll register a credit card that will be linked to your room key. Your room key is what you’ll use to purchase everything on board all week long. There is no cash on board. If you’d like to use multiple credit cards to pay at the end of the week, visit the front desk by 8pm Friday. They’ll happily make the change for you.
IDENTIFICATION
Everyone needs a valid passport (booklet or card). If you’re coming from outside of the United States, you’ll need to research visa and other requirements.
HAIR DRYERS
Yes, there is a hair dryer in the room. It’s not very strong. If you bring your own, it needs to be under 1,000 watts.
IRONS / LAUNDRY
Irons are not allowed on board. The ship’s laundry will press your clothes for a reasonable fee. View a full list of laundry services and prices.
SHORE EXCURSIONS
For a sneak preview of our shore excursion options, click here. Use the pulldown menu on the right to choose the port. Remember, these are subject to change. Also, we’re adding community service shore excursions. Click here for details.
Shore excursion booking instructions will be sent to all booked guests 30 days prior to sailing.
TENDER PORT
We’re tendering in Belize City.
CURRENCY
U.S. currency is accepted in all ports. Be prepared to get your change back in local currency. Credit cards and Traveler’s Checks widely accepted.
pricing | ship | ports | entertainers | excursions | new orleans | overview | faq
Tags: Sweet Caribbean Cruise
