Sue1260

All the posts here are so funny I have enjoyed reading them.

I to have had bad table mates. We were on cruise out of Baltimore and are from Pittsburgh and my husband is a huge steeler fan. He wears his steeler pendant everywhere with pride. Baltimore are big rivals of the steelers it was first night at dinner couple at table were from Baltimore and noticed my husbands pendant and the conversation of course turned to football and began to get heated. Me and my husband tried several times to change subject with no luck. We had our table assignment moved for rest of week.

Then we were on cruise with 2 of our teenage kids had a table for just the 4 of us but next table from us was a table for 8 family members. They came to dinner every night and half hour before dinner was over. And we're so loud and rude. The waiters every night would perform or sing ours could never participate because he was always busy with this table that just came in. They would make rude comments to us if we even glanced toward their direction. I always wondered if someone got a "make a wish" because don't think anyone of them could afford to pay for a cruise.

When I first started cruising one night on a 7 day cruise they would have midnight buffet and me and my husband would look forward to it. All the beautiful ice sculptures, butter and fruit carvings. And they would have deserts mixed in amoung the carvings to choose and I think cheese appetizers. I'm sure it was a cost saving measure but it was nice and another sense of elegance that accompanied a cruise.

Enjoy reading your review also very interesting and we'll written. I have always thought I cruise at holidays would be great. But that will have to wait a while have 10 yr old grandson to enjoy watching Christmas day opening gifts.❤

I agree I'm so over Nassau also how many times can u see straw market. So I have opted to stay on board and it's so quiet at pool

Yes I started cruising on carnival the I have been on Royal Caribbean which is ok and NCL is a definite step up.

I see you have switched lines. So did we, but the reason is that we travel for the destination and not only on ships. We will not book again some of the ~10 lines on which we have travelled for various reasons, mostly because they don't go where we want to go.

I agree when you have been to so many ports we are always looking for a different one. How many times can you go to Bahamas and see straw market? I'm over it!! One line I will never sail again is carnival. I'm booked on Breakaway this May to Bermuda second time and can't wait.

I think we are saying much the same thing but just with different cruise line motives behind it. IMO - and specific to our experience with RCI - the decline is more based on cost control to keep the overall cruise costs from escalating too high. While it is still a steak, choice is less expensive than prime, etc., which over enough items over enough time affects the quality. While they clearly enhance the ship's bottom line, as I mentioned before, the sizes of the specialty restaurants are too small to drive too many people there as an intentional effort.

 

On a given cruise if promo's including the specialty dining venues are offered, then you would likely be correct that somewhere in the cruise price some of this cost is mitigated. But I don't think so in general - the up-charge for each likely offsets the venue premium.

 

Either way, I hope you continue to enjoy cruising and not let the changes over the recent years take away from that. :)

 

And although my Birds are done, go Steelers.....

I do enjoy cruising and is in my opinion the only way to go and will never quit. Maybe part of my feelings are in had so very relaxing enjoyable cruises in the past when things were more traditional. I now choose a cruise based on destination since I have been to many post. For instance I'm booked on Breakaway this May because we love Bermuda and staying at one port for a couple of days. And can save on airfare and drive. But I'm not real crazy about breakaway. The ship is beautiful and has many activities but would have been nice to see a different ship to take out of NY to Bermuda. And I will never sail carnival again.

Hopefully we can wear super bowl Steeler T shirts to Bermuda!!!lol☺

I don't think they are forcing you to eat in the specialty restaurants at all - it remains an option. There are many venues - including the MDR - that remain included in the cruise price. The others are optional. Having the upcharge for this option in part keeps the cost of the included venues lower IMO. I think the debate maybe should be more with regards to an overall decline in quality in the MDR.

 

We've cruised for many years and have experienced that change, but many recent cruisers may not perceive it the same as they may not have the same reference point that we do. IMO most people probably feel that the MDR is very good and don't see an issue.

 

Our choice to dine in the specialty restaurants is not entirely driven by what we see as a reduced overall quality in the MDR, but also from a preference in the dining options offered in the specialty restaurants. Our style of cruising has changed as well considerably over the years. As example, we don't spend any money on cruise related excursions preferring to do everything on shore on our own. Spending extra on board for the specialty restaurants on balance is a choice that we make as a preference. Our Loyalty Program tier level also allows us some benefit in that regard as well, which helps.

 

It is a good discussion, either way.

That's is my whole point the quality of food in MDR has decined because cruise line feels if you want high quality you will pay extra and go to specialty restaurant. As you stated this quality of food was served in MDR now you pay extra for it. And price of cruise didn't decrease to compensate for decrease in quality of food included in price of cruise.

Unfortunately I have wasted a lot of time checking out many lines so I have not reached a higher tier on any of them. By booking early I did receive ultimate drink pkg and 3 nights in specialty restaurant. But cruises don't give things away so I'm sure the price of these options are some how worked into price of cruise.

We prefer the flexibility offered with MTD on RCI and typically eat primarily in the specialty restaurants as in our opinion they offer a better choice and quality of food than that served in the MTD.

But why does cruise line force you to pay for something that should be included in price of cruise. It use to be quality food and different choices every night and theme nights. Examples Italian, French and American

Very good point. NCL's "Free Style" is advertised as letting you choose the cruise style you want --- while what it really does is deny you a major choice provided on other lines. With multiple dining rooms, they could easily set one aside for dress-code applied, traditional assigned dining. It seems that, in their effort to be all things to everyone, they are actually driving away a significant portion of the cruising population.

Totally agree not to mention decline in quality of food and service. As a previous server it's very hard to be efficient when everyone arrives at different times food comes out at different times. I stretches a server and how much time they can give individual service.

I agree with a lot of comments here.. I to started to cruise before freestyle became the rage and enjoyed talking to table mates for the most part. We are from PGH and sailed out of Baltimore once and when we went to dinner we were seated with another lovely couple that noticed my husbands steeler pendant. It quickly there turned in to a unpleasant discussion since they were from Baltimore and we are huge rivals. My husband tried to tone things down but other couple would not quit or change subject. So we ended up switching dinning rooms. Lol

I think since all the specialty restaurants have started to appear on ships the MDR food has not been as good. I think cruise lines have done this so people will visit specialty restaurants for an up charge. One of the things I love about cruising is its all inclusive only need cash for excursions or souvenirs. So it's not fair I pay the same or more for a cruise for lesser quality of food. I can remember getting new York strip steaks and lobster in MDR.

I can understand that ships have to cater to all types of people but Breakaway has 3 MDR can't they dedicated one of those as having stricter dress codes than other two. To cater to people who like to dress and have more traditional dinner? It seems things have swung the other way. And I don't feel I should have to go on a more expensive cruise line to get what the same experience that was once the norm. So for people who enjoyed the tradition aspects of cruising are not catered to at all.

I'm sure I will get a lot of criticism for this post but everyone has their opinions.

Well said I agree!! But many lines don't effort their own policy but it does make for some entertainment. Doesn't always take place at MDR the bathing suits or lack of suits at buffet is another topic on its own

we prefer the "open dining" we can eat when we are hungry & not when the ship tells us to eat

Freestyle does not mean sloppy dress but some main stream lines people think that free style applies to the dress code as well

 

Pick the style that suits you best ...

I totally agree and many dining rooms don't even enforce there own rules. I understand everyone paid for their own cruise but if you want to wear your muscle ripped shirt or hat there are plenty of other choices besides main dining room

Totally agree cb at sea I hear that on some of the higher end cruise lines still maintain the traditional dining customs

How many here like the new freestyle cruises? I have mixed feelings like the option of going to dinner at anytime but if I had a set time I have no problem making it to dining room on time. I think since freestyle cruising has become so popular so has dress as you want. I'm not that stuffy that I think men should have a jacket or ladies wear a dress but since freestyle cruising started the dress code has gotten to freestyle also they wear totally inappropriate things into dining room and no one refuses to entrance to main dining room. Also I liked having dinner with same people every night. If you want freestyle dining there are many options buffet or specialty restaurants. Would like others opinions on subject no need to be rude everyone is entitled to their opinion without being judged. Just miss the formality of dinner things seemed more elegant and food was definitely better.

No I hope I don't get put in that situation. Because I wouldn't deny a handicap person who needs a cabin. But I have had a mid ship balcony and decided on this larger aft balcony and am really looking forward to spending time on the balcony especially on a crowded ship that it's hard to find a lounge chair on the sun deck.

I called NCL rep at time of booking and cabin 14278 aft balcony was suggested to book. Now 2 weeks later I was looking at deck plans and realized this is a handicap accessible cabin. I will gladly move if it is needed by a handicap person. But I worry what if all other aft balcony are booked would I be eligible for an upgrade?

Can NCL change your assigned cabin for another one in same category. I have heard on other cruise lines complain about this problem.

😣I'm sure I will get some rude and nasty comments from this post. But here goes so bring on the haters. I'm going to abide by ncl rules so my keurig doesn't get confiscated but my flat iron that could possibly have a damaged cord that will be in my suitcase and may not get checked is more at risk for starting a fire as my single cup keurig

I thought if one person in a cabin has a alcohol drink pkg everyone in cabin has to have same pkg?

Thanks another great idea zoncom

Good addition and better explanation than I gave❤

Hello I am new to the boards. First cruise ever on the Getaway next month and I was going to bring my coffee maker, but now does not look like I can☹️️ So what kind of machines are they so at least I can maybe bring coffee?

In post above yours someone states they have brewers that use coffee packs kind of like teabags. I have seen them in grocery store but can remember what they are called. Also I guess the rule is no electronics are allowed to be brought on board because of fire risk which is totally understandable.

Has anyone stayed in this aft balcony cabin? Is balcony truly private and large? Is it quiet? Also is sofa close to balcony or bed NCL rep was unable to tell me. I also checked on you tube to see if any one posted a video about this specific cabin and no luck.

I bring my own coffee and filter in the room 😀 , they use the pre-packed coffee (like a tea bag) if you can find a brand you like & just use the water from tap.

In the morning they have little milk cartons in the buffet, I usually take one and can have fresh milk with my coffee.

 

Sent from my SM-N910F using Tapatalk

Good idea