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Any thoughts about the more southern route from Miami to Barcelona departing April 22? I am thinking it will still be on the chilly side but perhaps a bit warmer.

The best Italian we've had was in Rome in a little restaurant near the Vatican. Years later, we still talk about this memorable 2 1/2 hour lunch. I don't expect this at LaCucina, but we've eaten at LaCucina and were pleased. I suspect the quality does vary from ship to ship.

This is a very interesting topic obviously with many opinions and perspectives. We have sailed NCL exclusively in large part due to the relaxed dress code. It's just that the days of dark suits, tuxedos and large gowns are over and no longer as appealing. I think I understand the code on a line like Cunard, but then when I look at the website of other lines - specifically the sections that speak to dress and dress codes, it is a bit confusing. When I see language such as "recommended" and then read here that the line does not enforce this "recommendation", I can see what's coming from a mile away. When I read on some of the sites that suit jackets and ties are not required for "formal" nights but long trousers with polo shirts or button down shirts are permissable, I can see the conflict here, too, when plenty of folks (myself included) would not consider this at all formal.

I think we are in the midst of change in both the cruising industry and between generations. As the baby boomers age and new generations start sailing, there will be changes in how people sail on cruise lines.

As an aside, I grew up in the midwest and never even owned a pair of jeans until I was 25. When I began to wear jeans, I ironed them. I still do iron jeans from time to time. I also shine my shoes more than many people do. I think it's both generational and a part of my upbringing and area where I grew up. I doubt that I'll be able to jettison those habits ever entirely. :)

I was on the Star on the 29th. Pass was $129 for (for 7 nights). I thought it was totally worth it, but I have a crazy love for hot tubs, but not for other people in them. DH and I spent time in there everyday and would do it again. Only one sea day would I say that it was slightly crowded (all of the open air loungers were taken, but not the other seating around the room). The rest of the time it was only us and a handful of others, but sometimes just us.

 

There is the hot tub, the lap pool, the large hot tub that you lay down in that I can't remember the name (awesome). There is the loungers that look at the aft of the ship and the the quiet rooms on either side that had really comfy chairs with ottomans.

 

In the gender specific areas they had a sauna and steam room, showers and changing area/locker room.

 

The only thing that I'm still confused about is the quiet rooms. I swear that during the tour the lady said that the quiet rooms for gender specific. But during the week, we saw men going into the women's side and so I asked. That's when they said that the quiet rooms were for either sex. That was nice because the chairs were very comfy and the rooms were a comfortable temperature. I found the open area lounge chairs to be too cool, probably to offset the temps of the hot tubs. DH and I sat and read in the quiet rooms and it was heavenly. But I've seen other people her on CC refer to those rooms as gender specific.

 

Enjoy your trip!

We were also on the Star during this week and purchased the week pass. I was on the fence because I knew there were no heated tile loungers. It was still worth it for the relative peace and quiet. Yes, there were times when the loungers facing back were full. I simply retreated to one of the side rooms with the comfy chairs. Many times, it was just a few of us reading in our suits and robes and dipping into the tubs from time to time. Wonderful. If this is what you are looking for, I highly recommend the pass.

For women, hats have become a fashion accessory and are worn both indoors and outside without any regard for the actual function of the hat (protection from the elements). I believe this is more the case in the UK rather than in the US, but not entirely since many women wear hats indoors to their place of worship. I've worn a hat with a 4-inch brim on the last couple of cruises with no problem whatsoever in any venue. I would wear it (and have) in the dining room. I would not wear it in the theatre because it might block the view of people sitting behind me.

This discussion is fascinating and illustrates our many views and perspectives about what is appropriate, inappropriate, fashionable, etc. In many ways, it's much like discussions about food -- highly subjective! :)

I was on this sailing and we thoroughly enjoyed our cruise south to Mexico. I do agree with the comments related to the relative lack of comfortable quiet spaces. We purchased a week spa pass so this afforded us some quiet time during the day and in the evening. The library does have some chairs and a quiet space, but the were not entirely comfortable for my body. The atrium and many of the other spaces were more suited for the scheduled activities and/or folks who are eating and/or drinking. I found myself wishing for the old Spinnaker Lounge or the lounge similar to the observation lounge in the Sun. (We can't wait to sail on her next year to South America!). Or some deep comfy chairs or couches, but I just haven't found them on NCL ships. If you crave quiet time more than music and drink more tea than alcohol or wine, you might find the Star less than totally satisfying. No ship is going to meet all the needs of every passenger :)

Here's a tip if you get the unlimited internet and want to use more than 1 device on it simultaneously (which I assume they don't allow).

 

Say, you want to use your laptop and your wife wants to use her iPad.

 

Download a program called Connectify. The basic version is free, and it's all you need.

 

This allows your laptop to "broadcast" your WiFi connection to other devices (only when you turn it on -- don't worry, it won't compromise your security at home).

 

I use it all the time on airlines, hotels, or other places where internet is per device.

This sounds brilliant! How close do the two devices need to be for the broadcast to work? If I am in my cabin and my spouse is on another deck, I'm thinking this may not work.

We were off the Star one week ago today. I have absolutely no technical knowledge about this, but we noticed that when we were looking off the back of the ship, the volume/churn of the water pushed back from the ship (propeller?) was much larger on the starboard side than on the port side. Again, this may be normal and have nothing to do with the azipod. It was something we noticed and wondered about.

Thanks for posting these pics! If I'm not mistaken, the fourth photo is of the vanilla soufflé with warm mango pineapple sauce. I enjoyed this dessert on the Star last week and it was surprisingly the best dessert of the week! :) It takes a little longer due to the preparation and well worth the wait! I highly recommend accompanied by a cappuccino.

Anyone ever try bringing a small nespresso machine on board? Contemplating this for the Star.

I can't think of a reason why this wouldn't work. I love my Nespresso and have one at home and one in my office. If you have the frother, you might bring it, too, and just bring a small carton of milk from the buffet to keep in your fridge. Voila - cappuccino whenever you want one. :) I'm considering doing this on my next cruise.

Another vote for the small ships. The little Spirit was our first. The Sun is our favorite.

Your posting reminded me of the demise of Continental Airlines albeit in a different way. I used to fly frequently both domestic and international. Enough so that on one of my routes the flight attendants would say "Welcome Back when I stepped on board. Continental's staff were obviously proud of what they did ... from at least a snack on all flights, to placing your luggage on the belt instead of throwing it.

 

Then rumors began that Continental was about to be subsumed by United. Then it happened. Immediately after United took over (51%), all meal service (unless purchased) stopped. I used to guess whether flight attendants were "Continental" or "United" based on their personalities. Sometimes, during the inflight introduction, flight attendant would say "You are being serviced today by an all Continental Crew." Proud of their dedication to clean, reliable service. If you haven't read it, Continental's Bethume's book called Worst to First talks about building an airline and what place loyal customers and loyal employees play.

 

On a recent cruise onboard the Norwegian Star, two team members greeted me within my first hour on board - one of them running up to me at the lifeboat drill. They remembered me and I remembered them from sailing together before. On this same cruise, about a week into it, our cabin attendant came to me and said there was a cabin attendant on another floor that wanted to say hello. Turns out they had been our cabin attendant on another cruise. Another positive interaction for both of us.

 

Regretably, I have also asked more than one of the crew members whether they had received the letter that I had sent to Norwegian about them and their exceptional service. I had been told on board by NCL supervisors/officers that letters sent to NCL headquarters about team members would eventually make it to the person you were complimenting. With repeated incidences of this happening, I had to believe that telling team members when they were complimented did not always happen.

 

One of my favorite memories is about a waiter in the main dining room. I first met him when he was beginning training ... yes, carrying trays of food from the kitchen to the serving stand and dirty dishes back to the kitchen. When I first met this man, he spoke very little English. He looked embarrassed when I thanked him for his service at the end of the cruise. All he could say with limited English was Thank You, Thank You. Now, this man is ending a second year and has his own tables as "the waiter". I can see the joy on his face when he has recognized us and comes up and say's "Remember Me?"

 

I think it behooves all of us to remember that the littlest cog in the wheel may not know what is going on ... but they are working and trying their best. We, as guests, can still give a smile, ask their name, thank them for a job well done with little cost, not even a convenience charge.

 

Communication to staff and rewarding them for jobs well done is instrumental in building/maintaining the business whether airline or cruising. From what you said (in the quote above), it is yet another example of how the on-board staff did not know what the "head" was doing.

 

Effective Communication + Strong Public Relations takes the mystery out of what NCL is doing and why they are doing it. And to NCL: "A spoon full of sugar helps the medicine to go down."

Thanks for sharing your thoughts and your memories. And also for the "Worst to First" recommendation.

On our last full day on the Star, I sat in the atrium with a latte and wrote four "Dear Hugo" notes with detailed kudos for four crew members. I can't tell you how disappointing and disturbing it is to consider for a minute that the crew members might not ever receive this or other feedback from customers.

Since I'm not back to work until tomorrow, my mind still is with my experience on the Star and I can't shake the feeling that something was decidedly different. There was an un-ease that is difficult to explain. We spend a lot of time observing and noticing. We also look for positives rather than dwelling on what may be missing the mark.

When we were on the Jewel last, I remember greeting a crew member from a previous cruise. We both remembered each other and enjoyed chatting again. I saw her every morning. At the end of the cruise, I told her that I looked forward to seeing her again on a future cruise.

Yes, effective communication and strong public relations are both essential and vital to the success of a company -- especially a people-oriented business like a cruise line. The strong, positive interactions between staff and guests benefit staff, guests and the company. I want NCL to not only survive, but to be strong, to thrive and to succeed in all aspects of its business. The intangibles are important key indicators. The bottom line is just one measure of success.

Please tell me that my husband and I have not made a HUGE mistake by booking the Epic. We are book for a Western Med. cruise in May. I have never sailed with NCL before. We are frequent cruisers with RCI and Carnival. We love both for different reason, and feel that they ships and services are perfect. However, with that being said I have been reading the boards on here and so far in the last week I have seen a post about a couple having BED BUGS, another couple had a disgusting room with mold, and soiled bed clothes, and now I hear there is fees for room service. :eek: I am panic.

 

Please tell me that this is not a huge mistake!!!

You have already booked your cruise and you leave in May. Since you are an experienced cruiser, I seriously doubt that you have made a huge mistake :)

Having never sailed the Epic, I can't speak about the ship specifically. I do believe that the issues you mentioned have already been addressed and are unlikely to continue.

Instead of worrying and panicking in the few weeks before you leave, concentrate on building excitement and planning your excursions. I believe that if your outlook on life is overall a positive one even before you step foot aboard the Epic, you will have an enjoyable cruise and vacation. Start moving yourself into vacation mode today and it will be a smooth sail until the real sail away day!

I am just catching up to this exceptional review -- probably because we want to do this particular cruise on the Spirit while she is still sailing. Also probably since we are just off the Star and missing being aboard a cruising ship! Our very first cruise was on the little Spirit and we still sing her praises.

Thank you for such a detailed, warm review with fabulous photos! Agree wholeheartedly about living in the moment. It can be very challenging to pull off and so worth it when we can actually be more present :)

Hello everyone, I have been on with NCL for 3 hours and have straightened out alot of information. I hope this helps:

 

This information is from the specialty support line. 1 877 461 1160

 

Everyone is fully reimbursed the full price of the cruise in the currency that they used to pay for the cruise.

 

Everyone is given a 50% reduction on a future cruise, however this 50% is 50% of the cruise price of the cruise that was just cancelled, not a full 50% on any cruise price. So if you paid say 1000.00 for a cabin on the panama canal cruise you are entitle to 500.00 towards a future cruise. So it is 50% of the price you paid (taxes not included just the original ticket price)

 

This 50% can be applied for one year, not 6 months as was originally stated by NCL, the agent said it was a computer glitch. (She applied it to a cruise for me next April 2016, so it works)

 

They do not reimburse flights just the cost to change the flight. And usually it is 150.00 max per flight. My flight change was 200 per ticket, and she said I may get the full 200, but it is unlikely.

 

I guess that is it. I have book a short cruise on Norwegian getaway April 18th, a few cabins are left.

 

Gary

Gary, I'm glad you are feeling better this morning. I would be feeling emotionally raw, too. You are doing everything you can to sort this out, to carve out a new vacation, and to move on. This will hurt for awhile. I hope the pain continues to ease and even more so when you are aboard the Getaway on April 18.

Whether a computer glitch or a reconsideration by NCL, it is very good news that the 50% can be applied for one full year rather than for six months.

Gary, I wish you all the best. :) Obviously, this was out of your control. What is within your control is how you are able to make the best out of a very unfortunate situation. Begin today to create a new vacation plan that will still leave you with wonderful memories.

I agree that it is hard to blame these mechanical problems on NCL. That said, it is the poor communication and the cavalier manner from NCL that is particularly disappointing and disturbing.

This is painful to witness for customers like Gary2015, his family, and other customers who have been saving and planning for a long time. It is also painful to watch these management missteps and their impact on customer trust.

Suspicion of fraud, rip off, con job, deceptive practices etc. is rational, logical and reasonble when anyone, anywhere, any time adds on additional fees or charges above and beyond the original price of the goods and services or reduces the size, scope or value of the goods and services.

 

It was best embodied by the farewell cast song which was sung at the end of evrey cruise until very recently:

 

NCL Farewell Song

"This is your home, away from home.

You are part of our family.

We will be here, waiting for you,

making your dreams come true.

This is the Norwegian Way."

 

You'll probably find it "hokey" but both the NCL staff and guests lived it and loved it. We were family and we were steadfastly loyal to each other. it was that loyalty that allowed NCL to grow in just over a decade from a young upstart to a cruise industry leader and innovator.

 

But, I suspect outsiders are ready to replace the symbiotic loyalty of cruise line and guests with coporate greed.

 

You are wrong when you say the only two choices we have are to live with it or go elsewhere.

 

I have already shifted half of my annual cruise money elsewhere (primarily with RCI, my cruise MISTRESS) and still spend the other half with NCL (my cruise WIFE)

 

In the meantime, I will complain, cajole, carp, hoping to get my wife to wake up and treat me the way she used to treat me.

 

Until then, I will seek solace and affection in the arms of my mistress, spending half of my money on her. I don't want a divorce, I want reconcilliation and reunion with the wife. But, it's up to her.

We are just off the Star Sunday morning. I wondered if I would hear the NCL Farewell song. I did hear it on the internal channel late Saturday night with scenes of the crew singing and waving goodbye. (I also noted three senior officers/staff on deck as we disembarked. I watched them carefully and wondered what they were thinking.)

That said, I have to say that something did feel different. I sense a break and a shift in the loyalty and trust that feels out of the control of most of the crew onboard. I noticed that my own trust and positive feeling about NCL is waning. A slight wariness and suspicion has become an unwelcome intruder. This break in trust comes from how the new management has purposefully implemented and communicated (or miscommunicated) a series of changes very quickly. I have heard these changes characterized here a couple of times as "arrogant". I think this best describes what we are seeing unfold.

Most people understand that businesses make changes to increase their profits. But when these changes are implemented in ways that totally disregard and alienate their loyal customer base, they will ultimately hurt the business sooner or later. I keep waiting for NCL to see the signs and to begin to make reparations. I hear a weak acknowledgement that communication has been lacking, but overall, it is full steam ahead with a series of increasing fees and charges with little or no explanation and a seeming assumption that we will not notice or the customer dissatisfaction is just temporary and will soon blow over.

This is not the Norwegian Way.

If what we are witnessing and experiencing is the new way of NCL, customers will begin to seek out a new family who will take better care of them and who will be more trustworthy. In a few years, we'll be reading case studies of NCL's management errors. Sad.

We were in Mazatlan just last week and the day was very enjoyable. We kept it low key strolling along the blue line and chatting with the blue shirt expats all along the way. The local police were also helpful and friendly. We walked to the cathedral, the market and shops and had lunch at the central square before making the leisurely stroll back to the ship. We would return to visit in a heartbeat. :)

We did the Las Caletas day just last week and loved it. The beach was moderately quiet with just enough activities to make the day enjoyable and not rushed. I had an hour massage and my husband had 30 minutes. Very nice Swedish massage with an excellent price ($60 for 1 hour). We also enjoyed the buffet lunch which was delicious as was the margarita and the Mexican coffee with Kahlua. The crew to and from Las Caletas was friendly and helpful and the crew at the site were as well. For us, it was the perfect beach day.

It doesn't matter what charges you adjust, everything goes to NCL's pockets anyway. What you have been doing is comparing apples to oranges.

 

 

Because DSC was just raised two weeks before this happening, I still think that despite the one extra word added to their FAQ now, NCL is being dishonest here. The new management just made a major fustercluck by underestimating our intelligence and not acknowledging our need to be communicated to properly.

 

And yes, since the trust is already gone, I'm going to vote with my wallet - our cruise day after tomorrow was already outside the free cancellation period when these things happened and our upcoming cruise next year is a group cruise so my hands are kind of tied with that one.

 

Other than those two cruises with NCL (last ones with NCL in foreseeable future), we have four weeks already booked with Celebrity and probably a lot more to come - also we have already successfully lured six friends who we introduced to NCL to join us on X.

I couldn't agree more. What we have seen unfolding with the management changes is poor communication, poor customer relations and poor basic PR skills to NCL's loyal customer base. Trust has been damaged.

This is a lack of business integrity. I am looking for clues that NCL recognizes this and is making corrections to restore that trust and integrity. Aside from a few weak and ineffective website changes, I do not see evidence that they are making the necessary corrections or repairs. It's full steam ahead with their current plan.

Time will tell how much this impacts NCL. If their swift attempts to increase revenue backfire down the road, it will be more costly to the company in the long run.

You could ask your room steward for a pitcher of ice water for your cabin or just ask for a pitcher and fill it from the dispenser.

Great solution to a pesky problem -- thanks for the suggestion! :)

NCL Star –sometimes shining but not very bright

 

I think NCL should have done a better job with staffing when she returned from dry dock. The level of service and the many short falls of venues not opened and running out of menu items was inexcusable as a business. Sadly this lack of customer care reflected on my opinion of my cruise experience on the Star. Many crew members rushed to and fro attempting to brighten the mood and reassure passengers.

Linda, thank you so much for your detailed review. While I will not allow this to ruin my cruise beginning this Sunday on the Star, I am disappointed.

I could not agree more that, from a business standpoint, much of what you have reported is inexcusable. Passengers cruising a ship coming directly out of drydock should not expect a substandard cruise or excuses. Short staffing, running out of food, repairs and renovations that continue on the cruise with associated construction noise are unacceptable unless the cruise line discounts the fare clearly acknowledging that the cruise would be one where this work would be continuing with passengers on board. It sounds as if the crew on the Star were doing the best they could. They cannot be faulted for problems beyond their control.

When we board on Sunday, I expect that all the work will be done. I expect a cruise experience like the cruises I have had previously and an experience congruent with what NCL promises in their PR materials.

Linda, thanks also for noting the positives and the bright spots. This tells me your review is a credible one. :)

I've stayed out of these threads because I usually tipped extra in the specialty restaurants and while it may not always have been 18% it was close enough to not impact me greatly.

 

But I have to say, adding an automatic 18% gratuity to the price of a slice of cake just to hand it to me from behind a counter is beyond ridiculous. It might be time to start smuggling Little Debbie's!! I wonder how long it will be before they are confiscated, or assesed a corkage (sliceage??) fee.

 

Parenthetically, I was stuck for a long time thinking 10% was a "normal" tip, gradually moving my set point to 15%, but still not mentally comfortable at 18%. I hope I don't have to get used to 25%, 40%, or 100%! At the rate of change I've seen, those may be the norm in some of your lifetimes.

For me, the clincher was here: adding an automatic 18% gratuity to a pastry for taking it out of the pastry case, putting it in a paper bag (or on a plate) and handing it to me as I stand at the coffee bar. If I were sitting at a table and being served coffee and a pastry, I MIGHT understand the rationale. Or, I could understand tipping the staff who actually made me an espresso beverage if I had one, too, just as I might tip the bartender for a well-made drink.

These added fees just seem to be increasing.

I may regret voicing my view here later, but I will do so anyway and run the risk of being flamed.

I agree with the opinions that suggest the OP might have written a different letter with a different tone and with far less information. Were his expectations unreasonable? Maybe or maybe not. It depends on who you ask. I know that had this happened to me, my letter would have been very different. But I am not the OP.

Aside from the particular issue at hand, I am disappointed that judgements and name calling continue in posts. No one here but the poster knows about his wife. To repeatedly label her a "drama queen" is discourteous. Then, there are the assumptions and assertions about the character of the OP. Sheesh.

When forum threads degenerate like this, I find myself wanting to completely disengage. I can certainly do that and someone may well invite me to do so. My expectations are probably too high to think that we can have a genuine online cruising community here free of snarking and the like. Sadly, this is often what happens in online communities when people can be anonymous and post away impulsively.

Sigh.