CruisingUS

Or go back to smuggling. Rum runner sales should spike.

:'):evilsmile:

This is why they raised the UBP price. 60-70% of the service charge in the UBP goes to NCL. They are actually able to cover about 90% of the cost of drinks this way. An extra $2 per day should cover the cost of 1 more drink per day.

Face it. most people get the UBP as a free perk. So NCL is really just earning $2 extra a day on the DSC since very few people pay for it in full.

Let's say 1 out of 10 people actually do pay for this perk in full, which I highly doubt. The inc revenue pd is only 26.2 USD per 10 pax and not 118 per 10 pax

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gratuity

:')

So you tip before you eat your meal? I've never heard of anyone doing that.

 

If I have lousy service from a server at a restaurant (I never punish the server for bad food, etc.), I don't tip a penny, but I do let the Manager know why I'm not tipping. By tipping someone who gives you bad service, is telling them that this service is okay.

This applies more at home. I will tip even when I get bad service at places I return routinely. I will never send back food b/c I don't want extra ingredients added the 2nd time around....:eek: I heard enough of the stories....

On NCL, I tip on the first night after my meal. Word spreads that I tip and I get good service on the second night and etc. I then will break out the NCL hero or appreciation cards or w/e they are called like half way through the cruise. I will often let them read the comments.

Do I like tipping? Eh...but it keeps people from spitting in my food or screwing with me.

Well don't regret it. Give it a try. Like I said, I was a Celeb loyalist for years, for a reason. They have a good product but I am younger than their traditional demo--actually am in the age range they are now targeting, and I don't go to bed at 10pm. Unfortunately, their night life, at least as of 2014, remained lame. But literally, it is a ghost ship by 10 and if your Summit cruise is the port intensive southern Carib, it definitely will be dead at night.

 

From what I remember, there is only a charge for lunch if you choose to go to one of the specialties that are hosting lunch one day. It's not required and I don't remember the main dining room ever charging. But the buffet on X is very, very good with carving stations and just about every regional offering there is. Mast Grill by the pool also returned to free status and they have some excellent burgers, hit dogs, fries etc...

 

Some of the "events" require a fee just like on NCL but most do not. They're just kind of sad. Lol For example, they tried to turn a small wine bar into a "Miami night club" complete with 1/2 naked cage dancers. It was crowded, for about 10 minutes. Or they advertise this strange pool party with staff dressed as mermaids and others trying to move inside a bubble ball. Silliness and it's held in a small area cause maybe 50 people show up.

 

This all really depends on why you're cruising. Neither line has the perfect mix of fun and relaxation imo so you have to decide if you want a good time with ok ports (NCL) or a fun time with better ports. X.

I am in my 20s. I knew they weren't as poppin as NCL. So I adjusted my expectations.

I expect to have fun but a more chill full ;) time.

Too bad they don't have the kobe burgers any more ;)

I will be on the summit for the repositioning cruise. I plan to just chill full for a week and catch up w/ the people I am going w/.

With that being said, I don't think the people I will be going with will ultimately like x b/c of the slower pace, which is fine. They aren't as chill full as I am. chill full.

lol

I won't. The lowest I would tip is 5%. The lowest I have tipped is 10%. I used to waitress and we were required to tip out the bar staff and bussers - totaled approx 5% of my sales. Regardless of tips received. While I've been on the receiving end, I can't imagine service bad enough that the server should be paying for the honor of waiting on my table. I prefer to take it up with management and then reward the server with a subpar (but not $0) tip.

 

 

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I tip out of fear b/c I know servers and etc will sometimes mess w/ my food if I don't.

I've heard the things that my friends have done to ppl's food :eek:

Not accusing you of anything, just stating as I know it from recent cruises on Celebrity. Just trying to correct an incorrect assumption :)

 

We are "spreading our wings" and trying other lines now and find the forums getting very defensive of their lines if questioned. Far more than before. :).

Our NCL cruise is still upcoming and so far, the "Ultimate" Drink Package that is so far from "ultimate" is the most discouraging thing for us.

I have zero brand loyalty. These are faceless companies to me. (Don't hate me plz. Just how I feel :D). X gave me a good price and I am willing to try out their product. I don't feel defensive, but I can understand others feeling so.

I freely admit I haven't been on X. But the X board said that X has a lot of fees for a lot of events. Personal friends who have been on NCL and tried X said that X was trying to nickel and dime them more so than NCL. To me, I don't get offended by these nickel and dime tactics. I just don't do the event and move on w/ my life. easy peasy

I am not sure why they said there is a MDR charge, the MDR, in our experience, the MDR is not open for lunch on port days, just breakfast.

As for fees for "events", I am not sure what events you speak of. There are ships tours on sea days (kitchen (galley)with demonstrations, entire ship...engine room , bridge etc) that are extra. There are wine tastings, cooking classes, painting, art, and other classes that are extra but they are all extra on every cruise we have been on.

This is just what others say on the X board. I haven't been on it so IDK.

Jeans are pants. Once upon a time there were explicitly forbidden but that hasn't been the case for years. They've been added to the chic code to ensure people realise they are acceptable on those nights too.

perfect. ty for the clarification

Smart Casual and Above

Ladies: Skirt or pants/trousers (no holes, rips or tears) complemented by sweater or blouse.

Gentlemen: Pant/trousers (no holes, rips or tears) with collared sports shirt or sweater. Shirts must have sleeves.

Note: T-shirts, swimsuits, robes, bare feet, tank tops, baseball caps and pool wear are not allowed in the main restaurant or specialty restaurant at any time. Shorts and flip flops are not allowed in the evening hours. As a courtesy to our guests, we respectfully require and enforce compliance with dress code at the entrance of your restaurant of choice. Additionally, guests are asked to follow the 'Smart Casual and Above: dress code in the Celebrity Theatre for all evening performances.

Evening Chic

Ladies: Cocktail dress, skits, pants or designer jeans with an elegant top

Gentlemen: Pants or designer jeans with a dress shirt, button-down shirt or sweater. Optional - sport coat or blazer

Evening Chic means that you can get glamorous and be sophisticated in your own way. If you would like to still wear a tuxedo or formal gown on Evening Chic nights, you absolutely should.

Speciality Restaurants (Including Blu for our AquaClass Guests)

The dress code at Celebrity's Speciality Restaurants is 'Smart Casual and Above' for every night of your cruise. Evening Chic attire is only required in the main dining room on your "Evening Chic" evenings.

So what I am reading, men can wear nice jeans on evening chic but not smart casual nights? how does that work?

Celebrity loyalist for years until they bored me into switching. Drink packages? Celebrity wins. Biggest difference, unless X has changed, is that NCL doesn't include bottled water or cans of soda. They also charge an 18% gratuity on their "free at sea" drink package which is about $100. Also, a small point, but while in Miami, you will see nonsense charges for taxes on each free drink you get. X must build it into their cost cause I never saw that.

 

Shows and entertainment in general? No contest. NCL. The shows are basically broadway quality productions, they have nightly deck parties where hundreds show up, the comedians are great, Howl at the Moon is a good time, the casino is big, there's places to do karaoke, a couple of ships have Escape rooms and, while it's an extra charge, a couple of them also have cirque de soleil shows. The nightlife on NCL is incredible. Where X becomes a ghost ship after 9 or 10 at night, NCL is still rocking. It is the single reason I left Celebrity and put up with the nonsense like charging a fee for the free drink package.

 

Food? X wins for the buffet, and easily. NCL's buffet is set up like a school cafeteria. Overall, the complimentary dining goes to X. I'd say the specialty also goes to Celeb quality and taste wise but, pricing? Well you know Celeb is insane. What's Murano? $55 each now? The thing about NCL is they seem to actually consider the amount you've paid with your fare and they subsidize the pricing in their a la carte specialties. But they're still only moderately above average imo. The Italian restaurant on NCL is a floating Olive Garden....on their best day. Cagneys the steakhouse, is solid as is Le Bistro but nothing outstanding. But if you include it as a free at sea, you only pay like $20 and you get to go to 3 of them. For that, it's worth it.

 

I never had one problem getting a drink anywhere on NCL. And if you're worried, you can also go for Vibe passes where the bartender will know your name within an hour and you get personalized service. $99 for the week and it's like The Amazing Race to get them, but well worth it.

 

One final thing. The pool situation is simply awful on NCL. Horrible. Indescribably bad when compared to Celebrity. There is basically one pool for 4,000 people if you choose a newer ship. Their solarium equivalent is Spice H2O without the pool or peace.

 

But I end with this. NCL is a really good time. If you're looking for fun and quality entertainment options, it's a no brainer. I'm not returning to X until they do something about the lack/sad quality of the entertainment and get something that resembles a night life. I was soooooo hesitant to leave Celebrity and try NCL and now, I'm solidly with Norwegian for the foreseeable future.

You could always try booking via Europe or UK on the premium all inclusive where everything is included.

For me - Since 2014 we have cruised on Epic, Jade, Sky (immediately following 2 weeks on Equinox to the partyship was a bit of a giggle hah) , Getaway, Solstice and as mentioned Equinox. All time favourite - hands down = Getaway. We are booked on Epic for our next three but wish it was Getaway that worked for us - Epic is a close second though. Solstice I preferred to Equinox - just had a better vibe.

Celebrity are sneaking in the charges too. World Class bar drinks were extra - and on port days there was no free sit down service lunch available whereas on NCL you have at least one MDR every day as well as O'Sheehans on top of the buffet.

Entertainment - again - hands down to NCL -

I got fed up with the bartenders being the stars of the show on Celebrity martini bar - as for waiting for a drink - found that was probably one of the worst.

Aquaclass Persian Gardens V NCL thermal suites - HUGE win for NCL - I was sorely disappointed in Celebrity's spa area although we were in Aquaclass and BLU would be one of the key reasons we would cruise with X again WHEN we are older.

Not for now.

NCL do have a lot of wee add ons. However - the base price is very reasonable - and then its all choices. Dining packages are immense value and although Le Bistro doesn't quite match Murano - the Italian on NCL we found was way better than the Italian on Celebrity.

Each has its own pluses - and like you we were long time Celebrity cruisers.

I think the main reason is choice - never bored on NCL - and there is always something for everyone. Too much FabbaAbba for me on X - LOVED Solstice for our Alaska cruise and wouldn't have had it any other way. For a port intensive cold weather trip we felt Solstice was perfect. For anything else, no, our first choice would be Norwegian.

Hope you get the deal you are looking for -

Which ship are you thinking of?

I haven't tried X yet....and you guys are almost starting to make me regret my decision....almost...

the charges for port day lunches in the MDR should be criminal...lame shows on X? I already don't think NCL's shows are all that great (they look good with great lighting, costume, set pieces, and etc. and are flashy, but the actual acting/singing is eh...). I also heard a lot of their events on X require a fee. :rolleyes:

imo the worst place to do an escape room for me is on a cruise ship b/c i'm drugged up on dramamine...i'd save that for something to do on land

Lemme grab a lil snack

dang...i thought it was free

Taking antibiotics, "just in case" doesn't mean they ingested them Just in case. It means they brought them along in case they were needed. Our Dr has done it for us as well. I specify "For a sinus infection or bronchitis" as I am prone to those. I don't take them for the flu or a cold.

antibiotics are not needed during the first 7 days of a cold and are counterproductive if for certain populations due to C diff infections and etc. C diff infections will absolutely result in a quarantine.

You should feel very blessed that you have not needed such things while traveling.

I am very blessed. It is something that I appreciate everyday as I work with sick people all the time...some of whom pass away in front of me.

But many of those meds are still not needed as

1. they don't reduce hospitalizations

2. don't affect the course/progression of the disease

3. are not indicated for the intended use expressed on CC

4. can actively make you sicker when you take it even when you are trying to fix something else

5. are not sufficient treatment and you still require seeing a doctor

We golden oldies were raised in an era when words had meaning, when a person believed what we were told had a basis in fact. When "X the rules" advertising slogan died after the reaction on Cruise Critic, I thought that Celebrity executives had learned a lesson. Obviously their advertising such as "an award winning website" shows their flagrant misuse of language as chill and sin. Slogans and promises in Celebrity advertising has no basis in fact but it does indicate a distain for people who believe in the value of words as in days gone by.

 

I detest their new Eden/snake visual and wording because it shows that their concept of language meaning and values is totally different than mine. In my upbringing a snake has always been the symbol of evil and according to lore, giving in to temptation got us tossed out of Eden. Others who did not get that education nor read about the origins of our culture and philosophy might not get the reference. Ignorance is bliss; a little knowledge is a dangerous thing. When we plan our future cruises, the offer of sinfulness on board Edge to the new generation where words have no meaning will direct me elsewhere. Just promise me great service and an experience fit for royalty as in past advertising.

 

(When I have been onboard I may have indulged in sloth while on my balcony , gluttony in the dining room, envy of those in suites, wrath at the stupidity of fellow passengers, greed in the casino and more wrath with poor decisions and pride in having a full head of hair. Lust is something that age has greatly moderated.)

It's common knowledge. Hence X used that allusion in their marketing. It's not obscure as say...pouring hot coal on your enemies head as an act of compassion (hint: it's not about burning people to death).

Pride much? ;p

Are you admitting to hypocrisy? :D What's worst is one who knows and still continues to do it. I think I read somewhere about something returning 7 fold ;)

My point is that this righteous indignation is a little silly. It's very off putting to a lot of people that you are ironically trying to attract and win. I'll reiterate a point that many, who are actually offended by this horribly ineffective marketing slogan, ignored: to live in this world but not be of this world. :halo:

Either I am old or just plain ignorant but I just don't get what the fuss is. BTW - if you want sin, come to my town of Las Vegas. According to the Convention Authority, what happens here stays here.

 

DON

except herpes

Although we cruise for the ports, a do-nothing relaxing cruise to nowhere would also be welcome from time to time.

 

FYI, if anyone is interested in why the U.S. no longer requires cruises to nowhere . . . . https://www.cruisecritic.com/news/news.cfm?ID=6405

Yea to NCL for hiring the most US citizens on POA. #MA.,GA

(jk of course :'))

At least this thread got me to look at the new ships. :D Sinfull? I doubt it will be any more sinful than your local church social, ours anyway. :)

 

As for Chill full, Celebrity really needs to hire a different marketing team. While they are at it, they can get a new IT team as well. I'm just glad they contracted out the actual ship building, at least the new ships should float.(yn)

Dang, I'd love to go to your church parties. Drinking, gambling, banging, gorging, etc.

and lol at floating ships

If a millennial thinks it's used wrong and it doesn't work to grab their attention, is it possible it's not meant to?

 

After all, genx was all about "dude, you must chill". Not you guys. You guys were barely being born at that time.

 

So maybe it's not about you at all.

 

 

 

 

 

 

If we did we weren't being diagnosed en masse. Not like now. :)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Exactly what I was going to ask. I hear decadent, I think homemade from scratch chocolate cake!

Interesting thought. Although I doubt it since most gen x'ers don't use the word, chill, as often as millennials.

Millennials created more (garbage) terms with chill in them, like:

netflix n chill, chill-hang, chillax, and etc.

A bigger issue, certainly in the UK, is that the millennials are struggling financially, not least to get on the "housing ladder" in a country with a housing model based traditionally based on ownership, while the baby-boomers have all the cash for luxuries like cruises.

 

Stuart

I do find that concerning. They are marketing toward a group that isn't wealthy. Although, I will say that there are some "whale" millennials that stay in the most expensive rooms while on board. My hunch is that they are targeting them.

Also, X does a lot of chartered cruises with the AMA. You will have a lot of young doctors who need GME credit. Could be a roundabout way to get the AMA to do more charted cruises.

This is all just marketing. Some will find it "offensive", others would be intrigued. It's about who their target audience is, and most would agree that they are targeting the next generation of 'cruisers' for the longevity of the business. As long as their target audience is intrigued then they've succeeded. It doesn't hurt to generate controversy and keep people like us talking and debating about the appropriate use of the word "chillful".

Chill full. playful. Sinful. isn't trending on twitter or FB or anything....clearly millennials are not intrigued. CC is not where millennials congregate and isn't representative of what millennials think.

"Almost never used" because charges are rarely brought. "Puffery" is not against the law except when exaggerated claims are made for a product or service otherwise regulated (e.g, the SEC, FINRA, etc.). The FTC regulates advertising and Wikipedia quotes them:

 

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It's an extravagant claim to say something is "great", "decadent" or "sinful" without showing some kind of proof. Since this is opinion based claim, perhaps surveys done by independent firms with the questions and answers published so they can be reviewed would move it out of puffery and into fact. Then, if a majority of the respondents said "great", "decadent" or "sinful" the advertising would be factual based on customer's opinions. But we allow (most) companies to puff up their product with their own opinion and even use selected positive testimonials, without showing any negative ones. That all falls under the label of "puffery".

There are exceptions in financial services, drug advertising, etc. But cruise lines can lie about how great they think they are, as long as they don't cross the line into deceptive practices.

An argument could be made that this isn't puffery b/c they are making up phrases that are meaningless, which makes up half their tagline.

"great", "decadent" or "sinful" is much better advertisement. They should hire you and give you the money instead :') b/c X's marketing team is failing rt now.

I would spend half of your money and put the rest toward your next cruise. When we are trying not to spend money, we just pretend the paid things on the ship do not exist. Just imagine those extra restaurants, shops, etc are not there. There is so much to do that is free. Give the kids $100 each for the entire cruise and tell them that is final. If they spend it all in one day it is a good budgeting lesson. We do outside excursions or none at all. Every time i want to spend a lot of money on a ship, i think do I want to spend this now? Or take another cruise asap? Have a specific cruise in mind. It makes it more real.

I agree. Very similar to my advice. just packaged much more neatly and presented much more gingerly.

I think saving more money for your next cruise is a better way to spend your money. And look at it this way. You might not even like cruising. Why pre-commit and dump tons of money on something you might not even like? Esp when you are concerned about money and the last cruise you did was 10+ years ago? Cruising has changed a lot....for better or worst...

That is a HUGE amount of money for a family of 4, considering drinks, gratuity, and parking is already taken care of. What you might consider being on a budget is splurging to the majority of folks. Go do what you want and have a great trip. You definitely have the money for it!

I agree. It is a lot. NCL has a lot of free quality events included in that price imo. Not so much true on other cruise lines. Everyone says NCL nickels and dimes you....but I think NCL provide a lot of value and fun events.

I spend literally 0 while on board and I have a blast on the cruise every time. I also have a lot of work to do while on the cruise ship....but that is another story for another day :')

OK - i'm feeling really stupid right now. I certainly know what chill means but I have no idea what "chill full" means or why you are very offended.

No need to feel stupid. Chill full isn't a real term. It's just a fake marketing term created by X to rhyme with playful and sinful. this is all targeted at millennials. but to millennials, it is a wrong use of the term by old fogies that are trying to reach out to my generation and seem cool. rather than appreciate the....um....culture?...they misappropriate "trendy" lingo, which of course comes off as disingenuous and i suspect that many millennials will not fall for it and actually just roll our eyes at X.

I am not offended at all. I am just joking and being sarcastic as it is such a ridiculous idea to be offended by fake words.

I have not booked excursions yet.

 

 

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IF you cannot afford it, don't book excursions. you saved hundreds right there.

Cut out the dining plan, 2 jet skis and Mejia Day Pass

Tell the boys not to gamble. Lots of money saved right there