johnlatte

Sad to say after sailing over 15yrs with NCl I am done. Sailed on the Dawn out of Boston last month. The service fees had gone up almost $3.00 since my last cruise 3yrs prior. The service fee on the drinks also increased to 18 percent when it use to be 15 percent. Would not mind it but service has dropped and is horrible. No bar service around the pool. Twenty minutes to get a drink at the pool bars. Only good bar service we had all week was at the Gabsy bar. If you did get service was at least half hour for your drink.

When I got home I wish I had taken part of the tips off and gave my room steward the money in cash himself. He was great best one I had in years.

Was on tbe Dawn early in June, the service at the bars was just as you described. Gatsby was okay, but the two bartenders there seemed to be quite snarky at people as they left the bar area. Making faces and pointing at folks. They definitely cut the staff around the pool. No one walking around with drinks of the day, no one period. If that's how NCL wants to do things, then I might have to start looking at RCI. Already booked on the Allure next summer but they may get my business more.

We were just on the Dawn. Our steward, butler and concierge were all outstanding. We asked for a couple of things from the butler and our concierge straightened out the Dining Desk person who got snippy with the wife over changing a reservation at the last minute. She also booked an excursion for wife and daughter while I was out golfing with other daughter. I didn't follow a $10 per person per day guideline, I did tip the butler decently and the concierge as well. If you don't use them don't feel the need to tip, but if they do something for you or if you ask them for anything, toss some bills their way. I have found NCL's concierges to be hit or miss; mostly miss. This time I was truly impressed and tipped accordingly.

I will be on the Epic out of Barcelona. Just curious, can we use Euros in the casino or only $?

US Dollars. You can convert at the service desk, but the rate will not be in your favor.

J had UDP, and made all reservations online. Never charged.

We were on the same sailing as Barb. In general it was okay, the Dawn was fine, but nothing overly special. We had Win as our steward and he was absolutely without a doubt the best we've had in all the cruises we have done. I loved being docked in Bermuda for 3 (2.5) days. My only issue was we arrived on Sunday and the following Monday was a national holiday. That made getting around tougher (but not impossible). We had UDP and UBP and ate around at all the restaurants except Moderno (bad experience on the Jewel so never again). Lots of smoking on both sides of the pool deck and up on the terraces up to the bar at the top. Nobody was patrolling it. Getting a drink at the bars was very tough. Bar crews were sour and in general looked overworked and disinterested. Le Bistro was a freak show, with ambivalent service and diners that were loud and rude. La Cucina and Cagneys was the best, Tappenyaki was meh on the food, A+ on the chef show. Never made it to Blue Lagoon. Ate breakfast at Cagneys most AMs, lunch was just whatever, whenever. All in all it was a good cruise and I would go back to Bermuda in a heartbeat, but will do it on the Getaway.

Great review on your trip!

 

I wonder with these drinks packages handed out free as a promotion whether the staff actually still get the 18% amount added to the pot?

Was on the Dawn a couple of weeks ago. My understanding from several servers, that I spoke with that they weren't getting the 18%, or anything from the UDP or UBP. They also said that they all HATE the UDP and UBP. Take it for what it is worth, they could be fishing. Even when I wrote in a tip, they said they weren't getting it back from NCL. I just tipped cash. Service got tremendously better.

We are leaving soon for our cruise to Bermuda on the Dawn. I have made 5:30pm reservations every night (earliest they have) for the MDRs. Our intent is to eat and go to the 7pm show. People have been saying that you need to get to the shows early? Will we have enough time to eat a sit down meal and then get a seat at the 7pm show? Would it make more sense to grab a bite to eat at the buffet, watch the show and then eat at 9pm (I would change all the reservations from 5:30pm to 9pm)?

 

Thanks...

Inform your servers that you want to make the 7:00 show, they will get you out. You won't have a ton of time, but you should be fine. Elements opens earlier so you might have problems that night, but the rest should be okay to get there 15 mins or so before the show.

Kim, we were on the Dawn the week after you. I agree with most of your pluses and minuses. We didn't see any leakages and buckets, but we did see at least one toilet that had over flowed and several out of order. Nasty.

I also agree with the smoking situation. Both sides, the Bimini and the terraces were full of smokers, as well as the casino (although the did have a couple of non-smoking tables).

The bar situation was darn right stupid. I try to seek out at least one "home bar" during a cruise as my main go to place for before/after dinner cocktails. There just wasn't any place that was great. The bartenders were all pretty sour or overworked. That was my biggest disappointment, not being able to saddle up to the bar and have great conversation with the bartender. Forget Topsiders or Bimini. It got better after the first sea day, but it wasn't great. I heard from a sever that the bartenders really hated the UDP, because they weren't getting any money at all. I always threw in a $1 cash with every drink and found that the service was better, but it still wasn't great.

Also they only showed the NBA championship games in Pearly Kings on 2 TVs WHILE Karaoke was going on too. I gave up on that and did something else.

We were on deck 12 right around the corner from you. Our steward was the best we have ever had. He took great care to use our names and speak to us every time he saw us. We had some great chats in the hallways.

The Casino was pretty good to me as well. Not as good as you, but still a fine time.

I typically book for destinations, not the ship itself, so like you these things really didn't bother me. The Dawn was fine for us, the Sun is our least favorite ship, but if we go back to Bermuda, it will be on the Breakaway. I have two teenaged girls and they have lots of problems finding things to do on the ship that didn't involved roaming around in packs with other teenagers. Our plans had changes suddenly and the Dawn fit our plans better, but I doubt we will sail her again any time soon.

Great review btw.

If alcohol smuggling is such an issue and takes so much effort at the time of embarkation then why dont they just issue a warning on your ticket and all over the entrances that in the event any alcohol is found in the luggage or carry on bags when entering the ship, that Carnival will not allow you on the ship and will not refund your ticket. Most will not attempt to lose their vacation on smuggling at that point. Problem solved.

 

Penalize the smugglers, not the people taking water, soda or in my case, i can no longer take gatoraide which is what my teens drink. And as for the water price of 2.99 thats great thank you but that will be temporary i am sure of it.

Gatorade comes in cans.....

Does anyone know if there is a tour for Suite guests, or is it just platinum, or paid?

Nothing extra is offered for suite or Haven guests other than the regular tour.

NCL's MDRs are not our favorites. So we usually just opt for a dining plan and eat mostly in the specialties.

Is the service charge the only additional fee? Wondering if NCL is still taking care of the 18% gratuities or if this is something we would have to cover. Seems the rules are changing too frequently. We were on the Getaway in May and really enjoyed the UBP. We didn't have to worry about any additional gratuities since it was included in the promo.

The $68 is the the gratuity. You don't have to pay anything else once this is covered. Its still a great deal if you drink on the cruise.

True story: Was in the MDR on a ship of another line, there was a guy sitting at the next table right in my line of sight, with a baseball cap on backwards and a sleeveless t-shirt, with lots of writing and graphics etc. Bout midway through the meal, Joe Blow kicks back and puts his hands up behind his head, giving me and everyone else a fine view of his nasty hairy pits. I bout puked the vichyssoise. It's not hard to pack a damn pair of long pants and a button up shirt.

So if we have late dining like at 8:30, we should be able to see the earlier shows and still make the dinner seating correct?

I would take the UBP but that's me. Have you considered booking through a TA? You most likely could get the UBP and the OBC that you would be giving up otherwise. Just a thought.

My cruise will be ruined, ruined I say if I can't eat what I want, where I want it. I'm outraged, I mean NCL is get getting ridiculous. I'm sure it is an edit from Del Rio. We should start a social media campaign right now. Somebody call USAToday.

j/k

Its not a problem. Toiletries typically don't get a second glance.

They didn't offer many movies and they weren't very new either. We only went to see one...the Penguins of Madagascar and they actually ended up playing a different movie with no announcement whatsoever (and it was one we had already seen.) On the Oasis, they also showed movies in the Aqua Theater which is outside and no seats look directly at the screens. It's a poor venue. Not comparable to movies at the pool (which I can take or leave.) But I do like that DCL shows lots of movies at many times in the regular theater.

 

Snacks are just more conveniently located on DCL. Food close to the pools versus packing up and leaving to find food.

 

We had done Oasis previously and liked it alright the first time but after the novelty of the ship wore off, and after sailing DCL's Fantasy, we just couldn't stop comparing.

RCI is certainly not a bad cruise line at all. And Oasis is unique and beautiful, but for us we decided we decided it was too boring with the ages of our kids. (5 kids ages ten down to 1.)

 

The kids thought the clubs were OK but tired of them and comparing them to DCL, were a little disappointed. RCI's club's are fine, but none can really compare to DCL.

 

The long, boring dinners (in the same dining room every night) was also part of the problem last time. I like DCL rotational dining. The best of both worlds...different dining venues (with entertainment I might add) and the same waitstaff who get to know your needs.

 

For us, DCL iis worth the extra price for the outstanding service and amenities. Was just wondering how NCL stacked up. I think we'll wait a few years to find out.

 

Hope that helps explain.

In your situation, you have made the right choice. DCL is kids first, everyone else 2nd. Other lines tend to swing the other way. When they are older and interesting ports mean more than what goes on onboard then definitely look at other lines. My kids hated the kids clubs (on DCL & NCL) so we tailored our cruises around ports that they would enjoy and in between we brought things with us that kept them amused. Now they just love cruising. They still hate the clubs but find other things that they like to do.

As other posters said...once they get to know you they let you order 2.. Just have both cards with you just in case but most times they just wanted 1 card. Very easy! Bartenders were great on Gem!!

It also helps the throw a buck or two cash their way when they deliver drinks and get to know them by name. You get way better service. Typically the same servers work the same areas for much of the cruise, so when they see you, they are ready with your cocktails almost immediately. Same hold true with the bartenders. I try to get to know at least one or two, one by the pool and one some where inside. The more they see you the better service/drinks you get.

So, we can now take food back to our cabin? Sorry, but I keep seeing comments about the reversal, but I didn't see anything about the actual announcement.

Here's the actual announcement directly from NCL.

http://www.ncl.com/cruise-information/message-norwegians-president-andy-stuart?stop_mobi=yes

Congratulations!

http://www.travelweekly.com/Cruise-Travel/Norwegian-Cruise-Line-reverses-ban-on-taking-food-to-cabins

"We picked the wrong solution" - Andy Stuart COO. NCL

3 Sailed, 1 booked

Have sailed with the mouse (over priced and a bit cultish) and RCI (really like and may be our new go to). Not overly concerned about the changes. As others have said it still is the best bang for the buck. I sail primarily for itinerary, so some of the things NCL has done, doesn't and won't apply to me (never use RS, don't like eating in the room etc.). As long as the line presents a quality product at a good value, I will continue to sail with them.

3 Sailed, 1 booked

I am not so sure about that-the whole no food to your room is going to create a larger demand for room service-which I think was their goal to begin with.

It will be interesting to see. I think if you use cc here as a bell weather, I would say that the chances of increased room service deliveries may not materialize. I would be really interested in seeing what an average ship does in room service. 1% of total guests? 5%? who knows? I think the folks that let the kids order a plate of snacks 3 - 4 times a day and those that order "a cup of coffee and a piece of toast", probably won't be doing that any more.