28 minutes ago, Victress2007 said:

You might want to check out the cruises from Portsmouth.

Vic

Yes, I have spotted the one cruise returning to Portsmouth, thank you

I do appreciate there are a lot of merits to the itineries NCL are offering.

However there was a LOT of round cruises from Southampton this year, probably about 5 around Ireland alone and several around the British Isles. I guess there were a few others too.

Very few for next year, although interestingly one from Portsmouth.

Robbie

44 minutes ago, KeithJenner said:

These itineraries aren’t particularly new. I don’t have the details with me, but I believe that most Southampton itineraries last year were one way.

 

We have sailed from Southampton on NCL a number of times, and only one has been a round trip (15 days to Reykjavik and back in about 2017). I have also done a couple of transatlantics, which obviously have to be one way and a Southampton to Stockholm trip in 2019. That last one was a particularly good itinerary which couldn’t have been done as well if it was a round trip.

 

Even the round Britain cruises aren’t necessarily Southampton round trip. We did one last year that was actually Amsterdam to Southampton.

 

The logistics to these aren’t easy. For example, on the Amsterdam one we ended up parking our car at Southampton Airport and taking the train to London City for the flight. It’s much easier to just turn up at Heathrow and leave the car there for the duration.

 

There is a fairly big market of UK cruisers who cruise in order to avoid flying. I’d say that about half the people in the UK that I know who cruise do so for this reason. By doing the one ways NCL is passing this segment by. I think that they did go after them to start with (hence the Iceland round trip that we did), but I suspect that it didn’t work.

 

This is a massive generalisation, but in my experience the group who want to do avoid flying are probably a bit more set in their ways than the average traveller. I remember that the round trip we did was mainly full of non UK people and many of the UK cruisers seemed to be struggling with the way that NCL does things. I heard a fair bit of grumbling about some things (like non set meals, changing wait staff, tipping etc). Many of the UK cruisers I know who usually sail from the UK seem to particularly like the dressing up as well.

 

My guess (and I’m very much guessing here) is that NCL tried to break into that market and has struggled. Southampton round trip cruises are fairly restricted in where they can go, so they have made the decision to try to make them appeal to overseas travellers. There is still a fairly large chunk of UK customers, like myself, who will still do the attractive one way itineraries anyway.

 

It does seem that NCL is going more for longer European itineraries, they work fairly well for is (10-11 days is probably our sweet spot for cruise length), but they are excluding some people with these and it does surprise me that they don’t throw in a few shorter ones as well to attract those who can’t take the longer holiday. A couple of Southampton round trips would probably not be a bad thing to offer as well.

I would guess that cruises that run to and from Southampton ARE largely full of people from the UK. Probably over 50%. That is over 50% that are being disenfranchised.

You can’t even use “port” parking on your outward journey because of your return from an airport. Then you can’t use your own car for the return journey.

I suspect those flying in are still likely using their car for their outward bound journey in their home country to the airport.

it will be interesting to see how busy these itineries become.

thank you all kindly for comments so far.

robbie

10 hours ago, julig22 said:

I fully understand the logistics of living near a port, closed-loop cruises, RT airfare, etc. 

My point was that most people who are cruising out of Southampton don't live there and NCL isn't looking to locals for developing cruise itineraries - regardless of the port. And RT isn't necessarily cheaper, since 1 port may be significantly closer than the other.

My closest port is Seattle - still a drive but easier to drive than fly. But if I'm flying anyway, I prefer the change in ports.

Yes, I understand many fly. Usually to and from the same port. I have done so myself.
 

Since I am lucky enough to live within 30minutes of Southampton, why fly. I can avoid airport parking, travel delays, night before hotel. Transfers to the port,

relatively that is inconvenient compared to a round trip.

Thank you for your perspective.

I am perplexed as to why NCL are running so many one way itineries to and from Reykjavik and Southampton. Even joining two cruises together the outward and return ports are the same.

Reykjavik does look a great destination but being forced to take a flight for a cruise is so inconvenient.

i would be interested as to other people’s thoughts as to whether these cruises interest them given the return flight required

and what NCL’s thinking might be here.

Robbie

I have found NCL’s prices as cheap as ever. Certainly at the lower end of the market.

£606 pound per person including drinks package for an inside cabin for 10 days.

When I booked that cruise there was a 9 day cruise selling for about £500 per person, including drinks, for a 9 day cruise.

This is certainly comparable with NCL cruises we were booking 10 years ago.

I know when they first went “ALL INCLUSIVE” prices shot up disproportionally but now they are very competitive.

Thank you all kindly for your replies.

My wife and I are looking forward to the 3rd October, Emerald Isles cruise from Southampton. We notice under our Latitudes Rewards (Saphire)

that a “Dinner for Two with a bottle of Wine” and “ Dinner for Two” is included. Does anyone know what that actually means given the number of complimentary restaurants. Thanks in advance for any responses.

Since NCL substantially increased their prices in the European market I would be interested to know if the ships are leaving full.

Certainly the Dec/Jan cruises we are used to enjoying are still nearly double the price they were last year.

Given that MSC are matching loyalty levels and are still very competitive have many leapt ship to them?

I am not asking about value here as I know cruising is very personal.

The OP is in the UK and this year NCL have gone 'all inclusive' in the UK

 

 

we now have included in the base price a lot more than we used to ( there is also an option to not have any of these perks for a much cheaper price) for comparison for £200 more per person than I paid last year when all I got was UBP and 3 meal at specialty restaurants ( good perks admittedly and booked during a promotion) as standard perks this is what I have got for the extra £200

 

 

Sorry it is so big

Included Items (10)

 

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All Inclusive – 1 litre per day - water

All Inclusive – 1 litre per day - water

 

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  [*]

60 min internet all inclusive

60 min internet all inclusive

 

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250 min internet package

250 min internet package

 

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All Inclusive – Beverage Package & Coffee

All Inclusive – Beverage Package & Coffee

 

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Free $75 USD On-Board Credit Certificate Non -Refundable

Free $75 USD On-Board Credit Certificate Non -Refundable

 

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Shore Excursions Promotional Credit

$50 USD Shore Excursion Promotional Credit per port, per stateroom.

 

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Speciality Dining Package

Dining Package - Promo

 

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Service Charge on Beverage, Water & Coffee all inclusive

Service Charge on Beverage, Water & Coffee all inclusive

 

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120 Min Ship to Shore Phone Calls.

120 Min Ship to Shore Phone Calls.

 

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CE UK Free Pre-Paid Service Chargers Per Day in Mini-Suites and Below

CE UK Free Pre-Paid Service Chargers Per Day in Mini-Suites and Below

 

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  [*]personally I call that a really good deal for an extra £200 ( about $260 dollars)

I am comparing like with like:

Norwegian Spirit or Jade in Jan/Feb from 2013 to 2017 approximately £650 (and cheaper) for an inside cabin including beverage package every year.

The same cruise in 2019 £1000 plus, including beverage package.

A similar situation for cruises from Southampton in September. 8 days, £550 All Inclusive 2017.

At least double that in 2019, pro rata the cruises from Southampton in 2019 are longer.

It will be interesting to see how much market share NCL lose.

I know that you know a lots about NCL and most of the time I agree with what you say. I don't agree with your friends and your TA.

 

Our first seven cruises was on NCL but our most recent was on MSC and our next will be on MSC too.

 

The service is not better on NCL than on MSC.

 

The food is not better on NCL than on MSC.

 

Entertainment, I don't really know what to say. The "shows" may be better on NCL but we really appreciated that MSC had live music in the Top Sail Lounge every night.

 

I think that when it comes to value for money NCL has no chance to match MSC.

At these higher prices, I agree.

What do you mean? I have already agreed with you that NCLs prices are really high now, you don't have to show me that.

 

We started to compare the prices on NCL compared to MSC when we should book our cruise for last summer. One week on the Epic costed more than $3000 more than than a week on the brand new MSC Meraviglia and that made it easy to move from NCL to MSC.

I am sorry sverigecruiser, I meant to reply to the post you were also replying to, not you.

:)

Compared to what?

Spirit 10 days, Barcelona, Dec 2017 Inside £550 including drinks. Booked well in advance.

Compared to:

Spirit 10 days, Barcelona, 2018, Inside £1000 including drinks.

Jade 8 days, Southampton, Sept 2017 Inside £550 including drinks.

Compared to:

Spirit, 11 days, Southampton, 2018

Inside £1600 including drinks.

?????????

We have switched to MSC. Have 5 cruises booked on MSC Divina and Seaside. We did find a good deal on the Epic in January so we booked that but finding a good deal on NCL is far and in between anymore.

Just what we are contemplating. We have been on MSC before. We always felt the entertainment was not as good BUT, the last time we sailed with NCL entertainment had suffered. MSC looks very attractive compared with NCL now.

My wife and I have sailed with NCL many times. I am sure many have observed NCL’s pricing strategy has completely changed placing them in the upper end of the mass cruise market compared with the previous budget market. My question is, is anybody actually booking cruises at these prices and if so who? Should we just be waiting for a large price re-adjustment or perhaps time to look elsewhere.

I am also on the Spirit at the moment.

A few facts:

The Spirit has been running an itinery like this from Barcelona for some years.

I have cruised this itinery many times including last January 2017.

I have always bought the Ultimate Beverage Package.

I have NEVER had to pay ANY taxes on drinks in port, Spanish waters, anywhere.

From feedback on ship this HAS changed very RECENTLY. (It has NOT always been the same)

I am expecting a tax charge of an additional $150 minimum.

The question about other shipping lines doing the same is to check the veracity of NCL’s actions. I am interested in what other recent cruisers have to say and if they were treated the same,

Please believe me, if you are Ultimate Beverage Package, or All Inclusive on NCL, this has changed, very recently.

Absolutely all correct. It is simple. LESS CHOICE, HIGHER PRICES, that is until the market re-adjusts itself.

Before All-Inclusive I booked a 10 day December cruise including UBP for £519.

I don't think you can find a WEEKS cruise for under £800

At the moment.

I predict late price drops and a bold move in a few years time "OPTIONAL DRINKS PACKAGE" more choice!!!

Not a good idea for any number of reasons such as:

 

• non-alcohol drinkers
  
• non-soda drinkers
  
• solo travelers
  
• additional service charges
  
• non-speciality coffee drinkers or non coffee drinkers
  
• non-speciality diners
  
• no need for bottled water since water on board is safe to drink
  

These changes will only serve to raise cruise prices and take away your choice of options. Let's hope bookings drop and the all-inclusives go quietly away.

 

 

Let's not forget that NCL is not in the same league as Silver Seas, etc.. where you pay a much higher fare but do not have to make reservations for dining, shows and the passenger/staff ratio is higher. All-inclusive will still not cover shore excursions either.

 

 

MARAPRINCE

Can anyone tell me who the current entertainers are on the Norwegian Spirit,

Thanks in advance,

Robbie

Things may have changed, and reports on here have varied, but I can only talk from my experience.

 

That experience is that in Barcelona with a promotional UBP we were charged taxes on drinks we got in Barcelona. This was in August this year.

 

I agree with you that I question whether the system will differentiate once you are onboard whether you purchased the package or it was a promo.

I think I have been charged too historically, if you get these charges and you have the UBP you just query it and they remove it from the account.

We leave from Barcelona and have 4 at sea days. Visiting Tangiers, Canary Islands and Maderia. Do we pay taxes if the drinks package is pre paid?

My wife and I have done this cruise several times before and other cruises with NCL. If you have the Ultimate Beverage Package then I do not think there are ANY additional tax charges wherever you are. OR gratuities. NONE AT ALL.

We are may be on the same cruise as you. Departing Barcelona 3/1/16.

Have fun.

Robbie and Julie.

We are going on the Epic in November. Can anyone say who the current entertainers are, excluding the main shows. Thanks in advance.

Just had a lovely cruise east med on the Jade.

 

However we had two niggles which we tried to get resolved whilst on board.

 

1) When my wife needs a soft drink she wants a "light" variety. However

not Coke light. The only alternative seems to be 7 Up light which is perfect.

However the number of times we were told the bar did not have it was more often than not. The Atrium bar made some effort to keep it in stock but this was still very uncertain. Even when I escalated this little improvement was

made.

 

2) We attended a number of the day time functions such as quizzes etc. However we often found the bar was closed in the room where the function was being held. Often as late as 5.00pm. This made getting regular drinks very difficult. I also escalated this to the senior manager who was quite defensive and asserted that bar staff circulated the bar when the events were being held. This was blatantly untrue and the situation did not improve.

 

I wonder what experiences others have had.

 

Robbie

I am some surprised at the consternation the word "niggles" has produced. It is a very common expression in UK English. In fact if you search cruise critic it comes up repeatedly. Is that because us cruisers get so many of them.!!!

Thank you for all the informative comments,

Robbie

what is a niggle

niggle

/ˈnɪɡ(ə)l/

verb

verb: niggle; 3rd person present: niggles; past tense: niggled; past participle: niggled; gerund or present participle: niggling

cause slight but persistent annoyance, discomfort, or anxiety.