If you were in charge of NCL...

[FLAHAM]

 

 

I think NCL needs to rein in the accountants and bring in a revenue officer who really understands not just numbers, but marketing (and marketing is much more than just constant announcements of ways to spend money). By maintaining high prices on everything, I suspect they’re making high margin money from the hard core purchasers within each category, but losing a potentially large number of casual purchasers. The question is could they increase revenue by increasing sales at a lower margin?

 

My personal observations suggest that NCL sells a huge quantity of alcohol on its cruises. I doubt that halving its margins would more than double it its alcohol sales. I suspect that NCL has a pretty good grasp of its price/demand curves.

[FLAHAM]

I read everybody’s reply (so far, and here is what I would like to see implemented – in order or priority for me)

 

 

6. Reward Latitudes by number of days sailed not number of cruises (IMHO, it’s the most accurate way to count rewards since a 1-night cruise can’t compare with a 21-night cruise and if you go by $ spent it’s not really fair either because people paying more for a suite already do get the space and the perks going with the price tag and when someone pays less, they already get less in regards as space, amenities and perks- which is perfectly fine of course but it shouldn’t have anything to do with the rewards that are supposed to be for repeated business).

 

If you and I could cruise for $1,000 but we each pay $2,000, you for more days in your cabin (a longer cruise) and me for a better cabin, I don't see why that makes you a better NCL customer than me (for Lattitudes purposes).

[buckirj1]

I think NCL already does a lot of things right. My wishes are simple:

 

1. bring back self-serve laundromats; perhaps not one on every floor, but at least 3-4 on the ship

2. have iced tea available at the buffet at breakfast

3. if a new ship is in the works, build larger inside cabins (or progressive inside cabin sizes like the Sun)

4. please, PLEASE continue to keep the 3-section bathrooms out of the inside cabins on any new builds. I'm very grateful not to have to deal with those things. I know, a lot of you like them, but I loathe them.

5. as someone else said, extend the hours the dining venues are open. Not by much, maybe 2-3 hours or so.

 

That's all that comes to mind.

[buckirj1]

oh, and because it's the type of thread where I can wish for anything I want:

 

Bring the Sun, Star or Spirit to Baltimore (and have Canada/NE cruises from there). I'm only guessing those three are small enough to fit under the Bridge. No idea if it's feasible from a physical standpoint. But that's my wish, and those are my favorite ships.

[Planer's Edge]

If you and I could cruise for $1,000 but we each pay $2,000, you for more days in your cabin (a longer cruise) and me for a better cabin, I don't see why that makes you a better NCL customer than me (for Lattitudes purposes).

 

For your $2000 for the shorter cruise you are receiving perks that are not available to the general passenger. You are also buying a larger space to reside in for that shorter cruise for your own comfort.

 

By rewarding you for spending more money essentially twice, they are creating a class distinction/separation that is not equitable. Number of days is extremely fair way of showing/rewarding loyalty. Like I said earlier I have sort of been on both sides of the argument. Although I have not booked anything lower than a balcony in many years.

 

Besides we can bicker about this all day long. What real benefit does a higher level of Latitudes get us. I would also argue for a higher level of Latitudes then Platinum. But, the differences between levels is miniscule with the exception of dinner and a bottle of wine for Platinum. Even that has been reduced in recent years. It used to be a dinner and bottle of wine per member now it is 2 dinners and a bottle wine per couple.

 

Now if you want to argue for dollars spent on other cruise lines I would be with you because most of their suite perks suck.

 

PE

[Down-Unders]

Yesterday, I received a survey from NCL about our recent cruise. One of its questions was to mention changes that I would make if in charge of NCL. I answered..

 

Bridge Program on Sea Days

Educational Lectures on Sea Days

 

How would you have answered that queston?

 

 

 

Have a dress policy and enforce it on all ships.

Crew to work no longer than six months contracts, this will keep them healthy, improve service and staff moral.

Buffets to be policed by senior officers, on the Sun we had three of the worst supervisors, they had poor people skills, talked to one another in a group and when you wanted them could not be found.

Have some sort of policy regarding feet on chairs and tables,so as when you mention it to a supervisor you don't get conflicting excuses.

Improve staff uniforms, white shirts to be white and if you are wearing a tie top button done up. Smart staff give out confidence to other passengers.

Move the shampoo and conditioner dispensers away from the the running shower, if the shower is running your shampoo is washed away before you can get it to your hair.

Improve breakfast menus for room service to include hot breakfast.

Library to have a permanent atlas and be staffed for longer hours.

Flat screen televisions to be provided in all cabins.

Intellectual stimulating activities during sea days.

Chocolates to be brought back at cabin turn down.

Deck chairs on all promenade decks across the fleet.

Ice cream station on the Sun to be moved to cut down congestion at the entrance of the buffet.

Crepe station to be brought back on the Sun.

NCL time to get your act together as you are heading too far south.

[LOWTYD]

Lots of good idea so far.

I like the idea od hot items on the room service breakfast menu, even it it is limted to say 3 items.

Better training for the Customer Service staff. They all need to know the correct answer to the same question.

Crab Cakes Benedict in the MDR for breakfast at least once a cruise:D

One or two entertainment venues that open late for people who stay up late (say until 4 am)

Conditioner in the showers would be a plus. One less thing to pack.

Annoucments available in the cabins either throught the TV or a switch to turn on and off a speaker. I always have to open the cabin door to hear what they are saying.

Better hair dryers. They don't have enough power to them to dry my hair like the one at home. It takes forever and they are a bit awkward.

 

That's all I got.

 

Oh, a dozen rooms blocked out one sailing a month for my friends.:)

[packercruising]

Our shared Wisconsin-ness is showing. :-)

 

Maybe you would like to cruise with some Packer players.:cool:

 

BTW the digital photos idea is outstanding! Imagine the savings.

[InTheCruisingYearsOfLife]

I can't resist just a wee mock at the proximity of these two opposites:

 

Flat screen televisions to be provided in all cabins.

Intellectual stimulating activities during sea days.

 

Anyone for an intellectually stimulating episode of Days of our Lives?

 

;)

 

InThe

[jp2001]

If you and I could cruise for $1,000 but we each pay $2,000, you for more days in your cabin (a longer cruise) and me for a better cabin, I don't see why that makes you a better NCL customer than me (for Lattitudes purposes).

 

Please don’t think that I want to be a better customer than you are, it’s definitely not what I want to do (and I know perfectly that many people cruise and spend much more than I do).

 

When I first read your reply, I was almost convinced by your argument but then I made some scenarios keeping in mind that each Latitude “point” is going to cost some money to NCL to give out the perks of higher levels so the less points they give, the better it is for the company on a financial point of view.

 

Can we agree that we both are good and equal NCL customers as you mentioned in your post? (for the scenario purposes, let say you spend 3000$ on a one-week cruise in a Suite and I spend 3000$ on one 21-night cruise), OK?

 

Scenario 1 (current) : they give 1 Latitude “point” for each completed cruise, despite the length of that cruise:

You get 1 pt – 1 get 1 pt

Over a one-year period, NCL would have to give 365points per guest if they had only 1-nighters while they would give only 34 pts if they sold only 21-nights cruises. For this reason, this doesn’t seem right.

 

Scenario 2 - 1 Latitude “point” for each 1000$ spent :

You get 3 points – I get 3 points

BUT over a one year period, NCL would give to a suite customers like you 156pts and only 52 pts for an inside customer like me.

 

Scenario 3 - 1 Latitude “point” for each week onboard (or 1/7 pt per day- just easier to calculate by week).

You get 1 point – I get 3 points

BUT NCL would give 52pts per year per guest no matter what type of cabin.

 

Since we agree that we both are good NCL customers despite our different choices, I think we have to rely on what it costs NCL to decide what is fair or not because the more points they give out, the more it costs them to give the related perks (and the cruise price will likely go up if they make less money).

 

Of course, this is only in my humble opinion based on the scenarios.

 

Thanks for giving me the chance to push my thoughts further in regard this Latitudes Program.

 

Julie

[Planer's Edge]

Annoucments available in the cabins either throught the TV or a switch to turn on and off a speaker. I always have to open the cabin door to hear what they are saying.

 

Already available. By switching the TV to either the bridge cam or navigation channel (can't remember which) you will hear the announcements.

 

PE

[BikerAl]

Same thing I put on every single survey I do for NCL:

 

Reward Latitudes by number of days sailed not number of cruises. I'm tired of having my 19-day and 14-day and 15-day cruises' date=' heck even my 9 and 7 day cruises count the same as the 1-nighter to nowhere cruises. Those of us who sail these longer cruises spend MUCH more money on excursions, alternative restaurants, photos, drinks, and the casino and we should be rewarded accordingly. Initially, I was very hopeful when NCL announced there would be changes to the Latitudes program as part of their 2.0 upgrades, but nothing came of that.[/quote']

 

Agree. And agree on suites Celebrity gives credit for suites, and more than x days. Seems fair.

 

Al

[Planer's Edge]

Agree. And agree on suites Celebrity gives credit for suites, and more than x days. Seems fair.

 

Al

 

Ya, but what perks do you get for a suite on Celebrity other than a larger cabin?

 

PE

[electro]

Already available. By switching the TV to either the bridge cam or navigation channel (can't remember which) you will hear the announcements.

 

PE

 

One thing I put down on the survey after my recent Jewel cruise was LESS announcements.

I don't need the CD to read the entire daily to me over the PA. If I want to know what's going on around the ship, I will read it myself.

 

I also really like the piano bar idea.

That is the one place my DH and I always spend the most time on a cruise and I really missed it on the Jewel.

[cruisewmn]

Great Stirrup Cay -- Haven't been, yet, but am nervous about our upcoming visit. Many people have commented on it being crowded. I wish NCL would have a reserved seating area (for fee) so that you don't have to rush off the ship to get a good lounge chair. Also, there doesn't appear to be a lot activities offered here (like on the other mainstream private beaches).

 

Online Pre-Booking of Specialty Restaurants.

 

Sail a Jewel-class ship out of Baltimore.

[romrai]

an alternative to "lavender" soap/shampoo, I am allergic and hate the smell. Definately unscented in common areas.

 

cabins on one side of the ship for non-smokers.

 

If they cancel your excursion, they should give you 48 hours notice (like you have to give them) and priority tender tickets, so you can find an "on shore excursion".

 

Definately, make points for days sailed.

 

Definately NOT make a "dress code"......that's one of the main reasons we NCL.

 

Learn the custom regulations of other counties. i.e. canada, uk, germany (or at least have them printed for handouts.

 

NCL "U" something other that "alcohol and towel folding" some of us don't drink and if we make towel animals at home, they won't be special anymore. How about language lessons for the area you are travelling. Can't see the point of "tagalog" (phillipino) in the carribean.

 

More choices in the "murder mystery dinner" and lower costs. There was a $20. charge for a 3 minute video with little instruction and they held it in the main dining room where you couldn't here the other "suspects".

 

My DH says "free booze"!!!!.

[ben55124]

• Talk like a pirate day for crew. All sentences must begin with Avast, Arrgh, or Ayyyyy Matey
  
• Base rewards program on number of drinks or excursions sold
  
• More than one ship cam. The forward facing one is ok, but would be nice to have camera(s) that rotate around the ship.
  
• Order excursions and check expenses from room tv -- like Carnival.
  
• Drop "tipping" -- price should include pay expected by crew. May require other cruise lines to collude since it would raise prices.
  
• High speed reduced price internet when at port -- I understand satellite internet is slow and expensive. Would be nice to have a good internet option onboard without wasting shoretime online.
  

[ben55124]

Zipline from breakfast buffet to tour bus

[hamrag]

1) Rewards programme based on cost paid for cruise, and on-board spend. That seems to me the fairest way rather than number of cruises or cruise days.

 

2) Better food quality in MDR's, which could be funded by halving the number of specialty restaurants. Supply, in my experience, greatly outstrips demand for these although the Teppanyaki is always popular.

[mets]

have better tt paper in bath room its was real cheap

[DMH15]

More enrichment lectures and port speakers. Dr. Sidney on our Jewel TA was great.

 

Better bingo. What a waste of time to play one or two games. Bingo on Celebrity and Carnival much better. More fun, cheaper and better payout.

 

Some non-smoking consideration in casino. Either a bank of smoke-free slots, like on X, or a smoke free blackjack table or two, or a night or two as non-smoking in the casino. Something that would accomodate non-smokers and our smoking friends.

 

A cookie oven. Where you could smell them baking and get them warm. Who doesn't like a good cookie.

 

I'd like to see a NCL magazine, online would be fine, where they could highlight crew and what's new on ships. A place for Q&A. History of ships. Who are the godmothers, etc.

 

I think NCL has been a trend setter in cruising and I like them.

[nezume]

 

Some non-smoking consideration in casino. Either a bank of smoke-free slots, like on X, or a smoke free blackjack table or two, or a night or two as non-smoking in the casino. Something that would accomodate non-smokers and our smoking friends.

 

My mother always said, having a "smoking" and a "non-smoking" section in a restaurant is like having a "peeing" and a "non-peeing" section in the pool. I think the same concept applies here. It won't do a whole lot of good unless the entire room (with separate ventilation etc) is non-smoking.

[seaofwonder]

The idea of a dress code kind of blows me away. Why should I be forced to dress a certain way on my vacation??? And what would this dress code be? I can't wear tank tops during the day? No shorts? I understand dress codes after 5 PM in the MDRs, but at other times? Makes no sense. Especially on NCL which is touted as the "Freestyle" line. Maybe you should be cruising on Crystal or another high end line instead.

 

As for latitudes....why not do like a frequent flier program. You get miles based on your trip. More than likely a 7 day cruise will have more miles sailed than a 4 day...same with a 15 vs. a 7 day. Of course that might not be perfect for those ones out of Puerto Rico. Oh, and those who stay in higher class cabins could be rewarded at a higher level...just like airlines do (i.e. suites rewarded at 1.5x, etc.). Not perfect but it takes into account length and cost.

 

The mastercard issue: Are there any cards left that still give 3% rewards??? It's hard finding ones that do higher than 1%. I have a BofA Accelerated Rewards and get 1.25% and can redeem for NCL credits (25000 points for $250 credit). Maybe you BofA customers can check into that account. It's post-recession....banks are cutting anything they can. It's not just BofA or NCL's card.

 

What I would like to see are more activities for non-drinkers and people without kids. I don't want to make paper flowers or towel animals. How about, like others suggested, we have educational seminars? Shoot, as a professor I'd volunteer to give a lecture on my research (autism)!

[GROOVERS]

Groovers' date=' how is your wife doing? Hope you have a wonderful Christmas together. We missed you on the Panama cruise.[/quote']

 

Wife is healing, it takes time, espiecially that "re-construction", it's a tough surgery...But she is doing well, she's got a good attitude and that's the key, when it comes to the big "C".

Merry Christmas right back at you!

 

we missed going on that Panama:mad:

[mets]

i would make the drinks cheaper i got my wife a drink at the poolbiger than the small drink in the ncl glass but 975 for on drink