Gem (NCL) heading in wrong direction...

[lbjohnston]

As long as I have my balcony to sit on, a nice bed, food and drink, I am a happy camper. I am not at work, no ringing phones and no housework. :p

[Pennhoo]

 

So far this is what I've learned recently about NCL:

 

1. They eliminated the welcome aboard glass of champagne

 

2. They eliminated the complimentary cappuccino/espresso in the buffet

 

3. They eliminated the lovely little chocolates on your pillows at night

 

4. They INCREASED the fee for some (all?) specialty restaurants

 

The only one that even remotely bugs me is item #4....... even so, I am on the boat for the cruise and the destinations... I am not there to eat!! Having a great meal at one of the destinations and doing the buffet for the duration of on-board eating is ok for me!! ;)

[DMH15]

Just remember folks if you don't have anything positive to say on this site don't say it because someone will surely nail you to the cross!! Now its OK if you have 100 or more posts on this site but if you are a newbie don't say anything negitive or you will get burned!! :confused::confused::confused:

 

 

Thank you for your post #10.

 

Just kidding.

 

Couldn't resist.

[DMH15]

I am glad you get the entire picture. We book the same way as you. I will admit, if everything is equal or almost so, I will go with NCL, just habit and comfort, but everything enters into the picture, everything like price, itinerary and the particular ship. Little things that seem to only cost a few cents can add up: .10 for a glass of bubbly, but what about the time washing the glasses, the breakage of glasses and the swiping of them for that matter: what about other things related to that little cheap old glass? It just isn't as simple as it sounds...

 

Nita

 

 

Nita, agree...

 

Also, when I was on the Sun I was handed my glass of bubbly whilst I was wheeling my carryon, holding my bag, and some papers and being led hurriedly. It was hard to hold it, much less drink it without spilling some or all on the carpets which has to be cleaned. I'd much prefer to order a bottle in the room, get settled in, then "pop the cork" for sail-away.

[cruzndiz]

Nita, agree...

 

Also, when I was on the Sun I was handed my glass of bubbly whilst I was wheeling my carryon, holding my bag, and some papers and being led hurriedly. It was hard to hold it, much less drink it without spilling some or all on the carpets which has to be cleaned. I'd much prefer to order a bottle in the room, get settled in, then "pop the cork" for sail-away.

 

Interesting.....I was handed my glass of bubbly while an NCL "greeter" wheeled my carry on and showed me my (unmade up yet) cabin and then escorted me to the buffet for lunch :confused:

[blondie1234]

I was on the Gem 1/3 and these changes were all in effect. One should keep in mind too that NCL is offering these changes but they are also offering some of these cruises crazy cheap too - the 10 day Caribbean out of NCL was going for $549 inside, $749 outside which is probably the cheapest you can get sailing out of NYC!

[cruzndiz]

I was on the Gem 1/3 and these changes were all in effect. One should keep in mind too that NCL is offering these changes but they are also offering some of these cruises crazy cheap too - the 10 day Caribbean out of NCL was going for $549 inside, $749 outside which is probably the cheapest you can get sailing out of NYC!

 

Wow that is insanely cheap -- under $1500 for ocean view for 10 days!!! Balconies and suites were probably also offered at discount prices.

 

Oh, well, I won't allow myself to think about how my cruise to the BAHAMAS for only 7 days was considerably more than that :(

[Down-Unders]

and have you read the test programs for dinner packages?

That is an improvement for sure. The price for specialty dining rooms, which have been increased and are you aware of what the other ships are charging?

 

Do you do any grocery shopping? If you did you would know what we are paying for everything and the sizes keep shrinking..Tuna used to be 8 oz cans when I was a kid, then 7, then 6 and now 51/2 but the price goes up, up, up...

 

Have you been reading most of the recent reviews, they have been anything but negative? Big deal, no bubbly and no cappuccino. As for the choc they have been hit or miss for the past 3 or 4 years. We hardly ever ate ours anyway...

 

Look at it another way: I just booked 3 cabins on a repo cruise for April. Inside less than $400 per person, outside, about $600 and balc just over $700. This includes all taxes, port charges, etc.

 

So for say $200 per day (per couple) they get:

 

as many meals as they can eat including things like steak, prime rib and lobster

nightly entertainment

transportation from place to place

daily free room service

housekeeping twice a day

 

plus more, now where are you going to find a resort that can offer anything close to this?

 

I am not just defending NCL, most mass marketed lines are a great value. Now for those who want to have the extra touches and can or want to pay for them, fine. You can choose to sail a top line. I don't blame anyone for that, I am just explaining why there are cut backs.

 

Nita

 

 

 

Give me a break! Again I ask, do you as a so called travel agent get a larger commission for booking NCL cruises?

[Cinema15]

"You can't fight city hall" :( However still the best vacation value for the money I think.

[newmexicoNita]

Interesting.....I was handed my glass of bubbly while an NCL "greeter" wheeled my carry on and showed me my (unmade up yet) cabin and then escorted me to the buffet for lunch :confused:

 

geeze what kind of cabins did you have to get that service?

 

Nita

[newmexicoNita]

Give me a break! Again I ask, do you as a so called travel agent get a larger commission for booking NCL cruises?

 

Actually in some cases we get a little less. does that answer your question? I doubt I have ever booked a client based on commission anyway and most agents are the same. Oh, what is a "so called travel agent?"

 

Nita