Have you seen how much NCL has Cutback?

[SuiteCruiser]

But there are only 3....I would hope for at least 5!

 

(BTW reminds me of my first cruise only about 1.5 years ago on HAL. They had in the MDR jumbo shrimp cocktail and lobster tails which were b oth very good. After dinner, I was still hungry and went up to the buffet. Guess what I found. Same shrimp cocktails (had 2 more) and same lobster tails (had another)....in reading through this thread and having taken a later cruise on HAL and a cruise of NCL (Epic), that wasn't the case either time. Our cruise on the Epic never had lobster tails in the MDR's nor as I remember jumbo shrimp cocktails and most assuredly not at the buffet. Whether that is simply the way they do it on NCL or part of the cutbacks I really don't know.

 

I had lobster tail in Taste the first night, it was served with a really nice piece if fish, I think it was snapper. Delicious :)

[jake54321]

I firmly believe that all smoking, cigar, cigarette and pipe as well as any illegal substance, should be totally banned from all cruise ships. I don't smoke and never have, so I find it rather offensive to go through the casino which reeks of smoke. It also makes it rather unpleasant to sit on your balcony when your neighbour is busily puffing away and blowing their smoke into my area!! If cruise lines pay attention here, I'll give 100% of my business to the one that totally bans all tobacco products on board!

For those that do smoke please be considerate of those who don't! Not all of us are haters, but might have health problems that smoke endangers. Some day you might need the same consideration!

 

That was tried and failed on a certain cruise line. There are other lines whose rules are more strict, maybe you should try one of those. I am a non-smoker,but if someone wants to smoke on their balcony it is their right.

[SuiteCruiser]

That was tried and failed on a certain cruise line. There are other lines whose rules are more strict, maybe you should try one of those. I am a non-smoker,but if someone wants to smoke on their balcony it is their right.

 

There may have been others, but it was the Carnival Paradise. It wasn't sustainable, so went back to having smoking passengers.

 

I really think the only way it could work would be on the Gem/Jewel type runs where you have two (almost identical) ships running the same itinerary, one could be smoking, the other non. Unfortunately, i don't think it's very likely.

[newmexicoNita]

I firmly believe that all smoking, cigar, cigarette and pipe as well as any illegal substance, should be totally banned from all cruise ships. I don't smoke and never have, so I find it rather offensive to go through the casino which reeks of smoke. It also makes it rather unpleasant to sit on your balcony when your neighbour is busily puffing away and blowing their smoke into my area!! If cruise lines pay attention here, I'll give 100% of my business to the one that totally bans all tobacco products on board!

For those that do smoke please be considerate of those who don't! Not all of us are haters, but might have health problems that smoke endangers. Some day you might need the same consideration!

 

Ilegal substances are just that illegal and are banned from all ships. As for tobacco, it isn't illegal and thus people who smoke have a right to be allowed to smoke in certain areas. So you never smoked, and you find it offensive, I find a lot of things offensive, most of us do, but I do not judge and I don't think because I don't like something no one should have a right to do whatever anywhere around me. Now, that you have stated your opinion and I mine, what does this have to do with cruise lines cutting back?

 

Nita

[SuiteCruiser]

Ilegal substances are just that illegal and are banned from all ships. As for tobacco, it isn't illegal and thus people who smoke have a right to be allowed to smoke in certain areas. So you never smoked, and you find it offensive, I find a lot of things offensive, most of us do, but I do not judge and I don't think because I don't like something no one should have a right to do whatever anywhere around me. Now, that you have stated your opinion and I mine, what does this have to do with cruise lines cutting back?

 

Nita

 

I think they were referring to point 9 on the original post about cigars on the balcony. The OP seems to have wandered off back under their bridge, so we'd forgotten about it :)

[Beaver1975]

Follow the money.

 

All I will add is, follow the votes and see where the power is truly wielded. Done here, as this thread really has run its course.

[halos]

Well thats a bummer. I have 8 month long winters too but don't have lobster readily available to me.;) So to the dismay of all those on lobster available locations. We have the long winters and our lobster comes straight off the plate at Red Lobster :eek:.

 

LOL....yes, that must suck!! :p

[halos]

The colossals were about half again bigger.

 

having just bough colossal shrimp and ate them yesterday, (I think 21-24 per pound is considered colossal) I think that looks colossal to me.

[stephenandrew]

It also makes it rather unpleasant to sit on your balcony when your neighbour is busily puffing away and blowing their smoke into my area!! If cruise lines pay attention here, I'll give 100% of my business to the one that totally bans all tobacco products on board!

 

For what it is worth, Princess announced that in January 2012, smoking will be banned in all cabins and balconies. (http://travel.usatoday.com/cruises/post/2011/06/smoking-ban-princess-carnival-holland-america/174594/1) I think it is just a matter of time before smoking is bascially banned in all public places--the transition to a non-smoking "public environment" is taking place in steps, not in one fell swoop.

 

I will say, though, that I have very rarely been bothered by cigarette smoke on a cruise ship. There have been a few instances where someone was smoking on their balcony while I was on my balcony at he same time; in thoes instances I did have to retreat into my cabin. In all fairness to those who were smoking, I have never seen anyone breaking any rules, e.g. smoking in a location on a cruise ship where it was prohibited. Basically, their smoking was bothering me, but they had every right to smoke. But the balconies are the only place I have had an issue. I don't frequent the casino, so maybe that is why I don't notice it as much. I am curious if I will find it to be an issue on our upcoming Epic cruise---a lot of people report that you bascially have to walk through the casino to get pretty much anywhere on the ship. Some past cruisers have complained about the smoke, others have siad it is a non issue.

[newmexicoNita]

For what it is worth, Princess announced that in January 2012, smoking will be banned in all cabins and balconies. (http://travel.usatoday.com/cruises/post/2011/06/smoking-ban-princess-carnival-holland-america/174594/1) I think it is just a matter of time before smoking is bascially banned in all public places--the transition to a non-smoking "public environment" is taking place in steps, not in one fell swoop.

 

I will say, though, that I have very rarely been bothered by cigarette smoke on a cruise ship. There have been a few instances where someone was smoking on their balcony while I was on my balcony at he same time; in thoes instances I did have to retreat into my cabin. In all fairness to those who were smoking, I have never seen anyone breaking any rules, e.g. smoking in a location on a cruise ship where it was prohibited. Basically, their smoking was bothering me, but they had every right to smoke. But the balconies are the only place I have had an issue. I don't frequent the casino, so maybe that is why I don't notice it as much. I am curious if I will find it to be an issue on our upcoming Epic cruise---a lot of people report that you bascially have to walk through the casino to get pretty much anywhere on the ship. Some past cruisers have complained about the smoke, others have siad it is a non issue.

 

We have been lucky, not even have we been bothered by balcony smoking. The only place we have had a problem was in the casino and even then, after about 10 minutes we adjust. I am a firm believer we all have to get used to each other and accept the world does not revolve around us...I am not crazy over seeing people wearing shorts in the dining room (expecially older people or those with weight problems) but if it is the policy who am I to let it bother me. I would rather not see women topless (guys naked , that is different) LOL

but if topless bathing becomes accepted I will get over it.

 

Nita

[World Traveler 81]

I noticed a huge difference in the food quality on Epic last week compared to what it was in September of last year. The buffets were mediocre at best. I had high hopes that NCL would be a great replacement for Royal Caribbean who we have grown tired of after nearly 20 cruises. Unfortunately, that doesn't appear to be the case.

[stephenandrew]

I would rather not see women topless

Nita

 

Funny---that has never bothered me one bit!!!

[Richie2pies]

Just got off the Star 11/13. In all my cruises, (19 in all and 6 on NCL) I always eat in the buffet. I want to eat quickly. I have never seen worse food on any line including NCL. I know food is subjective, but when they re-cycle food from lunch to dinner and even the next day, it can't be good. They didn't even have a carving station one day. When I told the head chef, he feigned surprise. I know all lines have cut back, but this cruise on the Star was the worst I have ever seen. Of course, this is my opinion, but a lot of cruisers on this run agreed with me.

[Fine and Jim Dandy]

Just got off the Star 11/13. In all my cruises, (19 in all and 6 on NCL) I always eat in the buffet. I want to eat quickly. I have never seen worse food on any line including NCL. I know food is subjective, but when they re-cycle food from lunch to dinner and even the next day, it can't be good. They didn't even have a carving station one day. When I told the head chef, he feigned surprise. I know all lines have cut back, but this cruise on the Star was the worst I have ever seen. Of course, this is my opinion, but a lot of cruisers on this run agreed with me.

 

Yes, but did you go hungry? That seems to be the measure many on here believe determines good food from bad.

[commodoredave]

Yes, but did you go hungry? That seems to be the measure many on here believe determines good food from bad.

 

If that's true, it's a very poor commentary on the type of people who cruise with NCL.

[SuiteCruiser]

I noticed a huge difference in the food quality on Epic last week compared to what it was in September of last year. The buffets were mediocre at best. I had high hopes that NCL would be a great replacement for Royal Caribbean who we have grown tired of after nearly 20 cruises. Unfortunately, that doesn't appear to be the case.

 

Food is subjective. If you don't like NCL, head elsewhere. I was on the Epic less than 2 months ago and the food was great. Had one mediocre meal (at the Cirque show). Had a cruise full of them on RCI, I don't cruise there anymore.

 

Generally foodies don't spend their time at the buffet. I was there for lunch once, and found their salad bar good and enjoyed the Indian food as well.

[swedish weave]

Just got off the Star 11/13. In all my cruises, (19 in all and 6 on NCL) I always eat in the buffet. I want to eat quickly. I have never seen worse food on any line including NCL. I know food is subjective, but when they re-cycle food from lunch to dinner and even the next day, it can't be good. They didn't even have a carving station one day. When I told the head chef, he feigned surprise. I know all lines have cut back, but this cruise on the Star was the worst I have ever seen. Of course, this is my opinion, but a lot of cruisers on this run agreed with me.

 

You have done a great job of placing yourself between the dog and the fire hydrant !!!:D

[davesgirl51]

i can understand a casual wedding (my dd and her fiance are quite the bohemians. Although, thank god there will be no jeans/shorts at this wedding. I think i would have heart failure)..it's more the jeans-at-the-funeral that kinda upset me...

I guess it shouldn't though. The deceased obviously doesn't care.

 

lololol

[che5904]

I firmly believe that all smoking, cigar, cigarette and pipe as well as any illegal substance, should be totally banned from all cruise ships. I don't smoke and never have, so I find it rather offensive to go through the casino which reeks of smoke. It also makes it rather unpleasant to sit on your balcony when your neighbour is busily puffing away and blowing their smoke into my area!! If cruise lines pay attention here, I'll give 100% of my business to the one that totally bans all tobacco products on board!

For those that do smoke please be considerate of those who don't! Not all of us are haters, but might have health problems that smoke endangers. Some day you might need the same consideration!

 

hmmm Title of thread: "Have you seen how much NCL has cutback" Not sure what this post has to do with anything to do with cutbacks. Or is it you just haven't seen a smoking thread for a while and had to get your 2 cents in. :rolleyes:

[SuiteCruiser]

hmmm Title of thread: "Have you seen how much NCL has cutback" Not sure what this post has to do with anything to do with cutbacks. Or is it you just haven't seen a smoking thread for a while and had to get your 2 cents in. :rolleyes:

 

The original post complained that they couldn't smoke cigars on their balcony as part of the "cutbacks".

 

As the OP is firmly ensconced back in his home under the bridge, we are all just talking to ourselves.

[che5904]

As the OP is firmly ensconced back in his home under the bridge, we are all just talking to ourselves.

 

Absolutely I have made that observation earlier in this thread. But it sure is nice chatting with you. ;)

[SuiteCruiser]

Absolutely I have made that observation earlier in this thread. But it sure is nice chatting with you. ;)

 

You too eh? :)

[newmexicoNita]

Food is subjective. If you don't like NCL, head elsewhere. I was on the Epic less than 2 months ago and the food was great. Had one mediocre meal (at the Cirque show). Had a cruise full of them on RCI, I don't cruise there anymore.

 

Generally foodies don't spend their time at the buffet. I was there for lunch once, and found their salad bar good and enjoyed the Indian food as well.

 

I don't think you will ever convince people who want to gripe about food, that it is subjective. They get their minds set and that is the end of it. We just cruised another line and we thought the food was sub par most of the time or maybe fair. The meats were great, cooked perfectly and the portions good sized, the buffets were the worst ever and the breakfast in the main dining room was really bad. Would others disagree with me? Many would, of course. I agree with you. Actually we thought the food on NCL 6 months ago was better than it had been for a few years. If people really do want to cruise to eat, they need to try one of the luxury lines.

 

NIta

[commodoredave]

I don't expect the same quality of food on mass market lines that I get on luxury lines, but I do expect lines with similar pricing to be comparable with each other. In that respect, we have not sailed with NCL for a very long time because our last experience with them was very disappointing. We may have been unlucky in that the ship we were on was just having a bad stretch. But our experience with other mass market lines have been better, and based on this thread, it doesn't sound like NCL is getting any better. In fact, it sounds like they are getting worse.

[Beaver1975]

I don't expect the same quality of food on mass market lines that I get on luxury lines, but I do expect lines with similar pricing to be comparable with each other. In that respect, we have not sailed with NCL for a very long time because our last experience with them was very disappointing. We may have been unlucky in that the ship we were on was just having a bad stretch. But our experience with other mass market lines have been better, and based on this thread, it doesn't sound like NCL is getting any better. In fact, it sounds like they are getting worse.

 

The food is always dependent on the Executive Chef that is in charge. On our Spirit cruise early this year the food was mediocre and some was downright not good. A few months later on the Pearl the food was spectacular. So, I would suggest going and generating your own impressions and not rely on peoples comments here on a public forum. NCL does have more than its fair share of detractors, some of which I believe have never set foot on an NCL ship.