Room service and to go food

[punkincc]

But there was no problem with the free continental breakfast before the $7.95 policy, but now with the expanded room service menus people are coming out complaining about it. You can still get what they offered before the policy for free. And with the take out food from the buffet no one has said they have been stopped from doing so and this should be a non issue. Just make sure to keep your dirty dishes in your room not in the hallways.

 

The crux of the issue is that NCL has said, right from the office of COO Andy Stuart himself, and the head of Public Relations, that carryouts from the Buffet are NOT ALLOWED, NO EXCEPTIONS. So, despite the fact that they are not yet stopping people, it is banned. So it IS an issue. It is not just a rumor.

 

And people put their dishes, even the room service ones, where the room steward tells them to put them. Perhaps as some have reported, they should stop telling people to place them in the halls. If Andy Stuart is so concerned about this issue, you'd think he would check with his HDs to see what NCL's procedures for pick up are.

[punkincc]

If that were the case, and he TRULY wanted an upscale experience for the guests, the dessert would magically appear in your cabin WITHOUT a separate price tag attached to it. That's upscale.

 

It's really about the new extra line item on the budget...called Room Service Fee.

 

That's the reality.

 

Exactly. It WAS an upscale experience in the recent past. The waiters practically insisted they wrap up for later that dessert you were too full to order. Or they, without being asked to, boxed up and delivered your dinners to your cabin when you had to leave because of a child. This is called Service. It no longer exists at NCL.

[LMaxwell]

Anybody who thinks it's about money doesn't realize that Del Rio's vision is SERVICE. He wants to create an upscale experience where your leftovers are delivered FOR you, so you don't have to schlep plates around, and instead can go to the show, or the bar, or the casino and enjoy your evening....finding your left-over dessert in your cabin when you return.

 

 

Interesting claim. Can you point to me to anywhere FDR or any other C-suite level exec for NCL has stated their vision is for better service?

[mickeysgal]

That is exactly what I mean. The staff on the ship are very helpful and understanding when you explain the need for accomodations (or they can see it for themselves) The vast majority of the people complaining about this new policy are not disabled, just too lazy to get dressed and walk to the dining rooms to eat.

 

 

I avoid the buffet as much as I can. Too crowded, too noisy, not enjoyable wandering around with food looking for an open table hoping I find one that is clean and not cluttered with left over dishes. Not my idea of fun and relaxation.

 

I do rather enjoy a plate of cookies, a sandwich, cheese, and olives on my aft balcony watching the wake of the ship with book in hand. A far different experience than the cafeteria scene.

 

Not lazy...just highly selective on how, where and with whom I eat my snacks/lunch. That's my version of Freestyle.

[42CruiseCrazy]

It's vacation. So what if someone wants to be lazy? My wife and I work our tails off most of the year. She, at least, deserves to be a bit lazy on a cruise. If I sometimes let her sleep while I go to the buffet and pick out some of her favorite things to bring back for breakfast on our balcony, who are you to judge me?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

If you want to increase the use of room service for cleanliness purposes, then you don't suddenly begin charging for it just when you want more people to use it. This is such a basic level of logic and common sense that I can't believe I actually had to point it out.

 

 

Who says NCL wants MORE people to use room service? Maybe the new policy is designed to have fewer people messing up their ship with dirty dishes and uneaten food by encouraging their passengers to eat in the dining areas.

 

 

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[CavalierX]

Who says NCL wants MORE people to use room service? Maybe the new policy is designed to have fewer people messing up their ship with dirty dishes and uneaten food by encouraging their passengers to eat in the dining areas.

 

As I've said elsewhere, NCL won't have to worry about me or the group I usually cruise with messing up their nice, clean ships anymore. (Frankly, I resent your implication that I do so.) We'll be glad to take our business to their competitors. Maybe we'll consider NCL again, but if I want people telling me how, when and where I'm allowed to eat I'll check myself into a prison for my next vacation.

[luvtheships]

I'm convinced that a cruise line could make children and elderly walk the plank and the cheerleaders would still find an excuse to defend the cruise line LOL. :D

 

What about the smokers? They too have every right to walk the plank. Lol😇

 

 

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[LMaxwell]

Who says NCL wants MORE people to use room service? Maybe the new policy is designed to have fewer people messing up their ship with dirty dishes and uneaten food by encouraging their passengers to eat in the dining areas.

 

 

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Has this been a problem at any time before now since NCL first launched operations in the 1960's?

[42CruiseCrazy]

Exactly. It WAS an upscale experience in the recent past. The waiters practically insisted they wrap up for later that dessert you were too full to order. Or they, without being asked to, boxed up and delivered your dinners to your cabin when you had to leave because of a child. This is called Service. It no longer exists at NCL.

 

 

The service still exists and is available on request. It's just no longer FREE and that's what people are crying about. Get over it. Lots of things are no longer free that used to be.

 

 

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[LMaxwell]

The service still exists and is available on request. It's just no longer FREE and that's what people are crying about. Get over it. Lots of things are no longer free that used to be.

 

 

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It was free when NCL took my money. Maybe I can decide to just give NCL some less money? Nah, didn't think so.

 

I'm still going to take food from the buffet. I'm not really concerned anyone is going to stop me. I don't think the crew want to be put in that position.

[Zeta3]

They had snacks in the casino last week. Slider sandwiches, wings, pizza [in place of wings] fruit and veggies. They hit the spot.

 

 

Cool, thanks!

[swedish weave]

Who says NCL wants MORE people to use room service? Maybe the new policy is designed to have fewer people messing up their ship with dirty dishes and uneaten food by encouraging their passengers to eat in the dining areas.

 

 

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Encouraging is not an appropriate term for NCL's new policies. ORDERING PEOPLE TO EAT IN THE DINING AREAS WOULD FIT BETTER.

 

If the problem is dirty dishes and uneaten food, wouldn't it be appropriate to eliminate room service on the entire ship? Or do the room service leftovers and dishes magically disappear ???? A little logic would be nice, but is not being used here.

[MicheleRos]

Come on Punkincc, there is a big difference between a hotel hallway and a cruise ship hallway and that is the size of it. It is difficult enough to get two people passing in the hallway, but add to it dishes and it becomes even smaller. I've seen dishes in the hallways in the morning, in the afternoon and while I'm on my way down to dinner.

 

I don't know about you, but when I take pictures of my vacations, I don't take pictures of dirty dishes nor do I take pictures of peeling paint or cracking tiles, I take pictures of things I actually want my friends to see.

 

As someone said on another thread, if one hasn't seen dishes in the hallway they are very lucky, so one should draw their own conclusions based off that comment as well. Why NCL made the policy, who knows, but when we talk about plates in the hallways, that does happen. Whether you believe it or not, that is up to you.

 

Can't say I have ever seen any dishes on any cruise that I have been on I'm not saying it doesn't happen but I have been on 8 cruises and really never seen any and if there were any obviously it didn't bother me so it wasn't much. I do believe there is a lot of exaggerating going on reading these threads why he hasnt anybody posted complaining about mounds dirty dishes with all of the complaints that go on around here why has this not been brought up previously. Seems kind of weird to me and you know as well as I know that people like to complain around here I would imagine this would have been said before

[punkincc]

What kind of disability makes it impossible to eat meals at the dining areas? If that's the case how did this person get on the ship in the first place? My wife uses an electric wheelchair and cannot walk a single step and yet she never missed a single meal in the MDR or Buffet on our last cruise. Anyone who able enough to get on a cruise ship is able enough to eat meals in the dining areas (unless someone becomes ill while onboard) yet it's quite alright if someone WANTS to eat in the room. Just keep your &$@?& dirty dishes in your room so my wife can use her wheelchair in the narrow corridor and get to the dining room for her meals.

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If your wife cannot get down the hall in her wheelchair, your quarrel is not with passengers who either get room service or walk to the buffet and bring it back. If one is going to eat in the cabin, ( and really, how many passengers do you actually think do this on the average cruise? ) a dish is going to be there one way or the other. And the ships do have room service, so eating in the cabins IS allowed.

 

Your quarrel is with stewards who tell passengers to place dishes in the halls, or with ship procedures that do not post instructions in rooms re dishes, or on lax procedures that allow staff to get away with ignoring dishes which appear in the halls. If NCL does not want plates in the halls, then they simply should tell stewards, and tell passengers, that they are to be left in the cabin for pick up.

[CavalierX]

It was free when NCL took my money. Maybe I can decide to just give NCL some less money? Nah, didn't think so.

 

I'm still going to take food from the buffet. I'm not really concerned anyone is going to stop me. I don't think the crew want to be put in that position.

 

That's why I hope this new rule won't last long. It's almost impossible to implement a policy when the people responsible for enforcing it either can't or won't. Look at all the people already planning ways to beat the system. Didn't anyone learn about Prohibition in school? Of course, that took nearly fourteen years to repeal...

Edited May 20, 2015 by CavalierX

[LMaxwell]

That's why I hope this new rule won't last long. It's almost impossible to implement a policy when the people responsible for enforcing it either can't or won't. Look at all the people already planning ways to beat the system. Didn't anyone learn about Prohibition in school? Of course, that took nearly fourteen years to repeal...

 

I have no sneaky plan to beat the system. I simply plan to take food out of the buffet if I feel like it.

[Jenorama]

I'm glad to hear that breakfast is still no extra charge. We have a mini suite on the Sun for Alaska this year and I'm looking forward to enjoying Glacier Bay on my aft balcony. I'm interested to see how snacks from the buffet work out. On the Breakaway, we'd visit the buffet for some snacks and enjoy them in Fat Cats with the music.

 

Jen

[mickeysgal]

I'm glad to hear that breakfast is still no extra charge. We have a mini suite on the Sun for Alaska this year and I'm looking forward to enjoying Glacier Bay on my aft balcony. I'm interested to see how snacks from the buffet work out. On the Breakaway, we'd visit the buffet for some snacks and enjoy them in Fat Cats with the music.

 

Jen

 

Glad that continental breakfast is no charge.

 

Problem I've had with room service is that it's not been at my door at the time requested. Sometimes it's been early, late, or forgotten. I don't have time for that - especially when I have a shore excursion time to meet.

 

Add me to the list of never, in all my years on cruise critic, have I seen complaints about food/trays left in the hallways. CC would have ripped this issue to shreds eons ago if this was a significant problem.

[42CruiseCrazy]

But what exactly do you think is going to change with the New Rules? Room service is still going to deliver trays of food - just now for a Price. Those trays will still end up in the hallway. Your complaint is really with NCL's lack of picking up the trays in a quick, timely matter not with those of that want to eat in their room. They're not banning food in rooms, they're just making sure they have their hand out for payment when a tray passes over the threshold.

 

You have a good point. The problem will continue to exist but to a lesser degree. If fewer people bring food back to their rooms (most people will follow the rules and comply) and fewer people order room service (because it is no longer "free") then there will be much fewer trays in the hallways and fewer trays to be picked up. I would expect the trays could be picked up more promptly if there are fewer of them. At least there would be fewer trays for me to move out of my wife's way. BTW not all disabled passengers have someone to remove barriers for them so people please be considerate and keep your tray, shoes, and scooters IN THE ROOM and not out in the hallway :mad:

[sparks1093]

No - I think he meant that your sweetie may be lazy, not you :D

 

Then that would be worse;):cool:

[shoreless]

Not having been around here for a while I’m kind of late to the party, but I’ll add my two-cents worth anyway.

 

I only read about the first ten pages or so of the thread before skimming through to the end, but a lot of posts surprised me. I’d thought that one big reason people chose to cruise NCL was the “freestyle” element – relax, eat what you want, where you want, when you want, dressed in almost whatever you want. Strangely, a lot of this thread would be right at home on the Cunard or Celebrity forums.

 

I don’t understand why some people have compared taking food from the ship’s buffet to taking food from a buffet on land. On a cruise, the fare includes all that we will eat for the duration of the cruise – breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks, whatever. The price of the cruise reflects that. It doesn’t matter if you eat in multiple restaurants every day or take out a similar amount of food from the restaurants and/or buffet. The price of a buffet at a restaurant on land is calculated to cover a single meal, so it’s logical that you can’t take any food with you when you leave.

 

I’m in my seventies, but have only been cruising for nine years. I’d always thought that cruising would be too formal for me. I was happy to be proved wrong. I pack no dressy clothes, and on most of our cruises we’ve eaten at least half of our meals in our cabin or on our balcony. We’ve gotten “take-out” from buffets and many specialty restaurants. I know some/most people would consider my cruise fare wasted because I spend most of my time reading in my cabin or on my balcony but it suits me. I don’t even leave the cabin to go ashore at most ports.

 

I don’t consider myself a slob (athough I’ll admit to being somewhat antisocial). I realize that clearing away dishes from either take-out or room service is extra work for the stewards, but we do tip accordingly.

 

I don’t have any quarrel with a room-service fee for an occasional meal, but room-service is not the same as free-style, involving fewer choices and more advance planning. If I want a plate of fruit I’d like to go pick it up when I want it, rather than calling room-service, waiting for an hour, paying eight dollars for it, and finding that it's mostly cantaloupe (which I'm not fond of).

 

We’ve enjoyed cruising with NCL (and have cruised enough to be platinum now). I hate to leave but I just am not comfortable with this new policy (which is not a “small thing” to me). I’m not generally a rule-breaker, so if this policy continues I’ll be leaving NCL and hoping RCCL will not copy this new idea.

 

Leaving quietly, not flouncing……..

[punkincc]

Not having been around here for a while I’m kind of late to the party, but I’ll add my two-cents worth anyway.

 

I only read about the first ten pages or so of the thread before skimming through to the end, but a lot of posts surprised me. I’d thought that one big reason people chose to cruise NCL was the “freestyle” element – relax, eat what you want, where you want, when you want, dressed in almost whatever you want. Strangely, a lot of this thread would be right at home on the Cunard or Celebrity forums.

 

I don’t understand why some people have compared taking food from the ship’s buffet to taking food from a buffet on land. On a cruise, the fare includes all that we will eat for the duration of the cruise – breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks, whatever. The price of the cruise reflects that. It doesn’t matter if you eat in multiple restaurants every day or take out a similar amount of food from the restaurants and/or buffet. The price of a buffet at a restaurant on land is oncalculated to cover a single meal, so it’s logical that you can’t take any food with you when you leave.

 

I’m in my seventies, but have only been cruising for nine years. I’d always thought that cruising would be too formal for me. I was happy to be proved wrong. I pack no dressy clothes, and on most of our cruises we’ve eaten at least half of our meals in our cabin or on our balcony. We’ve gotten “take-out” from buffets and many specialty restaurants. I know some/most people would consider my cruise fare wasted because I spend most of my time reading in my cabin or on my balcony but it suits me. I don’t even leave the cabin to go ashore at most ports.

 

I don’t consider myself a slob (athough I’ll admit to being somewhat antisocial). I realize that clearing away dishes from either take-out or room service is extra work for the stewards, but we do tip accordingly.

 

I don’t have any quarrel with a room-service fee for an occasional meal, but room-service is not the same as free-style, involving fewer choices and more advance planning. If I want a plate of fruit I’d like to go pick it up when I want it, rather than calling room-service, waiting for an hour, paying eight dollars for it, and finding that it's mostly cantaloupe (which I'm not fond of).

 

We’ve enjoyed cruising with NCL (and have cruised enough to be platinum now). I hate to leave but I just am not comfortable with this new policy (which is not a “small thing” to me). I’m not generally a rule-breaker, so if this policy continues I’ll be leaving NCL and hoping RCCL will not copy this new idea.

 

Leaving quietly, not flouncing……..

 

Thanks, shoreless for saying this so well. It is this change to the essence of Freestyle Cruising that has so many of us upset, and I hate that upper NCL management is now ready to start dismantling what it took years to perfect. What's next, fixed dining times, because it is just so much more efficient and will eliminate the chaos and long waits?:rolleyes:.

 

Is anyone familiar with the ( I think ) Celebrity commercial which shows a woman dreamily reminiscing about her cruise, on which the ship catered to her wants and desires? Celebrity is apparently a cruise line that understands why people cruise.

 

I love the post I'manewbie made on one of the many threads here: "I like to vacation and like a variety in vacations, so I'm not tied to cruising. What I like about cruising is the fantasy that the ship is mine and NCL is there to serve me. My next cruise is in June and this time I'm feeling more concerned about what NCL will let me do or not do, than having them serve me. I spent years in a Catholic school with the same feeling, I don't want that feeling on my vacation!"

[Cruise4Real]

The vast majority of the people complaining about this new policy are not disabled, just too lazy to get dressed and walk to the dining rooms to eat.

 

If the "new policy" that you're supporting is the "no food to be taken from restaurants," I would point out that those wishing to do just that are able to get past their inherent "laziness" long enough to get dressed and walk to the dining room to order something to go, or to the buffet to prepare their own plate. It's the folks who will order RS (as NCL apparently wants them to do) who are too lazy to get off their duff and collect their food.

[42CruiseCrazy]

If the "new policy" that you're supporting is the "no food to be taken from restaurants," I would point out that those wishing to do just that are able to get past their inherent "laziness" long enough to get dressed and walk to the dining room to order something to go, or to the buffet to prepare their own plate. It's the folks who will order RS (as NCL apparently wants them to do) who are too lazy to get off their duff and collect their food.

 

 

You're absolutely right. I was referring to room service. It's actually MORE work to go to the buffet and bring food back to the room.. Which makes me wonder why bother doing extra work when on vacation. I should not have used the term "lazy". I did not mean to be unkind. I was only pointing out that almost every passenger on the ship is physically able to eat in the designated eating areas. It's just that some don't want to.

 

 

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[MisterFidgetpants]

You're absolutely right. I was referring to room service. It's actually MORE work to go to the buffet and bring food back to the room.. Which makes me wonder why bother doing extra work when on vacation. I should not have used the term "lazy". I did not mean to be unkind. I was only pointing out that almost every passenger on the ship is physically able to eat in the designated eating areas. It's just that some don't want to.

 

 

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That's right, I don't want to. It is not our preference.

 

On non-port days, or days we plan to stay on instead of going ashore, I like to take an early morning walk while my wife sleeps in. Then I go to the buffet and have a little breakfast. I enjoy making a plate of food for my wife and bringing it back for her. It gives me great pleasure to do something nice for her. She enjoys sleeping in and waking up to her wonderful, best husband in the world having brought her a plate of her favorites. We're not slobs. We're not lazy. I resent any insinuation or suggestion of that kind.

 

I can certainly understand it may be frustrating for you and your wife if she has a handicap and navigating a ships narrow hallways can be difficult. In that case you should direct a call or note to the hotel director and let them know they need to be more vigorous in maintaining their hotel facilities.

 

Please consider this; if everyone on the ship used only designated dining facilities within a small time frame you may find service slow, lines long, and finding a table very difficult. The buffets and dining rooms are not designed to handle the majority of guests all at one time. Something to think about before lashing out at others who don't have the same preferences as you is the impact it would cause you if they did.