Am I the only one? Is food a deal breaker?

[DMH15]

I remember last year when NCL and Carnival restricted smoking off balconies these boards were swamped. Can't smoke on the balcony? The outrage! No more cruising! I wondered then, is cruising not more than that?

 

And now, it's food. You are ALL entitled to your opinions, your choices and your frustrations. But now it seems to me I see those same parallells as before.

 

From the sound of it we need to be constantly eating while on a cruise ship. Everywhere. In restaurants, while lounging, in our cabins. Really? Without a dining table I find eating in a cabin kind of unappealing. I cruised with my sister in November and I joked on an earlier thread how she brought her take home desserts back to our fridge where they accumulated. I kept my mouth shut so we wouldn't argue. Likewise she wanted to carry our buffet breakfast back to our balcony. We did it once. Again, I did it to make her happy. Juggling my plate on my lap was not my idea of fun. Neither was carrying back food, juice and coffee. I wonder how many people spill? I did not want to leave messy plates in our cabin or in the hallway so back I went to the buffet. So, it seemed a lot off fuss for that "feeling". I just don't get it.

 

My mom was sick on the Jewel on our TA so she had sandwiches via room service, but other than that we went to the restaurant except when in a suite. And in my experience the delivery and pick up of dishes and having a dining table make that possible. I would not want to sit on my bed and eat dinner. I guess since I do not do that at home I can't imagine doing it on a ship.

 

Am I the only one who does not get it? Are the new "rules" about take out and room service really deal breakers for so many? Enough to drive you to another line or away from cruising if other lines follow? Or is this the new topic that will eventually go away?

 

Or is this just the straw that broke the camel's back... On the heels of so many changes? And have everyone rattled asking "what's next?"

[cruise crazed]

I agree with you. I like the NCL product and I am not concerned about any of the changes. None are a deal breaker for me. I am going on the Breakaway for the second time in July and I am looking forward to a relaxing vacation and a beautiful ship.

[Siora7777]

You're missing the point. It's about freedom to do what you want on your vacation.

[triptolemus]

I have no need to schlep food back to my cabin. If hungry, I will go eat somewhere, pretty simple. That said, I recognize that everyone isn't me, and there are a handful of legitimate concerns like kids and health. While I don't begrudge these reasons I think they're manageable...but I don't have kids, and I don't cruise with kids.

 

I think you're right...the "what's next" is starting to piss people off.

[NLH Arizona]

Nope, not changing my thoughts about cruising with NCL. If the rumor about not taking food from the buffet is true, I'll just go up at 3:00pm and sit there while I eat my cookies and/or chips, instead of bringing them back to my cabin.

[MrJoeBlack]

I remember last year when NCL and Carnival restricted smoking off balconies these boards were swamped. Can't smoke on the balcony? The outrage! No more cruising! I wondered then, is cruising not more than that?

 

 

 

And now, it's food. You are ALL entitled to your opinions, your choices and your frustrations. But now it seems to me I see those same parallells as before.

 

 

 

From the sound of it we need to be constantly eating while on a cruise ship. Everywhere. In restaurants, while lounging, in our cabins. Really? Without a dining table I find eating in a cabin kind of unappealing. I cruised with my sister in November and I joked on an earlier thread how she brought her take home desserts back to our fridge where they accumulated. I kept my mouth shut so we wouldn't argue. Likewise she wanted to carry our buffet breakfast back to our balcony. We did it once. Again, I did it to make her happy. Juggling my plate on my lap was not my idea of fun. Neither was carrying back food, juice and coffee. I wonder how many people spill? I did not want to leave messy plates in our cabin or in the hallway so back I went to the buffet. So, it seemed a lot off fuss for that "feeling". I just don't get it.

 

 

 

My mom was sick on the Jewel on our TA so she had sandwiches via room service, but other than that we went to the restaurant except when in a suite. And in my experience the delivery and pick up of dishes and having a dining table make that possible. I would not want to sit on my bed and eat dinner. I guess since I do not do that at home I can't imagine doing it on a ship.

 

 

 

Am I the only one who does not get it? Are the new "rules" about take out and room service really deal breakers for so many? Enough to drive you to another line or away from cruising if other lines follow? Or is this the new topic that will eventually go away?

 

 

 

Or is this just the straw that broke the camel's back... On the heels of so many changes? And have everyone rattled asking "what's next?"

 

 

Well put Sir

[LMaxwell]

I think you're right...the "what's next" is starting to piss people off.

 

Got that right.

 

Our next cruise is just my wife and I. While I don't like the changes, and I can think of some negative personal impact, I still look forward to time away with my wife and will try not to be too bothered about it. It will give me a chance to see IF it is a big deal or not. It's pretty easy for 2 able bodies adults to kind of roll with the punches.

 

HOWEVER, the cruise booked after that is my wife and kid, and so far 5 or 6 other families, a bunch with kids, ages range 2 - 72. I'd say 90% of them will be new to NCL. These are all people very familiar with Royal Caribbean and choosing NCL was done with some trepidation and on the backs of promos which seemed like a good value at the time.

 

These constant changes, devaluations of the vacation package, unfriendly to family policies, etc. will have to be addressed closer to final payment time based on whatever nonsense policies are in place at the time and decide if we need to cancel a 20+ person booking.

 

So...what's next? I can not bring prepackaged snacks for my toddler? "No outside food on the ship". Or I won't be able to bring on water to make his formula? The zealots will retort "They do sell water for only $2.50 per bottle and you are on vacation, what do you expect?":rolleyes:. So whatever it is when that cruise gets closer to final payment will almost certainly be worse than today. And from the time of final payment until boarding day (or, you know, half way through the cruise...) they have proven they can and will implement further devaluing measures without any consideration for guests who are already paid in full.

 

BUT THE NOODLE BAR IS FREE.

[maywell]

Well, NCL did effectively put some people (especially the complainers) on a diet and if those people don't like it, they can cruise from another company. Otherwise, to me, eating is not the only activity to do on a cruise ship; there's the casino, watching people play Deal/ No Deal, sunbathing, reading a book, people watching, watching a move in the Atrium, etc. As long as the ship as food on it and I can eat from a table complimentary most days / nights plus not make me norovirus sick while having a alcoholic beverage in hand- I'm good. :p I more concern if they raise prices to shows / activities than about food 'restrictions', which they haven't (thank goodness for now...)

Edited May 7, 2015 by maywell

[SissasMomE]

We never take food back to the cabin. The idea of dinner on the balcony, or at a table in the cabin, has never appealed to us. We like to "go out" - whether home or away. However, it will be a huge issue if we are forced to dine in a restaurant during the day. We are an outside family. Unless it's raining, we spend our days on one of the pool decks. It will be a problem if someone says we can't eat lunch outside. We both have high stress jobs, and vacation often. I do not need stress on my vacation!

 

Other than that, i am completely fed up with this new regime, the lack of communication, and the sudden rule changes.

Edited May 7, 2015 by SissasMomE

[Snowrose]

Am I the only one who does not get it? Are the new "rules" about take out and room service really deal breakers for so many? Enough to drive you to another line or away from cruising if other lines follow? Or is this the new topic that will eventually go away?

 

Yes, this would be the straw that broke the camel's back. Not for cruising in total but just for NCL or any line that tries to enforce this policy.

 

If we have high waves and I get seasick while sitting at the table (watching the horizon bob up and down), I'm going to go back to my cabin and lay down. I expect my already-ordered food to be packed up and brought back to me, to be eaten later. They're already sending it to the table, so it's either that or they throw it away.

 

We had exactly this scenario with my daughter during Hurricane Sandy. We were able to eat at the table, she was not and went back to our room - before the meal was served. They packed up her food and we brought it back with us. She ate it a few hours later, after lying down, not being able to see outside, and having a Dramamine.

 

I most definitely expect this to happen if we're in a venue where we're paying extra money for special foods and service.

 

If we're not allowed to carry away an uneaten meal, or if we must resort to paying for room service for a week if quarantined in our cabin with norovirus - which we wouldn't be able to easily afford on our shoestring budget - then yes, that's enough to break the camel's back and we will no longer sail on NCL.

 

This new policy just makes the other lines look more friendly and more affordable.

Edited May 7, 2015 by Snowrose

[sixesandeights]

I remember last year when NCL and Carnival restricted smoking off balconies these boards were swamped. Can't smoke on the balcony? The outrage! No more cruising! I wondered then, is cruising not more than that?

 

And now, it's food. You are ALL entitled to your opinions, your choices and your frustrations. But now it seems to me I see those same parallells as before.

 

From the sound of it we need to be constantly eating while on a cruise ship. Everywhere. In restaurants, while lounging, in our cabins. Really? Without a dining table I find eating in a cabin kind of unappealing. I cruised with my sister in November and I joked on an earlier thread how she brought her take home desserts back to our fridge where they accumulated. I kept my mouth shut so we wouldn't argue. Likewise she wanted to carry our buffet breakfast back to our balcony. We did it once. Again, I did it to make her happy. Juggling my plate on my lap was not my idea of fun. Neither was carrying back food, juice and coffee. I wonder how many people spill? I did not want to leave messy plates in our cabin or in the hallway so back I went to the buffet. So, it seemed a lot off fuss for that "feeling". I just don't get it.

 

My mom was sick on the Jewel on our TA so she had sandwiches via room service, but other than that we went to the restaurant except when in a suite. And in my experience the delivery and pick up of dishes and having a dining table make that possible. I would not want to sit on my bed and eat dinner. I guess since I do not do that at home I can't imagine doing it on a ship.

 

Am I the only one who does not get it? Are the new "rules" about take out and room service really deal breakers for so many? Enough to drive you to another line or away from cruising if other lines follow? Or is this the new topic that will eventually go away?

 

Or is this just the straw that broke the camel's back... On the heels of so many changes? And have everyone rattled asking "what's next?"

 

 

Clearly you do not have kids. Eating in the cabin is a necessity with young children in some cases. I find it funny that you dont see how this will effect you so let me help enlighten you. Now that I can not take my meals to go when my kid has a melt down in a specialty I will be forced to stay in the restaurant to eat the meal that I paid extra for instead of taking my meal to go and leaving to the room to comfort him. Before these insane changes I would have made the right choice and thought of everyone and tried to preserve their experience, but NCL has now forced my hand. I have no choice but to stay and potentially effect your enjoyment. This is not what I would prefer to do, but it is what the NCL policy that you think is no big deal that makes it the only choice.

 

6&8

[CasinoCruzGirl]

We never take food back to the cabin. The idea of dinner on the balcony, or at a table in the cabin, has never appealed to us. We like to "go out" - whether home or away. However, it will be a huge issue if we are forced to dine in a restaurant during the day. We are an outside family. Unless it's raining, we spend our days on one of the pool decks. It will be a problem if someone says we can't eat lunch outside. We both have high stress jobs, and vacation often. I do not need stress on my vacation!

 

Other than that, i am completely fed up with this new regime, the lack of communication, and the sudden rule changes.

 

 

Me to. I never eat leftovers even at home so that's not a personal problem for me. But what about people who do. Those are the people I feel got burned. And like you, the lack of communication and coincident RS fee just doesn't sit right.

 

I'm also growing very tired of some on this board, one in particular, who is complaining of complainers lol. I'm sure you know who I mean. This board after all is for everyone's opinion. What makes one opinion better than everyone else is beyond me and why is she allowed the name calling is another problem and that needs to stop.

 

I'm sure I will have a great cruise in a couple of weeks and I don't think I will have any issues on watching my nickels and dimes.

 

Geri

[TATraveler]

It isn't about the food. It's about the fact that Norwegian changes their policies midstream when people have no chance to cancel. This means they can change anything. Yes they can instate a fee in the MDR or buffet with NO notice for people who have no opportunity to cancel. Expect that next.

 

When you sign your contract, you agree to accept this fact. You sign any rights you may have had away.

 

Think big picture and you'll realize that this is a HUGE deal. I think anyone would be a fool to book this line. A fool! I say this while getting ready to sail Norwegian tomorrow. Sad for me. I would rather do about anything else.

[Siora7777]

It isn't about the food. It's about the fact that Norwegian changes their policies midstream when people have no chance to cancel. This means they can change anything. Yes they can instate a fee in the MDR or buffet with NO notice for people who have no opportunity to cancel. Expect that next.

 

When you sign your contract, you agree to accept this fact. You sign any rights you may have had away.

 

Think big picture and you'll realize that this is a HUGE deal. I think anyone would be a fool to book this line. A fool! I say this while getting ready to sail Norwegian tomorrow. Sad for me. I would rather do about anything else.

 

You're completely right. That being said, try to have a good time. If I could, I'd take this trip for you...I'd do that for you or anyone else who's now dreading their cruise...

[mkdreams]

Yes, this would be the straw that broke the camel's back. Not for cruising in total but just for NCL or any line that tries to enforce this policy.

 

If we have high waves and I get seasick while sitting at the table (watching the horizon bob up and down), I'm going to go back to my cabin and lay down. I expect my already-ordered food to be packed up and brought back to me, to be eaten later. They're already sending it to the table, so it's either that or they throw it away.

 

We had exactly this scenario with my daughter during Hurricane Sandy. We were able to eat at the table, she was not and went back to our room - before the meal was served. They packed up her food and we brought it back with us. She ate it a few hours later, after lying down, not being able to see outside, and having a Dramamine.

 

I most definitely expect this to happen if we're in a venue where we're paying extra money for special foods and service.

 

If we're not allowed to carry away an uneaten meal, or if we must resort to paying for room service for a week if quarantined in our cabin with norovirus - which we wouldn't be able to easily afford on our shoestring budget - then yes, that's enough to break the camel's back and we will no longer sail on NCL.

 

This new policy just makes the other lines look more friendly and more affordable.

 

Well said, NCL is getting pathetic with all these new rules and changes.

Edited May 7, 2015 by mkdreams

[pokerpro5]

Clearly you do not have kids. Eating in the cabin is a necessity with young children in some cases. I find it funny that you dont see how this will effect you so let me help enlighten you. Now that I can not take my meals to go when my kid has a melt down in a specialty I will be forced to stay in the restaurant to eat the meal that I paid extra for instead of taking my meal to go and leaving to the room to comfort him. Before these insane changes I would have made the right choice and thought of everyone and tried to preserve their experience, but NCL has now forced my hand. I have no choice but to stay and potentially effect your enjoyment. This is not what I would prefer to do, but it is what the NCL policy that you think is no big deal that makes it the only choice.

 

6&8

 

100% THIS ^^^^^^

 

My son was 3 on last year's cruise. He will be 4 on the one I take this year.

 

It was VERY useful to be able to take food to go when he was tired or in a bad mood.

 

What a joke that NCL is now making/enforcing petty rules like this.

 

So much for "freestyle".

 

I've been away from this board for awhile and didn't realize about this policy until this thread. I just recommended NCL over Princess in another thread. Maybe I should go delete that message.

[CptSticky]

I hereby give notice that I thought of it first and intend to file for a copyright. It's called "Food Runners" and will be marketed to NCL cruisers first. As all cruise lines copy each other, I will expand distribution as the others catch on. If you pre-order, I will include monograming of the letters NCL on the product at no additional charge.

P.S. I have not had time to check with my lawyer yet so please, you people who make "rum runners" please don't sue me yet.

[SquishTheWhale]

Think big picture and you'll realize that this is a HUGE deal. I think anyone would be a fool to book this line. A fool! I say this while getting ready to sail Norwegian tomorrow. Sad for me. I would rather do about anything else.

 

I hope you're joking :rolleyes:

 

Kind of feel that, okay, it's annoying when something changes and something is taken away which you liked, but people need some perspective. You could be homeless in the nepal earthquake. But instead you're complaining that you can't take leftovers back to your room on your billion dollar luxury cruise ship filled with unlimited food. Really?

 

To be perfectley honest, I'm active on my roll call but haven't joined my meet and greet for my first cruise. Why? Because although CC is great for info and many people on here are lovely, I feel that by going to the meet and greet I'm tarring myself with a 'cruise critic whinger and complainer' brush.

[TrumpyNor]

I remember last year when NCL and Carnival restricted smoking off balconies these boards were swamped. Can't smoke on the balcony? The outrage! No more cruising! I wondered then, is cruising not more than that?

 

And now, it's food. You are ALL entitled to your opinions, your choices and your frustrations. But now it seems to me I see those same parallells as before.

 

From the sound of it we need to be constantly eating while on a cruise ship. Everywhere. In restaurants, while lounging, in our cabins. Really? Without a dining table I find eating in a cabin kind of unappealing. I cruised with my sister in November and I joked on an earlier thread how she brought her take home desserts back to our fridge where they accumulated. I kept my mouth shut so we wouldn't argue. Likewise she wanted to carry our buffet breakfast back to our balcony. We did it once. Again, I did it to make her happy. Juggling my plate on my lap was not my idea of fun. Neither was carrying back food, juice and coffee. I wonder how many people spill? I did not want to leave messy plates in our cabin or in the hallway so back I went to the buffet. So, it seemed a lot off fuss for that "feeling". I just don't get it.

 

My mom was sick on the Jewel on our TA so she had sandwiches via room service, but other than that we went to the restaurant except when in a suite. And in my experience the delivery and pick up of dishes and having a dining table make that possible. I would not want to sit on my bed and eat dinner. I guess since I do not do that at home I can't imagine doing it on a ship.

 

Am I the only one who does not get it? Are the new "rules" about take out and room service really deal breakers for so many? Enough to drive you to another line or away from cruising if other lines follow? Or is this the new topic that will eventually go away?

 

Or is this just the straw that broke the camel's back... On the heels of so many changes? And have everyone rattled asking "what's next?"

 

I agree with you 100%! :)

[tomsafrica]

Yes for me it would definitely be a deal breaker - but only if it applied to the buffet. I like to slip down there to pick up a few items plus coffee so that DW and I can enjoy a light breakfast on the balcony. I do not want room service and I do not want to sit with 850 other people over breakfast. I have no issue with them stopping people from wandering all over the ship with doggie bags but if I am prevented from enjoying my balcony in the morning then no more NCL. Simple as that.

[Anna32]

In March on the Epic, we used to regularly see plates with leftover food or half-drunk drinks in the hallways or, most annoyingly, on the elevators. While I do understand passengers wanting to take food back to their cabins, I have no understanding whatsoever for people leaving their used plates, cups and glasses all over the ship in public areas.

[Jason26]

It isn't about the food. It's about the fact that Norwegian changes their policies midstream when people have no chance to cancel. This means they can change anything. Yes they can instate a fee in the MDR or buffet with NO notice for people who have no opportunity to cancel. Expect that next.

 

When you sign your contract, you agree to accept this fact. You sign any rights you may have had away.

 

Think big picture and you'll realize that this is a HUGE deal. I think anyone would be a fool to book this line. A fool! I say this while getting ready to sail Norwegian tomorrow. Sad for me. I would rather do about anything else.

 

Ta Traveler,

 

You are spot on. We're too far into our booking to back out; had we know about the changes and unplanned last minute price increases for the things we planned to do, we would have booked another line. There are many options available and I'll almost certainly cruise another line next time.

 

I do wonder if NCL were to enact a policy that stated say a 1 hour limit on a particular chair around the pool deck, I imagine some that don't understand about the new food policies would be aghast at the policy. What is important to some may not be that important to others.

 

One final point, if NCL is implementing this policy for so called health reasons (i.e. no more dishes on the hallways); I'm sure they will have a room steward that will pickup room service delivered dishes and we'll never see any placed in the hallway.... Right.

[runner2013]

I can sort of 'understand' them saying no doggie bag from a specialty restaurant, but the buffet as well? How are they actually going to stop all those people in the buffet from walking out with plates of food? Frisk them at the door, or worse, physically take the plates out of passengers hands? Maybe they are sitting outside to eat? Maybe going back to a lawn chair by the pool? Same goes for the little open air shops with sandwiches or snacks,etc.

For the most part this change won't bother me too much. Mostly when I have a balcony cabin, since I refuse to pay for room service when I have the ability to walk to the buffet and grab something to bring back to the room.

For me personally, that's the whole reason for having a balcony, so I can eat in peace and watch the scenery go by.

Whether this change makes me stop sailing NCL all together, I will have to live the experience first and then decide.

With all the work the crew has to do now, it seems adding on this responsibility won't be a welcome change for them either. :(

[maywell]

It isn't about the food. It's about the fact that Norwegian changes their policies midstream when people have no chance to cancel. This means they can change anything. Yes they can instate a fee in the MDR or buffet with NO notice for people who have no opportunity to cancel. Expect that next.

 

When you sign your contract, you agree to accept this fact. You sign any rights you may have had away.

 

Think big picture and you'll realize that this is a HUGE deal. I think anyone would be a fool to book this line. A fool! I say this while getting ready to sail Norwegian tomorrow. Sad for me. I would rather do about anything else.

 

 

Might want to read your contract carefully; it does have a section there that says the cruise line (NCL) can change any policies at anytime - Whether it good or bad, depends. Yes, I'm looking at the big picture and it not a HUGE DEAL to me because that a 1st world problem that honest does not affect me much - for one thing, my currently booked room doesn't have a mini-fridge and another I hate food smells in my own bedroom at home; I'm not too wild about it in cabin with no windows. Since I eat at different hours compare to main 'rush' times like 9:30am-12pm (breakfast, brunch or lunch), 1:30-3pm (lunch) and 7pm+ (dinner) for vacation - The policies doesn't destroy my trip like its doing to you and others.

[localoneguy]

It just seems to me that freestyle cruising is only what they deem is freestyle. I thought it was supposed to be what i thought was freestyling!