Fireworks Ending on Norwegian Breakaway and Norwegian Getaway

[rvsullivan]

Yep, all 3 minutes and 58 seconds of fireworks are what many book for!:rolleyes: Really? There may be many things that can make or break a cruise, less than 4 minutes of fireworks is not one of them for me.

It always amazes me how many will post and say that NCL should not change anything for people that are already booked. When bookings are over two years out, no change could ever take place. Folks should go and look at the CC postings for the other cruise lines. Same kind of grumbling on them too. Never going to make everyone happy.

[Selluks]

Yep, all 3 minutes and 58 seconds of fireworks are what many book for!:rolleyes: Really? There may be many things that can make or break a cruise, less than 4 minutes of fireworks is not one of them for me.

It always amazes me how many will post and say that NCL should not change anything for people that are already booked. When bookings are over two years out, no change could ever take place. Folks should go and look at the CC postings for the other cruise lines. Same kind of grumbling on them too. Never going to make everyone happy.

 

Fire works are not why people cruise. However it may be what made someone choose NCL over another cruise line. Plus it is one of many unexpected changes that effect lots of people who can no longer choose a new cruise.

[Sizzlechest]

Small negative changes released all at once: cruises canceled.

Small negative changes implemented over time: grumbling.

 

It's like boiling a frog alive.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boiling_frog

[maywell]

Small negative changes released all at once: cruises canceled.

Small negative changes implemented over time: grumbling.

 

It's like boiling a frog alive.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boiling_frog

Maybe to you and others that don't like that's happening right especially with fireworks show being canceled, but to others the show is not one of the main reasons for booking a NCL trip. Me personally, when I booked Breakaway last year; I did it mostly due 1)to sailing from NYC so I can take the subway there 2) the others shows onboard like Burn the floor and 3) the dining options, not necessarily free but I like that there was alot of options . I didn't bother to see the fireworks show when it was on because Burn the Floor and Rock of Ages was more entertaining to me those evenings than that.

 

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[hrbtaxman42]

Maybe to you and others that don't like that's happening right especially with fireworks show being canceled, but to others the show is not one of the main reasons for booking a NCL trip. Me personally, when I booked Breakaway last year; I did it mostly due 1)to sailing from NYC so I can take the subway there 2) the others shows onboard like Burn the floor and 3) the dining options, not necessarily free but I like that there was alot of options . I didn't bother to see the fireworks show when it was on because Burn the Floor and Rock of Ages was more entertaining to me those evenings than that.

 

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Don't get me wrong, not picking on NCL, the fireworks were only a small factor. We wanted our entire family on a cruise for our 50th annivesary. Asked for input and this cruise was the best. This was to be our 3rd cruise on NCL, the first was Pride of America, not one of our best, but we knew that before the cruise and used the ship as a floating hotel. We are booked on the NCL Spirit in October for a 12 night Mediterranean cruise. Not partial to any line usually look into the itinerary.

[hrbtaxman42]

If a 10 minute fireworks display is going to be the highlight of your 7 day cruise I might suggest saving the big bucks and book a dinner cruise around NY Harbor on the 4th to see the Macy's fireworks from the water! ;-)

 

My daughter is on the crew that does those fireworks, and would like to see fireworks on the 4th of July, especially if she is not setting them up and off.

[jpcello]

I'm leaving on the Breakaway in two weeks. This is my first NCL cruise and at the time I booked I had no idea they did fireworks. I only had two cabin (handicapped balcony deck 14) - one was aft and one was starboard. I took the starboard cabin and then about a week later found out about the fireworks. I almost called to see if I could change to the aft, but decided it probably wasn't worth it. Glad I didn't bother.

[Sizzlechest]

Maybe to you and others that don't like that's happening right especially with fireworks show being canceled, but to others the show is not one of the main reasons for booking a NCL trip. Me personally, when I booked Breakaway last year; I did it mostly due 1)to sailing from NYC so I can take the subway there 2) the others shows onboard like Burn the floor and 3) the dining options, not necessarily free but I like that there was alot of options . I didn't bother to see the fireworks show when it was on because Burn the Floor and Rock of Ages was more entertaining to me those evenings than that.

 

The point wooshed over your head. It's not just about the fireworks...

 

• Nickelodeon gone
  
• Geoffrey Zakarian gone
  
• 18% gratuity on specialty dining
  
• DSC raised twice
  
• drink prices raised
  
• 18% gratuity on drinks
  
• 18% gratuity on food/coffee purchases ( Java Cafe/Carlo's/gelato etc)
  
• Asian Noodle restaurant complimentary but reduced menu
  
• Hippo Slide gone (?)
  
• Fireworks gone
  
• UDP is now SDP
  
• Room service $7.95 except for a much smaller limited "continental breakfast"
  
• Blue Man Group gone
  
• Now pay taxes on "free" UBP/SDP
  
• No more kids pricing in specialty restaurants
  
• Port times shortened on a number of itineraries "for your convenience"
  
• No more free Cirque or Illusionarium on first night with dining package
  

Perhaps none of these by themselves are reasons to cancel or get too grumpy about. Put them all together...

[coaster]

Guess it was impossible make the fireworks an additional upcharge as the view cannot be blocked.... Didn't stand a chance from not being cut under the 'pay as you go' model NCL is implementing.

Edited August 7, 2015 by coaster

[SuiteTraveler]

This is one thing I honestly can't fault Norwegian on. Fireworks are very dangerous things, especially that kind of fireworks. If you aren't an expert in putting them together and setting them off, you could easily lose body parts or your life. Not to mention the fire hazard to the ships.

 

I do LOVE a good fireworks show, but even in my town I've seen fireworks go horribly wrong and you can't afford that kind of mistake on a ship at sea.

 

I agree about the danger. Not only to those crew members who had to set up and run the fireworks show, but to passengers and crew viewing the show as well. Even if no one got injured, what if the ship caught fire?

[Sizzlechest]

I agree about the danger. Not only to those crew members who had to set up and run the fireworks show, but to passengers and crew viewing the show as well. Even if no one got injured, what if the ship caught fire?

 

How many ships who've done fireworks over the years caught fire or caused injuries? Any statistics to back up the danger? I'd imagine a company like Disney would be very mindful of bad publicity if "dangerous explosives" on their ships caused an incident. Surely they're aware of this, don't you think?

[flag fan]

The point wooshed over your head. It's not just about the fireworks...

 

• Nickelodeon gone
  
• Geoffrey Zakarian gone
  
• 18% gratuity on specialty dining
  
• DSC raised twice
  
• drink prices raised
  
• 18% gratuity on drinks
  
• 18% gratuity on food/coffee purchases ( Java Cafe/Carlo's/gelato etc)
  
• Asian Noodle restaurant complimentary but reduced menu
  
• Hippo Slide gone (?)
  
• Fireworks gone
  
• UDP is now SDP
  
• Room service $7.95 except for a much smaller limited "continental breakfast"
  
• Blue Man Group gone
  
• Now pay taxes on "free" UBP/SDP
  
• No more kids pricing in specialty restaurants
  
• Port times shortened on a number of itineraries "for your convenience"
  
• No more free Cirque or Illusionarium on first night with dining package
  

Perhaps none of these by themselves are reasons to cancel or get too grumpy about. Put them all together...

 

Excellent post. I read thread after thread about reduced services, extra costs, and detrimental changes but did not realize how many there were. And you can add to the list the new a la carte pricing for specialty restaurants (with higher costs for the same amount of food and the bar on taking food to you cabin, which NCL instituted but later reversed because of outcry (or the realization that it could not easily be enforced). It is a little annoying when posters write about how they don't care about this change or that change and belittle those who are annoyed or do care. The point is that all the changes are to the detriment of cruisers.

[Sizzlechest]

Excellent post. I read thread after thread about reduced services, extra costs, and detrimental changes but did not realize how many there were. And you can add to the list the new a la carte pricing for specialty restaurants (with higher costs for the same amount of food and the bar on taking food to you cabin, which NCL instituted but later reversed because of outcry (or the realization that it could not easily be enforced). It is a little annoying when posters write about how they don't care about this change or that change and belittle those who are annoyed or do care. The point is that all the changes are to the detriment of cruisers.

 

I'm holding off judgement on la carte dining until it's implemented. Assuming it doesn't affect the UDP/SDP, then it's probably not that big of a deal.

[rvsullivan]

Excellent post. I read thread after thread about reduced services, extra costs, and detrimental changes but did not realize how many there were. And you can add to the list the new a la carte pricing for specialty restaurants (with higher costs for the same amount of food and the bar on taking food to you cabin, which NCL instituted but later reversed because of outcry (or the realization that it could not easily be enforced). It is a little annoying when posters write about how they don't care about this change or that change and belittle those who are annoyed or do care. The point is that all the changes are to the detriment of cruisers.

 

Except that some of it's not true. Some is double or triple counting to make the list longer. i.e. 18% is counted three times on here. It was 15% so the "real" complaint is it went up 3%, but when you say it that way it doesn't sound so dramatic. Geoffrey was never on board (maybe a couple of times) and the restaurant is still there! Drink prices were raised pennies, not dollars. SDP is now available for number of days asked for, not required to do seven as in the past. By the way, this was a huge complaint of some that are now complaining about the changes. Go back and search a few months back and find all the posts complaining about having to take 7 days for the UDP when many/some wanted only limited days. NCL can't win! Go to some of the other lines CC pages and see all the same grumbling over there. It's industry wide. There are some on here that feel if the facts don't fit their complaints, they will just make it up. Others come along and join in and then when the usual dozen or so make their usual 20 or so posts apiece, it will appear there is a groundswell of indignation.

[maywell]

The point wooshed over your head. It's not just about the fireworks...

 

• Nickelodeon gone
  
• Geoffrey Zakarian gone
  
• 18% gratuity on specialty dining
  
• DSC raised twice
  
• drink prices raised
  
• 18% gratuity on drinks
  
• 18% gratuity on food/coffee purchases ( Java Cafe/Carlo's/gelato etc)
  
• Asian Noodle restaurant complimentary but reduced menu
  
• Hippo Slide gone (?)
  
• Fireworks gone
  
• UDP is now SDP
  
• Room service $7.95 except for a much smaller limited "continental breakfast"
  
• Blue Man Group gone
  
• Now pay taxes on "free" UBP/SDP
  
• No more kids pricing in specialty restaurants
  
• Port times shortened on a number of itineraries "for your convenience"
  
• No more free Cirque or Illusionarium on first night with dining package
  

Perhaps none of these by themselves are reasons to cancel or get too grumpy about. Put them all together...

AGAIN, depending on WHO, it particularly doesn't matter or bother them that things changes, whether it was removed or added on. To you - all of the changes hurt you badly. To me - only the DSC increase for any trip after my 2 trips will hurt by $2 more per day (which is 'Meh' and water under the bridge ti me) and Asian bar being free but at night (a bonus and minus to me) matter.

 

You and the other complainers think everyone should have the exact same problems and feel the same as you (which is miserable and/or raging), but not that's how life works. So the fireworks show is gone - major big deal to you because it huge highlight of your trip; super insignificant to me because there's 2 dance parties/ piano show/ Blues shows/ Broadway show/ dinner/ Casino/Uno/ etc happening that way more entertaining than that. If all those things you listed is going to destroy your future vacation plans with NCL due to being dealbreakers by thousand cuts then by all means, don't ever book another trip with them and go elsewhere with your vacation money - better that than constantly complaining about 'newest' change (whether it positive or negative).

 

Any company that you actually have to pay money to and at same thing is not a importmant requirement to run your household like gas and water, can only do you so 'wrongly' before final payment or ever. Even then most people who have problems with utility companies don't let abuse them that badly. Wish some moaners /groaners would get their priorities & common sense straighten out regarding what important to THEM and realize that but it is never going to happen...

 

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[Sizzlechest]

You and the other complainers think everyone should have the exact same problems and feel the same as you (which is miserable and/or raging), but not that's how life works.

 

Wrong again. It's an overall reduction of services. It doesn't matter if EVERY item affects you personally. It points to a clear direction by NCL in offering LESS value for your dollar. Considering the LACK of communication NCL has shown in rolling these changes out, you should be worried what else they have up their sleeves in the future.

[maywell]

Except that some of it's not true. Some is double or triple counting to make the list longer. i.e. 18% is counted three times on here. It was 15% so the "real" complaint is it went up 3%, but when you say it that way it doesn't sound so dramatic. Geoffrey was never on board (maybe a couple of times) and the restaurant is still there! Drink prices were raised pennies, not dollars. SDP is now available for number of days asked for, not required to do seven as in the past. By the way, this was a huge complaint of some that are now complaining about the changes. Go back and search a few months back and find all the posts complaining about having to take 7 days for the UDP when many/some wanted only limited days. NCL can't win! Go to some of the other lines CC pages and see all the same grumbling over there. It's industry wide. There are some on here that feel if the facts don't fit their complaints, they will just make it up. Others come along and join in and then when the usual dozen or so make their usual 20 or so posts apiece, it will appear there is a groundswell of indignation.

Its the same old / same old from last year, just a different year and a new boss. Same complaints that drink menu prices are too high, drink tips too expensive, specialty restaurants too expensive, UDP is too expensive to pay for 3-4 days of dining, room service not so good, DSC too much, don't like Sponge Bob, yadda yadda. So NCL makes changes, some of it good to some people, some it bad to some people, some of it beyond their control, some of it just more nickel and diming on top of something that was already a nickel and dime ploy or was going to be an extra cost anyway.

 

People are going to gripe about the same stuff every year - now just visit the board to see how good my vacation is going to turn out. Because I've noticed the more worse posters act, the better it is while opposite is true - better the posters, the worse the passengers. And CC Carnival board is super polite, nice, and welcomes most people with open arms everything the NCL board isn't - so you can guess which trip I had more fun and relaxation on, lol....

 

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[Sizzlechest]

Except that some of it's not true.

 

All of it's true.

 

Some is double or triple counting to make the list longer. i.e. 18% is counted three times on here. It was 15% so the "real" complaint is it went up 3%, but when you say it that way it doesn't sound so dramatic.

 

The list is accurate. Each of those items had their gratuity raised. Considering the overblown costs of those items, 3% represents a significant increase in costs per passenger.

 

Geoffrey was never on board (maybe a couple of times) and the restaurant is still there!

 

And now he's no longer associated with it. Maybe the quality will suffer, and maybe it wont. But Ocean Blue is not going to be up to his standards.

 

Drink prices were raised pennies, not dollars.

 

Evidence please.

 

SDP is now available for number of days asked for, not required to do seven as in the past. By the way, this was a huge complaint of some that are now complaining about the changes. Go back and search a few months back and find all the posts complaining about having to take 7 days for the UDP when many/some wanted only limited days. NCL can't win!

 

That is a good thing, except that under the SDP, you can't do two specialty dining restaurants in a day like with the UDP. This isn't something I cared to do, but other people cared about it and it's a perk taken away.

 

Go to some of the other lines CC pages and see all the same grumbling over there. It's industry wide. There are some on here that feel if the facts don't fit their complaints, they will just make it up. Others come along and join in and then when the usual dozen or so make their usual 20 or so posts apiece, it will appear there is a groundswell of indignation.

 

The only one making stuff up is you...like claiming the list of items is false. The real problem is that it's accurate and you're mad someone pointed it all out.

[RJAYL]

I'm platinum with NCL and a Haven cruiser I have 2 cruises currently booked one on the Breakaway & one on the Escape I will see how those pan out, though I am not thrilled with the decontenting of the cruises. Looking at MSC new builds also Carnival Vista ( looks like Carnival is up scaling there Business model ) !

[motleyfan]

Wrong again. It's an overall reduction of services. It doesn't matter if EVERY item affects you personally. It points to a clear direction by NCL in offering LESS value for your dollar. Considering the LACK of communication NCL has shown in rolling these changes out, you should be worried what else they have up their sleeves in the future.

 

Nope don't care in the least. Some of these changes will benefit Norwegian in the long term.

[Casino Comp Chick]

Nope don't care in the least. Some of these changes will benefit Norwegian in the long term.

 

And when does it benefit the customer?

[RJAYL]

And when does it benefit the customer?

 

 

Ha Ha Ha !!!!

 

Well Royal Caribbean has upped the anti on the suite life ! They are going to start having 24/7 Butler service , All Inclusive Drink Package & Free (Really Good) Internet ! [emoji106]🏻

 

http://viewer.zmags.com/publication/9556e038#/9556e038/1

 

Take that Norwegian !

[LrgPizza]

Ha Ha Ha !!!!

 

Well Royal Caribbean has upped the anti on the suite life ! They are going to start having 24/7 Butler service , All Inclusive Drink Package & Free (Really Good) Internet ! [emoji106]🏻

 

http://viewer.zmags.com/publication/9556e038#/9556e038/1

 

Take that Norwegian !

 

That's funny- My inlaws generally sail in suites on RCCL. They refuse to do NCL because of the butlers.

[motleyfan]

And when does it benefit the customer?

 

You are on a cruise ship, that alone is a benefit. You got to remember to thank God for the blessings we all have.

[SteveH2508]

Now that you know what a capitalist system is, you should know that when momentum shifts to either the sellers (cruise lines) or buyers (passengers) - one side primarily is reaping the benefits for whatever reason in their favor. And right now, its mostly the sellers (majority of the cruise lines) who is have much in their favor because the market 1) has too much demand and not really enough supply and 2) issues / incidents of 2 years back with power failure and whatnot is behind them.

 

Now if you want a system where there's technically no winners and losers - that's what communism is in a Utopian world is. But its not a Utopian world - so there's always going to be be winner and losers in a capitalists. You as a buyer should learn to shop around for the best deal from the different sellers that are in the cruise line marketplace because if you think NCL is going to cut their nose to spite their face for not making a massive profit from passengers - You might want to reconsider buying from that seller....

 

Firstly, I would disagree with your basic premise that the cruise lines have the upper hand. They have a chronic oversupply problem, hence they need to discount heavily or offer this that and the other deal to fill their ships. Supply outstrips demand for many weeks of the year (My inbox is inundated with 'deals' trying to fill their ships).

 

I am no advocate of a communist system BTW - it has clearly been shown to be fundamentally flawed societal system.

 

I have already 'shopped around' (see my sig. block). Princess gave me a seriously better deal than I have ever got on NCL and they delivered exactly what they promised - no extra charges appearing with no warning etc..

 

NCL have managed to alienate a tranche of previous cruisers - the trust element has gone. I will only give a serious wedge of cash to a company that I trust to deliver what I sign up for - NCL no longer have that trust from me (or from my wife which is probably more important!:D)