A veteran NCL cruiser departs

[sjbdtz]

Let me be clear..... I look for deals.....I like the ncl deals I have gotten in the past and should I find them in the future I will book ncl as the changes I can live with....

 

 

 

This is exactly the point that FDR has been making. YOU are no longer his sweet-spot customer. If you wind up leaving & going to look for 'deals' elsewhere, it won't hurt his business plan. FDR is trying to recruit cruisers for whom VALUE is more important than price. I fall into that category. As long as they make me happy, I'm not as price-sensitive as others. I'm not rich, but I splurge on my vacations and refuse to look at them on a penny-by-penny basis. That's just the way I budget.

 

.

[harz99]

 

No insurance is not required except our customer laws are strong and I would certainly think if the changes "spoilt your enjoyment" or you were promised something HOWEVER SMALL the OFT or its successor would take a supplier to task.

 

UK contract and consumer law provides for this and ANY enticement would negate the contract if not provided and within their control . Good luck!

 

Chasing around spending yet more money on a probable lost cause doesn't appeal to me.

 

Much easier not to book with NCL in the first place.

[luvtheships]

This is exactly the point that FDR has been making. YOU are no longer his sweet-spot customer. If you wind up leaving & going to look for 'deals' elsewhere, it won't hurt his business plan. FDR is trying to recruit cruisers for whom VALUE is more important than price. I fall into that category. As long as they make me happy, I'm not as price-sensitive as others. I'm not rich, but I splurge on my vacations and refuse to look at them on a penny-by-penny basis. That's just the way I budget.

 

 

 

.

 

 

I believe that many posters..including the one you quoted....have said that over and over

 

Ncl doesn't want the longtime Ncl cruisers anymore and is doing his best to drive them away.

 

Problem is that the newbies are going to gladly book Ncl thinking they are getting "free" drinks specialties etc....but will be paying so much for these so called freebies that they will come off the cruise saying.....

 

We had a great time and love cruising, but it's just so expensive that it will be several years before we can cruise again

 

I on the other hand don't want the freebies and want to cruise annually or semi annually....I just don't want to pay more for the Ncl product....which I honestly don't think is worth it with all the changes of late.

 

So run the veteran cruisers away Ncl because we cruise frequently

 

And grab the newbies who you might see again in 5 years

[sjbdtz]

I believe that many posters..including the one you quoted....have said that over and over

 

Ncl doesn't want the longtime Ncl cruisers anymore and is doing his best to drive them away.

 

Problem is that the newbies are going to gladly book Ncl thinking they are getting "free" drinks specialties etc....but will be paying so much for these so called freebies that they will come off the cruise saying.....

 

We had a great time and love cruising, but it's just so expensive that it will be several years before we can cruise again

 

I on the other hand don't want the freebies and want to cruise annually or semi annually....I just don't want to pay more for the Ncl product....which I honestly don't think is worth it with all the changes of late.

 

So run the veteran cruisers away Ncl because we cruise frequently

 

And grab the newbies who you might see again in 5 years

 

 

I think you misunderstood me. I'm a 10 yr + NCL cruiser, at least twice / year.... it's not the long-time cruisers he wants to lose, it's the bargain-hunter cruisers.

 

In a COMPLETELY NON-DEROTAGORY description, I'd say he wants to be less WalMart, and more Macy's. Less price-sensitivity, but still on the economy side.

 

He's not trying to be Neiman, or even Marcus. Or Saks, or Nordstroms.

 

But he wants to stop being perceived as WalMart or Target.

 

 

 

And any long-term customers who are on-board with that, are welcome.

 

That's why I bought FOUR new Future Cruise Credits on our TA last month. I'm not sure where we're going (after the South America trip), but hopefully we'll find 4 destinations of interest.

 

 

 

.

[NLH Arizona]

I think you misunderstood me. I'm a 10 yr + NCL cruiser, at least twice / year.... it's not the long-time cruisers he wants to lose, it's the bargain-hunter cruisers.

 

In a COMPLETELY NON-DEROTAGORY description, I'd say he wants to be less WalMart, and more Macy's. Less price-sensitivity, but still on the economy side.

 

He's not trying to be Neiman, or even Marcus. Or Saks, or Nordstroms.

 

But he wants to stop being perceived as WalMart or Target.

 

 

 

And any long-term customers who are on-board with that, are welcome.

 

That's why I bought FOUR new Future Cruise Credits on our TA last month. I'm not sure where we're going (after the South America trip), but hopefully we'll find 4 destinations of interest.

 

 

 

.

Very well said. Before I started cruising with NCL five years ago, I thought they were the Walmart of cruising. Fortunately, because of their association with Caesar's Entertainment, I gave them a try and was very satisfied with the experience. If it wasn't for Caesar's, I would have never given them a try.

[luvtheships]

I think you misunderstood me. I'm a 10 yr + NCL cruiser, at least twice / year.... it's not the long-time cruisers he wants to lose, it's the bargain-hunter cruisers.

 

 

 

In a COMPLETELY NON-DEROTAGORY description, I'd say he wants to be less WalMart, and more Macy's. Less price-sensitivity, but still on the economy side.

 

 

 

He's not trying to be Neiman, or even Marcus. Or Saks, or Nordstroms.

 

 

 

But he wants to stop being perceived as WalMart or Target.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And any long-term customers who are on-board with that, are welcome.

 

 

 

That's why I bought FOUR new Future Cruise Credits on our TA last month. I'm not sure where we're going (after the South America trip), but hopefully we'll find 4 destinations of interest.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

.

 

 

Oh I'm a bargain hunter but a sophisticated cruiser as well and I certainly don't lower the Ncl demographic. Lol

 

However with all his ridiculous changes and nickel n diming don't you think the long time Ncl cruiser is going to catch on?

 

I only look for bargains because I want to cruise very often but I certainly would pay for an upscale cruise...as long as they offer what I'm looking for however I'm so angry at Ncl right now that it won't be them I pay

 

Fwiw I don't care for the haven setup I don't want a concierge or butler.

[Buford T Justiice]

Another point is that the recession is over for most of us... Great recession pricing for the last five years is over ... and many individuals have more discretionary income going into 2016...

[sjbdtz]

Oh I'm a bargain hunter but a sophisticated cruiser as well and I certainly don't lower the Ncl demographic. Lol

 

However with all his ridiculous changes and nickel n diming don't you think the long time Ncl cruiser is going to catch on?

 

I only look for bargains because I want to cruise very often but I certainly would pay for an upscale cruise...as long as they offer what I'm looking for however I'm so angry at Ncl right now that it won't be them I pay

 

Fwiw I don't care for the haven setup I don't want a concierge or butler.

 

 

I wasn't disparaging you, or suggesting you lower the average in any way.

 

But he wants NCL to lead the way into Oceania & Regent, and a shipful of bargain hunters isn't going to get him where he wants to be.

 

I have no issues with people who budget to cruise frequently / cheaply....but that's not FDR's target market. He wants people who cruise once or twice annually, and will spend whatever he asks for, without complaining.

 

That's it, succinctly. And I fall squarely into that demo. As do several other board posters I know.

 

As long as the product is as good as it has been (or better), we'll stick around.

 

And those who are price-sensitive will self-exclude.

 

 

And that's not an aspersion in any way. If our financial picture took a turn, we'd have to re-consider. For now though, FDR is calling my name.

 

 

.

[jmele999]

This is exactly the point that FDR has been making. YOU are no longer his sweet-spot customer. If you wind up leaving & going to look for 'deals' elsewhere, it won't hurt his business plan. FDR is trying to recruit cruisers for whom VALUE is more important than price. I fall into that category. As long as they make me happy, I'm not as price-sensitive as others. I'm not rich, but I splurge on my vacations and refuse to look at them on a penny-by-penny basis. That's just the way I budget.

 

.

 

Stephen - If I may call you by your name.

 

Very interesting to point out the difference between VALUE and PRICE. DP and I can only travel twice a year and as such we make the most of our vacations. We typically travel in suites and in January will be experiencing the Haven on a big ship. From my personal experience, the COST of a suite on a away-class ship is significantly higher than on any other NCL ship with the exception of Pride of America. However, we are aware of the VALUE of cruising on a suite on Escape and are willing to pay more to continue enjoying the perks. When we initially booked our Escape cruise back at the beginning of 2014, our suite only came with a $350 OBC. In early 2015, we re-booked our cruise at a higher price because we saw the VALUE in getting all four freestyle choices.

 

However, if the prices continue to increase, we might switch to a more upscale line where we may pay the same as what we pay for a Haven suite. We love NCL and the product, at least at the suite level, that the offer.

 

Johan

[jmele999]

 

I have no issues with people who budget to cruise frequently / cheaply....but that's not FDR's target market. He wants people who cruise once or twice annually, and will spend whatever he asks for, without complaining.

 

That's it, succinctly. And I fall squarely into that demo. As do several other board posters I know.

 

As long as the product is as good as it has been (or better), we'll stick around.

 

 

 

.

 

Do you think that the number of people that will spend whatever he asks will be enough to fill a 4000 passenger ship? He also needs to be careful not to price himself out of the market. After all, NCL is not Oceania.

[luvtheships]

I wasn't disparaging you, or suggesting you lower the average in any way.

 

 

 

But he wants NCL to lead the way into Oceania & Regent, and a shipful of bargain hunters isn't going to get him where he wants to be.

 

 

 

I have no issues with people who budget to cruise frequently / cheaply....but that's not FDR's target market. He wants people who cruise once or twice annually, and will spend whatever he asks for, without complaining.

 

 

 

That's it, succinctly. And I fall squarely into that demo. As do several other board posters I know.

 

 

 

As long as the product is as good as it has been (or better), we'll stick around.

 

 

 

And those who are price-sensitive will self-exclude.

 

 

 

 

 

And that's not an aspersion in any way. If our financial picture took a turn, we'd have to re-consider. For now though, FDR is calling my name.

 

 

 

 

 

.

 

 

Question for you or anyone who can answer

 

I don't know much about regent or Oceania but am I correct in saying they are not lines that have 4000 plus pax mega ships?

 

My thinking is that they are similar to the smaller princess ships. Am I right? Wrong?

 

My point is regent and Oceania are high end lines...and have fewer ships yes? No? So fewer cabins to fill on a weekly basis? Sort of apples and oranges if comparing to Ncl?

 

Ncl is a mid priced...some might say lower end.... mass market line...so....

 

Just how does fdr plan to fill all those cramped interior cabins on the mega ships of Ncl with loads of pax willing to pay high end prices?

 

The interiors and ocean views on Ncl ships just can't command that price

 

How can he even rationalize turning an Ncl mega ship into a high end ship? High end cruise line? The ships aren't built for it. Geez the BA atrium and casino location are perfect examples. Never mind the one pool for 4000 pax. Lol

 

The haven and the penthouses etc are the only cabins pax will fork over the big big bucks for but those cabins are just a small % of the mega ships

 

I think he might just ruin Ncl....in more ways than one

[biker@sea]

Question for you or anyone who can answer

 

I don't know much about regent or Oceania but am I correct in saying they are not lines that have 4000 plus pax mega ships?

 

My thinking is that they are similar to the smaller princess ships. Am I right? Wrong?

 

My point is regent and Oceania are high end lines...and have fewer ships yes? No? So fewer cabins to fill on a weekly basis? Sort of apples and oranges if comparing to Ncl?

 

Ncl is a mid priced...some might say lower end.... mass market line...so....

 

Just how does fdr plan to fill all those cramped interior cabins on the mega ships of Ncl with loads of pax willing to pay high end prices?

 

The interiors and ocean views on Ncl ships just can't command that price

 

How can he even rationalize turning an Ncl mega ship into a high end ship? High end cruise line? The ships aren't built for it. Geez the BA atrium and casino location are perfect examples. Never mind the one pool for 4000 pax. Lol

 

The haven and the penthouses etc are the only cabins pax will fork over the big big bucks for but those cabins are just a small % of the mega ships

 

I think he might just ruin Ncl....in more ways than one

 

They are NOT FILLING ships.

 

Last weeks sailing of NCLs New ship Escape had cabins for sale the night before they sailed. Insides, ocean view, balconies, and suites. So did the Breakaway 12 day.

Edited December 1, 2015 by biker@sea

[luvtheships]

They are NOT FILLING ships.

 

Last weeks sailing of NCLs New ship Escape had cabins for sale the night before they sailed. Insides, ocean view, balconies, and suites. So did the Breakaway 12 day.

 

 

Actually I'm glad to hear that. The BA not sailing full doesn't surprise me as I follow the prices of that ship ever since I got my incredibly priced jan 2015 12 day deal on it

 

The BA prices have been all over the place and way too high. It doesn't help that they never did a true ksf on it either like they did for my cruise

 

I think fdr is just testing all sorts of ridiculous pricing/selling/up charge/etc. strategies to see what happens

 

He seems so pompous especially in his obvious disdain for the pax

 

I don't get it. A man in charge of a company that is 100% dependent on its customers physical experience with their product...and he treats them like an inconvenience

 

It's not like Ncl can be compared to amazon eBay or even Sears. Lol.

 

Ncl is a hotel..a restaurant...a resort....

 

All I know is that when I frequent those places...they bend over backwards for me...and all of their patrons.

[sparks1093]

I wasn't disparaging you, or suggesting you lower the average in any way.

 

But he wants NCL to lead the way into Oceania & Regent, and a shipful of bargain hunters isn't going to get him where he wants to be.

 

I have no issues with people who budget to cruise frequently / cheaply....but that's not FDR's target market. He wants people who cruise once or twice annually, and will spend whatever he asks for, without complaining.

 

That's it, succinctly. And I fall squarely into that demo. As do several other board posters I know.

 

As long as the product is as good as it has been (or better), we'll stick around.

 

And those who are price-sensitive will self-exclude.

 

 

And that's not an aspersion in any way. If our financial picture took a turn, we'd have to re-consider. For now though, FDR is calling my name.

 

 

.

 

Be careful, I was taken to task for making that assertion:).

[hpecorari]

They are NOT FILLING ships.

 

Last weeks sailing of NCLs New ship Escape had cabins for sale the night before they sailed. Insides, ocean view, balconies, and suites. So did the Breakaway 12 day.

 

Haven's all booked up for January on the Escape. Wondering if people are just waiting a while to book since it's a new ship and giving them time to 'get the kinks out'.

 

Breakaway usually never really does sail full in the cold/winter months as it leaves out of NY.

 

Harriet

[sjbdtz]

Do you think that the number of people that will spend whatever he asks will be enough to fill a 4000 passenger ship? He also needs to be careful not to price himself out of the market. After all, NCL is not Oceania.

 

That's the million-dollar question. And, frankly he's walking a wobbly plank.

 

 

As much as I've said that he's architecting something appealing to me, at the same time if the shipboard experience changes (becomes more formal, less family-like), I'll also walk out the door.

 

I'm not sure what I'll do next, as the other lines don't really appeal to me..... but I tried Princess & never went back, for the exact same reason.

 

 

 

.

[Crusin6]

Haven's all booked up for January on the Escape. Wondering if people are just waiting a while to book since it's a new ship and giving them time to 'get the kinks out'.

 

 

 

Breakaway usually never really does sail full in the cold/winter months as it leaves out of NY.

 

 

 

Harriet

 

 

Actually my Jan 2015 ba sailing was very crowded....not at capacity of course because it was mostly seniors... couples ....and families with college age kids but still a very full ship

 

 

However they priced that ship perfectly back in 2015

 

 

Also doesn't the haven usually sail full anyway for the most part?

 

Although I do know of a trio that got a great upgrade in the haven on the ba to Bermuda at the 48 hour mark so I guess not

 

 

Could the haven not sailing full out of NYC in early sept mean something?

 

Hurricane concerns aside....could it mean it was too pricy to begin with? It's surprising that it was available 2 days out. IMHO

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums

Edited December 1, 2015 by Crusin6

[biker@sea]

Haven's all booked up for January on the Escape. Wondering if people are just waiting a while to book since it's a new ship and giving them time to 'get the kinks out'.

 

Breakaway usually never really does sail full in the cold/winter months as it leaves out of NY.

 

Harriet

 

Lots of empty ones till January. :eek:

[jingle5616]

I wasn't disparaging you, or suggesting you lower the average in any way.

 

But he wants NCL to lead the way into Oceania & Regent, and a shipful of bargain hunters isn't going to get him where he wants to be.

 

I have no issues with people who budget to cruise frequently / cheaply....but that's not FDR's target market. He wants people who cruise once or twice annually, and will spend whatever he asks for, without complaining.

 

That's it, succinctly. And I fall squarely into that demo. As do several other board posters I know.

 

As long as the product is as good as it has been (or better), we'll stick around.

 

And those who are price-sensitive will self-exclude.

 

 

And that's not an aspersion in any way. If our financial picture took a turn, we'd have to re-consider. For now though, FDR is calling my name.

 

 

.

 

The flaw in FDR's plan is that he is adding significant new capacity each year. Maybe he can drive the ticket price, but I just don't see him being successful in the long term. He is giving away the farm now with the perks, and NCL is still not sailing at capacity. I have to believe the onboard revenue is way down. Time will tell.

[N747KT]

I think NCl is a great cruise-line with many options pay/don't pay buy/ don't buy, dress up, dress down, eat here eat there, drink now drink later at a reasonable price!

 

They still fill the all the ships and are building multi billion dollar new ships every year! hmmmm... I wonder why? I guess cruising isn't as popular or as good a bargain it was years ago! People don't like it anymore because you have to choose, We cant fill these ships! so lets stop building them.. ya right! good grief!

[LoveyHowell]

In the next few years you will have new mega-ships from Carnival, Royal Caribbean, MSC, NCL, and Princess. There will be new mid-size ships from Celebrity and Holland America.

 

There will be a LOT of capacity in the Caribbean and they will have to offer good value to stay booked.

 

Heaven help NCL if Royal Caribbean decides to have a price war; that's a battle NCL won't be able to win, IMO.

[biker@sea]

I think NCl is a great cruise-line with many options pay/don't pay buy/ don't buy, dress up, dress down, eat here eat there, drink now drink later at a reasonable price!

 

They still fill the all the ships and are building multi billion dollar new ships every year! hmmmm... I wonder why? I guess cruising isn't as popular or as good a bargain it was years ago! People don't like it anymore because you have to choose, We cant fill these ships! so lets stop building them.. ya right! good grief!

 

How do you figure that??

 

I just looked at half the NCL Fleet for next weeks sailing. Cabins are for sale on every one I saw.

 

NONE I saw were sold out. So not full. ;)

[motleyfan]

I think NCl is a great cruise-line with many options pay/don't pay buy/ don't buy, dress up, dress down, eat here eat there, drink now drink later at a reasonable price!

 

They still fill the all the ships and are building multi billion dollar new ships every year! hmmmm... I wonder why? I guess cruising isn't as popular or as good a bargain it was years ago! People don't like it anymore because you have to choose, We cant fill these ships! so lets stop building them.. ya right! good grief!

 

Exactly, it seems the more people Cruise it loses the wow factor yet it just becomes part of the motions. I hope that never happens to me, I'm in amazement when I step on a ship.

[rg24601]

In the next few years you will have new mega-ships from Carnival, Royal Caribbean, MSC, NCL, and Princess. There will be new mid-size ships from Celebrity and Holland America.

 

There will be a LOT of capacity in the Caribbean and they will have to offer good value to stay booked.

 

Heaven help NCL if Royal Caribbean decides to have a price war; that's a battle NCL won't be able to win, IMO.

 

Really looking forward to the MSC mega ship and the RCCL new build.

[motleyfan]

I am not changing cruise lines. I have priced other lines before but can't find the great deals NCL offers. Love the service and the accommodations they offer. Maybe someday I will venture to another line but until then I am quite happy sailing on NCL!

 

Same here