A veteran NCL cruiser departs

[NLH Arizona]

 

 

 

This will backfire on ncl.....and devoted ncl pax will run elsewhere

 

Alternately the newbies will actually think they are getting free ubp sdp etc so they will be thrilled with ncl because they don't realize they paid $800 more for their cruise for the freebies

 

I totally disagree with your first statement, if you read the posts and reviews, even from the Escape, he is not running all is devoted NCL passengers elsewhere.

 

Now, I do agree with your second statement, new cruisers to NCL will not see any of the changes, they will just see what is being offered. If you think about it, NCL can't stay in business if they don't attract new cruisers. No business can survive just on their loyal customer base, in this case, due to the age of some of the cruisers, they will be eliminated due to not being able to cruise because of age or illness or not being on this earth any longer.

 

If you go over to the Celebrity threads, you will see they do the same thing with their promotions, the customer pays. They offer three different tiers (depending on how many perks you want) and they get more expensive the more perks you get. This isn't new to NCL or even the cruising industry.

[Crusin6]

FYI The cruises we booked for San Juan next November were priced the same as the day they were first posted plus got the 2 out of 4 deals plus got AARP discount. Not exactly premium pricing.

 

 

You got a great deal because you booked way in advance and possibly pre FDR?

 

 

Is your cruise exactly the same today as it was when you booked as far as what is included?

 

Mdr prime rib?

Free room service?

Etc

 

Are the "free" deals you got the same? And if so is the price the same?

 

Or have the "free" amenities been downgraded? Has the price also been lowered?

 

 

No real need to argue here as it looks like you got a good deal as I did and also the changes that reduce your cruise value are minimal to you...as they are to me as well....

 

 

But the point is that when someone books and expects certain value.... As in free Rs and mdr prime rib and free margaritville.... And then ncl changes the game.... The previously booked pax must be grandfathered in

 

 

The only reason ncl allowed previously booked pax to pay the dsc rates at the lower amount was because.....ncl required them to pay before boarding the ship in order to get the lower dsc rate...

 

So pax save a few dollars and ncl miraculously gives themselves a huge cash infusion without going to the bank for a loan and paying points

 

 

Yes ncl has to pay the crew out of the dsc...but they are paying them regardless.... Only now ncl has tons of cash ahead of time.....and the pax save a few bucks

 

 

Rs... Margaritville...prime rib doesn't generate the above self made loan to ncl so that's why they aren't grandfathering us in.

 

 

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[Crusin6]

I totally disagree with your first statement, if you read the posts and reviews, even from the Escape, he is not running all is devoted NCL passengers elsewhere.

 

 

 

Now, I do agree with your second statement, new cruisers to NCL will not see any of the changes, they will just see what is being offered. If you think about it, NCL can't stay in business if they don't attract new cruisers. No business can survive just on their loyal customer base, in this case, due to the age of some of the cruisers, they will be eliminated due to not being able to cruise because of age or illness or not being on this earth any longer.

 

 

 

If you go over to the Celebrity threads, you will see they do the same thing with their promotions, the customer pays. They offer three different tiers (depending on how many perks you want) and they get more expensive the more perks you get. This isn't new to NCL or even the cruising industry.

 

 

Regarding your disagreement with my first idea of pax running away....

 

 

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....

 

 

However...if ncl keeps raising their prices and taking away amenities.... I am looking and possibly booking elsewhere. Heck I always look elsewhere anyway and it's just that ncl is the most convenient for our annual January cruises with the college kids as I don't fly in the winter and I've only booked pre FDR up to this point so I got great deals.....but for January 2017 I've already started looking elsewhere because I don't like the ncl prices I'm seeing

 

 

If I have to pay $1000 to ncl and can't get a better deal with them

 

And

 

I can also get an acceptable cruise at rccl or another line at the same price.... Why shouldn't I go there?

 

I'm not paying more to ncl just so I can brag about how many cruises I've taken on ncl...

 

I'm going to continue cruising and looking for the best deals....be it ncl. Rccl. Celebrity

 

 

A savvy cruiser knows this

 

And since most longtime ncl cruisers are savvy..... I stand by my prediction that they will look elsewhere

 

 

As far as oldsters dying off..... I see many grandparents footing the bill for extended family cruises....so if gramps starts footing that bill on rccl....you can bet that sonny boy and his rugrats might just start to look first at rccl for their future cruises when they get the inheritance!!! Lol

 

 

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[Crusin6]

They went through the whole you can't take food to your cabin routine, but we just ignored it and did it anyway. No one said a thing about it and it was later changed. We paid $1,000 less for that cruise because in September 2014 we were given a credit on my cc for all we had paid in for a 7 day Canada cruise plus over $1,000 in future cruise credit for giving up our inside cabin 3 weeks before sailing. We were given that choice. Took the Gem 9 day Sandy cruise which turned into 13 for no extra charges. We did miss the DR port, and I would not be surprised if some on here would have insisted on a refund of the missed port fees. Never mind we got 4 extra days of food and entertainment and spent Halloween in Boston. It is going to take a lot of nickels and dimes to get us back to even.

 

 

Everything you are talking about were pre FDR

 

Let's talk again when you book a cruise in August of 2016 for May of 2017

 

 

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[NLH Arizona]

Regarding your disagreement with my first idea of pax running away....

 

 

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....

 

 

However...if ncl keeps raising their prices and taking away amenities.... I am looking and possibly booking elsewhere. Heck I always look elsewhere anyway and it's just that ncl is the most convenient for our annual January cruises with the college kids as I don't fly in the winter and I've only booked pre FDR up to this point so I got great deals.....but for January 2017 I've already started looking elsewhere because I don't like the ncl prices I'm seeing

 

 

If I have to pay $1000 to ncl and can't get a better deal with them

 

And

 

I can also get an acceptable cruise at rccl or another line at the same price.... Why shouldn't I go there?

 

I'm not paying more to ncl just so I can brag about how many cruises I've taken on ncl...

 

I'm going to continue cruising and looking for the best deals....be it ncl. Rccl. Celebrity

 

 

A savvy cruiser knows this

 

And since most longtime ncl cruisers are savvy..... I stand by my prediction that they will look elsewhere

 

 

As far as oldsters dying off..... I see many grandparents footing the bill for extended family cruises....so if gramps starts footing that bill on rccl....you can bet that sonny boy and his rugrats might just start to look first at rccl for their future cruises when they get the inheritance!!! Lol

 

 

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In that I cruise on three different lines; Crystal, Celebrity and NCL, I don't need to just cruise NCL to brag about how many cruises I've been on, but I understand what you are saying, I see it on here all the time, and actually I've been on less on NCL then I have been on Crystal and Celebrity.

 

I like NCL because of CAS, I get a great deal and I like Celebrity and Crystal for different reasons. My upcoming January Celebrity cruise is triple what I'm paying for my cruise on the Dawn in 6 days, but they are also very different experiences for me.

 

I think it is great that you and others are looking for the best deals, but sometimes the best deal isn't the best choice for me. For example, if Carnival was less expensive than NCL, I wouldn't choose Carnival, but that is just me, as I have no desire to cruise on that line.

 

If you read the reviews and posts from some of the long time NCL cruises, they are not jumping ship, so I'll still have to disagree with you there.

 

Well, you have to look at most companies, their long time loyal customers are lessened by attrition and they get new customers to replace them, it is just the way life is.

 

If you do get that inheritance, may I suggest that you upgrade to Celebrity over Royal Caribbean.:)

Edited November 30, 2015 by NLH Arizona

[biker@sea]

NCL / FDR has pretty much ran me off as a last minute cruise type.

 

I budget for 4 or so cruises per year. Last season had no great deals for me even though ships are not sailing full.

 

Resulting in only on 1 cruise for us last season and a lot left in " the cruise fund " unused. :confused:

 

Don't discount and sail with empty cabin's could be the right road for NCL , but not for me. :(

Edited November 30, 2015 by biker@sea

[rhblake]

But the point is that when someone books and expects certain value.... As in free Rs and mdr prime rib and free margaritville.... And then ncl changes the game.... The previously booked pax must be grandfathered in

 

 

No company is going to grandfather customers in for as much as 2 years into the future. Any changes should become effective 120 days after announcement so people can still cancel before final payment if they feel the change is so great that it will affect their cruise.

[Oppalopa]

I don't understand the anger and outrage many feel when someone writes something as an adult that is their opinion that others may not agree with. Some take it so personal if someone says, I think I like another cruise line better than NCL or I don't like all the changes NCL is doing.

The mockery of the response by some is childish and something my 4th grader would do. Sometimes I see YOU WONT BE MISSED or even personal attacks

If threads like this bother you then why are they opened by the same people over and over. Cant we discuss cruising like adults? I did not see anything dramatic , negative or wrong the OP discussed. Its their opinion and their right to do so. I think some need better ways to occupy their time than sit by a computer all day hoping someone will complain about NCL.

Thank you for saying this better than I ever could. :)

[CruisinHarvey]

Me too. I know almost no one that cruises yet the ships all sail full.

 

LOL. Reminds me of an old Yogi Berra quote about a restaurant someone asked about. "Nobody goes there anymore. It's too crowded"

[Crusin6]

In that I cruise on three different lines; Crystal, Celebrity and NCL, I don't need to just cruise NCL to brag about how many cruises I've been on, but I understand what you are saying, I see it on here all the time, and actually I've been on less on NCL then I have been on Crystal and Celebrity.

 

I like NCL because of CAS, I get a great deal and I like Celebrity and Crystal for different reasons. My upcoming January Celebrity cruise is triple what I'm paying for my cruise on the Dawn in 6 days, but they are also very different experiences for me.

 

I think it is great that you and others are looking for the best deals, but sometimes the best deal isn't the best choice for me. For example, if Carnival was less expensive than NCL, I wouldn't choose Carnival, but that is just me, as I have no desire to cruise on that line.

 

If you read the reviews and posts from some of the long time NCL cruises, they are not jumping ship, so I'll still have to disagree with you there.

 

Well, you have to look at most companies, their long time loyal customers are lessened by attrition and they get new customers to replace them, it is just the way life is.

 

If you do get that inheritance, may I suggest that you upgrade to Celebrity over Royal Caribbean.:)

 

 

I've already said I'm looking at rccl and celebrity

 

Btw you contradict yourself. You say the long timers aren't jumping ship but then you say I should look at celebrity and rccl. Lol

 

 

Anyway doesn't really matter. While I still have kids at home I'm looking for the best deal

 

When I'm sailing as just a couple it won't matter what we spend nor which line we cruise...

 

When the grandkids come along we will be back to the best deals

 

 

In all 3 of the above scenarios however, ncl does stand to lose my cruising dollar thanks to FDR. Why? Because prior to him I went to ncl...knew I was snagging a great deal...and booked immediately without looking elsewhere.... Now I look around more

 

Also I certainly know that the gem 10 day for $1800 including tax and port is an awesome deal for the 3 of us. $60 pp pd is good for me!!

 

When I book for next January and ncl is comparable to rccl.... It's rccl we go....why not? For the same price I try a new line

 

Honestly I cruise ncl because up until now they have been the cheapest.....and that is currently what I'm looking for but when they are not the cheapest why should I stay with them? I've never raved over their product anyway. Fwiw I go for the sea air and incredible ports....I could care less if the steward knows my name ....

 

Btw that's at least 30 more years of cruising for me. Lol

 

 

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Edited November 30, 2015 by Crusin6

[NLH Arizona]

I've already said I'm looking at rccl and celebrity

 

Btw you contradict yourself. You say the long timers aren't jumping ship but then you say I should look at celebrity and rccl. Lol

 

 

Anyway doesn't really matter. While I still have kids at home I'm looking for the best deal

 

When I'm sailing as just a couple it won't matter what we spend nor which line we cruise...

 

When the grandkids come along we will be back to the best deals

 

 

In all 3 of the above scenarios however, ncl does stand to lose my cruising dollar thanks to FDR. Why? Because prior to him I went to ncl...knew I was snagging a great deal...and booked immediately without looking elsewhere.... Now I look around more

 

Also I certainly know that the gem 10 day for $1800 including tax and port is an awesome deal for the 3 of us. $60 pp pd is good for me!!

 

When I book for next January and ncl is comparable to rccl.... It's rccl we go....why not? For the same price I try a new line

 

Honestly I cruise ncl because up until now they have been the cheapest.....and that is currently what I'm looking for but when they are not the cheapest why should I stay with them? I've never raved over their product anyway. Fwiw I go for the sea air and incredible ports....I could care less if the steward knows my name ....

 

Btw that's at least 30 more years of cruising for me. Lol

 

 

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I said to look at Celebrity, because you said if sonny boy got an inheritance, him and his rugrats would go to RCCL and if you noticed there was a smiley face. So I wasn't suggesting you change now, only if one get that inheritance. See what I said: If you do get that inheritance, may I suggest that you upgrade to Celebrity over Royal Caribbean.

 

Yes they might lose your dollars, but it doesn't mean they will lose all their loyal customers dollars.

 

If they are not the cheapest, then there is no reason for you to stay and if that was my only criteria I'd do the same. Not everyone looks for the cheapest cruise, for some like me there many other things go into play.

 

I'm with you about the Cabin Steward knowing my name and I never understood why folks got upset if they weren't called by name, but that's just me. They have always called me my name on all three lines, but if they didn't, it wouldn't change my experience at all.

 

I wish I had 30 more years, but like many who are up in age that sail on NCL, I don't.

 

Enjoy your Gem cruise and let us know how it was, I'll be on the Gem next year for the first time.

[SuiteCruiser]

But the point is that when someone books and expects certain value.... As in free Rs and mdr prime rib and free margaritville.... And then ncl changes the game.... The previously booked pax must be grandfathered in

 

 

No company is going to grandfather customers in for as much as 2 years into the future. Any changes should become effective 120 days after announcement so people can still cancel before final payment if they feel the change is so great that it will affect their cruise.

 

Agreed 100%

[motleyfan]

I booked my B2B in March when they were offering a free Drink package with no tip cost require for an oceanview room.....which was very cheap....NCL has since decrease the overall value of my deal with all the changes...I prepaid my DSC at the rate before the two changes.

 

I book cruise based on when I can get Vacation time and value...value is the price and amenities that are included...NCL has lost a lot of value when comparing to RCCL and our next cruise will likely be a RCCL cruise. We have a future cruise credit with RCCL and will want to use that as well.

 

I'm looking forward to 14 days on the Jade but it maybe my last cruise on NCL based on me not getting value for money in the future as well as not trusting that each week will bring new changes that further reduces the value of the cruise. NCL should have grandfathered the changes...

 

Have fun on Royal, a side note a neighbor of mine went on a royal Cruise just recently. I am an insomniac so I'm usually up pretty late and like to have a lot of things to do late night. On Norwegian I can either dance or drink at spice, walk around the casino and laugh at people losing hundreds of thousands of dollars,go to O'Sheehan's and get a burger. Anyways so my neighbor told me Royal Caribbean has terrible night life for people who are up at night.

[Crusin6]

I said to look at Celebrity, because you said if sonny boy got an inheritance, him and his rugrats would go to RCCL and if you noticed there was a smiley face. So I wasn't suggesting you change now, only if one get that inheritance. See what I said: If you do get that inheritance, may I suggest that you upgrade to Celebrity over Royal Caribbean.

 

 

 

Yes they might lose your dollars, but it doesn't mean they will lose all their loyal customers dollars.

 

 

 

If they are not the cheapest, then there is no reason for you to stay and if that was my only criteria I'd do the same. Not everyone looks for the cheapest cruise, for some like me there many other things go into play.

 

 

 

I'm with you about the Cabin Steward knowing my name and I never understood why folks got upset if they weren't called by name, but that's just me. They have always called me my name on all three lines, but if they didn't, it wouldn't change my experience at all.

 

 

 

I wish I had 30 more years, but like many who are up in age that sail on NCL, I don't.

 

 

 

Enjoy your Gem cruise and let us know how it was, I'll be on the Gem next year for the first time.

 

 

I've been on the gem before and I like it. The entertainment was good but I thought the mdr was so so but that was back in 2013. The casino is not in an open atrium so it is easily avoided. I also liked the ba in 2015 and thought it was beautiful but the casino made it impossible for us to enjoy the several very nice venues near it.

 

The ba had better mdr food and we loved the ba buffet....airy and spacious

 

 

The gem is smaller of course and it did just have a refurb and the pix I saw were incredible but it's basically a mid sized ship of 2300 pax. I like the mega ships and I like the mid sized. As you know for us it comes down to price especially for the January cruises. When we do the Med ( and I certainly hope we can do it again before it becomes unrecognizable) I look at ports and dates first then price. I actually paid $3000 more for ruby princess over the ncl spirit for the same itin and dates as I didn't want an old ship. Ruby princess was incredible and worth every penny.

 

Just me and the 2 college kids for our January cruises and we love them!!! We all kick in 1/3 for the cruise and I pay for excursions and tips for all. Of course I snagged a true ksf. lol

 

 

Dh stays home with the high schooler and the oldest is educated and gainfully employed in a great field so she is off our grid at the moment. The 3 of us just snorkel swim zip line sail and sun bath. The January cruises are special for us

 

 

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Edited November 30, 2015 by Crusin6

[harz99]

But the point is that when someone books and expects certain value.... As in free Rs and mdr prime rib and free margaritville.... And then ncl changes the game.... The previously booked pax must be grandfathered in

 

 

No company is going to grandfather customers in for as much as 2 years into the future. Any changes should become effective 120 days after announcement so people can still cancel before final payment if they feel the change is so great that it will affect their cruise.

 

Except that most people booked from outside North America cannot do that without loss of deposit. So we are faced with Hobson's Choice.

[NLH Arizona]

 

Except that most people booked from outside North America cannot do that without loss of deposit. So we are faced with Hobson's Choice.

Yes, and that is why they would have to make all announcements 2 years out to accommodate everyone.

[SuiteCruiser]

 

Except that most people booked from outside North America cannot do that without loss of deposit. So we are faced with Hobson's Choice.

 

Isn't travel insurance part of the deal in the UK though? I might be mistaken, but I understood that it was.

[SuiteCruiser]

Yes, and that is why they would have to make all announcements 2 years out to accommodate everyone.

 

120 days to accommodate about 75% of your customers, is better than zero to accommodate none.

Edited November 30, 2015 by SuiteCruiser

[mugtech]

everything you are talking about were pre fdr

 

let's talk again when you book a cruise in august of 2016 for may of 2017

 

 

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ok, will do

[abe3]

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!

Edited November 30, 2015 by abe3

[mugtech]

You got a great deal because you booked way in advance and possibly pre FDR?

 

booked last week

Is your cruise exactly the same today as it was when you booked as far as what is included?yes, nothing changed last two weeks

 

Mdr prime rib?

Free room service?

Etc

 

Are the "free" deals you got the same? And if so is the price the same?

yes

Or have the "free" amenities been downgraded? Has the price also been lowered?

no

 

No real need to argue here as it looks like you got a good deal as I did and also the changes that reduce your cruise value are minimal to you...as they are to me as well....

 

 

But the point is that when someone books and expects certain value.... As in free Rs and mdr prime rib and free margaritville.... And then ncl changes the game.... The previously booked pax must be grandfathered in

agree

 

The only reason ncl allowed previously booked pax to pay the dsc rates at the lower amount was because.....ncl required them to pay before boarding the ship in order to get the lower dsc rate...

 

So pax save a few dollars and ncl miraculously gives themselves a huge cash infusion without going to the bank for a loan and paying points

 

 

Yes ncl has to pay the crew out of the dsc...but they are paying them regardless.... Only now ncl has tons of cash ahead of time.....and the pax save a few bucks

 

 

Rs... Margaritville...prime rib doesn't generate the above self made loan to ncl so that's why they aren't grandfathering us in.

 

 

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Gem Next November lookin good these past two weeks. Just booked this month, all good, nothing changed.

Edited November 30, 2015 by mugtech
was not finished

[motleyfan]

Regarding your disagreement with my first idea of pax running away....

 

 

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....

 

 

However...if ncl keeps raising their prices and taking away amenities.... I am looking and possibly booking elsewhere. Heck I always look elsewhere anyway and it's just that ncl is the most convenient for our annual January cruises with the college kids as I don't fly in the winter and I've only booked pre FDR up to this point so I got great deals.....but for January 2017 I've already started looking elsewhere because I don't like the ncl prices I'm seeing

 

 

If I have to pay $1000 to ncl and can't get a better deal with them

 

And

 

I can also get an acceptable cruise at rccl or another line at the same price.... Why shouldn't I go there?

 

I'm not paying more to ncl just so I can brag about how many cruises I've taken on ncl...

 

I'm going to continue cruising and looking for the best deals....be it ncl. Rccl. Celebrity

 

 

A savvy cruiser knows this

 

And since most longtime ncl cruisers are savvy..... I stand by my prediction that they will look elsewhere

 

 

As far as oldsters dying off..... I see many grandparents footing the bill for extended family cruises....so if gramps starts footing that bill on rccl....you can bet that sonny boy and his rugrats might just start to look first at rccl for their future cruises when they get the inheritance!!! Lol

 

 

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I took my first post del rio cruise recently and i actually had just as much even a little more then my 2 pre del rio cruise. I even ran into some people from cruise critic and even they seemed to be enjoying themselves.

[harz99]

 

Isn't travel insurance part of the deal in the UK though? I might be mistaken, but I understood that it was.

 

Our travel insurance would not cover us cancelling for changes of the kind that NCL have made.

[bmwman]

I have been a frequent NCL Platinum cruiser since NCL started cruising year round out of New York. I have always applauded the innovations of NCL like Freestyle Dining and having the courage to sail year round out of New York. My introduction to NCL was on the Norwegian Dawn and I have wonderful memories of that ship. I enjoyed dining at Cagney's and Le Bistro at reasonable rates without mandatory gratuities added. I dined at La Cucina and the Tex-Mex specialty restaurants at no extra charge. I looked forward to lobster and prime ribs in the main dining room at no extra charge. A la carte dining was something uncomprehendable. I received room service 24 hours a day at no extra charge. I enjoyed an aft-facing balcony cabin at no extra charge. I enjoyed all the entertainment venues at no extra charge. I received VIP treatment from Hotel Directors like Klaus and Hugo. I felt the Dawn class ships were the ideal size especially embarking and debarking.

NCL today is almost unrecognizable from my early NCL experiences. Cruising was once touted as a bargain vacation with everything included at no extra charge. Sadly, those days appear to be gone forever and so am I. I will always treasure fond memories of many days on NCL but the current situation on NCL holds no attraction for me at all. Bon voyage.

 

This is an understandable comment but NCL is a public company - simple as that and the changes are to please shareholders.

 

Klaus is exceptional and amazing guy - Hugo? he has gone

 

All said and done you will find it best to go to a smaller line - I have said it many times - the old days are gone and never coming back.....that's life.

[bmwman]

 

Isn't travel insurance part of the deal in the UK though? I might be mistaken, but I understood that it was.

 

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!