SURVEY: What has kept you, what has lost you, when it comes to NCL

[canadianeh934]

What is all the talk about free style cruising.

 

I have only cruised with RCCL....I never had to wear a tie to dine, nor did we have to book a time to dine in the main dinning rooms. We simply showed up and we were sat within minutes or shorter.

 

I got a great deal and booked our up coming cruise....real disappointed in all the changes since we booked. We got a great deal on airfare as well.

 

We are not brand loyal, but may become so, as I want to be sure that when I book that my cruise value will not change and I just do not think NCL will allow this, with it's constant change looking to keep their hand in your pockets.

 

A smoke free cruise would real enhance my loyalty as I real feel that smoking inside a ship is simply wrong at this time in our history, in an outside area of a ship would be ok with me.

[perditax]

Brought me: cool looking solo studios

 

Kept me (or rather convinced me to book the first time): reversed course on the "no takeout" rule. Respected a company who listened to their customers. (Ha.)

 

Lost me: I think the a la carte specialty menus was when I stopped considering re-booking and stopped trying to defend NCL on other forums where their nickel and dime rep is notorious.

 

Changes I like: I'm not being glib, but can't think of any. Probably haven't been around long enough. Seems like it's been a bad year, no?

 

Changes I dislike: a la carte food venues and menu items multiplying out of control; weasel-wording in policy changes and decision making.

[fshagan]

What brought me to NCL: Freestyle cruising primarily (second place: pricing)

 

What keeps me with NCL: Freestyle cruising!

 

What has made NCL lose my business: N/A

 

Changes I like: Better future cruise credit program, ship improvements for the Jewel class ships with aggressive dry dock schedule.

 

Changes I Dislike: None have "affected me" directly other than the minor pricing changes. The changes I think are the most serious are shorter times in port and cancelled cruises with the redeployment. The rest are minor things in my view, but I realize they would loom larger if I was affected by them directly.

[Loucat]

Issue #3 is the biggest for me and what may sway me from ever booking with NCL again.

This is another incident from O'Sheehan's. My, almost 13 year old, son was eating there with some friends and started choking. Right as he put a fry in his mouth, someone said something funny and he laughed. The fry went down wrong and got lodged in his throat. He tried to get attention and so did his friends. Staff pretended they didn't notice. Finally, other passengers stepped in and helped him. The food was dislodged but he was hyperventilating because he was panicked by what had happened. Two passengers came to my room and told me something was wrong and reiterated the point regarding the staff. A nurse was on the scene when I got there (he was OK but still anxious) and the doctor arrived a couple minutes later. By that time he was asking for his food.

He was wheeled to the doctors office, asked some questions, given a throat lozenge and I was charged $184.

I would much rather pay the money to the passengers who stepped up and helped. Thank God for them

I don't blame the crew for not knowing what to do but I do blame the higher ups for not training proper techniques to deal with choking victims.

It has been two days and I haven't even gotten a call to ask how he was feeling. I am very disappointed by the way that NCL has handled the situation.

 

There is a fair likelyhood of someone choking on food.

Staff should at least know basics such as the Heimlich manuver. Is this asking too much of NCL?

There are AED's (automatic electronic defibrillators) for public use everwhere and as a nurse with emergency department and ICU experience, the AED's are far more risky IMHO.

Ignoring your child's problem is inexcusable and could have lost precious minutes to clear his airway.

[LrgPizza]

What brought me to NCL: I was intrigued by the freestyle concept.

 

What keeps me with NCL: The #1 thing I like is no set dining times, no dining with strangers, no formal nights. I also like the variety of restaurants and also the entertainment. The price is also right for us.

 

What has made NCL lose my business: Not applicable.

 

Changes I like: I like the recent promos. Unlike many others, I am actually saving money on my NCL cruises over what I previously paid, since I purchased the UBP a couple times pre-promo. I also like the addition of SDP in lieu of the UDP. We enjoy specialty restaurants just a few nights, but don't want to eat them every night. The SDP allows us to do this and still save money over paying the regular prices for each restaurants.

 

Changes I Dislike: I dislike that there isn't a complimentary dining spot on Escape comparable to Flamingo Grill on Getaway. That was my go-to spot for breakfast and lunch on that cruise.

 

(Most changes I don't like or dislike, so they aren't listed. Most I don't really care about one way or the other.)

[crayola1932]

What brought me to NCL: Freestyle--no formal wear, no assigned seating.

 

What keeps me with NCL: Moderate prices. Being a Platinum customer (free laundry!) I feel at home on NCL; another cruise line would be strange.

 

What has made NCL lose my business: (if applicable) N/A

 

Changes I like: UDP. No smoking on balconies

 

Changes I Dislike: I've had poorer service from room stewards. I usually sail the smaller ships, and I suspect I am getting inexperienced, overworked stewards.

Edited December 1, 2015 by crayola1932

[CUontheC]

What brought me to NCL: Their affiliation with Caesar's casino group.

 

What keeps me with NCL: I like the freestyle concept. I also enjoy the onboard shows.

 

What has made NCL lose my business: N/A

 

Changes I like: No smoking on balconies

 

Changes I Dislike: I do not like that they seem to be penny wise pound foolish on certain items. On the Escape to get a little tiny cupcake it cost $1.50 and then 18% gratuity. When on the Celebrity they had a beautiful bakery selection onboard that was wonderful and free.

 

I also saw firsthand one of the workers on the Escape having to pull the dirt out of the vacuum bag. He said to his fellow worker that he was told they need to reuse the bags. My husband and I were shocked to see this. I would never want to try this at home...Yuck!

[Two Wheels Only]

What brought me to NCL:

I'm not "brand loyal". I try new/different things then form my own opinion. Carnival, RCCL, NCL, Disney, etc....I'm willing to try all of them.

 

What keeps me with NCL:

I'm already booked for 2016, no bad experiences from them to make me leave. I'm still going to try other lines in the future no matter how good/bad things are at NCL.

 

What has made NCL lose my business: (if applicable)

Nothing, yet.

 

Changes I like:

I'm a "new ship" fan. I like to experience new (even refurb) ships. I sailed CCL Destiny and CCL Sunshine (same ship, different name) just to see the changes. My next cruise is Escape but whatever BA+ ship is next, I'd be interested (to compare to Escape).

 

Changes I Dislike:

a la carte. The option is a good idea but I'd be willing to pay "up front" for a "anything you want" package that includes anything/everything without up-charges, cover charges, etc. A "UBP" for all food on the ship (ignore the $15 max drink part).

[bonvoyagie]

What brought me to NCL: Freestyle - no fancy dress codes

 

What keeps me with NCL: Freestyle - good cruise value - good destinations (it is less about the ship and more about where it is going for me). Done AK(x3) HI(1) New England (fall 2016)

 

What has made NCL lose my business: Nothing yet - next cruise will tell

 

Changes I like: So far none of the changes affect my overall cruise style - I am not a lush and the MDR usually has good enough food for me.

 

Changes I Dislike: I do feel that my UDP has been devalued with the ala carte dining. But now they don't really have the UDP it is the SDP - I still have the UDP as a promo

Edited December 1, 2015 by bonvoyagie

[drvalo]

Brought me: a cruise to Alaska with no formal nights and no assigned dinner times. We're on vacation!

 

Kept me: Good vacation value

 

Lost me: Less vacation value - higher fares with the promos (with the exception of free gratuities when offered) that really have no value to us. 18%gratuity added to specialty dining when staff in those venues used to be covered by the DSC. The higher fares are also making us consider other lines. We aren't lost forever, but our next cruise will likely be on Princess.

 

Changes I like: No smoking on balconies

 

Changes I dislike: Devalued platinum benefits, e.g., what's included with the free dinner, the welcome gift; neither of which would make me not cruise, but don't take away what you have given.

[DMH15]

What brought me: first cruise Norway 1986 was with a group. Then years later my cousin, who is my TA organized a small group for a transatlantic on the Jewel. I went in an outside cabin with my mom. But we were introduced to suite/Haven cruising through friends we met at the pre-cruise hotel.

 

What kept me: loved the relaxed cruising with NCL freestyle. And our jump to cruising in suites on NCL has appealed to both my mom and myself as well as my subsequent cruises since and booked in the future with other family. Suite plus platinum perks combined are nice.

 

What has made NCL lose me: they have not lost me.

 

Changes Liked: I am a non smoker and Those changes that affect me positively I like. Although I do feel bad for smokers. It has to be tough for them.

 

Changes Disliked: I do not have a problem with additional charges for the crew and I tip in addition to the DSC. BUT I find the fact that NCL RAISED THE DSC twice in such a short period of time off-putting. They should have just done it once, even if it was a big bump. And to offer perks such as UBP or UDP with no gratuity service fee and then add it in later months in the next wave of perks. Seems like changes were implemented initially without being thought out by NCL management.

 

I too look for the day there is a non smoking casino option. If not, I might try Celebrity again.

[KeithJenner]

I do feel that my UDP has been devalued with the ala carte dining. But now they don't really have the UDP it is the SDP - I still have the UDP as a promo

 

 

Out of interest, why does a la carte make you feel that the UDP has been devalued.

 

Not disagreeing with you, but I can't really see why?

[Barb Nahoumi]

WHAT BROUGHT US TO NCL: Friends invited us to join them for an Alaskan cruise in 2002.

 

WHAT KEEPS US WITH NCL: Freestyle, No required Formal Night, the MDR being open for embarkation lunch, cruises out of Boston and New York eliminate the need to fly.

 

WHAT HAS MADE NCL LOSE OUR BUSINESS: Nothing yet.

 

CHANGES I LIKE: The choices of promos.

 

CHANGES WE DISLIKE: Making specialty restaurants A La Carte, raising the price of DSC and other things abruptly.

[Casino Comp Chick]

Just looking for honest feedback before we book a cruise on NCL. Lots of information on these boards marred by a few arguments please use the following format:

 

What brought me to NCL: casinos at sea

 

What keeps me with NCL: casinos at sea

 

What has made NCL lose my business: (if applicable) n/a

 

Changes I like: CAS players now included in the upsells

 

Changes I Dislike: The only change that annoys me is the no smoking on the balcony. With that said, I would rather 1 blanket change, enough of the every other week changes, just rip the bandaid off and be done with it.

Edited December 1, 2015 by iimmie

[hypercafe]

Having ships in NYC year round and the freestyle deal got me hooked on NCL.

 

All this a la cart stuff has sent me away!!

[CruisingOnBy810]

Out of interest, why does a la carte make you feel that the UDP has been devalued.

 

Not disagreeing with you, but I can't really see why?

 

 

I think I can answer this. With more options becoming a la carte the UDP doesn't offer a full meal but a discount on the restaurants. Which devalues the UDP.

[KeithJenner]

I think I can answer this. With more options becoming a la carte the UDP doesn't offer a full meal but a discount on the restaurants. Which devalues the UDP.

 

 

Aah, OK, I was thinking about Cagneys, Le Bistro and La Cucina changing to a la carte. I don't see how that makes a difference.

 

I see what you are saying about the other restaurants. They aren't all a la carte though are they? It's more to do with some places not being fully included, rather than them being a la carte.

[Merriem]

43 years ago our first cruise was on NCL. We also did a transatlantic on the Norway, and South America on the Norwegian Crown. In September we were on the Breakaway in the Haven

 

We still have two cruises book with NCL, but have cancelled New Zealand for Celebrity. There are a couple of things...we like suites, and I have to say the food is not as good as Celebrity, the taxes on the UBP are a joke, and the smoke that is everywhere is terrible.

[scaaty]

What brought me to NCL: NYC home port and free style. I like not having to bring formal wear and not loosing my cruise relaxation mojo at an airport ;)

 

What keeps me with NCL: Jewel class ships and their crew. I may be in a minority, but have no interest in mega ships with any line :cool:

 

What has made NCL lose my business: (if applicable) N/A

 

Changes I like: I'm ambivalent to the changes as for me a cruise is what I make of it. If I want an extra, and I feel the price is right, then fine. If it's out of my prince range then I just don't get it. There are still enough activities and food that don't cost extra so that I enjoy my cruise with the price I'm willing to pay.

 

Changes I Dislike:I dislike mega ships. Too many people and too crowded, especially on bad weather days :cool: As long as there are the Jewel class ships I'll keep sailing with NCL. It is the right fit for me :)

[Rob0519]

What brought me to NCL: Travel Agent Recommendation

 

What keeps me with NCL: Nothing. Probably our first and last NCL cruise

 

What has made NCL lose my business: (if applicable)

1). Change on the Escape from non-smoking casino to smoking everywhere in the casino

2). Smoke drifting out of the casino into the atrium and even into Le Bistro on the deck below. Totally ruined our dinner for us. (Maybe not for everyone, but it did for us)

3). Most of the food in O'Sheehan's was, in our opinion well below average.

4). We found the waitstaff in O'Sheehan's to be inattentive, unfriendly, at times rude and somewhat incompetent.

5). Bars totally understaffed. Has to jockey for position just to get a soft drink most times of the day, but especially in the evenings at the Skyline bar.

6). Nearly impossible to get something not off the menus in the MDRs that was agreeable for our developmentally disabled son to eat.

7) M'ville only open for lunch between 12:00-4:00. Usually a two plus hour wait. No music, nothing like the land based restaurants, no M;Ville mdse. anywhere on the ship.

8). Lack of a center elevator bank made for some long walks.

9). HORRIBLE and EXPENSIVE internet service. I needed to connect to my business and it took over 45 minutes of dropped connections and timeouts. This is a problem on most ships, but it was incredibly frustrating.

 

Changes I like: These will be things we liked as we have no idea of that has changed.

1). Specialty Restaurants: The service in these restaurants is impeccable and such a contrast to the complimentary restaurants. The small upcharge for the UPD was well worth the price. Food was average in one, but excellent in the other 5 in which we ate. The only problem I has was having to eat dinner at 5:30 one day and 9:00 the next based on availability.

2). Manhatten (MDR) - Great service, great food, much better than Taste or Savor.

3). Bathroom in the Family Mini Suite was quite spacious with a tub, shower and dual sinks, although two people really cannot fit in there at the same time.

4). Family liked playing Bingo and the trivia games. Ship's Asst. Cruise Director Alvin and his staff seemed good natured and friendly.

 

Changes I Dislike: Not Applicable.

[bonvoyagie]

I made the comment about devaluing the UDP - I suppose that really depends on how they implement things on my next cruise aboard the Dawn. Another thing I don't care for is that the every ship seems to have different interpretations of the packages. Maybe in a year they will have it all worked out - or maybe we will have a whole new round of changes :D

[antsnanny]

What brought me to NCL: I have sailed NCL for so long, I forget! Maybe just that it was practical because it left from NYC, close to home. OH, and the chocolate buffet.

 

What keeps me with NCL: The price, Freestyle

 

What has made NCL lose my business: (if applicable) Hasn't happened yet but I will say I look more at other cruise lines.

 

Changes I like: I like that we can pick a perk.

 

Changes I Dislike: Increased rates in specialty restaurants, ala carte, the tiny balconies on the Breakaway and Getaway, fireworks discontinued, IMHO the staff is friendly enough but I don't think they have the training they use to have.

[hateswaterloves2cruise]

What brought me to NCL: freestyle. Had tried other lines and didn't like the set dining time, tablemates, dressing up........

What keeps me with NCL: see above

What has made NCL lose my business: so far we are still booked with NCL but I admit I have been looking. We like the Dawn and Gem size ships. With all the new ships being so large and the need to pre-book dinners and entertainment, the freestyle is going away.

Changes I like: not sure exactly. I watch people on CC mention that they got prices that are "practically free" when you consider the perks, but that hasn't been what we've seen. We have taken the same cruise out of NYC in February for 6-8 years and only watched the price rise. Trying our first cruise with the UDP, UBP, paid gratuities and OBC this February.

Changes I dislike: I guess all the new ships that are so huge. I don't want to go with 5000 or more people, I don't want to have to book dinner and entertainment options.

I guess it's a good thing we all like things different or it would be a very boring world.:)

[rg24601]

What brought me to NCL: Try something different out of Tampa originally.

 

What keeps me with NCL: Nothing - Price was the deciding factor that kept them in the "lets see what they have for that week" cruise line rotation.

 

What has made NCL lose my business: No longer as good a value as they once were. The Haven - don't like ships divided socially or economically. first class and Steerage = yuck! This forum and some of the posters.

 

Changes I like: Nothing I can think of.

 

Changes I Dislike: Almost all of them. Even the ones that don't effect me. Really the lack of communication, and the flippant way they make changes.

[sanger727]

What brought me to NCL: The freestyle cruising concept, having production shows like the blue man group and cirque-style shows, an affordable itinerary

 

What keeps me with NCL: not applicable

 

What has made NCL lose my business: The a la carte prices and room service fee - I get that that isn't a big deal to most people, but the reason we cruise is for the "everything is included in one low fare" attitude. We hardly drink so the UBP isn't worthwhile (as in, we wouldn't drink the cost of the tips), if we cruise again we will probably pick the speciality dining but making restaurants a la carte, just gives it to much of a "land trip" feel to me. I'm not paying $x pp with the buffet and dining room included to pay restaurant prices for the speciality dining.

 

Changes I like: none

 

Changes I Dislike: all the extra charges and prices going up due to them building UBP into the base price.