NCL is killin' me. Just killin' me.

[DaniJo]

Thank you for posting this! :)

[rvsullivan]

This!! I have the worst luck when it comes to this stuff. Thank goodness AM will still be on our sailing for the Escape, as I wanted to see that one more than MDQ anyways. But, all of these subtractions from what people paid for and now are removed really stinks. I wonder if everyone affected by these changes will receive that same email as the OP...likely not.

 

OP did not receive this email, OP's friend did and forwarded it. If you read the message, it was clearly sent to travel agents, not guests. So doubt no/any passengers will receive it directly.

[karoo]

Cost cutting. An Capella group???? Boring and definitely cheaper to employ than a production.

[ilovetotravel1977]

OP did not receive this email, OP's friend did and forwarded it. If you read the message, it was clearly sent to travel agents, not guests. So doubt no/any passengers will receive it directly.

 

Ok sorry. I stand corrected. Geesh.

[beerman2]

Was indeed sent to TA's, I have communicated with one who is on our cruise in Oct.

 

Is it disappointing with the late changes absolutely! Do most people sail for shows or the enjoyment of cruising especially if traveling with friends?

 

Make lemonade out of lemons and be thankful we are able to cruise!

[sweetpee_1993]

Whoever is getting the a capella group during the transition is truly getting the shaft. Seriously.

 

I'm always aware that the ability to travel like we do is a blessing in itself. But, when choosing where to spend that $6k+ *just* in cruise fare it'd be mighty nice to have at least some confidence in what I'll actually get for that. Quality time with my family happens wherever we are so that's not what I'm paying for. Every dollar spent is a dollar my husband worked hard to earn and we as a family made an effort to save. Sorry to those who are perplexed when I don't take that lightly.

 

As of last night nothing has changed on my vacation summary as far as my bookings. I wonder exactly when NCL was planning to drop the bomb. I do think I'll go ahead and cancel my dinner show reservations and take the refund. No sense in letting NCL hold my money if I don't even know what the show is or if I care to see it.

[Vacationdreamer<><]

I wanted to multi-quote, but apparently don't have it set up right on my desktop.

 

Sweetpee1993 - you are singing my song.

I'm momof2n2 on that other board, and I am feeling a little sheepish these days over how enthusiastically I spoke of our booking on NCL for this upcoming May. Granted, I know we will have a good time, and I know I paid much less for NCL Getaway than DCL Fantasy; but the product I am getting in a few weeks is SO MUCH different from the product I reserved on 3/15/15!

 

I am still outside my PIF window, so --- yes --- we could cancel. But in the meantime, while we have been locked into this plan, we weren't LOOKING around for other opportunities and in most cases prices have escalated to where our only options are take this cruise they are offering, pay WAY more for whatever else we can find, or stay home.

 

We will have fun. I know we will like some of the top-deck offerings (though we will miss the fireworks bigtime). And I went ahead and splurged on some great excursions. But I'm just miffed about changes to dining offerings, and I have no idea what we will be doing in the evenings.

 

And ETA I am SO DISAPPOINTED about Harvest Caye not being completed!!!!!

 

 

I also want to say I SO AGREE with :

I'm always aware that the ability to travel like we do is a blessing in itself. But, when choosing where to spend that $6k+ *just* in cruise fare it'd be mighty nice to have at least some confidence in what I'll actually get for that. Quality time with my family happens wherever we are so that's not what I'm paying for. Every dollar spent is a dollar my husband worked hard to earn and we as a family made an effort to save. Sorry to those who are perplexed when I don't take that lightly.

As of last night nothing has changed on my vacation summary as far as my bookings. I wonder exactly when NCL was planning to drop the bomb. I do think I'll go ahead and cancel my dinner show reservations and take the refund. No sense in letting NCL hold my money if I don't even know what the show is or if I care to see it.

 

And cancelling is such a headache. Oh - you can BOOK pretty much anything you want from your computer screen, but you need to make a phone call to fix anything!

Edited February 18, 2016 by Vacationdreamer<><
Harvest Caye

[helen haywood]

Whoever is getting the a capella group during the transition is truly getting the shaft. Seriously.

 

I'm always aware that the ability to travel like we do is a blessing in itself. But, when choosing where to spend that $6k+ *just* in cruise fare it'd be mighty nice to have at least some confidence in what I'll actually get for that. Quality time with my family happens wherever we are so that's not what I'm paying for. Every dollar spent is a dollar my husband worked hard to earn and we as a family made an effort to save. Sorry to those who are perplexed when I don't take that lightly.

 

As of last night nothing has changed on my vacation summary as far as my bookings. I wonder exactly when NCL was planning to drop the bomb. I do think I'll go ahead and cancel my dinner show reservations and take the refund. No sense in letting NCL hold my money if I don't even know what the show is or if I care to see it.

 

On our recent Escape cruise, I had pre-purchased the dinner show tickets. Once on board I was informed the show was cancelled. I did not at that time know that NCL is incapable of simply issuing a refund to my credit card (as every other line I sail does) and that a refund check can take up to six weeks!! This is money I spent, and for a show they cancelled, and I have been home two weeks and no check yet. So I would definitely suggest you wait till you get on board to book.

[sjbdtz]

This issue highlights the problem with NCL's emphasis on large Broadway style productions as its core entertainment in smaller theaters. We saw MDQ and AM on the Escape. Both excellent shows. However, the rest of the week provides little in the way of complimentary entertainment in the main theater. The first night we saw the preview show. This is basically excerpts from MDQ and AM. The last night was the cruise staff talent show. The crew certainly tries to entertain, but suffice to say it is not a professional production. It appears the entire main theater budget is allocated to two shows. Therefore, three of the seven nights were without entertainment unless you try to see repeat performance of the main shows. The issue is exasperated when a main show cancels. This happened to MDQ on both the cruise before and after our cruise.

 

I'm not sure what issues are exacerbated when a main show moves - there are still another 3 - 4 entertainment venues in full-swing.

 

From dueling pianos, to 5 o'clock somewhere, to the Supper Club, to the District Brewhouse, to self-driven entertainment (dancing) in the Manhattan Room, Spice H20, Skyline Bar, etc.

 

We couldn't find enough time on a 10 day cruise with no ports, to see all of the entertainment....

 

 

 

Stephen

 

 

.

[Homosassa]

LOL -want to talk about a history of cheap, second rate entertainment on NCL:

 

About 12 years ago we booked a 7 day cruise from Bostom to Bermuda on NCL. We embark to find out that NCL had decided to make it Irish week on board (no, it was not advertised as a theme cruise).

 

Entertainment for the first night and 2 additional nights in the theater was an Irish Step Dance group from Queens, NY dance school. That's right, 45 minutes of variation of any dance that 1-4 dancers could do where all the music sounded the same and the steps were endlessly repeated.

 

Two nights were an Irish "comedy" string quartet :eek: The string quartet was followed by an Irish Comedian who was billed as "the funniest lady in Australia." Once you heard her routine , you knew why she wasn't in Australia and stuck on a ship in the Atlantic. (The ship must have rescued her from her life raft when she was set adrift from Australia).

 

One night was just said comedian on her own.

 

The last night was a grand encore performance of all the "guest" artists.

 

Folks, count your blessing on the current entertainment line up. It could be much, much worse. It could be Irish week.

[ilovetotravel1977]

I'm not sure what issues are exacerbated when a main show moves - there are still another 3 - 4 entertainment venues in full-swing.

 

From dueling pianos, to 5 o'clock somewhere, to the Supper Club, to the District Brewhouse, to self-driven entertainment (dancing) in the Manhattan Room, Spice H20, Skyline Bar, etc.

 

Stephen

 

.

 

Because not everyone is planning on using / going to all of those venues. Some are for-fee, some people have kids with them (us) therefore, cannot use all of the bars/adult-only locations and cannot do the late-night entertainment.

 

The 7pm (free) shows were what we were counting on while DD7 was at Splash Academy.

[destiny217]

This issue highlights the problem with NCL's emphasis on large Broadway style productions as its core entertainment in smaller theaters. We saw MDQ and AM on the Escape. Both excellent shows. However, the rest of the week provides little in the way of complimentary entertainment in the main theater. The first night we saw the preview show. This is basically excerpts from MDQ and AM. The last night was the cruise staff talent show. The crew certainly tries to entertain, but suffice to say it is not a professional production. It appears the entire main theater budget is allocated to two shows. Therefore, three of the seven nights were without entertainment unless you try to see repeat performance of the main shows. The issue is exasperated when a main show cancels. This happened to MDQ on both the cruise before and after our cruise.

 

Just a thought>>It seems with about 4200 guests sailing, they have no choice but to have fewer shows that must be repeated so most guests get to see them.

[deladypilot]

I intent to have a ball no matter what. Just had 52 cm of snow here (that's bout two feet). Sun, free booze, and being surrounded by a bunch of vacationing nuts like us. Doesnt get much better.

 

Kim

 

I am so with you on this. I am so over winter

[mistertoaster]

Just a thought>>It seems with about 4200 guests sailing, they have no choice but to have fewer shows that must be repeated so most guests get to see them.

 

 

I understood the need for multiple shows. I am questioning the wisdom of putting all your entertainment budget in two baskets that becomes one basket if one show cancels. I am also questioning the wisdom of building relatively small theaters on the Getaway, Breakaway and Escape to accommodate these shows.

[cruisingcasinos]

Why I have not received these letters/email? My Escape cruise is March 5-12. My reservations are still on MyNCL so I don't really understand all these moves.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I also am sailing on March 5 cruise and my edocs and booked items still show MDQ. I also can still Book MDQ on other days!

That was the one show I wanted to see! :mad:

I haven't received any emails from NCL informing me of these changes.

[funat55]

Just checked My NCL profile again and no MDQ. I understand that there will be an acapella group coming on board but I thought I read that was after March 5th. I am on the Feb. 27th sailing. I don't know if they even have anything else planned for my trip to replace MDQ. Has anyone else heard something different? I am really bummed. My disappointment won't stop me from having a nice cruise but I'm not going to forget that twice in a row, first on the Epic and now on the Escape, the entertainment has been pulled out from under us.

[hawkeyetlse]

I'm not going to forget that twice in a row, first on the Epic and now on the Escape, the entertainment has been pulled out from under us.

When you sailed on the Epic (I assume this was in the transition period after BMG left and before Priscilla started), were there any nights where there was no complimentary show at all (in the theater)? I don't mean nights when you didn't go for whatever reason, but nights when no one went because there was nothing showing there. Maybe not a big Broadway-like production, but something at least? Edited February 19, 2016 by hawkeyetlse

[HowardK]

I have the Escape booked for December- Is For The Record even going to translate well into the theatre vs. the supper club setting? Wouldn't that be like moving one of the Cirque type shows I saw on the Epic and Breakaway onto the stage at the theatre?

 

Coincidentally, I saw MDQ in NYC the night before my first NCL cruise- I thought it was a great show and superior to Rock of Ages and on par with Blu Man Group which I like.

[funat55]

When you sailed on the Epic (I assume this was in the transition period after BMG left and before Priscilla started), were there any nights where there was no complimentary show at all (in the theater)? I don't mean nights when you didn't go for whatever reason, but nights when no one went because there was nothing showing there. Maybe not a big Broadway-like production, but something at least?

 

I honestly couldn't remember, so I pulled out my dailies. There was Legends in Concert, Oh What a Night and Nadeen, Queen of Comedy. There was a show every night but it was one of the three I just mentioned. I like to gamble, so if there isn't any entertainment that I'm interested in, I go to the casino. We saw Oh What a Night on the Pearl and sat through it again. I really enjoy going to production shows in the big theater as opposed to smaller venues. So while there is always something going on, I wasn't blown away by the entertainment.

Edited February 19, 2016 by funat55
typo

[BirdTravels]

NCL has made a lot of changes recently, most of which do not benefit their customers. This just happens to be another. Replacing MDQ with an acapella group?? Really?! :rolleyes: I agree with you ... craziness!

 

Disagree. It is a temporary show while the re-stage For The Record in the main theater. Can't really go from the tiny Supper Club stage to the theater overnight with a new cast.

[BirdTravels]

When you sailed on the Epic (I assume this was in the transition period after BMG left and before Priscilla started), were there any nights where there was no complimentary show at all (in the theater)? I don't mean nights when you didn't go for whatever reason, but nights when no one went because there was nothing showing there. Maybe not a big Broadway-like production, but something at least?

 

It was mostly done during the 6-night reposition cruise from Barcelona to Southampton and the 3+ week dry dock.

 

We were on the Epic on the first night out of dry dock and opening night of Percilla.

[simplyerica]

Plus, a magician just isn't that interesting.

 

It's too bad you skipped the Illusionarium! It was a really fun show :) Still not sure how they did some of the tricks! It's pretty impressive actually because the audience wraps around most of the stage, so if you're using trap doors, you have a lot more angles to hide it from. We really enjoyed it.

[HarpHarp]

I have the Escape booked for December- Is For The Record even going to translate well into the theatre vs. the supper club setting? Wouldn't that be like moving one of the Cirque type shows I saw on the Epic and Breakaway onto the stage at the theatre?

 

Coincidentally, I saw MDQ in NYC the night before my first NCL cruise- I thought it was a great show and superior to Rock of Ages and on par with Blu Man Group which I like.

 

I think For The Record will be vastly improved changing to the theater. The dinner theatre setting makes it difficult to catch everything that is going on, with the actors frequently all over the room & the main stage in front

The Cirque show on the BA had the main stage in the center of the room and the action was visible from most seats.

Also, For The Record is not a great show for small ones and they really need entertainment for families, especially for the early show.

[BirdTravels]

For The Record is not a great show for small ones and they really need entertainment for families, especially for the early show.

 

NCL has made a decision to cater some of their top Broadway entertainment to their mature passengers, and providing dedicated programs for the younger passengers. It is a decision for the parents. There were multiple families in out showing of For the Record. And many families in our showing of Precilla.

 

On other ships, shows like Rock of Ages, Precilla, all have adult themes. And we appreciate the Quality of the entertainment on NCL.

[HarpHarp]

NCL has made a decision to cater some of their top Broadway entertainment to their mature passengers, and providing dedicated programs for the younger passengers. It is a decision for the parents. There were multiple families in out showing of For the Record. And many families in our showing of Precilla.

 

On other ships, shows like Rock of Ages, Precilla, all have adult themes. And we appreciate the Quality of the entertainment on NCL.

 

As I said For the Record is a fine show, MDQ & After Midnight were outstanding. None of those would be of interest to small ones when compared to the Cirque show on the Breakaway or the magic show on the Getaway.

 

FTR will be a much better production in the main theatre where you don't have to twist your neck or miss half the action and they really need the type of show that will appeal to all ages for the supper club. The adult oriented shows are great, no doubt, but I saw a lot of bored kids at FTR. Not so at the Cirque show on the BA.