What a difference a year makes!

[Jerseygirl1416]

Did you see my post? It's not a fair comparison. April this year is much cheaper because the pricing has dropped as the sail date approaches. Last year at this time, the April sail dates were pricing close to what you're now seeing for next April's sail dates.

 

So this time last year I booked our upcoming Breakaway B1 for 1102.00 pp which included the beverage pkg and it's gratuities. If I book now for next years cruise same time of year (one day earlier) B1 is 1749.00 with no perks. I'd say that's quite an increase. Also, for our cruise this year 4/17, the B1 is still at 1649.00 no perks 23 days out.....

[TheDougOut]

So this time last year I booked our upcoming Breakaway B1 for 1102.00 pp which included the beverage pkg and it's gratuities. If I book now for next years cruise same time of year (one day earlier) B1 is 1749.00 with no perks. I'd say that's quite an increase. Also, for our cruise this year 4/17, the B1 is still at 1649.00 no perks 23 days out.....

 

Yep - agreed.

 

Your B1 was originally priced at $1099pp, and slowly crept up to $1849pp before dropping down to $1649pp a little more than 60 days out. I assume this means it sold well as time went on.

 

Next year's B1 for the same week was originally priced, and remains, $1729pp. I wouldn't be surprised if this rate slowly creeps down over the next 12 months, much like the earlier example I showed. Since this year's sailing crept up to that same price ballpark, I wonder if that's how next year's initial rate got set.

[swedish weave]

We can cite rate drops and/or increases to bolster our ideas, but the real problem I see is that NCL is putting out these extreme prices and it causes me to stop looking at that cruise line in the future.

 

I am sure others react the same way, and that could make it difficult for NCL to attract cruisers who may otherwise be interested.

[TheDougOut]

We can cite rate drops and/or increases to bolster our ideas, but the real problem I see is that NCL is putting out these extreme prices and it causes me to stop looking at that cruise line in the future.

 

I'm not trying to bolster any idea. It's admittedly tough to see prices fluctuate this much, in both directions. I'm a frugal cruiser - and will only book when low prices are available.

 

I cited the price changes just to demonstrate that they will indeed fluctuate. If NCL some how upped their game and can now sell out at higher prices, then I'll end up watching from the sideline. Personally, I don't think that'll happen.

[living at the beach]

As a platinum on NCL who sailed 2 Breakaway cruises as a solo last year ( my guy isn't into cruising as much as I am, but I have to getaway from the brutal New England weather in the winter or go mad) , and a July Norwegian Dawn from Boston to Bermuda with him and with my two grown daughters as a treat to them. This year on the Breakaway was shocking to MeV because of dramatic increases in costs for almost everything on board ( cheapest glass of house wine almost $12 versus less than $9 fora glass of basic house wine in July, with increased service gratuities, and let me add that I did not receive any beverage or meal package specials to subtract from my costs. But the worst thing of all was the terrible decrease in service ( waited at a table in three main restaurants for too much time to make either early or late main theater showings; always at least 40 minutes before appetizer and wine service, and one night over an hour sitting before an appetizer came, ( that's the rest of the story, the profit increasing strategy led to a reduction of staff in dining rooms and bars, as not only me but countless other recent posters have mentioned). This past year is to decrease staff and get them to work 12 - 16 hour days and cover more venues with less people! Therefore not only much higher total prices per customer, but reduced service to a point of very frustrating circumstances! Really, does anyone feel that waiting for appetizers and your first ordered drink, plus no water refills for just over an hour is even adequate, and then the shock when leaving of seeing your gratuity and drinks cost rise dramatically?

I am booked on the Epic leaving April 7 th for a 10 day Mediterranean cruise that I had booke months ago and had purchased airfare also in advance, so I will give NCL one last chance, but other cruise lines including RCL are offering solo cabins and for similar cost to book offer better service, less lines for everything, and lower costs for extras once on board. Just Saint.

[NLH Arizona]

As a platinum on NCL who sailed 2 Breakaway cruises as a solo last year ( my guy isn't into cruising as much as I am, but I have to getaway from the brutal New England weather in the winter or go mad) , and a July Norwegian Dawn from Boston to Bermuda with him and with my two grown daughters as a treat to them. This year on the Breakaway was shocking to MeV because of dramatic increases in costs for almost everything on board ( cheapest glass of house wine almost $12 versus less than $9 fora glass of basic house wine in July, with increased service gratuities, and let me add that I did not receive any beverage or meal package specials to subtract from my costs. But the worst thing of all was the terrible decrease in service ( waited at a table in three main restaurants for too much time to make either early or late main theater showings; always at least 40 minutes before appetizer and wine service, and one night over an hour sitting before an appetizer came, ( that's the rest of the story, the profit increasing strategy led to a reduction of staff in dining rooms and bars, as not only me but countless other recent posters have mentioned). This past year is to decrease staff and get them to work 12 - 16 hour days and cover more venues with less people! Therefore not only much higher total prices per customer, but reduced service to a point of very frustrating circumstances! Really, does anyone feel that waiting for appetizers and your first ordered drink, plus no water refills for just over an hour is even adequate, and then the shock when leaving of seeing your gratuity and drinks cost rise dramatically?

I am booked on the Epic leaving April 7 th for a 10 day Mediterranean cruise that I had booke months ago and had purchased airfare also in advance, so I will give NCL one last chance, but other cruise lines including RCL are offering solo cabins and for similar cost to book offer better service, less lines for everything, and lower costs for extras once on board. Just Saint.

Just wondering, what percentage did they reduce the staff by?

[living at the beach]

I don't know,and my cabinsteward begged me not to say anything, but he and others confirmed that he has a much longer contract. Also, many staff there said that they can no longer get off the ship even for a few hours because now they are assigned to multiple areas for longer hours. But the fundamental thing is beyond anything that anyone said to me is my experience for much longer wait for service in the three main dining rooms, Manhattan, Taste, and Savor, and even in my Platinum treat at Le Bistro, where we also had to wait for almost an hour for the entree, ( even booking early at 5:45 ). and then it (the sole) came out tough, overdone, and extremelysalty so that I could not bear to eat more than my first bite! At least they acknowledged that the food was inedible and gave us a complimentary second evening meal, which was very good and served in better time. But what if we had been too shy to say anything? Anyway, the main thing is that I am not a moaner and groaner. I have sailed many times on NCL - enough to be Platinum, and never had anything negative to say about them. I still love their entertainment. But the changes in place since the new management came in place have increased costs and decreased service, and when I say this it is with the hope to influence NCL management to conduct a cost effectiveness analysis and to slow down some of the price increases unless they are accompanied by service gains.

[WYTinman]

Its not complaining to point out the obvious. If someone is not interested in the thread then don't read it or comment on it. As usual the typical cheerleader line is "supply and demand....supply and demand." That is not the issue here. Gratuities went up twice in one year, another gratuity was added for the specialty restaurants, cruise prices jumped up, then all the "free" programs started that raised prices even more.

I don't have any problems with all the cut backs and reductions of perks. That is how companies stay afloat and make money. But when prices go up 20% and there are major reductions in services and overall product that is when I say when.

 

I am still hoping I will sail NCL again but with these prices there is better value for the dollar for vacations for now.

 

That's pretty much how I feel.

 

 

I totally agree with David,

 

I didn't even try to compare last years bookings with this year. Too many variables can affect pricing.

 

I wanted to do a Panama Canal cruise. Being loyal to NCL I started there.

 

The current suite prices shocked me. So I started cruise line shopping.

 

To my surprise a similar itinerary in a Suite on the Island Princess was +/- $2000 less expensive than a suite on the Pearl or Jewel.

 

Before the cheerleaders start-up I'm comparing suite to suite prices not Haven to suite.

 

I never imagined that Princess would ever be less expensive than NCL.

 

I also may be a prior NCL loyalist.

[Freespir8]

I totally agree with David,

 

I didn't even try to compare last years bookings with this year. Too many variables can affect pricing.

 

I wanted to do a Panama Canal cruise. Being loyal to NCL I started there.

 

The current suite prices shocked me. So I started cruise line shopping.

 

To my surprise a similar itinerary in a Suite on the Island Princess was +/- $2000 less expensive than a suite on the Pearl or Jewel.

 

Before the cheerleaders start-up I'm comparing suite to suite prices not Haven to suite.

 

I never imagined that Princess would ever be less expensive than NCL.

 

I also may be a prior NCL loyalist.

 

I agree. We have cruised NCL exclusively in suites. The pricing is just outrageous now and it looks like we will be jumping ship so to speak. We are pricing HAL and Princess and so far the prices are much more reasonable for a suite than NCL. We have enjoyed our time on NCL. Unless their are some pricing changes, our B2B in Oct. may be our last one. We definitely won't be buying any cruise rewards in the future. We don't want to be tied to one line that is becoming over priced.

Edited March 25, 2016 by annietownsend

[NLH Arizona]

I don't know,and my cabinsteward begged me not to say anything, but he and others confirmed that he has a much longer contract. Also, many staff there said that they can no longer get off the ship even for a few hours because now they are assigned to multiple areas for longer hours. But the fundamental thing is beyond anything that anyone said to me is my experience for much longer wait for service in the three main dining rooms, Manhattan, Taste, and Savor, and even in my Platinum treat at Le Bistro, where we also had to wait for almost an hour for the entree, ( even booking early at 5:45 ). and then it (the sole) came out tough, overdone, and extremelysalty so that I could not bear to eat more than my first bite! At least they acknowledged that the food was inedible and gave us a complimentary second evening meal, which was very good and served in better time. But what if we had been too shy to say anything? Anyway, the main thing is that I am not a moaner and groaner. I have sailed many times on NCL - enough to be Platinum, and never had anything negative to say about them. I still love their entertainment. But the changes in place since the new management came in place have increased costs and decreased service, and when I say this it is with the hope to influence NCL management to conduct a cost effectiveness analysis and to slow down some of the price increases unless they are accompanied by service gains.

Have they increased costs a little on some "for a choice" items, sure every company does, but I guess it depends on what ship and what cruise you are on to see the decreased service. I had fantastic service on the Dawn in December. I ate in the specialty restaurants each night and the food and service was awesome, never had to wait for service at the bars, etc.

[swedish weave]

This year, I have had an opportunity to compare NCL, Carnival, and Princess by sailing on the Jewel, Miracle, and Ruby within a span of a little over two months.

 

The three cruises really served to show me how much NCL has declined recently.

 

NCL charges extra for many items the other two companies include in the fare. Lobster is one example. NCL has stopped serving lobster in the buffet and MDR on the Jewel, but the other two had lobster in the MDR and buffet

 

NCL restricts the use of OBC (non refundable) and does not allow it to be used for DSC or the casino. The other two apply it to all onboard expenses.

 

The overall atmosphere is much less pleasant on NCL and it seems the crew members are not as relaxed as they were in the past years I have sailed. This may not be noticable if you sail only NCL, but by sailing all three companies in a short time, the difference was quite visible.

 

The pricing is another item that becomes apparent when using the companies services in a short time.

 

One more item that rose to the surface is the average age of the crew members who served us. Many more of the crew we encountered on Carnival and Princess have been with the company for many years while those on NCL were with the company for a short time.

 

These are my observations, and I realize some may choose to dispute my observations but my impressions are very recent and the differences in the companies are very obvious when seen in a short time period.

[GEORGET]

Thank you for this post as i thought it was only me who thinks the price of NCL suites have gone through the roof in the UK.

last year we did three NCL cruises and enjoyed them all and thought it was good value.

Was going to re book this year but even i could not justify the price difference

 

i know the pound has dropped against the dollar but the price hike no longer gives precieved value and we have returned to P&O and RCCL suites.

 

Pity we enjoyed the extra suite perks and staff.

 

J

[Young & Cruising]

I was loyal to Royal until 2 years ago when I took my first NCL cruise. It was so good that I booked a solo cabin on the GA the following month. In 2 years, I've done the BA, GA, Sky and Pearl and I must agree with previous posters, the prices have gone up and the service has gone down. Keep in mind, we usually become friends with crew so service was still outstanding for us but you could feel a certain type of bad vibe growing.

 

We're doing the Escape in April but I find myself looking at Carnival's website more and more... Something I never thought I would see myself doing. Anyhoo, it looks like it's back to Royal or trying Carnival for my next cruise. We're still a bit young for Celebrity, Princess, etc. I've heard everybody is in bed by 9 on their ships lol.

 

Del Rio is definitely out of touch will NCL's core market. First priority should be having bigger or more main pools on their newer ships :rolleyes:

[david_sobe]

I was just pricing Sky cruises. Very interesting. The prices for most categories are higher in February 2018 than February 2017. Its uncommon that cruise prices are higher over 2 years out vs 1 and a half years. There is competition with Carnival and Royal in Miami for the Bahamas cruises. I am not sure NCL can keep those Sky prices that high even though they advertise it as "free open bar" now. If you are a huge drinker you probably can make out on the Sky cruise though.

[Freespir8]

Thank you for this post as i thought it was only me who thinks the price of NCL suites have gone through the roof in the UK.

last year we did three NCL cruises and enjoyed them all and thought it was good value.

Was going to re book this year but even i could not justify the price difference

 

i know the pound has dropped against the dollar but the price hike no longer gives precieved value and we have returned to P&O and RCCL suites.

 

Pity we enjoyed the extra suite perks and staff.

 

J

 

We have 3 cruises booked with NCL this year but only because we bought them about a year and half ago before things started getting really crazy with the pricing. The same cruise that I booked last year for the carribbean is up 800 per person. The original cost was 1100.00 and it is now 1895.00 per person.

 

We were looking to book an Alaskan cruisetour. We checked NCL first and the same type of suite and tour was pricing 3,000+ on the Sun compared to HAL and Princess. As a result, we are cruising on a different line for the first time in 2017. I am Platinum on NCL and I have loved cruising them but since the Del Rio take over the changes have been a bit much. I still have 2 cruise next awards for NCL so hopefully with all of the feedback they will begin to lower the prices so that I can sail them again.

[Sissaaaaaa]

I guess it's just the time we are sailing - NYE week - because NCL is lower than any of the others I priced (RCCL, Princess, Celebrity, and MSC).