Next Price Gouge??? Predicting Only

[Frick_&_Frack]

I do my budget cruising on NCL, and if NCL loses me it's no big deal to NCLH. I do private shore-ex, zero drop in the Casino, zero Spa Services etc. Someone else will take my BC-cabin and spend the same or more. But losing a Haven customer, that hurts.

 

I'm not sure sure NCL cares if they lose Haven customers. I have only been in the Haven and continued that even after DH passed away - booking, and paying, as soon as itineraries come out (so, "full" cost). Never received any upsell/etc.

 

Maybe their breakeven is a much lesser amount - what they make when they are selling out the Haven at low upsell amounts?

 

I truly don't know (but am a stockholder so I sort of care I guess - seriously, bought the stock at IPO just for giggles - and they haven't paid anything anyway to stockholders).

 

But, after the latest from NCL, it's time for me to finally take a break from them until I have more comfort with the management. :)

[sadiecat]

We are getting to the stage where NCL is going to lose our business unless there are real changes in their head office attitude towards their customers.

 

They have already lost our business. Our last cruise is on the Dawn next April we booked three cruises with Carnival.

[Shawnino]

I'm not sure sure NCL cares if they lose Haven customers. I have only been in the Haven and continued that even after DH passed away - booking, and paying, as soon as itineraries come out (so, "full" cost). Never received any upsell/etc.

 

[....]

 

But, after the latest from NCL, it's time for me to finally take a break from them until I have more comfort with the management. :)

 

Well, NCLH ought to care about losing someone with your purchasing pattern.

Edited August 3, 2016 by Shawnino

[sparks1093]

Well, NCLH ought to care about losing someone with your purchasing pattern.

 

I haven't been able to figure out what they do care about, other than immediate revenue.

[Frick_&_Frack]

Well, NCLH ought to care about losing someone with your purchasing pattern.

 

I haven't been able to figure out what they do care about, other than immediate revenue.

 

As near as I can tell, they are concerned with immediate revenue-stream only. Not long-term revenue. They've been turning that way, albeit slowly; however, it now seems much more rapid-fire.

 

For example, and while I have no personal preference in this one, Harriet posted that Lobster is now off the Haven menu. It was previously advised Lobster is off/being taken off Teppanyaki. Again, I don't dine at either. However, I find it really quite silly to take it from the Haven (like removing the shrimp cocktail at lunch from the Haven). But, it is what it is. They have made their choices and I've made mine.

 

Still wish I could have cancelled this cruise in September without penalty since heaven only knows what other fun surprises NCL has in store for us by then. :rolleyes:

[KeithJenner]

Harriet posted that Lobster is now off the Haven menu.

 

 

 

Just as an aside, that thread also mentions that Lobster is not always on the menu there.

 

A quick look on beyondships seems to confirm that there being no Lobster in the Haven restaurant is not unusual. To assume that this is another cutback is perhaps a bit of a leap.

[LMaxwell]

Any other ideas as to what is next?

 

They will probably enforce the baggage limits posted on their website with a monetary penalty for exceeding it.

[LMaxwell]

Not fascinated with stock prices and trading volume. Doesn't affect my vacation. I spend how I see fit and don't care how much a CEO of Disney, Hotels, or cruise lines make.

 

Facts about cruising would be nice instead of bashing a CEO how much money they make or stock prices.

 

This thread is about taking a guess at the next item to incur a charge. it's clearly in the title. Why the multiple attempts to derail the thread? Do you have a prediction as to what will be the next item or feature to incur a fee?

[Frick_&_Frack]

Just as an aside, that thread also mentions that Lobster is not always on the menu there.

 

A quick look on beyondships seems to confirm that there being no Lobster in the Haven restaurant is not unusual. To assume that this is another cutback is perhaps a bit of a leap.

 

I know it's been on for quite a while now - since the last menu change was posted (though, I'd have to dig around for when that was done). However, before this past March, I was not on ships that even had a Haven Restaurant, so it was nothing I ever even paid mind to.

 

It's not necessarily "another cutback"; however, another rapid change. Usually there's notice on menu changes as they roll out across the fleet.

 

And, in March, I used the Restaurant once, for lunch only. It was "OK" IMHO for lunch.

 

As I said, didn't have any "horse" in this one as I hadn't planned on dining there this trip as I'm still on the full UDP (the cruises I cancelled were with the "new" SDP version and, yes, for those, I probably would have gone once or twice for dinner, though I enjoy the other specialties and probably would have kept to my "normal" routine of those).

 

While I'll consume a fair amount of seafood, the lobster didn't concern me much overall. I can make that at home (though, I'd have to make 2 so I can share with the cat :eek: :rolleyes:).

[LrgPizza]

It's not necessarily "another cutback"; however, another rapid change. Usually there's notice on menu changes as they roll out across the fleet.

 

No there's not.

[Frick_&_Frack]

No there's not.

 

Maybe I should clarify that "Notice" usually means someone on CC finds out. :)

 

Not "notice-notice" (no matter who was in charge at NCL - that type of notice just isn't/hasn't been a reality on much of importance - much less menu, etc. items that truly, don't care much about).

 

Long before the days of UDP, I was paying for specialties each night...doesn't matter much on that point. I'll eat what I wish and pay as needed.

 

I, and it's just my personal opinion, am a bit worn by the seemingly rapid-fire changes. Little ones (well, to me, almost all have been "little") - just seems like quite a few in the last year or so. Hard to track actually.

 

Once they get to the "new" end-product, then I can see what that is.

 

Hopefully not a new version of Easy Cruise! :eek: :p

[dd likes to cruise]

As far as making some current customers unhappy and taking their cruising to a different line - I would imagine they (all cruise lines) feel others (customers) are starting to cruise and will take their place. Those new customers will only know about what is offered now. It is a continual cycle.

 

I'm sure we've all seen the old movies and know what it was like 50-60 years ago, right? It's not like that any more - everything changes. Not always for the best, but change happens. Or as some on CC likes to say "Ship Happens".

 

I too would love to be pampered beyond belief - but I for one can't afford that pampering. So far I love the simple things - all the food I can eat without paying extra, having my room taking care of, easy assess to entertainment and bars. I don't need a butler and private dinning rooms, and private pools and spa areas.

[LrgPizza]

Maybe I should clarify that "Notice" usually means someone on CC finds out. :)

 

So you mean what usually happens is what just happened. Someone found out and shared the info. :cool:

[Lupush]

As an executive in the hospitality industry for over 15 years I have no problems with what NCL is doing. It's the business. Those of us in the industry have a saying "guests are on vacation to spend money and have a good time". If you're not prepared/willing to do both stay home.

 

 

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[Frick_&_Frack]

As an executive in the hospitality industry for over 15 years I have no problems with what NCL is doing. It's the business. Those of us in the industry have a saying "guests are on vacation to spend money and have a good time". If you're not prepared/willing to do both stay home.

 

 

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I don't have an issue with NCL running their business as they see fit (though, a bit concerning as a stockholder if these changes don't function the way they may wish).

 

I don't need to stay home (as you so graciously advised). I can take my vacation dollars and spend them on other lines to obtain services, etc. that I want to have on my vacation.

 

Even in the hospitality industry, it is a fine line between maximizing revenue from guests or driving them to the competition. ;)

[swedish weave]

Not fascinated with stock prices and trading volume. Doesn't affect my vacation. I spend how I see fit and don't care how much a CEO of Disney, Hotels, or cruise lines make.

 

Facts about cruising would be nice instead of bashing a CEO how much money they make or stock prices.

 

You asked for facts and you got facts. Now you don't like the facts you got, so maybe you can post a list of the facts you will accept.

[swedish weave]

As an executive in the hospitality industry for over 15 years I have no problems with what NCL is doing. It's the business. Those of us in the industry have a saying "guests are on vacation to spend money and have a good time". If you're not prepared/willing to do both stay home.

 

 

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At what point does "doing business" turn into blatant greed ???

 

Keep in mind that NCLH is not returning any of the largess to the shareholders.

[LrgPizza]

At what point does "doing business" turn into blatant greed ???

 

That's completely subjective. Any business I've ever encountered in my life will try to make as much money as possible. That's kind of the point.

[Regguy]

I like threads like this not because they complaining but because they are fun to see later.

 

It seems to me the marketing strategy is focused on maintaining the ability to say things are free or included, while maintaining the ability to get dollars once they have a captive audience even for the stuff that could be had for free.

 

With that in mind, I think we may see some subtle changes to the drinking package. Ways to maybe up charge for certain drinks or changes to what is available for free or subtle changes in how the booze is distributed to push people toward spending a few bucks.

 

Putting more stuff on the right side of the menus seems an obvious strategy that meets the goal of saying that nobody has to pay but making it so that some will want to. I think we will see more of that, or maybe adding charges for after hours food at the 24 hour restaurant or up charges for some items at breakfast in the MDR.

 

The one area they haven't exploited yet are the entertainment and activities. I could see more premium seat or no waiting type options on shows becoming more of a thing -- everyone can go for free but a few bucks for reserved seats. Or even small up charges for certain activities.

[sparks1093]

As an executive in the hospitality industry for over 15 years I have no problems with what NCL is doing. It's the business. Those of us in the industry have a saying "guests are on vacation to spend money and have a good time". If you're not prepared/willing to do both stay home.

 

 

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Not very hospitable. Personally I am on vacation to have a good time. Spending money is not the goal, so you in the industry that think as you state have your wires crossed.

[swedish weave]

That's completely subjective. Any business I've ever encountered in my life will try to make as much money as possible. That's kind of the point.

 

Consider that the most successful businesses grow by attracting business instead of gouging their customers and shareholders.

[Thisisliving]

I thought they were a bit expensive too, but the itinerary I've booked was pretty unusual, so bit the bullet. But I still think $300 a day for a mid ship balcony is a bit steep. That did include three specialty restaurants and a drink package each, as non drinkers the package isn't worth that much to us, I guess if you'd be buying it anyway it made the price OK.

 

Hi Gut,

 

We got the free drink package too but I noticed both me and my husband got charged $99 each. I called NCL last night and said, we wouldn't even drink $200 worth of alcohol or coffee in 1 week so why am I tipping $200. She said they base the tips off of any drink that is under $15. I thinking tipping $200 in a week is excessive!!!

[Sizzlechest]

People who really care about NCL shouldn't be cheerleading for the company every time they remove a perk or add/increase a fee to increase revenue. This was the mantra at American car companies. Provide the minimal amount of quality and maximize the revenue. Sure, there will always be people who simply get used to all the problems they experience and believe it's normal. Most people get fed up and start looking at alternatives. Slowly but surely, people started buying Japanese and other foreign cars because they "just worked" and didn't break down nearly as much. NCL not only has to compete with other cruise companies, they have to compete with other vacation attractions. All these little slights, fees, annoyances, and upcharges add up. When people decide to leave NCL, like I have, it's going to be a lot tougher to bring them back if the alternative provides a better product or experience.

[NLH Arizona]

Not very hospitable. Personally I am on vacation to have a good time. Spending money is not the goal, so you in the industry that think as you state have your wires crossed.

I don't think the industry has their wires crossed. Many, if not most people, expect to spend money during their vacations. No everyone has the goal of leaving a ship with a zero balance.

[NLH Arizona]

People who really care about NCL shouldn't be cheerleading for the company every time they remove a perk or add/increase a fee to increase revenue. This was the mantra at American car companies. Provide the minimal amount of quality and maximize the revenue. Sure, there will always be people who simply get used to all the problems they experience and believe it's normal. Most people get fed up and start looking at alternatives. Slowly but surely, people started buying Japanese and other foreign cars because they "just worked" and didn't break down nearly as much. NCL not only has to compete with other cruise companies, they have to compete with other vacation attractions. All these little slights, fees, annoyances, and upcharges add up. When people decide to leave NCL, like I have, it's going to be a lot tougher to bring them back if the alternative provides a better product or experience.

So you think people that have no issues with the changes should become jeerleaders? If folks don't see the value in a certain vacation, there are many others to choose from. Folks make it sound like NCL customers are leaving my the droves, which is certainly not true. Cruise Critic posters are a small segment of the cruising population and those with issues are a small percent of those on Cruise Critic and IMHO, I don't think many of those who have said they are leaving really are, so I think NCL (or other lines, who are also making changes) will be just fine. Edited August 3, 2016 by NLH Arizona