It's Truly Embarrassing

[bumorgan]

I just got married a year ago and I've been telling my wife how great cruising is and made a reservation back then for the Breakaway for late October. She has never taken a cruise and is a little nervous about it. So over the last several months I would tell her about all the great things she would experience to build up her excitement. First that there would be fireworks one night (very romantic) GONE. Then how great the burgers will be at the up town grill GONE. Then I told her about the Cirque dinner show, which I tried to book last week at 90 days out GONE. Today I find out they stopped serving lobster in Teppanyaki which I booked GONE.

I will now stop mentioning anything till October. We will still have a great cruise but I'm really tired of things disappearing from our cruise. As you can see our next cruise will be with Carnival.

 

Dan

[Cruzncutie]

Enjoy Carnival [emoji57]

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

[bumorgan]

You could have cancel the cruise and switched over to Carnival after the first few things were gone without losing your deposit.

 

This is true, unfortunately their Bermuda cruise is only 4 days from NY.:(

[pieshops]

I guarantee if you go in with an open mind and no preconceived ideas you will have an awesome time and not even notice any of those things were missing

Edited August 3, 2016 by pieshops

[Sizzlechest]

There's been quite a few changes over the last few years:

 

 

• Nickelodeon gone
  
• Geoffrey Zakarian gone
  
• Cake Boss gone
  
• 18% gratuity on specialty dining
  
• DSC raised twice
  
• drink prices raised
  
• 18% gratuity on drinks
  
• 18% gratuity on food/coffee purchases ( Java Cafe/Carlo's/gelato etc)
  
• Asian Noodle restaurant complimentary but reduced menu
  
• Hippo Slide at GSC gone
  
• Fireworks gone
  
• UDP is now SDP
  
• UBP used to be for everyone in room, but now it's just first two passengers
  
• Room service $7.95 except for a much smaller limited "continental breakfast"
  
• Blue Man Group gone
  
• Now pay taxes on "free" UBP/SDP
  
• No more kids pricing in specialty restaurants
  
• Port times shortened on a number of itineraries "for your convenience"
  
• No more free Cirque or Illusionarium on first night with dining package
  
• Margaritaville on Escape is now a la carte. Used to be included.
  
• Cancellation policy got much worse.
  
• SDP price increased.
  
• Fewer days for SDP on promos.
  
• Available wines have gotten worse. http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showpost.php?p=49635954&postcount=64
  
• Certain menu items (like Seafood Extravaganza at Ocean Blue) not covered by SDP upcharge.
  
• Bayamo upcharge for SDP increased.
  
• Dining packages no longer have fixed $10 price for second entree at Cagney's and Le Bistro. Now charged full a la carte price for entree.
  
• Uptown/Flamingo Grill being replace with Margaritaville. Free dining place replace for fee-based one with similar food.
  
• AARP discount gone.
  
• Haven breakfast and lunch menu items scaled back. http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2356561
  
• Water, soda and juices can not be brought on board either as carry-on or checked luggage https://www.ncl.com/faq/liquor-beverage-policy
  
• No more lobster on Haven dining menu http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2385832
  

[js]

I just got married a year ago and I've been telling my wife how great cruising is and made a reservation back then for the Breakaway for late October. She has never taken a cruise and is a little nervous about it. So over the last several months I would tell her about all the great things she would experience to build up her excitement. First that there would be fireworks one night (very romantic) GONE. Then how great the burgers will be at the up town grill GONE. Then I told her about the Cirque dinner show, which I tried to book last week at 90 days out GONE. Today I find out they stopped serving lobster in Teppanyaki which I booked GONE.

I will now stop mentioning anything till October. We will still have a great cruise but I'm really tired of things disappearing from our cruise. As you can see our next cruise will be with Carnival.

 

Dan

 

Hi. I understand but especially if your wife has never taken a cruise before, she certainly won't be missing fireworks or lobster and I'm sure you both will have a great cruise.

 

I don't know what category you booked but for a balcony on the newer CCL Ships as Breeze and Vista, when you add in the beverage package and specialty dining, CCL is coming out more money. I know since I just sailed Breeze in January and have Vista booked for January 2018. I am booking a cruise for July 2017 and comparing Breeze and adding beverage package for two vs. Escape in an inside and Escape still came out ahead, yes, though without lobster.

 

I hope you still have a wonderful cruise and as the changes happen, just tell your wife and I'm sure she will just be so excited to be cruising :)

[ColinIllinois]

I guarantee if you go in with an open mind and no preconceived ideas you will have an awesome time and not even notice any of those things were missing

 

 

Exactly.

[BEACHBARB]

I was on the Breakaway in January and didn't miss the lobster (in the MDR). Never made it to Uptown Grill either but can say the burgers in O'Sheehan's are huge and very good. You'll love the ship and have a blast. Carnival Pride is my favorite class of ship for Carnival so you'll enjoy that too. Hey - it's a cruise - what's not to like????

[Frick_&_Frack]

I guarantee if you go in with an open mind and no preconceived ideas you will have an awesome time and not even notice any of those things were missing

 

While I'm sure they will still have a good time, it's also fair to say that they will "notice" some of the things (like the Fireworks). Remember, there is a newbie involved and these things were used to get her excited about the cruise. So, I'll wager she will remember and, at the very least, ask about some of them.

[bumorgan]

You'll love the ship and have a blast. Carnival Pride is my favorite class of ship for Carnival so you'll enjoy that too. Hey - it's a cruise - what's not to like????

 

We are looking forward to the waterfront especially:) I also love this class of ship on Carnival as I have cruised the Miracle.

[bumorgan]

While I'm sure they will still have a good time, it's also fair to say that they will "notice" some of the things (like the Fireworks). Remember, there is a newbie involved and these things were used to get her excited about the cruise. So, I'll wager she will remember and, at the very least, ask about some of them.

 

Exactly!!:(

[BrandoMan13]

There has still not been any official confirmation that uptown grill is being replaced. As of now, both grills on the BA and GA still exist. I was sure from what I read here that uptown would be gone by the time I cruise a month from now.

 

So, I wouldnt worry about that change until its actually been made. Some of the other stuff, if it was something important to you or something you were looking forward to, I understand the disappointment.

[casofilia]

I guarantee if you go in with an open mind and no preconceived ideas you will have an awesome time and not even notice any of those things were missing

 

I agree totally, look forward not back. We miss things we have had before but there is still an enormous amount to enjoy.

 

Mike

[NLH Arizona]

I agree totally, look forward not back. We miss things we have had before but there is still an enormous amount to enjoy.

 

Mike

I remember that they use to carry your carry-on bags and escort you to your cabin on some of my first cruises, but alas things change and they don't do that anymore, so I don't dwell on the past nor do I let it ruin my cruises.

[Lil'red]

If they were going from Princess to NCL THAT would be going from Macy't to Walmart. Going from NCL to Carnival is like going from Walmart to JC Penny.

 

Unless you are very rich, and in that case you can still buy a better experience on Carnival than on NCL.

 

I am taking my family of 5 on the Breakaway in Sept and staying in the Haven. We were also in the Haven in '15 on the Epic over spring break. Can you please tell me specifically what I could buy that would be a better experience? Always looking for different options.

[pieshops]

As a chef, I never had understood the allure of the lobster on the ships. It is warm water lobster (spiny ) and really has zero flavor, especially when cooked (overcooked) at the Japanese tables where all you taste is the sauce on it. A whole Maine cold water lobster is a whole different story

[Love.II.Cruise]

As a chef, I never had understood the allure of the lobster on the ships. It is warm water lobster (spiny ) and really has zero flavor, especially when cooked (overcooked) at the Japanese tables where all you taste is the sauce on it. A whole Maine cold water lobster is a whole different story

 

I agree.

[cb at sea]

It's never a good idea to "over-sell" something to someone...the "thrill" of discovery is what folks remember! So...never do more than say, 'you'll enjoy it, I think"...and leave it at that!

[Torence]

I just got married a year ago and I've been telling my wife how great cruising is and made a reservation back then for the Breakaway for late October. She has never taken a cruise and is a little nervous about it. So over the last several months I would tell her about all the great things she would experience to build up her excitement. First that there would be fireworks one night (very romantic) GONE. Then how great the burgers will be at the up town grill GONE. Then I told her about the Cirque dinner show, which I tried to book last week at 90 days out GONE. Today I find out they stopped serving lobster in Teppanyaki which I booked GONE.

I will now stop mentioning anything till October. We will still have a great cruise but I'm really tired of things disappearing from our cruise. As you can see our next cruise will be with Carnival.

 

Dan

 

A long time ago, when I got married I was in the same position. I had been on a few cruises before and really liked them while my wife-to-be had not and was pretty nervous. There was no reason to be; she loved the food, the show, the service and most of all the SPA! I like to joke that when we first went on the cruise, I had to drag her on the ship; when it came time to go home, I had to drag her off!

 

As far as what may be missing, I can only echo what other folks have mentioned, in that you should just focus on what is on the cruise rather than what's missing. As far as the fireworks go, well you have been only married a year, so I pretty sure YOU won't have any problem in providing them...:)

[Frick_&_Frack]

It's never a good idea to "over-sell" something to someone...the "thrill" of discovery is what folks remember! So...never do more than say, 'you'll enjoy it, I think"...and leave it at that!

 

Though, I can remember when I first was dating DH and he didn't want to cruise, but I did. I sold him **hard** on it. He wound up loving every single one he took. But, from the OP's perspective, I've been there and it's sort of embarrassing to him. I get that (and respect it). Wives have very good, and long, memories. ;) :D

[StolidCruiser]

As a chef, I never had understood the allure of the lobster on the ships. It is warm water lobster (spiny ) and really has zero flavor, especially when cooked (overcooked) at the Japanese tables where all you taste is the sauce on it. A whole Maine cold water lobster is a whole different story

 

Because "lobster" infers "luxury" to those without a palate to know the difference.

[Shawnino]

Because "lobster" infers "luxury" to those without a palate to know the difference.

 

Which always makes me smile.

Lobster was my grandmother's favourite food.

She was never allowed to take a lobster sandwich to school, because lobster was food for poor people and the homeless and her family couldn't have the townsfolk thinking they were poor.

Oh, they wre poor, dirt poor. But they'd rather die than let on.

[Shih-tzu]

Which always makes me smile.

Lobster was my grandmother's favourite food.

She was never allowed to take a lobster sandwich to school, because lobster was food for poor people and the homeless and her family couldn't have the townsfolk thinking they were poor.

Oh, they wre poor, dirt poor. But they'd rather die than let on.

 

Which is why many older folks from here and PEI do not like lobster.......I've heard the tales of how they would throw out their lobster sandwiches while walking to school so people wouldn't know they were poor....?

 

On another note - I love lobster (Maine and Bay of Fundy ones) but I always look at it before cracking it open and think to myself "The first person who ever tried this must have been a very brave soul!"

[stickey_mouse]

I totally get what the OP is saying. I voiced similar concerns in another thread and took a similar beating. NCL needs a lesson on advance notice. While I think the OP is rightfully embarrassed, I think NCL carries most of the embarrassment for its behavior in these matters. And for goodness sake, let's lay off posters who are complaining about NCL on the friggin NCL boards. This is the exact venue to do so.

[Frick_&_Frack]

There has still not been any official confirmation that uptown grill is being replaced. As of now, both grills on the BA and GA still exist. I was sure from what I read here that uptown would be gone by the time I cruise a month from now.

 

So, I wouldnt worry about that change until its actually been made. Some of the other stuff, if it was something important to you or something you were looking forward to, I understand the disappointment.

 

Actually, the change was just formally announced:

 

http://cruisefever.net/08032-norwegian-adding-margaritaville-to-two-more-cruise-ships/

 

Getaway changes on September 18th and Breakaway on October 9th. ;)