NCL does horrible in 2019 Cruise Critic awards

[jbethel11]

18 hours ago, sandycruzr said:

I was not surprised that NCL did not receive any real

awards this year.  As a longtime. NCL cruiser I can see a big decline in customer satisfaction.   I know some people will be upset with me but I really felt like I was on a

Carnival cruise when I sailed on the Getaway a few weeks ago!  It’s sad really!

the crew seems really overworked and unhappy compared to other ships.  

Maybe NCL should reconsider the whole mega ship program.  Bigger is not always better!

And also lower the prices! I love Carnival Cruises, but do not want to spend a premium to get the same "experience" as Carnival!

[NightOne]

20 hours ago, david_sobe said:

These awards barely get mentioned on the NCL board because NCL is rarely mentioned.  Each year NCL keeps fading away.  NCL used to at least win best entertainment or at least have a ship in the top 10.  NCL is making big profits but it could be a bubble because cruisers have shifted away from NCL.  NCL is non-existent in these awards these days and that should bother NCL executives but until bookings go down, I fear things wont change.  Apparently cruisers don't think NCL ships are innovative, have great cabins, food, or value for the money.  Carnival suffers just as bad as NCL but that sort of always was the case.  Its the disappearance of NCL that is the story IMHO.

 

https://www.cruisecritic.com/memberreviews/cruiserschoice_index.cfm

 

I don't even consider these legitimate anymore. It is clear that there is a Celebrity/RCCL bias in them. A very vocal minority of RCI cheerleaders have taken that over in my opinion. 

 

Data is no good - Just sayin'

 

[Phaedrus78]

Hunh.  So RCC Ltd. dominates the ratings.  Again.  Imagine that.

 

Surprised Princess and Holland were able to occasionally sneak in there.  Someone must be slippin'.  

[TrinaLC]

17 hours ago, blcruising said:

I would love to sail Seaside. I've heard many good things and many not so good. But I'd love to sail on it. 

 

Seaside had the normal new ship problems and kinks but all worked out imo. Sailing her now for the second time. The current reviews reflect the many improvements. MSC brass clearly read and respond to cruise critic poster comments; in fact the officers will readily talk about what they’ve learned and have done in response to specific comments that cropped up regularly when the ship was launched. 

 

My my only fear is that MSC pricing will inevitably rise as the product becomes better known in the North American market. 

 

 

[TrinaLC]

17 hours ago, blcruising said:

I would love to sail Seaside. I've heard many good things and many not so good. But I'd love to sail on it. 

 

Seaside had the normal new ship problems and kinks but all worked out imo. Sailing her now for the second time. The current reviews reflect the many improvements. MSC brass clearly read and respond to cruise critic poster comments; in fact the officers will readily talk about what they’ve learned and have done in response to specific comments that cropped up regularly when the ship was launched. 

 

My my only fear is that MSC pricing will inevitably rise as the product becomes better known in the North American market. 

 

 

[Bluewake]

I am approaching Platinum + on NCL and believe that in the decade since my first NCL cruise, the line has made great strides in terms of its ships, service, and food.  It had become my preferred line and the Breakaway may be my favorite ship.  With that said, however, it's also my opinion that in the past 2-3 years, those improvements have begun to level off and are no longer increasing in proportion to the rising prices.  Perhaps it is attributable to the fact that the leadership has gone through a turbulent period with Sheehan being removed, Veitch suing Sheehan and the cruiseline, and Del Rio assuming the leadership.   https://www.miamiherald.com/news/business/tourism-cruises/article189239544.html    Were I interested in a "high end" cruise experience with all of the bells and whistles, I'd look at Regent or another luxury line.  But that is not what I want.  What I want is a moderately priced cruise with a corresponding value in terms of the ship and services.  I have one more NCL cruise booked but am in the process of planning future cruises.  As I do so, I am looking at other lines on which I now feel I can get a cruise experience that is equivalent to, if not better than, what NCL offers for less money.  I am not saying that NCL has declined, only that it may be out-pricing itself for what it offers.   

[willsears94]

18 hours ago, Bluewake said:

I am approaching Platinum + on NCL and believe that in the decade since my first NCL cruise, the line has made great strides in terms of its ships, service, and food.  It had become my preferred line and the Breakaway may be my favorite ship.  With that said, however, it's also my opinion that in the past 2-3 years, those improvements have begun to level off and are no longer increasing in proportion to the rising prices.  Perhaps it is attributable to the fact that the leadership has gone through a turbulent period with Sheehan being removed, Veitch suing Sheehan and the cruiseline, and Del Rio assuming the leadership.   https://www.miamiherald.com/news/business/tourism-cruises/article189239544.html    Were I interested in a "high end" cruise experience with all of the bells and whistles, I'd look at Regent or another luxury line.  But that is not what I want.  What I want is a moderately priced cruise with a corresponding value in terms of the ship and services.  I have one more NCL cruise booked but am in the process of planning future cruises.  As I do so, I am looking at other lines on which I now feel I can get a cruise experience that is equivalent to, if not better than, what NCL offers for less money.  I am not saying that NCL has declined, only that it may be out-pricing itself for what it offers.   

I would try Celebrity as I recently selected a similar experience through them for $500 less than NCL. Others might suggest MSC but I don't feel they offer a similar experience/ feeling to NCL outside of the Yacht Club.

[Mike_DeA]

These awards are meaningless to me, I don't even look at them anymore. 

[newmexicoNita]

On 3/7/2019 at 6:02 AM, Beer Belly said:

I am new to cruising.....only one under my belt, and it was NCL, my Wife (Boss Lady) has been on a few. We both noticed the above quote from Sandy, no interaction from the overworked and unhappy crew, although everyone was cordial. We currently booked another NCL in 2020 for the cheap deposit, and are also going to look at RCCL.

wow if anything many cruisers would rate  NCL among the friendliest crew at sea and toward the top in entertainment. I really don't know what ship you were on, but we have always had friendly crew members. We, actually had a few on our past cruise that remembered us, including names from a few cruises ago. There was one casino bar tender that called me by name every time he saw me and he did this after just one drink. Our traveling companions actually exchanged email addresses with a bar tender they got to know and we had a minor complaint, talked to one of the gals about it even though she did not work at the tour desk or reception desk. 5 days later she asked us if we got our problem solved? We didn't remember her, but she did us. 

[DaCruiseBug]

All the NCL fees and surcharges have a very negative influence on cruisers and this is reflected in the CruiseCritic awards. It has nothing to do with RCL or Celebrity being in CruiseCritics pocket or anything. I've been on NCL a few times and enjoyed my experience but based on all their fees and price increases I tell people to stay away from NCL. That's one of the negative effects of trying to nickel and dime your customers.

 

I don't know of any other cruise line that offer perks such as a beverage package in their cruise fare and then turn around and charges you "service charges" on that perk. MSC doesn't do it. Celebrity doesn't do it. Princess doesn't do it etc.

 

NCL also hurts as far as pricing because they've become one of the priciest out of the mainstream lines. I was just looking at the most recent sale Celebrity has and for a little over $2k per cabin you can get a balcony with beverage package and about $500 OBC. No hidden fees or surcharges. That's hard to beat.

I know it's sort of a last minute deal but...find me a 7 day sailing in a balcony cabin on NCL for $2,600 with pre-paid gratuitis, $500 OBC, and a beverage package...

 

 

Edited March 9, 2019 by DaCruiseBug

[NLH Arizona]

43 minutes ago, DaCruiseBug said:

All the NCL fees and surcharges have a very negative influence on cruisers and this is reflected in the CruiseCritic awards. It has nothing to do with RCL or Celebrity being in CruiseCritics pocket or anything. I've been on NCL a few times and enjoyed my experience but based on all their fees and price increases I tell people to stay away from NCL. That's one of the negative effects of trying to nickel and dime your customers.
 

Then how would you explain that MSC only got one award, when some folks on here say they are so much better than NCL?

[DaCruiseBug]

31 minutes ago, NLH Arizona said:

Then how would you explain that MSC only got one award, when some folks on here say they are so much better than NCL?

 

MSC is still very new to the North American market (which CruiseCritic caters to) and they have 1 ship in this market (the Armonia was a recent addition as well). So 1 award for a cruise lines new to the market with a very limited presence is considerably better than 0 award for a cruise line that's been in the market for decades and has a dozen ships in the market.

 

Btw: I think that excluding the Haven & YC you still have NCL with a superior product to MSC. The entertainment is better, food a little better etc. The issue is that MSC is usually 1/3 to 1/2 the price of NCL so the expectations are also much higher on NCL.

Edited March 9, 2019 by DaCruiseBug

[thetaro]

1 hour ago, NLH Arizona said:

Then how would you explain that MSC only got one award, when some folks on here say they are so much better than NCL?

 

I think the consensus is that MSC YC is comparable to Haven, but generally, NCL has a better product. MSC is less known in the US and they don't have that many offerings here. There aren't that many US members on the MSC board. 

[Two Wheels Only]

2 hours ago, DaCruiseBug said:

Btw: I think that excluding the Haven & YC you still have NCL with a superior product to MSC. The entertainment is better, food a little better etc.

 

I didn't experience MDR food on MSC so I can't compare MDR vs MDR for NCL vs MSC but I agree that NCL beats MSC for non-Haven vs non-Yacht Club. The lower MSC prices might swing the decision, however.

[Nyc2tropics]

New NCL ships stink. Overcrowded, long lines everywhere, one pool for adults, no real atrium. Can’t compare to rccl or carnival for that matter. Escape was a nightmare with a toddler in a stroller. Give me a Jewel class ship over Breakaway/+  anyday. 

[jbethel11]

6 minutes ago, Nyc2tropics said:

New NCL ships stink. Overcrowded, long lines everywhere, one pool for adults, no real atrium. Can’t compare to rccl or carnival for that matter. Escape was a nightmare with a toddler in a stroller. Give me a Jewel class ship over Breakaway/+  anyday. 

Don't forget about the high prices. I do not consider NCL comparable with Celebrity, as they are geared towards an older crowd. 

[nimiq]

I was also surprise to see no awards for  NCL in any category. NCL might not be my favorite line but in no way RCCL wins over them in food and entertainment. 

 

I thought my last 2 cruises on NCL Getaway and Epic was superior to our last cruise on RCCL Allure Of the seas.

 

All cruise line nickel and dime so it will be nice to see if Virgin make the industry adjust themselves.

 

Thanks

Sea ya

Eric

[4774Papa]

On 3/6/2019 at 8:18 PM, tallnthensome said:

Put it this way, at least in my case. My simple inside cabin for my family of four went up $2500 since I booked it for our upcoming 15 day on the Bliss. I would not pay that difference now ...... I booked the Encore for 2021 back in January only because of an online pricing error where they had balconies and three perks for $500 less than inside cabin with one perk .... They quickly fixed the mistake the next day but I got it .... If it wasn't for that $1500 error I wouldn't be sailing the Encore or NCL. After these two NCL cruises it's bye from me ...... I get better deals on MSC and Celebrity. Del Rio can kiss my rear end .....

Yes and Yes,

Also, we find most of the NCL ships design doesn't seem to focus on allowing passengers to see the ocean (from public areas).  We love ships that have a sunset bar outside the buffet were we can eat outside and watch the ship's wake.  The last three NCL cruises we have done, the ships had the spa and fitness center blocking that area.  

Also, hate the bundled priced on beverage packages with limited choices on good Cabernet.

[newmexicoNita]

On 3/7/2019 at 6:02 AM, Beer Belly said:

I am new to cruising.....only one under my belt, and it was NCL, my Wife (Boss Lady) has been on a few. We both noticed the above quote from Sandy, no interaction from the overworked and unhappy crew, although everyone was cordial. We currently booked another NCL in 2020 for the cheap deposit, and are also going to look at RCCL.

wow if anything many cruisers would rate  NCL among the friendliest crew at sea and toward the top in entertainment. I really don't know what ship you were on, but we have always had friendly crew members. We, actually had a few on our past cruise that remembered us, including names from a few cruises ago. There was one casino bar tender that called me by name every time he saw me and he did this after just one drink. Our traveling companions actually exchanged email addresses with a bar tender they got to know and we had a minor complaint, talked to one of the gals about it even though she did not work at the tour desk or reception desk. 5 days later she asked us if we got our problem solved? We didn't remember her, but she did us. 

 

I think, knowing now that the awards are based pretty much on reviews it is even more obvious there is no way they represent the feelings of the public. How many of you can say, after every cruise you do a full review on CC? I know I can't. I do, on occasion but not after every cruise. That is for sure. 

[Nola26]

On 3/6/2019 at 7:18 PM, bonvoyagie said:

I have not heard much about the new class of ships being smaller. I would have thought that if the mega ships were not good we would not have so many of them to begin with.. I have really have no desire to be on one of them - I love the Jewel class ships.

I have been on both. The mega ships offer more and generally better quality entertainment. The onboard activities like the ropes course, slides, rock wall, evening disco. There were 2 to 3 comedians on the Bliss (show host being the 3rd). The Pearl had one and lots of people didn't like him. 

 

I actually felt more crowded on the Pearl because that team was horrible in getting guest off the ship.

 

Finally the buffet on the Pearl is not as good as on the mega ships. The variety is less and the hours are shorter. I rarely eat on an excursion unless a meal is part of the package. I return to the ship and head to the buffet. On the Pearl the buffet closes in the late afternoon. They have a much smaller offering on the Great Outdoors. Pretty much burgers and dogs. I don't eat meat so not a lot of options. 

 

I will sail the megastore and smaller again, but my nod goes to the mega for what they offer in entertainment and dining.

[Bluewake]

On 3/8/2019 at 10:35 PM, Two Wheels Only said:

 

I didn't experience MDR food on MSC so I can't compare MDR vs MDR for NCL vs MSC but I agree that NCL beats MSC for non-Haven vs non-Yacht Club. The lower MSC prices might swing the decision, however.

 

You could be right about Haven vs Yacht Club.  However, on behalf of those who may not book the Haven or the Yacht Club,  I am a veteran of quite a few cruises on NCL who recently sailed MSC in "general population".  My MSC experience was excellent.  In fact, as I've written in other posts, I actually preferred some things on MSC over NCL. But, there are some aspects of NCL that I still prefer.   I do realize that it was just one cruise but any differences between NCL and MSC were, at least to me, relatively minor.  Both are fine lines that offer similar experiences...and there-in lies the rub.   I find it hard to continue to pay NCL prices if another line offers what, to me, is a very similar experience for 25-30% less.  I just don't find the differences to be worth the cost.   I do, however, understand that some cruisers may feel otherwise and the additional cost is worth it to them.

[Barb Nahoumi]

On 3/6/2019 at 6:35 PM, esm54687 said:

Whether it's NCL or Carnival or RCCL etc ..... when awards are given out by anonymous voters who aren't even verified cruisers, it is ripe for the results to be tainted and it ends up being a popularity contest or the cruise line marketing department hires interns to vote and vote and vote (wouldn't be the first time fraudulent reviews or votes were cast for a service industry) ......     also, if you look at the dramatic drop in attendance to a Cruise Critic Meet & Greet where NCL puts out a spread and the officers show up and 100 Cruise Critic members commit but only 10 show up..... that type of thing shows the members don't care and probably won't vote 

On our 14 day Dawn cruise last Oct. 26th, we had a large turn out at the M & G.  The hosts went all out to make it  enjoyable. 

[DaCruiseBug]

5 hours ago, Bluewake said:

 

You could be right about Haven vs Yacht Club.  However, on behalf of those who may not book the Haven or the Yacht Club,  I am a veteran of quite a few cruises on NCL who recently sailed MSC in "general population".  My MSC experience was excellent.  In fact, as I've written in other posts, I actually preferred some things on MSC over NCL. But, there are some aspects of NCL that I still prefer.   I do realize that it was just one cruise but any differences between NCL and MSC were, at least to me, relatively minor.  Both are fine lines that offer similar experiences...and there-in lies the rub.   I find it hard to continue to pay NCL prices if another line offers what, to me, is a very similar experience for 25-30% less.  I just don't find the differences to be worth the cost.   I do, however, understand that some cruisers may feel otherwise and the additional cost is worth it to them.

 

MSC does go all out with their CC meet and greet. When we went on the Seaside in October there were probably 100 people and MSC had all their top officers including the captain who then took the time and talk to people individually. They also had a big cake, drinks, appetizers etc.

[esm54687]

4 hours ago, Barb Nahoumi said:

On our 14 day Dawn cruise last Oct. 26th, we had a large turn out at the M & G.  The hosts went all out to make it  enjoyable. 

I can see a high turn out for a 14 day but check the Roll Calls for 7 day Bermuda or PC / GSC...... or other itineraries where people have done the trip multiple times........ you can almost hear the crickets 

Edited March 10, 2019 by esm54687

[Two Wheels Only]

5 hours ago, Bluewake said:

But, there are some aspects of NCL that I still prefer.   I do realize that it was just one cruise but any differences between NCL and MSC were, at least to me, relatively minor.  Both are fine lines that offer similar experiences...

 

I can understand that.

With MSC, the "experiences" throw many people for a loop. One person could be Bella experience while another could be Aurea experience. Their view of the same cruise can be very different.

 

On NCL, the least expensive interior or studio can experience the rest of the ship in the same way as someone in a mini-suite.