What does NCL do to make you feel special?

[Georgia_Peaches]

After reading a few of the current threads...whether its a lack of towel animals, a lobster upcharge, new drink package tier, etc, it seems there's a lot floating around that may be indicative of a person's breaking point with NCL.  So I began to wonder what is it that NCL does to make me feel special.  I have certain expectations when I cruise but they mostly relate to getting what I paid for when I signed up.  If I feel like I've gotten what I paid for and had a great time to boot, I'm happy.

 

So what does NCL do that makes me feel special?

 

Two things come to mind:

1.  The "welcome back" canopy that's always set up (at least on Caribbean itineraries) outside the gangway when returning from a port day excursion.  I am so appreciative of the ice cold towel and infused water that are both so refreshing on an especially hot day. 

2. The embarkation day lunch in the MDR.  I love that it's open for lunch!  Many other lines rely on the buffet for embarkation day lunch.  Not, NCL!  We look forward to a leisurely lunch by a window where we can people watch as they board the ship.

 

What makes you feel special?

[tallnthensome]

As long as the staff is curtious and accommodating that’s all I need from them. It’s nice when they know your name. Nothing out of the ordinary ..:..

[graphicguy]

They’re always smiling and dancing upon embarkation.  I love that.

 

Plus, once I get to my cabin, there’s a welcome back letter and some bubbly and a big bottle of water welcoming me back (sometimes chocolate covered strawberries, too.). 😉

[BirdTravels]

The crew and there interaction with the passengers is really special. Whether walking through the ship or even down on I95 in the crew areas, they all greet you and make you feel welcome.

 

We cruise a lot. Over the past year, we have been on 3 NCL and 3 RCCL cruises. And it is like night and day the reception and how welcoming the NCL crew members are. On RCCL, they are mostly unfriendly and make you feel very unwelcome on THEIR ship. It starts with going to the Windjammer for lunch on embarkation day and having the restaurant manager makes PA announcements "if you're done eating, get out, we got other people to feed". That's your first impression to your cruise vacation and it just continues through the cruise. 

[4774Papa]

We have not found NCL to be more friendly than Royal or Celebrity.  We dislike the NCL beverage packages with the overrated value ($99 per day pp) and 20% gratuity for a package that doesn't include a good cabernet.

Still, we compare NCL with others for best value.  We decline the beverage package and bring our own wine and pay the $15 per bottle corkage.

[Oakman58]

A friendly and smiling crew makes all the difference and when one goes out of his/her way to do something extra for you if really feels special.  One night on our British Isles cruise our waiter took the time to show us how he could balance two forks on a toothpick.

 

 

[DirtyDawg]

What do they do to make me feel special?

 

I feel SO special when NCL just keeps reaching into my wallet to take my money..... 

.... they are just like another one of my children. 😍

[JillK]

I really like NCL but have also enjoyed wonderful cruises with Royal, Carnival, Celebrity and Princess. When I look at a cruise vacation I always check NCL, Royal and Carnival and will book what represents the best fit (sail date/itinerary) and what is most cost effective for my family of 6. When hubby and I are travelling solo I also price Celebrity and Princess.

 

Hubby and I recently booked a cruise without the kids on the GEM and we are cruising with the whole family split in two cabins (no romance there) over the next two years, one with Royal and the other with NCL. 

 

Like many others, I'm not impressed with NCL constantly raising their prices for this and that, but at the end of the day if the date, itinerary and price work, that's who will get my vacation money. Yes, it would be great to focus on one line and built loyalty points but sometimes NCL's offerings don't work as well as another line.

 

In terms of NCL specifically I agree with the OP that the welcome back to the ship with cool towels and drinks at the pier have been so, so nice. Because we have kids and avail ourselves of the kids club, this is a huge factor for us right now and we also find that NCL has a great kids program that our boys (7 & 8 at the time) really loved on our last cruise on the Escape.

 

I'm curious to see how they and my teen daughters (8, 10, 13 & 15 at time of sailing) will find the kids/teen program with Royal next year. Experiences like the kids offerings, service and general atmosphere also greatly influence our decision.

Edited April 14, 2019 by JillK

[janice2348]

NCL has been amazing with my food allergies. Nothing was off limits as they could make just about anything gluten, dairy and nut free, even hollandaise.  I was so spoiled!

We have our third cruise with them coming up in February.  We can’t wait!

[Newleno]

Ncl makes me feel dirty and i love it

[trex-de]

I know the event is cheesy, but I do appreciate the latitude party. Carnival gives you a drink coupon for return cruisers. 

 

We are Plattinum. We appreciate the benefits for sure. 

[derek005]

11 hours ago, Georgia_Peaches said:

As soon as I book! It is unbelievable how they take care of me and my family.

 

[Meekofigaro]

I love the crew, we have made lifelong friends on some ships. I love that you see the officers all the time and are engaging. 

The welcome back parties on the pier as well from the ports are awesome.  It just feels like coming home when we get on any ship.

[IrieBajan54]

10 hours ago, BirdTravels said:

On RCCL, they are mostly unfriendly and make you feel very unwelcome on THEIR ship. It starts with going to the Windjammer for lunch on embarkation day and having the restaurant manager makes PA announcements "if you're done eating, get out, we got other people to feed". That's your first impression to your cruise vacation and it just continues through the cruise. 

 

I only sail NCL because I still get the best price as a solo. But on the above quote, I think RCL has a great system on embarkation day. I have noticed in the Garden Cafe, passengers who embark early and are finished eating, occupy the tables at length talking on cell phones and just hanging out waiting for the "cabins are ready announcement." Yet, they can see many many people desperate for a table to eat some lunch and it doesn't phase them one bit. This is even more bothersome in NYC when it is cold and the late boarders can't eat at poolside or the Great Outdoors. The selfish people who are fully fed, could hangout in many locations including Bliss, Spinnaker and the Atrium where they can still hear the cabin announcement. Kudos to RCL for being proactive.

Edited April 15, 2019 by IrieBajan54
correction

[Shidah]

There are so many ways NCL makes me feel special, from the moment I walk on the ship until I get off.  I’ll try to list a few from my last cruise a few weeks ago on the Escape:

 

 - my room steward addressing me by name everyday, always smiling, always making sure anything I need is taken care of

- bar staff, they work several bars, and once they know you from one bar they give you recognition at their next area.  Example bartender from Vibe works the casino at night and greats you like an old friend and makes sure you always have a drink, bartender at Margaritaville works casino at night, same thing.  And by the end of the week they are truly like old friends.  Always addressing me by me first name after my first drink too.

- hotel director and other officers walking the ship all the time smiling, addressing guests, making sure every one is happy.

- Restaurant management stopping by tables to make sure everything is good.

- staff in the halls not assigned to my room smiling and saying hello when I walk by

- getting the occasional surprise treat in the room from the casino, hotel director etc

 

There is a million more, but the common thread here is the people.  On debarkation day, I thought to myself I felt like I was saying goodbye to good friends and family, that’s how special the crew made me feel.  I was amazed since I know I am not special and only one of 5000 special people on the cruise that week, and the people waiting to embark were 5000 new special people.  That is the reality.  But I left the ship feeling like the most special person to NCL thanks to their staff.  I don’t know how the crew does it.  I could not be that nice, all the time.....I would crack at some point!  

[keep on cruisin]

I agree with pretty much everything everyone has said about how we feel special, but to be honest i have had that on every cruise i have taken whether it be NCL, RCCL or Celebrity.

 

I haven't been on RCCL in over 10 years, but i would not have an objection to the embarkation day request in the buffet to move along to another part of the ship to wait for rooms to be ready.  

 

I think that could be made better if they allowed you to drop of your carryon to your stateroom  before they are ready.  But that would come with its own security  problems as they quite often leave all the doors open while cleaning, as well as the the carryons would be in the way of cleaning thoroughly.

[newmexicoNita]

20 hours ago, Georgia_Peaches said:

After reading a few of the current threads...whether its a lack of towel animals, a lobster upcharge, new drink package tier, etc, it seems there's a lot floating around that may be indicative of a person's breaking point with NCL.  So I began to wonder what is it that NCL does to make me feel special.  I have certain expectations when I cruise but they mostly relate to getting what I paid for when I signed up.  If I feel like I've gotten what I paid for and had a great time to boot, I'm happy.

 

So what does NCL do that makes me feel special?

 

Two things come to mind:

1.  The "welcome back" canopy that's always set up (at least on Caribbean itineraries) outside the gangway when returning from a port day excursion.  I am so appreciative of the ice cold towel and infused water that are both so refreshing on an especially hot day. 

2. The embarkation day lunch in the MDR.  I love that it's open for lunch!  Many other lines rely on the buffet for embarkation day lunch.  Not, NCL!  We look forward to a leisurely lunch by a window where we can people watch as they board the ship.

 

What makes you feel special?

number 1 the pleasant crew and 2 when people on the ship remember my name or at least, some that remember when they saw us on another cruise. We recently had a young man, who was a waiter remember he saw us on another ship over a year before. He even remembered what I liked for breakfast. when I read the postings about "breaking point" I think 2 things: some really have and I realize nothing is good forever. It is good to try something new. Maybe it works, maybe not. the other thing is, there are people that will just plain gripe and those they are always looking for the sunshine without realizing it is right in front of them. 

[erdoran]

Last year on Bliss when I walked up to the Haven bar and the bartender handed me whatever I had been drinking at the time before I even asked.

[pete_coach]

I agree with most things others have said about "feeling special" but, I also feel that other lines we have been on treated us equally as well.

Celebrity, Oceania, RCCL and Scenic also have made me "feel special".  I believe it is the nature of cruising.

Of course, occasionally there is a crew member that is having an off day but, we have never had anyone that did not treat us very well.

The area that I feel NCL has let us down is with pricing. Their changing of pricing after payment in full is another feature uncalled for. (UPB changing brands and go karts going up and other amenity charges increasing). Their drinks package and on board charges are quite high in my opinion and hence, I will looking elsewhere.

Edited April 15, 2019 by pete_coach

[sjbdtz]

 

It's when the President of NCL stops to pose for a photo, and is dressed just as casually as you are!  :)

 

 

Or when there's an unexpected gift in your cabin...

 

 

 

 

Or the casino dealer lays out 4 queens on the table for you...

 

 

 

 

Or your clamshell at Great Stirrup Cay is cancelled, and you're surprised with a bottle of Moet, and this waterfront gorgeousness instead:

 

 

 

 

We don't do anything special to deserve any of this, which is really what makes it extra.   I'm not a blogger, I don't have an audience to deliver,  I'm not even in the industry.   Yes, I make an effort to  maintain relationships, to give feedback - including constructive criticism,  and to identify strong performers to management so they can course-correct and leverage their talent, and we keep coming back.  

 

But then, when somebody asks a question like this - I have an answer.   Not to mention all the crew with whom we have become friends.

 

 

 

Stephen

[spanishguy1970]

20 hours ago, DirtyDawg said:

What do they do to make me feel special?

 

I feel SO special when NCL just keeps reaching into my wallet to take my money..... 

.... they are just like another one of my children. 😍

LOL we have a winner.

[spanishguy1970]

Going back to the same ships and seeing some crew members recognize us and go far and beyond to make the current cruise special. We really enjoy that.

Edited April 15, 2019 by spanishguy1970