Why did NCL bail on 7-day Bahamas cruises out of NYC?

[NYcruzzer]

What makes me fee better is the fact thet my 7 night MSC cruise on 5/21 is about half the cost of an NCL cruise that same week. 

[Liljo22]

6 minutes ago, NYcruzzer said:

What makes me fee better is the fact thet my 7 night MSC cruise on 5/21 is about half the cost of an NCL cruise that same week. 

That's great.  I said from the first post that MSC has great deals and I have been looking at him.  I just find it annoying that someone is upset about a company doing one thing but is ok with another company doing the same thing(well actually for more) just because they call it something different.  

[603NHCruiser]

9 minutes ago, Liljo22 said:

I don't want to argue this all day but that's not what I am saying.

I apologize for trying to put words in your mouth, and agree that its not a point worth arguing over. I tend to agree more with @NYcruzzer's logic when looking at this comparison. I can also understand that it's is somewhat a matter of opinion based on individual feelings of whether the lines should break out fees into lots of different gratuity and services fees allowing them to offer a lower base fare. Or if these items should just get lumped into the fare so that guests don't feel as nickle and dimed. I had a lot less of an issue with the NCL beverage gratuity and daily service charge when I was under the impression that it was going directly to the crew in the form of additional wages or "tips" after hearing directly from crew and reading a lot of articles online, I have since come under the impression that a lot of those fess are actually being used by NCL to offset the cost of crew amenities such as the crew bar, performance incentives and moral boosters. As most of us working in the corporate world can agree, I would much rather see money put into my paycheck rather than the occasional pizza party from the boss to show their appreciation.

 

I went off on a bit of a tangent there, but it really boils down to how someone wants to see their charges when booking a vacation. broken down by line item so you can see what you are paying for, or lumped together as an over all charge.

 

On the otherside of the coin. I often book through the casino and routinely hear people complain about the ridiculous CAS admin fee that they tack on for no apparent reason. That runs you an additional $20pp/pd on all comp cruises. I look at it another way and compare a casino comp cruise against RCL which does not charge an admin booking fee, but also does not offer the FAS benefits. If I book through RCL I choose to generally add on the beverage fee at anywhere from $69-$89pp/pd. this means that even after paying the CAS admin fee, I am still ahead $$ wise with NCL. Now, if you are someone that doesnt take the Bev. package, then yes, the admin fee is just a kick in the teeth. These are my two cents.

[603NHCruiser]

3 minutes ago, Liljo22 said:

That's great.  I said from the first post that MSC has great deals and I have been looking at him.  I just find it annoying that someone is upset about a company doing one thing but is ok with another company doing the same thing(well actually for more) just because they call it something different.  

Was @NYcruzzer ever upset though? I never read their comments to sounds mad, angry or even frustrated such as how yours have come across this whole time. In fact the first post, read more as an "informational" topic and they seemed to come across as fairly laid back. it certainly wasn't like many of the rants that are on here trying to make NCL sound like the devil in corporate form. 

[cruiseny4life]

1 hour ago, Liljo22 said:

You aren't even getting to pick what time you want to eat dinner.  That's another $20 per person. 

I'm sorry, I can't get past this. MSC actually charges people money to select the time they can eat? I assume you can just go with whatever time MSC gives you instead of paying the money. Wow, talk about nickel and diming you! 

[UKstages]

1 hour ago, 603NHCruiser said:

On the otherside of the coin. I often book through the casino and routinely hear people complain about the ridiculous CAS admin fee that they tack on for no apparent reason. That runs you an additional $20pp/pd on all comp cruises.

 

i'm on that side of the coin! i book CAS cruises routinely and the admin fee is a bitter pill to swallow. however, on my most recent booking, i found out something i didn't know before... if you have a percentage off coupon in your account, it won't reduce the "fare" because the cost basis for the fare is zero. that much i knew. but what i didn't know is that you can indeed apply it to the booking and it will take that percentage off of the admin fee! i saved about $50 doing this on an upcoming cruise.

[UPNYGuy]

DW and I cruise on MSC, and quite enjoy them. 
 

If those in this thread are new to them, PLEASE pay attention to the Bella, Fantastica, Aurea, and Yacht Club levels. Bella is guaranteed only, and (interestingly enough) only the Aurea and Y/C permit flexible dining. 
 

MSC is good about laying out the inclusion levels. 

Edited March 30, 2023 by UPNYGuy
typo

[UPNYGuy]

35 minutes ago, cruiseny4life said:

I'm sorry, I can't get past this. MSC actually charges people money to select the time they can eat? I assume you can just go with whatever time MSC gives you instead of paying the money. Wow, talk about nickel and diming you! 

MSC considers flexible dining a perk of higher end cabins. They do NOT charge a fee to let you select your dining time. They simply do not permit you to select flexible dining unless you are in an Aurea level (or Yacht Club). They assign an early or late seating. 

Edited March 30, 2023 by UPNYGuy

[Liljo22]

41 minutes ago, cruiseny4life said:

I'm sorry, I can't get past this. MSC actually charges people money to select the time they can eat? I assume you can just go with whatever time MSC gives you instead of paying the money. Wow, talk about nickel and diming you! 

MSC has three options for their staterooms.  The base fare doesn't have the option to choose your dining time.  You can upgrade for a little extra(somewhere between $10 and $50 pp depending on length) and you get to choose your time and get room service breakfast.  They also have a much more expensive package that includes the option for anytime dining.  

 

[Liljo22]

Wait.  I didn't know that with the Bella package you don't get to pick your cabin.  I was always was selecting the Fantastica level since its not much more and you get the dining time you want.  That means that even if you select the fare that includes the drink package for $220pp more, you still can't pick your cabin unless you upgrade again for another $20pp.  

[UPNYGuy]

20 minutes ago, Liljo22 said:

Wait.  I didn't know that with the Bella package you don't get to pick your cabin.  I was always was selecting the Fantastica level since its not much more and you get the dining time you want.  That means that even if you select the fare that includes the drink package for $220pp more, you still can't pick your cabin unless you upgrade again for another $20pp.  

You can also select your dining time with Bella. Fantastica just gets priority 

Edited March 30, 2023 by UPNYGuy

[js]

3 hours ago, LoungerOnBalcony55 said:

Outside of Yacht Club MSC still aint ready for prime time re: the American market. The food, service and entertainment are all many notches below NCL and Royal. 

I agree with you. I will (and have quite a few times) sailed MSC but ONLY in YC.

I have no desire to be around the rest of the ship, really but the YC, IMO, is 2-3 steps higher, maybe more, than Haven, at a much better price. I have only sailed YC with my mom, since my dh and adult kids would be bored at night (and perhaps during the day).

 

My dh and I were thisclose to booked YC so he could give it a try but we had two FCCs left from Covid that we ended up booking Joy using both for Haven. 

 

[PTC DAWG]

2 hours ago, NYcruzzer said:

What makes me fee better is the fact thet my 7 night MSC cruise on 5/21 is about half the cost of an NCL cruise that same week. 

Bottom line always the key. 

[disneylover89]

6 hours ago, ontheweb said:

We did an NCL cruise out of NY to Bermuda before there were Breakaway class ships. Our ship was the NCL Crown in 2006. The ship was not really set up for freestyle, and was soon no longer part of the NCL fleet.

We went on the Crown in Aug 2004 to Bermuda, what a horrible, horrible ship.  I didn't book another NCL cruise until 16 years later in 2020 but that got cancelled because of covid and we finally cruised in 2022 on the Encore.  I have to say, it was much, much nicer than the Crown, lol.

Edited March 30, 2023 by disneylover89

[ontheweb]

31 minutes ago, disneylover89 said:

We went on the Crown in Aug 2004 to Bermuda, what a horrible, horrible ship.  I didn't book another NCL cruise until 16 years later in 2020 but that got cancelled because of covid and we finally cruised in 2022 on the Encore.  I have to say, it was much, much nicer than the Crown, lol.

I will say one good thing about our Crown cruise to Bermuda in 2006---best entertainment we have ever had on a ship. Nothing else good to say.

[mking8288]

Specialty Dining on the Crown (2006 and 2007) had a supplemental surcharge of $10 p/p at Cagney's, LeBistro & La Cucina then, and no additional auto-surcharges, not 20%, not 15%, etc. as it was covered as part of the DSC then.  Freestyle Dining came to NY by way of the brand new Norwegian Dawn in 2003, homeport in NY City sailing year-round then - no limits on starter items, soup and/or salad options.  Extra sides were complimentary and you can even order an extra entree if hungry.  

 

During the busy Fall season, NCL had 3 ships doing round-trips out of NY - Dawn, Jewel and Crown in 2005-6-7 and the Majestry sailed out of Boston then.  Jean Ann Ryan Company put on some of the best major onboard production shows for NCL in those days.  

 

I am not convinced yet, that NCL is bailing out of the NY market for good, a major gateway in Northeast cruise market easily reached by air travelers from around the world year-round.  The absence of one ship this Winter season might be a seasonal one with crews, logistics with ship deployment and other matters.  If it remain as is, NCL could well come to regret this decision down the "road" - Royal is just across the Hudson River sailing year-round, MSC and Carnival ... plus Princess could make their moves.  

 

NCL bailed out of the Asia - China market in 2018-19 but meanwhile ... in other news, Disney is relocating one of their ships abroad, to Asia.  Time ... will ... tell, whether this is a smart move.  

[ontheweb]

13 hours ago, ontheweb said:

I will say one good thing about our Crown cruise to Bermuda in 2006---best entertainment we have ever had on a ship. Nothing else good to say.

Actually, I did think of one other good thing to say, it was small enough that it hit all 3 ports in Bermuda, not just the one largest one.

[MsTabbyKats]

21 hours ago, NYcruzzer said:

What makes me fee better is the fact thet my 7 night MSC cruise on 5/21 is about half the cost of an NCL cruise that same week. 

My 8 night "interior Yacht Club" (small cabin but all YC benefits) to the Bahamas is less than a 7 night NCL cruise to Bermuda (both out of NY) guarantee balcony....for the same week.  I've been on MSC twice (pre-pandemic) and loved it (regular balcony cabins).  Upgrading to YC for this price was a no brainer.

[cruiseny4life]

14 hours ago, mking8288 said:

Specialty Dining on the Crown (2006 and 2007) had a supplemental surcharge of $10 p/p at Cagney's, LeBistro & La Cucina then, and no additional auto-surcharges, not 20%, not 15%, etc. as it was covered as part of the DSC then.  Freestyle Dining came to NY by way of the brand new Norwegian Dawn in 2003, homeport in NY City sailing year-round then - no limits on starter items, soup and/or salad options.  Extra sides were complimentary and you can even order an extra entree if hungry.  

You've just described how specialty dining should work! I suppose I'd allow for a $20 per person charge, given it is 2023, but that's it. None of this $60 dollar cover crap or $40 - $50 for one tiny entree with minimal sides....alas, I've gone too far from the topic. 

[NYcruzzer]

1 hour ago, MsTabbyKats said:

My 8 night "interior Yacht Club" (small cabin but all YC benefits) to the Bahamas is less than a 7 night NCL cruise to Bermuda (both out of NY) guarantee balcony....for the same week.  I've been on MSC twice (pre-pandemic) and loved it (regular balcony cabins).  Upgrading to YC for this price was a no brainer.

Interior YC was sold out for my sailing. The YC areas on MSC Meraviglia look amazing. I'm definitely looking forward to sailing YC in the future.

Like I said I haven't written NCL off. I only cruise out of NY/NJ. I like having more choices. Time will tell if MSC prices will go up or NCL out of NY will come down.

 

[G-DawgMN]

6 hours ago, NYcruzzer said:

Interior YC was sold out for my sailing. The YC areas on MSC Meraviglia look amazing. I'm definitely looking forward to sailing YC in the future.

Like I said I haven't written NCL off. I only cruise out of NY/NJ. I like having more choices. Time will tell if MSC prices will go up or NCL out of NY will come down.

 

 

 I have sailed in the YC on the Meragviglia (say that 10 times fast). It was just at the tail end of Covid so there were only 800 passengers on the entire ship and only 45 in YC.

  Having sailed in both YC and Haven, YC can be a better value, and I do like they rotate their dining menus vs. the fixed in Haven. Also the "magic key" that takes over the elevators is pretty amazing.

  

[margoula]

We are disappointed that NCL is not doing their Florida/Bahamas round trip NY…..specifically in October…..we are senior citizens and have been on this cruise about five times…..it is so enjoyable. We don’t want to sit on a ship docked in Bermuda for two or three days. 
 

I have been researching both MSC and Royal who do both have our preferred itinerary. 
 

Of course, we prefer if NCL had what we wanted but so be it……

[LoungerOnBalcony55]

49 minutes ago, margoula said:

We are disappointed that NCL is not doing their Florida/Bahamas round trip NY…..specifically in October…..we are senior citizens and have been on this cruise about five times…..it is so enjoyable. We don’t want to sit on a ship docked in Bermuda for two or three days. 
 

I have been researching both MSC and Royal who do both have our preferred itinerary. 
 

Of course, we prefer if NCL had what we wanted but so be it……

Yep - NCL's decision (WE KNOW YOU READ HERE, NCL HOME OFFICE), resulted in me taking 2 cruises with Royal and MSC this month that I'd otherwise happily have taken with them. Royal and MSC thank you for helping their business, Norwegian. 

[Crazy planning mom]

13 minutes ago, LoungerOnBalcony55 said:

Yep - NCL's decision (WE KNOW YOU READ HERE, NCL HOME OFFICE), resulted in me taking 2 cruises with Royal and MSC this month that I'd otherwise happily have taken with them. Royal and MSC thank you for helping their business, Norwegian. 

Did you like Royal? 

[LoungerOnBalcony55]

2 hours ago, Crazy planning mom said:

Did you like Royal? 

Not as much as I liked NCL, but if NCL wants to force me to sail Royal so be it.