Norwegians shocking demise of quality on all fronts

[graphicguy]

11 hours ago, JamieLogical said:

 

I only get one specialty dinner, but their MDR is better than NCL so that isn't as much of an issue. Plus $650 OBC covers a lot of specialty dinners. Drink package is included, no tacked on gratituities for it, and no $1.20 upcharge for Bailey's in my included fancy coffees....

 

My husband and I are booked in 7-day balcony out of NYC with drinks and *unlimited* wifi for a total of $1357 in October....

 

Breakaway out of NYC that same week is over $3000 for a balcony and "Free" at Sea.

 

I get it.  I shop like a fiend.  I know I can find some fares on some cruise lines lower (total cost, not just the fares) on any given time and itinerary.

 

There was a time MSC was considerably less expensive than just about any other cruise line out there.  To me, that just isn't the case, any more.

 

IF MSC works better for you, I understand.  It doesn't for me.  But, I'm a party of one.

 

Personally, I get way more bang for my buck on NCL.  Has that, or will that, always be true?  Probably not.  You and I have spoken about some frustrating times with both NCL and MSC.  That's why there are other great choices.

 

Finally, Jamie does not need me to defend her. She can do that quite ably on her own.  However, I've sailed with her.  I consider her one of my "cruise friends".  To me, that's high praise.  She's one of the nicest (and cruise knowledgeable) people I know.

 

So, attacking her won't stand if I notice it without some sort of defense by me.

 

Edited March 5 by graphicguy

[JamieLogical]

9 hours ago, LongIsland-Cruiser said:

 

It sounds to me then that you have found the cruise line that matches your interests and wallet.  I am happy for you.  That's what we're all trying to do.

 

So...why are you on the NCL forum?  Honest curiosity.  If NCL is not for you anymore (which is totally valid), why are you here?

 

I am considering a sailing on the Joy out of NYC in May. I posted about why in a different thread. I came back to the NCL forums to learn more about what has changed on NCL since the last time I sailed with them in October 2022. NCL was my home for my first seven cruises pre-pandemic and two cruises, including a B2B after the restart, but I have sailed other lines since then. I am nostalgic for the way NCL was pre-pandemic and wish I could still purchase that same product. It is sad/frustrating to me that it is no longer available. I understand that inflation is real and I would pay more for that same product today than I did in years past. But I guess I am unhappy with the choices that NCL has made about where to make cuts. Seeing that MSC is still offering those services at a lower price point kind of undermines the inflation argument somewhat. Also, I still own 200 shares of NCL stock, so as an investor, I do have long-term concerns about the business decisions that NCL is making and how they may ultimately drive away a loyal customer base.

[JamieLogical]

2 minutes ago, graphicguy said:

I get it.  I shop like a fiend.  I know I can find some fares on some cruise lines lower (total cost, not just the fares) on any given time and itinerary.

 

There was a time MSC was considerably less expensive than just about any other cruise line out there.  To me, that just isn't the case, any more.

 

IF MSC works better for you, I understand.  It doesn't for me.  But, I'm a party of one.

 

Personally, I get way more bang for my buck on NCL.  Has that, or will that, always be true?  Probably not.  You and I have spoken about some frustrating times with both NCL and MSC.  That's why there are great choices.

 

Finally, Jamie does not need me to defend her. She can do that quite ably on her own.  However, I've sailed with her.  I consider her one of my "cruise friends".  To me, that's high praise.  She's one of the nicest (and cruise knowledgeable) people I know.

 

So, attacking her won't stand if I notice it without some sort of defense by me.

 

 

Aw, thanks! BTW, my solo "cruise crew" is all coming with me on that Halloween Meraviglia sailing. I met them all on that same Halloween sailing you and I did together on the Breakaway. Solo fares with drinks and wifi when we booked were $705 for an interior (not studio as those were sold out) and $1000 for a deluxe balcony. But two people in a deluxe balcony was only $1357, which is how I persuaded my husband to join me this time so he will finally get to meet my solo friends. This will be the 4th cruise my cruise crew has taken together counting that first Breakaway sailing when we met.

[graphicguy]

2 hours ago, PATRLR said:

That's your interpretation of the phrase.  My interpretation is wider and includes:

• Things that used to be free but now you have to pay for 
• Things that used to be offered but aren't offered at all
• Things that used to be offered but have been replaced by something cheaper
  
  Nickel and diming can occur on both sides of the ledger - NCL getting additional monies from you, or, NCL saving money by offering you less.

I look at this from a dozen plus different cruises with NCL starting 30+ years ago.

 

Looking back even a dozen years ago, there was no "free at sea". 

 

Drinks were paid for a la carte (and I had me some eye popping liquor bills).  Now with FAS, you pay tips only. 

 

There were no "free" specialty dinners.  Now, you pay tips only.

 

Regardless of how you or I feel about the entertainment, it is WAY better today that it ever was on the SS Norway (my first NCL ship).

 

Smoking?  Everywhere...all the time!

 

I tipped everyone all the time.  Wine Steward?  Tip! (even though I perhaps had one glass of wine all cruise).  Maitre D?  Tip (even though he only found a table for you on that first night).  Bus Boy?  Tip.  Towel guy by the loungers?  Tip.  Bartenders?  Tip...every single drink.  It went on an on that way.  

 

Food?  Truthfully, I don't remember it being better or worse than it is today.  Different menu items?  For sure.  But, also way more selection these days.

 

Go see what a drink package costs on a Royal Cruise, for example.  

 

Believe it or not, adjusted for inflation, my cruise fare (and total costs) are about the same today as they were 15-20 years ago.  And, there is much more variety and much more included in the NCL cruise today.

 

Nickel and dimeing?  Never understood where this came from!

 

 

 

 

[graphicguy]

15 minutes ago, JamieLogical said:

 

Aw, thanks! BTW, my solo "cruise crew" is all coming with me on that Halloween Meraviglia sailing. I met them all on that same Halloween sailing you and I did together on the Breakaway. Solo fares with drinks and wifi when we booked were $705 for an interior (not studio as those were sold out) and $1000 for a deluxe balcony. But two people in a deluxe balcony was only $1357, which is how I persuaded my husband to join me this time so he will finally get to meet my solo friends. This will be the 4th cruise my cruise crew has taken together counting that first Breakaway sailing when we met.

That sounds like a good time.  You snagged a deal.  Outstanding.

 

To this day, that cruise we sailed together was to date the cheapest cruise I've ever taken.  $800, Club Balcony, with FAS, and I think $200 OBC for 7 nites, all in.  That cruise was fun (well, they all are).

 

I'll be on the Joy in Sept!  New ship (for me).  Looking forward to it.

Edited March 5 by graphicguy

[dcipjr]

1 minute ago, graphicguy said:

To this day, that cruise we sailed together was to date the cheapest cruise I've ever taken.  $800, Club Balcony, with FAS, and I think $200 OBC for 7 nites, all in.  That cruise was fun (well, they all are).

 

I was on that same cruise, but because of the itinerary there wasn't really a Meet and Greet, so I didn't get to meet you two.

 

But yeah, what a fantastic cruise that was. We had such a good time; the ports were beautiful, and the price was oh-so right. It was less than $1700 all-in for 3 people in a balcony with $200 OBC. I'd do it again in a heartbeat.

[JamieLogical]

11 minutes ago, dcipjr said:

 

I was on that same cruise, but because of the itinerary there wasn't really a Meet and Greet, so I didn't get to meet you two.

 

But yeah, what a fantastic cruise that was. We had such a good time; the ports were beautiful, and the price was oh-so right. It was less than $1700 all-in for 3 people in a balcony with $200 OBC. I'd do it again in a heartbeat.

 

When I priced out the Breakaway for Halloween in 2024, it came out to over $3000 for two in a balcony, so that 2022 Breakaway sailing was a real steal!

 

Just priced it out again and two people in a Balcony with FAS is $3,534!!! making my $1357 on the Meraviglia look amazing!

 

Edited March 5 by JamieLogical

[graphicguy]

3 minutes ago, JamieLogical said:

 

When I priced out the Breakaway for Halloween in 2024, it came out to over $3000 for two in a balcony, so that 2022 Breakaway sailing was a real steal!

I'm sure Jamie remembers more than me.  But there was her, @ESCARGO, and others I don't recall right now.

 

I've met a lot of great cruise friends on NCL that hang out here.

 

[UKstages]

11 hours ago, LongIsland-Cruiser said:

If NCL has no problem getting people to cruise with them, all the online complaints don't mean much.

 

NCL is clearly now going after first time cruisers. and they have been very successful at attracting them. the problem is that isn't a business model. you can't rely on an endless stream of first time cruisers. you have to knock their socks off or at least please them, so they'll come back.

 

(in truth, you actually can rely on a stream of endless first time cruisers, but that's a different business model... and it's not sustainable.)

 

a lot of the people in this forum have velvet handcuffs... they have status on NCL that gives them certain benefits. they will continue to cruise with NCL, although we've seen quite a few platinum, sapphire and diamond folks who say that they have had enough and will only now cruise on their terms. they will accept the decline in quality if the sailing otherwise meets their needs in terms of price point, departure city and itinerary. other cruise lines are making it quite easy to literally "jump ship," with status matches in loyalty programs and even casino loyalty programs.

 

NCL's post-covid recovery can not be measured now, amidst pent up demand and the high prices and the full ships. joe bob's cruise line could make money in this environment with twenty year old ships! no, the measure of their post-covid recovery will be two and three years from now, when they can see how many they've attracted to their ships during this period return to sail with them again.

 

you can't continue to bleed the core product dry if you want people who are accustomed to that product to buy more of your product. besides, the cruise industry already has the product NCL is becoming. it's called carnival cruise lines, a company that many have now compared - favorably - to NCL.

 

i used to buy a lot of shirts from eddie bauer. they were so well made... the stitching, the thick fabric, the moisture wicking. then something changed. they cut corners, they used substandard fabric, the shirts were thin and tore easily and they shrunk in the wash. it wasn't the same product. i stopped buying.

 

people have talked in this thread about "shrinkflation"... that comparison is not apt here. shrinkflation would be if they charged the same price for a 7 day cruise that they used to charge for a 10 day cruise. (that's the smaller hershey bar for the same price.) what's happening here is that you're buying a cruise - of any duration - and, regardless of the price, the products and services delivered are consistently falling short of expectations.

 

i actually rather like NCL. i'm sapphire latitudes and elite in the CAS program. i have those velvet handcuffs. as much as i comment on the disappearing hash browns and cookies, as much as I complain about service and design faults of the prima class ships, as much as i mock their bogus sales and their fee for a second lobster, none of those things really affect me. i like real shredded fried potatoes (not hockey pucks), i rarely eat cookies, i don't think i've ever had two lobster tails in the haven, i am doing just fine with once a day housekeeping services and i don't pay much attention to their "sales" because - as a casino guest - i don't pay outright for my cruises. i still see a viable NCL value proposition... for now.

 

but if the product continues to deteriorate... and the food quality goes any lower in MDRs and specialties... maybe not so much.

 

Edited March 5 by UKstages

[graphicguy]

1 hour ago, dcipjr said:

 

I was on that same cruise, but because of the itinerary there wasn't really a Meet and Greet, so I didn't get to meet you two.

 

But yeah, what a fantastic cruise that was. We had such a good time; the ports were beautiful, and the price was oh-so right. It was less than $1700 all-in for 3 people in a balcony with $200 OBC. I'd do it again in a heartbeat.

We all met up at Sail Away and in the Solo M&G.  It was all very impromptu.

 

I tend to "do my own thing".  I know the solo group dined together and went to some of the shows as a group.

 

Still, while one of the cheapest cruises I've ever taken, it's probably at least a top 5 cruise for me.

[bkrickles1]

7 minutes ago, UKstages said:

 

NCL is clearly now going after first time cruisers. and they have been very successful at attracting them. the problem is that isn't a business model. you can't rely on an endless stream of first time cruisers. you have to knock their socks off or at least please them, so they'll come back.

 

(in truth, you actually can rely on a stream of endless first time cruisers, but that's a different business model... and it's not sustainable.)

 

a lot of the people in this forum have velvet handcuffs... they have status on NCL that gives them certain benefits. they will continue to cruise with NCL, although we've seen quite a few platinum, sapphire and diamond folks who say that they have had enough and will only now cruise on their terms. they will accept the decline in quality if the sailing otherwise meets their needs in terms of price point, departure city and itinerary. other cruise lines are making it quite easy to literally "jump ship," with status matches in loyalty programs and even casino loyalty programs.

 

NCL's post-covid recovery can not be measured now, amidst pent up demand and the high prices and the full ships. joe bob's cruise line could make money in this environment with twenty year old ships! no, the measure of their post-covid recovery will be two and three years from now, when they can see how many they've attracted to their ships during this period return to sail with them again.

 

you can't continue to bleed the core product dry if you want people who are accustomed to that product to buy more of your product. besides, the cruise industry already has the product NCL is becoming. it's called carnival cruise lines, a company that many have now compared - favorably - to NCL.

 

i used to buy a lot of shirts from eddie bauer. they were so well made... the stitching, the thick fabric, the moisture wicking. then something changed. they cut corners, they used substandard fabric, the shirts were thin and tore easily and they shrunk in the wash. it wasn't the same product. i stopped buying.

 

people have talked in this thread about "shrinkflation"... that comparison is not apt here. shrinkflation would be if they charged the same price for a 7 day cruise that they used to charge for a 10 day cruise. (that's the smaller hershey bar for the same price.) what's happening here is that you're buying a cruise - of any duration - and, regardless of the price, the products and services delivered are consistently falling short of expectations.

 

i actually rather like NCL. i'm sapphire latitudes and elite in the CAS program. i have those velvet handcuffs. as much as i comment on the disappearing hash browns and cookies, as much as I complain about service and design faults of the prima class ships, as much as i mock their bogus sales and their fee for a second lobster, none of those things really affect me. i like real shredded fried potatoes (not hockey pucks), i rarely eat cookies, i don't think i've ever had two lobster tails in the haven, i am doing just fine with once a day housekeeping services and i don't pay much attention to their "sales" because - as a casino guest - i don't pay outright for my cruises. i still see a viable NCL value proposition... for now.

 

but if the product continues to deteriorate... and the food quality goes any lower in MDRs and specialties... maybe not so much.

 

I agree with most of what you're saying.

If it's actually so, that NCL is going after first time cruisers as opposed to catering to the more experienced, it's more sustainable than you think.

With everything going up in price, including all the vacation alternatives, the first time cruisers will experience value that they can't duplicate with any other type of vacation.

These first time cruisers don't know how things used to be different or if it used to be better. They will eat, drink, be entertained, receive good to excellent service and get it all for way less $$$ than alternative vacation venues. They will become the repeat cruisers!

[UKstages]

the thing is that other cruise lines (such as carnival) serve this market segment better and have been doing it far longer. NCL invented, more or less, freestyle cruising and is throwing away its brand equity by the decline in its product. it is perilously close to no longer being what it once was and will have to compete with others - who do what they are now doing - better.

 

Edited March 5 by UKstages

[PATRLR]

48 minutes ago, UKstages said:

 

NCL is clearly now going after first time cruisers. and they have been very successful at attracting them. the problem is that isn't a business model. you can't rely on an endless stream of first time cruisers. you have to knock their socks off or at least please them, so they'll come back.

I don't think it's exclusively new cruisers they are going after, I think they are going after a different demographic with lower socioeconomic status.  It's the same demographic that hugely successful restaurant chains target, for example.  Like new cruisers, many in this demographic simply don't know any better.

 

Other than that minor point, I agree with the rest of your post.

 

17 minutes ago, bkrickles1 said:

With everything going up in price, including all the vacation alternatives, the first time cruisers will experience value that they can't duplicate with any other type of vacation.

These first time cruisers don't know how things used to be different or if it used to be better. They will eat, drink, be entertained, receive good to excellent service and get it all for way less $$$ than alternative vacation venues. They will become the repeat cruisers!

Exactly.  Your statement works for first time cruiser or for the target demographic I mention above.

 

14 minutes ago, UKstages said:

the thing is that other cruise lines (such as carnival) serve this market segment better and have been doing it far longer. NCL invented, more or less, freestyle cruising and is throwing away its brand equity by the decline in its product. it is perilously close to no longer being what it once was and will have to compete with others - who do what they are now doing - better.

 

I think it's there now, not just perilously close.  I'm not sure NCL has any advantage over RCCL, it's been a while since we were on Carnival but based on what I knew pre-covid, I'm not sure NCL has an advantage there.  We're going to try Princess this summer and while I understand Princess tends to be more expensive, for our northern Europe cruise this summer they were priced right about the same as Prima - so looking forward to how that one goes.

[bkrickles1]

11 minutes ago, PATRLR said:

I don't think it's exclusively new cruisers they are going after, I think they are going after a different demographic with lower socioeconomic status.  It's the same demographic that hugely successful restaurant chains target, for example.  Like new cruisers, many in this demographic simply don't know any better.

The only flaw in what you're saying is that NCL continues to increase the scope of the Haven with every new ship and they've doubled the size of Vibe on almost every ship 🚢. 

The demographic you mention would not be interested in these amenities or can't afford them. 

[graphicguy]

I mentioned before, I'm a cruise shopping fiend.  I have not been back to NE and Canada for a couple of years. I love that itinerary and in September, the leaves are turning.  So, it's beautiful.  Let's do a comparison.  MSC doesn't have a cruise available in Canada for Sept so I can't include them.

 

All are balconies...all are sailing in Sept.  All are 7 day cruises.  Royal's is an older ship.  Carnival's is a converted Costa ship. NCL's JOY is a Breakaway Plus ship that just finished dry dock.  Just looked all of them up from their WEB site booking pages.

 

NCL's fare includes FAS and tips.  The rest do not.  So, tell me who is nickel and diming.  I'll put NCL's food, drinks and service up against any of the other ships on this list.  And yes, I've sailed Carnival and Royal, too.

 

Royal

7 Night Canada Cruise

 

Leaving from Boston, Massachusetts

onboard Jewel of the Seas

Sep 22, 2024Sep 29, 2024

 

 

Due today 

Total price 

$500.00 

$2,743.28 USD

 

 

Staterooms

Ocean View Balcony 

2 Guests

Ocean View Balcony 

Aft

Deck 7

#7650

Guest Info

Dining & Options

Payment

 

Summary 

View pricing by guest 

Staterooms 

$2,332.00 

Subtotal 

$2,332.00 

Taxes & fees 

$411.28 

Total price 

$2,743.28 

 

Carnival

Itinerary:7-Day Canada & New England from Manhattan, New York City, NY

Sat Sep 7, 2024 - Sat Sep 14, 2024 

Ship:Carnival Venezia

1 Room 2 GuestsChange

Room 1: Cove Balcony

Onboard Credit Bonus Early Saver Sale

$50.00 Credit to spend onboard

Included

Guest 1:

$1,239.00

Guest 2:

$1,239.00

Taxes, fees & port expenses:

$419.30

 

Room Total$2,897.30

 

NCL

 

• 1. NUMBER OF GUESTS & DATES

  • 2 Guests
  • Sep 10 — Sep 17 2024
• 2. STATEROOM & OFFERS

  • Balcony#9746 
  • Offers
• 3. GUEST INFORMATION & PAYMENT

   

• Stateroom 
• Offers 

• Prices shown in USD unless otherwise noted. 

PRICE SUMMARY

STATEROOM

2 Guests

• Balcony 

  $3,676 

  50% Off All Cruises

  $1,838

FREE AT SEA

• Open Bar

  Selected
• Specialty Dining

  Selected
• Shore Excursions

  Included
• WiFi

  Included

+MORE OFFERS

• 50% Off All Cruises

  Included
• 2-For-1 Deposits

  Included

GRATUITIES

• Open Bar Gratuities 

  $305.20 
• Specialty Dining Gratuities 

  $39.60 

Subtotal

$2,182.80

Excl. taxes, fees and port expenses, they will be added at checkout.

View Cancellation Policy

 

 

Edited March 5 by graphicguy

[cruiseny4life]

2 minutes ago, graphicguy said:

I mentioned before, I'm a cruise shopping fiend.  I have not been back to NE and Canada for a couple of years. I love that itinerary and in September, the leaves are turning.  So, it's beautiful.  Let's do a comparison.  MSC doesn't have a cruise available in Canada for Sept so I can't include them.

 

All are balconies...all are sailing in Sept.  All are 7 day cruises.  Royal's is an older ship.  Carnival's is a converted Costa ship. NCL's JOY is a Breakaway Plus ship that just finished dry dock.  Just looked all of them up from their WEB site booking pages.

 

NCL's fare includes FAS and tips.  The rest do not.  So, tell me who is nickel and diming.

 

Royal

7 Night Canada Cruise

 

Leaving from Boston, Massachusetts

onboard Jewel of the Seas

Sep 22, 2024Sep 29, 2024

 

 

Due today 

Total price 

$500.00 

$2,743.28 USD

 

 

Staterooms

Ocean View Balcony 

2 Guests

Ocean View Balcony 

Aft

Deck 7

#7650

Guest Info

Dining & Options

Payment

 

Summary 

View pricing by guest 

Staterooms 

$2,332.00 

Subtotal 

$2,332.00 

Taxes & fees 

$411.28 

Total price 

$2,743.28 

 

Carnival

Itinerary:7-Day Canada & New England from Manhattan, New York City, NY

Sat Sep 7, 2024 - Sat Sep 14, 2024 

Ship:Carnival Venezia

1 Room 2 GuestsChange

Room 1: Cove Balcony

Onboard Credit Bonus Early Saver Sale

$50.00 Credit to spend onboard

Included

Guest 1:

$1,239.00

Guest 2:

$1,239.00

Taxes, fees & port expenses:

$419.30

 

Room Total$2,897.30

 

NCL

 

• 1. NUMBER OF GUESTS & DATES

  • 2 Guests
  • Sep 10 — Sep 17 2024
• 2. STATEROOM & OFFERS

  • Balcony#9746 
  • Offers
• 3. GUEST INFORMATION & PAYMENT

   

• Stateroom 
• Offers 

• Prices shown in USD unless otherwise noted. 

PRICE SUMMARY

STATEROOM

2 Guests

• Balcony 

  $3,676 

  50% Off All Cruises

  $1,838

FREE AT SEA

• Open Bar

  Selected
• Specialty Dining

  Selected
• Shore Excursions

  Included
• WiFi

  Included

+MORE OFFERS

• 50% Off All Cruises

  Included
• 2-For-1 Deposits

  Included

GRATUITIES

• Open Bar Gratuities 

  $305.20 
• Specialty Dining Gratuities 

  $39.60 

Subtotal

$2,182.80

Excl. taxes, fees and port expenses, they will be added at checkout.

View Cancellation Policy

 

 

Add in the taxes, fees, and port expenses and the NCL fare will be comparable with Carnival and Royal Caribbean. I did a mock booking. Your selected balcony is BC, the one I found is a B8, but not really a lot of difference. Anyway, here it is with the taxes, fees, and port expenses. Still less expensive than Royal Caribbean and Carnival and includes drinks/specialty dining. So yea, a better deal....for that cruise. I bet we could go round and round comparing different cruises and different costs. And each time, it's a crapshoot to determine which line will be cheaper. 

 

[JamieLogical]

15 minutes ago, graphicguy said:

I mentioned before, I'm a cruise shopping fiend.  I have not been back to NE and Canada for a couple of years. I love that itinerary and in September, the leaves are turning.  So, it's beautiful.  Let's do a comparison.  MSC doesn't have a cruise available in Canada for Sept so I can't include them.

 

All are balconies...all are sailing in Sept.  All are 7 day cruises.  Royal's is an older ship.  Carnival's is a converted Costa ship. NCL's JOY is a Breakaway Plus ship that just finished dry dock.  Just looked all of them up from their WEB site booking pages.

 

NCL's fare includes FAS and tips.  The rest do not.  So, tell me who is nickel and diming.  I'll put NCL's food, drinks and service up against any of the other ships on this list.  And yes, I've sailed Carnival and Royal, too.

 

Royal

7 Night Canada Cruise

 

Leaving from Boston, Massachusetts

onboard Jewel of the Seas

Sep 22, 2024Sep 29, 2024

 

 

Due today 

Total price 

$500.00 

$2,743.28 USD

 

 

Staterooms

Ocean View Balcony 

2 Guests

Ocean View Balcony 

Aft

Deck 7

#7650

Guest Info

Dining & Options

Payment

 

Summary 

View pricing by guest 

Staterooms 

$2,332.00 

Subtotal 

$2,332.00 

Taxes & fees 

$411.28 

Total price 

$2,743.28 

 

Carnival

Itinerary:7-Day Canada & New England from Manhattan, New York City, NY

Sat Sep 7, 2024 - Sat Sep 14, 2024 

Ship:Carnival Venezia

1 Room 2 GuestsChange

Room 1: Cove Balcony

Onboard Credit Bonus Early Saver Sale

$50.00 Credit to spend onboard

Included

Guest 1:

$1,239.00

Guest 2:

$1,239.00

Taxes, fees & port expenses:

$419.30

 

Room Total$2,897.30

 

NCL

 

• 1. NUMBER OF GUESTS & DATES

  • 2 Guests
  • Sep 10 — Sep 17 2024
• 2. STATEROOM & OFFERS

  • Balcony#9746 
  • Offers
• 3. GUEST INFORMATION & PAYMENT

   

• Stateroom 
• Offers 

• Prices shown in USD unless otherwise noted. 

PRICE SUMMARY

STATEROOM

2 Guests

• Balcony 

  $3,676 

  50% Off All Cruises

  $1,838

FREE AT SEA

• Open Bar

  Selected
• Specialty Dining

  Selected
• Shore Excursions

  Included
• WiFi

  Included

+MORE OFFERS

• 50% Off All Cruises

  Included
• 2-For-1 Deposits

  Included

GRATUITIES

• Open Bar Gratuities 

  $305.20 
• Specialty Dining Gratuities 

  $39.60 

Subtotal

$2,182.80

Excl. taxes, fees and port expenses, they will be added at checkout.

View Cancellation Policy

 

 

 

Your NCL total doesn't include taxes and fees, but your RCCL and Carnival totals do.

[graphicguy]

2 minutes ago, cruiseny4life said:

Add in the taxes, fees, and port expenses and the NCL fare will be comparable with Carnival and Royal Caribbean. I did a mock booking. Your selected balcony is BC, the one I found is a B8, but not really a lot of difference. Anyway, here it is with the taxes, fees, and port expenses. Still less expensive than Royal Caribbean and Carnival and includes drinks/specialty dining. So yea, a better deal....for that cruise. I bet we could go round and round comparing different cruises and different costs. And each time, it's a crapshoot to determine which line will be cheaper. 

 

Still cheaper than the others, plus NCL gives you drinks, SDP, some internet and excursion credits.

[graphicguy]

1 minute ago, JamieLogical said:

 

Your NCL total doesn't include taxes and fees, but your RCCL and Carnival totals do.

My error....I did a copy and paste.   NCL still wins....and adds in FAS.

[LongIsland-Cruiser]

23 minutes ago, graphicguy said:

I mentioned before, I'm a cruise shopping fiend.  I have not been back to NE and Canada for a couple of years. I love that itinerary and in September, the leaves are turning.  So, it's beautiful.  Let's do a comparison.  MSC doesn't have a cruise available in Canada for Sept so I can't include them.

 

All are balconies...all are sailing in Sept.  All are 7 day cruises.  Royal's is an older ship.  Carnival's is a converted Costa ship. NCL's JOY is a Breakaway Plus ship that just finished dry dock.  Just looked all of them up from their WEB site booking pages.

 

NCL's fare includes FAS and tips.  The rest do not.  So, tell me who is nickel and diming.  I'll put NCL's food, drinks and service up against any of the other ships on this list.  And yes, I've sailed Carnival and Royal, too.

 

Royal

7 Night Canada Cruise

 

Leaving from Boston, Massachusetts

onboard Jewel of the Seas

Sep 22, 2024Sep 29, 2024

 

 

Due today 

Total price 

$500.00 

$2,743.28 USD

 

 

Staterooms

Ocean View Balcony 

2 Guests

Ocean View Balcony 

Aft

Deck 7

#7650

Guest Info

Dining & Options

Payment

 

Summary 

View pricing by guest 

Staterooms 

$2,332.00 

Subtotal 

$2,332.00 

Taxes & fees 

$411.28 

Total price 

$2,743.28 

 

Carnival

Itinerary:7-Day Canada & New England from Manhattan, New York City, NY

Sat Sep 7, 2024 - Sat Sep 14, 2024 

Ship:Carnival Venezia

1 Room 2 GuestsChange

Room 1: Cove Balcony

Onboard Credit Bonus Early Saver Sale

$50.00 Credit to spend onboard

Included

Guest 1:

$1,239.00

Guest 2:

$1,239.00

Taxes, fees & port expenses:

$419.30

 

Room Total$2,897.30

 

NCL

 

• 1. NUMBER OF GUESTS & DATES

  • 2 Guests
  • Sep 10 — Sep 17 2024
• 2. STATEROOM & OFFERS

  • Balcony#9746 
  • Offers
• 3. GUEST INFORMATION & PAYMENT

   

• Stateroom 
• Offers 

• Prices shown in USD unless otherwise noted. 

PRICE SUMMARY

STATEROOM

2 Guests

• Balcony 

  $3,676 

  50% Off All Cruises

  $1,838

FREE AT SEA

• Open Bar

  Selected
• Specialty Dining

  Selected
• Shore Excursions

  Included
• WiFi

  Included

+MORE OFFERS

• 50% Off All Cruises

  Included
• 2-For-1 Deposits

  Included

GRATUITIES

• Open Bar Gratuities 

  $305.20 
• Specialty Dining Gratuities 

  $39.60 

Subtotal

$2,182.80

Excl. taxes, fees and port expenses, they will be added at checkout.

View Cancellation Policy

 

 

The numbers don't lie!  Regardless of what the unhappy posters on Cruise Critic my insist.  

[graphicguy]

My point of the pricing exercise, and I quoted the fares I was personally trying to book, is the fallacy of NCL nickel and diming.  Most of us book their FAS. Royal's drink package runs between ~$50-$100/pp/pd.  Do the math compared to FAS.

 

Someone's going to have to fill-in what Canival's drink package is because I don't remember.

[JamieLogical]

The CA & NE Meraviglia sailing in May that we are weighing against the Joy Bermuda sailing comes out to $2,325.44 for two in a Fantastica deluxe balcony with port fees and taxes. Our only hesitation about doing it is that we just did a CA & NE sailing on the Meraviglia in September. That was a 10-day and the total was $3094.74, so that was $154 per person per day versus your NCL example, which is $190 per person per day. MSC does not include any specialty dining, but they do include drinks (including bottled water and specialty coffee) and unlimited wifi versus NCL's 300 minutes or whatever they give you.

 

Edit: forgot to mention the DSCs, which are $14.50 on MSC and $20 on NCL, so per person per day price above is a little off.

 

Edited March 5 by JamieLogical

[Menocchio]

23 minutes ago, graphicguy said:

I mentioned before, I'm a cruise shopping fiend.  I have not been back to NE and Canada for a couple of years. I love that itinerary and in September, the leaves are turning.  So, it's beautiful.  Let's do a comparison.  MSC doesn't have a cruise available in Canada for Sept so I can't include them.

 

All are balconies...all are sailing in Sept.  All are 7 day cruises.  Royal's is an older ship.  Carnival's is a converted Costa ship. NCL's JOY is a Breakaway Plus ship that just finished dry dock.  Just looked all of them up from their WEB site booking pages.

 

NCL's fare includes FAS and tips.  The rest do not.  So, tell me who is nickel and diming.  I'll put NCL's food, drinks and service up against any of the other ships on this list.  And yes, I've sailed Carnival and Royal, too.

 

Royal

7 Night Canada Cruise

 

Leaving from Boston, Massachusetts

onboard Jewel of the Seas

Sep 22, 2024Sep 29, 2024

 

 

Due today 

Total price 

$500.00 

$2,743.28 USD

 

 

Staterooms

Ocean View Balcony 

2 Guests

Ocean View Balcony 

Aft

Deck 7

#7650

Guest Info

Dining & Options

Payment

 

Summary 

View pricing by guest 

Staterooms 

$2,332.00 

Subtotal 

$2,332.00 

Taxes & fees 

$411.28 

Total price 

$2,743.28 

 

Carnival

Itinerary:7-Day Canada & New England from Manhattan, New York City, NY

Sat Sep 7, 2024 - Sat Sep 14, 2024 

Ship:Carnival Venezia

1 Room 2 GuestsChange

Room 1: Cove Balcony

Onboard Credit Bonus Early Saver Sale

$50.00 Credit to spend onboard

Included

Guest 1:

$1,239.00

Guest 2:

$1,239.00

Taxes, fees & port expenses:

$419.30

 

Room Total$2,897.30

 

NCL

 

• 1. NUMBER OF GUESTS & DATES

  • 2 Guests
  • Sep 10 — Sep 17 2024
• 2. STATEROOM & OFFERS

  • Balcony#9746 
  • Offers
• 3. GUEST INFORMATION & PAYMENT

   

• Stateroom 
• Offers 

• Prices shown in USD unless otherwise noted. 

PRICE SUMMARY

STATEROOM

2 Guests

• Balcony 

  $3,676 

  50% Off All Cruises

  $1,838

FREE AT SEA

• Open Bar

  Selected
• Specialty Dining

  Selected
• Shore Excursions

  Included
• WiFi

  Included

+MORE OFFERS

• 50% Off All Cruises

  Included
• 2-For-1 Deposits

  Included

GRATUITIES

• Open Bar Gratuities 

  $305.20 
• Specialty Dining Gratuities 

  $39.60 

Subtotal

$2,182.80

Excl. taxes, fees and port expenses, they will be added at checkout.

View Cancellation Policy

 

 

NCL's subtotal excludes taxes and port fees, which the others do not. So that's an additional ~$410 or somewhere around $2,592.80. Which still is cheaper, significantly so with FAS. But no longer quite so spectacularly so. It'd maybe be easier for someone to claim that the other ships are worth the premium. 

[graphicguy]

1 minute ago, JamieLogical said:

The CA & NE Meraviglia sailing in May that we are weighing against the Joy Bermuda sailing comes out to $2,325.44 for two in a Fantastica deluxe balcony with port fees and taxes. Our only hesitation about doing it is that we just did a CA & NE sailing on the Meraviglia in September. That was a 10-day and the total was $3094.74, so that was $154 per person per day versus your NCL example, which is $190 per person per day. MSC does not include any specialty dining, but they do include drinks (including bottled water and specialty coffee) and unlimited wifi versus NCL's 300 minutes or whatever they give you.

Bermuda vs Canada is a different itinerary.  So, I tried to stay roughly the same time frame and itinerary when doing my comparisons.

 

That said, it's been a minute since I was in Bermuda.  I am still looking into Bermuda sailings.

[UKstages]

i don't think "nickel and diming" means what people think it means.

 

in the strictest sense, it doesn't even have a monetary component. you don't have to be charged something extra to be nicked and dimed. 

 

when you are "nickeled and dimed," you are relentlessly badgered by a series of small things that eventually leave you exhausted, disillusioned and disgruntled. the reference to "nickels" and "dimes" is a metaphor and is in comparison to the dollar... five cents and ten cents are relatively small amounts of money compared to a dollar... but they add up, if there are enough of them. so the reference is to small, seemingly minor things, that eventually add up to a significant thing.

 

Edited March 5 by UKstages