NCL RCI, or Princess?

[Zeno]

On the Princess ships that I have been on, they have offered both Traditional and AnyTime dining. Certain dining rooms are only for Traditional dining and usually 1 or 2 are for any time.

 

Except that unlike on NCL, you still have to dress up for formal night on Princess (I checked since I am considering a Princess cruise). We like the combination of Freestyle dining and more casual dress code.

[newmexicoNita]

Except that unlike on NCL, you still have to dress up for formal night on Princess (I checked since I am considering a Princess cruise). We like the combination of Freestyle dining and more casual dress code.

Same here, but the dressing up would make us think twice. Nita

[NJPrisonCop]

NewMexico: My mother has been a TA for over 30 years. They have been on 70+ cruises. I have been on 29. When we first started sailing NCL, everything was clean, services were efficient and prompt, attention to detail was paramount. FreeStyle, although a great idea, has lended its hand to lowering the standard in my opinion. Wait staff have no incentive to go out of their way for you. You do not get that personal touch when you are dealing with different wait staff every day (for formal dinners). The public areas on the ship are largely ignored for periods of time and stay dirty for quite some time. I guess the cruise lines know they can fill thier ships this time of year, so why staff them properly. More money in their pockets. The other thing that burns my butt is that they jacked the prices up on their goods and services. Don't they make enough money on alcohol and the casino that they don't need to charge 24.99 for an 8x10 photo. Thats rediculous. I laughed in Cocoa Beach. We went to WalMart to get some things we forgot, and I walked past the photo lab, and an 8x10 photo was 2.48. I laughed at this 1000% markup on the ship. It has gotten crazy lately. And it needs to stop. $2.10 for a can of ginger ale? I can get a a 12 pack for that. Absolutely rediculous. And I know most cruise lines have gotten on that bandwagon, and it stinks across the board. But NCL just doesn't give you a wow'ing experience.

[Zeno]

NewMexico: My mother has been a TA for over 30 years. They have been on 70+ cruises. I have been on 29. When we first started sailing NCL, everything was clean, services were efficient and prompt, attention to detail was paramount. FreeStyle, although a great idea, has lended its hand to lowering the standard in my opinion. Wait staff have no incentive to go out of their way for you. You do not get that personal touch when you are dealing with different wait staff every day (for formal dinners). The public areas on the ship are largely ignored for periods of time and stay dirty for quite some time. I guess the cruise lines know they can fill thier ships this time of year, so why staff them properly. More money in their pockets. The other thing that burns my butt is that they jacked the prices up on their goods and services. Don't they make enough money on alcohol and the casino that they don't need to charge 24.99 for an 8x10 photo. Thats rediculous. I laughed in Cocoa Beach. We went to WalMart to get some things we forgot, and I walked past the photo lab, and an 8x10 photo was 2.48. I laughed at this 1000% markup on the ship. It has gotten crazy lately. And it needs to stop. $2.10 for a can of ginger ale? I can get a a 12 pack for that. Absolutely rediculous. And I know most cruise lines have gotten on that bandwagon, and it stinks across the board. But NCL just doesn't give you a wow'ing experience.

 

I have only been on 6 cruises (3 on NCL). On my 3 NCL cruises I found the ships to be very clean (the public areas including some very high traffic areas exceptionally so - especially in comparison with my non NCL cruises). Staff were pleasant, professional and efficient. I do NOT need or for that matter want a personal relationship with my waiter on a cruiseship, anymore than I would want one on land. I want my food delivered efficiently. I hate if on traditional cruises when waiters 'anticipate' that you will drink the same thing every night - because I don't. I want my cabin steward to keep my cabin clean and well-supplied and to fulfill any "extra" requests that I may have. My NCL cabin stewards have been the best I have had - especially when it comes to accommodating any "extra" requests.

As for prices charged, NCL is comparable to other cruiselines and at least they let you bring non-alcoholic drinks on board.

Basically I want a pleasant, relaxing vacation on my terms and NCL has always delivered. I don't want to follow an antiquated dress code and I don't want to dine at the same place, at the same time every night with a bunch of strangers. I don't want to be fawned over in the suckiest way possible by a crew desperate for tips.

Other people like "traditional" cruising - fine - there are lots of lines to choose from. I don't like dressing up and I don't like set dining times - that leaves me with NCL or very high end cruiseships. So far I like the NCL product very much and never seem to encounter things like poor service or a lack of cleanliness etc but I don't equate "phony" service with "good" service. I equate doing the job efficiently in a pleasant but not obsequious manner with "good" service.

[F5Loar]

I believe you are wrong about having to dress up on formal night on Princess.

Princess as well as the other major lines offer Lido Buffet dining in the evening for those that don't want to dress up and can show up in casual dress. You get the majority of the same menu with many additons like your own salad bar. Some even put white table cloths and have more personal service. So to write off a line for the reason of not wanting to dress up is incorrect. As far as servers and having the same one all week(or 2 weeks!), you could get stuck the whole week with a bad one! And on a full ship you won't get moved. Better to move around and eat when you want to eat then being told when you have to eat each night and who your server will be.

I do agree however that NCL or it was on the Pearl is understaffed. While they may share equally in the fixed tip there is a certain abience about the servers that was not that way with the optional tip system. I also heard NCL no longer allows you to lower your automated tip if service was poor. They expect you to complain about it right then so they can fix the problem. They will however allow you to add to your automated tip if service was above excellence. I would put all these lines on equal terms and like the TA says you have to weigh out what you are looking for on a cruise to narrow one down with price and where it goes at the top. Food and service would be equal. Want better? Go with HAL or Celebrity. Want the absoulte best?

Try Cunard or Silver Seas.

[dwrist]

NewMexico: My mother has been a TA for over 30 years. They have been on 70+ cruises. I have been on 29. When we first started sailing NCL, everything was clean, services were efficient and prompt, attention to detail was paramount. FreeStyle, although a great idea, has lended its hand to lowering the standard in my opinion. Wait staff have no incentive to go out of their way for you. You do not get that personal touch when you are dealing with different wait staff every day (for formal dinners). The public areas on the ship are largely ignored for periods of time and stay dirty for quite some time. I guess the cruise lines know they can fill thier ships this time of year, so why staff them properly. More money in their pockets. The other thing that burns my butt is that they jacked the prices up on their goods and services. Don't they make enough money on alcohol and the casino that they don't need to charge 24.99 for an 8x10 photo. Thats rediculous. I laughed in Cocoa Beach. We went to WalMart to get some things we forgot, and I walked past the photo lab, and an 8x10 photo was 2.48. I laughed at this 1000% markup on the ship. It has gotten crazy lately. And it needs to stop. $2.10 for a can of ginger ale? I can get a a 12 pack for that. Absolutely rediculous. And I know most cruise lines have gotten on that bandwagon, and it stinks across the board. But NCL just doesn't give you a wow'ing experience.

 

Help me someone please. Where do I go to have this service? Cruised 4 times on NCL and never once have I had this happen to me.

Always have great service in the dining rooms. The staff going out of their way to make my cruise experience top notch.

Never have seen a dirty restroom in the public areas. Towels always picked up by people to lazy to walk them to the bins for used towels. (people the used towel bins are on your way out of the pool area). Always see staff cleaning, polishing, painting and varnishing.

Finally, I can print a 8x10 photo myself, professionally, for under 30 cents apiece. I think Wal Mart overcharges!!!

I want some of the action! I want to complain! I want a refund! I want...I want...I want...

Does that cover everything people??

 

ps-tell me please which ship this happens on NJPrisonCop. :confused:

 

off my soapbox for now.:eek:

[NJPrisonCop]

dwrist: I was on the Spirit 6.17.07 to 6.23.07. I am just writing my observations. I have been on MANY MANY cruises and this is what I noticed on this one. Some people say they loved it. I had an okay time, but just pointed out some of the small things I noticed. The main dining rooms were fantastic... I am not referring to these when I talk about dirty tables, etc. It was the Blue Lagoon and Bier Garten, mainly. The buffet (Raffles Court) was well tended, and the managers were on top of their game here.

[dwrist]

dwrist: I was on the Spirit 6.17.07 to 6.23.07. I am just writing my observations. I have been on MANY MANY cruises and this is what I noticed on this one. Some people say they loved it. I had an okay time, but just pointed out some of the small things I noticed. The main dining rooms were fantastic... I am not referring to these when I talk about dirty tables, etc. It was the Blue Lagoon and Bier Garten, mainly. The buffet (Raffles Court) was well tended, and the managers were on top of their game here.

 

Thank you for the information. :) Sometimes TMers come here and post without facts.

Did you report any of the problems to the HD? Did you enjoy the ports? Excursions?

I agree about the photgraphy costs onboard. That is why we print our own. Some of our photos are better than what was onboard.

[Zeno]

I really don't like buffets for dinner - so doing the buffet is NOT an option for me.

So I would have to dress up for formal night on Princess - something I don't enjoy (although I know others do). I may still take a Princess cruise at some point (I like some of the itineraries) but if NCL offered a similar itinerary (for me) it would be no contest. I think people have to decide for themselves with makes a vacation enjoyable (for them) and what has a negative impact (for them). So you weigh the pros (for you) and the cons (for you) and then make a choice.

Not everyone will make the same choice.

[F5Loar]

Okay I'll buy the don't like buffet at night but what do you consider "having to dress up"? Is it throwing on an old sport coat with collar shirt and no tie?

Because that's what will get you in on formal night on any Princess ship. I've seen less and yes some ships do sometimes every now and then and on occasion do enforce the dress code but I've yet to see them turn down formal night men because they had didn't have a dark suit/tux/sport coat and tie as requested. Many seem to think without a coat and tie they won't be let in. And tuxes are getting fewer and fewer on Princess and especially on NCL "dress up or not" night. NCL quit using the "F" word for that night. So if you have to do more than throw on a coat to get dressed up you are wasteing your time. I would suspect you already have a nice shirt and pants for casual nights. Throw a sport coat on and go and if you get refused at the door it will be first!

[Lifesaver123]

Thanks everyone, so much for your responses. I'm leaning toward either Norweigan, or Princess. Both sound good, I'll just have to do my research;)

[Zeno]

Okay I'll buy the don't like buffet at night but what do you consider "having to dress up"? Is it throwing on an old sport coat with collar shirt and no tie?

Because that's what will get you in on formal night on any Princess ship. I've seen less and yes some ships do sometimes every now and then and on occasion do enforce the dress code but I've yet to see them turn down formal night men because they had didn't have a dark suit/tux/sport coat and tie as requested. Many seem to think without a coat and tie they won't be let in. And tuxes are getting fewer and fewer on Princess and especially on NCL "dress up or not" night. NCL quit using the "F" word for that night. So if you have to do more than throw on a coat to get dressed up you are wasteing your time. I would suspect you already have a nice shirt and pants for casual nights. Throw a sport coat on and go and if you get refused at the door it will be first!

 

Wearing a sports coat is a lot more dressing up than you have to do on NCL - although we have always seen some people who enjoy dressing up (even the occasional formal gown.) On NCL my husband wears dockers style pants and a collared shirt. That's what we like about NCL, we can pretty much wear what we want (within reason - neither of us would dine 'out' in ultra casual wear like cutoffs ). He hates sports coats - does not own one and has only two suits - both dark and he refuses to wear them on vacation. For Princess he would either have to buy a sports coat or bring one of his suits. If we get really keen on the Princess cruise I will try to convince him to buy a cheap sports coat. He won't look as nice as he does in the smart casual pants and silk shirt he likes to wear on NCL's optional dressup nights but he would be acceptably dressed for Princess I guess.

[NJPrisonCop]

dwrist: We did not go on any excursions. We found we can save close to half the money if we do them ourselves. The only drawback to this is making sure we are back in time, but it has never been an issue.

 

You asked if I reported these things to the HD? Do you mean headquarters?? I am sure there are people in their home office reading these posts since it is a respected source of cruise info.

[newmexicoNita]

NewMexico: My mother has been a TA for over 30 years. They have been on 70+ cruises. I have been on 29. When we first started sailing NCL, everything was clean, services were efficient and prompt, attention to detail was paramount. FreeStyle, although a great idea, has lended its hand to lowering the standard in my opinion. Wait staff have no incentive to go out of their way for you. You do not get that personal touch when you are dealing with different wait staff every day (for formal dinners). The public areas on the ship are largely ignored for periods of time and stay dirty for quite some time. I guess the cruise lines know they can fill thier ships this time of year, so why staff them properly. More money in their pockets. The other thing that burns my butt is that they jacked the prices up on their goods and services. Don't they make enough money on alcohol and the casino that they don't need to charge 24.99 for an 8x10 photo. Thats rediculous. I laughed in Cocoa Beach. We went to WalMart to get some things we forgot, and I walked past the photo lab, and an 8x10 photo was 2.48. I laughed at this 1000% markup on the ship. It has gotten crazy lately. And it needs to stop. $2.10 for a can of ginger ale? I can get a a 12 pack for that. Absolutely rediculous. And I know most cruise lines have gotten on that bandwagon, and it stinks across the board. But NCL just doesn't give you a wow'ing experience.

Lets face it, we all have our opinions and are entitled to the same. Cleanliness: check the reports, NCL has about the best cleanliness record there is. This doesn't mean someone might find something wrong on occassion and even get a lousy room steward, but public areas not cleaned what ship did you experience this on? As for pictures, I agree but I also know what other lines are charging and know the photo business is contracted out and not really part of NCL. For us, after so many cruises we just don't buy pictures. I would think you would do the same. Other nickel and diming are the same on all lines, certainly after 29 cruises you have seen this happening in the past few years. We all have talked about it endlessly on this board. What line have you cruised that offers lower prices on sodas or much lower? The one thing I find outrageous on NCL is the cost of Bingo, but then I don't play it for that reason. I have choices, even when it comes to soda, I can bring my own aboard or drink something that is free.

 

As for the wow affect my opinion is: after one cruises so many times theat affect isn't there regardless. When we go to Vegas it is the same. After over 100 trips the wow has left, the fun still there. It sounds to me like you may have temporarity burned out on cruising period. Nita