Ncl-alaska-poorly run cruise line-great cruise

[Zeno]

Can't help ya Z. Like I said, I haven't gotten any checks (cheques eh? LOL) either.

 

Damn NCL is SOOOO mean to its "employees"! I mean cheques/checks delayed for YEARS!!!

[Sooners]

Damn NCL is SOOOO mean to its "employees"! I mean cheques/checks delayed for YEARS!!!

 

Hey they gave me a very nice upsell last year with some amazing VIP perks. Does that qualify as an employee check?

 

If so, I sure hope I get a new check on my next cruise.:cool:

[mbisson]

Hey they gave me a very nice upsell last year with some amazing VIP perks. Does that qualify as an employee check?

:

 

 

I just hope it doesn't mean they expect me to clean your cabin!

[chrisbd1]

Sorry to hijack this thread but--

chrisbd1--Just had to comment that you are the only other cruiser I've seen that actually cruised on the Dolphen. We sailed on her in March of 93 and thought she was great.

To continue the hijacking :)

 

The ship was small, the cabin was tiny, the pool was the size of a hot tub, I hated traditional dining, I hated dressing for dinner and our head waiter threw a hissy fit over his tip on the last night. When I got home I told everyone I saw-"Cruising is sooooo cool . I wanna do it again! :D ."

 

Now I'll turn the thread back over to the NCL employees ;) .

[juliang]

Not the last word, I'm sure.

 

But I did note in my original post that we enjoyed the cruise. We did not expect a perfect cruise. We did not approach the cruise to flyspeck NCL. We picked this cruise to enjoy it.

 

Before booking this cruise I reviewed the boards. There were some unfavorable comments of NCL. But we too figured, or hoped that that would be the exception. Cruise critic itself gave the Pearl a very nice review, which is what perhaps convinced us most to chance it. The just-right itinerary played a huge part too, as did the interest in seeing what Freestyle was.

 

It was not one or two experiences that prompted the review. It was a number of experiences, and the fact that a number of other people were having the same type of comments. As I recall i have only written one other review--- Feeling that if a cruise line has done a great job, they should be rewarded for it by such a testimonial. The internet is a powerful tool, and the public does not get to see the review cards submitted by passengers. Cruise critic does a great service in this regard.

 

Conversely, what I witnessed, experienced and heard was not a few isolated instances, which of course can and most probably will occur on any cruise. It began to emerge as pattern. It really started with the buffet line on the first few days of the cruise , in which it seemd to me that the people behind the counter had a a surly, if not unpleasnat attitude. Not all. But enough to make me wonder why management was not checking on them.

 

As a footnote, the absence of trays made things awkward...perhaps some people don't mind if they have the salad dressing on the same plate mixing in and oozing in with the other things. I prefer to have separate plates. That makes two plates, and then the coffeee too, for which you had to wait. Of course you could do one at a time, but usually we had to find seating at the back of the boat, which meant a trip all the way back. Of course, we could walk several times back and forth while the food got cold, but why...it was an annoyance, which was survived. Each one, taken by itself, if stated as THE reason for an unpleasant experience would be unfair. What seemed to emerge was a pattern. We did'nt let it ruin our cruise, and when the fiasco with the Tahtitian Barbeque occurred at the end of the cruise in Victoria, i figured enough was enough and I was going to write a review. I made notes at Sea Tac, although I probably forgot some things anyway. But Our experiences do not diminish one bit the fact that other people had the exact opposite experiences. The fact that they had contrary experiences does not dimish one bit or trivialize our experiences. And no need to declare jihad against people who did not share the same good fortune or call them liars.

 

Our cruise is done. My review doent benefit us.If NCL thinks things are fine and dandy, if I was them I wouldnt bother fixing it, as in if it ain't broke....

It did feel , tho , like they had not shaped up and addressed prior similar criticisms when it came time for our cruise.

 

 

.

[chrisbd1]

Ok :)

[NoPiratesPlease]

Nita:

 

I KNOW YOU SECRETLY WORK FOR NCL!!!!!!!

 

(Just kidding, N!)

 

Look, folks. Not every cruise line works for everybody. They are all a little different. We are Platinum because NCL has worked well for us for a very long, long time. But things are changing and if they don't work it out, we may not stick around. We left WindStar because they never changed their cruises. We left Cunard because they decided the British mkt got preference over the US mkt AND they sold the wonderful, delightful Caronia to Saga (now the Saga Ruby where we can't bring our kids).

 

NCL has done SO much right over the years that we are worried about the changes. We tried Carnival a year ago for a 5 day--they weren't nearly up to NCL's level. We've got Princess booked next year--we'll see.

 

NCL's on-shore operations have been run by the Marx Bros (with Harpo in charge) for years, but now on-ship issues are becoming our problem, too.

 

Yet, ultimately, we have learned that what makes a ship is the staff. The staff can make a creaky old lady, like the Caronia, our all time favorite ship. A GREAT concierge, like Ruthie Haggar or Simone Weigel, can make ANY ship the ship we want to be cruising on.

[Toyz711]

i have found that trays are a thing of the past at all/any buffet-style dining. none of the ones i have been to in the past 5 years have had them, with the exception of golden corral (big thing with MIL and family when they visit each other, not a big place with me), even cici's pizza has them put up where they aren't right next to the plates.

since, in the last 5 years, i have lived in florida, north carolina and mississippi/memphis..that's a lot of buffets. even in the casinos:the newest buffet, the new paula deen's that just open, doesn't have them..neither does the big buffet at the horseshoe or the sheraton or the resort or the hollywood.

it seems buffets are trying to change to that people don't take all their food at one time..maybe because of too much waste? who knows for sure, i don't. but i really like not having to try to balance a tray, i am one of those that can lose the plate right over the edge of the tray:eek:

i am the opposite of you, i like to relax and enjoy my salad or soup before going and getting my entree.

(yes, i know...too many buffets, but between coupons and freebies..it's cheap and we eat healthier with less fried food or fancy sauces)

[chrisbd1]

I've been known to "borrow" a room service tray :) .

[Toyz711]

when DH bring things back for a snack on the balcony, he uses the tray under the coffee maker..

but that's because we have never used room service...can't borrow what we don't have

[newmexicoNita]

Not the last word, I'm sure.

 

But I did note in my original post that we enjoyed the cruise. We did not expect a perfect cruise. We did not approach the cruise to flyspeck NCL. We picked this cruise to enjoy it.

 

Before booking this cruise I reviewed the boards. There were some unfavorable comments of NCL. But we too figured, or hoped that that would be the exception. Cruise critic itself gave the Pearl a very nice review, which is what perhaps convinced us most to chance it. The just-right itinerary played a huge part too, as did the interest in seeing what Freestyle was.

 

It was not one or two experiences that prompted the review. It was a number of experiences, and the fact that a number of other people were having the same type of comments. As I recall i have only written one other review--- Feeling that if a cruise line has done a great job, they should be rewarded for it by such a testimonial. The internet is a powerful tool, and the public does not get to see the review cards submitted by passengers. Cruise critic does a great service in this regard.

 

Conversely, what I witnessed, experienced and heard was not a few isolated instances, which of course can and most probably will occur on any cruise. It began to emerge as pattern. It really started with the buffet line on the first few days of the cruise , in which it seemd to me that the people behind the counter had a a surly, if not unpleasnat attitude. Not all. But enough to make me wonder why management was not checking on them.

 

As a footnote, the absence of trays made things awkward...perhaps some people don't mind if they have the salad dressing on the same plate mixing in and oozing in with the other things. I prefer to have separate plates. That makes two plates, and then the coffeee too, for which you had to wait. Of course you could do one at a time, but usually we had to find seating at the back of the boat, which meant a trip all the way back. Of course, we could walk several times back and forth while the food got cold, but why...it was an annoyance, which was survived. Each one, taken by itself, if stated as THE reason for an unpleasant experience would be unfair. What seemed to emerge was a pattern. We did'nt let it ruin our cruise, and when the fiasco with the Tahtitian Barbeque occurred at the end of the cruise in Victoria, i figured enough was enough and I was going to write a review. I made notes at Sea Tac, although I probably forgot some things anyway. But Our experiences do not diminish one bit the fact that other people had the exact opposite experiences. The fact that they had contrary experiences does not dimish one bit or trivialize our experiences. And no need to declare jihad against people who did not share the same good fortune or call them liars.

 

Our cruise is done. My review doent benefit us.If NCL thinks things are fine and dandy, if I was them I wouldnt bother fixing it, as in if it ain't broke....

It did feel , tho , like they had not shaped up and addressed prior similar criticisms when it came time for our cruise.

 

 

.

 

what is it about cruise lines discontinueing trays (not just NCL) you don't understand. Right now it seems this is or was one of your biggest complaints. Your heading indicates the cruise line sucks and yet one of your problems was no trays. I guess you aren't going to enjoy many cruises in the future. Again, sorry NCL didn't fit your needs.

Nita

[newmexicoNita]

when DH bring things back for a snack on the balcony, he uses the tray under the coffee maker..

but that's because we have never used room service...can't borrow what we don't have

I think I will remember that one, so my servant can do the same....

[Sooners]

But enough to make me wonder why management was not checking on them.

 

This statement is 100% false. On many occasions I saw Restaurant Manger Jorge Martinho and on two differnent occasions I saw Hotel Director Michael Klieverik chipping in by cleaning tables and serving food.

[Bamagal in FL]

We were also on that sailing (May 25th) and we had a WONDERFUL experience. The ONLY complaints we had was the RUDENESS of OTHER passengers. I was literally PUSHED out of the way by a woman wanting cookies. She OBVIOUSLY needed the desserts worse that I did. Besides, I ended with with a fresh batch.

We found the food to be good (ate in Garden Cafe mostly). Not too much trouble finding seating. Tables were cleaned off quickly. The tray thing was not an issue. We got what we wanted on the first round and if we wanted more we got up, got a new plate and got more...don't see a problem with that.....

On one occasion, one member of our group had a specific dietary request and even though it was on on the buffet at that time, Chef Michael got it and personally brought it to uor table. We were always greeted with smiles and friendliness....guess you get what you give....our room stewards were super (Ricardo and Ruben).

IMO, the reason the crew members are the way they are is probably having to deal with COMPLAINERS ALL THE TIME....We over heard one passenger say to another, "I'm about OVER Alaska and this boat".....I wanted to tell him then get off at the next stop AND GO HOME!!!!!

Another time one lady stepped in front of another lady at the reception desk and when the lady said something to her, she told her to " go to H**L and Kiss her A** all she wanted was blah, blah. Talk about RUDE.

We LOVED the freestyle and are planning to use NCL again for our 20th wedding anniversary cruise to Europe.

[SailAways]

what is it about cruise lines discontinueing trays (not just NCL) you don't understand. Right now it seems this is or was one of your biggest complaints. Your heading indicates the cruise line sucks and yet one of your problems was no trays. I guess you aren't going to enjoy many cruises in the future. Again, sorry NCL didn't fit your needs.

Nita

 

It seems the absence of trays is a topic on many boards and threads.

 

Surely, trays do make a one time trip through the line nicer than returning over and over for the next selection. I for one do prefer trays, but the lack of one will not make a great impact upon any cruise.

 

That being said, we have witnessed too many folks at buffets over-loading their tray, then watching as they walk away from the table with half of the food still there. Seems they wanted to sample everything, but took enough so that if it were to their liking, they had plenty. This is surely a cause for the initial removal of trays by a cruise line to avoid food waste.

 

Perhaps much smaller trays could be a solution. Those wishing to use one could still elect to do so. Those who prefer to return to the line many times could also do that.

 

There is no rule which states that you must use a tray if you prefer to select each course individually then return to the line many times.

 

Surely, the cruise lines will eventually sort this out.

 

In all fairness, it seems the OP has tried once again to explain his/her take on their personal disappointment with this cruise. It appears (IMHO) to be an honest opinion which also includes some positive aspects. Isn't that what we should be acknowledging?

[Bamagal in FL]

qoute "The buffet food was the same thing every single day. The fresh made pasta was delicious, but there is only 1 server cooking it up. The barbecue was embarrasing. We thought maybe there'd be something different - ribs or steaks - but no, just the same old burgers and franks. Chicken was cooked fresh. I also would have appreciated trays. I was given hot plates several times which were really too hot to hold while I was searching for a table.

 

We were hoping for something special at night (maybe a chocolate night or something like that), but there was nothing."

 

 

If you were on the Pearl 5/25/08, there WAS a chocolate Buffet one night. You had to read your Freestyle Daily. Also, there were differences in the lunch and dinner buffets, mainly a meat choice. Pluse little things like mashed potates were added, different pasta choices, deli style sandwich options.......the fresh made crepe station was to die for!!!!

[weltek]

I loved the piano bar on the Majesty years ago. On our recent Spirit sailing, there was just the occassional piano player in the atrium. Made me sad. The piano bar was my FAVORITE place on the Majesty and we showed it by dropping a lot of money at the bar!

[chrisbd1]

I think I will remember that one, so my servant can do the same....

when DH bring things back for a snack on the balcony, he uses the tray under the coffee maker..

but that's because we have never used room service...can't borrow what we don't have

 

Sometimes, people will leave their room service tray in the hall. For safety sake, I've been know to "accidentally" use one to bring breakfast to the sleepyhead who rooms with me :)

[2ndguesser]

Personally I'm kind of bummed about the trays and may have to bring my own. I have 3 young kids that can't (for obvious reasons) carry their own drinks and food. So I guess that means I need to go through the buffet 4 times to get our stuff. That is really seriously going to suck. I hope they do have some if you ask for them.

[chrisbd1]

Personally I'm kind of bummed about the trays and may have to bring my own. I have 3 young kids that can't (for obvious reasons) carry their own drinks and food. So I guess that means I need to go through the buffet 4 times to get our stuff. That is really seriously going to suck. I hope they do have some if you ask for them.

I believe the attendants in the buffet will give you a hand, if needed. Or so I've been told.

[lambchoplady]

I loved the piano bar on the Majesty years ago. On our recent Spirit sailing, there was just the occassional piano player in the atrium. Made me sad. The piano bar was my FAVORITE place on the Majesty and we showed it by dropping a lot of money at the bar!

 

The piano bar is not there any more???? We loved that spot too. We went there before dinner every evening.

[tealea]

It was my first cruise, so I had nothing with which to compare. I read all the boards before taking the cruise and read many things that made me question how attentive staff would be. We did have the noro precausions on our cruise which made the buffet very crowded and slow due to them having to serve us everything. I worked in a hospital, not too different than my daily experience there. The Summer Palace was always very slow eventhough waiters were often just standing around. Again, not unlike experiences in other restaurants in any city. Staff always spoke when passing in the hallways. I never found a person that I thought was rude, but then very few went out of their way to be memorable. The exception for that was Johnny Handsome in the upper bar by the pool. Very friendly!! The food was ok, not great. I did have some food that was quite good in La Cucina and Tepanyaki. I had a good time and found the experience to have been positive. I would do another cruise again.

[Ms belp]

To last poster...HUH?