Too Much of a Good Thing

[sealuber]

Nita,

 

I think you've gotten a bit too personal with this poster. You've called him/her cheap and practically a liar. When 4 people (or even 2 people) are traveling together things can add up.

 

Like anything else, "extras" cost. I would not expect NCL to offer 12 to 13 restaurants and make all them "free". Different ingridents for foods cost diff amounts of money. The concept of "freestyle" means more choices. Not free choices. Over on the other boards I see that they charge for supper clubs and other dining venues. I do not see as many complaints as I have seen on this board about fee restaurants. We were just recently on the Star and went to three pay restaurants. It was well worth it much less than restaurants on the outside. We paid $80.00 for 6 people at Cagney's (Our kids ate free) a week later we paid 76.00 dollars at Denny's not including tip for 6. Which was the better deal? It is all relevant to what you are accostomed to and what you are willing to pay. We ate at the dinning rooms and at Endless Summer Nights and have no problem with the quality of food that they served. So many other lines are charging for their speciality restaurants I do not know why NCL is the one that gets bashed the most for it.

[CanadianTwosome]

Nita,

 

I think you've gotten a bit too personal with this poster. You've called him/her cheap and practically a liar. When 4 people (or even 2 people) are traveling together things can add up.

 

We're just off an NCL Baltic cruise. This was our second NCL cruise this year. The food left a LOT to be desired inthe main dining rooms. We thought maybe it was just the Sun back in February but found the same situation on the Jewel last month. Our first cruise on NCL, about two years ago, was much different. NCL has changed, you have to choose from 5 or 6 surcharge resturants to get a decent meal or go to the buffet to eat. Honestly, the food tasted much better on the buffet and the crew much more pleasant.

 

I believe I remember you from way back but on another board. I seem to remember that you might be a travel agent. Travel agents get great deals doing FAM trips, getting discounts and even free cruises for booking a certain amount of cabins on a particular cruise. I can understand your loyalty to NCL if in fact you are a travel agent.

 

You accuse Nita of being 'too personal' and then basically accuse her of supporting NCL because she's a travel agent and will get perks? Hello pot? It's the kettle... you're black.

 

We've loved all the food we've had on our NCL cruises, both in the main rooms and the specialties. It's all about personal taste.

 

Whenever I see a thread like this, I can't help but wonder why people get so upset about being given more freedom of choice. In the original post, the OP lists three things that they wish were included; I use none of them. It's a perfect example of why I believe the freestyle concept is so good. We all get our base cruise for a reasonable fare, and then we get to individually choose extras IF we want them. I think it's fantastic that I don't have to pay for sodas, bingo, spa treatments or lobster as part of my fare - since I don't use them. If they were included, somewhere in my fare I would be paying for someone else to enjoy those things, and I'd rather not, thank you. I currently pay for entertainment I usually don't attend, but I understand that without it being included in everyone's fare, nobody would be able to enjoy it because they couldn't afford to pay the entertainers. I'm okay with that. Sodas... you can get your own. I bring mine along because they don't have what I like on board. If they did, I would purchase a soda card and be happy.

 

For those who have been 'forced' to eat at the pay restaurants by travelling companions, there's a simple solution... 'No, thank you.' On NCL another one of the great things about freestyle is that you don't have to eat anywhere you don't want to and you're not forced to eat with the same people every night... even if they ARE in your group! *Some might say it would be 'rude' to turn down someone who wants to do something that you're not interested in... is it not just as 'rude' to expect someone to do something they're not interested in (especially if it's going to cost them money) just because it's what you want? It's your vacation, too. If you don't want to do something, don't do it... but if you do, don't blame NCL for offering the service, they aren't the ones that 'forced' you to do anything.

 

Something else that people seem to forget is that neither NCL nor any other line is charging for anything that was included in the past (except perhaps sodas). When I started cruising in 1975, we were on a tiny ship by today's standards... here's a comparison of 'then and now' that I made in another thread:

 

Then: ONE dining room included

Now: Many included dining options as well as some alternative surcharge options

 

Then: Entertainment included

Now: Entertainment included

 

Then: Teensy tiny swimming pool

Now: Waterslides, multiple pools and hot tubs

 

Then: Children's room with a supervisor

Now: Kids' and teens' programs and areas designated specifically for families and young people, including separate pool areas

 

Then: Small gym included and a hairdresser that charged a fee

Now: Larger gym included and a full spa that charges a fee

 

Then: One shop with souvenirs and some duty free goods

Now: A mall of shopping choices

 

Then: Bingo for a fee

Now: Bingo for a fee

 

Then: Had to figure out how much of a tip each person should get, make sure you've saved enough cash, put it in envelopes, and track down each individual

Now: Most lines take care of it for you by using the autotip system, which tends to cost less per person than 'traditional' tipping

 

So yes, freestyle does have many choices that cost extra - but they're EXTRA choices compared to the 'old days'. There is no comparison. What has always been included is still included - plus much, much more. :)

[JohnIreland]

Mousey mentioned the fear of not getting into a restrauant due to the 24 hour limit rather than 48 hour limit for others. In the past, we had no problem getting a reservation if we ask for early or late times. When everyone wants to eat at the same time a bottleneck appears and someone has to wait. Sure the 48 hour people have a little advance time to make their reservation but then that's the beauty of "Free Style Dining". If you don't like this place or time, try another one. I gained weight on ever cruise because I don't really like fighting over a place to sit.

 

I had no problem getting same day reservations for the tex-mex or itilain on the gem under the new system.... a choice of times was available for both even at 3pm....

 

 

As for the people giving out about soda, just get a soda card and budget it part of the price of cruise......

[terrymtex01]

Nita,

 

I think you've gotten a bit too personal with this poster. You've called him/her cheap and practically a liar. When 4 people (or even 2 people) are traveling together things can add up.

 

We're just off an NCL Baltic cruise. This was our second NCL cruise this year. The food left a LOT to be desired inthe main dining rooms. We thought maybe it was just the Sun back in February but found the same situation on the Jewel last month. Our first cruise on NCL, about two years ago, was much different. NCL has changed, you have to choose from 5 or 6 surcharge resturants to get a decent meal or go to the buffet to eat. Honestly, the food tasted much better on the buffet and the crew much more pleasant.

 

I believe I remember you from way back but on another board. I seem to remember that you might be a travel agent. Travel agents get great deals doing FAM trips, getting discounts and even free cruises for booking a certain amount of cabins on a particular cruise. I can understand your loyalty to NCL if in fact you are a travel agent.

 

Impala.. not to sound like I'm attacking you, because I'm not, but I completely disagree with you that Nita was attacking the poster. I went back and re-read her posting that you quoted four times. I think she was simply stating how she saw things, not attacking the poster.

Written words can be taken differently by many different people. Looking at your posting it was almost like you were attacking Nita because she supports NCL and you are not that big of a fan of NCL. If Nita is a travel agent and gets free cruises every month should not factor in to how her opinion of the cruise lines are. We have not paid for our last two cruises nor the two we currently have booked. They have been paid for by CAS. However I believe I give NCL a fair assessment every time I write anything about them. Free cruise or not, if I was not getting the experience I expect out of a cruise line, I would switch in a heartbeat.

Again, not attacking you, just saying how I took both postings. Honestly your posting came across as much more attacking than Nita's.

[greywillow]

I've been on a traditional cruise with RCCL and then on a Free-Style cruise with the Dawn in 2007. We really enjoyed the Free-Style concept and have booked another cruise, this time on the GEM in February 2009. While I understand that NCL can keep their base-line cruise price down by in essence creating user fees for everything, it does appear that it could become distracting having to wonder what's actually included in the cruise price and what has an extra charge.

I suspect everything included in a RCCL cruise is included in an NCL cruise. If there are minor exceptions, I suspect there are things included in an NCL cruise that are extra charge on RCCL. Why do you make the assumption--without, apparently, having done one bit of research--that NCL "creates user fees for everything." Misleading postings like yours are a great disservice to people reading these threads who will come away with an incorrect impression of NCL.

 

Perhaps you should have left out your very negative first paragraph and simply asked what is included in an NCL cruise.

 

Do you tip on RCCL? Is there a fuel surcharge? Do you pay for drinks? For spa treatments? For bingo? For playing the casino? For photos? For the specialty restaurants? For shore excursions. Right. I thought so.

[Ginny, not Hermione]

Just cause they have it doesn't mean you have to pay for it. My first cruise, the Norway in 1996, they had one specialty restaurant and I only saw one couple eat there all week. The other choices were your assigned seating meals or the out door buffet. That's it.

 

Last year, on the Spirit, we ate in all the "free" restaurants which gave us a lot of choices, bought the "romance" package and ate in the "Bistro" I was fine with that. I don't find the meals terrible in the "free" restaurants, One time I did not like something and asked for another choice, no one grumbled- they just made a substitution for me AND told me if there was anything else I wanted they would bring that too.

 

I like unsweetened Iced tea, it's my meal time drink of choice in any restaurant at home and it's free on a cruise (they charge me $2.69 at Applebees:mad: ).

 

I never had the patience for BINGO

 

I'm not a gambler- if I put a nickel in a machine I want a gumball to fall out.

 

I get to pick and choose what I pay for, I got a mini-massage on a cruise once- it cost about $10 more then it does at home, not terrible. I paid for the beer tasting last cruise, well worth the money to me.

 

I honestly don't feel like I'm being nickeled and dimed to death, I know extras cost but for the most part I'm willing to pay for the extras I want and more then willing to not pay for stuff I don't need.

[prg2101]

We recently sailed the Dawn and apple juice, fruit punch, iced tea, and one other juice (can't remember) were readily available at the Kids' Buffet. Not easily found, mind you. But, since we have kids, I found it easily.

 

 

 

2cruise4ever, Im pretty sure the other juice your thinking of is

Orange Juice.....And we do what Toyz says "save some in your

cabin for later":) :p

[lovezags]

I have seen several posters say they bring on their own soda. I didn't think you could. How do you get it on?

[mbisson]

I have seen several posters say they bring on their own soda. I didn't think you could. How do you get it on?

 

If you call NCL their official response always seems to be that you're not allowed to bring soda. HOWEVER-reality has been that at the pier they don't stop you. I've brought it on in my carryon with no problem. Once I put it in my checked baggage and was called to the 'naughty room' (love that term btw). When they saw it was Pepsi, they just sent me on my way-Pepsi and all.

 

BTW-I'm a Zags fan also :D (except when they're playing the Cougs)

[MrLee]

You accuse Nita of being 'too personal' and then basically accuse her of supporting NCL because she's a travel agent and will get perks? Hello pot? It's the kettle... you're black.

 

We've loved all the food we've had on our NCL cruises, both in the main rooms and the specialties. It's all about personal taste.

 

Whenever I see a thread like this, I can't help but wonder why people get so upset about being given more freedom of choice. In the original post, the OP lists three things that they wish were included; I use none of them. It's a perfect example of why I believe the freestyle concept is so good. We all get our base cruise for a reasonable fare, and then we get to individually choose extras IF we want them. I think it's fantastic that I don't have to pay for sodas, bingo, spa treatments or lobster as part of my fare - since I don't use them. If they were included, somewhere in my fare I would be paying for someone else to enjoy those things, and I'd rather not, thank you. I currently pay for entertainment I usually don't attend, but I understand that without it being included in everyone's fare, nobody would be able to enjoy it because they couldn't afford to pay the entertainers. I'm okay with that. Sodas... you can get your own. I bring mine along because they don't have what I like on board. If they did, I would purchase a soda card and be happy.

 

For those who have been 'forced' to eat at the pay restaurants by travelling companions, there's a simple solution... 'No, thank you.' On NCL another one of the great things about freestyle is that you don't have to eat anywhere you don't want to and you're not forced to eat with the same people every night... even if they ARE in your group! *Some might say it would be 'rude' to turn down someone who wants to do something that you're not interested in... is it not just as 'rude' to expect someone to do something they're not interested in (especially if it's going to cost them money) just because it's what you want? It's your vacation, too. If you don't want to do something, don't do it... but if you do, don't blame NCL for offering the service, they aren't the ones that 'forced' you to do anything.

 

Something else that people seem to forget is that neither NCL nor any other line is charging for anything that was included in the past (except perhaps sodas). When I started cruising in 1975, we were on a tiny ship by today's standards... here's a comparison of 'then and now' that I made in another thread:

 

Then: ONE dining room included

Now: Many included dining options as well as some alternative surcharge options

 

Then: Entertainment included

Now: Entertainment included

 

Then: Teensy tiny swimming pool

Now: Waterslides, multiple pools and hot tubs

 

Then: Children's room with a supervisor

Now: Kids' and teens' programs and areas designated specifically for families and young people, including separate pool areas

 

Then: Small gym included and a hairdresser that charged a fee

Now: Larger gym included and a full spa that charges a fee

 

Then: One shop with souvenirs and some duty free goods

Now: A mall of shopping choices

 

Then: Bingo for a fee

Now: Bingo for a fee

 

Then: Had to figure out how much of a tip each person should get, make sure you've saved enough cash, put it in envelopes, and track down each individual

Now: Most lines take care of it for you by using the autotip system, which tends to cost less per person than 'traditional' tipping

 

So yes, freestyle does have many choices that cost extra - but they're EXTRA choices compared to the 'old days'. There is no comparison. What has always been included is still included - plus much, much more. :)

 

 

I certainly don't agree with everything you've posted on these boards but you hit the nail on the head this time. :D

 

Very well said!

[*Luv2Cruz*]

If you call NCL their official response always seems to be that you're not allowed to bring soda. HOWEVER-reality has been that at the pier they don't stop you. I've brought it on in my carryon with no problem. Once I put it in my checked baggage and was called to the 'naughty room' (love that term btw). When they saw it was Pepsi, they just sent me on my way-Pepsi and all.

 

BTW-I'm a Zags fan also :D (except when they're playing the Cougs)

 

Pepsi has a way of getting on the ships. Someone who may be me usually packs a few for the ride!:D

[CanadianTwosome]

I certainly don't agree with everything you've posted on these boards but you hit the nail on the head this time. :D

 

Very well said!

 

Thanks MrLee... sometimes I get it right!! :p

[musicgirl63]

What it comes down to is that you have to do your research about what is or isn't included.

- Add up the cruise rate and all of the things that you want to do that cost extra.

-Ask yourself is this how much you want to pay for vacation.

-If it is, then paying for a soda card, or restaurants that charge extra, etc...won't make a difference once on board.

-If it is too costly......do you "cut out" some or all of the extras and go or..

-Choose a different line/style of vacation.

 

I have really thought about doing an all-inclusive resort (truly inclusive). It sounds great, you can not only use all restaurants at the resort, but also at the "sister" resorts all "free".

 

So why do I hesitate....the cost of air fare to those places are a killer!!!! It puts those vacations way over the budget.

 

So I have to choose

-cruise

-all inclusive

-look for something totally different.

 

In the end, it is what is right for you for the amount that you are willing to spend. Take a little time and research. Knowing what cost extra doesn't "hurt so much" if you are already prepared to pay for it.

[lovezags]

Mbisson- thanks for the tip...I don't want to get called into the "naughty room"! I might try to smuggle some Dr. Pepper on.

 

I'm a Cougs fan too...except when they are playing the Zags!;)

[CruisnGram]

Nita,

The food left a LOT to be desired inthe main dining rooms. We thought maybe it was just the Sun back in February but found the same situation on the Jewel last month. .

 

It's amazing to me how much food opinions vary. We were on the Sun in March and thought the food was excellent. Never felt the need to try a specialty restaurant.

[mbisson]

Mbisson- thanks for the tip...I don't want to get called into the "naughty room"! I might try to smuggle some Dr. Pepper on.

 

 

Since they don't seem to care at the pier, most of us don't even consider it smuggling. Enjoy your cruise!

[CanadianTwosome]

I have definitely never considered it smuggling... to me, smuggling is something you try to do surreptitiously... On our last two cruises we've had both sodas and bottled water in our carry ons, with no issues. :)

[RSVE821]

After reading this thread I was curious about what we paid for our first cruise 20 yrs ago on the SS Norway, then the largest cruise ship afloat. This was a 7 day Eastern Caribbean from Miami in an inside cabin with the size and ambiance of a jail cell (just looked at the pics I took)! I found the paper tickets and we paid $698 pp, port and tax included. This was an airline employee rate that was 50% off the published rate!

 

Fast forward 20 years (and 19 cruises later) to April, 2008 when we did a 15 day transatlantic crossing from Miami to Dover on the beautiful NCL Jewel. We had a comfortable BA AFT facing balcony cabin with an extra large balcony for $899 pp, port and tax included! This was not an airline rate and was available to all directly off NCL's website. Most of our subsequent cruises were not at airline rates. It may take a little shopping around, but deals for all are out there.

 

Base fares have changed little in those 20 years and 19 sailings but the amenities offered have gone from basic to unimaginable on a ship. You can still do the basics on a cruise without breaking the bank and have a great time like we did 20 years ago when the basics were all that was offered. It's your choice.

 

It's time for a reality check folks. The cost of living has gone up dramatically in 20 years. The base cost of a cruise hasn't much. To have to pay a surcharge for some of the extra amenities that not all may want to participate in just makes economic sense for the industry in my humble opinion.

[TallGuy and the Redhead]

BTW-I'm a Zags fan also :D (except when they're playing the Cougs)

 

This thread is dead, but had to comment when I saw this. We love the Zags, and have gone to several games in the Kennel. EXCEPT when they play the Cougs! We are diehard Coug fans and can't cheer for the Zags when they're up against our WSU Cougars! (I'd clap on the inside for Pendergraft, though, as he was my favorite!)

Non-cruise related. Just a shout out to my WA buddy I found here! :)

 

~The Redhead

[mbisson]

Always good to hear from a Coug. I bleed crimson (of course most do) ;)

 

BTW-I'm a Zags fan also :D (except when they're playing the Cougs)

 

This thread is dead, but had to comment when I saw this. We love the Zags, and have gone to several games in the Kennel. EXCEPT when they play the Cougs! We are diehard Coug fans and can't cheer for the Zags when they're up against our WSU Cougars! (I'd clap on the inside for Pendergraft, though, as he was my favorite!)

Non-cruise related. Just a shout out to my WA buddy I found here! :)

 

~The Redhead