NCL Less expensive

[dplb3]

In response to the assertion that NCL is cheaper, I ask if the other cruise lines charge the daily per person surcharge which NCL Star just charged us? For 8 of us, this ended up adding nearly $900 for the week. This is our only cruise, so I have no basis for comparison.

[avp1234]

Does anybody else here find that there is something odd about the post's from Balcony Bumz? Is it possible that he/she could be a troll and it would be better to ignore this person's posts? We are going on NCL in Feb., and if I took what she says seriously I would have already canceled. She really doesn't give any facts to back up what she says. Just that "Ncl sucks", and the overall tone of her posts are very hostile. I really wouldn't put too much thought into anything she says...:)

[rsinj]

In response to the assertion that NCL is cheaper, I ask if the other cruise lines charge the daily per person surcharge which NCL Star just charged us? For 8 of us, this ended up adding nearly $900 for the week. This is our only cruise, so I have no basis for comparison.

 

I'm assuming you're talking about fuel surcharge + service charge. You would pay fuel surcharge just the same on any other cruiseline. Your daily per person "service charge" would have been instead paid by you in the form of tips on any other cruiseline. Bottom line - no difference between NCL and any other.

 

Howard

[*Wink*]

She/he has sailed NCL one time, and has concluded the whole cruise line "sucks." she/he's obviously unreasonable and has some type of vendetta, or at least, an ax to grind. I'm sure most people would take his/her comments with a grain of salt. If she/he wants to be taken seriously, then specific examples would have been given. I label this type of poster as antagonistic.

[BalconyBumz]

Does anybody else here find that there is something odd about the post's from Balcony Bumz? Is it possible that he/she could be a troll and it would be better to ignore this person's posts? We are going on NCL in Feb., and if I took what she says seriously I would have already canceled. She really doesn't give any facts to back up what she says. Just that "Ncl sucks", and the overall tone of her posts are very hostile. I really wouldn't put too much thought into anything she says...:)

 

LOL. I can assure you I'm far from a troll. I've been on 18 cruises and I am dead serious with my thoughts about my experience with NCL. All cruise lines have little things that can be bad here and there, but my experience with NCL was not good and I would not take them again for many, many reasons. I do not feel like typing every single detail out again, as I have done that previously on the Princess thread, so if you are so interested, go find it yourself. I could care less if you believe me or not. I'm not the first to say NCL is below other cruise lines in standards of food quality, cleanliness and service. Sure, many will say they think it's fine, but many agree with me also. Infact, I was standing in the port about 3 weeks ago and was talking with one of the agents from another line and the Star was there in port also and I said I went on that ship and she said, what did you thinK? I told her what I thought, and she said she has heard my setiments exactly many many times. Interesting....So go ahead and turn your head the other way and not listen to the bad. I personally like to hear both sides of people's opinions and just because one opinion is one I don't like, I don't accuse the person of being a liar or a troll. Keep your head in the sand if it makes you feel better. :)

[BalconyBumz]

She/he has sailed NCL one time, and has concluded the whole cruise line "sucks." she/he's obviously unreasonable and has some type of vendetta, or at least, an ax to grind. I'm sure most people would take her comments with a grain of salt. If she/he wants to be taken seriously, then specific examples would have been given. I label this type of poster as antagonistic.

 

NO I said the NCL STAR SUCKS and because of that, I would not prefer to ever take NCL again. Deal with it. Go find my Princess thread about the details of the disgusting snot and or semen on our bed skirt, our filthy coffee pot, cold food, horrible rude and snotty service, filthy balcony. Have a ball!

[dplb3]

No, it's not the fuel surcharge. It is intended to tip the crew members who you wouldn't otherwise have the opportunity to tip, i.e. persons OTHER than your room stewards, food/drink servers. In that sense, I wonder if NCL IS more costly since I assume passengers on other cruise lines are NOT tipping these other crew members who one never even meets. I did tip my room stewards, quite generously, and always add extra to the 15% gratuity which was automatically added on, so the extra "service charge" is like a forced tip which I gather would not be otherwise paid. Any other input on this one? As I said, it did add $900 for our 3 cabins.

[*Wink*]

NO I said the NCL STAR SUCKS and because of that, I would not prefer to ever take NCL again. Deal with it. Go find my Princess thread about the details of the disgusting snot and or semen on our bed skirt, our filthy coffee pot, cold food, horrible rude and snotty service, filthy balcony. Have a ball!

Obviously you think the whole line sucks or you would not be on this thread persuading folks not to sail NCL with your comments about your ONE cruise.

 

BTW, this is your quote from post #45 "In my opinion NCL is bottom of the barrel for cruise lines."

[BalconyBumz]

Obviously you think the whole line sucks or you would not be on this thread persuading folks not to sail NCL with your comments about your ONE cruise.

 

BTW, this is your quote from post #45 "In my opinion NCL is bottom of the barrel for cruise lines."

 

Yes, indeed, I certainly do think NCL is bottom of the barrell if the Star is any example of their service, food, and cleanliness of their ships. Yup! Sometimes it only takes once to really turn a person off. NCL Star made our entire group disgusted with them, the ship, the food, and the service. :eek:

[rsinj]

It is intended to tip the crew members who you wouldn't otherwise have the opportunity to tip, i.e. persons OTHER than your room stewards, food/drink servers. In that sense,

 

That is incorrect - entirely. It is the tip for everyone. Why don't you check NCL's website - they make it perfectly clear.

 

I also figured you must have been including the fuel surcharge, because for one week, it wouldn't be close $900 for 8 people just for the per person service charge at $10/day/person - that's $560 - no?

 

In any case, no tipping is expected/required - check the website. That is what the surcharge is for.

 

Howard

[linnealee]

Nope, Carnival is the bottom of the barrel IMO. Go back to the Princess boards then if you want some compassion. I've had wonderful times on NCL, you probably expected to be waited on hand and foot and catered to every second.

 

Yes, indeed, I certainly do think NCL is bottom of the barrell if the Star is any example of their service, food, and cleanliness of their ships. Yup! Sometimes it only takes once to really turn a person off. NCL Star made our entire group disgusted with them, the ship, the food, and the service. :eek:

[newmexicoNita]

In response to the assertion that NCL is cheaper, I ask if the other cruise lines charge the daily per person surcharge which NCL Star just charged us? For 8 of us, this ended up adding nearly $900 for the week. This is our only cruise, so I have no basis for comparison.

yes all but RCI and Celebrity have gone with this plan, some are a little higher, but when NCL raises it in Jan they will be about the same as others. HAL just went up, Disney has been 12.00 for a long time, Princess is $10.50 per day but may raise theirs as well. Only NCL gives a discount to kids 3-12 on the service charge, this will end in Jan. it appears.

 

RCI and Celebrity has a suggested amount for tipping.

 

BTW, how long was your cruise? $900 sounds high for a 7 day cruise. I guess it was longer.

 

NIta

[newmexicoNita]

She/he has sailed NCL one time, and has concluded the whole cruise line "sucks." she/he's obviously unreasonable and has some type of vendetta, or at least, an ax to grind. I'm sure most people would take his/her comments with a grain of salt. If she/he wants to be taken seriously, then specific examples would have been given. I label this type of poster as antagonistic.

I was going to say the same thing. I think it is a she and her language on one post was so uncalled for, I think she lost any credibility she had. This has been going on for months now. She won't get over it, she is vendictive but I doubt she has changed one persons mind about NCL.

 

Nita

[newmexicoNita]

LOL. I can assure you I'm far from a troll. I've been on 18 cruises and I am dead serious with my thoughts about my experience with NCL. All cruise lines have little things that can be bad here and there, but my experience with NCL was not good and I would not take them again for many, many reasons. I do not feel like typing every single detail out again, as I have done that previously on the Princess thread, so if you are so interested, go find it yourself. I could care less if you believe me or not. I'm not the first to say NCL is below other cruise lines in standards of food quality, cleanliness and service. Sure, many will say they think it's fine, but many agree with me also. Infact, I was standing in the port about 3 weeks ago and was talking with one of the agents from another line and the Star was there in port also and I said I went on that ship and she said, what did you thinK? I told her what I thought, and she said she has heard my setiments exactly many many times. Interesting....So go ahead and turn your head the other way and not listen to the bad. I personally like to hear both sides of people's opinions and just because one opinion is one I don't like, I don't accuse the person of being a liar or a troll. Keep your head in the sand if it makes you feel better. :)

got cha, you were standing in port 3 weeks ago, you have cruised 18 times, but you have been saying for months you have cruised 18 times. If you were standing in port, shouldn't you have cruised 19 times?? thank you for not typing every single detail out again, being some of your discriptions belonged on a light porno forum...

 

Of course there are others that agree with you, regardless of the line some are unhappy. Yours has gone past being unhappy. I have cruised all the mass marketed lines and a few more times than you, I have found some with better food, cabins, etc than NCL, I have found the service and food on others, including RCI and Carnival not to be up to NCL standards but I do not go on these threads and blast away. When I go on a thread, which I do often and give a negative response, I always add, my opinion...only. Now with this, I think I,for one, will just not answer anymore of your comments, maybe you will go away.

 

Nita

[rickechambers1@aol.com]

Well BalconyBumz, you ARE entitled to your opinion.

This IS a public forum and you can have as much right to state your opinion on a matter as anyone else. MY opinion is that you should find the cruise line that meets your needs and expectations. I cruised NCL Jewel and had the best of 15 or so cruises Obviously, NCL is not the right line for you; so happy sailing to you and yours.

P.S. Please feel free to email me directly as to which sailings you will be on so that I may plan my cruises accordingly as well.

[BalconyBumz]

I was going to say the same thing. I think it is a she and her language on one post was so uncalled for, I think she lost any credibility she had. This has been going on for months now. She won't get over it, she is vendictive but I doubt she has changed one persons mind about NCL.

 

Nita

 

Actually Nita, I did change one person's mind. They specifically messaged me when they got back from the Star and said I was RIGHT. They couldn't believe it! If I can save one more person from that poor choice of a cruise when there are others that are much better with that same itinerary, I will. You, on the other hand, are just going to have to live with it and come to terms that I'm explaining what I thought to help and warn others. I think people deserve to hear all sides to make their choices. I would have wanted to know. Sorry, you are so over the top for NCL. I'm NOT. I guess some have better tastes than others. :rolleyes:

[Cruzin2paradise09]

Well, as others have stated, we are all welcome to our opinions and hopefully others will gain from our experiences...both good and bad.

 

........

 

Every cruise can't be perfect, not when you have a couple thousand people in close proximity on a floating city. We found NCL did a great job for a really good price. We would cruise with NCL again just for the suite when compared with the same price and a good cabin on any of the other lines we've sailed.

 

Howard

 

You are absolutely correct! Everyone is entitled to their opinion and it is a great resource to be able to see the positives and the negatives - no doubt about that.

 

HOWEVER -- the comment below .....

 

There's a reason NCL is cheaper. They suck. I took one cruise on them and will never ever take one again. You get what you pay for. If you don't care about food quality, service, cleanliness, and want to go for cheap, than this is a great deal for you. :D

 

 

is not really a negative opinion. It's an undefined statement that means nothing. To me, it shows immaturity and ignorance and I heard the same crap from my kids when they were in 3rd grade and little Janet was wearing non-stylish clothes and for that reason they didn't like her ... same attitude in my opinion.

 

And, as I'm sure has been said, BalconyBumz, if you really dislike NCL this much, it would probably be more beneficial to you and others here, if you posted on the boards for the cruiselines that you frequent. Considering you've only taken ONE cruise on NCL and you have taken 17 others on different lines, it only makes sense for you to discuss things that you are educated on and obviously having only one NCL cruise, I don't believe you're educated on the entire line! JUST MY OPINION.

 

OP - didn't get past page 3 so I don't know if you've come back and decided what you will do. You have to look at what is in each brochure and the FACTS about the cruises you are looking at. Cheapness doesn't always mean crap - there are extenuating circumstances with anything though. I've not sailed NCL yet, and hopefully will still be able to come April (economy issues - DH is in the automotive industry and relies on GM). I have sailed on 2 Carnival cruises, 1 RCI and 1 Princess. There are things we liked and disliked on each one. But I can guaranty that whatever I didn't like, there were probably numerous people who did like those aspects.

 

Remember - you are getting opinions here from an extremely SMALL PERCENTAGE of the people cruising - take it all with a grain of salt. Not everyone's negative is going to be your negative AND, yes, not everyone's positive is going to be your positive. Go with your likes and dislikes and go for it.

 

Enjoy!

[CruisnGram]

If the OP is so serious about helping people avoid NCL, why did they post their original rant on the Princess board? Princess people won't be cruising NCL anyway. Why not post that info here on the NCL board where prospective NCL customers would come?

 

I think it's another "gotcha" LOL

 

CG

[Cruzin2paradise09]

If the OP is so serious about helping people avoid NCL, why did they post their original rant on the Princess board? Princess people won't be cruising NCL anyway. Why not post that info here on the NCL board where prospective NCL customers would come?

 

I think it's another "gotcha" LOL

 

CG

 

 

Actually the OP was asking NCL being less expensive than another cruise ....

 

The rant you speak of is courtesy of BalconyBumz who has posted his/her original rant on Princess and just comes over here to make sure we all know that he/she doesn't like NCL....

[steviek49]

One thing to keep in mind, it isn't only the itinerary but the class of ship. Normally there isn't as much difference in prices if you match class for class, but this depends. We have twice opt for Celebrity because of a less expensive price than NCL. Earlier this year we did Princess, same reason, the rate was lower than NCLs. Of course it was the Mex riv and NCL had one extra day. Still there seems to be on rhyme or reason unless one ship is much older than the other or something. For us the two lines that are most alike are Princess and NCL.

 

got your answer: big difference in the two ships: the Dawn is 4 years older and carries 800 less passengers. these are the types of things many don't think about...Does that make one more desirable? No, but it does explain the difference in price

 

 

I'm not so sure about this answer Nita, although b4 I get into this I must tell you I am a big fan of yours.

 

Your replies are almost always on the mark.

 

 

 

I have also found big price differences for similar dates/ same class of ship (that's tough to compare), same cabin catagory, similar itinerary.

My most recent example- which I have been writing about recently is my next cruise on the GEM in Aug. 2009.-Western Med

We bought our airfare for Barcelona, Spain early to get good price but more importantly to get 2 free frequent flyers.

So now I'm in Barcelona from 8/21-31 and my choices are basically NCL GEM, RCI Voyager and Costa Concordia. MSC has a new ship as well but the cabins didn't fit our family well.

Now- I'm not sure how you compare class of ship but NCL GEM is Jewel class and NCL's newest class. Voyager is bigger than GEM (133grt to 93 grt) but the ship is about 8 years older- I'd still say class is similar. And Concordia is among Costa's newest ship.

I compared getting 2 cabins (1 balcony and 1 inside) for my family of 4 or JR/Mini Suite catagory for 4.We chose Mini-Suite for 4.

Difference in price approximately $2000.00 less on NCL. (than RCI or Costa)

You may do the comparison yourself. Even today -although I booked about 2 months ago.

Go to your favorite on-line website and run the comparison yourself.

Now , although everybody has their own opinion about which cruiseline they like best, I bought 3 different 2009 cruisebooks (Berlitz,Fodor European Cruises and Frommers European CRuises) The star ratings or numbers rating were very similar (1 book had NCL-GEM rated higher than the other 2).

I don't know or care why NCL Gem was $2000+ less but that was my #1 reason for booking her. That money can go along way for our first trip to Europe. Private tours can be expensive.

Your thoughts on this?

[Cruzin2paradise09]

I'm not so sure about this answer Nita, although b4 I get into this I must tell you I am a big fan of yours.

 

Your replies are almost always on the mark.

 

I have also found big price differences for similar dates/ same class of ship (that's tough to compare), same cabin catagory, similar itinerary.

My most recent example- which I have been writing about recently is my next cruise on the GEM in Aug. 2009.-Western Med We bought our airfare for Barcelona, Spain early to get good price but more importantly to get 2 free frequent flyers. So now I'm in Barcelona from 8/21-31 and my choices are basically NCL GEM, RCI Voyager and Costa Concordia. MSC has a new ship as well but the cabins didn't fit our family well.

Now- I'm not sure how you compare class of ship but NCL GEM is Jewel class and NCL's newest class. Voyager is bigger than GEM (133grt to 93 grt) but the ship is about 8 years older- I'd still say class is similar. And Concordia is among Costa's newest ship. I compared getting 2 cabins (1 balcony and 1 inside) for my family of 4 or JR/Mini Suite catagory for 4.We chose Mini-Suite for 4. Difference in price approximately $2000.00 less on NCL. (than RCI or Costa) You may do the comparison yourself. Even today -although I booked about 2 months ago.

 

Go to your favorite on-line website and run the comparison yourself.

Now , although everybody has their own opinion about which cruiseline they like best, I bought 3 different 2009 cruisebooks (Berlitz,Fodor European Cruises and Frommers European CRuises) The star ratings or numbers rating were very similar (1 book had NCL-GEM rated higher than the other 2).

 

I don't know or care why NCL Gem was $2000+ less but that was my #1 reason for booking her. That money can go along way for our first trip to Europe. Private tours can be expensive.

Your thoughts on this?

 

Here's your comparison:

 

NCL Gem:

Size of Ship: 93,502 tons

Service Entry Date: 2007

Passenger Capacity: 2466 passengers

Crew-to-Passenger Ratio: 1 to 2.4

 

RCI Voyager of the Seas:

Size of Ship: 142,000 tons

Service Entry Date: 1999

Passenger Capacity: 3,114 passengers

Crew-to-Passenger Ratio: 1 to 2.6

 

 

Costa Concordia:

Built in 2006

Passenger Capacity1,465 (Double Occupancy)

Number of Crew 1,100Total Cabins 1,500 (28 for Handicapped Guests)Tonnage114,500

 

Now, in my opinion, you cannot compare any of these ships as I would not put them in the same class. The tonnage on all three aren't even close. The amount of passengers accomodated are also completely different.

 

Sorry, but you can't compare the three as like class ships 'cause they aren't.

[steviek49]

Your point is well made but I believe it would be very difficult to compare ships from different cruiselines as far as "class of ship" is concerned.

Having said that... These 3 ships are cruising out of Barcelona on similar (not exact) Western Med itineraries (GEM and Voyager are closer to the same). All 3 cruises are for 7 days. All 3 cruiselines are considered to be mainstream/contemporary cruiselines not PREMIUM (ie Celebrity, Princess or HAL), Although Voyager is oldest -almost 9 years old-it's still the most expensive, And RCI Jr. Suite and NCL Mini Suite are pretty similar.

Yes 142,000 tons and 3000+ passengers is bigger than 114,000 grt(approx 3000px) and 93,000grt(2400px) but I still say $2000.00+ difference in price is a BIG difference.

These are NOT Megaships vs Midsize ships vs small ships.

[Cruzin2paradise09]

Your point is well made but I believe it would be very difficult to compare ships from different cruiselines as far as "class of ship" is concerned.

Having said that... These 3 ships are cruising out of Barcelona on similar (not exact) Western Med itineraries (GEM and Voyager are closer to the same). All 3 cruises are for 7 days. All 3 cruiselines are considered to be mainstream/contemporary cruiselines not PREMIUM (ie Celebrity, Princess or HAL), Although Voyager is oldest -almost 9 years old-it's still the most expensive, And RCI Jr. Suite and NCL Mini Suite are pretty similar.

Yes 142,000 tons and 3000+ passengers is bigger than 114,000 grt(approx 3000px) and 93,000grt(2400px) but I still say $2000.00+ difference in price is a BIG difference.

These are NOT Megaships vs Midsize ships vs small ships.

 

You know what, you've got your opinions. The numbers show that the ships are different. Royal Caribbean, from my times searching, runs higher. My opinion is this, although RCI, NCL, Princess and Carnival are the mid-level lines, there are still different levels of these lines. Nita can probably put it in better perspective, but I think that Princess would be first, then RCI, NCL and then Carnival. BUT it still doesn't make NCL a low-class line. It's just more laid back.

 

If the $2000 difference in price is bugging you that much, maybe you should suck it up and pay the $2000 more. I'm not sure what it is you want.

 

I'm paying almost $500 less for 4 people (one cabin) on a 9-day cruise during spring break in April 2009 on NCL than I did on a 9-day cruise in June of 2007 for 2 people. Both were balconies, caribbean cruises, last years was 4 ports and next year's is 5 ... oh and last summer's was on Princess, huh, imagine that! Plus the Crown Princess is a larger newer ship than the Jewel ...

[steviek49]

You know what, you've got your opinions. The numbers show that the ships are different. Royal Caribbean, from my times searching, runs higher. My opinion is this, although RCI, NCL, Princess and Carnival are the mid-level lines, there are still different levels of these lines. Nita can probably put it in better perspective, but I think that Princess would be first, then RCI, NCL and then Carnival. BUT it still doesn't make NCL a low-class line. It's just more laid back.

 

If the $2000 difference in price is bugging you that much, maybe you should suck it up and pay the $2000 more. I'm not sure what it is you want.

 

I'm paying almost $500 less for 4 people (one cabin) on a 9-day cruise during spring break in April 2009 on NCL than I did on a 9-day cruise in June of 2007 for 2 people. Both were balconies, caribbean cruises, last years was 4 ports and next year's is 5 ... oh and last summer's was on Princess, huh, imagine that! Plus the Crown Princess is a larger newer ship than the Jewel ...

 

Somebody woke up on the wrong side of the bed!

Who said or wrote that paying $2000.00 less on NCL is bugging me?

And I certainly never said that NCL (my preferred cruiseline) was a "low-class line"

And who said or wrote that that I want anything? Especially from you!

When I book a cruise, or right after I get back from a cruise I generally go to CC and read the boards. I look at all the threads and sometimes reply to the threads that are of interest to me.

This thread said "NCL less expensive". It interested me because I just finished researching the ships that cruised out of Barcelona and noticed a HUGE difference in price between the cruise lines/ships.

I shared my experience in booking the cruise lines and you took exception to one of my comparisons concerning "class" and proceeded to show that the three ships are different in size.

Well EXCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCuse me!!!

So they are not exactly the same size! My only point was that NCL was "Less Expensive" as the thread topic suggested.

And just to give a few FACTS I stated that most cruise books rated these 3 lines (NCL,Costa and RCI) in the same class of cruiselines (mainstream), that their food/service ratings are similar and they all did 7 night Western Med. cruises from Barcelona during the same week. You could have also been NASTY and did alittle research and pointed out that although Voyager and GEM went out exactly the same day, Costa's ship went out 2 days earlier and "OH MY GOD" returned 2 days earlier. HOW DARE I COMPARE UNDER THOSE CIRCUMSTANCES!

I close by saying to Cruzin....."RELAX, and enjoy the readings" It's a great way to learn, share and discuss opinions.

[newmexicoNita]

Actually Nita, I did change one person's mind. They specifically messaged me when they got back from the Star and said I was RIGHT. They couldn't believe it! If I can save one more person from that poor choice of a cruise when there are others that are much better with that same itinerary, I will. You, on the other hand, are just going to have to live with it and come to terms that I'm explaining what I thought to help and warn others. I think people deserve to hear all sides to make their choices. I would have wanted to know. Sorry, you are so over the top for NCL. I'm NOT. I guess some have better tastes than others. :rolleyes:

no, some of us are more open minded and see both bad and good. I have yet to find a cruise line I would not sail again. Yes, I have my preferences but am always open to trying new things and keeping a positive attitude..When I have had an experience on a ship and there have been a few, I try to let everyone know, it is my experience or opinion only plus after I state my case, I get on with my life. I don't continue to try and build myself up by putting others down....

 

NIta