Are NCL Activities on Sea Days Getting a Little Stale

[DMH15]

We have sailed RCL and enjoyed the ships. But we like to sit and read, enjoy the ocean views and relaxing rather than go to game shows. This time we are trying NCL Gem and are looking forward to the free style cruise. While RCL did have some flexible dining when we were on the Navigator, it was still having growing pains so we didn't try it at that time.

 

Two things are drawing us to the Gem...The outdoor dining area that looks beautiful in the picture and the sushi bar! The sushi on the Navigator was on the buffet and you couldn't select what you wanted. I certainly can't get sushi for $15 a person where I live! I wonder if one can eat sushi for 7 days straight! :)

 

 

When I was on the Jewel TA I went to the sushi bar for lunch. I was the only one there. Only a few weeks before during Spring Break it was SRO! Anyways, the sushi guy kept making me stuff to try. I got adventurous. I recall something I liked a lot. Think it was the Godzilla roll with candied nuts... Yum! It was a fantastic deal for $15!

[rian90]

Ooooo, I can't wait! I must admit..I am a sushi addict! Thanks for that information. :)

[mmceachn]

Well I am definitely not a troll. I just this evening learned what one is though. Our first cruise was NCL on the Sun and we loved it. We have since cruised 5 more times on NCL and once on Carnival. We stick with NCL due to freestyle and cruise rewards. We have enjoyed some cruises much more than others for various reasons.

 

I know 2.0 brought on some changes but some changes along the way have not been so good. I also like to relax on a cruise. We tried the pub crawl for the first time this August and had fun but I agree night would have been a better time for it. I like to get up rather early to start my day so I do not get to enjoy a lot of bar hopping at night. At our age you can either do it early or do it late but can't do both (too pooped).

 

All I was referring to was more options for the daytime hours. I would love to see some classes where we could expand our interests and possibly pick up a new hobby or something new to pursue once we return home. I was thinking a book club would be fun. It could be advertised prior to the cruise, you could pick up the book, read it on the cruise and then get together for discussion toward the end of the cruise.

 

I just think that if there were more free activities there would be a bit less time for eating and gambling (2 of my vices).

 

Princess has a book club. I was on the Crown in November. You can find out which books are being read for discussion on the Princess website prior to your cruise. I didn't participate, but may on a future cruise.

[sillysailor 1955]

First cruise on NCL (Dawn) we thought Liar's Club and The Quest was hysterical - Following year on Spirit we thought it was funny but by our third cruise - it was kind of hokey. We are not big fans of Second City, but found the "shows" we saw were pretty darn good. Its like everything else too much of the same thing gets a little boring. But always found plenty to do on NCL sailings.

[uneamie]

I think there are many things they could offer....like a "day time" lower cost bingo, day time shuffle board contest, the scavenger hunts, how about a "scrabble competition"....there are things they could to do to change things up a bit and they should change things up in regards to all those who are frequent cruisers to NCL. I am not so frequent but I can understand those who are and how the activities can become boring if they are always the same.

[Shep_Proudfoot]

I totally agree with this. On the Jewel last week it seemed like Bingo was the big thing to do during the day, and everything else was same old, same old.

 

Personally, I like live music and on the Jewel it was really bad. There was a reggae band that was just OK, but the other bands only played at night and were not good unless your favorite band is Air Supply. On my first few cruises (not on NCL) there was always happy hour musical entertainment at the fantail bar (different from the usual pool-side reggae band) and I feel that is a missed opportunity for NCL. But they need to get some GOOD musicians, don't just stick a couple random guys you aren't paying anything but who happen to have guitars and lowest common denominator playlists back there.

[boaterette]

I don't want to offend anyone but after completing my 6th NCL cruise (Dawn early August to Bermuda) I just feel like I might like to try another line to see how I like it. We love freestyle dining so that is why we have stuck with NCL (as well as buying Cruise Rewards when we sail). I think the biggest issue is that we enjoy all aspects of the cruise and the activities especially on sea days seem to be the same old things for the most part. The game shows are the same as they have been for the last several years. On our last cruise we really spent more time (and money) in the casino than we wanted to do because at times there was just not much else to do (weather was not cooperative from NYC to Bermuda - and we are pool people). We try to see all the shows, enjoy the comedians in the bars but are just looking for more variety. Agree or disagree?

 

I for one totally agree. The activities are very lacking on NCL. They need to come up with some during the day that don't cost anything. Drinking liquor isn't my idea of a family activity. How about some pool games or dance lessons.

[FB Cruiser]

Riddle, I agree. We will be leaving on our tenth NCL cruise next month. We were on the Gem in November. I have found that the last two cruises, the daytime activites during sea days not only to be stale, but also not be be that numerous. I remember cruises where there were more lectures, more games, etc. The best was one cruise on the Dream in the Baltic. I have written to voice my opinion to NCL the last couple of cruises on this very topic.

NCL made an announcement last year that they were dropping some stale pool games. That's fine, but replace them with something other than activities/ events that serve as revenue generators such as beer tasting, cooking demonstations, etc. that have a cover charge.

[NMLady]

I cruise to get R&R, rest and relaxation. I am the couch potato by the pool or on my balcony. Reading a good book is never boring.

 

Others cruise to party, I choose to be a couch potato.

 

That's me too. I rarely participate in any activities. Would prefer to find a secluded nook with a view and read.

 

Hubby participates in shipboard activities, especially Group Trivia and Golf Putting, but he does it mostly for the socializing. He's content just sitting with a group of passengers and chatting.

[NMLady]

We'd like to try other lines.....but non of them offer "Texas Holdem" poker tables with a live dealer on any other cruise line......when they do, and also offer flexible dining...then we too will experiment and move on to other cruise lines. My husband is a devoted "poker player"....so we need the poker table. :rolleyes:

 

My husband loves Texas Hold 'Em. On our HAL cruise to Hawaii on the Zaandam there was a DAILY Texas Hold 'Em tournamnent as well as regular games in the evenings -- always a live dealer. No machine.

HAL now has 'anytime' dining.

[STARFISH*4]

last month what we noticed on the JEWEL compared to the STAR-dec sailing is that the CD and his/her staff have alot to do with running activities and seems to be their choice more...on the JEWEL there was little activities to speak of and they were called different names...PING PONG-Balls of Furry--...Put Golf-Ryder cup or something to that effect.

...some passengers just were not 'getting' the nicknames of the activities and were "no show" or realizing later WHAT it actually was and WANTING to participate....after some voices were heard...the names seem to be changed but the TIMEs were so late in the day passengers were busy getting ready for dinner--those who did show up TRY to play ping-pong but a little hard to do that in the dark not to mention with a ROCKING SHIP--ping pong set up on the JEWEL is not very GOOD at all--not a good place to play.

.....least on the STAR the STAFF did try to WORK with the passengers who wanted to participate in the various activities---not so with the JEWEL...the CD was never around and his staff only seem to CARE about getting to BINGO!! BINGO was pushed so much on this cruise we were begining to HATE the name!!!

i think with a little MORE EFFORT on the part of the CD and staff they can do SOMETHING to have more activities and RUN them in a BETTER manner.

like i said least on the STAR after some "complaints" THEY listened and did TRY!!!---HATs off to HAMISH and his staff on the december PC sailing!!

[raventhebouv]

I cruise to get R&R, rest and relaxation. I am the couch potato by the pool or on my balcony. Reading a good book is never boring.

 

Others cruise to party, I choose to be a couch potato.

 

I'm with you Don...we cruise to get away together, relax, rest and rejuvenate. I love to sit by the pool (or near it!), on our balcony, find a quiet spot to read or take a snooze. I bring at least 5 books with me and usually read all of them. My DH on the other hand, loves to explore the ship. He will stop by and sit with me a while at the pool and then he is off again. He knows everything about the ship by the time the cruise is over! We pick and choose the activities by our mood for the day. Some days we do as many as we can, others we don't do a single one. That is the beauty of a cruise, you can be as busy as you want or just be a couch potato. We love being able to choose when you want to eat and generally we ask to be seated alone. It's so nice to sit alone together and talk about the day over a nice dinner. Ahhhh, I can picture it now! :)

[alwalaska]

TROLL ALERT!! :eek:

 

Why, because they say to be open to other things and try other cruise lines? Get serious. The have several hundred posts. This is not a troll.

[alwalaska]

I thought it was just me also. Seems like most of the cruise lines have the same type shows, by the pool entertainment, etc. If I see one more hairy man contest or ice sculpture, I think I will scream. Can't they think of anything different?

 

On the Explorer of the Seas, the CD allowed his people to add activities that fit into their backgrounds. It was great. One assistant CD had gone to acting school and did several improv workshops. We went to all 3 and loved them. One Assistant CD has vocal training and did a vocal workshop. From what I understand, this is not standard for RCCL, but something that the one CD was responsible for setting up.

 

We have sailed Princess, Disney, and RCCL, and other than Disney (very short cruise, so hard to compare) I did find there were times I really wish there was something new to do.

 

At least on Royal, there was the rock wall, mini-golf and ice rink for free as long as the weather cooperated. It was during the bad weather when it was hard to find something interesting to do.

[Educators2]

I'm a trivia fan so I was happy playing trivia (often) on our very recent cruise on the Gem. There are new game shows-some during the day and some at night (What's My Line, Daily Double, Deal or No Deal). Many activities that I enjoyed in the past were gone (making a beaded iguana that is a favorite souvenir of our family cruise in 2007). We had origami on our recent cruise but there were no other arts and crafts. Towel animals could be a workshop rather than a demo. Cooking demos and carvings were gone as were looks at the kitchen (no charge). Years ago, I attended free computer classes on Celebrity, and personal enrichment seminars on numerous ships. It seemed to me that the cruise staff is stretched thin. There wasn't star-gazing on our cruise (maybe I'm wrong). I attended scrap-booking on both RCCL and Princess-didn't love it but it was fun to meet new people, etc.

[FLAHAM]

That's me too. I rarely participate in any activities. Would prefer to find a secluded nook with a view and read.

 

A deck chair, my Kindle and a drink and I'm good.

[Darthdaddy]

Maybe you would enjoy a theme cruise. What are your interests? Any hobbies? Favorite sport or team? Do you enjoy art? History? Food & Wine? Cooking?

Last year there was a Star Trek group on our cruise (not the whole ship). Dave Koz runs a series of jazz cruises with incredible music day and night.

 

There are so many options. Find one that appeals to you and give it a try.

[FanofFlorida]

I was antsy on board the Star in December. Many have mentioned the entertainment, and I agree with the shows and dinner, the evenings kept us busier. But during the day, the activities were typically limited to Bingo or workshops that led to some sort of sales pitch (art auction, spa treatments and future cruises). RCI had A LOT more to do on board.

 

After midnight, it was a ghost ship, with only one club open, and that was packed with 18-20 yr olds bumping and grinding to hip-hop

 

I was grateful to have a balcony to enjoy the scenery, but relaxed WAY MORE than I usually do on vacation out of lack of other choices. I know that relaxing is nice, but I am a "busy" person and found this a little disappointing. This is the #1 reason I am trying other cruiselines. NCL has some fantastic 'base' rates, but I think I will spend a little more money for better activities next time.

[alwalaska]

I'm a trivia fan so I was happy playing trivia (often) on our very recent cruise on the Gem. There are new game shows-some during the day and some at night (What's My Line, Daily Double, Deal or No Deal). Many activities that I enjoyed in the past were gone (making a beaded iguana that is a favorite souvenir of our family cruise in 2007). We had origami on our recent cruise but there were no other arts and crafts. Towel animals could be a workshop rather than a demo. Cooking demos and carvings were gone as were looks at the kitchen (no charge). Years ago, I attended free computer classes on Celebrity, and personal enrichment seminars on numerous ships. It seemed to me that the cruise staff is stretched thin. There wasn't star-gazing on our cruise (maybe I'm wrong). I attended scrap-booking on both RCCL and Princess-didn't love it but it was fun to meet new people, etc.

 

So, does this mean there is not scrapbooking classes on NCL? I too enjoy meeting new people and getting a few cutouts, like the RCCL logo that would be hard to get elsewhere.

 

Origami and towel folding as a participation thing sounds like fun.

[newmexicoNita]

I think there are many things they could offer....like a "day time" lower cost bingo, day time shuffle board contest, the scavenger hunts, how about a "scrabble competition"....there are things they could to do to change things up a bit and they should change things up in regards to all those who are frequent cruisers to NCL. I am not so frequent but I can understand those who are and how the activities can become boring if they are always the same.

 

It seems like most ships (not only NCL) have cut back on the sea day activities. Now, it is pretty much, trivia games, maybe a scavenger hunt, usually they do have a scrabble competition and there seems to always be card games, mostly bridge..The days of horse racing, lots of music, dance lessons etc are gone. They have been replaced with lots of Bingo, larger casinos, liqour tasting clinics etc. again, this is not just NCL...Like all things we see, times change, I wish they would stay the same a little.

 

Nita

 

ps: I will add, if you really try to find things to do, they are there, but just not "IN YOR FACE" like in years past..

 

Nita

[FLAHAM]

 

Origami and towel folding as a participation thing sounds like fun.

 

And they sound hideously awful to me. I guess different likes and dislikes really do make the world spin.

[newmexicoNita]

I for one totally agree. The activities are very lacking on NCL. They need to come up with some during the day that don't cost anything. Drinking liquor isn't my idea of a family activity. How about some pool games or dance lessons.

 

Most lines have discontinued both, especially pool games, they have outlived their time. I do agree with part of what you are saying, but please do not think NCL is the only line not offering lots of free stuff. They do have the sports areas, the work out facilities, trivia a couple times a day, and lots of late afternoon, and evening activities. No, not like in years past.. Can you tell us what NCL ship you sailed on in the past few months, maybe it had something to do with the ship? One of the reasons for the cut backs has to do with attendance. I can remember the last time we decided to do a dance class, there were only 4 or 5 of us, hardly worth the effort. On Celebrity one activity person decided not to hold trivia because there were only 5 of us, luckily a few more showed up just as she was starting to pack it up and leave. I think the only line we have cruised in the past few years that really did a good job was HAL. Of course many of their activities were very costly I might add.

 

 

Nita

[Dancinfeet]

There is not enough hours in the day to do all the activities offered on board any NCL Ship

[Down-Unders]

Most lines have discontinued both, especially pool games, they have outlived their time. I do agree with part of what you are saying, but please do not think NCL is the only line not offering lots of free stuff. They do have the sports areas, the work out facilities, trivia a couple times a day, and lots of late afternoon, and evening activities. No, not like in years past.. Can you tell us what NCL ship you sailed on in the past few months, maybe it had something to do with the ship? One of the reasons for the cut backs has to do with attendance. I can remember the last time we decided to do a dance class, there were only 4 or 5 of us, hardly worth the effort. On Celebrity one activity person decided not to hold trivia because there were only 5 of us, luckily a few more showed up just as she was starting to pack it up and leave. I think the only line we have cruised in the past few years that really did a good job was HAL. Of course many of their activities were very costly I might add.

 

 

Nita

 

 

 

Nothing personal Nita, but your general statements " most lines Discontinued....... " I do not think NCL is the only line........." are confusing they appear to always be leaning towards NCL.

 

As we have had two sailings on HAL again I am confused about your general statement "Of course many of the activities were very costly "

 

 

 

 

:confused::confused::confused::confused::confused:

[bonni.r]

Was just wondering, was on the Dawn a couple of years ago, going again in October, do they still do the water fountian with the crew on the last day???? Thanks...

 

Barb.

In May of 2009 they did "Fountains".