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Which of NCL's innovative offerings most appeals?


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Which of NCL's innovative offerings most appeals?  

334 members have voted

  1. 1. Which of NCL's innovative offerings most appeals?

    • POSH Beach Club, with its South Beach pool scene
      21
    • Halo, the Uber Bar, an ultra-exclusive, ship-top lounge
      5
    • Spice H20, the all day, all night pool, dining and dancing venue
      57
    • The frigid Ice Bar
      30
    • Bliss Ultra with its bowling alleys and sleek metro vibe
      21
    • Bar Central's complex with Champagne bar and pub
      25
    • I prefer more traditional fare, like evening shows in a main theater
      141
    • None of the above -- please post below
      34


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Was a big fan of NCL from the 70's to the time they were bought by Star Cruises....cruised with them 3 times after they were owned by Star to give them the benefit of the doubt, and finally gave up on them....would not care to ever go back, even with all of the new things they are trying....don't think they will ever win anyone back who has left them, no matter how inovative they are.....there are other lines out there that are so much better!!! They probably would not have lost loyal passengers if they would have spent some of this money saving the SS NORWAY!!

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NCL lost loyal passengers when they did not revive the SS NORWAY, but that is not the reason I do not care to return....when they were bought out by Star, everything went down....attitude of staff, customer service, food in main dining room, Freestyle service was a joke, and they nickel and dime you by serving better quality of food in specialty restaurants that you pay extra for....now they are considering charging for some of their new venues as well....no thank you "No Clue Line" (NCL)..........."- might appeal to a first time cruiser, but not to the veteran cruisers after all of your changes.

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What incredibly dynamic nightclub choices at sea. It's about time a cruise line actually focused on it's nightlife (outside of Carnival Cruise Line). The various uses for each venue make it even worth while to hang out in them during the day. I can't say I'm crazy about the cover charges but I can understand crowd control.

 

I just wonder who will really partake in all these nightclub venues though with that many passengers onboard and the average age of cruisers slanted towards older people who are in bed by 11 usually. (Sorry to group everyone in together but if you take a regular NCL cruise you'll be hard pressed to find someone who is the average age of the cruisers onboard or higher in the disco.)

 

I hope this concept works well for NCL. I really look forward to sailing on this ship. They've learned quite a bit from the dancing under the stars concepts from Atlantis Events. Good work NCL... first the white party and now Spice H20. Keep the innovations going!

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I'm one of the "over 60, in bed by 11:00" crowd. Although I enjoy wine, I'm not a big drinker, so none of the alchohol-related venues really appeal to me. bathing suits are not my top wardrobe choice, either. However, I realize, that even though I'll soon be retiring with sufficient income to live comfortably, I am not the target market for the new offerings.

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The name of this vessel should be "Surcharge Heaven" for the vessel's owner's price padding that will be present aboard her.

 

Real question will they be able to keep the occupancy rate up on all their vessels. They need to attract new clients and not just steal their own clients from their smaller ships to fill up these mega ships. Stealing clients from their smaller ships is a formula for their down fall.

 

Plus profitability is a question with the fuel and new build loan costs.

 

Currently Wall Street is betting NO.

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Nothing about any of these offerings would cause us to specifically book another cruise on NCL.

 

Initially, we were attracted to the Freestyle Concept - and still prefer this to a strict traditional regimen.

 

If a cruise ship is to become a floating Las Vegas, that does not fit our life style at all. I'm sure this is very appealing to many, however.

 

The bowling sounds like a lot of fun at sea.

 

It will be interesting to see what other changes occur prior to the implementation of F3.

 

Honestly, I can't imagine being on a ship this size to begin with.:eek:

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Nightlife is not a big thing for us. We prefer to see the sun rise after a good night's sleep rather than before retiring. After dinner, we take in the show in the main lounge and then head to the casino for a bit befoer heading back to our cabin.

 

I'm more interested in daytime activities & dining venues, as well as itineraries.

 

If you've seen RCI's Oasis of the Seas press release, also came out yesterday, that is pretty awesome, although I don't know if I want to travel on a ship that big. I can handle the F3's 150k tons, but Oasis is soemthing like 220k. That is HUGE. That's 3 times the size of the Norway, which was the biggest in the world for many years.

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I love to dance, but I'm not interested in paying to get into an exclusive club...the SHIP is the club I paid to get on! Also, I prefer to be indoors on a decent dance floor with plenty of air conditioning. Humidity & heat are not conducive to my enjoyment. I am in my early forties & like to dance before a late dinner...go to a show, be it indoors or out, then hit the bed.

 

I also used to be a loyal NCL cruiser...and switched when the ownership changed. The decline in quality was evident immediately with the past passenger program & member cruises, not to mention the drop of their awesome theme cruises.

 

Instead of aiming for the new cruiser market & going after the Carnival base, perhaps they should try something innovative like...oh, I don't know...going back to what worked in the past? OTOH, if they truly want the new cruiser, they are doing quite fine with the path they are taking. And should hope those new cruisers have the income demographic they want to target. Perhaps that is why they feel the need to nickel & dime with fees?

 

I have fond memories of the Norway & sailed 3 times on her...but, I agree that it was probably time to let her rest in peace.

 

Kat

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I'm not interested in any of it. I don't want to pay to get into "exclusive" venues.. and it seems they are all geared towards rich, hip, single 21 year olds that just want to party. When will they realize that description doesn't fit the majority of people that cruise? Or the fact that most 21 year olds don't have the kind of $ it takes to cruise plus pay for all the "exclusive" crap? I liked the room designs (minus the weird bathrooms) but I don't think you'll be finding me on this ship.

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We're diehard NCL cruisers and like the Free-style. We just returned from the Jade, enjoyed the trip immensely but we really prefer the smaller ships with fewer passengers and less hassle. We avoid the cruise lines with "party" reputations and I doubt we'll be taking an F3 ship.

 

We don't do any of the bars, extra cost restaurants or pool and have no interest in them. The standard restaurants and service were very good (not 5-star, but I wouldn't go to a 5-star restaurant at home, either) and the rooms were fine.

 

The ports are why we travel, and we went on an excursion at each port. With an early excursion most days you're darn right we're in bed at between 11 and 12 each night.

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Since they're only adding, at best, three extra-charge bars, I don't see what the fuss is about. The Ice Bar will only hold twenty-five people, Halo, the Über Bar is mostly for people who spent ten times what I did for my cabin-you can't get to that floor unless you have a room there anyway- and the POSH Bar is for those who want a pay for kids free time at the pool. Bliss is still free and Spice H20 is for those who don't want to pay for a kids free time at the pool.

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I agree with the above poster. Although I really don't have any desire to cruise on a ship that big, I think that people are reading a lot more into this then what it actually is.

 

First, Bliss is still a no charge club. Anyone who does likes the clubbing scene can still go to a club without an extra charge. And, there will still be the small piano type bars, etc. for those who don't want the club atmosphere...no charge.

 

Second, they're adding an adult only area that will not have a surcharge. This is an addition to what venues they offer now, and again, no extra charge. I see this venue as being a HUGE draw for customers. Especially those who don't have children and prefer not to be around them at the pool.

 

Third, these (charge) clubs that they are adding, will appeal to certain people and won't appeal to others. Just like specialty restaurants. If you want to use them, you will pay extra. If you don't, you won't. And those who say that 21 year olds don't have that kind of money, don't know 21 year olds. They will spend whatever they have to go into some unique club. In addition, these clubs will probably appeal to most people up to 30 or 35 years old, so it won't be just 21 year olds going to them.

 

I think that this just might be a very wise decision on NCL's part, but only time will tell. If adding these venues draws more new customers, but charging for them enables them to keep their general cruise rates down, plus they keep the old tried and true free venues that their existing customers love, then they could be smarter them many are saying.

 

CG

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This ship is just too big for my taste. I haven't seen one thing on the F3 website that makes me want to cruise with them. Actually it makes me want to run for my life! :eek: But I'm in the minority (?) 50-60 year olds with money to cruise. I'm sure there are many more 25-40 yr. olds with tons of internet money who may enjoy the heck out of these ships. NCL has lost me on the F3's.

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While these pay-as-you go bars sound interesting - my wife and I might actually go to one during a cruise. I always wanted to go to the ice bar in Las Vegas so that might be interesting. To me these are not in the same category as the specialty restaurants. In reality, we always enjoyed going to the cruise show after dinner and then going to either a bar (free - maybe with a piano) or the casino afterwards and then going to bed around 11:00 or so. Not real exciting, but we go on a cruise to relax. While I admire NCL for striving to improve, I hope they don't leave the older cruisers behind in their zeal for exciting, pay-as-you go bars. Not having a ship theater with the traditional shows would be a big minus for me.

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While I admire NCL for striving to improve, I hope they don't leave the older cruisers behind in their zeal for exciting, pay-as-you go bars. Not having a ship theater with the traditional shows would be a big minus for me.

 

I would agree. Not having a regular theater, with movies to enjoy when one wants would be a minus for us too.

 

Being one of the senior senior citizens here I am curious to know: -Does anyone have suggestions as to activities, etc., which would truly give a "Wow" to a cruise.

 

We are pretty active, fun loving people, but not into the night-club, drinking, stay out all hours of the night type of "fun" at all.

 

The casino's, in the past, were usually absolutely too smoky, but we do enjoy a little of the "creativity" displayed by participants.

 

A good evening show is always enjoyable for us. But, not the same one over and over - that really gets old fast.

 

The ports are a very important part of our cruise - with evening activities on board following. We enjoyed evening entertainment where cruisers were included in the fun. We thought card games would be fun, but only found time for one our last cruise.

 

Any ideas?

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We have been invited to go with our TA to preview this ship when it's ready.

 

Although we are excited to go, this ship will probably not be a good match for us.

 

We are not into clubs and drinking, or lots of pool activities, so we wouldn't be interested in all of that.

 

However, the awesome cabins ARE something we would like.

 

Pat

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It always bothers me when any service provider doesn't listen to the feedback of it's customers. For many years I had only cruised on NCL. But my transatlantic cruise on the Norwegian Gem this past December left me wondering if NCL was as faithful to me as I have been to them. I posted a review on the CC boards and I also filled out the comment card before debarkation.

 

On the Gem, passengers were literally "hounded" to pay for extra things and it seemed like the only time the cruise director made an announcement was to push something we knew was going to cost us. Fancy bars, fancy chairs, fancy venues cannot make up for the basics that I believe most passengers are looking for; excellent service, good food, and an all around good time with plenty of activities to enjoy. NCL of late, has been sorely lacking in the "excellent service" category. This is just my opinion of course. But that just means that some other cruise line will get the benefit of earning my ticket the two times a year that I cruise.

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It always bothers me when any service provider doesn't listen to the feedback of it's customers. For many years I had only cruised on NCL. But my transatlantic cruise on the Norwegian Gem this past December left me wondering if NCL was as faithful to me as I have been to them. I posted a review on the CC boards and I also filled out the comment card before debarkation.

 

On the Gem, passengers were literally "hounded" to pay for extra things and it seemed like the only time the cruise director made an announcement was to push something we knew was going to cost us. Fancy bars, fancy chairs, fancy venues cannot make up for the basics that I believe most passengers are looking for; excellent service, good food, and an all around good time with plenty of activities to enjoy. NCL of late, has been sorely lacking in the "excellent service" category. This is just my opinion of course. But that just means that some other cruise line will get the benefit of earning my ticket the two times a year that I cruise.

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I like NCL, my DH and I love the freestyle dining concept, but there is no way we are going to pay any more money to visit an onboard nightclub! We already avoid any on-board restaurant with a surcharge. I'll be interested to see how this all works out.

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I would agree. Not having a regular theater, with movies to enjoy when one wants would be a minus for us too.

 

Being one of the senior senior citizens here I am curious to know: -Does anyone have suggestions as to activities, etc., which would truly give a "Wow" to a cruise.

 

We are pretty active, fun loving people, but not into the night-club, drinking, stay out all hours of the night type of "fun" at all.

 

The casino's, in the past, were usually absolutely too smoky, but we do enjoy a little of the "creativity" displayed by participants.

 

A good evening show is always enjoyable for us. But, not the same one over and over - that really gets old fast.

 

The ports are a very important part of our cruise - with evening activities on board following. We enjoyed evening entertainment where cruisers were included in the fun. We thought card games would be fun, but only found time for one our last cruise.

 

Any ideas?

 

 

I agree with you. I enjoy seeing a good show or musical presentation in the evening, so I wouldn't want them to do away with the theatre. But I would also enjoy it if they had some of the typically daytime activities offered at night - like bingo, trivia, movies, Newlywed Game, crafts, cards, board games, etc. I don't drink alcohol so nightclubs hold little interest for me. But I also don't want to just go back to my cabin after dinner and watch TV. Hope they consider all the different types of people who cruise and not just one segment.

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Last night in Las Vegas, executives from NCL revealed some incredible nightlife options that will be found onboard the as-yet-unnamed F3. So what do you think?

 

Check out Cruise Critic's news item and vote in the poll!

 

If companies keep charging a little" extra "for this and that we will constantly be digging deeper into our pockets to cover all non inclusive venues . I am against this altogether . Cruises are not that cheap when you count your basic fare plus airfare ,fuel sup.plus tips plus excursions or visits ,specialty restaurants and now clubs and stuff .This will at least double the cruise fare so for a family of 4 we will now have to speak of a cruise costing over

12000$ for 1 week nor being extravagant and not counting drinks .

A little too pricey for me One should not pay ANYTHING extra for cover at a club on sea RIDICULOUS !!!!

HEY NCL YOU NEED TO RETHINK THIS OR YOU WILL SEND YOURSELF TO EARLY EXTINCTION BY PEOPLE LIKE ME .WE cruise 3-4 times per year At this rate I will only be able to do so once .Other companies will pick up your customers watch out!!!!WE do not need all this extra stuff Either make it Free or forget about it

.Remember cruisers are mainly retirees on fixed income and families on Holidays and school vacations .Innovations are nice but you must limit the costs on board .I for one do not want to feel like a second class citizen on board because I will not be able to afford all "fun "stuff on ship nor deny my kids extra stuff . PLEAsE STOP THIS !!!

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