We could leave comment cards with guest services saying that passengers want cookies, and not to reduce or discontinue them. Maybe the cruise line will listen. I hope that they do.
From what I heard, the Viva & Prima ships are smaller than the megas, but they crammed to many venues on them, and they are too small. That's why we prefer the Jewel class ships. Yes they have fewer venues, but they are large enough to accommodate without crowding. We also enjoyed the JOY, and would sail her again.
NCL has Freestyle dining, which means that you can dine where you want to, when you want to, and with whom you wish to sit. That said, you should make reservations as soon as possible for the specialty restaurants. When we go to the MDR, the wait is never too long. We get a table for 4.
At the Meet and Greet, one of the officers said that NCL does read Cruise Critic to find out what the passengers' thoughts are. So, I will say bring back the cookies and keep them coming.
If I had my choice of the Gem or the Joy it would be a hard decision. I like both ships. The Gem has the Great Outdoors which is an out door part of the buffet. It has two pools, whereas the Joy only has one.
There is more entertainment on the Joy, such as the Cavern Club where we watched "The Beatles" perform. In Q there was a vintage Broadway performance. In the theater, we had 2 great shows. I'm not sure if the Gem still has song and dance shows. Magicians and lousy comedians don't interest us, if that was they reduced it to. Since the Gem sails from Boston, we will sail on her.
NCL does not allow diapered unpotty-trained babies in their pools, although they do get in. There is signage to that effect near the pools. Even swim diapers are not allowed.
We only book the ship's excursions for this very reason. However, since the passengers were driven back to the ship while it was still there, the captain should have let them reboard.
Making cuts then raising the DSC does bother me. I don't feel that the raise was necessary, but the crew does work hard to provide us with a great cruise experience.