david_sobe

Thanks for sharing your on board experience. I dont think anyone would disagree with your suggestions. Passenger experience vs profit. If NCL had 2 major shows and gave Haven guests a bit more perks, soda or alcohol it eats into the profit which is why it wont happen. It saddens me that with the debut of the Epic in 2010, there were 3 major Vegas acts on board. We are now down to one. The pendulum has swung back to cruise controlled entertainment again.

Another genius move that I despise from the FDR era is the "free at sea" and all the 50% off cruises nonsense. From a marketing strategy it works with luring new cruisers. That is who they are targeting. But for us seasoned cruisers its frustrating because we know none of this stuff is free. When this all started, a top NCL executive had a Freudian slip while discussing the program and said "it was so good because the customer thinks they are getting all this stuff for free." Once she said it she tried to back track but its ok to admit the truth. I just miss the old days of not having to navigate through all these add ons. During this era, NCL definitely marketed towards kids and families but so does Carnival. There are more kid activities than ever with go carts, laser tag, virtual reality, etc. I wonder what the new era will bring?

Everyone tries and makes their company profitable. I dont fault anyone for that. But I do agree what a few others have posted about a sense of arrogance from him. I remember an interview he did with someone about a year after he took over NCL. He wanted to get more money from customers and there is nothing wrong with that. But the interviewer asked about guest experiences or enhancements and making the customer happy. Dead silence. He had no care or concern. He did not even bother to give a political answer. It was so odd. If you remember the first things FDR did was start dismantling guest experience from removing fireworks from the Getaway and Breakaway to specialty dining. However part of me admires what he did because I would never expect NCL guests to accept so much of what he has done. I always thought there would be push back and regret. I was wrong on that point so while I think its good he is gone, he was justified in what he did because he had success in that regard. Doubling Haven prices is outrageous but the Haven is still sold out 😉

Cant wait for this. Have a great time. Hope you take lots of pictures to share with us 😁

I love the Epic too. I keep waiting for her to come back to Miami, her original port. But she has not been here in 10 years and nowhere in sight for the next 4 ☹️

I have never booked a NCL cruise with NCL booking the airline. I am curious. Does NCL advise passengers to arrive a day early? I know its a touchy subject because if they did, many would complain about having to pay for a hotel. Its a huge risk to arrive the day of sailing. But I am just curious if NCL advises passengers during making flight arrangements.

No problem. You will find that some butlers will do things and bring you things that you never asked for or imagined. While some butlers keep their distance not to bother you and only respond to your requests. You can have your first meeting with him/her and explain what you want. If you have kids, chances are the butler will want to spoil them with cookies and treats. And yes I've had some butlers bring me some things like a dessert from Haven restaurant we never asked for but found out we liked.

NCL does not provide alcohol deliveries to suites with the drink package. I am not sure about soda but the same rule may apply. Any can soda whether delivered or from the mini fridge will be billed to your account. You can ask your butler to bring a pitcher of soda. If everyone in the cabin has the soda or drink package maybe its allowed. I am sure its not a big deal. It gets into a grey area because YES, NCL does treat canned drinks differently than fountain ones. I once had a butler bring a can of soda but she made me promise her not to tell anyone. So your butler will know best what they can bring you in the drinks department. Escape has a Haven lounge and you could get unlimited soda right from the bar. Juices are easily scored in the morning during the breakfast buffet area. They will have orange juice and apple juice for you to fill glasses. Juice at other times may or may not have a charge. Different ships, different butlers, etc make it a tough call to know for sure.

Which ship are you on? I ask because some of the newer ships like Encore, Bliss, etc have a Horizon lounge where you can get juices from a dispenser. I think even on Epic they had a pitcher of orange juice and water in the Haven area. There is no snack menu per se but you can ask your butler to bring you the typical Haven snacks like M&Ms, gummy bears, cookies, etc. Anything that is brought in a can i.e. juice or soda you will be charged for. The snacks or daily treats the butler bring are free.

I gave my opinion. I speak from experience. You are free to your opinion too. You are also free to research any airline about their customer service in regards to cancellations, lost or stolen luggage, and delayed flights. You are free to come back and post your conclusions or future experience at any time. I would never book flights on unreliable airlines no matter who was offering them and no matter the price. There I said it. I hope I was more clear. Many of these government owned airlines think arriving within 6 hours of arrival is on time. When you use this for traveling across the world for a cruise departure with no room for error is setting yourself up for disaster.

After a google search, I found that Air Portugal is a government owned airline that the government of Portugal just fired it's CEO. This is my experience with other government owned airlines. I stay away. They are always late and cancel flights constantly. If you have no time schedule and its not a big deal to arrive days late, then you can save some money. I cant stand unreliable airlines and most of them are owned by the government. BREAKING: TAP Air Portugal CEO Fired By Portuguese Government (simpleflying.com)

I am sure they are fine. I have not flown them so I cant comment on their service. But I am sure Air France and British Airways are fine. I was just speaking from experience. Many discount airlines lure you and then strand you.

Wow this sounds like a travel nightmare which mostly began with the airline. I NEVER travel on any airline that is not an American carrier (except Air Canada). We travel to Argentina frequently and they have all sorts of discounted airlines that I wont mention but the price is almost half of what an American carrier would be. However these airlines are backed by the government and are never on time. Besides that, its common for flights to be cancelled for days until you can get the next one. This story just reminds me and reinforces my beliefs. I know nothing about Air Portugal and they could be a good airline. European airlines are famous for losing or stealing luggage too. We look right past those discounted flights to Argentina and book reputable airlines. After the flight debacle there seemed to be a domino effect of other mishaps which would have been avoided with another airline. If they could not get you to the ship, I am not sure what NCL could have done other than give you full credit for a future cruise. Was that even discussed?

The part that was reminding guests the entertainment was free so dont complain about it 😆. NCL was once the pioneers of top notch entertainment. I remember for Epic in 2010, they had 3 shows directly from Vegas: Blue Man, Legends In Concert, and Cirque Dreams. I am not even counting the other stuff that normally comes with cruising like piano bars, comedy, etc. It seems the pendulum is swinging back towards the typical cruise line entertainment that existed before Epic.

Thanks for the recap! Its a shame Kinky Boots is no more. I feel for the cast and crew that trained so freaking hard for months only to perform for a few months and then Covid cancels everything. Then once the restart happens, NCL pulls the plug and sends everyone home due to cost.

Wow, I keep reading on the cuts to entertainment but what is written in the Daily is surprising.

There is a reason a thread like this can turn ugly. If you get away with things such as your 15 year old teen eating in specialty restaurants without paying then you keep your mouth shut about it. You don't come to Cruise Critic and look for pity because one restaurant finally called you out on it. When you book a cruise, the first 2 guests get the specialty dining credit. Anyone else in your cabin you take to that specialty restaurant will have to pay the cover charge or ala carte. The only exception is if you have a child under 12 and they get chicken nuggets and a juice box.

I don't disagree with you. But there should be an age where its forbidden. For example, what about a 9 year old? They dont want Tappenyaki but its too young to be left alone. However, I dont see that the main point here. The teen ate at the restaurant. Would there not be some cost?

Thank you for explaining. It sort of makes sense what you are saying. However if the burger came from the child menu, what does it have to do with the buffet (that was mentioned). I do agree that a children's menu is not meant for a 15 year old especially if they shared from your plate. IMHO a children's menu is for a toddler i.e. chicken nuggets, mac and cheese, cookie. A minor should be able to sit with their parents no matter what. However since the child was charged, some food from that restaurant had to be consumed.

Thanks for sharing Peachy. This is another review recently that speaks of a very crowded ship with lots of kids. You are right. While cruising in February is good, try to avoid Presidents Day and Valentines Day week. We both cruised 2 bedroom Haven suites. The Haven on Encore cant even compare to Getaway. There is so much more space on Encore. If I remember correctly, your Encore cruise had some wild kids on it too.

Thanks for the review. The pizza is not the only thing at La Cucina that is better at the buffet or MDR. The rigatoni I had was better at the buffet. The gnocci we had was better at the MDR. Glad you enjoyed your dish but many/most dishes there don't qualify for a specialty meal IMHO. I remember the days it was only $10 extra. Maybe it was worth it then but you can get boiled boxed pasta and jar sauce anywhere.

Yes of course but Spring Break and Christmas are especially bad especially in the Haven since it caters to families and kids. They have every right to be there and I have a right not to book at those times. I prefer to sail in February when kids are in school. The Haven pool turns into a kiddie pool and teenagers pack the hot tubs.

Wow, little did anyone know that there are times a Vibe pass is worth it while staying in the Haven. Another reminder to self to never cruise during Spring Break 😬

The cruise wont be short on music, that's for sure. But it probably will be a party boat which will impact those who just want to relax by the pool. Just another reminder to self to never, ever book a cruise during spring break.

I thought the same thing. Yet few can describe it and just say look on youtube. Soca must stand for something, no? I googled and only could find its some sort of Music Festival that is promoted during Black Spring Break.