detroitlions

I sail on the Bliss March 2nd. I am sure the new upgrade package will most likely be in affect.

From reading this post there are a few points that I agree with.

1. raising prices on drinks that were normally included just to have a upgrade package is horrible.

2. I understand if you want to include a package with water, coffee and what should be a premium drink like Johnny walker blue or expensive campaign to be a extra cost. This is exceptable.

3. I am already paying over a $1000  more the last 2 years with food quality being cut back. A different type of vacation or cruise line will be considered on my next vacation. The NCL value of what you get for your money is defiantly maxed out.

Unless you drink nothing at all I think people are crazy if they do not include the Drink Package.

And some one stated earlier folks never post the true diffidence in cost when they do the sail away.

You really are not saving much at all I think folks are just going on the cheap and they complain when they get there tab. Drinks are very expensive on NCL and most lines they add 20% to every order. Beers are $8 and average non premium drinks are $12 wine is even $10 after the 20% is added. And forget about all the fancy drinks they will cost you $15 a few of those by the pool and your out $45 then a couple wines with dinner that is up to $65 and you will not be in any way wasted.

You are going to ruin your trip looking up your bill constantly and cutting back cause your tab is getting expensive creating a not so enjoyable trip.

13 hours ago, BirdTravels said:

At 107 days, Teppanyaki will already be sold out. The Jade will have the same specialty restaurants as the Epic, but smaller. Food is all about taste. We travel 150 nights a year and eat at all kinds of different restaurants on land and at sea. We are pleased with the quality of the food at both the Main Dining Room and Specialty Restaurants on NCL (more than some other cruise lines). 

We are realistic about our expectations. The galleys on a big ship have to turn over 20,000 covers a day. That is a lot different than our local favorite restaurants who turn 100 covers on a good day. And that you can't cook 20,000 meals a day to order. So, if you are expecting truly fine dining on a cruise ship, you'll have to go to another cruise line and pay a lot more.

We have sailed on Cunard a lot where you can get a private table for yourself for the duration of the cruise. Always waiting for you, morning, noon, and night. Where the Maitre D will come and cook your dinner table side for you, if you request.  Where cherries jubilee for dessert is cooked and flamed for you table side and does not come "out of a can". Where you are presented with the dinner menu at breakfast and if you don't like what is on the menu, you can request the chef to cook anything of your choosing for dinner. Not going to get that on NCL. 

NCL constantly updates their menus to adapt to the tastes of the contemporary cruiser. There were dozens and dozens of CC threads hating on NCL when fish sticks and chicken fingers were removed from the lunch menus in favor of poached salmon and scallops. Chicken noodle soup has been replaced with Vietnamese Pho and chilled fruit soups. Chicken Pot Pie has been replaced with Sheppard's Pie. All a matter of taste. 

Not sure most of this answers the question. Looks more like a travel channel documentary.

But the 150 nights a year thing made me laugh so thumbs up on that

On ‎10‎/‎7‎/‎2018 at 5:02 PM, neilkear said:

You have to order pre-cruise by calling NCL. Every bottle you order will have 3 mixers and 3 garnishes, the bottle will be in your cabin on embarkation day and the mixers and garnishes will arrive soon after. I don't have a list but depending on what spirits you order prices will start at about $80 for a 1 liter. I have a 1 liter of Grey Goose ordered for $130, what the hell, I'm on vacation.

This is not true you can order bottles at any bar and mixes you just have to set it up yourself no biggie

49 minutes ago, ashleyriley said:

Hi there, we are thinking of booking April 13 in the Haven. Your comment regarding the horror stories and Port Canaveral make me a little nervous. Do you think  the April 13 sailing will be past Spring Break chaos? Easter is also the 21st. Thanks! 

 

It will be spring break but I know people exaggerate this as a issue you will be fine.

The worse time to cruise is the cheaper hurricane season cruises where the group rate folks like the singles group all go.

never again for me.

Haha! Not even close. Never even been there.

How about Wisconson? LOL:)

I guessing you will see the same increases on other lines jumping ot NCL will retreat and drop the prices back to reality. Let's hope

 

BTW you are quoting the Bliss and comparing it to other ships: remember there is bit difference in a new ship with bells and whistles and a bit older ships even though the Allure is a great ship.

Your correct but the MSC ship is new and so are the Celebrity ships, Allure is not.

And yes the new ship on RCI is even more expensive.

Over all though I am seeing NCL not being such a good deal anymore. I usually would spend less than RCI and Celebrity now its more.

RCI and NCL are a similar experience for me. Celebrity can be a little old school stuffy an boring after dinner but the ships are beautiful and the food is good.

So as some others on here are saying compare the final cost (I always have done this ).

There has been large price increases the last 2 years.

the only times they have not sky rocketed are few slow times like early December January and October.

On the cruses I have been looking at the price hikes and the all the Freebies that cost you extra brings the cost of cursing NCL above RCI, Celebrity, Carnival, MSC and others.

3rd week of March for 2 adults and a teen in a balcony on Bliss $4100

On RCI Alure that week in the balcony $3200 plus Beverage package for 2 $3900 and a $100 credit.

MSC was only $2900 for the same stuff.

Folks are still not understanding that the prices have gone up drastically in the last 2 years.

They think they can still get a haven room for $3000 to $4000. No you can not a standard balcony room for 2 adults and a child is $3000 to $4500. Do a mock booking for next year you will find out.

I am still cruising but I am not paying $7000 and up for a haven room. I don't think it is worth it at all. And I will not cruise just NCL like I used to there will be deals from the other lines on new ships that I will go on.

I can go to Europe for a week with my family for $7000 to 10000 easy.

So right now I still find value in a balcony room when that goes away I go away no big deal I will be doing other things I enjoy I will not be upset.

I think folks bringing these issues to the forum are more worried about cost than class.

I was first attracted to NCL because of the anytime dining and the non formal atmosphere aka you do not have to wear a suit or slacks to dinner.

Now when NCL started adding in perks at little to no extra cost like drink and dining packages it attracted a lot of folks on here who turned into NCL fan boys. Well now everything has caught up. Fares are above or the same as Celebrity and Royal. Given the Choice between the 3 at the same cost will even the playing field ( the days of cheap Haven access are over.) So the former standard balcony cruiser is going back to being what they were no Suite.

NCL seems to want a certain client that will pay extra for everything they do not want a ship full of folks that only participate in included food and festivities.

As for me I will go with the best bang for the buck I like to cruise at least twice a year. I am not going to go just to go either.I have to have certain things when cruising.

I always get the drink package and reserve some special dining. with at least a balcony. If I could not afford this I would find something else to do on vacation.

A lot of the frugal or people that can not afford NCL new price model went on to MSC to get what they used to get at a better price maybe you should look into that.

Royal, MSC, Carnival and Celebrity all have cheaper options than NCL right now. I even factored in buying the drink package on Royal and Carnival Celebrity and MSC already had it in the fair. So you may want to look into one of those lines I am. I am trying to choose between the Epic and the Allure on Royal.

So far I am leaning on the Allure.

I did notice a sharp price raise this past June I figured it was summer rates. I did a mock booking for all there last week of March cruises and it was even more money for every single 7 day cruise out of Florida. Simple balcony room for 3 is up to $4300 for the new ship and $3700 for the older one

If you get the larger size budlights in those aluminium bottles with the twist off caps, they will open them but leave the cap so you can close it.

 

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Yep best answer many brands have the cap Miller light and Coors light also.

Some one must be really bored to start this one.

Everyone is probably tripping over there O2 tanks on this one.

I would think this would depend on your kids age. If they are teenagers and are away from you a lot get the package. If the are like 11 and younger you may get away from not buying it.

The soda as mentioned is not much and gets watered down so kids waste them.

The servers did not charge me most of the time when I ordered soda for my son when he was younger. Now as a teen I just get him the package

I would not bid on a Mini if I had a balcony.

I would just wait until the price goes down and upgrade for under $100 total.

The only bidding worth it is going to Haven or inside to balcony IMHO

Duly noted, one reason a NYC is sail appears not for me....I don’t see how y’all do it.

 

Good review though, I understand about being stuck inside...

I agree nothing sounds appealing sailing out of NY.(280 for parking, the waits in on Embarkation and the cold the worse part)

Unless I lived there and had to save on air fair its FL every time for me. Even when I lived north I went to Fl.

Enjoying your review I did love the Escape.

That does sound very cool.

I want to go.

I live a hour and a half from the track it is a must do to see a race there.

Only thing that stinks as they charge you as much as a race ticket for the tour. LOL

Breakfast in the room is the best no getting up to go to the restarunt.

Besides breakfast the lunch and dinner gets really repetitive I have a teenager he did not want to eat there everyday neither did I.

Butler does get you what you want. And yes they do tell you they need to be tipped separately as all the Captain Obvious folks on here will beat you to death with.

Try not to stay in the Haven all day everyday explore the rest of the ship and be with others having fun. My teenager did not have much interest in it he was out meeting kids his age. He did like the suite and the Butler though.

I believe that the system in use is not completely automated.

But what I do think is automated is the slide bar on your bid I bet if it slides past a certain point on the high side it triggers a alert or email and some one responds and gives those folks the first rooms.

Also in the end it is probably random on the remaining rooms left.

BTW....in an aft Penthouse Suite this weekend on the GEM. No Haven restaurant and mid size ship. But, I get everything else. Cost $3,300 plus all the goodies I mentioned, plus $1025 OBC from NCL, AMEX and my TA.

 

Helluva deal!

I like the Haven but the prices I see, like yours I never get anymore.

My June cruise in a mini suite that I booked under no tax break for 3 is $4000

These sailings with the cheaper prices have to be out of season.

Do you live in Europe or am I jumping off a ship tonight?

That is hilarious..... Awesome review no everyone see why the big ships are the best so much stuff to do.

A TA would be great never did one I want to now.

I am sure this will be a 1000 hit thread!

I cant wait to see the pic's!

I cant wait to be on this ship!

This sounds like the most organized trip I have the pleasure to read about.

I love your comments on the things you are doing and the things your not I think you hit all of my favorites.

Looking forward to your posts I was planning on taking a cruise on this ship later in the year. I have Getaway booked in June which threw my schedule off. So this ship maybe in December.

I would rather debate anything else on this site.

The whole tipping thing has tons of comments on it and I will not add another just wish these

threads would not take up the whole forum.

Along with Kids on ships and Smoking

We talk about things NCL could change what about changing our behavior and not posting this garbage over and over again.