#1 Complaint on NCL

[johnql]

Having read one CCer's opinion on the #1 complaint on NCL (which I wholeheartedly disagree with), I thought it might be interesting to poll CCers and get an idea of what irks NCL passengers the most.

 

So, what is your #1 complaint about sailing on an NCL ship?

 

My apologies in advance for grouping certain items. Polling is limited to 14 line items, so I omitted and/or grouped certain items.

[SissasMomE]

Having read one CCer's opinion on the #1 complaint on NCL (which I wholeheartedly disagree with), I thought it might be interesting to poll CCers and get an idea of what irks NCL passengers the most.

 

So, what is your #1 complaint about sailing on an NCL ship?

 

My apologies in advance for grouping certain items. Polling is limited to 14 line items, so I omitted and/or grouped certain items.

 

Wow ... I'm not so sure I can think of anything. Umm .... hmmm .... ok. I guess if I had to pick, it would be the non-changing production shows on the larger ships. I'm coming up on my 3rd time on the Epic, and don't want to see BMG again. Keep in mind, I'm only "complaining" because you asked, and that really is a stretch!!

[johnql]

Wow ... I'm not so sure I can think of anything. Umm .... hmmm .... ok. I guess if I had to pick, it would be the non-changing production shows on the larger ships. I'm coming up on my 3rd time on the Epic, and don't want to see BMG again. Keep in mind, I'm only "complaining" because you asked, and that really is a stretch!!

You answered so quickly that you didn't get to see the actual poll. Please go back and check off an item on the poll (if you'd like). Thanks.

[SeaShark]

Having read one CCer's opinion on the #1 complaint on NCL (which I wholeheartedly disagree with), I thought it might be interesting to poll CCers and get an idea of what irks NCL passengers the most.

 

So, what is your #1 complaint about sailing on an NCL ship?

 

My apologies in advance for grouping certain items. Polling is limited to 14 line items, so I omitted and/or grouped certain items.

 

Nice list, John. Looks like the only one you missed was "not enough variety in itineraries". Of course, it always seems like those who make that complaint only sail a small number the ships and then only from one or two (close to home) ports.

[johnql]

Nice list, John. Looks like the only one you missed was "not enough variety in itineraries". Of course, it always seems like those who make that complaint only sail a small number the ships and then only from one or two (close to home) ports.

That was one of my last omissions when I realized that I could only list 14 items.

[DevonianCruiser]

I voted other and that would be for the casino. My last NCL cruise in 2009, we gambled quite heavily (dad and me). Got just a couple of drinks comped, half the time they didn't bother rating our table play and got peanuts as a reward at the end of the cruise.

 

Many people complained of the lack of reward and even staff that cared in their.

 

I understand things have now changed. Hope so as I'll be back on soon.

[SissasMomE]

You answered so quickly that you didn't get to see the actual poll. Please go back and check off an item on the poll (if you'd like). Thanks.

 

Yeah - I didn't see the poll. I just went in and checked off an item. Thanks!

[Medtech2]

Even though I just voted, right now my number one beef is the horrible web site! I am right now trying to book shows. How hard could it be for them to put the shows, times, in a TABLE where you could see the whole week at one time with buttons, like in this poll, so you could then just click or fill in from one page.

 

This mess is causing me to make my own table on my computer, plugging in shows and times, so that I can see the whole darn week!! For that I am having to pull up each separate day on their web site, then pick the show for details, so I can then see the times, then go back to my table, put that info in, etc etc

 

GRRRRRR!!!

[OCMS Fan]

I voted NONE. Me enjoying my cruise is 100% up to me. I do not empower others to ruin my cruises.

 

If i were forced to choose it would be the smoking issue. A caveat is that the smoking issue is ONLY the low percent of smokers who think they have an absolute right to smoke anywhere and everywhere they want with no concern for the enjoyment of others on the cruise AS WELL AS the low percentage of non-smokers who think people can choose to treat their own bodies how they want even when it is done in a way that affects no one else. God I hope no one starts a big flame war over my comments.

[OCMS Fan]

Even though I just voted, right now my number one beef is the horrible web site! I am right now trying to book shows. How hard could it be for them to put the shows, times, in a TABLE where you could see the whole week at one time with buttons, like in this poll, so you could then just click or fill in from one page.

 

This mess is causing me to make my own table on my computer, plugging in shows and times, so that I can see the whole darn week!! For that I am having to pull up each separate day on their web site, then pick the show for details, so I can then see the times, then go back to my table, put that info in, etc etc

 

GRRRRRR!!!

 

Two points....

 

1) I had absolutely ZERO problem with the way the site is set up when making my reservations.

 

2) The 'table' you mention would be almost impossible to code to work the way you are describing. It would be much easier to generate a page that lists the dates/times for each show that you could either print out or display in a second window while booking your selection in the existing system. In eitehr event I highly doubt they would use a TABLE per se as that code element is pretty close to being depricated if it isn't already.

[barnacle_boy]

Inconsistent quality control problems. Meals and services from ship to ship, even from cruise to cruise, can vary vastly in terms of quality. NCL is usually good, but sometimes they're just mediocre (or worse).

[swaterbury]

So, I debated between no complaints and the one that I chose: The auto-service charge policy. I would much prefer receiving the envelopes with recommended amounts on them along with maybe the ability to give the MDR staff something out of my onboard account.

 

But, eh, it's not really a complaint in the end - now is it? ;)

 

Sara

[Susie51]

The service in the MDR is slow. There needs to be more servers in the MDR to meet the demands of Freestyle dining.

 

Over all I like NCL and I am looking forward to cruising on Jewel in Nov.

[OCruisers]

Not fond of the MDR food but the Specialty restaurants were fine.

LuLu

[4774Papa]

I don't like NCL's smoking policy. Most cruise lines have changed policy and disallow smoking on balconies.

There are cases of fires on ship started by smokers throwing butts that fall into a cabin and alight something.

[kenlyn]

My complaint actually had nothing to do with my cruise experience. I just can't stand being put on hold FOREVER to ask a question or make a simple change on my reservation. Once I am on the ship I would be had pressed to find anything to complain about because I am on VACATION!

[Medtech2]

Two points....

 

1) I had absolutely ZERO problem with the way the site is set up when making my reservations.

 

2) The 'table' you mention would be almost impossible to code to work the way you are describing. It would be much easier to generate a page that lists the dates/times for each show that you could either print out or display in a second window while booking your selection in the existing system. In eitehr event I highly doubt they would use a TABLE per se as that code element is pretty close to being depricated if it isn't already.

For us noncomputer peeps the word "table" would be what, your "excel"? I dunno, whatever, it would be nice to have it on one page.

 

We have so many other things we want to do/see that we are also looking at the parties, game shows, when we want to eat, etc. Now, if all I cared about was seeing only one show a night and not caring if I did or did not do anything else, then yes, you are right, it would be easy. We also were looking at whether the next day was a port day and needed to get up early, etc...

[british lady]

The only thing that we suggest after our first NCL cruise was a change to the wine package process. Hubby and I enjoy wine (!) so normally we get a package on cruise lines.

 

We were on the Jewel, which we enjoyed very much, but the wine package is very different to all the other cruise lines in that you have to choose the specific wine and number of them at the time of purchasing the package.

 

Other lines allow you to choose from a menu/list of wines during the cruise but here we had to choose all the specific bottles we wanted on day one. If we decide to go on excursions and go to speciality restaurants how can we know what we want on day one of the cruise?

 

Just a suggestion.

Sara:)

[pokerpro5]

I don't like NCL's smoking policy. Most cruise lines have changed policy and disallow smoking on balconies.

There are cases of fires on ship started by smokers throwing butts that fall into a cabin and alight something.

 

This poll is a little flawed because you can have two big complaints but one is bigger than the other, and you can only choose one.

 

I am most bothered by the smoking thing, but the laundry is also a big irritant.

[johnql]

Nice list, John. Looks like the only one you missed was "not enough variety in itineraries". Of course, it always seems like those who make that complaint only sail a small number the ships and then only from one or two (close to home) ports.

 

I may have missed it, but did you not vote?

[johnql]

This poll is a little flawed because you can have two big complaints but one is bigger than the other, and you can only choose one.

 

I am most bothered by the smoking thing, but the laundry is also a big irritant.

 

Flawed is a matter of opinion. I'm just looking for a passenger's biggest complaint. If you're looking for more depth, you could start a new poll and have people respond by rating a list of items from 0 to 100. That would provide much more detail but more complexity often leads to a lower participation rate. Also, as I noted in my OP, I would have preferred breaking down some of the items but was forced to combine them because CC limits the number of poll items to 14.

[luddite]

You did not include the biggest problem.

 

The beer list is horrible.

[johnql]

You did not include the biggest problem.

 

The beer list is horrible.

That would fall under "Other". Thank you for specifying.

[OCMS Fan]

For us noncomputer peeps the word "table" would be what, your "excel"? I dunno, whatever, it would be nice to have it on one page.

 

We have so many other things we want to do/see that we are also looking at the parties, game shows, when we want to eat, etc. Now, if all I cared about was seeing only one show a night and not caring if I did or did not do anything else, then yes, you are right, it would be easy. We also were looking at whether the next day was a port day and needed to get up early, etc...

 

You are making your vacation too much like work! :) I would NEVER go on a vacation where very second of every day was pre-planned.

[Bonbi]

Nice list, John. Looks like the only one you missed was "not enough variety in itineraries". Of course, it always seems like those who make that complaint only sail a small number the ships and then only from one or two (close to home) ports.

 

We love NCL and would be hard pressed to have any complaints. I would have to agree with the changing of itineraries, if I had to pick. We like new ports, new destinations etc. but would prefer not to change to another cruise line to get to them. :)