I already hate NCL

[susie2461]

To be honest, I think we've found one of the very few people from the UK that have a problem with it either.

 

glad i wasnt the only brit thinking that :)

[Mr Robberts]

Good on you. You won't have to buy soda cards for everybody.

 

There's sushi on the buffet line (frequently).

 

There is an Access department who might be able to facilitate other issues.

 

 

Enjoy the cruise. The shipboard experience is miles ahead of the phone experience.

 

 

 

Stephen

 

 

.

 

Op do use the access officer for all your needs especially to activate your room key for handicap to call the rear elevator near the main dining room

 

 

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[A2Mich]

OK, so I have to ask....

 

Do some people really get that upset over hearing or seeing the word "hate?"

 

Wow - what has this world come to when people get offended over every little thing they don't approve of? Sorry, but I didn't find the thread title offensive - of course, I don't get offended by much of anything - I grew up with a thick skin and not much bothers me.

[cruisinwithinlaws]

Op do use the access officer for all your needs especially to activate your room key for handicap to call the rear elevator near the main dining room

 

 

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Ohhh....I will, thank you. The access people I have been speaking with were part of my problem, but I am going to try again and hope for a person in a better mood. :D

 

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[Ewoodspark]

glad i wasnt the only brit thinking that :)

 

If your little snidy comment is referring to my post, I am not a Brit, I am English. OK?

[zap99]

If your little snidy comment is referring to my post, I am not a Brit, I am English. OK?

 

I thought Blackburn was still in Britain. Now those Scotch People ???:D

[old nutter]

The soft drinks issue is an interesting exercise in logic where something that is true is not necessarily the opposite of something that is false!

 

From looking through various bits of the web pages, it looks as though anyone who wants the adult drinks package must buy it for all adults travelling with them for all days of the cruise. If they also have children travelling with them, they will also have to buy all of the children the soft drinks package for all days of the cruise. One page on the web site even suggests that everyone travelling on the same credit/debit card and having a common payment card on their key cards must also buy the relevant drinks package.

 

Where the negative logic seems to come in is when the adults don't want any drinks package at all, but do want to buy the soft drinks package for one or more of the children in the party. This appears to be permissible with the only proviso that they must buy it for all days of the cruise.

 

I suspect that this logical puzzle may have been beyond the skill of the web page designers as well as the customer service operator. The problem stems from the wierd issue that the answer you get is highly dependent on the content of the question you ask and is even dependent to some extent on the language you use to ask it (bearing in mind the fact that US English sometimes only has a passing relationship with English English)!

 

The bottom line would seem to be that the OP can buy a soft drinks package for their child without them having to buy it as well. However, if they want the alcoholic package, they will have to buy the soft drinks package for their chld as well.:)

 

By the way, Scotch is a drink not a nationality (independent or not) - can be a very sensitive issue for some. By the way, I am English but I worked and drank with a Glaswegian for many years.

Edited July 14, 2014 by old nutter

[KeithJenner]

The bottom line would seem to be that the OP can buy a soft drinks package for their child without them having to buy it as well. However, if they want the alcoholic package, they will have to buy the soft drinks package for their chld as well.:

 

From following various discussions on here. This seems to be the actual situation.

 

As stated, if adults buy the UBP then everyone has to buy the package and children have to buy the soda package. There seem to be very few examples of where people have got round this, although a couple of people have claimed to have been granted an exception when buying onboard.

 

With the soda package, the website wording is rather unclear. It seems as though you don't need to buy it for everyone, but some people have interpreted it that you have to do so.

 

Regardless of what the wording says, if you go to myncl and try to purchase the soda package you only appear to be able to buy it for everyone. This in itself suggests that either there is a problem with the website, or you do in fact need to buy it for everyone.

 

When people phone in to check, they seem to almost always be told that you do need to buy it for everyone, as I believe happened to the OP. Again, this would suggest that either the staff don't know what they are talking about (possible) or that you do need to buy it for everyone.

 

However, when buying it onboard, it seems that everyone has been able to buy the package individually. I don't remember reading any reports of people not being able to do so. This is what I would recumbent to the OP.

 

The only problem is that, if the policy is actually that everyone needs to buy it, then people may soon start reporting that they weren't able to buy it for just one onboard.

[my_crib_too]

If you are that disappointed with NCL already why are you going on the cruise? You are within the cancelation period and would receive a full refund. Everytime someone complains about food on board I tell them to speak up, things will change. I'm speaking up to you, if you're so unhappy cancel your cruise and rebook with someone else.

 

 

+1, Plenty of time to go with another cruise line.

[mugtech]

OK, so I have to ask....

 

Do some people really get that upset over hearing or seeing the word "hate?"

 

Wow - what has this world come to when people get offended over every little thing they don't approve of? Sorry, but I didn't find the thread title offensive - of course, I don't get offended by much of anything - I grew up with a thick skin and not much bothers me.

 

"While others don't hate nothin' at all except hatred"

Bob Dylan

[shelly11]

Cancel your cruise and stop complaining. If I was upset to the point of posting that I hated NCl already and it's 6 months from cruise time, you better believe I'd cancel and book elsewhere.

[All-ready2cruise]

Ohhh....I will, thank you. The access people I have been speaking with were part of my problem, but I am going to try again and hope for a person in a better mood. :D

 

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Cancel your cruise and stop complaining. If I was upset to the point of posting that I hated NCl already and it's 6 months from cruise time, you better believe I'd cancel and book elsewhere.

 

It looks to me as though the OP has calmed down quite nicely and will be just fine and well able to enjoy her cruise. I hope she and her family have a great cruise.

 

I do have a question for the OP: I see that your son is a teenager and if he's over 13 the soda package will be, according to NCL website, $6.50 p/day. How many sodas would your son drink? and does it seem like you might actually come out ahead by purchasing the package? or would he only drink 1-2 per day and you'd be better off just paying as you go? (just a side note, I believe you can set up his card with a small per day limit to cover charges).

[cruisinwithinlaws]

Lol...my teenager is tall, skinny and eats and drinks like a horse. The card is well worth it for him. I would gladly bring it on board if I could lug that much. It is near impossible with my son lugging carryons and me pushing my husband. I did attempt to call again today the extension given me to speak personally with a rep and was on hold again for 15 minutes and my break was over.....asked for them to call me back at lunchtime. Hopefully this arrangement will work better. Truly did not mean to stir everyone up....just wanted to vent to someone other than my poor husband. *wink* a decade and a half of marriage and he doesn't know that side of me. I'd like to keep it that way. :D

 

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[All-ready2cruise]

Haha, I know what you mean about the tall, skinny, drink like a fish and eat like he's a bottomless pit. :p

 

Good luck.

[sjbdtz]

Do some people really get that upset over hearing or seeing the word "hate?"

 

 

Definately. Personally, I totally HATE the word. :cool:

 

 

Lol...my teenager is tall, skinny and eats and drinks like a horse.

 

 

So... feedbag around his neck, oats & carrots for a treat?

 

 

;)

 

.

[cruisinwithinlaws]

I did get a call back from NCL today and was happy to hear they have hired new people to answer phones and wait times should be better very soon. Also glad that the person they had call me was pleasant and personable. I hate the fact that I used the hated hate word. I am deservedly eating crow. I hope I have a wonderful review to post for other handicapped travelers when we return.

 

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[againin13]

I did get a call back from NCL today and was happy to hear they have hired new people to answer phones and wait times should be better very soon. Also glad that the person they had call me was pleasant and personable. I hate the fact that I used the hated hate word. I am deservedly eating crow. I hope I have a wonderful review to post for other handicapped travelers when we return.

 

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I'm sure you're going to absolutely love the cruise, I took my mother on a cruise November 2012. She requires a wheelchair except when taking just a few steps but she does require oxygen 24/7. And those travel units are very heavy .You will be amazed at the help you will receive. There wasn't a handicap room available when I booked. She absolutely loved the cruise ,everyone absolutely everyone ,crew members, staff members , casino crew even the Casino host,house keeping ,guest services crew,dining room service personnel, even several passengers lent a hand .And They even have wheelchairs that work on sand you just have to sign up early for them. She brings it up at least a couple of times a week. All I can say is have an absolutely wonderful cruise

 

 

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[poffles]

Do some people really get that upset over hearing or seeing the word "hate?"

 

It would seem so ... and I tend to be one of them. I even call friends and family on it when they use that word, it just represents such strong feelings and seems seldom (if ever) appropriate when used.

 

In this instance it would seem that the OP was just in a temporary state of frustration and hopefully everything works out. It might have been more appropriate to say "I hate the service I've recieved so far ..." instead of blanket statement of the NCL as a whole.

 

OP ... I hope you have a wonderful cruise! Been there done that with frustrating service on my last Epic cruise but looking back it all seems so fleeting and minor now (not at the time!) ... sights set on the next cruise now. :cool:

Edited July 14, 2014 by poffles

[RCmommy]

"...The next day I called him again when I had no email confirmation (still) and his response was that he was not getting credit for my phantom booking so the problem is not his and hung up...."

 

That is hilarious. I presume he no longer has a job!

 

I seriously doubt that! lol I kept his email with his name and number so should I have future bookings and get him as my pcc I can politely return the favour! :p

[Stateroom_Sailor]

I have cruised with Carnival for years and thought to give NCL a try this year. I have been nothing but disappointed and we are not even set to sail until December. First of all, I have been on hold with them twice for over 20 minutes each time, both of which I ended up hanging up before being helped. Second of all, my teenager loves to get a soda card but we do not drink soda. NCL tells us we either have to inconvenience his privileges and bring his soda on board with us, pay for his individual sodas all cruise or buy a soda package for ALL of us. Totally unacceptable. The boy is already bummed about no free daily sushi. The worst part is every time I do call to ask a question, the customer service is severely lacking. Not that I expect the answer I want every time, but they are not even sorry about having to deliver the bad news. I get a true feeling of 'take it or leave it' from them. Almost to the point of rudeness. I am pretty sure we are going on our first and LAST NCL cruise.

 

Wow, this sounds like a Princess cruiser "trying Celebrity", but can't hold back the sour grapes bias before they even board the ship! If you're this upset about soda, you'll no doubt be miserable by the 1st or 2nd day of the cruise. I would do yourself, your family, and everyone else on board a favor and cancel the cruise! :(

[cruisinwithinlaws]

Wow, this sounds like a Princess cruiser "trying Celebrity", but can't hold back the sour grapes bias before they even board the ship! If you're this upset about soda, you'll no doubt be miserable by the 1st or 2nd day of the cruise. I would do yourself, your family, and everyone else on board a favor and cancel the cruise! :(

 

Nope. Gonna go and give it a shot. :p

 

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[Stateroom_Sailor]

Nope. Gonna go and give it a shot. :p

 

You're stubborn. Starting this thread may be exactly what you needed to hear some naysayers, and actually have a good time. ;)

[camz]

Nope. Gonna go and give it a shot. :p

 

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Hello OP - I am sorry to hear about your problems with NCL Customer Service. or lack thereof. TBH, we too have received some poor Customer Service when calling NCL. However, I generally call back until I get positive results. Also, my fellow Cruise Critic Peeps are a great source of information. Anyway, and my point here, when you finally get to board the ship, NCL's Customer Service will be outstanding on board. They never seem to disappoint and do everything to try to make your vacation experience a memorable experience. Best Wishes and Bon Voyage!!

[CruisingBuppie]

I have to agree with the original poster. While I do not hate NCL, I am finding many of the options (included or not) that I was used to on other cruise lines are being nickeled and dimed with NCL.

I think specialty restaurants are good but not when the majority of the restaurants are specialty. And then to offer a UDP but all of the specialty restaurants are not included seems like another nickel and dime situation.

I am not canceling my trip because it is the best combination of time and price. I will not go on with a sourpuss attitude and ruin my vacation. But booking a trip and thinking that most things that are generally covered will not be on a different cruise line is slightly dishearten-ing, not enough to cancel my trip but enough to rethink booking again.

Thank you to everyone that was able to provide insight on her question about the soda package without ridicule on her opinions of the experience so far. The answer helped me as well.

[sjbdtz]

I have to agree with the original poster. While I do not hate NCL, I am finding many of the options (included or not) that I was used to on other cruise lines are being nickeled and dimed with NCL.

I think specialty restaurants are good but not when the majority of the restaurants are specialty. And then to offer a UDP but all of the specialty restaurants are not included seems like another nickel and dime situation.

I am not canceling my trip because it is the best combination of time and price. I will not go on with a sourpuss attitude and ruin my vacation. But booking a trip and thinking that most things that are generally covered will not be on a different cruise line is slightly dishearten-ing, not enough to cancel my trip but enough to rethink booking again.

Thank you to everyone that was able to provide insight on her question about the soda package without ridicule on her opinions of the experience so far. The answer helped me as well.

 

 

So, by your logic, it's okay to have free MDR and buffet (like all lines), and it's okay for them to have upcharge restaurants (like most lines), as long as they don't have too many choices?

 

 

What do you have against choices?

 

 

Stephen

 

P.S. Most things which are included on other cruise lines are included on NCL as well. The difference is that NCL offers more alternatives, for a fee.

 

.

Edited July 24, 2014 by sjbdtz