Have you/ are you going to cancel your NCL bookings

[carads]

Last November we took our first NCL cruise in 7 years on the Breakaway to Florida and the Bahamas and, although the ship had to skip GSC and the only port we got off the ship was Nassau for about 2 hours for lunch, enjoyed it and booked the same cruise this November. It will be our 15th cruise in that time frame and we have a 16th booked with Celebrity to Bermuda in the Spring. None of the changes really have any effect on us. We got a free beverage package when it included included gratuities. We prepay the DSC so there's no change there and have probably used room service 3 or 4 times on 14 cruises. We have always dined in specialty restaurants and have always left an additional gratuity of probably more than 18% if the service was good. Last year we didn't get off the ship in Port Canaveral and don't really care about arriving an hour later. We have the November cruise fully paid for including buying some OBC and we will go and have a great time as we have on every other cruise. That being said, I have never seen so many changes in such a short period of time. While I will still look at NCL, it might be another 7 years before I feel comfortable booking with them. There are just too many options available.

[karoo]

I've cancelled one in Sep/Oct and two in January. Just completed a cruise July 8th and hated being locked in and wondering what was going to happen by the time it sailed. The cruise was ok, but I have to admit, my onboard account was the most expensive ever and many of the free activities I enjoy weren't scheduled or if they were less frequently. I've decided I have done 22 cruises with NCL and now is as good a time as any to try something different. I'd rather wait and see how NCL pans out before booking anymore!

[languages1]

Well ours is an upgrded to Haven suite. We got a free inside cabin and used our casino certificate to move up. Not sure what the 18% gratuity is though. But everything in life gets more expensive. In California gas shot up 50 cents in one week this week. Why don't know. My daughter is getting married 3 years after her sister did and exact same place wanted to charge us a minimum of 35,000 versus 25,000. Plus their mandatory gratuity went from 18% to 23%. Are those steep prices!

 

So I look at this whole thing and say everything has to go up in price and we all have to accept. Food is more, cost of fuel is more and wages are more with many areas now having to cover cost of health care. So I guess it comes down to the cost of doing business.

[legion3]

Last couple of times that I priced cruises Royal was in the same ballpark as CCL. (This was looking at cruising more than a year down the road.)

 

Never found this. Always $500 or more higher than CCL. But we are restricted as to what weeks we can cruise so we don't have the ability to be flexible.

 

Given the cost of what my Escape cruise has shot up to, over $1300, I wouldn't now book NCL for the same week for nothing!

 

Royal is comperable now.

[davy jones]

Apparently, cruise lines believe that a large segment of the population believe that their product isn't worth a fare increase, so they hide them with new fees, cutbacks, and "sales" that aren't worth it for many people. People who are content with the MDR don't see value in dining packages, non drinkers don't need beverage packages, etc.

 

If the cruise lines continue to copy the airlines, they will earn the same reputation as the airlines, which isn't very good in the case of most US based airlines.

 

The risk for cruise lines is that land travel is not a viable option to air travel in most cases over 500 miles. There are many other viable alternatives to cruising for vacation travel. People will stop rationalizing that each and every cutback and fee is minimal begin to vote by their choices.

 

One of the current advantages of cruising is that you pay in advance for a relatively inclusive level of service and don't have to worry about the rest. IMO, they should maintain their quality and service levels and adjust the fares accordingly.

[Paulchili]

True. But you're traveling and have a hotel reservation when you go to check in for that hotel you'd think the price is what you booked it at.

 

Harriet

 

True - but the food in their restaurant may have gone up from the last time you ate there.

Likewise, the price of the cruise you were quoted hasn't changed for you (and you can pre-pay the DSC at the rate quoted).

Only some discretionary spending (room service, specialty restaurants, etc) have gone up - you can partake or not.

Chin Chin went from cover charge to free :)

Edited July 20, 2015 by Paulchili

[MMMD]

In light of the overwhelming changes in such a short span is it enough to get you to cancel your current bookings?

 

Personally for my family and I the answer is YES, 2 Suites Cancelled and I'm not looking back at this train wreck until they realize constantly changing the product makes people feel uneasy and abused.

 

Not cancelling.

 

No matter the cruise line, airline, hotel, theme park, etc -there is no guarantee that rules/charges/options won't change from the day you booked.

 

If you can't live with the changes, then you did the right thing for you -you cancelled.

 

The extra charges/changes aren't a concern to me.

 

I do believe your use of the word "abused" is a bit dramatic & unnecessary.

 

Hope you enjoy your next cruise.

[Cruise4Real]

And I detest the idea of a la carte pricing. They had an a la carte restaurant on the Titanic and look what happened to that ship. :D:p I really hope they don't do that.

 

Hey Del Rio, listen up! :D

[Paulchili]

And I detest the idea of a la carte pricing. They had an a la carte restaurant on the Titanic and look what happened to that ship. :D:p I really hope they don't do that.

 

Of course, you like everyone else, are entitled to your opinion.

Just remember that you will not be the only one on the ship.

Is it not conceivable that this may work out favorably to as many people as not.

Many will be able to eat cheaper than before as they may not wish to have 3 courses and thus will only pay for what they actually eat.

[SissasMomE]

Never found this. Always $500 or more higher than CCL. But we are restricted as to what weeks we can cruise so we don't have the ability to be flexible.

 

Given the cost of what my Escape cruise has shot up to, over $1300, I wouldn't now book NCL for the same week for nothing!

 

Royal is comperable now.

 

My 2 upcoming NCL cruises were booked when Sheehan was still in charge. Got the free UBP on both, and the rates were more than acceptable to me. No way I would ever book now.

[Oppalopa]

Never found this. Always $500 or more higher than CCL. But we are restricted as to what weeks we can cruise so we don't have the ability to be flexible.

 

Given the cost of what my Escape cruise has shot up to, over $1300, I wouldn't now book NCL for the same week for nothing!

 

Royal is comperable now.

You live near us in Tampa. The Rhapsody has a very good rate for a 7 day out of Tampa. :)

[zephyrgirl]

Some of the comments on this thread remind me of when I worked at IHOP and the company would occasionally change the menu - either increasing prices or taking off certain items. Regulars would demand that I, their waitress working for $2.13/hour plus tips, explain this change. It was like they thought the menu and prices were somehow guaranteed to never change. No business is like that.

[dcipjr]

Although I'm not thrilled by some of the changes, I realize that businesses do change, prices do go up, and I still feel like I'm getting a pretty good deal with NCL. Most of the changes are to try to get more money out of people that are already spending extra money on onboard activities—and honestly, I'm not one of those people.

 

When I'm at sea looking out at the water, little stuff like this doesn't matter. I'm setting sail 13 days from now, and I couldn't be happier.

[motleyfan]

Some of the comments on this thread remind me of when I worked at IHOP and the company would occasionally change the menu - either increasing prices or taking off certain items. Regulars would demand that I, their waitress working for $2.13/hour plus tips, explain this change. It was like they thought the menu and prices were somehow guaranteed to never change. No business is like that.

 

You hit the nail right on the head.

[SissasMomE]

Some of the comments on this thread remind me of when I worked at IHOP and the company would occasionally change the menu - either increasing prices or taking off certain items. Regulars would demand that I, their waitress working for $2.13/hour plus tips, explain this change. It was like they thought the menu and prices were somehow guaranteed to never change. No business is like that.

 

Your employer did not make a change between the time the customer ordered their food, and the time the food was received. :rolleyes:

[legion3]

Your employer did not make a change between the time the customer ordered their food, and the time the food was received. :rolleyes:

 

You hit that nail right on the head.

[Presbycruiser]

3PM?!!? So you have to be onboard by 2PM? They should just sail past the island and go "Look, see it?"

 

Great line, love it.

 

BTW, where's Thurston?

[Presbycruiser]

Of course, you like everyone else, are entitled to your opinion.

Just remember that you will not be the only one on the ship.

Is it not conceivable that this may work out favorably to as many people as not.

Many will be able to eat cheaper than before as they may not wish to have 3 courses and thus will only pay for what they actually eat.

 

Damn I thought I'd have the whole ship to myself. Thanks for setting me straight.

[kcwiak]

I don't understand the complaint. Sure, they have raised the price to $13.50 and $15.50 but.....you have e ery right to walk down to guest services and have them remove and put in what you feel is appropriate. Problem solved, yes?

 

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[motleyfan]

I don't understand the complaint. Sure, they have raised the price to $13.50 and $15.50 but.....you have e ery right to walk down to guest services and have them remove and put in what you feel is appropriate. Problem solved, yes?

 

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I agree though I don't think I'd have the guts to go to guest services and ask them to change anything lol

[kcwiak]

I agree though I don't think I'd have the guts to go to guest services and ask them to change anything lol

I absolutely would if I did not feel that the services rendered were not to my expectations or worth that amount. And I would tell them that. I usually tip 20% when I dine out....but you can bet that if I do not like the service, I will go down to 10% if necessary.

 

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[motleyfan]

I absolutely would if I did not feel that the services rendered were not to my expectations or worth that amount. And I would tell them that. I usually tip 20% when I dine out....but you can bet that if I do not like the service, I will go down to 10% if necessary.

 

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I'm usually a pretty big tipper if the service is great, but yeah the service isn't up to my expectations I definitely tip a lot less.

[sparks1093]

I absolutely would if I did not feel that the services rendered were not to my expectations or worth that amount. And I would tell them that. I usually tip 20% when I dine out....but you can bet that if I do not like the service, I will go down to 10% if necessary.

 

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Calculate how much your tips would be if you had to dine out three meals a day and you'll see how the service charge is a good deal. We had to dine out twice in one day not too long ago and our tips came to $9.50 per person, and we aren't talking high end establishments either.

[emmak8]

Four NCL cruises were enough for me. Nickel and dime about everything. So glad I found Princess. The Princess loyalty program is very generous.

[newmexicoNita]

I've cancelled one in Sep/Oct and two in January. Just completed a cruise July 8th and hated being locked in and wondering what was going to happen by the time it sailed. The cruise was ok, but I have to admit, my onboard account was the most expensive ever and many of the free activities I enjoy weren't scheduled or if they were less frequently. I've decided I have done 22 cruises with NCL and now is as good a time as any to try something different. I'd rather wait and see how NCL pans out before booking anymore!

 

What activities were not offered that had been in the past? Our last cruise, less than 2 months ago we didn't have that experience at all. We had plenty of trivia, cooking demos in the atrium, dance classes, and all the usual activities including movies, bar enertainment in the late afternoon and evening, etc. The only problem we saw and it did upset up somewhat, we never knew when a movie would be on the cabin TV. We don't sit around on cruises watching TV but we would like to see a movie from the beginning if we are going to watch one at all.

 

I totally agree with your decision to try another line, I think everyone needs to shop around some and I think, after 22 cruises, regardless of the line, the awe factor wears off, but I do think when someone makes a claim like, not as many choices as before or any negative remark, they need to back in up with examples. This gives others a chance to understand if it is something that would affect them.