Your thoughts on NCL

[jason3695]

There is no more nickel and diming on NCL than there is on CCL and any other mass market line. It is entirely possible to spend not one penny after you board the ship and you will have a great time. The free options are more than adequate if that is the way you want to go. (I would urge you however to leave the service charges that go to the crew alone.)

 

 

I agree. I think the concept of freestyle just makes people think they are getting up sold all the time. I actually experienced more upselling on one of my carnival cruises than any of my ncl cruises.

[cocacola86]

Can you book in CDN dollars and what's the difference between Jewel and Dawn class?

[martinchem]

With the changes of CEO I have noticed a lot of changes at NCL. We took a couple pre Sheehan cruises and didn't like the product. Tried them a few years later under Sheehan and thought wow, did he turn things around and absolutely loved it. Now I find myself not pleased with their new strategy (cost cutting, new fees, crazy addon mandatory gratuities that don't go to employees) under FDR and I'm not very interested anymore. Going back to play with the other cruise lines again.

Edited July 29, 2015 by martinchem

[jason3695]

With the change of CEO I have noticed a lot of changes that are turning me off on NCL. We took a couple pre Sheehan and didn't like the product. Boy did he turn it around, now I find myself rethinking their strategy and I'm not very interested anymore. Going back to play with the other cruise lines again.

 

 

As much as I hate to admit it, I think you may be right. I'm feeling it too. Going to sale escape though and see if you and my gut are correct.

[newmexicoNita]

Think about this for a second - would such a widespread rumor as this exist if there wasn't any truth to it? Of course not. For those who know the cruise industry, not just NCL zealots, NCL has been known as the NiCkLe and Dime cruise line for a long time, and for good reason. Anyone who says otherwise is seriously kidding themselves. No other cruise line pushes specialty restaurants as hard as NCL does. Other cruise lines have scaled back their on-board sales announcements, but not NCL. No other major cruise line charges $7.95 for room service (that's a BIG nickle and dime there). NCL attempted to block take-out food from all venues, but backlash caused them to rescind that policy.

 

NCL does not push any harder than say Pricess or HAL but they simply have more to choose from. I have been on all mass marketed lines, they all have their way to get an extra buck here and there.Other lines do not have as many dining choices period. As for sales annoucements, how long since you have sailed NCL? a couple of months ago we had to open our cabin door to hear any announcements and even in the public areas there really were very few. There was a time when this was different. Back to pushing specialty dining venues, this isn't nickel and diming, nickel and diming is when you have no choices. No one is pushed to try alternative dining, anymore than no one is pushed to use the casinos. The one thing you are right about: the $7.95. But other lines have started charging for some room service as well. We all know, it isn't long before all of them will.

[newmexicoNita]

Everyone's entertainment is better than Carnival. Of all the major lines, I think Carnival has the worst entertainment. To hear they are bringing poolside bands back out is a step in the right direction.

 

 

 

RCI is the correct term. The cruise line is called Royal Caribbean International, not Royal Caribbean Cruise Line. RCCL is the parent company - Royal Caribbean Cruises, LTD.

 

On that we agree: I do not know where people get the RC. it is like calling California Cali. There was a time when RCCL was correct, but now, for many years tech RCI is correct.

 

I disagree about bringing back poolside bands. The are great if the band doesn't think they have to play so loud people on the next ship over can hear them, but too they don't have a clue that some people like to enjoy a book or visiting with the person next to them, not hearing a rock band!!!

[newmexicoNita]

Op - Ask this question on a more neutral board and you'll receive far more answers like mine. Truthful ones, that is. The CEO of NCL said it himself - he said it was his goal to squeeze another $50 out of every passenger. If that's not a quote to support his nickle and diming, I don't know what is. It's hard to dispute these facts.

 

 

 

No, the reason you hear about it more on NCL is not because of Freestyle - it's because NCL ships have up to 9 or 10 specialty restaurants on board. No other cruise line has as many fee venues for food as NCL.

 

And about the room service fee, yes, CCL does have a small fee for some items. Even RCI has a small fee for late night service. But none of the other lines charge $7.95. There a big difference there, and that difference is exactly one of the ways NCL nickle and dimes more than the other lines. This is all fact, not my opinion.

 

The "feeling pressured" point you made has nothing to do with the subject at hand. Of course the nickle and dime options are just that - options.

 

 

 

Yes, they do - at nickle and diming!

 

I believe he said another $4 to $5 not $50? As for checking other boads what would you expect them to say: gee guys go with NCL they are the best?..I am speaking from experience when it comes to nickel and diming and overall charges. yes, I am an NCL cheerleader but I have also cruised all lines (main stream ) and each more than once.

[newmexicoNita]

With the changes of CEO I have noticed a lot of changes at NCL. We took a couple pre Sheehan cruises and didn't like the product. Tried them a few years later under Sheehan and thought wow, did he turn things around and absolutely loved it. Now I find myself not pleased with their new strategy (cost cutting, new fees, crazy addon mandatory gratuities that don't go to employees) under FDR and I'm not very interested anymore. Going back to play with the other cruise lines again.

 

Where in the heck are you getting the idea the gratuities do not go to the employees? I think making statements like that need factual back up!!!

[hypercafe]

I do not think NCL is any better or worse than the rest, just different with the freestyle deal. As for extra charges, I like to pay for drinks, pictures, spa shore trips ect. However I do not like to pay for dinning and think this a-la-cart thing is really poor for a cruise ship as is this room service fee. We are going on the Gem in October. After all these fees, price increases and cut back on promos I really expect to see the experence more upscale. If not all the FDR cheerleaders are way off base. At this point, Frank, "SHOW ME THE BEEF".

 

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[cocacola86]

Does NCL not sail out of San Juan?

[newmexicoNita]

Does NCL not sail out of San Juan?

 

they did for years, be sailed them twice as well as Celebrity, but it isn't the most popular port and expensive to travel to, thus many lines are not using it as often. For some reason I am thinking NCL is going to return but I might be imagining things.

[cocacola86]

How is NCL short cruises or is it just the Sky?

[william]

Have gone on 8 cruises since 2000. Sadly probably my last was last month. Service has gone way done hill. THey have a new beverage package you can purchase. Think in June it was a free promotion if you booked in may, which i did not. THey have way less bar servers. Especially at the pool. They use to bug you every five minutes around the pool. How i so wished for that this cruise. The whole week got service at pool once. When I went to get a drink was always a twenty minute wait. Think with the beverage package they dont want to puch the drinks so no service and longer wait. Also hear daily service charge is going up again in august. Would not mind paying for this if service is up to par. Loved going out of Boston since that is where I am from. But looks like next cruise will be trying Royal caribean .

[Cruise_More_Often]

Can you book in CDN dollars and what's the difference between Jewel and Dawn class?

See Post #17 for your answer about booking in Canadian dollars. Edited July 31, 2015 by Cruise_More_Often

[cocacola86]

Oh sorry I didn't see it