NCL Vs. other lines drastic changes

[NLH Arizona]

I agree about hating the ala carte change. I might as well go to a regular restaurant back home. Norwegian said doing ala carte makes it more Freestyle but I disagree totally. This makes it nothing like Freestyle. Paying one price not having to worry about an expensive bill at the end of the meal is Freestyle. We would normally go to LeBistro and another pay restaurant on the cruise. That is now over. We only be eating at the MDR. I hope Norwegian reconsiders this change. I am beginning to look at other lines and see what is offered. I love that Royal Caribbean does not make everyone in the cabin that is 21 or over purchase the drink package. My wife does not drink at all so this makes me very curious to try RCI again. I do not like the fact that Carnival stopped live bands by the pool. That is one of my favorite things to listen to the band by the pool. I know changes will keep coming, and I usually can go with the flow, but with the number of cruise lines out there, it makes it hard to stay loyal to one line when other cruise lines are offering something a little bit better.

 

Just my opinion.

Curious, how does a la carte dining not fit into the explanation of "freestyle": The company is best known for its Freestyle Cruising concept, which means that there are no set times or seating arrangements for meals, nor is formal attire required. Did NCL change their meaning of "freestyle" to include what we pay for on the cruise? If so, could you please post the new information. Edited August 16, 2015 by NLH Arizona

[Travelcat2]

I know the changes, I just have no problem with them. I like to show the new cruisers that everything isn't gloom and doom on board the ship lol. You're starting that whole thing that if you don't like what's being said on here you should leave, I say the same thing in reverse. If people on here have so much to complain about Ncl then they should find a new cruise line where they won't complain as much

 

You and a few other posters really make sense! While it is fine to post what you do not like about NCL, is it really necessary to bash posters that don't have a problem with NCL?

 

If you don't like ala carte dining, don't dine in the specialty restaurants. If room service charges are too high, don't use room service. What is so difficult about that? In terms of "freestyle" dining....... this may be unique for mainstream cruise lines but is the norm for other cruise lines. Some people love it and some don't!

 

Bottom line is that nothing is perfect in this world....... find what you like and enjoy it. It seems that what naysayers on this thread are doing is to put new cruisers off of sailing NCL. This isn't fair to people reading your negative posts (since some people will love NCL) and it isn't fair to NCL. If you have issues with NCL, let management know and/or go to another cruise line. Reviews with positive and negative opinions is fine but bashing for the sake of bashing is, IMO, should not be allowed on Cruise Critic.

[missintuitive]

I know the changes, I just have no problem with them. I like to show the new cruisers that everything isn't gloom and doom on board the ship lol. You're starting that whole thing that if you don't like what's being said on here you should leave, I say the same thing in reverse. If people on here have so much to complain about Ncl then they should find a new cruise line where they won't complain as much

 

 

It's not all gloom and doom but's darn sure isn't what I signed up for. At least this way I can express myself before the cruise instead of being mad about it after boarding.

 

Just because you declare that YOU are okay with the changes doesn't mean that you're an ambassador for "new cruisers." The facts strand on their own and there is more than one cruiseline. At this point, I'm speaking on a cruiseline that I've invested my money into via a deposit. Even if I cancel, I've contributed what I could consider as a "no interest" loan to NCL. As such, I will share MY FACTS as I deem fit.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Winston Wolf]

FYI, Disney has changed their Alcohol policy

 

From Disney Cruise Line Blog:

- Each Guest 21 years and older may bring two bottles of unopened wine or champagne (no larger than 750ml) or six beers (no larger than 12oz) onboard in carry-on luggage at the beginning of the voyage and at each port-of-call.

 

- All alcoholic beverages packed in checked luggage will be removed and stored until the completion of the cruise.

 

- Wine or champagne in excess of the two allowable bottles or beer in excess of the six beers will be stored and Guests may retrieve them at the end of the voyage.

 

- All liquors and spirits (including powdered alcohol) are prohibited and will be stored until the completion of the cruise.

 

- Guests must retrieve any stored alcohol at the end of the cruise.

 

- Uncollected alcohol will be destroyed and no compensation will be offered.

 

- Alcohol brought on board may not be consumed in any lounge or public area.

[swedish weave]

I know the changes, I just have no problem with them. I like to show the new cruisers that everything isn't gloom and doom on board the ship lol. You're starting that whole thing that if you don't like what's being said on here you should leave, I say the same thing in reverse. If people on here have so much to complain about Ncl then they should find a new cruise line where they won't complain as much

 

You say you like NCL, but you are constantly advising others to select another cruise line.

That seems to indicate a dislike for NCL. Would you not be better served to advise people to try to get NCL to correct the problems than to try to chase their business to another cruise line

[Travelcat2]

FYI, Disney has changed their Alcohol policy

 

From Disney Cruise Line Blog:

- Each Guest 21 years and older may bring two bottles of unopened wine or champagne (no larger than 750ml) or six beers (no larger than 12oz) onboard in carry-on luggage at the beginning of the voyage and at each port-of-call.

 

- All alcoholic beverages packed in checked luggage will be removed and stored until the completion of the cruise.

 

- Wine or champagne in excess of the two allowable bottles or beer in excess of the six beers will be stored and Guests may retrieve them at the end of the voyage.

 

- All liquors and spirits (including powdered alcohol) are prohibited and will be stored until the completion of the cruise.

 

- Guests must retrieve any stored alcohol at the end of the cruise.

 

- Uncollected alcohol will be destroyed and no compensation will be offered.

 

- Alcohol brought on board may not be consumed in any lounge or public area.

 

Truly an interesting post. What is particularly interesting is that the bottles/cans must be in your carry-on luggage. As we all know, when we fly we cannot carry fluids over 3 oz. in our carry-on luggage. I suppose that people sailing on Disney will have to get the alcohol out of their checked luggage and put them into their carry-on. A bit of a nuisance but better than the old policy.

 

In terms of some posters suggesting that people go to other cruise lines rather than constantly complaining on the NCL boards (constantly being the operative word), stating your opinion or review -- whether negative or positive is not generally an issue. When the negativity goes on and on and on, it can be harmful to NCL (IMO).

 

It can be said that those of us that support NCL/NCHL/Oceania/Regent management are also repeating ourselves, it is generally in response to the constant slams against NCL. Once you have complained on CC and written to NCL, either be quiet until a new issue arises or go to another cruise line. I seriously doubt if NCL will miss those of you that seem to post only to give NCL a bad name. As motleyfan stated, everything is not doom and gloom and not everyone is unhappy with NCL. The voices of those that are unhappy just seem louder and more insistent that the rest.

[Warm Breezes]

Truly an interesting post. What is particularly interesting is that the bottles/cans must be in your carry-on luggage. As we all know, when we fly we cannot carry fluids over 3 oz. in our carry-on luggage. I suppose that people sailing on Disney will have to get the alcohol out of their checked luggage and put them into their carry-on. A bit of a nuisance but better than the old policy.

 

In terms of some posters suggesting that people go to other cruise lines rather than constantly complaining on the NCL boards (constantly being the operative word), stating your opinion or review -- whether negative or positive is not generally an issue. When the negativity goes on and on and on, it can be harmful to NCL (IMO).

 

It can be said that those of us that support NCL/NCHL/Oceania/Regent management are also repeating ourselves, it is generally in response to the constant slams against NCL. Once you have complained on CC and written to NCL, either be quiet until a new issue arises or go to another cruise line. I seriously doubt if NCL will miss those of you that seem to post only to give NCL a bad name. As motleyfan stated, everything is not doom and gloom and not everyone is unhappy with NCL. The voices of those that are unhappy just seem louder and more insistent that the rest.

 

Carnival has had the Carry-on policy for a while now. We always make sure to be in or near the port city the day before whether we are flying or driving. This enables us to go to a store close to the hotel to get our alcohol. I usually check on-line to see what stores are close to our hotel for this. I'm wondering if this will mean some lower cruise prices for Disney since the bringing on your own alcohol has always been one of the reasons mentioned for the much higher cruise prices.

[abe3]

You say you like NCL, but you are constantly advising others to select another cruise line.

 

That seems to indicate a dislike for NCL. Would you not be better served to advise people to try to get NCL to correct the problems than to try to chase their business to another cruise line

 

 

It's not as a dislike for him but telling people if they don't like what they are getting with NCL then go to a line that will give you what you want.

[Warm Breezes]

You say you like NCL, but you are constantly advising others to select another cruise line.

That seems to indicate a dislike for NCL. Would you not be better served to advise people to try to get NCL to correct the problems than to try to chase their business to another cruise line

 

I like NCL. I like other lines as well. But I always advise others go to another line if they don't like what their current cruise line is offering or what they are doing. To me it is just common sense. If you don't like the product don't buy it. Find another product that will suit you better. Why purchase a product you are no longer satisfied with and are constantly complaining about? I just don't get it. If NCL has enough consumers willing to buy their product, with the changes they made, why would they even bother to listen to the complainers? The best way to try to get them to change is with your wallet....and if the change doesn't happen, then there obviously wasn't enough people who felt the problems you felt NCL had needed to be corrected. FWIW I have said almost the identical thing on CCL threads when people get upset over others telling them to go to another line if they don't like it. To me it is just a common sense thing to do. It has nothing to do my liking or disliking any particular line.

[abe3]

Also I don't see any problems with what has happened over the last few months. Didn't effect me so I don't see a need for them to change. Others might feel differently and that's their own opinion.

Edited August 17, 2015 by abe3

[maywell]

I like NCL. I like other lines as well. But I always advise others go to another line if they don't like what their current cruise line is offering or what they are doing. To me it is just common sense. If you don't like the product don't buy it. Find another product that will suit you better. Why purchase a product you are no longer satisfied with and are constantly complaining about? I just don't get it. If NCL has enough consumers willing to buy their product, with the changes they made, why would they even bother to listen to the complainers? The best way to try to get them to change is with your wallet....and if the change doesn't happen, then there obviously wasn't enough people who felt the problems you felt NCL had needed to be corrected. FWIW I have said almost the identical thing on CCL threads when people get upset over others telling them to go to another line if they don't like it. To me it is just a common sense thing to do. It has nothing to do my liking or disliking any particular line.

I wish I can like this thousand times - just because 20-100 something number of posters on CC are having problems with NCL doesn't mean all of the 33k-something berths that sail at any given time are having problems too...

 

It's like with fast food restaurants, McDonalds /Wendys/etc(another cruise line) vs. Burger King(NCL), for example- Some people can not stand Burger King and protest/whine to anyone that can hear or see how much they can't stand it. But yet it still makes money despite the changes (reductions, change in recipes, etc) - so, they must be doing something right to still be making profits and having the haters still eat there because if its truly as bad as they claim, one would do the smart thing and eat at McDonalds/Wendy's/etc. But the complainers wouldn't do that because that would be too easy and giving in instead of common sense thing of going elsewhere with their money. They want it to go back to the way it was but it been 3-4 years since the 1st changes and they're still making profits after all this time, just like what's going to happen with NCL soon with year 2...

 

Sent from my SGH-T399 using Tapatalk

[abe3]

I think the changes NCL has made is good. I am not really effected by the changes, but I do like that they updated the room service menu, moving towards a more all inclusive cruise line and I do like the move to Asia which is a booming market. Other people think differently and that's their own opinion. But the decisions NCL has made recently in the long run will look really good just like when the previous CEO of NCL came on board and made changes that people didn't like, but those opinions changed after the changes he did make a long time ago.

[SuiteCruiser]

I think the changes NCL has made is good. I am not really effected by the changes, but I do like that they updated the room service menu, moving towards a more all inclusive cruise line and I do like the move to Asia which is a booming market. Other people think differently and that's their own opinion. But the decisions NCL has made recently in the long run will look really good just like when the previous CEO of NCL came on board and made changes that people didn't like, but those opinions changed after the changes he did make a long time ago.[/]

 

He's moving it to the opposite of all inclusive...how can you say it's more?

Edited August 18, 2015 by SuiteCruiser

[Winston Wolf]

Truly an interesting post. What is particularly interesting is that the bottles/cans must be in your carry-on luggage. As we all know, when we fly we cannot carry fluids over 3 oz. in our carry-on luggage. I suppose that people sailing on Disney will have to get the alcohol out of their checked luggage and put them into their carry-on. A bit of a nuisance but better than the old policy..

 

 

Ehhh...I don't know if it was overly interesting, but I thought it was relevant to the topic. Point is...NCL aren't the only ones making changes and "taking things away". It's happening everywhere. Welcome to the new normal.

[abe3]

I think the changes NCL has made is good. I am not really effected by the changes, but I do like that they updated the room service menu, moving towards a more all inclusive cruise line and I do like the move to Asia which is a booming market. Other people think differently and that's their own opinion. But the decisions NCL has made recently in the long run will look really good just like when the previous CEO of NCL came on board and made changes that people didn't like, but those opinions changed after the changes he did make a long time ago.[/]

 

He's moving it to the opposite of all inclusive...how can you say it's more?

 

 

The Sky is going to be an all inclusive ship. That works out well hopefully more to come.

[LMaxwell]

The Sky is going to be an all inclusive ship. That works out well hopefully more to come.

 

Only for alcohol. Does not include specialty dining or any excursions; not even use of non-motorized water equipment at GSC.

Edited August 18, 2015 by LMaxwell

[abe3]

Only for alcohol. Does not include specialty dining or any excursions; not even use of non-motorized water equipment at GSC.

 

 

I should of worded more differently then all inclusive, but a move toward all inclusive with the Sky. It's a start in moving in that direction which I like.

Edited August 18, 2015 by abe3

[LMaxwell]

I should of worded more differently then all inclusive, but a move toward all inclusive with the Sky. It's a start in moving in that direction which I like.

 

fair enough. I just wanted to correct what "all inclusive" means in this context.

[mking8288]

... He's moving it to the opposite of all inclusive...

 

A big << L I K E >> button here, right on ;)

 

Less is more - depending on the sides :D

 

And, if this is the direction NCLH is going, the smiley, happy & hard working crew will see less of us, if at all anytime soon - there are options & choices to "invest" our vacation dollars.

 

As for the outlook for the Asian cruise market in re-deployment with the emphasis on cultivating the affluent Chinese middle class, good luck on being smarter than Wall Street as it's another bad day on the Shanghai Exchange ... even the Macau casinos are taking a beating lately & dropping their hotel prices to attract business. And, they will have to import lots of lobsters if they plan to cruise the South China Seas & keep their upscale guests happy - and, charge accordingly, of course. (Aussie lobsters are fine too, we had those in HKG - flown in & rather expensive)

Edited August 18, 2015 by mking8288

[abe3]

I think the changes NCL has made is good. I am not really effected by the changes, but I do like that they updated the room service menu, moving towards a more all inclusive cruise line and I do like the move to Asia which is a booming market. Other people think differently and that's their own opinion. But the decisions NCL has made recently in the long run will look really good just like when the previous CEO of NCL came on board and made changes that people didn't like, but those opinions changed after the changes he did make a long time ago.[/]

 

He's moving it to the opposite of all inclusive...how can you say it's more?

 

 

I am also getting a lot more on my upcoming cruise then I have ever had before and I got a cabin I would of paid more for last year then when I booked this year. With all the promotions it will feel like an all inclusive type of sailing. That is more for less in my opinion.

Edited August 18, 2015 by abe3

[maywell]

Ehhh...I don't know if it was overly interesting, but I thought it was relevant to the topic. Point is...NCL aren't the only ones making changes and "taking things away". It's happening everywhere. Welcome to the new normal.

Which is why I don't take any of the changes to heart - to me, it's the price of going on vacation, doesn't matter if its a cruise or ski trip, it is what it is. A person going to go where their money stretches or goes the farthest and for me, its with NCL - doesn't necessarily mean they are the cheapest or affordable; it just means I paid exactly for my needs/ wants and NCL deliver as much as possible under the circumstances, that's all. Look, no cruise line or even ski resort can promise perfect weather every time for what you want to do, but at least hopefully there's a backup plan to make up for it!

 

 

Again, no two people, even in the same cabin, have the same exact wants and needs - its matter of what's good for you and whomever is traveling. And honestly, for those complaining about NCL - I really don't see what good about NCL for them except maybe Unlimited Wine Corkage and water/soda/juice case policy, that's about it.

 

Otherwise, I see their money / value stretching further with other cruise lines than NCL, even without the recent changes - some cruise lines are just a better fit for them than NCL because well, NCL just doesn't do it for them.And there's nothing genuinely wrong with that - sometimes you have to step out of comfort zone and see what esle is out there.

 

But to complain like NCL is the only cruise line in the entire world while there's no others or only one that goes through changes - No offense, it just nitpicking for nothing especially when nothing really comes out of it. Yeah, sure food takeout policy got reverse and free contintenal breakfast room service- Big whoopie, except it get invalidated by some of their big ships seating sizes / setup and extremely limited breakfast choices, respectively. I mean, it can both be seen as victory for some people and meh, for others. Matter of fact, anything in life can be seen in 2 or 3 different ways by different people regarding the same situation/thing - 1) complete victory; 2) utter defeat or 3) meh whatever, it is what it is.

[legion3]

NCL is the only cruise line making changes that can be complained about on this board.

 

So this is the place to complain about NCL.

 

It would make no sense to complain about DCL here, that is what the DCL board is for.

 

Who cares that others are making changes?

 

NCL is making the changes right here and right now.

 

Carnival is making changes somewhere else.

[Jane Don]

Or, people have booked vacations that have undergone nearly a dozen policy changes in the past 4 months.

 

The changes have been erratic and not well communicated. Instead of devising a comprehensive plan, NCL started barking orders and have left implementation teams playing catch-up.

 

Anyone who thinks that these changes are welcome by passengers or that they were professionally implemented is either a shareholder or blind.

 

If one could only grasp that people are upset because they like NCL and want to stick with them, one might be more empathetic to those with complaints and concerns.

Edited August 18, 2015 by Jane Don

[detroitlions]

It's not all gloom and doom but's darn sure isn't what I signed up for. At least this way I can express myself before the cruise instead of being mad about it after boarding.

 

Just because you declare that YOU are okay with the changes doesn't mean that you're an ambassador for "new cruisers." The facts strand on their own and there is more than one cruiseline. At this point, I'm speaking on a cruiseline that I've invested my money into via a deposit. Even if I cancel, I've contributed what I could consider as a "no interest" loan to NCL. As such, I will share MY FACTS as I deem fit.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

But I got to be honest as someone stated above all this complaining and whining over interest on a loan? how much are you losing out on $3 for your $50 or even if its $7 of interest in a whole year you spend that on a big mac meal. And good people will be turned off of NCL and we will be stuck with all the complainers and the people that want everyone to be miserable like them selves. And you know all you folks that are throwing your selves around are still going to cruise NCL. THere is not going to be a back in time machine where all the things you liked about cruising in the 80s and 90s are going to stay and nothing changes. The Love Boat was canceled years ago:rolleyes:

[abe3]

Exactly, have fun on your next Cruise Abe and never forget to cruise like a Norwegian lol. Where are you going to next? Are you doing an escape Cruise? Whether its O'Sheehan or Del Rio Norwegian is still king of the mountain.

 

 

Going on the jade out of Houston. Not my favorite port. Miami is my favorite port to get there a few days early to hit our favorite spots. The big ships Breakaway, Epic, and Getaway are fantastic ships. Gong to be an adjustment on the smaller Jade but I have been on the Jewel and Pearl which were great cruises and nice boats.

Edited August 18, 2015 by abe3