A veteran NCL cruiser departs

[LrgPizza]

That may very well be true however neither one of them is any longer listed as a member of cc. One can stop posting forever and still show up as a member

 

 

 

Harriet

 

 

All I know is things are much more pleasant around here.

[harz99]

 

That being said, I have been front and center when most of the top execs speak at these gatherings. As a result, you get a pretty good feel for who is and who is not popular. CC guidelines prevent me from saying exactly what capacity I'm in within the travel biz.

 

I'm direct, sometimes condescending and misunderstood, but believe me when I post something, there is truth behind it. So, it should not come as a shock when some people defend and retort when they feel fact is not being presented to the group as a whole.

 

Okay, take current pricing. It is fact that many of us are being forced by NCL to pay much higher prices for extras we neither need nor want, UBP/UDP etc., as nothing is actually free. It is that or not book with NCL.

 

How as a passenger, who are what Cruise Critic is all about, can you defend that action?

[janpo]

All I know is things are much more pleasant around here.

 

 

I second that!!

[bumorgan]

I have been a frequent NCL Platinum cruiser since NCL started cruising year round out of New York. I have always applauded the innovations of NCL like Freestyle Dining and having the courage to sail year round out of New York. My introduction to NCL was on the Norwegian Dawn and I have wonderful memories of that ship. I enjoyed dining at Cagney's and Le Bistro at reasonable rates without mandatory gratuities added. I dined at La Cucina and the Tex-Mex specialty restaurants at no extra charge. I looked forward to lobster and prime ribs in the main dining room at no extra charge. A la carte dining was something uncomprehendable. I received room service 24 hours a day at no extra charge. I enjoyed an aft-facing balcony cabin at no extra charge. I enjoyed all the entertainment venues at no extra charge. I received VIP treatment from Hotel Directors like Klaus and Hugo. I felt the Dawn class ships were the ideal size especially embarking and debarking.

NCL today is almost unrecognizable from my early NCL experiences. Cruising was once touted as a bargain vacation with everything included at no extra charge. Sadly, those days appear to be gone forever and so am I. I will always treasure fond memories of many days on NCL but the current situation on NCL holds no attraction for me at all. Bon voyage.

 

Yes candy bars used to cost $.50 and cars were half the price. Blah Blah Blah. Things change for the good or bad but I do love UBP.

 

Dan

[ColinIllinois]

Okay, take current pricing. It is fact that many of us are being forced by NCL to pay much higher prices for extras we neither need nor want, UBP/UDP etc., as nothing is actually free. It is that or not book with NCL.

 

How as a passenger, who are what Cruise Critic is all about, can you defend that action?

 

 

You aren't being forced to do anything. You are an adult consumer who, like you said, can make a decision to accept or not accept what NCL has to offer. No one here has to defend NCL's actions.

 

There is lots of good deals to be had with NCL.....or Carnival or RCI, etc.

 

It really is that simple. Sail NCL or don't. There is plenty of fun and choices out there for all of us. :)

Edited January 20, 2016 by ColinIllinois

[Jane Don]

You aren't being forced to do anything. You are an adult consumer who, like you said, can make a decision to accept or not accept what NCL has to offer. No one here has to defend NCL's actions.

 

There is lots of good deals to be had with NCL.....or Carnival or RCI, etc.

 

It really is that simple. Sail NCL or don't. There is plenty of fun and choices out there for all of us. :)

 

 

In one month stock price decreased 28%. Even if you account for the overall 10% loss on the Nasdaq, I'd say that the word is getting out.

[ColinIllinois]

In one month stock price decreased 28%. Even if you account for the overall 10% loss on the Nasdaq, I'd say that the word is getting out.

 

 

You can't correlate 10% NASDAQ loss to what an individual stock is doing. Many of my stocks are down big right now. This is a highly volatile period for stock markets globally.

[NLH Arizona]

Okay, take current pricing. It is fact that many of us are being forced by NCL to pay much higher prices for extras we neither need nor want, UBP/UDP etc., as nothing is actually free. It is that or not book with NCL.

 

How as a passenger, who are what Cruise Critic is all about, can you defend that action?

Prices for my NCL cruises have not risen any more than everything else I purchase. The best thing about the cruising industry is that there is so many choices; you are not forced to cruise one line and can compare the prices of other lines. What I've found is that most of the cruise line sites on here folks are complaining about the raising prices as well, so you just have to look for the best deal.

[hpecorari]

I read on another thread that she had to stop posting because the company she works for does business with NCL. *shrug*

 

 

I just checked Maywell's very last post and it was November 28, one day before she left for her Breakaway cruise. Nothing was mentioned in that post about her not being able to post due to business. ::shrug::

 

Harriet

[CruisinHarvey]

I read on another thread that she had to stop posting because the company she works for does business with NCL. *shrug*

 

As for him, I have no idea what happened. He hasn't posted any videos ranting about anything cruise related.

 

See! Good things come from those who wait.

[FitchburgWIFamily]

<sigh>

 

Why does one defend? That's as complex a question as Why does one proclaim?

 

One proclaims their intent to draw out people who either agree or disagree.

 

Why does someone publicly proclaim they are never buying expensive coffee again? Because they want people to congratulate them or encourage them or reward them. Why does someone publicly proclaim they are never buying expensive coffee again in a Starbucks at 8:00 in the morning? Because they are looking to shame people, guilt people or try to come off all superior.

 

If you come to the NCL Cruise Critic forum...who is your audience? Most of us are future NCL Cruise passengers. You want to tell us you are never sailing NCL again? Are you looking for congratuations or encouragement? Because how likely is that to happen? Are you looking to come off all superior and look like you are denigrating the choices we have made? You will probably succeed.

 

You know what? I never gamble in a casino on a ship. Up to this point, I never even thought to proclaim that. You know why? Because I know that the choice to gamble on the ship is just that.... a choice. My choice is different than other people's. I am not so arrogant as to believe that because I personally don't choose to gamble on a ship that the ship should change in any way shape or form to suit my taste. They don't need to make the casino smaller, move it to a deck where it isn't in my way, allow free play so I would be able to win money without spending money, stop giving cruises to CAS passengers or anything else to conform to my personal dislike of gambling while cruising.

 

So, for those of you who wonder why people defend the line: we are defending our choice and our preference. We are defending what we like and what works for us and our families. We are defending our past experiences and our future expectations.

 

So, for those of you who wonder why people defend the line: ask yourself why people are so quick to make declarative statements about their intent to never sail the line again because of a 36.00 difference in a charge or a port substitution or the removal of chicken fingers from the menu. Are they looking for affirmation or are they trying to be a provocateur?

Edited January 21, 2016 by FitchburgWIFamily

[Golfin55]

BTW RCI is down over 22% in less then a month. CCL is also down

[Shawnino]

<sigh>

 

Why does one defend? That's as complex a question as Why does one proclaim?

 

...

 

So, for those of you who wonder why people defend the line: we are defending our choice and our preference. We are defending what we like and what works for us and our families. We are defending our past experiences and our future expectations.

 

So, for those of you who wonder why people defend the line: ask yourself why people are so quick to make declarative statements about their intent to never sail the line again because of a 36.00 difference in a charge or a port substitution or the removal of chicken fingers from the menu. Are they looking for affirmation or are they trying to be a provocateur?

 

I'm sorry your nerves are so raw.

 

While I'm sure some people somewhere complained about chicken fingers, many people voicing displeasure here are talking about substantive things. And that doesn't stop the same five or six accounts from trying to spin that NCL proffering less product for more money, sometimes even after cruises are paid in full and people thought they had binding terms (room service fee?), is somehow good for the customer.

 

When you examine the fervour with which some people defend the line, it's as if they work there.

 

Trying to flip the point around and say "well what about the people who criticise, are they provocateurs?" well,

1) That's a rhetorical trick, simply trying to deflect the issue

2) This place is called Cruise 'Critic', so people should be allowed to post negative thoughts here without the minions trying to shout them down.

[swedish weave]

Some people will defend a friend, family member or a company until they learn the truth, then they change rapidly because they realize their image was not the true person or company.

 

When a company makes rapid changes to the detriment of their guests, it seems those who are offended have the right to speak up.

[deliver42]

I'm not here to knock NCL on their pricing, but I was shocked to find NCL priced between $500.00 and $1000.00 higher than Celebrity, HAL, or princess for a balcony for a May,2017 Alaska cruise. This isn't a complaint, just an observation. I did book with another line.

[coka]

I think that is just the way life is. Years ago back around 2005 I wondered why all the critics were complaining about the way things used to be. A few years later, I was defending as changes took place because I really liked the changes taking place. A lot of people ranked on the new guy, Mr. Sheehan, and many soon loved him. People come and people go. Companies transition. Change happens. We all get older. Our tastes change. Our priorities, likes, and dislikes change. I am now one of them. But which one? A defender or a critic of Norwegian? No matter what, we all love our first. For me, Colin Veitch rocks! Nothing will match back in the day. Even so, ... I get it. I understand why those are mad and I understand why those love the new way. I like reading about all points of view and take all opinions into consideration. I appreciate the pros and cons vetted through this site and thank those who see the good sides and thank those who remember when.

 

coka:D

[harz99]

I'm not here to knock NCL on their pricing, but I was shocked to find NCL priced between $500.00 and $1000.00 higher than Celebrity, HAL, or princess for a balcony for a May,2017 Alaska cruise. This isn't a complaint, just an observation. I did book with another line.

 

Exactly. And that is despite the other lines also increasing prices. NCL are overdoing it.

[sfaaa]

I'm not here to knock NCL on their pricing, but I was shocked to find NCL priced between $500.00 and $1000.00 higher than Celebrity, HAL, or princess for a balcony for a May,2017 Alaska cruise. This isn't a complaint, just an observation. I did book with another line.

 

If you track NCL prices long enough, some do eventually come down closer to sailing date. I have seen some last minute bargain deals minus the perks from time to time.

[Shawnino]

If you track NCL prices long enough, some do eventually come down closer to sailing date. I have seen some last minute bargain deals minus the perks from time to time.

 

Many people would rather lock in a good deal now as opposed to hoping for an equal or better deal later that may or may not materialise.

[CruisinHarvey]

Exactly. And that is despite the other lines also increasing prices. NCL are overdoing it.

 

It's Econ 101 type stuff. A lot of demand for your product, the price goes up. Low demand the price goes down. If they weren't filing cabins their prices would be lower. Not be rude to the OP, but the other lines needed their business more than NCL. That's the only reason why their prices were lower.

Edited January 21, 2016 by CruisinHarvey

[MrMan]

Okay, take current pricing. It is fact that many of us are being forced by NCL to pay much higher prices for extras we neither need nor want, UBP/UDP etc., as nothing is actually free. It is that or not book with NCL.

 

How as a passenger, who are what Cruise Critic is all about, can you defend that action?

 

 

No one is forced to buy anything

[harz99]

Many people would rather lock in a good deal now as opposed to hoping for an equal or better deal later that may or may not materialise.

 

Exactly, many of us don't live on the doorstep of cruise ports, nor even in the same country. Neither can we cancel at whim and get our money back. Hence why we choose to book well ahead and plan a longer holiday.

[boopsahoy]

No one is forced to buy anything

 

Yes we are-we are forced to pay higher cruise fares to pay for the "free" udp etc that "we" don't want or need!

[harz99]

It's Econ 101 type stuff. A lot of demand for your product, the price goes up. Low demand the price goes down. If they weren't filing cabins their prices would be lower. Not be rude to the OP, but the other lines needed their business more than NCL. That's the only reason why their prices were lower.

 

Sorry, the recent pricing for new 2017 itineraries is nothing to do with supply and demand. It is simply NCLs desire to extract more from each cruise customer.

[ColinIllinois]

Yes we are-we are forced to pay higher cruise fares to pay for the "free" udp etc that "we" don't want or need!

 

 

Nope. You book NCL at your own volition. No one forces you to sail NCL at a sale price, full price or any price. If the prices/terms are not acceptable to you at NCL you have free will to book with any cruise line that will also give you a good experience.

 

Make sure you are educated on what that particular line is offering for your money.

 

Again, it really is that simple. As consumers we owe it to ourselves to get the best deal and best value for our hard earned money. I am a lot more loyal to myself than I am to any cruise line or airline.

Edited January 21, 2016 by ColinIllinois