TV on NCL

[veggieguy21]

Just got off of a cruise on NCL Epic out of Port Canaveral. Was most disappointed in their decision regarding ESPN. Was not able to watch American athletic events, specifically the College Football Semifinal. The only offering was ESPN European Soccer. In addition notices a number of small cost cutting items like reduced offering of general dining items like no Lobster night, could not get a can of soda, only half can in a glass, no turn down chocolates, etc.

[300dtc]

We were able to watch NFL football on our cruise in September and other fall cruises we have been on, as for Lobster, that particular item hasn't been offered in the MDR for years, it might be offered in one of the specialty restaurants, maybe someone else may know that, no cans of soda are ever served, but if you had the beverage package you had unlimited fountain soda in any restaurant or bar, also haven't been chocolates for some years for turn down service. When were you last on NCL?

[PTC DAWG]

I’ve never seen ESPN on NCL.  

[BirdTravels]

2 hours ago, veggieguy21 said:

Just got off of a cruise on NCL Epic out of Port Canaveral. Was most disappointed in their decision regarding ESPN. Was not able to watch American athletic events, specifically the College Football Semifinal. The only offering was ESPN European Soccer. In addition notices a number of small cost cutting items like reduced offering of general dining items like no Lobster night, could not get a can of soda, only half can in a glass, no turn down chocolates, etc.

NCL has never had American ESPN in rooms. There was no decision to change anything. You are not in South Carolina anymore Toto. And the cruise line caters to their international clientele. They went from cheap chocolates that everyone threw in the trash to a bottle of sparkling wine.  

[Fk3908]

14 minutes ago, BirdTravels said:

NCL has never had American ESPN in rooms. There was no decision to change anything. You are not in South Carolina anymore Toto. And the cruise line caters to their international clientele. They went from cheap chocolates that everyone threw in the trash to a bottle of sparkling wine.  

"The cruise line caters to their international clientele"? LOL. Really? A great majority of NCL customers are American. The restaurants, games, promotions, etc cater squarely to American clientele. I don't go on a cruise to watch television but the OP is right in criticizing NCL for their lack of American football, basketball, or baseball on TV, particularly at the bars. Not sure about the other ships but the Getaway had nothing but soccer on for the whole week last August. I asked the bartenders about it (O'Sheehans) and they just shrugged their shoulders and said that that is all they have.

 

[Nola26]

I was on the Pearl Dec 23 to 30, NFL and NBA was available onboard. NFL was shown live on a secondary sports station, I watched my Eagles until the feed froze and missed the game winning field goal. The NBA games were delayed and now that I think about it I even saw a NHL game. I was in such vacation mode I forgot about  the NCAA and the semifinals and never looked for those. Oddly I thought TV was improved vs my recent cruises. 

 

If you want an ESPN feed and specifically the ability to see NCAA football, write NCL as this board isn't set up to make changes. Squeaky wheel gets the oil. 🏈🤣

 

As mentioned Lobster isn't standard on NCL. As for not handing out cans of soda I think it is a sensible move. Most will not finish the can, so waste, spill risk and the need to carry extra product are all reduced. 

 

I think the turndown chocolates are provided in some classes of service. If you really want them mention to your room steward they may have some options. 

[timf2001]

Even if NCL did have ESPN, it would be the Caribbean version which has very different programming than the US channels.  During college football season, they only showed one primetime game.  Most of the time it was soccer or cricket.

[casofilia]

They have "Sport24" from the UK with quite a wide range of sports.  I was able to watch Ice Hockey!!

[kathy884]

Any chance they will have the Austrailan open tennis tournament grand slam coverage?  The only sport we follow is tennis, and we happen to be cruising the second week of this tournament.  It's one of the four big tennis tournaments of the year.

[GUT2407]

6 minutes ago, kathy884 said:

Any chance they will have the Austrailan open tennis tournament grand slam coverage?  The only sport we follow is tennis, and we happen to be cruising the second week of this tournament.  It's one of the four big tennis tournaments of the year.

Maybe, it is a world event, part of the grand slam (as I’m sure you know) but..... 

 

personalky i I wouldn’t count on it.

[casofilia]

If they have Sport24 then there will be a good chance in my opinion.  There was good all round coverage.  

[kathy884]

We won't count on in, but getting it would be a wonderful surprise.  I need to remember to book vacations when grand slam tennis tournaments aren't going on.  We're on the Getaway the second week of the two week tournament.

[Shidah]

Last March they showed March Madness basketball all week on the Breakaway.  Thanksgiving two years ago on the Epic they showed NFL football, and there are several reports of both college and NFL football in bars on CC.  In August, there are no major US sports to really watch.  The claims of zero American sports are false.  This poster has been on CC for 10 years and this being their 1st post was just trolling.  I”ve never seen a can of soda on a cruise  in a bar other than ginger beer used in cocktails.  Soda comes out of the bar fountains.  Anyone who uses their first post to  bring up the lack of lobster which has been discussed ad nauseam is just trying to stir people up.

[Nola26]

Actually NCL was serving soda from cans. I experienced it in the casino bar, but also in the buffet. I didn't frequent other bars so I cannot speak for those. In the past I recall 2 liter bottles for service. My guess is the cans are better environmentally and space wise, both empty and full. It also provides a crisper product as every 1-2 servings is from a freshly open can vs a bottle that may be open for the day or hours.

[GUT2407]

15 minutes ago, Nola26 said:

Actually NCL was serving soda from cans. I experienced it in the casino bar, but also in the buffet. I didn't frequent other bars so I cannot speak for those. In the past I recall 2 liter bottles for service. My guess is the cans are better environmentally and space wise, both empty and full. It also provides a crisper product as every 1-2 servings is from a freshly open can vs a bottle that may be open for the day or hours.

Yep we were on Jewel the week before Christmas, cans of Pepsi product everywhere, well before I drank most of them anyway.

[newmexicoNita]

12 hours ago, veggieguy21 said:

Just got off of a cruise on NCL Epic out of Port Canaveral. Was most disappointed in their decision regarding ESPN. Was not able to watch American athletic events, specifically the College Football Semifinal. The only offering was ESPN European Soccer. In addition notices a number of small cost cutting items like reduced offering of general dining items like no Lobster night, could not get a can of soda, only half can in a glass, no turn down chocolates, etc.

The absence of ESPN has nothing to do with cost cutting. Cruise lines contract with certain networks. I understand how you feel, heck we have a few channels we can not get so had to miss some of the playoffs. We too are always disappointed with the TV selection on most cruises, NCL being the worst. I am simply telling you it has nothing to do with cost cutting. 

 

As for the missing Lobster, that is not new and probably the one cut back that bothers people the most: I am thinking it has been years since you have cruised NCL cause the missing crappy Lobster has been a thing of the past for many years. The soda issue, don't drink soda so have no idea why they no longer have cans. No chocolate on pillow? we get it but I guess that is because we are platinum. I will add, I have a feeling if you had come to CC sooner, instead come just to rant after your cruise some of this you would already have been aware of. 

[veggieguy21]

8 hours ago, Shidah said:

Last March they showed March Madness basketball all week on the Breakaway.  Thanksgiving two years ago on the Epic they showed NFL football, and there are several reports of both college and NFL football in bars on CC.  In August, there are no major US sports to really watch.  The claims of zero American sports are false.  This poster has been on CC for 10 years and this being their 1st post was just trolling.  I”ve never seen a can of soda on a cruise  in a bar other than ginger beer used in cocktails.  Soda comes out of the bar fountains.  Anyone who uses their first post to  bring up the lack of lobster which has been discussed ad nauseam is just trying to stir people up.

 

37 minutes ago, newmexicoNita said:

The absence of ESPN has nothing to do with cost cutting. Cruise lines contract with certain networks. I understand how you feel, heck we have a few channels we can not get so had to miss some of the playoffs. We too are always disappointed with the TV selection on most cruises, NCL being the worst. I am simply telling you it has nothing to do with cost cutting. 

 

As for the missing Lobster, that is not new and probably the one cut back that bothers people the most: I am thinking it has been years since you have cruised NCL cause the missing crappy Lobster has been a thing of the past for many years. The soda issue, don't drink soda so have no idea why they no longer have cans. No chocolate on pillow? we get it but I guess that is because we are platinum. I will add, I have a feeling if you had come to CC sooner, instead come just to rant after your cruise some of this you would already have been aware of. 

 

[veggieguy21]

Just now, veggieguy21 said:

 

 

Ok. Flame me if you wish. I find the posts on CC quite helpful and use the boards often for things like parking, hotels, etc.

True, I don't post much and probably won't again. I am a frequent cruises, have cruised 71 days in the last year. I have cruised on Costa, HA, Princess, NCl, Cunard, Carnival and RC. Pick apart my statements as you wish.

 

NCL has headquarters in Miami, is a public traded company. I expect their decision (whenever it was made) has more to do with the fact that Disney is the parent company of ESPN. Yes 24 sports does have some limited American sports (had a few NFL games last Sunday). I have watched big American sporting events on other lines -- in fact passengers requested the NCAA playoff games and they were put on the big screen. I just feel that around 4000 Americans on board should get more (my opinion).

 

Yes the other examples are trivial, but last time I was on the Getaway we had lobster in the restaurant AND on the buffet. On this Epic cruise one could get a beer in a can and could take it to your room but one could not get a soda in a can (and yes the bars did have them).

 

Have fun with that--I'm done.

[pieshops]

as a chef I do not get the fascination with the lobster , this is a crappy freshwater lobster that has zero flavor and tastes horrible , now if this was a Maine real Lobster then I could see an issue

[newmexicoNita]

56 minutes ago, pieshops said:

as a chef I do not get the fascination with the lobster , this is a crappy freshwater lobster that has zero flavor and tastes horrible , now if this was a Maine real Lobster then I could see an issue

thanks, this has always been my feeling. I am not a chef, but I do love cooking and certainly love eating good food. 

[islesdave]

They have Sport24; a European based sports network; I have been on ships during this week, it's on.  They also usually carry a 1PM, a 4PM and all prime time NFL games, while they might not be available in the rooms, they have shown NFL on the large screen in the Atrium.  

10 hours ago, kathy884 said:

Any chance they will have the Austrailan open tennis tournament grand slam coverage?  The only sport we follow is tennis, and we happen to be cruising the second week of this tournament.  It's one of the four big tennis tournaments of the year.

 

[300dtc]

10 hours ago, kathy884 said:

Any chance they will have the Austrailan open tennis tournament grand slam coverage?  The only sport we follow is tennis, and we happen to be cruising the second week of this tournament.  It's one of the four big tennis tournaments of the year.

I have seen tennis onboard on different cruises, I seem to remember a semifinal being played with Nadal, but I have no idea what tournament it was. Sorry..

[davy jones]

I couldn't watch my team play, therefore my cruise is ruined by that meanie NCL.  I need a piece of chocolate.  The hateful NCL didn't give me that either.   Now some of you don't agree with me, so I'll run to my safe place.  

[newmexicoNita]

5 hours ago, veggieguy21 said:

Ok. Flame me if you wish. I find the posts on CC quite helpful and use the boards often for things like parking, hotels, etc.

True, I don't post much and probably won't again. I am a frequent cruises, have cruised 71 days in the last year. I have cruised on Costa, HA, Princess, NCl, Cunard, Carnival and RC. Pick apart my statements as you wish.

 

NCL has headquarters in Miami, is a public traded company. I expect their decision (whenever it was made) has more to do with the fact that Disney is the parent company of ESPN. Yes 24 sports does have some limited American sports (had a few NFL games last Sunday). I have watched big American sporting events on other lines -- in fact passengers requested the NCAA playoff games and they were put on the big screen. I just feel that around 4000 Americans on board should get more (my opinion).

 

Yes the other examples are trivial, but last time I was on the Getaway we had lobster in the restaurant AND on the buffet. On this Epic cruise one could get a beer in a can and could take it to your room but one could not get a soda in a can (and yes the bars did have them).

 

Have fun with that--I'm done.

No one is flaming you, we are just pointing out, this is not unusual for cruise lines. If you have cruised HAL as you say, you would know they do not show local sports or they didn't last time we cruised them. This goes for other lines as well. Your reasoning is wrong, you being upset is understandable. As for the last time you were on the Getaway you could get Lobster, sorry but that would have had to be several years ago.  BTW, March Madness is a very different thing than a football game when there are so many games. I too have seen March Madness once I think but it was the final 4 if I remember right. 

[zqvol]

Having been on a number of cruises on various main stream mass market lines, the TV line up is pretty similar across all of them. If a certain sporting event is important don't go on a cruise that week.