Opinions about ncl that are against conventional wisdom

[lyannea]

I like the buffet- enjoy making my own salad with whatever  I want, and, being a slow eater, don’t have to rush through my meal and cramp my style in the MDR

 

Last 2 cruises on the Joy and  Bliss, the ‘washy-washy’ was a joke. MANY people just walked through. One time, I put my hands out and the gal wasn’t even looking- sprayed my clothes around my stomach, lol

 

Edited December 7, 2019 by lyannea

[smithop]

I prefer the art I make myself onboard, a glass of wine helps.

 

I avoid the buffet at all costs, maybe a quick coffee stop on my morning walk.

 

I avoid the drink package, free drinks at the casino bar with my CAS card.

 

I only choose SDP and $50 excursion offers, all free at sea, meh.

 

I ignore the announcements anyway, its just a repeat of information in the Daily, which I read and memorize as well as using the app.

 

Sometimes I don’t get off in ports.

Edited December 7, 2019 by smithop

[PortFees45]

The lava cake sucks. 

[newmexicoNita]

22 hours ago, havanadaydreaming said:

Here are some things I think/feel/believe that run against conventional wisdom, feel free to add your own!

 

*hate buffets on land but I enjoy ncl's, especially on bigger shifts. 

 

*Epic bathroom setup didn't faze me at all. 

 

*not sure if take a free upgrade to Haven from balcony. 1)don't wanna get spoiled 2)a butler? Seems awkward to me 3)this based only on speculation 

 

*I'm generally pro art auction, find the purchases fascinating. But was recently on 4 nt cruise that advertised $99 fares and the art auctioneer was offering some art at $6k, $12k, etc. Tough gig!

 

*I haven't consumed a soda onboard for years, so I don't care which brand is served. 

 

*paper straws suuuuuuuuuck. I loved a metal set, of 3,  I bought from margaritaville for $15.  I never woulda thunk I'd ever buy a metal straw, highly recommended. 

 

*I wish the ship announcements would play in room. I always forget which channel broadcasts them. 

 

*I actually like nassau

 

I agree with some of your views: we are ok with the buffet but not on land. 

actually like Epic bathrooms if not cruising with a family or someone you don't know too well 

am not a soda drinker so always find the obsession with brand interesting. I guess for some this is a deal breaker almost. 

Nassau, take it or leave it

depends on the announcements whether I want to hear them in the cabin or not. 

 

[coastcat]

17 hours ago, smplybcause said:

The studios aren't too small.

Agreed. Mind you, our master bedroom is only 10'x13' so I'm not conditioned to expect a ton of space around the bed.  

 

Quiet introverts can be perfectly happy on a massive floating amusement park.

 

 

[Sauer-kraut]

5 hours ago, PortFees45 said:

The lava cake sucks. 

All desserts on Norwegian basically suck, except if you can snag a fresh made crepe

[Greenpea2]

I would rather have a public adult sun deck that is FREE than laser tag and 10-minute race car rides for $15 (or whatever they cost) and a dozen (OK, exaggeration) big water slides. Call me old-fashioned...

[blueslily]

Many times on port intensive cruises, I prefer the buffet over the MDR. Allows more flexibility for my evening and its faster after a busy day and before a relaxing or busy night.

 

Have had good luck getting good seating for shows without reservations.

 

Have had good luck getting into specialty restaurants without advance reservations also. 

 

Have had good luck getting onto ships without long waits due to good research and NOT showing up early with the rest of the crowd.

 

Prefer spending time in the ocean versus pools so a crowded pool deck isnt an irritant for me.

 

I dont expect the staff to be my friends or happy all the time so I think I spend less time and attention assessing them. If someone isnt having a good day, I dont internalize it. 

 

Being first on the ship is not a priority for me. My vacation usually starts before the cruise starts so Im not in a rush to get on the cruise "to get it started". 

 

The number of channels on the cabin TV is irrelevant to me. We dont cruise to watch TV.

 

We are grateful to be able to travel so looking for things to complain about isnt our favorite sport or entertainment.

 

Feeling blessed to be able to travel. 🤗☺😁

 

 

 

 

[VtMac]

Pages and pages on CC about the “missing” scavenger of the sea, bottom feeding lobster.  Yet not one about the lack of BBQ rat, the land version of the same animal??  Go figure

[miataman19]

Always thinking if I got the best price.

Price like Carmax...This is the price..PERIOD. No BS

If you have rooms left a week prior to sailing have a sale...a real sale

Thinking this would add some competition between the cruise lines.

Pipe dream, absolutely. I can dream..lol

Edited December 8, 2019 by miataman19

[luckyinpa]

i  never would have ordered stainless reusable straws had ncl not banned them. so they are giving me the opportunity to expand my horizons

 

i guess it would be double awful if i tossed them overboard after the cruise😝

[LrgPizza]

I travel to Vegas several times per year and love to gamble, but I couldn't care less if a ship even has a casino. 

 

Same with a spa. I've toured them on ships, and have no interest in spending a single minute in one.

[electro]

On 12/6/2019 at 3:55 PM, davencl said:

It's true, once you experience the Haven you can't go back.  It an evil plan by NCL to get more money out of you. 🙂 🙂

Straws?  Who needs straws?

Not true. I did the 2 bdrm haven suite on the breakaway several years ago. Since then I have only booked balconies.

Although the suite and haven were nice, I would never pay the going rate, totally not worth it to me.

[Maya1234]

"Epic bathroom setup didn't faze me at all."

 

Not me. You could not pay me the cost of a Haven room to go on a cruise with this lack of privacy in a bathroom. Sorry all those who are more free and open. Been married 25 years. Still want and need total privacy in the bathroom and the set up in the Epic rooms would make me anxious and seriously seriously unhappy. 

 

But I know not everybody has my issues. But I think its important for people to do their research so that they know what they are getting into. With hotels I always avoid "open concept" bathrooms or with sink in the room instead of the bathroom. Nothing ruins a vacation more for me than the only sink being in the room. You are sure to wake the entire room if you want to use it while others are asleep.

 

 

Edited December 9, 2019 by Maya1234

[trivimp]

I enjoyed ¡HAVANA! when it was on the Bliss. 

[mugtech]

Wish NCL would book Cats once Oasis of the Seas is done with it.

[stefmaia]

On 12/6/2019 at 3:23 PM, luckyinpa said:

 

 

please list the things within walking distance from the port that may be interesting, other than straw market. when i was there last time i did straw market and a few blocks back to the ship and saw the tourist shops and that was it. so id say stuff less than 30 min from port is something i need for my trip in 2 weeks. no beach stuff. like shops, museums and quirky things

No list, just one recommendation. The Queen's Staircase is in walking distance, and it is definitely something to see if you have nothing else planned. Google it for walking directions from port.

[podgeandrodge]

Freshly hand cut fries on NCL. Only saw them once ever on Encore maiden voyage. Fantastic.  New offering? 

[hallux]

1 hour ago, stefmaia said:

No list, just one recommendation. The Queen's Staircase is in walking distance, and it is definitely something to see if you have nothing else planned. Google it for walking directions from port.

That's about what I'd have.  Walked there on the lower streets, then up the staircase and came back to port from the top.  Gave us a nice tour of several parts of the town and an opportunity to shop on the way back.

[heatherc73]

On 12/7/2019 at 7:18 AM, david_sobe said:

Love the design of Epic (with the exception of the waterfront and bathrooms, all later NCL ships followed most of the design)

Le Bistro is way overrated 

LaCucina should not be considered a specialty restaurant

Butler service is way overrated

Booking directly with NCL is better than a TA

Every menu change over the years from O'Sheehans, Cagneys, La Cucina, etc is less quality (IMHO not improved)

Haven restaurant food is great but very similar to MDR items (its more style than substance)

 

My last one would have been in effect until a few years ago (no longer true)
Drink prices are inexpensive and less than land based restaurants for the most part

 

 

Can I ask why you prefer booking with ncl as opposed to a TA?

I've booked a med cruise next November with my TA (she's actually going too :)) and find that when agencies book a block of rooms on a cruise you can get a couple perks. (we got an extra perk with our inside room and an obc)

 

Love this thread!! So glad to hear there are people that love the Epic as we are sailing on her in March!

[Dixe Lee]

“Love this thread!! So glad to hear there are people that love the Epic as we are sailing on her in March!“

 

This thread is awesome! We sail on Epic in May.  So refreshing to hear so many great things about Epic to include the bathroom setup 😃 Would love to go on a cruise with all of you!!!! 

[lepidoptera]

On 12/7/2019 at 12:00 AM, smplybcause said:

The studios aren't too small.

 

I like the beds in the studios more than the  beds in most rooms. The bed is so much comfier without  a crack down the middle where mattresses are pushed together. 

[smplybcause]

20 minutes ago, lepidoptera said:

 

I like the beds in the studios more than the  beds in most rooms. The bed is so much comfier without  a crack down the middle where mattresses are pushed together. 

 

Yes! Being tall though I'm a little bummed about the beds being slightly smaller on Bliss and Encore. Not a fan, but much prefer the virtual window they have. 

[NitaBcruising]

The Epic also has the Cavern Club, with a Beatles tribute band. They were very good

1 1/2 years ago on our T/A cruise! But, the club is small and you have to go an hour early to get a seat, as it is very popular. 

 

In Nassau you can also walk to Fort Fincastle, on your way to the Queen's Staircase. I think we even found a free walking tour map online. But, that was several years ago. 

[david_sobe]

9 hours ago, heatherc73 said:

Can I ask why you prefer booking with ncl as opposed to a TA?

I've booked a med cruise next November with my TA (she's actually going too :)) and find that when agencies book a block of rooms on a cruise you can get a couple perks. (we got an extra perk with our inside room and an obc)

 

Love this thread!! So glad to hear there are people that love the Epic as we are sailing on her in March!

Booking directly with the cruise line gives you direct access for changes for anything on board including price drops, etc.  Having a TA puts them as the middle man.  During the hurricane fiasco of Dorian and the cancelled cruises, those that booked directly with NCL had their flights automatically booked by NCL and the flight information was slipped under the door.  Those that booked with TA's were waiting for hours trying to find flights themselves or trying to contact their TA.  How many times have we seen complaints here with price drops after final payment and their TA says there is nothing you can get.

On the flip side, I do understand that TA's can usually get a better deal and a few other tiny perks.  I consider my NCL PCC almost like my TA.  I email her all the time about stuff.

I understand I am probably in the minority which is why I posted that in this "unconventional thread."  I get annoyed when people book with a TA yet want the perks of directly working with NCL or demanding they change things and get upset when NCL tells them to contact the company that booked their cruise.  You cant take the perks of booking with a TA yet also want the perks of booking directly with NCL.

Edited December 17, 2019 by david_sobe