3 Things I'll Miss About NCL, and 3 Things I Won't

[ChiefMateJRK]

3 hours ago, AndyCapn said:

I've learned if someone has more than 10,000 posts, it's pretty safe to add them to the ignored user list because despite their volume of work, almost none of it is helpful.

News flash.  Almost none of the posts on any internet forum are "helpful."  Are you new to this? 🤣  It's mostly just people like me (and you) making random comments and reacting to other random 💩.

[cruiseny4life]

1 hour ago, Liljo22 said:

The free bread you get at a restaurant isn't free.  

Are you freaking kidding me? The unlimited breadsticks at Olive Garden aren't free? What the heck is wrong with the world!

 

4 hours ago, AndyCapn said:

3) Specialty Dining. Reasonably priced when you get it as a package, and dining out just elevates the evening. I'm especially going to miss you, four-mushroom soup at Le Bistro.

So...is the really crappy bread at Cagney's also not free? At least I can get good not free pretzel rolls in O'Sheehan's/Local! 

[ontheweb]

Speaking of "free". NCL advertises "free" excursions as part of their package. Somehow "free" means $50 off for passenger #1. I looked yesterday at the excursions for our Prima cruise next summer London (Southampton) to Reykjavik. And none are close to $50 where they would be free. Almost all are at least triple that amount.

[scooter6139]

10 minutes ago, ontheweb said:

Speaking of "free". NCL advertises "free" excursions as part of their package. Somehow "free" means $50 off for passenger #1. I looked yesterday at the excursions for our Prima cruise next summer London (Southampton) to Reykjavik. And none are close to $50 where they would be free. Almost all are at least triple that amount.

Yet there are many under $50 excursions, which allows NCL to claim as Free.  Pure marketing. 

[PATRLR]

4 hours ago, DCGuy64 said:

The cabin price was only $99 different

That's low, in my experience.  What kind of cabin?

[scooter6139]

3 hours ago, ChiefMateJRK said:

Please stop.  Nobody skips the FAS beverage package and then pays full price for the beverage package.  To your point, nothing is really "free".  My delta cost is somewhere between "free" and $109 PPPD to drink on the ship, but it ain't $109 per day.

Very much agree, which is why I was posting the obvious question as I hate the "but it's $109 or $139) excuse.  Just did a mock booking for a March 7 day Caribbean Cruise on Escape.  Inside with full package (all 4 options) for 2 peeps is $2334.16.  Take off just the Unlimited Open Bar checkmark, it dropped to a low, low price of just $2029.16   😐  If my math skills don't totally suck, that is a savings of just $305.20  🤑  My wife and I can drink that much soda, mixed drinks, wine and beers in 3 days on a cruise or less if we are thirsty.

[AndyCapn]

4 hours ago, looneyric said:

And yet here you are starting another one grasshopper

Yeah, I should have known the usual gang would concentrate on IT IsNt ReaLLy FrEE and reignite that debate. 

 

But that's why 16 of the previous posts prior to yours at 24 were blocked thanks to using CC's ignored users. And I am certain I'm not missing a thing.

[RocketMan275]

33 minutes ago, scooter6139 said:

Very much agree, which is why I was posting the obvious question as I hate the "but it's $109 or $139) excuse.  Just did a mock booking for a March 7 day Caribbean Cruise on Escape.  Inside with full package (all 4 options) for 2 peeps is $2334.16.  Take off just the Unlimited Open Bar checkmark, it dropped to a low, low price of just $2029.16   😐  If my math skills don't totally suck, that is a savings of just $305.20  🤑  My wife and I can drink that much soda, mixed drinks, wine and beers in 3 days on a cruise or less if we are thirsty.

Thanks for confirming that the Free at Sea Drink Package isn't Free.

[ChiefMateJRK]

37 minutes ago, scooter6139 said:

Take off just the Unlimited Open Bar checkmark, it dropped to a low, low price of just $2029.16   😐  If my math skills don't totally suck, that is a savings of just $305.20  🤑  My wife and I can drink that much soda, mixed drinks, wine and beers in 3 days on a cruise or less if we are thirsty.

🤣Don't sell yourself short.  I could probably do it in 1 day, even if DW didn't help (much).  😎

[ChiefMateJRK]

10 minutes ago, AndyCapn said:

But that's why 16 of the previous posts prior to yours at 24 were blocked thanks to using CC's ignored users. And I am certain I'm not missing a thing.

Wow.  I've blocked one or two posters over the years (just to stay out of trouble), but this sounds like a "problem."    (fully realizing that @AndyCapnhas probably blocked me and will claim to never have seen this)

 

Why would a person choose to join a discussion forum and hide 2/3 of the discussion?  That's just crazy.

[ChiefMateJRK]

7 minutes ago, RocketMan275 said:

Thanks for confirming that the Free at Sea Drink Package isn't Free.

Did anybody other than NCL (not with a straight face) claim that it was?

[RocketMan275]

Just now, ChiefMateJRK said:

Did anybody other than NCL (not with a straight face) claim that it was?

Yes, several times in this thread. 

[Russiamomm]

4 hours ago, Liljo22 said:

 

I am cruising RCL lately and besides my cruises being more expensive than NCL, I am paying an additional $1100 for my wife and I to get the drink package.  I will gladly take NCL "not free" drink package any day of the week.  

I agree completely.  We just got back from a “comped” casino cruise on RCL.  The entire time I missed NCL.  The cost of the drink package is outrageous.  We didn’t get it.  I spent close to $18 for a single drink on the pool deck the first day.  I’ll gladly spend $20 a day on NCL for the drink package.  If it weren’t for our free drinks in the casino I probably would have gone into forced sobriety for five days.  LOL.  Also wasn’t impressed with the free food choices.  The options were literally the MDR, the buffet and pizza.  I honestly don’t understand people who say that NCL nickels and dimes people.  Everyone is entitled to their opinion, but my opinion is that NCL is a better value.  
 

And to the OP - I do agree  that NCL’s casino pricing isn’t the best.  But CAS has been good to me.  I’ve done several cruises booked through them and have always felt that I got good service and a good value.  Can’t wait to get back on the Joy in February.  I don’t think I’ll ever sail RCL again.

Edited December 3, 2022 by Russiamomm
Typos

[scooter6139]

44 minutes ago, RocketMan275 said:

Thanks for confirming that the Free at Sea Drink Package isn't Free.

No one has said it is sparky.

[RD64]

Why not just pay for an NCL cruise if that is what you want?

[scooter6139]

35 minutes ago, RocketMan275 said:

Yes, several times in this thread. 

You might be thinking of another thread, but in this one no one is claiming or lamenting it isn't Free.  It's just a good deal, that's all.

[Purple_Pig]

8 hours ago, RocketMan275 said:

The beverage package is $109 PPPD after 1 Jan.

The $20 is gratutities which is added to the cost of the beverage package. IOW, It's $129 PPPD.

The forward bank of elevators have two different operating systems because only one bank goes all the way to the top decks.

I do apologize for any inconvenience this may cause but as you have over 10,000 posts your commentary will be ignored.  Thank you for your understanding.

[Purple_Pig]

5 hours ago, Liljo22 said:

Terrible argument.  If thats the case, you should be upset with everything in the world.  That free housekeeping you are getting at a land hotel isn't really free.  The free bread you get at a restaurant isn't free.  

 

I am cruising RCL lately and besides my cruises being more expensive than NCL, I am paying an additional $1100 for my wife and I to get the drink package.  I will gladly take NCL "not free" drink package any day of the week.  

 

 

It really depends on itinerary and cabin.  Sometimes NCL is cheaper, sometimes it is not.  Broad stroaks of "EVERY TIME" are really just not true.

 

Though, I will say,  every time I have priced out RCL on anything it is higher priced than anyone else in any category.  I just don't see the value.

[Purple_Pig]

2 hours ago, ontheweb said:

Speaking of "free". NCL advertises "free" excursions as part of their package. Somehow "free" means $50 off for passenger #1. I looked yesterday at the excursions for our Prima cruise next summer London (Southampton) to Reykjavik. And none are close to $50 where they would be free. Almost all are at least triple that amount.

 

NCL charged me $2100 for one excursion this summer but I got $50 off!!!!  So it was totally free, right?

[SeaShark]

1 hour ago, ChiefMateJRK said:

Wow.  I've blocked one or two posters over the years (just to stay out of trouble), but this sounds like a "problem."    (fully realizing that @AndyCapnhas probably blocked me and will claim to never have seen this)

 

Why would a person choose to join a discussion forum and hide 2/3 of the discussion?  That's just crazy.

 

You know what they say...Hear and consider all sides and viewpoints and you are "open-minded".

 

However, when you ignore certain sides and viewpoints, well, that just means you are "ignorant".

 

For some people ignorance is bliss. They'd rather live in an echo chamber than risk exposure to any viewpoint that doesn't align with their own...hence why some folks come here expecting to find a support group.

[Sthrngary]

9 hours ago, AndyCapn said:

Yesterday was our fifth and likely final cruise with NCL, as their Casino At Sea program has ghosted us and we've started receiving much better offers from Celebrity. We have mixed feelings about this, as Norwegian was our exclusive cruise experience since 2015, until earlier this year and our first Celebrity cruise.

 

What we'll miss about NCL:

 

1) The Vibe. A great sanctuary for adults with no worries about finding a chair, towel exchanges, waiting for a drink or kids peeing in the hot tub.

 

2) Free at Sea Ultimate Beverage Package. $20/day for access to most of the drinks on the ship is a bargain.

 

3) Specialty Dining. Reasonably priced when you get it as a package, and dining out just elevates the evening. I'm especially going to miss you, four-mushroom soup at Le Bistro.

 

What I Will Not Miss

 

1) Elevators. The forward bank of 8 elevators with 2 separate operating systems is ridiculous. Rides stop on every floor because people (understandably) press the button for both systems. NCL should convert to destination dispatch elevators.

 

2) Noise. The public areas are loud whether it's a restaurant, casino or atrium. Partly acoustics, partly unlimited alcohol.

 

3) The Cruise Critic NCL Board. So many pointless arguments from the same people. I've learned if someone has more than 10,000 posts, it's pretty safe to add them to the ignored user list because despite their volume of work, almost none of it is helpful.

@AndyCapnI think you knew when you added your last bullet point it would gain lots of attention.  Anyone on any social media site knows it is a melting pot of opinions, personal accounts, extremely nice people and folks you would not invite over for Thanksgiving Dinner.  

 

I personally truly enjoy NCL and enjoy writing about it.  Yet I have also cruised, Royal, Carnival, Celebrity, Crystal, HAL and soon Oceania.  I can do a similar list of likes/dislikes for each of the brands.  Where it is true, on occasion some CruiseCritic.com members get a little to combative, it is a lot better then many other sites.  

 

When it is your money, you get to spend it anyway you like.  With any cruise brand, stateroom category, drink package or meal program.  I have done many comparisons of prices to see if another cruise line is that much better or less from a money standpoint.  Each cruise brand has a way to distract a guest from really doing an accounting through there marketing.  Yet most are close to the same.  So it all boils down to which one you feel most comfortable with.  For me it is the NCL family.

 

That said, once upon a time, I had saved to go on what I called a Bucket List Cruise.  The Brand was Regent Seven Seas.  It was going to be for my wife and my 45th wedding anniversary.  The fare was so much more than I have ever paid of considered paying so I did my research.  I wanted to know what other thought of the brand that went on it.  I went on FaceBook and CruiseCritic.com.  That experience was awful.  I was attacked, put down and criticized. So I know what you are talking about on your controversial bullet point.

 

That said, with the fewest exceptions, there is a bad egg in ever box, NCL has been welcoming and embracing. Your comment about those with lots of post should include me.  However if you have ever read my op-eds or comments I hope I have come across as a considerate and help member of this community.  Part of the push back you are getting is alienating folks that love to post on a hobby they have enjoyed for years. Generalities get us all in trouble when we make them matter of fact. 

 

Enjoy your Celebrity Cruise.  I hope you consider the Celebrity Beyond because is has Captain Kate.  She is a super star.  My recommendation is look at every cruise as a brand new experience because it is all about the people we meet which changes every time.  The experience here on CruiseCritic.com or on any cruise regardless of brand is up to you.

 

Cruise well and enjoy every moment.

[Liljo22]

46 minutes ago, Purple_Pig said:

 

 

It really depends on itinerary and cabin.  Sometimes NCL is cheaper, sometimes it is not.  Broad stroaks of "EVERY TIME" are really just not true.

 

Though, I will say,  every time I have priced out RCL on anything it is higher priced than anyone else in any category.  I just don't see the value.

Sure I understand that but I didn’t say every time it was more expensive.  I said my RCL cruises lately have been more expensive than NCL.  

[Davechipp74]

7 hours ago, scooter6139 said:

 

OT - I see this discussion everywhere.  Has anyone actually broken it down for those refusing Free At Sea then buying all the same perks compared to the Fee at Sea package cost?  Wonder if there is a discount with the full package?

I kinda broke it down a little bit, even if I paid for the drink package as opposed to getting it "free at sea" they lose money on me.   

[ontheweb]

12 hours ago, scooter6139 said:

Yet there are many under $50 excursions, which allows NCL to claim as Free.  Pure marketing. 

Well, there are none on our upcoming cruise that are anywhere near $50 in price!

[ggTexasGal]

1 minute ago, ontheweb said:

Well, there are none on our upcoming cruise that are anywhere near $50 in price!

Prices are certainly varied across the board. 

Most $50(or under) are either equipment rentals, or they are for short excursions in the US Virgin Islands or such, but there are some available!