Expectations of NCL

[ChiefMateJRK]

9 minutes ago, Goldenknight said:

Two months ago, I was on the Bliss, aft cabin, so we walked hallways a lot past other cabins.  One morning, we saw a cabin steward (not ours), leaning against the door, with his head resting on the door jamb.  I asked him if he was okay, thinking he was feeling faint.  I looked in that room, it was the room category where there are two bunk beds, in addition to the full sized bed.  There was garbage everywhere.  Not just piles of clothes and opened suitcases, but leftover food junk covering the floor.  Not just dishes . . .  food.

That steward was fine, so he said.   

It's not NCL's fault who boards their ship every cruise.  The level of inconsiderate attitude towards other humans is incomprehensible.  

Yikes!!  Some people really need a good talking to (by which I mean slapping....let's say "verbal" slapping).

[Goldenknight]

Life teaches us lessons that hopefully stay with us in the future.

 

Almost 20 years ago, we toured Prague and Budapest. Planned  and booked everything ourselves.  .  . airfare, hotels, and sightseeing. 

For one reservation, I noted on the hotel website that this property had self-service laundry facilities for guests.  Relied on that information, so as to avoid finding a laundromat.  Mistake was not calling to verify this directly with that hotel.  

The hotel had removed the laundry facility onsite, and never updated their website.

I recall I was upset, with hotel employees who had nothing to do with that website.  

 

I learned.

 

Unfortunately, some people can't , or won't learn.  

Unrealistic expectations will typically disappoint.  

You can't blame NCL for everything disappointing that happens in life. (the horror of not having that champagne on board comes to mind)

[schmoopie17]

4 hours ago, DCGuy64 said:

 My wife and I have glanced sideways at open cabin doors on the way to breakfast or dinner and seen cabins that looked like a bomb went off. Like, who does that? 

OOPS...I'll need to make sure to close the door all the way the next time...😉

[Scotto97]

After reading the 12 expectations of the OP, I agree with all but #2.

 

The rest are all simple expectations anyone should have doing business within the hospitality industry.

It certainly seems that passenger expectations have collapsed down to the bare minimum in the past few years. $5,000 - $10,000+ is a lot to pay for a 7 day cruise, shouldn't we all expect to be treated better? I'm not asking for a pillow menu, butler escort to my cabin, lobster on my balcony every night and neither was the OP within her list. These are just standards one would expect while staying at a Hilton, Marriott, or similar middle-of-the-road hotel. Some of us are so happy to just be on a cruise that we'll accept the unacceptable.   

[ChiefMateJRK]

3 minutes ago, Scotto97 said:

Some of us are so happy to just be on a cruise that we'll accept the unacceptable.   

I believe it would be more accurate to say that what is "unacceptable" to some is just fine for others.  I can't think of anything that I've experienced on an NCL cruise that I would consider unacceptable.  Sure, "stuff" 💩 will happen anywhere, but I'm not about to let it interfere with one minute of my vacation.  One of the values of Cruise Critic is that reading the current experiences of others allows us to calibrate our expectations.  My biggest complaint from my last several cruises was that stupid return to in-person muster (on the Sky, outside, under the lifeboat, packed in like 🐀s), which has (thankfully) been blown to oblivion.  Was it "acceptable?"  Sure.  Was is "enjoyable?"  NO.  Did I share this with NCL rather than just posting it on the internet?  Of course.  The other way just wouldn't be very smart.

[PhillyTravelBug]

5 hours ago, 1025cruise said:

Given your expectations, I would find another cruise line.

 

Seriously, I stopped reading after the lost perks after settling for the fare dropped.

[ggTexasGal]

"On Embarkation day, I expect that the terminal will be fully staffed, so that everyone can get checked in and onboard as quickly as possible, this means that if the Haven or other dedicated stations are empty, they should help the regular passengers so as to move the line along.  Have snacks and water for passengers if there is a delay in boarding."

 

Nobody addressed this, so:

NCL does not have their employees staffing the port check-in process!  Those folks are employed by the port (or some agency contracted to the port).  While you might see some actual NCL officers/employees around, they are trying to get everything coordinated towards disembarking the previous cruise, so the new cruise can move forward towards embarkation.

Just like many businesses across the US, there might be staffing shortages, employee illnesses, traffic delays, etc.  There are vending machines and water fountains in every port that we have been through, (some have had beverage station(s) set-up). Havens and Suites do have food and beverage available at each port.

[cruiseny4life]

14 hours ago, Goldenknight said:

Two months ago, I was on the Bliss, aft cabin, so we walked hallways a lot past other cabins.  One morning, we saw a cabin steward (not ours), leaning against the door, with his head resting on the door jamb.  I asked him if he was okay, thinking he was feeling faint.  I looked in that room, it was the room category where there are two bunk beds, in addition to the full sized bed.  There was garbage everywhere.  Not just piles of clothes and opened suitcases, but leftover food junk covering the floor.  Not just dishes . . .  food.

That steward was fine, so he said.   

It's not NCL's fault who boards their ship every cruise.  The level of inconsiderate attitude towards other humans is incomprehensible.  

Thank you for asking if the room steward was ok, before knowing the issue. You showed kindness and humanity. I hope I would do the same, though I'm often walking quickly through the halls, not really noticing what's around me. Thus, I'm worried I wouldn't. 

 

As to what you describe, I have lots of reactions, but I think I'll just go with, oh my! To keep my reactions appropriate. Those folks ought to be ashamed of themselves. 

[graphicguy]

14 hours ago, ChiefMateJRK said:

Yikes!!  Some people really need a good talking to (by which I mean slapping....let's say "verbal" slapping).

Amen to that!

[All-ready2cruise]

44 minutes ago, cruiseny4life said:

 

45 minutes ago, cruiseny4life said:

I hope I would do the same, though I'm often walking quickly through the halls, not really noticing what's around me. Thus, I'm worried I wouldn't. 

 

You would, your kindness shows just by your statement, I can see you doing it. 

[Homosassa]

OP, Excellent use of satire in your list of expectations.

 

I am surprised no one else picked up on it.

[Peachypooh]

I didn't read through your list...my expectations are simple. A quiet room, a working toilet, decent food, no over crowding. On the Getaway in February  the only one they met was decent food LOL

[Homosassa]

Morgsmom, My post would have been better written as "I am surprised more members didn't pick up on it."

[UKstages]

2 minutes ago, Homosassa said:

Morgsmom, My post would have been better written as "I am surprised more members didn't pick up on it."

 

perhaps they were waiting for the cabin attendant to pick it up, since - apparently - the attendant is expected ton pick up everything.

[mjkacmom]

17 hours ago, Scotto97 said:

After reading the 12 expectations of the OP, I agree with all but #2.

 

The rest are all simple expectations anyone should have doing business within the hospitality industry.

It certainly seems that passenger expectations have collapsed down to the bare minimum in the past few years. $5,000 - $10,000+ is a lot to pay for a 7 day cruise, shouldn't we all expect to be treated better? I'm not asking for a pillow menu, butler escort to my cabin, lobster on my balcony every night and neither was the OP within her list. These are just standards one would expect while staying at a Hilton, Marriott, or similar middle-of-the-road hotel. Some of us are so happy to just be on a cruise that we'll accept the unacceptable.   

Our cruises out of nyc for 7 of us in balconies cost about $7000 for a week. Our yearly beach house rental is over $10,000, we bring our own bedding and towels, buy and cook our food, and once got dinged on the security deposit for a bathroom garbage can not being emptied.

[tonit964]

18 hours ago, Goldenknight said:

Two months ago, I was on the Bliss, aft cabin, so we walked hallways a lot past other cabins.  One morning, we saw a cabin steward (not ours), leaning against the door, with his head resting on the door jamb.  I asked him if he was okay, thinking he was feeling faint.  I looked in that room, it was the room category where there are two bunk beds, in addition to the full sized bed.  There was garbage everywhere.  Not just piles of clothes and opened suitcases, but leftover food junk covering the floor.  Not just dishes . . .  food.

That steward was fine, so he said.   

It's not NCL's fault who boards their ship every cruise.  The level of inconsiderate attitude towards other humans is incomprehensible.  

My 16 YO daughter brought a friend with her on one of our Princess cruises and had a balcony cabin a couple of doors down from mine. I explained all the rules to them prior to the cruise and keeping the cabin clean and tidy was one of them.

A couple of days into the cruise, went to their cabin to see what they were planning for the day and when they opened the door I could not believe what I saw. Clothes were thrown about everywhere, it looked like a bomb went off.

I was fuming mad. The steward came by and saw the room, I told him not to worry about it, they were cleaning it up, just to give me a few towels and that was it. I stayed there until they finished putting everything away.

 

Needless to say, my DD never got to bring a friend along again.

[zqvol]

23 hours ago, jkbec101 said:

As a paying customer, I try and be understanding of the reality of the world we live, but I still have certain expectations to be met, especially when I'm paying my hard earned vacation dollars.  Here are a few of my expectations of NCL (Pre-Cruise and while onboard).  What are yours:

 

1. When I call into NCL Customer Service, I expect the person on the other end of the line will be knowledgeable and have correct information.  If I'm given bad information by NCL, then NCL should make it right.  
2. Price match up to 30 days prior to sailing and issue a refund instead of a credit.  Also, if the price drops, just honor the new price, don't make me lose any of the benefits of my existing reservation.
3. If I use NCL air and there is a problem, I expect, NCL to have people on duty 24/7 to handle air emergencies.  This is especially true during peak travel periods.  If they're not going to do that, then transfer ownership of the reservation to the customer, so that the customer can make any changes needed.
4. On Embarkation day, I expect that the terminal will be fully staffed, so that everyone can get checked in and onboard as quickly as possible, this means that if the Haven or other dedicated stations are empty, they should help the regular passengers so as to move the line along.  Have snacks and water for passengers if there is a delay in boarding.
5. My cabin should be ready and my bag in my cabin at a decent time, room ready by 1:30 and bags by 2:00pm.  
6. When I walk up to the bar for a drink, I expect prompt service, acknowledge me if you're busy, I'm more patient if the bartender makes eye contact, or simply says give me a minute.
7. The food in specialty restaurants should be top notch.  The same with service.  The server should be asking if we have plans after dinner that would effect speed of service.  If we have a show to get to, that should be kept in mind.  On the flip side, if we have no where to go, don't rush us out the door.
8. Cabins should be made up as early as possible each day, if I'm still in my cabin, take note and come back, but don't come back at 4:00.  
9. On sea days, breakfast should be served until 11:00am or better yet, serve brunch in the main dinning rooms until 2:00 pm.  I shouldn't have to get up early on a sea day just to eat breakfast.  
10. Excursions should run timely, but with enough flexibility to allow for extra time at places of interest.  The shopping opportunity should always be at the end of the excursion, so that people can skip it or it can be cut short.  I do not need an hour and half at the Curio factory on my way to Pompeii.  
11. Debarkation should be as quick or as slow as I the passenger want it to be.  I have an early, flight, let me off earlier upon a showing of proof.  
12. When something happens that requires the ship to alter course, results in a cancellation of a show or whatever, there should be clear communication from the ship staff.  Can't tender in X port due to Y, then say so and say so as quickly as possible.  Choir of Man is cancelled, say why, have an alternative in place.  Delayed debarkation due to Customs and Boarder Patrol, say so.  Can't start boarding because the Coast Guard is running an inspection, let everyone know in advance so that you don't have a terminal full of angry passengers.  

You need to realize that land based vacations are what you need because you are not going to find any cruise line to come close to your unreasonable expectations. 

[All-ready2cruise]

I guess I'm lucky; I have only 2 expectations, is it a ship and does it float, the rest I know will exist and therefore be just what I need. 

[carohs]

19 hours ago, Goldenknight said:

There was garbage everywhere.  Not just piles of clothes and opened suitcases, but leftover food junk covering the floor.  Not just dishes . . .  food.

That's awful!!

[carohs]

Do you know the meaning of the word expectation? Your list of "expectations" for NCL are not the reality. Definitely more of a "wish list" than a true belief most of that will take place. If you have that kind of expectation from a cruise, than the mass-market lines are not for you. For those complaining about the amount of money spent to book a cruise (it's a lot!), have you ever considered how much more expensive it would be if all ship employees were paid US prevailing wages? Compare the cost of a 7-day sailing on the POA vs a 7-day sailing to the Caribbean, yikes! 

[laudergayle]

5 hours ago, cruiseny4life said:

Those folks ought to be ashamed of themselves. 

The unfortunate reality is that those folks probably haven’t a clue that their personal living standards are not the norm.  
 

 

[cruiseny4life]

14 minutes ago, laudergayle said:

The unfortunate reality is that those folks probably haven’t a clue that their personal living standards are not the norm.  
 

 

Oh my. You are quite correct. I once remember needing to visit a home where a bowl of leftover chicken wing bowls was out on the stairs. It had been there quite awhile. The amount of flies was crazy. Maybe I need to give more thought to sanitizing my stateroom when I arrive. I know plenty of folks do this. I don't, but lord knows what might be missed. Again, oh my! 

[laudergayle]

10 minutes ago, cruiseny4life said:

Maybe I need to give more thought to sanitizing my stateroom when I arrive.

Me too!  Funny thing…I always wipe down the hotel room, especially the TV remote.  But I have yet to sanitize our cabin.  Must be “cruise euphoria”.  

[FitchburgWIFamily]

21 hours ago, Goldenknight said:

I looked in that room, it was the room category where there are two bunk beds, in addition to the full sized bed.  There was garbage everywhere.  Not just piles of clothes and opened suitcases, but leftover food junk covering the floor.  Not just dishes . . .  food.

In August, for reasons I can’t defend, I am sailing with five 21/22 year olds.  5.  Two girls are in one cabin and three boys are in the other.  I plan on finding the steward for the boys cabin on the first day to apologize in advance.  I’ll  slip them $100 and tell them they only need to empty garbage in the trash can and supply new towels.  They do not need to make beds, vacuum or do any other cleaning for the duration of the trip.  Because that cabin is going to be a hot mess and no one except the messers should have to put up with that.

[mjkacmom]

15 minutes ago, FitchburgWIFamily said:

In August, for reasons I can’t defend, I am sailing with five 21/22 year olds.  5.  Two girls are in one cabin and three boys are in the other.  I plan on finding the steward for the boys cabin on the first day to apologize in advance.  I’ll  slip them $100 and tell them they only need to empty garbage in the trash can and supply new towels.  They do not need to make beds, vacuum or do any other cleaning for the duration of the trip.  Because that cabin is going to be a hot mess and no one except the messers should have to put up with that.

On our last cruise we sailed with a 14, 14, 16, 19 and 20 year old, because they’re our children. We only had 2 cabins so I was picking up a lot (kind of like being home…).