Disappointed…

[UKstages]

it's entirely possible the OP thought they were communicating directly with NCL through this forum. we see that around these parts sometimes.  they refer to "your representatives" and to "when your [sic] dealing with this amount of people" and so forth. if that's not the case, they wrote a letter to NCL and cut and pasted much of it into a CC post without changing those references.

[DMH15]

Weather?  Elevators?  Geez.  
 

Not the OP specifically, but I have seen these kind of “groups”.  Maybe they need to charter a ship NCL carries more than just their group. 

[ChiefMateJRK]

6 hours ago, calcruiser64 said:

[Spit take]

🤣 (you made me Google)

[MCMC100]

I’ve traveled with large groups over the years. Noticed that it’s often very difficult to control everyone’s schedule -particularly when children are introduced into the equation.  I’m wondering how many of these 5:30 pm MDR reservations for 14 turned into 6:30pm arrivals at the Manhattan Room-followed by shock and/or outrage that the banquet table for 14 was not immediately available
 

The issues raised here seem to be more akin to a first time cruiser with absolutely no idea of the how, when, what, where and why of cruising. If this trip was overseen by a “seasoned and very good travel agent” I’d be looking for a new travel agent. This list of grievances gives every appearance of having been created by someone who never sailed before and never asked anyone what to expect …..pool toys are not allowed because they spread bacteria, compensation for weather conditions are not reasonable, the boat sometimes rocks in the Atlantic Ocean, on occasion rain falls from the sky in the Caribbean, ships tend to dock when they arrive at the pier as opposed to idling offshore until 10am, passengers are not required to disembark at a port immediately upon arrival (you can enjoy breakfast and then get off; or sleep all day and never get off), the shopping venues on the NCL Escape are accurately pictured and described in NCL literature (and in a lifetime’s worth of video on YouTube), elevators are busier than the stairs at dinner time, it can be difficult to seat 14 people together in the MDR (especially when you don’t show up at your requested time)……the TA daughter was unfamiliar or unaware of these interesting and somewhat rudimentary cruise tidbits?

 

Don’t even get me started on the every meal was “never hotter than a bit above warm” complaint.  We are missing only “staff was rude” and “we waited an hour at every bar to get a drink” to achieve the CC imagined misery trifecta. 
 

NCL must be thrilled about one and done. They are apparently now RCCL or Carnival’s headache. 

[Barb Nahoumi]

5 hours ago, Two Wheels Only said:

 

Even on land, one Starbucks might not have items that another Starbucks has. It happens. 

We didn't set foot in Starbucks.  

[calcruiser64]

17 minutes ago, ChiefMateJRK said:

🤣 (you made me Google)

Glad to amuse you, Chief. Grateful for your contributions on the board. I lurk, post when something gets me riled up or feel I can contribute.

[IAcruising]

8 hours ago, S. Bergen said:

First of all, let me be clear here, I do understand that Norwegian has no control over the weather, and the time of year has a lot to do with it that, nonetheless,

 

And this was all it took to know how this was going to go...

 

[Panhandle Couple]

Deciding whether to pile on here....

 

 

{flips coin}  TAILS.

 

Sorry, no piling on today.

 

[UKstages]

1 hour ago, MCMC100 said:

Don’t even get me started on the every meal was “never hotter than a bit above warm” complaint.

 

i actually find this to be spot on as a description for most MDR meals when onboard any NCL ship.  both the hot food and the cold food are served at or near room temperature, with very few exceptions.

[DominicAUS]

Wow this group must of been a dream to deal with! Opening statement was they’re not new to cruising and the weather and time of year all came into play, then why book and then complain about it. You’re in open water, the ship will move and rock, Mother Nature won’t adhere to your cruising schedule. 
 

What shops were they expecting on a ship? Walmart? 

on the Bliss had a varied menu, I don’t normally drink at Starbucks and only have a long black coffee. But the menu was long, but clearly not extensive enough!!!

 

I feel they will come up against the same issues with all cruise lines. Good luck on your future vacations, I’d self reflect about how “go with the flow” you and the group are. 

[kelib]

3 hours ago, MCMC100 said:

 

 

NCL must be thrilled about one and done. They are apparently now RCCL or Carnival’s headache. 

Ironic that I guess yesterday a Carnival and RCCL both had far more major issues yesterday due to weather.

 

If this was a letter to NCL it just screams MONEY GRAB

[scooter6139]

There are just too many things not lining up here to make much sense.

 

1.  Seasoned cruiser.  Nope

2.  Well researched.  Not

3.  One and done?  Both to cruising and CC.  Bye-bye now.  👋

[david_sobe]

The complaints were of cruising in general and could be any line.  Yet the OP seemed imply NCL caused the issues with weather, port times, children with toys on the pool deck, etc.  I've seen weather related reviews before.  People upset because when they were waiting for a tender back to the ship a downpour happened and everyone got wet.  You guessed it, they wanted compensation 🙄

[Asawi]

16 hours ago, S. Bergen said:

** We were disappointed in the availability of places to shop:

There were only a few stores and though it doesn’t have to be an entire deck like the other cruise ships we’ve been on, I wonder what the comments would’ve been had the Casino’s area been the same square footage as the retail area.

I admit I'm not a very seasoned cruiser with huge experience. But honestly, does anyone go on a cruise expecting to shop? Ok, maybe a souvenir or a couple of presents. A nice piece of jewellery maybe. I haven't been on Escape but think all ships cater for that.
LOTS of people go on cruises to gamble though! So not the best comparison... (And I suspect if you actually measure the square footage you'd be surprised. Looking at the deck plans Casino and Tradewinds don't look too different in size.)

 

16 hours ago, S. Bergen said:

First of all, let me be clear here, I do understand that Norwegian has no control over the weather, and the time of year has a lot to do with it that,

And yet a lot of the complaints are weather related! Including worries about children getting wet when it rained... (and seriously, the rocking of the ship... Wow!)

 

I already commented on the 6 am docking and it's complaints like this that makes the whole post a bit silly.

 

I'm sorry OP had such a bad experience on the cruise. And probably not caring much for Cruise Critic either after this. I hope future cruises on other cruise lines will be more to their satisfaction.

[CruisnDeb]

I think the S in S. Bergen stands for “salty” 🙄

 

I’ve organized (I’m not a TA but my family treats me like I am 😜) large groups of 16-20 family members on a few mostly NCL cruises. I’ve NEVER encountered these issues that old salty here has—even our dinner reservations have worked out well.  We always sets up our dinner reservation months  in advance.  We always eat dinner together and I always meet with the Maitre d’ well before the first nights dinner to make sure they have us sitting together (usually at 2 large tables next to each other.) 

 

Old Salty is trying to sound like a seasoned cruiser with a very good travel agent daughter but after reading this review that is really difficult to believe. I wish they had listed what other cruise lines/ships they’ve been on. I agree with others who say it reads like a letter to NCL hoping to get reimbursed some of their money. Buyers remorse maybe???  

[Liljo22]

3 hours ago, Asawi said:

I admit I'm not a very seasoned cruiser with huge experience. But honestly, does anyone go on a cruise expecting to shop? Ok, maybe a souvenir or a couple of presents. A nice piece of jewellery maybe. I haven't been on Escape but think all ships cater for that.
LOTS of people go on cruises to gamble though! So not the best comparison... (And I suspect if you actually measure the square footage you'd be surprised. Looking at the deck plans Casino and Tradewinds don't look too different in size.)

 

 

We usually see the opposite complaint.  Too much space dedicated to pushing cheap jewelry and other items.  

[mjkacmom]

28 minutes ago, Liljo22 said:

We usually see the opposite complaint.  Too much space dedicated to pushing cheap jewelry and other items.  

And I think this is the first complaint I’ve read about lack of smoking sections.

[Asawi]

1 minute ago, mjkacmom said:

And I think this is the first complaint I’ve read about lack of smoking sections.

There are several "first I've seen" there! 😄 

[DMH15]

13 hours ago, MCMC100 said:

I’ve traveled with large groups over the years. Noticed that it’s often very difficult to control everyone’s schedule -particularly when children are introduced into the equation.  I’m wondering how many of these 5:30 pm MDR reservations for 14 turned into 6:30pm arrivals at the Manhattan Room-followed by shock and/or outrage that the banquet table for 14 was not immediately available
 

The issues raised here seem to be more akin to a first time cruiser with absolutely no idea of the how, when, what, where and why of cruising. If this trip was overseen by a “seasoned and very good travel agent” I’d be looking for a new travel agent. This list of grievances gives every appearance of having been created by someone who never sailed before and never asked anyone what to expect …..pool toys are not allowed because they spread bacteria, compensation for weather conditions are not reasonable, the boat sometimes rocks in the Atlantic Ocean, on occasion rain falls from the sky in the Caribbean, ships tend to dock when they arrive at the pier as opposed to idling offshore until 10am, passengers are not required to disembark at a port immediately upon arrival (you can enjoy breakfast and then get off; or sleep all day and never get off), the shopping venues on the NCL Escape are accurately pictured and described in NCL literature (and in a lifetime’s worth of video on YouTube), elevators are busier than the stairs at dinner time, it can be difficult to seat 14 people together in the MDR (especially when you don’t show up at your requested time)……the TA daughter was unfamiliar or unaware of these interesting and somewhat rudimentary cruise tidbits?

 

Don’t even get me started on the every meal was “never hotter than a bit above warm” complaint.  We are missing only “staff was rude” and “we waited an hour at every bar to get a drink” to achieve the CC imagined misery trifecta. 
 

NCL must be thrilled about one and done. They are apparently now RCCL or Carnival’s headache. 

Most astute post.  Well written and spot on.  Post of the day. 

[mking8288]

18 hours ago, cruiseny4life said:

I'm sorry you had such a bad time. If only you had worked with a travel agent that knew NCL and their product. They could have informed you about what "issues" you were going to have Gove your family's proclivities. And, of course the agent could have given you a warning about what happens if bad weather is encountered.

 

Hope you find a better vacation that will be more conducive to the experience you desire. 

 

My corrected vision is 20:30 last month during semi-annual check-up ... and, boy I struggled with the font size used by OP.  BTW, glad that s/he (they) joined CC with pose #1 in honor of NCL forum ... welcome. 

 

I speed read often, re-read on the 2nd pass while my Linux PC is running on another terminal, and seeing this near the end of the long post ... 

Our entire cruise was booked through my daughter who is a seasoned, and very good travel agent.

 

Well, I'm at a loss for words to comment, aside from concluding that she has not done her due diligence for this big group.  Perhaps, next time, shopping on another cruise line, get a seasoned cruise consultant/advisor and not necessary one from NCL ... pun intended.  Surely, they're (should) entitled to lots of perks, including a group discount for 5 cabins or more, extra OBC and access to (and use of) a group services coordinator onboard (not sure about pre-cruise) etc. - which would've perhaps, help addressed some of the issues they ran into.  That is, aside from mother nature & lately, it's all about cruise ships dodging storms & rough weather at sea, fog and even a pier "collision" due to strong wind gust, etc. 

 

Perhaps, write to NCL corporate and/or save these for possible the post-cruise eSurvey from NCL, a sizable feedback if they take the time to respond to the concerns raised.  However, I should point out - this group, if traveling together & need to ride the elevator, would probably overwhelm the concierge as they themselves would need to commandeer at least 3 empty "Escape" elevators for their exclusive use.  

 

Well, agree to disagree, it's best to just go with the flow and had they really done their "homework" on what to expect, who knew ... some of the disappointment are truly, an act of God or mother nature.  Alas, when expectations don't meet that dream vacation, why not just dance in the rain shower. 

 

P.S.  As far as I know, the Escape has one of the best team and crews within the fleet and had they planned ahead, probably could've asked for the possibility of dining in the "Private Room at Taste" on Deck 5 AFT, downstairs to the "main" Taste on Deck 6 ... which can be arranged for larger groups, and twenty something of them eating together, a good possibility.   At least, they didn't modified their daily DSC.  

Edited February 8 by mking8288

[Liljo22]

54 minutes ago, mjkacmom said:

And I think this is the first complaint I’ve read about lack of smoking sections.

Agreed.  Royal puts their smoking section right next to the main pool and it gets a lot of people smoking there.  It pretty much makes one side of the pool unusable for people who are either sensitive to smoke or just frankly don't want to be around it.  

[dexddd]

56 minutes ago, mking8288 said:

 

My corrected vision is 20:30 last month during semi-annual check-up ... and, boy I struggled with the font size used by OP.  BTW, glad that s/he (they) joined CC with pose #1 in honor of NCL forum ... welcome. 

 

I speed read often, re-read on the 2nd pass while my Linux PC is running on another terminal, and seeing this near the end of the long post ... 

Our entire cruise was booked through my daughter who is a seasoned, and very good travel agent.

 

Well, I'm at a loss for words to comment, aside from concluding that she has not done her due diligence for this big group.  Perhaps, next time, shopping on another cruise line, get a seasoned cruise consultant/advisor and not necessary one from NCL ... pun intended.  Surely, they're (should) entitled to lots of perks, including a group discount for 5 cabins or more, extra OBC and access to (and use of) a group services coordinator onboard (not sure about pre-cruise) etc. - which would've perhaps, help addressed some of the issues they ran into.  That is, aside from mother nature & lately, it's all about cruise ships dodging storms & rough weather at sea, fog and even a pier "collision" due to strong wind gust, etc. 

 

Perhaps, write to NCL corporate and/or save these for possible the post-cruise eSurvey from NCL, a sizable feedback if they take the time to respond to the concerns raised.  However, I should point out - this group, if traveling together & need to ride the elevator, would probably overwhelm the concierge as they themselves would need to commandeer at least 3 empty "Escape" elevators for their exclusive use.  

 

Well, agree to disagree, it's best to just go with the flow and had they really done their "homework" on what to expect, who knew ... some of the disappointment are truly, an act of God or mother nature.  Alas, when expectations don't meet that dream vacation, why not just dance in the rain shower. 

 

P.S.  As far as I know, the Escape has one of the best team and crews within the fleet and had they planned ahead, probably could've asked for the possibility of dining in the "Private Room at Taste" on Deck 5 AFT, downstairs to the "main" Taste on Deck 6 ... which can be arranged for larger groups, and twenty something of them eating together, a good possibility.   At least, they didn't modified their daily DSC.  

I have eye doctor appointment in about ten days, first in over twenty years, neglect on my part.  I'm expecting the chart will consist of if I can read NCL t&cs without glasses.  Pass or Fail.

 

Back to Escape.  Sailed 2018 to Bermuda. I want to say some reports before we sailed about rocking.  We didn't have super rough seas but never had any rocking issues and we were up high and forward in worst spot to feel effects, had none.

 

I'd agree about Escape at the time, very good staff and everything else.  We had a bunch of obc we had to use in shops which actually a bit difficult.  Other than DS got a watch he never wears I could not spot any of the stuff at home today.

[schmoopie17]

7 minutes ago, dexddd said:

 

Back to Escape.  Sailed 2018 to Bermuda. I want to say some reports before we sailed about rocking.  We didn't have super rough seas but never had any rocking issues and we were up high and forward in worst spot to feel effects, had none.

 

We did a TA on the Escape a year ago. We had some pretty rough seas but don't recall any rocking and rolling beyond the ordinary (with the exception of Syd Norman's). 

 

I do recall one time returning to our cabin and I suddenly had to grab the wall for support. Although I suspect that had more to do with the Drink Package than anything related to the Escape's stability.

[graphicguy]

Should I?  

 

Could be fun, but no!

 

I’ll kick my comments down the road!

[mking8288]

34 minutes ago, schmoopie17 said:

We did a TA on the Escape a year ago. We had some pretty rough seas but don't recall any rocking and rolling beyond the ordinary (with the exception of Syd Norman's) ... I suspect that had more to do with the Drink Package than anything related to the Escape's stability.

 

Let's go to the video clips - not uncommon sailing the Atlantic (this was a "typical" Bermuda introduction to crossing the pond) ... (unedited, audio track untouched)   Impossible to upload then with sluggish EMC satellite at sea signals (I probably subsequently managed to post it as an update)

 

 

This was inside DBH right after the CC Meet & Greet, watching the seas go by ... balconies & forward windows getting fresh saltwater power washed, lots of wow's, oooh's and laughters.  No, @dexddd - wasn't on the floor or horizontal, just flip on the smartphone video to level up and capture the waves that reached the bridge.   Beers on tap at that time, was complimentary & free during the M&G, good old days, in addition to the light refreshment.