Is Ncl cutting back quality and service or what

[newmexicoNita]

I sure do! I retired 2 weeks ago and need a hobby.

 

And I notice you didn't deny how I interpreted your messages. ;)

 

-Monte

and how long do you think you will stay retired? I lasted about 2 years: DH not that long: we are active in our community, I play all the Bridge I can, he golfs and still felt the need to work; Oh no, maybe we felt the need for money: I am not sure which. LOL

[fdk71265]

Ok I think you missed the point. When we called for reservations we would do the late dinners because we like to stay in port as long as possible. We also like to eat and taste the food in the ports. When I called for reservations for after 8 or so I was told over and over again they were booked. I would go upstairs for after 8 or so and it was empty mless then a 1/4 full. All I want to know is why. We booked 9 oclock reservations and friend we met onboard were told that they tried for the same and they were told they were booked. SO we called and changed ours from 2 to 4 people and then when we got there the place had 12 to 15 people. Almost completely empty. WHY! Were people being told they were booked. Simple ?

[98Charlie]

Big difference Shoreguy! between pay menu and free menu. No wonder why they were telling us they were always booked in the free restaurants. They wanted everyone to pay for the food. And now I can see why.

 

Big difference in menus on other cruise lines, in case you didn't know it. Pay as you go restaurants have a different menu than the regular dining rooms. You have a choice on cruise lines - go to the main venue restaurant or pay extra to go to the alternative restaurants, choice is yours.

 

In 6 NCL cruises we have never had to wait for a table for dinner but then we have learned to eat prior to the 7:30 p.m. witching hour when so many people want to eat and we enjoy eating at tables with other pax we've yet to meet on our cruise.

 

Dianne

[98Charlie]

Big difference Shoreguy! between pay menu and free menu. No wonder why they were telling us they were always booked in the free restaurants. They wanted everyone to pay for the food. And now I can see why.

 

Think you have an axe to grind and won't stop until you have ground it into the ground.

 

Dianne

[hotspur]

In 6 NCL cruises we have never had to wait for a table for dinner but then we have learned to eat prior to the 7:30 p.m. witching hour when so many people want to eat and we enjoy eating at tables with other pax we've yet to meet on our cruise.

Even on older NCL ships not built for freestyle, we've never waited to be seated in the main dining rooms. We go to the early show and then have dinner afterwards, at about 8:30.

[fdk71265]

And as far as me booking a cruise on the Dream and you saying that I would come back blasting my experienece on the Dream I don't know that, and you sure as heck don't know that either. If you read my review of the Spirit Alaska I gave that a 10 It was excellent. Also if you read my review of this last cruise I gave the ports, entertainment, and excursions and room attendant an 8.5 to 9. So you don't have the ability to predict what my future experiences will be. Thats like me saying that you on your next cruise are going to say how everything was great and wonderful it was the best food ever and ncl is the best ever and I don't know how anyone could complain about ncl.

[98Charlie]

Even on older NCL ships not built for freestyle, we've never waited to be seated in the main dining rooms. We go to the early show and then have dinner afterwards, at about 8:30.

 

Thank you. From what we've seen on NCL, 7:30 - 8:30 is the heaviest load on pax wanting to be seated. Think you will find that at on-land restaurants as well.

 

If you are willng to be a bit flexible in the dinner hour you won't get your shorts in an uproar.:D

 

Dianne

[fdk71265]

I'm happy you guys never had to wait but I can tell you that there were alot of people not very happy because of the wait. I don't know why or what happen but The food related issues were not very good. From room service to the restaurants and the failure to label buffet items. We had the heads of the food depts. running around trying to figure out why things were going wrong. And saying they were sorry to us. The workers and heads of the depts. were on the radio /phone with each other constantly. So it wasn't just us by far. Other's don't even know about cruise sites but I can tell you that there were people standing around missing shows because of dinner be backed up. And they were very outspoken about it. Maybe thats why the rest. were empty because people went to the buffet so they wouldnt miss the shows. And as far as me having an ax to grind you are wrong. I had a great time on my cruise. The ports and people were great. But I'm not going to get on here and pretend all is great and give people as false review.

[mbisson]

and how long do you think you will stay retired? I lasted about 2 years:

 

I sort of figure in 6 months or so I might look for something part time (including possibly some volunteer community service work).

 

-Monte

[fdk71265]

I see you are from Washington we are from Oregon. We are both blessed with so many beautiful places and sites we don't need a cruise to be on a vacation. Have you ever seen Crater Lake?

[mbisson]

I love Crater Lake! AND really enjoy camping, hiking and waterfall watching in the Columbia Gorge. We also spend time camping/fishing in Newport. In HS I had a winter job working on Mt. Hood (Timberline Lodge) - another beautiful spot.

 

One thing we're considering in the future is being a campground host at a Forest Service Campground or state park, but that might be a couple years away. Those fortunate enough to live in the NW are blessed.

 

-Monte

[fdk71265]

The great thing about where we live in Oregon is we are 45 mins away from everything the coast the mountains the casino lava beds... And only 10 mins from Autzen Stadium Lets Go Ducks!

[mbisson]

The great thing about where we live in Oregon is we are 45 mins away from everything the coast the mountains the casino lava beds... And only 10 mins from Autzen Stadium Lets Go Ducks!

 

Ouch! Go Cougs (Actually I cheer for two teams, 1) The Cougars and 2) any team playing the huskies

 

-Monte

 

As a youngun I spent lots of time feeding the seals in an aquarium and watching the boats in Depot Bay-And the blowhole is freakin' neat

[bbcruiser]

Sorry to hear you were unhappy with the Star. We had a wonderful time on our cruise.

 

As far as menu choices, I do not recall eating the same food (except maybe fruit appetizers) more than once. My husband loved the chilled fruit soups (he thinks they are like smoothies) and we enjoyed the food in the restaurants. I think you may have missed some of the variety in the buffet. They have a carving station (beef and rotisserie chicken), sandwich station, pasta station (with stir fry options per my mother-in-law), pizza station, Indian food station, grill station with hamburgers and hot dogs, and salad station. We didn't eat much in the buffet, but noticed these options when we walked through the buffet. You have to walk the entire length of the buffet to see these lines. It is not 4 lines with the same food at each buffet line. I missed the pizza, pasta, etc. the first time and only found out about those options from my husband who did walk the entire length of the buffet lines). Our family enjoyed the food on the Star, especially in Le Bistro (maybe we have a different idea of good food?).

 

We found the service on the Star to be above our expectations. The only time we were not very happy was when our room wasn't ready for us when we first boarded. But, that has happened to us even in hotels like the Fairmont and Sheraton, so we weren't too upset about that. The longest we waited for seating in a restaurant was 15 minutes (and we had a party of six). Although some people complain that the service is slow, we enjoy taking time for dinner. From my recollection, the service is just as "slow" in restaurants like Brennans and Commanders Palace (both 5 star restaurants in New Orleans). I don't like to feel like they are trying to rush me through a meal, so I appreciate not feeling pressured to do so. I'm not sure if all guests can make reservations in the main dining rooms, but we had the option of reserving through our concierge (we were in a suite) for limited times (5/30, 6, 8, and 9:30 I think).

 

This is only our 2nd cruise and our last was also on NCL, so our view is a little biased. Nevertheless, our experience on both the Spirit and Star have been wonderful and if we cruise again, we would definitely consider NCL again.

 

I hope your next cruise is a much better experience, no matter which line you choose.

[fdk71265]

I got drenched many times by that blowhole in Depoe Bay. Im sure you ate at MO'S when in Newport? Great clam chowder. Not sure if they have any Mo's in washington. I don't know how far south you go but Bandon has a cool little town.Great lighthouse too. And an incredible golf course. People come from all over the world to play there. So you even root for the Ducks and Beavers :D over the Huskies?

[Hikini]

Ouch! Go Cougs (Actually I cheer for two teams, 1) The Cougars and 2) any team playing the huskies

 

 

How funny. As UW season ticket holders we are huge fans of anyone playing against the Ducks!:D

[newmexicoNita]

I sort of figure in 6 months or so I might look for something part time (including possibly some volunteer community service work).

 

-Monte

After we hung up the corporate towels that is what we did: moved from Texas (didn't like the humidity) to NM; needed to make friends so we started volunteering and became active in both politics and our church; I won't go on with the rest, but can assure you we, expecially DH are busier now than ever when we were working. I can't believe how many retirees choose to work part time and do community service. The best part, if you plan it right you still have time for cruising. NMNita

[mbisson]

I got drenched many times by that blowhole in Depoe Bay. Im sure you ate at MO'S when in Newport? Great clam chowder. Not sure if they have any Mo's in washington. I don't know how far south you go but Bandon has a cool little town.Great lighthouse too. And an incredible golf course. People come from all over the world to play there. So you even root for the Ducks and Beavers :D over the Huskies?

 

When the Ducks or Beavs play the montlake dogs they become by second favorite team. Actually, I rather enjoy it when UO or OSU have good years. I remember all those years when the Huskies were the only team from the NW that ever went to a bowl game-(HUSKEY FANS pay attention-I think Don James may be one of the finest coaches EVER). Guess I still have that underdog mentality. BUT if UO keeps it up they may move out of the underdog image LOL

 

MO's-yep, best chowder there is. Were you aware that the RFK campaigned for Pres he ate at M0's in Newport and enjoyed it so much he had several gallons (I think it was 5) sent to California when he was there?

 

-Monte

[GoHuskies!]

Mbisson, I forgive you. My DW grew up in Spokane (earlier in Latah), kids at Eastern and Central. And I was at the UW during the Jim Owens years, before Don James. Rose Bowl fever for sure. We Huskies can forgive the upstarts from the Idaho borderland, 'cause we're just so darned magnanimous!! :D

[Hikini]

Mbisson, I forgive you. My DW grew up in Spokane (earlier in Latah), kids at Eastern and Central. And I was at the UW during the Jim Owens years, before Don James. Rose Bowl fever for sure. We Huskies can forgive the upstarts from the Idaho borderland, 'cause we're just so darned magnanimous!! :D

 

I too can forgive Mbisson. And believe me, we REALLY miss the glory years of the Don James era. But, we're sticking with our Dawgs thru thick and thin.

 

Now, back to talking about cruising......:D

[mbisson]

I too can forgive Mbisson. And believe me, we REALLY miss the glory years of the Don James era. But, we're sticking with our Dawgs thru thick and thin.

 

And in this case, the thinner the better!

 

-Monte

[fdk71265]

We too traveled twice with Ncl also on the Spirit and Star. As I stated the Spirit was Excellent and the Star was subpar. The buffet didn't appeal to us at all it had the same stuff everyday, we did see all they had to offer. The restaurants were so/so certainly no wow! factor and not so great service. I did find out that our crew was being broken in for the 1st time and maybe that explains alot. It seemed like everybody was on a different page. Yes the service was very slow and the food was cold and a few other things happened but we still had fun. Im glad you had a great cruise. Everyone who pays thousands of dollars should have a great time. Hopefully they worked out the kinks but from reading the new threads it seems like the star developed a serious outbreak of food posioning The last few times. Thats to bad. A cruise usually only last 7 days and to miss excursions and get imprisioned in you room for 2 days is very sad. I feel so bad for those people.