Pride of Aloha 7/18 review

[cnmiranda]

Good question! I'll ask when I see her in person to pick up the travel documents. It will be a few days from now though, she has family visiting from out of town. Will post my TA's thoughts on NCL whan I talk to her ;)

[patandcd]

Hi Host Cecelia,
Though you may not intend to, you do come across as very pro NCL and not objective at all. JMHO..please do not be offended, but as a lurker on this board, I have noticed that you tend to admonish those who are anti NCL and ignore some very rude posters who are pro NCL. Okay, now I will see what it is like to be banned!

[cnmiranda]

CD and Pat, you sure are feeling frisky today, aren't you? Lol Happy cruising. Looks like you got a dose of lurker-now poster- confidence:)

[Jeconk]

patandcd: I too thought that about Cecilla, but have changed my opinion the more I have interacted with her. She likes NCL, there is no doubt and she is a supporter of them, but she does not attack the "anti-NCL" forces. She asks alot of questions and although it may appear that she is trying to discredit the poster, she is simply just trying to better understand their opinion and why they feel the way they do.

I was most impressed with Cecilla back in June when we had the thread about the POA crew quiting. NCL came on with a very unprofessional post and after it was verified that it was from NCL, Cecilla was one of the loudest critics of NCL's actions. Cecilla is the Moderator of the NCL Board and she was not supporting them at all and, in fact, made some great comments about how bad NCL looked.

There are a lot of NCL "supporters" on here that I respect greatly. They are the ones who come on here and don't attack the "negatives" for their views, but state why they think the other side is wrong or they ask questions. There are also NCL "negatives" on here who act the same way. Unfortunately there are also those who support NCL who attack any poster who speaks a discouraging word about NCL. That is why we have people afraid to post on here. This forum is about OPINIONS and that is what our country is all about. I may like my steak medium rare and Cecilla may like her steak well done, but that doesn't mean we can't both eat at the same restaurant.

A quote from American History: "I may not agree with everything that you say, but I will fight like h--- for your right to say it."

[cnmiranda]

Give me Cruise Critic or give me death!:D:D:D

[gardencat]

I too support Cecelia's right to ask questions and to state her opinion, whatever it is. [color=blue]I too was pleased and a little surprised when she came out against the NCL post on the 'POA crew quit' thread.[/color]
[color=#0000ff][/color]
I am a bit tired of her claiming that people attack her for posting, just because she is the moderator. [color=red]I[/color][color=red]n my case, [/color][color=blue]I have taken issue with her opinions on occasion, because I thought they were flawed, not because she is the moderator. [/color]
[color=#0000ff][/color]
[color=#0000ff]As far as the moderation of the board goes... well we're not supposed to talk about that are we.:D [/color]

[Host CMLA]

[quote name='gardencat']I am a bit tired of her claiming that people attack her for posting, just because she is the moderator. [/QUOTE]As long as we are talking about it, ONE TIME I wrote that I felt attacked because I'm the moderator. That happened once. And none of you know the e mails I get from members calling me names that I wouldn't say to another person. So attacks on me come on the board, through e mails to me and through e mails to the board manager. [quote name='JKrislc']I was simply responding to the statement that in essence said, "NCL has nothing to worry about as most of their ships sail full." I'm not excusing poor service; I was simply pointing out that people may be enticed to cruise NCL and NCL may keep their ships full by offering such low fares as many other lines do.[/quote] I'm in agreement with you. I wasn't challenging your opinion. I was clarifying what you were saying because I agreed with your statement. Thanks for answering my question.

patandcd...I'm not offended by what you said. But I don't think it's true. I don't admonish anti-NCLers. That's not my place. I do, however, like to get more information and make sure I'm understanding exactly what someone is saying or how they are feeling. I sometimes find that someone may complain or praise one thing but the root of it is something else. So I ask questions. And sincerely, if you think I'm overlooking someone who is rude and pro NCL because they're pro NCL, please say something to me. I try and read as many posts as possible but it's not possible to read them all. I miss things.

To any of you that think my job here is to boast NCL...it's not. I'm not currently booked on an NCL cruise. I have no plans to book an NCL cruise. If I was thinking of booking an NCL cruise, it WOULD NOT be a cruise to Hawaii. I wouldn't touch the POA with a 10 foot pole. I think it sucks the way people are being treated. I think it's unconscionable to take full fares from passengers who don't have the option of canceling when they know the problems they have. And I'm hesitant to book any other NCL cruises because of the future "service charges" going fleetwide next year. I have had 11 good to great cruises on NCL. I can't change that.

People can think of me what they want. I can't make everyone like me. Maybe we'll all just agree to peacefully coexist. :o

[Traveler39]

[quote name='Host Cecilia']

To any of you that think my job here is to boast NCL...it's not. I'm not currently booked on an NCL cruise. I have no plans to book an NCL cruise. If I was thinking of booking an NCL cruise, it WOULD NOT be a cruise to Hawaii. I wouldn't touch the POA with a 10 foot pole. I think it sucks the way people are being treated. I think it's unconscionable to take full fares from passengers who don't have the option of canceling when they know the problems they have. And I'm hesitant to book any other NCL cruises because of the future "service charges" going fleetwide next year. I have had 11 good to great cruises on NCL. I can't change that.

People can think of me what they want. I can't make everyone like me. Maybe we'll all just agree to peacefully coexist. :o[/QUOTE]

Thanks Cecilia..... A good posting.... I keep saying two things that concern me but I am not gettting the positive results that we the future cruisers of the poa need... When will NCL make a statement that will let us know that they are working on specific solutions for the problems of the poa?... Since Mr. Deering has left it would be nice to hear a spin on that.... How does ncl plan to fully staff the poa with trained employees?

Second and very important.... When are we going to start hearing positive reports about this ship... Not Hawaii..... As I have said before: Hawaii will take care of itself but only NCL can do something about the problems of the Pride of Aloha....

[LouChamp]

Cnmiranda,
Thank you for the information from your TA. As an agency owner myself, I am getting similar reports from agents in the field and from NCL. I think the truth lies somewhere in between the reports we are getting. I do think the TA community does have a responsibility to convey this type of inf to their clients like your agent did. Otherwise people will go with a much higher expectation. For example, no casino, etc. On the BErmuda runs many years ago, the ships would just about sut down when they docked in Hamilton. Bare bones for a few days. Of course, we did not have the monster resort ships of today nor cruise critic. Today people still complain when teh casino is closed, etc. I think people are putting the POA on such a high pedestal that it creates undue expectations. Then again, NCL has put the ship high up there and the TA community so it is hard for clients to expect less. What a surprise if they don't know any better and have not read cc. I am leaving next week for the POA and want to thank EVERYONE who has posted...good...bad...in between. The insight I have received from these boards will hopefully allow us to have an enjoyable time since our expectations will be tempered. I also promise a truthful review upon my return!
Thanks again and all the best!!!

[gardencat]

[QUOTE] And none of you know the e mails I get from members calling me names that I wouldn't say to another person.[/QUOTE]
Cecelia
You're correct about that I don't see what you receive in e-mails and if you are receiving abusive e-mails that is not right. I was only commenting about what I can see on the board.

[buchie614]

LouChamp, we to will be on the poa next week, with 2 other couples, hubby and I are leaving az. today. Have a safe journey, and we all are hoping for the best next week.

[mbisson]

[quote name='LouChamp']Cnmiranda,
I do think the TA community does have a responsibility to convey this type of inf to their clients like your agent did. Otherwise people will go with a much higher expectation. For example, no casino, etc. [/QUOTE]

I hope you also convey that the lack of casino is only on the ships in Hawaii and is because of Hawaiian law, not because NCL doesn't have casinos on their ships. Otherwise first time cruisers may get the idea they have no casinos on any of their ships.

-Monte

[LouChamp]

Actually we do but it is a very good point. In fact, The NCL ships like the Star and the POA cannot even physically have a closed casino. There were a lot of problems with this issue a few yeasr back in Alaska but when a TA does not convey this info, as well as the other points discussed, the client will go on the trip without this valuable info.

[Jeconk]

Let me correct Lou on one point: The Star now has a casino since they are doing Alaska and the Mexican Riviera. The casino was put in during its drydock in May.

The Pride of Aloha, and later the Pride of America will not have casinos, bingo or Crack-its unless the Hawaiian law changes. TA should make sure they relay this information to everyone.

Does anyone know about the Norweigan Wind? Does it have a casino since it goes to Fanning Island. The casino would obviously have to be closed while in Hawaiian waters.

[cnmiranda]

Thanks for the thanks Louchamp:D I think people's expectations are higher because this ship costs so much more than other week long itineraries on competing cruise lines. And I agree the POA is being promoted like a grand ship. No one could have predicted the crew problems.

I look forward to LouChamp's, Bunchie614's and Dalwhitt's reviews! Have a great time :)

[Palmist]

[quote name='cnmiranda']Thanks for the thanks Louchamp:D I think people's expectations are higher because this ship costs so much more than other week long itineraries on competing cruise lines. And I agree the POA is being promoted like a grand ship. No one could have predicted the crew problems.

I look forward to LouChamp's, Bunchie614's and Dalwhitt's reviews! Have a great time :)[/QUOTE]

It's not just the crew problems. It was obvious to us that NCLA was cutting corners wherever they could. The quality of the food, the limited menu choices, the very limited room service menu, and the times there were no restaurants open anywhere on the ship (after 9:00 PM!). NCL says Freestyle is about choices, on this cruise there were very few choices, the keyword was limited.

[cnmiranda]

Thanks Palmist. If I read correctly before the breakfast buffet closes at 9am? If anyone could tell me for certain I'd appreciate it:) I'm just amazed about the limited dining options. When we were on the new Diamond Princess food was availible 24 hours, including a sit down menu for the buffet after hours. Now that cruise was $600 less total than the POA for a balcony, and we booked late so we could have gotten the cruise cheaper early on.

Would any POA cruisers mind sharing, if you had to do it over again, would you? Thanks. :D

[patandcd]

Cecelia,
Perhaps I should apologize for expressing my less than favorable opinions regarding your sentiments about NCL...but I was being honest. And I think you are too. I never considered your emails, simply because I have never been able to get the email section to work. So, it never crossed my mind that you would actually recieve emails from posters. Especially, nasty ones. So, my hat is off to you for having the control and class that you do.

And I do have to admit I am busted too as far as reading every email...I do skip a lot and pick perhaps only what I want to. Thus, making my views limited. Perhaps I spend too much time at robert-fisk.com and have my own agenda against big business.

So, and I do think this is the second time for me to do this on CC, please accept my apologies....you do a good job. Yep, got too frisky, I did. :o

[Palmist]

[quote name='cnmiranda']Thanks Palmist. If I read correctly before the breakfast buffet closes at 9am? If anyone could tell me for certain I'd appreciate it:) I'm just amazed about the limited dining options. When we were on the new Diamond Princess food was availible 24 hours, including a sit down menu for the buffet after hours. Now that cruise was $600 less total than the POA for a balcony, and we booked late so we could have gotten the cruise cheaper early on.

Would any POA cruisers mind sharing, if you had to do it over again, would you? Thanks. :D[/QUOTE]

I don't remember if breakfast closed at 9 or 9:30, if you get to the buffet late they are out of many items and the rest of the food is cold & picked over.

We came back from a 6 hour excursion on Kauai and were hot, tired and hungry. It was a little before 9:00 PM and by the time we got through security and showed up in the buffet area everything was closed. We saw someone delivering room service pizza in the elevator on the way down to our cabin. We thought what a good idea, and asked him if we ordered a pizza from room service approximately how long a wait. He replied usual is 30 minutes but that evening there were over twenty orders ahead of us and it would be at least a 2 hour wait. Try to have snacks in your room just in case.

[cnmiranda]

Oh my. When we are on vacation hubby tries to sleep in and we usually don't get to breakfast until around 10 am. My travel agent is checking for me to see if there are any special deals coming up on Radisson for the same dates we have confirmed on the PAO. I guess in November RCCS fad some amazing deals at $900 for the week baja Mexico itineraries. I honestly don't know what we are going to do :confused: I'm so glad we haven't purchased airfare yet.

[Jeconk]

Miranda: There basically was no food choices except Pizza or limited room service available between 9:00 a.m. and 12 noon; 2:00 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. (except Ice Cream for 2 hours) and after 9:30 p.m. (last seating in dining rooms) until the buffet opened at 7:00 a.m. in the morning.

The fact that they don't open the buffet in the morning until 7:00 a.m. is a major problem as well since many NCL shore excursions leave at 7:00 a.m. and 7:15 a.m.. Another reason to rent a car or make your own shore arrangements.

[cnmiranda]

Thanks Jeconk! Am relaying this info to hubby.........:D I think we will rent our own car too, as least for Hilo and Kauai at this point.

I am just amazed by the lack of dining times :confused: