NCL Photo Frenzy

[M&MCruisin]

Back in 2007, I posted a review regarding a concern I had over the photo gallery process on the Pearl....

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=524925&page=5

 

I wanted to give a status update to my disappointment with the Pearl Photo Gallery. I just got off the Pearl again this morning and had a fabulous cruise. NCL has a new photo gallery process that is dynamite! On the Pearl, they offered an all inclusive package for $89. Thats right, all photos from the week for just $89. It is valid for your cabin only...meaning, you cant get a group of you and your friends and family together in a large photo and have it count in the package. This is fair to me. The photo taking process is a bit different as well.

 

They have one line running down the hall and you come in to the Atrium and proceed through a circular series of backdrops. They took about 3 pictures per backdrop and kept the line moving. I remember before, they would take a ton of pictures at the backdrop you stood in line for and you might choose 1 or 2 for about $25 a pop, the rest would go in the trash.

 

So the upside, less photos to sit for, a variety of backdrops, less waste for multiple shots on the same backdrop, saves you lots of money, you dont have to sit there and chooose which is the best...just take them all. There was alot less photos sitting at the end of the cruise than I typically see and I believe many happy customers!

 

The downside (there is always a downside isnt there??)...the only downside I saw was that if you only liked one back drop...you had to wait in the main line to get pictures at the one spot. But you can bypass the backdrops you dont want. For instance, we wanted the white backdrop where you can sit/lay on the floor, but had to wait in the line and went through all the backdrops to get to the one I wanted. Ironically, the best photos were at the backdrops I didnt want...not the one I stood in line for. So it makes sense to got through them.

 

All in all...I think its a great new system.

 

Finally...they have really gotten their act together with gangway photos...they made sure that groups where together for one shot.

 

One last point....they did not skimp on the photo taking...they had photographers everywhere...on the private island, one of my ports had 2 gangway options and 1 shot with the ship behind you, they took pictures by the pool, in the casino, etc... Pose if you wish and add them to your all inclusive package.

 

GREAT FEATURE for those who love pictures like I do!!! Way to go NCL!

 

Im traveling the next couple of days and will try to answer questions when i can.

[Pianoman6582]

My Lee and I got off the gem in March after 7 beautiful days in Bahamas and FL. They had the Photo Frenzy on the gem as well. I don't think it was as organized as you described in terms of how the "Round Robin" you described (unless of course we just always cut the line:rolleyes:). We also noted they didn't skimp on the picture taking. In fact, they had us doing more shots than usual. My Lee and I usually pose together. The photogs had us posing separate and in more poses together.... NCL truly has a good idea with this one. I think more people will be more willing to pop 90 bucks for every shot they take, rather than pick and choose for 25 bucks a pop per "set" or per 8X10. Way to go NCL!!!

[cruisinmama0]

Look for my post from earlier today saying that I was told by a ship's photog. that they are eliminating the Photo Frenzy as of this week.

[ncyankee]

Back in 2007, I posted a review regarding a concern I had over the photo gallery process on the Pearl....

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=524925&page=5

 

I wanted to give a status update to my disappointment with the Pearl Photo Gallery. I just got off the Pearl again this morning and had a fabulous cruise. NCL has a new photo gallery process that is dynamite! On the Pearl, they offered an all inclusive package for $89. Thats right, all photos from the week for just $89. It is valid for your cabin only...meaning, you cant get a group of you and your friends and family together in a large photo and have it count in the package. This is fair to me. The photo taking process is a bit different as well.

 

They have one line running down the hall and you come in to the Atrium and proceed through a circular series of backdrops. They took about 3 pictures per backdrop and kept the line moving. I remember before, they would take a ton of pictures at the backdrop you stood in line for and you might choose 1 or 2 for about $25 a pop, the rest would go in the trash.

 

So the upside, less photos to sit for, a variety of backdrops, less waste for multiple shots on the same backdrop, saves you lots of money, you dont have to sit there and chooose which is the best...just take them all. There was alot less photos sitting at the end of the cruise than I typically see and I believe many happy customers!

 

The downside (there is always a downside isnt there??)...the only downside I saw was that if you only liked one back drop...you had to wait in the main line to get pictures at the one spot. But you can bypass the backdrops you dont want. For instance, we wanted the white backdrop where you can sit/lay on the floor, but had to wait in the line and went through all the backdrops to get to the one I wanted. Ironically, the best photos were at the backdrops I didnt want...not the one I stood in line for. So it makes sense to got through them.

 

All in all...I think its a great new system.

 

Finally...they have really gotten their act together with gangway photos...they made sure that groups where together for one shot.

 

One last point....they did not skimp on the photo taking...they had photographers everywhere...on the private island, one of my ports had 2 gangway options and 1 shot with the ship behind you, they took pictures by the pool, in the casino, etc... Pose if you wish and add them to your all inclusive package.

 

GREAT FEATURE for those who love pictures like I do!!! Way to go NCL!

 

Im traveling the next couple of days and will try to answer questions when i can.

 

 

See that you are bored in the airport. But I agree it was a great deal. Last year on the Jade we didn't buy a single photo -- I thought the prices were just outrageous.

 

I purchased the package and have a great stack of photo's. We took quite a few portraits, but not every night. Get your portraits early, the last night they take them the line was out of control.

 

Remember, each cabin must buy the photo frenzy. I don't know how they keep track -- but they do. I saw a bunch of people get snagged trying to put other cabins photo's on their photo frenzy. I'm sure some people got away with the scam. But with such a great deal, it's really not necessary.

[dtracker]

See that you are bored in the airport. But I agree it was a great deal. Last year on the Jade we didn't buy a single photo -- I thought the prices were just outrageous.

 

I purchased the package and have a great stack of photo's. We took quite a few portraits, but not every night. Get your portraits early, the last night they take them the line was out of control.

 

Remember, each cabin must buy the photo frenzy. I don't know how they keep track -- but they do. I saw a bunch of people get snagged trying to put other cabins photo's on their photo frenzy. I'm sure some people got away with the scam. But with such a great deal, it's really not necessary.

 

More and more people are reporting NCL has discontinued Photo Frenzy. Ahhh, Paradise Lost! :(

 

DT

[snorklinbarb]

More and more people are reporting NCL has discontinued Photo Frenzy. Ahhh, Paradise Lost! :(

 

DT

 

Actually only that one Spirit poster. Another guest just off the same sailing of the Spirit posted that she could have bought the package but was told she'd have to buy 2 as they occupied 2 staterooms (so she didn't). But it was available.

 

Now these folks from Gem and other ships say they purchased it, too.

 

So this may be a big deal about nothing and it's still being offered.

[cruisinmama0]

To clarify I was getting last minute pictures yesterday morning before I disembarked and the photo staff member was tearing up the promo materials and said that Photo Frenzy was over. That person said it was a trial deal and that NCL decided to not continue it for now.

 

So it was good during my cruise, but not for the folks getting on that day.

[BeachBumMama]

They offered this on the Majesty about 3 years ago but for about $129.00. It was a great bargain when you think about the cost of a single picture. It was just my hubby and I and we got some great pictures together and took advantage of it. I don't know why every ship wouldn't do it on a regular basis. The money they waste in the time taking the pictures and the materials to develop them, only to be thrown away and wasted at the end of the cruise doesn't make sense to me. They charge so much for a single one to make up for their money lost I guess. But it certainly would seem to make much more money sense, to both the photo business and the consumer, to offer a better bargain to more people.

[Pianoman6582]

Cruise Director Ray Carr on the Gem in March was saying that the Photo Frenzy program on that ship was a "flagship trial." He said that the other boats wouldn't even start trying this until the Gem had completed its trials.... That being said, if they made it a fleet-wide program (which it sounds like they may have) I'd be surprised to learn that they'd all of a sudden stop this brand new, REALLY popular program.... I do think that the offer on board ship has an expiration, but I can't believe NCL would end a program before it even had a chance to be successful... But, in the words of Dennis Miller, that's just my opinion, I could be wrong. I'm getting on the Dawn in April and the Star in May. I'll report back here what I find.

 

And I Thank You.

JWK: shutter-bug fodder and deal seeker outter

[M&MCruisin]

Wow...I would be disappointed to learn that the program is being discontinued if that is true. They didnt mention it to me on the Pearl when I talked to them about how great the program was. He did mention writing a letter to NCL...maybe we all should. I think even the $129 price someone mentioned is great. I buy alot of photos so I was really happy with the package deal. I recon, time will tell what happens.

 

Thanks for the posts everyone! Happy Sailing.