SAILPRO

Has Del Rio ever managed a cruise line that turned a profit ????

YES, he is now.

How?

1. raise DSC 2x in 6 months.

2. raise tip to 18% from 15%

3. RS charge

4. 18% fee charge for 'free promo'

5. cut firework

6. longer line for show

7. longer line for dinner reservations

6. etc. (coming soon)

7. etc. (coming soon)

8. etc. (coming soon)

:D

What? People feeling mislead? Judging by this week's posts NCL does not see any potential problem in that, LOL!

 

I never cared for the "like a Norwegian" and "Norwegians do this or that" advertising. I'm just buying a cruise, not looking to join a tribe or a cult or change my nationality for heaven's sake.

this week's.. LOL :D

Think you ment since FDR is in charge. :mad:

Something seems very very fishy at the NCL site. There is still no mention of the Cirque dinner show on the Breakaway. Nothing under dining or entertainment, and no choice to book the show in your cruise planning center.

 

My cruise consultant Gus from NCL claims his department knows nothing about it, they can't book it either and have asked for help from IT.

 

How can the customer service reps be in the dark about this? Anyone heard about possibly closing the Cirque show early on the Breakaway?

With all the changes left & right, who knows what's next.... :rolleyes:

Anyone have any Intel on what the HUGE announcement could be?

Then how did you know that there will be a HUGE announcement on August 4th? :confused:

Is it still confirmed that you can get unlimited extra entrees at Cagney's and Le Bistro PLUS the add-ons such as lobster tail for free with the UDP?

 

Because that's what made it worth it for me last time at $119, and it would still be worth it to me this time at $140.

 

Otherwise I may not be saving enough money to justify committing myself to a specialty every night (in case someone gets sick or too tired for a sit down meal).

 

I never eat in the MDR though.

Is it still confirmed that you can get unlimited extra entrees at Cagney's and Le Bistro PLUS the add-ons such as lobster tail for free with the UDP?

Some said yes and some said no, no where can you find if is true or not. :mad:

Sorry if this has been asked.. i searched but didn't come up with an answer. my question is, where are the muster drill stations?

 

our family is spread out on the Breakaway.. some on deck 13, I'm on 12, three cabins are on deck 11 and some on deck 5. I know they have different locations for each deck, but I'm just wondering if I'll be by myself and separated from my family???

 

Also, I have slight claustrophobia (I'm fine as long as nothing is right in front of me) & I usually tell the staff so they don't shove me in the back of a line. when I was on our Disney cruise, another staff member tried to move me and put tons of people around me... the first staff member remembered and said "NO, she stays up front!!! don't block her in!!"

On Carnival, I had my mother in a wheelchair, so they just checked us in and let us stay in the lobby area near the elevators.

 

Thanks for your help :D

Location is assigned based on the letter & # on your card key. Most C's are at the Atrium deck 6. Listen to the announcement.

Please don't provide a logical answer here, it will only cause you to get flamed. :):):):)

Now a day, everyone wanted a tip 18% - 25%. Anything less than 15%won't cut it. Even my dog & cat also want a tip. :D

Changed DSC x2 , added room service fee, added 18% (although I don't know if it will affect us as we have the older UDP) reports of kids being turned away at kids club, a la carte change, let's see, anything else?

 

This is only the beginning, FDR is just getting started. Next.... :mad:

I'm all for paying the hard working crew but I'm not at all convinced the crew is on the receiving end of these gratuity increases. It seem like a money grab by NCL. They're constantly looking at how to exploit the customers lately and this seems like a method of doing so but using crew as an excuse. :mad:

But most think the DSC goes to the hard working crew. LOL :D

100% agreed that it's just an excuse! :mad:

Will they still honor the previous UDP, the one that covered all passengers in the cabin and preceded the 18% addition?

They better honor folks that already got the UDP.

Besides the 18% gratuity that was introduced in May.

If you have not noticed lately, there is also an Additional Gratuity on your restaurant receipt if you care to add more? LOL :D

I think UDP is disappearing, as in can not be purchased any more. This was replaced by SDP that provided a set number of dining experiences for one cost. Now that specialty is going a la carte no one knows what will or will not be covered by SDP.

 

Does anyone think UDP and SDP will go away altogether? I did see promos where NCL was trying out Specialty Dining Credit; they just gave you a flat amount of credit and you could use it as you wished on any given restaurant, food, number of nights, etc.

 

I think going forward SDP and UDP will be gone, perhaps replaced with the option to purchase Specialty Dining Credits before a cruise (sort of like buying OBC, but only good for dining) at a nominal discount; say 10% discount, meaning you could purchase $100 in Specialty Dining credit for $90 if you do it before the cruise.

 

This eliminates any need for covering, not covering, covering some, etc, with SDP (which is basically a reduced cover charge). It allows NCL to get money up front NOW which is their main goal. Food prices COULD change between when you purchased the credit and when you can use it; but that would be a gamble you take in order to get the discount up front.

100% agreed! For those sailing soon, I would purchase the UDP if you like the specialty restaurants since it'll be gone.

Please come home. Your cruise family misses you a lot!

 

Sincerely,

 

Everyone

 

 

Sent using the Cruise Critic forums app

He's not coming back. We'll know that he was forced out. :mad:

Here is an article about the specialty restaurants in the Miami Herald today. But answering the OP's question... I see good and bad. The bad being the specialty restaurants will no longer be an escape from the MDR. They will be extremely crowded and much harder to get reservations. This of course is good for NCL. Charging for appetizers, sides, and dessert is going to add up big time.

I can see huge families who could not afford Cagney's before all huddling around one steak ;)

 

Ok that was a joke so lighten up to those that would flame me for that :)

 

http://www.miamiherald.com/news/business/article27438955.html

Yup but they'll start charging for sharing food. LOL :D

I just booked a cruise with NCL and in the e-mails I have received there is nothing in regards to a PCC. Not that I really need one, however, it'll be nice to know I can contact someone directly if the need arises.

 

I have cruised once before (with Carnival) and was assigned a PCC from the outset; it just doesn't seem to be the case here.

If they've not assigned you one then just call the 800 number and one will assigned to you. FYI, some are helpful and some don't give a hoot. If you get one that is not helpful then call and ask for a different one.

It's better to work with a NCL ppc than a TA, if changes are needed on your reservation then it's easier with a NCL ppc than a TA.

We loved Cagney's -- the steaks were cooked to perfection. We had the filet mignon and the NY Strip. Sauces were very good too. We liked Le Bistro too. We had the lobster, filet, lamb chops, fish, ribeye for 2, etc. Appetizers at both were nice too. Teppanyaki was lots of fun and the food very good. We also ate at Moderno. The salad bar was very good. I personally wasn't as fond of the meats there, but my family liked it a lot. As you can tell, all of our dinners were very good. And the service was attentive.

Did you have to pay for the extra $10 surcharge for lobster & ribeye for 2 since you had the UDP promo? Some on cc said 'yes' and some said 'no'.

Yes it's included in the UK, were also on that sailing. There are a couple of UK TAs doing it with flights and perks and it's 599 each for a balcony, offer ends 17th July.

What? Booked through UK site offer better perks and cheaper fare than US? Can you booked for us and we'll pay you? :D

If anyone has some questions about DIY touring we did a lot of things while there.

We used the public transportation. It was both efficient and easy to use. we were off the ship by 8:30 -- third in line at kiosk to buy transportation tokens. We bought two tokens to get on the ferry to Hamilton. once in Hamilton, I bought the 15 ticket booklet (14 zones) which could be used for ferry rides and busses -- the cost was $37.50 so saved us over buying a three day pass.

Day one -- guided free tour of Hamilton with Ed Christopher, the town Crier -- went by bus to the caves -- ate at Swizzle Inn -- shopped Front Street -- drinks at Flannigan's Irish Pub -- experienced the Harbor Nights -- snacked on food truck offerings -- back to ship by 9:00.

Day 2 -- first ferry to St. George's -- guided free tour with former Mayor of St. George's -- Ducking of the Wench -- Ate at Art Mel's Spicey Dicey -- Beach Bus Shuttle to Fort -- toured Fort -- Beach bus back -- stopped at Turtle Beach -- ferry back to ship by 4:30.

Day 3 -- #7 bus to Horseshoe bay -- swim and walk beach -- back to Dockside in time for lunch at Frog and Onion -- shopped in Clocktower Mall -- back to ship for swimming and sail away.

Anything I can help you with -- let me know.

I also posted on Celebrity board my thoughts on the Summit.

Where (which store) in Hamilton to buy the 15 ticket booklet (14 zones) for ferry rides and busses?

I believe it is bus #7 and the stop for the lighthouse is right before the Horseshoe Beach stop. Just say "Good Morning" to your driver and let him know you want to get off for Gibb's Lighthouse. It is about a half mile walk up the hill from the drop off point. There are 185 steps up the inside of the Lighthouse but it gives you a breathtaking view of Bermuda, well worth the steps.

Thank you for the quick response!

Correct. Ferry from Dockyard to Hamilton is 20 minutes.Ferry from Dockyard to St. George's is 45.

Is there bathroom on the Ferry?

It is worth making the climb!

 

 

Charles4515, do you happen to know which bus # to take and is there is charge? Beautiful picture! Thanks in advance.

This is pretty much what my filet looked like on the Getaway. One of the top steaks I have ever had anywhere. As someone else said, "like butter". Please note that they have a 5oz for those with tiny appetites ( the picture of the tiny filet next to a huge ribeye ) and also a big 10 oz one.

Good to know that the filet come in bigger size 10 oz one cause I would need 2 - 4 of the 5 oz one (where is the beef?). LOL :D

The difference between boys and girls :rolleyes: I would rather that my boys be in separate age groups because they cause trouble together. Unfortunately, for our next cruise they will be 6 and 8 (same age group). As you probably figured out from the previous posts, the next age group is 10-12, so your kids would be in the same group and could go together.

 

Regarding the kids club, you should check out the thread about the limitations and new check-in system that may be enforced soon.

Kids ages 5-10, how are they group together?

I personally never use room service, so although I know it bothers others I was MUCH more concerned over bringing food back to the cabin to enjoy on the balcony.

So yes, it is was a big deal for me. Don't need people to bring me meals.

Agreed 100%

I am happy that the policy has been reversed BUT even more happy that it was mentioned that they will increase the hall cleanups....now everyone is satisfied . :D

now everyone is satisfied....

maybe for now, what other shoe(s) will fall later ? :D