Yesimapirate

It's may be unreasonable. A Game show IS a live entertainment option. Decent is in the eye over the beholder. While I agree it's lame, the fact that it's well attended shows that many people believe it is indeed a decent live entertainment option. I'm not sure I'd say a cover band with a bad backing tracking and off key vocals is decent live entertainment and yet I've seen that quite often on NCL. And always with a much smaller crowd than the silly game shows. And personally, I find it a bit distasteful to knock a particular employee repeatedly when we have no clue if this was something she was instructed to do or not. Wrong to Trae her apart without the fill story.

I would think that as a long time mariner and attorney that you'd base a case on something more than hearsay but good luck with whatever you choose to do.

I hate to be one of those people who jumps on the OP for a customer service issue but there are some big red flags here to me. Starting with Dec 28th to January 3rd is is 2 or 3 business days, depending if we count the full day on the 3rd. Why is someone so impatient during a holiday week that they don't even wait the time range offered for a response? Especially 2 months after the cruise? I could be wrong but it just sounds strange to me and makes me feel there's far more to the story. Nonetheless, I hope your daughter is doing well and on the road to recovery. That's far more important than any amount of money.

It's part of the psychological marketing that is a loyalty program. EVERY travel program, be it airline, hotel, cruiseline, etc has a card that shows your loyalty (though some have switched to digital). It's to try and make you feel special so you overlook the fact that the program's intent is to make you loyal to them while not realizing it's not the 2 way Street most people believe.

People know this. They just don't care. Not paying anything extra, including service fees to hard working crew, is a way to tell yourself you're sticking it to NCL, the man, the government, etc. It's how some people psychological deal with something with which they have no control. They incorrectly think it's empowering them. Personally, I'd sit down with the GM and acknowledge that I understand this was outside his control, explain how important this trip was and share how disappointed I am and ask what he can do to alleviate some of the disappointment. I'd then counter and ask for something slightly more but not unreasonable. You have to keep in mind 2 different things in situations like this. The crew chose to work in hospitality and there's a very good chance they want to make a guest happy when they're empowered to do so. Secondly, human nature is to take the easiest way out. Make it easier for them to give you what you want or something close to it and more often than not you'll be satisfied.

Absolutely! And don't forget the hotels and everything else travel related. I'm going to assume from your SN that you've spent some time on a similarly named website. Flying 200,000+ miles a year I've spent quite a bit of time there in the past myself and you're spot on!

I read multiple boards when I come in CC. And every time I log in, there's someone on every board saying essentially the same thing you are. And yet, just about every cruise line is seeing such demand that prices are through the roof and cabins are full. Is it just possible that not only are the threats not hurting the cruiselines but maybe it's even giving them a chance to replace you with a less demanding and thus more profitable customer? The "I'm never going to sail you again " threat often makes you feel good but the reality is no one other than your circle of friends and family will care.

Keep in mind that price isn't necessarily an indication of quality but rather of demand related to availability. For twice the cost, I'd agree it isn't worth the premium even if it was better.

But if you read their board they're full of the same complaints. It's a the grass is always greener scenario. Overwhelming debt from Covid and record bookings mean increased prices and lower standards, service and quality. Every cruiseline (and most hotels for that matter) are going through it. It will only change once there's a recession and bookings drop.

Looking around these boards and other travel related media I think it's really a case of high demand = less service and higher prices. This forum is full of "I don't like the changes Oceania made so I'm looking elsewhere " because the people here have the most experience with Oceania so the changes are more apparent. However, the other forums are saying the exact same things and many people are switching to Oceania. You absolutely should do whatever is right for your own circumstances while keeping in mind loyalty programs are simply a marketing tool to make YOU loyal and it's not a 2 way street. But also keep in mind that it's also often a case of the grass is greener and other lines are doing the similar things. When bookings are no longer at record highs or the economy turns, prices will drop and new benefits will appear.

Not going to lie, from the title I was afraid this thread would be porn.

Probably not what you're looking for but my general feeling in life is that if you need strangers on the internet to convince you then you shouldn't do it. Take the money and do something on your bucket list.

You're 100% correct, it's the little things. I'm glad you got to experience something positive that made such a big impact. Sadly, that service is inconsistent. We've been lucky enough to experience it as well. Conversely, on 2 separate Haven trips when we asked for a sugar free dessert, we were told that we could find them at the buffet. Service can ne excellent but it can also be close to non-existent at times. Set your expectations accordingly. For me personally, I'd really appreciate consistency even if it means fewer of those amazing moments like the croissants.

This doesn't answer the second half of your question but they can't deny you service and keep your money. They would give you a full refund at minimum.

I'm curious as to how many people get their negelege's pressed 🤔

Thank you for providing my point

It's no different then any other review site. Look at some of the reviews on Yelp, Amazon, etc. There are just as many over the top positive reviews. My local Domino's pizza gets a 4.3 Google rating! Finally, anything posted here tends to get torn apart. Legitimate complaints that anyone here would have an issue with quite often are blamed on the poster by many, especially new posters. It's a large reason a majority of the posts here are made by the same group of people.

I appreciate your sharing. We'll be on in 5 weeks and while it really doesn't matter, it's always fun to see familiar names. Enjoy your long cruise! It sounds amazing.

It's about an hour from Port Canaveral so maybe not the most convenient.

I would take a similar approach. However, I'd ask as a courtesy to let you transfer you booking to another cruise with no penalty as a one time courtesy. You may not be happy but they're doing whatever the contract says they'll do so offering something in the middle is far more likely to get you a resolution.

I'm really happy to see your having a good cruise. Pre-covid we sailed the Jade twice and absolutely loved it. However, our experience in Oct 2022 Mediterranean was completely different. The crew was untrained and surely. Food inedible including a completely raw cheeseburger at the Haven lunch at Cagney's. It was so bad the Asst Food & Bev Manager spent nearly an hour complaining TO us. Upper management on the ship at the time clearly didn't give a damn and a fish rots from the head down. I'm very happy to hear that it seems to have changed back to what it once was.

My experience has been there are a few sodas that aren't on the guns. Often Coke Zero and in the past, Diet Sierra Mist. However, most bars pour half a can in a plastic cup. Kinda feels like an economy flight in the 90s. Who wants half a can? Especially if you're getting the flat 2nd half that's been sitting open, for God knows how long.

Reading all of the words is important for context. "If" makes quite the difference.

I'd go the other direction. If I'm a paying passenger and a group of 7 (or even 2) non-haven passengers were allowed in and I had to wait to be seated or they were loud and disturbed my meal, I'd be the one kicking and screaming. If dining together is that important to you there are multiple solutions. The other passengers can pay for a Haven room or the inviting passenger can join them at any other restaurant on the ship. The exception to me would be the very rare instances of a Haven guest sailing with a family member who is crew. NCL charges a huge premium for the Haven. Why am I paying that if others have that access without paying for that access?

If we're ever on the same cruise you can borrow my wife's luggage. With all of her shoes and outfits, that's a heavy bag!