SeaShark

but again...my point is that it isn't NCL making you have baggies, you bought those on your own.

And did YOU decide to purchase, pack, and carry those baggies to the cruise on your own?

Well, as you know, hunger isn't something specific to teenage boys. We have dinner, and then the next meal planned is the next day's breakfast....and we all have to figure out how to get from one to the other. We do this each and every day...it isn't something new and unique to cruising. Needing to ask how someone should control hunger is, in and of itself, an issue that someone needs to address on their own. Given the availability of food on a cruise, hunger should not be a problem for anyone. If you're hungry...eat something.

Yet that clearly isn't the point. The point is that CruiseNext personnel are there to sell CN certs, be the onboard Latitudes reps, and to conduct port shopping talks. They are not travel agents. Those are the facts, and I'm not going to ignore them simply because of internet "but, ...." on a message board. Call that committed if you want, but maybe you should consider why you are so committed to changing my mind. If I actually was wrong, why does that bother you so much? Have you nothing better to do? You say "no one cares", but you don't act like it. I'm still waiting for the genius who can explain why I would want a CN person to be my travel agent given that I'd have no way to contact them outside of the one cruise for any issues/questions/problems that might arise with my booking.

I think that the interesting aspect of this has basically gone unnoticed. The thread title attempts to blame NCL for the behavior "NCL is turning cruisers into..." (as though the cruiser has no self-control) while ignoring the fact that this only happens when people bring the empty zip lock bags with them while cruising. Everybody putting food into a zip lock came to the cruise prepared to do so...they were ready before stepping onboard. This is planning and forethought...not happenstance.

Um, prevention?

That is a lot of drama to unpack. Sorry that your family mealtime has devolved to "suffering". You obviously can afford to take the family on a vacation in a balcony cabin....and good for you...if you're really all that concerned about children suffering, wouldn't it be worth it to just order a sandwich thru room service?

Although I never addressed that aspect, I don't have any issue with people either needing, or even just wanting, to eat small meals. I don't think NCL does either. Just go into the desired restaurant, order your small meal, eat it in the restaurant, and go about your business. My "drive thru mentality" comment still applies whether you eat small meals, large meals, or something in between.

The lounge is not a feature for any guest traveling solo, it is an amenity that comes with the booking of the Studio Category cabin. There was a time when it was commonplace for the daily solo travelers gathering to be held in the lounge, but more and more reports are now saying that this gathering is being held outside of the studio complex.

Sorry, I missed that one. You don't have to "see" anyone. You just have to book while on board (as opposed to booking with an agent who is onboard...do you see the difference?). For example...You go on a cruise from Feb 1st thru Feb 7th. One day, you reach out to your usual TA who, for the sake of argument, is a big-box TA. They book you on a new cruise, again for the sake of argument, on Feb 5th. Since you were onboard from Feb 1st thru Feb 7th, it can't be argued that your Feb 5th booking wasn't made while you were onboard, thus qualifying for an onboard booking discount.

How to tell me that you didn't understand what you read without saying so. Promote the sales process of CruiseNext/ CruiseNext Ultimate sales to reach assigned financial goal for each voyage (varies per ship). You will interact one-on-one with guests to attain sales.Learn the live presentations given by the CCM in public lounges in regards to dispensing advantages of booking now with NCL Bahamas or American-flagged vessels. You must have the ability to step in and do the presentations when necessary.Fully learn and understand reservation system Seaware/Seaweb and Fidelio Hotel Management system onboard.Learn and maintain procedures for Latitudes Program: Learn and update Fidelio computer program each voyage to include members who may have sailed previously. Implement mail merges each voyage with repeaters list to send to cabins Welcome Letter and Party invitation It bears repeating...these are sales people, not booking agents. Flail will not change that.

Then let me explain it yet another way. Here is NCL's official job description for the position. Please read over it and let me know what part of it that you believe makes them an onboard travel agent. Cruise Next Consultant - Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Category: Guest Services Jobs Position: Future Cruise Consultant Salary: Commission based role Updated: January 9, 2023 POSITION SUMMARY To increase revenue by sales of CruiseNext and promotion of any Revenue area such as stores/restaurants/corporate clients in ports of call where contracted and manage the execution of the Latitudes Program on assigned ship. In order to consistently exceed guest expectations and provide the highest levels of product and services, additional duties and responsibilities may be assigned as needed. ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS Promote the sales process of CruiseNext/ CruiseNext Ultimate sales to reach assigned financial goal for each voyage (varies per ship). You will interact one-on-one with guests to attain sales. Learn the live presentations given by the CCM in public lounges in regards to dispensing advantages of booking now with NCL Bahamas or American-flagged vessels. You must have the ability to step in and do the presentations when necessary. Fully learn and understand reservation system Seaware/Seaweb and Fidelio Hotel Management system onboard. Learn and maintain procedures for Latitudes Program: Learn and update Fidelio computer program each voyage to include members who may have sailed previously. Implement mail merges each voyage with repeaters list to send to cabins Welcome Letter and Party invitation. Provide front desk with extra copies. Promote hours for Latitude members to register in the Freestyle Daily program. Ability to host special cocktail reception as a tool for our program’s exposure, must attend weekly. Assist to ensure adequate participation from all departments. Assist to maintain inventory of Latitudes supplies (letterhead and collateral). Monitor that the Destinations channel is consistent with written schedule given to Broadcast Tech on the ship IE: Destinations, CruiseNext, Taped Talks or other videos/presentations as directed by shore side management. If applicable (varies by itinerary) assist with promotion of stores / brands / clients under contract with NCL Bahamas or American-flagged vessels. Tactics will include helping with Port & Shopping talks in front of a live audience scheduled through Cruise Director and Freestyle Daily program; scheduled office hours to interact one-on-one with passengers, early morning duty at ship’s gangway to direct passengers going ashore to specific client partners. You may at times have to collect monies from clients as directed through accounting administration. Interaction with clients to improve sales from passengers. Performs other related duties as assigned or as directed. The omission of specific duties does not preclude the supervisor from assigning duties that are logically related to the position. Must be familiar with the Safety and Environmental Protection Policy and the SMS, and carry out the policies and procedures appropriate for his/her position. QUALIFICATIONS, EDUCATION AND ATTRIBUTES QUALIFICATIONS Minimum of one (1) year experience in marketing/sales in a hospitality-related industry is required. Intermediate to Advanced knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook is required. Advanced experience in Public speaking with large audiences is required. Intermediate knowledge and experience with Fidelio (Hotel management system) and Seaware (Travel booking system) or similar systems are preferred. Intermediate to Advanced experience managing a sales team is required. Advanced level English verbal and writing skills, including the proper use of English grammar is required. EDUCATION High School Diploma or Foreign Equivalent is required. Associate’s degree in communications, marketing and/or sales is preferred. Some related experience may substitute for this education requirement at an equivalent rate. Excellent communications, leadership, team building, and management skills Passionate about hospitality and customer service driven Must have a professional appearance and good hygiene Respect for all co-workers and guests Pride in your work by creating positive energy, excitement and fun Able to work 7 days a week Demonstrate positive behaviors; smiling, being polite and courteous Able to develop a camaraderie with team members Ability to live in close quarters, share limited space with other cabin-mates

Sorry, my bad. Let me issue a correction. "Flail, and the use of all caps, will not change this." Better?

I apologize in advance, but given the thread title, and the topic, I just had to . . .

I know that it should be obvious, but I have to ask. Given that you "knew it was" possible...as you stated...then why did you even ask, not one, but two employees if it was possible? Maybe it is just me, but when I know something, I don't spend any time asking people about what I already know.

Well, what (given that food is the topic) lowered quality were you talking about if not the food. Context always helps.

Exactly...people need to resist that "drive thru lane" mentality and just order and eat their meal at the restaurant.

But...it isn't the quality of the food that is at question here, the "issue", fwiw, is people ordering food in a restaurant, and instead of eating that food in the restaurant, the want to put it in a ziplock bag so they can take the food and eat it somewhere else. People aren't putting the food in a ziplock because its low quality food.

But...aren't the masses complaining because they are confused? 🙄

Except that it isn't. While they may have brochures and future schedules, they are not booking agents. They are the sales force for CN certificates, and Latitude reps...nothing more. Flail will not change this.

Did you read that "letter"? Next time you're at guest services, remember that those folks have to deal with this ^ ALL DAY LONG.

The whole fault with that is that ALL employees are "an arm of NCL". Based on your argument, the bartender should happily assist any passenger seeking to book a future cruise. As should the kid's club staff, or my room steward. "Travel agents per se" sheesh...they aren't travel agents at all. They are there to sell CN certificates, to act as your onboard Latitudes rep, and to pass out any brochures or other information that they might have (in case you aren't getting enough of them in the mail). But they are not booking agents. And given that we should all me smart enough to have a knowledgeable PCC or TA that we trust, why would we not be using them instead of the CN sales clerk for our bookings? It isn't like you will have a means to follow up with the CN staff with future questions or any other needs for your reservation.

Agree. He should be honored. He really revolutionized the industry.

The terminal is named "The Pearl of Miami". The main hall inside is "Kloster Hall".

The article you saw may be dated...back in 2020 when Knut passed away, NCL announced that the main hall of their Miami Terminal would be named "Kloster Hall" in his memory.