SeaShark

Great slide pics! Since so many here were certain that people screaming as they rode the slides would interfere with their enjoyment of their balconies, perhaps you could ask the slide ops to see what % of people actually do scream as they ride...

So explain the other side...if all it takes it a morning Starbucks and wine with dinner to come out ahead, then why would the cruise line kiss all their profit goodbye so easily? If the guest comes out ahead, the cruise line loses...do you really think the program is set up for them to lose?

Oooooh, but I would. Given the reputation that NCLs gen pop reservation team has on these boards, why on Earth would anyone want them handling their reservation? First, I'm going to book with someone whose job description doesn't a) grant them those duties, and b) doesn't require education/experience in that aspect, only to learn that my booking agent won't be able to provide an ounce of assistance going forward with the reservation and I'll have to rely on people whose reputation for knowledge (at least on CC) is...shall we say "lacking"? Um, no thank you. Pass.

I'm confused...did someone say that it wasn't possible? It certainly wasn't me, I only asked why I'd want someone to handle my booking knowing that I'd have no way to contact them between booking and sailing to resolve any unforeseen issues.

One aspect of this that those who are recommending the use of certain credits cards might want to consider. The guest would be incurring one charge (for everything) on the recommended card through NCL. NCL is the party who actually pays the airline for the ticket. NCL is not using the guest's card for the ticket purchase. The card issuer only sees the one payment to NCL...not a breakdown of what covers the fare, taxes, DSC, airfare, drink packages, etc...just one lump vacation purchase. So, when the airline cancels the flight, that won't be covered by the card. In fact, if the airline has to do a refund because of the cancelled flight, that refund goes to NCL, not to the guest.

No...the booking was not cancelled, the ship sailed as scheduled. What happened was that the OP took the Free @ Sea air...without requesting a deviation for an early arrival. NCL booked them tickets through Delta airlines with a day-of-cruise scheduled arrival. At this point, the OP asked about arriving earlier, but they were informed that it was too late for a deviation to be applied. Due to weather, Delta airlines ended up cancelling the flight and Delta airlines was not able to get the OP to the embarkation port, and as a result, the OP missed the sailing. The OP had NCL's insurance on the cruise, but no insurance to cover the airfare.

My advice: forget trying to figure out who is right, and do what makes sense. It is better to have the form and not need it, than to need it and not have it....right? In addition to your points, you also have to remember that the Muster Station for the Haven cabin is likely different than the Muster Station for the non-Haven cabin. In the case of an emergency, the kids will have to be with the grandparents and not the parents...which makes having the consent form even more necessary.

I have a number of questions on this review...for example, above you say "We were not told this prior to booking". How would NCL, know....PRIOR TO BOOKING...that they even needed to tell you things about a cruise they weren't even aware that you had an interest in?

Well, seeing that you only recently created an account here, and seeing that this is your one and only post...Welcome to Cruise Critic. I like to take people at their word. You state, in the quote above, that you "wrote glowing reviews" of your prior NCL experiences. However, you didn't share the WHERE of those reviews. Could you please provide a link? Where did you post these reviews? Under what name? I love to read what a self-professed "huge fan" had to say in their reviews.

Well...you have to understand something. When they say they pay attention to Cruise Critic, you have to understand that they are interested in the REVIEWS that people post on Cruise Critic...not on the general chit-chat and carping that goes on in the discussion forums. If NCL were interested in our opinion of the Prima, they would read https://www.cruisecritic.com/memberreviews/getreviews.cfm?action=ship&ShipID=1434 they wouldn't comb through discussion threads hoping for reasonable evaluations.

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.