buckirj1

Oh, goody! Looking forward to reading your observations both here and on the RCI board, as well as reading your blog. I thought you were already gone until I saw you coming out of the supermarket last night. Well, I guess you have left home by now, being the afternoon of 8/6/14.

Bon voyage!

I've sailed a few cruises on other lines where there were partial-charter groups on board. In my observation, the charter group *might* take over *some* bars/venues for their daytime events and meetings. Everything goes back to normal at night. I can't see where it'd be any different on HAL.

I only ate there once, several years ago, but remember the vegetarian lasagna was good, as was the bread.

Nope, not for me. I cherry-pick among the options, and the ones I'd use aren't among those offered in the package. If NCL is looking to add another choice to the mix, I might consider a reasonably price unlimited laundry/pressing package for longer cruises. For most of my cruises, the cram-the-bag specials work just as well since I usually take shorter cruises.

Looking forward to reading your review, and I hope you have a great cruise.

It can also depend on which level you disembark. It only happened once, but after an NCL cruise the Manhattan port personnel directed us to street level. I just hopped into the first elevator I saw and went back up to the concourse, found the taxi lady giving out tickets, and got in line. I waited maybe 15 minutes before it was my turn for a taxi, and it would have been much longer than that had I stayed down at the street.

I'm sitting here counting my blessings I haven't had some of your experiences. Talk about inappropriate topics of conversation! The worst (and it wasn't that bad) was my very first cruise. I was assigned to a table for two with one other woman traveling alone: a nice enough lady, but we had little else in common. I felt badly about leaving her to eat alone, so I ate in the MDR every.single.night, even when I didn't want to.

It wasn't terrible, but she showed up very drunk after the Captain's reception on a formal night, and got a rather maudlin about her late husband. Again, nothing terrible, and certainly nothing that a little empathy and compassion couldn't help, but that first cruise taught me a couple of things:

1. I didn't especially like that particular cruise, but knew I'd want to keep cruising.

2. I didn't like formal nights.

3. I didn't like assigned seating.

4. In future, I would insist on being seated at the largest possible table, or would insist on being seated completely alone. No more tables of two, thank you.

I like food. I like food a LOT. However, food is one aspect of cruising that isn't terribly important to me. As long as I get something to eat, and I like the way most of it tastes, I'm good. It's just icing on the cake when I eat something I find delicious.

YMMV. I fully realize food and eating/dining is a vital part of the cruise experience to many folks.

I've booked guarantee cabins about three times with NCL, both early and last-minute, and it's always been the same: NCL assigns the cabin almost immediately, and it's always the lowest level of cabin in whatever category I book. I'm okay with that.

...and that's the beauty of Freestyle!:)

There are very few items in the package which we'd be interested in.

Me, neither. As a previous poster noted, I might be interested in a reasonably priced unlimited laundry package for longer itineraries, similar to the package offered by HAL.

Hmmm, first the dinner reservation thing, and now this. Something's going on...sounds like NCL might be trying to attract those who like to pre-plan and pre-pay as much as possible. That's not necessarily a bad thing, so long as it doesn't take the place of Freestyle.

Thanks, everybody!

I look forward to that moment when I realize I can be as alone as I want to be.

...Look, I understand NCL's food policy revolves around trying to get people to use the specialized restaurants...

Of all the myths and misconceptions about NCL, this one is totally without basis in reality. You can get totally acceptable (sometimes wonderful) food on NCL without going to any specialty restaurants.

I know the more recent ships have a wraparound outdoor promenade (loved them on the Jewel and Spirit), but I'm wondering if the Sun and Sky have them?

There is, or used to be, a gnocchi/pumpkin/mushroom main dish in the MDR that was excellent! Otherwise, I'm afraid I didn't pay much attention. Most NCL ships I've sailed have an Indian food section in the buffet where there are usually vegetarian selections.

I think the Rhapsody...well, it'll most likely be the Jewel OTS by then...has a nice itinerary: long port times so you don't have to get up so early, and a long daytime stop in Victoria. I'd pick that one, if I sailed RCI or X.

I'm just now reading about this. Wishing you a speedy and complete recovery.

To answer the original question, based on my experiences with both lines: no.

I didn't particularly like either of my RCI cruises. I enjoyed all of my Carnival cruises, except for the last one. It might be time to give CCL another try, now that they've once again started to act sensibly in regard to solo cruisers.

thank you for the offer, i called again for the third time after i posted this. So far they managed to get two of the three issues corrected. Travel agent does not really work well for me, once you agree on a price they don't want to go after reductions.. Canadian travel agent vs USA agents way different, no bonus unless it is offered by cruise line, no free perks from them, no wine left in room, nothing they want thier commision on the highest rate they can get.

Thanks for the explanation of why a travel agent isn't a good option for you. An NCL PCC (personal cruise consultant) might be better in your situation. You'll still need to do the hand-holding, but you'll have ONE person to talk to instead of dealing with whomever happens to answer the phone.

is there a way to get better service then as this totally unacceptable? If this is the start of NCL is the cutomer service on ship any better or am i looked at like a cash cow?

Not sure why you're so defensive. Get a PCC or a travel agent. You might still have to do some hand-holding, but the agent will do the grunt work. It's a customer's responsibility to see things are done right, and to get them corrected if they aren't. Nothing to do with customer service or cash cows.

...and I really like the dark hulls on HAL, Disney, and Cunard. Makes a ship look like a ship.

Some hull art is better than others. The ships I like best have simple, classy hull art. I've always thought the Sun's hull art was just about perfect, and the best in NCL's fleet. The POA and Sky also have nice hull art. I'm not so keen about the rest.

I must tell you that one of the reasons I love NCL is that I don't have to plan each night on board a year in advance. I have no problem with people who do but if this means if I don't plan ahead I won't be able to to show up and eat(even if I have to wait a few minutes). then I am not happy with the change.

Yes, this. Making reservations to eat seems the antithesis of Freestyle. I can see where reserving a time might make sense for large groups, but for the rest of us who don't travel in herds...?