pete_coach

You really are trying hard LOL Bottom of the food chain? Pretty sure you are not familiar with that term LOL. Being a farmed protein, it cannot be bottom of food chain LOL Tilapia is famed all over the world, as well as in the US. I am done with you. Don't like MDR, don't eat there and be done with that. The crowds and lines ups at MDR's indicate you are in a small group 🙂 Have a nice cruise.

Well, it seems to me that you have to find another way to vacation.The food and service in the MDR and the fish being served clearly ruins it for you 🙂 I already said to you that food is the most talked about topic on this and other cruise line forums. "One fish that many people label as a bottom feeder is Tilapia—but that's not strictly true. In the wild, Tilapia usually eat around the mid-level of the water,"

OK, ya don't like tilapia but, it does not change my comment that says it is the 3rd or 4th most popular fish in the US 🙂

OK. My comment was that tilapia was the 4th most popular fish in the USA today. You may not like it but a lot do. As I said in my first post, food on ships is the most debated topic on this forums, regardless of what cruise line. Sorry to be you. I would also choose different places to eat if I consistently did not like the food

OK but, my point was to relay your dissatisfaction at the time of service. I am sure your server would have brought over a manager or Maitre 'D. I hope your next meal is up to your satisfaction. 🙂

I did read your post and that is why I asked if you spoke with the server. The servers, in any restaurant anywhere in the world are the ones that relay information to the cooks. If the food is not good, that is who you speak to about it. You certainly do not go back to the kitchen LOL If you do not say anything, no one can help you. As for portion size, yes, that is the way it is done in the entire food service industry, you may doubt it but that is the way. As for poor fish,some like it and some do not. Tilapia by the way, is the 3rd or 4th most popular fish. There are premium cuts in every protein but, they ar e always more expensive, even in land based restaurants. As I said, food is probably the most debatable topic in any forum and certainly on Cruise Critic in all ship and line forums. That said, while we did not like all offerings, we would never say the food has declined. All tastes are different and yours apparently is much higher level than many here and fir sure, you can state your thoughts but, you should also allow others to express theirs without becoming upset. 🙂

100% correct. All is plated and photographed, primarily for the food service people and staff and consistency. Thing is though, the plating is changed as required. If plates come back half eaten, then adjustments are made. This is normal for the industry This is done in all kitchens and especially large service kitchens and within corporations to cut expenses and costs. So, going from 5 to 4 ravioli or 3 to 2 spring rolls. Or steaks or meats going from 6 or 5 to 4 ounces. Just think of the savings if feeding 4000 people. Nothing progressive or enlightened, this has been done long before cameras and AI. It is common practice in the food service industry. And NCL wants to save every penny it can and food is a great place to do it.

Food displeasure. Over 100 posts. As you said "I understand that food is subjective " and it most certainly is. (although the topic more often than not wanders into many other directions LOL) Your dislike of the meat at Moderno is too bad and when this displeasure was mentioned to the server, their response was?? Portion size is often determined by what goes back to the kitchen. If plates go back with food on them and no complaints by the customers,they adjust. Why waste food? Also, if you wanted more, you could have asked and would have gotten more. The Main Dining Rooms "the menu's were really bad". Well, in our most recent 15 day cruise, the MDR menus had Apps on the right side, Regular everyday items (chicken, pastas, vegetarian and salad) on right side also.The left side were the days specials (including a variety of fish. Types depended on what part of the world you are in) along with a box where you could order something from the specialty restaurants (for an extra fee). O'Sheehan's (or whatever they call it on other ships) is a pub with pub food. Snacks and light meals. Some good, some average and some not so good. The hot dogs at Locals on the Bliss were not great so we never ordered then again but we went back. Don't get me wrong, I am not defending the food, or disparaging the OP but, as they said, food is one of the most debated things on cruise ships. I will say that if you cannot find any food onboard that is satisfying, you must be a gourmand and/or spectacular cook at home. I also would like to know what was expected. 😉

Semantics. You would never have been on Antarctica, the continent, either. Just sailed by it or on one of the more than 1000 islands around it. Also, if you ever had layovers or connections at LAX, you were in, in fact, Los Angeles. To help the confused, perhaps NCL (and others lines) change the name of the cruise as being to the Antarctic "Region"?

Absolutely. Boycott NCL. 🙂 Protest and show your displeasure against corporate NCL with your wallet .

So you will punish the cabin stewards, laundry folks, serving staff etc because a decision was made for reasons that are not yet clear? The Captain and Corporate won't be impacted with your punishment, just the folks low on the totem pole..

Why would you blame or insinuate the Captain is at fault?? Do you have details you wish to share??

Not to argue or defend or perpetuate but, as the link mentioned, if there was no dock or the ship is too big, they would have to tender. Also, the link said when winds are 30kts they may have to tender away from the port and shuttling to port would be unmanageable. . That is not a lot for a big ship but that is Falklands rule. Could be, space to dock or tender may have been restricted. Lastly, maybe something was said but, if in a cabin or even on the ship decks or spaces, the PA system is very poor and can often not be heard clearly. We were on Bliss recently and missed most of what was said on the PA. Bottom line, ship communication clearly was not acceptable. Not sure what the communication was or is in the aftermath. I find it unusual considering the uproar that NCL would remain silent.

The Falkands have many restrictions https://www.falklands.gov.fk/maritimeauthority/ports-harbours/cruise-ship-guidance

I think you can also read my post again. My first sentence was "Not to argue but, the ports themselves often ask the ships to alter their itineraries. ". I went on to provide examples of situations why changes may have been made. Some of my explanations may have been "To enhance the guest experience". Not specific, or even about you.

Not to argue but, the ports themselves often ask the ships to alter their itineraries. Key West has many ships sop there and often it overwhelms the city. So, they ask ships to alter their time in port (tender) to lessen the impact. Venice has been restricting passengers for a number of years now. The Alaska cruises are so plentiful now that there are scheduling issues and some ships cannot get into the small villages. This is a problem for the cruise lines as they plan years in advance and the overcrowding issue is often generated by the small villages themselves because they want as many visitors as possible. It is a huge part of their economy. Antarctic areas are restricting tourists in some areas and when the the quota is reached, they shut the area down. We were in Puerto Rico a year ago and there were 4 huge ships at the main docks, we and another ship had to dock at the old Pan Am dock. There were so many people in town that we spent an hour fighting th crowds we went back to the ship. Restrictions would have made the experience better. We have been in the Bahamas where there were 4 very large ships docked...it was a zoo. maybe restrictions would make the port more enjoyable?? So, while I agree the situation NCL situation in the Antarctic was poorly handled, there may very well have been a valid reason.

I have friends that were just on an Antarctic cruise. While not on NCL, they had to miss some areas due to visitor restrictions. Their Captain explained this issue and while disappointment, they were also given more time in other areas. Not saying this was the case but as my friends mentioned, they were surprised by the amount of ships down there. "One aspect of Antarctic tourism that restricts visitor numbers is the limited tourist season, this limitation is placed by the weather and in particular by the movements of sea ice. The limited tourist season does however coincide with the breeding season for most Antarctic wildlife with the potential for disturbance." https://www.coolantarctica.com/Antarctica fact file/science/threats_tourism.php

Well,if you live onboard for 4 to 6 months at a time, vice a 7 day customer, employees do have certain benefits.

I am not going to argue with you or your "guy". What I am saying is this forum has many complaints, issues and posts regarding the poor NCL flights offerings. But hey, go ahead and apologize for them. And also, of course your "guy" is going to say things are good,....what do you expect from a NCL executive?? LOL So, "Personal Cruise Consultants, Travel Agents are all taught to warn customers that there is no flexibility"? and "People need to take personal responsibility and read the information before booking" is saying all things are good? Or warning folks that they are not? You can accuse me of being wrong but the many folks affected by poor flights will disagree with you. Anyway, enjoy your NCL flights, I will choose my own to be certain there are no issues. Good Bye.

OK. Have it your way. It does not explain all the posts and complaints and issues with NCL booked flights but hey, you spoke with a guy LOL What did you think "that guy" was going to say?? We suck? Hardly, he will give you all the sweet answers. It is not "just plain wrong" LOL No "flaming darts" just relaying what is on this forum on a regular basis.

I agreed at first but when we went thorough the boarding process in LA recently, there were people that did not have passports. The people in front of us used Nexus. An anomaly or mistake? I guess so.

No one is denied boarding at embarkation, it is a matter of being allowed into Panama and Columbia.

We have been to Panama and Cartegena twice (on a cruise). Most recently last month. A passport is needed for those ports. Drivers licences and Nexus are not accepted. We have seen people not allowed int country without passport. As an aside, were in Panama City last month and the new terminal in Panama city is new and super huge. Looks like they are trying to make it a destination embarkation and disembarkation terminal. It is also a very long way from the city. There is nothing within a mile or more of the terminal and it is a gravel road. It is also not very handicap friendly.

NCL subcontracts flights to a third party. NCL does not control or have any say n th flights once they have sold it to the third party. The third party will use the cheapest airlines they can get. They can and have waited till a week or so before your cruise to inform you of the flight arrangement.

I ticked off the box that asked if your were military and got none of that 😞