graphicguy

Gotcha!!!!! You did what you needed to do. I think there are a lot of us who hear the incessant complaining by cruisers from all Cruise lines. They are simply chronic complainers. So, when something pops up like “there were “dailies” left behind (just an example), it’s usually met with eye rolls. Sorry it wasn’t resolved. In your situation, I definitely find the phone number for the Housekeeping Manager and let him/her know. Just saw a video from one of the cruise YouTubers who said he was privy to two fights, the pervasive smell of weed on his deck, and actually had a stranger come to his cabin trying to sell weed. I think it was a Carnival Cruise. To me, that’s a bad cruise worthy of complaint. I’ve been fortunate to have sailed with many Cruise Critic members. All have been polite, understanding, looking to enjoy themselves. They (we) overlook some of the minor annoyances as we’ve cruised enough to know that in the grand scheme of things, they really don’t matter. Then, there are the chronic complainers here in Cruise Critic. Those of us who have been here a while know who they are, and they rarely change their stripes. Sometimes I’ll dip my toes in their complaints, but always chastise myself later for doing so.

Generally speaking, I always advise that if you start booking a cruise with a lot of trepidation, it’s best not to book it, regardless of reason. So, if you’re worried about taking that Epic Cruise, you should probably look elsewhere. Although, I will say that after sailing just about all the other major cruise lines (including some minor ones like MSC), I’ve found there are people on all lines who will find something to complain about, That’s more a reflection of the complainers and not the cruise lines.

I’ve talked to them probably 5 times. It’s all taken are of by the same person/dept, as they’ve told me as much when I inquire about flights and/or deviations.

I concur! If any cleanliness issues become a chronic ongoing thing, housekeeping management inspections (noted by seeing them in the cabins looking over stewards’ shoulders) will correct the situation. Guests coming at them (and in here) with both barrels blazing without letting them correct the issue, really solves nothing!

You know, I was going to post a long monologue reply. Won’t! I will say showing crew respect is the least we can do as guests. I’ve seen way too many guests just abuse crew, when a simple conversation would have fixed whatever issue they had!

Glass houses….stones…everyone is perfect!…yada! Never said it was acceptable. I said to let the steward know so they can correct it instead of coming here where no one can help. If you don’t let the steward know what your cabin wasn’t cleaned well, and come straight here to complain instead, no empathy from me!

Interestingly, I've booked an Italy/Spain/France cruise for October. And, am looking at NCL's flight offerings. To me, their biggest issue is to get someone from NCL Air to work with. Phone call hold times have ranged from 30 minutes to 90 minutes, and I just give up. Still haven't spoken to anyone. I have time to book it, but arranging any trip, especially on the other side of the Atlantic, does not lend itself well to last minute flight plans (and hotels, too). Still, given I've got the time, I'm still going to give NCL air a shot.

I mentioned that the cabin stewards work hard. And, if they missed something that should have been taken care of, letting them know allows them rectify the situation, keeps them from getting "dinged" on the all important survey, and out of the "dog house" with their manager. Now, if it persists, then a trip to the Customer Service desk is in order. No one here will be able to rectify the situation, however and it turns into yet another "whine" fest that every cruise line gets. Let them know about the issue so they can fix it.

Love this. In recent year’s I’ve cruised solo and this sounds so similar to my planning. Looking forward to the rest as I love the ESCAPE!

I have traveled and cruised enough to know that it does no good to besmirch crew here for any shortcomings. In my experience, let the steward know what was left behind and let them correct it. They want nothing more than to make sure you’re happy. Their tips and ratings depend on that. Barring that, if it continues, then go to Customer Service and let them know. They will get the crew member’s manager involved. Complaining here about a steward doesn’t help anyone. And, if you want it addressed, the place to do that is on board. Crew work hard. I’m likely to cut them some slack if they overlooked something in the cabin.

These room stewards work their derrière off and you’re still complaining? SMDH!!!!!! Let him/her know what was left behind. I’m betting he’ll take care of it for you!

Always recommend for people to forgo NCL’s air promo. If you have unlimited time for layovers it’s fine. But, if you want/need to stick to a personal schedule, NCL Air is not the avenue you probably want to utilize. And, they only offer airfare, not hotel stays to go along with the Airfare promo. Personally, it’s not worth it to me to use NCL’s airfare promos. Others with more flexibility and time? Sure…why not?

Have asked this before on other threads for those who quote the daily drink charges without FAS…..did you actually “buy” the drink package at $109/day/pp? OP…the charges you’re seeing are the gratuities for the Free at Sea Drinks and Specialty Dinners. Both are perks with the exception of the tips, which is the charges you’re seeing.

I’m going to ruffle some feathers, but the two meals…Coq Au Vin and the Lobster Thermidor were two of the worst meals I’ve had in any venue on any NCL ship.

The web site is sometimes quirky when showing which cabins and cabin categories are available. But usually if it states the category is unavailable, it’s sold out! That said, I’ve seen the WEB site offer upgrades to categories that had been sold out for a while. I have bid on upgrades, never won one. More than once i wasn’t informed of not winning an upgrade until I was already checked in and on board!

No post!

Tried ZOOM calls but it was right after the restart. It was dismal at best, and undoable, at worst. Connections kept dropping if it wasn’t outfight freezing up. I was using a MacBook Pro, but I kind of doubt that had anything to do with it. Is it better now? Don’t know. Depends on where you’re going and where you’ll be when you make the call. Also depends on where you are on the ship. Some areas have better coverage than other areas. Personally, if it’s an emergency and you absolutely need to communicate, I’d probably bit the bullet and pay for ship to shore calls.

It means you get to wear a Captain’s hat and say “Well…blow me down”!

I looked at Oceania for a Mediterranean cruise. Truth is, I can sail in a Haven Spa Cabin on the Epic for 25% less than an Oceania cruise in a balcony cabin. And, the Haven includes FAS. So, hard for me to make the change (albeit I keep looking). Lord knows I have had my fair share of issues with NCL in the past (as I have with other cruise lines, too). I understand people's frustration with differences in pricing, policies, nomenclature, etc between those who book/live in EU/UK and here in the U.S.. But, as pointed out, this is a U.S. based Cruise forum. Cruise Critic has a forum specific to the U.K. Us "USA Cousins" (as you put it) offered some insight to what may be going on, as many of us have sailed NCL quite a bit with more than passing knowledge of how their perks, promos and fare pricing work. We were greeted with insults. So yeah, we can be a little sensitive when you want to heave your issues onto our site, where they have little to no relevance because of our geographic locale. We do indeed play by a different set of rules. Carry on. Wish all of you the best, regardless of what issues you have, what FCC NCL gives you, who you may or may not cruise with next, or why. Good luck!

Want to sail the Prima, but fares are still a bit high. Maybe next year when they drop a bit and after Viva sails!

This has gone from somewhat interesting to ridiculous and insulting! You’re on the U.S. Cruise Critic site, and decide to offend those of us who are in North America trying to help. Whatever issues you are having are specific to the U.K. Maybe get help here….. https://boards.cruisecritic.co.uk/

Have not seen that. Wonder who gets it, and how they're getting it. I think if you shop really hard, you can find deals. NCL seems to always have some sort of deal that looks appealing, at least to me. Which is probably one of the reasons I cruise them so much. Last year I found a 7 day New England/Canada cruise on the Breakaway in a Club Balcony cabin for less than $700. Anytime I can get under $100/day for a cruise, it's a bargain. My Alaska Cruise on the Bliss in a Club Balcony Cabin was around $1,300, which I considered a good deal, too. Both included FAS. Sometimes my TA offers to pay my tips and DSC, which makes these even better. Have itineraries changed? Have times in port changed? Has entertainment changed and been moved around? Sure! Just me, but I don't demand a refund as a result. But, if that's something you feel you want, go for it. The only thing they can say is "no". That said, there's an awful lot of FUD being throw around in this thread. Some of it does not seem credible.

Gotta give NCL credit. Not just NCL, but all the cruise lines are similar in that FCC is a tool they use to A) appease anyone who’s upset for any reason, and B) generate even more revenue in the process. Clever!!!!!!

Not a car, but a cruise….two very different things. But, sounds like the $100 FCC is the “gift” from NCL for the snafu. They killed two birds with one stone. You demanded compensation, and got it. NCL got you back on board to use the FCC compensation, and in turn, giving you a reason to book another cruise that you may not have booked. Win-Win!

If Free at Sea already has all the fees baked in, then it truly is free and has no monetary value. You can’t refund something that has no monetary value. That’s the point I was making. If they actually broke out the actual monetary amounts for the taxes/fees, I mentioned you may have a point. But, what is that amount? If it’s the $20/day tips added into the FAS drink package, then the refund amount of those taxes and fees would be $20x2 days, or $40. But, it’s a moot point. Sounds like they gave you $100 FCC. You have to book another cruise to use it, but it’s there if/when you do.