tiffygirl

Ncl sent an text saying for us to come to the port after 1pm. Its going to chaos tomorrow.  

Prayers to that family!!!

And here is a Broadwalk ( curtains closed) with the beds near the balcony, not a good lay out. IMHO.

 

 

 

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Hmmmm, you may be right. I think the cabin appears to have more room with bed by the door when beds are separated. Unfortunately, for me, I have no clue what the set up will be for my cabin. But with both these pictures I now know what to expect.

Thank you for sharing. Much appreciated.

We also managed to sneak in and get a picture of a twin room for those who have been asking

 

 

 

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You are awesome. ..I desperately needed this pic. ( well not desperately but I wanted to know REALLY badly) thank you

I think refurbished ships, dry docks, new ships IS improving cruise experience.

Dry docks/ refurbishing should be apart of maintenance and already budget. They should be doing that anyway.

Lets say they removed the charge for vibe, extended it and made that area adults only 24 hours. Or even added cabana beds to the spice area on the away ships.

Maybe extending coverage hours to the kids club areas.

Bring back 2 for 1 happy hours.

Show movies on the screen at night, have pop corn.

They can find small things to improve the passenger experience.

Welcome aboard non alcoholic rum punch served in the atrium on embarcation day.

A little goes a long way.....

He must raise prices and fees without improving the cruise experience because NCLH has lots of bills to pay. All the dry docks, the new mega ships plus the cost of the initial merger. I also think he is using NCL to fund Oceania and Regent. Both lines have seen no cutbacks and Regent is getting a new ship and Oceania is getting a refurbished one. Same old story, the 99% fund the 1%.

That is an excellent observation regarding Regent/Oceania. I have not heard that mentioned before. I dont sail them but i wonder if they have seen any changes in the last 11 months since the Del Rio takeover?

If they have then i think i would feel better that he was making sweeping changes across the board. Unless Regent/Oceania doesn't need the improvements.

I know they are all inclusive so i wonder what areas he could increase profits? NCL is easier to do because its basically al la carte.

However, (regent ) i dont think he will remove room charges from fares and begin charging nor remove prime rib from the menu and add it back with a la carte pricing. If he even tried it his passengers would have a fit lol they should. So why do it to ncl passengers i wonder....

99% funding the 1% hmmmm

Again. Great point.

Which is why I said pick the line(s) that give you the least headache because most of cruise lines have raised their fare/cost, changed policies and/or changing their brand to go after a completely different demographic. There's nothing wrong with voicing one's displeasure but to think that constantly complaining from extremely small group of individuals on one forum is going to change a cruise line's mind and direction - well, that's a different story. Happen with Sheehan in the past when he was running the show but Del Rio/ Stuart are not him - there's the difference that upsetting the posters that are angry.

 

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You cannot decide what a persons decides to complain about. You cannot tell a person what they should and should not complain about. That is not your concern. There state of mind is not your concern nor is it your problem.

this is a discussion board....purpose to discuss.

I don't like what a lot of people say including you. But i wont tell you not to say it. The only things i can do is not read the thread, put you on ignore, or join the conversation and give my opinion or thoughts. I will NEVER tell anyone that im tired of you saying xyz, or you complain non stop about xyz. Because i cant control them or what they say. I won't devalue their comment because i disagree or tired of hearing it. cruise critic is a is a forum. Only the moderators have the power.

Yes and even the other cruise lines are having their own wacky problems - pick the cruise line(s) that gives you the least aggravation before, during & after a trip and enjoy.

 

But to constantly gripe about a line, whether you going on it or not- at some point you have to let it go and move on. Why? Because dwelling on stuff / posting negatively that you have a choice to pay and is not a necessary like home /gas/water; is to get yourself tune out by very object you're talking about. Let's be honest - yeah, the takeout rule was overturned but look at other stuff that some people, not all people, have whine about since and NCL still earn billions despite the "uproar". And look at NCL official response to said "anger" - might as well scream at a brick wall.

 

Yes, this is Cruise Critic but the posters that are completely upset at NCL are not really critiquing or criticizing without giving some good points, now it's just plain nitpicking and rants - What company is going to listen to what a extremely miniscule group of 20 on one forum is saying, while larger groups in hundreds / thousands are emailing, writing letters, responing to surveys, calling phone centers, posting on Facebook/Twitter, roll call forums are voicing their opinion. Who knows what those people are saying but; it looks like it's mostly positive because NCL still moved forward with the "negative" changes instead of reversing each and every one of them.

 

 

 

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You cannot control what a person wishes to put on a forum. You can only control you. Therefore, if it is bothers you then what you and anybody else needs to is by pass the thread, use your ignore or join the conversation.

We have the right to say whatever the hell we want to say. If i want to gripe and nick pick every hour of every day that is MY right , but what you wont do is give me a damn guideline or your rules because you don't like it. Who are you????????????

so i as long as i am a paying customer, i will rant and rave until my hearts content and it damn thing you can do about it except NOT read it nor post to the applicable thread ..that is the only thing in your control. In other words change what you have the abilty to change.

That works both ways. If i dont like some, i will keep it moving, or i will post my comments or opinions

Now if you or anyone want me to find another cruise and you want comp me losses, then i will do so... if you not. ..then please take a seat.

I actually HOPE that prices rise slightly, and that the benefits that we have been getting continue. DW and I cruise 3x-4x per year, and value the SDP and UDP added with our bookings. More people that are accustomed to premium cruise lines (3 star on HAL) will venture over. Now, we are considering giving Oceania a shot to see how they compare :-)

 

Prices rising slightly will price out the "booze cruise crowd"

are you assuming people who drink booze, those cruisers are broke, and cant afford to cruise if they raise the prices?

Are you also saying that" the booze cruise crowd " are not the type of passengers you'd rather not spend your time near whilst on vacation?

Who are you considering the "booze cruise crowd ", please describe?

Why should they not be allowed to cruise on the same ship as you , since you want to price "them" out?

Why are they less than you because of how they chose to spend their time enjoying their vacation?

The overtone of your posts sounds a bit disconcernting, therefore more clarification is needed since you put it out there.

You all are tooooo funny...im dying laughing #tears! ! I dont care what nobody says..i love ncl boards. I would cruise with most of y'all anytime! ;)

Who said I am ashamed of paying for first class; I very happy to be able to fly in either first class or coach, as long as I can go on a trip.

*

* blank stare *

I think you are putting your own issues on to the faces of those in first class. I pay for those comfortable leather seats, the extra leg room, etc., which you can as well and I have never seen anyone with smirks on their faces or anyone looking down at those in coach. It would be like me saying that I have seen some (perceived) "I'm so jealous" looks on some that pass through the first class cabin on the way to their coach seats, which I have never seen nor noticed.

I would agree with you. Its my envy which is causing me too see things that are probably not their.

Yes you pay big, big dollars for first class and dont be ashamed of it.

However we were talking about class oriented things. I jokingly made my comment about me personally hating on the first class pax. I thought i was being fecious, but i guess not..lol i know full well how much is paid to live the first class life.

Im not expecting anyone to feel guilty or apologize for paying it. Why would i. You worked for it and if you want it, get it and enjoy it! Let me hate and live through you... *joke*

perditax, maywell and SuiteCruiser - you understood exactly what I meant:)

 

tiffygirl: I'm glad that you asked -- it is difficult to know where a person is coming from when reading a post. I do feel that Cunard ships have always been the most class-oriented.

 

Although Oceania is not overly class-oriented, their "Executive" and "Concierge" lounges are an example of what I dislike. At least half of the passengers cannot enter these lounges (they have coffee, snacks, a large screen television and a couple of computers). On top of that, there are glass doors that people look into and cannot enter. They also have early boarding for different cabin categories. Although Oceania passengers state that they do not let "regular" passengers sit on the side until 3:00 p.m. while some passengers board at 11:15 a.m., I believe in first come, first served.

 

janpo: Thanks- your post is a good example of what I was describing regarding some posters on the NCL board.

You do have a legitimate beef. I definitely understand where you are coming from. Is Oceania's elite lounges in public areas or is it like NCL where everything is only access through key card private entrance?? Just curious as to the setup.

For me, it effects me more with the airlines when I fly coach. When boarding the plane, I have to by pass all those people [first class] sitting in those big comfortable leather seats, roomy leg room, nice soft blankets awaiting. Some even having there first cocktail at 7am, with the [perceived] smirk on their faces, as if saying" it sucks to be you...enjoy coooach!"Even worse, I have those friends who like to update to let me know how much they are enjoying the admiral lounge while awaiting their flights:rolleyes:

So yea I agree with you COMPLETELY! Down with the classism's!!:D:D

After the "other" thread going on (I think you know which one I mean) I can see why you might have leapt to certain conclusions. :/

LOL . that is why I asked first because I really was confused. I don't want to label anyone or assume anything. On a forum, its hard because a person may type one thing and mean another. So its best to ask, rather than to jump to conclusion and be wrong and looking crazy!! :D So I genuinely was trying to figure that one out. Apparently, im syrup slow this morning on my comprehension skills:D

Sorry for not making myself clear. I have a strong belief that everyone should be treated the same on a cruise ship (and everywhere else). On Regent, for instance, no one knows or cares if you are in the top suite or the lowest cost suite. There are no "special areas" where only certain passengers can go. A "class" system on a ship is when there is special boarding for upper category passengers, special restaurants, special pools, etc. This is pretty normal on most cruise lines.

 

I understand that the size of your cabin/suite will be larger when you pay more and there will be in-suite amenities that are not offered to other guests. However, this is not something that is public -- it is confined to your suite. Regent does have special benefits (early on-line dining and excursions reservations) for passengers in certain suite levels and/or passengers at a certain loyalty level. Again, this is not something that you "see".

 

This is not a jealousy issue because we do book penthouse suites on Regent and do receive some benefits for it. However, when I'm in a restaurant, lounge or anywhere else on the ship, I want the same service and food as everyone else. Hope this makes sense.

 

NLH Arizona: Appreciate your post and find your encounter with unruly children on Crystal interesting. We also sail when school is in session and have encountered many polite children -- more than out of control children. The problem is that just a handful of out of control children can ruin a cruise which is why we avoid them.

 

I cannot help but make a comment about my own daughter. When she was young, she challenged everything, could be difficult to be around at times -- just not an easy child. However, she did not run (or walk) around restaurants or any other public place. She did lie down in a booth in a restaurant upon occasion but did not disrupt others. Despite her sometimes difficult attitude, she grew up to be a polite and caring young woman. Sometimes boundaries really help:)

 

Back to NCL - I learned to never to say "never". I once said that I would never sail on Oceania and have now sailed Oceania's Riviera twice. At the moment, we are booked through early 2017. We'll see what happens after that.

Thanks for explanation. I now understand perfectly what you meant.:D

I will say that all the folks that I have met that were Haven guests, were the nicest and friendliest folks I have ever met. So its probably why I didn't connect the dots at first, because you don't have that "air of superiority" when you are onboard as you would a QE2. Everyone is the same [to me]. If I didn't know about the Haven amenities(rest, pool, lounge) I would assume everyone was "regular" do to the overall atmosphere of the ships.

I think NCL gets major points in that area for creating separation, but not separate, if that makes sense. But others may not agree.:D

No dog in this fight, but in the context of NCL I assume "class oriented" refers to the presence of the Haven and special privileges for higher paying guests.

 

Could be wrong.

Ok. Once i thought about more i came to that same conclusion. ..it took me a second. .then i remember QE2 separates you by class so im assumed the reference was the haven....

I had my Monday afternoon ahh haa moment.

Thanks you all for letting me know i was on track.

Hi Don - yes, I did say that but not because I feel that mainstream passengers wear their caps backwards or the passengers are "less than" luxury cruisers. We really do not want to sail on large ships (Oceania's Riviera was a bit large for us) and prefer to sail with few, if any, children (been there - done that). While I do not want to go on a rant about children, I'll just say that children today are given more freedom to "be themselves" (i.e. yelling, running around the ship, playing with the elevators, etc.), without repercussions - not even a reminder that their behavior is not acceptable.

 

We did briefly consider sailing on NCL but was put off by the boards and also am not a fan of "class oriented" cruising.

 

We love cruising but also love land travel (which we did for a long time before we started cruising).

 

There is definitely one cruise that we would do on NCL....... one to Cuba with Mr. Del Rio on and his family on board -- just to see their faces when they return to their country after so many years. That would be very special.

Please excuse my ignorance. I did google 'class-oriented' and I don't understand what computer programming has to do with cruising?? That was all I can find regarding that terminology.

Assuming, computer programing is not what you meant, Can you explain what " class-orient" in reference to your statement means?

thank you kindly.

Thank you for the post, I very much enjoyed it and agree with you :)

I enjoy your comments as well. Thank you for "getting it".

Loved your review of the Escape.. .your booty "situation" had me cracking up. Hoping all is well and it left no physical reminders. :) lol

Readers digest is irrelevant news anymore. Just a toilet paper read IMO.

Smdh

I think its great to read everyone's POV without the insults!

I am not a fan of Del Rio, because like most, i don't like direction he is taking the company. I am a huge fan of NCL. Will I let his decision effect my future cruises? No. Mainly because, the on ship staff are so fantastic, that is what keeps me coming back. Now will I book more cruises with NCL exclusively. Nope, because I refuse to be FDR's "sheep". So that means I will have to pay more, that is fine, because, FDR does not value me as a customer, and I no longer trust him/NCL's decisions.

Recently (october 2015) Carnival Cruise Line Named 'America's Most Trusted Cruise Line' By Reader's Digest Magazine. So although, people complain of the cut backs, lack of entertainment on Carnival, they in still Trust them enough to continue spending their dollars with them. Trust is very important to the consumer when deciding to make a purchase. NCL will NOT be a recipient of this award no time soon. IMHO

I am now reading (late i know) THE SEVEN HABITS OF HIGHLY EFFECTIVE PEOPLE by Stephen R. Covey (its a great book btw)

Anyway I am going to paste an excerpt from the book, and let me know if it rings true.

Effectiveness Defined

The Seven Habits are habits of effectiveness. Because they are based on principles, they bring the maximum long-term beneficial results possible. They become the basis of a person's character,creating an empowering center of correct maps from which an individual can effectively solve problems,maximize opportunities, and continually learn and integrate other principles in an upward spiral ofgrowth.

They are also habits of effectiveness because they are based on a paradigm of effectiveness that is in harmony with a natural law, a principle I call the "P/PC Balance," which many people break themselves against. This principle can be easily understood by remembering Aesop's fable of the Goose and the

Golden Egg TM.

This fable is the story of a poor farmer who one day discovers in the nest of his pet goose a glittering golden egg. At first, he thinks it must be some kind of trick. But as he starts to throw the egg aside,he has second thoughts and takes it in to be appraised instead. The egg is pure gold! The farmer can't believe his good fortune. He becomes even more incredulous the following day when the experience is repeated. Day after day, he awakens to rush to

the nest and find another golden egg. He becomes fabulously wealthy; it all seems too good to be true.

But with his increasing wealth comes greed and impatience. Unable to wait day after day for the golden eggs, the farmer decides he will kill the goose and get them all at once. But when he opens the goose, he finds it empty. There are no golden eggs -- and now there is no way to get any more. The

farmer has destroyed the goose that produced them.

But as the story shows, true effectiveness is a function of two things: what is produced (the golden eggs) and the producing asset or capacity to produce (the goose).

If you adopt a pattern of life that focuses on golden eggs and neglects the goose, you will soon be without the asset that produces golden eggs. On the other hand, if you only take care of the goose with no aim toward the golden eggs, you soon won't have the wherewithal to feed yourself or the goose.

Effectiveness lies in the balance -- what I call the P/PC Balance TM. P stands for production of desired results, the golden eggs. PC stands for production capability, the ability or asset that produces the golden eggs.

______

sorry for the lenghtiness of my post. thanks for reading for those who made it thru :D:D

It appears that radio station wild 95.5 will be doing a live broadcast from the Escape today starting at 4pm est.

They are on iheart radio (app) so be sure to download and listen in. hopefully I will remember myself!

Can't wait for the videos.

 

.[/quote

 

 

I'm assuming you have not peeped at the shady c network yet. Trust me you can wait.

 

*on my way to you tube * LOL LOL

Just back from breakaway. On a flight home now.

Here is what I experienced. In the specialty restaurants lebistro we asked to take our dessert back. They said no. But we could have room service deliver for $8

In the Manhattan room we asked to take our dessert back. They said no but they would deliver for free.

Took food from the buffet no problem. Nobody cared. No one policing.

Got to go. Plane taxing

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You make many good points. It is a shame that other posters don't take the time to think about them before attacking. Please continue posting.

 

I am still attempting not to post but do want to respond to a couple of points. Debating an issue is one thing -- name-calling is another. It is also obvious that some posters are not even reading what is being written. Words are being twisted. When I mentioned that I have met Mr. Del Rio, posters decided that I was one of his best friends and that we are discussing NCL and these threads. Although nothing could be further from the truth, truth does not really seem to matter.

 

In any case, I would like to repeat two of NLH Arizona's questions and perhaps someone will think about them before responding.

 

1. Which products would you suggest that they raise, but keep in mind it has to benefit everyone?

 

2. I'm changing this question a bit...... if NCL had announced to everyone that these changes would take effect August 15 (or even October 15th), would you be more accepting of the changes?

Why do they need to raise the cost at all? are they not making a profit? or does the top ex's need bigger bonuses????? No don' t charge me for RS so Apollo, Del Rio and company can make bigger saleries.

If they are going to raise cost, then replace with something to enhance the customer experience. That has NOT been done....

You are correct, everyone has the right to believe what they want and have an opinion whether for or against. It is my money and I control it, just as you control yours.

 

I enjoy a good debate and have no issues with someone disagreeing with me nor do I tell them that their opinions are wrong, just different. But when they stoop to the level of calling names, then yes that is an attack, whether you call it that or not.

If someone is calling you out your name in a derogatory manor, then im all for going off. that should not occur and not tolerated. But if something like cheerleader or jeerleader is thrown out .i think is more of a representation than anything else.

for instance, Im a Patriots/Brady fan. so i would be called a cheerleader, stoopid, etc ... because even though what he was 'alleged' to do is suspect. i will defend him (silently in prayer:D). Everyone in there momma will and is calling him a cheater..but when you defend the indefensible or the appearance of it.. you put yourself in the lions den...but if im going to defend im going to go hard with it. ( im committed at the point) So i try to be mindful where and with whom i lay my support, folks will try and hang you for it. but if you believe it stand by your convictions and belief regardless of who disagrees or not.

I completely disagree with the opposing views on FDR and these policies, and i cant understand why some are not as outraged:D.

I recently told my mom about these changes. I was passionate in my argument (we are cruising the escape in jan) This woman had the audacity to shrug her shoulders and said, "oh well i dont order room service and i don't take food from the restaurants so that doesn't bother me." WTH???

I m like noooooo not you too!! LOL I dropped my head in shame... I cried out "I have failed as a daughter!!!!" :eek: My mommy is a sheep!!! j/k I didn't bother with trying to change her mind about it. it will be her 3 cruise. So i wont ruin her enjoyment by pounding it in like i do y'all here That is what cruise critic is for!! It is more important to me that she enjoys her cruise experience on NCL each time because she loves NCL so i won't kill the "dream".

Everyone will not agree with my point of view, i don't expect folks to. Nor will I agree with everyone else's view point at times. I think everyone is smart enough to make up their own minds regarding who they will do business with. But sometimes yall got me scratching my head in amazement though:)

I don't really know if NCL made the right decisions with their policies, only they know what their goal is; is it to make more revenue, is it to limit the number of daily room service orders, is it to stop spills, is it to stop clutter in the halls. I've said that NCL has the right to make any changes that they want. I'm not a cheerleader, just as those that disagree with me are not jeerleaders (I apologize for using this term, because I feel it is rude, but needed to to get my point across), we are just folks that disagree on a subject and I understand that not everyone has the same opinions and only wish those that feel they have to attack felt the same way as well.

.

Mr Del Rio said NOTHING about clean ships in the long term goal either in his interviews and stockholders meetings. The shareholders don't give a damn about clutter in the hallways. He spelled out clearly that he wants to increase the bottom line.

The best way for more folks to use room service is the limit the access of the food by taking away an option. Follow the money!!

Now what he has done to extent is used a Jedi mind tricks to sell it. They say "oh the ship is trashed" and to have more people to order room service , that( will to lead to even more dishes in the hall) will some how fix the problem and make the ship clean.

Huh? What kinda damn sense does that make? See, it doesn't have to. It's a Jedi mind trick. Just say it, the People will believe it and begin to repeat it as it was the truth without applying logic and common sense to the theory.

If they really thought it was a problem them they would have admonished the room stewards to make sure they keep the halls cleaned at all time. Put notes on the trays and cabins requesing keeping trays and dishes in the room and call housekeeping for pick up. And not inconvenience the guest, the paying customer by removing an option that many utilized on their vacation .

We know it's only purpose is to drive up the demand for room service and therefore that will increase revenue a few percentages more.

For the record. If some one disagrees with you it is not an attack. Ain't no one threatening physical or emotional harm or toss anyone overboard.

If you can't handle the discussion don't comment. But if you comment and you are responded to leave out the" I'm being attacked" pity party. It gets old. Just argue or discuss your point. Simple.

Every one has the right to believe what they want and have an opinion whether for or against. Ultimately it is your money. You control how you spend it and where you will spend it.

You may argue something I had not thought of or vice versa.

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T I don't think NCL would ever become a luxury line, but I don't think there is anything wrong with upgrading the product, unless they end up pricing themselves to where their value doesn't equal their cost (if they ever do that, that is when I'll say goodbye to them - no fanfare, no complaining, just stop doing business with them). I already sail on a luxury line (Crystal) and a premium line (Celebrity), I don't need another one of those, because that is not why I added NCL to the my mix of cruise lines, but I wouldn't mind if NCL's product was improved somewhat.

I think, that is the quintessential problem. What has FDR done to "upgrade" their product (NCL)?

What has FDR done to downgrade NCL?

Currently, They want more money but are delivering less.

FDR was explicit and detailed how he was going to make the NCLH more money. he had a solid plan. but when it came the customer experience all he had to say was he has to find " levers to pull". *blank stare*

One of his levers is to restrict food from the dining rooms to keep the ship clean. oh yea that enhances the passengers on board experience! really?? He is not a stupid man. and Neither are we.