Comet133

This is exactly what I have been saying but calling it Brexit. NCL can not compete in the UK with their prices and the fact that P&O charge in the good old pound sterling (still the best currency in Europe) may be having an effect. But NCL prices are now in line with the 5* lines and they do not stand a chance with the UK market.

 

In summary - a great point well made.

This is interesting. I am sailing on the Jade around the fjords this year in late summer, 9 days for 1049 GBP premium all inclusive package, (so that’s all gratuities, beverage package including water and specialist coffees, $25 pp spend voucher, 1 litre of bottled water each day pp, plus some free phone calls and internet time. 7 days with P & O, same type cabin would cost 1489 GBP, no extras. I sailed on the Spirit last summer and again in January 2018, with the same package so on both occasions my onboard spend was less than £20.

Age is irrelevant it is beautiful ship with the best Hotel Director if he is still on that ship . Mr Armando D Silva. I would pay just to sail with him.

I was on the Spirit earlier this year, and he is still there!

Just checked my receipt from my New Years Celebration cruise. It was two lots of £25, so £25 per week. We asked when returning the key has read before we went it was £15 for one week and £25 for two but told this was not the case.

We were on the Celebration from 28/12 to 04/01 and were also on the Gatwick flight home when those poor passengers were ill. We heard chikungunya symptoms mentioned by one of the cabin crew? We never experienced any tummy upsets at all, but we did notice that there were a lot of passengers the second week who bypassed getting the hand gel going into the buffet.

We were worried before about the bad reviews, but can honestly say we had a lovely spacious inside cabin, mid ship, so not bothered by the constant vibration you do get on other parts of the ship. Our cabin boy was very efficient, as on most ships sneaking in and out all day/night. The bath/hand towels provided. were a bit tatty, but the beach towels were huge and nice and fluffy. We were given toiletries to use (although we took our own). The food was a bit like school dinners, nowhere near as good as other ships we've been on in the past, although Mistrals was decent and we also ordered a steak in the Meridian one night which was excellent. We were all inclusive for drinks, but the top ups for better wine and some drinks were not much, around £1.20. The photos were very pricey @ £14.95 each!

The new sun deck had still not opened, so there was a lack of sun beds and space on the sea days. The day we were supposed to go to Tobago, but didn't, the engines had broken and Captain Hugh woke us up before 6am to tell us. We also had a power cut at the same time. We only went to a couple of shows, including the crews got talent which was enjoyable. The entertainment drove me mad, repeat songs on a loop in bars all day and evening, and the cruise directors voice! The acts provided in the bars were okay the first couple of nights, but they were based in the same places each night, and sang the same songs in the same order. Slightly groundhog day in the end. The staff in Hemmingways were almost always miserable, standing around, looking busy doing nothing, and often ignored you waiting to order at the bar, making you feel guilty for disturbing them. However in Horizons, much more fun, joining in singing, bit of throwing the bottles when making cocktails, dancing with the passengers, and always happy! Bad luck that bar was at the top front of the ship with the vibration and constant up & down. Only popped into Liberties one night, had to leave due to the smell of mouldy drains and stagnant carpet. The whole ship looks tired in the decor department colours and fabrics make it look like a care home. We did no planned excursions, just took local taxis, generally paying no more than usa $25 a tour for 3-4 hours.

Despite all the things I've mentioned, the itinerary was fabulous, and the price we paid was fair, but I'd rather pay a little extra to go NCL or Royal Caribbean again just to get better food and a less choppy ride across the waves.