Jim The Lizard

Good perspective. And I always enjoy your reviews!!

Fair comments. But I struggle to find goods and services that match pre pandemic levels, even at higher costs. I’d love to point to increased wages provide better service but it simply isn’t valid. And finding workers, despite increased wages, is often an exercise in futility. But I am still mystified by the comments and argument that NCL has raised pricing while the other lines have not.

💯. Spot on. And a lot more concise and eloquent than I’m capable of!

I thought about that but wasn’t invested enough to be more thorough! I obviously like the NCL line and product more than the others. So I’m biased. But I don’t understand the negativity regarding NCL pricing. Carnival and RCCL have adult only areas and a lot of the NCL Breakaway class ships have Spice H2O. Encore and Prima have a paid adults only section. I get that: NCL is making some dough and telling us buy Vibe or you could be next to a 7 year old who is driving you nuts. But you have options to not sail a ship with or without Spice H2O. Don’t want to pay for go carts? Don’t! Sail another ship that doesn’t have a racetrack. Find your itinerary and ship that match what you want.

I don’t know if it’s “clear”. Some people don’t drink enough for the drink package and are happy with every style I’d complementary dining. And NCL does charge for Vibe, laser tag, go carts, etc. But I simply don’t get the whole NCL has raised prices while other lines have supposedly reduced theirs. Value of NCL “perks” are expensive on other lines.

Getting ready to sail on Prima, and had a debate on a Facebook page this week with a disgruntled NCL Prima guest. Claimed he was going back to RCCL because of the nickel and diming on NCL and that NCL keeps raising their pricing. In addition, Don from YouTube and Jay from the Shiplife on YouTube have stated that the other lines have dropped their pricing since the pandemic and NCL has not. Ok, so I’m booked on Escape for a February 2024 cruise, so I did a mock booking on Wonder of the Seas for the same weekend sailing with similar itinerary. RCCL is $109 cheaper for a balcony; but does not include drink package or 2 nights specialty dining. I understand that is not important to all, but the overwhelming popularity of the drink package and specialty dining seem to be more of the norm. Not sure I can make that math work in my head.

I’m only speculating, but I wonder if NCL is happy with Finatieri compared to Meyer Werft? New ships always have maintenance challenges, especially new designs. But it seems excessive. I also think with even more increased social media presence, we all become more aware of issuers faster and more often!

I’m on same sailing. I called and booked entertainment. So am going to move one specialty dinner time once I get on board!

Freaking rude.

Correct.

Wow! I was wayyy wrong. Didn’t expect that!

I got $100 that says there is no charge for the extra app. No way.

Dear God Sid, I thought I missed your review! Kept looking for it, and now it's here....kind of! Have fun on Prima, I know you'll show everyone sailing with you what a good time looks like on NCL!

I paid for Vibe immediately. Called NCL and received an invoice for all three cruises showing Vibe as paid. Not risking it.

I bought my Prima March Vibe passes the day they became available for purchase at NCL on 7/1/22. I purchased Vibe passes for my NCL Joy and NCL Escape cruises in 2024 already.

We are arriving in Orlando two days early for our March Prima cruise. Thinking about saving cost of Uber and any other transportation and just renting a vehicle at Orlando airport and then dropping it off at the cruise terminal day of cruise. Any experiences here with this? Cost is not the issue, convenience and flexibility are our priority here.

Good to hear. I've been in several Vibes and have watched the bartenders and security even have to occasionally get involved. From some people who have sailed Prima, it's been an issue due to the proximity of the buffet and Soeedway bar. I would imagine most people are just unaware. But there's those that like to push the envelope, especially with a few drinks in 'em!

Remember, it's 18 and over. Many times, you will see your Vibe bartenders working another bar on the ship in the evenings - long days for those crew members!

I am the multi unit Manager for a 16 unit casual theme Tavern in the Northeast and a 30 year restaurant veteran. I try not to be cynical, but I struggle reading so many reviews of people complaining about product shortages ("they ran out of Captain Morgan!, they ran out of french fries!, they ran out of Diet Coke!"). Most of these cruise lines utilize automated inventory and ordering systems. Established pars are set and they usually involve a buffer so that there is a beginning inventory on hand when a ship returns to port. But when something is out, it's often because the truck driver who was supposed to drop product off at a warehouse quit or called off that day. Or there weren't enough dock workers to fully unload a shipment onto a ship that day of the week before the ship left port again. Or even getting something repaired on a ship, it is difficult to find a plumber, electrician, general laborer. The simple truth is because we spend good hard earned money on our vacations, our expectation is that the normal challenges we face daily at home should be not be part of our vacation experience also. The fact is, it doesn't disappear or magically improve. So be patient, and hope for improved times ahead.

It is a big expense for a family of four. And I am seeing the same complaints. My question is: what do you think NCL can do to correct these issues? "2-3 hours waits in dining rooms" seem to be a subjective complaint (I have seen other reviews that compliment speed of service also). "No seating in the food hall or buffet" is being addressed with additional seating in Palomar and Food Republic (but the buffet is too small - no argument). Only option I see is to eliminate a paid food restaurant and make it part of the buffet. Not sure if that is going to happen. "Limited hours at the buffet and pub" - simply put, not enough staff. Just like many businesses, there just isn't enough bodies to work. "Up charges for room service" - seems to be a cruise line trend. "No water filling bottle stations" - I haven't seen this. Hopefully there are refilling stations - or I will be taking my reusable Yeti to a bar and fill up. "Falls on the swim deck" - it is obvious that something needs to be addressed here - unsure what the solution is but this is a big one. "Activities that aren't operational" = it appears that the desire for substance over quality may have bit NCL in the butt here - beautiful furniture, shiny objects, cutting edge VR - lots of complaints and reporting about sustainability and quality. I think the thing I see is that there are a lot of complaints and lots of buyer remorse for many passengers - and there are other reports of passengers loving this new product from NCL. Most of us booked this ship because of our loyalty to NCL and appreciation of the brand. Seems like Prima is testing a lot of us! Hope you enjoy your cruise

So true on both ships being great - truly two of my favorite NCL ships. I like Escape Vibe more simply because it's smaller. My Vibe experience on Encore was great, but when it's more passengers, it loses it's intimate atmosphere. On the other hand, we were on Escape Vibe in 2017 with a large group who connived their way to the front of the boarding process (they faked an injury - not kidding, they bragged about it in Vibe during the week), and then were generally miserable in Vibe all week because they couldn't smoke or bring in others in their group who didn't purchase Vibe. Rude and inconsiderate, security and the bartenders had a long week that sailing. One thing I love on Encore is the much bigger Sugar Cane Mojito bar, and the live music offered their nightly. We had a great night each night ending with a couple of mojitos and listening to some great Latin music.

Makes sense! Enjoy your cruise!

Rommel and Michael all onboard, along with Vinny. Cold weather is keeping them hopping to different bars due to low amount of guests in Vibe. By your sailing they will be locked in.

Prices dropped? My Prima March cruise is up over $300 per person what I booked! Surprised!

Interested to see why you felt you didn't belong. We are taking our first Celebrity cruise in December with some family who has encouraged us to try Celebrity. I am a big NCL fan. So your opinion piqued my interest! Please share your thoughts if you don't mind.