Is it true that the bubbly welcome is not offered now on cruises?

[BIG_Steve]

I see...Good Point.

 

But couldn't that have been asked in the other thread where the topic was already being discussed as opposed to opening a completely new thread to discuss the same topic? :confused:

 

 

 

And BTW...not really that obvious....The OP asked if it was "true", not if anyone else heard it.

 

I guess I'm just wondering why it's so important or intriguing to you. Not that that causes me any concern.

[BIG_Steve]

Good lord. You can already get on the ship for less than the cost of housing, feeding, and the entertainment that's included. The Champagne was a nice touch. But now it has to go. Most businessmen know there are two ways to make money. Provide a decent margin, and manage your profits and overhead. If your margin slips because your market is strapped for cash, then you have to manage your overhead with a microscope.

 

What do cabins cost compared to 10 years ago? What about food and fuel? Have any wages in the company increased since then?

 

I'll take cheap fares over cheap champagne ANY DAY.

[smeyer418]

no the business didn't "fail". The property it sits on belongs to New York City. Every few years the City puts up to competitive biding the property. The new lessees won the right to be at the space by bidding more and promising to do renovations(of $25million). The fixtures etc belonged to the previous "owner". The former owner did file for bankruptcy to wind up its affairs and to pay off all that is owed. The City and Warner LeRoy family is fighting over who owns the name "Tavern on the Green" including license rights that are currently worth more than any money owed. It was the name of the restaurant at this location before the LeRoy's owned it. They registered and trademarked the name. The City contends that that was wrong. But its not insolvent in the sense that it owes more than its assets are worth. Some of the fixtures are worth millions by them selves(some of the chandeliers)

[newmexicoNita]

Did you read fully? I never stated that wine loss would affect our cruising...however, profit margins are forever widening and the "economy" is blamed for bad service or "cut backs"..... this is used over and over by corporations....they take away and never, when the economy stabilizes, give it back....it is fact.

 

My discussion had more to do with the fact that corporations do not value customers any more...they give no credit to the customer for getting them to their place in the market....as an example, car rental companies have removed the "grace period" for a return....if you don't get it back on the dot, you get charged whopping hourly fees. When asked about this, the car rental agency said, "it cut into their profit margin"....

 

There is little belief that one customer can make a difference....lose one, there are ten to replace them, newer folks who never knew what the previous "amenities" or "traditions" were.

 

And we, the consumer, are buying that line of hooey...too many of us just roll over and say, "okay."

 

As I said, an amenity is going to enhance one's perception of the experience. No amenities, fewer who see cruising as a unique and worthwhile experience.

 

You say it is about keeping cruising affordable, I get it. Affordability is not always synonymous with bare bones, stripped down and dull.

 

Again, I am not sure you fully read my earlier post....but I did say that when an experience becomes so eroded, it is time to move on.

 

I certainly did read your post and that is why I responded the way I did. You can't expect to cruise lines or any other business, especially the travel industry to add amenities just to keep customers happy, right now, it is the opposite; keeping the price down will keep people coming back as long as the service does not suffer too much. I sell travel for a living (well more for fun) anyway, I can guarantee you my clients never ask or care about a glass of bubbly, no one has ever come back to say, "Wow, we even got bubbly" . They do care about many such things. What they want is value, a good time, a good price, when it comes to cruising decent food and nice crew members. Just like flying, we have all adjusted to not having food on the plane. And no, it isn't the airlines way of making more money, many of them are struggling.

 

If you think fewer are cruising you might want to re-think that. Is it the same experience as 20 years or even 10 years ago? Certainly not..It has become just a standard fun vacation. Families are now cruising, it used to be just middle aged couple and old foggies. For those who do want the special cruise feeling they will have to buy Crystal, Cunard, or even Oceana. Mass marketed lines are seeking out a totally different market than in years past..

 

Nita

[newmexicoNita]

Hi Nina

 

I usually don't comment on things like this, however, you seem to be misinformed about pricing on NCL/Cunard.

We cruised for 28 glorious days on the Queen Victoria this past summer. I love the formality and ambiance and service on Cunard (have also been on QM2). We have had balcony cabins and paid comparatively less than we are paying on an upcoming NCL cruise next month for a mini suite (which is probably the equivalent of a Cunard balcony).

 

We chose NCL this time because of the fabulous ports, and after reading these boards for the past few weeks, we are going with some reservation. Yes, cappuccino was included at dinner on Cunard, along with free shuttles at all the ports, fabulous food, and not feeling the necessity of going to Todd English (the only alternative restaurant) for a superb meal. There has always been a bottle of bubbly waiting for us in our cabins. There were never any “public service” announcements and all venues were nicely attended. Their lectures were wonderful, and never a “hard sell” about shopping in the ports.

 

Perhaps NCL should take some lessons from Cunard.

Lorraine:)

 

Guess what, I am an agent and a "Cunard" Specialist, if that is the case, you were luckier than heck...You are right about the mini suite being compar to a balcony on Cunard and you are right about the service and food, but certainly not the pricing. There are always specials that pop up from time to time and my saying 3 times more was an exageration but double is about right most of the time. Again, I certainly love Cunard and what they have to offer. But, the pricing isn't anywhere near NCL or any other mass marketed line as a rule. Anymore than Silversea is the same price.

 

Nita

[Timewise]

Okay, for what it's worth... maybe our costs haven't gone up much over the years or maybe we lost a little like the champagne or other doo-dads, but what is the CEO and vice presidents or even ship's captains taking for a cut?? Anything? That's the gripe. Here and in all industries. :mad: BUT, I'm going on vacation and I'm going to have a good time because I need to leave it all behind! :)

[Planer's Edge]

I also received a confirmation from an NCLer that the bubbly welcome and free espresso and cappuccino, in the fining room, are indeed a thing of the past. The Dawn will start with the next cruise as Hugo said they could not very well set sail on New Years Day and not offer a bubbly welcome aboard.

 

PE

[newmexicoNita]

Okay, for what it's worth... maybe our costs haven't gone up much over the years or maybe we lost a little like the champagne or other doo-dads, but what is the CEO and vice presidents or even ship's captains taking for a cut?? Anything? That's the gripe. Here and in all industries. :mad: BUT, I'm going on vacation and I'm going to have a good time because I need to leave it all behind! :)

 

Now that is a legit gripe and one many of us share throughout the country and world..

 

Nita

[mbisson]

I also received a confirmation from an NCLer that the bubbly welcome and free espresso and cappuccino' date=' in the fining room, are indeed a thing of the past. The Dawn will start with the next cruise as Hugo said they could not very well set sail on New Years Day and not offer a bubbly welcome aboard.

 

PE[/color']

 

I don't mind the wine leaving-although it is (or should I say 'was') a nice touch. But darn, I will miss the cappuccino after dinner :(

[Down-Unders]

What part of the economy cut backs are so hard for you and a few others to understand? You can drop NCL for another cruise line, but what makes you think they are not cutting back as well? This goes for airlines, hotels, etc. Again, a little think like a 2 oz glass of cheap wine would never affect most people's feelings for being special, but multiply that by all the cruisers and all the ships, think about how much the cruise line can save yearly? I care more about keeping the pricing at an affordable rate so people can cruise. If a glass of wine is going to woo you, wow, is all I have to say!!! I am guessing 75% or more of the cruisers care less about these little things. Now, when service goes totally downhill, the crew become rude and everything is below par, then I would think about changing lines.

 

Nita

 

 

 

 

Nita does NCL give you a larger commission than other cruise lines?

[SeaShark]

 

The only way that NCL (or any business) will change is through customer feedback. Let them know how you feel about these changes. If enough people do it, NCL will probably listen.

 

John....

 

You are absolutely right about this. People don't understand the effectiveness of proper feedback (ie right time, right place, right tone). Complaining endlessly on a message board isn't going to work. As an example, I recall an NCL ship that decided they were no longer going to perform "fountains"...it is a great story about how customer feedback works.

 

 

Right John? ;)

[Down-Unders]

I seriously doubt NCL would do something like this just to increase their profits. I would think they are doing it so they can stay profitable.

 

JMHO

 

PE

 

 

 

Give me a break!

[mafig]

I'm very disappoined in this news.:(

 

What about the cappuccino machines in the buffet? Are they taking them out?

[Planer's Edge]

Nita does NCL give you a larger commission than other cruise lines?

That is just plain rude.

 

Give me a break!

 

In the context of what I had quoted my statement is probably quite correct. Besides, do you happen to know what their Balance Sheet looks like?

 

By the way, did someone pee in your Cheerios today. :confused:

 

PE

[FanofFlorida]

 

Truly, the biggest improvement from FS2.0 was the bedding. A free glass of $0.50 / bottle sparkling wine (worth about $0.07) is not that big a deal to me.

 

But I've heard :rolleyes: that the other cruiselines are cutting back too.... so where would you go?

 

I would have HATED to try the beds BEFORE 2.0, as uncomfortable as they were last month :confused:

 

And REALLY if the champagne is only worth $.07, why cut it at all? It is a nice welcome gesture

[Sooners]

If your margin slips because your market is strapped for cash, then you have to manage your overhead with a microscope.

 

Quit trying to make sense. It will kill the discussion.

[ddakrt]

 

In the context of what I had quoted my statement is probably quite correct. Besides' date=' do you happen to know what their Balance Sheet looks like?

 

PE[/color']

 

We won't ever see that, but we can check out NCL's competitions. I checked out Carnival's earlier today and it doesn't exactly paint a pretty picture (they're cutting operation expense by quite a bit too, imagine that!).

[ieatchickens]

...if the champagne is only worth $.07, why cut it at all? It is a nice welcome gesture

 

I agree 100%

 

Now there is a cost associated with cleaning the champagne glasses but I doubt it's not too much more. I would gladly pay $5 more for a free glass of champagne. It's about exceeding a customer's expectation. Doing that the first time I set a foot on an NCL ship is nice "welcome to NCL".

 

There are too many NCL cheerleaders around here and I wish they would start each post with the words: READY! OKAY! Only then can I recognize the posts to avoid. :D

[SeaShark]

I agree 100%

 

Now there is a cost associated with cleaning the champagne glasses but I doubt it's not too much more. I would gladly pay $5 more for a free glass of champagne. It's about exceeding a customer's expectation. Doing that the first time I set a foot on an NCL ship is nice "welcome to NCL".

 

There are too many NCL cheerleaders around here and I wish they would start each post with the words: READY! OKAY! Only then can I recognize the posts to avoid. :D

 

I you don't like people with positive things to say...I assume you mean "cheerleaders" as a put-down to other people and their opinions, you can always just ignore the whole board....nobody has a gun to you head you know.

[mbisson]

I agree 100%

 

 

There are too many NCL cheerleaders around here and I wish they would start each post with the words: READY! OKAY! Only then can I recognize the posts to avoid. :D

 

READY! OKAY! (now you can skip to the next post and add me to ignore so I don't have to continue saying it)

but even though I don't especially care about the wine, it was sort of like 'WHOO HOOO! WE'RE OFFICIALLY ON A CRUISE NOW!" In fact, upon getting it, I've been know to let out with a loud "Let the party begin!" (but then I'm a crass oaf)

 

-Mongo

[Sooners]

There are too many NCL cheerleaders around here and I wish they would start each post with the words: READY! OKAY! Only then can I recognize the posts to avoid. :D

 

READY! OKAY!

 

Actually just in case you want to know the same on

 

RCI : READY! OKAY!

 

Disney: READY! OKAY!

 

Actually, I just love to vacation. It really doesn't matter where I'm going, I check my attitude at home and it is READY! OKAY!

[downsized]

I hope that this either isn't so, or is one of those experiments gone wrong.

 

Neither DW nor I are wine drinkers, but that was my keystone.

I knew that I was cruising when the pretty lady handed me a glass of "bubbly".

 

Although it probably will not be a deal breaker, I assure you that we still sorely miss it.

 

Actually, we will miss it enough that I will start lurking at the forums for the other cruise lines.

[ieatchickens]

I you don't like people with positive things to say...I assume you mean "cheerleaders" as a put-down to other people and their opinions, you can always just ignore the whole board....nobody has a gun to you head you know.

 

Not sure where the gun to my statement comes from but whatever.

 

I don't need to ignore the whole board because the cheerleader statement is only directed at the same posters who always, with exception, side with NCL on every issue real or exaggerated.

 

So why do you think this was directed at you?

[Planer's Edge]

I agree 100%

 

Now there is a cost associated with cleaning the champagne glasses but I doubt it's not too much more. I would gladly pay $5 more for a free glass of champagne. It's about exceeding a customer's expectation. Doing that the first time I set a foot on an NCL ship is nice "welcome to NCL".

 

There are too many NCL cheerleaders around here and I wish they would start each post with the words: READY! OKAY! Only then can I recognize the posts to avoid. :D

 

What exactly is "cheerleading" about talking about relatively simple business model facts. Costs are rising, fares are staying relatively the same, and I am guessing that people are spending less aboard the ship (please read all the rumrunner threads!!). Little cuts here and there can help avoid larger cuts in other areas or even rate hikes. Someone else mentioned that Carnival is even making cuts, and they are the worlds largest cruise line.

 

PE<---Rah, rah, rah, zis, boom, bah...

[swedish weave]

Honey !!! The kids are fighting again !!!