NCL STAR not a ship for Alaska cruising.

[terrymtex01]

Reading this thread is making me very nervous about our group cruise on the Star in June 2011 - we have 30+ people and have the Garden Villa and some penthouses, so it's not the view I'm worried about, it's what happens to our reservations if the cruise is actually canceled - if we transferred to the Pearl, I guess we would have to pay the difference - big cost for 10 cabins!:(

 

I wouldn't worry really. I do believe they will complete 2011. That is just my gut feeling. All of this is really just a gut feeling I have so take what I think with a grain of salt. 8-)

[gmmt]

we just finished the may 8th sailing and had a fantastic cruise. We were very disappointed with the new location of the spinnaker as we have enjoyed the windows in the old location but we were told when the Star was cancelled as a hotel for the olympics they used that time to do the renos that were booked for later this year. We won a Skagway train ticket at the Shore Excursion presentation, we won artwork at the latitudes party( free drinks were served ) my son won prizes at the kids club and we saw LOTS of whales. I probablly wont sail on the Star again as I think the pearl would be a better choice but we decided to make the best of it and have a great holiday

[Bushman24]

We did get a little satisfaction from a telephone call to NCL. they upgraded our inside cabin to an ocean view. I am sure it will be a port hole and I won't want to spend the day looking out of this. However, at least some compensation was offered. The people I spoke to did not know that changes were not available to the public until a few weeks ago. :rolleyes:

[wg6530]

We were just on the Dawn. The only money that we spent was on the transportaion vouchers, and a private taxi tour.

 

We have sailed the Star to Alaska, and the Mexican Riviera. As a matter of fact, we were on the Star with Terry and Doug who posted above.

 

We just completed our 37th cruise, so we have already been on many different excursions over the years.

 

We usually do not spend much but sometimes, if we take the grandchildren, we will take excursions that we normally would not take if we were alone. We want them to have learning experiences. We have taken the gold panning excursion, White Pass railroad, and the dog sledding adventure in Alaska. DH and DF also went out on a private fishing charter in Alaska once, which they LOVED.

 

I am not against taking excursions, they are fantastic. The memories that they provide are priceless.

 

We are not drinkers, so a bar bill is never something that we have to come home and regret.

I totally understand that you can have fun without spending a lot of extra money on board. I can smile while I decline the sales pitches, and I've never felt nickled and dimed.

 

I just wondered if your recent great time was one of the Star Alaska cruises or a different ship. Post-reno, I'm not sure she's quite the same Star we knew and loved, at least not for scenic or cool weather cruises:(.

[dcdiva]

I am giving NCL another try after our recent cruise in January, where we definitely felt the "nickle and dime" vibe. More so than on other cruise lines. Freestyle just didn't seem very free. All but the MDR and buffet required an upcharge, as did certain menu items including espresso and capuccino. We ended up skipping the specialty restaurants altogether, and allocated those dollars to other things. Many on-board activities also had "small" charges, including spa access. I was hoping my next cruise might change my mind, but after all the posts on this board, I am thinking I've made a mistake choosing NCL again. No doubt we will have a good time -- it's a cruise after all! But next time, we'll be looking for a better value and likely won't be sailing on NCL.

[leatherheadiowa]

How would you like to find out via CC that your cabin was now directly above the Spinnaker Lounge? I had researched and spent hours in order to get an aft cabin, and I had to read on CC that people that had previously stayed in our upcoming cabin were miserable due to the noise from below.

Now trying to get our travel agent to acknowledge the remodeling at all and getting a comparable cabin is getting down right stupid!

Traveling with kids I thought an aft cabin to watch marine wildlife would be great, now I have to worry about him getting enough sleep at night so he can see the sights during the day.

Does anyone know of a real person that would give a rat's behind that I could call?:(

[SeaShark]

How would you like to find out via CC that your cabin was now directly above the Spinnaker Lounge? I had researched and spent hours in order to get an aft cabin, and I had to read on CC that people that had previously stayed in our upcoming cabin were miserable due to the noise from below.

Now trying to get our travel agent to acknowledge the remodeling at all and getting a comparable cabin is getting down right stupid!

Traveling with kids I thought an aft cabin to watch marine wildlife would be great, now I have to worry about him getting enough sleep at night so he can see the sights during the day.

Does anyone know of a real person that would give a rat's behind that I could call?:(

 

Aside from the whole "why would you book with them if they treat you that way" aspect. . .if your TA is giving you that much grief just cancel the booking and then rebook with someone who is going to work for your business.

[rsohn65820]

I am giving NCL another try after our recent cruise in January, where we definitely felt the "nickle and dime" vibe. More so than on other cruise lines. Freestyle just didn't seem very free. All but the MDR and buffet required an upcharge, as did certain menu items including espresso and capuccino. We ended up skipping the specialty restaurants altogether, and allocated those dollars to other things. Many on-board activities also had "small" charges, including spa access. I was hoping my next cruise might change my mind, but after all the posts on this board, I am thinking I've made a mistake choosing NCL again. No doubt we will have a good time -- it's a cruise after all! But next time, we'll be looking for a better value and likely won't be sailing on NCL.

 

I've only been on one cruise and I have my second one booked and I keep reading post like yours that talk about how NCL charges for there restaurants and espresso and other upcharges. I see from your signature that you have cruised on RCL and Carnival are you saying they don't charge for these things? I have been doing my research because I have thought about cruising these other two lines and from all the information I have found on their websites and the Carnival and RCL boards here on CC they seem to charge for their speciality restaurants. They only have Main dining rooms and buffet that are no charge they also charge extra for speciality coffees, they charge for drinks. I have a Alaska Ports of Call 2010 here by Fodor's and in it they talk about all the different cruise lines and where you can eat on each of the ships and from what I can see Carnival, RCL, Princess, HAL and NCL are all basically the same in what they offer as to free dining rooms, buffets and surcharge restaurants. Only difference I could see was that NCL may have more selection of speciality restaurants other cruise lines may only have one specialty restuarant. You also mentioned the spa and the additonal charge, what I read in my Fodor's book was that the other cruiselines charge of spa access too and for certian exercise classes. I really am interested and I hope you will take the time to explain to me what it was on NCL that you saw or felt that NCL charges you extra for that the other cruiselines you've cruise did not.

[terrymtex01]

How would you like to find out via CC that your cabin was now directly above the Spinnaker Lounge? I had researched and spent hours in order to get an aft cabin, and I had to read on CC that people that had previously stayed in our upcoming cabin were miserable due to the noise from below.

Now trying to get our travel agent to acknowledge the remodeling at all and getting a comparable cabin is getting down right stupid!

Traveling with kids I thought an aft cabin to watch marine wildlife would be great, now I have to worry about him getting enough sleep at night so he can see the sights during the day.

Does anyone know of a real person that would give a rat's behind that I could call?:(

 

Unfortunately, it is as Sea says above.. if you book with a TA you are kind of in their hands and at their mercy. NCL will not be able to help you out. Hopefully it isn't too late for you to cancel your booking with the TA and re-book with NCL. I do feel bad for those who are now above Spinnaker. I did read some where that NCL was going to re-do the sound proofing between the floors but I did not find out when. On our trip this Saturday I will try to ask and find out whats going on with that.

 

I've only been on one cruise and I have my second one booked and I keep reading post like yours that talk about how NCL charges for there restaurants and espresso and other upcharges. I see from your signature that you have cruised on RCL and Carnival are you saying they don't charge for these things? I have been doing my research because I have thought about cruising these other two lines and from all the information I have found on their websites and the Carnival and RCL boards here on CC they seem to charge for their speciality restaurants. They only have Main dining rooms and buffet that are no charge they also charge extra for speciality coffees, they charge for drinks. I have a Alaska Ports of Call 2010 here by Fodor's and in it they talk about all the different cruise lines and where you can eat on each of the ships and from what I can see Carnival, RCL, Princess, HAL and NCL are all basically the same in what they offer as to free dining rooms, buffets and surcharge restaurants. Only difference I could see was that NCL may have more selection of speciality restaurants other cruise lines may only have one specialty restuarant. You also mentioned the spa and the additonal charge, what I read in my Fodor's book was that the other cruiselines charge of spa access too and for certian exercise classes. I really am interested and I hope you will take the time to explain to me what it was on NCL that you saw or felt that NCL charges you extra for that the other cruiselines you've cruise did not.

 

Reba.. Good luck getting an answer for this one. For as long as I can remember I have been asking this same question over and over again on CC and the only two things I have ever been told was that on one of the mainstream cruiselines you get a free "readers digest" version of a daily newspaper and on another cruiseline you get limited spa access, like to the sauna and something else. Other than that, I have yet to have anyone who felt "nickel and dimed" to tell what they were charged for on NCL that they got for free on other mainstream cruiselines.

[michigan tim]

Does anyone know if the Dawn is also going to these...ahem, "upgrades"?

[Traveller20074]

We were on this cruise too and I agree with your comment about the large group 100%! I don't get why people felt they the need sleep in the window seats when they had a perfectly good cabin for that. Luckily we had a balcony so we could do our viewing from there.

 

A little perspective on sleeping in the window seats. I sailed with 4 other people. Someone was in the cabin and I couldn't sleep with them there...I slept for a short period of time on one of the window seats close to the Lotus Garden (Pearl) :o:o

[Traveller20074]

The Star is our favorite ship so I am sorry you were disappointed in your cruise. I am one that thinks it was a mistake for them to move Spinnaker. As in your thread, this will probably have more of an impact on Alaskan cruises than any others. I just hope the extra revenue they get from the new staterooms they placed where Spinnakers used to be makes up for the inside cabins that will not book because of such limited inside viewing areas.

 

Did they actually have the pool deck where you couldn't access it? like have the doors locked, etc? Or did you mean the pool itself was not available except on the last day of the cruise.

 

One last comment from me.. (well for now anyway.. LOL). NCL has never been known for having a lot of activites to keep you busy. Some people are glad of that, some people wish they had more. You are much better going with Carnival if ship activites are your thing.

 

LOL I never do the "activities" I'm too busy looking out the windows and relaxing :D I love sea days :):cool:

[Traveller20074]

Try the Pearl next time. Just got off her on May 9th and the viewing of

what Alaska has to offer was terrific. She's a gret ship with a great crew.:)

 

It was WONDERFUL wasn't it? :) That glacier was incredible, and the weather just could not be beat :D

[mom2tcdx2]

I guess I too don't really understand the nickel and dimed posts by people either.

 

I will however disagree with Terry on the Carnival bugging you to death. I found that once I told them I didn't need anything they didn't really come back all that often. In fact I found myself needing to hunt down someone to be able to order a drink on many occasions. The welcome aboard drinks on CCL are a charge too.

 

The only thing I can think of is NCL has more specialty dining options and that would be the only thing that costs any different. They have more choices for that where CCL has one, Royal has a few more though, Princess one, etc.

 

Everything else photos, shore excursions, specialty coffees, milkshakes, casino, alcoholic drinks, sodas, spa, bingo, etc all cost more on all the lines so I don't see where that is any different.

[SnootieTootie]

I may be wrong, but this is just my opinion. I think there are cruisers who like to drink a bit too much, and it is fun while they are doing it, but when that final bill is waiting outside your door on disembarkation day..............the fun is over.

 

Something like buyers remorse. it is not NCL's fault. No one forces you to partake in the "extra's".

 

If you choose to, enjoy it, and don't whine about it when you get home.

 

P.S. one "freebie" on Disney Cruise line is soda's (you are really paying for them with their inflated price, but I do love Disney)

[mew1]

How would you like to find out via CC that your cabin was now directly above the Spinnaker Lounge? I had researched and spent hours in order to get an aft cabin, and I had to read on CC that people that had previously stayed in our upcoming cabin were miserable due to the noise from below.

Does anyone know of a real person that would give a rat's behind that I could call?:(

 

OK just got back from May 1st cruise, in cabin right over the lounge, I came ready to use ear plugs, NOT NEEDED, one night the bass was up a little but hardly heard anything. I was worried too. DO NOT GIVE UP THE CABIN, the view is amazing, and when it was windy and everyone was complaining how cold, we had no worries. In fact my husband got a sun burn on our trip on the balcony. LOVED IT

[terrymtex01]

OK just got back from May 1st cruise, in cabin right over the lounge, I came ready to use ear plugs, NOT NEEDED, one night the bass was up a little but hardly heard anything. I was worried too. DO NOT GIVE UP THE CABIN, the view is amazing, and when it was windy and everyone was complaining how cold, we had no worries. In fact my husband got a sun burn on our trip on the balcony. LOVED IT

 

That is great to know. Maybe they fixed the sound proofing issue.

[wg6530]

I may be wrong, but this is just my opinion. I think there are cruisers who like to drink a bit too much, and it is fun while they are doing it, but when that final bill is waiting outside your door on disembarkation day..............the fun is over.

Were it excess alcohol leading to excessive bar bills, one might expect the nickle and diming complaint on multiple cruiselines, perhaps some more than NCL. But NCL seems to get it more. I don't see much difference between the lines; they all want to separate me from as many dollars as they can. (So do my local businesses, for that matter.)

 

I wonder if the passengers are less than happy for whatever ill-defined reason and fall back on the "nickle and dime" phrase.

 

Another possibility that comes to mind: all the specialty restaurants cause spending disagreements among family members. Those tensions translate to online complaints of nickle and diming. Just my guesses...

[razz29]

Were it excess alcohol leading to excessive bar bills, one might expect the nickle and diming complaint on multiple cruiselines, perhaps some more than NCL. But NCL seems to get it more. I don't see much difference between the lines; they all want to separate me from as many dollars as they can. (So do my local businesses, for that matter.)

 

I wonder if the passengers are less than happy for whatever ill-defined reason and fall back on the "nickle and dime" phrase.

 

Another possibility that comes to mind: all the specialty restaurants cause spending disagreements among family members. Those tensions translate to online complaints of nickle and diming. Just my guesses...

 

My GUESS on the "Nickle & Diming" is that some people feel because NCL lists the prices for things like NCLU and the specialty restaurants on the Dailies, people get the feeling that they charge for alot of the activities. I kind of felt that way myself at first. Now that I put more thought into it, I like that they have these options available if I so choose to participate. I would like to see these options available on the other lines as well. I felt most of the free activities offered on the other lines were quite corny and rather boring. I think the best way for people to not feel nickle and dimed is to not participate if they don't want to spend the money. Plain & simple. That's my opinion.

[rsohn65820]

Normally I do not speak up about people, but you are being SO MEAN, I was on that cruise, and spent over 1 year researching planning my cabin and dreaming of the cruise. I splurged on a PENTHOUSE, deck 8. When I booked spinnakers was in the front of the ship, a lovely place to hang out have a drink, meet with friends for sailaway. Then things changed, I ended up above the spinnaker, and nightclub, some nights it was noisy, the bass would rumble the bed. The group spoke of was very territorial, and claimed many areas, traveled in LARGE groups so no one stood a chance. The original poster was not just stating facts. And just so you know I am a NCL cheerleader, and even I was upset by this cruise.

Mew1

Mary

 

OK just got back from May 1st cruise, in cabin right over the lounge, I came ready to use ear plugs, NOT NEEDED, one night the bass was up a little but hardly heard anything. I was worried too. DO NOT GIVE UP THE CABIN, the view is amazing, and when it was windy and everyone was complaining how cold, we had no worries. In fact my husband got a sun burn on our trip on the balcony. LOVED IT

 

Mary you have me confused. Was it noisy? We had a deck eight AE booked and a few weeks ago I canceled because people coming back on the Star from Mexico was saying it was noisy. We booked another cruise on the Star for April and I might consider a deck eight wrap balcony if it isn't noisy but now I am really confused.

[big green]

I've only been on one cruise and I have my second one booked and I keep reading post like yours that talk about how NCL charges for there restaurants and espresso and other upcharges. I see from your signature that you have cruised on RCL and Carnival are you saying they don't charge for these things? I have been doing my research because I have thought about cruising these other two lines and from all the information I have found on their websites and the Carnival and RCL boards here on CC they seem to charge for their speciality restaurants. They only have Main dining rooms and buffet that are no charge they also charge extra for speciality coffees, they charge for drinks. I have a Alaska Ports of Call 2010 here by Fodor's and in it they talk about all the different cruise lines and where you can eat on each of the ships and from what I can see Carnival, RCL, Princess, HAL and NCL are all basically the same in what they offer as to free dining rooms, buffets and surcharge restaurants. Only difference I could see was that NCL may have more selection of speciality restaurants other cruise lines may only have one specialty restuarant. You also mentioned the spa and the additonal charge, what I read in my Fodor's book was that the other cruiselines charge of spa access too and for certian exercise classes. I really am interested and I hope you will take the time to explain to me what it was on NCL that you saw or felt that NCL charges you extra for that the other cruiselines you've cruise did not.

 

Carnival cruise ships have a speciality steak restaurant. Carnival has free cappuccino and expresso in their main dining rooms at breakfast, lunch and dinner ( NCL now charges for cappuccino and expresso in their main dining rooms.) Carnival allows a passenger to bring one bottle of wine/champaign on board without a fee as (per person ) long as it is consumed in their cabin--NCL would charge $15 per bottle as soon as you check in. Carnival as a lower per night service fee of $10 per person.

 

These are subtle differences--I will sail Carnival next week so I will have a comparison to NCL when we get back--look for my review/comparison that is from my eyes that I will post.

 

BG

[Don Haynes]

One should never assume there won't be changes to a ship's layout after a dry dock. Lounges and restaurants can be moved or eliminated, and new cabins can be added or eliminated. The cruising industry changes over time, therefore ships change over time to sustain their profitability as well.

 

If you are worried about noise from lounges and restaurants that may be relocated, don't book a cruise so far in advance.

[rsohn65820]

One should never assume there won't be changes to a ship's layout after a dry dock. Lounges and restaurants can be moved or eliminated, and new cabins can be added or eliminated. The cruising industry changes over time, therefore ships change over time to sustain their profitability as well.

 

If you are worried about noise from lounges and restaurants that may be relocated, don't book a cruise so far in advance.

 

The scheduled dry dock was move up from October to February because of the cancelation of the Olympics hotel thing. If the dry dock had stayed when it was planned all these changes would not have taken place yet. There is no way that any one like us, who booked in January would know that in just over a month from then that the ship would change. Even NCL did not know so how could any of us have known.

[swedish weave]

The scheduled dry dock was move up from October to February because of the cancelation of the Olympics hotel thing. If the dry dock had stayed when it was planned all these changes would not have taken place yet. There is no way that any one like us, who booked in January would know that in just over a month from then that the ship would change. Even NCL did not know so how could any of us have known.

 

So true !!!! I was on the Star when the news broke that the Vancouver hotel plan was cancelled. NCL had just a few days to get the drydock rescheduled.

[Traveller20074]

*sigh*

 

I have a huge decision to make, and I hope I make the right one :o Would it be better to get a balcony on the Star, rather than an oceanview on the Pearl...that's the question I guess. if the Star doesn't have good public viewing areas....and the spa isn't as great...I just don't know.