NCL Suffers By Comparison .....

[jff50]

We pretty much signed off on NCL and sailed Princess, Carnival, RCCL and Holland America, all of which in our opinion give a better overall cruise experience and also some form of Freestyle of their own.

 

Skip forward to last week when we sailed the Pearl on the 5 day Pacific Coastal repositioning cruise. The ship is pretty much a duplicate of the Dawn and the Star, seems we didn't miss much over the past 5 years. The cruise again started from an industrial pier in Vancouver, not Canada Place as originally planned, and boarding was chaotic.

 

Since you list RCCL as one of your preferred cruise lines, I'm just wondering if you've ever sailed RCCL out of Vancouver. Every time I've sailed out of Vancouver (always Princess, and the last one was June 2009), the RCCL ships were sailing out of BALLANTYNE PIER--the industrial pier you refer to.

[nycruise]

Since you list RCCL as one of your preferred cruise lines, I'm just wondering if you've ever sailed RCCL out of Vancouver. Every time I've sailed out of Vancouver (always Princess, and the last one was June 2009), the RCCL ships were sailing out of BALLANTYNE PIER--the industrial pier you refer to.

 

No never sailed out of Vancouver before, this was our first time. My biggest gripe was that we were SWITCHED to Ballantyne from Canada Place after we printed final documents and the boarding was a disaster.

 

Had we been notified of the switch by NCL and had a smooth boarding, it wouldn't have been an issue. It was just one of a number of issues that convinced us that we prefer some of the other lines.

[tjaker11]

Sorry to hear you were so unhappy. We have never expierenced what you have. Happy sailing whatever line you chose.

[jff50]

No never sailed out of Vancouver before, this was our first time. My biggest gripe was that we were SWITCHED to Ballantyne from Canada Place after we printed final documents and the boarding was a disaster.

 

Had we been notified of the switch by NCL and had a smooth boarding, it wouldn't have been an issue. It was just one of a number of issues that convinced us that we prefer some of the other lines.

Presumably, NCL didn't know about the switch at the time that you printed the final documents? I seriously doubt that the knew and kept it secret just to piss of their passengers. How far in advance did you print off your final documents? Since you ended up on the right ship, you must have gotten some notice/information that the ship was at Ballantyne. How did that occur? What makes you think that any other cruise line would have handled it differently? As to the lack of a smooth boarding, I would suspect that any cruise line embarking at that pier would have the same issues.

[salty dingo]

You also proved my point about the main dining rooms, they're to be avoided.

 

We had a fine vacation, but the food and service weren't up to some of the recent cruises we've been on. The ship itself is well maintained, but of course it was only 4 years old so we expected as much.

The cruise lines (all of them, not just NCL) have learned that as they continue to lower the cost of the basic fare (which has traditionally included food) that they are attracting customers who are increasingly less discerning about food. Many people are quite happy with a burger and fries or a hot dog for dinner on a cruise.

 

To keep the more experienced cruiser, and the fans of fine dining, those venues are now available for extra charge.

 

I don't like the trend, but it seems to be industry-wide. Unless you want to shell out the big bucks and sail on Crystal you'll have to accept things as they are, and where they are headed.

[FuninWB]

Just a note about luggage in staterooms: I think this is individual to the room stewards. On our cruise on the Spirit two weeks ago, Joel had brought our bags into the stateroom. He provided exemplary service to us, and we filled our a compliment card to the hotel director in addition to tipping him extra. These people more than earn their sevice charge, at least on the Spirit.

[newmexicoNita]

The cruise lines (all of them, not just NCL) have learned that as they continue to lower the cost of the basic fare (which has traditionally included food) that they are attracting customers who are increasingly less discerning about food. Many people are quite happy with a burger and fries or a hot dog for dinner on a cruise.

 

To keep the more experienced cruiser, and the fans of fine dining, those venues are now available for extra charge.

 

I don't like the trend, but it seems to be industry-wide. Unless you want to shell out the big bucks and sail on Crystal you'll have to accept things as they are, and where they are headed.

 

That is a point to be taken seriously. By keeping prices down more people can cruise plus with the size of the ships the only way to keep quality of food up is to offer specialty dining rooms with smaller kitchens and fewer guest to prefare food for. It should be a win/win for everyone. I think the problem is a couple of things: 1-people have always heard about the food on the cruise ships, eat as much as you want, as often as you want and anything you want. Some do not realize this was in the "olden days" and 2-the more we cruise or do anything the less we are in awe. Thus many veteran cruisers are still comparing what was and what is, instead of seeing the improvements in the what is, understanding what was, is gone.

 

Nita

[snorklinbarb]

I don't doubt NCL's main dining rooms are just mediocre. DH and I haven't dined in an NCL main dining room for the past several cruises. We always dine in the specialty restaurants. Love the different restaurant decors, the smaller more intimate dining venues, love the food quality, different cuisines, top notch service and we gladly pay the up charge to dine in the specialty restaurants. Our NCL cruises are a notch above the other mass market lines because of the wonderful dining experience we have.

 

I don't list in my signature the different cruises we have done as we will be cruising our 33rd time on Epic in two weeks. We have cruised on HAL, Celebrity, Carnival, Princess, and we are Diamond members on RCCL.

 

Don't want to hijack this thread, but just want to wish you a great time on Epic. As for food, you might give Manhattan Room a try because it's so different....band plays during dinner (check the Daily for times). We had a few really good meals there and were really impressed. The place is lovely. Didn't have dinner in Taste but had some breakfasts & lunches there. Rest of the time was the specialties.

 

We found things get started later on Epic for entertainment so we ended up eating later. A few nights I went to the Garden Cafe to pick up a few noshes and was surprised to find the really big shrimp cocktail and many other excellent choices.

 

By the way, the GC on Epic is really phenomenal and flows so well. Breakfast seating becomes crazy but just go one deck down (from the GC itself) and find yourself nearly alone in La Cucina. You don't have to worry about drinks because everything is down there for you (along with danishes, cereals and a few other continental items).

 

We've had really different experiences from the OP on NCL. Love getting to know the hard working crew. Pianoman must be on the same corridors as we frequent because the stewards call us by name and other stewards up and down the halls always say, "Good morning" or similar greeting.

 

Between the incredible senior staff being the friendliest and most attentive we've ever encountered (Cunard, Celebrity, Windstar) and their friendly teams, we just love sailing on NCL. Love the freedom of eating when we want, where we want and all that. Generally fun entertainment with good lounge acts as well.

 

Can't wait to get on tomorrow's 12 nt. repo on the Dawn!:D

[emcelh]

That is a point to be taken seriously. By keeping prices down more people can cruise plus with the size of the ships the only way to keep quality of food up is to offer specialty dining rooms with smaller kitchens and fewer guest to prefare food for. It should be a win/win for everyone. I think the problem is a couple of things: 1-people have always heard about the food on the cruise ships, eat as much as you want, as often as you want and anything you want. Some do not realize this was in the "olden days" and 2-the more we cruise or do anything the less we are in awe. Thus many veteran cruisers are still comparing what was and what is, instead of seeing the improvements in the what is, understanding what was, is gone.

 

Nita

I love reading your posts Nita. You always make so much sense.

[beachchick]

Just my thoughts about the pier assignment. Our one cruise out of Vancouver, the ship was docked at the Ballantyne pier (which we didn't care for much, especially the industrial area). However, it was on the then nearly new RCI Radiance OTS, which had also been knocked out of the original pier (by a larger ship). To say NCL is somehow at fault or that it degrades the cruise is simply incorrect. It has more to do with which ships are slotted in at what point and so on; it has nothing to do with NCL being in any way inferior.

 

beachchick

[coffeebean]

Don't want to hijack this thread' date=' but just want to wish you a great time on Epic. As for food, you might give Manhattan Room a try because it's so different....band plays during dinner (check the Daily for times). We had a few really good meals there and were really impressed. The place is lovely. Didn't have dinner in Taste but had some breakfasts & lunches there. Rest of the time was the specialties.

 

We found things get started later on Epic for entertainment so we ended up eating later. A few nights I went to the Garden Cafe to pick up a few noshes and was surprised to find the really big shrimp cocktail and many other excellent choices.

 

By the way, the GC on Epic is really phenomenal and flows so well. Breakfast seating becomes crazy but just go one deck down (from the GC itself) and find yourself nearly alone in La Cucina. You don't have to worry about drinks because everything is down there for you (along with danishes, cereals and a few other continental items).

 

We've had really different experiences from the OP on NCL. Love getting to know the hard working crew. Pianoman must be on the same corridors as we frequent because the stewards call us by name and other stewards up and down the halls always say, "Good morning" or similar greeting.

 

Between the incredible senior staff being the friendliest and most attentive we've ever encountered (Cunard, Celebrity, Windstar) and their friendly teams, we just love sailing on NCL. Love the freedom of eating when we want, where we want and all that. Generally fun entertainment with good lounge acts as well.

 

Can't wait to get on tomorrow's 12 nt. repo on the Dawn!:D[/quote']

Hi Barb...

Thanks for the suggestion to try Manhattan. I'd love to dine while the live orchestra is playing. I understand it is big band music with lots of Sinatra thrown in. I love that stuff. I think I'm stuck in a time warp and I'm not even old enough to say that was my era of music. My Mom got me hooked on 40s when I was a kid.

 

Anyway back to the dining options...There isn't enough nights for us to try Manhattan for dinner. DH and I are traveling with my sister and BIL and we all agree that we want to dine in all the specialty restaurants. We have our absolute favorites...Cagney's and Le Bistro not to mention the others we love too...La Cucina, the Asian restaurtant and Teppanyaki. Then there is Moderno which is new to all of us....must try that as it has been getting rave reviews every time someone has mentioned it in a review.

 

On our very first cruise ever on the Star, DH and I popped in to the main restaurant a couple of times just for desert and coffee. Is it possible to do that on Epic and have the opportunity to hear the orchestra play? We would definitely consider that. That would be the best of both worlds, wouldn't it?

 

Just a few more days and we will be on Epic. I have not been this excited for any cruise (well, maybe our first one) as I am to board this ship. Epic...here we come.

 

Have a great time on Dawn.

[4 cruisers]

Presumably, NCL didn't know about the switch at the time that you printed the final documents? I seriously doubt that the knew and kept it secret just to piss of their passengers. How far in advance did you print off your final documents? Since you ended up on the right ship, you must have gotten some notice/information that the ship was at Ballantyne. How did that occur? What makes you think that any other cruise line would have handled it differently? As to the lack of a smooth boarding, I would suspect that any cruise line embarking at that pier would have the same issues.

 

I LOVED our trip on the Pearl repo...but NCL has all our email info, cell #'s and should have let us know about the port switch! I saw mention of it on our roll call...called NCL from our cell in vancouver the night before and was told "Oh, it's at Canada Place Ballentine!" I told them those were two different ports and was put on "roaming" hold for 10 minutes. Yes they came back and told me Balentine. NCL was at fault on this one issue. I don't like their phone service, period. I LOVE their shipboard service.

[luv4cruisin]

We popped into the Manhattan Room for after dinner drinks and dancing. Perfectly ok to do, and a great way to wrap up a meal!

 

Sorry for the Hijack!

[Mr. Luckytoo]

That is a point to be taken seriously. By keeping prices down more people can cruise plus with the size of the ships the only way to keep quality of food up is to offer specialty dining rooms with smaller kitchens and fewer guest to prefare food for. It should be a win/win for everyone. I think the problem is a couple of things: 1-people have always heard about the food on the cruise ships, eat as much as you want, as often as you want and anything you want. Some do not realize this was in the "olden days" and 2-the more we cruise or do anything the less we are in awe. Thus many veteran cruisers are still comparing what was and what is, instead of seeing the improvements in the what is, understanding what was, is gone.

 

Nita

 

Seeing the improvements such as the poorer quality food that you mentioned?

 

I agree with you about the quality of food and service being better in the specialty restaurants - that was the level of service in the MDR 15 years ago (pre-speciality venues).

 

Basically what you're implying is that the cruiselines are dumbing down their product to appeal to a broader market?

[sjbdtz]

Basically what you're implying is that the cruiselines are dumbing down their product to appeal to a broader market?

 

 

Absolutely.

 

 

The introduction of new ships means that there are competitive pressures both externally, and among a line's own fleet.

 

Fares stay low due to these pressures and in order to remain profitable when revenues are not increasing, costs need to be contained.

 

 

Luckily, increasing the size of the pie is one small way of alleviating competitive pressures. Niche orientation is what EPIC seems to be attempting.

 

It won't be everything for everyone, but it may appeal to the demographic which enjoys Vegas, both the adult-side, and the child-friendly side.

 

 

 

That's an under-served element of the 'potential cruisers' population and having two part-owners who both own casinos, may have lit that lightbulb for NCL.

[gtragitt]

I can echo some of the comments from the OP. I just completed my 6th cruise on NCL's Jewel. I cruised on the Pride of America in January.

 

The NCL POA exceeded my expectations. It was the most organized cruise I have encountered.

 

The Jewel was sometimes chaotic. There were numerous issues with disembarkation and embarkation.

 

I notice many of the crew lacked warmth. I suspect that was probably an issue with exhaustion. Although I believe our Hotel Director was the very best, I believe corporate management has dictated onerous working conditions.

 

I think many cruise lines have implemented cutbacks due to the economic pressures. It think it was quite noticeable on the Jewel.

 

The Specialty Restaurants were outstanding. The food elsewhere was average.

 

Luggage was delivered to the outside of my stateroom promptly. I did not expect it to e place in my stateroom. This has been done a few times for us on other cruise lines. I am totally ambivalent about this issue.

 

This was the first time I had an opportunity for easy disembarkation by carrying luggage. I love the concept of not having to have luggage outside the stateroom the evening before disembarkation. The problem was that nobody mentioned that wheeled luggage would not be allowed on the escalator at the terminal. This caused a very long line at the single elevator. If I had been advised previously, I would have used the conventional procedure of letting the cruise line handle the luggage.

 

The Cruise Director was very personable and attractive, but mostly invisible except before and after shows.

 

The cruise ship was very accommodating to the Cruise Critic group.

 

The Lattitudes program has little value. I am Silver and was invited to 2 very nice parties, but this was all the value I received. As an example they sent me a coupon book before the cruise. I tried to use a coupon for 15% off a bottle of wine in a specialty restaurant. We were told the coupon could not be used for normal wine - only house wine. The coupon would have only decreased our bill $4.50, but could not be used. How chintzy!

 

The ship had mechanical issues that required an adjustment to the itinerary. Everybody understands that mechanical problems arise. The NCL management did nothing to compensate for lost time in ports due to the mechanical problem. A $50 or $100 on-board credit would have been nice. Because on-board services have a huge mark-up, the cost would have been small.

 

On the NCL POA during breakfast in the buffet, crew would bring beverages and refills. This never happened on the Jewel. It also never happened on RCCL; so I can't complain too much.

[newmexicoNita]

Seeing the improvements such as the poorer quality food that you mentioned?

 

I agree with you about the quality of food and service being better in the specialty restaurants - that was the level of service in the MDR 15 years ago (pre-speciality venues).

 

Basically what you're implying is that the cruiselines are dumbing down their product to appeal to a broader market?

 

Of course I am, which has both pros and cons. The cruise vacation which used to attract pretty much upper middle class and upper class vacationers now can be enjoyed by a variety of vacationers including families, seniors on fixed incomes, young people etc. With this has come huge ships (not always good) more cruise companies, more destinations, more activities and low prices. For those who want more they have 2 choices: choose a luxury line, Oceania class or higher or expect more expenses and extra charges on the mass marketed lines. I understand the cruise line's side of it. Business is just that, business. If they can attract more poeple thus increasing the bottom line, that is what most of us think of as the free market or capitalism. Do I always like it? No.

 

NIta

[newmexicoNita]

I love reading your posts Nita. You always make so much sense.

 

Damn, I wish everyone thought that way..LOL

[nycruise]

Was suprised to see my post was still garnering responses. You NCL rooters just don't give up.

 

In comparing the Pearl to the Carnival Dream and HAL's Zuiderdam, the food in the main dining rooms was far superior, in taste, presentation, quantity and service on the other lines. I'm not comparing to the cruise experience of years ago, these 2 cruises were in the past 12 months.

 

I find it interesting that NCL set up all these specialty restaurants as part of their freestyle concept, most originally being free, an than imposed a fee. The other lines generally have one specialty restaurant, maybe two but serve a good meal in their main dining rooms.

[coffeebean]

Was suprised to see my post was still garnering responses. You NCL rooters just don't give up.

 

In comparing the Pearl to the Carnival Dream and HAL's Zuiderdam, the food in the main dining rooms was far superior, in taste, presentation, quantity and service on the other lines. I'm not comparing to the cruise experience of years ago, these 2 cruises were in the past 12 months.

 

I find it interesting that NCL set up all these specialty restaurants as part of their freestyle concept, most originally being free, an than imposed a fee. The other lines generally have one specialty restaurant, maybe two but serve a good meal in their main dining rooms.

RCCL serves very average food in their main dining rooms, IMHO. DH and I usually spend several nights dining in Chops and Portofino for a superior meal and service.

 

It is no different on NCL, IMHO. After several cruises, that is why we always dine in specialty restaurants. We love the intimate dining venues, different cuisines, different decor and the personalized superior service of NCL's specialty restaurants. It is just DH and myself and I can understand why many families don't dine in specialty restaurants every night as it adds a considerable amount to the overall cost of the cruise.

[Traveller20074]

My experience on the Norwegian pearl was polar opposite to your experience.....I will be sailing on her for the THIRD time next May :D

[nycruise]

My experience on the Norwegian pearl was polar opposite to your experience.....I will be sailing on her for the THIRD time next May :D

 

Did you ever hear that "Variety is the spice of life." :D

[newmexicoNita]

Was suprised to see my post was still garnering responses. You NCL rooters just don't give up.

 

In comparing the Pearl to the Carnival Dream and HAL's Zuiderdam, the food in the main dining rooms was far superior, in taste, presentation, quantity and service on the other lines. I'm not comparing to the cruise experience of years ago, these 2 cruises were in the past 12 months.

 

I find it interesting that NCL set up all these specialty restaurants as part of their freestyle concept, most originally being free, an than imposed a fee. The other lines generally have one specialty restaurant, maybe two but serve a good meal in their main dining rooms.

 

and you are right, we don't give up: one reason, you are quoting your opinions as fact. Just because you prefer the food on one line better than another doesn't make it fact. I am not saying HAL or Carnival isn't better, but it isn't fact. May I add, if you knew anything about specialty dining rooms you wouldn't make a statement like, NCL set up the specialty restaurants as part of freestyle. NCL was the first line to add specialty dining, but that was 10 years before "freestyle" Princess was next I think, but I am not sure about that. See, this is what I mean by your using your opinion and wanting it to seem like fact.

 

Nita

[newmexicoNita]

Did you ever hear that "Variety is the spice of life." :D

 

again, you are doing it: where did are traveler say he/she hadn't cruised other lines?

 

Nita

[jeannep]

Was suprised to see my post was still garnering responses. You NCL rooters just don't give up.

 

In comparing the Pearl to the Carnival Dream and HAL's Zuiderdam, the food in the main dining rooms was far superior, in taste, presentation, quantity and service on the other lines. I'm not comparing to the cruise experience of years ago, these 2 cruises were in the past 12 months.

 

I find it interesting that NCL set up all these specialty restaurants as part of their freestyle concept, most originally being free, an than imposed a fee. The other lines generally have one specialty restaurant, maybe two but serve a good meal in their main dining rooms.

 

We just got off the Carnival Miracle and we had a great time. We also compared it to the NCL ships we have been on and realized we are definately "NCL rooters".

 

The food in the main dining room was ok but eating in the same place for 8 nights was boring. We did not want to go to the steak house but definately missed all the other options on NCL.

 

We have always enjoyed the food on NCL in the main dining rooms and all the other venues that there are.

 

"YEAH!!!!!! NCL"

Jeanne