NCL Suffers By Comparison .....

[gtragitt]

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

I think Renaissance had freestyle type cruising and specialty restaurants long ago. The lines that purchased their ships maintained those concepts. I won't swear that Renaissance was first, but they may have been.

[gtragitt]

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.

The steak I had in Chops was overpriced and tough.

 

The steak in Cagney's was perfect. I had lamb chops in the POA steak restaurant and it was exceptional. The lamb in Le Bistro was equally as good.

 

NCL has fantastic variety and excellent food in the specialty restaurants. We ate in the specialty restaurants 6 times and it did not have a large impact on our bill. The total was comparable to the total for billed gratuities.

[newmexicoNita]

I think Renaissance had freestyle type cruising and specialty restaurants long ago. The lines that purchased their ships maintained those concepts. I won't swear that Renaissance was first, but they may have been.

 

you could be right. I do know NCL was the first mass marketed line to offer specialty dining.

 

Nita

[DMH15]

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

 

Nita, I agree 100%. I will repeat something I posted before. Last year there were two young, female American college students who were on the Sun with us. I met them on the tender returning to the ship at one of the ports. We got into a conversation. They told me that they had procured their inside room at a cost of $499 each. This was about 10% of what my mother and I each paid for our aft AC suite. Look what a broad spectrum there is for a cruise traveller.

 

The girls mentioned that the cruise cost less than flying from Santiago to Buenos Aires. They said they had plenty of time so this no-frills cruise fit the bill for them. No spa, no casino, no excursions, no specialty restaurants. Their only additional cost was the DSC.

 

On the other hand, I chose to spend in all of those optional regards, including the day-trip to Antarctica and also factored in tipping for butler, concierge and servers in Il Adagio (no Cagneys on the Sun), and extra for our exceptional stewards. This was all my choice. As theirs was.

 

NCL appeals to a very wide range of customer, once you pay the initial investment (cruise and DSC), the rest is a personal choice.

 

I am a foodie and a chef. I do not eat buffets if I can help it. But MDR, as mentioned in this thread as "average". I think that is acceptable. For others to expect more, without seeing cruise prices being substantially raised, is unrealistic. The extra surcharge for specialty restaurants kicks it up a notch with regard to food, ambience and service. I think that is fine.

 

I wish people who complain would look back at what their same cruise would have cost 10 or 20 years ago and see if it has progressed with inflation. Nita, as a TA I would be interested in seeing if my assumption is true.

 

And if people want white glove service they should book the Garden Villa (on NCL) or try one of the luxury lines, where they will pay for that set of gloves.

[CanadianTwosome]

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?

 

While I understand your point, I don't think that 'dumbing down' is the appropriate term. I think the difference in our views probably stems from the fact that I think it's all a fantastic concept, while you appear to feel that it is not.

 

When I read your phrasing, what I perceive is that you believe NCL's product quality is being lowered in order to attract people with less sophisticated tastes. (I am not stating this as fact; it is just how I interpret the term 'dumbing down' as you are using it)

 

When I look at the same processes, however, what I see is that NCL has expanded their offerings to accommodate people with more varied points of view, by creating an a la carte system whereby passengers are able to make their own choices about how to spend their travel dollar.

 

Some people absolutely prefer to eat a burger and fries rather than escargot and filet mignon. Does that mean that those individuals are of a lower class or have a 'dumbed down' view of travel and dining? Absolutely not; how can anyone answer that question based solely on someone's dining preference? The same can be said for someone's choice to wear jeans rather than a suit.

 

To me, the concept of 'dumbing down' anything implies something negative, and I just don't feel that this is the case for NCL. To say so is to suggest that ALL of the people who are now able to enjoy cruising as a direct result of their current product design are somehow a negative addition to the passenger mix. Having cruised since 1975, I can verify that as far as passengers go, the percentage of jerks on board has not changed a bit, so clearly this is not the case.

 

When I read posts talking about the 'old days', I often find myself chuckling a bit. Perhaps I've been cruising longer than most on the boards, but it's those 'old days' (meaning for me the 70s and 80s) that make me so ecstatically happy about what NCL offers now. Contrary to apparent popular belief, food was NOT available all day; there was ONE dining room that served two scheduled sittings for each meal as well as a midnight buffet, and an outdoor buffet was served at lunch. There was generally one pool, about the size of a postage stamp. There wasn't even a casino on the first ship I sailed (Carnival Mardi Gras). There were shows in the 'show lounge'. There was no spa, but there was a gym with a few machines (there weren't many available back then). I think they also offered skeet shooting and golf (driving). Other than that and a few crafty activities or dance lessons, we were on our own, and miraculously had no difficulty amusing ourselves or making it from meal to meal without starving. :p

 

Now we've got entire sports complexes, multiple pools, waterslides, bowling, entertainment of all kinds, an organized kids' program, and food 24/7. As for the quality of the food, I loved it then and I love it now - even the included fare. I would LOVE to dine at the homes of some of the posters that complain about the food on NCL, because they must be culinary talents to rival Gordon Ramsay!! :p

 

So, once again, as with so many discussions on this board, it comes down to personal opinion and perception. I'll never understand why so many people think it's a negative thing to be given the freedom to make your own choices about so many things, but I accept that not everyone has my outlook, so whether I understand it or not, I respect it. :)

[DMH15]

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.

 

Just because YOU liked the food on the other lines better doesn't mean I would. Personally, I hated the food on Carnival - worst eggs benedict I have ever eaten in my life (my mom's favorite). But I realize the Carnival lovers would probably be offended if I went to THEIR board and blasted them.

 

Food is subjective, for everyone, and I am a trained chef. However, I would not assume to tell YOU what is good or not.

 

I would give a slight nod on cruise food to Celebrity. This due to three things that I loved... 1. The Normandie. It cost $25 more, worth every dime. @. The spa cafe breakfast and lunch. I loved it. 3. 6 p.m. sushi. - no charge, but I would have gladly paid one it was so good.

 

I am sure NCL had planned to charge for specialty restaurants, but weened us on them. There are plenty of places to eat at no additional charge, but there are plenty of us who do not think twice of the extra charge. No one is forcing ANYONE to eat there... even though some people come on and whine that NCL dumbs down the MDR food to force people into the specialties. This is ridiculous. There is no way the numbers of pax could be accomodated.

 

Their are considerations that have to be looked at with regard to food at sea: food cost, labor cost and food availability. Some people want to pay for McDonalds and get an all-you-can-eat Ruth Chris. It just doesn't make sense.

[newmexicoNita]

Nita, I agree 100%. I will repeat something I posted before. Last year there were two young, female American college students who were on the Sun with us. I met them on the tender returning to the ship at one of the ports. We got into a conversation. They told me that they had procured their inside room at a cost of $499 each. This was about 10% of what my mother and I each paid for our aft AC suite. Look what a broad spectrum there is for a cruise traveller.

 

The girls mentioned that the cruise cost less than flying from Santiago to Buenos Aires. They said they had plenty of time so this no-frills cruise fit the bill for them. No spa, no casino, no excursions, no specialty restaurants. Their only additional cost was the DSC.

 

On the other hand, I chose to spend in all of those optional regards, including the day-trip to Antarctica and also factored in tipping for butler, concierge and servers in Il Adagio (no Cagneys on the Sun), and extra for our exceptional stewards. This was all my choice. As theirs was.

 

NCL appeals to a very wide range of customer, once you pay the initial investment (cruise and DSC), the rest is a personal choice.

 

I am a foodie and a chef. I do not eat buffets if I can help it. But MDR, as mentioned in this thread as "average". I think that is acceptable. For others to expect more, without seeing cruise prices being substantially raised, is unrealistic. The extra surcharge for specialty restaurants kicks it up a notch with regard to food, ambience and service. I think that is fine.

 

I wish people who complain would look back at what their same cruise would have cost 10 or 20 years ago and see if it has progressed with inflation. Nita, as a TA I would be interested in seeing if my assumption is true.

 

And if people want white glove service they should book the Garden Villa (on NCL) or try one of the luxury lines, where they will pay for that set of gloves.

 

our daughter is similar to you, she and hubby probably could afford almost any line within reason, they do not go upscale suites too often but if there is a good deal they do. Most evenings they choose specialty dining rooms and probably only eat in the buffet for breakfast if at all. They love NCL because of freestyle and what they get for their money. We, on the other hand are on fixed incomes and keep our expenses down somewhat. There are other family members that fall all over the financual scale and that is why NCL and cruising period works for our family. We can be together and still do our own thing, spend what we feel comfortable spending get together a couple of times a day, whether it is for a meal, a drink, a trivia game, whatever?

 

Nita

[spongerob]

and you are right, we don't give up: one reason, you are quoting your opinions as 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.

You'd better be careful with your own facts, and quoting opinion as facts. Here are two examples where you are 1) completely wrong and 2)stating your opinion as fact.

 

1)

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

NCL was NOT the first line to add specialty dining. It is an idea that is over a century old. HAPAG introduced it in 1905 for first class passengers. Even Titanic had alternative dining - again, for first class passengers.

 

2)

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, ...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

This is nothing but opinion used to justify a rather weak argument. Do you KNOW that only upper-middle class and upper class were the only people to take cruise vacations in the days before the monster cruise ships? Or are you just creating a perception to support an argument?

[nycruise]

Just because YOU liked the food on the other lines better doesn't mean I would. Personally, I hated the food on Carnival - worst eggs benedict I have ever eaten in my life (my mom's favorite).

 

Based on your signature you haven't been on Carnival in 10 years, not a valid comparison.:p

[nycruise]

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". See, this is what I mean by your using your opinion and wanting it to seem like fact.

Nita

 

Not really sure what you're talking about:confused:

 

As I said specialty restaurants were part of the freestyle concept, who was discussing how long it has been in existence:confused:

 

Freestyle has been in existence for about 10 years now, in the beginning most of the restuarants were free of charge, that was the point I was making, not who started first. So you're saying NCL had all these speciality restaurants 20 years ago, 10 years before freestyle:confused:

[nycruise]

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

 

Nita

 

I think you are going to need to read more carefully. No one was discussing cruiselines.:rolleyes:

 

The poster said they had sailed on the same SHIP 3 times in a row. (I couldn't imagine doing that, but to each his/her own). To which I replied.........;)

[newmexicoNita]

You'd better be careful with your own facts, and quoting opinion as facts. Here are two examples where you are 1) completely wrong and 2)stating your opinion as fact.

 

1)

NCL was NOT the first line to add specialty dining. It is an idea that is over a century old. HAPAG introduced it in 1905 for first class passengers. Even Titanic had alternative dining - again, for first class passengers.

 

2)

This is nothing but opinion used to justify a rather weak argument. Do you KNOW that only upper-middle class and upper class were the only people to take cruise vacations in the days before the monster cruise ships? Or are you just creating a perception to support an argument?

 

If you re-read some of my comments you would see I clarified the comment by saying the first Mass marketed line, I didn't mean the "first line". As for those who cruised in the past, You know I was generalizing. I was referring to the modern days, not the days when people cruised from one country to another as in the days of our ancesters coming to America. In those days, it was about the only way to cross the ocean. I was talking about pleasure cruising since the days of mass marketed cruise lines, like Princess etc and you know this.

 

Nita

[newmexicoNita]

Not really sure what you're talking about:confused:

 

As I said specialty restaurants were part of the freestyle concept, who was discussing how long it has been in existence:confused:

 

Freestyle has been in existence for about 10 years now, in the beginning most of the restuarants were free of charge, that was the point I was making, not who started first. So you're saying NCL had all these speciality restaurants 20 years ago, 10 years before freestyle:confused:

 

The first time we sailed a ship with specialty dining was NCL in 1996. They had Le Bistro. Freestyle went into being in 2000, but it was 2001 before it really got off the ground.

 

Nita

[sunshine 229]

While I understand your point, I don't think that 'dumbing down' is the appropriate term. I think the difference in our views probably stems from the fact that I think it's all a fantastic concept, while you appear to feel that it is not.

 

When I read your phrasing, what I perceive is that you believe NCL's product quality is being lowered in order to attract people with less sophisticated tastes. (I am not stating this as fact; it is just how I interpret the term 'dumbing down' as you are using it)

 

When I look at the same processes, however, what I see is that NCL has expanded their offerings to accommodate people with more varied points of view, by creating an a la carte system whereby passengers are able to make their own choices about how to spend their travel dollar.

 

Some people absolutely prefer to eat a burger and fries rather than escargot and filet mignon. Does that mean that those individuals are of a lower class or have a 'dumbed down' view of travel and dining? Absolutely not; how can anyone answer that question based solely on someone's dining preference? The same can be said for someone's choice to wear jeans rather than a suit.

 

To me, the concept of 'dumbing down' anything implies something negative, and I just don't feel that this is the case for NCL. To say so is to suggest that ALL of the people who are now able to enjoy cruising as a direct result of their current product design are somehow a negative addition to the passenger mix. Having cruised since 1975, I can verify that as far as passengers go, the percentage of jerks on board has not changed a bit, so clearly this is not the case.

 

When I read posts talking about the 'old days', I often find myself chuckling a bit. Perhaps I've been cruising longer than most on the boards, but it's those 'old days' (meaning for me the 70s and 80s) that make me so ecstatically happy about what NCL offers now. Contrary to apparent popular belief, food was NOT available all day; there was ONE dining room that served two scheduled sittings for each meal as well as a midnight buffet, and an outdoor buffet was served at lunch. There was generally one pool, about the size of a postage stamp. There wasn't even a casino on the first ship I sailed (Carnival Mardi Gras). There were shows in the 'show lounge'. There was no spa, but there was a gym with a few machines (there weren't many available back then). I think they also offered skeet shooting and golf (driving). Other than that and a few crafty activities or dance lessons, we were on our own, and miraculously had no difficulty amusing ourselves or making it from meal to meal without starving. :p

 

Now we've got entire sports complexes, multiple pools, waterslides, bowling, entertainment of all kinds, an organized kids' program, and food 24/7. As for the quality of the food, I loved it then and I love it now - even the included fare. I would LOVE to dine at the homes of some of the posters that complain about the food on NCL, because they must be culinary talents to rival Gordon Ramsay!! :p

 

So, once again, as with so many discussions on this board, it comes down to personal opinion and perception. I'll never understand why so many people think it's a negative thing to be given the freedom to make your own choices about so many things, but I accept that not everyone has my outlook, so whether I understand it or not, I respect it. :)

 

I'm not against freestyle cruising being out there. I think it is great that there is a line that offers that option for those that want it. What I am somewhat bemoaning is the fact that this concept or some bastardized version of it seems to be showing up on all the main market lines...one of the things I used to like about cruising was the fact that I pretty much knew, going in, what the vacation was going to cost me.

 

I try not to be a glutton and I have been slightly appalled, in fact, by people practically pawing at the doors to get into a midnight chocolate buffet when most of them have consummed a four or five course meal just a few hours before so I am not going to go out of my way to try to "eat my money's worth " at every meal but I do like not to have to think too much about how much eveything is going to add to the bottom line before I order it; do I really want a soft drink by the pool enough to pay for it, or is a coffee in the lounge after dinner worth the cost, is the seafood dish on the menu worth an extra surcharge to me instead of the ragout...is the drink mixing demo included or is there a charge? I understand how, to some people, that may seem like a choice... to me it just feels like someone having their hand in my pocket for more money everytime I turn around, and me having to be on my guard not to run up a bigger bill than I planned to by adding five, ten or twenty dollar charges all over the place.

[emcelh]

I'm not against freestyle cruising being out there. I think it is great that there is a line that offers that option for those that want it. What I am somewhat bemoaning is the fact that this concept or some bastardized version of it seems to be showing up on all the main market lines...one of the things I used to like about cruising was the fact that I pretty much knew, going in, what the vacation was going to cost me.

 

I try not to be a glutton and I have been slightly appalled, in fact, by people practically pawing at the doors to get into a midnight chocolate buffet when most of them have consummed a four or five course meal just a few hours before so I am not going to go out of my way to try to "eat my money's worth " at every meal but I do like not to have to think too much about how much eveything is going to add to the bottom line before I order it; do I really want a soft drink by the pool enough to pay for it, or is a coffee in the lounge after dinner worth the cost, is the seafood dish on the menu worth an extra surcharge to me instead of the ragout...is the drink mixing demo included or is there a charge? I understand how, to some people, that may seem like a choice... to me it just feels like someone having their hand in my pocket for more money everytime I turn around, and me having to be on my guard not to run up a bigger bill than I planned to by adding five, ten or twenty dollar charges all over the place.

I understand how you feel. It does seem like you're signing a cabin charge everytime you turn around and you do have to be aware of what you're spending all the time. But we can't have it both ways. The cruise lines that are all inclusive are far out of reach for alot of people, myself included. I don't think that the "Freestyle" concept is responsible for all the extra charges because paying for soft drinks and specialty restaurants isn't unique to NCL anymore. Most of the mass market lines are doing the same thing, which is probably necessary to to keep fares low enough to fill so many ships.

[electricron]

What I am somewhat bemoaning is the fact that this concept or some bastardized version of it seems to be showing up on all the main market lines...one of the things I used to like about cruising was the fact that I pretty much knew, going in, what the vacation was going to cost me.

 

I understand how, to some people, that may seem like a choice... to me it just feels like someone having their hand in my pocket for more money everytime I turn around, and me having to be on my guard not to run up a bigger bill than I planned to by adding five, ten or twenty dollar charges all over the place.

 

You do have a point, in a way, and you're correct, almost every cruise line is doing so too. But when was the last time you have read a review or thread from anyone suggesting they desire paying more for a cruise? Not getting any on board credits? Not getting the cheapest fares possible? Not taking advantage of two discounts for the same cruise? Not finding a way to smuggle booze aboard?

 

The truth of the matter is people want every discount possible, the cheapest fares possible, no matter what hurdles they must jump over. If we weren't so sensitive about the fares, and compared the value of the cruise experience, you would see more activities included within the fares. But since we look at the fares first and foremost, the cruise lines have dis-included as many activities possible from the fares, to have the lowest fare possible. As long as we continue to book cruises based upon the lowest fares possible, we should expect cruise lines to charge extra for more amenities they didn't charge for before. Afterall, we are getting from the cruise lines what we are wanting.

[sunshine 229]

You do have a point, in a way, and you're correct, almost every cruise line is doing so too. But when was the last time you have read a review or thread from anyone suggesting they desire paying more for a cruise? Not getting any on board credits? Not getting the cheapest fares possible? Not taking advantage of two discounts for the same cruise? Not finding a way to smuggle booze aboard?

 

The truth of the matter is people want every discount possible, the cheapest fares possible, no matter what hurdles they must jump over. If we weren't so sensitive about the fares, and compared the value of the cruise experience, you would see more activities included within the fares. But since we look at the fares first and foremost, the cruise lines have dis-included as many activities possible from the fares, to have the lowest fare possible. As long as we continue to book cruises based upon the lowest fares possible, we should expect cruise lines to charge extra for more amenities they didn't charge for before. Afterall, we are getting from the cruise lines what we are wanting.

 

I totally agree with this and I think a lot of the changes have to do with people booking, based almost solely on the fare they see on line or in the brochure. If I try, really hard, to blame the cruislines the best I can come up with is that they don't do a good job of educating the public on the features they get with the higher fares as opposed to the "bare bones' concept of cruising...to be honest though I think that no matter how hard they tried most of the public would still vote with their dollars for what looked up front like the cheapest option.

 

I guess it is to be expected. In the same way that Walmart and it's like, has pushed out of business, a lot of companies who offered better service, product information etc. the bare bones cruise concept will continue to force other lines to cut their services and their costs or go out of business too.

 

I see I am bucking the trend. I'm not quite ready to pay the charge for the premium lines but wouldn't mind paying a bit more to go back to the older, more inclusive rates and style. I'd like to return to those days when most restaurants and most on board activities were included (and there were a couple of formal evenings when most of the passengers were dressed up), I'm afraid it is not going to happen and I will slip into old age, sitting in the corner and mumbling sadly about "the good old days of cruising".

 

Afterall, we are getting from the cruise lines what we are wanting

Not what I want, I fear, but yes, what the great masses out there seem to want. :(

[emcelh]

I see I am bucking the trend. I'm not quite ready to pay the charge for the premium lines but wouldn't mind paying a bit more to go back to the older, more inclusive rates and style. I'd like to return to those days when most restaurants and most on board activities were included (and there were a couple of formal evenings when most of the passengers were dressed up), I'm afraid it is not going to happen and I will slip into old age, sitting in the corner and mumbling sadly about "the good old days of cruising".

 

Don't be sad, at least you had the opportunity to experience "the good old days". My first cruise was over 30 years ago. Almost everything was included except drinks and you paid in cash as you ordered. Also, there was only 1 dining room so no extra charges there. All of the options available today didn't exist then but it was magical just the same. I agree with you, we won't likely see those days again....at least not at a price I can afford.

[newmexicoNita]

I totally agree with this and I think a lot of the changes have to do with people booking, based almost solely on the fare they see on line or in the brochure. If I try, really hard, to blame the cruislines the best I can come up with is that they don't do a good job of educating the public on the features they get with the higher fares as opposed to the "bare bones' concept of cruising...to be honest though I think that no matter how hard they tried most of the public would still vote with their dollars for what looked up front like the cheapest option.

 

I guess it is to be expected. In the same way that Walmart and it's like, has pushed out of business, a lot of companies who offered better service, product information etc. the bare bones cruise concept will continue to force other lines to cut their services and their costs or go out of business too.

 

I see I am bucking the trend. I'm not quite ready to pay the charge for the premium lines but wouldn't mind paying a bit more to go back to the older, more inclusive rates and style. I'd like to return to those days when most restaurants and most on board activities were included (and there were a couple of formal evenings when most of the passengers were dressed up), I'm afraid it is not going to happen and I will slip into old age, sitting in the corner and mumbling sadly about "the good old days of cruising".

 

 

Not what I want, I fear, but yes, what the great masses out there seem to want. :(

 

As I have mentioned, things change, that goes for cruising as well as everything else in life. Sometimes it is good. I do miss the days when service was perfect, your cabin steward knew what you wanted before you asked, the wait staff knew what you wanted before you even sat down and the your entire OB account would amount to maybe a couple hundred dollars. We could buy booze on the ship in the duty free shop and take it to our cabins. But, I also like knowing, I am in charge of what I spend. I can be content with basic 3 star dining or I can choose to spend a little extra and get 4 or 5 star. I can go to a buffet (most lines didn't even have them or they were very limited until about 10 years ago) or I can choose to eat in the MDR or the comfort cafe like Blue Lagoon.

 

There was a time when there were no movies on board and no TVs in the cabins, now, if we are tired we watch a movie and we get news which we didn't used to have. Everything is a trade off. I still love cruising as much as ever but for totally different reasons.

 

Now, if I want some of what used to be, I will splurge and go primium line. but I am not surre the added cost justifies it for us.

 

Nita

[nycruise]

Nita: "We get news which we didn't used to have."

 

I miss the days when you got no news. You were totally at sea and away from it all. Who needs bad news.;)

[swedish weave]

I'm not against freestyle cruising being out there. I think it is great that there is a line that offers that option for those that want it. What I am somewhat bemoaning is the fact that this concept or some bastardized version of it seems to be showing up on all the main market lines...one of the things I used to like about cruising was the fact that I pretty much knew, going in, what the vacation was going to cost me.

 

I try not to be a glutton and I have been slightly appalled, in fact, by people practically pawing at the doors to get into a midnight chocolate buffet when most of them have consummed a four or five course meal just a few hours before so I am not going to go out of my way to try to "eat my money's worth " at every meal but I do like not to have to think too much about how much eveything is going to add to the bottom line before I order it; do I really want a soft drink by the pool enough to pay for it, or is a coffee in the lounge after dinner worth the cost, is the seafood dish on the menu worth an extra surcharge to me instead of the ragout...is the drink mixing demo included or is there a charge? I understand how, to some people, that may seem like a choice... to me it just feels like someone having their hand in my pocket for more money everytime I turn around, and me having to be on my guard not to run up a bigger bill than I planned to by adding five, ten or twenty dollar charges all over the place.

 

Self discipline would totally eliminate the problem. If you don't want to spend the money, don't order it.

[Dolphins]

One area where other cruise lines pale in comparison to NCL is in perks for repeat cruisers. As a happy NCL Platinum Latitudes member, no other cruise line provides the perks I get from NCL. After over 100 days on HAL, all I got was a Copper Medallion? I much prefer the complimentary meals in Le Bistro.

[newmexicoNita]

Nita: "We get news which we didn't used to have."

 

I miss the days when you got no news. You were totally at sea and away from it all. Who needs bad news.;)

 

exceptly. Yes, we do turn the news on in the mornings on the ship and in the evening before bed time, but there is something to be said about the days when we had no communication. Obvioulsy if anything earth shaking happened we would know and a vacation is supposed to be that, a time to escape. I feel the same about the net on vacation and cell phones except for emergancies.

 

Nita

[newmexicoNita]

One area where other cruise lines pale in comparison to NCL is in perks for repeat cruisers. As a happy NCL Platinum Latitudes member, no other cruise line provides the perks I get from NCL. After over 100 days on HAL, all I got was a Copper Medallion? I much prefer the complimentary meals in Le Bistro.

 

i agree and so many do not realize that. It is true with the party for frequent guests as well. OK, NCL has cut back, they only serve wine and punch unless you ask for something else. But they have zillions of door prizes, the captain and a few other crew members are there and it is just more fun. Both Celebrity and Princess offer only punch and wine as well, few if any appitizers and hardley any crew members are there. We have never seen a door prize.

 

Nita

[emcelh]

exceptly. Yes, we do turn the news on in the mornings on the ship and in the evening before bed time, but there is something to be said about the days when we had no communication. Obvioulsy if anything earth shaking happened we would know and a vacation is supposed to be that, a time to escape. I feel the same about the net on vacation and cell phones except for emergancies.

 

Nita

That's true. If anything earth shaking happened it probably would have been announced on the ship. I remember many years ago when I was on the Oceanic an announcement was made that someone had shot JR.