Score 1 for NCL vs. RCCL

[Michuck]

DH and I are going on a cruise on NCL after many, many years of not sailing with them. We've done over 30 cruises with RCCL since then, and have NEVER been offered or given an upgrade.....just found out from NCL that they've given us an upgrade to a balcony cabin!!! Definitely a touchdown for NCL!!! DH and I are thrilled, and will definitely be looking in NCL for future cruises......

 

M.

[silkhair1]

That is great news!!!!!! I am jealous and happy for you guys!

[BruceMuzz]

I am not a fan of NCL or RCCL, but I have worked for both companies.

 

You need to ask yourself why it is that NCL is being so generous with upgrades and RCCL is not.

The answer is that NCL is having problems filling cabins and RCCL is not.

 

Then you need to ask yourself why it is that NCL is having problems filling their cabins - even with the generous upgrades.

The answer is that NCL is having problems getting people to cruise with them a second time. RCCL is not having this problem.

 

When you cruise NCL you will most likely discover why it is that NCL cannot fill their ships - even with the upgrades.

You will also be reminded of the old saying: "Never look a gift horse in the mouth".

[valleyvillage]

You're enjoying your day

Everything's going your way

Then along comes Debbie Downer.

 

 

Always there to tell you 'bout a new disease

A car accident or killer bees

You'll beg her to spare you, "Debbie, Please!"

But you can't stop Debbie Downer!

[Planer's Edge]

I am not a fan of NCL or RCCL, but I have worked for both companies.

 

You need to ask yourself why it is that NCL is being so generous with upgrades and RCCL is not.

The answer is that NCL is having problems filling cabins and RCCL is not.

 

Then you need to ask yourself why it is that NCL is having problems filling their cabins - even with the generous upgrades.

The answer is that NCL is having problems getting people to cruise with them a second time. RCCL is not having this problem.

 

When you cruise NCL you will most likely discover why it is that NCL cannot fill their ships - even with the upgrades.

You will also be reminded of the old saying: "Never look a gift horse in the mouth".

 

I guess you are entitled to your opinion. But, I know a lot of repeat NCL cruisers, myself being one. Some people just do not enjoy the "freestyle" environment and some people do not enjoy the "traditional" environment. Viva la Difference!!

 

The simple reason that ships are not filling their cabins is the economy and unemployment numbers.

 

PE

[Flying Solo]

You're enjoying your day

Everything's going your way

Then along comes Debbie Downer.

 

 

Always there to tell you 'bout a new disease

A car accident or killer bees

You'll beg her to spare you, "Debbie, Please!"

But you can't stop Debbie Downer!

 

LOL Thanks for the chuckle after reading the post from BruceMuzz.

 

I've been on NCL a number of times and will certainly be on their ships again. This is also true for plenty of people I know. I'll never understand why there are always a few people who come on these boards and try to ruin the excitement of people planning a vacation.

 

OP: Congrats on the upgrade. Enjoy your vacation. I bet you'll have a great time.

[Michuck]

I am not a fan of NCL or RCCL, but I have worked for both companies.

 

You need to ask yourself why it is that NCL is being so generous with upgrades and RCCL is not.

The answer is that NCL is having problems filling cabins and RCCL is not.

 

Then you need to ask yourself why it is that NCL is having problems filling their cabins - even with the generous upgrades.

The answer is that NCL is having problems getting people to cruise with them a second time. RCCL is not having this problem.

 

When you cruise NCL you will most likely discover why it is that NCL cannot fill their ships - even with the upgrades.

You will also be reminded of the old saying: "Never look a gift horse in the mouth".

 

Quite frankly, I don't care why NCL gave me an upgrade. I've sailed on plenty of RCCL ships that were NOT filled to capacity, and there was no upgrade. The fact that NCL took the time to review their bookings, and upgrade when possible, lets me feel that they do care about the enjoyment of their passengers. To the poster who said RCCL is not having trouble getting second-time cruisers, I beg to differ to an extent.....I've sailed them over 30 times, and have decided to switch...must be a reason!!

 

I will have a great time - being onboard a ship is much more fun than being at home - no dishes to do, no beds to make, no cooking, no casino or slot machines (except for that stupid little handheld one which has NEVER paid me anything in real money-or even paper tickets- :-0 ), I get to sleep in late if I want, eat when I want, nap when I want....geesh.....what's not to be happy about? I think I'm talking myself into another cruise, and I haven't even taken this one yet!!!

 

Have a great day everyone!

 

Michele

[mikewrit]

Abiding by BruceMuzz's direction, I asked myself why ... and came up with a different answer: NCL is quicker and better at filling the last few cabins. As an NCL slave, I'm tickled magenta to know that bargains and upgrades are ahead.

[OceanDreaming2]

You're enjoying your day

Everything's going your way

Then along comes Debbie Downer.

 

 

Always there to tell you 'bout a new disease

A car accident or killer bees

You'll beg her to spare you, "Debbie, Please!"

But you can't stop Debbie Downer!

 

Perfect come-back to you-know-who!

[nona0541]

I am not a fan of NCL or RCCL, but I have worked for both companies.

 

You need to ask yourself why it is that NCL is being so generous with upgrades and RCCL is not.

The answer is that NCL is having problems filling cabins and RCCL is not.

 

Then you need to ask yourself why it is that NCL is having problems filling their cabins - even with the generous upgrades.

The answer is that NCL is having problems getting people to cruise with them a second time. RCCL is not having this problem.

 

When you cruise NCL you will most likely discover why it is that NCL cannot fill their ships - even with the upgrades.

You will also be reminded of the old saying: "Never look a gift horse in the mouth".

 

Do you ever really cruise or do you just come on these boards to complain and throw water on everyones parade??????????

[Michuck]

Do you ever really cruise or do you just come on these boards to complain and throw water on everyones parade??????????

 

Having water thrown on your parade is not bad - as long as (a) it's sea water; (b) you're in a bathing suit or other attire you don't care if it gets wet; and © the weather is warm or it's an indoor saltwater pool.....

[Pianoman6582]

I am not a fan of NCL or RCCL, but I have worked for both companies. You need to ask yourself why it is that NCL is being so generous with upgrades and RCCL is not. The answer is that NCL is having problems filling cabins and RCCL is not. Then you need to ask yourself why it is that NCL is having problems filling their cabins - even with the generous upgrades. The answer is that NCL is having problems getting people to cruise with them a second time. RCCL is not having this problem.

When you cruise NCL you will most likely discover why it is that NCL cannot fill their ships - even with the upgrades. You will also be reminded of the old saying: "Never look a gift horse in the mouth".

I guess you are entitled to your opinion. But' date=' I know a lot of repeat NCL cruisers, myself being one. Some people just do not enjoy the "freestyle" environment and some people do not enjoy the "traditional" environment. Viva la Difference!! [b']The simple reason that ships are not filling their cabins is the economy and unemployment numbers.[/b]

PE

LOL Thanks for the chuckle after reading the post from BruceMuzz. I've been on NCL a number of times and will certainly be on their ships again. This is also true for plenty of people I know. I'll never understand why there are always a few people who come on these boards and try to ruin the excitement of people planning a vacation.

OP: Congrats on the upgrade. Enjoy your vacation. I bet you'll have a great time.

 

This is a time when the rule about "if you don't have anything nice to say" come into play.

 

There is a name for the type person that rains on someone else parade for no good reason: EEYORE!

 

Remember the character from Winnie the Pooh?

Pooh: "What a lovely day it is today, Eeyore."

Eeyore: *sigh* "Yeah but it's going to rain tomorrow."

 

OP: do not heed the troll! I've been on 24 NCL cruises ranging from a one night cruise to nowhere up to a 14 day repositioning cruise, and loved every single one of them!

 

Moreover, the reason they offer room upgrades is to fill the upper level rooms. NCL would much rather fill the balconies on deck 9, 10 and 11 and leave the inside cabins on deck 4 empty than the reverse.

 

And just a post script, if you look at RCCL's website, they have plenty of cabins available for many of their sailings that depart in the next week. Not saying they're doing any better or worse than NCL, I'm just saying their cabins aren't as scarce as Eeyore claims they are. Just sayin....

and I thank YOu:

JWK: Be excellent to eachother

[jebuell]

Not sure what department the Debby Downer worked in, but I worked in bookings at a hotel briefly and we used to offer upgrades frequently and it wasn't because we weren't able to fill up the hotel! There were various reasons upgrades would be offered but most of the time we offered an upgrade because we SOLD OUT of our lower level room and only had the premium rooms available and because of trends at the time we knew the lower levels were easier to sell so we'd upgrade a few people to keep those lower levels open.

 

Also, if a convention or large group was going to be staying at the hotel we'd get an estimate of what kind of room levels they would need and then would upgrade people in order to keep the number of rooms they needed available.

 

I'm guessing in your case the cruise has sold out of lower level rooms and they want to free some up because people are more likely to book last minute if they can get a cheaper room. Since most cruise pricings are done by a program, not a person, it's easier to adjust the data to show more lower-level rooms available (and therefor reducing the prices of these rooms) by upgrading those already booked in them to higher room levels. So, simply, more people these days are on budget so for cruiselines the interior and ocean view rooms are more valuable last minute than suites and balcony rooms.

 

Enjoy your upgrade!!!!

[npsh]

Well............. add myself and better half to those dedicated NCL cruisers of the freestyle concept. Enjoyed our trip on the Dawn that much, plans are being prepared for an LA - Panama Canal- Tampa with NCL and "coin" is being put aside as we speak. Hopefully fall 2011, if not 2012 for sure....

 

:D:D

[Redheel Girl]

I have never understood why any one would not have a wonderful time on a Cruise. I was on the October 8th Panama Canal and I was so suprised that there were so many negative reviews. I had even met some of the people at the Meet and Greet. I had a great Cruise and I still don't know why their Cruise was so bad. The Food was great the Crew bent over backward to make us happy. I am beginning to believe that the difference is that I was a Suite's passenger and perhaps we do Cruise in a different world. I was upgraded twice on the Pearl from a Mini Suite to finally an Owners Suite. Wonderful Cabin. Then this last Cruise I was up-graded from an Aft Balcony to the very front of the Ship Penthouse. I do feel that when they haven't filled the Suites they start calling the Balconey's and the Mini Suites to open up the lower end Cabins which are easier to sell.:rolleyes:

[swedish weave]

I have never understood why any one would not have a wonderful time on a Cruise. I was on the October 8th Panama Canal and I was so suprised that there were so many negative reviews. I had even met some of the people at the Meet and Greet. I had a great Cruise and I still don't know why their Cruise was so bad. The Food was great the Crew bent over backward to make us happy. I am beginning to believe that the difference is that I was a Suite's passenger and perhaps we do Cruise in a different world. I was upgraded twice on the Pearl from a Mini Suite to finally an Owners Suite. Wonderful Cabin. Then this last Cruise I was up-graded from an Aft Balcony to the very front of the Ship Penthouse. I do feel that when they haven't filled the Suites they start calling the Balconey's and the Mini Suites to open up the lower end Cabins which are easier to sell.:rolleyes:

 

I know the suite guests on NCL get excellent treatment and service. However, I book cheap inside cabins and also get excellent treatment and service. I have cruised NCL over 35 times and have never had a bad cruise !!

 

I take the negative reviews with a grain of salt based on the fact that there are over two thousand guests on the ship, and nearly all of them have an acceptable to excellent cruise while very few find it to be a totally negative experience. I will take those odds anytime and anywhere !!

[Econom405]

Congrats to the OP on your upgrade! Enjoy your cruise.

I also can never understand all of the negativity that goes on when someone posts something so happy! I have read reviews at nauseaum, my husband is always saying are you on Cruise Critic again? Luckily I take each one with a grain of salt, if I didn't we would not have taken our first cruise on the Sky, which I LOVED..didn't see any partying pukers on a run down ship that had nothing edible on it so apparently I sailed on a differant Sky than some of the reviewers I read. We loved it so much, we booked our second trip within 3 weeks of returning home..this time with our children to Alaska in June!

The only complaint that I have is, we got a great deal on a suite on the Sky and it's true what they say, once you go suite, you can't go back! I tried to book a balcony for the Alaska trip and kept looking at it, and discussing it and we ended up back in a suite!

[sparkleroxy86]

I bet they did it so because lower levels sell out quicker so they wanted those open..so your one of the lucky ones! either way its awesome! wooooooo!!!!:p enjoy your fancy balcony! I did a one nighter on NCL with a balcony and its so nice being able to enjoy the view without people brushing past you,etc.

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

Congrats on the upgrade!!

 

We have sailed Carnival close to 50 times, and in that time have received one upgrade. There have been a few times that I have called them and received a lower fare thanks to reductions since the booking was made.

 

... but NONE of those reductions was as SWEET as the one I received when I called NCL yesterday to make final payment on our February Epic sailing. It was a savings of $1002 for the two of us!! WOW WOW!!

 

(and I don't care WHY the fare went down)! ;)

 

Tom

[talyman2001]

This is a time when the rule about "if you don't have anything nice to say" come into play.

 

There is a name for the type person that rains on someone else parade for no good reason: EEYORE!

 

Remember the character from Winnie the Pooh?

Pooh: "What a lovely day it is today, Eeyore."

Eeyore: *sigh* "Yeah but it's going to rain tomorrow."

 

OP: do not heed the troll! I've been on 24 NCL cruises ranging from a one night cruise to nowhere up to a 14 day repositioning cruise, and loved every single one of them!

 

Moreover, the reason they offer room upgrades is to fill the upper level rooms. NCL would much rather fill the balconies on deck 9, 10 and 11 and leave the inside cabins on deck 4 empty than the reverse.

 

And just a post script, if you look at RCCL's website, they have plenty of cabins available for many of their sailings that depart in the next week. Not saying they're doing any better or worse than NCL, I'm just saying their cabins aren't as scarce as Eeyore claims they are. Just sayin....

and I thank YOu:

JWK: Be excellent to eachother

 

Party on dudes!!!

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

Party on dudes!!!

 

Caesar was the "salad dressing dude"... ;)

 

Tom

[Leafpeeper]

I am always amazed at those cruisers who only sail on one cruiseline. I can't imagine eating at the same restaurant everytime I go out to dinner just like I can't imagine sailing on the same line everytime I cruise.

 

We enjoy RCCL cruises just as we enjoy NCL cruises and Princess and Carnival. There are things about each cruiseline we enjoy. Sometimes we book for value and sometimes we book for proximity of departure ports close to home. There are many reasons for taking cruises on different cruiselines.

 

For us, variety is the spice of life. We love experiencing the difference in decor, restaurants, production shows, pools, martini tastings, cabins,

casino games, and lots of other things that each line has to offer.

 

Favorite thing we look forward to on our NCL cruise next month is a choice of dining in a different type of restaurant each night--especially the Asian restaurant and LeBistro. Counting the days.

[talyman2001]

Caesar was the "salad dressing dude"... ;)

 

Tom

 

Glad to see a classic lives on. I met my wife on match.com because my quote was "Strange things are afoot at the Circle K", and our cat is called So-Crates.

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

Glad to see a classic lives on. I met my wife on match.com because my quote was "Strange things are afoot at the Circle K", and our cat is called So-Crates.

 

Love it!

 

Off to WATERLOO !

 

:D

 

Tom

[sjbdtz]

I am not a fan of NCL or RCCL, but I have worked for both companies.

 

You need to ask yourself why it is that NCL is being so generous with upgrades and RCCL is not.

The answer is that NCL is having problems filling cabins and RCCL is not.

 

Then you need to ask yourself why it is that NCL is having problems filling their cabins - even with the generous upgrades.

The answer is that NCL is having problems getting people to cruise with them a second time. RCCL is not having this problem.

 

When you cruise NCL you will most likely discover why it is that NCL cannot fill their ships - even with the upgrades.

You will also be reminded of the old saying: "Never look a gift horse in the mouth".

 

 

You're joking, right? On almost every NCL trip we've taken, their have been more Latitudes members than not.

 

Your statement is utter nonsense.

 

 

Also, looking at my next sailing, I wanted to check the current pricing...however the ship is sold out.

 

 

 

 

 

.