Score 1 for NCL vs. RCCL

[klingoncruiser]

As a diamond + RCI cruiser we sailed the Spirit last spring break. It was a wonderful cruise and we are booked B to B this Xmas because of it. I hope you enjoy the cruise. Always good to try other cruise lines.

[d man]

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 need a happy nap! Please do not try to bring down everyone to your level.

 

Enjoy

[swedish weave]

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 respectfully disagree with your comments about NCL having problems getting people to cruise with them a second time. On my recent cruise, they had two sessions of the Lattitudes party in order to accomodate all the returning cruisers. I have cruised NCL many times, and have never seen a shortage of guests at the Lattitudes parties.

 

Since I have never cruised with RCCL, I have no information about their percentage of returning cruisers.

[kerrytens]

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

Nice Tom! Enjoy.

OP, congrats on your upgrade too:D

[4774Papa]

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!![/color']

 

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

 

PE

 

Doesn't the same company own NCL and RCCL?

[Planer's Edge]

Doesn't the same company own NCL and RCCL?

Nope.

 

PE

[steviek49]

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.

Well said!

However, I know more than a few people who like doing the same thing every year.

They don't like change!

They go to the same vacation spot, go to the same hotel, stay with the same insurance company, go to the same restaurant (every Saturday night), fly the same airline, same car rental agency and the list goes on and on.

A few years ago a casual friend of mine was discussing cruiselines. He made a bold statement to a group of us friends and said "The best cruiseline is Royal Caribbean" One of the guys asked him How many different cruiselines have you been on? He answered only Royal Caribbean. It turned out that because of a work conflict he had to cancel his upcoming cruise and the only ship available(where he wanted to travel to) when he could get a week off of work was the Caribbean Princess.

When he returned from his vacation with his family we asked him if he liked his cruise and his whole family agreed that they liked Princess better than RCI.

[newmexicoNita]

Doesn't the same company own NCL and RCCL?

 

No, RCI or RCCL as some refer to the line is one line with Celebrity being part of the company.

 

Nita

[adjburch]

We love change and are trying different cruise lines. We are looking at a NCL cruise but I can't for the life of me figure out why their taxes are double the other cruise lines for the same ports. I've read everything on their website I can find but can't find anything about PORT CHARGES. Do they include them or are they charging the passengers?

 

Any info would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!!!!

[AlibearNS]

Regarding returning cruisers to RCI. We cruised on the smaller cruiseline Thomsons for many years on the Celebration and Spirit. Being positive people who enjoy life we always had a great time, never had a negative experience.

 

We went on our very first RCI cruise a month ago, was so excited and then had such a negative experience we never want to go on RCI again. I haven't even written a review for it as found the whole experience so upsetting.

 

However:

 

We've now booked a cruise on the Jewel over Christmas and can't wait. If we have a great time (and we intend to) we will be back :)

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

Regarding returning cruisers to RCI. We cruised on the smaller cruiseline Thomsons for many years on the Celebration and Spirit. Being positive people who enjoy life we always had a great time, never had a negative experience.

 

We went on our very first RCI cruise a month ago, was so excited and then had such a negative experience we never want to go on RCI again. I haven't even written a review for it as found the whole experience so upsetting.

 

However:

 

We've now booked a cruise on the Jewel over Christmas and can't wait. If we have a great time (and we intend to) we will be back :)

 

I would love to hear why it was such a letdown -- even if only a few sentences!

 

Tom

[newmexicoNita]

We love change and are trying different cruise lines. We are looking at a NCL cruise but I can't for the life of me figure out why their taxes are double the other cruise lines for the same ports. I've read everything on their website I can find but can't find anything about PORT CHARGES. Do they include them or are they charging the passengers?

 

Any info would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!!!!

 

If even one port is different that would account for the difference, as well as embarkation ports. I am not familiar with any cruise line that embarks from exactly the same port as another and goes to exactly the same ports. Taxes and port charges are assessed by the government involved and not the cruise line.

 

Nita

[keeponcruising]

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 love the "GIFT HORSE" and plan on to keep on cruising with her. I have been on approx 100 cruises and besides the BEST SUITES AT SEA, when I board an NCL ship, I feel at home. It doesn't matter that it is a new ship or a ship I have not been on before, I feel at home. NCL goes out of their way to make you feel that way and to feel comfortable.

[mellygo]

Just had to say that we have loved RCCL and Celebrity, and were pretty loyal to them until a very unfortunate incident made us cruise NCL. Now (because of how we were treated on the Jewel on that first NCL cruise) we also book NCL, and are going on a 10 day on the Jade in 316 more days!!

 

I agree with the posters who have said we should all be excellent to each other, (B & T) and those who quoted Thumper - "If you can't say somethin' nice, don't say nothin' at all". Some people never learned their kindergarten manners!

[BeachChik]

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 contradict yourself. In another post you said:

 

BruceMuzz

Cool Cruiser

Join Date: Jun 2002

Location: San Francisco, CA, USA

Posts: 1,784

 

 

" The single most surprising thing I have learned from working in the cruise industry for the past 3 decades is:

 

The ones who swear up and down that they will NEVER, NEVER, NEVER, EVER come back again - always end up coming back again and again and complaining over and over and over again.

 

If only they would keep their promises, the world would be a happier place."

[emcelh]

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".

Sounds like an ex-employee with an ax to grind.

[BruceMuzz]

Sounds like an ex-employee with an ax to grind.

 

You're half right.

I am an ex-NCL employee.

They treated me better (and paid me better) than any employer I have ever worked for in my life. I cannot say enough good things about my former boss and colleagues. I only regret that I didn't work there a bit longer.

 

But I still wouldn't pay to be a passenger on an NCL ship with the current product they are offering.

[MiamiSpartan]

Another person here who is a repeat NCL customer....

Seriously...some people are just not happy unless they are miserable, and then have to pull everyone else down as well....

[swedish weave]

You're half right.

I am an ex-NCL employee.

They treated me better (and paid me better) than any employer I have ever worked for in my life. I cannot say enough good things about my former boss and colleagues. I only regret that I didn't work there a bit longer.

 

But I still wouldn't pay to be a passenger on an NCL ship with the current product they are offering.

 

 

Of course !!! I assume you are travelling free with your current employer. I wouldn't choose to pay on another line either.

[raventhebouv]

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...great post!

[BruceMuzz]

You contradict yourself. In another post you said:

 

BruceMuzz

Cool Cruiser

Join Date: Jun 2002

Location: San Francisco, CA, USA

Posts: 1,784

 

 

" The single most surprising thing I have learned from working in the cruise industry for the past 3 decades is:

 

The ones who swear up and down that they will NEVER, NEVER, NEVER, EVER come back again - always end up coming back again and again and complaining over and over and over again.

 

If only they would keep their promises, the world would be a happier place."

 

Sorry. No contradiction there.

The passengers who swear that they will NEVER NEVER NEVER come back are a very tiny percentage of cruisers - perhaps 1% or 2%. They ALWAYS come back.

 

It's the other 98% or 99% that NCL is having problems with.

 

ALL mass market cruise lines make revenue and profit from onboard spending.

In order to maximize that onboard spending (and profit) we need to fill our ships.

We can fill them with repeat cruisers (at a relatively low cost) or with new cruisers (at a much higher cost).

The cruise lines that are able to attract a high percentage of repeaters usually have the highest revenues and profits (and the fewest cabins available for upgrades).

 

The cruise lines that are unable to attract high numbers of repeaters are forced to spend big money to attract new cruisers. As a result, they have empty cabins and lower profits.

 

The cruise lines that are unable to fill their ships with large numbers of repeaters or with large numbers of new cruisers are forced to resort to upgrades to get people to come back.

They have the (questionable) luxury of unsold cabins that allows them to do this.

Unfortunately, giving free upgrades to passengers does not result in higher revenues or profits.

 

So if you Google NCL Profits for any year in the past decade and then compare them to any other mass market cruise line's profits for any year in the past decade, you will notice a huge disparity.

[swedish weave]

Sorry. No contradiction there.

The passengers who swear that they will NEVER NEVER NEVER come back are a very tiny percentage of cruisers - perhaps 1% or 2%. They ALWAYS come back.

 

It's the other 98% or 99% that NCL is having problems with.

 

ALL mass market cruise lines make revenue and profit from onboard spending.

In order to maximize that onboard spending (and profit) we need to fill our ships.

We can fill them with repeat cruisers (at a relatively low cost) or with new cruisers (at a much higher cost).

The cruise lines that are able to attract a high percentage of repeaters usually have the highest revenues and profits (and the fewest cabins available for upgrades).

 

The cruise lines that are unable to attract high numbers of repeaters are forced to spend big money to attract new cruisers. As a result, they have empty cabins and lower profits.

 

The cruise lines that are unable to fill their ships with large numbers of repeaters or with large numbers of new cruisers are forced to resort to upgrades to get people to come back.

They have the (questionable) luxury of unsold cabins that allows them to do this.

Unfortunately, giving free upgrades to passengers does not result in higher revenues or profits.

 

So if you Google NCL Profits for any year in the past decade and then compare them to any other mass market cruise line's profits for any year in the past decade, you will notice a huge disparity.

 

It is common knowledge that NCL was in financial trouble until Kevin Sheehan took over and began the process of turning the company around. The statistics for the past ten years are irrelevant to todays operation.

[BruceMuzz]

Swedish Weave,

 

Thank you for making my point for me.

 

NCL have been in financial trouble for quite some time. And they will probably get out of it in time, with Mr. Sheehan's leadership.

 

But for the present they cannot fill their ships with the product they are offering, and are forced/willing to bribe their passengers with cabin upgrades to get them back.

All NCL passengers should take advantage of the situation while they can.

[swedish weave]

Swedish Weave,

 

Thank you for making my point for me.

 

NCL have been in financial trouble for quite some time. And they will probably get out of it in time, with Mr. Sheehan's leadership.

 

But for the present they cannot fill their ships with the product they are offering, and are forced/willing to bribe their passengers with cabin upgrades to get them back.

All NCL passengers should take advantage of the situation while they can.

 

 

Night Southern Caribbean

Departs from San Juan, Puerto Rico

Carnival Cruise Lines — Carnival Victory

Departs from San Juan, Puerto Rico aboard Carnival Victory Customer Reviews:

Brochure price $1,669. Save up to 77 % off brochure price!

 

 

 

If your analogy is correct, then Carnival must be in more serious trouble than NCL. Orbitz has approximately 30 Carnival cruises listed with up to 8 category upgrades free. The attached is one example.

 

It is misleading to try to use a common marketing strategy against one cruise line when they are all using the same tactics to capture market share.

[BruceMuzz]

Night Southern Caribbean

Departs from San Juan, Puerto Rico

Carnival Cruise Lines — Carnival Victory

Departs from San Juan, Puerto Rico aboard Carnival Victory Customer Reviews:

Brochure price $1,669. Save up to 77 % off brochure price!

 

 

 

If your analogy is correct, then Carnival must be in more serious trouble than NCL. Orbitz has approximately 30 Carnival cruises listed with up to 8 category upgrades free. The attached is one example.

 

It is misleading to try to use a common marketing strategy against one cruise line when they are all using the same tactics to capture market share.

 

Swedish Weave,

 

People are going to start thinking we are in league with each other. You have helped make my point again.

 

Look closely.

NCL is offering free upgrades to get passengers on their ships.

Carnival Cruises is NOT.

 

Orbitz - a huge independent travel agent - is struggling to sell cabins (against major competition) on the most financially successful cruise line (Carnival) in the history of cruising. As a ploy to sell those cruises, Orbitz (not Carnival) is offering more perks to potential customers than the other large travel agencies are offering.

 

Carnival ships sail full EVERY cruise.

NCL ships occasionally sail full - but normally they do not (even with the free NCL upgrades).