Am I wasting my hard earned dollar???????

[jenpan]

Seems to be alot of negative comments in general about NCL and freestyle cruising that I have read in various places on the web. Things like no service in the cabins, long lines for dinner, unfriendly crews. I am booked on the Spirit, leaving in 63 days, so I can't cancel my trip. I am booked in a suite that is supposed to have concierge and butler service if I choose to use it. I'm getting VERY worried that I am wasting my money on this cruise. Just got back from seeing the ship docked in New Orleans. I have only cruised on Disney before NCL and I must admit the Disney boats look much cleaner and better kept on the outside than the Spirit. Someone tell me I'm not wasting ALL of my money!!!! Will anything on the cruise be positive????

[Agent999]

Seems to be alot of negative comments in general about NCL and freestyle cruising that I have read in various places on the web. Things like no service in the cabins, long lines for dinner, unfriendly crews. I am booked on the Spirit, leaving in 63 days, so I can't cancel my trip. I am booked in a suite that is supposed to have concierge and butler service if I choose to use it. I'm getting VERY worried that I am wasting my money on this cruise. Just got back from seeing the ship docked in New Orleans. I have only cruised on Disney before NCL and I must admit the Disney boats look much cleaner and better kept on the outside than the Spirit. Someone tell me I'm not wasting ALL of my money!!!! Will anything on the cruise be positive????

 

 

Can't comment on your hard-earned dollars, because I'm not aware that there is another kind. ;)

 

 

However, you can approach a cruise with a positive attitude and make the best out of whatever life gives you.

 

Or, you can approach a cruise with a negative attitude and...well, I guess I shouldn't have to say it. :rolleyes:

 

 

A great deal of what you get out of something depends on what you put into it.

 

You need to pick the path that is best for you.

 

 

I wish you the best in cruising experiences.

[LadyShiva]

Think of the -most expensive- cruiseline you can think of.... and go read that Cruise Critic board. You'll be surprised by all the griping about cutbacks and poor service!

 

It's the same thing here. There's always someone stirring up trouble, there's always someone upset about "wasted" money, and there's always someone in absolute misery over their cruise, no matter which board you are reading. Take the extreme reviews (the good AND the bad) with a boulder of salt. :)

 

Lemme know how the Spirit treats you... I'm booked for June. I'm a bit bummed about the lack of tile loungers in the spa, but I'm interested in the Asian decor and the ports for this cruise.

[ce2000]

No, I do not think that you are wasting your hard earned dollars. Yes, NCL Freestyle is different than the other cruise lines, but many prefer Freestyle.

All cruises are good, yes some are better than others, but I don't feel like I have ever wasted my hard earned dollars on any cruise.

[sdmike]

Seems like you've already resigned yourself to having a bad experience. I doubt anything can change this. You will likely be overly sensitive to anything amiss and blow every small thing out of proportion.

 

We had an outstanding time on our first NCL cruise after having sailed RCI and DCL in the past. The freestyle approach alone is enough to keep me on NCL, as we prefer it a lot more than standard seating and shows.

[bermuda lover]

Hi there, I have been cruising with NCL for 8 yrs now. I have never gone on another cruise line so I am unable to comment about that. But, what I do know is that I have read those same comments and have been "nervous" as well when I booked my last cruise to Bermuda. I have to say that we are very simple people and it does not take a lot to make us happy. I do not complain unless warranted and I think that everyone works hard on the ships. we do not expect people to wait on us hand and foot and we don't expect much; maybe this is why we have never had a bad experience. I love NCL. I recently booked and traveled to Aruba. We found the same type of comments. I almost changed hotels, but you know, I enjoyed where we stayed and our vacation was wonderful. Think positive!!!:rolleyes:

[patseacruiser]

I have been on 5 NCL cruises and can't say I haven't enjoyed each and every one of them. Having been on the Epic last month I am almost ready to become an NCL convert. You can go into it thinking the way you are and no matter what they do for you I am sure you will find something to complain about the way you wrote your original post. I hope you try to turn it around so it becomes the experience you are hoping to have.

[BIG_Steve]

I've been on NCL twice. Once in a balcony cabin, and once in a suite with a butler and concierge.

 

I never met the steward for the balcony cabin, but my cabin was cleaned quickly, and my ice bucket was always full. I didn't call the steward for anything, because nothing was wrong. The suite was even better. The steward and butler were out of this world. The concierge was professional and efficient.

 

I find the food on NCL to be pretty good compared to what the cruise costs. NCL does get a lot of bad food reviews, and frankly I really don't understand. But then, when I go to "The Outback" I'm not expecting a steak from one of the finest steakhouse in Chicago either. I don't expect fine Italian home cooking when I go to the Olive Garden, you see my point. Just dismiss anything you read that says stuff like "Horrible, Inedible" and other nonsense. Most of those reviews are worthless. Use you life experience to read between the lines on the outrageous reviews. Food is certainly subjective, and if you want food the equivalent of upscale restaurants in the main dining room, you're going to be disappointed. But I can assure you, nothing is Horrible, or inedible.

 

Around the ships, I've never had anything less then friendly service.

 

You didn't ask for life advice. But you're setting yourself up to have a bad experience no matter what. Hope you can let that go.

[russianmom]

I think vacations are all about what you make them. Is NCL the worst vacation I have ever been on?? No. Is it like when I was on Celebrity or Crystal? No.

But it fits my budget in this tight economy (this will be my third cruise in 11 months) and my husband and I both work "corporate suit jobs" and nowadays want to be casual and relaxed on vacation. It also works well for us travelling with a 4 year old.

I never experienced a line/wait in either MDR on either of my NCL cruises last year and other than a few random crew members never encountered anyone other than friendly, kind, helpful people. I especialy like that everyone went out of their way to learn my son's name and make him feel special.

We are going to try a suite on the Spirit next month... I'll do my best to report back upon our return...

[luddite]

Please.

Do some research. Find some writings that don't ask 'have you had a crummy esperience? Tell me about it' Naturally, those rants are gonna be negative.

 

Most everything on the ship will be a positive. You've booked a suite. No one does suites like NCL. If you embark with a chip on your shoulder and attiy=tude that evrything will be lousy,,......well, it doesn't take a rocket surgeon to envision how the trip will go for you.

 

If you've only read crappy things about NCL and the Spirit, frankly, you need to keep reading.

[silkhair1]

We love the freestyle experience and have a hard time booking any other cruise line. There have been good and bad on all cruise lines and more people will write complaints about something than they will ever say something nice, Human nature. My worst cruise ever was another line, but the things that happened did not ruin my time. It could have, but it did not. You have to let the negative thoughts in your mind go because you are setting yourself up for hating your cruise...............before you even go! I hope you have a great time. I liked the Spirit and have been on her twice! Your attitude will make or break any experince you will have. Good Luck!!!!!

[roger001]

Spirit. Someone tell me I'm not wasting ALL of my money!!!! Will anything on the cruise be positive????

 

What!!! From all my NCL cruises I would have to ask will anything on the cruise be negative finally???? Not yet! Are some things better than others, or could I see areas for improvement maybe in a few situations....well yea...if I'm spending my time looking for items to constructively criticize. Where in the world are you finding all these negative critiques? Just about everyone I see says....wish I was back on the ship and can't wait to do it again. Perfect, no. But pretty darn fine...yes.

[jenpan]

Thanks everyone for the comments, although wish I hadn't posted my question now.

 

 

 

SDMike, I'm not resigned to having a bad time!:D

[kjquilts]

We've been on 10 cruises, 1st Princess, 2nd Costa followed by 8 with NCL:) We've been in suites on the Sun, Pearl and Star. Loved the suite life on NCL and will do it again if the price is right.

 

We cruised on the Spirit two years ago. I loved that ship and would love to go on her again, am so sorry she's leaving the US. We were in a balcony stateroom (small lol) and our granddaughters were in a much larger inside across the hall from us. We had a great cruise. On our last day aboard we checked out some of the empty suites and I'd love to sail the Spirit in a suite.

 

Unfortunately with my mom's health we might not be cruising for the next couple of years. I can tell you we have two cruise reward certificates and will be using them for future NCL sailings - thank goodness they now allow four years to use them.

 

Don't stress over reviews, just go with an open mind and enjoy your cruise.

[jenpan]

I have reread some of the responses to my post and I obviously have given the wrong impression. I'm not looking for people to wait on me hand and foot, nor will I be sensitive and "nit-pick" the ship. I'm NOT a complainer. I just want to have a fun family time.

[BabsterA]

My son and I did the Spirit in March last year and truly enjoyed our aft suite. Breakfast in Cagney's was a lovely touch and I loved having the coffee maker. Our butler made sure we always had milk in the fridge so I could have a latte in the mornings. The suite was lovely and nicely arranged. Anytime dining worked well for us and we enjoyed other dining venues, too. I loved the personal touches at embarkation and being able to avoid the lines.

 

When you read through the reviews, remember that they are opinions and as varied as the people who write them. There is no pleasing some people but my experiences thus far have been that most folks get back what they send out. Your positive attitude and sense of humor will help smooth over any little bumps that might crop up.

 

I wish you a wonderful voyage, warm breezes, blue skies, and boat drinks!

[uppitycats]

I've not been on Disney, but I have been on other lines. NCL is different from -- not worse, not better, just different -- from some other lines. It is much more laid-back and casual, no pretense, no formalities. And unlike Disney, no costumed characters running around. You may also not encounter as many children.

 

You'll find negative reviews of all the lines. I've been on the Spirit; she's a lovely ship, and I think you'll have a very good time.

[emcelh]

I have reread some of the responses to my post and I obviously have given the wrong impression. I'm not looking for people to wait on me hand and foot, nor will I be sensitive and "nit-pick" the ship. I'm NOT a complainer. I just want to have a fun family time.

 

I don't think you're a complainer....just concerned about some of the reviews you've read. I've been on 5 NCL cruises and never had a bad experience. I haven't tried Disney....they've been much more expensive every time I've compared prices and it isn't worth the difference to me. Often people are more likely to register a complaint than a compliment and I keep that in mind when reading reviews.

[Mindy1]

We did our first NCL cruise in Dec. on Spirit it was our 28th cruise. I was worried too about that cruise and we were in a aft. suite. We had the best time the crew was great and the ship was in good shape. We had a 14nt. cruise booked for March on another line and canceled it and booked on the Spirit for March 27. We will book again on the Spirit before it leaves New Orleans. I hope my story makes you feel better about about your cruise.

[hawaiilvr]

We sailed on the Spirit in July '08 and had a great time. We did encounter lines at the MDR a couple of times - but that was always right when the ship was leaving port at 7:00 PM. We just took a beeper and waited. One night it was 30 minutes, the other night we simply turned back the beeper and went to the buffet. All the other nights, we ate in the MDR (Garden Room was our favorite) with no wait. It was such a cool ship with the cool Asian decor. We stayed in steerage and had a really fun trip.

[bahamaman]

:( i can't afford a suite. best i can do is balcony and love every minute of it! i only had one bad vacation in my life; bad stomach/food related issue at Disney in Fla. So any mention of Disney gives me the willies. i was worried about the water and food when we went to mexico, but there were no issues. i think ncl is a pretty good value for the money. you have to expect some lines and inconveniences when you travel unless you have a private yacht and island.

[luddite]

I have reread some of the responses to my post and I obviously have given the wrong impression. I'm not looking for people to wait on me hand and foot, nor will I be sensitive and "nit-pick" the ship. I'm NOT a complainer. I just want to have a fun family time.

 

And you will, if you're ....willing.

We've done it twice and are doing it again. The only thing that I do that I don't like doing is go to work. Cannot stand the fool that I work for....oh yeah, I'm self-employed.

 

The ship is wonderful, the crew is terrific and the ports-of-call all have their high points.

[marinaro44]

I think vacations are all about what you make them. Is NCL the worst vacation I have ever been on?? No. Is it like when I was on Celebrity or Crystal? No.

NCL has been every bit "like" Celebrity and HAL in terms of overall quality based on our experiences. Can't speak for Crystal, but at three or four times the price it had better be not just better, but a lot better.

[DMH15]

Thanks everyone for the comments, although wish I hadn't posted my question now.

 

 

 

SDMike, I'm not resigned to having a bad time!:D

 

Don't be sorry. Hope some CCrs made you feel better about the cruise. Have you been to the members review section on CC? Many good reviews are found there. Also, there's a roll call section on CC where we meet each other on board.

 

Just realize the Spirit is a little older. But so is the Sun and I loved it. I am planning to go on the Spirit in the winter. It sounds so different and interesting.

 

I hope you enjoy your cruise!

[commission1]

NCL has been every bit "like" Celebrity and HAL in terms of overall quality based on our experiences. Can't speak for Crystal, but at three or four times the price it had better be not just better, but a lot better.

 

I just got off the Celebrity Solstice in Dec, I just got off the NCL DAWN in October, I am pretty objective, there was no comparison between the two ships and the food in the dining room, it was Solstice hands down, can you quanitfy your statment? I was eating rack of lamb, lobster, medallions of beef cutlet on the Solstice and enjoying an indoor pool enclosed by glass, reserved for adults only, there is no smoking allowed in your room on the balcony, or in the casino on Solstice. Now I think the ncl product is ok but it did not compare to the Solstice. What is your frame of reference?