Worst cruise of my life.

[Suzieanna]

I am confused? Why didn't the Son join the club for the under 13s, there surely would have been other 12 year olds there? I think I might complain when I get on board that there isn't a "mum's club"?!?! I quite like cheap wine and am happy to receive compensation! haha!

[beachchick]

Redcab:

 

I'm with others who think you shouldn't cruise with NCL again. Frankly, I'm concerned that you will not enjoy any mainstream cruise line because you will find similar "problems" and "arrogance." A few thoughts:

 

The liability mentioned has not a thing to do with you and it is not bs. It has everything to do with their liability insurance carrier. If the insurance is written for the teen club to be age 13 and up, then that's what NCL must legally follow. They made an exception because you kept pestering and complaining. If they make an exception for your son, then they must make an exception for everyone who has an "almost" age child, which they simply cannot and should not do.

 

Sushi. Those 20 empty tables are not part of the sushi bar. Why should you be moved to one? If the Asian restaurant was open for lunch, it still wouldn't be part of the sushi bar. Your son left, pissed off because he wasn't allowed to stay with you and not order, but you wanted to take the leftovers to him. Why didn't he just stay and order something to eat?

 

I won't go into your numerous other perceived "offenses." You expected the cruise line to accommodate your every whim and desire. You then didn't think what they did for you (wine, strawberries, comped dinner, future cruise credit) was enough to make up for your obviously constant complaints. Goodness, you and your family seem to feel entitled to anything and everything you want, regardless of rules or regulations or how it affects others.

 

Thanks ever so much for the "warning."

 

beachchick

[DCT61]

Moral to this story....if you don't have a kid turning 13 on your cruise, and you hate sushi...you should have a fantastic cruise. Thanks for the heads up!

[my_crib_too]

Ok, it was the first cruise of my life, but I remain VERY disappointed in NCL. I don't intend to ever give them another chance.

 

Sounds like NCL was not a good fit and I am impressed with how NCL delt with you. Too bad you didn't find CC prior to your vacation.

[mijim]

My only thought on this was that it was made up. It just couldn't be true. Nobody can be that ridiculous. Can they?:eek:

[laxlove6]

Its really was the worst cruise ever for the OP only because they allowed it be. Probably spent hours on hours complaining to the CD, HD, and whoever else. Funny thing is that f the son was let into the teen club, there's a chance he would have hated it and never gone again!!!!

[RareBird]

If moms and dads like her do not speak up, other sometimes irrational rules we all hate (age limit on excursions comes to mind!) will never be changed. The rules she asked to bend to accommodate them are OK to be broken I actually admire her to taking it all the way up to hotel director.

 

Kudos to OP :). Please follow up with a direct mail letter.

[sparks1093]

I stopped reading when you said your child turned 13 during the cruise and they still wouldn't allow them into the Teens club. The only time we broke that age rule WAS if they were celebrating a birthday onboard the cruise. If that was indeed the case, that was poor on NCLs part but if it wasnt the week or two after the cruise, they did what they were suppose to. I wouldn't want my kid or teen in a age club if other people older or younger then a few years was there also esp if I didn't know it.

 

I agree James, I'm throwing the BS flag on that one point alone. Here's the answer in the FAQ:

Can my child move up an age group if celebrating a birthday during the cruise?

 

<snip>

Children turning thirteen during the cruise are welcome to participate in the Teen's Program and Teen Center on their birthday. No exceptions can be made.

 

So the ship had the authority to move the son up on his birthday, without checking with corporate. I give the OP no credibility whatsoever.

[johnmpcny]

As a business owner this is the type of customer you love to lose.

 

We try to do everything we can to please accounts. At some point you just have I am sorry we are not a good fit for you and move on. NCL and this cruiser are at that point.

 

Sad but these two parents are raising their kids to behave like this, I am special rules do not apply to me and if I make enough noise I want you to change them or I take my toys and leave.

[logan25]

I can't imagine speaking to the Hotel Director for two hours about any issue. OP seems to be very high maintenance.

[itmom]

I can't imagine speaking to the Hotel Director for two hours about any issue. OP seems to be very high maintenance.

 

...maybe the Hotel Director deserved the bottle of wine and strawberries instead of the OP...:)

[mavis2222]

I agree with you in the sense of the teen club. If your son turned 13 on the cruise, he should of been allowed in. "technically" he is 13. whether it happend the day you board or few days after. When your that close to your birthday, your attitude isnt going to be any differnt before or when he turns 13 give or take a few days. That is a stupid rule.. Unfortionatly, My job is the exact same way. All the Corporate morons for my company are several states away at the headquarters but we have to deal with there stupid rules on the "night shift" or i get fired. Im doing stupid admin crap that dosent even come close to what is related to be done with my job. (I repair vehicles).

 

Another thing.. If they were so strict with the things you experanced, did the inforce the "chair hog" issues???? Im sure they did not.....

[sparks1093]

I agree with you in the sense of the teen club. If your son turned 13 on the cruise, he should of been allowed in. "technically" he is 13. whether it happend the day you board or few days after. When your that close to your birthday, your attitude isnt going to be any differnt before or when he turns 13 give or take a few days. That is a stupid rule.. Unfortionatly, My job is the exact same way. All the Corporate morons for my company are several states away at the headquarters but we have to deal with there stupid rules on the "night shift" or i get fired. Im doing stupid admin crap that dosent even come close to what is related to be done with my job. (I repair vehicles).

 

Another thing.. If they were so strict with the things you experanced, did the inforce the "chair hog" issues???? Im sure they did not.....

 

Yep, those rules are always stupid until someone gets sued;). As my post above pointed out once the son turned 13 he was eligible for the teen club according to NCL's FAQ.

[jackcat16]

Some people just think the rules apply to everyone but themselves. What really bothers me is that they sometimes get rewarded for it.:confused:

 

I am looking forward to my first NCL cruise. (thanks to all the great reviews and good tips on these boards)

 

Glad the OP won't be on board.:D

[Bandit 10/10/09]

NCL did everything right.

 

I want to know how did to balcony cabins cost ove 10,000. ????????????????

 

The air fare must have been outrageous .!?!?!?!?

[Fine and Jim Dandy]

I sympathize with the OP to a certain degree, and I apologize to you for all these personal attacks. Truly low class. I think since he has never cruised and laid out $10k he was going to get a VIP experience. He didn't. I think if you had sprung for a suite, for the same money, you would have been treated much, much better.

I was on the Star a couple weeks ago, in a suite. My wife and I wanted sushi in our room for dinner one night. Our butler, Made, told us sushi was not allowed outside the restaurant. I said I understood due to raw fish issues and spoilage. I assured Made we would eat the sushi promptly. Twenty minutes later we had two beautiful platters of sushi on our dining table. It was great. We did the same thing the next week. We were on a B2b.

[jackcat16]

[quote name='Fine and Jim Dandy']I sympathize with the OP to a certain degree, and I apologize to you for all these personal attacks. Truly low class. I think since he has never cruised and laid out $10k he was going to get a VIP experience. He didn't. I think if you had sprung for a suite, for the same money, you would have been treated much, much better.

I was on the Star a couple weeks ago, in a suite. My wife and I wanted sushi in our room for dinner one night. Our butler, Made, told us sushi was not allowed outside the restaurant. I said I understood due to raw fish issues and spoilage. I assured Made we would eat the sushi promptly. Twenty minutes later we had two beautiful platters of sushi on our dining table. It was great. We did the same thing the next week. We were on a B2b.[/quote]


Someones kid does not get their way . The criuise line tries to make the customer happy by rewarding them with dinner, and a cruise voucher. Then the customer still posts negetive comments. Thats low class!!
And I am sure the comment about putting extra money in anyones hand never happened. Just sayin.

[biker@sea]

Of course you are right. NCL should break the rules just for you only. don't they know who you are?. Stand your ground never use that $300 perk That will teach them a lessen. I don't think you should ever sail again even if they beg you.:rolleyes::rolleyes:

[auntierobin]

I'm with bandit, how did two balcony cabins cost $10,000???

[Mimi39]

[quote name='jack300s']San Francisco Bay Area......[/quote]

I know what you mean ... and a one post wonder besides!

[thistimeplease]

I find it amazing as to what rules posters think are alright to be broken. A while ago I read a thread where a underage boy wanted to spend time in the casino with his grandfather (against the rules) and most posters thought it would be alright for the boy to sneak in. When are the rules the rules? I agree with OP that this rule could have been broken, sometimes common sense has to prevail. OP I am sorry for the problems you had on your cruise and also for the attacks you have gotten on this thread. Although I believe NCL onboard staff did try to make up for the issues it is unfortunate you had to deal with this on your vacation.

[WhenIsOurNextCruise]

Great lessons for your son (and daughter):
[LIST]
[*]The rules apply to others, but not us.
[*]Even though there are 2,500 other people on vacation with us, we are going to whine and complain and dominate management's time trying to convince them they need to exercise better judgment and allow us to break the rules if they don't suit us.
[*]We will go ahead and accept their offers of appeasement including a free meal, chocolate covered strawberries and cheap wine - and as soon as all that is digested we can complain loudly that it wasn't enough. (If it was a matter of principal, and with your righteous indignation, you should have refused the free meal and sent the cheap wine and strawberries back.)
[*]Even though there are many lounge areas, we are special and can sit anywhere we want to chat, even if it is in the way of the staff and other passengers.
[*]When we get home, let's blast NCL to any and all, and tell everyone how disappointed we are for the way we were mistreated. (I hope you are sharing our responses with your son)
[/LIST]Considering the litigous society we live in, and the cruise company being responsible for everyone's safety, surely you understand that rules are there for a reason. And employees who want to keep their jobs are charged with enforcing them - as politely as possible. Without rules there would be chaos and NO ONE would enjoy their cruise. I am certain NCL won't miss you and neither will all of us who have cruised 10, 20, 30 or 40 times and understand how it works.

Sadly, when the Captain of the Concordia exercised his independent judgment and broke the rules, it didn't work out so well.

[Ewoodspark]

Message to Redcab. I have read with interest (although I did get bored half way through) your opening post (and only post) and can only say that in England, people like you are known as scroungers. You have the nerve and cheek to make your statements about the "rules", when you know very well you are in the wrong. You then have the audacity to even state that you received compensation for various reasons. It is the kind of people like you that seem to thing the world owes you everything and it is pathetic. As another poster says "Get a life"

[ColinIllinois]

I would have literally cried for three days straight. ;)

[rpb718]

I'm loving this review...

The tip off came early, in the short 'positives' section, when instead of "the staff" it was "the (mainly Filipino) staff". Trying to give a 'faux' negative slant on a positive point means they'll be good reading ahead.

I'm also struck at how much of this review would have not applied had the OP read the rules before booking and instead reserved the very next sailing. :rolleyes: