Convince my travel group PLEASE

[terrydtx]

The OP's members are going to do that whether we like it or not. Cruise Critics stands for honest advice and honest reviews, and we mostly deliver that. Rah rah messages are a bit of stretching the truth, that NCL is 100 percent perfect. Reading our message board proves that this is not the case, there are some negative reviews and observations, not many, but they are there. Face it, all of us must have had some negative experience with food or service on our many NCL cruises. Our message boards prove that no cruise line is 100 percent perfect. Heck, there are negative passenger reviews on the NCL.com website. So, who are we kidding?

If the OP wants someone to stretch the truth, let that individual contact the PCC's at NCL. They are paid to "sell" cruises. Cruise Critics are not. Let us at least have some integrity.

 

Good response, it was after reading the NCL message boards and other considerations in my earlier post that our group decided to book with NCL. I have the most experience on cruise ships with HAL (4) and they got progressively worse in overall quality and service. My last one was on the Nieuw Amsterdam and was a total disappointment. Go read their boards I think HAL CC members are some of the most critical of any CC board. If there was one perfect cruise line that had 100% satisfaction their would be no need for the others and they would all go out of business. Today's mass marketed cruise lines all have their market niche and do well within that niche.

 

Since our last HAL cruise the way we look at cruise lines has changed. The first thing we look at is the itinerary, then our budget, then the departure port, then the cruise line and finally the ship. We started on HAL 6 years ago because we wanted something a little more upscale with better food. Our first HAL cruise to the Panama Canal was great and the upscale service and food quality went progressively downhill from that cruise. We are so tired of the dressing up at dinner atmosphere on HAL and on our last 2 HAL cruises we got the taste of open dinning and loved being able to eat when we want not when the CL tells us. We did a HAL Western Mediterranean cruise and had to fly to Rome with an extra suit case with nothing but dinner attire and then haul that case around in our post cruise land vacation.The Freestyle cruising with open dinning and casual dress is what sold us on trying NCL this year.

[Richpontone]

Good response, it was after reading the NCL message boards and other considerations in my earlier post that our group decided to book with NCL. I have the most experience on cruise ships with HAL (4) and they got progressively worse in overall quality and service. My last one was on the Nieuw Amsterdam and was a total disappointment. Go read their boards I think HAL CC members are some of the most critical of any CC board. If there was one perfect cruise line that had 100% satisfaction their would be no need for the others and they would all go out of business. Today's mass marketed cruise lines all have their market niche and do well within that niche.

 

For the compliment.

[jdvmd]

Is it possible with My time dining, to reserve a table for 10 at a set dinner time?

 

Yes, contact the ship's group event coordinator. Have seen it advertised in the Freestyle Daily for our last two NCL cruises that if you were traveling with a group of eight or more to contact them via Guest Services.

[terrydtx]

Is it possible with My time dining, to reserve a table for 10 at a set dinner time?

 

If you are using a TA, that person can set up a group dinning in the MDR, ours has for our group on the Jewel for 2 nights.

[jdvmd]

Had a great time on NCL for our first-ever trip to the Western Caribbean (second cruise ever) in 1997. Said "let's try Alaska again."

Went on the Star in 2004 and it was the most miserable cruise ever. Told my family, never ever let me even look at another NCL ship.

Fast forward to the Sun and 2009. It was a 14-night trip to South America. I was willing to try it again but my husband was wanting Royal Caribbean. I ended up winning this one and he knew he was going to have a miserable time. I admit I was very worried.

We were both VERY wrong. We had the most glorious trip! The service, crew, food, everything was top notch - Couldn't believe the changes that had been made. NCL has definitely evolved and now I try to sail on the line as much as I possibly can. Also am a big Celebrity fan.

Your leader should give NCL a try again.

[fridaythe13th]

I love NCL and need to convince 9 other couples to cruise this line. Our "leader" sailed 15 years ago and said except for the wonderful show, the ship was farty. I have cruised with NCL 4 times in 2 years and it is THE BEST. Help me convince our leader.

 

Please post the fun you have on an ncl cruise. I will show him your posts on March 9, when our group gathers to pick next years cruise. Thank you:)

 

What cruise line does your "leader" want to sail? I will have to say my sister and I recently had a terrific time on Carnival Miracle out of NY. I have sailed NCL many times and the worst thing I can probably say is the seats in the theater are too close together so you have to stand up to let people by. The others, NCL, CCL, Celebrity and RC have a coctail table and plenty of leg room in their theater aisles. What one person enjoys another may hate. Will I sail CCL again (even though so many say YUCK), I certainly will! Good prices, service, larger cabins, food, entertainment. Maybe I'm just easy to please but I think since it's been 15 years maybe they should give NCL another chance. I don't go just for Freestyle. If I don't want to eat at my assigned time on the other lines (most now have some type of "eat whenever" dining), I just find another place to eat. I don't need to be served, I am capable of serving myself. I don't think RC or NCL have trays in the buffet but not positive. Let us know what you decide!!

[laurabegorrah]

Thank you for your post, great tips you gave.

 

FARTY SHIP: When the majority of the passengers go to bed before 10pm, and there is no nightlife it is a farty ship. Personally sailed costa, that was a farty ship.

 

Please only post positive. If you can't help me with convincing our leader, then please refrain. Thank you for the cheerleader rah rah posts.

 

 

[hangs head in shame] I am a farty passenger.....I think on my last cruise, we were lucky if we made it to 11pm....lol BUT, there were a lot of options available, if I had been able to stay awake for them.

[bugspost]

Cruised NCL for the 1st time last November on the Sun. Had a wonderful time........not a farty cruise line at all....the white hot party was hopping....There was plenty of nightlife on the ship...We have booked the Pearl for November 2014........our 35th wedding anniversary......so far we have 22 other people coming w/ a possibility of 50 more..........We will be renewing our vows on the cruise.

We have cruised Princess & Royal Caribbean........liked them also but LOVED the freestyle of NCL. Food was very good & entertainment was great! I could have picked any cruise line for my anniversary but NCL is what I wanted. :)

[Kaboochi]

If you set yourselves up as an actual group, then yes, you can make reservations at any of the restuarants ahead of time with the group department or through a TA. I've done it numerous times with no problems. Also, as a group, you can do check-in/embarkation and disembarkation together.

 

NCL really goes the extra mile for their groups. That's why our group sails with them most every year. I'm sure you'll have fun no matter which cruise you choose.

 

Great info, I will show your post to the group:)

[shelly11]

If your "leader" is using a cruise from 15 years ago as a basis for his/her opinion, then it is time to get a new leader !!!

 

 

agree 100%

[terrydtx]

If you set yourselves up as an actual group, then yes, you can make reservations at any of the restuarants ahead of time with the group department or through a TA. I've done it numerous times with no problems. Also, as a group, you can do check-in/embarkation and disembarkation together.

 

NCL really goes the extra mile for their groups. That's why our group sails with them most every year. I'm sure you'll have fun no matter which cruise you choose.

 

Also if your TA sets you up as a group (8 cabins or more) you can negotiate for additional amenities like more OBC and even a private reception or cocktail party during the cruise. We got for our group a $75 additional OBC and a cocktail party.

[gskimmel]

I don't know what ship you are looking at but the EPIC was a bit "farty" and "burpy" (aka lots of kids). There was only one party with adults and that was the White Hot Party.

 

The only thing going on in the evening were the abreviated mini Vegas shows (yawn), game shows (eyes rolling), bingo(eyes closed), and the casino (rubbing my temples).

 

I don't know what I would or could do with a group of friends (age 40's -50's) for fun after dinner except drink.

 

We were on the Epic a few weeks ago and there was a themed party each night! Two that immediately come to mind are the Abba and 80s night themed parties.

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

[terrydtx]

I don't know what ship you are looking at but the EPIC was a bit "farty" and "burpy" (aka lots of kids). There was only one party with adults and that was the White Hot Party.

 

The only thing going on in the evening were the abreviated mini Vegas shows (yawn), game shows (eyes rolling), bingo(eyes closed), and the casino (rubbing my temples).

 

I don't know what I would or could do with a group of friends (age 40's -50's) for fun after dinner except drink.

 

This sounds more like a X or HAL cruise where the ships close up and goes to bed at 11pm. :eek: What more are you looking for for adults 40-50 adults that is not already being done on NCL?:cool:

[insidecabin]

Pleasing a large group must be hard.

 

Hw do you narrow down choices.

 

price, itinerary, length, dates, budget...

 

What about cabins. do people all go for the same, do they need to be close etc.

 

NCL owners suite on the front corner can be a good choice with balconies and insides and penthouse all close and the owners suite is big enough for all to party.

 

One way to get NCL on the list might be to find a cruise that fits the key criteria at the right price.

 

How have the previous trips been chosen, key into the decision process with an NCL cruise that has no(few) negatives.

[jpg1747]

I haven't cruised on NCL in about 25 years and wasn't planning to do it again, but somehow I stumbled upon an itinerary and price for the Canada/New England cruise I want to take that was a combination I couldn't beat elsewhere. (Princess' itinerary at Carnival's price.) So I figured why not give them a try. As a solo cruiser, I'm getting more comfortable with ATD and specialty restaurants and am going on this cruise excited about the ports and very open-minded about the ship. Since I expect to have a good time, I'm sure I will.

[gelo7]

The Haven rocks.

[Lovemygreekgeek]

I just sailed my first NCL cruise this past August and I LOVE NCL. The main thing for me is the wonderful customer service on the ship. Feel free to show off my review of the Dawn's cruise on August 31, 2012. I was not in a suite, but I was treated by EVERY staff person I met like I was their favorite person on the whole ship.

 

I also found so much to do on the ship that I am planning on going on the exact same cruise this year, because I feel like there were so many things we didn't get to do. We loved trivia and all of the game shows on the ship and the themed parties at night were very fun and full of people of all ages. I can't really think of an evening that I went to the Spinnaker and it wasn't packed.

 

I can't honestly think of a better way to spend a week than on the Dawn (or NCL) and I'd be perfectly happy if SO only ever wanted to take this one itnerary as our yearly cruise from now until eternity! :)

[SMSACE6]

So far I have only once been on NCL, just over 13 years ago, and it was on the Norway. It was my first cruise, and I loved it, hooked me on cruising. After that, one Celebrity (that was farty,according to your definition LOL, but a great cruise all the same), then 5 Carnival cruises. Im now looking forward to revisiting NCL, and know that it will be very different from my one and only other NCL cruise, but fully expect to enjoy every nano second of it too, just as I did the first.

 

All I can say, is that things in the travel industry, be it air travel, cruises or train travel etc, have been changing rapidly in recent years, and to brand a certain cruise line because you had an unfavorable experience 15 years ago, is really limiting oneself. The NCL of today is very different than the one of 15 years ago, much the same as the Carnival or RCCL etc of today is different.

 

It is always good to open yourself up to "new" experiences. It makes life interesting! Variety is the spice of life to coin a cliche.:)

[Kaboochi]

We are looking at a cruise out of Tampa or New Orleans on NCL. Progress has been made! Roatan is on the itinerary which dear brother loves, I am hopeful. Please keep the ncl positive posts coming as I will show him this blog next Saturday. Thank you all

[jdvmd]

We are looking at a cruise out of Tampa or New Orleans on NCL. Progress has been made! Roatan is on the itinerary which dear brother loves, I am hopeful. Please keep the ncl positive posts coming as I will show him this blog next Saturday. Thank you all

Awesome!

[sonarboy]

"Farty" boat? Listen, I already apologized to you about that. You have a little responsibility in this episode, too. I didn't MAKE you pull my finger. I only asked you if you wanted to.

[terrydtx]

We are looking at a cruise out of Tampa or New Orleans on NCL. Progress has been made! Roatan is on the itinerary which dear brother loves, I am hopeful. Please keep the ncl positive posts coming as I will show him this blog next Saturday. Thank you all

 

We are booked out of New Orleans on the NCL Jewel on Dec 1st in a group of 20. I did my homework and NCL came out the winner over CCL and RCL from New Orleans.

[Kaboochi]

"Farty" boat? Listen, I already apologized to you about that. You have a little responsibility in this episode, too. I didn't MAKE you pull my finger. I only asked you if you wanted to.

 

Please explain, I don't get it. Thinks

[Kaboochi]

I came here for rah rah posts about ncl to convince my group and I get the comment "pull my finger". I don't get it. CC is where I have come to for 9 years for help and this the first rude comment ever.

 

Ok, let me ask my question again. Please post reasons to sail ncl. Please no bashing, just wonderful comments. I love cruising ncl and our group leader, who had a bad experience years ago needs to be convinced. Help me out POSITIVE ncl cruisers. Others, please, no comments, especially "pull my finger" boy. Thank you all for your ehlp::)

[Richpontone]

"Farty" boat? Listen, I already apologized to you about that. You have a little responsibility in this episode, too. I didn't MAKE you pull my finger. I only asked you if you wanted to.

 

Cruise Critics has a rule that a member can't insult or embarrass another member. OP ignores that. File a complaint with the moderator. It worked wonders when I got insulted.