Room service and to go food

[CavalierX]

The amount of plates with partially eaten food on them in the corridors has been increasing significantly. This makes it very hard for people with mobility issues to safely walk in these corridors especially on the newer ships with narrower corridors. Folks with scooters and wheel chairs face an almost impossible task with getting around.

 

True, NCL can add staff to clear this mess, but at what cost? Most of the housekeeping staff is sleeping late at night after an already very long work day, so any staff to remove these dishes would be incremental. In addition to the mess, eating improperly stored food that has not been reheated is dangerous. There is plenty of freshly prepared food available on the ship. I understand snacks can be brought back and that buffet food can be consumed on the pool deck, so no one has taken these away.

 

So maybe they ought to do away with room service altogether, to make sure there aren't any plates in the hallways, the staff can sleep at night, and there is no food in the cabins that might be eaten in an "improper" manner or time. Frankly, I have to confess that I can't tell the difference between a plate that someone carried to the cabin himself, and one for which he forked over (pardon the pun) $7.95 to have someone else carry for him.

Edited May 12, 2015 by CavalierX

[Travelcat2]

It's pretty simple math to figure out that for several crew members to canvass *every* area of the ship for something like plates and garbage (especially in areas where they really shouldn't have to) several times a day it would take quite a few man hours especially when you include in there the quantity of trash they need to cart around and the number of trips they need to make back to deposit trash and plates. The ships are large and have lots and lots of places accessible only by this door, or that set of stairs, really it's sort of a logistical nightmare. Some staff ignore it while others dont. I mean, they don't exactly enforce the pool chair policy, do they? When it's busy I've seen staff members tell people to get their food and drinks the eff out of the jacuzzi. But at night or when the ship is in port? Not so much, there aren't that many staff members around.

 

 

ooh that's nice lets call names!

 

I mean, how many staff do you think they have? NCL is not a luxury cruise! It's like rock bottom dollar for a vacation and it includes food! IT's not a luxury vacation where every whim is satisfied and every need cared for. I would argue that clean up is only included in the designated eating areas where the included food is served or for those ordering room service- which is pretty much what NCL is now trying to enforce. I'd rather have good service in the MDR than have 20 extra staff members designated to play "plate hunt" on deck and in the hallways and cabins. The few times we brought something out of the buffet I made my kids bring their dishes back to the buffet. It wasn't hard and it's most definately the right thing to do.

 

I'd argue that yes keeping the ship clean is definately the job of the cruiseline with in reason and of late, the amount of trash left around by thoughtless people has become unreasonable.

 

IMO leaving plates of food where ever you want is akin to going to the mall food court and then walking away with your food to eat it elsewhere... maybe the food court is crowded so you find a bench somewhere. Then, when done, ooooh it's too hard to walk the tray back to the food court... so... well... Let's just put it here on the ground. Right here. In the middle of the mall. Don't worry... someone will come clean it up. Right? And now... what if everyone did that just because it's nicer to eat near the fountain rather than in the crowded food court?

 

 

 

A-MEN.

 

Very well written and thought out post!

 

To the poster that stated that plates still have to be picked up from the floor outside of the door from room service........ this should not be the case. IMO, this is one area that needs to be fixed on NCL. Plates/food/garbage do not belong outside your door on the floor at any time. Plates should be left in the cabin until picked up. Room service knows which cabins have had food delivered -- they don't need to be reminded by putting dirty plates outside.

 

The more I think about the room service charge, I believe that a compromise could be 1 room service per cabin at no charge...... whether it be the continental breakfast, a meal or a snack. Maybe something for NCL to think about.

[Wendy&Grumpy]

It's pretty simple math to figure out that for several crew members to canvass *every* area of the ship for something like plates and garbage (especially in areas where they really shouldn't have to) several times a day it would take quite a few man hours especially when you include in there the quantity of trash they need to cart around and the number of trips they need to make back to deposit trash and plates. The ships are large and have lots and lots of places accessible only by this door, or that set of stairs, really it's sort of a logistical nightmare. Some staff ignore it while others dont. I mean, they don't exactly enforce the pool chair policy, do they? When it's busy I've seen staff members tell people to get their food and drinks the eff out of the jacuzzi. But at night or when the ship is in port? Not so much, there aren't that many staff members around.

 

 

ooh that's nice lets call names!

 

I mean, how many staff do you think they have? NCL is not a luxury cruise! It's like rock bottom dollar for a vacation and it includes food! IT's not a luxury vacation where every whim is satisfied and every need cared for. I would argue that clean up is only included in the designated eating areas where the included food is served or for those ordering room service- which is pretty much what NCL is now trying to enforce. I'd rather have good service in the MDR than have 20 extra staff members designated to play "plate hunt" on deck and in the hallways and cabins. The few times we brought something out of the buffet I made my kids bring their dishes back to the buffet. It wasn't hard and it's most definately the right thing to do.

 

I'd argue that yes keeping the ship clean is definately the job of the cruiseline with in reason and of late, the amount of trash left around by thoughtless people has become unreasonable.

 

IMO leaving plates of food where ever you want is akin to going to the mall food court and then walking away with your food to eat it elsewhere... maybe the food court is crowded so you find a bench somewhere. Then, when done, ooooh it's too hard to walk the tray back to the food court... so... well... Let's just put it here on the ground. Right here. In the middle of the mall. Don't worry... someone will come clean it up. Right? And now... what if everyone did that just because it's nicer to eat near the fountain rather than in the crowded food court?

 

daft

daft/Submit

adjectiveinformal

silly; foolish.

"don't ask such daft questions"

synonyms: absurd, preposterous, ridiculous, ludicrous, farcical, laughable; idiotic, stupid, foolish, silly, inane, fatuous, harebrained, cockamamie, half-baked, crazy, cockeyed

"a daft idea"

 

"Don't be daft." is another way of saying don't be foolish. It's not name calling.

 

It's foolish to think that a cruise line should not be responsible for cleaning up after everyone, everywhere onboard.

 

If someone trips and falls over a plate, who's going to be held accountable and liable for injury? If food is left rotting in halls for days before a child spots it, takes a bite, and ends up with food poisoning, who's going to be held accountable and liable? The cruise line is. And since they know this, all areas of every ship are checked for guest safety multiple times per day. It's foolish to think otherwise.

 

Room stewards attend to/clean ALL cabins at least twice per day. There is absolutely ZERO reason why they could/can not pick up plates outside doors as they do their rounds. It's foolish to think otherwise.

Edited May 12, 2015 by Wendy&Grumpy

[LMaxwell]

Yes, the cost is pass on the passengers that orders and NCL reaps the profits but the restricts to increase the demand for room service? Nah, depending on whom it affects /bothers - too many places to eat onboard to bother ordering from room service (for me anyway). Seems more like room service fee pretty much put people who abuse it on a diet (those order too much and even finish the food, thus leaving it outside their door) and to think twice about using it-that's my opinion.

Believe me if I ever pay 7.95 on a cruise ship for room service I'm ordering 2 of everything on the menu

[legion3]

So what is available on the free continental breakfast flyer?

 

So I can order how much free and still put my dishes outside my door?

[jjikids]

We emailed our concerns and received a phone call from the corporate office today. We were concerned with all the changes day after day. Some increases are understandable. Treating passengers like children is not. NCL is aware that they have not been open with their passengers. We told them we are upset that we find out all issues and changes from Cruise Critic. They are aware of what we say and know our concerns. We told them there are other cruise lines out there. Many may leave without letting Norwegian know why. We told them we are giving NCL time to see how things turn out.

[3XX1XY]

It's foolish to think that a cruise line should not be responsible for cleaning up after everyone, everywhere onboard.

 

If someone trips and falls over a plate, who's going to be held accountable and liable for injury? If food is left rotting in halls for days before a child spots it, takes a bite, and ends up with food poisoning, who's going to be held accountable and liable? The cruise line is. And since they know this, all areas of every ship are checked for guest safety multiple times per day. It's foolish to think otherwise.

 

Room stewards attend to/clean ALL cabins at least twice per day. There is absolutely ZERO reason why they could/can not pick up plates outside doors as they do their rounds. It's foolish to think otherwise.

 

Back in the day. Like 20 years ago when I started cruising, it was totally reasonable. There were way fewer passengers and... I gotta stop beating around the Bush here, people just either were not as obsessed with bringing food every were and eating ALL the time or they were cleaning up after themselves and returning their dirty plates to the buffet. Either way there was waaaaaay less to clean up so it was pretty reasonable for the steward to pick up a few plates as he did his rounds. Nowadays, we are talking about way more than a few plates. Have you ever looked at you room stewards trolley? It's not really set up for mass amounts of garbage.

 

As the garbage has grown, capability to take care of it really hasn't... let me try this... when you stay at a hotel, is it ok to not only leave room service plates out side your room, but also in the lobby, by the pool, and around the vending machines? Would you think that's ok, or would you find that rude or trashy? How about a mall? Is it ok to just take your food from the food court and leave the dirty tray wherever you feel like it? Like on the floor, by the fountain, or even in a store? Inboth of these cases yes, ultimately it will fall on the employees to clean it up. They must and it is now their responsibility. But that doesn't make it ok for the customers to do it in the first place, and if it got to the point where it was just too much, as it has on ncl cruise ships, then they would definitely implement similar policies regarding where you can and can't take your food. It's a sad state of affairs, imo, that we've come to a point where people really don't see a problem with leaving trash everywhere and just demand to be picked up after. It's tacky.

[Travelcat2]

While I do not want to repeat myself on multiple threads, some things bear repeating. I have noticed that FDR is being blamed for everything. He may approve changes but Andy Stuart, respected long-time NCL veteran, is President of NCL and in charge of executing day-to-day changes. He knows what has needed to be done for a long time and is doing it. The way I see it, more changes are to come to bring NCL's reputation to that of a top main stream cruise line rather than one at the bottom of the pack.

[Tangocherie]

3XX1XY,

 

You are misunderstanding where the problem lies. In today's world, the problem is with all the cutbacks by the cruise lines. Their cutting crew services to where they are now bare bones, has brought about these new policies where the incentive is for guests to cut down use of services,i.e. room service, to avoid having to properly staff the ships to take care of normal guest services.

[xeroxme]

Here is the only thing I would like to understand from experienced NCL.

1. They enact a room service charge.

2. Then prob to insure they get revenue from room service they ban food outside the dining rooms and buffet.

Don't NCL cruisers agree?

3. If the new policy is all about cleanliness why have room service and food in the rooms? After all those dishes go in the hallway?

 

As someone who enjoys cruising I am concerned this is a concerto of cut-backs between all the cruise lines. Im sure they would all like to implement this.

 

I intend to book my first NCL cruise this year and I am surprised about this policy. I hope the pay room service menu is awesome.

[Kenlorz]

After reading all the replies to all the food threads the last few days, I think I have a very simple solution to this new policy. It would be, in the infamous words of FDR, "give and take" for both corporate and pax.

 

Why not make this new policy to read "No PLATES of food may be taken from the dining rooms" and REQUIRE that all take away be properly boxed in disposable take away containers. It would eliminate the dirty dishes left all over and cut back greatly on spills. I would even go so far as to say I would be willing to help differ the added cost of the containers and added refuse by paying a "take away" fee (as long as it was something reasonable...say $2.95, certainly not $7.95). A take away fee would also dissuade everyone from just grabbing and carrying food around and leaving their dirty plates and keep it to the people who truly desire or need their food to be allowed in their rooms (we've read many stories over the past week of such people). I think a parent with a melting child would be willing to pay that fee and still enjoy their food. I think a person dealing with nauseau would pay that fee to still enjoy the remainder of their specialty food at a later time. Etc. Etc. I think this could be a simple solution that would allow corporate to still make money on this new policy, but allow for a satisfactory compromise with the passengers who are so upset for valid reasons over this new policy.

Edited May 13, 2015 by Kenlorz

[old sole]

After reading all the replies to all the food threads the last few days, I think I have a very simple solution to this new policy. It would be, in the infamous words of FDR, "give and take" for both corporate and pax.

 

Why not make this new policy to read "No PLATES of food may be taken from the dining rooms" and REQUIRE that all take away be properly boxed in disposable take away containers. It would eliminate the dirty dishes left all over and cut back greatly on spills. I would even go so far as to say I would be willing to help differ the added cost of the containers and added refuse by paying a "take away" fee (as long as it was something reasonable...say $2.95, certainly not $7.95). A take away fee would also dissuade everyone from just grabbing and carrying food around and leaving their dirty plates and keep it to the people who truly desire or need their food to be allowed in their rooms (we've read many stories over the past week of such people). I think a parent with a melting child would be willing to pay that fee and still enjoy their food. I think a person dealing with nauseau would pay that fee to still enjoy the remainder of their specialty food at a later time. Etc. Etc. I think this could be a simple solution that would allow corporate to still make money on this new policy, but allow for a satisfactory compromise with the passengers who are so upset for valid reasons over this new policy.

 

How about this for a policy: NO POLICY. NCL managed for many years without controlling guests' behavior, every other cruise line still does.

[LoveyHowell]

How about this for a policy: NO POLICY. NCL managed for many years without controlling guests' behavior, every other cruise line still does.

You got it right!

[Sandman799]

There's really no reason someone could not roam decks on a schedule and collect plates. NCL does not think it is important in the maintenance of their facilities. Really there is no reason plates should not be collected in a few hours at most.

 

Agree wholeheartedly! Lots of dirty plates in the hallways would be nasty and unsightly to see and have to walk around, but NCL is taking the wrong approach to stemming this problem. Obviously the above suggestion that they periodically go around collecting plates would work, perhaps once every two or three hours. They could also post signs along the hallway walls asking that guests not leave plates in the hallway so they don't interfere with wheelchairs, which I think most people would accept as a reasonable request, and they'd perhaps keep them in their room until the room steward comes by, or they could have collection carts or closets where they could be placed, to be retrieved periodically. If room service routinely comes around to pick up the dishes they deliver, they can just as easily pick up any others in the same hallway. Are they just going to ignore those and leave them there simply because they weren't delivered by room service? If the concern is the unsightliness of all those dishes, it would make sense that they'd make a more concerted effort to collect them.

 

Frank Del Rio stated some people would simply order a cup of coffee and a piece of toast, whereas if they had to pay for that to be delivered they wouldn't, and thus cut down on such "trivial" orders. That may be true, but that guest will still get their cup of coffee and piece of toast. The difference will be now they'll get it themselves rather than pay the fee. Instead of it being delivered in a closed carafe on a cart or tray, they'll carry it in a cup from the buffet, sloshing that coffee all the way down the hallway on the way back, then leave that coffee cup in the hallway. Yes, it did cut down on trivial room service deliveries that wouldn't occur if they had to pay for it, but the cited problems of cleanliness and dishes in the hallway increased as a result. That was probably an unintended consequence, but rather than see that as a sign of guest dissatisfaction with the fees, and consider getting rid of the fees to solve the problem, they've now compounded the problem by trying to impose restrictions on what can be taken back to the rooms. Now you not only have customers that don't like the fees, but by attempting to curtail their efforts to avoid the fees, you've taken away one of the perks to cruising, especially for those who paid extra for a balcony cabin for the express purpose to dine in the privacy of their own balcony. That's only adding fuel to the fire and further decreasing guest satisfaction.

 

Whatever happened to doing whatever it takes to make the customer happy? Sometimes making the customer happy costs money. So what? Pass that along in cruise fees. If there are too many people ordering room service just because they can, hire more servers if you need to, and adjust ticket costs accordingly. There are ways to deal with problems that don't reduce the perks previously advertised that customers have come to expect. That's especially true when the problems you're trying to solve were created by your own policy changes aimed at getting another $5 or $10 out of each passenger. How many room service fees of $7.95 will they have to collect to make up for the thousands of dollars lost in revenue from those who will now go to other cruise lines with less restrictive policies? Of course guests would prefer to have a nice, clean hallway without dirty dishes all over the place, but given the choice between that or not being able to bring food back to my room, I'd rather put up with dirty dishes in the hall. I can easily step around them as I bring my desert back to enjoy on my balcony later. But then again, I'd be more considerate of others and not leave my dishes in the hallway and would leave them in my room for housekeeping to collect later. If others would do the same maybe this wouldn't be a problem, but then again I'm not convinced it was a big problem to begin with and wasn't just a lame excuse for imposing these restrictions. I haven't cruised before, so I don't know and will defer the expertise of those who have!

[mking8288]

Folks are claiming lately, ship's hallways are littered - my memories might not be great, but pictures taken don't lie.

 

Would somebody like to review these pictures of the Breakaway's corridor, deck 10 - starboard side & spot / count the # of dirty dishes or plates, cups, etc. and other obstructions in those narrow hallways. These're taken in late March & not during school break ...

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/64025118/2015%20NCL%20BA/IMG20150322_1345%20%28768x1024%29.jpg

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/64025118/2015%20NCL%20BA/IMG20150322_1347%20%28768x1024%29.jpg

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/64025118/2015%20NCL%20BA/IMG20150328_1411.jpg

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/64025118/2014%20NCL%20BA/IMG_20140329_120620.jpg

[karinad]

As far as the dirty dishes in the halls, why not, as another said, put up signs about what to do with them. I know that when we just started cruising we didn't know what was the easiest way for the cabin person to deal with them. Was it better to put them in the hallway, as we've seen it done, or just leave them in the cabin placed where they weren't in the way. Dump out the liquid that's leftover, so not to spill, and consolidate the dishes neatly, cover with a napkin and the next time the cabin person comes in they're gone!

 

NCL is just making themselves look stupid and assuming that we are too! It really is taking away part of the fun and having life easier for that week, etc. They should implement their Rules in the pool area and places where passengers could get hurt or worse!

[mkdreams]

We just cancelled our cruise with NCL. We cruise with Disney, RCCL, and Carnival. We usually cruise about 3 times per year and have yet to ever have a bad cruise. Friends of ours kept telling us to try NCL so we took their advice and this was to be our first cruise with NCL. We were very much excited and looking forward to cruise with what we heard was a great cruise line.

 

After coming onto cruise critic to makes plans and get tips as we always have. We find out that they are charging for room service, something we refuse to do. Then we find out they are restricting people to eat where they want.

 

NCL what the heck were you thinking? People go on cruises for the freedom, the fun and the pampering. We do NOT cruise so you can nickel and dime us and treat us as if we are your children. We cancelled our cruise yesterday and it took us about 30 minutes to find another cruise line to replace our NCL cruise with.

 

Today our friends that encouraged us to take an NCL cruise called and told us they just cancelled two cruises with NCL for the same reasons. They were also embarrassed that they talked us into trying NCL.

 

NCL has made a big GREEDY mistake in my opinion. When I go on vacation I want to have fun, I have enough rules and restrictions at work. No thanks NCL I will continue to cruise with cruise lines that value my business and will not treat me as if I were a child.

Edited May 13, 2015 by mkdreams

[karinad]

Another thing and sorry if it was mentioned, but why would they want to encourage a person or people with kids to go to the dining room, etc., if they're not feeling 100%? It is hard to be a care giver or a parent and sometimes it makes it so much less hectic to eat in the cabin. People cannot afford the surcharge for room service if it's something they really enjoy.

 

We are not big room service people, but it's just the idea that it's a minus as far as amenities goes.

 

I think it's going to spread more germs around. They'll have to hire more washy, washy people to handle the larger amount of people coming and going to the restaurants!

[sparks1093]

While I do not want to repeat myself on multiple threads, some things bear repeating. I have noticed that FDR is being blamed for everything. He may approve changes but Andy Stuart, respected long-time NCL veteran, is President of NCL and in charge of executing day-to-day changes. He knows what has needed to be done for a long time and is doing it. The way I see it, more changes are to come to bring NCL's reputation to that of a top main stream cruise line rather than one at the bottom of the pack.

 

If you are going to repeat yourself, I will repeat myself;)- Andy Stuart may be steering but he's using a map drawn by Del Rio and it's one way. Top of the main stream, bottom of the premium? Not too much difference except maybe in price.

[janpo]

Folks are claiming lately, ship's hallways are littered - my memories might not be great, but pictures taken don't lie.

 

Would somebody like to review these pictures of the Breakaway's corridor, deck 10 - starboard side & spot / count the # of dirty dishes or plates, cups, etc. and other obstructions in those narrow hallways. These're taken in late March & not during school break ...

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/64025118/2015%20NCL%20BA/IMG20150322_1345%20%28768x1024%29.jpg

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/64025118/2015%20NCL%20BA/IMG20150322_1347%20%28768x1024%29.jpg

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/64025118/2015%20NCL%20BA/IMG20150328_1411.jpg

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/64025118/2014%20NCL%20BA/IMG_20140329_120620.jpg

 

 

That's my experience too. The only place i have seen dirty dishes laying around is on the deck around the BBQ. Those though were being cleared off by the staff. I have never seen dirty dishes lying around in the hallways for days. I see more in hotels than i've seen on my cruises.

[Cruise4Real]

It's a sad state of affairs, imo, that we've come to a point where people really don't see a problem with leaving trash everywhere...

 

Count me as one person who DID NOT SEE A PROBLEM WITH LEAVING TRASH EVERYWHERE when I was on Breakaway during the 4/19/15 cruise to FL/Bahamas. I didn't see plates of food left in the lobby, or the pool, or around the vending machines (don't know where they were, anyway), or by fountains or stores. We were in the Haven, didn't see any plates left outside in the hall there (but we had plenty of room inside the room to leave our dirty dishes). But mking has posted several photos of "steerage" hallways and no dishes there.

 

You're making a molehill out of a mountain here, and buying into NCL's fraudulent narrative that the policy change regarding food is actually about the stated reason: health/safety and pristine environment. There simply are NOT mounds of uneaten food all over the ships.

 

Nobody's at the helm of NCL. Del Rio is clueless about what's actually happening on board NCL ships, and has been giving investors false information. The lunatics appear to be in control of the asylum.

[SteveH2508]

If you are going to repeat yourself, I will repeat myself;)- Andy Stuart may be steering but he's using a map drawn by Del Rio and it's one way. Top of the main stream, bottom of the premium? Not too much difference except maybe in price.

 

'Drawn' implies some logical and rational thought went into it - scribbled or crayoned would be more appropriate.:rolleyes:

[dna529]

How about this for a policy: NO POLICY. NCL managed for many years without controlling guests' behavior, every other cruise line still does.

 

Agreed!!

 

Sent from my SCH-I535 using Forums mobile app

[ravenjls]

If it was truly a safety and beautification reason, the most logical solution would have been to educated the passengers by putting a sign on the back of your room door and a message in the dailies. I think a lot of passengers dont know exactly what to do with their dishes when finished. Something like "For the safety of others, please leave all food and plates on the ______ to be removed by your room steward.

 

Instead of a trial charge for room service they should have done a trial of the above. What I think is going to happen now is passengers are going to sneak food back to their cabin, and not wanting to be caught, will place their dishes outside, 3 cabin doors down. So the opposite of what NCL says they want to happen will happen.

 

Now if it is purely a money making scheme they didnt fool anyone...well not the majority anyways.

[warriorking]

So what is available on the free continental breakfast flyer?

 

So I can order how much free and still put my dishes outside my door?

 

Cereal is free, Milk for the cereal with trigger the 7.95 charge...

Coffee is free, but a cup to hold it will trigger the 7.95 charge...

Juices are like the coffee, a holder of any kind will trigger the 7.95 Charge

Pastries are still Free...

Their will be a $1.00 charge for dish removal at each cabin per person...

Edited May 13, 2015 by warriorking