Norwegian Cruise Line Bans Food Outside of Dining Areas

[vulcan1971]

I can't imagine why I am so cynical about this:rolleyes:. It must be the things that have happened over the past several weeks. We know what a positive impact the combining of the PR departments had on communication from NCL.

 

Yes, it is a great plus to Oceania and Regent cruisers, but how does the fact that "NCL Entertainers are gradually phasing over to Oceania and Regent ships as their contracts end" improve or maintain the entertainment ON NCL? Who does that leave NCL with, is the question that comes to my mind. Why should presumably the best NCL entertainers transfer to O or R?

 

It seems to me that if FDR had wanted to improve the entertainment at O and R, he could have done so long ago. They could have simply hired some great entertainers. Why the sudden need to do this with current NCL entertainers? Will they be replaced? This is not a good thing.

 

I realize that there could be plenty to be cynical about, but if you think of it from a business standpoint, of NCL putting entertainment staff into rotation across three fleets of ships, the likelihood of retaining the staff for a longer period of time is there as well as the ability to constantly "refresh" entertainment options and entertainers across the company. That way, frequent cruisers have something more to look forward to on their next cruise. If I sailed multiple times a year on one line and only had the same old entertainment options to pick from, I'd be less likely to go to the entertainment options.

[vulcan1971]

Its NCL trick psychology to control food wastes / costs - notice the ' No trays' in the buffet and how much food they give in the MDR / O'sheenans'?

 

Granted I have only been on two Norwegian cruises since early 2011, but not having trays in the Oceanview Cafe (Celebrity equivalent to your "Garden Cafe" dining venue) has been that way for a while now. I know that I appreciated them when they were there to help with collecting your meal and carrying to a table, but I don't really miss them now that they are no longer available. The staff in the Oceanview Cafe is quite friendly and willing to help anyone that needs assistance to carry their meal/food plate(s) to a table.

[motleyfan]

There needs to be a third part,

 

If you CAN'T understand -- NO EXPLANATION WILL REGISTER

 

This I think is the proper version in this case.

 

The reason I don't understand, is because of the fact that there are many restaurants open throughout the day and the bar pub open at night there was always somewhere to go get food so I don't understand people's continued need to be lazy with room service. to reiterate when I say lazy I'm speaking of people that are fully capable of walking to the restaurants, not people with any physical handicap I can understand them wanting room service. it's almost like in the movie clerks 2 where the handicapped guy was saying it is a gift to be able to walk and the most non handicapped people don't take advantage of that enough.

[punkincc]

I've done some research on Premium and Luxury cruise lines (pros/cons of cruising with them). I know that Oceania is NOT known for their wide ranging choices of entertainment. If rotating contracts across the 3 lines helps Oceania (and Regent) to improve their entertainment options, I am all for it. I don't think this would have a negative on NCL as they have been ahead of the curve in introducing a wide range of entertainment options.

 

Yes, NCL has always been ahead entertainment wise, but that was under other leadership, of course.

 

I have no doubt this is a plus for Regent and Oceania if NCL entertainers ( presumabably only the best ones ) are transferred there as their contracts end. But my concern is the impact on NCL entertainment. My fear is that they just intend to spread the current number of entertainmers over ALL ships, without incurring any additional costs for replacement of those transferred. If so, this may water down what NCL cruisers previously had entertainment wise.

[vulcan1971]

My fear is that they just intend to spread the current number of entertainmers over ALL ships, without incurring any additional costs for replacement of those transferred. If so, this may water down what NCL cruisers previously had entertainment wise.

 

It's far too soon to tell what, if any, impact there could or would be. I try not to worry about things that don't happen (or haven't yet happened). What good is it? What does it earn you down the road if you do worry about it and it comes true?

 

Everyone has choices and those choices may keep them with NCL or take them somewhere else.

[punkincc]

The reason I don't understand, is because of the fact that there are many restaurants open throughout the day and the bar pub open at night there was always somewhere to go get food so I don't understand people's continued need to be lazy with room service. to reiterate when I say lazy I'm speaking of people that are fully capable of walking to the restaurants, not people with any physical handicap I can understand them wanting room service. it's almost like in the movie clerks 2 where the handicapped guy was saying it is a gift to be able to walk and the most non handicapped people don't take advantage of that enough.

 

Maybe because I do not choose to, or don't want to, for any number of reasons of which are none of your business. Have you never ordered pizza for delivery at home and ate it on your couch for a variety of reasons, ill, entertaining, etc, etc. Why don't you just get in your car and go sit and eat it there? No ones business but your own and no one cares a fig one way or the other.

[legion3]

Order room service free breakfast Day one, put the dishes outside your door when done, and hide the tray, then use it to take plates from the buffet, and then leave those plates outside the door when done, hide the tray, repeat as needed. ;)

 

It would be interesting to see if anyone truly, physically tries to stop anyone from doing so. :cool:

[bugspost]

The reason I don't understand, is because of the fact that there are many restaurants open throughout the day and the bar pub open at night there was always somewhere to go get food so I don't understand people's continued need to be lazy with room service. to reiterate when I say lazy I'm speaking of people that are fully capable of walking to the restaurants, not people with any physical handicap I can understand them wanting room service. it's almost like in the movie clerks 2 where the handicapped guy was saying it is a gift to be able to walk and the most non handicapped people don't take advantage of that enough.

 

I would not call it being lazy....many enjoy eating in their room...especially if you have a balcony. Room service isn't just for handicapped guests,,,,it is part of vacation experience for some. Why do you think hotels/cruise lines offer it? It is no different than at hotels on land...it is considered a perk! I saw the new room service menu & wasn't impressed since they will charge now although the old complimentary one didn't have much on it. The BLT & tuna salad was what we ordered most of the time & the strawberry pound cake. When we go on cruise, my hubby & I always have a pj day in the cabin & we order room service for lunch & breakfast...(we do get dressed & go to dinner though) HA HA.... We do this every cruise....at least one PJ day....:)

[motleyfan]

I would not call it being lazy....many enjoy eating in their room...especially if you have a balcony. Room service isn't just for handicapped guests,,,,it is part of vacation experience for some. Why do you think hotels/cruise lines offer it? It is no different than at hotels on land...it is considered a perk! I saw the new room service menu & wasn't impressed since they will charge now although the old complimentary one didn't have much on it. The BLT & tuna salad was what we ordered most of the time & the strawberry pound cake. When we go on cruise, my hubby & I always have a pj day in the cabin & we order room service for lunch & breakfast...(we do get dressed & go to dinner though) HA HA.... We do this every cruise....at least one PJ day....:)

 

And you can still have your room service now you have to pay 8 bucks for the privilege though. Norwegian still gives you the choice, do you want to pay the 8 bucks for your room service or do you want to go to the restaurant its all up to you

[Travelcat2]

I can't imagine why I am so cynical about this:rolleyes:. It must be the things that have happened over the past several weeks. We know what a positive impact the combining of the PR departments had on communication from NCL.

 

Yes, it is a great plus to Oceania and Regent cruisers, but how does the fact that "NCL Entertainers are gradually phasing over to Oceania and Regent ships as their contracts end" improve or maintain the entertainment ON NCL? Who does that leave NCL with, is the question that comes to my mind. Why should presumably the best NCL entertainers transfer to O or R?

 

It seems to me that if FDR had wanted to improve the entertainment at O and R, he could have done so long ago. They could have simply hired some great entertainers. Why the sudden need to do this with current NCL entertainers? Will they be replaced? This is not a good thing.

 

Oceania and Regent aren't going to steal NCL's entertainers. However, more entertainers will likely be hired and trained. Yes - there is a benefit to Oceania and Regent now that NCL is in the mix. FDR did hire new entertainment a while back but it seems that expanding NCL's entertainment so that it can accommodate an additional 8 ships (with small stages), does not hurt anyone. Oceania and Regent are also benefitting from combining their tour providers.

 

I have no clue what changes have been made by the PR department and also have no clue why Apollo/NCHL purchased Regent and Oceania. In terms of combining certain departments, it seems that this happens with companies that are bought out. It took Oceania and Regent a few years to merge departments and also took a while for Carnival to merge Holland America and their luxury brand, Seabourn (now merged into facilities in Seattle).

 

Seems that I am contributing to this thread being off-topic. Did not mean for that to happen.

 

I continue to read three NCL threads and am still trying to learn if there is a charge for room service when purchasing a beverage. I know what the policy says but this isn't what passengers are being told. If purchasing a Coke would waive the $7.95 fee, it would make ordering room service better for customers (and less people may want to take food to their cabins).

 

Also wondering why NCL has not changed the policy of leaving plates/trays/trash on the floor outside of the room.

[Tenderpaw]

The reason I don't understand, is because of the fact that there are many restaurants open throughout the day and the bar pub open at night there was always somewhere to go get food so I don't understand people's continued need to be lazy with room service. to reiterate when I say lazy I'm speaking of people that are fully capable of walking to the restaurants, not people with any physical handicap I can understand them wanting room service. it's almost like in the movie clerks 2 where the handicapped guy was saying it is a gift to be able to walk and the most non handicapped people don't take advantage of that enough.

 

You are calling people "lazy" just because they don't want to do things your way. Walking my butt to O'Sheehan's to get wings to go that I'd like to relax and eat in my room isn't lazy. And I shouldn't have to pay $8 to do it. You don't get to declare the right way to cruise.

[punkincc]

And you can still have your room service now you have to pay 8 bucks for the privilege though. Norwegian still gives you the choice, do you want to pay the 8 bucks for your room service or do you want to go to the restaurant its all up to you

 

"It's all up to you".

 

At last you understand!! We all have the choices you mentioned plus the option to walk to the buffet and choose from an big variety of things to enjoy on our balconies.

[sparks1093]

And you can still have your room service now you have to pay 8 bucks for the privilege though. Norwegian still gives you the choice, do you want to pay the 8 bucks for your room service or do you want to go to the restaurant its all up to you

I want to be able to go to the buffet and bring back breakfast in bed for my sweetie as i have done before. Now norwegian is dictating terms to me about where i eat and to me that is not freestyle.

[legion3]

"It's all up to you".

 

At last you understand!! We all have the choices you mentioned plus the option to walk to the buffet and choose from an big variety of things to enjoy on our balconies.

 

Oh but its against the rules and motley crew is a rule abider...except maybe when smoking in the casino. ;)

 

Be careful the informer cheerleaders will report you to the washy-washy girls who will then refer Moose and Rocko to send you back to the approved places to "enjoy" your food.

 

Wonder if NCL will put a dime slot on the balcony door, remember the old public toilets :D, and "crawl under" won't work...

[punkincc]

Oceania and Regent aren't going to steal NCL's entertainers. However, more entertainers will likely be hired and trained. Yes - there is a benefit to Oceania and Regent now that NCL is in the mix. FDR did hire new entertainment a while back but it seems that expanding NCL's entertainment so that it can accommodate an additional 8 ships (with small stages), does not hurt anyone.

 

 

No, not IF they hire enough additional entertainment staff to cover an additional 8 ships rather than just spread what they already have a little thinner to save expense. It's all about the $$ you know. Somehow I am not reassured.

 

 

 

I continue to read three NCL threads and am still trying to learn if there iks a charge for room service when purchasing a beverage. I know what the policy says but this isn't what passengers are being told. If purchasing a Coke would waive the $7.95 fee, it would make ordering room service better for customers (and less people may want to take food to their cabins).

 

 

I have seen nothing about anyone reporting that what the policy says is not true, but someone will test it out soon enough.

 

 

 

Also wondering why NCL has not changed the policy of leaving plates/trays/trash on the floor outside of the room.

 

 

Just my opinion, but probably because the procedure works for them, and it was never the problem it was made out to be. It may be that there are scheduled runs by RS to retrieve plates etc. and they are told to look for them in the halls. If it were up to the stewards to retrieve them from cabins, many would have Do Not Disturb signs out and their plates would miss pick up. But I don't know why plates in the halls could not be picked up by stewards and placed in a designated staff area for pick up. In any case, I've never seen anything linger long in a hall.

 

Edit to say I posted some responses within your quote which make it appear that you said these things rather than me. Not sure why that happened.

Edited May 17, 2015 by punkincc

[legion3]

I want to be able to go to the buffet and bring back breakfast in bed for my sweetie as i have done before. Now norwegian is dictating terms to me about where i eat and to me that is not freestyle.

 

Beware of the washy-washy girls, they may get commissions to turn people in.

 

Oh and certain NCL employee cheerleaders.

 

Informants, the ship is full of them... ;)

[TexasMoogy]

No matter which side of the arguments you are on, you can avoid an irritating poster. Go to USER CP at the top of the page, then to Edit Ignore List. Add the name of the offensive poster. Much less stressful than than feeding trolls or "wrestling with pigs" (The pigs are more experienced and they love the mud.):D:D

[canadianeh934]

I have never brought a plate full a food back to my room from the Buffet...

 

I love how a person or two are calling people lazy because they may want to eat in their room....the same people who go up to the buffet and get the food to eat in their room....like my signature states: Common sense is not that common!

 

A person carrying food on a plate....or a drunk spilling drinks all over the place and maybe yacking everywhere. I know what person I would rather see!

[motleyfan]

I want to be able to go to the buffet and bring back breakfast in bed for my sweetie as i have done before. Now norwegian is dictating terms to me about where i eat and to me that is not freestyle.

 

It is the fault of the people who leave messes everywhere, a cleaner ship is a small price to pay.

[motleyfan]

Oh but its against the rules and motley crew is a rule abider...except maybe when smoking in the casino. ;)

 

Be careful the informer cheerleaders will report you to the washy-washy girls who will then refer Moose and Rocko to send you back to the approved places to "enjoy" your food.

 

Wonder if NCL will put a dime slot on the balcony door, remember the old public toilets :D, and "crawl under" won't work...

 

In fairness if I was next to you, you know you would report me for smoking in a heartbeat. The reason I bring up smoking is there is such a double standard among cruisers. let me eat to my hearts content and mess up my room all nice, but god forbid you smoke in your room on your private balcony.

[sparks1093]

It is the fault of the people who leave messes everywhere, a cleaner ship is a small price to pay.

Nope it's Del Rio's fault for instituting the room service charge. Everything followed that including NCL's BS explanation.

[motleyfan]

Nope it's Del Rio's fault for instituting the room service charge. Everything followed that including NCL's BS explanation.

 

The room service charge is kind of a good thing, now people only order it if they really want it

[legion3]

In fairness if I was next to you, you know you would report me for smoking in a heartbeat. The reason I bring up smoking is there is such a double standard among cruisers. let me eat to my hearts content and mess up my room all nice, but god forbid you smoke in your room on your private balcony.

 

I sure would and currently one vice has a penalty associated with it and the other has...?

 

Messy plates are not a vice...eating might be. :D

[canadianeh934]

In fairness if I was next to you, you know you would report me for smoking in a heartbeat. The reason I bring up smoking is there is such a double standard among cruisers. let me eat to my hearts content and mess up my room all nice, but god forbid you smoke in your room on your private balcony.

 

 

It is not a double standard....it is a fact that smoke stays in a room and many are allergic to smoke.

[Tenderpaw]

It is not a double standard....it is a fact that smoke stays in a room and many are allergic to smoke.

 

And the smoke from your balcony blows onto my balcony and i get to smell it. Not the same.