Norwegian Cruise Line Bans Food Outside of Dining Areas

[sparks1093]

The other free choice people can make that some are skipping is you don't have to travel on a cruise line with a policy like NCL. Especially next year where it going to be more well-known - it just got implemented like last week. Purposely sailing on a line with a policy that one hates is setting up oneself for bad vacation - that not 'cheerleading', that just basic common sense. It not just about the 'money / cost' because even the 'lowest price' has it drawbacks with NCL being a good example with their policies and changes that seems to polarize people in to 2 separate camps - 'Affect / bothers me alot' & 'Doesn't affect / bother me at all'.

 

Yep and many have taken those steps or have decided their next cruise with NCL is likely their last (for those that are within final payment). There are also some that will be watching to see what other changes are made prior to their final payment date before deciding whether or not to cancel. I'm still trying to figure out if I even have a next cruise booked as that particular cruise is no longer available in the search function and NCL hasn't gotten back to me yet.

[mrsbojamp]

I just booked another cruise, and it was with RCCL. I do have an NCL booked for next January, but I am monitoring responses from other passengers and may opt to cancel. I just don't like the whole tone of this situation.

[Cruise4Real]

SuiteTraveler said this:

 

Finally, there is NO issue with the dining venues in regards to getting the rest of your meal sent to your cabin free of charge for all the above reasons. One advantage of it being sent via room service is that the food comes wrapped with the proper plates and utensils and a napkin. I know for certain as we received a dessert in our cabin this way.

 

I don't remember if SuiteTraveler said if he/she was in a suite when this occurred. If he/she was, then I submit this experience, potentially shared by no more than 5 percent of passengers on board, may not shed light on how steerage customers will experience the new policy regarding food. We all know that suite passengers get free room service, and are generally treated like "royalty." It wouldn't surprise me one iota if Suite Traveler received better service as a result of having showed their platinum keycard when they went to Cagney's that night.

 

Perhaps the restaurant figured, since SuiteTraveler could just have the Butler deliver the cake to their suite, they would save a little headache for everybody and just deliver the cake without involving the Butler?

 

Of course the "cheerleaders" have posted and re-posted Suite Traveler's experience on these threads, yet simple common sense suggests it may not be indicative of how the other 95 percent of passengers will be treated.

 

------

 

For those wondering what's allowed, and what's not, the language dribbling out of NCL PR seems to indicate that "snacks" such as an apple or a box of cereal -- both easily held in one hand -- will be "allowed" to be taken from the Buffet, while "plates" of food won't be. When/if this shakes out my guess is the determinant will be "plate." Snacks go in the hand, plates of food go on....plates, and will therefore be verboten.

 

So (my guess is) you can have all the cookies and chips you can carry, just will have to transport them in your own sweaty palms, no plates allowed!

Edited May 12, 2015 by Cruise4Real

[seaman11]

I know that I don't have the broad experience that the crew has onboard their own ship but I've never noticed a huge problem with food spills on my cruises. Yes, I've seen plates and trays in the hallways but I've seen that in upscale hotels also. The policy change is a bunch of hooey designed to make the captive audience use the for a fee room service, nothing more and nothing less.

i agree

[Markanddonna]

I am just off a 19 day cruise and saw only one spill the entire time and it was right at the buffet beverage line. I am looking elsewhere for my next cruise because of all the recent changes although I had a lovely time on NCL. I can accept the small increase in gratuities but all the other changes have come with poor communication and ridiculous reasons (spills all over the ship...)

[KatieCharlotte]

For those wondering what's allowed, and what's not, the language dribbling out of NCL PR seems to indicate that "snacks" such as an apple or a box of cereal -- both easily held in one hand -- will be "allowed" to be taken from the Buffet, while "plates" of food won't be. When/if this shakes out my guess is the determinant will be "plate." Snacks go in the hand, plates of food go on....plates, and will therefore be verboten.

 

So (my guess is) you can have all the cookies and chips you can carry, just will have to transport them in your own sweaty palms, no plates allowed!

 

Gee, that will certainly reduce mess. I'm imaging my teenager carrying a large stack of pizza slices, which in his mind is a snack. I have the strong feeling that this policy was not well thought out and will probably be impossible to enforce except at sit-down restaurants. I have never sailed NCL but have been looking at all the options for an extended family cruise, and I have to say that we would never sail a line that would confront passengers trying to take buffet-type food to their cabins, especially with young children in the family. I will be watching to see how this turns out.

[LMaxwell]

Gee, that will certainly reduce mess. I'm imaging my teenager carrying a large stack of pizza slices, which in his mind is a snack. I have the strong feeling that this policy was not well thought out and will probably be impossible to enforce except at sit-down restaurants. I have never sailed NCL but have been looking at all the options for an extended family cruise, and I have to say that we would never sail a line that would confront passengers trying to take buffet-type food to their cabins, especially with young children in the family. I will be watching to see how this turns out.

 

No doubt an overzealous employee is going to make people unhappy and cost all their co-workers some of the DSC. I can see it now. Woman walking to cabin with some food for the family and being chased down and chastised by a worker, having food snatched out of her hands. I am sure they won't remove the DSC after a scene like that. :rolleyes:

[Cauzneffct]

I don't remember if SuiteTraveler said if he/she was in a suite when this occurred. If he/she was, then I submit this experience, potentially shared by no more than 5 percent of passengers on board, may not shed light on how steerage customers will experience the new policy regarding food. We all know that suite passengers get free room service, and are generally treated like "royalty." It wouldn't surprise me one iota if Suite Traveler received better service as a result of having showed their platinum keycard when they went to Cagney's that night

 

SuiteTraveler has explained that while they were in a suite, they didn't make any reference to it, nor was it asked, when they received the service they did. I suppose that its possible the staff figured it out anyway, but there's no way of knowing.

 

As to your larger point about not taking a few isolated experiences (both positive and negative) and trying to figure out what is/will be the enforcement, I agree. The fact that the policy isn't/wasn't in effect/enforced on one ship on one voyage is certainly not bad, but we really can't say that its definitively and universally good. Same for the bad experiences (although, given that they're shades of compliance with the policy, I'd be more likely to believe they're the norm than non/lax enforcement). But time will tell.

[balcony bum]

IT looks like the wife and I picked the wrong time to try NCL and it sound like it will be last. to late to back out :mad:

Edited May 12, 2015 by balcony bum

[ColinIllinois]

IT looks like the wife and I picked the wrong time to try NCL and it sound like it will be last. to late to back out :mad:

 

 

I'm sure you will have a great time. Don't sweat all the drama here.

[sparks1093]

SuiteTraveler has explained that while they were in a suite, they didn't make any reference to it, nor was it asked, when they received the service they did. I suppose that its possible the staff figured it out anyway, but there's no way of knowing.

 

As to your larger point about not taking a few isolated experiences (both positive and negative) and trying to figure out what is/will be the enforcement, I agree. The fact that the policy isn't/wasn't in effect/enforced on one ship on one voyage is certainly not bad, but we really can't say that its definitively and universally good. Same for the bad experiences (although, given that they're shades of compliance with the policy, I'd be more likely to believe they're the norm than non/lax enforcement). But time will tell.

 

It was also a specialty cake that is made onboard for delivery for a fee. Not sure if that matters but it seems like it could.

[swedish weave]

SuiteTraveler has explained that while they were in a suite, they didn't make any reference to it, nor was it asked, when they received the service they did. I suppose that its possible the staff figured it out anyway, but there's no way of knowing.

 

As to your larger point about not taking a few isolated experiences (both positive and negative) and trying to figure out what is/will be the enforcement, I agree. The fact that the policy isn't/wasn't in effect/enforced on one ship on one voyage is certainly not bad, but we really can't say that its definitively and universally good. Same for the bad experiences (although, given that they're shades of compliance with the policy, I'd be more likely to believe they're the norm than non/lax enforcement). But time will tell.

 

Excuse me !!!! If the crew agreed to deliver to the room, they HAD TO KNOW IT WAS A SUITE !!!!

 

Room number -----------

Edited May 12, 2015 by swedish weave

[maywell]

Excuse me !!!! If the crew agreed to deliver to the room, they HAD TO KNOW IT WAS A SUITE !!!!

 

Room number -----------

Wouldn't the alternative situation be the staff agree to deliver before knowing what room # was? For all waiter staff could had known, it could had been a regular spa mini-suite and not a Haven spa suite (both types of rooms are on the same deck next to each other)

[sparks1093]

Wouldn't the alternative situation be the staff agree to deliver before knowing what room # was? For all waiter staff could had known, it could had been a regular spa mini-suite and not a Haven spa suite (both types of rooms are on the same deck next to each other)

 

I wonder if the staff would have been so willing to do that if it were a regular desert from the restaurant and not a specialty cake ordered from Carlos' Bakery.

[gooch47]

On all our NCL cruises, recently at least, we had to show our card at the hostess desk. So they WOULD know if you were in a suite or not. And for specialty restaurants, our reservation was under our cabin number in addition to our name. Same thing. Cabin number was obvious.

[swedish weave]

wouldn't the alternative situation be the staff agree to deliver before knowing what room # was? For all waiter staff could had known, it could had been a regular spa mini-suite and not a haven spa suite (both types of rooms are on the same deck next to each other)

 

no !!!!!

[swedish weave]

The other free choice people can make that some are skipping is you don't have to travel on a cruise line with a policy like NCL. Especially next year where it going to be more well-known - it just got implemented like last week. Purposely sailing on a line with a policy that one hates is setting up oneself for bad vacation - that not 'cheerleading', that just basic common sense. It not just about the 'money / cost' because even the 'lowest price' has it drawbacks with NCL being a good example with their policies and changes that seems to polarize people in to 2 separate camps - 'Affect / bothers me alot' & 'Doesn't affect / bother me at all'.

 

A logical person would not give up their deposit or entire cruise cost to cancel. Also would not forego the cost of a future cruise deposit, but would instead take the cruise and violate the silly rules if need be.

 

I plan to continue taking breakfast to DW from the buffet as I have done for years, and after I use my last future cruise deposit, I will then make the decision what line I will cruise after that.

Edited May 12, 2015 by swedish weave

[maywell]

A logical person would not give up their deposit or entire cruise cost to cancel. Also would not forego the cost of a future cruise deposit, but would instead take the cruise and violate the silly rules if need be.

You do know the old tactics of removing the auto tips from the packages is now negated by the promos, rights? The only real way to get back at NCL is to not sail on any of their ships at all - otherwise, they have your money in one form or the other. I mean, continue traveling on them but realize that the tactics of old no longer work with them.

 

Edit- No logical person would sail on a line that abuses for whatever reason, otherwise one is just a good advertisement / 'cheerleader' for line - 'Even when scorned and hated, people still want to cruise on us!"

Edited May 12, 2015 by maywell

[swedish weave]

You do know the old tactics of removing the auto tips from the packages is now negated by the promos, rights? The only real way to get back at NCL is to not sail on any of their ships at all - otherwise, they have your money in one form or the other. I mean, continue traveling on them but realize that the tactics of old no longer work with them.

 

How did you incorporate removing auto tips into this? I don't underestand your logic or lack thereof.

[maywell]

How did you incorporate removing auto tips into this? I don't underestand your logic or lack thereof.

Because some people tactics of getting back at NCL involves removing the auto tips from drinks and/or meals - which no longer works if it was promo because they already have the person's business anyway whether or not one using it. And even if the passengers brought the packages themselves, still doesn't work because NCL still has money the anyway. Also, even if one doesn't buy anything - still won't affect NCL because people are accounted for the complimentary dining anyway. So the real way to get back is to not sail on NCL ship at by not buying the fare in the 1st place.

[sparks1093]

Because some people tactics of getting back at NCL involves removing the auto tips from drinks and/or meals - which no longer works if it was promo because they already have the person's business anyway whether or not one using it. And even if the passengers brought the packages themselves, still doesn't work because NCL still has money the anyway. Also, even if one doesn't buy anything - still won't affect NCL because people are accounted for the complimentary dining anyway. So the real way to get back is to not sail on NCL ship at by not buying the fare in the 1st place.

 

Yes, some people will do that (or remove the service charges) but that never really "got back" at NCL since it only came out of the pocket of the staff.

[Cauzneffct]

Wouldn't the alternative situation be the staff agree to deliver before knowing what room # was? For all waiter staff could had known, it could had been a regular spa mini-suite and not a Haven spa suite (both types of rooms are on the same deck next to each other)

 

That was my read on the situation as well; the offer was made before the room number was given. Its possible that the staff knew ahead of time I guess.

 

In any event, I'm just reporting what was said in another thread. I have no idea if the staff knew or not, nor do I know if the experience that passenger had is any way indicative of what anyone else has or will experience.

Edited May 12, 2015 by Cauzneffct

[nadeki]

I have not responded to all the posts lately and have been trying to digest some of the changes. It will be a bit before this all shakes out and we have some firm answers. Our next cruise is in October and we will go despite the changes. I had not wanted to share any of this with my spouse as he laughs at my CC obsession. Last night I mentioned the no food from the buffet and he got upset and said " this is very important to our trip." Ordering room service is not the same as quick stop in the buffet to look at a much larger selection of items. And, we can get them quickly. Too often when you order room serivce something is forgotten, late, cold etc.

 

I started to think about the domino effect IF this is strictly enforced. We are in suites 50% of the time but still do this for ourselves. No need to bother the butler for a cookie.

 

 

1) We would not need a balcony any longer as we would lose our time out there having a snack an enjoying the view.

 

2) We have to all get up earlier and fight the larger crowds at the buffet for breakfast. Often there are not enough seats now so what is to happen in the future.

 

3) If we left NCL we would take a steady group of followers with us. We always end up with other cabins of friends or family when we cruise. As well as always talking about NCL has encouraged others to try the line. If I choose another vacation venue may will follow.

 

4) We would probably not cruise anymore or rarely as I am the instigator of vacations and have felt loyal to the NCL product. Don't know if I am ready to start a new relationship with a cruise line. We just love the staff on NCL and hate to think they are going to be constantly abused by upset guests.

 

5) I am still wondering why the suite gratuity is different. It still does not cover the butler and concierge tips. We pay more in the initial rate so why pay a larger DSC? We will pay and continue to tip extra but how is it rationalized?

 

I will study this forum and listen to all sides. Will decide in October for ourselves how our vacation experience is effected.

[garycarla]

I with you. We are high "players" in the casino and they recently took away the Cagney's breakfast and lunch perk. We swallowed that.

 

We also like to take some food to the cabin from the buffet. Even if room service was free, it would not meet our needs.

 

Sadly, we will just move along. Not a threat or bitch. Just the way it is.

[hog88]

Has anyone actually been stopped from taking a plate of food to their room?