NCL depriving us of simple pleasures

[Kenlorz]

As others have said, according to Del Rio's conference call yesterdy, the recent fees have not garnered any complaints other than some online comments. It's obvious that the boards don't really count as complaints in his book. Your point is perfectly made. I agree with the other posters, take it directly to them. Here are the addresses and phone numbers that were listed at the bottom of the conference call press release:

 

 

Media Contacts

 

Jason Lasecki

 

(305) 514-3912

 

Vanessa Picariello

 

(305) 436-4713

 

PublicRelations@ncl.com

[glittergal1]

I have emailed with reference to all of the recent changes , all implemented after I had booked and paid.

And unlike many cruisers with booking a studio cabin it gave me no benefits of the UDP or UBP and my cruise fare was one of the more expensive of all the cruises that I have booked with other lines .

[mickeysgal]

Thanks for sharing your thoughts Steve!

Please write to FDR and the board of directors and let them know your thoughts.

 

Please someone ... does anyone have an email address to board of directors and/or FDR? It would help me and others on these many many threads. Thanks.

[crystalaziza]

I'm curious about how many times these new polocies have been brought up to the department heads, officers and the Captain during the gatherings and meet and greets. I sometimes feel sorry for these guys who are in the middle. I know I will continue to bring my son back his cream cheese cinnamon rolls and chocolate milk to the cabin. Just hate to smuggle them in my purse. By the time he gets up and out of the cabin from late nights with other teens, the cinnamon rolls are gone and lunch is being served. Can't wait to see what's next. I'm sure there will be something.

[jame_g]

This is the first time in years that we don't have any future cruises booked. We usually have a couple booked well ahead of time, and we frequently book suites. But we haven't been happy with the changes NCL is making, or the boring itineries of the new ships. Have we complained? No. We've just simply stopped booking NCL cruises. There are plenty of options for spending our vacation time and money elsewhere, which is what we're doing.

Edited May 9, 2015 by jame_g

[cruzsnooze]

Perhaps it's time to send a strong message to NCL by removing the suggested gratuity. Use those funds for other services that were previously included. Nothing will grab their attention more quickly then a monetary protest.

[jaja]

To the OP....Great post Steve...:)

[CPT Trips]

Perhaps it's time to send a strong message to NCL by removing the suggested gratuity. Use those funds for other services that were previously included. Nothing will grab their attention more quickly then a monetary protest.

 

Really? That action will only punish the crew.

But, if enough people follow your lead, they will just drop the service charge and roll it into the fare.

[StolidCruiser]

Perhaps it's time to send a strong message to NCL by removing the suggested gratuity. Use those funds for other services that were previously included. Nothing will grab their attention more quickly then a monetary protest.

 

Wouldn't the stronger message in protest be to take your business elsewhere?

[mking8288]

Between finding our own balance among humor, sarcasm, cheerleading and cyber-bullying -

we can and should seriously spread the words that some of us will deprive NCL of the simple pleasures in suspending purchases of any FCR deposit on current/future sailings.

Some of us have strong feelings for NCL or else we wouldn't be on this board - and still not sure, but very much annoyed & not pleased at all. Here's another idea on the means of "protest" - these "small" deposits are essentially cash advances or loans we are giving to the NCL, for up to 4 years, each & every time we buy a new one on a sailing. Stop buying them - that will impact cash flow !!

It would send an equally powerful message, just as loud & clear as those emails and telephone calls - in addition to cancelling bookings already made, just before the final payment/penalty cutoff (as we usually don't book far in advance)

Maybe, just maybe, it will get his CFO's attention to say, hey, "Frankie ... "

Edited May 9, 2015 by mking8288

[NLH Arizona]

Between finding our own balance among humor, sarcasm, cheerleading and cyber-bullying -

we can and should seriously spread the words that some of us will deprive NCL of the simple pleasures in suspending purchases of any FCR deposit on current/future sailings.

Some of us have strong feelings for NCL or else we wouldn't be on this board - and still not sure, but very much annoyed & not pleased at all. Here's another idea on the means of "protest" - these "small" deposits are essentially cash advances or loans we are giving to the NCL, for up to 4 years, each & every time we buy a new one on a sailing. Stop buying them - that will impact cash flow !!

It would send an equally powerful message, just as loud & clear as those emails and telephone calls - in addition to cancelling bookings already made, just before the final payment/penalty cutoff (as we usually don't book far in advance)

Maybe, just maybe, it will get his CFO's attention to say, hey, "Frankie ... "

With your solution about deposits, you are only depriving NCL of small amounts of money, even if all are combined, and they would never know that it is a protest. Wouldn't the impact be larger if everyone canceled their cruise. To me, it would make more of an impact, to lose the total fare from a customer, than just to have lost a couple hundred dollar deposit. For example, if you have 100 people who are going to protest by not putting a deposit down, NCL will only lose around $6,000 and they will have no idea that they lost it, because they never had it. But if 100 people cancel their cruise, that would be $100,000 in lost revenue (if everyone paid $1,000 for their cruise) and wouldn't they then notice if all of a sudden they got 100 cancelled cruises. Just a thought!

[maywell]

Between finding our own balance among humor, sarcasm, cheerleading and cyber-bullying -

we can and should seriously spread the words that some of us will deprive NCL of the simple pleasures in suspending purchases of any FCR deposit on current/future sailings.

Some of us have strong feelings for NCL or else we wouldn't be on this board - and still not sure, but very much annoyed & not pleased at all. Here's another idea on the means of "protest" - these "small" deposits are essentially cash advances or loans we are giving to the NCL, for up to 4 years, each & every time we buy a new one on a sailing. Stop buying them - that will impact cash flow !!

It would send an equally powerful message, just as loud & clear as those emails and telephone calls - in addition to cancelling bookings already made, just before the final payment/penalty cutoff (as we usually don't book far in advance)

Maybe, just maybe, it will get his CFO's attention to say, hey, "Frankie ... "

 

 

Sorry but $250 future deposit that can be used at anytime doesn't hurt as much as a paid in full $1000 per person trip cancellation before the payment deadline to cruise line (or even a land resort). A full cancellation of thousand(s) dollars hurts a cruise line more - that means no additional income on the ship.

[SteveH2508]

With your solution about deposits, you are only depriving NCL of small amounts of money, even if all are combined, and they would never know that it is a protest. Wouldn't the impact be larger if everyone canceled their cruise. To me, it would make more of an impact, to lose the total fare from a customer, than just to have lost a couple hundred dollar deposit. For example, if you have 100 people who are going to protest by not putting a deposit down, NCL will only lose around $6,000 and they will have no idea that they lost it, because they never had it. But if 100 people cancel their cruise, that would be $100,000 in lost revenue (if everyone paid $1,000 for their cruise) and wouldn't they then notice if all of a sudden they got 100 cancelled cruises. Just a thought!

 

I would have thought that the rate of FCR purchases onboard would be a good metric of customer satisfaction. If they see it drop markedly, they should be asking themselves why.

 

What seems clear to me is that NCL HQ's view is to Wall Street now - it used to be towards customers:mad:.

[kessdarln]

I send in my email complaint because I agree the not taking food to your cabin is beyond reasonable considering there are a variety of reasons people stay in or eat in their cabins.

 

However, i am not cancelling any of my cruises because I booked them for ME due the cost + UBP for one cruise and the incredibly low price of studios b2b for the other 2. If not for such incredible discounts, I would not have booked a cruise at all.. I would have done a land tour, city stay, something. For me, this is about the vacations I picked based on affordability and the perks... not because I have to take a cruise. :cool:

[NLH Arizona]

I would have thought that the rate of FCR purchases onboard would be a good metric of customer satisfaction. If they see it drop markedly, they should be asking themselves why.

 

What seems clear to me is that NCL HQ's view is to Wall Street now - it used to be towards customers:mad:.

I was talking about not reserving a cruise and not giving NCL the deposit, as the poster had suggested.

 

I certainly think that not purchasing anything onboard would get their attention, but I also think that since folks are on vacation that type of thinking would go out the window. Like the folks that said they would still eat in specialty dining, but will remove the 18 percent gratuity as a protest. Let's see, NCL just got your $29.95 for eating in Cagney's, so I doubt they will miss that $5.39...it would make more sense to not give them the $29.95 in my estimation, but we all think differently.

[kessdarln]

I was talking about not reserving a cruise and not giving NCL the deposit, as the poster had suggested.

 

I certainly think that not purchasing anything onboard would get their attention, but I also think that since folks are on vacation that type of thinking would go out the window. Like the folks that said they would still eat in specialty dining, but will remove the 18 percent gratuity as a protest. Let's see, NCL just got your $29.95 for eating in Cagney's, so I doubt they will miss that $5.39...it would make more sense to not give them the $29.95 in my estimation, but we all think differently.

 

Gambling is going to be the big one... Get people to not gamble.. CAS is a big money maker. This is why the Hawaii cruise is so much more expensive, they don't have a casino.

[NLH Arizona]

Gambling is going to be the big one... Get people to not gamble.. CAS is a big money maker. This is why the Hawaii cruise is so much more expensive, they don't have a casino.

You are correct there, but do you really think a lot of folks are not going to gamble while they are on a cruise. Folks can say anything on here, but in reality do we really know what happens. Not to mention, those that get the free cabins from CAS, would then not be getting them. Being selfish, I would hope some didn't gamble, because some times it is difficult to get the machines I like and that would make it easier for me.

[luvtheships]

Wouldn't the stronger message in protest be to take your business elsewhere?

 

Actually ncl is trying to rid itself of their latitudes cruisers and are going for the newbie. IMHO

 

I always leave the dsc in place plus some but if a large number of pax remove the dsc...and stand firm about it.... Then the crew will be upset .....and they will undoubtedly do a work slowdown.... And subsequently not stop you from leaving the buffet with food....as they will be mad at ncl for forcing them to police a stupid rule that will hurt their income

 

So at guest services just tell them you are removing the dsc because you didn't receive the service you expected

 

Now before everyone starts on how unfair this is.....wait...

 

This only has to be done for 2 or 3 weeks tops...not all pax will do it..but if more pax did it...it will work

 

Of course there is nothing stopping you from giving cash to servers and stewards and yes the back room crew will miss out....but as I said..it would only take a few cruises...plus you are directly making your displeasure known to ncl

 

Now every poster will disagree with me of course

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

[kessdarln]

I'll agree to disagree :D punishing the crew isn't the right thing...these jobs are the only way some of them can leave their countries, support families back home... have a better life and hopefully one day make enough money to afford a cruise like us.

 

I think not gambling, not shopping, and not drinking unless it is UBP would be a dent in the corp pocket, not the individuals that are not behind your [everyone's] unhappiness.

 

 

I always leave the dsc in place plus some but if a large number of pax remove the dsc...and stand firm about it.... Then the crew will be upset .....and they will undoubtedly do a work slowdown.... And subsequently not stop you from leaving the buffet with food....as they will be mad at ncl for forcing them to police a stupid rule that will hurt their income

 

So at guest services just tell them you are removing the dsc because you didn't receive the service you expected

 

Of course there is nothing stopping you from giving cash to servers and stewards and yes the back room crew will miss out....but as I said..it would only take a few cruises...plus you are directly making your displeasure known to ncl

 

Now every poster will disagree with me of course

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

Edited May 9, 2015 by kessdarln

[emcelh]

Actually ncl is trying to rid itself of their latitudes cruisers and are going for the newbie. IMHO

 

I always leave the dsc in place plus some but if a large number of pax remove the dsc...and stand firm about it.... Then the crew will be upset .....and they will undoubtedly do a work slowdown.... And subsequently not stop you from leaving the buffet with food....as they will be mad at ncl for forcing them to police a stupid rule that will hurt their income

 

So at guest services just tell them you are removing the dsc because you didn't receive the service you expected

 

Now before everyone starts on how unfair this is.....wait...

 

This only has to be done for 2 or 3 weeks tops...not all pax will do it..but if more pax did it...it will work

 

Of course there is nothing stopping you from giving cash to servers and stewards and yes the back room crew will miss out....but as I said..it would only take a few cruises...plus you are directly making your displeasure known to ncl

 

Now every poster will disagree with me of course

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

 

Of course.

[SissasMomE]

I would have thought that the rate of FCR purchases onboard would be a good metric of customer satisfaction. If they see it drop markedly, they should be asking themselves why.

 

What seems clear to me is that NCL HQ's view is to Wall Street now - it used to be towards customers:mad:.

 

This is the first time in years we will not be purchasing a FCR.

[dna529]

I think all of these ideas to get our point across are good... not purchasing FCC, don't spend much onboard, remove DSC (if that is your wish to do so), cancelling cruises. However, my concern is that we are only a small percentage of cruisers out there. If new cruisers and those that aren't users of CC don't do anything (because they are totally unaware of these changes), will anything we do as CC members actually get the attention of anyone at NCL?

 

In 2011, I had only cruised twice and had no idea that these little inconveniences that we are discussing would make me write on a cruise message board. There are a lot of people out there filling ships that have no clue why they should care that "freestyle" is changing.

[kessdarln]

I think all of these ideas to get our point across are good... not purchasing FCC, don't spend much onboard, remove DSC (if that is your wish to do so), cancelling cruises. However, my concern is that we are only a small percentage of cruisers out there. If new cruisers and those that aren't users of CC don't do anything (because they are totally unaware of these changes), will anything we do as CC members actually get the attention of anyone at NCL?

 

In 2011, I had only cruised twice and had no idea that these little inconveniences that we are discussing would make me write on a cruise message board. There are a lot of people out there filling ships that have no clue why they should care that "freestyle" is changing.

 

If ever a comment should get a thumbs up.. this would be it.

[4774Papa]

Room Service for breakfast on Veranda cabins will only get you a continental breakfast anyway, not like bacon, eggs or an omelet on Celebrity.

 

I certainly won't be ordering room service for rolls and coffee.

 

We will still pay the grats. That is not the way to fight this.

[SteveH2508]

Room Service for breakfast on Veranda cabins will only get you a continental breakfast anyway, not like bacon, eggs or an omelet on Celebrity.

 

I certainly won't be ordering room service for rolls and coffee.

 

We will still pay the grats. That is not the way to fight this.

 

You can have your rolls and coffee in the morning from Room Service for free - for now.