Poll; will your next booking be with NCL?

[karoo]

I'm on the fence. I have one fully booked in around 5 weeks. I also have another two booked for later in the year and next year. I'm pretty sure I'll be cancelling those. I also have a FCC. If I book another cruise it will be last minute, but I'd prefer to wait as changes seem to be happening all the time. So it depends what the changes are and how they will impact on my cruising experience. RSC no big deal as I've never used it. Cagneys no big deal as I've only been twice and not overly impressed. (JMO), but not being able to eat in my room. A deal breaker- not that I do it often, but for those days when the sea was rough and I'm feeling a little queasy or the buffet was overcrowded it was good to be able to grab something quick from the buffet and eat back in the room. I sometimes sail solo too, so it was good to just eat on my balcony as I don't like eating solo in the MDR. I'll see how my next cruise goes on the Epic and then wait and see how it all goes. I did look at a princess cruise yesterday, but I had to choose either a 5.30 sitting or 7.45. That's a deal breaker too. Neither of those times would suit me. One too early, one too late. I do love the flexibility with dining times. I'm hoping there's not too many more changes as I've always loved my NCL cruises.

[nancynana9950]

We are booked for the Breakaway this coming October with a family group. Happy with the price and chose UDP. I am watching and waiting to see how all these changes stay around till then and how many others will be piled on. The next cruise after that will be a 9 or 10 day S. Caribbean, likely on RCI or Holland. So I'm in the "no" camp. Really can't find many NCL trips to Aruba out of Miami or Ft L. After that- who knows? We really had great times on our 3 NCL cruises so I would like to think things will work themselves out with what their past guests will put up with and what they won't and move on. If their bottom line takes a hit things will likely swing back the other way. Only time will tell.

[AEckhardt]

I booked a cruise around New Years for late this summer, (just before all hell broke loose!) and plan on keeping it.

 

In the few short years I have been cruising, I have always looked to NCL first, without question. Due to the changes implemented after FDR took over, I have now lost my loyalty to NCL and have looked elsewhere for future sailings. I just recently booked an MSC cruise.

 

Now, this does not mean I am ABANDONING NCL.. But I certainly don't have blinders on anymore.

[cacj]

We voted unsure. We are not happy with some of the changes and how they were handled. The fee for room service $7.95 + gratuities which equals over 10 dollars per room service order puts us out of our budget.

 

We do like room service and I'm not going to apologize for that. The folks in the Haven who say "we don't use room service" are really disingenuous because they use their butlers. Come on, isn't that one of the reasons that they are in the Haven...so they can have their butlers serve them whenever.

 

All that being said, we are unsure because we are waiting to hear how this new management is truly going to treat the guest. As of now, it appears that the new management does not care to keep our loyalty nor do they care to admit a mistake in instituting a punitive order about bringing food to one's cabin just to incur room service fees.

 

We have been loyal guests of NCL and have had more enjoyable times then not, and therefore, we are unsure. However, we have been searching Princess and Celebrity for alternatives for our yearly celebration of our anniversary, and both of those cruise lines are beginning to entice us. Prior to these badly handled announcements and changes, we had never thought to search out another cruise line.

[NLH Arizona]

We do like room service and I'm not going to apologize for that. The folks in the Haven who say "we don't use room service" are really disingenuous because they use their butlers. Come on, isn't that one of the reasons that they are in the Haven...so they can have their butlers serve them whenever.

 

I cruise in a suite and have never used room service...not with a room service attendant or with a Butler. The only things I've eaten in my cabin are some cookies and chips, which I went up and got them myself and walked them back to my suite. How is that being disingenuous? And no I don't cruise in a suite so that I can have the Butler serve me whenever, all I have asked for is to have a pitcher of ice water in my cabin daily. I cruise in a suite, because I like the size of the cabin. Just as you won't apologize for using room service, I won't apologize for sailing in a suite.

[missdixie]

Unsure

Even with all the changes I am still looking forward to my cruise on the Escape this coming December. I won't be cancelling.

Other lines might have new rules in the near future too.

Time will tell.

[Snowrose]

I voted Unsure.

 

We have an NCL cruise booked next and won't be cancelling that one, but we're put off on NCL now and have booked a first cruise on RCCL. It's a Transatlantic that was going where we wanted when we wanted and at the right price, so we're trying another line. If they make us happy and NCL is left wanting, we'll be trying other lines in the future.

[wimsikl]

I voted no. One of my favorite things to do is get exactly what I want, a little of this and a little of that, from the buffet, and take it back to my room to enjoy in peace and silence while my kids are in kids club and my husband is at the Casino. This is something I never get in the real world. I can't describe the joy of the peace and silence. Room service cost is not factor as I primarily have been in suites. Getting exactly what I want, when I want, where I want, is what matters to me.

 

I have never sailed anything except NCL, so I am going to branch out... I am looking primarily at Princess and Disney, and a bit at Holland America and Carnival. The Disney Veranda room looks like it would be perfect for us.

[Sotermarler]

Yep, already booked it for 2016.

[mjc414]

Doubt it. But will see how Getaway is next month

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums

[mkdreams]

Not a chance not unless NCL reverses these new policies.

[Barb Nahoumi]

Our next cruise is with NCL, and we'll see how it goes.

 

The many cruises we've taken with NCL, were enjoyable. We don't use room service, so those changes will not be an issue.

[Mistizoom]

Yes, I plan to stick with NCL as room service etc. is not a deal breaker for us. The casual dress code and Freestyle dining are the biggest draws for us. Have Getaway booked for 2016 and looking to book Epic Western Med in summer 2017 when the schedules are released.

[BRANDEE]

I voted no. Booked my first NCL cruise over one year ago..paid in full over two months ago and absolutely no notification of any policy/fee changes. I have received notices regarding buying excursions, UBP and specialty gifts. If I wasn't a CC member I would be sailing in a month thinking I was getting the cruise package I paid for..not the new package I'm ending up with.

 

Changes do happen..don't like some..but it is the way NCL has treated their customers that has turned me off to this cruise line. I am one in a group of 28 sailing. All of us have cruised before on other lines. Some in the group have little children and some have mobility problems..not being able to bring food back to their cabin will take away from their vacation.

 

I am the only CC member in the group, no one knew about the new policies and they are not happy. We can not cancel..we are all paid in full.

 

We will all have a blast on our cruise..but we will all bring our business to a different cruise line next time. A company that values it's customers. Selling one product and delivering another is called bait and switch. Sorry NCL..you just lost 28 returning customers.

Edited May 17, 2015 by BRANDEE

[alvin18]

I voted no. Booked my first NCL cruise over one year ago..paid in full over two months ago and absolutely no notification of any policy/fee changes. I have received notices regarding buying excursions, UBP and specialty gifts. If I wasn't a CC member I would be sailing in a month thinking I was getting the cruise package I paid for..not the new package I'm ending up with.

 

Changes do happen..don't like some..but it is the way NCL has treated their customers that has turned me off to this cruise line. I am one in a group of 28 sailing. All of us have cruised before on other lines. Some in the group have little children and some have mobility problems..not being able to bring food back to their cabin will take away from their vacation.

 

I am the only CC member in the group, no one knew about the new policies and they are not happy. We can not cancel..we are all paid in full.

 

We will all have a blast on our cruise..but we will all bring our business to a different cruise line next time. A company that values it's customers. Selling one product and delivering another is called bait and switch. Sorry NCL..you just lost 28 returning customers.

Just curious, which cruise line do you think that would be? Corporate America is why all companies are making all kinds of changes. Just giving you a hard time..I think every cruise line will have their moments.

[BRANDEE]

Just curious, which cruise line do you think that would be? Corporate America is why all companies are making all kinds of changes. Just giving you a hard time..I think every cruise line will have their moments.

 

I cruised with Princess recently. There was a policy change that was sent to my "personalizer" pre final payment. I was given the opportunity to decide if it was a deal breaker. NCL has had quite a few changes in the past three months and didn't post anything. Customer service is important to me and NCL failed to communicate any of these changes to me..a simple post in "My NCL" would have been appreciated. They did find time to post..excursion prices, beverage package prices, etc. I agree every cruise line will have their moment, so glad their are others to try..or go back to. NCL had potentially 28 new cruisers to their line, next time we will all spend our money with another company.

[alvin18]

I cruised with Princess recently. There was a policy change that was sent to my "personalizer" pre final payment. I was given the opportunity to decide if it was a deal breaker. NCL has had quite a few changes in the past three months and didn't post anything. Customer service is important to me and NCL failed to communicate any of these changes to me..a simple post in "My NCL" would have been appreciated. They did find time to post..excursion prices, beverage package prices, etc. I agree every cruise line will have their moment, so glad their are others to try..or go back to. NCL had potentially 28 new cruisers to their line, next time we will all spend our money with another company.

I understand where you are coming from. I guess I am easy and don't expect much, being on vacation is better than being at work! For now NCL's freestyle experience is what keeps me attracted to them, time will tell as I mentioned on another thread, I will check in with Cruise Critic from time to time before making my next booking for next year. Good luck with all your future cruises.

[ExpatBride]

Nope! This is my first cruise with NCL. I booked in March right before the changes started coming and I leave in a few weeks, so it wasn't possible to cancel.

 

I think it's a shady business practice to change the terms of the offer after a customer has booked and paid, and even shadier not to send out communication regarding the changes. If I hadn't found CC, I'd have walked onto the ship oblivious to the new room service fees, no food outside of dining areas policy, etc.

 

I don't book on price alone, so I don't need NCL. I picked NCL this time because I didn't have to fly, and the dates fit my schedule. I had my reservations about NCL to begin with, and this latest debacle sealed the deal. I'll enjoy my cruise to the fullest, but I will not be back.

[Sam The Cat]

Nope! This is my first cruise with NCL. I booked in March right before the changes started coming and I leave in a few weeks, so it wasn't possible to cancel.

 

I think it's a shady business practice to change the terms of the offer after a customer has booked and paid, and even shadier not to send out communication regarding the changes. If I hadn't found CC, I'd have walked onto the ship oblivious to the new room service fees, no food outside of dining areas policy, etc.

 

I don't book on price alone, so I don't need NCL. I picked NCL this time because I didn't have to fly, and the dates fit my schedule. I had my reservations about NCL to begin with, and this latest debacle sealed the deal. I'll enjoy my cruise to the fullest, but I will not be back.

 

I might have agreed with you about changing cruise lines but after being on NCL 6-7 times and Carnival 2 times for about the same price-NCL was more due to the fact that I have stayed in a suite the last 4-5 times) There is no comparison between the 2 and unless NCL throws me in the brig I am staing with them even though I only sail to Canada, Bahamas an the San Juan-St. Thomas route.

[legion3]

I might have agreed with you about changing cruise lines but after being on NCL 6-7 times and Carnival 2 times for about the same price-NCL was more due to the fact that I have stayed in a suite the last 4-5 times) There is no comparison between the 2 and unless NCL throws me in the brig I am staing with them even though I only sail to Canada, Bahamas an the San Juan-St. Thomas route.

 

Am I missing where the poster mentioned Carnival? :confused:

[mypleasure]

We will be staying. The deal breaker for us would be formal dining/or formal nights. We love the casual style of NCL and eating with who we want when we want where we want.

 

I don't like the way the changes were not announced but none of them are deal breakers. We have never done room service, even on the two occasions we had a suite, we don't bring food back to the room either so nothing there. We are happy with the increased DSC and increased charge for drinks. We are not too happy with the change to add to the bill at speciality restaurants and we will wait an see on what other changes may happen such as a la carte pricing. Even that is unlikely to break us as we can just say no more UDP and pay as we go.

 

Four cruises currently booked, 1 more this year 2 next year and one in early 2017. One more cruise reward to use when we decide on something. It will be intersting to see the changes in action on the Star next month. That might change my mind. We have been looking at another line recently mainly because NCL itineraries are boring, as Del Rio said, 7 night milk runs out of New York and Florida. Meh. Not liking the Epic for winter in Europe doing more milk runs. The line we are looking at, and this was before any of this started is Regent!

[mrclean1]

No, with the changes in policy and comps with CAS there are better options (at least for us). Our 2015 Alaska will go as planned, but we have nothing booked after that (at least with NCL)

[Sam The Cat]

Am I missing where the poster mentioned Carnival? :confused:

 

No just comparing my cruises of NCL and Carnival

[biker@sea]

D.W. and I are thinking about camping in the Florida keys for the whole winter rather than cruise for only 4 weeks .

 

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[egh170]

Ive said No , because I only booked the Epic because of the Solo cabins and solo lounge (the price was quite expensive) I booked a long time ago and since I booked Ive experienced 2 cruises with MSC and I really enjoyed these and feel that for the price I paid for them MSC are much better value for what I got as a solo cruiser the all inclusive drinks package alone is half the cost of the NCL package .

That said if NCL offered an amazing cheap price for a cruise I would consider it, but it would have to be an amazingly low price . Since I booked NCL have changed so many things and increased the costs so I no longer trust them .

 

Oh, So if the price is right you could then trust them? LOL