NCL DSC or Grat's now cannot be changed aboard.

[Ex techie]

I find it amusing that an NCL issue though is brought up on a Disney forum, that being said, when NCL raised their DSC fees the other lines followed and raised their DSC to the same or within a dollar or so of NCL rates.

 

EXACTLY!

Sometime when one line does something, others follow suit and copy or replicate it with differing levels.

 

It is relevant to every line if that becomes the norm, or as DCL now say, in line with "Industry Standards".

 

ex techie

Edited September 19, 2015 by Ex techie

[moki'smommy]

Interestingly, I spent part of the evening looking at non-DCL cruises as those we have booked on DCL are so costly. One thing I discovered is that most othe lines have increased their tips to $13-14 per night. Wonder how long it will tae DCL to jump on board with this.

 

Oh, and what I found when looking at other lines--I can basically book a concierge level cabin for what I'm paying for an inside on DCL. Or I can save about 25%-33% of cost and go with an inside on those lines.

[Ex techie]

Interestingly' date=' I spent part of the evening looking at non-DCL cruises as those we have booked on DCL are so costly. One thing I discovered is that most othe lines have increased their tips to $13-14 per night. Wonder how long it will tae DCL to jump on board with this.

 

Oh, and what I found when looking at other lines--I can basically book a concierge level cabin for what I'm paying for an inside on DCL. Or I can save about 25%-33% of cost and go with an inside on those lines.[/quote']

 

I wouldn't expect a formal announcement when they do increase the grat's. Just a sly quick change on the website. That's how they do things now, right?

 

It really is telling of how DCL are out pricing so many of their loyal customers that have been cruising with them for so many years. I hope they fall flat on their ass and get a kick in the rear to keep prices at a more reasonable level.

 

Time as always will tell.

 

ex techie

[Loonbeam]

DCL just priced me out of one...

 

We were looking at Concierge on the Fantasy next year, honestly the primary reason would be to get a cabana on Serenity Bay... For a Concierge Balcony, we were looking around $5500.

 

NCL will be sailing their brand new ship from Miami, same week similar itinerary. For $5800, we are getting a Deluxe Haven spa suite (2 room suite, double balcony, hot tub in room with outside view), which includes access to the private haven area, 24 hour butler, concierge service, access to the thermal spa, unlimited adult beverage package ($800 value at retail if you bought it), 250 mins of wifi, $50 per port shorex credit (we probably won't use that but still), 4 specialty dining credits each, $25 OBC and $100 Spa credit each (that last coming from TA to be fair - but partially because NCL is more generous with comms and perks at least to them). There is still a new ship premium in play I think here as well.

 

A similar package on Disney would be $10K? More? And other than the characters the Escape has the bells and whistles to match Fantasy if not more.

 

 

 

I wouldn't expect a formal announcement when they do increase the grat's. Just a sly quick change on the website. That's how they do things now, right?

 

It really is telling of how DCL are out pricing so many of their loyal customers that have been cruising with them for so many years. I hope they fall flat on their ass and get a kick in the rear to keep prices at a more reasonable level.

 

Time as always will tell.

 

ex techie

[coldflame]

Oh' date=' and what I found when looking at other lines--I can basically book a concierge level cabin for what I'm paying for an inside on DCL. Or I can save about 25%-33% of cost and go with an inside on those lines.[/quote']

 

That's what some of us have been saying for a while ;) When DCL was only a few hundred dollars more expensive that those other lines, it's was a toss up and usually end up choosing DCL (at least for us). Now when the difference can be several thousands for same room type DCL is not even a question any more, unfortunately :/

[coldflame]

A similar package on Disney would be $10K? More? And other than the characters the Escape has the bells and whistles to match Fantasy if not more.

 

NCL Escape-class and Breakaway-class ships have a whole lot more things to do than the Dream-class ships. Not even close in terms of self-entertainment options, specially for active people and families.

[Loonbeam]

I was trying to be charitable. We've sailed the breakaway, other than Kids Clubs themselves (for the younger ages - teens seemed about equal facility wise), Breakaway by far had the better facilities (although nothing to match the AquaDuck). Disney would do well to consider copying their H20 area as well on a new build.

 

NCL Escape-class and Breakaway-class ships have a whole lot more things to do than the Dream-class ships. Not even close in terms of self-entertainment options, specially for active people and families.

[holula]

NCL Escape-class and Breakaway-class ships have a whole lot more things to do than the Dream-class ships. Not even close in terms of self-entertainment options, specially for active people and families.

 

 

We are doing Breakaway next year and I'm excited. The ships look like they have a ton of stuff to do. While Disney used to be a pioneer in their ships, they seem to have fallen behind in recent years as all of the other lines (and by all, I mean NCL, Royal and Carnival) have added more and more to their ships.

[Loonbeam]

We LOVED the Breakaway, even on a winter cruise where we weren't able to do everything.

 

One huge difference from Disney is there is NO traditional dining, you make reservations as desired. I recommend being sure to check out both Taste and the Manhattan room.

 

We are doing Breakaway next year and I'm excited. The ships look like they have a ton of stuff to do. While Disney used to be a pioneer in their ships, they seem to have fallen behind in recent years as all of the other lines (and by all, I mean NCL, Royal and Carnival) have added more and more to their ships.

[holula]

We LOVED the Breakaway, even on a winter cruise where we weren't able to do everything.

 

One huge difference from Disney is there is NO traditional dining, you make reservations as desired. I recommend being sure to check out both Taste and the Manhattan room.

 

 

I did the Epic last December and LOVED it. I really liked being able to eat when I was hungry as it stopped me snacking, and the service was way better than I expected too. I don't know if Breakaway does it but in the Manhattan Room on Epic they had singers in there on their dress up or don't night (or whatever it's called now). It was great.

[perditax]

I did the Epic last December and LOVED it. I really liked being able to eat when I was hungry as it stopped me snacking, and the service was way better than I expected too. I don't know if Breakaway does it but in the Manhattan Room on Epic they had singers in there on their dress up or don't night (or whatever it's called now). It was great.

 

 

Having now done Getaway and DCL Dream, I can say the MDR experience on DCL was pretty miserable (mostly due to poor parenting--our servers were fantastic), but more to the point I really don't like set dining times. I loved being able to eat at the buffet on GA when I wanted, or just make a cheese plate for my room, or go somewhere fancy, or go to o'sheehans.

[holula]

Having now done Getaway and DCL Dream, I can say the MDR experience on DCL was pretty miserable (mostly due to poor parenting--our servers were fantastic), but more to the point I really don't like set dining times. I loved being able to eat at the buffet on GA when I wanted, or just make a cheese plate for my room, or go somewhere fancy, or go to o'sheehans.

 

 

Definitely agree with this. I wish DCL had a buffet for dinner. We did the Southern Caribbean last year and had NO desire to eat in the MDR each night as we were exhausted and sunburned. Or even have one of their rotations as My Time Dining to have some flexibility. I've seen all the shows more than once and don't need to see them again any time soon.

[Loonbeam]

I think they had dancers every night in that room...

 

I did the Epic last December and LOVED it. I really liked being able to eat when I was hungry as it stopped me snacking, and the service was way better than I expected too. I don't know if Breakaway does it but in the Manhattan Room on Epic they had singers in there on their dress up or don't night (or whatever it's called now). It was great.

[moki'smommy]

Definitely agree with this. I wish DCL had a buffet for dinner. We did the Southern Caribbean last year and had NO desire to eat in the MDR each night as we were exhausted and sunburned. Or even have one of their rotations as My Time Dining to have some flexibility. I've seen all the shows more than once and don't need to see them again any time soon.

 

DCL does have a casual dining option at Cabanas/BBB on each night except the first and last of a cruise. OK, on a 3 night cruise that means one night, but on a 14 night cruise it means 12 nights. It is NOT a buffet. It is a sit down menu with a salad bar and a "carved item." You walk up to the podium and are seated. We've never had to wait, and the food and service were always great. Super sunset views, and virtually no kids (although they are welcome).

 

I totally agree that the experience in the MDRs is negatively impacted by poor parenting. It is somewhat better at late seating simply as there are fewer kids. One of the worst things DCL ever did was to do away with the rotation that was "adults cruising alone/older kids." However, I've also seen a few adults who were as bad as the kids......

[moki'smommy]

NCL Escape-class and Breakaway-class ships have a whole lot more things to do than the Dream-class ships. Not even close in terms of self-entertainment options, specially for active people and families.

 

Can you provide details, please? I looked at the Breakaway on line--3 Broadway style shows was their big push, but I didn't really find much other detail as to on board activities. And the ports of call were dismal!

[perditax]

Can you provide details' date=' please? I looked at the Breakaway on line--3 Broadway style shows was their big push, but I didn't really find much other detail as to on board activities. And the ports of call were dismal![/quote']

 

Well, I think the Breakaway is just doing a Bermuda run right now anyway (although I suppose finishing up soon, I don't know what it does in Winter). I was on the sister ship Getaway in June, though, and there was the following off top of head:

 

--Legally Blonde musical (I think Rock of Ages on BA)

--Burn the Floor (very good high-energy dance ensemble)

--Illusionarium (upcharge dinner stage magic show, it was pretty cool, nicely themed space)

--Howl at the Moon piano bar, apparently very popular

--Comedy club with family and later/adult shows

--Grammy Experience (rotating grammy singers/artists)

 

That was all free, except the dinner show w/magic.

 

This is in addition to the typical game shows, bingo, atrium musicians, demonstrations, etc, that you would expect. They also have a lot of waterslides, plus the sports deck with the ropes course that is very popular (no thank you), and probably other stuff I never saw because I didn't get up there.

 

They also played moves in various theaters, including older films and current airings: Getaway Theater (their 'nice' theater, including some 3D), movies on the atrium screen during slow afternoons, and movies in the "Spice H20" deck club in the evenings.

Edited September 23, 2015 by perditax

[Loonbeam]

Ropes course, water slides, bigger sports court, arcade, casino (for adults obviously), comedy club,dueling piano bar, supper club, better mini golf, rock climbing wall, more pool space off the top of my head. Also seemed there were more family activities (as opposed to counselor led kids club ones) than on the Dream, but that may have just been the itinerary.

 

Cirque

Can you provide details' date=' please? I looked at the Breakaway on line--3 Broadway style shows was their big push, but I didn't really find much other detail as to on board activities. And the ports of call were dismal![/quote']

[dexddd]

DCL just priced me out of one...

 

We were looking at Concierge on the Fantasy next year, honestly the primary reason would be to get a cabana on Serenity Bay... For a Concierge Balcony, we were looking around $5500.

 

NCL will be sailing their brand new ship from Miami, same week similar itinerary. For $5800, we are getting a Deluxe Haven spa suite (2 room suite, double balcony, hot tub in room with outside view), which includes access to the private haven area, 24 hour butler, concierge service, access to the thermal spa, unlimited adult beverage package ($800 value at retail if you bought it), 250 mins of wifi, $50 per port shorex credit (we probably won't use that but still), 4 specialty dining credits each, $25 OBC and $100 Spa credit each (that last coming from TA to be fair - but partially because NCL is more generous with comms and perks at least to them). There is still a new ship premium in play I think here as well.

 

A similar package on Disney would be $10K? More? And other than the characters the Escape has the bells and whistles to match Fantasy if not more.

 

Just an FYI but I'm pretty sure The Haven Deluxe Spa Suite with balcony doesn't have two rooms unless you are counting the bathroom.

[Loonbeam]

This particular class has a divider (wall and desk structure where the TVs are) between the sleeping and living area, not 100 percent sure (only on the new ship, no one has actually seen it yet) that there is a door between the two, curtain or just a doorway...

 

Just an FYI but I'm pretty sure The Haven Deluxe Spa Suite with balcony doesn't have two rooms unless you are counting the bathroom.

[holula]

DCL does have a casual dining option at Cabanas/BBB on each night except the first and last of a cruise. OK' date=' on a 3 night cruise that means one night, but on a 14 night cruise it means 12 nights. It is NOT a buffet. It is a sit down menu with a salad bar and a "carved item." You walk up to the podium and are seated. We've never had to wait, and the food and service were always great. Super sunset views, and virtually no kids (although they are welcome).

 

 

 

I totally agree that the experience in the MDRs is negatively impacted by poor parenting. It is somewhat better at late seating simply as there are fewer kids. One of the worst things DCL ever did was to do away with the rotation that was "adults cruising alone/older kids." However, I've also seen a few adults who were as bad as the kids......[/quote']

 

 

I know they do the more casual sit down in Cabanas but it's not a buffet. Sometimes I just want to grab something to eat and go, not sit for an hour at a meal. It's a great option to have a dinner buffet.

 

I agree about the poor parenting. But we have sat next to kids who were a dream before! They were a girl and a boy and probably 8-10ish in age. Perfectly behaved even when they dined alone (I assume parents were at Palo). We actually thanked their parents at the end of the cruise because they were SO well behaved. We have also been sat where parents let their kids run around with no regard for anyone else, which has sucked.

[perditax]

I know they do the more casual sit down in Cabanas but it's not a buffet. Sometimes I just want to grab something to eat and go, not sit for an hour at a meal. It's a great option to have a dinner buffet.

 

I agree about the poor parenting. But we have sat next to kids who were a dream before! They were a girl and a boy and probably 8-10ish in age. Perfectly behaved even when they dined alone (I assume parents were at Palo). We actually thanked their parents at the end of the cruise because they were SO well behaved. We have also been sat where parents let their kids run around with no regard for anyone else, which has sucked.

 

Yes, this was my experience last week. Run around and lie down on the ground where the waiters were trying to walk. For most of our meal. And these were not 'littles'. And this was on the second seating.

 

There were lots of well behaved kids, the problem is it just takes one 9 yo screaming 10 feet from you to make dinner a chore. By the last night, our server team slipped Jack Daniels (or what tasted like it) into our diet cokes.

 

(This really happened.)

 

I guess I've been off the Dream long enough now that I can conclusively say: I preferred the NCL Getaway. The concierge service on Disney was FANTASTIC, and even better than described, but it's so expensive. I liked moving around the Getaway, people-watching, walking through the public areas/atriums, etc. Moving around the Dream felt much more stressful (fewer/v. cramped elevators, fewer direct routes from aft to forward, lots of little choke points, more frequent encounters with walls of people coming the opposite direction, etc). And I was on the GA in what I assume is 'high' vacation season (June) versus the dead of post-Labor Day on Dream. Aside from trying to get out of the 80s party in Spice H20 and the day one lunch buffet, I never felt 'trapped' on the Getaway.

 

And bringing back to the original point that I think caused me to join this thread--I really liked being able to eat what kind of meal I wanted, whenever I wanted, at any level of casual or table service, while on the GA. I really missed it badly on Dream.

Edited September 23, 2015 by perditax

[moki'smommy]

Thanks for the above comments on NCL. I haven't tried them yet, but am seriously looking for something great but less costly than the current DCL pricing. I'm having serious problems with the recent increases in price and decreases in service.

 

On the other hand, I've got a family member with physical issues (balance and mobility) and we know what the HA rooms and services are like on DCL. Also, that obviously rules out most physical activities.....

Thanks!

[perditax]

Thanks for the above comments on NCL. I haven't tried them yet' date=' but am seriously looking for something great but less costly than the current DCL pricing. I'm having serious problems with the recent increases in price and decreases in service.

 

On the other hand, I've got a family member with physical issues (balance and mobility) and we know what the HA rooms and services are like on DCL. Also, that obviously rules out most physical activities.....

Thanks![/quote']

 

I understand where you're coming from about the itineraries on the newer NCL ships, but I'm not so 'beachy' and I've already seen all of the eastern Caribbean I think I care to--more interested in Cozumel. But I really enjoyed the Getaway itself. I'll be curious to know where you land. My next test venture is a small sailing on Celeb, but I confess I do sort of miss NCL.

[Loonbeam]

Someone just asked me about that and I found this:

 

 

Edited, linked wrong one first

 

Thanks for the above comments on NCL. I haven't tried them yet' date=' but am seriously looking for something great but less costly than the current DCL pricing. I'm having serious problems with the recent increases in price and decreases in service.

 

On the other hand, I've got a family member with physical issues (balance and mobility) and we know what the HA rooms and services are like on DCL. Also, that obviously rules out most physical activities.....

Thanks![/quote']

Edited September 23, 2015 by Loonbeam

[coldflame]

Thanks for the above comments on NCL. I haven't tried them yet' date=' but am seriously looking for something great but less costly than the current DCL pricing. I'm having serious problems with the recent increases in price and decreases in service.

 

On the other hand, I've got a family member with physical issues (balance and mobility) and we know what the HA rooms and services are like on DCL. Also, that obviously rules out most physical activities.....

Thanks![/quote']

 

One comment about itineraries, yes, BA, does Bermuda-only trips for a good chunk of the year. But, at least for us FL residents, the Getaway has EC, WC and couple times a year 12-nighters to the east and south Caribbean (which we're going on next month). DCL is hurting, IMO, wrt ports of call in the Caribbean. Haiti, Dominican Republic, St. Kitts, Belize, Roatan, etc. Coz -> Cayman - > Jamaica west and St. Thomas/ St. Maarten/Tortola on the east side is just not enough variety for repeat passengers.