Frank Del Rio: " . . . the emphasis will continue to be push prices up . . .

[hpecorari]

Do you know the category or cabin number of this particular stateroom. It looks like it could be a two bedroom suite. If so the changes have already begun as this was not the decor on the Pearl in October.

 

Curious if you have a date and source for this photo?

 

 

Rochelle

 

Yep, it has to ba a 2-bedroom but what ship and when? And we both know it's not the Pearl as of last month! LOL Thank goodness!

 

Harriet

[sparks1093]

You drive prices with quality the escape roll out of new menus and food options needs some twerking but could be a step forward if sorted before rolling out across the fleet.

 

A la carte us a bit of red herring as those that do speciality get the fixed price option with included choice or SDP purchase.

 

Investments in ship refurb beyond an interior refresh is a good.

 

In the UK we are seeing Oceania and Regent deals that bring the pppd rates Dow to decent rates.

 

Here's the thing- in order to succeed NCL needs to convince people that their quality is worth the extra money now so they can fund the continued upgrades. It's going to be a tightrope walk of sorts.

 

Imagine you were going to book a hotel and it came down to two choices- you have the option of staying in an established hotel that has been in business for years, staff fully trained, etc. Or you can stay at another hotel where there is still some construction going on, the staff is still being hired and trained and basically it's a work in progress. If both hotels charged the same amount per night which would you stay with?

 

The second hotel represents NCL as it is now as it morphs into whatever Del Rio's vision is for the cruise line.

[sparks1093]

Yep, it has to ba a 2-bedroom but what ship and when? And we both know it's not the Pearl as of last month! LOL Thank goodness!

 

Harriet

 

I'm glad that we only book balconies:eek:;):).

[hpecorari]

I'm glad that we only book balconies:eek:;):).

 

Well, I think those are the 'olden' days, as my kids would say.

 

Sorta like your grandparents and mine had plastic on their couches....

and we don't.

 

Me, I simply take whatever I can get comped, discounted, etc. So long as I'm that ship!

 

Harriet

Edited November 18, 2015 by hpecorari

[MicheleRos]

Well, I think those are the 'olden' days, as my kids would say.

 

Sorta like your grandparents and mine had plastic on their couches....

and we don't.

 

Me, I simply take whatever I can get comped, discounted, etc. So long as I'm that ship!

 

Harriet

 

Oh I remember the plastic covers oh so well lol

[Bonobochick]

Speaking of NCL and money, I just stumbled across this story: Passengers on the EDM Cruise Where a Woman Died Are Mad About Refunds http://themuse.jezebel.com/passengers-on-the-edm-cruise-where-a-woman-died-are-mad-1743240522

[NLH Arizona]

Here's the thing- in order to succeed NCL needs to convince people that their quality is worth the extra money now so they can fund the continued upgrades. It's going to be a tightrope walk of sorts.

 

Imagine you were going to book a hotel and it came down to two choices- you have the option of staying in an established hotel that has been in business for years, staff fully trained, etc. Or you can stay at another hotel where there is still some construction going on, the staff is still being hired and trained and basically it's a work in progress. If both hotels charged the same amount per night which would you stay with?

 

The second hotel represents NCL as it is now as it morphs into whatever Del Rio's vision is for the cruise line.

You paint a vision of a construction zone, where everything is not done and work is being done while the passengers are there disturbing ones cruise. When in fact, NCL seems to be adding improvements over time, which will make the transition up the rungs of the ladder (if he is successful) unnoticeable other than the passengers will have new and improved choices. NCL has improved the MDR menus, they have added upscale items to the MDR menu, they have added items to the room service menu, and soon they will make some cosmetic improvements and other than a few with issues, these things are being accepted quite well. Will there be some bumps in the road, probably, but depending if one is a glass half full kind of person or one is a glass half empty kind of person, they will see it differently.

[sparks1093]

You paint a vision of a construction zone, where everything is not done and work is being done while the passengers are there disturbing ones cruise. When in fact, NCL seems to be adding improvements over time, which will make the transition up the rungs of the ladder (if he is successful) unnoticeable other than the passengers will have new and improved choices. NCL has improved the MDR menus, they have added upscale items to the MDR menu, they have added items to the room service menu, and soon they will make some cosmetic improvements and other than a few with issues, these things are being accepted quite well. Will there be some bumps in the road, probably, but depending if one is a glass half full kind of person or one is a glass half empty kind of person, they will see it differently.

 

Almost all analogies are imperfect and I was only saying that NCL is not a finished product, it is still evolving into whatever it is going to be. If I were given a choice between an established cruise line and one that is still in an evolving stage for the same price I would pick the one that is established. Yes, there are going to be hiccups, it's to be expected and that is kind of my point, who wants to gamble on potential hiccups with that much money on the line?

Edited November 18, 2015 by sparks1093

[MrsPhoenix91]

Speaking of NCL and money, I just stumbled across this story: Passengers on the EDM Cruise Where a Woman Died Are Mad About Refunds http://themuse.jezebel.com/passengers-on-the-edm-cruise-where-a-woman-died-are-mad-1743240522

 

Wow!!

[insidecabin]

Here's the thing- in order to succeed NCL needs to convince people that their quality is worth the extra money now so they can fund the continued upgrades. It's going to be a tightrope walk of sorts.

 

Imagine you were going to book a hotel and it came down to two choices- you have the option of staying in an established hotel that has been in business for years, staff fully trained, etc. Or you can stay at another hotel where there is still some construction going on, the staff is still being hired and trained and basically it's a work in progress. If both hotels charged the same amount per night which would you stay with?

 

The second hotel represents NCL as it is now as it morphs into whatever Del Rio's vision is for the cruise line.

 

That's not where we are, the trips we looked at NCL is cheaper so there is room for paying a bit more and still be cheaper. It is more a case of how much more before we bridge the gap and change to an alternative.

 

Some trips may well be priced higher so the choice is already there but all lines are still deep discounting when they can't get asking prices.(even though they all say the late discounts are gone)

[sparks1093]

That's not where we are, the trips we looked at NCL is cheaper so there is room for paying a bit more and still be cheaper. It is more a case of how much more before we bridge the gap and change to an alternative.

 

Some trips may well be priced higher so the choice is already there but all lines are still deep discounting when they can't get asking prices.(even though they all say the late discounts are gone)

 

There are still deals to be had. For now. What the future holds is what the future holds.

[NLH Arizona]

Almost all analogies are imperfect and I was only saying that NCL is not a finished product, it is still evolving into whatever it is going to be. If I were given a choice between an established cruise line and one that is still in an evolving stage for the same price I would pick the one that is established. Yes, there are going to be hiccups, it's to be expected and that is kind of my point, who wants to gamble on potential hiccups with that much money on the line?

Most cruise lines are evolving. Look at Celebrity no longer having formal nights or Crystal changing their formal nights from two to one on seven night cruises. Many old timers are up in arms, but it seem like the majority likes these changes. If adding improved items is a deterrent to cruising NCL, I certainly respect your decision, even thought I applaud improving things and trying to make my cruising experience better, instead of just staying the same old cruise line.

[janpo]

Most cruise lines are evolving. Look at Celebrity no longer having formal nights or Crystal changing their formal nights from two to one on seven night cruises. Many old timers are up in arms, but it seem like the majority likes these changes. If adding improved items is a deterrent to cruising NCL, I certainly respect your decision, even thought I applaud improving things and trying to make my cruising experience better, instead of just staying the same old cruise line.

 

 

Where do you get your information that the majority likes these changes?

Edited November 18, 2015 by janpo

[sparks1093]

Most cruise lines are evolving. Look at Celebrity no longer having formal nights or Crystal changing their formal nights from two to one on seven night cruises. Many old timers are up in arms, but it seem like the majority likes these changes. If adding improved items is a deterrent to cruising NCL, I certainly respect your decision, even thought I applaud improving things and trying to make my cruising experience better, instead of just staying the same old cruise line.

 

Yes, most cruise lines do make changes from time to time but NCL is not just making a minor change here, they are trying to move themselves up on the cruise line hierarchy by becoming more upscale and trying to attract a more affluent clientele. It's not the adding improved items that is a deterrent it's the increase in fares, at least for me.

[SuiteCruiser]

Where do you get your information that the majority likes these changes?

 

I was wondering the same thing. There appear to be 5 people on here that like those changes.

 

The rest of us are waiting to see what the improvements are to our cruising experience that make paying higher rates worth it. Being offered more things to buy isn't an improvement, it's an upsell.

 

One thing I thought was happening on the Escape was they were actually going to close off part of the casino and make it a smoking area, and away from the atrium, so you could sit out on the "patio" at Le Bistro and enjoy your dinner without the smell of smoke. They stopped VIP gamblers from spending as much time in the casino on the transatlantic because they couldn't smoke anywhere in the casino. We were told it they would add an enclosed smoking area as of the 14th of Nov.

 

Guess what? They only wanted the ship to smell all nice and new for FDR and his VIPS, as soon as the ceremony was over, they let people smoke in the casino, causing the same issues as they have on Getaway and Breakaway.

 

That was an opportunity to improve the experience of the cruiser. All it did was annoy the smokers who gamble for 10 days straight, and then 2 days later let others smoke. The whole thing was a slap in the face for those smokers.

Edited November 18, 2015 by SuiteCruiser

[NLH Arizona]

Yes, most cruise lines do make changes from time to time but NCL is not just making a minor change here, they are trying to move themselves up on the cruise line hierarchy by becoming more upscale and trying to attract a more affluent clientele. It's not the adding improved items that is a deterrent it's the increase in fares, at least for me.

If the deterrent is the fare, then here is a better hotel analogy.

 

Would you rather stay at Hotel X for $125 who has not updated their rooms since they opened or stay at Hotel Y for $150 or $175 who just went through a total upgrade of their rooms and are in the process of updating their menus in their restaurant, showing that they care about your comfort and experience while you staying at their hotel.

Edited November 18, 2015 by NLH Arizona

[SuiteTraveler]

Yep, it has to ba a 2-bedroom but what ship and when? And we both know it's not the Pearl as of last month! LOL Thank goodness!

 

Harriet

 

It's the Jade. It may be either the one bedroom or two bedroom suite - they are identical except for that additional bedroom. The "garish decor" is actually meant to be Hawaiian. In person, thankfully, these suites look a lot better than in this photo.

[mugtech]

Speaking of NCL and money, I just stumbled across this story: Passengers on the EDM Cruise Where a Woman Died Are Mad About Refunds http://themuse.jezebel.com/passengers-on-the-edm-cruise-where-a-woman-died-are-mad-1743240522

 

Seems EDM cruisers don't read the contracts they signed.

[janpo]

I was wondering the same thing. There appear to be 5 people on here that like those changes.

 

The rest of us are waiting to see what the improvements are to our cruising experience that make paying higher rates worth it. Being offered more things to buy isn't an improvement, it's an upsell.

 

One thing I thought was happening on the Escape was they were actually going to close off part of the casino and make it a smoking area, and away from the atrium, so you could sit out on the "patio" at Le Bistro and enjoy your dinner without the smell of smoke. They stopped VIP gamblers from spending as much time in the casino on the transatlantic because they couldn't smoke anywhere in the casino. We were told it they would add an enclosed smoking area as of the 14th of Nov.

 

Guess what? They only wanted the ship to smell all nice and new for FDR and his VIPS, as soon as the ceremony was over, they let people smoke in the casino, causing the same issues as they have on Getaway and Breakaway.

 

That was an opportunity to improve the experience of the cruiser. All it did was annoy the smokers who gamble for 10 days straight, and then 2 days later let others smoke. The whole thing was a slap in the face for those smokers.

 

 

Guess we're not going to find out.:D

[swedish weave]

Most cruise lines are evolving. Look at Celebrity no longer having formal nights or Crystal changing their formal nights from two to one on seven night cruises. Many old timers are up in arms, but it seem like the majority likes these changes. If adding improved items is a deterrent to cruising NCL, I certainly respect your decision, even thought I applaud improving things and trying to make my cruising experience better, instead of just staying the same old cruise line.

 

How many upscale cruise lines have been able to survive as independent enterprises ?

 

That is what drives the concern of those of us who believe Del Rio is making a mistake to satisfy his own desires.

[sparks1093]

If the deterrent is the fare, then here is a better hotel analogy.

 

Would you rather stay at Hotel X for $125 who has not updated their rooms since they opened or stay at Hotel Y for $150 or $175 who just went through a total upgrade of their rooms and are in the process of updating their menus in their restaurant, showing that they care about your comfort and experience while you staying at their hotel.

 

$125, provided they didn't open in 1920;). (A better analogy from the prices I've seen though is the hotel for $125 or one for $300 that is in the process of updating things.)

Edited November 18, 2015 by sparks1093

[Johnny Bananas]

Most cruise lines are evolving. Look at Celebrity no longer having formal nights or Crystal changing their formal nights from two to one on seven night cruises. Many old timers are up in arms, but it seem like the majority likes these changes. If adding improved items is a deterrent to cruising NCL, I certainly respect your decision, even thought I applaud improving things and trying to make my cruising experience better, instead of just staying the same old cruise line.

 

How does changing or decreasing formal nights equate to charging for room service or adding fees to MDR items or increasing DSC twice in 6 months or adding 18% service charge/gratuity to things "for my convenience".

 

Just adding fees and increasing prices while changing out color schemes or adding fancy china, flatware and linens does not automatically enhance a cruiser's experience.....

Edited November 18, 2015 by Johnny Bananas

[maywell]

If the deterrent is the fare, then here is a better hotel analogy.

 

Would you rather stay at Hotel X for $125 who has not updated their rooms since they opened or stay at Hotel Y for $150 or $175 who just went through a total upgrade of their rooms and are in the process of updating their menus in their restaurant, showing that they care about your comfort and experience while you staying at their hotel.

 

The $150-175, because cheapest /lowest price doesn't necessarily mean it's the best overall value. Especially, if the customer wants better versions of the basics of the $125 and/or more.

 

Sent from my SM-N910T3 using Tapatalk

Edited November 18, 2015 by maywell

[NLH Arizona]

How does changing or decreasing formal nights equate to charging for room service or adding fees to MDR items or increasing DSC twice in 6 months or adding 18% service charge/gratuity to things "for my convenience".

 

Just adding fees and increasing prices while changing out color schemes or adding fancy china, flatware and linens does not automatically enhance a cruiser's experience.....

It is a change and if you read the Celebrity threads, a change in dress code severely hinders some cruisers experience. And on celebrity some continually voice how they miss eating on fine China served with white gloved servers. Other lines also raised their daily gratuities as well. I guess NCL could have just had one large increase. Some will like the changes and some won't.

[hondorner]

Where do you get your information that the majority likes these changes?

 

From the very simple fact that if the MAJORITY didn't want the changes, they wouldn't happen. Cruise line execs don't just sit around thinking up what they can change. Changes like dress codes are the result of comments, surveys and focus groups. Dress codes are changing everywhere; the is a vocal but tiny minority who don't like it. They may be happier oiling their buggy whips.

Edited November 18, 2015 by hondorner