SURVEY: What has kept you, what has lost you, when it comes to NCL

[luv2swimwdolphins]

Treated like family. Crews remembering my family. Loosey goosey dinner plans. Food has definitely improved. I've been cruising w NCL for about 4 years so I actually like the changes. I guess those w the line longer are seeing it differently. Which I guess I can understand. Love the smell of the body wash. (I know , crazy) love the night life on the cruises!!!'

[bostongal965]

What brought me to NCL: they were leaving on a Saturday from a drivable port (Port Canaveral - I live in GA). That was it, lol.

 

What keeps me with NCL: Freestyle cruising, choice of several drivable ports, increasing Latitude perks (we're gold, and after our next cruise will be only 4 points from platinum).

 

What has made NCL lose my business: they haven't exactly lost it, but I'm definitely not as loyal as I was or as positive about recommending them. I'm currently looking at other lines for our next cruise, even though we are so close to Platinum. I'm not sure we're going to buy a Cruise Next certificate, even though I like the changes to that program. Where they are definitely not getting our money is the specialty restaurants, a la carte or otherwise, or room service. For me (YMMV), the money does have a negative impact on how I feel about my experience, and so I will choose not to spend my money that way.

 

Changes I like: the price for 2 or more Cruise Next certificates and being able to get promos if you book is nice. The noodle bar being free is nice (unless you're on the Sun - it's not free). Some of the promos are nice - UBP and free gratuities mainly. I'm not interested in the SDP as things are right now - I would've considered it last year. The wifi isn't something I ever get, and the shore excursion credit would be nice if the excursions hadn't jumped a lot in price.

 

Changes I don't like: "convenience" fee for so-called complimentary room service - if I'm paying, it ain't complimentary. Sorry. No more $5 anywhere pizza. The specialty dining is ruined for me - first the autogratuity and then the a la carte. No thanks. I don't object to the increase in the DSC but the double barrel roll out was just wrong.

[littlelulu01]

What brought me to NCL: freestyle concept, no suit and tie required for husband while on vacation. Haven experience and Alaska on the Pearl with Glacier bay.

 

What keeps me with NCL: Itineraries and sail dates that work with schedule. excellent service, the staff we've encountered seem to enjoy their jobs and I see them getting time off, going on excursions and having fun. We've had the best room stewards of any cruise line with NCL and overall entertainment better than other lines. Nice pillows and beds/bedding even in inside staterooms. Clean ships. Food good enough. Aren't forced or strongly encouraged to share a table with others in main dining room.

 

What has made NCL lose my business: Price. We like some of the extras and when I add up all the extras that I would want vs what I will not need to pay with celebrity or HAL then HAL and Celebrity come in at less out of pocket. Since they have both relaxed their dress code this makes those two lines much more attractive. Our last HAL cruise we did not need to pay for a spa pass or Haven suite because the pool was covered, not too crowded, had wonderful padded loungers and good music. We didn't need any speciality dining because the included dining was really good....

 

Changes I like: I like the new itineraries but strongly dislike the way the recent redeployment was handled and how random the displaced passengers were either treated well or poorly. I think the idea of prime rib and lobster in the main dining room at an up charge is not a bad idea and gives more choice. Same thing about the room service fee. $7.95 does not seem unreasonable for an expanded menu choice. I don't mind the increased DSC. Sure I dislike how it was done along with the speciality dining 18%... But the staff I've gotten to know really liked their jobs and felt NCL treated them well. If I have to pay a little extra for that I'm ok with it. If the staff were not happy it would show pretty quickly and there would be more reports on cc.

 

Changes I Dislike: the inconsistent and ill explained changes. All areas of the website should be updated when changes are made. Terms should be clearly stated and when they change they should change on the website across all areas. It wasn't until I was affected negatively by a cruise cancelation that I read my cruise contract and realized the cruise line can and does do what no land based us company could ever get away with. Ncl is the worst of the bunch when it comes to this type of behavior. The way some booked guests were discarded while others given very fair treatment with the recent mass redeployment gave me a level of distrust in them as a company.

[bobg529]

What brought me to

 

Changes I like:

 

I like the Asian restaurants being included. Also, I seem to be in the minority, but with the beverage package being included, the last few cruises I've booked have been the cheapest I've every booked. Those savings more than outweigh the $50 or so extra we spend onboard because of the additional onboard charges.

 

I think a la carte may work out OK for us, although it does complicate things. However, the change from a cruise long UDP to a select number of nights SDP is a massive plus which makes such a purchase a reasonable option.

 

Changes I Dislike:

 

Perhaps I'm just lucky, but very few of the changes really bother me. As I said, savings in the cruise fare have made up for the extra charges.

 

Probably the biggest negative is currently only on the Escape, but the price increase for Moderno means it isn't included in the options for the latitudes free meal, which will mean Le Bistro twice and then having to pay for Moderno. Whilst I love Le Bistro, my wife isn't too bothered, so this does devalue the benefit for us.

 

 

Have you considered using one of those credits to eat at La Cucina? It is included with the free Platinum dinner plan. I always enjoy my meal there wether I'm paying or not! I guess I just like the food!;)

[KeithJenner]

Have you considered using one of those credits to eat at La Cucina? It is included with the free Platinum dinner plan. I always enjoy my meal there wether I'm paying or not! I guess I just like the food!;)

 

 

Yes, and that's what our group did on the Escape.

 

However, in my family I am the only person who has ever enjoyed my meal at La Cucina, and on the Escape about half of our group said it was by far the worst meal they had.

 

We will probably go there again at some point using out latitudes vouchers, but it's with reluctance. Certainly a change which is a negative for us.

[curtdesilets]

What brought me to NCL: NYC home port and free style. I like not having to bring formal wear and not loosing my cruise relaxation mojo at an airport ;)

 

What keeps me with NCL: Jewel class ships and their crew. I may be in a minority, but have no interest in mega ships with any line :cool:

 

What has made NCL lose my business: (if applicable) N/A

 

Changes I like: I'm ambivalent to the changes as for me a cruise is what I make of it. If I want an extra, and I feel the price is right, then fine. If it's out of my prince range then I just don't get it. There are still enough activities and food that don't cost extra so that I enjoy my cruise with the price I'm willing to pay.

 

Changes I Dislike:I dislike mega ships. Too many people and too crowded, especially on bad weather days :cool: As long as there are the Jewel class ships I'll keep sailing with NCL. It is the right fit for me :)

 

We too are not impressed by the Mega Ships. We are sailing our 1st NCL ship, the Jewel, next month. Smaller is better in our opinion. We WERE big Celebrity fans, and enjoyed the 1900 passenger M-class ships the best. Now they are up to 3000 passengers on the S-Class, and it's too much.

[Tricialy]

Just my .02

 

What brought me to NCL: We chose NCL because of the Freestyle concept - not having set dining times or being assigned people to sit with.

 

What keeps me with NCL: The service we received on the first few cruises we took.

What has made NCL lose my business: (if applicable)

 

Changes I like: not sure I can think of any changes I like

 

Changes I Dislike: The service doesn't seem to be as good as it was in 2011 when we first started cruising. We had a phenomenal time on the Pearl the first two times we cruised on her - then last summer, it wasn't all that special. I can't point to anything specifically, but I think maybe there are fewer staff and everyone is doing even more than they were before (like a lot of us are in our jobs) - Nobody was unfriendly, but it seemed like the staff was even busier than before - and I know they have very little time off. I also don't care for the new menus - personal preference though, I'm sure lots of people love them. I was happier with less sophisticated food. I'd much rather have chicken pot pie than bangers and mash at O'Sheehan's.

Edited December 3, 2015 by Tricialy

[HokiePoq]

Great itineraries at reasonable prices brought us to NCL.

Loving freestyle brought us back until we'd done most all the itineraries except Hawaii.

NCL has not lost our business (we have a future cruise certificate we need to use) but right now there's nothing new to book.

The changes don't affect us one way or another but I was glad to read there's no more smoking on balconies.

[wvfrogg]

What keeps me with NCL: Jewel class ships and their crew. I may be in a minority, but have no interest in mega ships with any line

 

 

I agree with this post -- I love the Jewel class ships -- my absolute favorite. Wish they were going out of different ports, but I'll keep trying to find them!

[OCruisers]

On NCL cruises we need to book a suite and have dinner in a specialty restaurant EVERY night ....

Other than that, no whines ....

[CasinoCruzGirl]

What brought me to NCL: comp cruise from casino

 

What keeps me with NCL: comp cruises from CAS, and casual dining not dressing to the nines for dinner and being able to sit with who I want not forced to eat with strangers.

 

What has made NCL lose my business: (if applicable)

 

Changes I like:

 

Changes I Dislike: Smoking on balcony banned, room service fee of $7.95 Even just for a cup of yogurt (whose gonna pay $7.95 for yogurt or something similar?) lack of ncl communication of changes made. There are several other changes I dislike however I really like their casino program even though there have been cuts with that. I will stick with NCL for the time being.

 

Geri

[crystalspin]

What brought me to NCL: Price of a Balcony around Panama Canal was less than a OV, maybe equal an Inside, on HAL.

 

What keeps me with NCL: Have not returned to NCL.

 

What has made NCL lose my business: (if applicable) Shabby furniture in cabin and tacky decor in public areas.

 

Changes I like: NA

 

Changes I Dislike: NA