Has FDR done anything to benefit cruisers?

[MisterFidgetpants]

Regarding the dining changes; let me know when improvements are made to food and venues included in the cruise fare already.

 

Given the drastic % increase in specialty dining costs a la carte versus cover charge one has a reasonable expectation of improved quality.

 

I'll reserve final judgment as to the entire value proposition (service, food, entertainment, etc) until after my cruise, but I don't feel like FDR has introduced or implemented anything to enhance my experience thus far. We will see.

[barnacle_boy]

Regarding the dining changes; let me know when improvements are made to food and venues included in the cruise fare already.

 

 

The new menus for the complimentary MDRs, O'Sheehans, and the options at the Garden Cafe have also been improved. It's not just specialty restaurants.

[SuiteCruiser]

My post was in the context of where I fear prices will go in the future, not where things were previous to him taking the helm.

 

Regardless - I always enjoy your posts & perspective. :)

 

The feeling is mutual :)

[SuiteCruiser]

The new menus for the complimentary MDRs, O'Sheehans, and the options at the Garden Cafe have also been improved. It's not just specialty restaurants.

 

The menus may have improved, but I found the food in O'Sheehan's especially has gone down in quality. The burgers are still good, but the nachos were horrible, fish and chips were bad, fajitas were really bad. Is it good enough at 3:00 AM after a run in the casino? of course! It's not improved by any stretch though.

 

The MDR was okay for me, same popcorn shrimp that I had on other cruises, and I think I had the beef dip, which was fine too. Others at my table didn't like their food at all though.

 

I'm not a buffet girl, so can't comment on that.

 

The specialties have improved. Cagney's prime rib was so amazing that I ordered it 3 times, which is unheard of for me. Le Bistro onion soup has lots of cheese now, and a tastier crouton as well.

 

Teppanyaki was still good, but they've limited their choices and I preferred the Shogun from the past vs the new one with filet. I've always found the sirloin was better for this application, though I like filet on its own.

 

Food Republic was heavenly. I could eat there every day and was happy to pay for it, it was that good.

Edited December 11, 2015 by SuiteCruiser

[david_sobe]

I have not seen anything to benefit passengers or customers. But then again he has not said he would do that. Instead he has made clear his top concern and priority is getting $50 more from every customer. Those are his words, not mine.

 

Those commenting on improved dining are wrong. The new NCL menus happened prior to FDR as CEO. I was on Getaway in February months before FDR was CEO and all the menu changes already happened.

[KeithJenner]

Those commenting on improved dining are wrong. The new NCL menus happened prior to FDR as CEO. I was on Getaway in February months before FDR was CEO and all the menu changes already happened.

 

 

I'm talking about new menus on the Escape.

[barnacle_boy]

Those commenting on improved dining are wrong. The new NCL menus happened prior to FDR as CEO. I was on Getaway in February months before FDR was CEO and all the menu changes already happened.

 

These are newer menus that were debuted on Norwegian Escape. Definitely some Oceania influences in the specialty restaurants, which is all FDR and Prestige.

[barnacle_boy]

Yeah, this is way more tasteful! :roll eyes:

 

Take a look at the difference between La Cucina before and after the dry dock. Absolutely astonishing.

[Moby0215]

I think not.

 

 

 

Some positives can be discounted based on who is actually benefitting.

 

 

The OP asked people if there was anything positive since FDR. And some responded. That is there opinion and you have your opinion. That doesn't mean that your opinion is fact by you just saying "No".

 

 

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[Loonbeam]

I think a lot of people are misunderstanding the role of the CEO of NCL holdings has versus the president of NCL (the line).

 

FDRs job as president and CEO of the holding company is to maximize profits for shareholders. Period. It's very unlikely he is even involved in decisions other than fleetwide or things of significant cost. Things like ship build decisions, etc. His office is also responsible for coordinating across the lines and things like shared purchasing, etc (which can have an effect on line operations especially in ingredient and consumable categories).

 

Andy, as the COO of the line is far more responsible for things like menus, decor, and operations as his title applies. As much as people would like to blame FDR its likely the M'Ville decision, among others, came from him and his team. He consults with FDR, of course and is constrained by the financial edicts that come from Holdings.

 

It's worthy of note that pretty much ALL of upper mgmt changed in and around March 2015, so it should be expected things will take a while to stabilize.

[KeithJenner]

I think a lot of people are misunderstanding the role of the CEO of NCL holdings has versus the president of NCL (the line).

 

 

Not necessarily. This was touched on right at the beginning of this thread. It's fairly irrelevant who actually made the decisions, he's getting the blame.

 

I've always assumed that most people don't actually thing that he's dreaming up these ideas himself, but he is at the top of the pile and in most people's mind he is ultimately responsible.

[barnacle_boy]

I think a lot of people are misunderstanding the role of the CEO of NCL holdings has versus the president of NCL (the line).

 

FDRs job as president and CEO of the holding company is to maximize profits for shareholders. Period. It's very unlikely he is even involved in decisions other than fleetwide or things of significant cost. Things like ship build decisions, etc. His office is also responsible for coordinating across the lines and things like shared purchasing, etc (which can have an effect on line operations especially in ingredient and consumable categories).

 

Andy, as the COO of the line is far more responsible for things like menus, decor, and operations as his title applies. As much as people would like to blame FDR its likely the M'Ville decision, among others, came from him and his team. He consults with FDR, of course and is constrained by the financial edicts that come from Holdings.

 

It's worthy of note that pretty much ALL of upper mgmt changed in and around March 2015, so it should be expected things will take a while to stabilize.

 

You couldn't be further from the truth.

 

FDR prides himself on his hands-on approach to product development. Nearly everything, from the art to the silverware, on Escape was personally chosen or approved by him. He dictates the furnishing of cabins, lounges, restaurants, and just as effortlessly sets forth new passenger policies. The proliferation of new VPs notwithstanding, they are all there to help FDR realize his particular vision of what NCL should be.

 

FDR is NCL. Anyone who suggests otherwise doesn't have a clue.

[SuiteCruiser]

Not necessarily. This was touched on right at the beginning of this thread. It's fairly irrelevant who actually made the decisions, he's getting the blame.

 

I've always assumed that most people don't actually thing that he's dreaming up these ideas himself, but he is at the top of the pile and in most people's mind he is ultimately responsible.

 

Well, he showed himself as very involved from the beginning, when after seeing a few trays in the hallway he instituted the no food to your room rule. Andy Stuart made no bones about that. That sort of "knee jerk" reaction and change has been happening ever since.

 

Why would Andy Stuart who's been around for a long time suddenly go crazy and start making all of these unplanned and quick changes, when he'd never done that before?

[SuiteCruiser]

You couldn't be further from the truth.

 

FDR prides himself on his hands-on approach to product development. Nearly everything, from the art to the silverware, on Escape was personally chosen or approved by him. He dictates the furnishing of cabins, lounges, restaurants, and just as effortlessly sets forth new passenger policies. The proliferation of new VPs notwithstanding, they are all there to help FDR realize his particular vision of what NCL should be.

 

FDR is NCL. Anyone who suggests otherwise doesn't have a clue.

 

This is the way I've always understood it too.

[KeithJenner]

Well, he showed himself as very involved from the beginning, when after seeing a few trays in the hallway he instituted the no food to your room rule. Andy Stuart made no bones about that. That sort of "knee jerk" reaction and change has been happening ever since.

 

 

 

Why would Andy Stuart who's been around for a long time suddenly go crazy and start making all of these unplanned and quick changes, when he'd never done that before?

 

 

Yes, that's why he is ultimately responsible. He sets the theme that is followed by everyone.

 

I have no idea what happens in NCLs offices, and care even less about the behind the scenes stuff. My point is that this discussion is about the changes that have happened during his time at the top, regardless of who made the actual decisions.

 

Perhaps he does micro manage. If so then he really is to blame for it all. I've always assumed he isn't as involved in the detail, in which case he is still to blame for allowing it all to happen how it has. Either way, he's to blame.

[MaryLS]

Well, he showed himself as very involved from the beginning, when after seeing a few trays in the hallway he instituted the no food to your room rule. Andy Stuart made no bones about that. That sort of "knee jerk" reaction and change has been happening ever since.

 

Why would Andy Stuart who's been around for a long time suddenly go crazy and start making all of these unplanned and quick changes, when he'd never done that before?

 

It is a mute point now, however, I always thought it strange that him finding trays in the hallways resulted in punishing the passengers, who were on vacation, instead of assuring there were enough staff available to clean them up.

[biker@sea]

I've read a lot about changes that FDR has made to increase revenues. Has he done anything positive for the customer?

 

Robert

 

Well. FDR did leave a bunch of $$ in my bank that was earmarked for NCL.

 

Stopping discounts on last minute deals left us with only one cruise this past season instead of the usual 4 cruises we budgeted for. :rolleyes:

 

.

[barnacle_boy]

Well. FDR did leave a bunch of $$ in my bank that was earmarked for NCL.

 

 

 

Stopping discounts on last minute deals left us with only one cruise this past season instead of the usual 4 cruises we budgeted for. :rolleyes:

 

 

 

He's counting on finding people to replace you. Sales and marketing are working like crazy to create new programs and launch a new campaign to draw in a different demographic.

 

His whole plan relies upon the assumption that people will spend considerably more for his upgraded fleet. If that's doesn't happen, the whole thing comes crashing down.

[mianmike]

You couldn't be further from the truth.

 

FDR prides himself on his hands-on approach to product development. Nearly everything, from the art to the silverware, on Escape was personally chosen or approved by him. He dictates the furnishing of cabins, lounges, restaurants, and just as effortlessly sets forth new passenger policies. The proliferation of new VPs notwithstanding, they are all there to help FDR realize his particular vision of what NCL should be.

 

FDR is NCL. Anyone who suggests otherwise doesn't have a clue.

 

Totally agree. Anyone who talks the time to listen to the NCLH investor conference calls will quickly realize FDR has his fingers in EVERYTHING.

[S.S.Oceanlover]

A one day cruise. Lol

 

Only if you were an hours drive away and liked drinking.

 

$29 isn't bad. All I have to do is pay $600pp to get there and back home again.

 

Maybe there is a reason it's only $29.:rolleyes:

 

Bill

[rg24601]

The OP asked people if there was anything positive since FDR. And some responded. That is there opinion and you have your opinion. That doesn't mean that your opinion is fact by you just saying "No".

 

 

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I think not.

 

A benefit must benefit everyone.

 

Food is too subjective. But I hope the Mdr quality went up, it needed too.

 

Fares go up and down, so no benefit to everyone there.

 

The SDP seems to be FDR's baby and that also benefits few, it must be purchased, and even on this thread, it has not been universally cheered.

 

Apparently less trays in the hallways. Assuming everyone cared that might be a positive benefit. But if the trays were there then not everyone cared.

[KeithJenner]

A benefit must benefit everyone.

 

 

Who made that little rule up?

 

If that was the case then it would be pretty well impossible to think of a benefit introduced by anybody anywhere.

[rg24601]

Who made that little rule up?

 

If that was the case then it would be pretty well impossible to think of a benefit introduced by anybody anywhere.

 

No not really.

[NCLbigfan]

Well. FDR did leave a bunch of $$ in my bank that was earmarked for NCL.

 

Stopping discounts on last minute deals left us with only one cruise this past season instead of the usual 4 cruises we budgeted for. :rolleyes:

 

.

 

I have to agree with that. Since 2006 the wife and I have taken 17 cruises with NCL. During the past year we took a Princess cruise and a Royal Caribbean cruise; the first times we ever tried anyone else because of pricing. In comparing prices next year it seems we will have to go elsewhere again. A three day trip to the Bahamas next year will be $800. on Carnival during the week we can go. A three day trip to the Bahamas on the Sky is over $1,100. That is just too ridiculous so thanks FDR. Maybe I should change my Cruise Critic name.

[hamrag]

It is a mute point now, however, I always thought it strange that him finding trays in the hallways resulted in punishing the passengers, who were on vacation, instead of assuring there were enough staff available to clean them up.

 

I never understood why a very small minority of passengers were selfish enough to place these in the corridors, creating a risk that others might trip over them. That risk (of injury, and potential litigation) may be the reason this decision was made. I, for one, applaud it and it is the opposite of "punishing the passengers"!:)