Just off the Getaway for the 2nd time

[beatlesfab4fan]

So I just got off the Getaway for the second time and I have a number of observations and one very surprising revelation. I only have a min. but will be posting these along with the dailies in the next day or so. (minus day 1 which I must have thrown out in my earlier inebriation. ugh)

 

The quick of it is IMHO the new CEO is definitely no Kevin Sheehan. And that is not a good thing.

 

Its going to take a bit to scan and upload the dailies but I should have the first few up tomorrow along with my 1st impressions of the second cruise on the Getaway.

 

Thanks in advance for your patience.

 

Mike

[TSUmom]

Looking forward to your thoughts and opinion.

[beatlesfab4fan]

OK I have a few mins so here is my initial thoughts.

 

First a little background. My wife and I went on the Getaway End of sept2014 and it was as close to a perfect vacation as one could expect.

 

The ship was beautiful, the crew was outstanding and 2 of the 3 ports were splendid(Nassau was the exception and that was not really the fault of the ship or the crew.)

 

We had such a great time that we decided to go on her again this time doing the western Caribbean.

 

So to the airport and on the plane we go to Miami. We get to the cruise terminal and play the waiting game. We were in group 2 this time vs group 14 last time so the wait was nowhere near as long!

 

Onto the ship we go. 1st stop OSheehans for a cocktail and a quick bite to eat. that done we grab another cocktail and head to the room to change into the bathing suits and head to the pool........ But wait the room is not ready and it will be at least 1 -1 1/2 hours.. OK but we just want to drop off our carry on and change real quick.... Finally do that and head to the pool.

 

1st difference is the wait for a drink.. Not many people at the pool bar and yet it took almost 5 mins to get served. (on the first one it was a fraction of that amount of time with a much busier pool area)

[beatlesfab4fan]

OK so I just made a decision on the fly that I'm not going to do a blow by blow detailed report on every aspect of the cruise.. Many people have done that already and I guess I'll cut to the chase and perhaps add some details as I post the dailys.

 

The biggest problem I think, was not the slow service but the slow service was do to the fact that IMO the entire ship was under staffed.

 

It was not the slow service that led me to this conclusion but a culmination of everything in totality.

 

Here are just a few examples.. 1st time, when coming back to the ship the music was playing, the officers were out to greet you back on the ship etc. This time no music very few officers but thankfully the cool towels were still there.(man they are nice and refreshing)

 

1st time, if you looked like you were thinking about needing something, poof, like magic, someone was there asking if there was something you needed. Its like they knew before you knew. This time that didnt happen. If you needed something you would have to go search it out. Heres an example there was always people to exchange your towels. This time they were just laying on the table with no one in sight.

 

Now that might sound trivial and it is but it is an example of how things are different.

 

Heres one that isnt trivial. 1st time there was no trash on the deck ever.. there was crew constantly going around sweeping and wiping and generally just keeping things clean. This time there was trash everywhere and things just were not kept as clean. We very seldom saw people cleaning or sweeping.

[beatlesfab4fan]

So here is my working theory.

 

I was curious why Kevin left when things seemed to be going so well. New ships, fantastic service, great atmosphere, awesome food(ok the food is still good).

 

I think that NCL was looking for more profits and there are really only 2 ways to increase profit.

 

1. Raise prices.

 

2. Lower costs.

 

Well option 1 will cause customers to not book or book with the competition or book less frequently.

 

That leaves us with option 2. The easiest way to lower cost is cut back on the crew.

 

I think that they told KS this and he said nope I'm not cutting back on the crew because that will cause the experience to be diminished and we are building the business because of the experience.

 

Now I may be totally wrong on this one but I cant come up with anything else that makes sense.

 

Dont get me wrong, it wasn't a terrible vacation or a horrible cruise but it was not up to snuff from the first one.

 

Mike

[cruisebear84]

Thank you for your perspective! I am thinking of booking the Getaway and gathering information. I'm hesitant because of all the policy changes in such a short time span, and the effects they are having one customer experience. This may be a cruise I experience far into the future when hopefully things settle down.

 

Thanks again!

[weltek]

There might be other factors at play. For bar service, I suspect there were no staff increases to compensate for the increased demand in bar service with all the free UBPs that have been given away. Hence, slower service.

 

My last few cruises the towel exchange desk has been staffed infrequently (Jan 2014 and Dec 2015). Not a big deal for me.

[ellis101]

Do you think the time of year might have anything to do with staffing?

[dolfan9088]

My wife and I never waited more than 2 minutes for a drink last month on the Getaway. I give cash tips to each waiter and bar tender and asked them to stop by. Every time my glass was half empty I had another. Cash Tips=Unbelievable service.

[beatlesfab4fan]

I believe some people are getting hung up on the speed of service... That is just one thing that led me to my conclusion...

 

Please remember that this is my 2nd time on THIS ship. I understand how things work..

 

Cash tips do not keep the ship clean. Cash tips dont add more people to watch over the adult pool like on the 1st cruise. Cash tips dont add more than 1 waiter for the entire adult pool. Cash tips dont get the person at the let it ride poker table I was sitting at 1 night a bottle of water in less than 45 mins and then after the pit boss throws a fit she got 3 bottles in 2 mins.

 

Tips have nothing to do with the problems I observed, a lack of staff however does.

 

I will state this once more... It was not a horrible vacation, however having seen what the ship was like and seeing it now was a bit disappointing.

 

FWIW I did tip very well and in spite of that due to the under staffed situation I still waited numerous times.

 

Please dont get hung up on the wait times and take the entire experience into account.

 

Mike

[beatlesfab4fan]

as promised here is the first of the daily's. (Day one is mia due to my intoxication...sorry)

[beatlesfab4fan]

OK so I'm having problems getting the Daily's to upload (stupid security token issue) but I will continue to work on it.

 

One other side note. We downloaded the iConcierge app before leaving and had high hopes for it but alas it was spotty. I would assume it is using the same hotspots as the regular wifi which I have read is spotty also. I'm not going to bitch about it due to the fact that it is a really big ship and trying to get coverage everywhere is next to impossible.

 

Just be aware if you decide to get the internet package that it wont work like it does in your house.

[Mandy412]

So here is my working theory.

 

I was curious why Kevin left when things seemed to be going so well. New ships, fantastic service, great atmosphere, awesome food(ok the food is still good).

 

I think that NCL was looking for more profits and there are really only 2 ways to increase profit.

 

1. Raise prices.

 

2. Lower costs.

 

Well option 1 will cause customers to not book or book with the competition or book less frequently.

 

That leaves us with option 2. The easiest way to lower cost is cut back on the crew.

 

I think that they told KS this and he said nope I'm not cutting back on the crew because that will cause the experience to be diminished and we are building the business because of the experience.

 

Now I may be totally wrong on this one but I cant come up with anything else that makes sense.

 

Dont get me wrong, it wasn't a terrible vacation or a horrible cruise but it was not up to snuff from the first one.

 

Mike

 

I was pretty happy with the service on the Getaway but it was my first cruise. It must have been truly amazing service not so long ago. Sad I just started cruising and didn't experience what sounds like some above and beyond service.

[beatlesfab4fan]

GRRRRR still cant get the Daily's to upload..

 

BTW one huge plus is the fact that the food is just as good as the first time.

 

On #1 we had the dining package for all 7 days and it was nice took full advantage of it but the DW got tired of steak and such every night. (I on the other hand LOVED it).

 

On this one we got the 3 day dining package and did Cagney's 2 times and The Brazilian once. Both places were fantastic. We were told that the Japanese place was awesome as well (think Bennihanas).

 

The Tropicana was very good as well. The band really made for a nice experience and there was the cutest little kid dancing all around with his parents and grand parents trading off watching over him. He had a ball and everyone near the dance floor was cracking up watching him... Really fun to watch, no worries just him having fun.

 

Late night munchies and OSheeans is great and convenient.

 

Did Howl at the Moon and those guys do a great job.

 

More to come and hopefully I can figure out why the Daily's wont upload.

 

 

Mike

[beatlesfab4fan]

I was pretty happy with the service on the Getaway but it was my first cruise. It must have been truly amazing service not so long ago. Sad I just started cruising and didn't experience what sounds like some above and beyond service.

 

 

Mandy, I have to tell you our 1st on the Getaway was about as close to flawless as you could hope for. That may be why I am fairly critical of the 2nd one so much. I know how it could be and was disappointed that it wasnt the same way this time, and maybe it says more about me than the ship.

 

Having said that I still say that there were a lot of little things that just started to add up..

 

It still was a great vacation, dont get me wrong. (7 days away from work and a lot of alcohol does wonders for the mental health LOL).

 

 

Mike

[Mandy412]

Mandy, I have to tell you our 1st on the Getaway was about as close to flawless as you could hope for. That may be why I am fairly critical of the 2nd one so much. I know how it could be and was disappointed that it wasnt the same way this time, and maybe it says more about me than the ship.

 

Having said that I still say that there were a lot of little things that just started to add up..

 

It still was a great vacation, dont get me wrong. (7 days away from work and a lot of alcohol does wonders for the mental health LOL).

 

 

Mike

 

My mental health was on point that week! No anxiety or drama, just relaxation and no cleaning!

[#1TravelMom]

We just got off the Getaway for the 3rd time. TOTALLY opposite opinion from us. We think the ship is just getting better. We didn't have long waits except for one night at dinner. We kept commenting on all the staff at he buffet and pool keeping everything spotless. The staff could not have been more friendly. 50+ cruises and this was our favorite to date! We absolutely love this ship. Soooo much to do - one sailing is not enough. We already booked for next year.

[macanudo23]

I read so many horrible reviews on the Escape so I went in with such low expectations and it was an amazing cruise! I am also going on the Getaway for the 2nd time in May and I think it will also be great......I will say though I was very surprised that they did away with the outside Party when coming back from Ports....the Escape coming back from port was a table with miserable looking employees passing out water, fruit drinks and cold towels....no excitement or anything...only the last day they had music and a bunch of employees out there looking like they were forced to be out there. Also there was no Farewell show in the Theater like they did on previous NCL cruises I went on, So im hoping they didn't take that away from the Getaway. I do know majority of the employees on the Escape were taken from the EPIC, Breakaway and Getaway and a lot of the employees were not happy based on asking the ones I talked to. I would really love to know what happened to KS as well but im sure we all know......if the rich aint getting richer than someone is not doing their job regardless of the customer service they lose. (in any company now) I will stay a loyal NCL cruiser though because my experience has been amazing so don't let this last cruise finding another line....the grass isn't always greener on the other side.

[newmexicoNita]

Just my 2 cents worth cause it probably isn't worth much more than 2 cents: You are comparing your 2nd experience with your first and there is never anything to measure up to the first anything, so that could be why you are seeing the second cruise on the Getaway a little differently and yes, the bar service isn't as fast, but we were on the Jewel In Oct and really couldn't complain about service that much. The pool bar was the only place we really had to wait, yes, that was the first day, just like you; they were understaffed. The other place we had some waiting was the casino bar. The wait staff, coming around to the machines were great, but the bar was always over crowded. As for someone saying something about NCL not hiring extra wait people because of the promotions I think we all need to step back and think about that comment. First we want our free promos and then we want the company to pay more help so we can get served quicker. Talk about a "me" attitude. Over all our service period wasn't as good as in years past, still not enough to dampen our vacation or let it change our minds about NCL.

 

I am glad you still seemed to have a good cruise.

[Buford T Justiice]

I think we all need to step back and think about that comment. First we want our free promos and then we want the company to pay more help so we can get served quicker. Talk about a "me" attitude.

 

The me attitude is NCL / FDR increasing revenue, decreasing expenses by REDUCING staff and rationing the "free alcohol".

[Laszlo]

Heres one that isnt trivial. 1st time there was no trash on the deck ever.. there was crew constantly going around sweeping and wiping and generally just keeping things clean. This time there was trash everywhere and things just were not kept as clean. We very seldom saw people cleaning or sweeping.

 

Now thats too funny. Sounds like you were on a cruise with a bunch of pigs. Were people too inconsiderate or stupid to clean up after themselves?:rolleyes:

Edited December 18, 2015 by Laszlo

[CruiserRob]

As for someone saying something about NCL not hiring extra wait people because of the promotions I think we all need to step back and think about that comment. First we want our free promos and then we want the company to pay more help so we can get served quicker. Talk about a "me" attitude.

 

I am glad you still seemed to have a good cruise.

 

NCL wouldn't be offering these promos if they weren't increasing revenue, so they can probably afford to hire a few more wait staff.

 

Robert

[Cruisercl]

Recently, I did notice the bar service was slower on the Escape; it wasn't that the bartender wasn't working hard, but he was there by himself at the cocktail hour before dinner time.

 

That said, if NCL is actually cutting back on service to limit the amount of drinks served with the drinks package, it is frustrating for those of us who do not have the drink package, just to get a cocktail. I guess that is the downside but the are missing out on revenue.

 

JMHO. :)