What Changes Would You Like NCL To Make?

[newmexicoNita]

So the net is you would like the policy changed. I would too but the problem is not you it is those that abused the option. Sitting poolside with a bottle in the beach bag ordering cokes for the whole group off a single soda card and getting hammered on a half gallon of rum.

 

Not sure how you have a selective policy - ok for those that just want a drink in their cabin and not those that bring 2 weeks worth of booze of a one week cruise.

 

Check out the bar setup - it is a happy medium

 

Now back to the queestion at hand - What would you like NCL to change?

 

This policy has been debated to death on numerous other threads.

Right again Shoreguy. It is what it is, it's been debated over and over and it's like the mandatory tipping (sorry to bring this up) these policies are put into place, in my opinion, because people have taken advantage of situations in the past: example, flaunting the booze and or choosing not to tip. My soapbox for today!!!! NMNita

[Joe1690]

There are several changes I would love NCL to implement.

 

1) Better shoreside customer service. The information they provide is often incomplete, inaccurate, and causes fustration which the staff onboard the ship readily admits. However, NCL still refuses to be proactive & improve the quality of their customer service.

 

2) An upgraded website is definately needed. It is slow, clunky & just plain outdated. I remeber filling out the guest embarkation form in advance and never received confirmation of it, and NCL never received it. RCCL & Celebrity have the best website in my opinion with a lot more information, more interactive, and they even allow you to book excursions online.

 

3) I definately think NCL should add more pools to their newbuilds. Whereas Carnival has 3 or 4 pools on each of their new ships, and Princess has 5 or 6, NCL's Dawn had 1 pool and a plunge pool and their Jewel has 2 pools which look relatively small and appear comparable to those on the old Norwegian Sea. Also, I think NCL needs more outdoor deck space for lounge chairs as I remember vividly on the Dawn having to layout on the helipod for most of the cruise because this was the only spot open and had only 3 lounge chairs left, just enough for our party. It appears that in NCL's desire to offer fancy suites (Garden Villas/Courtyard villas) for those who want to splurge and in their quest to offer lots of alternative restaurants (which I enjoy) they have taken away significant deck space for lounge chairs. I mean if you compare a RCCL or Celebrity deckplan with a NCL deckplan on the upper outer decks you clearly see there is far less deck space for chairs.

 

4) I would like NCL to buildships that have a slightly better space ratio. I went on the Dawn & thoroughly enjoyed my trip but definately felt the ship felt crowded at times. Yet, the dawn had fewer passengers than the Star. But the new Jewel, and 2 unnamed ships basically have the same capacity yet add an additional 50-100 passengers (approximate). I think that if NCL made there ships with fewer passengers it would offer an overall improvement in the cruise vacation.

 

5) I would love to see NCL build some post panamax ships because I am getting tired of seeing the same design over & over for their whole fleet (the Star/Jewel/Spirit series). Also, I think this would increase their competitiveness in Miami & according to Cruise News Daily & Colin Veitch ships larger than 100,000 tons are in the works for NCl. I hope so but also hope they listen to my above advice as well when they design these ships.

 

6) I would also like to see more variety in sailing from the Northeast as other posters have stated. Living in New Jersey, New York is very convenient but I don't want to go on a 6,7, or 8 day Bahamas cruise in the summer. I want a longer cruise preferrably 10 or 11 days similar to what the Dawn offers in the winter. This is why I have gone on the 9 day cruise with RCCL & 11 day cruise with Celebrity from Baltimore. Also, I prefer sailing out of Baltimore or Philly to New York, because the New York crowd tends to be much louder, more obnoxious, and more demanding overall, and when I go away on vacation I want to relax not hear complaints from everyone and their mother about the smallest little things. Also. the New York piers are a nightmare and until they are upgraded I enjoy the much more hassle free embarkation port of Baltimore. I feel it is time that NCL bases a ship out of Baltimore for the carribbean, as well as various other ports along the eastern seaboard.

 

7) I also would like to see NCL offer longer cruises in the mediterranean than just 7 night cruises on the Jewel. I have completed 2 meditteranean cruises and 7 days is just to short in my opinion. A 12 or 14 day cruise would be perfect. Also, I would like them to hit the more exotic ports like the Greek Isles, Egypt, the Turkish ports like Izmir etc. Or if they want to offer a 7 night itinerary, offer 2 different itineraries so I can take a back to back with different ports. This would accomplish the same goal.

 

Even with all of the above mentioned changes, I still regard NCl as a great cruise line & enjoy sailing them. I consider them everytime I cruise but usually other cruiselines have better itineraries and or dates and the newer ships sailing where I want to go.

 

JC

[pratzert]

I have to agree with the group:

 

They MUST improve their shore side customer service. Conflicting information, wrong information, no information. Information was different everytime I talked to someone when I had a question.

 

I feel a reduction in the cost of the Soda Card program is in order too !

 

Too many "shows" featuring crew members as entertainers. Once was ok and amusing... more than that and it's irritating.

 

Offer the 1/2 price early bird special for ALL the specialty restaurants on board.

 

Give out a little carry bag of some sort as either a welcome aboard gift or a farewell gift. Imagine 2,000 people carrying around a bag with an advertisement for NCL !

 

Tim

[calmac]

Another point on the websites - consistency across the various sites NCL run. I understand the need in some cases, due to language differences, but there are times when news items, for instance, are posted on the US site but not on the UK site. There is also a huge difference in the NCL Europe site - doesn't look anything like the US or UK sites.

[newmexicoNita]

I have to agree with the group:

 

They MUST improve their shore side customer service. Conflicting information, wrong information, no information. Information was different everytime I talked to someone when I had a question.

 

I feel a reduction in the cost of the Soda Card program is in order too !

 

Too many "shows" featuring crew members as entertainers. Once was ok and amusing... more than that and it's irritating.

 

Offer the 1/2 price early bird special for ALL the specialty restaurants on board.

 

Give out a little carry bag of some sort as either a welcome aboard gift or a farewell gift. Imagine 2,000 people carrying around a bag with an advertisement for NCL !

 

Tim

Tim, I like the WElcome aboard idea and the 1/2 off specials are offered on certain nights, but not often. I don't really think it needs to be offered nightly. This will somewhat defeat the reason for the specialty dining experience and may bring down the quality we have all learned to expect. Not being a soda drinker I can't comment on the price, I do know, last year we cruised with 2 other couples; the one guy is a tea tootler so bought the card and didn't mind the price. He drinks lots of soda. As for the crew entertaining, I actually enjoy that as well as much of the entertainment. I guess this comes from the days when the crew did most of the entertainment (years ago, all lines) As for the mainland customer service, I think we all agree it needs some help. NMNita

[jeannep]

###quote from Joe####

 

 

""6) I would also like to see more variety in sailing from the Northeast as other posters have stated. Living in New Jersey, New York is very convenient but I don't want to go on a 6,7, or 8 day Bahamas cruise in the summer. I want a longer cruise preferrably 10 or 11 days similar to what the Dawn offers in the winter. This is why I have gone on the 9 day cruise with RCCL & 11 day cruise with Celebrity from Baltimore. Also, I prefer sailing out of Baltimore or Philly to New York, because the New York crowd tends to be much louder, more obnoxious, and more demanding overall, and when I go away on vacation I want to relax not hear complaints from everyone and their mother about the smallest little things. Also. the New York piers are a nightmare and until they are upgraded I enjoy the much more hassle free embarkation port of Baltimore. I feel it is time that NCL bases a ship out of Baltimore for the carribbean, as well as various other ports along the eastern seaboard.""

 

 

Joe,

I was really agreeing with you about different cruises from the Northeast until you knocked all New York cruisers. Being a New Yorker I have gone on many cruises out of New York and find the people to be a mixed bag just like any other group from any other port. How can you say we are all a loud , obnoxious bunch.

Shame on you!!!!

 

Jeanne

[TrinaLC]

Amen, sailing out of NY doesn't give you a declasse group of fellow pax.

 

Actually, we NYers think that those from Philly are the worst!

 

JUST KIDDING! :)

 

But ask a NY Giants fan about an Eagles fan ...

[Barb Nahoumi]

Ncl definitely needs to upgrade its website. A "contact Us" link with the ability to send e-mail directly to any department is necessary.

 

A better selection of cold drinks available all day in the buffets. I don't care for iced tea, and fruit juices would welcome. Carnival has 24hr self serve soft serve ice cream or frozen yogurt available. NCL should have the same.

Soda should be free at meal times. I see no reason to charge for it, although all cruiselines do.

 

Offer more enrichment programs, such as naturalists, antique evaluations, music & art appreciation, and movies on sea days.

 

Oh yes, add coin operated laundry service to ships which do not have it.

[seahorse]

Amen, sailing out of NY doesn't give you a declasse group of fellow pax.

 

Actually, we NYers think that those from Philly are the worst!

 

JUST KIDDING! :)

 

But ask a NY Giants fan about an Eagles fan ...

 

NO, ask an Eagles fan about a Giants fan:eek: Not kidding;)

[newmexicoNita]

There are several changes I would love NCL to implement.

 

1) Better shoreside customer service. The information they provide is often incomplete, inaccurate, and causes fustration which the staff onboard the ship readily admits. However, NCL still refuses to be proactive & improve the quality of their customer service.

 

2) An upgraded website is definately needed. It is slow, clunky & just plain outdated. I remeber filling out the guest embarkation form in advance and never received confirmation of it, and NCL never received it. RCCL & Celebrity have the best website in my opinion with a lot more information, more interactive, and they even allow you to book excursions online.

 

3) I definately think NCL should add more pools to their newbuilds. Whereas Carnival has 3 or 4 pools on each of their new ships, and Princess has 5 or 6, NCL's Dawn had 1 pool and a plunge pool and their Jewel has 2 pools which look relatively small and appear comparable to those on the old Norwegian Sea. Also, I think NCL needs more outdoor deck space for lounge chairs as I remember vividly on the Dawn having to layout on the helipod for most of the cruise because this was the only spot open and had only 3 lounge chairs left, just enough for our party. It appears that in NCL's desire to offer fancy suites (Garden Villas/Courtyard villas) for those who want to splurge and in their quest to offer lots of alternative restaurants (which I enjoy) they have taken away significant deck space for lounge chairs. I mean if you compare a RCCL or Celebrity deckplan with a NCL deckplan on the upper outer decks you clearly see there is far less deck space for chairs.

 

4) I would like NCL to buildships that have a slightly better space ratio. I went on the Dawn & thoroughly enjoyed my trip but definately felt the ship felt crowded at times. Yet, the dawn had fewer passengers than the Star. But the new Jewel, and 2 unnamed ships basically have the same capacity yet add an additional 50-100 passengers (approximate). I think that if NCL made there ships with fewer passengers it would offer an overall improvement in the cruise vacation.

 

5) I would love to see NCL build some post panamax ships because I am getting tired of seeing the same design over & over for their whole fleet (the Star/Jewel/Spirit series). Also, I think this would increase their competitiveness in Miami & according to Cruise News Daily & Colin Veitch ships larger than 100,000 tons are in the works for NCl. I hope so but also hope they listen to my above advice as well when they design these ships.

 

6) I would also like to see more variety in sailing from the Northeast as other posters have stated. Living in New Jersey, New York is very convenient but I don't want to go on a 6,7, or 8 day Bahamas cruise in the summer. I want a longer cruise preferrably 10 or 11 days similar to what the Dawn offers in the winter. This is why I have gone on the 9 day cruise with RCCL & 11 day cruise with Celebrity from Baltimore. Also, I prefer sailing out of Baltimore or Philly to New York, because the New York crowd tends to be much louder, more obnoxious, and more demanding overall, and when I go away on vacation I want to relax not hear complaints from everyone and their mother about the smallest little things. Also. the New York piers are a nightmare and until they are upgraded I enjoy the much more hassle free embarkation port of Baltimore. I feel it is time that NCL bases a ship out of Baltimore for the carribbean, as well as various other ports along the eastern seaboard.

 

7) I also would like to see NCL offer longer cruises in the mediterranean than just 7 night cruises on the Jewel. I have completed 2 meditteranean cruises and 7 days is just to short in my opinion. A 12 or 14 day cruise would be perfect. Also, I would like them to hit the more exotic ports like the Greek Isles, Egypt, the Turkish ports like Izmir etc. Or if they want to offer a 7 night itinerary, offer 2 different itineraries so I can take a back to back with different ports. This would accomplish the same goal.

 

Even with all of the above mentioned changes, I still regard NCl as a great cruise line & enjoy sailing them. I consider them everytime I cruise but usually other cruiselines have better itineraries and or dates and the newer ships sailing where I want to go.

 

JC

Just a couple of comments: I can guarantee you the Jewel never seems crowded with exception of the buffet area when the weather is not indusive to outdoor dining; my second remark refers to itienaries: I can imagine how you feel living near NY without many choices, but I personally think NCL offers better itineraries than any other line. This is one feature we like about the line. NMNita

[newmexicoNita]

###quote from Joe####

 

 

""6) I would also like to see more variety in sailing from the Northeast as other posters have stated. Living in New Jersey, New York is very convenient but I don't want to go on a 6,7, or 8 day Bahamas cruise in the summer. I want a longer cruise preferrably 10 or 11 days similar to what the Dawn offers in the winter. This is why I have gone on the 9 day cruise with RCCL & 11 day cruise with Celebrity from Baltimore. Also, I prefer sailing out of Baltimore or Philly to New York, because the New York crowd tends to be much louder, more obnoxious, and more demanding overall, and when I go away on vacation I want to relax not hear complaints from everyone and their mother about the smallest little things. Also. the New York piers are a nightmare and until they are upgraded I enjoy the much more hassle free embarkation port of Baltimore. I feel it is time that NCL bases a ship out of Baltimore for the carribbean, as well as various other ports along the eastern seaboard.""

 

 

Joe,

I was really agreeing with you about different cruises from the Northeast until you knocked all New York cruisers. Being a New Yorker I have gone on many cruises out of New York and find the people to be a mixed bag just like any other group from any other port. How can you say we are all a loud , obnoxious bunch.

Shame on you!!!!

 

Jeanne

you all crack me up: how would you like to live in NM where we are hours from any port? Oh we have the Rio Grande, I guess we could use a row boat and have ports along the way. LOL

 

NMNita

[Don Haynes]

NCL isn't as large as Carnival and Royal Caribbean, with only 11-12 ships in its fleet, and with 3 of them based in Hawaii. NCL has made the decision to base 2 ships year round in New York City, while every other city in America NCL sails from don't have cruises for the whole year, including their home base, Miami.

 

NCL will get a new ship in 2006, and two new ships in 2007, but at the expense of losing ships to its parent firm, Star Cruises. The shipyard NCL is purchasing ships from is booked for 2008, so the earliest a new ship could be build at Meyerwerft is mid-2009, that is if Celebrity don't use its option. Otherwise Meyerwerf won't be able to deliver a new ship until early 2010 and late 2010.

 

If NCL does order more new ships, they might have to use another shipyard, such as Akker Finyards in Finland. NCL had ordered one for early 2007, but that deal fell through. Akker Finyards has since received more orders from other cruise lines.

 

Frankly, there is not enough shipyards to build the new ships the cruise industry is purchasing. At some point Star Cruises is gonna want to order new ships too, complicating the matter further. Because of this shortage, many cruise lines are building much larger ships to fill the void.....possibly NCL too?

[sunshine 229]

you all crack me up: how would you like to live in NM where we are hours from any port? Oh we have the Rio Grande, I guess we could use a row boat and have ports along the way. LOL

 

NMNita

I'm in a similar situation, every cruise I take requires a long drive or air flight. That is why the 4 or 5 day cruises aren't of much interest to me. After going to all the effort to get to the ship I sure as heck want to spend at least a week on it!:)

[Cosmopolitan]

Enforce dress code...

 

We were on the Jewel...real "loud" mouthed guy with wife and parents did get escorted into Cagneys.. (he) in jeans and flip-flops (via the back door) but still was let into Cagney's. We had just left Cagney's.

 

We would not have even noticed him except for the loud mouth!

 

Several nights later...same guy (in jeans and flip-flops and big mouth) tried to get into Le Bistro...rejected!

We went into Le Bistro and there were many tables that would accommodate his party of 4 - glad he was rejected!

 

If you can't bring a pair of khakis...go to the main restaurants!

 

Perhaps, he had a point to make/prove???

 

Regardless, NCL should stick to the dining room rules regarding dress!

[sjbdtz]

Was that on the Baltics itinerary?

 

I think that guy was in one of the Garden Villas. I noticed someone dressed like that with a very aggressive attitude.

[newmexicoNita]

Enforce dress code...

 

We were on the Jewel...real "loud" mouthed guy with wife and parents did get escorted into Cagneys.. (he) in jeans and flip-flops (via the back door) but still was let into Cagney's. We had just left Cagney's.

 

We would not have even noticed him except for the loud mouth!

 

Several nights later...same guy (in jeans and flip-flops and big mouth) tried to get into Le Bistro...rejected!

We went into Le Bistro and there were many tables that would accommodate his party of 4 - glad he was rejected!

 

If you can't bring a pair of khakis...go to the main restaurants!

 

Perhaps, he had a point to make/prove???

 

Regardless, NCL should stick to the dining room rules regarding dress!

you have a good point, we were on the Jewel (not at the same time as you) and there was a very large man and I mean LARGE who, I swear wore the same clothes the entire 10 days. He wasn't wearing jeans so he did meet the required code, but was wearing flip flops and horrible clothes everywhere. We sat next to him at dinner twice and I think he was following me in and out of the casino all 10 days cause he was always there when I was and I guarantee you I wasn't following him. NMNita

[newmexicoNita]

Was that on the Baltics itinerary?

 

I think that guy was in one of the Garden Villas. I noticed someone dressed like that with a very aggressive attitude.

the guy I am referring to was on the transatlantic.

[SailAways]

you have a good point, we were on the Jewel (not at the same time as you) and there was a very large man and I mean LARGE who, I swear wore the same clothes the entire 10 days. He wasn't wearing jeans so he did meet the required code, but was wearing flip flops and horrible clothes everywhere. We sat next to him at dinner twice and I think he was following me in and out of the casino all 10 days cause he was always there when I was and I guarantee you I wasn't following him. NMNita

 

I am glad to see that you can talk about this subject without causing a bon-fire as I did previously. That name calling post went "poof"!

 

The non-enforcement of dress code was my one and only "complaint" on our recent cruise.

[CSM]

I'd like to see the return of Catholic Mass on Sundays at sea.

 

CSM

[EileenN]

yes, so would I. We always attend Mass on the Island we are at on Sunday. It has been quite an experience. In Dominica, there were no windows in the church and a flock of doves flew in sat in the rafters using us as target practice. At communion, three dogs walked up the middle aisle and laid down biting their fleas.

In Curacao, There was a bird nest in the crown of the large statue on the main altar. Again no windows. It is always a new and exciting (?) experience. Having Mass on board would be a pleasure. Or at least having the front desk know the services held locally on Sundays would help. We always look this info up, find out where we will be and check the internet sites to find out the mass schedules on the Islands.

[SailAways]

Hi:

I had a short response to an inquiry to NCL about the Web Site, yesterday.

The statement is that they are currently undertaking a major overhaul of the web site, and it is to be launched early 2006. Direct from the offices of Colin Veitch.

This will be greatly appreciated by all of us who are somewhat computer challenged to begin with - much less having to deal with an antiquated and cumbersome site.

I believe Shoreguy is the only one who really understands the NCL site, but he obviously has been enjoying it since it's inception. (Reference is to the number of cruises under your belt, not your age):eek:

SailAways :)

[cruisingfromMN]

you all crack me up: how would you like to live in NM where we are hours from any port? Oh we have the Rio Grande, I guess we could use a row boat and have ports along the way. LOL

 

NMNita

 

Or poor me in Minnesota! And don't talk to me about a river cruise on the Mississippi... I have no desire, it's the sea air and warm temperatures that we are looking for.

[papadave]

(1) Give the activity crew a bit of time between activities. On the Dawn we followed a woman who had several 1/2 hour shifts in different locations, giving her only about 20 minutes for each activity. The activities included line dancing and the win, lose or draw game. I felt sorry for the woman and would have liked the activities more if they weren't so rushed.

 

(2) Have a solid back-up plan when ports are missed or weather puts the outside of the ship off limits. Due to rough seas a number of indoor activites (cooking, for example) were eliminated without replacement activities.

 

(3) Improve the movie theater projection system. The projection system on the Dawn is pretty bad. Popcorn in the theater (like they have on HAL) would be nice too.

 

(4) Keep rules down to an absolute minimum, but enforce them all. I was particularly bothered by infants using the pools.

[newmexicoNita]

(1) Give the activity crew a bit of time between activities. On the Dawn we followed a woman who had several 1/2 hour shifts in different locations, giving her only about 20 minutes for each activity. The activities included line dancing and the win, lose or draw game. I felt sorry for the woman and would have liked the activities more if they weren't so rushed.

 

(2) Have a solid back-up plan when ports are missed or weather puts the outside of the ship off limits. Due to rough seas a number of indoor activites (cooking, for example) were eliminated without replacement activities.

 

(3) Improve the movie theater projection system. The projection system on the Dawn is pretty bad. Popcorn in the theater (like they have on HAL) would be nice too.

 

(4) Keep rules down to an absolute minimum, but enforce them all. I was particularly bothered by infants using the pools.

papadave, good ideas, just thought I would add; when we missed NewFoundland due to winds and rough seas they did have a pretty good back up plan: at least better than other ships we have been on: they immediately added a trivia session, a few other games, an art class and then a movie. The afternoon was the 1 hour open bar, which is pretty standard. We were satisfied. NMnita

 

MN: If you don't want to cruise the Mississippi why not join me on a row boat? If sunshine is what you want we have over 300 days of it each year. LOL

[Tomct]

I haven't read through the threads, and haven't thought about improvements, but I was just posting a response to someone that reminded me of a problem that has annoyed me, though it isn't the biggest of deals. Since one bar is designated for the 20% discount for members, I would like to see the ship's computer apply the discount to the Latitude members without having to put a sticker on the card, or remind the bartender or waitperson accordingly. Drink by drink it's peanuts, but it is nonetheless a little annoying. It has improved from our first Dawn cruise where you had to show your latitudes card or at mention it to the waitstaff if you wanted the discount.