What Can NCL Do Better?

[mcsb11]

I started replying with this in another thread, and I figured this deserved it's own thread.

 

Since I know NCL actively reads these threads (I had a wine vending machine dispute with them resolved by posting my story here), I figured why not start a constructive thread detailing some little things that NCL can do that would help the consumer experience.

 

I'm going to try to post things that are realistic. I hope this doesn't turn into a rant-fest or get littered with things like - Cagney's should be free or cruises should be cheaper, etc...

 

Here's a few of mine:

- Include coffee/espresso drinks in the UBP. The price has gone up, what $30 in the last two years? For the love of god, please give me a good coffee option on board. Celebrity does this.

- Open up some of the specialty restaurants for lunch. On the winter cruises out of the NE, there's not much to do on the outdoor decks for 3 or 4 of the 7 days. Why not give people more options indoors?

- Offer a teen card, allowing for unlimited video games, rock climbing & soda. Its another mechanism to keep young kids in a controlled environment and out of trouble

- Make the games a little more friendly to consumers (deal or no deal & bingo are a house always wins proposition)

- Have someone enforce the no holding chairs policy. In cities that only have something like 30 min or 1 hour parking, they chalk your tire and the road. If they come back and youre chalked, you get a ticket. Find a way to tag chairs or something similar & remove contents after x amount of time

- Include the Wine Vending machines in the UBP

 

What are some of your tips? Who knows... maybe they'll listen!

[NLH Arizona]

First would be to enforce their rule about saving chairs/loungers at the pool. I would put a note on all the chairs first thing in the morning, before the chair hogs show up, that says "All items will be removed from loungers/chairs that have not been occupied by a person in X minutes" and then I would have one person to monitor and actually follow through with taking items off the chairs, so others can use them.

 

Secondly, I would have someone ask those folks that insist on playing cards in the buffet during prime meals times to take their card game somewhere else, so that folks actually looking for a table to eat on can sit down and enjoy their meal.

[TheManitoban]

That Teen Card is an interesting idea. If there is value there, I could see parents biting.

 

From a corporate perspective, I know people complain about the changes. I dont really get upset about it but I think they could do a better job of communicating changes and grandfathering those changes in. I imagine they have stats that show them the negative responses do not outweigh the positive revenue from the changes, but announcing a change with a 90 day-out start date doesnt seem like much of an issue to me.

[mcsb11]

First would be to enforce their rule about saving chairs/loungers at the pool. I would put a note on all the chairs first thing in the morning, before the chair hogs show up, that says "All items will be removed from loungers/chairs that have not been occupied by a person in X minutes" and then I would have one person to monitor and actually follow through with taking items off the chairs, so others can use them.

 

Secondly, I would have someone ask those folks that insist on playing cards in the buffet during prime meals times to take their card game somewhere else, so that folks actually looking for a table to eat on can sit down and enjoy their meal.

 

Wow... never knew the card thing was an issue.

[cheer25mom]

First would be to enforce their rule about saving chairs/loungers at the pool. I would put a note on all the chairs first thing in the morning, before the chair hogs show up, that says "All items will be removed from loungers/chairs that have not been occupied by a person in X minutes" and then I would have one person to monitor and actually follow through with taking items off the chairs, so others can use them.

 

Secondly, I would have someone ask those folks that insist on playing cards in the buffet during prime meals times to take their card game somewhere else, so that folks actually looking for a table to eat on can sit down and enjoy their meal.

I think it would be great to have timers for staff to place on chairs they find unoccupied. If the timer goes off before the person returns, their stuff is moved. It would be an easier, completely objective way of monitoring.

[Sizzlechest]

There's already a thread like this: http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2326262

 

Anyway...in no particular order:

 

• Bring back kids pricing for specialty restaurants. Children who want to try the menu are NOT going to eat a full adult meal so it's silly to charge them the full price. "Oh, but they're still taking up a seat." Fine, then they'll end up with the free hamburger and fries. NCL shouldn't cut it's nose off to spite it's face.
  
• Margaritaville on Escape should be free or cover charge, not a la carte. Too nickle-and-dimey for a cruise environment.
  
• Cagney's and Le Bistro should be cover charge, not a la carte.
  Too nickle-and-dimey for a cruise environment.
  
• NY hot dogs from a pushcart on Breakaway and no brown mustard?! You can't claim to have a NY themed ship and allow this to continue. Add knishes and big pretzels while you're at it.
  
• Bring back the slide at GSC.
  
• Build a port at GSC. Tenders are a pain for both guests and staff.
  
• Provide some useful perks for suite guests. Old DVDs and butlers who add little value are not perks I care about. How about laundry service?
  
• Make the Splash Academy more freestyle. If a kid wants to play video games and another wants to draw, let them. Don't regiment the activities on a timetable.
  
• Don't shut down the Splash Academy on "at sea" days. Leave it open or at least have a chaperoned lunch and dinner time. Charge extra for it like they do on port days, but at least provide the option.
  
• Bring back the fireworks or at least replace it with something. It's bad form to remove a feature and replace it with nothing.
  
• Don't design new ships with so many "for pay" subdivisions. Do we really need two small theaters? Is a Haven pool and regular pool necessary? It's great for the minority of Haven guests, but you're screwing everyone else with that tiny area. The atrium on the Breakaway class ships is no substitute for the Spinnaker lounge on the Jewel class ships.
  
• Stop changing the rules after the cruise is booked. Yes, I know it's legal, but it's bad form.
  
• Ensure diners at Moderno get a taste of everything. Most people have never been to a Brazilian steakhouse, so they're not experienced at how it works. Stop serving the same sausage three times before they've been offered the steak. Last time I was on the Gem, they did it right: They were VERY careful to make sure each table got to try each item and they didn't load their plate up with more than one right away. After each item had been served, the server asked which of the items they'd like more of. They then brought ALL the selections on a plate to the diners. In the very least, warn people not to take too much. You don't want them to feel like they're
  .
  
• Serve a better meal at the Cirque show or none at all.
  
• Add a true stir-fry station in the buffet. One thing I missed from my carnival cruise was the stir-fry area where you can pick and choose what items you want and the spiciness of the sauces. NCL has an Asian-themed section where they sometimes cook the food there instead of in the kitchen, but that's it. You can't customize anything. They just make a big batch of an item and dump it in the tray.
  
• The password system at the Splash Academy is stupid. Change it. You have to give your password out-loud rather than securely type it into a keyboard. How is that secure?
  
• Keep improving the iConcierge app. It doesn't work as well as it should. Keep improving it. It's a good feature that could be great.
  

[Marine Mom]

I started replying with this in another thread, and I figured this deserved it's own thread.

 

Since I know NCL actively reads these threads (I had a wine vending machine dispute with them resolved by posting my story here), I figured why not start a constructive thread detailing some little things that NCL can do that would help the consumer experience.

 

I'm going to try to post things that are realistic. I hope this doesn't turn into a rant-fest or get littered with things like - Cagney's should be free or cruises should be cheaper, etc...

 

Here's a few of mine:

- Include coffee/espresso drinks in the UBP. The price has gone up, what $30 in the last two years? For the love of god, please give me a good coffee option on board. Celebrity does this.

- Open up some of the specialty restaurants for lunch. On the winter cruises out of the NE, there's not much to do on the outdoor decks for 3 or 4 of the 7 days. Why not give people more options indoors?

- Offer a teen card, allowing for unlimited video games, rock climbing & soda. Its another mechanism to keep young kids in a controlled environment and out of trouble

- Make the games a little more friendly to consumers (deal or no deal & bingo are a house always wins proposition)

- Have someone enforce the no holding chairs policy. In cities that only have something like 30 min or 1 hour parking, they chalk your tire and the road. If they come back and youre chalked, you get a ticket. Find a way to tag chairs or something similar & remove contents after x amount of time

- Include the Wine Vending machines in the UBP

 

What are some of your tips? Who knows... maybe they'll listen!

 

These are perfect! I too would add that the holding chairs by the pool is crazy. I know on the RCCL cruises I have been on, they had people walking around with vests on that said "pool patrol" and were constantly taking items off chairs so other people could have the chair. If you weren't physically in your chair at all times, it was up for grabs.

[CocoCandy]

I wish they would add a faster internet connection and a cheaper unlimited package.

 

I was onboard the Getaway last week and bought the unlimited internet package. The connection was much slower than internet offered on both RC and Carnival ships, as well as the unlimited package being much more expensive than on the other 2 lines.

Edited March 17, 2016 by CocoCandy

[zackarykeef]

If you weren't physically in your chair at all times, it was up for grabs.

 

That's a little much. That can't possibly be true. If it is, remind me not to sail on Royal Caribbean.

 

I hate chair hogs just as much as the next person, but if I leave my chair for 10 or 15 minutes to get a drink/use the restroom/cool off in the pool/etc, I should be able to come back to it.

 

Anyway, I agree with adding coffee/water/etc to the UBP, especially with the price increase. I still enjoy the package regardless.

 

Also, can we get a 24-hour pizza place? Not room service with a charge and a wait, but like...a free walk-up-and-get-a-slice place like on other lines. Good pizza, too...not that "pizza" they have in the buffets lol

[cruisewmn]

As a suite traveler, we alternate between NCL, Celebrity, and the occasional luxury lines. NCL could do a better job keeping our business if they had an adults-only area in the Haven, or maybe "Quiet Hours" (like from 1-3pm). I realize NCL wants to attract families to the Haven, but they're going to lose their other guests if they don't find a compromise to this situation.

 

I'd also like to see NCL revamp their beverage packages. Celebrity includes bottled water and coffee drinks. They also offer a non-alcoholic package. Not everyone drinks soda and a package which included juices, virgin drinks, and coffees would be appreciated.

[sweetpee_1993]

I like the idea of a non-alcoholic package that isn't just soda. I don't drink soda. I drink bottled water 99.9% of the time with occassional (not even daily) specialty coffees or juice.

 

Bottled water included in UBP would be great. It was the tipping point for DH & me when we sailed RCI in late 2013.

 

I'm sure all the smokers will completely freak out but smoking indoors in a casino or anywhere is completely unacceptable. In this day & age when we are educated and aware of carcinogens and how they attribute directly to causing cancer it is completely medieval in practice to allow smoking anywhere indoors.

 

Definitely go back to cover charge vs. ala carte at the upcharge venues.

 

Use the main theater to show movies during the day. We did a 14-night Panama Canal on another line. At 9 am several mornings they featured a classic movie in the movie theater. I was pleasantly surprised at how full these classic movie mornings were! Proof positive you don't have to show first-run movies to fill a theater. On Escape they could easily show Brat Pack movies. Particularly on rainy or cold days movies indoors are fabulous people-eaters. Also consider the opportunity to open a concession. Total win/win. Get with it NCL!

 

**edit**

Oh the possibilities with movies in the theater! Midnight horror flicks! Late morning animated features for kids. (because movies in the atrium just don't seem like the best use of that space) Afternoon adventures on the big screen. It'd be easy to gear films to surroundings, theme, age groups during the day, etc.

Edited March 17, 2016 by sweetpee_1993

[Aquahound]

What are some of your tips? Who knows... maybe they'll listen!

 

For me...I just don't like the games NCL plays with their pricing. I know all cruise lines entice people with certain promotions or what appear to be a low price, but it seems NCL is the most prolific with it.

 

That's a little much. That can't possibly be true. If it is, remind me not to sail on Royal Caribbean.

 

No, it is not true. The rule on RCI is 30 minutes. They mark chairs that appear to be held and then remove the items after 30 minutes have passed.

[roboclam]

That's a little much. That can't possibly be true. If it is, remind me not to sail on Royal Caribbean.

 

I hate chair hogs just as much as the next person, but if I leave my chair for 10 or 15 minutes to get a drink/use the restroom/cool off in the pool/etc, I should be able to come back to it.

 

Anyway, I agree with adding coffee/water/etc to the UBP, especially with the price increase. I still enjoy the package regardless.

 

Also, can we get a 24-hour pizza place? Not room service with a charge and a wait, but like...a free walk-up-and-get-a-slice place like on other lines. Good pizza, too...not that "pizza" they have in the buffets lol

Love it, could not agree more...Lots of great suggestions for NCL to consider, nothing here was unreasonable...

Rob

[www3traveler]

As a solo passenger, I would love to see a number of Inside cabins on ALL ships priced as Studios as they are on the "big" ships.

[sparks1093]

If they want to get to the next level as envisioned by Del Rio they should focus on providing a consistent product and consistent service.

[mexico8]

On our last 28 day cruise I played Name that Tune and Trivia frequently and managed to fill a few cards with the signatures that I had attended. After 14 days they had a redemption table set up and had hardly any prizes. They promised that at the end of the next 14 days they would have better prizes for redemption (such as tee shirts and beach bags). They did not. They had a bunch of pens and foam covers for bottles. They had no tee shirts or NCL beach bags etc. People were very upset and there was lots of complaining.

 

They need to have better prizes for these games.

[NLH Arizona]

Another thing NCL could do is to ban e-cigarettes until they are proven safe from starting fires.

 

https://gma.yahoo.com/delta-flight-delayed-e-cigarette-ignites-passengers-carry-102834337--abc-news-topstories.html

 

What if this were to happen in a cabin when the passengers were out for the night.

Edited March 17, 2016 by NLH Arizona

[Teends]

The new management seems even more focused on increasing revenue streams than the prior regime. I think not only NCL, but all cruise lines are doing a poorer job as time passes of making the customer feel like they are taking part in a truly wonderful vacation. I feel like cattle most of the time lately.

 

Anyone agree?

[rkaratsu]

Compared to other lines, I find the NCL website to be fairly useless. At a minimum, it seems reasonable for NCL to have current menus. (They could always have disclaimers but seems pretty simple for them to post like every other line.) Virtual tours of actual cabins would also be nice; if I didn't know better, looking at the current floor plans I would think that *all* of the balcony cabins were the same.

 

And agree that at least water should be added to the UBP.

 

RK

[Kfamilycruise]

Compared to other lines, I find the NCL website to be fairly useless. At a minimum, it seems reasonable for NCL to have current menus. (They could always have disclaimers but seems pretty simple for them to post like every other line.) Virtual tours of actual cabins would also be nice; if I didn't know better, looking at the current floor plans I would think that *all* of the balcony cabins were the same.

 

And agree that at least water should be added to the UBP.

 

RK

 

This times 10. The website is so painful! And bottled water as well as good coffee options as another poster said would be amazing.

 

I also completely agree with some sort of teen package. As I get closer to my upcoming cruise, my just turned 13-year-old will be galavanting around the ship on his own. It would be great if I knew he could do arcade unlimited, etc...

[roboclam]

All of the above and then some...I would love to see some "upgraded/new" itineraries to different places in the Caribbean that NCL has not gone to 100 times a year...I would love to see a 10+ day cruise south that included the "ABC's" as well as some of the other southern Caribbean islands...St Lucia, Barbados...Could be some great cruises/itineraries" with a little thought and or imagination...

Rob

[Marine Mom]

That's a little much. That can't possibly be true. If it is, remind me not to sail on Royal Caribbean.

 

I hate chair hogs just as much as the next person, but if I leave my chair for 10 or 15 minutes to get a drink/use the restroom/cool off in the pool/etc, I should be able to come back to it.

 

Anyway, I agree with adding coffee/water/etc to the UBP, especially with the price increase. I still enjoy the package regardless.

 

I agree with you, it was a little much. My family and I actually made jokes about it.

Edited March 17, 2016 by Marine Mom

[beerman2]

Pizza Place besides the buffet would be good. How about a WING place, and not the limited flavor in O'Sheehan's.

 

Better yet now that Kevin Sheehan is gone take that venue and make it Pizza, Wing's and a few Apps. Type place.

[Barb Nahoumi]

I would like to see Charlston. S.C.,added to some of the Boston to Bermuda cruises. Yes, this would lengthen the cruise by a few days, but there are some who would like that. That's why I said "some of the cruises."

[sfaaa]

No Frills pricing option on every cruise.