Breakaway Latitudes Party

[Lollygil]

I have been to quite a few Latitudes Parties but last week's party on the Breakaway was a disgrace. They grouped the top tiers together for one party at H2O and it was not the usual fanfare. The Captain arrived late, did not want to take any photos with the passengers, made a short speech and then left. The passed appetizers are the canapes you get sent to your room. And that was that. I was really disappointed. This is usually a fun, classy cocktail party where you get to interact with the Officers, other cruisers and get celebrated for being a loyal cruiser.

[mking8288]

LOL, that's exactly what we felt - DW, myself & 2 friends attended the week before you - Capt. Hakan Svedung came & stood near his senior officers in a semi-circle, did his 5 minutes story telling (maybe less, 3 or 4 minutes, whatever) and left, after checking his watch. Most of them did not interact with us nor did they appeared wanting to/interesting - body language !! Sean, one of the senior cruise consultants onboard hosted/M.C.'d the welcoming & closed it with his pitch for CruiseNext. Compared to 2015, yes - definitely far less appetizer being circulated by fewer crew (like those available in the casino late night) ... but, at least drinks were offered. His team officers basically followed him out of H2O.

 

That's his style and he was running the BA last year, same manners but it was hosted in Fat Cats, smaller and attendance was about the same ... He was at the M&G last year, they stayed briefly but took no Q&A, didn't mingle and matched out of LaCucina single column & resumed their duties. Djamel, HD hanged around to chat with a few of us a little longer at the M&G then - but I can't recall whether he was upstairs last month at the member reception. Trending is similar like what's going on with other mass lines - where nobody show up from the ship to mingle, except for the event's liaison or coordinator.

 

Don't let that disappoint you - it is what it is. I still remember one of his comment, which he more of less repeated this time, he's not retiring yet & the Staff Captain is just going to have to wait for his turn. At the least, in their post-cruise eSurveys, they at least ask us about our awareness & participation in CC - put a few words in the last section as comments (1,000 characters) We did share our thoughts with NCL ...

Edited June 9, 2016 by mking8288

[Lollygil]

MKING--good idea. I think NCL should read these comments and the Officers should at least pretend to be enthusiastic about the passengers at the Latitudes party.

[Epiro Funchal]

Part of the reason for the lackluster occasion may be due to the UBP. It seemed like 2/3rd's of the people on the June 5th cruise had it. Consequently there was no incentive to get basic rum punches and whiskey sours when top shelf drinks could be had at any bar on board for no additional cost other than the gratuity.

The event was pretty much sparsely attended.

[BirdTravels]

Part of the reason for the lackluster occasion may be due to the UBP. It seemed like 2/3rd's of the people on the June 5th cruise had it. Consequently there was no incentive to get basic rum punches and whiskey sours when top shelf drinks could be had at any bar on board for no additional cost other than the gratuity. The event was pretty much sparsely attended.

 

Been to 6 Platinum Latitude parties over the past year and all have been heavily attended. At least on the 6 cruises we have been on in the past year have not been impacted by free drinks.

 

Some ships have had latitudes parties, vip parties, and Havens parties. Have not seen a drop of in attendance at any of the parties.

 

Some are better than others. Some captains better than others (in terms of setting the tone for the party). We were on the Escape last month and the captain seemed very impatient and wanted to "get out of there". The officers stayed and "worked the crowd" Shortly after, we saw the captain dining with one of the vip guests in the Haven's restaurant. We were on the Spirit two months ago and we went to two parties that were very heavily attended (standing room only), but once the greeting line was over, the captain and officers left quickly.

[npater]

Yes, I agree completely. We were on the BA on the May 15 sailing and my husband and I went to the latitudes party. The officers were standing at the entrance to spice H20. They were not introduced nor did they speak to the group, which I thought was very strange. And poof they disappeared. I asked my husband where they went and he didn't know. And those drinks were awful anyway. Thought we would hear some of the officers speak. I know we won't be going to those parties anymore. We have gone to them on the Gem, Spirit and Dawn and the party was more personable, we actually had a good time. I even won a couple prizes during the party. They don't do that anymore

[npater]

And forgot to mention the cruise director wasn't even there. He was very invisible the entire cruise

[Sizzlechest]

I think it's time for NCL to try a new drink. Those rum punches are awful.

[mking8288]

Perhaps, it has to do with the mega-ships ?? The smaller ships do a much, much better job at hosting the parties ... even the one we had on the POA.

 

And forgot to mention the cruise director wasn't even there. He was very invisible the entire cruise

BA - Dan Dan was still onboard on 5/15 ? For 5/22, we had Soozy (didn't get to see what she looked like as we didn't go to most of the pool/outdoor events, etc. - pleasant voice as I recall) and if she was at H2O, Sean as the CC didn't introduce her.

I think it's time for NCL to try a new drink. Those rum punches are awful.

LOL. House wine in a glass was available last year. We didn't go for the bubble ones either so they brought us virgin ones (fruit punch or whatever it was.)

Edited June 17, 2016 by mking8288

[npater]

Yes Dan Dan was still there