Can't bring soda on board anymore

[Skippy915]

Recently booked on the Gem for the 7/30/16 sailing. Just received an e-mail about a policy change, effective 7/15/16. No beverages allowed to be brought on board, except water for medical devices or infant formula,and sealed wine bottles. In a nutshell, it's stating it's due to the screening process slowing the embarkation process. :(

[Boschmann]

It's really hard to take any reason NCL advances seriously when every daily has language that says, "for your convenience" a $7.95 charge is made for room service.

 

I know in the 21st a Century we're all almost immune to market speak, but that's downright insulting. For purposes of this discussion though, I think it makes clear that NCL will say pretty much anything and you can't take any of it seriously.

 

The best deception in their statement is calling it a security issue. People confuse that term with airlines and terrorism. The "security" NCL is talking about has little to do with your safety. It has everything to do with NCL combating smugglers and increasing their bottom line by reducing effort spent on contraband inspections. Extra non-UBP covered drinks sales revenue is an added plus.

[Merriem]

I think you have already made it abundantly clear that it will not affect you since you are never cruising again on NCL. And yet you still have an opinion.

 

So I am not allowed to have an opinion. Our first cruise was on NCL the Southward , then we did South America on the Norwegian Crown, and lastly The Norway a transatlantic . We cruised every line out there and last September on the Breakaway, then the Sun, and lastly and by far the worst, the POA.

 

We enjoyed NCL in the beginning, and actually enjoyed our Owners suite on the Breakaway. The Sun was fine as we got a really good price for a suite for another South America trip..the next month we did the repositing on POA which IMHO was pathetic . We did stop at Safeway and get a case of water to take on the ship.

 

So I admit we will never cruise on NCL for several reasons...all the extra charges, the food is poor, and service is mediocre at best. However I am well travel on NCL and how they got it so screwed up is beyond me. We did enjoy most of those trips. Please don't be critical of others who express their opinion and agree with the posters that this is by far the cheapest thing they have pulled.

[MaryZ]

Well I sent an email expressing my dissatisfaction about the price of water.

 

They are doing this not for my safety and security but to cull the delivery time of luggage to cabins. This way their staff, that they have reduced, can go back to cleaning cabins, serving food etc spending less time delivering luggage.

 

I don't drink soda. I drink bottled water. We have 30 days planned on the Epic next year. We will still go and if they do not reduce the price of water or add it to the beverage package, I will just stay out of the casino for my own little protest. Which will actually save me more money than I will spend on their water. :D

[NCLStarHawaii2003]

You weren't responding to me, but that's a very ignorant statement. These changes affect everyone differently. We've done just 5 NCL cruises, and each one has gotten better and better -- certainly not because of the changes, but in spite of them. I keep waiting for the shoe to drop, but it hasn't. I've never carried on pop or water, and had no plans to do so. I know there are some that still feel I should run for the hills, but my cruise a month ago was the best ever. At some point there will probably be a change or issue that might drive me away, but for now, I'm still getting value for my dollar. I spend lots and lots of time researching other cruise lines, and this one still has what I want right now. That doesn't mean my expectations are low, just different than yours. I expect excellent service, excellent food, excellent entertainment, and lots and lots of options for music and fun. I am getting it on NCL, better than ever. Others' mileage will vary. Thank God we aren't all identical. I don't agree with a lot of these changes, but until I feel my overall cruise experience has been altered, I'm happy with my current booking. (As soon as RCCL drops it's prices a bit, I'd love to sail one of their big ships!) Calling it low expectations is simply naive or ignorant.

I am neither naïve nor ignorant; I just remember a different NCL than you apparently do; as I have witnessed the decline on my journey to being a platinum member. I also do not bring my own beverages aboard; aside from a Brita water bottle with a filter for port excursions. I actually speak with the staff, and the tone has absolutely changed since my first cruise in 2003. I am glad you are having a good experience; and hope you continue to do so. For me; my last cruise reward and subsequent journey with NCL will end this September.

[SASSYnLV]

I think they are being very honest about it, this is truly a safety and security risk, they said it twice. Just like on the Airlines. If everyone is going to bring on containers and let's be honest many bring on bottles that are filled with Alcohol that are trying to beat the system and it has been happening for many years now. our world is changing and they have to protect their customers and their brand.

We live in a world where you do not know what can happen next and Cruise Ships hold thousands of people.......it is an absolutely horrible thought but they have to be aware and keep us safe.

So if they want to do that, then I am fine with it. Just like at the airports, keep me safe that is all I ask. You want me to take off everything but my bra and underwear so be it. I would rather be safe then sorry.

I know many may not feel the same way, but my two cents.

This is in the big picture of things.

Also a side note, I have been on over 30 cruises myself, almost every line. The "Tap" water on the ship IS purified water? I have never noticed a difference.

 

I think I could do more more damage to someone's "safety" with a heavy glass wine bottle then a 12 ounce plastic bottle.

Just saying....

 

Safety haha what a crock.

 

just curious do you think people have the equipment at home to shrink wrap a 24 pack of bottles? you know when you buy them in any store they have that heavy duty plastic all around them.

I worked in a store for years where we shrunk wrap baskets, and our plastic was nothing like the stuff around water bottles.

[SASSYnLV]

Yuk!

I am one of those people that dislikes the taste of tap water on a ship?

Doesn't quench my thirst.

Bottled water is the only way to go.

 

The water on every different line of cruise ships makes my ankles swell after a few days, it does have more salt in it.

 

In addition, on one cruise, don't remember which cruise line, Celebrity or Princess, at the buffet the water reeked of bleach. I almost spit the water across the table! I got up, found an officer and told him to smell the water. He went running into the kitchen.

 

And did you notice in their article that if you are making babies formula you are allowed to bring on bottled water. So, the water isn't that great for babies. And for some adults with certain medical conditions you need a note from you md.

[BirdTravels]

I am neither naïve nor ignorant; I just remember a different NCL than you apparently do; as I have witnessed the decline on my journey to being a platinum member. I also do not bring my own beverages aboard; aside from a Brita water bottle with a filter for port excursions. I actually speak with the staff, and the tone has absolutely changed since my first cruise in 2003. I am glad you are having a good experience; and hope you continue to do so. For me; my last cruise reward and subsequent journey with NCL will end this September.

 

The quality of service continues to increase. We have done over 20 NCL cruises and have enjoyed each one. Sure,,,, if I had to nit pick and whine, I could, but those items are minor compared to the overall great experience.

 

People tend to gripe about wanting the good 'ole days. When we first started cruising, we had to pay for the use of a deck chair and had to wear a formal dinner attire, else be turned away from dining. If you really like the good 'ole days, they are gone. And never coming back on any cruise line. And the cruise lines continue to evolve to cater to the contemporary cruisers.

[SASSYnLV]

Huh?

 

Carnivals policy is allowing 1 bottle of wine per person, cans and drinks in cartons okay too up to 12oz per container. just no plastic bottles brought on.

 

RCI policy is 2 bottles of wine per room, and they have not allowed carry on cans or bottles of soft drinks/water in years, though they rarely enforce it.

 

you are right, they don't enforce it, I have done it!

[LMaxwell]

I do empathize with people that place importance on this. It is not that important to me, but some of the other changes were, and I was among those ridiculed for valuing those amenities or features. So I do understand the disappointment and/or potential added costs to your vacation budget. You won't see me ridicule anyone upset over this takeaway.

[LMaxwell]

And the cruise lines continue to evolve to cater to the contemporary cruisers.

 

I don't think this change caters to the contemporary cruiser. It is easy to see people are upset by the takeaway. Evolving usually means starting to do something new in the place of something old. This isn't that. This is taking something that was allowed until now and cutting it off entirely.

[BirdTravels]

We'll be stocking up on bottled water from the casino bar.

[Feelin' Nauti']

NCLStarHawaii2003

For me; my last cruise reward and subsequent journey with NCL will end this September

.

With all the unfavorable comments on NCL,

for me my first and last long cruise will be in Nov. :cool:

[hawkeyetlse]

Has anyone else heard about this? Please give your opinion here.

[BirdTravels]

When NCL makes the change that finally affects you -- and they will -- you will be singing a different tune.

 

We have done a dozen NCL cruises over the past 2 years (3 this year already). Each change does "affect" us. We've been on cancelled cruises. We have been on cruises with changed itineraries. We have (until now) carried water onboard. We ate for free at Margaritaville on our first Escape cruise and paid on our second. We started with the 7-night UDP and are down to a 3-night SDP. It's all part of an evolutionary process which we embrace.

 

When we started cruising, you had to pay for deck chairs and wear formal dinner attire to be admitted to the dining room. The restaurant maître d would pull out tins of beluga caviar for you and flambe desserts tableside nightly. You had a reserved 2-top table that was for you exclusive use during the entire cruise,,,, morning, noon, and night. Any time you showed up to the dining room, your table was waiting for you.

 

Change is good. We embrace change since it helps make the overall experience better.

 

Do we ever miss having a reserved table in the dining room,,, sure sometimes,,, it always made you feel special,,, but at the end of the day, it really doesn't matter.

 

Do we miss chicken fingers from the lunch menu, not at all. Do we appreciate having poached salmon, pho, and scallops,,, most certainly. Change is good.

[triptolemus]

We'll be stocking up on bottled water from the casino bar.

 

Until they start charging you for it.

[Fido Chuckwagon]

Interesting...

 

Lots of people here were happy when Kevin Sheehan was shown the door last year. Hope they are still happy with the "new" NCL.

 

Can't wait to see what changes next.

 

Who was happy when Sheehan was shown the door? He was great. He turned NCL from a struggling company into a successful one with brand loyalty and customers who loved it. Del Rio is doing the opposite.

[tallyho8]

So I wonder if I will have any trouble bringing my SodaStream on board?

[cruizinwithkids]

Who was happy when Sheehan was shown the door? He was great. He turned NCL from a struggling company into a successful one with brand loyalty and customers who loved it. Del Rio is doing the opposite.

 

I remember when these boards were in an uproar because of Sheehan's arrival to NCL. People were appalled because he was a "bean counter." I remember that because, I'm a bean counter so didn't think we were all so bad. :D

[Boschmann]

So I wonder if I will have any trouble bringing my SodaStream on board?

 

Built my own version as I have problems with the SodaStream company politically. Your post was perhaps sarcastic, but I thought about this also. Unfortunately, a high pressure CO2 container would be difficult to get on planes & ship.

[Hunwolf]

I think they are being very honest about it, this is truly a safety and security risk, they said it twice. Just like on the Airlines. If everyone is going to bring on containers and let's be honest many bring on bottles that are filled with Alcohol that are trying to beat the system and it has been happening for many years now. our world is changing and they have to protect their customers and their brand.

 

We live in a world where you do not know what can happen next and Cruise Ships hold thousands of people.......it is an absolutely horrible thought but they have to be aware and keep us safe.

 

So if they want to do that, then I am fine with it. Just like at the airports, keep me safe that is all I ask. You want me to take off everything but my bra and underwear so be it. I would rather be safe then sorry.

 

I know many may not feel the same way, but my two cents.

 

This is in the big picture of things.

 

Also a side note, I have been on over 30 cruises myself, almost every line. The "Tap" water on the ship IS purified water? I have never noticed a difference.

 

 

 

I think I could do more more damage to someone's "safety" with a heavy glass wine bottle then a 12 ounce plastic bottle.

 

Just saying....

 

 

 

Safety haha what a crock.

 

 

 

The large majority of security measures put in place in this country are absolute window dressing. TSA is more worried about hassling/screening cancer patients with chemo pumps than finding real security risks.

[Cruise Junky]

Wonderful :rolleyes: I just convince DH that NCL not including cans of soda and bottled water in their drink package isn't a big deal as we can stock up in Barcelona. Guess I'm cancelling tomorrow and sticking with Celebrity.

[RDC1]

I think I could do more more damage to someone's "safety" with a heavy glass wine bottle then a 12 ounce plastic bottle.

 

Just saying....

 

 

 

Safety haha what a crock.

 

 

 

The large majority of security measures put in place in this country are absolute window dressing. TSA is more worried about hassling/screening cancer patients with chemo pumps than finding real security risks.

 

The safety issues with water bottles is not the bottle, it is what can be put in them. Which can be anything from flammable liquids to binary explosive compounds (two separate bottles). They can be opened, the liquid inside replaced and closed. No way to tell without checking every bottle.

Edited July 2, 2016 by RDC1

[Cruise Junky]

The safety issues with water bottles is not the bottle, it is what can be put in them. Which can be anything from flammable liquids to binary explosive compounds (two separate bottles). They can be opened, the liquid inside replaced and closed. No way to tell without checking every bottle.

 

And they still can with a wine bottle, shampoo or conditioner. This is about $$$ plain and simple.

[triptolemus]

The safety issues with water bottles is not the bottle, it is what can be put in them. Which can be anything from flammable liquids to binary explosive compounds (two separate bottles). They can be opened, the liquid inside replaced and closed. No way to tell without checking every bottle.

 

And these safety concerns weren't there prior to July 15, 2016?

 

Give me a break, dude.