Why so much negativity?

[swedish weave]

And they are gamblers

 

 

And they are shrewd negotiators.

 

I got a lot of exposure to the Chinese shipping companies when I worked in the transportation business.

 

It is not easy to gain an advantage on them in business.

Edited August 12, 2016 by swedish weave

[Computer Nerd]

I actually cancelled 3 cruises, and I LIKE Pepsi products. I have had it with the 'customer last' ethos that has become NCL. The goal now is revenue management. The current leadership team is out to extract every cent it can out of a captive audience, and it is starting to show. They have made a multitude of changes recently that show only complete disregard for the customer base. And that is the point that those of us that have cancelled are trying to make.

 

That is actually quite ridiculous.

 

 

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and do you mind explaining how you think, in your opinion, why it is so ridiculous. i completely agree with the poster, ncl is simply out for more profit, no matter how much they piss their customers off. even their most loyal customers will only take so much of it.

Edited August 13, 2016 by Computer Nerd

[Computer Nerd]

May be but some mass cruise lines like NCL are banking on the Chinese to right the ship and their balance sheet. China is still a growing cruise market and their cash rich consumers have a lot of yuan to throw around. Likely more than enough to replace every disgruntled NCL cruiser here on cc.

 

that may be true, but how happy with the north american ncl cheerleaders be when the only ship they have to sail on is the sun because ever other ncl ship is sailing out of bejing. ;)

[deliver42]

I'm not into the stock market, so I can't give any imput to that, but just an idea. In almost every industry, market share actually shows the product's strength. Is there any report of NCL's market share now as opposed to ,say, 2 years ago?That may be a truer trend.

[Usgrant39]

and do you mind explaining how you think, in your opinion, why it is so ridiculous. i completely agree with the poster, ncl is simply out for more profit, no matter how much they piss their customers off. even their most loyal customers will only take so much of it.

 

 

 

As a recently retired executive of a fortune 200 company, this description is not realistic. I hope the grass is greener on the other side.

 

 

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[Computer Nerd]

As a recently retired executive of a fortune 200 company, this description is not realistic. I hope the grass is greener on the other side.

 

 

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then how do you explain frank del rio's statement, roughly stated, of their aim to get 5 more dollars from each cruise passenger. looks like they are doing everything they can to accomplish that and pissing people off all along the way.

 

considering my travels on carnival more than double my travels on ncl....9 cruises vs 4 cruises....i know the grass is greener on the other side. ;)

[Usgrant39]

then how do you explain frank del rio's statement, roughly stated, of their aim to get 5 more dollars from each cruise passenger. looks like they are doing everything they can to accomplish that and pissing people off all along the way.

 

 

 

considering my travels on carnival more than double my travels on ncl....9 cruises vs 4 cruises....i know the grass is greener on the other

 

This line of negativity doesn't warrant my time. I enjoy the positives. Good luck. Life is short

 

 

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[swedish weave]

then how do you explain frank del rio's statement, roughly stated, of their aim to get 5 more dollars from each cruise passenger. looks like they are doing everything they can to accomplish that and pissing people off all along the way.

 

considering my travels on carnival more than double my travels on ncl....9 cruises vs 4 cruises....i know the grass is greener on the other side. ;)

 

I will agree with your statement. I had basically a back to back on the NCL Jewel and Carnival miracle in January of this year and the Carnival experience was a lot better than the NCL cruise for me.

Edited August 13, 2016 by swedish weave

[NLH Arizona]

then how do you explain frank del rio's statement, roughly stated, of their aim to get 5 more dollars from each cruise passenger.

It is the same thing as a company saying that they will increase profits by X%, something all companies strive for. Maybe he should have just said his aim was to increase profits X%, because that is something, I'm guessing, some people don't understand as the company is going to be making that percent up through what they charge their customers.:rolleyes:

[sparks1093]

It is the same thing as a company saying that they will increase profits by X%, something all companies strive for. Maybe he should have just said his aim was to increase profits X%, because that is something, I'm guessing, some people don't understand as the company is going to be making that percent up through what they charge their customers.:rolleyes:

 

There are a whole lot of things he could have said differently or not said at all, but he's used to the clientele on Oceania and Regent and let's face it, the way people that have lots of money look at things is vastly different than the way people without lots of money look at things. Del Rio has a long way to go to turn NCL into the premium line he envisions and from what I've seen it's going to be a long uphill battle and he might not make it.

[NLH Arizona]

There are a whole lot of things he could have said differently or not said at all, but he's used to the clientele on Oceania and Regent and let's face it, the way people that have lots of money look at things is vastly different than the way people without lots of money look at things. Del Rio has a long way to go to turn NCL into the premium line he envisions and from what I've seen it's going to be a long uphill battle and he might not make it.

There are a lot of things a lot of CEO's say that could be said differently, but in reality what he said is no different than a CEO saying he is going to increase profits by X, he just said it in a different way.

 

I don't believe NCL will ever become a premium line, but that is my opinion. They have their niche and it would cost way too much money and take way too long to change the perception that they are a low budget/mass market cruise line for it to become successful in turning their ships into a premium line ship. I have friends (they cruise on Celebrity) that would never set foot on an NCL ship because of how they perceive it and they say they would never set foot on a ship that has cartoons painted on their hulls. Of course, I disagree with them, but no matter how much positive things I tell them, it is a no go for them. BTW, they wouldn't set foot on a Carnival ship either.

[sparks1093]

There are a lot of things a lot of CEO's say that could be said differently, but in reality what he said is no different than a CEO saying he is going to increase profits by X, he just said it in a different way.

 

I don't believe NCL will ever become a premium line, but that is my opinion. They have their niche and it would cost way too much money and take way too long to change the perception that they are a low budget/mass market cruise line for it to become successful in turning their ships into a premium line ship. I have friends (they cruise on Celebrity) that would never set foot on an NCL ship because of how they perceive it and they say they would never set foot on a ship that has cartoons painted on their hulls. Of course, I disagree with them, but no matter how much positive things I tell them, it is a no go for them. BTW, they wouldn't set foot on a Carnival ship either.

 

I don't think he'll pull it off either, because to me "premium" means more inclusive, so I would expect more things to be included on board, not less. But if he is focusing on new cruisers (as many say that he is) then he won't be all that concerned about folks like your friends or even folks like me that have cruised NCL in the past.

[NLH Arizona]

I don't think he'll pull it off either, because to me "premium" means more inclusive, so I would expect more things to be included on board, not less. But if he is focusing on new cruisers (as many say that he is) then he won't be all that concerned about folks like your friends or even folks like me that have cruised NCL in the past.

I don't think premium means more inclusive. On Celebrity, other than the room service charge (which I've never used), I can't think of anything else that is included. I still have to pay for beverages/beverage packages, photos, spa services, specialty restaurants, their entertainment isn't worth paying for, thus I don't think they could charge for it, etc. If you can think of anything included that NCL charges for, please remind me of those things. Now, luxury lines like Crystal have more included items; like, specialty restaurants (only certain number of times per cruise free), beverages, etc.

 

If I was so concerned over what a CEO says or gets paid or where a company's stock is, I probably wouldn't purchase most of the things I enjoy or need, but thankfully I could give a rat's behind about all three and I can enjoy my life without always thinking a company is out to get me (I'm in no way saying you feel this way).

Edited August 13, 2016 by NLH Arizona

[sparks1093]

I don't think premium means more inclusive. On Celebrity, other than the room service charge (which I've never used), I can't think of anything else that is included. I still have to pay for beverages/beverage packages, photos, spa services, specialty restaurants, their entertainment isn't worth paying for, thus I don't think they could charge for it, etc. If you can think of anything included that NCL charges for, please remind me of those things. Now, luxury lines like Crystal have more included items; like, specialty restaurants (only certain number of times per cruise free), beverages, etc.

 

If I was so concerned over what a CEO says or gets paid or where a company's stock is, I probably wouldn't purchase most of the things I enjoy or need, but thankfully I could give a rat's behind about all three and I can enjoy my life without always thinking a company is out to get me (I'm in no way saying you feel this way).

 

Then what makes a line premium? Admittedly we all have different definitions. I've never sailed on Celebrity so why are they considered premium and NCL isn't? What are the distinctions that matter? It has to be more than just passenger perception.

[NLH Arizona]

Then what makes a line premium? Admittedly we all have different definitions. I've never sailed on Celebrity so why are they considered premium and NCL isn't? What are the distinctions that matter? It has to be more than just passenger perception.

Food is better, not only taste but offerings in the MDR (I don't eat in NCL's MDR after a couple of tries). I use to think NCL's buffet was better, but on my last Celebrity cruise, theirs was hands down better, especially the pasta bar. The cabins are larger; my first cruise on NCL was in a balcony cabin and I was shocked how much smaller it was versus a Celebrity balcony cabin. The linens are better. The toiletries in the cabin are better (not the thing on the wall with only bath soap and shampoo). Less smoking on Celebrity (casino). Canyon Ranch Spa is a plus to me. Some of the bars are more interesting to me. There is a dress code (I was a little shocked on my first NCL cruise to see grown men with baseball caps on in the MDR and specialty restaurants while having dinner). There are less children.

 

I cruise with a luxury line (Crystal), a premium line (Celebrity) and a mass-market line (NCL) and I enjoy each one for what the experience is on that cruise line's ships. When I'm on a cruise, I don't say "oh, X does this better" or "this is different than from what X does", I just embrace the differences and it makes for a lovely cruise no matter what cruise line I'm on. NCL offers a great value for my cruising dollars, especially with their CAS (Celebrity's Blue Chip Club sucks, IMO) offerings (I still pay more than what many pay for their cruise on NCL, but I get a nice upgrade to an aft penthouse) and that is why I added NCL to my mix, so that I could go on more cruises. Many of my friends don't understand why I also cruise on NCL, but until they are not of value to me or their service declines to a point where I'm disappointed, I'll stick with them in my mix of lines.

[sparks1093]

Food is better, not only taste but offerings in the MDR (I don't eat in NCL's MDR after a couple of tries). I use to think NCL's buffet was better, but on my last Celebrity cruise, theirs was hands down better, especially the pasta bar. The cabins are larger; my first cruise on NCL was in a balcony cabin and I was shocked how much smaller it was versus a Celebrity balcony cabin. The linens are better. The toiletries in the cabin are better (not the thing on the wall with only bath soap and shampoo). Less smoking on Celebrity (casino). Canyon Ranch Spa is a plus to me. Some of the bars are more interesting to me. There is a dress code (I was a little shocked on my first NCL cruise to see grown men with baseball caps on in the MDR and specialty restaurants while having dinner). There are less children.

 

I cruise with a luxury line (Crystal), a premium line (Celebrity) and a mass-market line (NCL) and I enjoy each one for what the experience is on that cruise line's ships. When I'm on a cruise, I don't say "oh, X does this better" or "this is different than from what X does", I just embrace the differences and it makes for a lovely cruise no matter what cruise line I'm on. NCL offers a great value for my cruising dollars, especially with their CAS (Celebrity's Blue Chip Club sucks, IMO) offerings (I still pay more than what many pay for their cruise on NCL, but I get a nice upgrade to an aft penthouse) and that is why I added NCL to my mix, so that I could go on more cruises. Many of my friends don't understand why I also cruise on NCL, but until they are not of value to me or their service declines to a point where I'm disappointed, I'll stick with them in my mix of lines.

 

Thank you. I can just see Del Rio mucking with freestyle and trying to impose a dress code :eek:.

[NLH Arizona]

Thank you. I can just see Del Rio mucking with freestyle and trying to impose a dress code :eek:.

One thing I forgot, I think Celebrity's ships are more subdued and classy in their interior appearance, while NCL is a little more garish, for not a better word.

[Usgrant39]

Food is better, not only taste but offerings in the MDR (I don't eat in NCL's MDR after a couple of tries). I use to think NCL's buffet was better, but on my last Celebrity cruise, theirs was hands down better, especially the pasta bar. The cabins are larger; my first cruise on NCL was in a balcony cabin and I was shocked how much smaller it was versus a Celebrity balcony cabin. The linens are better. The toiletries in the cabin are better (not the thing on the wall with only bath soap and shampoo). Less smoking on Celebrity (casino). Canyon Ranch Spa is a plus to me. Some of the bars are more interesting to me. There is a dress code (I was a little shocked on my first NCL cruise to see grown men with baseball caps on in the MDR and specialty restaurants while having dinner). There are less children.

 

 

 

I cruise with a luxury line (Crystal), a premium line (Celebrity) and a mass-market line (NCL) and I enjoy each one for what the experience is on that cruise line's ships. When I'm on a cruise, I don't say "oh, X does this better" or "this is different than from what X does", I just embrace the differences and it makes for a lovely cruise no matter what cruise line I'm on. NCL offers a great value for my cruising dollars, especially with their CAS (Celebrity's Blue Chip Club sucks, IMO) offerings (I still pay more than what many pay for their cruise on NCL, but I get a nice upgrade to an aft penthouse) and that is why I added NCL to my mix, so that I could go on more cruises. Many of my friends don't understand why I also cruise on NCL, but until they are not of value to me or their service declines to a point where I'm disappointed, I'll stick with them in my mix of lines.

 

 

 

I totally agree and share the same approach

 

 

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[sparks1093]

One thing I forgot, I think Celebrity's ships are more subdued and classy in their interior appearance, while NCL is a little more garish, for not a better word.

 

I've seen pictures so I think it's more than a little;). I can't remember if I mentioned it in this thread or not but I checked prices on a Gem sailing out of NYC for June 2017 and it was $300 more than the Celebrity cruise out of NJ, so if I wanted to spend that kind of money I'd probably be giving Celebrity a shot (but of course I am not at a point where I want to spend that kind of money yet:), we can use the savings to go to Germany for our other vacation).

[SteveH2508]

Thank you. I can just see Del Rio mucking with freestyle and trying to impose a dress code :eek:.

 

Only if he can find a way to extract extra dollars for it. ;)

 

Tux hire; dress-down fines and reservation fees anyone?:rolleyes:

[Linda the Book Lover]

Last night my friend and I enjoyed a chat about her upcoming cruise. She told me that water on RCCL was 12-pack (1-liter bottles) $47.00 USD. On NCL it is 12-pack (1-liter bottles) $39.95 USD. Perhaps the difference is Aquafina vs Evian. They do not get the free bottle of water we receive on NCl or the 1 bottles each person on Carnival. The wine she and her DH drink is $43.00 at 4 times the price they purchase on sale and 3 times the regular price. True not everyone buys the water or any adult beverages but pricing is going up on lines. It is interesting reading what everyone has written both pro and con.

[fshagan]

Last night my friend and I enjoyed a chat about her upcoming cruise. She told me that water on RCCL was 12-pack (1-liter bottles) $47.00 USD. On NCL it is 12-pack (1-liter bottles) $39.95 USD. Perhaps the difference is Aquafina vs Evian. They do not get the free bottle of water we receive on NCl or the 1 bottles each person on Carnival. The wine she and her DH drink is $43.00 at 4 times the price they purchase on sale and 3 times the regular price. True not everyone buys the water or any adult beverages but pricing is going up on lines. It is interesting reading what everyone has written both pro and con.

 

That is interesting ... thanks for reporting that. We are looking at RCL right now for a Pacific Coastal cruise as they have the hand's down best pricing on the itinerary (and NCL's recent changes have us looking for more options, even with restrictive dining).

 

I was less outraged by NCL's water price when I looked at the website and realized we were talking about 1 liter bottles of Auqafina that run $1.99 each at my local Von's Supermarket (cheaper in other places, but still a premium bottled water). Our friends who sail RCL say they love the experience (formal nights and all) but do say the prices have increased quite a bit. They are also looking at other lines.

 

Why so much negativity? There's an old phrase that explains some of it: Familiarity breeds contempt. When people spend every day pouring over discussions about something like a hospitality or entertainment company (think Disney) then you sometimes see it in action. The person starts enthusiastic and the company is darn near perfect, then they realize there's something that bugs them. Like a rough spot on a tooth that the tongue can't seem to stay away from, the person is drawn to the negativity like a moth to a flame. Soon the person turns from positive to negative. They become hypersensitive to anything negative, and unconsciously start gathering facts or making lists of the negative things.

 

That's not everyone who is complaining, of course (see disclaimer, below). But I think that has something to do with it because someone who doesn't read about the changes may not actually experience any of them on their next cruise.

 

Disclaimer for Fellow Forumites: Because this is Cruise Critic, understand that this message is not directed at you, or any other poster, or any person real or imagined, or any person living or dead, or their service dogs. The phrase I used is not meant to disparage, insult, or torment any individual person or persons, nor is it used in a derogatory or demeaning manner. I apologize in advance for any grammatical errors, neologisms you don't understand or accept, cultural insensitivity or unintentional affronts to your sensibilities.

[Linda the Book Lover]

fshagan,

 

I loved your disclaimer:D

[xriva]

That is an excellent disclaimer. I hope you weren't offended by what was meant to be a compliment.

 

 

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[NLH Arizona]

Love the disclaimer and I thought your post was spot on.