Ncl avid fan but just jumped ship and booked MSC Seaview !

[ArtyUK]

Hi all,

 

I love NCL cruises ( we are a family of 4) , cruised with them many times but since they have moved to all inclusive in the U.K. I think they have priced themselves out of the market, so I've booked MSC Seaview for next August, brand new ship, great prices and different intinery ( we cruised with MSC 5 years ago and it felt like an Italian party boat but we loved it ) would appreciated anyone's thoughts on the new NCL pricing structure and MSC in general

[Beamafar]

Keep an eye out for the reviews of Seaside from December next as she's Seaview's sister ship and will debut at the end of the year.

 

Every once in a while I look at other cruiselines - then run back to MSC for the prices!!! They have to be the best value around. I've never felt nickled and dimed, either, onboard. From what I've gleaned over the years, the impression I have is that other companies are inclined to rip you off onboard, be it drinks and packages, excursions, etc. Also, having to pre-book shows and speciality restaurants months prior to sailing hasn't been a feature with MSC (though it looks like that's going to change when Cirque du Soleil and the VIP parade viewing on Meraviglia come onstream and people begin having problems if they wait 'til onboard to book their dining table for these events and find there isn't available seating).

[CruisinMaterial]

I was a NCL person for quite awhile. The company took the economic downturn in the US economy pretty badly and it has only worsened with the company's IPO in the US stock markets. Once investors are involved, most cruise companies go to crap. NCL is no longer the friendly company I once knew. The crew are overworked due to cutbacks. The crew I know who have been with the company, the few who haven't been selectively fired for stupid reasons due to having high wages, are looking to work elsewhere. NCL really has changed. At least you have the inclusive pricing option in the UK. In the USA, NCL continues to nickle and dime to death their passengers before they even board the ship. Unfortunately, the continue to be the only cruise line which heavily caters to solo travelers.

 

Where was this rant going? :confused: LOL

 

I'm looking at the Seaside as a reunion cruise with some cruisers I met on Princess in 2005 before switching to NCL. We have decided as we've been talking we want to go on a cruise line none of us is loyal too. One is Princess still, the other RCCL, and me with NCL. That's when we saw the Seaside with her amenities and distinct shape. She has a lot like the Breakaway class, only without the sticker pricing. I'm really hoping Seaside passenger flow is better. The Breakaway is not enjoyable as there is not enough space for the passenger count in public areas where they host entertainment.

 

I'm awaiting the first reviews myself before booking Seaside in 2018. I always post a review so be on the lookout for it in mid 2018 if you want a good read!

[ExpatBride]

In the USA, NCL continues to nickle and dime to death their passengers before they even board the ship.

 

Even with the nickel and diming, it's still cheaper to book NCL via a US agent with promos than to book the AI out of the UK or the EU. I have credit cards and addresses in all 3 markets and the US consistently comes in at the lowest price overall.

[ArtyUK]

Even with the nickel and diming, it's still cheaper to book NCL via a US agent with promos than to book the AI out of the UK or the EU. I have credit cards and addresses in all 3 markets and the US consistently comes in at the lowest price overall.

 

I've heard that's the way to do it, do you use a friends address in the US? We have found NCL competitive until they went all inclusive

[ArtyUK]

I was a NCL person for quite awhile. The company took the economic downturn in the US economy pretty badly and it has only worsened with the company's IPO in the US stock markets. Once investors are involved, most cruise companies go to crap. NCL is no longer the friendly company I once knew. The crew are overworked due to cutbacks. The crew I know who have been with the company, the few who haven't been selectively fired for stupid reasons due to having high wages, are looking to work elsewhere. NCL really has changed. At least you have the inclusive pricing option in the UK. In the USA, NCL continues to nickle and dime to death their passengers before they even board the ship. Unfortunately, the continue to be the only cruise line which heavily caters to solo travelers.

 

Where was this rant going? :confused: LOL

 

I'm looking at the Seaside as a reunion cruise with some cruisers I met on Princess in 2005 before switching to NCL. We have decided as we've been talking we want to go on a cruise line none of us is loyal too. One is Princess still, the other RCCL, and me with NCL. That's when we saw the Seaside with her amenities and distinct shape. She has a lot like the Breakaway class, only without the sticker pricing. I'm really hoping Seaside passenger flow is better. The Breakaway is not enjoyable as there is not enough space for the passenger count in public areas where they host entertainment.

 

I'm awaiting the first reviews myself before booking Seaside in 2018. I always post a review so be on the lookout for it in mid 2018 if you want a good read!

 

I really love NCL they are great for families and up until they went all inclusive in the UK they were competitive, we have just been on the Escape and Getaway so the Seaview as you say looks very similar, we love the flexible dinning and this was key to booking with anyone else, although with MSC you need to book a balcony or above to get it

[JUSRN]

We are NCL junkies too but they are pricing themselves out of my budget.

We went on MSC Divina last September because the price was so good. They upgraded us to Yacht Club at a very reasonable price and we are hooked!!!

 

My only concern in a bella room on Divina is that we probably will not be able to get a table for 2 in the MDR. That's the one thing I LOVE on NCL.

[ArtyUK]

Keep an eye out for the reviews of Seaside from December next as she's Seaview's sister ship and will debut at the end of the year.

 

Every once in a while I look at other cruiselines - then run back to MSC for the prices!!! They have to be the best value around. I've never felt nickled and dimed, either, onboard. From what I've gleaned over the years, the impression I have is that other companies are inclined to rip you off onboard, be it drinks and packages, excursions, etc. Also, having to pre-book shows and speciality restaurants months prior to sailing hasn't been a feature with MSC (though it looks like that's going to change when Cirque du Soleil and the VIP parade viewing on Meraviglia come onstream and people begin having problems if they wait 'til onboard to book their dining table for these events and find there isn't available seating).

 

When we first cruised and sailed we went with MSC and discovered we did not like pre booked dinner times and sitting with people you don't know so now that MSC are offering flexible dining we thought we would try it again. We went with NCL mainly for the flexible dinning and good prices, so I'm excited to try something different. We've booked Aurea to get flexible dining.

[CruisinMaterial]

I really love NCL they are great for families and up until they went all inclusive in the UK they were competitive, we have just been on the Escape and Getaway so the Seaview as you say looks very similar, we love the flexible dinning and this was key to booking with anyone else, although with MSC you need to book a balcony or above to get it

 

FreeStyle Dining may have started on NCL but most major cruise lines are now copying what NCL has done. Princess has Anytime Dining and RCCL is now offering similar. I find it weird that MSC requires you to book a higher type of package for a cabin in order to have it but that's probably just them. In time, if it doesn't work, I would expect them to open the format to more people regardless of what level they purchase at. I can't stand regimented dining.

 

Does MSC have two formal nights during a seven day cruise? That's the big seller for me on NCL. I don't go to the dining room in jeans and a t-shirt but with airline luggage fees, I would much rather not have to pay to carry the garment bag and the suit. I'm pretty good at one piece of luggage these days. :D

[deliver42]

A collared shirt and pair of slacks will do fine. You don't need a suit or even a jacket.

[Tatka]

I haven't noticed any crew being overworked on our recent Gem cruise. In fact we received excellent service in state room and in MDR.

However our two cruises with MSC were very enjoyable and at least equal in everything to NCL.

MSC ships are ones of most beautiful on high seas, and their entertainment is great.

If they had more itins out of North America, especially from Northeast, we would definitely cruise with them more.

[CRAustin]

16 cruises w NCL last 6 yrs and we are also trying Divina YC in July. Still have 2 additional NCL cruises booked right now. I'm an NCL stockholder too, will see how it compares to Haven. I'm an avid CAS invited passenger I haven't heard anything good about MSC casino program but willing to give it a try.

 

 

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