NCL changes, some good, some...not so much

[LSauls7537]

Just returned from the Jade thru the Panama Canal. Disembarkation was the BEST ever ! This includes other lines as well. We did the self debark, we were still finishing our coffee in the cabin and at 7:00 AM we were told we could leave! NO lines, no confusion (except the elevator was not operable) Off the ship and in a cab in 15 min. BRAVO.

 

This gives me a chuckle. You all remember the penny slots, nickel slots and quarter slots from the "old days". NCL has just the penny slots, BUT it costs 0.30 cents minimum to play. So, put in a buck, hit min. 30 cents 3 times and you're left with a 10 cent coupon that you can't use cause' min is 30 cents. Play $2 more, lose and then you can play your last 30 cents. So, cheapest bet is 30 instead of 25 or less. Helps the revenue stream.

 

Yes, we heard complaints about weak drinks, hubby doesn't drink and I drink wine most times. I did have a few vodka drinks, and could not taste any alcohol. Saw many asking for a "floater".

 

Food was good, missed seeing escargot offered every night and no longer prime rib at O'Sheehans, crew told us they stopped this. This is the first cruise where when I ordered a SMALL portion, that's what I was given. Hate to waste food. Desserts left a lot to be desired, lots of "pies" with a gelatin base. A decrease since our cruise last year.

 

I don't know what they've done to the crew, but this cruise had the best crew ever. They really enjoyed their work and working with their team. They truly make the cruise.

[LSauls7537]

forgot to mention, last year we had the drink package and 4 dining package, no additional charges, same thing this year and there was an additional service charge for the dining pkg and the drink pkg. It's just another way to increase the revenue stream

[The Other Tom]

forgot to mention, last year we had the drink package and 4 dining package, no additional charges, same thing this year and there was an additional service charge for the dining pkg and the drink pkg. It's just another way to increase the revenue stream

I'm pretty sure the service charges that are added go to the servers, not NCL. I don't mind giving a "tip" or paying service charges because that's how the servers make their living. They get very little, if any, from NCL in terms of monetary compensation.

[LrgPizza]

This gives me a chuckle. You all remember the penny slots, nickel slots and quarter slots from the "old days". NCL has just the penny slots, BUT it costs 0.30 cents minimum to play. So, put in a buck, hit min. 30 cents 3 times and you're left with a 10 cent coupon that you can't use cause' min is 30 cents. Play $2 more, lose and then you can play your last 30 cents. So, cheapest bet is 30 instead of 25 or less. Helps the revenue stream.

Apparently you haven't gambled anywhere for a really long time. This isn't an NCL thing. This is pretty much any penny slot machine you will find at any casino anywhere. That's how they work.

[garycarla]

As to the slot machine.... that few cents left is only an issue when you do your FINAL cash out of the cruise...so the most anyone will see lost is less than $.30.

 

Personally, if I have had a bad night and down to the that $.30... I give the TITO to somebody vs bringing it back the next day.

[vince_g]

Interesting about the prime rib at OS. They had it the first night on my 10/31 Gem sailing. I did not go to OS for dinner at all. Back on Gem 12/10, so I will note whether they have it or not. Maybe they eliminated it on Jade.

[easyboy]

I'm pretty sure the service charges that are added go to the servers, not NCL. I don't mind giving a "tip" or paying service charges because that's how the servers make their living. They get very little, if any, from NCL in terms of monetary compensation.

 

 

 

Yes, and I guess that is what motivates the crew to work better for the guests.

 

 

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[300dtc]

Just returned from the Jade thru the Panama Canal. Disembarkation was the BEST ever ! This includes other lines as well. We did the self debark, we were still finishing our coffee in the cabin and at 7:00 AM we were told we could leave! NO lines, no confusion (except the elevator was not operable) Off the ship and in a cab in 15 min. BRAVO.

 

 

 

This gives me a chuckle. You all remember the penny slots, nickel slots and quarter slots from the "old days". NCL has just the penny slots, BUT it costs 0.30 cents minimum to play. So, put in a buck, hit min. 30 cents 3 times and you're left with a 10 cent coupon that you can't use cause' min is 30 cents. Play $2 more, lose and then you can play your last 30 cents. So, cheapest bet is 30 instead of 25 or less. Helps the revenue stream.

 

 

 

Yes, we heard complaints about weak drinks, hubby doesn't drink and I drink wine most times. I did have a few vodka drinks, and could not taste any alcohol. Saw many asking for a "floater".

 

 

 

Food was good, missed seeing escargot offered every night and no longer prime rib at O'Sheehans, crew told us they stopped this. This is the first cruise where when I ordered a SMALL portion, that's what I was given. Hate to waste food. Desserts left a lot to be desired, lots of "pies" with a gelatin base. A decrease since our cruise last year.

 

 

 

I don't know what they've done to the crew, but this cruise had the best crew ever. They really enjoyed their work and working with their team. They truly make the cruise.

 

 

 

Going on the Sun through the Panama Canal in March, anything you can add about the actual trip?

 

 

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[zqvol]

I'm pretty sure the service charges that are added go to the servers, not NCL. I don't mind giving a "tip" or paying service charges because that's how the servers make their living. They get very little, if any, from NCL in terms of monetary compensation.

 

It is not a tip, it is a service charge and it goes to NCL, not the servers. Read NCL's FAQ's about how they compensate employees.

[cruisinmeme]

It is not a tip, it is a service charge and it goes to NCL, not the servers. Read NCL's FAQ's about how they compensate employees.

 

 

I have not read this but certainly plan to. Thanks for this info.

I was told by a crew member on last night of our recent cruise the 13.99 pp DOES NOT go to the crew as in the past. That pissed me off. So I guess you can't hold that from being charged to your bill.

[LSauls7537]

Going on the Sun through the Panama Canal in March, anything you can add about the actual trip?

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums

Be in the port side going thru the canal. Listen to the historian, ours wasn't the greatest, but I know they have others that have been positively commented about. Read all of the tours carefully and decide what is important to YOU to see and do. Much depends on your age and interest.

[swedish weave]

I have not read this but certainly plan to. Thanks for this info.

I was told by a crew member on last night of our recent cruise the 13.99 pp DOES NOT go to the crew as in the past. That pissed me off. So I guess you can't hold that from being charged to your bill.

 

My recent NCL cruise was enlightening in that NCL did not try to intimidate me for reducing the DSC.

 

I told them how much I wanted taken off and they did it.

 

I also asked a crew member if they had to turn in cash tips and was told they get to keep them.

 

Maybe this will help correct some of the misinformation that prevails on these boards.

[nednrom]

Going on the Sun through the Panama Canal in March, anything you can add about the actual trip?

 

 

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The Jade does a partial ....we got back on the 27th. I think the Sun does a full transit so the ports except for maybe Cartegena will be different. The canal is a wonder and since you will go through the Pacific locks it will take a whole day. I thought about doing a full transit but didn't have the time this year. We had a suite at the front of the ship which gives you the best views but I suggest move around go to other decks like 7 to see and feel how close the ship is to the sides, watch the mules and how they move in precision. It was a great trip. Depending on which lock the ship is going through there will be another lock on the port or starboard side. It's interesting to watch another ship going through the locks next to you, behind you or just ahead.

Edited December 8, 2017 by nednrom

[Love my butler]

Be in the port side going thru the canal. Listen to the historian, ours wasn't the greatest, but I know they have others that have been positively commented about. Read all of the tours carefully and decide what is important to YOU to see and do. Much depends on your age and interest.

 

Port side going east or west?

[fshagan]

Maybe this will help correct some of the misinformation that prevails on these boards.

 

It is the holiday season for many people, so I can understand some high optimism but ... well, this is the NCL board on CC!