Anyone else annoyed with Ncl decrease in amenities?

[newmexicoNita]

15 minutes ago, sparks1093 said:

Every establishment will provide things on request, a class establishment doesn't make you ask. Having to ask for a garnish or for more butter is low class. No, these aren't big things but the little things do add up (both for the company and for the customer). If I were spending $3600 on a vacation (the price of the last NCL cruise I priced) I would certainly not expect to have to ask for the basics to be provided.

No, to me it is nit picking. In fact the butter part we have not experienced or I don't remember If there was only 2 pats then obviously it didn't bother us and I doubt 75% of the passengers would care or notice. I feel the same about the cherry, but that is something that I can understand some people complaining about. 

[Gizmosmum]

I've sailed in a balcony cabin on Carnival(2009) and Celebrity(2012), neither offered a coffee maker. No champagne on Celebrity either. We've sailed on NCL 6 times (all inside) and only once have we had problems getting our ice bucket filled. Our NCL cruise in April our cabin steward was fantastic and made us feel like part of his family. I have never been made to feel anything but a valued guest by all the staff.

[sparks1093]

1 minute ago, newmexicoNita said:

No, to me it is nit picking. In fact the butter part we have not experienced or I don't remember If there was only 2 pats then obviously it didn't bother us and I doubt 75% of the passengers would care or notice. I feel the same about the cherry, but that is something that I can understand some people complaining about. 

Providing superior service is all about being nit picky, that's why it's considered superior. I've worked food service before in a couple of different establishments and paying attention to these small things is what sets establishments apart. Would these things by themselves impact my cruise? Not per se, but I would notice the lapses and if they were too numerous compared to what I paid they would  certainly leave a bad taste in my mouth.

[4774Papa]

33 minutes ago, newmexicoNita said:

No, to me it is nit picking. In fact the butter part we have not experienced or I don't remember If there was only 2 pats then obviously it didn't bother us and I doubt 75% of the passengers would care or notice. I feel the same about the cherry, but that is something that I can understand some people complaining about. 

Agree, basic items like butter and rolls should be there without having to ask.  We had a recent cruise on Celebrity Eclipse and generally had no complaints about food or service.  One thing we noticed was that it was rare for our waiter to provide and dark bread rolls.  Previously on Celebrity both white and dark bread was provided.  However, on this cruise we only had both a few times.  It is not huge, but small things can add up.

[graphicguy]

One of the things that set NCL apart for me, and why I cruise them so much, is their staff.  They’ve ALWAYS been friendly and accommodating, even when I have an issue.

 

Not to say other cruise lines I’ve sailed don’t have nice people working on them.  NCL seems to be a bit better.

[newmexicoNita]

53 minutes ago, graphicguy said:

One of the things that set NCL apart for me, and why I cruise them so much, is their staff.  They’ve ALWAYS been friendly and accommodating, even when I have an issue.

 

Not to say other cruise lines I’ve sailed don’t have nice people working on them.  NCL seems to be a bit better.

and this has been our experience as well, both when we have made a complaint and when have just done our usual thing. There is just  difference between NCL and some other lines we have cruised. I was amazed on our Dawn cruise last May.. There was a server in the MDR that remembered us from a year before And there was the hostess in O'Sheehan's the first day that seated us. 4 days later she was working the MDR for breakfast and remembered our names.  Also love the service, at least our cabin steward on HAL, but they were too formal for our tastes.

[sparks1093]

1 hour ago, graphicguy said:

One of the things that set NCL apart for me, and why I cruise them so much, is their staff.  They’ve ALWAYS been friendly and accommodating, even when I have an issue.

 

Not to say other cruise lines I’ve sailed don’t have nice people working on them.  NCL seems to be a bit better.

 

26 minutes ago, newmexicoNita said:

and this has been our experience as well, both when we have made a complaint and when have just done our usual thing. There is just  difference between NCL and some other lines we have cruised. I was amazed on our Dawn cruise last May.. There was a server in the MDR that remembered us from a year before And there was the hostess in O'Sheehan's the first day that seated us. 4 days later she was working the MDR for breakfast and remembered our names.  Also love the service, at least our cabin steward on HAL, but they were too formal for our tastes.

This is great and this was our experience with NCL but it has also been our experience with the other cruises we've been on, so I don't think it sets NCL apart from the rest.

[newmexicoNita]

1 hour ago, sparks1093 said:

 

This is great and this was our experience with NCL but it has also been our experience with the other cruises we've been on, so I don't think it sets NCL apart from the rest.

We have had positive experiences with all lines, but never have we had so many employees who have gone so much out of their way to make us feel welcome. I say this, with a of knowledge; almost 50 cruises and all all mass marketed lines, plus a few what are no longer in business. I am not talking about the cabin steward who calls you by name or a simple smile, I am talking about the crew member that served you one glass of wine while you are in the casino and 2 days later passes you in the hall and greets you by name. We have sailed a few lines where the servers, cabin stewards, guests service desk personnel, etc  were more like robots than humans. This doesn't mean they didn't do a decent job but they didn't make you feel like they really cared that much. 

[pbenjamin]

Haven’t been on NCL yet but expecting (and hoping) somebody will call BS on the $25 liquor-not-specified dirty martini. 

[sparks1093]

58 minutes ago, newmexicoNita said:

We have had positive experiences with all lines, but never have we had so many employees who have gone so much out of their way to make us feel welcome. I say this, with a of knowledge; almost 50 cruises and all all mass marketed lines, plus a few what are no longer in business. I am not talking about the cabin steward who calls you by name or a simple smile, I am talking about the crew member that served you one glass of wine while you are in the casino and 2 days later passes you in the hall and greets you by name. We have sailed a few lines where the servers, cabin stewards, guests service desk personnel, etc  were more like robots than humans. This doesn't mean they didn't do a decent job but they didn't make you feel like they really cared that much. 

We've experienced the same level of service on all of our cruises, including having crew members call us by name in the hallway. Even if it could be shown that NCL's crew is friendlier how much is that friendliness worth in extra cruise fare? The last time we booked NCL was twice the cost of CCL. From where I sit I do not think NCL is worth twice what CCL is, based on our experience.

[sparks1093]

6 minutes ago, pbenjamin said:

Haven’t been on NCL yet but expecting (and hoping) somebody will call BS on the $25 liquor-not-specified dirty martini. 

Since most people probably have the drink package they aren't concerned with the price but it does sound like their drink prices have risen dramatically.

[njkate]

8 minutes ago, sparks1093 said:

We've experienced the same level of service on all of our cruises, including having crew members call us by name in the hallway. Even if it could be shown that NCL's crew is friendlier how much is that friendliness worth in extra cruise fare? The last time we booked NCL was twice the cost of CCL. From where I sit I do not think NCL is worth twice what CCL is, based on our experience.

I do, wouldn't sail CCL if given for free

 

[njkate]

9 minutes ago, sparks1093 said:

Since most people probably have the drink package they aren't concerned with the price but it does sound like their drink prices have risen dramatically.

All though NCL is truly an unlimited drink package unlike CCL that cuts you off after 15 drinks. Most cruise lines, the mixed drinks especially frozen ones, there is barely any alcohol in them. Maybe CCL cuts off as they tend to have rowdier passengers

[Greenpea2]

14 minutes ago, sparks1093 said:

Since most people probably have the drink package they aren't concerned with the price but it does sound like their drink prices have risen dramatically.

I am finding it hard to believe a dirty martini was $25. A regular martini made with Grey Goose is within the allowable price point for the drink package--I'm thinking that means it is $15? No way some olive juice would add $10 to it.

 

Edited May 22, 2019 by Greenpea2

[sparks1093]

34 minutes ago, njkate said:

I do, wouldn't sail CCL if given for free

 

I've sailed both NCL and CCL and NCL is not that much better than CCL no matter how you slice it.

30 minutes ago, njkate said:

All though NCL is truly an unlimited drink package unlike CCL that cuts you off after 15 drinks. Most cruise lines, the mixed drinks especially frozen ones, there is barely any alcohol in them. Maybe CCL cuts off as they tend to have rowdier passengers

Our drinks were strong enough on CCL (and on NCL and Royal as well). My guess for the cut off is because after that they don't make a profit. Don't know about rowdier per se but from following the boards they have their share of heavy drinkers. The only time we had a drink package was on our last cruise with Royal and we only averaged 10 per day each. Probably the only time we'll get the package though.

[sparks1093]

33 minutes ago, Greenpea2 said:

I am finding it hard to believe a dirty martini was $25. A regular martini made with Grey Goose is within the allowable price point for the drink package--I'm thinking that means it is $15? No way some olive juice would add $10 to it.

 

It does sound inflated. Maybe the previous poster meant $25 for 2.

[PelicanBill]

I don't mind changing the stateroom amenities to be "on request" because many did not use them.  But I would like a card on the counter telling me this.  "To save costs and waste we are providing some amenities only on request. Kindly request these items from your Steward if needed:  Ice Bucket, Coffee Maker, Towel Animals at evening turndown, extra pillow or foam pillow, Iron (loaned for an hour only)"...

 

When it just disappears it can leave a really sour taste for past cruises.  Here is my scenario: I really want ice water at bed time. I get back to the cabin on my first night at 11pm and... huh. No ice. Call steward and wait up to an hour to get them to come by. Wait another 15 minutes to get ice.  I wanted to be in bed over an hour ago.

[Mike_DeA]

If you want ice, just leave a note on your bed when you leave the cabin.  I do it all the time, usually along with a small first-day tip.

[graphicguy]

1 hour ago, sparks1093 said:

It does sound inflated. Maybe the previous poster meant $25 for 2.

Those were my thoughts, too.

 

I sailed Escape a few moths ago and was drinking martinis one night.  I had the drink package but also specified TItos as my choice.  I think they were $10-$12 ea, IIRC, even though mine were included.

[CILCIANRQTS]

2 hours ago, njkate said:

All though NCL is truly an unlimited drink package unlike CCL that cuts you off after 15 drinks. Most cruise lines, the mixed drinks especially frozen ones, there is barely any alcohol in them. Maybe CCL cuts off as they tend to have rowdier passengers

 

Can you imagine going into ANY watering hole back home and have them tell you “Just want to let you know - we have a 15 drink maximum.” ?? That’s why I also wouldn’t sail CCL either. That’s not my crowd!

[BirdTravels]

8 hours ago, sparks1093 said:

Providing superior service is all about being nit picky, that's why it's considered superior. I've worked food service before in a couple of different establishments and paying attention to these small things is what sets establishments apart. Would these things by themselves impact my cruise? Not per se, but I would notice the lapses and if they were too numerous compared to what I paid they would  certainly leave a bad taste in my mouth.

Just curious, when working in food service, did you turn 25,000 covers a day?

[4774Papa]

6 minutes ago, CILCIANRQTS said:

 

Can you imagine going into ANY watering hole back home and have them tell you “Just want to let you know - we have a 15 drink maximum.” ?? That’s why I also wouldn’t sail CCL either. That’s not my crowd!

Yes, I can imagine that a bar would have to be concerned about a person become seriously drunk.   Bars can be sued under dram shop laws.

 

Of course, on a cruise, no one is going to be driving.  

Frankly, I would hate to have the liver of someone that drank that much.

 

We dislike the entire beverage package promos that many cruise lines have used to seriously raise cruise prices.  NCL is one of the worst claiming the package is worth $99 per day per person and charging 20% gratuities on that. 

 

Our last cruise on Celebrity from Chile to San Diego cost $1449 pp for a balcony for 15 days.  This is less than what NCL thinks a drink package is worth.   We had the freebie drink package on our Sun Alaska cruise in 2016 (then there was no gratuity).  The wine choices for Cabernet (or favorite were not so good).    Now if we are on NCL, we decline the drinks package and buy a viva vino package for about $350 and that keeps us happy through our two week cruise.

[njkate]

12 minutes ago, CILCIANRQTS said:

 

Can you imagine going into ANY watering hole back home and have them tell you “Just want to let you know - we have a 15 drink maximum.” ?? That’s why I also wouldn’t sail CCL either. That’s not my crowd!

Most cruisers don’t drink that much but on vacation within a 24 hour period I can see it. Lots of nitpicking over trivial things like towel animals and ice buckets in this thread. Don’t like NCL try another line. Cripes a simple note to your steward and you will get your ice bucket

[njkate]

2 minutes ago, 4774Papa said:

Yes, I can imagine that a bar would have to be concerned about a person become seriously drunk.   Bars can be sued under dram shop laws.

 

Of course, on a cruise, no one is going to be driving.  

Frankly, I would hate to have the liver of someone that drank that much.

 

We dislike the entire beverage package promos that many cruise lines have used to seriously raise cruise prices.  NCL is one of the worst claiming the package is worth $99 per day per person and charging 20% gratuities on that. 

 

Our last cruise on Celebrity from Chile to San Diego cost $1449 pp for a balcony for 15 days.  This is less than what NCL thinks a drink package is worth.   We had the freebie drink package on our Sun Alaska cruise in 2016 (then there was no gratuity).  The wine choices for Cabernet (or favorite were not so good).    Now if we are on NCL, we decline the drinks package and buy a viva vino package for about $350 and that keeps us happy through our two week cruise.

Was it a repositioning cruise? They usually are much less. Paid $999 per person in balcony for a 14 day trans Atlantic last month

[4774Papa]

Just now, njkate said:

Was it a repositioning cruise? They usually are much less. Paid $999 per person in balcony for a 14 day trans Atlantic last month

Yes, it was a repo cruise.  We aren't interested in the Caribbean.

We have done 19 cruises in all and all the Med, Northern Europe, Japan & China, Australia, South America, Panama Canal and Singapore to Dubai as well as Black Sea, three transatlantic and one transpacific.  Therefore, we now try to do a land trip and use a repo or transatlantic so we don't  have to fly in one direction.   Also, we save on airfare.