What do other cruise lines do that you wish NCL did?

[hallux]

I saw this in another cruise line forum section, thought it might be neat to go from the other side.

 

I'm afraid of this turning into a dumpster-fire of "less nickel and diming", less paid venues, etc.  I'll start off and say that we ALL wish for that so can we can please keep that complaining out of this thread?

 

I'll kick it off -

Royal has actual Studio BALCONY cabins on some of their ships.  While the Studio inside cabins are a nice idea and I wish other lines did those also, it would be nice to have a smaller balcony option at a lower price for a solo traveler.

Edited January 19, 2021 by hallux

[Linda the Book Lover]

I choose my cruise line based on who I am sailing with, and both NCL and Carnival fit my husband, children, and grandchildren. MSC is just for my husband and myself, and I do wish NCL included the mini bar as part of the offering in the Haven as MSC does in the YC.

[farmersfight]

1 minute ago, hallux said:

I saw this in another cruise line forum section, thought it might be neat to go from the other side.

 

I'm afraid of this turning into a dumpster-fire of "less nickel and diming", less paid venues, etc.  I'll start off and say that we ALL wish for that so can we can please keep that complaining out of this thread?

 

I'll kick it off -

Royal has actual Studio BALCONY cabins on some of their ships.  While the Studio inside cabins are a nice idea and I wish other lines did those also, it would be nice to have a smaller balcony option at a lower price for a solo traveler.

 

I totally agree about RCL's studio balcony cabins on their Quantum class ships. Each ship has 12 (6 on deck 6 and 6 on deck 7). I'm booked in these studio balcony cabins on Anthem OTS & the new Odyssey OTS (Quantum Ultra class).

 

Back to your original post; RCL's Seaplex. Imo, a very smart idea by RCL to have a multi-purpose venue (bumper cars, basketball, volleyball, roller skating, laser tag and even trapeze classes). This way, you don't use up valuable upper deck space for go-kart tracks, laser tag, etc like NCL does.

[hallux]

3 minutes ago, farmersfight said:

RCL's Seaplex. Imo, a very smart idea by RCL to have a multi-purpose venue (bumper cars, basketball, volleyball, roller skating, laser tag and even trapeze classes).

The Seaplex is a nice idea, some of the execution is lacking.  I was on Anthem, trying to get on bumper cars was a multi-hour ordeal.  Of course, it was a Spring Break week for young kids, but management of that event was HORRIBLE.  I was 1/3 of the way around the wall from the entrance, after getting there 45 minutes before the bumper cars were started, and it took an hour to get to the front.  One of the main issues was that some people had buddies in line a few behind them and they slipped right back in line with them after their turn was up, with no line enforcement by the staff member running it.

 

My understanding is that some of the Seaplex features were removed in later ships.  I thought I heard the floating DJ booth was removed and maybe the trapeze equipment?

[farmersfight]

5 minutes ago, hallux said:

The Seaplex is a nice idea, some of the execution is lacking.  I was on Anthem, trying to get on bumper cars was a multi-hour ordeal.  Of course, it was a Spring Break week for young kids, but management of that event was HORRIBLE.  I was 1/3 of the way around the wall from the entrance, after getting there 45 minutes before the bumper cars were started, and it took an hour to get to the front.  One of the main issues was that some people had buddies in line a few behind them and they slipped right back in line with them after their turn was up, with no line enforcement by the staff member running it.

 

My understanding is that some of the Seaplex features were removed in later ships.  I thought I heard the floating DJ booth was removed and maybe the trapeze equipment?

 

Thanks for the info. I haven't (yet) sailed on an RCL Quantum class ship, so I guess I'll find out about the Seaplex. I would imagine that spring break combined with poor management (i.e. no line enforcement) by staff, could lead to a bad experience with the Seaplex. Since I've never sailed on a Quantum class ship, I couldn't comment about the removal of the floating DJ booth and perhaps the trapeze equipment.

[PTC DAWG]

Celebrity doesn’t make you fight for towels, they just have them everywhere...and don’t get me started on the bottled water NOT being in NCL’s regular drink package...also like the solarium pools on Celebrity...

[farmersfight]

19 minutes ago, PTC DAWG said:

Celebrity doesn’t make you fight for towels, they just have them everywhere...and don’t get me started on the bottled water NOT being in NCL’s regular drink package...also like the solarium pools on Celebrity...

 

and how about Celebrity's Single Infinite Veranda staterooms on the Edge class ships?

[Two Wheels Only]

NCL Haven should include Spa access for all Haven staterooms just as MSC Yacht Club includes Spa access for all Yacht Club staterooms.

 

NCL should move away from dial-up speed for internet access and join the 21st century like other lines have.

 

NCL should show all available staterooms when booking.

 

NCL should not throw a fit when Freestyle Novice leaks deckplans/info a few weeks before NCL officially reveals them. 😉

[PTC DAWG]

38 minutes ago, farmersfight said:

 

and how about Celebrity's Single Infinite Veranda staterooms on the Edge class ships?

I have not sailed in one up yet, but would like to try..sailing in a Sunset Veranda next on APEX...hooefully next spring, fingers crossed. 

 

Dont get me wrong, I like a lot about NCL, different vibe for sure, Escape is my current favorite ship with NCL. 

[sverigecruiser]

 

1. Decent prices for Haven booked long time before the cruise, last minute deals doesn't help me. (I'm thinking prices like MSCs Yacht Club.)

 

2. No bidding on the Haven suites.

 

3. One of the newer ships, with Haven restaurant, doing roundtrips from Stockholm. (They might be to big so maybe impossible. I'm not sure that any other of the major cruiselines have roundtrip cruises from Stockholm but RCI did it a few years ago.)

 

4. One more formal restaurant.

[Linda the Book Lover]

38 minutes ago, Two Wheels Only said:

NCL Haven should include Spa access for all Haven staterooms just as MSC Yacht Club includes Spa access for all Yacht Club staterooms.

 

NCL should move away from dial-up speed for internet access and join the 21st century like other lines have.

 

NCL should show all available staterooms when booking.

 

NCL should not throw a fit when Freestyle Novice leaks deckplans/info a few weeks before NCL officially reveals them. 😉

Two Wheels Only, you are right on point!

[CarolinaMamma]

I like that Celebrity has a premium non-alcoholic beverage package, which includes bottled water, sparkling water and specialty coffees, which is mostly what I drink. And there’s no good beverage package option on NCL for my teens. They don’t drink much soda, and especially don’t  like Pepsi products, but they would love some specialty coffees, an occasional mocktail and sone sparkling water. All of that is available in the Celebrity premium non-alcoholic package. 
 

I am a “2 drinks a day” person, but like the good stuff, so NCL’’s regular beverage package doesn’t include much of what I want to drink, but I don’t really drink enough to get my money’s worth out of premium plus. 
 

On our last NCL cruise, we got a last-minute deal that did not include the “free” beverage package. We drove to the port, so we brought one bottle of good wine per night and paid the corkage fee (much less expensive than ordering comparable wines onboard) ordered a bunch of bottled water for the cabin, and just paid a la carte for the few cocktails and coffees we had. That worked well for us. I’d like to see lower fares without the beverage package all the time, not just after final payment. But then the beverage pa kale wouldn’t look “free.”
 

All of this having been said, these are first world problems, and I will feel so lucky when we can cruise again, regardless of the beverage package options. 

[WYB!]

Things I like about NCL over other cruise lines are:

 

NCL has the BoA CC which allows you to use points for things like upgrades.

 

The Cruise Next program (it really is free money if you know how to use it right)

 

NCL also allows bicycles to be brought on board and then used in port. Some other cruise lines have a full ban on bicycles but allow stipulations for knives and firearms that can be brought on board.

 

I would have like to see a laundry service center but I'm ok with the free laundry perk I already get by being platinum with NCL.

 

Stay well & Safe travels.

[hallux]

28 minutes ago, WYB! said:

Things I like about NCL over other cruise lines are

Not really the topic here...

[Travelling2Some]

Self-serve laundry would be a real help for extended travel.  Even if it was just one small room with a few machines since I've noticed on ships that had them that not many use them.  NCL was always our preferred line but I do really enjoy the art on Royal's ships.  I always spend a couple of hours on a sea day just walking  down the stairwells with a glass of wine enjoying the "complimentary museum". 

[farmersfight]

3 hours ago, PTC DAWG said:

I have not sailed in one up yet, but would like to try..sailing in a Sunset Veranda next on APEX...hooefully next spring, fingers crossed. 

 

Dont get me wrong, I like a lot about NCL, different vibe for sure, Escape is my current favorite ship with NCL. 

 

I'm a solo cruiser so I appreciated OP's (@hallux's) original post about RCL's studio balcony cabins. As previously mentioned, I'm booked in them on 2 of RCL's Quantum class ships; Anthem OTS & Odyssey OTS. On my "radar" is a 7-day E. Caribbean cruise on Celebrity Edge (I want to visit Tortola & St. Maarten) and try one of those Single Infinite Veranda staterooms.

[Named-Tawny]

It's kinda contrary to their nature, but I'd love it if one of the MDRs was a more formal dining room with jackets and dresses for dinner.

[Coastalbreezes]

I'd like to see NCL bring back the Chef Table and/or more Winemaker Dinners. 

[david_sobe]

First I will say what I am thankful NCL does NOT have.......dancing waiters.  I find that so exploitive of cruise line workers.  

 

For the price of Haven suites, NCL could step up their came and really make it better.

 

Like RCCL, NCL should have a happy hour in the Haven lounge every night for about an hour or two.  I also remember when NCL had buy one get one drink specials at the Haven bar from 5-7.  Or like Celebrity, how about free drinks for all Haven guests.

 

Like Carnival, their suite section should be aft and not forward.  Lets have a Haven pool with ocean views.  You pay such a premium, it would be nice to have an ocean view from the bar or pool.

 

Like Carnival, NCL should have a pizza place that specializes in pizza that is included in your fare.

 

Like RCCL, how many would enjoy the Genie service i.e. super butler/concierge

 

Like all other cruise lines, NCL should stop charging for dinner and a show entertainment.  Been on several NCL ships and did this.  The food is MDR quality and the entertainment is what you get on other lines for free (or included in the fare) but its sad gimmick that keeps going.  On Epic, for the intimacy of the show of Cirque Dreams, it was probably worth it.  But they keep it going with basic entertainment and basic food.  The magic show on Getaway was what you would see on a casino river boat day trip.  You could score better food at the buffet.

 

Lastly, I will direct this at all cruise lines but especially NCL. Lets have more "included" restaurants.  Way too many specialty restaurants.  NCL is clever with dividing up one MDR with 2 times and claim they have 3 MDRs but they all have the same menu and really the same restaurant.

 

 

 

[dexddd]

11 hours ago, Travelling2Some said:

Self-serve laundry would be a real help for extended travel.  Even if it was just one small room with a few machines since I've noticed on ships that had them that not many use them.  NCL was always our preferred line but I do really enjoy the art on Royal's ships.  I always spend a couple of hours on a sea day just walking  down the stairwells with a glass of wine enjoying the "complimentary museum". 

I'm not so sure about that.  DCL has many laundry rooms and they are mobbed, even on three day cruises.

 

Plus I recall when NCL did have them they were pretty busy.

Edited January 20, 2021 by dexddd

[dexddd]

Past guest discount like MSC.

 

As David said, more for Haven like no package surcharges.  Prices are high enough, but I don't expect to change.  As things stand now though, we won't be booking.

[MeHeartCruising]

I wished NCL served Coke products instead of Pepsi or whatever the generic stuff they use is.

[Travelling2Some]

5 hours ago, david_sobe said:

First I will say what I am thankful NCL does NOT have.......dancing waiters.  I find that so exploitive of cruise line workers.  

 

Yes, that always makes me cringe on their behalf.  Maybe some of the crew don't mind it, based on individual personality, but I'm sure there are plenty who are more introverted and feel uncomfortable.

[WeLuv2TravelAlot]

I would love it if NCL had on at least some of their ships a smoke free casino, like Celebrity does.

 

Also I agree with the person who thinks that NCL should include bottled water and coffee as part of their beverage packages like the other lines do.

 

 

[Capitan Obvious]

I wish NCL was exactly like all the other cruise lines so that I don't have to make choices.

 

 

Choices are hard. 😧 Everything should be the same.