I Don’t Get the RCCL/NCL Pricing Argument

[Jim The Lizard]

2 minutes ago, disneydave said:

Certainly, I have similar itineraries booked for spring break on NCL in 24 and Celebrity in 25 and the Celebrity booking is less and includes their all in so drink package, gratuities - no extra charges when in port, obc, and internet i can be logged into all the time for less than NCL with free at sea but as stated the only thing that is guaranteed is that pricing will change.  

Makes sense Dave.   I just travelled Celebrity for the first time over the holidays.  I liked it but missed the casual wear at dinner (silly I know!).  And the included gratuities and unlimited wifi was nice.  A big drop off for me was the different entertainment, much smaller scale than NCL.   However, I was on an older Celebrity ship and cannot comment if the newer ships have better more large scale entertainment.  The cruise director and his staff were phenomenal on my holiday Celebrity trip.  

[Jim The Lizard]

6 minutes ago, aubreyc1988 said:

I'm just gonna say what everyone is thinking...YT/Vloggers are in for it for the clicks. Not saying there is anything wrong with that, but everyone needs to keep that in mind while watching. Also, depending on the Youtuber or Vlogger, they also have a bias towards certain cruise lines (which we all do somewhat), and I do feel like a majority of the TY/Vloggers can kind of have this "anti-NCL" vibe. I'm not saying they say that verbatim, it's just a feeling I get when I watch certain ones or read the clickbait headlines.

Agree.  The reaction from the vloggers cruise was surprising to me.   

[disneydave]

Just now, Jim The Lizard said:

Makes sense Dave.   I just travelled Celebrity for the first time over the holidays.  I liked it but missed the casual wear at dinner (silly I know!).  And the included gratuities and unlimited wifi was nice.  A big drop off for me was the different entertainment, much smaller scale than NCL.   However, I was on an older Celebrity ship and cannot comment if the newer ships have better more large scale entertainment.  The cruise director and his staff were phenomenal on my holiday Celebrity trip.  

100% I do like the listed dress code better on NCL; however, i'm that guy showing up for dinner in shorts and a nice collar'd shirt and can say i've never been turned away in either Blu, Lumanie, or their specialty dining although i do get an occasional hateful look usually from a female who is getting ribbed from their spouse about being forced to wear long pants.  

[aubreyc1988]

1 minute ago, Jim The Lizard said:

I think we’re thinking the same.  I’m willing to pay NCL for the included drinks and dining package.  

the NCL drink package gratuities are 20.00 ish per person per day. Yes you have to do the "non sailaway cabin" rate, but it's usually a no-brainer. Most people don't want a GTY cabin anyway. 

 

Like all travel these days, to get good prices on NCL depends on the time of year, demand, and you also just have to research. Royal prices won't always be cheaper than NCL and vice versa, for the vloggers to talk in such absolutes is just dumb. Yes, Del Rio did say they use the market-to-fill strategy, but they are still using a price algorithm of sorts and they still want to be competitive in the market. 

[Jim The Lizard]

8 minutes ago, aubreyc1988 said:

I'm just gonna say what everyone is thinking...YT/Vloggers are in for it for the clicks. Not saying there is anything wrong with that, but everyone needs to keep that in mind while watching. Also, depending on the Youtuber or Vlogger, they also have a bias towards certain cruise lines (which we all do somewhat), and I do feel like a majority of the TY/Vloggers can kind of have this "anti-NCL" vibe. I'm not saying they say that verbatim, it's just a feeling I get when I watch certain ones or read the clickbait headlines.

And I understand the clickbait and shock jock mentality gets subscriptions and views; just don’t see how the price is lower on other lines.   After my one mock booking, I’m such an expert!!!

[aubreyc1988]

3 minutes ago, Jim The Lizard said:

Agree.  The reaction from the vloggers cruise was surprising to me.   

I don't watch most of them anymore. I think I only watch Chris Wong, and Morgan occasionally, when I see a video that interests me. 

[wolft927]

6 minutes ago, Jim The Lizard said:

I think we’re thinking the same.  I’m willing to pay NCL for the included drinks and dining package.  

I have cruise almost every line out there, I am almost 44 years old and still return to NCL most of the time because of 2 main reasons. One, the drink package is truly unlimited, Carnival ( not sure all the companies brands) limits to 15 per day (yes a lot for some but not for my wife an I on vacation)Two, Price, after you incorporate drink packages and specialty dining NCL in my opinion comes out less..I will say we have the Joy booked in for April in the Haven, but we are taking a shot at MSC yacht club simply because it is a few thousand cheaper.  

[Jim The Lizard]

2 minutes ago, disneydave said:

100% I do like the listed dress code better on NCL; however, i'm that guy showing up for dinner in shorts and a nice collar'd shirt and can say i've never been turned away in either Blu, Lumanie, or their specialty dining although i do get an occasional hateful look usually from a female who is getting ribbed from their spouse about being forced to wear long pants.  

The hateful like comment is funny!  True… but still funny. 

[Jim The Lizard]

Just now, wolft927 said:

I have cruise almost every line out there, I am almost 44 years old and still return to NCL most of the time because of 2 main reasons. One, the drink package is truly unlimited, Carnival ( not sure all the companies brands) limits to 15 per day (yes a lot for some but not for my wife an I on vacation)Two, Price, after you incorporate drink packages and specialty dining NCL in my opinion comes out less..I will say we have the Joy booked in for April in the Haven, but we are taking a shot at MSC yacht club simply because it is a few thousand cheaper.  

I’m interested in hearing about Yacht Club.  

[aubreyc1988]

1 minute ago, Jim The Lizard said:

And I understand the clickbait and shock jock mentality gets subscriptions and views; just don’t see how the price is lower on other lines.   After my one mock booking, I’m such an expert!!!

Most people base opinions on just that, their one experience with it. Whenever I'm looking at cruises, there are so many other pricing factors, it's not just "This line will always be the cheapest". 

 

Port of call, time of year, age of ship, etc will all play into it.

[Liljo22]

33 minutes ago, Jim The Lizard said:

Agree.  The reaction from the vloggers cruise was surprising to me.   

Some of it was legit and some was just nit picking.  Being upset that it costs 3% to charge casino money to your on board account is legit.  Complaining that the NCL package only allows you to get fountain soda and not cans is just nit picking.  

[Liljo22]

I also factor the cost of the drink package I would have to buy on other lines when I compare pricing.  If RCCL and NCL are close, knowing that I will need to pay $1100-$1200 extra for the drink package on RCCL will more than likely push me to book the NCL one.  

 

I also think overall, all the cruise lines are pricing a lot of people out of the market.  Even MSC isn't offering the cheaper cruises they were offering when they first entered the market.  

[Jim The Lizard]

45 minutes ago, Liljo22 said:

Some of it was legit and some was just nit picking.  Being upset that it costs 3% to charge casino money to your on board account is legit.  Complaining that the NCL package only allows you to get fountain soda and not cans is just nit picking.  

Oh my God, I thought exactly the same thing. 

[Oakman58]

5 hours ago, RocketMan275 said:

There is an old saying that "Anytime someone says it's the principle, not the money, you can be sure it is about the money."

 

Believe what you want.

[CruiseMH]

15 hours ago, Jim The Lizard said:

I don’t know if it’s “clear”.  Some people don’t drink enough for the drink package and are happy with every style I’d complementary dining. 

109 USD for 7 nights = 15,42 USD per day. That is a little bit more than one cocktail.

There won`t be many people that drink THAT little.

 

 

Generally spoken,everyone that claims about the high prices of NCL.

the principle of the market economy is very simple: the price is the result of offer and demand.

As long as there are enough people willing to pay these prices there is no need for NCL to go down.

 

 

[Charles4515]

4 hours ago, Jim The Lizard said:

Agree.  The reaction from the vloggers cruise was surprising to me.   

Not to me. The blogger you mentioned, Don is a doofus. I watched a few of his videos and regretted it.  I don't know about the other one never watched him. Many othercruise bloggers are pretty bad. The only one I watch is Gary Bembridge. Tips for .......He is not an idiot and his tips that he passes on  are things I leaned years ago. 

Edited February 15, 2023 by Charles4515

[Crazy planning mom]

1 hour ago, Charles4515 said:

Not to me. The blogger you mentioned, Don is a doofus. I watched a few of his videos and regretted it.  I don't know about the other one never watched him. Many othercruise bloggers are pretty bad. The only one I watch is Gary Bembridge. Tips for .......He is not an idiot and his tips that he passes on  are things I leaned years ago. 

Gary is supportive of NCL in general because he loves Oceania.  Sharon at Sea also likes NCL.

Edited February 16, 2023 by Crazy planning mom

[BrianLo]

I think there is a historical context to this as well, but an argument that really hasn't aged well. 15-20 years ago NCL leaned hard into specialty dining venues (I feel like I was on NCL Jade in the late 2000's and there was like 7 of them, meanwhile RCL Quantum class vessels still really only have three and the add on Chefs Table). At the time RCL vessels maybe had the additive steak house. That's where the 'nickel and diming' moniker wound up being placed on NCL. People latched onto you had to pay more to get a meal on NCL.

 

Fastforward and NCL actually is trending towards more included dining than RCL (between its included bar food and Indulge food hall concept). Then NCL started giving away a generous amount of dining credit and alcohol package with their former iteration of Free at Sea. RCL is now also leaning progressively into specialty venues and their alcohol package remains hilariously expensive.

 

 

Overall I like both lines, but I think while they did gradually converge for a time I see a lot of recent divergence. NCL seems to be sticking with the pseudo-all inclusive pricing and RCL I doubt will make that change. NCL tends to have more itineraries and port intensive variety. RCL seems to be sticking to their four markets that work for them (Caribbean, Alaska, Australia, Med) with very few examples outside that. Prima definitely goes for the smaller ship, adult feel and Icon skews big line kids theme park. I also see RCL going more towards their private destination, which can ironically include 'nickel and diming'

[graphicguy]

16 hours ago, aubreyc1988 said:

I'm just gonna say what everyone is thinking...YT/Vloggers are in for it for the clicks. Not saying there is anything wrong with that, but everyone needs to keep that in mind while watching. Also, depending on the Youtuber or Vlogger, they also have a bias towards certain cruise lines (which we all do somewhat), and I do feel like a majority of the TY/Vloggers can kind of have this "anti-NCL" vibe. I'm not saying they say that verbatim, it's just a feeling I get when I watch certain ones or read the clickbait headlines.

Got the same feeling about Vloggers and YT-ers.  Not sure they are as neutral as some claim they are.  Plus, as you mentioned, they’re looking for clicks and comments.  The more of each they can generate (which is usually achieved by being controversial), the more they make.  So, that’s their main motivation.

[wolft927]

7 minutes ago, SeaShark said:

 

You don't have to think about it...if you like RCL, then just sail them and enjoy yourself.

 

Personally, I don't even know why, given how you feel about RCL, that you are even looking at, reading, posting, etc the boards for other lines.

I agree, I have cruised many lines such as Princess, Carnival, RCCL, Norwegian and a fee from years ago that are no in service anymore. Our choice is NCL for many reasons mostly personal preference. Will I cruise another line? Yes if I have to, like when my September sailing on the Getaway was canceled due to a hurricane we sailed 2 days later on the Symphony of the seas had a great time but our preference is always NCL. I like to stick with what i know i enjoy

[Funky Fusion FoodsJ]

14 minutes ago, SeaShark said:

 

Never? Really? Is it just me who doesn't understand?

 

 

SeaShark has a point..........

[cruiseny4life]

19 hours ago, Liljo22 said:

Some of it was legit and some was just nit picking.  Being upset that it costs 3% to charge casino money to your on board account is legit.  Complaining that the NCL package only allows you to get fountain soda and not cans is just nit picking.  

 

18 hours ago, Jim The Lizard said:

Oh my God, I thought exactly the same thing. 

I know I'm late to the party...but I thought exactly the opposite. It costs NCL some serious dough to transfer money from your credit card if you are using your onboard account to fund your gambling fun. It costs them, just about 3%, depending on the credit card you have. I think that's a fair charge I feel I should not have to supplement in my cruise fare. 

 

The reason I disagree about the soda is that the fountain soda on NCL is just plain weird. It is bubbly, but it rarely tastes like coke. I'm not sure if they don't add enough syrup or the ice dilutes the soda too quickly. In January, the bartenders in the Haven always used cans of coke. Never the gun. The Haven soda did taste different, in a better way. It tasted even better when we asked for no, or light, ice. We didn't test enough coke around the ship to determine if it was a can or ice thing, but if you're a soda drinker, then I agree you need a can for quality soda on NCL. 

 

15 hours ago, Charles4515 said:

Not to me. The blogger you mentioned, Don is a doofus. I watched a few of his videos and regretted it.  I don't know about the other one never watched him. Many othercruise bloggers are pretty bad. The only one I watch is Gary Bembridge. Tips for .......He is not an idiot and his tips that he passes on  are things I leaned years ago. 

Agreed. Only if Don has something to say that I'm interested in (the vloggers cruise, for instance) will I listen to him. And when I do, he grates on me. I seriously don't know what segment of middle America listens to that guy. 

 

Gary is good, as is Emma. Sometimes, La Lido Loca has decent content. I watch a lot of content (too much), but it's all so bottom shelf (looking at you Ben and David). The best one is Danny at Harr Travel, but unfortunately he seems to only do ship tours and some eating in restaurants. 

 

[Two Wheels Only]

1 hour ago, Funky Fusion FoodsJ said:

SeaShark has a point..........

 

A valid point that was deleted. 🤨

 

 

[aubreyc1988]

3 hours ago, ChC said:

I like RCL for following reasons:

1, Fast(er) internet and will be even faster internet fleetwide soon

2, Main Dining Room choices and service, although recent change is very upsetting but at least I can still get one free lobster (tongue in cheek).

3, Loyalty Program: Reduced single price after 340 credit earned.

4, Loyalty Program: Double points for solo.

5, No casino fees

6, Loyalty Program: Diamond lounge including daily speciality coffee, tea, and snacks.

7, Loyalty program: drinking vouchers any one?

 

I like NCL for following reasons:

1, ......

 

Please give me one year to think about it.

like RCL for following reasons:

1. Casino Program

2. Entertainment onboard is amazing usually.

3. Solarium, Pub, Central Park ❤️ 

4. Drink Vouchers as Diamond are nice

5. Coco Cay is very nice

 

I like NCL for following reasons:

1. All-inclusive pricing

2. Drink Package + amazing bartenders and staff

3. Specialty dining is mostly a home run every time, and their 24 hr food venue rocks

4. The Waterfront, I feel so much more connected to the ocean vs when on Royal

5. Loyalty Program: free bag of laundry, free specialty dinners

6. The game shows/non production shows are SO much fun

7. Their "next cruise" program is very generous compared to Royal's

 

[hallux]

3 hours ago, ChC said:

1, Fast(er) internet and will be even faster internet fleetwide soon

Because of Starlink?  Not an argument, NCL now has a contract with them and is installing the hardware...