Advice for 1st Time Cruisers from a Frequent Cruiser

[Z'Loth]

2 hours ago, Sthrngary said:

I have an idea for you, which I am sure you might have thought about.  I recently did my first Solo cruise.  Before I do anything, I study the options, rules and how it all works.  I choose a ship with NCL that did not have Solo cabins in the hope they would drop the need for me to pay twice. 

 

My upcoming cruise may be the last one for quite a while. It's a makeup cruise from where I had to cancel in September 2022, and it was one of those "use it or lose it" situations. 

[Sthrngary]

Installment: When Your Potential Cruise Seems to have Bad Reviews

 

I have cruise many brands.  Some are better then others but all are relative to the cruise experience you are looking to achieve.  I have noticed of late, a lot of complaining and folks that are really upset with the cruise the booked, are on or have recently finished cruising.  

 

I then see  new cruisers to the brand, making post like "After some of the review I read, I don't know if I want to go on Brand X".  Not so fast folks, before you make that final decision look a little closer.  Allow me to give you some thing to look for and some strategies to take when folks complain about a cruise brand. 

 

Look for the following:

1. If someone posts on a cruise brand board, "I will never cruise the brand again".  Read their topic and see what their issue was.  It might not apply to you.
2. What do folk do a deep complaint online when social media does not fix the issue.  The answer is they want folks to be on their side and looking for Social Media Justification that the issue they had, is all the brand fault.  This is rarely the fact but folk need to have that justification. 
3. Go back on the history of the poster and see if they have a habit of complaining.  I think it will surprise you that some contributors especially those that really are over the top upset, are the ones that always seem to complain. 
4. Look for trends and patterns with complaints.  If it is a one off, let it slide.  If it has to do with let's say port cancelation where their is now a war/conflict; don't blame the cruise brand.  Thank them.  If a lot of the same complaints happen from different guest, have a strategy so it won't effect the quality of your vacation. See my topic below, "Have a Strategy."

How to leverage blogs that are complaining:

1. Have a Strategy: Have a strategy to avoid the issue the poster is complaining about.  On my recent Oceania Cruise, lots of folk were complaining that ports were cancelled for what the poster said was no real reason.  There is always a reason but we the guest might not agree with it.  When I heard this was what seemed to be a frequent situation, I told my guest joining me that their was a high likely hood of a port being cancelled.  I wanted to provide "realistic expectations".  Sure enough, was a port cancelled? Yes, Florence, Italy.  Were we disappointed, Yes.  It is make our entire cruise bad, NO.  We knew it cold happen so it was like "Water off a Duck".  
2. Handle Issues Immediately with Empathy: It is a cruise, things happen. Handle the issue with kindness and a smile.  If you come across as a harsh primidone, you will be treated like one. My approach is to always look for something good, tell the Cruise Hotel Manager how impressed you are early in the cruise.  Then is something happens, later, they are willing to assist you much better.  On my cruise, I did just that.  Yet some other said that the Guest Services was awful.  I found them to be Steller. 
3. Leverage Different Brands:  When I want a small ship, that has lots of ports, I choose brands like Oceania Cruises.  When I want a lot of excitement on a cruise with stellar entertainment, I choose the NCL Haven on the larger ships.  My decision is based on the experience I want.  

So before you cancel a reservation or choose not to use a brand, because of some unkind words you read.  Do your due diligence.  Be a good consumer and don't fall for the person that just want you to cry with them.  Ask yourself a question, could they have planned their cruise better and did they make some mistakes.  Was it all the cruise brands fault.  Nothing is ever black and white.  Cruise never go perfect. 

 

Cruise well and enjoy every moment. 

[ldubs]

Good stuff.  Item #2-Handle Issues Immediately, made me pause.  Of course with over 40 cruises we have experienced some issues.  I do understand sometimes there can be a serious issue that requires correction.  Fortunately,  never have I felt the need to report an issue to someone.  No one is perfect.  Mistakes are sometimes made.  Instead of wasting time, we just move on with enjoying the cruise.  I think some of the habitual complainers you mention have a need to escalate small things.    

[FNSCGAL]

@Sthrngary As a first time cruiser and one lucky enough to win a Haven bid (yay), I'm not even sure what to expect or do. I read your posts about the Haven and the butler tips, etc but I am not sure if there are differences as far as the cruise location and how things are handled with ports, reservations of any kind, etc. My husband and I will be doing an Alaska cruise in June 🙂 and have the excursions figured out, as well as flying into Seattle a couple days ahead of the boarding to see family, but we were just going to eat in the main dining room and check all the other stuff out as this will be our first. What tips would you give as I have not gotten the concierge letter or email as others have discussed when booking the Haven? We will be sailing the Encore and my biggest goal it to be able to not have to make multiple decisions during vacation as I would like to be able to just relax. 

[Sthrngary]

4 minutes ago, FNSCGAL said:

@Sthrngary As a first time cruiser and one lucky enough to win a Haven bid (yay), I'm not even sure what to expect or do. I read your posts about the Haven and the butler tips, etc but I am not sure if there are differences as far as the cruise location and how things are handled with ports, reservations of any kind, etc. My husband and I will be doing an Alaska cruise in June 🙂 and have the excursions figured out, as well as flying into Seattle a couple days ahead of the boarding to see family, but we were just going to eat in the main dining room and check all the other stuff out as this will be our first. What tips would you give as I have not gotten the concierge letter or email as others have discussed when booking the Haven? We will be sailing the Encore and my biggest goal it to be able to not have to make multiple decisions during vacation as I would like to be able to just relax. 

@FNSCGAL A first time cruiser, AND staying in the NCL Haven on the best ship the Encore.  where do you go from there?????  Good call on your part.  

 

Have you read my first post located on the NCL Cruise Critic blog call" The Secrets of the Haven....."  That first posting is very long and has lots of information.  I see you are also reading my posts on Oceania Cruises.  My opinions are the same. However, I will attempt to give you what I would do here.  

 

Pre-Cruise Concierge:  First, you contact email for them is " NorwegianConciergeDesk@ncl.com ".  I would normally ask for changes in Restaurant Reservation, water as well as extension cords for CPAP machine, and general information.  They can help sometimes and put a request into your reservation other times.  When you are on the ship, the ship board Haven Concierge can get mostly everything done for you.

Getting Onboard:  Haven Guest can go onboard first.  I always get to the port a bit early to be first onboard.  Not everyone thinks this way, but I do.  I then get to the On-Board Haven Concierge first or wait online to talk to them.  A busy time for them.  So since like you, want things done early, I wait.  Worth the wait. 

Manage Your Expectations:  The Haven is really nice but not crazy nice.  Please keep that in mind.  Leverage your expectations to be realistic so you can be pleasantly surprised. 

Dining: Yes relative to the person but you are asking me so here is my take. They will offer you a choice of lunch in the American Diner or some other restaurant or the Haven Exclusive Restaurant.  Do the Haven Restaurant and expect a longer leisurely lunch.  I would NEVER eat in the Main Dining room, ever.  I would eat in the Haven Dining Room but since it has the same menu every night, I would choose carefully the Specialty Restaurants that would suit my tastes.  I would also inform my butler that my room service should be from the Haven Restaurant not normal room service unless the Haven Restaurant does not have the item.  

Haven Butlers: Hit or miss and at very best Average.  Knowing that, you need to communicate your needs to them. I do it in writing which I call the butler letter.  Never huge items just thanks like coffee in the morning with Danish or almond Croissants which are only available to Haven Guest. Remember, not even your butler can bring you an alcoholic drink to your room without charging you.  Regardless of your drink package.  The stuff in your mini fridge is all at a cost so have the butler put it up.  The Sparkling Wine given is complementary and horrible.  I usually give to a newlywed. The afternoon snacks are the same for everyone so don't be disappointed.  Sometimes your butler can bring chips or m&m.  Realistic expectation.

 

That was just a few things that I feel might make you vacation better.  You can as any questions you want.

 

Cruise well and enjoy every moment. 

[FNSCGAL]

 

 

@Sthrngary Thank you for such a quick reply! I have been wanting to go on a cruise for long time and I'm usually the planner for all vacations but we are slowly just getting back into branching out after Covid. Prior to the pandemic, we traveled to different places within the US and definitely are more on the low key of expectations; just like to eat good food, meet new people and have some decent drinks with a good view possibly lol.. 

Thank you for the email, I was wondering how I would be able to see what my options were! 

As far as the Encore, any recommendations for the specialty restaurants? How about entertainment? We both like to gamble some(not great at it but it's fun) and usually go to Laughlin or Fremont St if we get the urge since it's not too far of a drive. 

As far as the butler letter, our requests will most likely be pretty simple. Is there a format you would recommend? I like to be able to not feel rushed on vacation.  Work is always a constant go, go, go and sometimes intense... So I look forward to not making any multifactorial decisions or feeling hurried if I don't have to while on the cruise.

[Sthrngary]

36 minutes ago, FNSCGAL said:

any recommendations for the specialty restaurants? How about entertainment?

@FNSCGAL on the NCL Blog, I just posted the Excel Agenda and the Butler Letter for you.  On the dining.  I would have the Prime Rib in the Haven restaurant.  I would choose the Seafood Restaurant and the French Restaurant.  If you like noodle bars, it is complementary but you have to get there early or wait a long time.  The 24/7 restaurant has good wings and burgers.  The Buffet is good but not great.  

 

My favorite place is the Haven lounge in the front of the ship for early morning coffee and Danish.  The high-end coffee machine has great specialty coffee's with Starbucks beans.  The assortment of light snacks or breakfast suits me when I am up early.  The lounge is my favorite place on the ship.  The General Lounge is just below it with a real Starbucks with is only part of the Premium Plus Drink Package.  

 

The shows are always really good but NCL has cut back on the Broadway shows of recent.  If they have a Cavern Club with the Beatles, don't miss a show even though it is always packed.  In the main showroom, they have a side section for Haven Guest.  Gain reservations for the show you want with the Haven Concierge in the Haven Lounge. The bar tenders in the Haven Lounge are the best on the ship but Haven Guest work the hell out of them so they are always very busy.  When they are not, ask them to make a "Smoking Drink" even if you pay for it.  Take out your camara and video the show.

 

The Haven Sundeck is the place to be in one of the hot tubs when they do Glacier bay. Have a drink, look outside while in a hot tub is excellent.  Again, ask me anything.

 

Always gamble with a Card so you can get rated.  Never ever gamble without a card.  Learn from my mistakes. 

 

Cruise well and enjoy every moment. 

[Sthrngary]

It has been a while since I posted here, but I thought it might be a good time and a good topic.  Cruising goes in categories.  Mainstream (NCL, Carnival, MSC and Royal), Premium (Celebrity, HAL), Premium Plus (Oceania, Viking), Luxury (Crystal, Explora Journey) and Ultra-Luxury (Regent Seven Seas, Ritz-Carlton).  The Mainstream companies have special area's that are called, "A Ship-Within-A-Ship" which is a VIP section that has a significant premium with perks.  

 

That is a lot of options.  Add to this Mega Ships, large ships, small ships and yachts.  That is even more options.  Each are designed for the needs a different cruisers.  Here is my thought.

 

When looking at your next cruise, depending on your budget, don't limit yourself to Mainstream brands.  With a little research, you might be able to cruise in a Premium, Premium Plus or Luxury category.  Take the time to price them all and look at all the upper end cruise categories give you that you might have had to pay extra for on a Mainstream Brand. When I did this comparation I was pleasantly surprised.  

 

Just a thought and I hope it help you in your next journey.

 

Cruise well and enjoy every moment. 

[ldubs]

18 hours ago, Sthrngary said:

It has been a while since I posted here, but I thought it might be a good time and a good topic.  Cruising goes in categories.  Mainstream (NCL, Carnival, MSC and Royal), Premium (Celebrity, HAL), Premium Plus (Oceania, Viking), Luxury (Crystal, Explora Journey) and Ultra-Luxury (Regent Seven Seas, Ritz-Carlton).  The Mainstream companies have special area's that are called, "A Ship-Within-A-Ship" which is a VIP section that has a significant premium with perks.  

 

 

Out of nothing more than pure curiosity, which category would you apply to Princess.  I might have said mainstream, but also might put them with Celebrity or HAL because they are less "family friendly" than NCL, Carnival, or Royal (don't know much about MSC).    

[Sthrngary]

18 hours ago, ldubs said:

 

Out of nothing more than pure curiosity, which category would you apply to Princess.  I might have said mainstream, but also might put them with Celebrity or HAL because they are less "family friendly" than NCL, Carnival, or Royal (don't know much about MSC).    

@ldubs The categories of Mainstream to Ultra-Luxury have nothing to do with family friendly cruises.  The have to do with the way your are treated, food/dining, personalized service, accommodations and other items that enhance the normal cruise experiments. Allow me to answer your question from my point of view.  "Princess Cruise Lines" is a premium cruise brand.  

 

If what a cruiser wants is a luxury experience but family friendly, then NCL Haven, Celebrity Retreat, MSC Yacht club are excellent choices.  If it is just a couple and a more all inclusive, calmer more personalized cruise is wanted with less children; that is when Viking, Oceania, Crystal, Seaborne, Silver Seas and Explora Journey are worthy.  When you compare the investments with a more all-inclusive cruise brand to the Mainstream, the investment can be the same and even less.  That is the point of this post.  

 

Long answer to a short question. 

 

Cruise well and enjoy every moment.

[MacMadame]

Disney was left out too. I'd put both Princess and Disney in the Premium category. Disney is expensive but a lot is included and it's not a Luxury line. So maybe Premium Plus is better. Hard to say since I haven't been on those other lines.

 

I'm not sure I'd put MSC in Mainstream either. I think of MSC and Margaritaville at Sea as being in their own category: non-standard. Lots of US cruisers, in particular, have MSC because it's so different from what they are used to.

[ldubs]

13 hours ago, Sthrngary said:

@ldubs The categories of Mainstream to Ultra-Luxury have nothing to do with family friendly cruises.  The have to do with the way your are treated, food/dining, personalized service, accommodations and other items that enhance the normal cruise experiments. Allow me to answer your question from my point of view.  "Princess Cruise Lines" is a premium cruise brand.  

 

If what a cruiser wants is a luxury experience but family friendly, then NCL Haven, Celebrity Retreat, MSC Yacht club are excellent choices.  If it is just a couple and a more all inclusive, calmer more personalized cruise is wanted with less children; that is when Viking, Oceania, Crystal, Seaborne, Silver Seas and Explora Journey are worthy.  When you compare the investments with a more all-inclusive cruise brand to the Mainstream, the investment can be the same and even less.  That is the point of this post.  

 

Long answer to a short question. 

 

Cruise well and enjoy every moment.

 

Thanks Sthrngary.  I like your criteria for the categories.  I guess I focused on the family aspect because I otherwise find Celebrity, RCI (small ships), and Princess to be comparable.   We have no experience with the Luxury lines.   We have a few cruises on Carnival and several on RCI, Princess, and Celebrity.  These days we seem to use Princess more but that goes in cycles.   

 

All that aside, great thread.   

[PurpleBunny84]

On 7/3/2024 at 7:07 PM, Sthrngary said:

It has been a while since I posted here, but I thought it might be a good time and a good topic.  Cruising goes in categories.  Mainstream (NCL, Carnival, MSC and Royal), Premium (Celebrity, HAL), Premium Plus (Oceania, Viking), Luxury (Crystal, Explora Journey) and Ultra-Luxury (Regent Seven Seas, Ritz-Carlton).  The Mainstream companies have special area's that are called, "A Ship-Within-A-Ship" which is a VIP section that has a significant premium with perks.  

 

That is a lot of options.  Add to this Mega Ships, large ships, small ships and yachts.  That is even more options.  Each are designed for the needs a different cruisers.  Here is my thought.

 

When looking at your next cruise, depending on your budget, don't limit yourself to Mainstream brands.  With a little research, you might be able to cruise in a Premium, Premium Plus or Luxury category.  Take the time to price them all and look at all the upper end cruise categories give you that you might have had to pay extra for on a Mainstream Brand. When I did this comparation I was pleasantly surprised.  

 

Just a thought and I hope it help you in your next journey.

 

Cruise well and enjoy every moment. 

This isn't really related to your post, but I was so happy to see your name pop up in my notifications. I just wanted to thank you for all of your help last year. We took our first cruise last November, and your tips were so incredibly helpful. You also gave me very thorough answers to every question I asked you. Your advice saved me time and money, earned me some perks, and made our vacation even more memorable. So, THANK YOU so much!!😊🌻

[jlawrence01]

On 2/6/2024 at 10:13 AM, ldubs said:

Good stuff.  Item #2-Handle Issues Immediately, made me pause.  Of course with over 40 cruises we have experienced some issues.  I do understand sometimes there can be a serious issue that requires correction.  Fortunately,  never have I felt the need to report an issue to someone.  No one is perfect.  Mistakes are sometimes made.  Instead of wasting time, we just move on with enjoying the cruise.  I think some of the habitual complainers you mention have a need to escalate small things.    

 

I think that it depends on the problem.

 

For example, I was at the buffet on Carnival Splendor.  A man came up to the counter with his dirty plate, handed it to an employee and asked for another slice of beef.  That is not proper so I let the buffet manager know so he could correct the problem.

 

On another ship, a 5 yr old was hanging over the railing while his mother was talking.  So I let her know.

 

I would agree that I would let small things go unless it pertains to health and safety.

[Sthrngary]

Hello Everyone:

 

If you are new to cruising or new to a brand, consider this mindset. Don't get uncomfortable or upset when researching your cruise because some folks had issues or concerns. You will be missing the point.  

 

Learning the pros/cons of cruising allow you to have a very strong strategic plan.  If folks comments tend to say something is really positive, leverage that and utilize it when on the ship. Simple example, "Get your coffee from the barista and bring it to breakfast with you."  On the other hand, if folks have a concern or issue, now that you know about it, make a plan to avoid it so it is not part of your vacation.  If it does not happen to you, it is not a con.

 

This strategy takes many cruises to fully understand.  We are often fooled by the marketing a brand has telling us everything is only GREAT.  Don't believe marketing.  We then look to cruise influencers that are given free cruises to say nice things. Common sense tells you what is wrong with that picture.  Learn from folks just like us that pay for their cruise.  Just do it with common sense and a grain of salt.  

 

Cruises are what you make of them.  They never go perfectly.  Yet that are all memorable. 

 

Cruise well and enjoy every moment. 

[PurpleBunny84]

Great advice! We're going on our 2nd cruise in a couple of weeks, and I went into it with the mindset that it won't be as great as our first cruise, but will still be an excellent opportunity to make memories. 😊👍

Edited August 16 by PurpleBunny84

[Sthrngary]

1 hour ago, PurpleBunny84 said:

Great advice! We're going on our 2nd cruise in a couple of weeks, and I went into it with the mindset that it won't be as great as our first cruise, but will still be an excellent opportunity to make memories. 😊👍

@PurpleBunny84 It is be great.  Different from the first time but still great.  You will be less stressed, just as excited and more familiar with the situation.  Enjoy.

 

Cruise well and enjoy every moment.