Once and done with Norwegian. Ugh.

[DCGuy64]

13 hours ago, omahabob said:

Then quit. We really miss you when you're not here. 🤪

Naw, I'm good. But thanks for the, uh, "advice." 🤣

[jsn55]

7 hours ago, Goldenknight said:

 

+1

 

This is the most intelligent post ever, anywhere on this forum.  Thank you.  

 

There is a reason I don't do ANY social media whatsoever, like FB.   People seem to have unlimited time to "like" or "hate" millions of people's posts with little emojis.  

The negativity of serial whiners is reflected in someone's recent review of the Prima:  

*******

Other observations: This cruise included a contingent of folks from "Cruise Critic" they traveled en-masse and disrupted other passengers wherever they went. They were loud and obnoxious. Thankfully they only disrupted an area they took over for about an hour, then moved on to another venue. I now have a VERY negative opinion of these folks. 

*******

I ignore threads started by certain whiners who enjoy griping about every imagined slight.

It's easy to also ignore the serial complainers.

 

FWIW, I would write a positive review of the Prima, but why bother, and indeed have booked again for another 11 day sailing. . . .  an amazing price in the Haven this time that was irresistible.  

 

 

Well, you've given me my laugh for the morning.  I don't think anyone qualifies to be called a serial whiner because they report on loud, obnoxious groups of people on a cruise ship.  Loud, obnoxious people are everywhere, they need to be endured, but they don't have to be accepted as a positive.  And for the record, these CC boards are considered ... gasp! ... social media.  What a scandal, eh?

Edited June 22, 2023 by jsn55
add a brilliant thought

[jsn55]

4 hours ago, insidecabin said:

 

Happens, more on a popular CC cruises with big roll calls and organized events.

 

Wonder how many in the casino shudder when 100+ people turn up for the slot pull?

 

You also get sub groups that tend to hang out together(eg. solos)  which can dominate a space at times.  

 

It's not just CC that other place can get groups forming as well.

 

there is a UK site that has cruise deals, groups have started forming on some trips, generally first timer solo when the rates are great, they can take over sections of a bar and get loud as they evening progresses.

 

Often no worse than a large family/friends group  once you hit 8+ you can dominate a space., 

I don't think that bars in the evening qualify as places that should be kept quiet!  What's the point of drinking if you can't laugh and act stupid?

[Sugar Magnolia]

4 minutes ago, jsn55 said:

I don't think that bars in the evening qualify as places that should be kept quiet!  What's the point of drinking if you can't laugh and act stupid?

 

Girls (and guys) just wanna have fun. 😊🍺🎉🥨🍹🛳️💃🕺🍻

 

[Sugar Magnolia]

Now I've heard it all.

Count me as a complainer complaining about complainers complaining about complainers.

[graphicguy]

8 hours ago, LloydJr said:

Are there really such people out there?! 🤣

Oh…they’re out there.  Not many, but I steer clear of them on a cruise ship (and in life) as I just can’t fathom being around them.  I don’t need someone else’s negativity.  It takes a whole lot for me to be upset.  So, the less I’m around those kind of folks, the less likely I am to have my day ruined by them.

 

In Cruise Critic, you can pretty easily see who they are.

Edited June 22, 2023 by graphicguy

[golden6911]

I like seeing both positive and negative reviews.

 

Rule of thumb in life:  Happiness = Reality > Expectations

 

My expectations are now in the toilet for my upcoming cruise so I am likely to enjoy myself. 

[Sugar Magnolia]

12 minutes ago, golden6911 said:

I like seeing both positive and negative reviews.

 

Rule of thumb in life:  Happiness = Reality > Expectations

 

My expectations are now in the toilet for my upcoming cruise so I am likely to enjoy myself. 

 

Agree. I see value in both types of criticism on Cruise Critic which sounds like blasphemy.

 

I know my upcoming cruise on the Dawn will be the worst ever.

 

Edited June 22, 2023 by Sugar Magnolia

[UKstages]

48 minutes ago, golden6911 said:

My expectations are now in the toilet for my upcoming cruise so I am likely to enjoy myself. 

 

is it on the prima? the prima bathrooms within the cabins are very large and the toilets are wonderful. and the public restrooms are very well maintained. they are also one of the least crowded areas on the ship.  i was always able to get a seat in the public restrooms, which is more than i can say for the indulge food hall.

[scooter6139]

1 hour ago, golden6911 said:

I like seeing both positive and negative reviews.

 

Rule of thumb in life:  Happiness = Reality > Expectations

 

My expectations are now in the toilet for my upcoming cruise so I am likely to enjoy myself. 

 

Agree, and I take them both with a grain of salt.  I know I do both, complain/explain and praise.  I prefer reading reviews that offer both in the same review, praise for something and warning/experiences on another.  That way I know the review is probably more "legit" than not.  The "one and done" or "never cruise XXX again!" are read just for the entertainment value and that's about it.  

 

My Bliss cruise, starting in 2 days (OMG OMG OMG) is probably going to annoy and please me at the same time.  Pleasing me is that I am cruising and I get to enjoy lots of food, drink, and other shipboard pleasures!  Annoy me that the cruise is likely sold out with a lot of kids on board AND we are not in the Haven (couldn't afford the additional $7k price tag).   

[jsn55]

1 hour ago, Sugar Magnolia said:

 

Agree. I see value in both types of criticism on Cruise Critic which sounds like blasphemy.

 

I know my upcoming cruise on the Dawn will be the worst ever.

 

I'm with you, Sugar!  Based on reviews, NCL's Epic in October is bound to be the worst experience I've ever had anywhere, doing anything.  Be sure and post all the horrors of your Dawn adventure.  Starting with, maybe, the fact that your cabin steward didn't remember your name an hour after you boarded ... the shame of it all that he isn't right on top of these things.  

[Sugar Magnolia]

3 minutes ago, jsn55 said:

I'm with you, Sugar!  Based on reviews, NCL's Epic in October is bound to be the worst experience I've ever had anywhere, doing anything.  Be sure and post all the horrors of your Dawn adventure.  Starting with, maybe, the fact that your cabin steward didn't remember your name an hour after you boarded ... the shame of it all that he isn't right on top of these things.  

 

Oh, you're gonna hate it. I've been on the Epic three times and hated it more and more each time. You've been warned.

 

[ontheweb]

1 hour ago, UKstages said:

 

is it on the prima? the prima bathrooms within the cabins are very large and the toilets are wonderful. and the public restrooms are very well maintained. they are also one of the least crowded areas on the ship.  i was always able to get a seat in the public restrooms, which is more than i can say for the indulge food hall.

So there is something positive about the design of the Prima. 🤣

[Goldenknight]

Reading comprehension skills are challenging for some.

 

FYI,  the snippet regarding the CC folks was from someone else's review of the Prima, not my review.  

 

And, it's totally separate from my own opinion that there are serial whiners who are never happy, be it the poor grammar NCL allegedly used in an email to them, or the lack of a specific alcohol on board.  

 

Finally, I don't consider this site "social media" at all.   It's not FB, tweets, snaps or whatever that nonsense is called.   Thanks for the "advice", though, that it is.

FYI , there is another frequent traveler forum on which I have contributed for decades, it has over 750,000 members.

 

Meanwhile, I had Earl Grey tea and a scone for breakfast today.  😄

 

 

[SD dog dad]

On 6/21/2023 at 4:29 AM, Sailing12Away said:

Read the first post and skipped the next 10+ pages.... 

 

Just so sick of seeing the same nonsense both on here (and FB is actually worse these days) where people fault a particular cruise line (or single out a particular ship even now) for 'XYZ' when it has nothing to do with the cruise (or ship) itself.

 

If your flight was delayed getting in and caused you to start off your vacation on the wrong foot, that has nothing to do with the cruise. It happens, it's part of the risk of travel. It's the reason why so many folks recommend flying in a day earlier than your cruise to avoid missing the ship.

 

If YOU picked a hotel and didn't like it because there was no elevator, that's on you and has nothing to do with your cruise. If you brought your disappointment from your pre-cruise flight and pre-cruise hotel with you onto the ship - that again is on you.

 

I'm convinced there are just some miserable grumpy people out there who can never be pleased. The more these people take cruises and realize they don't enjoy them, the better, because hopefully they stick to their word and don't come back leaving the ship with room for folks who understand a vacation is what you make of it and even watching paint dry can be fun with the right crowd of friends around you.

 

We're taking our first Celebrity cruise later this year so I've been poking my nose around in their threads to get a feel for things. The ironic and funny thing is that the exact same whiney Karen's we have here - those boards have them too. Literally every single thread here complaining about 'xyz' - they've got a nearly identical thread over there. Between food criticism, lack of communication from the cruise line, sewage smells in the passenger hallways, noisy deck chairs moving above your room, mysterious charges, lack of certain beverages, mediocre entertainment.... it's all the same to the point it is literally comical when I see folks say "I'm never sailing with XYZ again!" - as if to imply cruise line ABC will be any better of a fit for them. 

 

But thank you OP for reminding me why I've made a conscious effort to avoid coming to sites like this and FB any more than necessary.

 

 

Well bye then.

[2Cruise4Ever]

So sorry the OP had a lousy time.  Wish you all the best on whatever other line you choose.

 

Been cruising for over 20 years, mostly on NCL.  Have never had what I'd call a "bad" cruise.  Some experiences were better than others.  But, my philosophy is "My worst day on a cruise is still better than my best day at work!"

Frankly, I'd be happy with however many sea days the ship would give me.  The ship is a destination in and of itself.  Embarkation fiasco?  Definitely not NCL's fault...  blame the port authority.  Canceled ports?  Good luck finding a cruise line that doesn't cancel ports.  It's in the fine print of the contract.

 

Dinner in Cagney's wasn't good?  Oh, well...  no cash out of your pocket.  You could have asked for an additional dining coupon to try somewhere else since it was so bad.  I'm hard pressed to believe guest services wouldn't oblige.

 

NCL also has no control over flights.  Since you disembarked early enough you could have tried to fly stand-by.

I'm not an NCL cheerleader by any means.  Just pointing out some areas that could have been better or no fault of the cruise line despite what some might blame them for.  I am a cruise cheerleader!  Any cruise I'm in, in my opinion, is a good cruise!

[omahabob]

2 hours ago, UKstages said:

 

is it on the prima? the prima bathrooms within the cabins are very large and the toilets are wonderful. and the public restrooms are very well maintained. they are also one of the least crowded areas on the ship.  i was always able to get a seat in the public restrooms, which is more than i can say for the indulge food hall.

Do they serve food in there?

[cruiseny4life]

1 hour ago, Goldenknight said:

Reading comprehension skills are challenging for some.

 

Finally, I don't consider this site "social media" at all.   It's not FB, tweets, snaps or whatever that nonsense is called.   Thanks for the "advice", though, that it is.

FYI , there is another frequent traveler forum on which I have contributed for decades, it has over 750,000 members.

 

Meanwhile, I had Earl Grey tea and a scone for breakfast today.  😄

 

 

Oh, I just had to respond! Reading comprehension is so very hard...especially for this very old Millennial! I slap myself all the time for some of my posts. 

 

I do have to challenge your assertion that Cruise Critic is not social media. Below is a snippet from the University of South Florida (I know, I know, Florida has a reality all its own), but I'll still source it despite being as credible as...well, Wiki:

 

Source: https://www.usf.edu/ucm/marketing/intro-social-media.aspx

 

Since I know a source from Florida might be tricky, here's one from Encyclopedia Britannica which is more nuanced, though I still believe describes Cruise Critic (and your 750,000 members - are comparing):

 

Source: https://www.britannica.com/topic/social-media

 

I'd love to carry on this debate over a steaming mug of Earl Grey (or perhaps some Lapsang Souchong mmmmmmm) and an Almond Croissant from the Haven. 

 

Carry on! 

 

Source: https://www.shutterstock.com/search/always-tea-time

[seemoreroyals]

After perusing through countless Prima threads it appears that the majority consensus is to be prepared for some disappointments.  As a contingency plan I just got off the phone with CAS and booked vibe passes.  $518 for two people, limited capacity, no children, private bar, infinity hot tubs, and upgraded lounge chairs.

 

The only complaint I have read so far is that it is too quiet in there.  Sounds great to us as we both love to read.  We have our own personal music playlists to listen to in the event there is no music in there as has been reported. 

 

Does anyone that has been on the Prima and paid extra for vibe passes have anything good or bad to say about the vibe ?

 

 

Edited June 22, 2023 by seemoreroyals

[insidecabin]

 

 

18 minutes ago, cruiseny4life said:

Oh, I just had to respond! Reading comprehension is so very hard...especially for this very old Millennial! I slap myself all the time for some of my posts. 

 

I do have to challenge your assertion that Cruise Critic is not social media. Below is a snippet from the University of South Florida (I know, I know, Florida has a reality all its own), but I'll still source it despite being as credible as...well, Wiki:

 

Source: https://www.usf.edu/ucm/marketing/intro-social-media.aspx

 

Since I know a source from Florida might be tricky, here's one from Encyclopedia Britannica which is more nuanced, though I still believe describes Cruise Critic (and your 750,000 members - are comparing):

 

Source: https://www.britannica.com/topic/social-media

 

I'd love to carry on this debate over a steaming mug of Earl Grey (or perhaps some Lapsang Souchong mmmmmmm) and an Almond Croissant from the Haven. 

 

Carry on! 

 

Source: https://www.shutterstock.com/search/always-tea-time

Some of us go back as far as usenet news.

[robinium]

@bobkat11 Apologies for bothering you, just wanted to ask if you got your 20% FCC for the Prima cruise as promised in our letter from the captain, for the issues? Ours hasn’t shown up on our account yet. 

[omahabob]

2 hours ago, seemoreroyals said:

...The only complaint I have read so far is that it is too quiet in there...

That's why it's there. How can people complain when something is the way it's supposed to be? Sheesh!

 

1 hour ago, insidecabin said:

Some of us go back as far as usenet news.

Some go farther than that.

[RoundGuy2771]

2 hours ago, insidecabin said:

 

Some of us go back as far as usenet news.

 

1 hour ago, omahabob said:

 

Some go farther than that.

 

 

CompuServe on a 900 baud modem anyone?

 

[McFins]

3 hours ago, seemoreroyals said:

After perusing through countless Prima threads it appears that the majority consensus is to be prepared for some disappointments.  As a contingency plan I just got off the phone with CAS and booked vibe passes.  $518 for two people, limited capacity, no children, private bar, infinity hot tubs, and upgraded lounge chairs.

 

The only complaint I have read so far is that it is too quiet in there.  Sounds great to us as we both love to read.  We have our own personal music playlists to listen to in the event there is no music in there as has been reported. 

 

Does anyone that has been on the Prima and paid extra for vibe passes have anything good or bad to say about the vibe ?

 

 

Hi Seemore.  Recently sailed on Prima with Vibe passes. 

Here’s what we thought was good:

-Outstanding service

-Nice bar (and again great service).  Even if the weather is not great some folks still go up to sit at the bar.  
-You wind up running into some of the same people each day so it’s a nice way to meet some folks, 
-It was never crowded when we were there.  
-Plenty of loungers

-We we’re always able to get an umbrella
-It is so close to the buffet/grill that it is easy to go get some food there and bring it to the Vibe area to eat if you want to eat in a less crowded area 
-I believe you can also order food from a menu but we didn’t do that on this trip

-Very clean bathrooms

 

Heres what we thought needed some improvement

-Some lounger cushions had rips/tears in them so they were a little unsightly.  

-Some of the loungers had soot on them that transferred onto your clothing

-However, there are ample towels for use in the Vibe so the two points above concerning the loungers could be remedied by covering them with towels before you sit on them.

-On our trip, one of the two hot tubs was out of service for the entire week

 

On our sailing the Vibe was open from 9 am to 7pm daily.

We would purchase Vibe again when sailing to a warm weather climate.

 

Happy sailing! 

 

[yakcruiser]

3 hours ago, cruiseny4life said:

Oh, I just had to respond! Reading comprehension is so very hard...especially for this very old Millennial! I slap myself all the time for some of my posts. 

 

I do have to challenge your assertion that Cruise Critic is not social media. Below is a snippet from the University of South Florida (I know, I know, Florida has a reality all its own), but I'll still source it despite being as credible as...well, Wiki:

 

Source: https://www.usf.edu/ucm/marketing/intro-social-media.aspx

 

Since I know a source from Florida might be tricky, here's one from Encyclopedia Britannica which is more nuanced, though I still believe describes Cruise Critic (and your 750,000 members - are comparing):

 

Source: https://www.britannica.com/topic/social-media

 

I'd love to carry on this debate over a steaming mug of Earl Grey (or perhaps some Lapsang Souchong mmmmmmm) and an Almond Croissant from the Haven. 

 

Carry on! 

 

Source: https://www.shutterstock.com/search/always-tea-time

OMG! I have been telling people all my life I am not on social media! Next thing somebody will tell me my flipfone is actually "smart" and I will have to worry about things like wi-fi and apps.