Norwegians shocking demise of quality on all fronts

[Seas2mountains]

10 hours ago, JT222 said:

Hi to all

 

I’m interested in everybody’s feedback regarding NCL product these days. As a very loyal cruiser to NCL I have decided not to book with them again! Since Del Rio left there has been a MASSIVE drop in quality from food to service to entertainment.( This could also just be coincidence or result of covid debts).Is it us or are other loyalists of the same opinion? Even senior management (Katty Byrd) can not be bothered to respond to questions. 
 

The food quality has plummeted in all venues INCLUDING SPECIALITY. The Shrimp in Cagneys was cheap and crunchy. The buffet is repeated and boring to say the least, The entertainment poor. Guest services rude and miserable, Bar staff understaffed( along with many other departments) and overworked. 
 

I could go on and on but more than anything I’m so sad that this once excellent cruise line has become so poor. So are we alone in this thought or are other loyalists feeling the same? To senior management I challenge you to join me on a cruise of MY CHOICE undercover to see what your decisions have done. Enjoy the boom now but when things calm down you will suffer as people go elsewhere. 
 

I would also like to invite management to discuss their love of the environment. Selling a cruise and then changing the itinerary to save fuel is NOT done for the environment. It’s to SAVE MONEY. So sell the cruise with less stops initially so environmental lovers can book and feel so good about it!

 

Anyway, what’s all your thoughts and maybe someone will listen before the damage is not reversible.

 
Regards

Would love to hear what ship you were on when you experienced this and when that was? 
 

Despite the expected changes that happened after Covid and as cruise lines struggle to pay back massive amounts of debt, we have gone on a dozen cruises on NCL since 2021. We’ve had such a great time that we keep going back and we are bringing our kids and grandkids. Change is going to happen. We get frustrated by the changes, too. 

The cruises have not always been perfect but we really honestly had a great time. We can’t wait to get on another cruise in less than two weeks, with family in less than 90 days, and shortly after that to explore Norway and Iceland and more. 
 

It is such a blessing to be able to cruise and there are so many people who wish they could experience crunchy shrimp or the ability to hear live music in a beautiful setting while the ship gently rocks as the sun sets.  I know we are so lucky to have this opportunity and there are so many cruise line options to choose from. 
 

What will you do with these responses? Will you book on another cruise line? 

 

[DrUrsula]

50 minutes ago, Shidah said:

If it was The Rebel Yell going to JVD, that is worth getting up any time for! Our favorite excursion that we do every time and would not miss it!  Definitely worth the early rise!

We were on Rebel Yell with captain -dang-Megan? Connie?

she was brutal to the inebriated masses in the trip back. They just didn't know it!!

 

[PATRLR]

16 hours ago, DCGuy64 said:

I'm just curious: If NCL sent you a letter or did a massive mailing saying that they were only changing itineraries to save money, would that satisfy you?

It's a great question that I've thought about for a while since you wrote it.  I think I would be happier with the honest reason than the BS reason.  Of course I understand the next thought I'd have is along the lines of "OK, what's my cut of that savings" and therein lies the problem.  But at the end of the day, I'd rather be ripped off than lied to.  

[PATRLR]

I agree that quality has slipped significantly.  Food is the biggest area.   We have been on many cruises going back to the 80s.  I honestly don't think we've ever intentionally planned on eating dinner in a buffet on any ship, ever.  We enjoy and prefer being served dinner.  Well this past December on Viva, the MDR meals were just so bad that we actually planned one night to try the buffet.  

The general reduction in quality has us now trying other lines after many years of just NCL.  RCCL last summer, Princess this summer.  We still enjoy our NCL cruises, we bought more Crusie Next when we were on Viva.  As others have said, we just don't enjoy them as much.

[JIMESOPUS]

Agree, things have gone downhill in many areas but they are having no problem in filling those ships. As with any tourism business that survived Covid they must ultimately answer to the stockholders.

Will I continue to sail with them - yes, am I happy - no. 

 https://www.cruisehive.com/norwegian-cruise-line-shows-growth-forecasts-strong-2024/124705

 

[graphicguy]

If you love cruising (I Do) then changes happen.  Not only with NCL, but the rest of the cruise industry as well.

 

The industry is so silo'd and segmented, you're bound to find a cruise product that suits you.  Recently, some have bemoaned they can't get multiple lobsters with their Haven dinners.  It's not that they can't get lobster, it's that they can't get multiples of lobsters at each dinner.  Think about that.  The complaint is they can't get multiple lobsters.  Seriously?  

 

Some bemoan the changes in entertainment.  I get it.  I like the big broadway type shows (for the most part). Some of them were "meh" (e.g. SIX or Kinky Boots), but there are those who liked them.  I'm not a fan of the game shows.  But, they are enthusiastically and well attended, so I'm in the minority again.

 

Point of all this, changes are made, on all cruise lines.  Some, as a result of the monetary hit they took during COVID.  Some, is just operational.

 

There are some areas where I find NCL is better than before.  I really LOVE their new INDULGE food court on their new ships.  The food is more varied and WAY better than what used to be available on ANY buffet on ANY cruise line.  That's just one example.

 

Fact is, you'd be hard pressed to find a better vacation value than a cruise...including NCL, as they are sailing with full ships across the board.

 

NCL has ticked me off in the past.  I've been vocal about those times. So, I'm not a cheer leader.  But, if NCL doesn't work for you, there is Royal, Celebrity, Virgin, Carnival, Princess, etc.  It's easy to find something that suits you if it's not NCL. 

 

NCL is still my "go to", however! I still like them more than the other cruise lines I've experienced.

Edited February 29 by graphicguy

[bkrickles1]

8 minutes ago, graphicguy said:

Fact is, you'd be hard pressed to find a better vacation value than a cruise...including NCL, as they are sailing with full ships across the board.

I could not agree more!!!

Since 2018, it's been all NCL for us because their product suits our cruise style.

And the value is still, despite inflation, off the charts!

We're sailing Getaway for 10 days at the end of April and for $200pp per day total we're getting all you can eat, all you can drink, entertainment, Vibe Beach Club, anticipated great service, our OSC, excursions, etc.........

There's nothing on land that comes close and I don't think any of the other lines can match that value.

[knitlady037]

18 hours ago, unionhall said:

I completely agree that the quality of the NCL product has declined. I have sailed with them for forty years but this past 10 day Caribbean on Getaway in February was my last cruise. I wasn’t happy on the 5 day Bermuda Getaway in January with the temperature of the food at breakfast in the Buffet and American diner so I didn’t eat there on the February cruise.  
 

We had two bad meals in O’Sheehans and then we didn’t go again. I tried to avoid what  wasn’t working for us. We had a very good dinner at Cagneys and Teppanyaki but the rest were just okay. 

 

For me I liked the hash browns with breakfast, the cookies in the afternoon, the occasional towel animal. They like the thin mint on your pillow and cabins done twice a day are gone from NCL.
 

The most frustrating part for me is how long it takes to get a response from guest services. We had a problem with the casino and I want to know who to get in touch with. I filled out the form and they told me I will get a response in 15-  30 days. That is just to get the name of who we have to contact.

 

My up coming cruises are booked with Royal in April,(Bahamas/Florida/perfect day) two with Celebrity in July  (Japan and Alaska)and back on Royal in September for Canada.

 

Out of the nine people with us on our last trip only two are booked on a future NCl. The rest are moving on.

I did a 7 day Getaway gruise Feb. 2022 with my then 18 and 15 year old granddaughters. Cruise was fantastic. They loved the entertainment, going to the buffet for snacks and the general cruise overall. Just returned for the 10 day Getaway in January with the same 2 girls. Even at their ages they noticed the downgrade in services and food. I admit I have spoiled them with cruises, the older one in platinum, close to sapphire and the younger one will be the same when she turns 18 so they know the NCL product well. For the first time cruiser that was going for the destinations and unlimited drinks it was a great cruise. Also port times were terrible. Most of the time we had to be back on the ship by 3 pm. No one wants to go to the beach early in the morning in winter, even if it is the Caribbean, We made the best of it but could tell they were disappinted bit would never say anything to me.

[kirtihk]

22 hours ago, bkrickles1 said:

While there has certainly been some cutbacks, I believe the product is still pretty good.

We sailed Joy last July and had a terrific cruise. It was virtually identical to the sailing we did the year before on Joy with service, food and entertainment being extremely close in quality to what we experienced in 2018 and 2020 on Escape and Encore.

We enjoyed it so much last year that we're now booked on Getaway in 51 days!

 

And I probably wouldn't put the blame on corporate. I believe it is almost entirely a pandemic plus inflation combination that most companies are struggling with right now.

It's not corporate, and it's not shmandemic either.  It's related to it in a big selfish way, but it is not itself.

[bkrickles1]

1 minute ago, kirtihk said:

It's not corporate, and it's not shmandemic either.  It's related to it in a big selfish way, but it is not itself.

You lost me. I have no idea what that means.

[kirtihk]

21 hours ago, gmbhardy said:

Reality isn’t subjective.

You are correct, and I also agree with your observation.  However, it's (like everything else) relative: when you observe a moving object, what is actually moving, that object or you?

[kirtihk]

4 minutes ago, bkrickles1 said:

You lost me. I have no idea what that means.

It's a Yiddish ironical way to proclaim an infamous 2020 word.  By the way, when one doesn't pronouns a certain negative word explicitly, that word's harmful energy doesn't affect that person.

[bkrickles1]

8 minutes ago, kirtihk said:

It's a Yiddish ironical way to proclaim an infamous 2020 word.  By the way, when one doesn't pronouns a certain negative word explicitly, that word's harmful energy doesn't affect that person.

I meant this below. And I'm very familiar with yiddish! Lol

 

It's related to it in a big selfish way, but it is not itself.

 

what does that mean?

#daydrinking?

 

[kirtihk]

19 minutes ago, bkrickles1 said:

I meant this below. And I'm very familiar with yiddish! Lol

 

It's related to it in a big selfish way, but it is not itself.

 

what does that mean?

#daydrinking?

 

Let me please skip further explanation.

 

I wish.  However, soon heaven will grant it (17-day Seabourn Pursuit cruise on April 14).

[graphicguy]

39 minutes ago, kirtihk said:

It's a Yiddish ironical way to proclaim an infamous 2020 word.  By the way, when one doesn't pronouns a certain negative word explicitly, that word's harmful energy doesn't affect that person.

I’m with @bkrickles1.  This is some sort of language code that is foreign to me.  I have no idea what any of this means!  🤷‍♂️

[FPMoosally]

1 hour ago, kirtihk said:

You are correct {that reality isn't subjective}, and I also agree with your observation.  However, it's (like everything else) relative

 

You guys need to learn words.

Reality, for any given individual, IS subjective. It IS relative. It is NOT objective.

 

[RocketMan275]

2 hours ago, knitlady037 said:

I did a 7 day Getaway gruise Feb. 2022 with my then 18 and 15 year old granddaughters. Cruise was fantastic. They loved the entertainment, going to the buffet for snacks and the general cruise overall. Just returned for the 10 day Getaway in January with the same 2 girls. Even at their ages they noticed the downgrade in services and food. I admit I have spoiled them with cruises, the older one in platinum, close to sapphire and the younger one will be the same when she turns 18 so they know the NCL product well. For the first time cruiser that was going for the destinations and unlimited drinks it was a great cruise. Also port times were terrible. Most of the time we had to be back on the ship by 3 pm. No one wants to go to the beach early in the morning in winter, even if it is the Caribbean, We made the best of it but could tell they were disappinted bit would never say anything to me.

Why would a 15 and 18 year old be disappointed in the unlimited drinks changes?

Why is it NCL's fault that one had to be back on board by 3PM?

Why is it NCL's fault that you didn't want to go to the beach in the winter time?

[kirtihk]

26 minutes ago, FPMoosally said:

 

You guys need to learn words.

Reality, for any given individual, IS subjective. It IS relative. It is NOT objective.

 

"Reality - the world or the state of things as they actually exist" - so, it is not for any given individual, and, therefore, not subjective.  The different matter is if one actually expresses their feeling and yet states that it is a reality. 

[kirtihk]

51 minutes ago, graphicguy said:

I’m with @bkrickles1.  This is some sort of language code that is foreign to me.  I have no idea what any of this means!  🤷‍♂️

I was simply trying to be politically correct (I'm from former USSR after all - left in February 1991).  That's why I avoided further explanation.

[graphicguy]

10 minutes ago, kirtihk said:

I was simply trying to be politically correct (I'm from former USSR after all - left in February 1991).  That's why I avoided further explanation.

Hey....you're welome here.  I still don't know what you're saying, politically correct or not.

 

Best of luck to you, though!

[kirtihk]

1 minute ago, graphicguy said:

Hey....you're welome here.  I still don't know what you're saying, politically correct or not.

 

Best of luck to you, though!

Does "welome" mean Sholom?  Ha-ha!

[Joesantos]

On 2/28/2024 at 12:41 PM, JT222 said:

Hi to all

 

I’m interested in everybody’s feedback regarding NCL product these days. As a very loyal cruiser to NCL I have decided not to book with them again! Since Del Rio left there has been a MASSIVE drop in quality from food to service to entertainment.( This could also just be coincidence or result of covid debts).Is it us or are other loyalists of the same opinion? Even senior management (Katty Byrd) can not be bothered to respond to questions. 
 

The food quality has plummeted in all venues INCLUDING SPECIALITY. The Shrimp in Cagneys was cheap and crunchy. The buffet is repeated and boring to say the least, The entertainment poor. Guest services rude and miserable, Bar staff understaffed( along with many other departments) and overworked. 
 

I could go on and on but more than anything I’m so sad that this once excellent cruise line has become so poor. So are we alone in this thought or are other loyalists feeling the same? To senior management I challenge you to join me on a cruise of MY CHOICE undercover to see what your decisions have done. Enjoy the boom now but when things calm down you will suffer as people go elsewhere. 
 

I would also like to invite management to discuss their love of the environment. Selling a cruise and then changing the itinerary to save fuel is NOT done for the environment. It’s to SAVE MONEY. So sell the cruise with less stops initially so environmental lovers can book and feel so good about it!

 

Anyway, what’s all your thoughts and maybe someone will listen before the damage is not reversible.

 
Regards

NCL still has best activities staff live music and dancing opportunities!

Post pandemic we loved the Getaway once in 2023 and again in 2024 RCL adventure once and very little activity and silent disco and karaoke can’t stand that. 
But on Getaway 20,000 steps dancing each and every day/night dancing to Latin duo in mojitos bar, country music by piano guy with line dancing, cuterez regae band, theme parties with Alex Stenko the assistant cruise director and a whole activity staff keeping us busy, Zumba type class freeeeee! Food was average but we didn’t gain any weight. If my wife is happy I’m happy…..yes shorts are worn in dining room including Cagney so I’ve retired my suit as I looked like I worked there, ha ha

[Traveling Fools]

18 hours ago, DrUrsula said:

Until about a year ago we cruised exclusively in the Haven. It is in the Haven that we have seen a very noticeable decrease in quality of service and overall "product"

 

Until January of this year NCL has been our go-to line.  We have only sailed in suites or the Haven.  Our Jan 7th cruise aboard Epic has changed our thinking about booking NCL.  On this cruise DW and I booked the deluxe owner's suite and adjoining suite that was occupied by our DD, SIL , GD, and GS.  It was a combination belated holiday and birthday cruise.  Birthdays celebrated were GS's (Dec 27th), GD's (Jan 3rd), and DD's (Jan 12th).  DW and I paid for the suites and all onboard expenses. 

 

Our room steward had 30 years on the job with NCL and was essentially retired on the job.  It was bad enough that, without saying anything about him, our butler took the initiative to pick up some of the slack. With one exception the crew we interacted with were professional and cordial, sometimes even friendly. 

 

The one exception involved the restaurant manager at the Le Bistro, she was put out that we had asked to speak to her about an issue and rudely told us to speak to the concierge.

 

Except when sitting at the Haven's main bar or using the ATM, service throughout the ship was SLOW.  Even in the Haven restaurant.  We heard unsubstantiated comments the ship's service staff was shorthanded.

 

In a word beef in both Cagney's and the Haven restaurant sucked!  

 

A  collection of things , including the situation at Le Bistro and how it was mishandled both onboard and later at corporate, has made DW and I question our continued loyalty to NCL.

 

 

[cruiseny4life]

4 hours ago, kirtihk said:

I was simply trying to be politically correct (I'm from former USSR after all - left in February 1991).  That's why I avoided further explanation.

I don't suppose you're the gent we shared a hot tub with in January 2023 onboard Getaway in the Haven? My husband is a Russian immigrant as well... though wasn't born at the time of the USSR.

[Alatraveler1]

19 hours ago, DrUrsula said:

We were on Rebel Yell with captain -dang-Megan? Connie?

she was brutal to the inebriated masses in the trip back. They just didn't know it!!

 

One of our favorite excursions of all time, done it twice!