POH Cruise 11/6- Never Again!

[johnql]

I didn't want to get into this argument, but if youbid has cruised NCL four times before, he/she should already know about the charges in the specialty restaurants..:rolleyes:

It's not really an argument - I just don't understand how somebody can complain about a charge that is not hidden. Based on youbid's last post, he rushed to book a restaurant because he didn't want to lose out on the opportunity to dine in a restaurant without knowing what was being served or how much it cost. But he wants to reserve the right to complain about it after the fact. Doesn't sound reasonable to me.

 

In addition, he could have made the reservation as he did, then checked out the menu and fees sometime before the actual dinner. That way, he could have cancelled the reservation if he was displeased with either the restaurant's menu or the charges.

[youbid]

I am assuming you reported your Housekeeping problems to the housekeeping department - from reading the reviews of this cruise you seem to be one of the reviewers who had housekeeping issues on that cruise - if you had a bad steward he/she should have been reported.

Why did you expect the purser to give you a "correction"? I am not sure why you felt entitled to any refund. Surcharge items are CLEARLY posted on the menus of the specialty restaurants and you could have just ordered items that did not require a "surcharge on the surcharge" or you could have eaten in the dining rooms for no surcharge at all. The Freestyle Daily clearly indicates which restaurants have an extra charge.

Heres just one of the problems with housekeeping. We did not have a regular room steward for several days into the cruise. Day 1 - Sheets had blood stains, pillow covers dirty with stains & hair. Dirty underware from prior cruiser under the bed, carpets were not vaccumed. Our steward was one out with the virus and NCLA did not replace her they just gave more work for others to cover. As for any correction I did not go into details, it was about the partial cost of a bad dinner, my wife became sick within 15 minutes of eating in Cagneys, needless to say she lost her dinner. So I think the least they could do would be credit her half of the cost for dinner, nothing more. Keep in mind we have gone on 29 cruises, love to cruise. So I know a bad cruise when I see one. NCLA has a problem keeping a staff on this ship. They did bring in a bus or two of new crew members for the next cruise, we saw them as we left the ship. Later

[stargazerfromnc]

As I mentioned, Celebrity handled the virus the same way; I don't know what good it would do to tell everyone, not to mention, as you said, it was pretty obvious. NMnita

 

It might not be pretty obvious to first time cruisers. I think the cruise lines have a duty to warn passengers so that they can take what measures they can to safeguard their health.

[newmexicoNita]

It might not be pretty obvious to first time cruisers. I think the cruise lines have a duty to warn passengers so that they can take what measures they can to safeguard their health.

I fwe all wash our hands regularly, use the hand sanitizers and are careful there really isn't much else we can do. what more do you think could or should be done to help ward off the bug? We just had an outbreak here in our little town about 2 weeks ago. It spread so fast you couldn't believe it. Everyone (not me thank goodness) got hit. It seemed to have started in the high school, spread everywhere including to my poor DH. As I said, that was about 2 weeks ago and it lasted in the area for about a week. Everything seems fine now, but there really wasn't much anyone could do to protect themselves. Why I didn't get it, I have no idea. We know others that had the same situation. One person in the family but no others. In other cases the entire family got hit. I am praying our cruise in 2 weeks doesn't get affected by the virus. I also know I can only do so much and letting me know it is on board really won't make much difference other than to scare me. NMnita

[Zeno]

As for any correction I did not go into details, it was about the partial cost of a bad dinner, my wife became sick within 15 minutes of eating in Cagneys, needless to say she lost her dinner. So I think the least they could do would be credit her half of the cost for dinner, nothing more.

 

Interesting - I guess you are unaware that food poisoning generally does not generally show symptoms that quickly (2 to 6 hours after the food is consumed is the norm). Therefore it is unlikely that your wife's illness was caused by that meal.

[youbid]

Interesting - I guess you are unaware that food poisoning generally does not generally show symptoms that quickly (2 to 6 hours after the food is consumed is the norm). Therefore it is unlikely that your wife's illness was caused by that meal.

Heres a something you are unaware of, My wife had stomach surgery several years ago and since then food and medications do not stay in her system as long as the average person. So for your info it was the food.

[electricron]

It might not be pretty obvious to first time cruisers. I think the cruise lines have a duty to warn passengers so that they can take what measures they can to safeguard their health.

 

Passengers should already be taking measures, before they even board the ship. Does anyone ever watch the public safety channels on the ship's TV system. Besides the emergency procedure videos, there are also videos on norovirsus avoidance. These public safety channels are up 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Short of playing this video on EVERY channel, and FORCING everyone to watch it, what else do you expect cruise lines to do? The information is available already, if passengers are willing to watch the public safety channels.

 

While the ship make changes to therr procedures as more passengers become ill, the information on norovirsus avoidance by passengers remains the same.

[Madeline's Human]

"...( He was not American)...( american waitstaff)...( she was American)...(Not American) ...The Housekeeping staff was great and they were not american..."

 

:confused: How do you determine that?

 

Each crew member on these NCLA cruises, regardless of ethnicity, country of origin, skin color, language skills or competency to perform the job for which they have been hired, is a red-blooded, tax-paying American citizen. If they were not, they would not be employed aboard by a U.S.-flagged vessel.

 

Please don't interpret my comments as a supression of criticism. I will cruise aboard the PoH next month, and I appreciate hearing the accolades and complaints of former passengers. That's why I read these boards. I hope and pray that the current viral problems are under control soon. However, let's not try to distinguish crew members and the service they provide by their citizenship. There is no distinction on this ship. The good service and the bad both come from an all-American crew.

[Host CMLA]

Each crew member on these NCLA cruises' date=' regardless of ethnicity, country of origin, skin color, language skills or competency to perform the job for which they have been hired, is a red-blooded, tax-paying American citizen. If they were not, they would not be employed aboard by a U.S.-flagged vessel.[/quote'] American crews aboard NCLA ships are not 100% American citizens.

[electricron]

American crews aboard NCLA ships are not 100% American citizens.

 

In fact, the law only requires 75% American workers, not 75% American citizenship.

[cruzegirl]

I think that everyone needs to realize that NCL and NCLA are two different cruiselines, just like Celebrity and Royal Caribbean are two different cruiselines. They may be owned by the same parent company but are totally different.

 

Ok, I don't get this NCL and NCLA.... These ships were built and paid for by NCL correct??? They are booked through the NCL site are they not?? They are NCL..... They may be an American Flagged ship and run by American Crew but they are still NCL.. And NCL still has some bugs to work out..... And some responsibility to take for the crew and how they work....

I cruised on The Pride Of America last year in October.... I had one of the best cruises ever.... But I usually will have a good time regardless.... I still feel on that cruise that the American crew did not have the work ethic of the foreigners.. I don't know or understand why but they just didn't seem to work as hard. What a shame it hasn't improved much.....

[cruzegirl]

And when Congress passed the exception to the Passenger Services Act to allow NCL to cruise within Hawaii, the unions insisted it be worked by an American crew. Thus, we have no competition in the Hawaiian Cruise market, with higher prices and lower service for all.

 

Thank you American Labor Unions.

 

Yes, thank god for the American Labor Unions.... Gives us good wages, safe working environments and imput in our jobs so our employers (big or small) don't run over us and give us unsafe working environments.......:D

[electricron]

Ok, I don't get this NCL and NCLA.... These ships were built and paid for by NCL correct??? They are booked through the NCL site are they not?? They are NCL..... They may be an American Flagged ship and run by American Crew but they are still NCL.. And NCL still has some bugs to work out..... And some responsibility to take for the crew and how they work....

 

I cruised on The Pride Of America last year in October.... I had one of the best cruises ever.... But I usually will have a good time regardless.... I still feel on that cruise that the American crew did not have the work ethic of the foreigners.. I don't know or understand why but they just didn't seem to work as hard. What a shame it hasn't improved much.....

 

Aren't Celebrity new builds also paid for by Royal Caribbean? Aren't Costa, Holland America, Princess, Cunard, Aida, and P&O new builds also paid for by Carnival? It's the Corporation, not the companies buying these ships.

I didn't get your point.

 

What you mean is that American workers protected by their unions will not kiss your but as much as foreign workers without union protection will.

[KeystoneCruiser]

Yes, thank god for the American Labor Unions.... Gives us good wages, safe working environments and imput in our jobs so our employers (big or small) don't run over us and give us unsafe working environments.......:D

 

As a teacher of American History and American Government, I agree that Labor Unions were at one time very important to this country and were needed to bring about the end of child labor, unequal pay for sexes, unsafe working conditions, 6 day work weeks, 12 hour work days, etc.

 

Labor unions however have lost their focus in this country. Instead of trying to create a system fair to workers, they are now trying to move us toward socialism and communism. (basically equal distribution of wealth, no incentive to do a better job, socialized medicine and laws trying to dictate to the economy what to do.) The problems that NCL America is facing with its employees is a prime example of the fact that these ideas won't work! Why does a waitress in a restaurant give you better service? Because they want a larger tip! Why do roofers work so hard? Because they get paid by the number of roofs they finish!

 

Perhaps NCL America should go back to normal tipping just to inspire thier workers. Then maybe service would improve.

 

My state just passed a minimum wage increase on election day ($6.85). It doesn't go into effect until January 1, but small business (especially restaurants and fast food) have already laid off over 2000 workers with more to come after the holidays because they can't afford the increases in pay! The wage increase sure will be nice for those who's jobs still exist! You can't legislate or pass laws about the economy!!

[Retired not Expired]

Heres a something you are unaware of, My wife had stomach surgery several years ago and since then food and medications do not stay in her system as long as the average person. So for your info it was the food.

 

That doesn't make sense. Just because food doesn't stay in her system as long doesn't mean it would speed up the symtoms of food poisoning. The effects would just show up further along in her system, not to mention the food still had to be in her stomach in order for her to throw up.

[tbedard1]

I was not trying to be racist, the crew members I spoke to were the ones that said they were NOT American. Such as our room steward.I was simply making a point that the problems on this ship do not point to the fact that it is an "American"crew problem as had been stated many times on these boards.

[cruzegirl]

Quote:

Originally Posted by cruzegirl

Ok, I don't get this NCL and NCLA.... These ships were built and paid for by NCL correct??? They are booked through the NCL site are they not?? They are NCL..... They may be an American Flagged ship and run by American Crew but they are still NCL.. And NCL still has some bugs to work out..... And some responsibility to take for the crew and how they work....

 

I cruised on The Pride Of America last year in October.... I had one of the best cruises ever.... But I usually will have a good time regardless.... I still feel on that cruise that the American crew did not have the work ethic of the foreigners.. I don't know or understand why but they just didn't seem to work as hard. What a shame it hasn't improved much.....

 

 

Aren't Celebrity new builds also paid for by Royal Caribbean? Aren't Costa, Holland America, Princess, Cunard, Aida, and P&O new builds also paid for by Carnival? It's the Corporation, not the companies buying these ships.

I didn't get your point.

 

What you mean is that American workers protected by their unions will not kiss your but as much as foreign workers without union protection will.

 

Electricron,

My point was that the person I responded to made it sound like they are 2 different entities and the NCL isn't responsible in training and such for NCLA.... That's how his/her post came across... They are a branch of NCL versus Celebrity who is definitely not the same as Royal Caribbean whether they pay for their ships or not... Those are 2 diff. completely established lines....NCL & NCLA are the same line, ones American & the other international....

I never said foreign workers would "kiss butt".... that's very rude to put those words in my mouth or insinuate I typed them.... I'm a nurse and let me tell you, without Unions, not only would nurses be worked like dogs with major burnout but patient care would suffer as well.. You would have overworked, burned out nurses taking care of you and that would be unsafe.... So be glad there are unions.... And please don't put words in my mouth again....... :p

[Retired not Expired]

I was not trying to be racist, the crew members I spoke to were the ones that said they were NOT American. Such as our room steward.I was simply making a point that the problems on this ship do not point to the fact that it is an "American"crew problem as had been stated many times on these boards.

 

I believe most of us understood what you meant and didn't think that of you. From day 1, they were allowed to have some Green Card holders on the crew. I think it was a round 10% but don't hold me to that. It has recently changed to 25% I believe but don't know if there has been time to get the number close to that. It is largely however, an American crew. It's never been 100% though.

 

I do believe that some of the problems you had were directly related to the Norovirus. You had some crew members sick and many others reassigned to do work such as deep cleaning public areas and serving at the buffet. This had to affect service. I'm not saying this caused all your problems as it sometimes has been hit and miss with NCLA but lately, whenever a cruise has no problems such as a missed port, Norovirus, etc., there has been some pretty favorable reviews.

 

Again, I do believe what you and a couple others have been saying about this one cruise. Just when I look at the whole picture I don't see it as typical of what you get normally. Sorry it had to happen to you.

[Retired not Expired]

Quote:

Originally Posted by cruzegirl

... NCL & NCLA are the same line, ones American & the other international....

 

 

:p

 

I don't agree at all. They are two separate companies under one corp. We had a big thread on this not long ago. A man posted who worked for NCL had to resign his position with NCL and apply for a position with NCLA to work for them. If it were the same company, he would not have to resign and reapply. He would have just been transfered.

 

They made a mistake to name the new company NCLA as it just confuses people into thinking it is one and the same.

[jealdaka]

I want to comment on two things that have been mentioned but cannot seem to get the "quote" to work.

 

To the assumption that it was the food that made your wife sick because it happened within 15 minutes of eating: Our family went out to eat one night at a local restaurant and later all but one person was sick with a combination of diarhea, vomiting, or both. No doubt.. it was the food! A few hours later my sister came home from an out of town trip and had the exact same thing. Later that week my grandmother had it too. Guess it WASN'T the food. We would have bet heavy money that it was before the last two got sick.

 

About not being able to have ketchup, etc at your table: I've recently eaten at a couple of local hotels (Marriott and Intercontinental) and neither hae salt and pepper shakers at the table anymore. I was told by one that it's for "health reasons". Kind of unhandy on a buffet but apparently there is a reason other than poor service.

 

About no one telling you there was a rick of illness for three days: For future reference, there is always a chance of illness (norovirus) when you have a large group in an office, school, plane, or ship to name a few. Just assume it and take the same precautions you would if someone pointed it out. It shouldn't really be any different. You should be washing your hands and being careful anytime. Secondly, I doubt that it all started immediately. It probably built up to a point that they felt an announcement was necessary.

 

Other than pointing those things out. I'm sorry you had a crummy time. Hope you can find some good things to look back on.

[electricron]

Quote:

I never said foreign workers would "kiss butt".... that's very rude to put those words in my mouth or insinuate I typed them.... I'm a nurse and let me tell you, without Unions, not only would nurses be worked like dogs with major burnout but patient care would suffer as well.. You would have overworked, burned out nurses taking care of you and that would be unsafe.... So be glad there are unions.... And please don't put words in my mouth again....... :p

No, I agree, you never wote that specifically, but imho, you meant it!

As I quote:

"I still feel on that cruise that the American crew did not have the work ethic of the foreigners."

 

Sorry if you're offended by what I wrote, but I was just as offended by your statement. Imho, Americans are just as hard working as workers from every other nation. So, if I put two and two together and got five, I'm sorry. But I believe I was right, and the sum did equal four.

[electricron]

Quote:

Originally Posted by cruzegirl

Ok, I don't get this NCL and NCLA.... These ships were built and paid for by NCL correct??? They are booked through the NCL site are they not?? They are NCL..... They may be an American Flagged ship and run by American Crew but they are still NCL.. And NCL still has some bugs to work out..... And some responsibility to take for the crew and how they work....

 

My point was that the person I responded to made it sound like they are 2 different entities and the NCL isn't responsible in training and such for NCLA.... That's how his/her post came across... They are a branch of NCL versus Celebrity who is definitely not the same as Royal Caribbean whether they pay for their ships or not... Those are 2 diff. completely established lines....NCL & NCLA are the same line, ones American & the other international....

 

But they are two different companies, just as much as Celebrity is different from Royal Caribbean. The fact that you can book cruises at the same web site means little.

[Flash4me]

The problem is not with the American workers. I have taken the PoAM cruise and the workers were very, very good.

 

The problem is the American crew requirement is used to restrict competition from other cruise lines. We can all agree that more coupetition is good and would lead to lower prices with better service.

[electricron]

The problem is not with the American workers. I have taken the PoAM cruise and the workers were very, very good.

 

The problem is the American crew requirement is used to restrict competition from other cruise lines. We can all agree that more coupetition is good and would lead to lower prices with better service.

That's baloney!

Every other cruise line had the opportunity to do what NCL did, and still have the opportunity to (1) Set up an American company, (2) Build a ship in America, (3) Man that American ship with 75% American crew, and (4) Flag that ship under the American flag.

The Passenger Services Act doesn't prevent the other cruise lines from competiting in Hawaii with 7 day inter-island itinerary if they choose to do so. It didn't prevent NCL, it doesn't prevent them.

The only exceptions to the Passenger Services Act NCL received was to finish building two ships being built in America overseas, and to add a third existing foreign built ship under the American flag. Those exemptions came at a price, specifically (1) sailing mostly from Hawaii, and (2) sailing never again to Alaska, to Mexico, in the Caribbean, and in the Gulf of Mexico. They are allowed to sail between West coast and East coast American ports during the times they aren't sailing to and from Hawaii.

[Retired not Expired]

 

Sorry if you're offended by what I wrote, but I was just as offended by your statement. Imho, Americans are just as hard working as workers from every other nation. So, if I put two and two together and got five, I'm sorry. But I believe I was right, and the sum did equal four.

 

I too am offended by that statement and get tired of hearing it. The poster who wrote it this time was a nurse. I guess I need to hope that the next time I need to get medical care that I am in another country. After all, if the American nurse doesn't have the work ethics of one from another country, I could be in trouble.

 

There are slackers everywhere but we didn't get where we are by poor work ethics as a whole.