BACK FROM POA - July 11 (Detailed Review)

[Traveler39]

Jcolley.... Was Lobster available for dinner? When I was on RCI last year they had wonderful pizza... Specialty type pizza... not just the old standards.... Did you have a good selection of specialty pizza? How about hot sandwiches and hamburgers....? Again RCI had steak, chicken, roast beef , etc sandwiches available at a small sandwich shop near the pool......

[raider23]

My wife & I will also be on POA 11/14 for our 20th anniversary! Would love to meet up.

Gary

[Jeconk]

Thanks JColley. Unfortunately your answers confirmed my fears that the situation on the Aloha is getting worse and not better. I know people will disagree but look at the facts based on the differences between the June 20 cruise and the July 11 cruise:

 

1.) The breakfast choices are becoming more limited. We had a wide menu variety for breakfast in the main restaurants. Fried eggs, sunny side up, poached, hard boiled and scrambled....now they offer only fried!

2.) On our cruise they ran out of both Oatmeal and Grits and on the July 11 cruise, they ran out of Cream of Wheat. (they had plenty left on our cruise). My other comment on this was made by a fellow passenger on our cruise: "How can you stay out of an item when you are docked in a port overnight?" "Can't you go out and get more?"

3.) They have limited the dinner menus in the main restaurants. The same apetizers, salads and soups each night. We were on the ship for 12 days and they always had different items in those catagories each night. (yes, a few were repeated but they always had at least two new items each night!)

4.) The restaurant choices are further limited by not allowing you to order items not on the menu. If you could do it on our cruise, why stop the practice.

 

 

Although I think making reservations in the main dining rooms might be a good idea to help the crowds, I'm not sure why NCL is traveling that path. They boast their Freestyle concept (which I really do love), and part of that is that there are no reservations accepted in the main dining rooms except for large parties. By allowing reservations in those rooms, they are deviating from that policy. Also, it cuts down on one of the lures of the specialty restaurants. One of the perks about paying extra for the specialty restaurants was for the opportunity to make a reservation.

 

Finally, I have to go back to the eggs...(I know but that is most absurd change on the ship.) A cook can fry an egg but he can't scamble an egg? My 6 year old daughter can make scambled eggs. (in fact her sunny side up eggs, usually turn out scrambled, lol). The only reason that I can see the main dining rooms not making scrambled eggs is to either force more people to eat upstairs or to save costs by not using real eggs for scrambled eggs which can be done cheaper with the fake eggs in the buffet.

 

Come on people, how can you read this and say that things are getting better on the Pride of Aloha????

[newmexicoNita]

Jcolley.... Was Lobster available for dinner? When I was on RCI last year they had wonderful pizza... Specialty type pizza... not just the old standards.... Did you have a good selection of specialty pizza? How about hot sandwiches and hamburgers....? Again RCI had steak, chicken, roast beef , etc sandwiches available at a small sandwich shop near the pool......

I dont' knwo where you live or how much experience you have had with Pizza and we do know food is very subjective: we found the pizza on RCI to be lacking big time. Carnival has the best: along with a party life, they are known for their Pizza. The only really good food we had on RCI was the Asparagus: best ever! NMNita

[hotglass]

I am very sorry to hear about your displeasure with this cruise. NCL is our favorite line. The worst was a cruise on a Greek ship (I can't even remember it's name). My family & I took this cruise last year and had a wonderful time. The food was great and although I don't remember many midnight buffets (there was a chocolate buffet), but good food was always available. I think perhaps there were some other problems going on with the company (rumor says there is a large turn-over now for some reason) and I sincerely believe they will overcome them and be back to their wonderful service and great food just like I have always had when travelling on NCL. We will be sailing on the SEA by NCL this year and I am looking forward to another wonderful time. I hope your next cruise is more to your liking. Hotglass

[gardencat]

hotglass

 

I'm not trying to jump on you but I don't think you could have taken this cruise last year, since July 4, 2004 was the first time this cruise was offered. Did you maybe cruise on the Sky or on the Wind or Star last year?

[Another ship trip]

I was on the 12 day repo cruise so we had 4 wonderful sea days to enjoy that the current passengers will not. Dining room problems noted, the sea days were great and were much like every other cruise with two noticable absences--casino and horse racing. I don't care about the horse racing, but it was gone. I was actually suprised they didn't have this since it is a revenue maker. They had plenty of bingo and krack its which current POA travelers will never have. Once we got to the islands, we never ate lunch on board except once because we were on the islands much of the time enjoying all the activities we had planned. We didn't eat on board a couple of nights either due to activities. We seemed to have many activities/events that current cruiser won't such as the Buzz Aldrin talks/signings, the hula days and various crafts and the passenger hula show to name just a couple of things. I see the 7 day cruise as nothing but transportation between islands. I like the "total cruise experience" and love sea days too, so those expecting big activities while docked (which will be every day), will likely be disappointed in that respect since those are much more limited when in port. A person who is looking more for the TOTAL CRUISE EXPERIENCE (read that as all the little activities piggybacked upon one another throughout the day), should take a different cruise. I say don't even bother if your real objective is not to visit Hawaii--you will be docked in a port every day of your trip. IF your objective is to see a variety of Hawaii with a traveling hotel room that serves your breakfast, dinner and a show in between, this is the best deal going, especially if you don't want to spend the time and money island hopping on a land deal. A previous poster said they weren't really going for Hawaii--they had been there many times. To that person I would say definitely book something else then because you are sure to be disappointed if looking for the usual many on-board activities that one has on sea days. As a sidebar, one other thing I noticed that no one else has mentioned, is that this is the first cruise I have ever taken that did not have a single ice carving on it. (and of course no late buffet as many have mentioned.) They probably don't have a skilled crew member that can do this artistic task.

[jcolley]

As a sidebar, one other thing I noticed that no one else has mentioned, is that this is the first cruise I have ever taken that did not have a single ice carving on it. (and of course no late buffet as many have mentioned.) They probably don't have a skilled crew member that can do this artistic task.

Yes, the ice carvings were something I looked forward to as well. Unfortunately, NCL America doesn't do this either.

[Host CMLA]

Of course it's an opinion, that's why I said "It sounds like they are offering..." rather than stating a fact.

I should have been clearer. I was answering another member's posting.

It's your opinion that NCL is offering free drinks to those eating in the buffet as a completely altruistic act because they just want to be nice. I suppose that's possible.

I don't have an opinion either way of what NCL is doing. I was only offering up the positive spin versus the negative that everyone jumps on.

 

Yes, Gardencat, everyone on the ship is an eating passenger but there are certain drinks that cost extra. Alcohol is extra. Sodas are extra. If sodas are being offered for free to those that eat in the buffet, why should anyone be able to go in and get the soda and leave? If passengers feel like having a nice fruity drink at random, they can pay for it like they would at any time or they can wait until their meal time, go to the buffet, and get a complimentary fruity drink on NCL.

[gardencat]

they can wait until their meal time, go to the buffet, and get a complimentary fruity drink on NCL.

Unfortunately,this doesn't appear to be true. From what I've read on this board the buffet is only open at meal time so, presumeably any time a guest went to the buffet and found them open it would be 'mealtime' yet when one passenger went (at mealtime) and tried to get a drink it seems they couldn't have one.

 

One night the host rudely told a lady, “ This isn’t free happy hour, you will have to dine with us to get a drink.”

My point is, suppose the guest was hot and tired, all they wanted for dinner right then was to have a drink and go take a rest. Would they be required to choke down some food in order to get their free drink at 'mealtime'.

Is the next step for NCL to tell passengers that they can't have any dessert if they don't eat their vegetables?

 

Apart from the fact that NCL will have to have food police going around making sure that you eat enough to qualify for a drink, it seems to me that they are going out of their way to set up a policy that is just going to provide one more annoyance for already upset passengers.

[Traveler39]

Why we keep debating the poor food and service on this wonderful new ship ... The Pride of Aloha .... is beyond me... It is a fact and only ncl can correct the problems if they want to... This ship is still a motel 6 ... can of worms...... hauling us from one port to another overnight... If you do not think so then read the Positive Reviews...

 

As for the buffet it has been clearly stated that it is overwelmed with problems so why not something new like serving a free drink only to a seated passenger with a plate of food? Remember ncl is the leader in new programs on cruise ships! But for arguments sake please consider this.... It is a buffet that is open to all passengers for what ever is available.... They Cannot refuse any item or service... Anything that is available in the buffet is yours and no one can stop you...

[gardencat]

It is a buffet that is open to all passengers for what ever is available.... They Cannot refuse any item or service... Anything that is available in the buffet is yours and no one can stop you...

You would think that wouldn't you, but apparently on the POA you would be wrong to think that.

 

Prehaps it is another new trend started by NCL to restrict what you can and can't have to eat or drink in the buffet. Perhaps they will start posting crew members beside the popular dishes to tell passengers that they can only take one of the more popular items if they take one of the items that aren't moving so well too.

[gouda]

Cecelia,

 

Okay, sorry for being presumptuous.

 

At any rate, Traveler 39 makes sense. If you are on a ship anything the buffet offers should be available to all passengers. If someone wants just coffee in the am they shouldn't have to eat breakfast in order to get it. Refusing guests is only going to cause further animosity, and NCL really ought to be going out of their way to be doing the opposite at this point. You have to wonder if the person making these kinds of "rules" has any common sense at all.

[LouChamp]

Another Ship Trip...excellent thoughts and overall conceptualization of this ship. I have sailed to Bermuda many times and you would be amazed at how many people complained about lack of entertainment, closed casino, shops closed, etc. Those ships I consider to be floating airplane/hotels. I am doing likewise for this trip. Perhaps because I have a low level of satisfaction for this trip and I am going to be on and off it so often, I will enjoy it. I really expect to have lunch on the ship once or twice, dinner about the same. But as far as I am concerned I get a sampling of the islands without spending hours at a time at airports. I think that many people are disappointed because their travel agents did not adequately inform them about things and they were expecting a different experience. My parents were on the Star last fall and people were still complaing about the lack of a casino and also why the ship had to go to Fanning Island. I can understand some thinking this ship is a Motel 6 but perhaps if properly informed, they may have thought it was at least a Holiday Inn.

All the best.

[gouda]

Bermuda is my favorite cruise, I never even noticed the lack of "activities" or even nightly entertainment, but then again, I never participate or care about the activities on ANY cruise. It's the food and service I look for, and that I think you should expect on any itinerary, and that is what is apparently lacking here.

[Hawaii5o]

Raider23,

Our 20th anniversary is actually 12/08, but we are sailing in November so that we won't miss some family things going on in December.

I am going to go to the Roll Call section and see if anyone has started one for 11/14. If not, I will start one. See you there.:)

Sandy

[Jeconk]

Another Ship Trip: I also was on the 12 day cruise and I just realized what you said: There were no ice carvings and let me add...no fruit carvings either. I remember from the Star, they had watermelons, pineapples and other fruits carved and sitting at the fruit areas. Of course, I noticed a lot less fruit choices on this cruise. (I hardly ever saw pineapple) Must be another cost cutting measure on the Pride of Aloha.

Cecilla: I agree with you about the drinks. As long as we are talking about drinks other than the standard Coffee, Hot and Iced Tea and Milk at all meals and Fruit juices for breakfast. Those items should always be free and available, 24 hours a day with no food necessary. From what I am understanding in this post, the drinks we are talking about are non-alcoholic specialty drinks like Smoothies and such. I see no reason to give those out free as long as other choices, such as the ones above, are available.

I do however question why NCL is only providing those only in the Buffet. It does seem as an attempt to lure people away from the dining rooms to the less popular buffet. It appears as if they are saying: "Since you won't eat this slop on your own, we'll give you a free drink if you do." I don't agree with the practice, but I understand it. Just another example of NCL resorting to tricks to get you to do what they want.

[dalwhitt]

I have an original idea for drawing people to the buffet ... expand the hours and UPGRADE THE FOOD!

[Traveler39]

Careful Dalwhitt..... An intelligent comment like yours may confuse ncl.... How I wish that they would consider an upgraded buffet with lemonade... Thanks for your suggestion....

[ptngr]

[quote name='gardencat']Is the next step for NCL to tell passengers that they can't have any dessert if they don't eat their vegetables?[/QUOTE]
LOL!

I can sort of see the logic for NCL. If anyone can just come and grab the drink, it probably would run out quickly and the poor people who suffered through the buffet line and buffet food would be disappointed. Maybe they should place the drinks at the end of the buffet line, such that noone can get to it without going through the whole (reportedly very long) buffet line first. Whether or not they grab food while they were there would matter a lot less since there wouldn't be many people going through a 45 min line just to grab a drink.

Or they could just make more of those danged drinks. Nah!

[ptngr]

jcolley, there were so many posts, you probably missed my questions. Hope it's ok if I repeat them again. Anyone else who's been on 7/4 or 7/11 (or 7/18 if you're at the internet cafe somewhere!) cruise please feel free to reply, too.

Here are the questions:
[quote name='ptngr']
People on the earlier (Pacific coast) cruises mentioned the pizza bar that was opened 24 hours. (Though they sometimes "run out") I haven't heard anything about that in recent reviews. Is it no longer available? Is the only late night option room service? I'm thinking that if we're late returning to the ship on the 2 overnights, we might not have time to eat until after the late show.

A few more questions. Was there only one optional formal night? Was it on tuesday? Did you notice that the dining room was more crowded that night?

Where do you make the reservation [for the main restaurants]?

Do you happen to remember what the shows were on the nights you overnighted in Kauai? What about the Maui night? I was trying to decide whether to come back to the ship for them after dinner or not.[/QUOTE]

[Another ship trip]

Inconsistency was a problem. I went for pizza twice early in the cruise (it was located in another area--not the buffet) and got some. They would serve you one or two slices. No more than two, and I understand why--they would never keep up with demand. The next time I went for pizza, 2 days later, they were preparing it , but I was told I could not get it there. I would have to go to the buffet and wait in line for it with the people eating all the other items on the buffet. (Remember, I could see the pizza in the oven and had gotten it there the prior days.) I said, all I want is one piece of pizza--not a whole buffet. The girl looked around to see if she was being watched, then she gave it to me, but said she was told not to. She was to cut the pizza (they were only making about 2 at the time) and some other service person would take it to the buffet. With about 30 people waiting at any given time in the buffet line, do you think any pizza would have been left or I would have waited another 30 minutes for them to cook about 8 more pizzas? When you put pizza on the buffet, people will take 5+ slices which is more than half a pizza. Inconsistency. We learn the ropes, then they change the knots. Pizza is an item that is located in an area separate from the buffet on EVERY cruise I have ever taken, but all of a sudden, let's make it a buffet item. (that would be okay if they could keep up with the demand--however, moving pizza to the buffet only served to irritate pax more because when they got to it, it was gone.) This change also happened in the breakfast buffet when they quit serving omelettes and waffles once we got to Kauai. LEAVE THE PIZZA PLACE ALONE! Trying to move items mid cruise also confused and irritated passengers.

[gardencat]

This is what I don't get about NCL you have a ship of people who I think, most of us will agree by now are getting a little let down and annoyed by the food shortages, long waits poor quality etc. Wouldn't you try to do something to make them feel that you realize there are problems but are trying to do what you can to make it up to them. Something that doesn't cost you too much but is a little treat for them? How about some nice special drinks/ Not alcohol that costs too much and might cut into bar sales too so how about some fruit smoothies NCL gets them at cost but they have a higher percevied value to the customer because of what they usually have to pay for them . Okay great!

Now lets put some ridiculous 'rules ' around who qualifies for drinks. Great way to annoy customers. Maybe I'm missing something but does it sound sensible to anyone else for NCL to spend money on providing things that are going to make people angrier. How much more would it have cost them to just let the people who made the trip to the buffet have a crumby drink for heavens sake!

[Traveler39]

Hello: Another Ship Trip..... enjoyed the information and review... Can you tell me if the pizzas are special or just the routine pepperoin / sausage type? Any hot sandwichs available? Every reiview continues to indicate something is wrong..... Can't ncl do anything to correct the pizza and buffet problems?????????

[Traveler39]

Gardencat.... I can see it now..... Soft Drink Card $$$$.... Pizza Card $$$$ ... Special Buffet Card $$$$$$.... Dining Room Reservation Card $$$$ .... Special Drink Card $$$$$......... Resort Fee $$$$ and up ...... All of these and more at a special dollar amount fee.... Part of the fee goes to send employees on vacation once every five years ( They get to go to Hawaii) .... NCL is an innovative management company and they have plans for us.... All to be introduced on the POA.... Move to come....