Tell me what is good/bad about NCL...

[BeachBumMama]

Here is what we found to be bad:

BAD:

1. Service

2. Food

VERY BAD:

1. Waiting in line of the bad service and bad food.

I always find these kinds of posts interesting.:rolleyes: Was this on the Pearl that the OP was asking about?

 

Go to the ship reviews. I just posted a very detailed review. Stay away from the Majesty.

The OP was asking about the Gem or Pearl. The Majesty does not compare, it is an entirely different kind of ship. Personally, I loved my Majesty Bermuda sailing, but I wasn't expecting a ferris wheel on the top deck either.

 

Just wanted to comment on all the NCL bashers. I agree that sometimes cruises don't pan out to be what we expect. There are some bad experiences etc. What I don't understand, is why some people who might not have had a towel animal on a cruise 5 years ago, continues to frequent the NCL board. If service, food, your cruise, etc. was so bad, why keep coming back to the NCL board to contribute anything? I can guarantee any other board you visit you can search and find a bad review on every single ship out there. I've had bad service on RCCL before, but I don't go over to those boards and post about a cruise 2 years ago where I had a problem. And that bad service was from 2 specific staff members but I don't consider it a bad cruise experience because of 2 people out of a thousand.

 

I'm not bashing these negative posters, I truly am curious why you would bother with the NCL boards when it's obvious you don't care for them. If you're going to say you want people to know about the bad food and service, I can't buy that. Food is a subjective issue. You might have expected five star cuisine when you paid for 'average' because you sailed NCL and not Seabourn. I've sailed several lines and as far as the mass market cruises go such as NCL, RCCL, Carnival etc., I expect decent food and am not disappointed at any time. But I know unless I pay a higher price, I'm not going to get 5 star cuisine unless I pay for a higher line. As for service issues, I can't believe that out of more than 1,000 service staff people on a ship that you found all of them rude and nasty.

 

Again, I don't discount that you might have possibly had a bad experience, but I truly am curious why people who have nothing but bad things to post take the time to bother? If you hate NCL so much why are you even on this specific board? Certainly you aren't planning another NCL cruise, are you? So what would be the purpose? I truly am just curious to why you would take time out of your lives to do so. What is the point?

 

As for the negativity of NCLDawn4/1/07 - They've never asked a question or posted a reveiw of a cruise (if they've ever even been on one:rolleyes: ), and only seem to be interested in posting odd random negative things. So I discount anything they have to say.

 

I certainly am glad I came here and read this thread. My DH received a NCL brochure, and we were looking into it. (We've sailed DCL, Carnival, and RCCL.) I appreciate everyone's honesty. I think we'll continue looking. (I think Princess might be our next line.)smilie

Just wanted to say that if you don't choose NCL at least once, you'll miss out. Looks like you've sailed most others and I don't have anything negative to say about Princess as that is one I haven't sailed on. When I do, I'm sure I won't find anything negative about them either.:) If you choose Princess I'm sure you'll have a great time, but if you are truly interested in an NCL cruise I'd advise you to thouroughly search these boards for the ship you're considering. And I'm sure you'd find NCL just as enjoyable as all the others you've been on.

 

Okay, didn't mean to get on my soapbox about the negative posters, but sometimes I just don't get it.:rolleyes:

[ronandannette]

Have sailed NCL once and sent family members on NCL once - a limited experience compared to some, but definetly enough to have formed an opinion.

 

GOOD: 1. Bar none the most friendly, hospitable crew we have ever encountered. The service on our sailing was so good that it made us feel lucky just to be there.

 

2. Our little boy (8 at the time) LOVED the Kid's Crew. At first impression I thought it to be quite inferior to the facilities and programs on RCCL, but he actually preferred it. (Disclaimer: Your experience here will really depend on your own kid's temperment and the luck of the draw with Kid's Staff and the other children participating.)

 

3. Specialty restaurants are mostly outstanding in both food quality and service.

 

BAD: 1. Next to nothing for active recreation if you're used to an RCCL-type of environment. Bear in mind that this was on the Sun (a perfect ship for old folks going to Alaska!) and the boats you're looking at should have MUCH more of these sorts of things available.

 

2. Really, really bad buffets and the worst coffee imaginable. The food in the main dining rooms is mostly fine, as is the limited room service but you will ABSOLUTELY have to pay extra for the good stuff.

 

VERY, VERY BAD:eek: :

 

NCL Shoreside service. Believe me, they're bad enough to be a deal breaker. If we ever saild NCL again (and we well might) I would ONLY do it booking through a TA - one case where it's really wise to pay someone else to absorb the misery.

 

Whatever you choose, have a great time.

 

Happy Sails,

 

Annette

 

P.S. We are looking at trying Princess next too!

[Ann262]

Come to think of it, I have never gotten good coffee on a cruise ship

[Mumof2]

Wow, so many great replies - thanks so much. :p I've asked my TA to price out the itineraries. Up to now I've not even looked at NCL, but I'll consider them now if the price and itinerary is right! (Although I'm still not willing to try the Hawaii ships yet...way too many bad reviews!)

 

Thanks again!!

 

Mel

[Stillfloatin']

I've only sailed NCL and Carnival so I can't compare them to other lines, but I've really enjoyed all my cruises on both lines. Frankly, the reason we've been booking NCL the past 3 years is Freestyle. I love being able to eat when I'm hungry, not when it's my seating time. I also love being able to stay longer in ports and not have to rush back for early seating. Or, if I have late seating, miss the later shows.

 

Other good: Wonderful crews, good food, good entertainment, many dining options, and hands down the BEST DEBARKATION of all, where you wait in your cabin until time to leave. So much better than getting up early and rushing to get out of your cabin so that you can then sit around with everyone else waiting to leave. Also, LOVE the martini and margarita clinics.

 

Bad: The WORST possible shoreside customer service. Forget about getting accurate information. And I'd be thrilled if I could just once talk to someone who wasn't either bored or surly. The one exception to this is Casino Marketing which provides terrific customer service.

 

We're big fans of NCL, but mostly, we're big fans of cruising. I'd suggest giving them a try and seeing if it's a good fit for you and your family.

[Elvenfire]

I read all the reviews before we went on NCL. I thought to myself...Its ok...So we'll take some snacks, we'll take some TP if we have to but we're going to have a great time.

 

I was DETERMINED!

 

I failed miserably.

 

My fiance, my 3 years old and I went for christmas/new years aboard the Pride of Hawaii.

 

I have never been so miserable on all my life. Those people are rude and that ship isnt safe. I found a piece of glass (the size of a thumb nail) in my breakfast from the buffet that BUSTED my front tooth when I bit into it (by accident...for it was hiding in some corned beef hash). When I brought this to the attention of the "manager" he pretty much shrugged, it wasnt until I became unglued about their lack of concern that they even roomed the dish from the buffet. CAN you IMAGINE the smaller pieces that people might have eatten..what my daughter might have ate? I brought it to the attention of the front desk and they tried to give me a bottle of wine (I dont drink) and issued me a irregularity report stating I should be refunded for my dental. Its almost 5 months later and I cannot get ANYONE to speak to me. Apparently I am going to have to file in small claims court to see any of my money back.

 

Their childcare is non existent. If your child stays up past 9pm is about the only time we ever found it open...and 9pm was too late for my daughter to want to play with any other children anymore.

 

The excursions. Some were great, most were bad and overpriced. I paid nearly $1000 for 1 excursion and the driver took us around showing us real estate and told us about how he broke he was. 6 hours of F U N.

 

NCL also had no idea what any of their excursions required. I called twice before leaving California asking if I would need a carseat for my daughter on any of the excursions we had booked. Which was wrong. We needed a carseat for half of them since they were in normal passenger vans.

 

Seriously...this is the worst cruise line I have EVER encountered. Its awful, they are rude, and the food does not make up for it...nothing does.

 

I would beg anyone to just not go...honestly....its for your safety.

[Stillfloatin']

I read all the reviews before we went on NCL. I thought to myself...Its ok...So we'll take some snacks, we'll take some TP if we have to but we're going to have a great time.

 

I was DETERMINED!

 

I failed miserably.

 

My fiance, my 3 years old and I went for christmas/new years aboard the Pride of Hawaii.

 

I have never been so miserable on all my life. Those people are rude and that ship isnt safe. I found a piece of glass (the size of a thumb nail) in my breakfast from the buffet that BUSTED my front tooth when I bit into it (by accident...for it was hiding in some corned beef hash). When I brought this to the attention of the "manager" he pretty much shrugged, it wasnt until I became unglued about their lack of concern that they even roomed the dish from the buffet. CAN you IMAGINE the smaller pieces that people might have eatten..what my daughter might have ate? I brought it to the attention of the front desk and they tried to give me a bottle of wine (I dont drink) and issued me a irregularity report stating I should be refunded for my dental. Its almost 5 months later and I cannot get ANYONE to speak to me. Apparently I am going to have to file in small claims court to see any of my money back.

 

Their childcare is non existent. If your child stays up past 9pm is about the only time we ever found it open...and 9pm was too late for my daughter to want to play with any other children anymore.

 

The excursions. Some were great, most were bad and overpriced. I paid nearly $1000 for 1 excursion and the driver took us around showing us real estate and told us about how he broke he was. 6 hours of F U N.

 

NCL also had no idea what any of their excursions required. I called twice before leaving California asking if I would need a carseat for my daughter on any of the excursions we had booked. Which was wrong. We needed a carseat for half of them since they were in normal passenger vans.

 

Seriously...this is the worst cruise line I have EVER encountered. Its awful, they are rude, and the food does not make up for it...nothing does.

 

I would beg anyone to just not go...honestly....its for your safety.

 

Geez, why don't you tell us how you REALLY feel?

[CRUZIN TOM]

Now, what is the world is going to cost $1000.00 for your excursion? My only guess would be a helicopter trip around the volcanco. I don't know of any trip that would cost that much for 3 people while driving for 6 hours...:)

[Elvenfire]

We took a half hour helicopter flight (that was fine and with another driver) The other 6 hours was a tour around the island. We were suppose to see beaches, and the lighthouse. The driver toured us around real estate instead. He did stop at the light house for 5 mins, and told us that he was running late so we had to be back in 5 mins or he would leave without us.

 

NCL is awful.

[BeachBumMama]

NCL is awful.

You sailed NCLA, not NCL. And I have to go back to my previous questions I posted before. And this is for my own curiosity. I'm sorry your cruise was awful, you obviously didn't enjoy it, but I'm curious why you would come back 4 months later to post this now? Were you just waiting for an opportunity to voice how upset you were? Why didn't you write a review when you returned? You obviously don't like NCL, even though you haven't sailed them yet, so I wouldn't think you'd be here planning another cruise. And the OP asked about the Gem or the Pearl and not the ship you were on. So why would you vent here?

 

I'm seriously not bashing you, and I am sorry you didn't enjoy your cruise. The Hawaii ships have seen their share of bad reviews. But why wouldn't you have written a review when you returned instead of venting somewhere where it is irrelevant?

[just4now]

I And I'd be thrilled if I could just once talk to someone who wasn't either bored or surly.

 

Oh man' date=' I hear that. I called one night, okay it was a little on the late side but [i']I[/i] didn't know what call center I was getting, and this woman picked up the phone and YAWNED into it before talking, then continued to yawn during the whole conversation! :eek:

 

I was SO glad to finally get in touch with someone else the next day (in Phoenix) who was wonderful and is now our PCC.

[cruizinwithkids]

Come to think of it, I have never gotten good coffee on a cruise ship

 

I mention this because I know you are headed on the Majesty soon, but last year the coffee at the buffet on the pool deck was really, really good. I don't know if it was the way it was made or what. The dining room was the same old thing, but the pool deck buffet was great.

 

Hope it wasn't a fluke.

[Warmer Climes]

Glad to hear someone on this website that is posting true life experiences. Not people who work for NCL pretending to be happy customers!

 

Obviously the overwhelming majority of the people we met on the Dream who LOVED that cruise were NCL employees, too! If I had only known they were pretending to be doctors, engineers, restaurant owners, ranchers and teachers! What scamps!

 

Barb

[Ann262]

My observations:

 

1. First of all, biting into a piece of glass (and breaking a tooth)and having the staff react complacently IS completely unacceptable. No doubt about it.

 

2. I have observed on these boards, however, that there are cruisers that expect 5 star food on a mainstream cruise. Is that realistic? If they are selling the bottom of the line cabins for less than $100 per night per person, there is no way they are going to be serving 5 star cuisine? If you go to a 5 star restaurant you will easily pay that much per person for just dinner. Never mind providing a place to sleep, entertainment and carting you around the ocean.

 

3. I've also seen cruisers start with a particular line and really love that line and, for whatever reason (itinerary, timing, price) try another one. To them, it's not the same and they don't like it. I personally, don't want every vacation to be the same so I like to hop around, but many do not. When they do try another line, they are disappointed and then, every little detail bugs them.

 

My advice? If you want 5-star, pay 5-star and cruise with Seabourne or Crystal. If you've had a great experience with a particular cruise line and are not a person who likes change and wants the same experience you had before, stick with that cruise line you like.

 

Otherwise, go with an open mind, remember you are on vacation and any day on vacation is better than any day at work. Relax and be hapy. Attitude is a big factor.

[robinpow]

After my last cruise with NCL a couple of years ago, I swore I would never use them again. The cabin was in poor repair, the crew overall appeared to be in a bad mood, and the food was 'people chow'. However the Crown's South America to Miami was so cheap I decided to give them another chance.

 

For the past two weeks I was pleasantly surprised. Cabin was in fairly good shape and the crew was fair (not outstanding, but not bad). While you can eat the food, it wasn't great, I lost several pounds on a 13 day cruise. Most grumbling you heard on the ship was about the low quality of food.

 

Comparing NCL to some of the other cruise lines is like comparing hamburger to steak. Both will do the job, but you get what you pay for. If you go with 'hamburger' in mind, you should have a great time.

[Ann262]

Exactly. NCL is one of the least expensive lines. Our travel budget is not that big, so we have to search for a deal. We go, planning to have fun and if stuff happens, it happens. We expect the food to be good, but we aren't expecting top of the line. That's not realistic.

 

I do think, at any price, finding shards of broken glass in food in inexcusable and, if that happens, they should be all over that cruiser to make it up for him.

[Elvenfire]

You sailed NCLA, not NCL. And I have to go back to my previous questions I posted before. And this is for my own curiosity. I'm sorry your cruise was awful, you obviously didn't enjoy it, but I'm curious why you would come back 4 months later to post this now? Were you just waiting for an opportunity to voice how upset you were? Why didn't you write a review when you returned? You obviously don't like NCL, even though you haven't sailed them yet, so I wouldn't think you'd be here planning another cruise. And the OP asked about the Gem or the Pearl and not the ship you were on. So why would you vent here?

 

I'm seriously not bashing you, and I am sorry you didn't enjoy your cruise. The Hawaii ships have seen their share of bad reviews. But why wouldn't you have written a review when you returned instead of venting somewhere where it is irrelevant?

 

 

Your absolutely right, I did not post a review...I went looking to post a review and seriously could not find a link to GIVE my review. I came upon this thread when I was searching the net on information on reviews on NCL so I could post my review on places. I think people should know what you could expect to happen. I tried DESPERATELY to have a great time on that cruise....I thought Omg...its Hawaii...who cares about anything else! But I cannot excuse them for how they treated me. I didnt care about the taste of the food, Im not 5 star quality and I admit it. But I will not allow them to shuffle me under the carpet when they're lack of customer care allowed me to end up with a broken front tooth and FEAR of the food they were putting out. There are numerous other instances I could tell you about on the ship...I simply made comment about the most prominent ones.

 

I dont know what you mean about it not being NCL....because all the paperwork I have says NCL...the customer service number I call every day trying to get my dental bills refunded says NCL....(NCL Customer Relations 1-866-625-1164)

 

I think people should know what happened and if you think Im not telling you the truth I would be more than happy to fax or email you the reports I have. I have nothing to hide.

[Tideone]

I was a passenger on the Star and a fellow CC'er happened to find a chipped glass when he got his drink at a CC get together. While he did not cut himself and hopefully didn't swallow any - the crew was very attentive to his problem.

Not only was the word sent out to inspect all drinking glasses, the CC'er was compensated in several different ways, including a free dinner at a speciality restaurant and some goodies in his room.

The only bad thing I really hate about NCL is they make me get off the ship at the end of my cruise.

[BeachBumMama]

I dont know what you mean about it not being NCL....because all the paperwork I have says NCL...the customer service number I call every day trying to get my dental bills refunded says NCL....(NCL Customer Relations 1-866-625-1164)

 

I think people should know what happened and if you think Im not telling you the truth I would be more than happy to fax or email you the reports I have. I have nothing to hide.

Just to let you know, as for posting a review, you could have done so right here on the boards by starting a new thread. There are many who are disgruntled with the Hawaii cruises and if you search and read the posts you'll find them. So it isn't that I didn't believe you, but being on these boards for awhile I find that some people merely want to jump on here and post something bad, for whatever reason, I've yet to figure out. And I'm talking what is called a 'troll' that merely wants to get attention or something. So with your few posts and a bad review on an original post asking about other ships, I had to wonder what your motive was. It struck me odd that after 5 months you'd come on here to post something, but again it isn't that I don't believe you, as I have read the negative things about the Hawaii cruises.

 

Which brings to mind the answer to the question of the difference in NCLA and NCL. Again, if you do a search or read some of the posts on the pages, there has been much dicussion on this. Although related, it is considered a seperate company and they operate with an American staff. There is much discussion on this topic and personally I think most of the American kids on those ships are there for the 'glamour' of the cruise and don't have the dedicated work ethic that a foreign staff does. You will find a world of difference between NCLA (Hawaii ships), and NCL ships. They've just taken one of the Hawaii ships out of service there and moved it, so it is a problem they are aware of and are trying to fix. Hopefully they will, as I haven't been there yet and would love to do it freestyle as that's the only way I want to cruise.:)

 

I really meant no offense towards you and can't blame you for being upset. I certainly would be too. And to treat such an incident with disregard is certainly unacceptable as well. If you do decide to cruise again you'll find a different experience on NCL, but wherever you go next, have fun!:D

[lendsire]

We have had terrible experiences with NCL's customer service. Does anyone know who we can complain to who is at the top? We have found that it is useless to phone with our legitimate complaints to customer service because it doesn't exist. At one time I had read on the boards that some had results going to the very top, but who is it?

[newmexicoNita]

After my last cruise with NCL a couple of years ago, I swore I would never use them again. The cabin was in poor repair, the crew overall appeared to be in a bad mood, and the food was 'people chow'. However the Crown's South America to Miami was so cheap I decided to give them another chance.

 

For the past two weeks I was pleasantly surprised. Cabin was in fairly good shape and the crew was fair (not outstanding, but not bad). While you can eat the food, it wasn't great, I lost several pounds on a 13 day cruise. Most grumbling you heard on the ship was about the low quality of food.

 

Comparing NCL to some of the other cruise lines is like comparing hamburger to steak. Both will do the job, but you get what you pay for. If you go with 'hamburger' in mind, you should have a great time.

The Crown isn't one of the newer NCL ships. To say the crew was just so so, is a shock to me as I have always found the crew to be the one of the reasons we keep coming back to NCL. Certainly we have yet to find a cruiseline with friendlier crew members. As for comparing NCL to other cruise lines, it would help if you listed which ones you would put in the steak catagory, certaintly there wouldn't be any other mass marketed line that is that much superior to NCL? NMNita

[newmexicoNita]

I certainly am glad I came here and read this thread. My DH received a NCL brochure, and we were looking into it. (We've sailed DCL, Carnival, and RCCL.) I appreciate everyone's honesty. I think we'll continue looking. (I think Princess might be our next line.)smilie

Hi Disneycruiser; you live in Highland Villagae, so does my daughter and son in law. We used to live in Lewisville. Our daughter has cruised on almost every line imaginable, has had outside cabins, balcony and full suites. If you were to ask her she would tell you, try NCL. She loves it. Some of the complaints you will read are, I am sure legit, some over stated and some positives are overboard as well. Older NCL ships and newer ones are like 2 different lines. I would send you her email but I am afraid she might kill me. Just wish there was some way to get information to you. NMnita

[newmexicoNita]

I haven't been here long, and we have yet to go on our cruise, but am I the only one who thinks it's odd that the people making those awful posts don't appear to be regulars here at all? How'd they even find this?

Good point, usually, as someone said, if you go back and read their postings you will find a very negative attitude period. There are some who do have complaints that are legit, but most are not. Lendsire, yes, going to the top is the best wasy to get action, but your complaints need to be reasonable and justified. Lots of negatives will get you absolutely nowhere, a fair and balance report keeping your concerns to a minimum, hopefully will, at least get you an answer. I have never had trouble with the NCLs customer service, but I may just be one of those lucky ones. I have, on rare occassions had concerns. They have always been addressed. Have I always liked the answer? NOpe, but I have been satisfied. NMnita

[bobobeagle]

I do not understand why when someone posts a negative review, everyone on here defends NCL or NCLA. I find this true even if he or she has never even cruised on the specific ship the review covers. Is this not a board for all opinions? When I read a review from someone who had a good experience and loved the food, I do not discount it as it is one person's experience. I just think everyone who visits this site for advice, who is planning to spend a lot of money on a vacation, deserves to know that not everyone had a wondferful experience.

[newmexicoNita]

I do not understand why when someone posts a negative review, everyone on here defends NCL or NCLA. I find this true even if he or she has never even cruised on the specific ship the review covers. Is this not a board for all opinions? When I read a review from someone who had a good experience and loved the food, I do not discount it as it is one person's experience. I just think everyone who visits this site for advice, who is planning to spend a lot of money on a vacation, deserves to know that not everyone had a wondferful experience.

Boy do you have that wrong. Not everyone defends, but we do have a right to answer negative remarks as well as you or anyone else has the right to question the positive reviews. this is an open board with all views welcome. I don't know about everyone, but most of us only remark about the ships we have been on or make comments about a line in general. This is true about all the threads regardless of the line. Read RCI, Celebrity, Carnival or any other boards. NMNita