F3 Reveal?

[newmexicoNita]

The "young crowd" can afford all the "extra" charges?

 

Not sure how OLD the young crowd is that they are looking for but my youngest just graduated college...he does not like paying "extra" for anything:D

Agreed, we have a granddaughter that just graduated as well. She is getting married in Oct and was thinking of a cruise for her honeymoon. In fact she thought they would put it off until May and do Alaska. Well, she asked me for prices, when I told her about $2000 for the two of them without air, she said, NO WAY, we can't afford that kind of money. She is looking at using one of her parents "Time Shares" and doing someplace like DR. Even with the small fee involved she doesn't realize the cost of food, entertainment, sight seeing and the rest.

 

I think when people refer to the younger crowd with the bucks, they are thinking more about people in your age group, 35-55. Yes, they do have more disposable income, but so do many seniors. It is a matter as to whether seniors will opt for the nightlife or not.

 

Nita

[Cooks_Bay]

The "young crowd" can afford all the "extra" charges?

 

Not sure how OLD the young crowd is that they are looking for but my youngest just graduated college...he does not like paying "extra" for anything:D

 

I think you underestimate the amount of disposable income young professionals have. I'm not talking about recent college grads here, I'm talking about singles and in particular "DINKies". (Dual income no kids). All-inclusive Carribean resorts like Sandals, Beaches, Couples, Swept Away, etc have run successful businesses off of these demographics for 3 decades, and they cost a lot more than a cruise. (Even with the added charges NCL wants to tack on). People in those demographics just don't have the expenses that people my age do..ie Kids (and everything that goes along with them), Health Ins, Life Ins, etc, etc, etc...

 

While the ship doesn't appeal to me for a number of reasons (rooms, party scene, noise level, etc), I also understand that I'm not the "target market" for this ship. NCL has other offerings that fit what I'm looking for. If you figure the basic fare at $1000-1200, and throw in an average of $100 per day in added expenses (drinks, club fees, spa etc), the price is 20-30% lower than a Carribean based all-inclusive (excluding all-inclusive add-ons)and the airfare to the departure points is cheaper than flying to the Carribean.

 

My sense is that NCL is making an effort to bring new people into the cruise market with F3. I think they are trying to make the ship itself the destination, rather than the transportation. I would imagine that other cruise lines, while they may not follow suit, will welcome expanding the market rather than canabalizing it. Whether it's a success or not remains to be seen, and it will be interesting to see how bookings play out.

[Brad1185]

Sounds like much of the ship will be off limits to all who are not in a courtyard villa or willing to pay the cover charges. Guess if you dont want to pay the cover charges about the only place to go is to stay in your room.

 

I did get a good laugh when someone asked if drinks would be included in the cover charge.

[Aplmac]

Ice Bar to Über Bar: NCL reveals F3 hot spots

18/6/2008

 

_______________________________

 

NCL Corp. went to one of the world’s nightlife meccas - Caesars Palace in Las Vegas

to reveal five hot spots that will be aboard its F3 newbuilds.

The offerings include some never-before-seen experiences at sea

along with exclusive, adults-only venues.

 

The Ice Bar features a bar, walls, tables, stools, glasses and life-size sculptures made from ice.

The POSH Beach Club is a private top-of-the-ship enclave.

Halo, the Über Bar, is a private bar and lounge housed within the ship’s exclusive villa complex.

 

Bliss Ultra Lounge, NCL’s around-the-clock entertainment and nightclub space

will reprise the line’s signature bowling alley.

And Spice H20 is an adults-only aft pool deck experience.

 

‘What’s particularly unique about these spaces is they will have multiple uses

– sunning, bowling, dining and, of course, party playgrounds,’

said NCL president and ceo Colin Veitch.

 

Inspired by Scandinavia’s ice bars and ice hotels,

NCL’s Ice Bar will be an ice chamber with changing hues to simulate the Northern Lights.

Patrons will be given fur coats to stay warm

in a room where the temperature will not rise above 17 degrees F.!

A cover change to enter will include a drink or drinks.

 

Adults who buy a POSH pass for the day or the week

will take a private elevator to enter the POSH Beach Club, an outdoor entertainment complex.

During the day, patrons can lounge on white-cushioned day beds in private cabanas;

at night, the space transforms into an open-air nightclub with a DJ and VIP bottle service.

Programming ranges from sunrise yoga to to an afternoon of ‘nightlife’ with spiked POSH snow cones.

The space turns into a dance club after dark.

 

Garden and Courtyard villa passengers will have access to Halo,

the Über Bar on the private Deck 16.

It promises ‘the best of the best,’ from liquors to art and jewelry.

Private gaming tables, including baccarat, add to what NCL describes as a sexy style in this adults-only club.

 

Also for adults, Spice H2O, aft on Decks 15 and 16, features a huge LED screen.

During the day, patrons can sunbathe in lounge beds around the pool while listening to Asian tunes

and nibbling Asian-inspired cuisine in Chinese to-go containers.

As the sun sets, Spice H20 transforms into an Ibiza-inspired beach club

with live entertainment and dinner served tableside or at the beds.

Later, the mood shifts to Latin mash-up vibes, dancing and entertainment.

 

Bliss Ultra Lounge and Nightclub,

already on Norwegian Gem and Norwegian Pearl

will be aboard the F3 ships for all-day bowling or hanging out,

transforming into a high-energy lounge by night with music videos and shadow dancers.

 

Passengers will be able to purchase a ‘Beyond the Velvet Rope’ package to gain access to the exclusive clubs.

[mbisson]

Sounds like much of the ship will be off limits to all who are not in a courtyard villa or willing to pay the cover charges. Guess if you dont want to pay the cover charges about the only place to go is to stay in your room.

 

Thanks for clearing this up Brad. It's always a joy to see you share you insight and knowledge of all things NCL. ;)

 

These clubs don't do much for me personally, but now I'm also aware that these are the only public spaces on the ships ;). I would've been shocked if I ever boarded and didn't know this in advance so again, my thanks.

[xyzxyz]

With this emphasis on night clubs, bars and clubs, am I right in thinking that NCL will not be so child-friendly with these new ships?

[cruizinwithkids]

With this emphasis on night clubs, bars and clubs, am I right in thinking that NCL will not be so child-friendly with these new ships?

 

There is a link to a cruise critic article a few pages back. From that article:

 

In an era in which the cruise industry perhaps has bent over backwards a bit too far to accommodate families and ignored the adult-only contingent (this includes parents who travel with children and who want a fun night out, as well as singles and couples) in the process, these new nightlife options markedly exclude kiddies. NCL executives did say last night that plans for its children's programs would be equally unique and would be revealed at a later date.

 

http://www.cruisecritic.co.uk/news/news.cfm?ID=2651

[dfishner]

I will be going on Oasis when booking became available then go on the F3 but seeing that they will charge a cover you can keep it. I do not mind paying for speciality restaurants but come on charging to get into a club that is just plain wrong and clubs that I do not fit into the demographics for. NCL is going the wrong way for me, I will stick with other cruise lines or pre F3 ships. I also did not find the artist renderings enticing to south beach. If NCL is trying to reach a younger demographic they did it with the F3. It will be a watch and see game with this one.

[coka]

Keep in mind they have only rolled out 2 components of F3: the ship/cabin design and the club experience. For the most part, it makes sense to use the under-utilized areas of the ship: the very top deck...aft bar at night...etc.

 

Since the F3 ships are bigger than current ones, these are additions...not to be interpreted for a young crowd only. I highly doubt NCL is going to forego the wide age range currently sailing on their ships.

 

I do not see anything that they are "getting rid of." I only see add ons. I am sure there still be the casino, the shows, the comediens, the bingo, the art auctions, the pool activities, the barbecues, etc.

 

Do not let an artist renditioning of what people look like scare you!

 

Make up your mind once all the F3 announcements are over and the real thing is here!

 

coka

[mbisson]

So where's the freestyle sun deck gonna be :D :D

 

Keep in mind they have only rolled out 2 components of F3: the ship/cabin design and the club experience. For the most part, it makes sense to use the under-utilized areas of the ship: the very top deck...aft bar at night...etc.

 

Since the F3 ships are bigger than current ones, these are additions...not to be interpreted for a young crowd only. I highly doubt NCL is going to forego the wide age range currently sailing on their ships.

 

I do not see anything that they are "getting rid of." I only see add ons. I am sure there still be the casino, the shows, the comediens, the bingo, the art auctions, the pool activities, the barbecues, etc.

 

Do not let an artist renditioning of what people look like scare you!

 

Make up your mind once all the F3 announcements are over and the real thing is here!

 

coka

[NCL_Cruiser]

So where's the freestyle sun deck gonna be :D :D

 

 

Your balcony, Monte...or would the be "Full Monte?" :D :D :D

[mbisson]

Your balcony, Monte...or would the be "Full Monte?" :D :D :D

 

 

Cool---all the 'ladies' in the photos (and any others who would like to attend) are invited!

 

When did they put balconies on inside cabins (or are there gonna be indoor staterooms with balconies above an indoor promenade)? Hey, that would be cool!

 

Honest your honor-It was completely innocent!

[G'ma]

Weren't they supposed to reveal more info about the F3 today (June 17)? Has anyone found out any information?

 

Well I found this and it ain't purty:

 

http://www.usatoday.com/travel/cruises/item.aspx?type=blog&ak=51560048.blog

[crew mom]

Many have expressed concern here that NCL is going after a different market then the one that many of us are a part of ( the bit older and fluffier market). Some are afraid that there will not be anything for us to do on board the new ships.

 

I 've been thinking about this and I think that our fears are unfounded. Not to sound like a cheerleader but NCL has been an innovator of many of the new cruising concepts out there and that the new ideas for the F3's are simply more of the same. Again we get to pick and choose what we want to participate in and many of these new ideas will be in addition to our old favorites.

 

I just saw on TV a commercial for one of the other top 4 cruise lines. Not a single person depicted in the commercial was over 40 and activities shown included zip-line, surfing, rock climbing, sunbathing, bike class, ATV's, horseback-riding and dancing. However, in real life, I'm sure that their average passenger age is well over 40.

 

So I still look forward to seeing what other new ideas will be showing up with the F3's. I've always enjoyed the pool parties so I'm looking forward to them with more pizazz in the future. I'm sure we'll see Coka, and even Monte, there also!

[mbisson]

I'm sure we'll see Coka, and even Monte, there also!

 

Oh, I imagine you will :D

 

Coka, is it a date? LOL (btw-sent you an IM earlier today)

[coka]

It's a date! Afterwards, we can post real pictures of us non-targeted crowds having a blast too!

coka

[mbisson]

It's a date! Afterwards, we can post real pictures of us non-targeted crowds having a blast too!

coka

 

Somehow I think you probably look a lot more like you fit in the advertising pictures than I do

[coaster]

 

Do not let an artist renditioning of what people look like scare you!

 

Make up your mind once all the F3 announcements are over and the real thing is here!

 

coka

 

NCL has released these artist renderings for publicity purposes. It is basically free advertising for them right now. The renderings are only showing a younger 'hip' crowd. That tells me something. Why release all of these risque renderings if they are content with the demographic that is currently paying their bills? They are obviously going after a new demographic with the images they are releasing to the travel industry.

[coaster]

With this emphasis on night clubs, bars and clubs, am I right in thinking that NCL will not be so child-friendly with these new ships?

 

I got the same impression. The emphasis only seems to be on young single women where no children or families are onboard. Press release images seem more like a brothel than a mass market cruise line. It will be interesting to see if NCL updates their marketing to include the real people and families that I have seen onboard their ships in the past.

[Bigdog49]

I got the same impression. The emphasis only seems to be on young single women where no children or families are onboard. Press release images seem more like a brothel than a mass market cruise line. It will be interesting to see if NCL updates their marketing to include the real people and families that I have seen onboard their ships in the past.

 

Stay tuned as the roll out the rest of details in the next year. I would expect on of those annoucements will be all about all the wonderful creative new things for kids.

 

With 4000 passegers the Kids Club has got to massive and and if NCL stays true to form inovative. With the Adult only pool area this week that leaves room for a real family focused main pool area. Something for everyone.

 

Time will tell - it is fun to speculate

[coka]

NCL has released these artist renderings for publicity purposes. It is basically free advertising for them right now. The renderings are only showing a younger 'hip' crowd. That tells me something. Why release all of these risque renderings if they are content with the demographic that is currently paying their bills? They are obviously going after a new demographic with the images they are releasing to the travel industry.

 

I think they are going after an "additional" demographic...not a "replacement" one.

 

Although...I will know for sure as the F3 rollouts continue.

If I only see images of 21-33 year olds playing in the Kids Crew area, splashing about the kids pool, playing Bingo, gambling, hanging out in bar central, dining in the restaurants, basically using all the facilities the F3s offer, then I will conclude they only want this demographic on their new ships.

 

I give NCL a lot of credit for their innovation and marketing strategies. They are not afraid to try...they are not afraid to fail...they are not afraid to monitor and adjust along the way.

 

On a side note, I do feel bad for the bartenders that get assigned the IceBar!

 

coka

[cruise4kicks]

On a side note, I do feel bad for the bartenders that get assigned the IceBar!

Maybe they'll start recruiting more aggressively in places like, oh, say, Greenland? :p

[Mangojh2]

I'm really excited about my first NCL cruise, Pearl in November. But after looking at the first couple of roll outs for F3, I'm not all that excited. I'm 35 and night clubs and ice bars and private lounge area's for extra money aren't what I look for on a cruise ship.

 

Oasis on the other hand looks amazing. I've never been on RCI but that ships Central Park and boardwalk area look incredible. I'd love to feel like I'm in a park on a cruise ship. And they are all public areas, you don't have to pay extra to enter. When I see the pictures of Oasis, I really want to go on it. I don't get that feeling with the F3. Not yet anyway.

 

I hope NCL will unveil some new really unique things that are appealing to more age groups in their next roll out... not just more night clubs.

[jessgmann]

Just a note on the younger demographic-

My husband and I are mid-20s professionals, no kids. We have the disposable income and desire to travel at this point, and I suspect NCL may be targeting people like us with their new entertainment on the F3. Now in our experience, we've had to kind of bar hop around the ship to find an environment that suited us. We loved being able to stop in one and if was not our scene, head to another spot. BUT I anticipate we won't want to dare waste our money to get in somewhere we won't stay long enough to be worth it.

Our 09 cruise is coming up in January on the Star. For 2010 we're looking for a cruise to celebrate finishing grad school and the timing is perfect to have our pick between the Oasis or the F3. RCCL hasn't impressed us in the past but the Oasis could bring us back! I hope NCL can make the F3 more appealing before then!

[ute_fan]

Maybe they'll start recruiting more aggressively in places like, oh, say, Greenland? :p

 

Maybe Siberia?