Never been...

[terrymtex01]

I think NCL could do a better job of clarifying Freestyle dining. Although how anyone can think that "where you want, when you want" has no limitations (and then comes here an whines or complains or flames) is seriously deluded. Do these folks not understand physics and simple logistics? Do they not see that the only way to have unlimited "when you want, where you want" dining is for every single venue to seat the entire compliment of pax and to be fully staffed at all times. Then even if all 2,000+ pax want to dine at the same place at the same time, no problem. People need to realize that Freestyle is about choices, and not a free-for-all.

 

BeachChick.. you would be AMAZED and what some people seem to not know. On another post a lady shared that she and her MIL had shared a soda card on a cruise and since she shared she had done that, I shared that I thought that was stealing. Of course, she justified it by saying her MIL only got one soda a day..like that isn't stealing too, but anyway.. Someone wrote that I should post the cruise lines rules about the soda card before I accuse someone of stealing.. Can you imagine? They are adult enough to be able to cruise, but expect someone to post a rule that when a business sells some particular product for so much per person per day that they wouldn't know that if two people share that product it isnt stealing?? That they expect that to be posted before it's stealing?? I was just amazed.

[Surfgirl]

the good:

 

The value is very good on NCL

The crew couldn't be friendlier or more helpful

The cabins have always been spotless

The food is good (not excellent, but good)

There is plenty to do on board even if it rains

The chocolate buffet on the Spirit was the best I've had

The staff in the restaurants go out of their way to help someone with a food allergy

The shows are excellent

The rubber duckies in the gift shop! (Hey, can anyone send me a Dawn duckie? I'll reimburse you-- they were all out when I was aboard).

The "Ship-en-dales" dancers (hehehehe!)

 

 

the bad:

 

The ships are too big (I miss the Crown)

There are too many people on board (as a result of the ships being too big)

Too much noise (excessive announcements, blaring disco at the pool)

Too few deck chairs (That's why I always get a cabin with a balcony)

Too many commercials (Get your Krackit now! Inch of gold now outside the giftshop!)

Smoking in the casino

 

 

the ugly:

 

The way some of the passengers dress for dinner.. The hosts rarely enforce the dress code

The ships have gotten tacky looking-- neon and orange everywhere-- like a Las Vegas Casino

[electricron]

Ah, okay. Your :mad: was toward those who bash NCL because it's not the same as the traditional lines and because it's unique. I still maintain though that there's no need to make it either this or that without the option for both.

 

And you know that there are NCL fans who are very negative about their cruises on other lines solely because those lines are not like NCL. IMO, that's really no different from the traditional fans bashing NCL. Although quite a bit of it is personal preference, a fair bit seems more like outright animosity. I find that unhelpful and unnecessary.

 

We haven't had any issue with Freestyle dining, but I do think that not all those who report long waits and the inability to get any reservations are lying or making something out of nothing. I think NCL could do a better job of clarifying Freestyle dining. Although how anyone can think that "where you want, when you want" has no limitations (and then comes here an whines or complains or flames) is seriously deluded. Do these folks not understand physics and simple logistics? Do they not see that the only way to have unlimited "when you want, where you want" dining is for every single venue to seat the entire compliment of pax and to be fully staffed at all times. Then even if all 2,000+ pax want to dine at the same place at the same time, no problem. People need to realize that Freestyle is about choices, and not a free-for-all.

 

Anyway, thanks for clarifying the angry face. That makes more sense.

 

beachchick

 

I couldn't agree more. It's just as wrong for NCL fans to criticize other cruise lines because they don't have Freestyle or Anytime Dining. The cruise lines, imho, should offer different experiences and not the exactly same experiences.

It would be wrong to expect a skating rink on small ships, mainly because there isn't room. Likewise, it would be wrong to expect covered swimming pools on every ship on every line. Also, bowling alleys.

 

If you want a ship to do everything every other cruise line does, ships will have to be as large as NCL's private island, Great Stirrup Cay, but developed like Disney World, to fit everything.

[beachchick]

BeachChick.. you would be AMAZED and what some people seem to not know. On another post a lady shared that she and her MIL had shared a soda card on a cruise and since she shared she had done that, I shared that I thought that was stealing. Of course, she justified it by saying her MIL only got one soda a day..like that isn't stealing too, but anyway.. Someone wrote that I should post the cruise lines rules about the soda card before I accuse someone of stealing.. Can you imagine? They are adult enough to be able to cruise, but expect someone to post a rule that when a business sells some particular product for so much per person per day that they wouldn't know that if two people share that product it isnt stealing?? That they expect that to be posted before it's stealing?? I was just amazed.

 

Sadly, I'm not amazed by some people. BTW, I was the other member who was absolutely SCREAMED at by another member on that thread. He/she called me "BEACHGIRL" and then proceeded to, well...you read it, I'm sure. Unbelievable, but not surprising. I totally agree with you! I did go ahead and post the terms directly from NCL's website (but partly so that I could be a bit, um, sacrastic in my last sentence).

 

beachchick

[beachchick]

DDP

 

beachchick

[DizzyDallasDi]

I'm afraid that Dee Dee (the OP) is getting more of a taste of the good, bad and ugly natures of the people on this board instead the answer to her query of the good, bad and ugly natures of NCL. I really get big kick out of reading everyone's posts and even more of a kick out of how a thread can take on a life of its own. You guys are all great!

 

Diane