Comments on: NCL Plans $53 Million Upgrade

By: Com ment

Com ment — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 04:57:31 +0000

NCL must check the life of their crew on board the ship.
there are some high ranking officials who take extra advantage of their position.

some instances that they used their power to lure some woman to have a night with them,,,, its ok if the woman wants it… but in the other hand, some of them totally dis agree… it just got so happen that they are scared that they are goin to be fired… in other hand again, if they agree, they are given a promotion…

I talked to one of the crew, she is crying because its like an insult that they are being molested.

and also, there are some instances that these said officials give hard time to those people who they dislike… they take things personaly…

Hotel director!!! you should be ashamed… most of the crew called you PIG…

By: Clay Boudreaux

Clay Boudreaux — Tue, 05 May 2009 17:30:16 +0000

Howard, I had almost the same situation on the Pearl in 2008. They moved me under the disco, knowing that I was coming from a noisy room. Actually the original room was noisy from a knocking sound at 3-4 am in the wall coming from below-never figured that one out. Even though they tried, I had a miserable time, didn’t sleep much and ear plugs did no good, the ceiling was thumping from the bass speakers.

I always pay close attention to cabin location when I book, thought this location looked good, oh well.

By: Anne Campbell

Anne Campbell — Fri, 13 Feb 2009 15:58:42 +0000

What a dreadful sorry because there really isn’t a good outcome. I’ve had a week’s cruise hampered by people in the next cabin, and there wasn’t even a crying baby. What I learned is to take ear plugs with me.

As for the staff’s actions, at least they tried something. Frequently no one does.

Again, I’m very sorry your cruise turned out this way. I know personally that noise can cause real damage.

Please, write to NCL!

By: Howard Schiffman

Howard Schiffman — Fri, 13 Feb 2009 15:46:03 +0000

My wife and I waited all year for a vacation. We decided to book on NCL as opposed tp Royal Carribean or competitive lines, as we wanted to experience “FreeStyle” Dining. The trip turned ito a sleep deprived disaster! The room we were assigned was adjoining a stateroom with an infant, who woke every four hours for a bottle. When we brought it to the attention of the reception staff, they said the ship was “completely booked” and no other room was available. After seeing how frustrated we were, they called us back and said there was another room available, “but no beds in the room”. They would have to bring “our beds” from our stateroom (the one adjoining the crying infant), and set it up in this new room. We agreed, and were transferred to the new room.
Once there, (at 1:00 am), we realized we were placed in a room ABOVE THE BAND, who played loud rock music and incessant drumming…so once again we could not sleep. In the morning, we advised the reception desk, and their comments were…”you could sleep in your old room, and shower and get dressed in this new room”
An impossible situation which apparently was made worse by deceiving us. If there were no rooms available, and they had to bring up our bed from the room which we did not want…they had to know they were moving us up to a room NO ONE WOUL WANT. There were beds in both rooms! They tried to deceive us and went through the motions of assisting us…knowing full well the room they sustituted was a room with a history of noise complaints.
Apparently, NCL personnel on board has no authority to compensate their passengers, and we were told to write to the NCL line and voice a complaint.
HOW DOES THAT COMPENSATE FOR A TRIP THAT WAS SUPPOSED TO BE A VACATION, WHICH TURNED OUT TO BE A SLEEP DEPRIVED NIGHTMARE!

By: Anne Campbell

Anne Campbell — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 02:38:51 +0000

In terms of improved food and cleanliness, yes I think NCL Sun is worth trying. I hope you’re aware of Freestyle cruising, it’s the main point to NCL. The cabins are smaller than Celebrity’s and a bit smaller than Princess’ as well. NCL doesn’t have formal nights so it’s much more casual. I heard they were allowing jeans in the dining room, then I heard they stopped it.

NCL best suits those who love Freestyle Dining and a more casual, laid-back environment. The Apollo folks are very serious about raising NCL’s quality and would be on top of it.

I can’t say NCL is as good as Princess or Celebrity (although I do think the food has greatly improved). But there are lots of cozy lounges and it’s fun to dine where and when you please.

Hope this helps!

By: Felix

Felix — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 23:34:25 +0000

H Anne,
I was thinking of taking a cruise along the Mexican Riviera in Oct ‘08 on the NCL Sun ship. I’ve been on Princess and Celebrity before but never NCL. Food and clean/sanitary environment is important for me. I didn’t hear too many good things about NCL in the past. Do you think it’s worth trying NCL due to Apollo’s involvement?

By: Anne Campbell

Anne Campbell — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 00:46:57 +0000

I believe the service glitches continue, the reason NCL has lost millions on their Hawaii program. They went to a great deal of trouble to get the ships flagged American so they had to hire American staff.

The problem is that Americans don’t want to be stewards and waiters for minimum wage so there is a big turnover. It costs NCL $2000 per employee to get a potential employee through all the paper work. Then they walk off. NCL also guessed incorrectly in assuming the Hawaiians themselves would want to work on the ships. They didn’t.

But NCL has also made brilliant decisions. Freestyle is a huge success and they were the first cruise line to position a ship year-round in New York (even I thought that would fail) and today it’s a lucrative market.

Getting $53 million from Apollo Investments (which bought half the company) is a big help. It’s going into food and bedding.

By: paulo1203

paulo1203 — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 00:25:05 +0000

Your comment on NCL having problems with food and service in Hawaii was past tense (“had problems”). Do I assume that these problems have been corrected?

By: Anne Campbell

Anne Campbell — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 20:29:55 +0000

The Court Yard Villas are beautiful!!

People who like NCL love the Freestyle dining. I think the problem is that agents sent people on NCL without really filling them in what Freestyle is. It’s not for everyone, but they may have had complaints after sending the wrong people to a completely open style of dining. Personally I love it and I know lots of people who wouldn’t sail with any other cruise line.

NCL had problems in Hawaii, they couldn’t find good staff for their American-flagged ships so food and service has suffered. But it’s limited to Hawaii.

Personally I like NCL, especially with the improvements in food. The ships are lively, the Asian staff very good.

By: Larry

Larry — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 20:22:14 +0000

This is Great Information and news on the Cruise Industry. Thank You.

It seems that many travel agents don’t want to book NCL for any number of reasons. Am I to assume it’s due to the commission the agents make or past experiences with NCL?

I have been hearing great things about NCL and after reading your blog, I’m ready to book, especially the Court Yard Villa or Suites.