pppffftt.....you pay more you get more, If she does not know that by this stage in her life what hope is there.

Posted By brodie on May 1, 2008, 8:04 AM

This is a non-issue to me.
What is an issue is my experience with MSC cruise line.
THEY canceled a shore excursion we had paid for and we were told we would be credited for their decision to cancel, BUT WE NEVER GOT OUR MONEY BACK! Between three of us it was almost $100. I wrote to MSC and never got a reply.
DO NOT CRUISE MSC..THEY CHEAT YOU AND THEY ARE RUDE

Posted By schar on May 1, 2008, 12:27 PM

It would be a non-issue if the cruise lines made
this type of info public. Then everyone will feel informed and equeal.

Posted By Jorge on May 1, 2008, 12:31 PM

I don't agree with that - it should be clear what you're getting from what's advertised. If I made a decision to take a particular cruise based on the dining choices, and stayed in my lowly inner cabin, I would not be happy if I found those choices were not available to me.

Posted By erin on May 1, 2008, 12:34 PM

I agree - and I think many people would prefer to have the option to pay less and be happy with the options that gave them! Sounds like somebody looking for a free ride.

Posted By Maci on May 1, 2008, 12:35 PM

you pay more, you get more is fair enough - but it should be stated clearly what you get when you pay a certain amount. when it's FREESTYLE dining, and assuming that they haven't outlined the specifics of what that exactly means except the fact that you get to eat anywhere you choose, i feel for the person who paid a lower fare (because of sale, credits, etc), and expected the same treatment as those who paid more. i would expect the same treatment in coach class, for example, if i paid a non-refundable fare and the person beside me did not. (S/he can't get a free glass of wine, and I couldn't, just because s/he paid more!)

i think it's legitimate... i'm sure it didn't make for a fun cruise having been treated like a bottom-feeder, and being stuck in a boat with nowhere to go. I'd ask for ALL my money back.

Posted By veronica on May 1, 2008, 12:36 PM

Another whiny, entitled lawyer...

Posted By Mo on May 1, 2008, 12:38 PM

I've cruised NCL and haven't had a problem, and I didn't pay the "upscale" prices.....I'd need more details before I could make a judgement. How does she know that's the reason she couldn't get in? and is it that she couldn't get in, or that she just couldn't get in at the time she wanted? Sounds to me like someone is trying to manipulate the legal system into a free vacation!

Posted By kimberly on May 1, 2008, 12:53 PM

I think FREESTYLE dining is the pits (but as many have said, where your cabin is located is known by the staff and $$$ count). My husband and I always choose traditional dining because it is hassle free. Even on Princess, you can't just walk up to their anytime dining locations and get in--you have to book in advance or wait! Who wants to do that. It was especially difficult when there was a large party of us and we wanted to book all the 7 nights ahead at a certain time--Princess hassled us on that but my sister-in-law who had volunteered to book just persisted.

Posted By Valerie Wickersham on May 1, 2008, 1:00 PM

Give me a break! Next thing she'll be suing for damages because they have formal nights and she looks bad in a cocktail dress! My husband and I have cruised on every ship that sails out of Galveston, we welcome a "separation of classes". I'm tired of dining w/all the bubbas in their overalls and ball caps!

Posted By Christine on May 1, 2008, 1:02 PM

After all the inconviences I run into during my travels now I can make money off of it by suing each time I run into a delay or problem! Why didn't I think of that? I could have been rich!

I've been on 5 cruises now and am sick of all the whiners and complainers. If you go on a cruise please don't whine, it makes you sound petty and under-classed.

Posted By Will w on May 1, 2008, 1:03 PM

My husband and I have taken 31 cruises, most of them on Princess. The rule is that you book your specialty dining restaurants early in the cruise in order to get the time and restaurant you desire. In addition, we prefer anytime seating and follow the rules saying you can only book three days in advance so we usually book them all and then call again for the balance of the cruise. Never had a bit of trouble. It works well if you get the proper reservation rules as soon as you board the ship.

Posted By CAW on May 1, 2008, 1:25 PM

Best advice: Use a good travel agent who will explain your options and advocate for you in the event of a problem. Cruises are not a simple purchase like an air seat.

Posted By Peter on May 1, 2008, 1:34 PM

My Husband and I are the 'Bubbas' of which you speak. We don't own formal wear, and wouldn't feel comfortable in it if we did. However, we choose to dine in the buffet most of the time so as not to mix with the upper class - the reason? Most of you have no class. Though we are clean and neat, not dressed in outlandish clothing, but not up to your standards, we are lookied down upon and comments are made outloud, as though the 'Bubbas' can't hear you.

I have only been on 2 cruises as we are far from rich, and what you consider a great vacation is a 'once in a lifetime' kind of thing for us. The first cruise was with my Mom and we dined in the regular dining room, and I think God that my Mother is hard of hearing, becaause the rude comments were so hurtful that I lost my appetite and blamed it on sea sickness. After that we went to the buffet and never returned.

Not being able to get inot one of the premier was never a complaint though. On both cruises we dined in the luxury restaurants, but we made our reservations the first day on the ship. You cannot just walk into those places.

Posted By :Laurie on May 1, 2008, 1:37 PM

I agree with Will.

I was on an NCL cruise last year and there was a family of whiners who were constantly complaining that they weren't being seated in the upscale restaurant. It didn't occur to them that the reasons they were being denied was:

1. They had a screeching, screaming, baby with them who they did nothing to try to quiet.

2. They were all dressed inappropriately for dinner. One woman was wearing "jammy" pants and another was wearing cut off hillbilly shorts. The men were in t-shirts and the grandmother looked like she'd been gardening all day.

My bet is that this woman did not dress or behave like an upper-class passenger. When people are complaining and whining, management does not want to accommodate them. This only promotes complaining and whining.

Posted By Kori on May 1, 2008, 1:50 PM

Nest time take a plane. No discrimination there....everybody's treated like a lower-class citizen (or terrorist.)

Posted By Eileen Sansone on May 1, 2008, 2:07 PM

We recently took our first cruise on NCL! It was also our last! Free Style means nothing at all when you can't get a reservation for dinner when you want to go...we tried several times and were told to try a different eating venue or take a 9 or 9:30 reservation. After all the trouble getting reservations, the food wasn't worth it anyway!

Posted By Lu on May 1, 2008, 2:08 PM

I have been on several cruises -- Norwegian, Royal Caribbean, and Princess. I have never felt looked down on. I have always been able to get the dining room or restaurant I wanted without waiting. I just followed the rules. I have been in an outside cabin and inside cabins and have never felt that I was treated differently because I had an inside cabin. I always dress appropriately but not always in a formal on formal nights. Sometimes just a nice dress or pants outfit. I think if you treat people appropriately they will treat you the same. Cruising is fun and I intend to take some more cruises.

Posted By Sandy on May 1, 2008, 2:16 PM

As far as norwegian cruisees go. Never again will I go on a cruise with them. The food in all the resturants included were lousy. The worst presentation We ever seen. When I asked for a simple thing like cinnamon to sprinkle on my french toast, the waiter said it was on the other side of the dining room and he wasn't going to go and get it. Real class.

We did go to a couple of the specialty dining rooms and had no problems. We made our reservations the first day on board.

We both decided that we will stick with going on Princess, Celebrity, Carnival, and Royal Carribean cruise lines.

Posted By Robert Murano on May 1, 2008, 2:37 PM

I've cruisede NCL twice, the second time with my eyes open. But I often choose my cruise based on ports of call, and NCL has some itineraries that can't be matched on other lines. Booking a cruise requires a traveler to prioritize.

NCL's prices reflect that it is not a top scale cruise line, and the food and the service reflect the affordable tariff.

Whatever the line, I always purchase an inexpensive interior cabin so that I can splurge on shore excursions and such. I have never been discriminated against based on my sleeping in "the cheap seats.". But the reality on NCL is that since there are limited spaces in both the regular dining rooms and the specialty venues, if you want to eat in a specific restaurant at prime time, you have to be aware of when reservations for your desired alternative open and plan ahead.

On our most recent cruise, my son and I often did not make reservations at all, but just went to the restaurant that had the shortest wait when we were ready to eat. We sampled all the restaurants and had a fine time.

BTW, the specialty venues on NCL require additional, although reasonable, charges for all, without regard to the passenger's accomodations.

Posted By Cynthia on May 1, 2008, 2:59 PM

I just wish NCL would go back to the way they were 10 years ago. I miss that treatment royally! Their quality has gone down. The service has gone down. Their regular food quality has gone down. I will not cruise with them again and in the past we cruised with them at least 7 times. At one time they made you feel really special. I miss that service. We have been cruising 1-2 times per year for the last 15 years and have cruised with many of the lines.

Posted By Beverly on May 1, 2008, 3:15 PM

Paid an extra $15.00 to have luggage taken from the ship in Miami to the airport. Upon disembarking found out we had to pick up our luggage and take it to a van, where the man said it was too late for him to take it to the airport. Have never received the $15.00 back from NCL.

Posted By Phyllis Sampson on May 1, 2008, 3:25 PM

We have been on many cruises, in in and outside rooms. I go for the itinerary and recognize as others have said that NCL does not have the highest level of food or service. We don't usually pay extra for specialty restaurants as the food is not good enough for the cost. You don't have to have a fortune to go on a cruise, and dressy nights can be a time to wear a suit for guys and a nice suit or dress for ladies, formal gowns and tuxedos aren't required for dressy nights. As far as getting charged for a cancelled tour, it is wise to check your bill several times through the cruise so you will know before the last day that there may be a problem and you have time to deal with it. Travel with a sense of adventure. We remember some of our cruises most by the unforseen activities that have occurred--flight delays of 3 days, missed connections requiring flying to the next port, severe storms with rough seas, etc. You can complain or you can drop your frustrations and make the trip something you will enjoy. It is your choice whether or not you enjoy it. Travel agents are a blessing if you have a great one as I have--found her on a cruise to China several years ago and she lives 1200 miles from me!!

Posted By Mary on May 1, 2008, 3:58 PM

We went on NCL and did freestyle dining. It was great. They are very upfront that in order to get a reservation for the specialty dining, one had to reserve a table early. Even though we had a higher end cabin, we werent able to get into a specialty dining area, because we waited too long to reserve a spot. Sounds like sour grapes and someone wanting a free ride...

Posted By pjudson on May 1, 2008, 4:26 PM

I agree with Laurie Dining in the dining room with a bunch of high class wannabes is sickening. We choose to eat buffets bwith the people are down to earth and don't feel the need to act superior

Posted By Kathy on May 1, 2008, 4:28 PM

Definately do not cruise with NCL. As an ex- employee, I can tell you that class systems are built into every aspect of this company and their poilcies. They encourage employees to discriminate between passengers who have inside staterooms and ones who have garden villas. Their policies also discriminate between fair treatment for workers as well. The company gives privledges to cruise staff that are not extended to cooks and room stewards, and even less to the workers you never see on the ships, such as the environmental control department and technicians. This is a corrupt company and any buisness that goes their way only reinforces these practices. I am glad that a passenger is finally speaking up about their horrible sevrice, because the workers have been ralling for years and have not been heard.

Posted By Echo Emily on May 1, 2008, 4:57 PM

I've sailed with NCL twice. We will never sail with NCL again. One time we had traditional seating for dinner and the other freestyle. The food in the dining room and the specialty restaurants are less than desirable. The service in the dining rooms were slow. One dinner took 2 and 1/2 hours and didn't end until 10:30! The service in the specialty restaurants was very good but we felt we had to tip on top of the extra fee that we were charged for the privilege of eating there. We have cruised 10 times and will continue to look for ships with traditional dining seating.

Posted By luv2cruise on May 1, 2008, 6:21 PM

Does this mean that reservations need to be made for meals on this cruise line?. My family of 19 is going and this sounds like a nightmare.

Posted By utahscout on May 1, 2008, 7:21 PM

Never again on NCL. This is our third cruise on NCL and the service and food was second rate. Not what we had on the SS NORWAY in 1986 and 1996. That was cruising. Sorry NCL, but you better get with the program.
R

Posted By RLM on May 1, 2008, 9:27 PM

My wife and I just cruised on the NCL Pearl and dined in the speciality restaurants (two of them are free even) every night (although we ate breakfast and lunch in the buffett and the main dining room everyday and it was fine). The key was to make reervations when we first got on the ship for that night and the following. Every morning, I would go down to the reervation desk and make reservations for the following night. The only ones that get favorable seating priority are the suite level and above as they have access to a conceirge (who they are req'd to tip extra - outside the regular service tip added on so they are getting extra service). We stayed in a mini-suite (level right below suite). The difference to go suite level was about $1000 more for two than we paid so they should have some extra privilges IMHO. There are plenty of dining options on NCL and it didn't look like anyone was going hungry. The food was good, not great, but good and good value for the price of the cruise. The speciality restaurants are not five star affairs but better than your good meal that you can have Outback, Carabbas, etc.

Posted By Butch25 on May 1, 2008, 9:51 PM

Don't bring your baby on a Royal Caribbean Cruise. They charge full price for no amenities for your baby. They refused to sterilize my babies bottle on board after promising, they would, countless times before I booked the cruise. They do not supply bed sheets for the babies pack n play either. What am I paying for? Cruises may seem like a great deal but then they nickle and dime you once your on board for everything.

Posted By ERY on May 2, 2008, 1:00 AM

When you consider, for the price, how well these ships serve thousands upon thousands of people, I find it difficult to expect to receive personal service to perfection. If I demand that, I'll take a smaller cruise ship like CruiseWest of something.

Posted By Gregory on May 2, 2008, 8:54 AM

YES, EILEEN IS ABSOLUTELY CORRECT IN SAYING IF YOU THINK YOU ARE BEING DISCRIMINATED TRY BEING A SENIOR CITIZEN AND CONSTANTLY BE PULLED ASIDE ON AIRLINES LIKE A WOULD BE TERRORIST. I AM NOT A SHOEBOMBER OR A WEAPON CARRYING PERSON. IF THEY HAVE 300 PEOPLE ON BOARD MYSELF AND ONE OTHER PERSON WILL BE PULLED ASIDE AND CHECKED AGAIN. IF THEY DID NOT SEE MATCHES IN MY SHOES THE FIRST TIME HOW WOULD I GET THEM IN THE SECOND TIME. I FUMED FOR THE LONGEST TIME OVER THIS AS IT WAS NOT THE LAST TIME IT HAPPENED. MY POOR SISTER WHO HAS 2 METAL KNEES AND IN HER 70s HAD BEEN PULLED OVER SEVERAL TIMES ALSO. THEN THEY TOOK MY JACKET AND I NEVER GOT IT BACK BECAUSE I WS SO AGGRAVATED I JUST WANTED TO GET ON MY WAY.

Posted By MARY RICHARDSON on May 2, 2008, 8:56 AM

I have gone on several cruises with Carnival, Royal Caribbean, Princess and once on NCL. As far as I am concerned once on NCL was enough. I have never had so many problems. They lost my reservation even though I was cruising with my husband and daughter, for some reason my name was missing; and, I made the reservation. I was refused entrance to the ship even though I produced documentation that I was registered. After several hours on the pier, they finally allowed me to board only after pay full fare again. Once on board ship, my troubles didn't stop. The key to my room stopped working and I had to go stand in line to get it corrected. They didn't have any of the shore excursions I had booked online prior to the trip and I couldn't rebook as they were full. When I wrote to the company to complain, was only offered a $200 onboard credit if we booked with them within the next year. I say no way was I going to allow them to treat me so badly a second time. I'd rather cruise Carnival again. At least I have fun and have never had problems, even when I forgot my passport once.

Posted By Laurie Blackwood on May 2, 2008, 11:00 AM

I have been on an NCL Cruise out of Boston to Bermuda and had a good time. Yes there were a few things but nothing that I would say would discourage me from cruising with them again. We ate at the buffet most of the time and the night we did eat in the dining room was on my 40th b-day and they treated us very well. Yes we did have to reserve a time before hand but it did say that on the info left in your cabin.

Posted By Sue on May 2, 2008, 12:19 PM

I took my first cruise over easter week on the caribean princess. I have already booked for 2 more this year, it was just great. The staff on a scale of 1 to 10 gets a 10. It seems the staff did not have the word NO in their vocab. We had wanted to get reservations in the dinningroom for a steak dinner but they were all booked, the captin in our usual dinning room called the other dinning room for us and did everything possible to get us a reservation and did everything possible to asist us

Posted By RICHARD CABOT on May 2, 2008, 1:10 PM

I am a 3x NCL vet & it is the Motel 6 of cruise lines. You get what you pay for, big surprise. I once sailed in the owner's suite and they fell all over themselves serving us but I have also done an inside cabin and they pretty much ignored us. At an alumni meeting onboard the cruise director asked how the alumni liked Freestyle Cruising and he was booed!

On the discrimination... Duh! Gee, you paid a lot less and were not treated as well, how shocking! Grow up, get a better cabin next time and read the reviews before you go (or ask your travel agent).

As to the Bubbas - gotta' tell ya', I'm not a snob but I have often wished (& sometimes asked) the staff to control these families who are loud, obnoxious, rude and (here's the irony) constantly complaining and demanding special attention. Stay at the buffet! It is amusing that the burping, swearing, lewd & vulgar are so sensitive about the 'classy' people commenting about their loutish ways that they are forced to eat buffet. OH! The Humanity!

Posted By mickey on May 2, 2008, 1:46 PM

My wife and I only took one cruise on Norwegian and did not like it. We have taken many cruises on Crystal, Celebrity, Princess, Costa and Royal Caribbean. Never again on Costa. Worst cruise, food and service. Crystal is very upscale but rather boring and you can't even get a cup of coffee after dinner unless you get room service or go to a bar. Love the idea of the buffets being open late since we enjoy going there after the late entertainment shows. The way you are treated on most cruises depends on how you handle yourself. If you treat people nicely, the odds are that they will give you respect you want and deserve. Please and thank you go a long way. We have had both inside cabins as well as mini- suites with balconies and a grand suite. Never felt discrimination related to our cabin category or age and we are both over 70 years old.

Posted By Earl on May 2, 2008, 5:36 PM

went on the Carnvial Fantacy cruise last Feb. Was very diapointed, did not like the ship-it was not easy to get around on it, elevator service was terrible and the food was only just average. It
had the Walmart type of people. You seemed to be charghed for just about everything and price were outrages. Ship was poorly operated. Price was cheap, so what can you expect. Never again.

Posted By george schwandt on May 2, 2008, 6:16 PM

Tried NCL one time. Won't ever do that again. The itinerary was exactly what we wanted. Waited in line for our "relaxing" freestyle dining for upwards of an hour and a half. Then the food was cold and the service was slow. Furthermore it was not always what we had ordered from the "handy" menu. Why would the staff bother when they are assured of the same tip whether or not they serve you well?

As far as we are concerned, we will stick to Cunard, Holland America, Royal Carribean, and Princess.

Posted By Srt on May 2, 2008, 6:34 PM

I am not surprised. NCL was the worst cruise line we ever used. I would never go on another NCL cruise. We planned a birthday cake and song for my daughter at dinner one night and the kitchen never showed up with anything. It was a sad thing and that is only one of my grievances against them.

Posted By Kay on May 2, 2008, 9:01 PM

We too cruised on NCL once. And like many others, never again. We called it the Ship from H---. The ship was old and our beds were metal cots pushed together sideways to form what passed for a queen bed, with the metal frames as the center of the bed. Comfortable, I think not. Their free style dining meant that you were free to wait up to an hour and a half to get into any dining room. We did not try the speciality dining rooms because the food throughout the ship was horrible, rubbery lobster and tough beef. We now stick to Princess where the food, service and class remain high. It's my opinion that you pay for the cruise and if you want to look like a bubba, that's your right, just don't act like one in the dining room.

Posted By Bob on May 3, 2008, 2:27 PM

I cruise NCL all the time and have never had any problem getting in to the specialty restaurants. I must be pretty classy!

Posted By Deb on May 3, 2008, 11:49 PM

We sailed on Norwegian about 10 years ago and it was the best cruise of our life. I understand that the quality of everything on the ship has gone south. We have sailed on just about every other line since then and always pick Holland America for consistant great service. They cater to a little older passengers and that is fine with us as we are in that bracket, altho we do notice that people COMPLAIN too much about everything. We come to enjoy and seek those people that have the same atitude. Have we had some problems? Yes, but have resolved them by being sane in our expectations.

Posted By lLois on May 4, 2008, 12:03 PM

Our first NCL cruise, on the Norwegian Jewel, will also be our last ! The ads, promoting "FREE STYLE DINING", are missleading. The implication is that you can dine at anytime you wish. In reality you must make reservations, even for the main dining room, well in advance. We were not told, of this requirement, (it is not mentioned in the brochure) until after we boarded. So, we had to cut some of our shore excursions short to get back in time.

As you never get the same waiter/waitress each time, there is no incentive to provide good service. For example, on the Princess, I only had to ask for lemon, with my tea, ONCE. After that, there was always a plate of lemon wedges as soon as I sat down. ON NCL, THE TIPS ARE BUILT INTO THE COST. If you choose to tip anyone extra, for good service, we found that it all MUST be put into a "POOL" shared by all, even those that don't deserve it !!!

As a money saving procedure, they no longer supply trays, at the buffet. So, after you get your breakfast, you must find your table, deposit your plate then get your hot beverage and/or juice. Depending on your juggleing ability you may have to make another trip to get your toast and/or a sweet bun ! By the time you get back, to the table, the food is cold, although we found that it usually wasn't hot, to begin with. Lunch was no better. It seems that they no longer use "steam tables", to keep the food warm but internally heated surfaces. I am willing to bet that the food temperature, on the warming surfaces DOES NOT COMPLY with land based Boards-of-health requirements. But, when you are out at sea, to whom do you complain ?????

As the EGGS BENEDICT were consistantly cold and hard, at the breakfast buffet, we decided to go to the main dining room, for breakfast, and order them there, figuring they would be freshly made. They were no better. In fact, they were worse. My wife's eggs arrived WITHOUT the Hollindase sause !!

Bernard May 4,2008

Posted By Bernard Hershkowitz on May 4, 2008, 12:24 PM

After reading all the comments about the NCL cruise line, I would never take the chance to cruise with them, I've cruised 7 times and each has been good and better then what I've read. Holland America has really quite nice ships, the rooms are larger and the beds really comfortable, the food is great, the service is really nice and no one is treated different regardless of what cabin they are in.There is a dress code,for dinner in the dinning room, jackets and ties for men, dress's pant suites or gowns, skirts and a nice top. Another good ship is the Azamara which is also connected to the Celebrity Cruise Line. I liked the dress code on the ship, Causual dress, The dinning room is good, if you have a problem with your order they try to make every effort to make it right for you. One night my husbands pork chop was not cooked completley, and they sent us a special invitation to have dinner in one of their specialty resturants with the manager of the resturants on the ship, the food was great!Azamara is not one of the big ships,small just over 200 people on the ship Journey, Azamara has only two ships at this time. The Celebrity cruise line has also nice ships to cruise on. Also
when we cruised with Royal Caribbean back in the late 80's they were the were the best, haven't tried their mega ships as of yet. When deciding to go on a cruise find out about the Cruise Line before you book and keep an open mind and enjoy the ride. If you've problems along the way, try to go to the front desk and if that does not work, Ask for the Hotel manager and work out a solution. HAPPY CRUISING

Posted By Joyce Hubbert on May 4, 2008, 4:58 PM

All above is bs if compared to this: My friends booked a Holland America cruise on New Years 2007 with 40 Greeks and flew all the way from Athens Greece to SD to join their Grk friends for this. First day after embarcation they go to the Sun Deck Restaurant for a bait and 3 hrs later he goes tothe hospital to get a thermometer as he thinks he has a temperature, so all he wants is a thermometer to measure his temperature....what happens next?....they put him in quaantine for the whole cruise for no reason and forbid him the entrance to all Restaurants onboard!!!!!!His English (being Greek) is not super, although he is a very wealthy business person (travels always Business Class and stays always at 5* Resorts), so he actually felt kind of helpless in this situation, because no matter at which staff door he knocked onboard for help, nobody payed attention.But the worst part was disembarkation at which point although all the Americans in quarantine with upset stomacs left the ship as Tourists, he the Greek was personally signalled to the Immigration authorities as an outcast and handed over as a prisoner until ashore!!!!!!
He asked me to write to the Ship's Co a complaint letter, and so I did, but never got an answer from them! Imagine paying 5K a person (his wife was travelling with him) for a trip like this and be treated like a Guantanamo prisoner in luxury!!!!!!
Do you think he'll cruise again?
Regards Rita Kapsis
I am a very frequent Cruiser and love Cruises and its just a pity I was not onboard to help the poor guy! End of story when something happens, you just have to solve all the problems on the spot! or if you can't...document,document, document and strongly complain by mail until they comply.

Posted By Rita Kapsis on May 5, 2008, 8:59 AM

Well, I can't beat that horror story above, but it just shows how badly run Norwegian is.
I think the people referring to "whiners" above are off the mark: it's one thing if the company makes their process clear to all the cruisers. But here, they advertise a service that they cannot deliver, and their process for delivering the services is badly designed and badly administered: a sign of lousy management. With the different price levels, customers expect only different services that are clearly articulated: size of room, which deck, balcony, private concierge or not, fresh flowers, complimentary champagne, etc. etc. Otherwise, they all expect to be treated well, with professional service and respect.

My husband and I are among the contingent who say once and never again for Norwegian. Lousy lukewarm food, incompetent service, boring programs, lots of time wasting. As soon as I heard it, I knew I wouldn't want "freestyle cruising": we wait enough at home for reservations as it is! The great benefit for me on a cruise is that I can eat out at an excellent restaurant night after night, and all the details of planning and timing are taken care of for me!

My recommendation is for Celebrity. They are very, very good, their food is extraordinary, their service is generally excellent and very responsive. However, each line has its own "style" and the internet is the perfect place to find out whether your style matches theirs. Celebrity isn't for young singles looking for a "booze cruise". It's good for kids, but isn't strongly oriented towards kids. Most of all, those who don't like having non-Americans on their cruise, or want to drink lots of free soda (pop, for you midwesterners and westerners) will get frustrated at the more European approach. (And if you are one of those people who stick a towel on a chair by the pool at dawn to reserve it for the rest of the day, you defintitely won't like it, and I really, really don't want you on the same cruise as me!)

But, if you like delicious, less fattening food, interesting conversations, reliable dinner service and on-time meal seatings, dressing up like the classy person that we all know that you really are inside, and terrific ports of call, go for Celebrity. (and I look forward to trying Princess or Royal Caribbean sometime, as I've heard so many good things.)

Posted By SN on May 5, 2008, 1:20 PM

Well, if NCL is accepting dining reservations from those customers in the better cabins, it kind of shoots BudgetTravel's philosophy down. I recall reading that once you have a cabin on a ship, no matter if it's an inside or balcony, the amenities on the ship are the same for everyone. We know that airlines are asking people to pay (more) for a window or aisle seat, so what's to stop a cruise line from nickel and diming us to death over the little niceties that used to be part of the experience? If NCL really shut her out without stating that that could happen if you shop bargains, I think the OP has a right to be angry. However, if this person is just mad because of their own procrastination, then we have all wasted lots of time reading and contributing to this thread.

Posted By zwho on May 5, 2008, 2:31 PM

I have cruised several different time and never encountered problems such as described here. To Christine who would like a "separation of the classes" because she doesn't want to be near the "bubbas and their ball caps", I would say I don't like to be near your loud smelling perfume, your holier than thou" attitude so disgustedly displayed, etc.etc., when in reality those "bubbas" probably have more worth moneywise, which is what you so obviously base your conclusions on, than you could ever dream of. To "Mickey" I would say that I have never been witness to anyone "burping, swearing,lewd, and loud vulgar" language from the "bubba" crowd anymore than the poor "elite wanna-be's" who go on a cruise to put on such airs that are just too, too obviously fake. A true classy person is one who doesn't look down their prejudiced nose at anyone. The elderly lady who looked like she had just come in from the garden probably has more class about her than that writer could ever hope to. I suppose you would put me and my family in the Bubba class, or whatever, but we probably have more college degrees, social training, and just plain old common sense than most of the "elite" group (wanna-be's)

Get real - a cruise is for fun. If Bubba wants to wear his cap and Grandma wants to wear her housedress, so be it. If you want to see fashion, go to a fashion show and keep your silly, misguided self off a cruise ship where people go to rest, relax, and have fun, fun.

Posted By Genie on May 5, 2008, 4:47 PM

I'm one of those wannabee Senior Citizen's that would love to cruise w/u people... I enjoy reading your responses an look forward too meeting all of u,someday... 'But'?? Being Sixty Eight an Single; That's just not Likely.. Thanks For Being U...

Posted By Richard Graham on May 5, 2008, 8:12 PM

My first cruise was on NCL with "freestyle" dining.
This is a scam !!!!
My idea of a vacation is NOT to have to be on a
reservation line at 6:30am to get into a specialty
restaurant.I was the 2nd person in line and there were no reservations available for the Hibachi Table that was my group's only real wish. These reservations were taken immediately by the "concierge" for those in the villas. Not to mention that in order to have a lounge chair at the pool, you also had to be out there by 6 am to
place a towel or something to save a chair for yourself. All the lounge chairs at the pool were
taken by 9am.Some people were "saving" their chairs the night before. This is no vacation as far as I'm concerned. How does the staff know how
much you paid for your cruise??? I had a balcony
room and it wasn't cheap.

Posted By annette on May 6, 2008, 1:47 PM

I am so glad to have read all the above coments, now I know for sure I will never cruise on NCL.
I took my mother on NCL once and the treatment we received was not very nice. We sat on a long trestle table for dinner, nobody even glanced at my mother who was 82 at the time, the waiting crew also ignored her. It was so sad to see that what should have been a happy cruise in her old age, she travelled all over the world including cruises, this was the first time she was treated that way. I always contained that I will not cruise with NCL, but now it is definitely confirmed.

Posted By Helga on May 7, 2008, 5:58 PM

We have cruised on NCL ( the hardest beds I have ever felt), Princess, Royal Caribbean, and most recently, the Windstar line. Loved the Windstar and the sailing. Food was average , but all passengers treated equal. Princess was nice, Royal was very party atmosphere. Our NCL was ok, but judging from the comments, we may never venture again. Any recommendations for an Alaska cruise?

Posted By Connie Framberger on May 8, 2008, 1:35 PM

I'm going to have to agree with Butch25 and Deb. I most recently cruised NCL's Norwegian Jewel in the western Carribean just before Christmas and had a wonderful cruise. While in port in Cozumel, it was the people I ran into from Carnival and Royal Carribean complaining about mediocrefood, bad service and poor housekeeping, not fellow NCL passengers. As to my personal dining experiences, it makes me think I must have uncanny timing or be very important (like Deb stated previously), as I never waited for more than 5 minutes to get into any of their restaurants, and several times it was right after the 7pm show let out. I never felt like I was being rushed, had excellent waitstaff at each meal, and was able to sit and enjoy several cups of coffee after dinner.
I too believe you get what you pay for, and yes there are cruises that you can spend a thousand dollars more for, but I don't require someone holding my hand every second of the day. I feel Freestyle Cruising suits me perfectly, and yes, I have re-booked with NCL and will continue to do so. FYI, I like having a stateroom with a balcony, and believe it's worth the difference in price, but that is my personal preference.

Posted By Mark L on May 8, 2008, 4:29 PM

I have cruise several cruise lines in the past 25 or more years and let me tell you a few things about freestyle cruising. First of all let me also tell you that I am a travel agent of 27 yrs. and I sell all cruise lines. Freestyle is just what it says.... freestyle... you dine when and where you want (not the specialty resturants) and you must keep in mind that no matter which dining room you chose to dine in EVERYBODY CANNOT dine at the same time. You have to be flexible and if you choose to dine early the chances of getting in when you want to dine is better for you. Specialty dining must be booked early into your cruise, like the first 1-2 days (keep in mind that there are over 1500 people on the ship) and you may not get the day or time you want at first, so be flexible.

There is always someone who gets upset because they cant get in when they want and they blame everybody else. Keep in mind that there is a surcharge for the specialty dining for the gratuity. I dont believe I have ever heard of any cruise line "profiling" you and not giving you a dining time just because you got a good deal on your cruise. Let's look at both sides of this story.......

On the refund of cancelled excursions.... I just recently sailed on RCCl Voyager of the Sea and 2 of the excursions were cancelled due to high winds in the islands and I doubled checked with the pursers office and the shore excursion desk onboard the ship to be sure they were refunded.... this is what you should do before the last day of the cruise. Do not disembark without getting this settled.

Posted By Ruby E. on May 9, 2008, 12:09 AM

I have sailed on more than 30 cruises with almost all lines and I don't consider myself a snob, but how can cruise passengers bring aboard so many suitcases and never look nice? That is my pet peeve. I carry one roll aboard and a backpack onto the ship and always wear either a suit or tux depending on the ship. I have seen others with 3 large bags each and they never wear more than bathing suits and t-shirts. What the........

Posted By Hal B. on May 9, 2008, 1:49 AM

Well, lots of comments. Much more than was on the WP's travel blog on the same story. I have only been on one cruise, so I can't compare the service between lines. I traveled on a chartered RSVP (Gay travel company) cruise on a Holland America ship. On my voyage they did have one specialty dining room, but since I was traveling alone, I didn't even try to make a reservation. The ship had the traditional early and late seatings for dinner in the dining room, but instead of the maître d' assigning tables, it was Open seating. While it was a little awkward for me at first; to walk up to a table with an empty seat and ask the ones already there if I could join them, I got over it.

And I met some nice people and had some very interesting dinner conversations. Excellent food and service as well. I don't think I would like the NCL "Freestyle" form at all.

I can't wait until I can save up ( or free up credit) for another one. It seems to me that if you are traveling with a big group (over 12) on a cruise ship and all want to dine together, you are just asking for trouble unless you hit the buffet. Unless it has traditional seating and you can ask the Maitre d to seat you together, as long as everyone is assigned the same time.
I think the the woman,and her lawyer are just nuts.

Posted By Robert Adams on May 9, 2008, 10:00 AM

This must be a board for whiners. Never read some many complaints on a board. A cruise is what you make it. Take the good with the bad and keep on smiling. It's very rare to have a bad cruise.

Posted By Glenn on May 12, 2008, 12:52 PM

We went on a NCL Caribbean cruise from Houston two years ago. Had a great time. Service throughout was more than adequate. Really enjoyed freestyle seating. Had to wait a couple of times or change where we wanted to eat, but, what the heck, not everyone can eat at the same place at the same time. The wives loved having a partially used bottle of wine follow us from one day to the next no matter what dining place we chose. (Sounds like Bubba behavior, huh) Food wasnt extraordinary, but we had no complaints. We were never hurried, requests were always quickly and professionally filled and we were always treated with respect. Although all of us (two couples) have highly respected professions we may have dressed like bubbas at times. We left the "high class" profile (whatever that is) on shore. Using "please" and "thank you" frequently, smiling and using appropriate behavior, of course, is always helpful as well as simply good practice. We thoroughly enjoyed conversing with the multitude of cruise personnel from different countries and cultures. It should come as no surpise that if you treat cruise personnel with respect and understanding, they will make extra efforts to meet your needs. We are planning another NCL cruise in South America soon and will expect another enjoyable experience.

Posted By Norman Binder on May 12, 2008, 1:46 PM

Personally I would like freestyle dining - no, I haven't tried it but..... The reason is, I travel with one person or alone. Having the same place to eat dinner enables me to meet people easier. And, perhaps more important, the waiter knows my likes and dislikes, such as tea with my meal. Service is a major part of the cruise enjoyment. Remember, though, when on a mega ship with 2000 passengers, everyone cannot be accommodated in the same place(s) whether dining or on the excursions.
(A word - the garden villas hold 6 passengers each - two of them so only 12 passengers in that category. Of course there are other suites on the ship but it is highly unlikely that all of those would elect to eat together in the same place at the same time so this is not the reaon (or the only one) for being unable to dine as desired.

Posted By Sam on May 12, 2008, 5:44 PM

Thanks for all the great info! I'm thinking about my first cruise and this has really been enlightening. And thanks to Ruby for the good info on getting refunds. Any ideas on which cruise lines have the best food? Not the most food...but the best food? Celebrity sounds like a good one - any others?

Posted By Wynn on May 12, 2008, 8:49 PM

A group of 4 of us were on a 1 night cruise on the Norwegian Sun from Miami, FL on April 19th 2008. We had Inside Staterooms, and were able to get reservations after setting sail from the Port Of Miami at the Italian Specialty restaurant, IL Adagio. As a matter of fact, we could've gotten reservations at any one of these restaurants.
I love Freestyle Dining, I hate Traditional dining and I've tried Anytime Dining(their term for Freestyle) on Princess and loved it.

Posted By Ken on May 13, 2008, 2:09 AM

Interesting comments about NCL. I've cruised 4 times - twice on RCCL, once on Celebrity, and just this March on NCL. We dined in several of the specialty restaurants, the main dining room, and the buffet and enjoyed them all on NCL. We made our reservations for the specialty restaurants early in the day and dined there that night. We had no problems and we were in an inside cabin. I also watched the bar staff near the pool hustle their butts off everyday. All the staff was constantly on the go and ready to serve you. We did several excursions and took some spa treatments - again, wonderful service. I guess we just lucked out on our cruise! I'd try NCL again.

Posted By Robin on May 13, 2008, 8:16 PM

Yeah, Glen!!! Most of the posts focus on a few negative things........On every vacation I've ever had, something has gone wrong~mostly minor~but rather than dwell on that, it's so much healthier and happier to dwell on everything that was right! I've cruised with NCL, and while it wasn't quite as classy as Princess, the party of 17 that I travelled with had a great time. We had one member turned away from one of the dining rooms because he was in jeans; standing next to the sign that said "NO jeans, shorts, etc" made it hard to argue, and the staff was polite and apologetic about it. Every time we were told there would be a wait to seat 17 people, we were ushered right in. And as someone else pointed out, you get what you pay for~don't whine about the lack of 500-count cotton sheets and pillow-top mattresses when you book at Motel 6!

Posted By Kimberly on May 14, 2008, 12:00 PM

We have brought our family of 7 on 4 NCL cruises in the last 6 yrs. Each one has been successively worse. Freestyle Dining on the Pride of America was impossible. After the FIRST NIGHT all specialty restaurants were booked until 10pm dinners!!! At the main dining hall, lettuce was moldy and chicken FROZEN inside. Nasty food, rude managers, no customer service. We are not generally complainers, but there were more issues than we could count. We don't expect champagne service on a beer budget, but NCL is just not worth it. Never again!

Posted By Jenni Ricketts on May 14, 2008, 1:53 PM

My wife and myself have cruised on more than 20 cruises on carnival Holland royal Carib to mention a few and most recently NCL .We enjoyed the eat when ever we booked the speciatly resturants without any trouble almost every night.Get real this first come first serve

Posted By Mike Puttick on May 19, 2008, 3:49 PM

Much of these comments are ludicrous. If you want to eat at 6:00 p.m. or 9:00 p.m., just set the reservation. Then you have traditional dining. Freestyle is great because you don't have to dine only at those 2 times. I have been on NCL and Princess doing freestyle or anytime dining. Both were completely successful. If you have a group of 19 people, do you really think you'd be able to walk into a restaurant anywhere sea or land and be seated? Please. All specialty restaurants book up even on so-called traditional ships. It happens.

And to the people who want to dress in jeans and caps, go to the buffet. Ships have dress codes in the dining room and it's their perogative, just like land-based restaurants. It's what people want. I, for one, like to get dressed up for dinner on a cruise. It doesn't make me elitist. If you don't, you are just rule-breakers. I don't like people trying to break the rules because they don't like them.

Posted By Jennifer on May 22, 2008, 1:42 PM

WOW! What a variety of interesting comments!
As a travel agency owner for 40 years I've seen it all. I'm sick and tired of all the whiners and complainers that think they can travel at bargain basement prices and get first-class treatment. As many on this thread have said, "you get what you pay for". If you are going to travel the world, grow up and be prepared for some unpleasntness. Your attitude will determine how you enjoy your trip. And, for heaven's sake, do some research before taking off. Learn some basics in foreign languages to smooth the way. Read all the information you can get on your destination. Be prepared for unexpected hurdles and take them in stride. Don't be the ugly, demanding American ( a picture many outside the USA have of us). And, above all, get yourself an experienced, professional travel agent who is a member of ASTA.

Posted By Bill on May 23, 2008, 10:56 AM

We have sailed on NCL 20 times & RCCL 10 times .Enjoyed both.On NCL on a Trans Atlantic Cruise we had problems with shore excursions but were given a $ 350 PP cruise credit for future cruise,& a on board credit of $ 100.00.We love the Freestyle Cruisong,but wish that NCL would bring back to a couple of dining rooms the old way where you could have the same waiting staff nightly.Also we have always enjoyed the fabulous shows nightly.The staff is always gracious & helpful.We will continue to sail with them in thr future,we highly reccomend NCL.

Posted By Steve on May 26, 2008, 3:56 AM

In reply to Connie who was asking about Alaskan cruises. We just returned from a Dawn Princess Inside Passage Alaskan cruise and it was wonderful. The service was excellent, always professional, always friendly. We opted for anytime dining but after 3 nights we found ourselves gravitating to the buffet rather than the formal dining room - we could make our salads as we wished and could sample an interesting variety of dishes with international flavors - and always an abundance of interesting desserts. Eggs prepared your way right in front of you for breakfast. And it always was literally anytime dining. We never had a wait. I also appreciated room service (at no additional charge) for two days when I twisted my ankle. Prompt and friendly. Specialty dining with no reservations and no wait. (But do make reservations to be certain.)
We did not do any of the cruise planned shore excursions but had full days. (This was one of many visits to Alaska with friends and family so we have had the experience of fishing, seeing wild life, etc. If you have not experienced the offerings of the cruise tours, by all means take them. Friends who were with us enjoyed all of their tours, and they did a lot of them. I had read and researched ahead and we did our own touring. (amazon.com used books is great for Alaskan fiction and non-fiction). Take 1/3 of the clothes that you think you will need. We had dinner jacket/cocktail dress for formal nights but suits for men and a black skirt with a dressy top or dressy pants suits were common. On shore days we wore jeans with layers of shirt/sweater/jacket. If you are doing the Inside passage definitely take a rain repellant jacket and an umbrella. It is a rainforest and it will rain! Snow if you take the train in Skagway.
I had absolutely no sense of discrimination of any kind. There were children (very well behaved), blind with seeing-eye dogs, honeymoon couples, elderly, and a real United Nations of fellow passangers and crew. Supposedly there were almost 2,000 passangers aboard but it never felt crowded and there were never any lines - well, short ones for embarkation and debarkation. Everything seemed so well planned and seamless. I heard no complaints - except about the weather. We felt truly pampered and cared for. I definitely recommend Princess.
You may want to go to cruisecritic.com. There is a wealth of information and you can meet up online with fellow passangers who will be on the same cruise. Princess also posted a notice in the daily newsletter for the cruisecritic meet-up on board.
Enjoy your cruise.

Posted By Eyriu on May 26, 2008, 4:17 AM

Yes; very interesting comments here. I cruised NCL about 2 1/2 years ago when the Wind was part of their fleet. I found the food very good in the traditional dining room, excellent in the speciality dining room, and had no problem making reservations for the speciality restaurant(s).
On a 10 day Hawaiian cruise I found the staff very friendly, very accommodating, and just downright personable folks. We missed an island, and that gave some folks heartburn, as it changed our journey some, but yes I would definately cruise NCL again based on that experience.
I've also cruised Princess, and Royal Caribbean, both good lines, and will cruise Celebrity later on this year.
The positive advice here is good as we now have the megaships, and as Einstein advised you cannot have two objects in the same place at the same time (physics)- I just say that to say everyone can't eat at the same time in the same place - and perhaps there will be a wait.
As far as the dress codes in the dining rooms - please do follow them, as other options are available if one has no desire to dress for dinner.(buffet, room service)
Hat's off to the ASTA travel agent, and just want to add there are also experienced, professional travel agents that are members of CLIA, OSSN, NEST etc. Everyone enjoy your journeys no matter what cruise line, tour company, or airline you choose.

Posted By Sharon on May 26, 2008, 11:45 AM

NCL is inexpensive, so I didn't expect luxury accomodations. I expected "pretty good" and I got what I expected. Also, I never had a hard time getting a table in the "upscale" restaurants. I recommend that NCL give the woman her money and say good riddance! As for me, I'll take more cruises and NCL will stay on my list.

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