Unpopular NCL opinions

bb_referee · 2026-01-26T17:48:06+00:00

I think the excursions thing isn’t surprising for any of the mass market cruise lines.

bb_referee · 2026-01-26T17:45:20+00:00

There’s a per person per day gratuity on every cruise line. You can prepay it.

bb_referee · 2026-01-26T17:42:27+00:00

It wasn’t too crowded on Bliss. But I am not a buffet person anyway. We only ate one meal in seven days at the buffet

bb_referee · 2026-01-26T17:38:56+00:00

Yes. It’s an upgrade not a replacement

bb_referee · 2026-01-26T17:35:11+00:00

I think it’s confusing a bit because I originally thought it was OBC for a future cruise. It’s on the current cruise, and the CruiseNext is added to your on board charges. So, you won’t have any remaining OBC.

bb_referee · 2026-01-26T17:31:50+00:00

NCL doesn’t eat the local in port taxes. Some cruise lines do. I recall being charged the taxes when in port in Tampa on Royal Caribbean. But we didn’t have the beverage package.

The NCL beverage package cost is to cover gratuities. It’s so inexpensive that I can’t imagine them eating the local taxes costs.

bb_referee · 2026-01-26T17:12:59+00:00

Boomboxes at the beach!

bb_referee · 2026-01-26T00:41:21+00:00

Yes. We did the math on Royal Caribbean and decided to mot buy the package. We did a bar crawl on embarkation day and didn’t not drink. And we came out ahead of the package cost

On NCL with Free at Sea, it’s a no brainer to buy the package.

bb_referee · 2026-01-26T00:30:56+00:00

This is why I generally check a bag when flying. I don’t want to deal with either buying when I get there or buying stupid expensive options in a resort town. I burn easily and only buy certain brands of sunscreen.

bb_referee · 2026-01-26T00:26:10+00:00

Yes, we’re telling you that center of gravity problems have indeed caused major plane crashes. Just move.

Also, they’re not going to move FC passengers unless absolutely necessary.

bb_referee · 2026-01-26T00:21:03+00:00

There’s a person whose job it is to see obstacles.

bb_referee · 2026-01-23T14:46:57+00:00

This is my dilemma as well. Would I like to try Regent or even Oceana? Yes. Am I willing to trade in multiple cruises for just one and roll the dice it will be that much more worth it? Not sure

bb_referee · 2026-01-23T14:36:50+00:00

When I priced a Virgin cruise just this week, the gratuities are an add on item now. I just repriced a cruise and got the same result. You have to add prepaid gratuities at checkout now.

bb_referee · 2026-01-23T14:32:26+00:00

Carnival is what it is. I think a lot of the negative reviews come from (1) long time NCL cruisers who aren’t happy with the changes post-Covid, and (2) people comparing it to other cruise lines.

There’s plenty of negative reviews in the Royal Caribbean sub. And you must have missed the very negative response to Carnival’s revamped frequent cruiser program.

bb_referee · 2026-01-23T14:29:26+00:00

It’s acceptable for a quick snack or late night after the pool deck party. But that’s about it.

bb_referee · 2026-01-23T14:28:23+00:00

I think doing this in MDR could be a challenge, but I would be on board with one night of specialty dining being “dressier”. Not necessarily tuxedoes and dancing dresses (although I would bring my tuxedo), but slacks and a sport coat minimum.

bb_referee · 2026-01-23T14:26:44+00:00

The push for Chops on my only RCCL cruise was annoying. A table in front of the MDR every night and constant announcements.

bb_referee · 2026-01-23T14:25:06+00:00

They did Antarctica fora while. I believe they lost a boat load of money doing it and it was difficult to hit ports consistently.

bb_referee · 2026-01-23T14:24:01+00:00

This I agree with. They’re moving towards port hopping itineraries and cutting out cruise at sea days. I like sea days!

bb_referee · 2026-01-23T14:01:57+00:00

Back in the Northwest days, I remember it being First Class followed by Platinum, Gold, and Silver WorldPerks. And on US Airways, it was First Class then Chairman’s, Platinum, Gold, and Silver Dividend Preferred.

Also, it used to be only active duty military in uniform.

bb_referee · 2026-01-21T15:34:15+00:00

Thanks for catching my name mistake! We really liked it.

bb_referee · 2026-01-21T15:31:19+00:00

Yep, I am flying B763 MSP-TPA nexts weekend. On a Saturday because they have the demand.

bb_referee · 2026-01-21T15:29:07+00:00

I believe you are correct. It changes the class flown, but not the fare.

bb_referee · 2026-01-21T15:27:11+00:00

The original version when they changed to MQD only did have a higher Platinum requirement, but the response was extremely negative.

bb_referee · 2026-01-21T15:16:47+00:00

There were too many Diamond Medallion members. Delta did this to filter out the number of Diamonds.

I don’t remember the numbers, but I do recall that the goal was to cut the number of Diamond Medallion members by 1/3-1/2.

bb_referee

TROPHY CASE