Cruise or not

In 1999, we took an Alaskan cruise on the Norwegian Wind, the only
cruise we've been on. The service couldn't was wonderful and I don't
see how it could have been better, possibly because of assigned meal
seatings with the same table, same waiter, same cabin steward and tips
in cash at the end of the cruise. The food was wonderful, so good in
fact, we never went to the one extra-pay restaurant.

We were thinking of taking another cruise but after speaking to
several friends about their resent cruises, we may not. Every one of
them said the freestyle dining and tips that are added to your bill
that don't reflect service levels, have caused a severe decline in
service. They also mentioned that the quality of food and attitude of
the crew had been less than acceptable.

Some of my friends, just about all of them cruising on different
cruise lines, were told essentially the same thing by crew members,
that there was no point in going that extra mile in service to the
passengers because they don't get more in tips if they give good
service and don't get less if they give minimal service or maybe even
poorer service. The crew member also said that the tips are now also
going to the salaried people behind the scenes, not just those who
live on their tips and went on to say that the company was charging a
percentage of the tips for a processing fee that comes out of the
pockets of the crew. I have no idea if all this is really true but it
sounds like it could be.

If we are going to spend that much money on a cruise, we expect great
service and food. If we can be expected to be treated like cattle, I
have no interest in cruising.

Skip

On Thu, 13 Aug 2009 08:14:20 -0700, Skipfromla wrote:

In 1999, we took an Alaskan cruise on the Norwegian Wind, the only
cruise we've been on. The service couldn't was wonderful and I don't
see how it could have been better, possibly because of assigned meal
seatings with the same table, same waiter, same cabin steward and tips
in cash at the end of the cruise. The food was wonderful, so good in
fact, we never went to the one extra-pay restaurant.

We were thinking of taking another cruise but after speaking to
several friends about their resent cruises, we may not. Every one of
them said the freestyle dining and tips that are added to your bill
that don't reflect service levels, have caused a severe decline in
service. They also mentioned that the quality of food and attitude of
the crew had been less than acceptable.

Some of my friends, just about all of them cruising on different
cruise lines, were told essentially the same thing by crew members,
that there was no point in going that extra mile in service to the
passengers because they don't get more in tips if they give good
service and don't get less if they give minimal service or maybe even
poorer service. The crew member also said that the tips are now also
going to the salaried people behind the scenes, not just those who
live on their tips and went on to say that the company was charging a
percentage of the tips for a processing fee that comes out of the
pockets of the crew. I have no idea if all this is really true but it
sounds like it could be.

If we are going to spend that much money on a cruise, we expect great
service and food. If we can be expected to be treated like cattle, I
have no interest in cruising.

Skip

Cruise prices are so low that cattle treatment is *all* you an expect.

Grow up.
--
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nm0tugjJs_A

"Skipfromla" wrote in message
...
In 1999, we took an Alaskan cruise on the Norwegian Wind, the only
cruise we've been on. The service couldn't was wonderful and I don't
see how it could have been better, possibly because of assigned meal
seatings with the same table, same waiter, same cabin steward and tips
in cash at the end of the cruise. The food was wonderful, so good in
fact, we never went to the one extra-pay restaurant.

We were thinking of taking another cruise but after speaking to
several friends about their resent cruises, we may not. Every one of
them said the freestyle dining and tips that are added to your bill
that don't reflect service levels, have caused a severe decline in
service. They also mentioned that the quality of food and attitude of
the crew had been less than acceptable.

Some of my friends, just about all of them cruising on different
cruise lines, were told essentially the same thing by crew members,
that there was no point in going that extra mile in service to the
passengers because they don't get more in tips if they give good
service and don't get less if they give minimal service or maybe even
poorer service. The crew member also said that the tips are now also
going to the salaried people behind the scenes, not just those who
live on their tips and went on to say that the company was charging a
percentage of the tips for a processing fee that comes out of the
pockets of the crew. I have no idea if all this is really true but it
sounds like it could be.

If we are going to spend that much money on a cruise, we expect great
service and food. If we can be expected to be treated like cattle, I
have no interest in cruising.

Skip






Dear Lord Fauntleroy,

I've been on five Caribbean cruises on Carnival and Royal Caribbean
since 2006 and have yet to have an experience which would remotely turn me
away from the ships. Aside from one minor lavatory problem which was
cleared up in 15 minutes with apologies, every expereince has been to my
liking from the food to the service which was always attentive.

The tips were merely added on to my bill at cruises end, except for room
service where we gladly tipped in person. All staff..and I do mean ALL staff
was gracious and professional. Not a sullen one amongst them.

I have the feeling that on dry land and sea you are the type that
insists your rear end be kissed at all times, from the office to the on deck
hot tub, and quite frankly, I cruise to get as far away from people like you
as I possibly can, as I work for and with people such as yourself.

Your opinion is duly noted. We invite you to search other usenet groups
to find leisure time activities that may better suit your tastes and needs.

Have a pleasant day.

On 8/13/09 5:14 PM, in article ,
"Skipfromla" wrote:


We were thinking of taking another cruise but after speaking to
several friends about their resent cruises, we may not. Every one of
them said the freestyle dining and tips that are added to your bill
that don't reflect service levels, have caused a severe decline in
service. They also mentioned that the quality of food and attitude of
the crew had been less than acceptable.



If we are going to spend that much money on a cruise, we expect great
service and food. If we can be expected to be treated like cattle, I
have no interest in cruising.

Skip

Don't know about Norwegian, but service on recent Celebrity and HAL cruises
we took is still excellent.

"Skipfromla" wrote in message
...
In 1999, we took an Alaskan cruise on the Norwegian Wind, the only
cruise we've been on. The service couldn't was wonderful and I don't
see how it could have been better, possibly because of assigned meal
seatings with the same table, same waiter, same cabin steward and tips
in cash at the end of the cruise. The food was wonderful, so good in
fact, we never went to the one extra-pay restaurant.

We were thinking of taking another cruise but after speaking to
several friends about their resent cruises, we may not. Every one of
them said the freestyle dining and tips that are added to your bill
that don't reflect service levels, have caused a severe decline in
service. They also mentioned that the quality of food and attitude of
the crew had been less than acceptable.

There are a lot of other options besides NCL.

Cruise lines are typically grouped into the following categories:
Mass Market
Premium
Luxury

NCL is in the Mass Market group, along with Royal Caribbean, Carnival,
Princess.

Some lines like Royal Caribbean focus on activities (ice shows, mini golf,
rock climbing, etc.). Others like Celebrity focus on pampering and better
food. Some put Celebrity in the Premium category, though they are still a
mass market, albeit a bit more upscale. Then there's the expensive boys
like Crystal where food and service are superb. They're the luxury boys.
But big money. In between there is a new category comprised of Oceania,
which has smaller ships but outstanding food.

For what it's worth, I've seen no decline in service, though food can be hit
or miss in the mass market group. Celebrity has made a niche based on
better food. I think their food is considerable better than NCL food.
Their service is also a notch above the Mass market lines. Plus they still
have assigned seating times. And I thought Cunard (the Queen Mary 2) had
even better food than Celebrity, though Cunard is very dressy. If you want
even better food there is Oceania and the luxury brands.

Here's a very quick 4 question test to help pick a cruise line. It doesn't
include food though. It might help you look at options to NCL. Let us know
what you come up with.

http://www.02cruise.com/LineSearch/index.asp

--Tom

"Skipfromla" wrote in message
...
In 1999, we took an Alaskan cruise on the Norwegian Wind, the only
cruise we've been on. The service couldn't was wonderful and I don't
see how it could have been better, possibly because of assigned meal
seatings with the same table, same waiter, same cabin steward and tips
in cash at the end of the cruise. The food was wonderful, so good in
fact, we never went to the one extra-pay restaurant.

We were thinking of taking another cruise but after speaking to
several friends about their resent cruises, we may not. Every one of
them said the freestyle dining and tips that are added to your bill
that don't reflect service levels, have caused a severe decline in
service. They also mentioned that the quality of food and attitude of
the crew had been less than acceptable.

Some of my friends, just about all of them cruising on different
cruise lines, were told essentially the same thing by crew members,
that there was no point in going that extra mile in service to the
passengers because they don't get more in tips if they give good
service and don't get less if they give minimal service or maybe even
poorer service. The crew member also said that the tips are now also
going to the salaried people behind the scenes, not just those who
live on their tips and went on to say that the company was charging a
percentage of the tips for a processing fee that comes out of the
pockets of the crew. I have no idea if all this is really true but it
sounds like it could be.

If we are going to spend that much money on a cruise, we expect great
service and food. If we can be expected to be treated like cattle, I
have no interest in cruising.

Skip


Hi,

I have cruised RCCI, HA, Celebrity and Princess since 1999, and have had
good to excellent service on each cruise with no decline evident. Our first
cruise was 1960. We only use the regular dining room, assigned seating and
the food has been to our satisfaction. We had no complaints on service, in
fact, on three separate cruises, companions or tablemates have attempted to
hire employees away from the cruise line. In my experience, successful
business people are always on the lookout for quality employees and cruise
ships can be a good source.

I don't know if you will have the same results, but go with a positive
attitude and you should have a good time. If you stay home, you know you
won't have a good cruise. JMHO.

Harry Cooper

"Seehorse Video" wrote:
"Skipfromla" wrote in message
.. .
In 1999, we took an Alaskan cruise on the Norwegian Wind, the only
cruise we've been on. The service couldn't was wonderful and I don't
see how it could have been better, possibly because of assigned meal
seatings with the same table, same waiter, same cabin steward and tips
in cash at the end of the cruise. The food was wonderful, so good in
fact, we never went to the one extra-pay restaurant.

I don't know how you could have had different cabin stewards no matter
what cruise line it was.

RCCI has assigned meal seatings with the same waiter and table and I
think Celebrity does too. HAL and Princess (I think) has both
assigned seating and personal choice.

You can still, I think, tip in cash, but I prefer not to.

We were thinking of taking another cruise but after speaking to
several friends about their resent cruises, we may not. Every one of
them said the freestyle dining and tips that are added to your bill
that don't reflect service levels, have caused a severe decline in
service. They also mentioned that the quality of food and attitude of
the crew had been less than acceptable.

Some of my friends, just about all of them cruising on different
cruise lines, were told essentially the same thing by crew members,
that there was no point in going that extra mile in service to the
passengers because they don't get more in tips if they give good
service and don't get less if they give minimal service or maybe even
poorer service. The crew member also said that the tips are now also
going to the salaried people behind the scenes, not just those who
live on their tips and went on to say that the company was charging a
percentage of the tips for a processing fee that comes out of the
pockets of the crew. I have no idea if all this is really true but it
sounds like it could be.

I've heard all kinds of things about the tips, most of which I don't
believe. If the salaried people took the tips, then they'd not just
have unmotivated workers, they'd have no workers at all as those jobs
wouldn't be attractive. Sounds like the crew member wanted you to tip
him/her extra in cash.

Some lines you give envelopes with the tips in them at the end of the
cruise and you can tip extra at that time if you want. We usually tip
our cabin steward extra in cash.

If we are going to spend that much money on a cruise, we expect great
service and food. If we can be expected to be treated like cattle, I
have no interest in cruising.

Skip

Depends on what you call 'that much money'. On our boat we spend a
maximum of $80 each a day if we spend the night in a marina and eat
dinner out. And we don't have to pay large amounts for a hotel room.
Mostly the highest marina charge is $90 a night. So IMO, if a cruise
costs under $200/day each, it is cheap. I expect good food and good
service (not being treated like cattle whatever that is), but nothing
extra special.

Now if you are going to pay $20,000.00 for a cruise on Crystal, then
you have a right to expect to eat well and be treated like a king (or
a millionaire).

Hi,

I have cruised RCCI, HA, Celebrity and Princess since 1999, and have had
good to excellent service on each cruise with no decline evident. Our first
cruise was 1960. We only use the regular dining room, assigned seating and
the food has been to our satisfaction. We had no complaints on service, in
fact, on three separate cruises, companions or tablemates have attempted to
hire employees away from the cruise line. In my experience, successful
business people are always on the lookout for quality employees and cruise
ships can be a good source.

I don't know if you will have the same results, but go with a positive
attitude and you should have a good time. If you stay home, you know you
won't have a good cruise. JMHO.

Harry Cooper

Since 2004, I have only cruised HAL, RCCI and NCL (10 cruises) and we
are trying Celebrity for the first time this winter. I have seen that
the stewards have more rooms to keep and have to work harder or at
least their work is more evident - they are not as invisible as in the
past.

We also normally just eat in the regular dining room, and I've always
found good food to eat and some of it was excellent. Some of the
dining room employees were better than others, but that was true from
the very first cruise (which was on NCL)

I don't know how big the Wind was, but I prefer the smaller ships. I
think there's likelihood of being one of a huge herd on the larger
ships.

Skipfromla wrote:
If we are going to spend that much money on a cruise, we expect great
service and food. If we can be expected to be treated like cattle, I
have no interest in cruising.

Skip

It is nice to see you posting again, Skip. Sorry we could not make it
to the soirée in Vegas, but maybe next year.


At one time NCL was my favorite cruise line. Like you, I had no
problems with their service, food or entertainment. I am not sure about
all the details, but NCL has changed owners and management. They made a
few changes, so now they charge for many of the restaurants on the
ship. I have not cruised with them in 4 years, but some day I will give
them another try.


There are many other cruise lines out there, and the food, entertainment
and service on those cruise lines is very nice. Cruise prices are
pretty good right now, so it is a great time to cruise. Royal Caribbean
moved the Mariner of the Seas to California and it is a wonderful ship,
I really enjoyed it. I hope you give cruising another try.


Becca

Cruise any line except NCL they are the worst





cruise lover(~~~~~)






..

I asked the wizard and he came up with my 3 favorite cruise
lines,princess,holland america,and celebrity,will sail any of them





cruise lover(~~~~~)






..