More reviews/blogs from the press and travel industry at the links below.

Ernie

UK EPIC Blog

The guests writing these blogs and reviews linked in previous posts are basically getting paid one way or another. They are also closely tied with the cruise industry with the objective of promoting the industry as a whole. It's not in their best interest to "tell it like it is" so to speak. Not that there are any major problems to speak of, but if there were it's doubtful we would read about it on these blogs unless it was truly major. The true test will come when paying passengers are onboard, and the ship is in warm weather where the outdoor decks receive major use.

None the less, so far what I am reading looks very positive and promising. It sounds like NCL has it's act together and is managing things quite well. This is good to hear. I hope it goes as smoothly for the actual revenue cruises.

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Originally posted by eroller:
One thing to point out, as with all pre-inaugural cruises, is that that passengers are invited guests of NCL. The cruise is free, and so is everything onboard (restaurants, entertainment, internet, alcohol, etc). This is typical for the cruise industry. Also EPIC is only sailing at about 1/2 capacity.

The guests writing these blogs and reviews linked in previous posts are basically getting paid one way or another. They are also closely tied with the cruise industry with the objective of promoting the industry as a whole. It's not in their best interest to "tell it like it is" so to speak. Not that there are any major problems to speak of, but if there were it's doubtful we would read about it on these blogs unless it was truly major. The true test will come when paying passengers are onboard, and the ship is in warm weather where the outdoor decks receive major use.

None the less, so far what I am reading looks very positive and promising. It sounds like NCL has it's act together and is managing things quite well. This is good to hear. I hope it goes as smoothly for the actual revenue cruises.

Ernie

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I don't know about that Ernie - Cruise Critic usually doesn;t mince words (they've cut a few ships down in their time) and if Voyages To Antiquity's recent press trip is any indication, the media was far from afraid to point out flaws.

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Originally posted by Tim in 'Lauderdale:

I don't know about that Ernie - Cruise Critic usually doesn;t mince words (they've cut a few ships down in their time) and if Voyages To Antiquity's recent press trip is any indication, the media was far from afraid to point out flaws.

Tim

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Perhaps to a certain degree Tim. There is always going to be a question of objectivity when the product being reviewed is completely comped and the red carpet is rolled out. This is when the cruise lines pull out all the stops as it is the very first group of people experiencing the ship. Screw it up and it means a lot of recovery on the back end, which no company desires.

Also, Cruise Critic generates a lot of revenue from cruise line advertising. It would be a bit counter productive to really take the gloves off so to speak. So while I agree bloggers that work for Cruise Critic can be objective to a certain degree, I think they have to be very careful in how they present anything that might be perceived as overly negative. It's a delicate balance. Also, Voyages to Antiquity is a rather obscure organization, where some negativity doesn't have the same impact as criticizing a major, mass-market cruise line. The reviews I read on Voyages to Antiquity did point out flaws, but were quick to point out they can be easily corrected with time. It's called CYA. LOL

The true test is always with paying passengers, sailing on ordinary itineraries that the ship was marketed for, and at full capacity.

Ernie

[ 06-20-2010: Message edited by: eroller ]

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Originally posted by eroller:
One thing to point out, as with all pre-inaugural cruises, is that that passengers are invited guests of NCL. The cruise is free, and so is everything onboard (restaurants, entertainment, internet, alcohol, etc). This is typical for the cruise industry. Also EPIC is only sailing at about 1/2 capacity.

The guests writing these blogs and reviews linked in previous posts are basically getting paid one way or another. They are also closely tied with the cruise industry with the objective of promoting the industry as a whole. It's not in their best interest to "tell it like it is" so to speak. Not that there are any major problems to speak of, but if there were it's doubtful we would read about it on these blogs unless it was truly major. The true test will come when paying passengers are onboard, and the ship is in warm weather where the outdoor decks receive major use.

None the less, so far what I am reading looks very positive and promising. It sounds like NCL has it's act together and is managing things quite well. This is good to hear. I hope it goes as smoothly for the actual revenue cruises.

Ernie

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While it is true people are invited on pre-inaugurals and many times ships sail at reduced capacity.... it is not always glowing reviews. I was a travel agent for some years and agents in my office were very honest with clients regarding their impressions of a particular ship - even those who were on pre-inaugurals. I remember one agent who cruised on a 2 night on the Liberty when she was in Bayonne. While she was a frequent cruiser, she thought the ship was amazing but way too big for her and the food was not great in her opinion. When selling the ship she would mention these issues in a professional way.

I have done one shakedown cruise, on a ship to be remained nameless or else some people on here will think I am bashing, and I was very honest to those who felt like sailing on her!

Then again the offices I have worked for never told us to cheerlead for one line or travel company. Our goal was to make the clients happy. I think the those who work in a service oriented business will agree that you want your customers happy......because who the hell wants to hear them complain! In anycase, I always "told it like it was" to clients regardless if I was on a shakedown cruise or a paid cruise vacation and my collegues did the same.

[ 06-20-2010: Message edited by: nycruiser ]

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Originally posted by nycruiser:

I have done one shakedown cruise, on a ship to be remained nameless or else some people on here will think I am bashing, and I was very honest to those who felt like sailing on her!

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This is good to hear, and I'm glad in your case you were allowed to be completely honest. I know in some instances this is simply not the case, and in others the writers and bloggers are purposely not too harsh to ensure return invitations. Many live for these events and they don't want to risk losing the privilege. There are a variety of reasons and pressures that may or may not skew a cruise industry professional's review on an inaugural cruise.

Regardless I still enjoy reading them but like any review, they are subjective based on the knowledge, experience, and perspective of the reviewer.

I look forward to more reports from these inaugurals, but even more so from the paying passengers on the first Caribbean cruises.

I was well aware that I was shielded from some of the ‘realities’ that fare paying passengers experience onboard a cruise. Firstly embarkation was a breeze because like Epic, the ship was not full. Secondly I got a nice cabin, possibly a few notches higher than I might have paid for myself. Thirdly all drinks were free and there were no dining surcharges. Even though there were some ‘rookie’ crew, they were all going the extra-mile. One wonders if the food budget is upped for the inaugural events too?

Although reports from these inaugural events are useful, especially in evaluating the hardware, Ernie is right in my opinion, that only passengers on a full fare paying cruise can answer all of the questions.

[ 06-21-2010: Message edited by: Malcolm @ cruisepage ]

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Originally posted by eroller:

This is good to hear, and I'm glad in your case you were allowed to be completely honest. I know in some instances this is simply not the case, and in others the writers and bloggers are purposely not too harsh to ensure return invitations. Many live for these events and they don't want to risk losing the privilege. There are a variety of reasons and pressures that may or may not skew a cruise industry professional's review on an inaugural cruise.

Regardless I still enjoy reading them but like any review, they are subjective based on the knowledge, experience, and perspective of the reviewer.

I look forward to more reports from these inaugurals, but even more so from the paying passengers on the first Caribbean cruises.

Ernie

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Originally posted by nycruiser:

As a former agent I can say this! You had to see some of the "senior travel agents" on the one shakedown cruise I was on. They were not only rude to staff but they barely left the lampshades on in the cabins.

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LOL. I know all to well what you are saying. Back in the early 90's I worked onboard Princess as a Purser. I brought out the CROWN PRINCESS from the shipyard in Italy. What was unique about the CROWN was she was the largest passenger ship ever built in Italy at the time, she was also registered in Italy, and was the first passenger ship built at Fincantieri in a very long time. Anyway, the ship hosted a lot of media and travel agent functions in Continental Europe, Southampton, NY (where she was christened), and finally Ft. Lauderdale. These were very exciting times but often the crew would dread these events because of all the work and demands involved. Some of the travel agents worked you to the bone and also your last nerve sometimes too! Many of the travel agents would come onboard with a great sense of entitlement. They were high producers for Princess and they really expected the royal treatment. Everything was free but yet that never seemed to be enough. Some would nit pick at everything and wanted even more for free! Things would always go missing after these events. It was a big sigh of relief when we settled into a normal routine of 7-day Caribbean cruises with regular passengers.

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Originally posted by eroller:
Many of the travel agents would come onboard with a great sense of entitlement.  Ernie

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Many of the travel agents would come onboard with a great sense of entitlement. Ernie

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[ 06-21-2010: Message edited by: DAMBROSI ]

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Originally posted by DAMBROSI:
Rick is very down-to-earth, he'd give you a cup of sugar if you wanted it, no questions. They did get to shake hands and it was good to see them talking for a little. Before he was hounded again by agents with their attitudes.

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Good story.

I've heard the same about Rick Sasso many times ... that he is a great guy, very down to earth. I've never met him but hope to someday.

Anyway, you might find it interesting as well.

Ernie

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Originally posted by dmwnc1:

Almost every TA shipboard function I ever did this still held true. Some of the worst behaved, ill-mannered, self-righteous, and self-important people I ever met. 

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Originally posted by eroller:
Attached is a link to an interesting article written by a cruise reporter. He already seems to have a rather negative perspective of EPIC. He does touch on what I was speaking about earlier, regarding the limited objectivity of some reporters. Apparently NCL hand selected those onboard according to this report. I've read his reviews before and found them interesting and objective.

Anyway, you might find it interesting as well.

Ernie

Click Here

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Originally posted by Atlcruiser:

Very interesting article. I guess Paul had better be careful or some will start accusing him of bashing a ship.

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It also appears he was not "invited" to the inaugural festivities despite his association with Cruisemates. Perhaps NCL doesn't hold Cruisemates in the same esteem as Cruise Critic?

Regardless he is sailing on the transatlantic I assume as a paying passenger ... either with his own money or subsidized by Cruisemates?

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Originally posted by eroller:

It also appears he was not "invited" to the inaugural festivities despite his association with Cruisemates. Perhaps NCL doesn't hold Cruisemates in the same esteem as Cruise Critic?

Regardless he is sailing on the transatlantic I assume as a paying passenger ... either with his own money or subsidized by Cruisemates?

Ernie

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Originally posted by Atlcruiser:

I picked up on that and wondered if maybe that played into his attitude about the ship. It's going to be interesting to read his comments about the ship. Should be a good read.

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It might, as he seems pretty negative already. One thing he didn't touch on is the Courtyard. It's not finished and anyone booked into it for these short cruises is being moved elsewhere. Hopefully it will be finished in time for the crossing along with the repairs to the propeller shaft.

I really think RCI was very smart to deadhead OASIS over to the US. It gave the crew a chance to really get up to speed, and also enabled shipyard workers to finish up a lot of the detail work. No ship ever leaves the shipyard 100% finished. There are always shipyard workers onboard finishing construction and undertaking guarantee work. The more time deadheading between the shipyard departure and first revenue cruise the better for the passengers.

When I brought out CROWN PRINCESS, we left the shipyard in Monfalcone and sailed to Trieste for a couple nights of festivities. We then deadheaded to Athens to pick up the first passengers. It really wasn't enough time. The first cruise was pretty much a disaster. Carpet in the atrium was being laid as passengers were embarking, as well as the astroturf by the pool. Construction was taking place everywhere and passenger service was dismal. It took until the following day to get everyones luggage delivered. The chef actually got "booed" by the passengers during the Captain's Cocktail party in the Atrium. Passengers were literally screaming at the front desk staff day and night. All the passports got screwed up (we collected them at embarkation) and they were in no particular order so it made it very difficult to sort and return to the passengers. Some passengers wanted their passports back, and when we could not provide them right away they went ballistic! I could go on and on. Through it all it was one of the best times of my life. I would not trade it for the world, but I know some passengers wish they never stepped foot on the ship!

Ernie

[ 06-21-2010: Message edited by: eroller ]

NO, I wasn't happy about that. I was pi**ed in truth. The NCL pr department as overseen by Andy Stuart is hopeless. Have you listened to an NCL conference call? I feel like I am at a Barbie tea party with all the giggling. But the fact is that NCL lost $16,000,000 just last quarter and they are cheap as heck.

Did anyone read my review of Voyages to Antiquity? I certainly was not positive at all. I didn't even know Cruise Critic had posted one (I never go there) but I should look it up to check their veracity.

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Originally posted by cruisemates:
Hey - someone told me you were talking about me over here. NO, I was not invited to the European press event, because I already paid to go on this cruise before they decided to invite US press to Europe. The wonderful PR department at NCL decided I wouldn't mind missing the event because I already "had the ship covered"

NO, I wasn't happy about that. I was pi**ed in truth. The NCL pr department as overseen by Andy Stuart is hopeless. Have you listened to an NCL conference call? I feel like I am at a Barbie tea party with all the giggling. But the fact is that NCL lost $16,000,000 just last quarter and they are cheap as heck.

Did anyone read my review of Voyages to Antiquity? I certainly was not positive at all. I didn't even know Cruise Critic had posted one (I never go there) but I should look it up to check their veracity.

Didn't some of you people used to post in CruiseMates regularly?

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Thanks for stopping by and explaining things. I've enjoyed your reviews in the past and I look forward to your thoughts on EPIC. You're a professional so I'm sure you will go onboard with an open mind. I know NCL has pissed you off a bit according to your post, but don't let that influence your opinion of the ship, crew, service, entertainment, and food. I hope you have a fantastic crossing!

Funny you mention Andy Stuart. He is actually one of my favorite cruise line execs. He does have a very casual style about him, but that and his sense of humor are the reasons I find him so interesting. Some of the other cruise line execs can be quite dull. Andy is always full of energy and entertaining.