Cruise Talk: NCL Freestyle

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Author

Topic: NCL Freestyle

gizmo
First Class Passenger
Member # 972

posted 07-03-2000 05:12 PM

I have been reading reviews on NCL's freestyle cruises. They were all bad. It sounded like a nightmare to me. It seems like the Norway had to change one of the dinning rooms to a buffet due to the long lines for dinner. A couple of people cancelled their cruises and booked with another line due to the bad reviews. NCL must be out of their minds.

Posts: 686 | From: Kennesaw Ga. (origianlly from Philly) | Registered: Dec 1999 | IP: Logged

SandyG
First Class Passenger
Member # 965

posted 07-04-2000 09:45 AM

I was wondering how they were going to manage dinner with no assigned seating. Due to the large number of passengers, there has to be some type of scheduling to accommodate everyone and maintain a high level of quality and service. Buffets are okay for breakfast and lunch, but we look forward to those wonderful dinners. We were going to book the Sky in January, but unless they make some changes we will probably go with another line. I like the concept of a more relaxed resort type atmosphere. Formal nights are okay for me, but my husband hates the suit and tie. I think they could make formal night optional, stick with the assigned seating, and still obtain the objective of a resort type atmosphere. With so much competition in the cruise industry, cruise lines are trying to compete for market share. I think they are trying to attract younger passengers that are not into "dressing up". Just look at the changes in the workplace. Most companies are now casual or business casual. I know I am going to get some flack from all of you that look forward to formal nights. I think formal nights are great for a lot of people. However, times are changing and I think Norwegian is taking avantage of what could be a really good marketing tool. They obviously need to rethink the dining and disembarkation policies. I guess we will see what happens over the next few months.

Posts: 13 | From: Woodstock, GA USA | Registered: Dec 1999 | IP: Logged

Mercy
First Class Passenger
Member # 322

posted 07-04-2000 10:57 AM

I was on the Sky in April and had a wonderful time. Great Staff! I was thinking of taking advantage of the great prices I have seen lately, but I am sad to say I will never cruise on the Sky again until and unless they change the "Freestyle" cruising. I just read a new review from someone that sailed in June on her. They hated the Freestyle idea. They said a LOT of people were complaining. There were long lines for dinner, and they didn't like the more relaxed dress. Soon passengers will all be wearing shorts and sandles for dinner! He said they didn't do a good job keeping the ship clean! It was spotless when we were on her? I also read that they plan to make one of the dining rooms on the Norway into a buffet, because the dinner lines have been so long this way! It seems they are making it harder on everyone with this new policy, especially the staff!

[This message has been edited by Mercy (edited 08-03-2000).]

Posts: 697 | From: Stanwood, Wa. USA | Registered: Sep 99 | IP: Logged

harborman
First Class Passenger
Member # 1248

posted 07-04-2000 12:53 PM

Why note just turn the food service over to Mc Donalds, we can all dress down as far as we want and possibly get a free toy with our dinner. Seems thats where fine dining is headed.

Posts: 147 | From: Pennsylvania, USA | Registered: Apr 2000 | IP: Logged

bonny
First Class Passenger
Member # 1347

posted 07-04-2000 04:54 PM

I totally agree. That is one of the reasons Holland is my favorite cruise line They still have kept some of the old traditions alive. I hope they don't go along with the new trend. Thier business will probably improve if they stay the same. I'm sure a lot of people will agree with my idea of Class Cruising. Not free style!

Posts: 44 | From: Chicago | Registered: Jun 2000 | IP: Logged

Green
First Class Passenger
Member # 171

posted 07-04-2000 06:12 PM

Hi SandyG and others who like the resort type atmosphere –
Why do you cruise? Resorts are to found everywhere.

Like 'bonny' we sincerely hope HAL is not thinking of any like changes. We’d never sail again with them if they did and I’ll bet my bottom dollar many, many people feel exactly the same way.

Just for the record, dressing up on Formal Nights is not obligatory – there’s always the Lido or you could order in. As for changing after dinner, would you dress up for a wedding, dash home and change to scrubby-dubs and return to the Reception? Probably not – why then do it on a cruise ship?

Posts: 2913 | From: Markham, Ontario, Canada | Registered: Jul 99 | IP: Logged

SandyG
First Class Passenger
Member # 965

posted 07-05-2000 11:26 AM

Green, We cruise for the same reason most people do. We enjoy the ship and all of its activities in addition to being able to experience several different places. I'm not condoning shorts at dinner, and I don't think that is what Norwegian is doing. I think they are giving people more options, which is what cruising is about. As several people have pointed out, people expect different things from a cruise. That is why you have people swearing by certain cruise lines. That particular line fulfilled their expectations. By the same token, when you read a review, you have to consider who is submitting the review and what their expectations are. I'm sure we will see more changes from Norwegian. We will just have to wait and see what they are.

Posts: 13 | From: Woodstock, GA USA | Registered: Dec 1999 | IP: Logged

NAL
First Class Passenger
Member # 1102

posted 07-05-2000 01:54 PM

Green.....

I agree with you. I cannot imagine why new
cruisers expect a beach resort atmosphere.
A cruise is not the place for shorts and
tee shirts sun-up til well after sun-down.
Perhaps an informal windjammer type cruise
would be more appealing to the casual types.
Long live Holland America Line as she is!!!

Posts: 2243 | From: Watsontown, PA | Registered: Feb 2000 | IP: Logged

kbozman
First Class Passenger
Member # 642

posted 07-05-2000 02:35 PM

Hello everyone,

When I read the posts regarding NCL and
the casual dress codes, I kind of chuckled
because I remember when I posted last summer
about the freedom to dress as one saw fit
(with in reason of course) So, when we
sailed on the Norway last summer (14 days)
we were carefull to take formal and casual
with us. To our suprise, on the formal
nights only, we observed only about 20%
of the people wearing formal. Well, talk
about sticking out, my wife in a beaded
sequined gown, I in my tux. We thought it
odd that since most of our shipmates were
60 and up that the dress codes would be
observed. So, we felt overdressed.

On one of the formal nights, which just so
happened to be lobster night was my only
dissmay because We could not eat as much !!
Way to go NCL ! good timing.

kbozman.

Posts: 154 | From: Hanover Pa, USA | Registered: Jul 99 | IP: Logged

Mercy
First Class Passenger
Member # 322

posted 07-05-2000 05:03 PM

I'll stick with Celebrity. Most everyone dressed to the nines both formal nights and jackets and ties two more nights. I like getting the chance to dress up, and I love seeing my husband in a tux!

Posts: 697 | From: Stanwood, Wa. USA | Registered: Sep 99 | IP: Logged

gizmo
First Class Passenger
Member # 972

posted 07-05-2000 06:20 PM

I think the first time cruiser may go for this "freestyle" stuff, since they have no idea of what they are missing. What a shame!
Depending on what kind of marketing ploy being used, NCL may even be able to 'sell' this.
Maybe they will toss the linens and go for paper napkins and formica top tables. They could put all those fast food places throughout the ship, this would help keep the lines down. Just think of all the wonderfull choices, Mcdonalds, Wendys, and lets not forget Johnny Rockets. Domino's Pizza could be a big hit with guaranteed delivery time.

Posts: 686 | From: Kennesaw Ga. (origianlly from Philly) | Registered: Dec 1999 | IP: Logged

papillon
First Class Passenger
Member # 1406

posted 07-05-2000 08:51 PM

hey kbozman
i agree with u i hated dressing up!!

Posts: 20 | From: dover,pa,usa | Registered: Jul 2000 | IP: Logged

billee
First Class Passenger
Member # 1133

posted 08-03-2000 10:06 AM

Reports of buffet dining in one of the Norway's dining rooms are absolutely false. The Norway has not been converted to "Freestyle" cruising. Rumors, rumors, rumors....

Posts: 159 | From: Baltimore, MD USA | Registered: Mar 2000 | IP: Logged

tg_lindo
First Class Passenger
Member # 806

posted 08-03-2000 12:27 PM

Billee,
What's the source of your info? What more good news can you tell us?

Posts: 349 | From: San Francisco, CA | Registered: May 99 | IP: Logged

billee
First Class Passenger
Member # 1133

posted 08-03-2000 02:54 PM

The Sales Manager for NCL for the mid-Atlantic states. She was also a former cruise director aboard the Norway. Each ship in the fleet, excluding the Norway, will have freestyle cruising phased in gradually. As of right now, only the Norwegian Sky has been "freestyled".

Posts: 159 | From: Baltimore, MD USA | Registered: Mar 2000 | IP: Logged

kappy
Just Boarded
Member # 1480

posted 08-03-2000 05:26 PM

Will the Norway stay as is or is it scheduled to be converted to Freestyle. NCL does not seem to know. When I call I get different answers.

Posts: 8 | From: chicago, IL. USA | Registered: Aug 2000 | IP: Logged

tg_lindo
First Class Passenger
Member # 806

posted 08-07-2000 11:07 PM

My travel agent quoted to me from a trade publication on this matter. The article has numerous direct quotes from NCL President and CEO Mr Veitch, who says only the Sky has gone freestyle to date. Majesty is next, later this month, and they will make changes to the rest of the fleet until next summer....moving slowly, so each ship has the kinks worked out before moving along to another.

Do I believe everything I read? No way. But I am now even more inclined to believe Billee's repudiation of buffets in Norway's dining rooms at dinner. Maybe someone got fatigued, slept thru dinner, woke up at 12:30 am, and thought the midnight buffet was a dinner spread!

Posts: 349 | From: San Francisco, CA | Registered: May 99 | IP: Logged

mrblanche
First Class Passenger
Member # 714

posted 08-14-2000 10:24 AM

T.G. Lindo, do you have a complete list of when each ship will be converted? We are booked on the Wind in December.

Posts: 308 | From: Cedar Hill, TX | Registered: Aug 99 | IP: Logged

Winner
First Class Passenger
Member # 1188

posted 08-14-2000 11:44 AM

According to Colin Veitch, CEO of NCL, the Sky is currently the only Freestyle ship, with the Majesty next,scheduled for August 20, 2000. No further dates have been set ubt plans are "to have Freestyle Cruising on all its ships, 'to the extent possible', by next summer".

(Travel Weekly, August 10, 2000; page 14)

Posts: 113 | From: Santa Rosa CA USA | Registered: Mar 2000 | IP: Logged

joe at travelpage
Administrator
Member # 622

posted 08-14-2000 11:55 AM

Here's what NCL is saying on their web site regarding the schedule...

The Norwegian Sky is NCL's first Freestyle ship, and all ships within the fleet will be converted to Freestyle throughout 2000 and early 2001. The next ship to be Freestyle is the Norwegian Majesty starting August 20.

Here's how they describe the "freestyle experience"...

Freestyle Dining - Enjoy a tête-a tête for two, dine with a couple you just met, or make reservations for a party of ten—it's up to you. If you prefer the more traditional cruise experience, a pre-set time and table can be easily arranged. And for your convenience, the ship's main dining rooms now offer extended hours to accommodate the late-night gourmand.

Freestyle Attire - Dress according to your mood. After all, this is your vacation. Resort casual attire is as dressy as you'll ever have to get. Those who prefer to get all decked out will have that option in one of the main dining rooms and some of the lounges. There is at least one formal night for cruises four days or longer.

Freestyle Gratuities/Disembarkation - No more last minute scrambling to distribute tips before you disembark. For your convenience, the suggested gratuities are automatically applied to your account. If you decide to tip more or less than the suggested guidelines, just contact the Credit Desk with any questions. All good things must come to and end, but with Freestyle Cruising you can enjoy a morning of leisure on the last day of your cruise.

Joe at TravelPage.com

Posts: 29976 | From: Great Falls, Virginia | Registered: A Long Time Ago! | IP: Logged

topgun
First Class Passenger
Member # 928

posted 08-14-2000 12:12 PM

What a bunch of double speak.

Posts: 759 | From: Burlington ont,canada Cruise center of North America | Registered: Nov 1999 | IP: Logged

Green
First Class Passenger
Member # 171

posted 08-14-2000 12:30 PM

topgun - I'll second that - and avoid NCL!

Posts: 2913 | From: Markham, Ontario, Canada | Registered: Jul 99 | IP: Logged

Beezo
First Class Passenger
Member # 1505

posted 08-14-2000 01:00 PM

I personally like what NCL is doing. About the NORWAY...i was recently on the NORWAY in april and the cruise director did say that they were doing some testings on the NORWEGIAN MAJESTY and on the NORWAY. they would on be a week long though. then they would go back to what most of them are until the are "freestyled".

the one thing i dont like is the dinning. i liked it when they had the caribbean nights, formal nights, etc...

But i think if this freestyle cruising doesnt work out, and they start to loose cruisers, i bet they will go back to normal.

Beezo

Posts: 865 | From: Massachusetts, USA | Registered: Aug 2000 | IP: Logged

NAbbott
First Class Passenger
Member # 1522

posted 08-17-2000 02:43 PM

We are scheduled to set sail on the Norway September 23rd. I have called the cruise line and was told that the Norway is scheduled to go "freestyle" in October. I was assured that the week we are on board will be dining as usual.

What recourse do I have if they are not telling the truth? If I found out that the Norway is "freestyle" I would cancel our trip. Does anyone have any suggestions?

Posts: 23 | From: Monroe, LA | Registered: Aug 2000 | IP: Logged

tg_lindo
First Class Passenger
Member # 806

posted 08-18-2000 04:44 PM

Doesn't it seem that when the info is more vague, and timetables more loose, then the less they'll be expected to be accountable?

The doublespeak in the brochure made me laugh out loud. Am I to believe they'll bar someone from entrance to a lounge on formal night if that someone is too casual? Maybe 25 years ago, but not in 2000.

I'm no travel agent, NAbbott, but once you've paid for the trip in full, I'd be extremely surprised if you can get a refund due to freestyle conversion.

I hope NORWAY falls behind schedule...I want to to be UN-freestyle in early Nov.

Posts: 349 | From: San Francisco, CA | Registered: May 99 | IP: Logged

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