NCL KNOWS HOW TO RUIN A CRUISE

We are on the NCL Dawn taking a Southern Caribbean cruise.

NCL used to be a very friendly cruise line with great guest services. However, during our most recent two cruises with NCL (one before and one after the Covid-19 lockdowns and restrictions), they have shown they know how to ruin a cruise. This southern Caribbean cruise, our third recent cruise, is no exception, just a significant number of frustrations, disappointments, broken promises that add up to make the cruise more frustrating than pleasurable. We are still on the last 4 days of the cruise, but my exasperation has motivated me to write a critique.

1. We do not like to purchase most packages, but we do like to purchase Wi-Fi to keep in touch with friends. The cost of NCL unlimited Wi-Fi is 7.5 times per device per day MORE than we were charged by Princess Cruise lines on a cruise we took just seven weeks ago. In fact, the cost of WiFi on NCL is more than the cost of the fare for one of us. Thus, we are relying on Wi-Fi offered at the ports where are going. 

2. The only other package that we buy is a coffee package. The cost of NCL coffee package is 6 times per passenger per day MORE than we were charged by Princess Cruise lines on a cruise we took just seven weeks ago. In addition, specialty and brewed coffee costs $1 to $1.50 more per cup than was charged on our recent Princess Cruise. We will not buy the package at such a gouging price.

3. I have recently achieved Platinum status on the NCL loyalty group called Latitudes. I have had to continually request the complimentary items that were supposedly automatically delivered to us. It took me 4 days and I had to work through the guest services desk, the Latitude consultant, and the Cruise Next Staff to finally receive the complimentary items. I am now in the process of trying to secure promised discounts on various purchases. Guest Services does not seem to be able to do anything. I have had to work with all other service personnel -- the Latitude consultant, and the Cruise Next Staff, the Excursion Desk, the Dining Room services, and Internet Manager, Housekeeping, etc, etc. All this work for Platinum level perks is frustrating. I would expect these kinds of problems should not exist or to be dealt with quickly, especially to show appreciation for passenger loyalty.

We have been to Key West, Puerto Plata, St. Thomas, Aruba. We are in Curaçao, and then Grand Caymen before returning to Tampa and Flying home to Toronto. We arrive back to Toronto near the end of January. The Ports have been pleasant, and we have enjoyed the ports.

The lounge entertainers are really great and play music from the 60s, 70s, 80s, 90s, more current popular music, some ballroom, and even some tropical songs and hip-hop. There are lots of opportunity to dance all genres.

The Show Dancers and Singers are among the best we have ever experienced on NCL.

The restaurant, bar, wine lounge, and buffet staff, cleaning staff are excellent and most are very friendly. They do their best to help passengers enjoy themselves.

I understand the importance of profit and growth after the financial devastation caused by the lockdowns and restrictions. However, if NCL continues to gouge passengers and provide no real customer service and support, their competitors, like Princess, will grab the bulk of passengers as they return to travel post-Covid-19.

For me, the frustration, the gouging is not worth it. So this is my last NCL cruise.