Ports and Bows Blog

NCL refurbishes management and ships

POSTED ON November 11, 2008 7:00 PM


My apologies for disappearing for four days.

I am on the road and for the first time in all of my travels the computer “fried/" Thats my terminology for beyond repair.

I’ve switched over to Mac from PC--the TV Ads won me over--so here we go with a whole new way of doing things and on top of that we are still in the process of transferring everything from the PC to Mac. If some of the pictures look a little strange you will understand why.

Okay let's get to work.

Very rarely in this space will you ever find me writing about executive changes in the cruise business--today is an exception.

Kevin Sheehan is taking over the role of President and CEO at NCL. On his way out is Colin Veitch. So what's the big deal.

Colin Veitch deserves our thanks. He was the one who created Freestyle Dining aboard NCL ships. Freestyle meant that you could dine at the time you wanted to within a fixed period for each meal.

Many other lines followed suit, although they didn't take it that far. Aboard Holland America, as an example, you can pick your times during a given time but the traditional two fixed dining times co-exists with their version of freestyle.

While he had his highs I am sure he would rate Hawaii as a low. He was the one who placed three ships in the Hawaiian market. Too many as it turned out, especially with U.S. regulations that state that you have to use U.S citizens as crew when you cruise only in American waters without first stopping at a foreign country.  Many lines who cruise out of Southern California stop in Ensenada as their foreign stop before heading across the pacific. Today NCL only has one ship sailing in Hawaiian waters on a regular basis and appears to be doing well in a down market.

Still with NCL, that lines Norwegian Spirit is under going a multi-million dollar renovation.

Once completed the ship will sail this winter season out of New Orleans on a 7-day Western Caribbean routing.

Many new carpeting, new cabins--8 of which will have balconies--theatre upgrade with new seating, new tiles and drapes in several of the cabins and more.

Thats it for now--good to be back--see you tomorrow

5 Comment(s)

by peter hooper on November 15, 2008 4:51 PM

We made our first and last trip by NCL in May, and were not impressed with NCL or Freestyle dining. All our previous cruises were with Holland America and we found that our  set times and tables for dining were an excellent way of meeting people. On NCL it was difficult to get a desirable time without a lengthy line-up and you met no-one.

In our view NCL is definitely second tier

by martin o'connor on November 18, 2008 12:34 AM

Sorry to hear you did not like NCL ,we made a cruise on NCL PEARL

last April it was fantastic and we loved freestyle dining it makes life a lot easier no rushing for set dinner times, We have now booked our third cruise on NCL,   FIRST CLASS!

by Greg Lang on November 22, 2008 4:55 PM

Last April we took an 18 day repositioning cruise on NCL from Valpariso to Boston. What a disaster!! NCL had obviously not replaced staff who had completed their contracts so the dining rooms were terribly understaffed creating long lineups for meals and slow and poor service when you were finally seated. The bean-counters who created this problem should be fired. We and our friends will not be back with NCL.

by carolyn russell on November 28, 2008 9:58 PM

I have to comment on the cruise we took to the mediterranean on Carnival last June.  I became very ill on board with severe vomiting and needed to go to the hospital in Liverno Italy.  Other people on the ship were ill as well but we could get no information as to what was the possible cause and they did nothing to prevent the spread  of the illness.  We just came back from a cruise to Asia on Princess and there was an outbreak of the norwack virus on board and they took aggressive measures to try and control the spread and gave daily updates to passengers.  All I can say is don't get sick on Carnival.

by Darlene Wulff on December 18, 2008 4:43 PM

Just returned from 3 back to back cruises aboard the Norwegian Jade in the Mediterranean. We have sailed with only NCL for 8 cruises or 62 days. The staff are excellent.  No one will ever be completely happy with everything, that's just human nature.  I still don't like the bread pudding on NCL & that's my complaint. The shore excursion staff informed us of all possible things that might affect our tours.  They explained that there is a difference between being a "tourist" or a "traveller". Just sit back & enjoy the days aboard. We met up with Julie( cruise director from the N Spirit) We asked about a Remembrance Day program & she put it together for Nov 11th.  The kids program was great..  Internet costs are a bit pricey. The weather for 36 days from Oct 25th to Nov 30th was good except for 3 days. The staff creditted our accounts immediately when we were unable to stop in La Palma, due to the 40 knot winds. We are already booked on the Pearl & will continue with NCL as we enjoy freestyle dining. If you don't meet people try playing trivia. We have many new friends from around the world. Also try the murder mystery dinners. The Captain even lives in Saskatchewan. I also like staterooms in the mid section or aft section. PS  The pyramids are HUGE, but the area is filled with sellers, camels, horses, etc.  Bring your bottled water & be a TRAVELLER.  You are visiting other countries with different customs.  The new F3's should be sailing in the next few years. Great sailing with NCL. Champagne on arrival, & champage staff & crew

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