Beware Norwegian Crown
Jul 31st, 1999, 07:38 PM
#1
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Beware Norwegian Crown
<BR>I am a travel agent and have just reurned from Bermuda on the NCL Crown. <BR> <BR>Be forwarned. The ship is in disrepair. There are serious problems with the plant. Electrical, plumbing and mechanical. I do believe it is related to poor supervision. <BR> <BR>Although he food was good and the captain tried to make the best of all the circumstances, the July 24th cruise was extremely unpleasant. No power for many hours. Hot water pipes bursting, no air-conditioning. No water on and off, no toilets flushing up to and including the last day, strong deisel and propane fumes, irate passengers, etc. <BR> <BR>Also, the children's program has extremely poor supervision and serious problems occurred. Parents were blamed for all problems (therefore, no recourse). <BR> <BR>I am re-booking my customers on other NCL ships. <BR> <BR>Paul
Aug 1st, 1999, 05:16 AM
#2
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I would skip NCL completely. Have been on the Crown around South America, yes the food was good, but the general upkeep of the ship was less than desirable. Also, forget the Norway, it is a disaster waiting to happen. That ship, regardless of it's 4 week yard period in May, could never be brought up to standards. I feel sorry for anyone who books that ship.
Aug 4th, 1999, 10:03 PM
#4
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<BR>Dear Parrot Mom, <BR>Hate to disagree. The Crown will finish out the year with NCL. It is being TRANSFERRED to Orient Lines, which has just become a sister company of NCL. Orient, who sails the Marco Polo, an upscale ship, will rebuild the Crown. <BR> <BR>The NCL Crown was a truly upscale ship when it sailed under the Crown Cruise Line flag. It was the utmost of class. I thought I would sail her again to see what had occurred since it was bought by NCL and also I had booked 17 customers. <BR> <BR>This ship is dangerous. I am not booking anyone else. <BR> <BR>Since I am a glutton for punishment, I am sailing the NCL Dream next week to the Baltic. I hope, since it was just stretched, it is being maintained. <BR> <BR>I believe NCL is trying to stay competitive by reducing it's prices. <BR>Doing so, the maintenance of it's ships are suffering. <BR> <BR>I am also not booking anyone on the NCL Leeward, which is also having trouble with it's plant. <BR> <BR>As far as the Norway, it was built to withstand typhoons and wars. Even if it is neglected, smelly and worn, it should still sail. <BR> <BR>
Aug 7th, 1999, 01:48 AM
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Hi Paul...at least it's not being sent to Boston to replace the Majesty which was the rumor... Although the Majesty was stretched it was not completely done over, i.e. the Firecracker Lounge...It is still sailing every week to capacity allowed in Bermuda...1500...so they are making money... In all honesty it was a better ship when it was the Royal Majesty... but then again I don't demand perfection and make my own good time..
Aug 7th, 1999, 01:48 AM
#6
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Hi Paul...at least it's not being sent to Boston to replace the Majesty which was the rumor... Although the Majesty was stretched it was not completely done over, i.e. the Firecracker Lounge...It is still sailing every week to capacity allowed in Bermuda...1500...so they are making money... In all honesty it was a better ship when it was the Royal Majesty... but then again I don't demand perfection and make my own good time..
Aug 8th, 1999, 12:10 AM
#7
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<BR>Hi Parrot Mom, <BR>I am still very concerned booking any of my customers on NCL. The Majesty had problems after the "stretch." I believe the "money saving" policy is showing. I was an the Majesty when it was the Royal and it was impressive. I am afraid to sail the "new" ship. <BR> <BR>Since I will be on the Dream next week in the Baltic, I will certainly keep my eyes open and my fingers crossed. <BR> <BR>I do feel bad about NCL. Their dining and casino departments are excellently operated. I just worry about my customer's vacations. <BR> <BR>Apparently, Orient lines will be acquiring the NCL Crown in May 2000. <BR>I will be getting up to date info concerning repairs from them. <BR> <BR>
Aug 8th, 1999, 12:11 AM
#8
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<BR>Hi Parrot Mom, <BR>I am still very concerned booking any of my customers on NCL. The Majesty had problems after the "stretch." I believe the "money saving" policy is showing. I was an the Majesty when it was the Royal and it was impressive. I am afraid to sail the "new" ship. <BR> <BR>Since I will be on the Dream next week in the Baltic, I will certainly keep my eyes open and my fingers crossed. <BR> <BR>I do feel bad about NCL. Their dining and casino departments are excellently operated. I just worry about my customer's vacations. <BR> <BR>Apparently, Orient lines will be acquiring the NCL Crown in May 2000. <BR>I will be getting up to date info concerning repairs from them. <BR> <BR>
Aug 9th, 1999, 12:23 AM
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Hi Paul... was on the new NCL Majesty end of May--the only major problem we noted was the inconsistency of the food (buffets at lunch pretty awful). in the dining room .and the pastry chef should definetely be tossed overboard...Noted that the Firecracker Lounge chairs were very dirty and hadn't been replaced... We had sailed the Royal Majesty four times out of five years and it was delightful to meet up with the same service people, The new sun deck around the pool is a definite plus. There were some minor problems and would discuss it with you privately, but on the whole we are fans of the convenience of the Majesty from Boston for our summer trip. On our trip over Memorial Day Weekend we were upset to see women lugging down chaises from the upper sun deck and putting them in the kiddy pool...other years that would not have been tolerated. Then again, these were the same parents whose kids were running wild and hogging the jazucci. Will be on the NCL Sky on 10/8 -after reading about it I see we will be missing Jane L. Powell (incredible voice), the Millenium Menu and a few other things due to start "late fall"...
Aug 25th, 1999, 12:49 PM
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<BR>Here's your friendly travel agent again reporting on my NCL Dream cruise in the Baltic. <BR> <BR>As expected, another disaster. The evening staff are not trained or do not pay attention to their assigned job. <BR> <BR>The Dream smashed into a container ship and was seriously damaged. The middle of the North Sea, 1:00 AM. <BR> <BR>How in heaven's name can this happen with RADAR and a clear night. <BR>We hit a huge ship. Extremely lucky we did not sink. We did come close. <BR> <BR>AGAIN, DO NOT CRUISE NCL! <BR> <BR>Paul
Aug 26th, 1999, 06:36 PM
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<BR>Message for Ted, <BR> <BR>Surveying the damage to the bow, bridge, staterooms and starboard side of ship I would take an educated guess of approximately two months. <BR> <BR>IF you only placed a deposit on your trip, it is fully refundable. <BR> <BR>Switch to a similiar itinerary on the Pacific or Island Princess. A bit more expensive but ..... piece of mind. <BR> <BR>Two additional NCL ships (Dynasty and Leeward) are leaving the fleet next spring. The Crown is gone also. They do not have a replacement ship for Burmuda. <BR> <BR>NCL is falling apart. <BR> <BR>I am not accepting any addiional bookings on NCL except for the SKY (new ship)....should be safe... <BR> <BR>Good luck, Paul <BR>
Sep 7th, 1999, 07:30 PM
#15
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<BR>Here is your friendly travel agent again reporting on Norwegian. <BR> <BR>The line is in serious trouble, not only for the negligence of the officers but the financial stability of the company. They are selling many of their ships to regain capital. They have no ship at this time to sail Bermuda next year. This means they will lose their contract. <BR> <BR>After the deal with Carnival fell apart they came very close to bankruptcy. With the many problems they are experiencing I doubt they can recover. <BR> <BR>Your life is at stake if you sail NCL. If you do not believe me check the news services on the internet.
Sep 8th, 1999, 10:47 PM
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<BR>Dear Jan, <BR> <BR>There are quite a few sites, some more difficult to access. <BR> <BR>Here's one: Go to www.reuters.com <BR>click under "events topics" <BR>click "I am interested in....." <BR>click "news search" (under destinations) <BR>Red Ball "yahoo" <BR>Find: type "Norwegian Dream" <BR>click "search" <BR>You're in. <BR> <BR>I'm a very helpful travel agent. <BR> <BR>Paul <BR>
Sep 9th, 1999, 10:19 AM
#19
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Must say I enjoy reading what everyone has to say. But I think we all should remember that not everyone is going to like the same cruise. We've done many cruises and just got back from doing the Norway and we were more than pleased with our experience. The whole week went smoothly for us. Sure it's an older boat but we went into it knowing that. And by thinking that way, we were quite surprised that it was better than we expected. Best advice for all you folks is to read and write and then do more research. Also must address the so called "expert travel agents" out there. Not every cruise can go off without a hitch. The week before our cruise the Norway had a slight problem that was fixed and didn't affect us. And the people who were on it that week were given compensation for their troubles. Most lines go out of their way to make sure you have a happy week. And I applaud them all for that. You make it sound as if every cruise should be perfect. You say you are a travel agent huh? Well, I played little league baseball so does can I say I played in the Major Leagues
