Has NCL lost the plot?

I agree somewhat. I can see it on the Prima class ships, but the prices are ridiculous on the older ships as well. Excessive gratuities, less service, poorer food quality. I used to consider cruising a great value but that advantage is shrinking quickly.

Yea, I agree.

Even MCL has gone after the market that was held by the other lines. That's one of the reason we are giving them a chance. We will be having a whole family event on the chosen cruise and we will be bring 3 kids under 6.

For certain routes I will chose Princess and for others I will take NCL. depending on where we want to travel.

All cruise lines are either upping prices or cutting deliverables or in many cases a bit of both. It is that or they go under. The old sink or swim adage is very much play here with the cruise lines. If you follow NCL and have been watching their changes it is clear that they are no longer chasing the same demographics (families and cheap cruises) as Carnival and RCL and have decided to try to appeal more to the more affluent by offering less short cruises and more longer cruises which are less family / kid friendly. They have discovered there is a large niche market for this and they believe this is a more profitable demographic to chase. They have moved away from the over sized mega ships and actually have increased the amount of public space per passenger on their newer ships. They are trying to separate themselves from the general masses. Some will not like this and look elsewhere but this will definitely appeal to others. They see this as their future direction and have tied themselves to this plan.

Great topic.

My son took his 2 girls and his wife on a Disney cruise recently, Yes, he was aware of all the little charges that were to come out out his daughters playing a princess..... I will be sailing on MCL next year for a family cruise. I expect that even with the "packages" there will be a host of extra charges.

We are regular cruisers on Princess with NCL the second choice. I have Casino perks on Princess and we kinda like the style.

I hope MCL is just as good. However, I can see the extra charges and fees increasing, just to increase the profit margin, like any big business, the bottom line is the the whole reason for existence.

Total agreement with you both. It seems, after COVID, any passenger was a good passenger. THEN, the extras (drinks, WiFi, specialty dinners, plus) starting showing up as a package add-ons --- and cruisers bought them. (yes, I am guilty).

The add-ons meant greater revenue for the cruise lines. All are guilty, yet the additions are being purchased by many. Shifting cruise lines means you start at the bottom again. I do not think any one cruise line offers non-increasing packages. If I am wrong, someone correct me.

I plan on staying with my cruise line of choice, and only deviating for a specific cruise, a family cruise (they are all Carnival), or a free cruise (lol).

Happy cruising to all, in spite of the new increased charges. Avast, Matey - all ahead flank !!

I apears many lines are cutting corners, raising prices, raising standard gratuities, and /or cutting back on services. They were getting by when they first restarted after the shutdown, without too many complaints. Cruisers were very understanding of the situation. However, it seems (to me) that they decided they could get by with less and decide to stick with it. Sad to say, we may just have to decide is it still worth it. New cruisers haven't experienced the before, so may not find it as lacking as seasoned cruisers do.