On March 6, 2019, my husband, Bill and I cruised on the NCL Pearl out of Tampa, FL. Joining us on the cruise was my brother-in-law and his new wife. This was to have been a time for the four of us to relax and to enjoy each other’s company, eat good food and enjoy good entertainment. We were excited to get away! Unfortunately this turned out to be the worst vacation experience of our lives.

I have waited to write this letter until I could convey my thoughts and feelings devoid of the anger and disappointment I felt at the end of the cruise. I want this letter to inform and enlighten rather than just rail at the inadequacies of the cruise. However, it is difficult even now after sixteen days to put perspective on our very bad experience.

Admittedly this was a last minute booking and by the time we decided to book the mini suites were no longer available so we settled for family balcony rooms that cost more than the sale price for the mini suites. We booked and thought that was that but within days we received emails saying we could make bids to upgrade our rooms. The problem was we couldn’t because it wouldn’t guarantee that both couples would get the upgrade. This coupled with the idea that we would now pay even more money for the mini suites (that were not available when we booked) was pretty crass. This bidding program is just ugly and beneath NCL. It really makes NCL stand out as a cheap cruise line. Read more