Room service and to go food

The computer can be set up to not charge for room service for passengers that booked the change. It is not much different than ordering drinks when you have the alcohol package. Passengers that don't have the package are charged for the drink and others are not.

 

P.S. punkincc, still trying to figure out how you are thinking in terms of picking up plates in a restaurant vs. picking up plates all over the ship that are left outside of the door being the "same". NCL ships are large - try to envision walking from one end of the ship to the other on deck. Does it still seem the same as walking around a restaurant? I truly do not get it.

While I am sure the ships can sort out who has UBP, UDP, etc, because they are Popmos, or perks you have purchased, like excursions and dinner reservations! I doubt they have info in your record to indicate what the policies were at the time you booked as far as the room service charges, etc. Since RS fees are being instated currently, I would think NCL would already have sent emails to passengers if they had any intention of grandfathering anyone. They have no such intention.

As far as the pickup of plates "all over the ship" and how this is the same as in a restaurant? I never said it was.

Let me see if I can make this clear. NCL has said that you can eat in your cabin, because they offer room service. This entails plates, trays, etc. If they do not want to pick up these trays all over the ship outside doors, then they should eliminate room service and save themselves the work. Or tell the room stewards they are to transport the trays to a central pick up station for pickup. Simple. If I order room service, it creates 1 plate. If instead, I walk back a plate from the buffet, it creates 1 plate. Tell me what the difference is aside from a $7.95 fee to NCL? There is none. I am not sure what you are referring to in terms of not understanding my statement. I pointed out that we have already paid for complimentary food in our cruise fare. We have also paid the tips to the staff who are involved in providing the service associated with this food through the DSC. I simply asked what is the difference between giving me said food at a table somewhere, or in my cabin. Yes, the cabins are all over the ship, but if this is such a major chore and expense, then why not just eliminate it altogether? The answer is that they want the fee, and they do not want us to avoid the fee, thus room service remains an option with a fee, and carryouts are banned.

We have been led to believe that the DSC is the major portion of the crew's wages, so if NCL can give the DSC away as a booking perk, they could surely enlarge the crew to take care of the existing problems, couldn't they ??

 

They must be making lots of money to give away the biggest portion of the "onboard revenue producing items (DSC UDP UBP etc.

Each ship is designed to carry only so many crew members so there is an upper limit to how many crew can be added to any individual ship (at least without loosing passenger space in the process). I am not sure that I fully understand Del Rio's business model but do understand that he wants to encourage people to book early to avoid having to drastically cut fares to fill ships prior to sailings.

While I am sure the ships can sort out who has UBP, UDP, etc, because they are Popmos, or perks you have purchased, like excursions and dinner reservations! I doubt they have info in your record to indicate what the policies were at the time you booked as far as the room service charges, etc. Since RS fees are being instated currently, I would think NCL would already have sent emails to passengers if they had any intention of grandfathering anyone. They have no such intention.

 

As far as the pickup of plates "all over the ship" and how this is the same as in a restaurant? I never said it was.

 

Let me see if I can make this clear. NCL has said that you can eat in your cabin, because they offer room service. This entails plates, trays, etc. If they do not want to pick up these trays all over the ship outside doors, then they should eliminate room service and save themselves the work. Or tell the room stewards they are to transport the trays to a central pick up station for pickup. Simple. If I order room service, it creates 1 plate. If instead, I walk back a plate from the buffet, it creates 1 plate. Tell me what the difference is aside from a $7.95 fee to NCL? There is none. I am not sure what you are referring to in terms of not understanding my statement. I pointed out that we have already paid for complimentary food in our cruise fare. We have also paid the tips to the staff who are involved in providing the service associated with this food through the DSC. I simply asked what is the difference between giving me said food at a table somewhere, or in my cabin. Yes, the cabins are all over the ship, but if this is such a major chore and expense, then why not just eliminate it altogether? The answer is that they want the fee, and they do not want us to avoid the fee, thus room service remains an option with a fee, and carryouts are banned.

Okay -- we definitely do not see eye to eye on this subject. NCL staff know which cabins have room service orders and therefore know where the trays/plates need to be picked up. If you take food to your cabin on your own, either the remains are put in the hallway or in your cabin. The crew have no idea that there are dishes, etc. that need to be picked up. The only way they can figure it out is to walk the decks to pick up plates or check every cabin -- just in case there is something to be picked up. In most cabins, there probably isn't so they wasted their time. This takes time and needs extra crew to perform this task.

In terms of the fee for room service, this may be a way of getting money (as others call it - a "money grab") because room service has been unlimited and may be taken advantage of.

One thing that no one seems to address is children/teens (anyone under the age of 18). Up until now, they have had the ability to order anything from room service - as many times as they wish at no charge. IMO, children are the group most likely to abuse this privilege - not because they want to abuse it but simply because they do not understand what is involved in ordering a hamburger 20 minutes after their sibling ordered a sandwich. Then, a bit later, they may want dessert and will again order room service.

When children are permitted to take food from the buffet, they are also the passengers most likely to spill their food on the floor (needing even more constant cleaning than already exists on the ships). They are also the passengers most likely to eat their food somewhere around the ship (other than the pool deck or cabin) and leave plates around as they cannot see a logical place to put them.

This really is not a simple or black and white issue. Having a room service fee should control the over-use of room service (perhaps this will not happen until someone's children order room service 3+ times and their parents see the bill).

Posters on this thread are aware of how they handle room service and "take-out" food but are not considering the whole picture or how other passengers may be abusing this privilege.

By putting some of the new policies in place, NCL is positioning itself to provide better service for all passengers. Room service should be faster (meaning the food will probably arrive hot) because passengers are not taking advantage of "free" room service.

It is more difficult to talk about "take-out" food. If only some adults were taking dessert or food from a specialty restaurant because their child was acting up and they felt that they had to leave, it would not be an issue. If some adult passengers wanted to have a snack on their balcony, it would also not be much of an issue. However, having children and adults randomly carrying food around the ship is an issue.

To me, it sounds like some things on NCL were a bit out of control (including having too many children in the pool when the poor child drowned and having more children in some of the programs than can safely be accommodated in the space.) The new management, IMO, is not only looking at increasing their profits but the safety and the experience of their guests.

Obviously, most posters on this thread will not agree with me but my view is an "outsiders" view and sometimes we can see things that passengers that are affected by the changes cannot see. In six months, when some NCL passengers have gone on to other cruise lines and new cruisers have tried NCL, I predict that their experience will be more positive than in the past. The food should be improved, the service should be improved and, thankfully, the safety of the guests will finally be a top priority.

Each ship is designed to carry only so many crew members so there is an upper limit to how many crew can be added to any individual ship (at least without loosing passenger space in the process). I am not sure that I fully understand Del Rio's business model but do understand that he wants to encourage people to book early to avoid having to drastically cut fares to fill ships prior to sailings.

If money is not a problem, and if space is the only problem, it seems that the solution is proper use of the manpower they have.

The problems that have recently cropped up have not been problems in the past, so it should then fall upon managements shoulders to properly manage their personnel.

Del Rio NEEDS to get the ships filled and NEEDS to keep the rates up in order to meet the demands of the creditors who are financing the "ship buying spree" that NCL has committed to. When the last two Breakaway class ships are delivered, NCL will have to come up with 75 million Euros semi-annually for twelve years just to meet their obligations for those two ships. I haven't seen the figures for the ships now in service or the ones that will be delivered before those I mentioned.

Okay -- we definitely do not see eye to eye on this subject. NCL staff know which cabins have room service orders and therefore know where the trays/plates need to be picked up. If you take food to your cabin on your own, either the remains are put in the hallway or in your cabin. The crew have no idea that there are dishes, etc. that need to be picked up. The only way they can figure it out is to walk the decks to pick up plates or check every cabin -- just in case there is something to be picked up. In most cabins, there probably isn't so they wasted their time. This takes time and needs extra crew to perform this task.

 

In terms of the fee for room service, this may be a way of getting money (as others call it - a "money grab") because room service has been unlimited and may be taken advantage of.

 

One thing that no one seems to address is children/teens (anyone under the age of 18). Up until now, they have had the ability to order anything from room service - as many times as they wish at no charge. IMO, children are the group most likely to abuse this privilege - not because they want to abuse it but simply because they do not understand what is involved in ordering a hamburger 20 minutes after their sibling ordered a sandwich. Then, a bit later, they may want dessert and will again order room service.

 

When children are permitted to take food from the buffet, they are also the passengers most likely to spill their food on the floor (needing even more constant cleaning than already exists on the ships). They are also the passengers most likely to eat their food somewhere around the ship (other than the pool deck or cabin) and leave plates around as they cannot see a logical place to put them.

 

This really is not a simple or black and white issue. Having a room service fee should control the over-use of room service (perhaps this will not happen until someone's children order room service 3+ times and their parents see the bill).

 

Posters on this thread are aware of how they handle room service and "take-out" food but are not considering the whole picture or how other passengers may be abusing this privilege.

 

By putting some of the new policies in place, NCL is positioning itself to provide better service for all passengers. Room service should be faster (meaning the food will probably arrive hot) because passengers are not taking advantage of "free" room service.

 

It is more difficult to talk about "take-out" food. If only some adults were taking dessert or food from a specialty restaurant because their child was acting up and they felt that they had to leave, it would not be an issue. If some adult passengers wanted to have a snack on their balcony, it would also not be much of an issue. However, having children and adults randomly carrying food around the ship is an issue.

 

To me, it sounds like some things on NCL were a bit out of control (including having too many children in the pool when the poor child drowned and having more children in some of the programs than can safely be accommodated in the space.) The new management, IMO, is not only looking at increasing their profits but the safety and the experience of their guests.

 

Obviously, most posters on this thread will not agree with me but my view is an "outsiders" view and sometimes we can see things that passengers that are affected by the changes cannot see. In six months, when some NCL passengers have gone on to other cruise lines and new cruisers have tried NCL, I predict that their experience will be more positive than in the past. The food should be improved, the service should be improved and, thankfully, the safety of the guests will finally be a top priority.

I believe I can help cut out some of the "fluff" and describe why the food and plates have become a problem.

Taking the Star as an example, the ship is rated as being full with 2346 guests and 1083 crew. That has worked for many years without major problems.

Recently, management has decided to offer promos that range from "kids sail free" to "friends and family sail free" This can swell the number of guests to around 4100.

Because of managements desire to cram as many people on this ship as they can legally do, they have created the problem with the dishes and trays and are now demanding the guests fix it for them.

Okay -- we definitely do not see eye to eye on this subject. NCL staff know which cabins have room service orders and therefore know where the trays/plates need to be picked up. If you take food to your cabin on your own, either the remains are put in the hallway or in your cabin. The crew have no idea that there are dishes, etc. that need to be picked up. The only way they can figure it out is to walk the decks to pick up plates or check every cabin -- just in case there is something to be picked up. In most cabins, there probably isn't so they wasted their time. This takes time and needs extra crew to perform this task.

 

In terms of the fee for room service, this may be a way of getting money (as others call it - a "money grab") because room service has been unlimited and may be taken advantage of.

 

One thing that no one seems to address is children/teens (anyone under the age of 18). Up until now, they have had the ability to order anything from room service - as many times as they wish at no charge. IMO, children are the group most likely to abuse this privilege - not because they want to abuse it but simply because they do not understand what is involved in ordering a hamburger 20 minutes after their sibling ordered a sandwich. Then, a bit later, they may want dessert and will again order room service.

 

When children are permitted to take food from the buffet, they are also the passengers most likely to spill their food on the floor (needing even more constant cleaning than already exists on the ships). They are also the passengers most likely to eat their food somewhere around the ship (other than the pool deck or cabin) and leave plates around as they cannot see a logical place to put them.

 

This really is not a simple or black and white issue. Having a room service fee should control the over-use of room service (perhaps this will not happen until someone's children order room service 3+ times and their parents see the bill).

 

Posters on this thread are aware of how they handle room service and "take-out" food but are not considering the whole picture or how other passengers may be abusing this privilege.

 

By putting some of the new policies in place, NCL is positioning itself to provide better service for all passengers. Room service should be faster (meaning the food will probably arrive hot) because passengers are not taking advantage of "free" room service.

 

It is more difficult to talk about "take-out" food. If only some adults were taking dessert or food from a specialty restaurant because their child was acting up and they felt that they had to leave, it would not be an issue. If some adult passengers wanted to have a snack on their balcony, it would also not be much of an issue. However, having children and adults randomly carrying food around the ship is an issue.

 

To me, it sounds like some things on NCL were a bit out of control (including having too many children in the pool when the poor child drowned and having more children in some of the programs than can safely be accommodated in the space.) The new management, IMO, is not only looking at increasing their profits but the safety and the experience of their guests.

 

Obviously, most posters on this thread will not agree with me but my view is an "outsiders" view and sometimes we can see things that passengers that are affected by the changes cannot see. In six months, when some NCL passengers have gone on to other cruise lines and new cruisers have tried NCL, I predict that their experience will be more positive than in the past. The food should be improved, the service should be improved and, thankfully, the safety of the guests will finally be a top priority.

How in the world can someone abuse a privilege? How do they handle room service on Oceania and Regent since you've experience on those lines? Your last paragraph has many assumptions that may or may not pan out, but I am sure that Del Rio is hoping they do.

they have created the problem with the dishes and trays and are now demanding the guests fix it for them.

They created the problem with dishes and trays when they needed to justify their cockamamie policy.

They created the problem with dishes and trays when they needed to justify their cockamamie policy.

Not NCL nor its employees create the problem with dirty dishes in the hallways. The passengers who eat in their rooms do.

NCL is simply asking those guests who create the problem and the extra work to help pay for it.

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Not NCL nor its employees create the problem with dirty dishes in the hallways. The passengers who eat in their rooms do.

NCL is simply asking those guests who create the problem and the extra work to help pay for it.

 

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I'm already paying for it, as are all passengers, through the payment of the service charge we pay daily. There are no indications anywhere that the crew sees any of the $7.95 delivery fee, so how exactly are the crew being compensated for all of that extra work?

Again, this is only a problem because NCL needed an excuse and justification for the policy they developed. If this were truly a problem the fix would be to advise passengers through signs in the cabin, language on the room service menu or whatever telling them to leave all dirty dishes in the cabin.

(I am not sure if I've posted this to this thread or another but it bears repeating- the last time we used room service we left the trays in the cabin. The next morning when we returned to the cabin after it was made up the trays were in the hallway. WE did not put them there so is it really the passengers creating the extra work in every instance? Based on my experience I would say no.)

I'm already paying for it, as are all passengers, through the payment of the service charge we pay daily. There are no indications anywhere that the crew sees any of the $7.95 delivery fee, so how exactly are the crew being compensated for all of that extra work?

 

 

 

Again, this is only a problem because NCL needed an excuse and justification for the policy they developed. If this were truly a problem the fix would be to advise passengers through signs in the cabin, language on the room service menu or whatever telling them to leave all dirty dishes in the cabin.

 

 

 

(I am not sure if I've posted this to this thread or another but it bears repeating- the last time we used room service we left the trays in the cabin. The next morning when we returned to the cabin after it was made up the trays were in the hallway. WE did not put them there so is it really the passengers creating the extra work in every instance? Based on my experience I would say no.)

The room steward probably put it out for another crewmember to pick up. This is unfortunate but it's on every cruise line, it seems. The free room service is funded by the DSC but it shouldn't be once there is a room service charge and the RS staff should receive most of that $7.95 since their tips will disappear when people have to pay for RS.

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The room steward probably put it out for another crewmember to pick up. This is unfortunate but it's on every cruise line, it seems. The free room service is funded by the DSC but it shouldn't be once there is a room service charge and the RS staff should receive most of that $7.95 since their tips will disappear when people have to pay for RS.

 

 

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What should be and what is are two completely different animals. NCL has published a load of codswallop regarding the reasons for the new fee and policy, it's as simple as that.

Could someone show me where NCL mentioned the plates in the halls? I know posters have, but don't remember NCL specifically saying plates in the hallways.

Could someone show me where NCL mentioned the plates in the halls? I know posters have, but don't remember NCL specifically saying plates in the hallways.

They haven't because it is not a real problem.

Could someone show me where NCL mentioned the plates in the halls? I know posters have, but don't remember NCL specifically saying plates in the hallways.

Post #524 on this thread, from SissasMomE, reports on a Facebook post from a person who received a reply from NCL COO Stuart to his/her email complaining about the policy. http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showpost.php?p=46527465&postcount=524. In the email Stuart allegedly stated:

Hi, thanks for your note. We do not charge for coffee and continental breakfast to be delivered by room service. In addition I feel strongly that the change asking guests not to bring food back to their rooms from restaurants is a good one. As we walk around the ship and see spills from food that guests are carrying and multiple plates and food waste littering the corridors, it is not a clean and pristine environment. The difference with room service is that it is our team delivering it - if they spill something they clear it up immediately. They also know where food has been delivered and they go back to get empty trays as part of their routine. At the same time as we have made this change we have changed the Asian restaurant from having a cover charge to being included across the fleet. I understand not everyone is going to love every change, but our focus is on quality and raising the quality of the experience across our fleet. You will see a huge investment coming from us in both the hardware and the software. Please have faith that everything we are doing is to increase our guest satisfaction and repeat rate. Apologies for the long response - but I am very passionate about this. regards. Andy

Post #524 on this thread, from SissasMomE, reports on a Facebook post from a person who received a reply from NCL COO Stuart to his/her email complaining about the policy. http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showpost.php?p=46527465&postcount=524. In the email Stuart allegedly stated:

 

Hi, thanks for your note. We do not charge for coffee and continental breakfast to be delivered by room service. In addition I feel strongly that the change asking guests not to bring food back to their rooms from restaurants is a good one. As we walk around the ship and see spills from food that guests are carrying and multiple plates and food waste littering the corridors, it is not a clean and pristine environment. The difference with room service is that it is our team delivering it - if they spill something they clear it up immediately. They also know where food has been delivered and they go back to get empty trays as part of their routine. At the same time as we have made this change we have changed the Asian restaurant from having a cover charge to being included across the fleet. I understand not everyone is going to love every change, but our focus is on quality and raising the quality of the experience across our fleet. You will see a huge investment coming from us in both the hardware and the software. Please have faith that everything we are doing is to increase our guest satisfaction and repeat rate. Apologies for the long response - but I am very passionate about this. regards. Andy

Post #524 on this thread, from SissasMomE, reports on a Facebook post from a person who received a reply from NCL COO Stuart to his/her email complaining about the policy. http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showpost.php?p=46527465&postcount=524. In the email Stuart allegedly stated:

 

Hi, thanks for your note. We do not charge for coffee and continental breakfast to be delivered by room service. In addition I feel strongly that the change asking guests not to bring food back to their rooms from restaurants is a good one. As we walk around the ship and see spills from food that guests are carrying and multiple plates and food waste littering the corridors, it is not a clean and pristine environment. The difference with room service is that it is our team delivering it - if they spill something they clear it up immediately. They also know where food has been delivered and they go back to get empty trays as part of their routine. At the same time as we have made this change we have changed the Asian restaurant from having a cover charge to being included across the fleet. I understand not everyone is going to love every change, but our focus is on quality and raising the quality of the experience across our fleet. You will see a huge investment coming from us in both the hardware and the software. Please have faith that everything we are doing is to increase our guest satisfaction and repeat rate. Apologies for the long response - but I am very passionate about this. regards. Andy

So as long as it's room service's trays in the hallways...it's a clean and pristine environment. Got it ;)

It's all about the new room service charge...a new income budget line item for NCL. Follow the money..if there wasn't anything in it for NCL, they wouldn't implement this policy.

All this chatter is pure spin...justification...painting the target around the bullseye.

Post #524 on this thread, from SissasMomE, reports on a Facebook post from a person who received a reply from NCL COO Stuart to his/her email complaining about the policy. http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showpost.php?p=46527465&postcount=524. In the email Stuart allegedly stated:

 

Hi, thanks for your note. We do not charge for coffee and continental breakfast to be delivered by room service. In addition I feel strongly that the change asking guests not to bring food back to their rooms from restaurants is a good one. As we walk around the ship and see spills from food that guests are carrying and multiple plates and food waste littering the corridors, it is not a clean and pristine environment. The difference with room service is that it is our team delivering it - if they spill something they clear it up immediately. They also know where food has been delivered and they go back to get empty trays as part of their routine. At the same time as we have made this change we have changed the Asian restaurant from having a cover charge to being included across the fleet. I understand not everyone is going to love every change, but our focus is on quality and raising the quality of the experience across our fleet. You will see a huge investment coming from us in both the hardware and the software. Please have faith that everything we are doing is to increase our guest satisfaction and repeat rate. Apologies for the long response - but I am very passionate about this. regards. Andy

You can't please everyone all of the time, only some people some of the time. Since I like Asian food and I don't use room service, this time, I am one of the people that is pleased.

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So as long as it's room service's trays in the hallways...it's a clean and pristine environment. Got it ;)

No, no. As long as it's $7.95 room service trays, it's a clean and pristine environment. It's the free room service trays that were such a mess. ;)

No, no. As long as it's $7.95 room service trays, it's a clean and pristine environment. It's the free room service trays that were such a mess. ;)

The $7.95 room service trays are better. There will be fewer of them.

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The $7.95 room service trays are better. There will be fewer of them.

 

 

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It begs the question; if there are fewer staff because of fewer orders, won't the trays sit in the halls longer before anyone is on duty to collect them?

This is known as punting the problem.

If it were truly a problem, as others have suggested signs would be the appropriate first step. The simple solution if that was the problem is if they tell their employees to pick it up if they see it. No specialized persons going around looking just for dishes. If it is dirty clean it up.

How in the world can someone abuse a privilege? How do they handle room service on Oceania and Regent since you've experience on those lines? Your last paragraph has many assumptions that may or may not pan out, but I am sure that Del Rio is hoping they do.

IMO, you abuse a privilege when you order room service multiple times a day. In terms of Oceania and Regent - they have different policies. Regent is all-inclusive - there is no "class" system - whether you are in the largest suite or the smallest, everyone is treated the same once you walk outside of your suite. So, you can order room service 24/7 and can order from the MDR during the hours they are open. Since there are rarely children on Regent (only during the summer or school breaks), there is no issue of children acting up in a restaurant and having to leave. Plates are left in your room to be picked up. We only have ordered room service when our excursion gets back late. We have not noticed anyone taking food back to their room (usually we are too full to even think about it).

Oceania has a slight difference in room service - depending upon the cabin level you are in. Lower categories can only order a cold breakfast while "concierge level" guests can order a hot breakfast. There is no charge. Again, no plates in the hallways or food being carried around. Again, few children so it is difficult to compare with NCL.

Back to NCL. Since I have not sailed NCL I am learning a lot from reading posts. It is the passengers that post about plates, etc. in the hallways. Some posters have seen this and others apparently have not. It sounds as if it was a real problem on one ship. One poster (not sure which thread) indicated that plates were left in the library. IMO, it is impossible for children in particular to carry plates of food from a restaurant to their room without many of them having spills. It isn't that they want to spill food, it just happens. After all, they need to balance the plate, go into and out of an elevator, open the door to the room, etc. This can be a challenge - even for some adults. So, in addition to extra plates around the ship, more cleaning of carpets is necessary when passengers carry plates of food around. Obviously, this issue is not as big if you carry a box of cereal, fruit or other small items.

I did say that the new room service fee sounds like a way to make money for NCL. Rather than raising fares that affects everyone, this fee only affects people that order room service (beyond the continental breakfast). It also will reduce the number of room service calls and will enable the staff to get room service orders to you faster and while it is still hot.

It is understandable that the new policies create problems for some passengers. Some people want to order room service while others want to take food back to their rooms and the option to do this is becoming limited.

Rumor has it that NCL food and service is going to improve. It will be interesting to see how this plays out over the next 6 months. BTW, has anyone learned if you have to pay the room service fee if you order a beverage?

Who cares how many staff they have or how they pay their staff. When I go shopping at Walmart, eat at Mc Donald's or similar food places, or pay for something online I could care less what the company does with their money and how much staff the need to run their operation. I am just there to get what I need. If You don't like what a company is doing then go somewhere else. Everyone thinks they run NCL and know how they should run their business. If you don't like their new policies go somewhere else. Mc Donald's didn't send out emails or notices when they raised their prices of their value meals and extra charges for additional BBQ sauce packets etc. This topic has been wayyyyy over blown.

IMO, you abuse a privilege when you order room service multiple times a day. In terms of Oceania and Regent - they have different policies. Regent is all-inclusive - there is no "class" system - whether you are in the largest suite or the smallest, everyone is treated the same once you walk outside of your suite. So, you can order room service 24/7 and can order from the MDR during the hours they are open. Since there are rarely children on Regent (only during the summer or school breaks), there is no issue of children acting up in a restaurant and having to leave. Plates are left in your room to be picked up. We only have ordered room service when our excursion gets back late. We have not noticed anyone taking food back to their room (usually we are too full to even think about it).

 

Oceania has a slight difference in room service - depending upon the cabin level you are in. Lower categories can only order a cold breakfast while "concierge level" guests can order a hot breakfast. There is no charge. Again, no plates in the hallways or food being carried around. Again, few children so it is difficult to compare with NCL.

 

Back to NCL. Since I have not sailed NCL I am learning a lot from reading posts. It is the passengers that post about plates, etc. in the hallways. Some posters have seen this and others apparently have not. It sounds as if it was a real problem on one ship. One poster (not sure which thread) indicated that plates were left in the library. IMO, it is impossible for children in particular to carry plates of food from a restaurant to their room without many of them having spills. It isn't that they want to spill food, it just happens. After all, they need to balance the plate, go into and out of an elevator, open the door to the room, etc. This can be a challenge - even for some adults. So, in addition to extra plates around the ship, more cleaning of carpets is necessary when passengers carry plates of food around. Obviously, this issue is not as big if you carry a box of cereal, fruit or other small items.

 

I did say that the new room service fee sounds like a way to make money for NCL. Rather than raising fares that affects everyone, this fee only affects people that order room service (beyond the continental breakfast). It also will reduce the number of room service calls and will enable the staff to get room service orders to you faster and while it is still hot.

 

It is understandable that the new policies create problems for some passengers. Some people want to order room service while others want to take food back to their rooms and the option to do this is becoming limited.

 

Rumor has it that NCL food and service is going to improve. It will be interesting to see how this plays out over the next 6 months. BTW, has anyone learned if you have to pay the room service fee if you order a beverage?

IMO if a service is offered as part of a fare there can be no abuse of the service since it has been paid for. I have seen plates in the hallways but they've never been there for long and I have never seen a child carrying a plate outside of the buffet. In any event the two things I object to the most is being told I can't take food to my cabin from elsewhere on the ship and being lied to about the rationale behind the policy change.

Who cares how many staff they have or how they pay their staff. When I go shopping at Walmart, eat at Mc Donald's or similar food places, or pay for something online I could care less what the company does with their money and how much staff the need to run their operation. I am just there to get what I need. If You don't like what a company is doing then go somewhere else. Everyone thinks they run NCL and know how they should run their business. If you don't like their new policies go somewhere else. Mc Donald's didn't send out emails or notices when they raised their prices of their value meals and extra charges for additional BBQ sauce packets etc. This topic has been wayyyyy over blown.

And no one is paying thousands of dollars in advance for a meal at Mcdonalds. Poor analogy in my opinion. Why do people keep saying"just go somewhere else" when many people have already paid for their cruise?

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