cruisebie

In anticipation of our upcoming Getaway cruise I've been reading some recent CC reviews. I was surprised to read a few that said passengers who had the Ultimate Beverage Package still had the tips remaining on their onboard account after the drink purchase was removed. NCL's promotion clearly states, "When choosing this offer, we’ll also take care of the 18% gratuity that’s normally added to this package!" I'm confused, does NCL pay for the gratuity or do passengers?

:confused:

I saw those reviews also and in both cases they mentioned they had received the UDP as a booking perk. It sounded like they were pretty clear about being charged the gratuity for every drink. More info is needed to confirm, but it could be possible that NCL has decided to recoup the gratuities from those who haven't paid for the UDP.

I have the UDP on my next cruise and if this is the case, I won't be too upset as I planned on tipping the servers anyway. However, it's not what NCL originally said in their promo material.

That is so great to hear. I hope they have a wonderful cruise to make up all the stress of getting there. Do you know whether they booked their air through NCL or booked it on their own?

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Thanks for posting this and it will be nice to have this option as the UBP is now configured. It stands to reason that they are not going to put something in place that they will lose revenue they are now collecting. My guess is that we are about to see a lot more brands designated as "super premium" brands, making the price go above $11. I hope I'm wrong, but they way things are going recently, I fear I'm not.

I came away with this feeling as well.

 

 

 

I understand the importance of paying attention to revenue and the need to increase revenue and profits. But I sense a lack of integrity here. Rapid and significant changes. Very poor communication regarding these changes. Breakdown in public relations to a solid customer base. All in all, it does feel slimy.

 

 

 

When I walk on an NCL ship for my vacation, I want to have an overwhelming sense of trust about the company and its management. NCL has built up this trust in recent years and has spoken of and communicated a feeling of "we are all family" in its transactions with customers. I can feel this beginning to slip away. If this continues without some significant reparations soon, it will hurt NCL.

Thank you. This is exactly what I have been thinking, only you expressed it so much better than I ever could.

I realize I am very late to the party, but I would line to comment on the NCL convenience charge. The amount of this charge is not yet fleet wide and is yet to be determined. Thus the two different amounts being charged on two different ships.

 

 

 

Folks have complained for years about the lack of hot food, particularly on the breakfast menu. Guess what? NCL has responded and offered a menu with

 

hot food for breakfast. This does not come without some expense.

 

 

 

The old breakfast menu does not require rocket science to prepare. Basically, it is matter of producing toast, filling coffee carafes and placing cold items on a tray. The enhance menu requires a dedicated cooking staff to cook eggs and other items. That creates expense.

 

 

 

Also, if the ordered food is supposed to be hot when delivered, I presume it

 

will entail more personnel to deliver orders in a timely manner.

 

 

 

Basically, NCL is offering what pax requested. Some here think they are being ripped off.

Those who are past final payment probably do feel ripped off. When they booked their cruise, they did so knowing that room service was included in the price of their cruise. Suddenly, when they can no longer opt out of the cruise without financial penalty, NCL changes the terms of their cruise. The term bait and switch comes to mind.

To me, the fact that they are charging 2 different fees during the trial says that they haven't based this on the cost of preparing & serving the new RS menu. They are simply trying to find a price point that the public will accept. I would say most of these items are already being prepared for the MDR and buffet and it will just be a matter of plating and delivering them. Deliveries may not increase since the orders for coffee only orders will probably drop way down.

They could have been heroes and implemented this similar to the way Carnival has done it. That would have maintained a current free benefit and added extra options for those who wanted them, while still bringing extra revenue into NCL's coffers.

A 25% discount on a la carte restaurants with the UDP seems better than a 20% discount, so I think we're coming out ahead...or at least, we will if we have the UDP and take advantage of the discount at a la carte restaurants. The auto-gratuity is still no big deal to me, as I have always tipped at specialty restaurants.

 

Between the noodle bar now being free and a higher discount on a la carte dining, I'm not unhappy.

But is the noodle bar, in fact, free? If you look at the OP's post, the noodle bar is listed as one of those restaurants where UDP holders will receive a 25% discount after July 3, 2015.

Since the Illusionarium/Cirque show has been removed as free on the first night, the value of the additional 5% discount would have to exceed the benefit removed for me to feel I was coming out ahead or at least even. The additional discount at Ocean Blue would be around $1.95. If I take this as the average additional discount I would get by visiting any of the a la carte or specialities not included in UDP, I would have to eat there 21 times in 7 days to recoup the cost of the removed benefit. So I just don't believe it's possible to come out ahead on this.

Ultimate Dining Package

 

For Sailings on or after July 3rd, 2015

 

Reservations are not required for UDP guests, however, tables reserved onboard will be subject to availability for reservations made 24 hours in advance. We encourage you to log in to My NCL to make dining reservations in advance for specific night(s) of your cruise.

 

 

The phrase above concerns me, although the reservation process has has been in place for a while. Are they giving so many of the UDP packages away that they are having trouble accommodating everyone? There are a limited number of reservations available to be made online.

 

 

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NCL going for triple dipping?

I am wondering about that also. Is this just poorly worded (wouldn't be the first time) or is It ambiguously worded because they are planning on rolling out yet another surprise fee? It guess only time will tell.

Also wasn't it recently announced the noodle bar would now be complimentary? I see it listed at a 25% discount in the "after" announcement.

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Many posters have not noticed or are having a memory lapse regarding the BIG PICTURE.

 

 

 

Within 2 months of NCL buying Regent & Oceania cruise lines, NCL's CEO Sheehan made a surprise "I'm outta here" despite having just signed 3 year contract with bonuses to run the merged cruise lines. This is quickly followed by the firing of NCL's newly hired CEO Masden. In the short span of 3 months, Regent/Oceania's CEO, DelRio, moves up from heading the purchased subsidiary lines to running the mega merged lines.

 

 

 

In one of DelRio's first public discussions he announces he's is going to increase NCL's bottom line.

 

Within 2 months, he raises prices and cuts back product and services.

 

1. Increase Daily Service Charge

 

2. Decrease employee's covered by Daily Service Charge

 

3. Cut Back Platinum perk of comp dinner w/ wine a LeBistro for each member to one per cabin.

 

4. Removes employees from participation in Daily Service Charge when assigned to Specialty Restaurants.

 

5. Adds new 18% Service Charge to Specialty Restaurants.

 

6. Without warning, adds Room Service Convenience Charge.

 

7. Adds 18% Service Charge On top of new Room Convenience Charge.

 

 

 

and there appears there is no end in sight.

 

 

 

For those of you old enough to remember the great entertainer, Al Jolson, he had a saying after finishing his first song an evening's performance:

 

"You aint seen nothin, yet."

 

 

 

Hang On Folks. I think it's going to be a bumpy ride ......... and not from high seas.

Thank you for compiling this. I can think of a couple of additional items not mentioned.

1) The removal of the Illusionarium or Cirque show as a free offering on the first night for those who have UDP. This is a very significant downgrade in the value of the UDP.

2) The increase of bar gratuities to 18% and at the same time introducing new bar menus that are reportedly very limited in selections.

The way that many of these changes have been implemented concerns me as much as the changes themselves. It's as though when a thought strikes upper management concerning a new revenue stream or cost cutting measure, it is immediately trotted out on a whim without proper planning and without thought of how it will be perceived by customers. And when the inevitable backlash ensues, additional changes are made to explain the first changes (ie; the removal of specialty restaurant employees from the DSC). It may be that this is all part of some grand plan, but that is not how it appears to be functioning.

I'm a frequent on Carnival and am really starting to regret my decision to book NCL with all the drama going on. I can get a balcony on the Glory for the same price I am paying for an OV on the Getaway....and Glory has a better itinerary, Eastern with a stop at Half Moon Cay.

 

I think I'm calling them tomorrow and cancelling. I also got the "included UDP" special, but now I would still need to pay almost 20% for tips on top of the bundled tip that we pay at the end. That and having to pay room service every time I order a carafe of coffee seems to elevate the initial cost substantially. Yes, Getaway is a newer ship but Glory has all the 2.0 upgrades and I never had an issue with CCL service or food..so I think I'll be making a phone call tomorrow and staying with the line that I call "home".

The Glory was the first Carnival ship I cruised. I agree she Is a great ship. The Getaway is great also. I sailed the Getaway last October and recently booked again for this year. The crew on the Getaway was top notch. I don't think you will regret sailing on her.

If you have the included UDP, you won't be hit with the additional 18% gratuity in the specialty restaurants. It does stink about the RS charge. If you have a balcony or higher room, you should have a coffee maker in your cabin. Some have said you can ask your steward for one If you are in an ov or is.

Whichever ship you end up on, have a great cruise!

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I think some of you are missing the point of the OP's original post, which I took to be quite tongue in cheek.

Airfare for the Escape transatlantic has increased by £100,152. Ouch! NCL iS digging deep for that extra revenue.

Thanks for doing this poll. I hope that NCL listens to what their customers are saying.

I will not be using room service if there is a "convenience" fee attached.

Due to all the recent changes, I will be looking at options on other cruise lines for future cruises. And none of them will be managed by NCLH.

We also usually order only light breakfast items and coffee/milk. A couple of times DD has ordered something for dinner after a long port day. Definitely won't be doing that for an up charge of 7.95, or even 4.95 if that is where the "convenience" charge ends up.

I'm truly dismayed by these changes that have been instituted over the past week or two. I've always defended NCL when people said they "nickeled and dimed" their customers. Boy, do I have egg on my face now. Hope NCL doesn't try to charge me 7.95 + 18% gratuity for delivering that egg.

Does anyone know if other cruise lines charge for this service?

I would suggest going to the Ports of Call Board for Bermuda and asking this question there. When we went to Bermuda a couple of years ago, it was very easy to get off the ship and find a taxi tour to take you around the island. As I remember, they have a special decal or sign in their window that designates them as being certified to do give tours.

Bermuda is a beautiful place and very easy to get around. Have a great cruise.

Hello Getaway Experts-

 

I'm wondering if anyone could share feedback about staterooms on deck 14 on the Getaway? Any feedback regarding location and ease of access to other activities on the ship? Any feedback on ship movement/motion on deck 14? We'll be in 14746.

 

Any thoughts or feedback is appreciated...thanks in advance!

I was in 14142 on the port side last year. I didn't notice much movement, but that is not something that I am especially sensitive to. You will be near the forward elevators, so you will have easy access to get to the theatre, O'Sheehans, the atrium area and the like. Up one deck to 15 and you will be right at the entrance to the spa and also the pool deck. It's a bit of a haul to Spice H2O, but not too bad. Besides, a little walking balances out all that good food you will be having. It looks like you picked a good location.

LOL, I must have liked deck 14, I'm booked on that deck again this year. :)

Perhaps I wasn't clear. The cruise was advertised as a "Coastal Cruise" not. Repositioning cruise and the word repositioning was not used anywhere in the advertising. When it wAs booked it showed that Haven villas were eligible for all of the special offered IE room credit, 2nd 3rd guest free, free dining for two, room credit, free drinks for two, it wasn't until two days later we were notified that this was being classified as a repositioning cruise and the drink pCkage was being disallowed.

 

Had it been written or showed up on the exclusions that would have been different. As it was advised it was misleading. The cruise is for 5 days.

It looks like you are very unclear about what you booked. A quick look at the web site shows that you will receive:

3rd & 4th guests free (not 2nd & 3rd)

On board credit of $300 (you listed room credit twice)

Ultimate dining pkg for each person in your cabin

Air credit of of $200 (or $500 if you're booked in the garden villa)

Free gratuities for the first 2 people in your cabin

Even without the UBP, that it is a pretty impressive list of amenities for a 5 day cruise.

The cruise is listed on the NCL site as a 5 Day Pacific Coastal cruise. On NCL's web page advertising the Free Style Choice promotion, for the UBP, it clearly states "Not available on Hawaii, Panama Canal, Transatlantic or Pacific Coastal cruises". I don't see how this could be any clearer. It's not misleading at all.

If your TA is the one who told you that you would be getting the UBP, he or she is the one who mislead you, not NCL. They should have known this while they were in the process of booking for you. They could have stopped the booking and notified you then, giving you the option of moving to another cruise, if UBP was a deal breaker for you.

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I agree with what others have said. The problem here is incorrect information you received from your ta and not NCL's fault. You can verify this yourself by going to the NCL website and doing a mock booking for your cruise. When you do this, you will see that the UBP is not included as one of the freestyle choice promotions. I understand your frustration. It stinks to be told something is included and then be told it's not only days later. However, this is a problem that your ta needs to address for you.

Even without the UBP this is a pretty sweet deal. I hope you are able to put this issue to rest and enjoy your cruise.

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I think you did great. You may have traded off a little space in the cabin, but gained a large balcony with a great view. Deck 10 has the largest aft balconies. Enjoy your cruise!

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Hi all.. I would love some input on which H4 2 Bedroom Villa to choose?? I know I want to be on the 16th floor and do NOT want room 16722.

 

 

 

Which would you pick and why?

 

 

 

Thank you for any help!

Just curious why you don't want 16722? I may book this room category for a future cruise and was just wondering if there is something in particular to be avoided in this cabin.

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Thanks, WatchDiva! That is great to know. I'll just put a white noise app on my phone and the noise from the deck chairs will probably not even phase me. I sleep so much better on a cruise anyway!

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Yes. I was in a haven spa suite last Oct and there was a DVD player. There will also be a list of DVDs that the butler can bring you.

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Thank you for this info. It sounds like the noise issue isn't too overwhelming. I'll just download some kind of white noise app and hopefully will be good to go. As long as I'm on a cruise, I'm happy!

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I'm so excited to see a review about 16130. I have been thinking about switching to this cabin for my cruise next November for the longer balcony. I was worried about possible noise issues, though, given the location. How much were you bothered by it? Would you book this cabin again? Thanks for any insight you can give.

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Have a great cruise! The larger cabin sounds great and it will really handy being near 678 Ocean Place.

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The extra balcony space was very nice. I would point out that there is not much privacy on this balcony. You are right next to the public deck that angles out away from the ship a bit. I had several times where I would be out on the balcony and have somebody looking right at me from the public deck.

Thanks, chris6084. I saw a picture of the balcony on another cruise website and I thought there would be a lack of privacy. Did you feel the trade off between privacy and the longer balcony was worth it?

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