Warm-Water Diver

FDR, Mr. Sommer. Bird; It really doesn't matter who's name is at the helm, what matters to me is what they're sheepishly doing behind their customers backs, all in the name of maximizing revenue at any cost. FDR started the whole NiCkeL and diming and it appears that Mr. Harry is continuing that trend. I thought I've read a recent post that stated you've ordered multiple apps etc. at the Specialties however were never charged for the extra items (you replied that you just pay the extra charges)? Maybe I'm mistaken. Just to confirm I'm not really complaining about the "up" charges for select cuts of steak or other entree as I never have and never will pay extra for those items; that is a completely separate issue. I simply wont order the specialty items. I'm standing by my humble opinion, there's no way NCL should expect me to now limit my specialty restaurant items, restrict the number of items in each menu category (1,1,1) or pay extra for the those items that I've normally received at no charge, when I originally paid for these packages in full (extra SDP plans, upgraded SDP plans etc) without these restrictions 6 months ago (T&C had 0 restrictions regarding multiple apps etc for FAS and SDP packages other than the usual only 1 entree permitted; perfectly fine with that one). The issue is exacerbated with the ironic and timely "shrinking" of multiple appetizers and sides. I also have a hard time believing "anyone" would be happy with paying $3 for a mere slice of Zucchini. Just pointing out that it seems I am not alone in my opinion from the responses within the thread..

Spot On! I'm not taking the "it's the cruisers' fault" crap... 🙂

Yep the Tomahawk WAS my favorite steak but alas that was cut awhile ago. And I agree completely. Paying +20 for a porterhouse on top of the already paid for SDP charge + mandatory gratuity charge, ah that'd be a hard no.

I love food, not sweets so much. So for me I enjoyed several appetizers, not one of each item on the menu, just a few. I rarely eat soup/salad because I have that often at home. And I almost NEVER order dessert. So see it isn't that I'm actually eating more food and costing NCL more $$, it's really about the lack of being to be able to order what I prefer. NCL updating the T&C to just 111 is just infuriating and really does not work for me and is going to be a major cog in my book for future NCL cruises.

Completely agree European Cruise Gal; that just adds insult to injury! NCL clearly does not care about past guests or future cruisers. Bottom line all they care about is "Revenue" which is a dangerous thing to play when us cruisers have many other choices besides giving our hard earned $$ to NCL. FDR and co better wake up and smell the coffee before it's too late...

Curious if anyone agrees with me that this latest change is a complete blow beneath the belt? The ala carte prices are at all time highs and then they update the T&C on the main website, yet didn't communicate this important update to customers that have already purchased cruises in addition to the upgraded SDP meals along with separately purchased SDP packages for guests 3 and 4. This will have a huge impact on our overall bill for our upcoming Jan 22nd cruise by itself. Then there's the added punch that they have downsized all the appetizer and other meal portions via their "sail and sustain" excuse. Check out a recent cruise where a $9 sides charge for Zucchini resulted in 3 whole pieces! What a disgrace. That comes out to $3 per slice! What a complete bait and switch! I think this is a completely sleezy way to treat past guests and future cruisers. So far I've been in the middle with all the changes including increased gratuities, ala carte menu items, decrease of included spirits/liquors on the UBP etc. but I am well beyond upset with this latest NiCkeL and dime change!

I've read that AT&T has sold their network to Liberty in the USVI. I've also read that as long as you are roaming off the Liberty signal there would be no charge and is included for now. Some users state that they were charged went they switched to a tower off local nearby BVIs which are very close to STT in many areas on the island. Main question: Does the latest iPhones let you know what tower/carrier-signal you are connected to when roaming?? If not I see a major problem in not knowing who you're connected too and getting a big cellular/data bill when you return back to the states from your cruise.

Wow this is NOT OK in the least bit!!!! One of the reasons I switched to NCL cruises almost 20 years ago was the fact they introduced the specialty restaurants. Be as it is now the ALA CARTE prices are similar and in some cases much higher than we can get/pay for fine dining restaurants in the US. They have slowly raised the prices of each and every menu item through the years but this would be the nail in the coffin for me. I LOVE appetizers, sometimes more than the actual entree so I've always ordered multiple apps in the specialties, sometimes 3 or 4. I usually don't order salad/soup and sometimes even waive my dessert if I'm already full. Restricting the perks that we've earned in addition to the "EXTRA" paid specialty meals is just ABOVE AND BEYOND the "NiCkeL and diming" approach that they've adopted since FDR has been at the helm. I will ordering multiple apps on my upcoming Encore cruise (Jan 22) and if I get charged for any of them, just might be the las NCL cruise for me... Sadly, if people keep booking with them and putting up with the cuts, they will continue to take things away. 😞

" I think the $10 tenderloin upcharge at Le Bistro may be related to the foie gras? The extra charge does not appear on Cagneys, Ocean Blue, or La Cocina. on the positive side the $5 upcharge for crab cake appetizers appears to be gone now." Does NCL have the new menus somewhere on the website (tried and could not find) or is this purely from passengers on existing sailing providing the news?

Do you need reservations for the Major shows (Kinky Boots, Choir of Man) which are held in the Theater?

Hey Bird, agree with you that the review was a special 2 day event hence the Alaskan King crab legs and Lobster tails. But as the other posters mentioned, there was a seafood night where they served multiple types of shrimp, fresh baked fish, clams, mussels etc. That is what I was referring to. I had that our recent 7 day cruise this past January and I believe they are still doing that option on 7+ night sailings. I was hoping to find out when that was so I didn't have a conflict with our specialty dining reservations. I guess we'll just have to play it by ear once we're onboard and hope we can make adjustments if there is a scheduling conflict.

Well I guess they did away with it because it was on this review from January 2020. Starts at 11:13 on video.

Booked on the Encore 7 day cruise this upcoming January. Does anyone know if they have the Seafood extravaganza on a particular day during a 7 day sailing and if so which night would that be? We have some specialty dinners booked but wouldn't want to miss this at the buffet.

"Let’s talk drinks instead. Whistle Pig Manhattan for me." This exactly served "up!" served "up" {any drink that is shaken, stirred, or combined with ice and therefore chilled, but it is served without ice}

"booster is not needed. all you need is the 2 shots to be fully vaxed" Awesome. Appears we're good to go for our upcoming cruise..😀

I know that NCL recently dropped required testing for fully vaxed passengers. We have had the 2 initial vaccination shots (both Moderna). Does NCL require one of more booster shots to be considered "fully vaxed"?

Not to add confusion but if passengers have had their 2 Covid shots (not boosters) and are cruising from a US port, testing is not required?

Quick Question. It seems they are limiting you to only 1 Appetizer for the Platinum Dinner Vouchers (I never agreed or understood the reason for this). Are you limited to only 1 appetizer for the "FAS" dinners and purchased "Specialty Dinners" as well?

Thanks for the info!

Thanks to all for the suggestions. I think I'm leaning toward Ocean Blue since we're not exactly "Italian Food" lovers

Cruising on the Encore this January and I have 4 specialty dining nights to select. My first 3 picks are Le Bistro, Cagney's, and Teppenyaki (not really into BBQ or Mexican so didn't consider Q or Los Lobos). I'm wondering what previous cruisers would recommend for my 4th night, Onda or Ocean Blue? I've attached the menus for reference.. Ocean Blue.pdf Onda (1).pdf

Liquid Marijuana: Liquid Marijuana Shot Equal parts: Cap. Morgan SP Rum, Blue Curacao, Malibu, Midori, P.A. Juice, splash S&S

Well that sucks, does not seem fair that NCL thinks it's OK to refuse to honor the hard earned latitude perks at their discretion, yet believes that they don't owe us anything in return. SMH....

Thank You all for the help and advice! My son and I will do the upgrade and buy a meal package for 3rd passenger as suggested.

I don't know why but trying to figure dining plans for the week including selecting the right restaurants and how to use the "Free at Sea" vs "Platinum Vouchers" vs "Specialty Dining Upgrade" meals. We have a 7 day cruise booked on the Encore. We are party of 3, Fist 2 passengers are both Platinum (my son and I), 3rd passenger is first time NCL cruiser. I understand the first 2 nights (my son and I both Platinum members) meals such as LeBistro and Los Lobos are free via the Platinum Vouchers. We also have an additional 2 meals from the "Free at Sea" Promotion so say the 3rd night we select Cagneys; again my son and I are covered from the promotional FAS meals. Here's where it gets interesting. Our 3rd guest (new NCL cruiser) will be dining with us as well (so party of 3 each meal night). NCL is offering the "Specialty Dining Upgrade" for $70.80/each (gets 2 extra meals for one person so $141.60 would mean 2 additional meals for 2 additional nights). The upgrade only shows my son and my name on our reservation, 3rd passenger says "unavailable." We were hoping to use 3 out of 4 of those extra "Specialty Dining Upgrades" for our 3rd passenger so all 3 of us would be eating free for 3 nights. Question 1): If we both purchase the extra 2 "Specialty Dining Upgrade" meals does that mean they can only be used by my son and I, or can we use them for any guest in our room including our 3rd passenger as we had planned for (above)? Question 2): Is NCL still providing the Platinum Meal Vouchers on printed cards that are in the cabin on Day 1 of cruise, or are they using some kind of automated system where the restaurants know how many vouchers per cabin are allowed and manually deducting them when used at the venues (in other words printed cards don't mean anything)? Question 3): Am I better off just purchasing a 3 meal dining package for our 3rd guest and forget about buying the 2 "Specialty Dining Upgrades?"