majoranna

Thank you so much for the explanations. Sometimes you have to scratch the surface a little for a better understanding :)

There is an open question about that because most of the servers who work in the specialty restaurants ad dinner time also work other meals in the MDR or buffet. It has also been reported by a HD that the servers in the specialty restauranta are in fact part of the DSC pool.

 

NCL does not respond to questions about this.

This is what I presumed - so I never thought to differentiate between the gratuity added on to the UDP and the UBP and the gratuity we pay for the crew overall - just thought it was all going in the same pot and the same terms applied.

Sorry, fairly new to this Forum and cruising (only one previous in 2005)

- what is a HD and a DSC pool please?

If you are removing gratuities now you must get a form from NCL and mail it in after the cruise is over.

 

I believe the 18% gratuity being talked about here has nothing to do with the cabin stewards or MDR servers.

 

Bill

Ah, thanks for that Bill.

The only reason you'd be surprised to have found that 18% charge is if you didn't bother to read the terms before booking. I'll never understand how anyone books a vacation without bothering to read what the cost will be and all the terms, yet many people do that. If you booked prior to that change, you wouldn't have had to pay it, so we know you booked after it was implemented. That was your choice to do that.

As you rightly point out Pizza a lot of people don't read the small print. I did, and wasn't happy about the18% gratuity at all, but the cruise was tremendous value. For all I know NCL are reducing prices for Eastern Caribbean, and Puerto Rico is one of our stops, because of the Zika Virus - currently prevalent in the area.

NCL, and I suspect a lot of other cruise lines, do it this way so they can keep their prices competitive - there are other sneaky add-ons too, but if you do your research you will not be caught unawares

But, back to the gratuity. I believe you can object and have it removed. Apparently there is a queue on embarkation day to do just this.

I saw a 2012 video (youtube) where it claimed, after adjustments and goodness knows what else, the MONTHLY wage was £32 for a member of the crew - probably one of the behind the scenes workers. Now for the people who say they will only tip direct, this leaves these workers out in the cold, working for the 2016 equivalent of £32 a month.

We don't know what portion of the 18% NCL actually pass on to the staff, but it is my understanding that if you do opt out and tip direct - your cabin steward/waiter/barman must declare the tip and put it in a communal pot. Otherwise they could lose their job.

As I said earlier our deal was brilliant. We do not begrudge the 18% and do hope the majority of it does get to the crew. We are also taking quite a lot of small denomination notes, so we can still tip the members who we feel are giving good service, and because we have prepaid the gratuity, they can keep it.

This is how I see it. If I am wrong, I'm sure someone will be along to correct.

Just noticed that the price of the package has been increased from $69 a day to $79 dollars a day so they're definitely shuffling the prices around.

We're had the all inclusive package with our booking, so no odds to us, but wondering where they're at with this. Maybe just a simple hike.

For anyone not finding it, here's a screenshot - hope you can see it.

Wondering if there is something in the small print that says they can alter the T & C's after bookings have been confirmed

In the NCL Terms and Conditions - Ultimate Beverage Package, as of today, it says:

"Norwegian's Ultimate Beverage Package includes a variety of spirits, cocktails, wines by the glass and bottled or draft beer "up to and including $15" :)

Under the Beverage Package Details in my NCL it suddenly says:

"This package includes all cocktails, spirits, glasses of wine and beer (under $11) " :(

Can't see this being a typo - Can they alter the T & C for ppl who have already booked on the condition of free drinks under $15?

Nothing photoshopped in what I've posted on here! :)

 

Practice, practice, practice. Take TONS of photos. The professionals do, you just never see their bad shots.

 

Have a great cruise!

Hon, with photographs that good, who needs photoshop

x

Thanks for the information turtles.

I am sort of into photography, but would like to be better without resorting to photoshop! I was so impressed with the beautiful colours.

The limited time definitely makes it tough. We did the Norman Island Snorkel though NCL and it was excellent. Snorkeled at the Indians, a well known snorkel spot. Have a great cruise!

 

 

(Photo by turtles06)

Great image, and thanks for the response. What sort of camera do you have? It's one thing I would really like to splash out on (excuse the pun) - not sure whether the duty free on the ship is going to be that cheap. Still, should be able to get some internet look up time from my 250 free minutes :rolleyes:

Hey guys thank you so much for the replies.

Good to know we can get our 'free' drinks in the speciality restaurants.

Apropos the gratuity, makes sense, so we'll try and sort tomorrow. We were quoted £170 by our TA so that's spot on at £8.50 pp per day. Just hope it hasn't gone up.

Not complaining mind - can't wait

I think it must be one and the same Adult/Ultimate/Unlimited Beverage Package. I would say that when we booked (around a month ago - and the trip included two nights in Times Square)) we phoned the TA via an ad in one of our UK papers . When booking, she asked whether we wished to pay the 'gratuity' then or on completion of our trip. We didn't know a lot about it, so opted out when booking, but we appreciate it will be added on to our CC tab on completion of the cruise. I think it shocking they do this, we would rather tip on merit (and we aren't mean) than have it forcibly taken off us. But, their cruise, their rules. We will tip on an individual basis as well anyway.

We have five of the speciality restaurants booked - I'm hoping the UBP applies in these venues. Anyone know please? Can't find any info anywhere other than any drink within the package is limited to a bar price of $15. Hope all is good with this - I can drink Pina Colada for breakfast!

We're on the gem 12th March.

Did a southern Caribbean tour 11 years ago, and sadly I can't remember which Island 'Rainbow Man' was on (could have been Tortolla). He was fantastic. Can't find trace of him on the net

We've already booked the tour with Barnards - also Brenda & Franko's Fun Tours in St. Thomas. Still troubled over Tortolla because of the limited time we have there.

We' do San Juan via walk and trolleybus

Turtles is quite right - these guys know they simply cannot get bad reviews - it's their livelihood that's at stake.

We booked on 4/13/15 with UDP.

 

I just called NCL and I was told that the first night free for the Illusionarium was already not offered with UDP by the date.

 

I don't think that's the case. Does anyone know for sure? Any documentation to prove it still was available at the time of our booking?

Ah - found out how to quote and respond that way.

Lex Hope someone can help but I would be wary - have a read of the T & C's big companies like this usually have a 'let out' clause covering them.

Hi all

Still trying to find my way round this forum - to the last poster sorry I've lost the thread as the posting box just pops up, but I can't help - hope someone comes along for you - I'll be interested in the responses..

For now, I have paid for 5 of the speciality dining package but can't see how to actually book. :confused:

Also saw a review where a traveller on the Norwegian Gem was annoyed because people had been pre-booking the complimentary restaurants so that the reservists were strolling in and they had a long wait for a table so need to look into that as well.

Thanks for the continuing responses - so glad this is an active Forum.

Thanks for the comments.

Definitely want to see the Illusionarium and it never occured to me to eat beforehand so thanks for the tip. What time do the shows start please?

And, sorry, it is the UBP we have. We are considering buying five meals in the speciality restaurants, and whilst I want to read up a little more about the dining experiences (except Cagneys which is top of the list for us) I want to do this sooner rather than later, as I believe they can get sold out. Any recommendations gratefully received.

Same with the excursions really - must say the NCL ones appear to be expensive.

Thanks for that LrgP - So we have to pay for the entertainment, or just certain shows?

We had the UDP promo and could have fought for the free Illusionarium but opted not to. At the end of the day we gladly paid the discounted amount and moved on. No desire to battle over such a small sum of money. I realize for some it is a matter of principle but it just didn't matter to us.

 

 

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Hi guys, feeling my way around here as we are headed for our first Norwegian Gem cruise sailing 12th March from New York (only booked five days ago and just received confirmation from the TA.)

We have lots of questions, but for now can you explain what the Illusionarium actually is? We have the UDP and are seriously considering upgrading the dining package. Will raise queries on those independently but for now would appreciate someone enlightening us on the Illusionarium.

Many thanks