graphicguy

Have never stayed in Haven Suites (Haven Spa Suites, to be exact) anywhere near the Haven Bar/Restaurant. The Haven Spa Suites are within steps of the Spa, which I found very convenient. You'll find the Haven Spa Suites to generally be less expensive, too. And, those suites are still within a minute or two walk of the Haven Bar/Restaurant. Have stayed in an Aft Haven Suite, which was wonderful...and it was no where near the Haven Bar/Restaurant. I wouldn't have traded that Suite for one near the Bar/Restaurant. It was that nice. So, I guess what I'm saying, book the Haven cabin you want. They're all good. Location is, at most, a secondary consideration. If you're in the courtyard or by the pool, the Haven wait staff with get you drinks.

Every once in a while, someone comes along here at CC and states..."I'm removing the DSC....I'll just tip in cash as I see fit (they usually don't)....The DSC is bogus.....I don't drink (sarcasm)...I don't eat (more sarcasm)...crew doesn't deserve my tips/DSC....cruise line is hiding my tips/DSC...." It goes on and on. it's not only on NCL I see this. I see it on all the cruise lines' threads. They always pop up every once in a while in all threads. I'm one who looks at the total out of pocket for the total cost of my cruise. It's not just the fare, it's the DSC...it's the tips...it's the transport to and from the pier...it's the excursions...etc. If that total number is not to my liking, I don't book that cruise. If my total out of pocket was listed as $1,000 DSC but the cruise was free. That's what I'm spending, regardless of what you want to call it. Some just look at the fare, and think..."well, that's all I have to pay". Not sure if it's their first cruise, or they just don't cruise a lot. But, they always seem surprised. If you're going to remove the DSC, be sure to tell the steward who takes care of your cabin, the bartenders getting your drinks, the waitstaff in the restaurants, etc that you're removing it from your bill because you don't like the cruise line's nomenclature or how they describe the DSC. See what they think of you for letting them know no matter how good they treat you, or how good their service is, you're not going to pay the DSC. Don't just whine here. We can't help you with your decision. Tell those who will be most affected.

I think that’s a great idea. I always book my own flights. You don’t pay for the drinks, you don’t get the drinks. You remove the DSC, you don’t get fresh towels and linens. Your cabin doesn’t get cleaned. You don’t dine in the MDRs for sit down meal service. That means the rest of us will get better service. I like it!!!!

No matter how much evidence, even from NCL directly, shown to some of you, you are going to argue. I need to just quit trying to reason with the unreasonable.

Sid….just want to reiterate what everyone here has already said…..GREAT REVIEW. It is a lot of work, fighting CC uploading and ship internet, arranging, writing…..the work you put in is greatly appreciated. Loved all of it. THANK YOU!

The cruise industry is a “service” industry….just like spas, resorts, hotels, restaurants, bars, etc (which it essentially is, only at sea). If you’re new to the cruise industry, it works the same. You’re served drinks, food, have a room steward, entertainment, etc. A Cruise is best described as a resort on water. For those who are unfamiliar with how “resort fees” work, here’s what Condé Nast states… “Resort fees are mandatory daily charges—typically ranging from $25 to $35—tacked onto the room rate that cover access to on-site facilities and amenities such as pools, gyms, beach chairs, Wi-Fi and more. These fees are usually found in tourist destinations like Las Vegas, Orlando, and Hawaii and are set by hotel owners, rather than the brand that operates the hotel. (It is common for a hotel company like Marriott or Hilton to manage a hotel and not actually own the building.)”

So, someone says NCL doesn’t give out their DSC or tips to their staff. Here it is, transparent as they can make it, right from their WEB site… ”Why is there a service charge?The reason there's a fixed service charge is an important one: Our Crew (as are the crew from other lines) is encouraged to work together as a team. Staff members including complimentary restaurant staff, stateroom stewards and behind-the-scenes support staff are compensated by a combination of salary and incentive programs that your service charge supports.” “ What about gratuities? Unlike most other ships in the cruise industry, there is no required or recommended tipping on our ships for service that is generally rendered to all Guests. While you should not feel obligated to offer a gratuity, all of our staff are encouraged to "go the extra mile," so they are permitted to accept cash gratuities for exceptional or outstanding service if you care to offer them. Also, certain staff positions (e.g., concierge, butler, youth program staff and beverage service) provide service on an individual basis to only some guests and do not benefit from the overall service charge. We encourage those Guests to acknowledge good service from these staff members with appropriate gratuities. Additionally, there is an 20% gratuity and spa service charge added for all spa and salon services, as well as an 20% gratuity and beverage service charge added for all beverage purchases and an 20% gratuity and specialty service charge added to all specialty restaurant dining and entertainment based dining.” There you have it. Explained by NCL. Less than 5 seconds of research.

That’ll show NCL. Screw the Crew by removing the DSC. If this were a U.S. based restaurant and you didn’t tip the wait staff, you can believe they certainly would “know” who you were and would “discuss” your actions with gusto with the rest of the staff. I wouldn’t count on a welcoming embrace the next time you grace that establishment. Love all the “Scrooges” who show up at Christmas time in this thread.

More details about it….. https://www.cruisehive.com/things-to-know-about-ocean-cay-msc-marine-reserve/37450

2 Specialties for FAS (as Cole points out, depending on cabin). I got an additional 2 SDs for my Latitudes status (plus, got an additional SD at LeBistro for using my AMEX Plat to pay for the cruise). That’s 5 total SDs on my 7 nite cruise.

OK…Caribbean ports only. I think most of the cruise lines I’ve been on sail to all the same places…mainly because of the infrastructure already in place to accept large cruise ships. NCL, Royal and MSC all have their own Bahamas based private islands. Royal’s is more of an amusement park. MSC’s is more of a nature preserve. NCL splits the difference. Been on Royal’s island (once is enough for me) and NCL’s. Looking forward to going to MSC’s as I’ve heard it’s beautiful and geared more to remaining as unspooled as possible. That appeals to me.

Having sailed the Meriviglia and Divina, they are beautiful ships. All cruise ships have their own signature with the way they look and are presented. MSC has more of a European feel than a Royal, NCL or Carnival ship. Not better. Not worse. Just different. MSC does give off more of a “glitzy” vibe with crystal staircases and the use of chrome. Cabins are similar to the other lines. Entertainment is where MSC differs the most. Again, focused more on appealing to a broader audience given its European roots.

Just did a quick faux booking on a random date in April 23. New(er) ship (Encore), in typical Caribbean itinerary. 7 nites. Sail Away (no perks) in a Balcony was about $1,400 and change. Port fees, taxes, trash disposal fees, etc was about 17%. FAS adds about $300 to the cost. Fees, taxes etc stays the same but their percentage of total cost drops to 14% But, to me $300 for a week’s worth of unlimited drinks, a couple of Specialty Dinners (I’d get another 2 because of Latitudes for a total of 4), some internet and some excursion credits is a good deal. Percentages for taxes is about in line. While I’ve certainly spent less per day for a cruise, $200-$240/nite all in is certainly in line with what you’d spend on a nice land based hotel (without drinks or food). And, the fees and taxes are about what they’d be vs a land based hotel, too. This topic has churned ad infinitum. I have my own issues with NCL….mostly around customer service. But, taxes and fees fall in line with luxury hotels/resorts. I don’t care what the crew make. The crew I’ve met were all on multiple contracts and would come back for a new one if offered. If they’re happy, I’m happy. I look at total out of pocket. How that total is divided up really doesn’t matter to me. They can slice and dice my dollar any way they want. It doesn’t matter to me. If they aren’t paying well enough, crew will leave. Simple as that. I don’t believe that’s the case, though. Last month, I was on a New England Cruise on Breakaway. Excursions were great. Ship was top notch. Drinks were good, food was even better, entertainment was great. Enjoyed myself immensely (hanging with other CCers as a resulting in having a good time). Without using some FCC and throwing OBC into the mix, the total out of pocket, tips, fees, taxes, DSC….EVERYTHING, I was less than $100/nite. That’s the cost of a hotel in a not so nice part of town in a fair Motel 6 type hotel, and no food, drink or entertainment. To me, that’s a good deal. Everything else discussed here is superfluous.

That actually sounds good.

Ummm……well…..WOW. Just WOW!!!!!!!

Hmmmm…..first I’ve heard that the Prima mini-golf was free. Be a good thing if it was, though. When I was on the Encore for an Alaska cruise right after the restart, it wasn’t cold, but it was very windy, and we were sailing at ½ capacity. Staff were bundled up as they were in the wind all day running the go carts. I paid for one “session”. As I was getting out of my cart, they asked if I wanted to go again at no charge as there were only a few people at the track. I ended up going 3X…the last 2 were free.

I see these types of threads and wonder if some are looking for ways to lower their fares. If you really want to do that, don’t buy the drinks or the packages. Don’t buy the Specialty Dining packages. Don’t go to the casino. Don’t go on the excursions. There’s dozens of ways one can bring down their cost of their cruise that are way more effective and way more meaningful financially, than to succumb to the incessant whining about each little nickel they can’t explain. It’s like the people who take the cheap/free airfare and then whine that the flights aren’t to their liking. There’s one way for certain to fix that….book your own flights.

Said this before, the up charges are becoming cumulative. It’s not just the the charges on Room Service, it’s the up charges on liquors like Bailey’s, St Germain, Crown etc from the drink packages. None of those are premium liquors, but carry a higher price than the drink package allows. You can see fewer bartenders in the Atrium bar, pool bar, Spice H20, etc resulting in long lines. The list goes on and on. It’s not just one thing. It’s a bunch of issues. And, they’re multiplying.

Along with the price rise on Crown (which is by no means a premium liquor) and up charges for St Germain and Bailey’s, I wonder if this is the beginning of more of these price up charges on non-premium liquors? This, in addition to the room service up charge increase, fees on what used to be free (like Putt-Putt on Prima), this sounds like a conscious effort by NCL to raise prices without raising fares, which is what most people look at when comparing cruise lines?

^^^^^ Playing Devil’s advocate just for a moment, you could also say that by having someone deliver room service, you’re freeing someone else up in the sit down dining areas from serving you. Probably takes less time to just deliver food to your cabin. These charges are multiplying. I get understand why they are doing it. But, if you’re raising fees and fares, raise the level of service to a commensurate level. They’re going the opposite direction. They are raising the fees and fares while lowering the level of service.

We didn’t move. Photographer did take the pics. No idea if they were bought.

I think any of us who have cruised out of the FL embarkation piers are familiar with just about ALL the ports around the Caribbean. All of them are about the same. Nassau is on EVERY cruise line's itinerary in one way or another. Personally, I'm looking forward to MSC's Private Island port, as I've heard nothing but good things about it. If you really want different itineraries, look at a Panama Canal Cruise. If you're willing to venture out of FL, I can't recommend an Alaska cruise highly enough (MSC sailing 2024)....totally different from the Caribbean/Mexico itineraries. The Mediterranean is right in MSC's wheel house. Try one of those sailings.

To this day, I'll never understand why the way someone else dresses affects anyone else. I don't get it. I used to pack the suit, the dress shirts and ties (needed more than one so I didn't repeat). Heck, when I first started cruising back in the '80s, I rented tuxes on board (don't see that anymore). So glad that's over with. Save on packing. Save on luggage fees. This was probably about 7-8 years ago, but I was in the MDR dining with my family on a Royal Cruise. Right in front of us was a table of "tux/gown" people. The ship's photographer came around hustling pics. The table in front, asked us if we would move, as we weren't dressed to their standards and we would show up in the background and ruin their photo. I was irate. Good thing my family was there to calm me down. Fortunately, this craziness has died down quite a bit in recent years given that social mores have changed on how people dress. I do not care how others dress on board. Doesn't bother me one iota if someone wears a tux or gown, if that makes you feel good. No sweat off my brow. Respect and courtesy dictate you don't tell me I can't sit and dine anywhere because you don't like the way I dress. Too bad...so sad!

Most of us have followed this "topic" (being kind with the nomenclature) for a long while. Every cruise line has their own tip and/or service policy. Not sure it matters one way or the other. But, to be direct about this, and as best we can ascertain, the $21 in tips/DSC goes directly to compensation. Now, whether that in cash, for crew enrichment, some other form of benefit to those who participate in this pool, we don't know. And frankly, I don't think the vast majority of us care. We don't know and I'm not thinking it matters...not to the vast majority of us, anyway. None of the cruise lines get that granular to apply tips to each individual drink on the drink package. But, all is not lost. If you want to do that, don't buy the drink package and "pay as you go", and add your tips to each individual drink. That way, you'll have an exact amount of tips you paid based on the exact number of drinks you had based on the exact cost of the drink you ordered. If I were your TA, that would be my recommendation. Do only the Sail Away Rates without the Free at Sea promo. You'll be able to directly control all your drink tips/DSCs as a result.

I must be a simple man, but my favorite part of my Carnival cruises was the Alchemy Bar. I literally loitered around it every day until it opened. Caught up. Love the review, as always!