Gratuities and Service Charges, power point, Epic and Western Med questions

Sorry for creating a new thread to ask this but whenever I tried to search I got 404 errors :(

Do we really have to pay 18% gratuities AND a service charge on drinks when using a drinks package? What is a service charge and how much is it? (btw I am from NZ where tipping is not a thing - not trying to be rude, just not used to tipping).

How much is the average coctail in USD? Assuming its USD on NCL Epic.

Are there other things we have to pay these on e.g. meals, room services etc.?

Any other unexpected costs?

Unrelated but what type of power points do they have on NCL ships?

Has anyone successfully used hair straightners on board NCL Epic? Mine didn't work on RC Legend of the Seas :(

Any tips for Epic or Ports in Western Medeterranean?

Any perks for Mini-Suite occupants?

TIA :D

Any required tip is automatically added to the cost of the package. You do not HAVE TO tip per drink, but I am sure it would be appreciated by the crew.

The Daily Service Charge sort of covers the room and food staff. The 18% on drinks sort of covers the drinks staff.

You pay 18% on all cash drinks, you pay 18% if you purchase the drinks package, and depending on what country you book in the "free" drinks package may or may not have 18% added to it when you book.

As said before the 18% Service Charge is already paid with the drink package. What NCL was doing - they charged the Spanish VAT (10% for food and drinks) for each drink even for those who had a package. I think they stopped this in the meantime but I´m not sure about it.

Onboard currency is USD. Extra costs... there are many... spa, shops, casino, room service (not everything), speciatly restaurants, shore tours...

Expect 2 US 110V plug ins and 2 European 220V plug ins.

No perks for Mini Suites.

As for me, all ports on that itinerary can be done on your own. But for me the Western Med is like the Caribbean for Americans. Go and check your roll call for private tours.

steamboats

The 18% charge on the package (or individual drink if you dont have the package) covers your tips, you do not need to tip per drink. Some like to tip extra, but this is not required or expected. The $13.50 service charge per day covers tips for your room steward, meals etc. If you purchase a speciality dining package or single speciality meal you pay 18% on the cost of that, which again covers the tip. So you are covered for the whole cruise, apart from any additional services where you will pay the 18%. If you take any spa services you will pay the 18% service charge and then there is an expectation you tip again, which imo is scandalous taking into account the amount the treatments cost in the first place! So just be aware of things like that.

Both US and Euro plugs in the cabins. My UK GHDs worked fine in the Euro plugs as the voltage was correct. It's the voltage you need to worry about as if it's too low the straighteners won't heat up. Although newer GHDs have a voltage converter in them.

Do we really have to pay 18% gratuities AND a service charge on drinks when using a drinks package? What is a service charge and how much is it? (btw I am from NZ where tipping is not a thing - not trying to be rude, just not used to tipping).

How much is the average coctail in USD? Assuming its USD on NCL Epic.

Are there other things we have to pay these on e.g. meals, room services etc.?

Any other unexpected costs?

 

 

TIA :D

No. If you get the UBP as a perk you pay a service charge at the time of booking. This is the only required drink tipping. If you purchase a drink not covered by the UBP (specialty coffee) or something over $15, you pay 18% on the amount charged to your on board account. So a $17.95 cocktail will cost you $3.48. Some people will tip extra in cash per drink or an extra $5-$20 to their favorite bartender for the trip, but that is 100% optional and not required or expected.

You will also be charged $13.50 pp pd to your account for DSC. This is a pooled tip that covers your room stewards and wait staff in the dining rooms/buffet. Again, some people will tip additionally in cash to their favorite waiter or their room steward; but 100% optional and not required or expected.

Cocktails ran between $10.95 to $17.95.

The only other things you'll pay for are specialty dining, a few additional charge items in the dining room, room service surcharge of $7.95 (this is one where it would be customary to tip upon delivery).

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If you need wifi access to check in back home then do take the free wifi promo but dont think you can use the wifi like you do at home because you won't be able to. Also you MUST log in and THEN logout at each usage or you will immediately burn thru it

I took the free wifi perk to check email 2x a day and to iMessage and to FaceTime audio...which is just like a phone call...with my kids at home

FYI you can take the free wifi promo and if you want just pay the difference to upgrade to unlimited

The free wifi promo was valued at $150 on the Gem and I saw a pax upgrade to unlimited for about $125. Approx

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If you need wifi access to check in back home then do take the free wifi promo but dont think you can use the wifi like you do at home because you won't be able to. Also you MUST log in and THEN logout at each usage or you will immediately burn thru

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Regarding the WiFi logout: we routinely took a screen shot of our remaining minutes after logout after two episodes of the NCL software not actually completing the logout process.

Surprisingly, we were told that the "logout" button doesn't always work and you should type in "logout.com" to securely log off.

Even so, the Internet cafe administrator was able to see that we had nearly 90 minutes logged in without any activity and he restored the lost time.

The 18% charge on the package (or individual drink if you dont have the package) covers your tips, you do not need to tip per drink. Some like to tip extra, but this is not required or expected. The $13.50 service charge per day covers tips for your room steward, meals etc. If you purchase a speciality dining package or single speciality meal you pay 18% on the cost of that, which again covers the tip. So you are covered for the whole cruise, apart from any additional services where you will pay the 18%. If you take any spa services you will pay the 18% service charge and then there is an expectation you tip again, which imo is scandalous taking into account the amount the treatments cost in the first place! So just be aware of things like that.

 

Both US and Euro plugs in the cabins. My UK GHDs worked fine in the Euro plugs as the voltage was correct. It's the voltage you need to worry about as if it's too low the straighteners won't heat up. Although newer GHDs have a voltage converter in them.

Oh cool thanks for the tip. I have GHDs too (several years old) but I took an american converter. I will take a Euro one too this time :)

Thank you for all your replies. You are all super helpful.

I got the Free At Sea perk with my booking and opted for Wifi and Drinks. There was a note on the drinks package *Service Charges apply. That's why I thought it applied to the drinks as well. I am fine with the daily charge and I did tip extra to the room attendant that did a good job and my fav bar tender on my last cruise.

you can opt out of paying the gratuities. we are British and used to paying for service that is deserved. if you want to opt out go to reception and you fill out a form. we always do this saying we want to pay as we go for service and then we pay individually

Regarding the WiFi logout: we routinely took a screen shot of our remaining minutes after logout after two episodes of the NCL software not actually completing the logout process.

 

Surprisingly, we were told that the "logout" button doesn't always work and you should type in "logout.com" to securely log off.

 

Even so, the Internet cafe administrator was able to see that we had nearly 90 minutes logged in without any activity and he restored the lost time.

Yes she restored time for me as well plus added 20 minutes for the inconvenience

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I'm not sure if any of the computers have power point, probably word and maybe excel but probably not power point.

Hahahahahahahahahahahaha ;p

:'):'):'):')

I'm not sure if any of the computers have power point, probably word and maybe excel but probably not power point.

How about Google Slides? Prezi?

:'):'):'):')

 

 

How about Google Slides? Prezi?

My hair straighteners definitely won't work if I plug them into Google Slides! lol

Definitely take a euro adaptor for your ghd.

The euro voltage is 220v compared to US at 110v, so it's much closer to our 240v we use downunder, therefore works twice as well:)

As for tips, if you have the beverage package, it already includes the 18% tips in the perk if booked in Oz or NZ, you shouldn't need to pay any extra at all.

Definitely take a euro adaptor for your ghd.

The euro voltage is 220v compared to US at 110v, so it's much closer to our 240v we use downunder, therefore works twice as well:)

 

As for tips, if you have the beverage package, it already includes the 18% tips in the perk if booked in Oz or NZ, you shouldn't need to pay any extra at all.

Thank you I will definitely invest in a euro adapter :)