I keep reading that NCL tries to "nickel and dime" their passengers

[qoap24]

I am looking into booking a cruise for me and my family. This will be my fourth cruise. I have cruised with NCL, Princess and RCL. I am considering a cruise for March with either NCL or Carnival.

 

I keep reading reviews from others saying that on their cruise with NCL that they felt NCL tries to "nickel and dime" their passengers. For those who have felt this way and have cruised on other lines can you please share with me what makes NCL different from the other lines and what extra charges you had to pay that made you feel this way.

 

Let me also say that I know about the speciality restaurants on NCL and if I remember correctly Princess has those as well.

 

TIA

[mamasue]

I've done several cruises.... with Carnival, NCL, and RCCL.

NCL doesn't nickel and dime you any more or any less than the other 2 lines I've cruised with.

The auto tips are slightly more, and the Bingo is more expensive than carnival..... but no big differences otherwise!

[Richie2pies]

They don't "nickel and dime" more than any other line but they push harder. You can't sit most places without asking if you want a drink every 2 minutes. They aggressively push Bingo, raffle tickets, lottery cards and have a shopping "consultant" who is nothing but a shill for stores which kick NCL back. You'll get a ton of literature every night with your daily which pushes every possible way they can separate you from your money.

[Firefighterhoop]

I think all cruise lines do the same. Maybe more or less with some ships than others. Carnival has Bingo right before all their shows, and if you want a good seat, you have to sit through bingo (several announcements all day), and casino nights.

 

RCCL is starting to do the same with some bingo sessions as well. RCCL pushes the art auction pretty hard as well too.

 

As far as the drinks go, some people don't like it, but some people find it as a bother when bartenders don't go around (I'm not a big drinker, and it gets old when they do)

 

Just my two cents.

[armwinder]

Yes they do push the drinks and sometimes it is very annoying. Now I always have a bottle or a glass in front of me, sometimes it works, and you can watch an entertainer or bake in the sun without been disturbed, but the photographers they are a real pain in the butt, they unmercifully stalk you, even when you are trying to eat, rest or lay on a lounger. As far as the bingo; never play it.

[Dr. Jack Daniels]

You only get "nickeled and dimed" to death if you ALLOW it. I only spend money onboard for things I have budgeted for.

[swedish weave]

I think all cruise lines do the same. Maybe more or less with some ships than others. Carnival has Bingo right before all their shows, and if you want a good seat, you have to sit through bingo (several announcements all day), and casino nights.

 

RCCL is starting to do the same with some bingo sessions as well. RCCL pushes the art auction pretty hard as well too.

 

As far as the drinks go, some people don't like it, but some people find it as a bother when bartenders don't go around (I'm not a big drinker, and it gets old when they do)

 

Just my two cents.

 

To put this in the proper context, go to a Lattitudes party where the drinks are free. The same people who complain about the aggressive drink sellers are chasing them around the Spinnaker Lounge to get all they can.

 

No cruise line can sell you anything you don't want to buy. I don't complain about the three or four pounds of ads in the Sunday LA Times, and don't complain about the ads on the ship. That is what the trash can in your cabin is for.

 

Sorry, firefighter-- I should have quoted the OP's post instead of yours. My bad !!!

[johnql]

I do not feel NCL nickels and dimes any more than any other mainstream line. I also don't feel they are all that pushy with drinks and Krackits. Besides, the moment they stop offering drinks, some people would complain that they can't get a drink.

[uneamie]

The "entire world" nickel and dimes you, pushes things on you, calls you on your house phone while eating dinner, knocks at your door on the weekends, gets you at church while you are praying...it never ends and it never will. You just have to learn how to tune it out, ignore it, and act like it's not there....learn how to say "no" and it won't bother you any more. ;)

[DEEVEEZEE]

:mad: My advice is....hopefully, if you're going to get pestered for money, it won't be automatically assessed like the added percentages everywhere on NCl including the gift shop. IMHO, at least RCI does it with a little more class.

 

Poor service, lousy entertainment, mediocre food and nickel diming to an art form (did I mention the "art" auctions?) moldy rooms = no more NCL for me. Once was definitely enough. Just posted a long review on trip advisor and cruise critic on the Jade if you are interested in a very recent review.

[cabincop]

I have been on 36 cruises most have art auctions I have been on 8 RCCL 3 Costa 12 Celebrity and the rest NCL they are all the same and I never felt nickled to death I don't drink and once I say no thats the end of it with all lines. I do love NCL not having to eat at a certain time and I love their rooms, to each their own

[PlayTheAces]

We know before we step on board that we will be aggressively marketed to. We ignore it. We always have a great cruise. :D

[deckedout]

I do not remember being "nickled or dimed" at any point during either of my NCL cruises. I could alway choose to buy or not to buy.

 

I remember going to the Seattle airport when I was a child and having a little coin slot on the door to use the toilet.

To me, that is nickle and diming. Actually it was a dime, and as a child who needed to go, I went under :eek:.

 

I have never heard annoucements in my cabin to buy things, I have opened the door on occasion to hear if the annoucement was interesting.

 

I have sat in the theatre to get the great seats that my DH wanted and listened to the offers for pull tabs, but was never told I had to buy them in order to sit in the seats.

 

I usually have to wave down a waiter on the decks in order to get a drink. In the 16 days of cruising, only once was I interrupted with a two for one drink offer, which I did take and drank both, it was a great deal:rolleyes:.

 

I think people don't understand what real "nickle and diming" means.

 

If you have to pay for something that is a necessity (the toilet; the elevator) that is nickel and diming. If you can take it or leave it, that is just plain good business, especially those 2 for 1 drinks. ( I love the margarhita tasting, mojoito tasting etc and you can usually share those :cool:.

[CanadianTwosome]

:mad: My advice is....hopefully, if you're going to get pestered for money, it won't be automatically assessed like the added percentages everywhere on NCl including the gift shop. IMHO, at least RCI does it with a little more class.

 

Poor service, lousy entertainment, mediocre food and nickel diming to an art form (did I mention the "art" auctions?) moldy rooms = no more NCL for me. Once was definitely enough. Just posted a long review on trip advisor and cruise critic on the Jade if you are interested in a very recent review.

 

Added percentages in the gift shop? That's a new one for me... especially since as a Latitudes member I got a 10% discount on everything I purchased there last week... In my four NCL cruises I have also never been in a moldy room, enjoyed all of the entertainment I've seen, and LOVED the food - in the MDRs, the buffets, and the specialties... I'm sorry your experience wasn't as good as all of mine. I do wish that there were no such thing as 'automatic gratuities' anywhere, though... but they seem to be everywhere these days; I mistakenly double-tipped at a restaurant in Miami before we boarded the Sky a couple of weeks ago... :(

 

To the OP: I find that most of the complaints from people accusing NCL (or any other line) of 'nickel and diming' are from those wanting everything they personally enjoy to be included in their fare and everything they do not personally enjoy to be somehow hidden from them. I have NEVER, in four cruises with NCL, felt 'nickel and dimed'. I have never experienced the 'annoyingly overattentive' drink sellers and have gotten quite a few of my own drinks directly from bartenders rather than wait for a server. I have heard announcements for things I am not interested in - like bingo - as well as announcements for things I AM interested in - no doubt being heard by many passengers who felt about them the same way I do about bingo.

 

When I read most of the 'nickel and dime' complaints, I see one consistent common thread - the poster's personal desires are being 'imposed' upon: they have to pay for something they want, or they're offered something they don't want. They appear to be completely oblivious to the fact that they aren't the only passengers on the ship and while they might want a full sized Maine lobster for dinner, everyone who doesn't is very glad that it hasn't been added to their cruise fare; by the same token bingo is always full, so clearly someone on board is interested in those 'annoying' announcements.

 

So, go with the expectation that the cruiseline is doing their best to cater to EVERYONE on board, which includes bingo players, heavy drinkers, art auction fans, emerald buyers... and all sorts of other people interested - or NOT interested - in many different things. The fact that NCL offers such a diverse assortment of options is something I personally LOVE; I can pick and choose what I want and leave what I don't. :)

[swedish weave]

Added percentages in the gift shop? That's a new one for me... especially since as a Latitudes member I got a 10% discount on everything I purchased there last week... In my four NCL cruises I have also never been in a moldy room, enjoyed all of the entertainment I've seen, and LOVED the food - in the MDRs, the buffets, and the specialties... I'm sorry your experience wasn't as good as all of mine. I do wish that there were no such thing as 'automatic gratuities' anywhere, though... but they seem to be everywhere these days; I mistakenly double-tipped at a restaurant in Miami before we boarded the Sky a couple of weeks ago... :(

 

To the OP: I find that most of the complaints from people accusing NCL (or any other line) of 'nickel and diming' are from those wanting everything they personally enjoy to be included in their fare and everything they do not personally enjoy to be somehow hidden from them. I have NEVER, in four cruises with NCL, felt 'nickel and dimed'. I have never experienced the 'annoyingly overattentive' drink sellers and have gotten quite a few of my own drinks directly from bartenders rather than wait for a server. I have heard announcements for things I am not interested in - like bingo - as well as announcements for things I AM interested in - no doubt being heard by many passengers who felt about them the same way I do about bingo.

 

When I read most of the 'nickel and dime' complaints, I see one consistent common thread - the poster's personal desires are being 'imposed' upon: they have to pay for something they want, or they're offered something they don't want. They appear to be completely oblivious to the fact that they aren't the only passengers on the ship and while they might want a full sized Maine lobster for dinner, everyone who doesn't is very glad that it hasn't been added to their cruise fare; by the same token bingo is always full, so clearly someone on board is interested in those 'annoying' announcements.

 

So, go with the expectation that the cruiseline is doing their best to cater to EVERYONE on board, which includes bingo players, heavy drinkers, art auction fans, emerald buyers... and all sorts of other people interested - or NOT interested - in many different things. The fact that NCL offers such a diverse assortment of options is something I personally LOVE; I can pick and choose what I want and leave what I don't. :)

 

You said it all !!!!!!! Two thumbs up !!!

[TimmyRocks]

They all do it to some level and for the $500 I save (per cabin) by sailing NCL I don't mind a few more announcements or what not...........

[F5Loar]

All cruise lines still offer "all inclusive" cruises (except the added tips). You pay your one price up front and then you don't have to spend another dime (or nickel) unless you want to. Is NCL more pushy on the extras then others? Not really. They all do it. Some more in one area, less in another. Some charge more for this while others charge less for that. Not worth worrying over it. Pick your cruise based on other more important things then the nickel/dime stuff.

[RNPJN]

:mad: My advice is....hopefully, if you're going to get pestered for money, it won't be automatically assessed like the added percentages everywhere on NCl including the gift shop. IMHO, at least RCI does it with a little more class.

 

Poor service, lousy entertainment, mediocre food and nickel diming to an art form (did I mention the "art" auctions?) moldy rooms = no more NCL for me. Once was definitely enough. Just posted a long review on trip advisor and cruise critic on the Jade if you are interested in a very recent review.

:cool: Again OYO Now more room for us who enjoy NCL:)

[terrymtex01]

Added percentages in the gift shop? That's a new one for me... especially since as a Latitudes member I got a 10% discount on everything I purchased there last week... In my four NCL cruises I have also never been in a moldy room, enjoyed all of the entertainment I've seen, and LOVED the food - in the MDRs, the buffets, and the specialties... I'm sorry your experience wasn't as good as all of mine. I do wish that there were no such thing as 'automatic gratuities' anywhere, though... but they seem to be everywhere these days; I mistakenly double-tipped at a restaurant in Miami before we boarded the Sky a couple of weeks ago... :(

 

To the OP: I find that most of the complaints from people accusing NCL (or any other line) of 'nickel and diming' are from those wanting everything they personally enjoy to be included in their fare and everything they do not personally enjoy to be somehow hidden from them. I have NEVER, in four cruises with NCL, felt 'nickel and dimed'. I have never experienced the 'annoyingly overattentive' drink sellers and have gotten quite a few of my own drinks directly from bartenders rather than wait for a server. I have heard announcements for things I am not interested in - like bingo - as well as announcements for things I AM interested in - no doubt being heard by many passengers who felt about them the same way I do about bingo.

 

When I read most of the 'nickel and dime' complaints, I see one consistent common thread - the poster's personal desires are being 'imposed' upon: they have to pay for something they want, or they're offered something they don't want. They appear to be completely oblivious to the fact that they aren't the only passengers on the ship and while they might want a full sized Maine lobster for dinner, everyone who doesn't is very glad that it hasn't been added to their cruise fare; by the same token bingo is always full, so clearly someone on board is interested in those 'annoying' announcements.

 

So, go with the expectation that the cruiseline is doing their best to cater to EVERYONE on board, which includes bingo players, heavy drinkers, art auction fans, emerald buyers... and all sorts of other people interested - or NOT interested - in many different things. The fact that NCL offers such a diverse assortment of options is something I personally LOVE; I can pick and choose what I want and leave what I don't. :)

 

I SO agree... most of the ones complaining about the N and D have never cruised with anyone else before. Everytime I see a posting where they say they were N & D'ed on NCL I always ask what did NCL charge for that other cruiselines did not. The only two answers I have ever gotten to that was one cruiseline provided some "newspaper" each morning for each cabin and that was just a one or two printed page from some newpapers website and another cruiseline let you use the sauna/steam room or something like that at no cost. I honestly believe most of the complaints about being N and D'ed are from people who just have little cruise experience. Personally, even on my first cruise I never felt N and D'ed at all, and have never felt that way on any cruise since.

[CTCruisers]

For the price of the cruises and the NCL freestyle environment, we put up with their pushing of other "services".

 

We do not do bingo, gamble, take excursions, or go to the specialty restaurants. As had been mentioned, if you have a budget you can ignore the extras and still have a good time.

[2Cruise4Ever]

I have felt the opposite on NCL vs. other lines. Half the time while I'm sitting near the pool, I have to get someone's attention when I want a drink. And, then get someone's attention again when I want another. I can count on one hand the number of times someone has asked me if I wanted a drink. And, I don't remember any more announcements about Bingo or shopping, etc. than on any other lines. On our last 2 Carnival cruises, DH and I were sitting by the pool, full drinks in hand, and were asked several times if we wanted another one before we even finished the ones we had.

[sottovoce]

They don't "nickel and dime" more than any other line but they push harder. You can't sit most places without asking if you want a drink every 2 minutes. They aggressively push Bingo, raffle tickets, lottery cards and have a shopping "consultant" who is nothing but a shill for stores which kick NCL back. You'll get a ton of literature every night with your daily which pushes every possible way they can separate you from your money.

No different than any other cruise line. An unwarranted whine.

[NJMom2kidnboxers]

but did find that their soda card was a lot of money, and I couldn't buy just one deck of playing cards in the gift shop (only sold in packages of 2).

 

Lots of people I spoke too felt nickled and dimed, including my own dh.

[pieshops]

my feeling on this is, yes i do feel like they nickel and dime you, now i do not say that as a negative, but a positive.

 

Before the days of the so called nickel and diming cruise fares were much higher, yes you got more, but the prices were definalty higher.

 

My family (wife and 2 daughters 10 and 5), really do not do any of the things that cost extra such as bingo, drink alchohol alot, drink soda, shore excursions, purchase the pull tabs, etc. Our bill is pretty much the gratuity, and a few extra items.

 

with this being said, the price of cruising now, allows us to take 2 cruises a year sometimes, if the prices were like they were when it was more "all inclusive" then we would never be able to do this.

 

I feel the pay as you use is much better, this allows the people who want to partake to be able to do so and those of us who really do not, get off a bit cheaper.

 

i would much rather have a cheaper cruise and be able to cruise more often

[sparks1093]

but did find that their soda card was a lot of money, and I couldn't buy just one deck of playing cards in the gift shop (only sold in packages of 2).

 

Lots of people I spoke too felt nickled and dimed, including my own dh.

 

NCL's soda card is comparable to what others charge. My kids got my money's worth with them (and then some).