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

[WELLDOITAGAIN]

To me, getting "nickle and dimed" is when you unexpectedly get charged for stuff you'd assume would be included, like internet access at an expensive hotel, or parking at a non-urban hotel with a big parking lot. On NCL, you can eat good food for free, or have a special experience for an upcharge. You pay for booze and gambling, but you can choose not to. I don't think it should be a shock to anybody that you have to pay for internet access and phone calls from the middle of the Atlantic Ocean. The service charge might sort of qualify, but they're real up front about it, and it makes sense to me. I can't imagine that would be a shock to anyone that can read, again "N&D" means (to me) an unexpected charge.

 

My 2 cents, which is less than a nickle or a dime;)

[swedish weave]

Impossible!!! Nobody on Earth can survived on NCL MDR's inedible food for a whole week. :eek:

 

Hey !!!! Meet Superman !!!!! I have done it over 35 times !!!

[mypleasure]

Impossible!!! Nobody on Earth can survived on NCL MDR's inedible food for a whole week. :eek:

 

I thought the food had recently been upgraded to atrocious.

 

Anyway, I enjoy dining in Le bistro, Cagneys and the Asian restaurants and will visit each at least once per cruise. Nothing wrong with the dining rooms or buffet in my opinion, we just like the specialities and are happy to pay for them. I know they cost extra and also know from my experience on the Star that if a speciality is free you will never be able to eat there as it will be packed all week. I choose not to do Tepanyaki, sushi and Italian but am game for the others. Not due to price but due to personal preferences

[Planer's Edge]

 

The extra charge for LiBistro was 15/pp. It was worth it to us for the atmosphere and service.

Cagneys was 25/ as was the Asian resto's

I didn't find the food in the MDR up to my expectations.

 

Correction....

 

The Asian "resto's" are actually three different venues. The Asian fusion is $15pp, the Sushi Bar is $15pp and Teppanyaki is $25pp.

 

PE

[bahrain_not_dubai!]

I have cruised on many diffrent styles of ship, from 113,000 ton mega ships to smaller ships of only 19,000 tons and from the big lines- Princess and RCI being the ones iv tried other than NCL, NCL does not nickle and dime you more than the other two lines. However, one thing I did get caught up in on NCL was the fact that there where sooo many pay restruants as opposed to other ships, and althogh it is a 100% voluntary to actully eat in them (there are two free dining rooms and the buffet), I stupidly did go overbudget by trying every single eatry ! Other than that, NCL does not nickle and dime more than any other major cruise line and hence I would not let that be a major factor in choosing which ship to sail on.

[sottovoce]

Impossible!!! Nobody on Earth can survived on NCL MDR's inedible food for a whole week. :eek:

I hope you intended this to be sarcastic.

[Planer's Edge]

I hope you intended this to be sarcastic.

 

Relax Sotto, he/she was trying to make a funny and it did not come across properly.

 

Some above stated that they cruise without any additional cost other that their DSC, and some of is made remarks about how is that possible. Ddakrt was trying make funny with not being able to suffer through the atrocious dining room food that one would have to eat in the specialty reastaurants. :D

 

PE

 

P.S. I thought I was responding to your original post not this editted one. :eek:

[NMLady]

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

 

As one who has cruised on a variety of cruise lines, let me say that I don't think NCL is any different from the other cruise lines in their 'nickel and diming' the passengers. Specialty restaurants with extra charges are now on a majority of cruise lines, Art auctions with constant announcments are on cruise lines, Bingo, gratuities charged to your onboard account, all of these and more are on not only NCL but also other cruise lines.

[alwayssingin]

Impossible!!! Nobody on Earth can survived on NCL MDR's inedible food for a whole week. :eek:

 

Actually, we love the food in the MDRs. Love trying different things and figure if we don't like something we can try something else, go to the buffet, or go get some of those free wings later! :)

 

We did eat in Le Bistro (included with romance package, bought when it was still a bargain), Cagney's (1/2 night), Impressions (Murder Mystery Lunch), and Salsas (1/2 off, but still not worth the $5 that night).

[rickechambers1@aol.com]

Just to keep everything in perspective. Just returned from staying at the Pallazo (Las Vegas) for the past couple of nights. Yesterday afternoon we wanted a snack so we ordered 1 each of mozerella sticks $12, chicken fingers $15, french fries $8 and a 1/2 litre of iced tea $8 from room service. The cost, $51.00 with tax, delivery fee and tip. I remember, because I thought of CC and how people complain about paying a nominal fee for an elegant dinner.

 

Also, yesterday went to brunch at Wynn buffet...$45 a person and it was good but not great. AND had to wait 45 minutes for a table. Please don't interpret this as complaining...we knew the cost prior. That's why it's bothersome that some folks come here complaing afterward ... if you don't want it, don't buy it.

 

I think that the expectation for the price paid should be kept in check.

[Gypsyfish]

 

I'm not a fan of Freestyle Dining, but for the right itinerary, I would book NCL again.

 

I'm not a fan of Freestyle Dining, either. I like the more formal dining room experience, and meeting the people we're seated with. I also enjoyed getting to know our wait staff, and establishing routines with them each night. I also don't like the fact that people come to the dining room in the same sloppy clothes they've been wearing all day. It takes away a lot of the special feeling of a cruise. However, I guess we're in the minority. I'm just hoping it's true that people dress and behave a little more formally in the specialty dining rooms.

[Planer's Edge]

I'm not a fan of Freestyle Dining, either. I like the more formal dining room experience, and meeting the people we're seated with. I also enjoyed getting to know our wait staff, and establishing routines with them each night. I also don't like the fact that people come to the dining room in the same sloppy clothes they've been wearing all day. It takes away a lot of the special feeling of a cruise. However, I guess we're in the minority. I'm just hoping it's true that people dress and behave a little more formally in the specialty dining rooms.

If you look at truthfully, NCL fans are in the minority considering NCL only has about 10% of the total cruise market.

 

As for the "same sloppy clothes they've been wearing all day", I have not seen this personally. I am not doubting others experiences. just stating I have not seen it. Maybe it is the time of year we cruise or just being really lucky. The only cruise I have seen what would be considered questionable clothing choices was on the Carnival Pride. We saw guys actually wearing sleeveless "Big Johnson" t-shirts to the dining room for dinner. Eeeeewwww!!!

 

 

PE

[Hockey19]

It's kind of like Rick's Cafe in the movie Casablanca- everyone is surprised there is gambling going on. Everyone here acts surprised that a cruise line would try it's best to get additional revenue. Experience teaches ways to spend on what you want and what you enjoy. Bingo- bad. Crack lottery tickets bad. Casino- Really bad. Specialty restaurants- good if you enjoy the option. Drinks - high priced but there is always the beer bucket. Pictues -bad- one digital camera takes pictures of a lifetime. Excursions- do your research. Martini tasting- YES.

 

PS-Gypsyfish- I noticed your humble opinion but did not see your NCL cruise listed. Which trip led to your dissatisfaction?

[ddakrt]

I hope you intended this to be sarcastic.

 

Lots and lots of sarcasm there.

 

There was a longish thread where one of the things discussed was how atrociously bad NCL MDR food are to a couple people.

 

Personally, I'm extremely satisfy with NCL's food, MDR or otherwise.

[ddakrt]

I thought the food had recently been upgraded to atrocious.

 

Anyway, I enjoy dining in Le bistro, Cagneys and the Asian restaurants and will visit each at least once per cruise. Nothing wrong with the dining rooms or buffet in my opinion, we just like the specialities and are happy to pay for them. I know they cost extra and also know from my experience on the Star that if a speciality is free you will never be able to eat there as it will be packed all week. I choose not to do Tepanyaki, sushi and Italian but am game for the others. Not due to price but due to personal preferences

 

My fault. Fixed it in my previous reply. ;)

 

I thought Le Bistro was okay, the food we got were prepared very nicely, but it just wasn't my preference. Really like Cagney's; hated the Asian restaurant (the Chinese portion, didn't try sushi or Teppanyaki); thought Italian was ok (but one of my Italian friend whom I traveled with loved it on the Jewel) and quite liked the Tex-Mex even back when it was free.

 

I really haven't had a bad meal yet, the only thing "bad" was the tiramisu in Mama's, but I'm sure it was an isolated incident.

[Bridge Maven]

To me, getting "nickle and dimed" is when you unexpectedly get charged for stuff you'd assume would be included, like internet access at an expensive hotel, or parking at a non-urban hotel with a big parking lot. On NCL, you can eat good food for free, or have a special experience for an upcharge. You pay for booze and gambling, but you can choose not to. I don't think it should be a shock to anybody that you have to pay for internet access and phone calls from the middle of the Atlantic Ocean. The service charge might sort of qualify, but they're real up front about it, and it makes sense to me. I can't imagine that would be a shock to anyone that can read, again "N&D" means (to me) an unexpected charge.

 

My 2 cents, which is less than a nickle or a dime;)

 

Regarding the hotel comparison - Based on my experience, it appears that the more expensive a hotel is the more likely they are to charge extra for things that are included at less expensive hotels. For example Embassy Suites has wonderful breakfasts that are included while, more often than not, you have to pay extra for breakfast at more expensive hotels.

[stegosaurus1]

I'm not a fan of Freestyle Dining, either. I like the more formal dining room experience, and meeting the people we're seated with. I also enjoyed getting to know our wait staff, and establishing routines with them each night. I also don't like the fact that people come to the dining room in the same sloppy clothes they've been wearing all day. It takes away a lot of the special feeling of a cruise. However, I guess we're in the minority. I'm just hoping it's true that people dress and behave a little more formally in the specialty dining rooms.

Just a footnote on slobs, the one the only and the last time I was on RCL, our tablemate dressed up in his finest,leather jacket and motorcyclewear every night.:p Quite charming!!! Don't be presumptuous. Try NCL's diversity. you might be pleasantly surprised. Barb

[Tucker in Texas]

The last cruise I took on NCL was in 2007 on a 19-day trans-Atlantic. . Freestyle dining was not a good experience but I blame part of that on the fact the Dream was stretched but infrastructure was not added to accommodate the extra people and the ship was not built with Freestyle Dining in mind. We could never get a reservation after 5:30 or before 9:00 even calling/lining up at the first opportunity but were told that we could get good times at Le Bistro, their pay-for restaurant.

 

However, the biggest nickel and diming complaint I had was their misrepresentation of getting into town from ports. They would tell you it was miles and miles so you couldn't walk, that cabs were hard to come by and would cost x amount of dollars when in fact, if you were a "walker," it would be a 20 minute walk or, if not, a cab would be readily available at half the price or less than buying two tickets on their shuttle and a fraction of the price for four on the shuttle if you shared a cab.

 

The rest of the "extras" are pretty much in line with what the other non-premium lines are doing.

 

Tucker in Texas

[DMH15]

Some of us dress quite stylishly in the daytime. If sitting on the balcony or in the library makes my clothes unsuiatable for an early dinner, I am sorry that would upset you. :)

 

Still prefer dining ensuite from a specialty restaurant while wearing my pj's.

 

Don't do buffets if I can help it at all. And I much prefer intimate seating venues to the big-box type MDRs... And I like making new friends... Freestyle rocks!

[Planer's Edge]

 

However, the biggest nickel and diming complaint I had was their misrepresentation of getting into town from ports. They would tell you it was miles and miles so you couldn't walk, that cabs were hard to come by and would cost x amount of dollars when in fact, if you were a "walker," it would be a 20 minute walk or, if not, a cab would be readily available at half the price or less than buying two tickets on their shuttle and a fraction of the price for four on the shuttle if you shared a cab.

 

 

Tucker in Texas

A twenty minutes walk is beyond a lot of peoples capabilities. Especially the return walk after a few adult beverages. :eek:

 

Besides I have never heard of NCL offering a shuttle, that they sold tickets to, at any port I have ever been to. Shuttles are usually offered by some shoreside business.

 

PE

[mmceachn]

Correction....

 

The Asian "resto's" are actually three different venues. The Asian fusion is $15pp' date=' the Sushi Bar is $15pp and Teppanyaki is $25pp.

 

PE[/color']

 

PE,

 

How recently were you on the Spirit?

[jayhawker3]

Glad I read this thread! I'm going on my first cruise on the NCL Pearl next week, so I'll know what to expect and learn to use the word "no" very liberally. :-)

[beachchick]

I have cruised on many diffrent styles of ship, from 113,000 ton mega ships to smaller ships of only 19,000 tons and from the big lines- Princess and RCI being the ones iv tried other than NCL, NCL does not nickle and dime you more than the other two lines. However, one thing I did get caught up in on NCL was the fact that there where sooo many pay restruants as opposed to other ships, and althogh it is a 100% voluntary to actully eat in them (there are two free dining rooms and the buffet), I stupidly did go overbudget by trying every single eatry ! Other than that, NCL does not nickle and dime more than any other major cruise line and hence I would not let that be a major factor in choosing which ship to sail on.

 

Many people mention that, but I do want to point out that they have "sooo many pay restaurants" because they have more restaurants overall. Put another way: They have just as many and in some cases more included dining venues as on any other mass market line.

 

I can recall members in the past posting about how they "hate" NCL because having so many choices is overwhelming and that they're fine with cruise lines/ships that have, say, one or two surcharge specialty restaurants. They just can't tolerate having so many choices on NCL.:rolleyes: Really, for them having choices is a horrible thing and constitutes nickel-and-diming.

 

I'm not a fan of Freestyle Dining, either. I like the more formal dining room experience, and meeting the people we're seated with. I also enjoyed getting to know our wait staff, and establishing routines with them each night. I also don't like the fact that people come to the dining room in the same sloppy clothes they've been wearing all day. It takes away a lot of the special feeling of a cruise. However, I guess we're in the minority. I'm just hoping it's true that people dress and behave a little more formally in the specialty dining rooms.

 

I'm sorry you've had that experience. We have not had that happen on NCL. True, there is no mandatory formal night, but there are dress standards and they are generally followed (in our experience).

 

We are quite different from you in that we don't feel it makes the cruise more special if we have assigned dining times or table mates or wait staff. We don't feel a need to connect with our waiters or have them second guess what we might want on Wednesday based on what we ordered on Monday or Tuesday. As long as service is pleasant, efficient, prompt, and correct, we're happy. It makes a cruise no less special to us if we get to decide when, where, and with whom to dine. We love RCI and don't avoid cruise lines that have assigned dining, but we also don't consider the dining on any cruise ship to be what makes a cruise special. I realize that others feel differently, so I have suggest that people try to book with the cruise lines that suit their own personal style, tastes, and preferences best.

 

Truly, I want you to love all your cruises. If you feel that your cruise will not be as good because of Freestyle dining and the resort casual attire at dinner every night, then it might not be the best "fit" for you. I'm not trying to discourage you from cruising with NCL; not at all.

 

The last cruise I took on NCL was in 2007 on a 19-day trans-Atlantic. . Freestyle dining was not a good experience but I blame part of that on the fact the Dream was stretched but infrastructure was not added to accommodate the extra people and the ship was not built with Freestyle Dining in mind. We could never get a reservation after 5:30 or before 9:00 even calling/lining up at the first opportunity but were told that we could get good times at Le Bistro, their pay-for restaurant.

 

However, the biggest nickel and diming complaint I had was their misrepresentation of getting into town from ports. They would tell you it was miles and miles so you couldn't walk, that cabs were hard to come by and would cost x amount of dollars when in fact, if you were a "walker," it would be a 20 minute walk or, if not, a cab would be readily available at half the price or less than buying two tickets on their shuttle and a fraction of the price for four on the shuttle if you shared a cab.

 

The rest of the "extras" are pretty much in line with what the other non-premium lines are doing.

 

Tucker in Texas

 

I think you should write a letter to NCL about this. Blatant misrepresentation (read: lying) is not acceptable. OTOH, I don't know if other cruise lines do it too, so I don't have a clue if it's an NCL-specific problem.

 

beachchick

[Planer's Edge]

PE,

 

How recently were you on the Spirit?

 

Not recently at all. We were on the Spirit in April of 2005.

 

PE

[MeLuvDaSea]

I haven't been on NCL yet, but I can say that I have heard the nickle-and-dime subject come up on all the other cruiselines I have been with. It is probably an industry-wide practice.

 

We don't drink so when offered we always just politely decline. It is really no sort of problem. The people are just doing their jobs. As for the sales literature that fills the stateroom each evening, I just glance through it in case they've stuck something I care about in the stack, and then toss it in the bin.

 

In the old days, way back in '01 when we first started crusing, there used to be a nice little newspaper each evening, to fill you in on the latest happenings in the world. But I guess that was too costly. Now they use those resources to print sales literature... C'est la vie! Cruising is still the best way to go.

 

Don