Auto Gratuity At Specialty Restaurant Implemented

[whenisthemidnightbuffet?]

Not sure if anyone posted about this (don't want to use all my mb searching) but we are currently on the BA and I noticed in the Freestyle in very small print that they are automatically adding an 18% gratuity charge to the cover charge for all specialty restaurants. I had not seen any mention of this on cc before I sailed so thought maybe it was a mistake but last night I met a gentlement who ate at LeBistro and they charged him for the gratuities and he was not happy. He spoke to maitre d who confirmed it is listed in the Freestyle, but yes was in very small print. NCL website makes no mention of it on the UDP purchase so I guess if you have the dining plan no additional 18% (yet, lol). Not sure if their website has this new charge in the faq for specialty dining.

 

And just an update, reservations for all free shows, with the exception of Second City, are not being utilized you just show up.

[LMaxwell]

Seems like a blatant double dip.

[hpecorari]

Not sure if anyone posted about this (don't want to use all my mb searching) but we are currently on the BA and I noticed in the Freestyle in very small print that they are automatically adding an 18% gratuity charge to the cover charge for all specialty restaurants. I had not seen any mention of this on cc before I sailed so thought maybe it was a mistake but last night I met a gentlement who ate at LeBistro and they charged him for the gratuities and he was not happy. He spoke to maitre d who confirmed it is listed in the Freestyle, but yes was in very small print. NCL website makes no mention of it on the UDP purchase so I guess if you have the dining plan no additional 18% (yet, lol). Not sure if their website has this new charge in the faq for specialty dining.

 

And just an update, reservations for all free shows, with the exception of Second City, are not being utilized you just show up.

 

Hmmmm, they actually have the right to change their prices, etc. but I'd think that if a cruise was booked and paid in full for prior to the 'adjustment'

they'd have to honor that.

 

Something for me to do later.....search their website to see if I find anything. Thanks for the post! Hope you're have a BLAST!

 

Harriet

[whenisthemidnightbuffet?]

Thanks Harriet. We are having a good time. Weather has been nice and I was told by one of the crew we will definitely make it to GSC tomorrow. Casino not so great (so far, lol).

[ColinIllinois]

The UDP FAQ's says this about gratuities:

 

Q. ARE GRATUITIES INCLUDED IN THE ULTIMATE DINING PACKAGE PURCHASE PRICE?

A. No. If you wish to recognize the crew for their service, you may do so at time of service using the gratuity line on the check. Plus, a beverage gratuity of 15% will automatically be added to all beverage sales.

[whenisthemidnightbuffet?]

The problem is for those who are regular NCL cruisers I believe because they are not aware of the 18% added on their individual charge and when they see the slip at the end of meal, it's like What's this? For those who have no experience they will more easily accept it. Because so many have the UDP it is not an issue for them and seems like the right time for NCL to just try to slip this in. Not sure if this is happening on the entire fleet, or if only BA is "testing" it since BA has been the lab rat so far for all of these New Features.

[hpecorari]

The UDP FAQ's says this about gratuities:

 

Q. ARE GRATUITIES INCLUDED IN THE ULTIMATE DINING PACKAGE PURCHASE PRICE?

A. No. If you wish to recognize the crew for their service, you may do so at time of service using the gratuity line on the check. Plus, a beverage gratuity of 15% will automatically be added to all beverage sales.

 

Yes, just found this which is outdated since we know know the beverate gratuity was raised to 18%.

 

 

Harriet

[CasinoCruzGirl]

how can they force you to pay 18% when they say wait staff is included in the DSC? I always leave a tip in whatever restaurant I am eating at either MDR or Specialty so now do I stop leaving a tip? I am a bit confused about this.

 

Geri

[SissasMomE]

The problem is for those who are regular NCL cruisers I believe because they are not aware of the 18% added on their individual charge and when they see the slip at the end of meal, it's like What's this? For those who have no experience they will more easily accept it. Because so many have the UDP it is not an issue for them and seems like the right time for NCL to just try to slip this in. Not sure if this is happening on the entire fleet, or if only BA is "testing" it since BA has been the lab rat so far for all of these New Features.

 

Not cool at all. It amounts to $4.50 pp on a $25 cover charge, which is not even close to what we normally leave; however, if I am being "forced" to tip, then that is all that will be left.

[med9114u]

Not trying to get flamed, but maybe it was done because SOME people felt that since they paid a fee to eat there then they feel that they do not have to tip.....I do, but there are probably others who do not. I pay to eat at a restaurant on land and then leave a tip also, so it is no biggie to me....I usually tip more than 18% anyways, but that is my personal preference. And we are fairly new to NCL, are the servers in the Specialty Restaurants included in the Service Fee that is paid?

Edited March 17, 2015 by med9114u

[hpecorari]

Not trying to get flamed, but maybe it was done because SOME people felt that since they paid a fee to eat there then they feel that they do not have to tip.....I do, but there are probably others who do not. I pay to eat at a restaurant on land and then leave a tip also, so it is no biggie to me....I usually tip more than 18% anyways, but that is my personal preference.

 

I think the problem here is that it's something 'new' that no one expected since they've the servers in ALL specialty restaurant are included in the DSC......as they rotate from the MDR to specialty restaurants. And more so now that they've raised the DSC per person.

 

I, however, like you, always leave an additional tip, but it's always been stated it was included.

 

Harriet

[hpecorari]

The problem is for those who are regular NCL cruisers I believe because they are not aware of the 18% added on their individual charge and when they see the slip at the end of meal, it's like What's this? For those who have no experience they will more easily accept it. Because so many have the UDP it is not an issue for them and seems like the right time for NCL to just try to slip this in. Not sure if this is happening on the entire fleet, or if only BA is "testing" it since BA has been the lab rat so far for all of these New Features.

 

Could some be confusing the 18% that is added on for their drinks if they don't have the UBP....thinking it's for the meal?

 

Harriet

[hawkeyetlse]

Hmmmm, they actually have the right to change their prices, etc. but I'd think that if a cruise was booked and paid in full for prior to the 'adjustment'

they'd have to honor that.

None of the prices onboard are guaranteed until you actually pay them. If you prebook and prepay a specialty restaurant, excursion, drink package, etc., then yes, they should honor that price. But if you buy something onboard, you pay the current price.

[NMLady]

Could some be confusing the 18% that is added on for their drinks if they don't have the UBP....thinking it's for the meal?

 

Harriet

 

That is what I am wondering.

 

Also, platinum members do not get any slip of paper at end of their free meal so how would 18% be charged? Maybe they are now giving a paper showing 0 for meal and then gratuity amount? Weird.

 

18% is less than what we usually leave in Le Bistro so they would lose money on us since we'd leave no additional tip if they somehow charged us that gratuity on our free platinum perk dinner.

Edited March 17, 2015 by NMLady

[SissasMomE]

Not trying to get flamed, but maybe it was done because SOME people felt that since they paid a fee to eat there then they feel that they do not have to tip.....I do, but there are probably others who do not. I pay to eat at a restaurant on land and then leave a tip also, so it is no biggie to me....I usually tip more than 18% anyways, but that is my personal preference. And we are fairly new to NCL, are the servers in the Specialty Restaurants included in the Service Fee that is paid?

 

You don't have to tip. You do not have to tip anyone that is included in the DSC.

[LMaxwell]

You don't have to tip. You do not have to tip anyone that is included in the DSC.

Well that appears to have changed now. The servers are part of the DSC. So why the 18% double dip? Are services or amenities being increased in commensurate manner?

[hpecorari]

None of the prices onboard are guaranteed until you actually pay them. If you prebook and prepay a specialty restaurant, excursion, drink package, etc., then yes, they should honor that price. But if you buy something onboard, you pay the current price.

 

I was under the impression that once the cruise was paid for in full the contract I had was the contract that was to be followed. Any changes would occur after my cruise. But......that's just what I thought.

 

Harriet

[SissasMomE]

Well that appears to have changed now. The servers are part of the DSC. So why the 18% double dip? Are services or amenities being increased in commensurate manner?

 

I agree. This kinda annoys me. In fact, we are introducing several cabins of friends to NCL on one of our upcoming cruises. I won't be recommending specialties, if this is true. I think it may be a mistake though, and is actually the service charge for beverages. I guess time will tell.

Edited March 17, 2015 by SissasMomE

[hpecorari]

Well that appears to have changed now. The servers are part of the DSC. So why the 18% double dip? Are services or amenities being increased in commensurate manner?

 

Something wrong here. It just does not make sense that the servers who are a part of the DSC are also getting an additional 18%. Tipping in specialty restaurants has always been at the discretion of the the cruiser.

 

Harriet

[Nola26]

how can they force you to pay 18% when they say wait staff is included in the DSC? I always leave a tip in whatever restaurant I am eating at either MDR or Specialty so now do I stop leaving a tip? I am a bit confused about this.

 

Geri

 

If you take the path of specialty dining not being included in your cruise fare the gratuities associated with those restaurants aren't included either.

 

The quote above (15%) suggests this isn't new. Perhaps the tips weren't being left and this is how NCL decided to take care of the staff.

[CasinoCruzGirl]

Something wrong here. It just does not make sense that the servers who are a part of the DSC are also getting an additional 18%. Tipping in specialty restaurants has always been at the discretion of the the cruiser.

 

Harriet

 

I agree something is not right with this

[insidecabin]

Could some be confusing the 18% that is added on for their drinks if they don't have the UBP....thinking it's for the meal?

 

Harriet

 

Drinks and cover on separate sheets.

[jaja]

Knowing NCL monitors CC...I DO HOPE..someone with the company will clarify all aspects of this....IF it is true..how does it affect.".one time" specialty diners and those on UDP and UBP or those with "free" meals...ie gift, Platinum,casino, etc. ALSO..if this is to be something new...what about those already booked ...

[sundercruiser]

Increase the DSC and in the next breath, decrease the services it covers.

[Tricialy]

We ate at 4 specialty restaurants last week on the Jewel and didn't have a gratuity automatically added to any of them. (no UBP fo us) - it seems strange that they would make that change during the middle of the month, but if it's true - it must have started this week.