Whats gone up or changed sinced your last cruise just added

[Project-College]

Sundercruiser, nice note about the stock prices.

 

As I said yesterday...

...the lack of notice from NCL for these changes and more importantly, the lack of "Grandfathering" existing contracts for the prices that were agreed to... that just doesn't equate to good business.

The Cruise Industry is so congested and competitive now... NCL better be careful.

 

Heck, they may find RCL or Carnival start T-Mobiling them (i.e. offering to buy some people out of their existing NCL contracts, snce they are upset with NCL, and switching them to their own cruise lines):eek:

[NLH Arizona]

Bad Business, if you ask me. It was very shady how they have made all these increases and charges over night. A better way would have been a disclaimer, stating what changes were coming and giving people the option of keeping their booking or going elsewhere. To expect customers to be forced to pay extra after the "pay in full" date is crazy and I will not do business with such anymore.

I am confused, the only thing extra that you might have to pay is the increase in the DSC, every other thing that has an increase affixed to it is a choice item. You don't want to pay the extra price for them, don't have them or use them...problem charge. I said might for the daily service charge, because one could always reduce it or remove!!

 

I would prefer that NCL keeps their fares low and gives us the choice on how we want to spend our money.

[NLH Arizona]

I am going to add these three to this list:

 

The Kids Sail "free" promo that isn't. NCL directly increased the prices for the 3rd/4th guest by 100% of more in the hours prior to the KSF promo being added. The 3rd/4th guest fee is now, in many cases, HIGHER than for guests 1 and 2.

 

The price increases that pretty much directly map to the "free" UBP/UDP. Wide scale implementation of roughly 20% on most cruises since prior to the free promo.

 

"Dumbing down" of the drink menu to steer guests towards basic drinks and not the fancy, fun cocktails they have promoted in the past.

Choose your next cruise line wisely, because they all do number 2 on your list. I booked a cruise on Celebrity and then they had the pick your perk promotion (get choice of beverage package, OBC or free gratuities). I had my TA call to get the promotion and the price of the cruise was now substantially higher.

[sundercruiser]

Sundercruiser, nice note about the stock prices.

 

As I said yesterday...

...the lack of notice from NCL for these changes and more importantly, the lack of "Grandfathering" existing contracts for the prices that were agreed to... that just doesn't equate to good business.

The Cruise Industry is so congested and competitive now... NCL better be careful.

 

Heck, they may find RCL or Carnival start T-Mobiling them (i.e. offering to buy some people out of their existing NCL contracts, snce they are upset with NCL, and switching them to their own cruise lines):eek:

 

Thanks. I do note that as of 11:24 am today, NCLH is up by half a percent while DJIA is down about a quarter of a percent. Oh well, we'll see.

 

Btw, NCL hasn't ACTUALLY grandfathered those past final payment when they upped the DSC by allowing us to pre-pay at the old rate. I want to pay the old rate when I board the ship, which was the understanding I had with NCL when I booked and finally paid. It would have been an utterly trivial matter to make the increase only for new bookings, or at least only for those before final payment. Yes, NCL has (as far as I can tell) legal authority to do what they did, but I don't think it was a good business decision.

 

Add in the complete surprise sprung on those on board BA/GA this week and you really have to wonder what they were thinking.

[bangzoom6877]

I agree with all you are saying and yes, all these increases are going to upset or have upset many. I guess the only thing I can say is: have any of us checked to see what changes other lines have made? Of all the new added costs, I am still not convinced we are paying more than other lines: As a rule, NCL base prices are lower, they will continue to make it up some way. The only positive thing: we do have choices in most of these cases. We have no choice on what the base price is. To me, the biggest negative with all this is: NCL decides to hit us with all this almost at once. Why not, one increase at a time over a long period of time and give some notice or throw in a grandfathers clause with some of the increases. I know some you couldn't do that with, but some you can.

The only new charge that I do not understand people being upset about is the increase in the bar tips. 18% is so normal for tipping today, why is this bothering anyone? All the rest make sense.

 

Royal Caribbean also increased their drink prices. From what I've read, they also now collect an 18% gratuity for bar purchases as does Celebrity. Other than that, I haven't seen other increases. The 18% gratuity on bar purchases doesn't bother me! but the room service fee does. If they want to have an expanded room service menu with premium items and charge a la carte for those items only for non-suite and non-haven guests, fine. But have the original complimentary menu still available WITHOUT tacking on a convenience fee...this fee contradicts the complimentary claim.

[NLH Arizona]

I agree with all you are saying and yes, all these increases are going to upset or have upset many. I guess the only thing I can say is: have any of us checked to see what changes other lines have made? Of all the new added costs, I am still not convinced we are paying more than other lines: As a rule, NCL base prices are lower, they will continue to make it up some way. The only positive thing: we do have choices in most of these cases. We have no choice on what the base price is. To me, the biggest negative with all this is: NCL decides to hit us with all this almost at once. Why not, one increase at a time over a long period of time and give some notice or throw in a grandfathers clause with some of the increases. I know some you couldn't do that with, but some you can.

The only new charge that I do not understand people being upset about is the increase in the bar tips. 18% is so normal for tipping today, why is this bothering anyone? All the rest make sense.

what I find so amazing is all the anger about the increase in the DSC. on one hand these folks say how great the crew is and on the other hand complaining about them getting a little more. Wonder how many of these who are complaining would work years at the same salary.

 

Then we have those who call NCL greedy, evil, unethical,etc., and say the increase is going into NCL's pocket, without any proof whatsoever. Wonder if they protest and not use or buy gas or food or clothes, because the prices go up without any warning. At least NCL allowed those that wanted tp prepay the DSC the chance to do so at the old cost.

 

Maybe some were not in the business world. Businesses are in the business to make money or they won't be around long. The prices of the goods and services that NCL uses goes up and, of course, they are going to pass the increase on to their customers, just like every other company. They can either raise the fares to include these increases or increase "choice" items, so that their customers can decide if the want to pay it or not.

Edited March 31, 2015 by NLH Arizona

[TATraveler]

For my "Freestyle choice" perk, I opted to pay the DSC up front instead of getting beverages or "free" upgraded dining. Thus, I have no option of even adjusting the DSC, even if the service is poor. My service people just get it. Period. I prioritize them over my own creature comforts.

 

That said, the problem is not about having to pay the newly increased fees (of all types). It's having them increased when people have no recourse, as in no right to cancel. Any change like this should open a cancellation window (and I suspect that if courts got involved, it would). If we said, sorry Norwegian, we only want to pay 90% of our fares, they would say, "tough luck". However they have the right to be in breach of contract with us.

 

Because of these ad hoc fare increases with no notice nor recourse, my upcoming Alaska trip is the first and last I'll do. And if I had the right to cancel, I likely would. The increases aren't going to affect me, since we'll try and stay out of specialty dining (although that might be hard) and since we don't drink alcohol, but I'll do it on principal. I have no faith in an organization that can change the terms of the contract they've signed with me whenever they want and outside of the cancel window.

Edited April 19, 2015 by TATraveler

[mking8288]

Some of the Asian restaurants are now free, including Shanghai Noodles on the mega-ships, and, the simplification (reduced selections/eliminated choices) of the now free items on the menu.

As for gratuity, it is entirely discretionary as in optional, not mandatory - and even at upscale dining establishments, the recommended percentages in NY are typically 15%, 18% and 20% - and, of course, some go as high as 25%.

Some establishments only do that for large parties of say 6 people or more to minimize the odds of "under" tipping. What do I know, my consulting client's accounts have these figures & formulas programmed into their POS billing systems (as in Point of Sales ... and, not what you are thinking) plus there is always the option of leaving a CASH tip instead of putting the extra amount on the credit card/charge slip.

Of course, those in Europe and Asia are typically accustomed to leaving the "loose" change and not a fixed percentage of the bill, as tipping is the exception and not the established norms or practices in other countries of the world - but, we shall not debate that here.

[Tiggertastic]

We got off the gem on Wednesday

 

Lots of items on the room service menu were still free, at least half of it

 

If you had the ubp, the gratuity is included

 

If you book your dining online before travel, there was no 18% gratuity added to those

 

And the pizza was still $5

 

They added the Chinese restaurant to the complimentary restaurants and they increased the menu of blue lagoon by making it o'sheehans

[zqvol]

So lets get it right

Since my February 2015 cruise

the following has happened

 

ROOM SERVICE

Has increased from FREE to $7.95 a delivery

 

DRINKS

have increased in price. 14% for my tipple

 

DRINKS SERVICE CHARGE

Has increase from 15% to 18 %

 

SPECIALIST DINING

Has now 18% added to the bill

 

DSC

has been increased

 

What else? has disappeared or added.

 

please added

 

these increases on there own are not much but when lumped together add a great deal.

i intend to enjoy my next cruise, in April to the same same level as the last be intrested in the increased cost.

 

NCL certainly no how to upset there customers

j

 

 

Give it a rest. This horse has been beaten to death.. If you don't like the cost find a different way to spend your vacation dollar.

[maywell]

Give it a rest. This horse has been beaten to death.. If you don't like the cost find a different way to spend your vacation dollar.

 

That poor horse has been resurrected from bone-meal just to beaten to death some more....

 

 

Personally, except for the DSC, everything else is a nickel & dime ploy that just got $1 or more increase, that's it. Nothing to honestly ruin one's vacation over and if it does? Please find a cruise line that will not nickel and dime a person badly because obviously NCL does. :rolleyes:

Edited April 19, 2015 by maywell

[bambione]

So lets get it right

Since my February 2015 cruise

the following has happened

 

ROOM SERVICE

Has increased from FREE to $7.95 a delivery

 

DRINKS

have increased in price. 14% for my tipple

 

DRINKS SERVICE CHARGE

Has increase from 15% to 18 %

 

SPECIALIST DINING

Has now 18% added to the bill

 

DSC

has been increased

 

What else? has disappeared or added.

 

please added

 

these increases on there own are not much but when lumped together add a great deal.

i intend to enjoy my next cruise, in April to the same same level as the last be intrested in the increased cost.

 

NCL certainly no how to upset there customers

j

 

I looked at your list, and it was nice to have it all posted to look at it.

 

1) I don't do room service, so that doesn't really affect me.

 

2) I have the UBP, which I am thrilled to be given. So I don't have to worry about drink prices and service charges.

 

3) Specialty dining auto gratuity. I usually tip around 20% anyway, so that's no big deal. However, I do hate an auto gratuity at a restaurant and would adjust according if service is bad due to the fault of the waitstaff.

 

4) DSC-I did prepay this so it doesn't affect me.

 

The price of my oceanview cabin has gone up in price since I booked. So all in all nothing has affected me. However, I can certainly understand the ire of those who have made their final payments and found all these price changes that could possibly affect them. If I did room service constantly I'm sure I would be bothered by this change.

 

I personally think NCL should have done all these price changes at once, posted them on their website, send out an email, and have them take affect in a few months. This last minute sneaky stuff does bother me!

[abbyar]

To preface: we're sailing the Gem May 30th -

 

Dh is just off the spring break sailing on X out of Ft Lauderdale. Although many on board purchased the drink package equivalent, X refused to provide drinks covered by the package until out of Ft Lauderdale - as they did not have a means to calculate & collect Florida sales tax while in port. Apparently there were a lot of angry people looking for drinks after early boarding, who, once they had a few drinks, were quick to bring it up to dh, especially as X didn't have problems doing so on their prior cruises.

Although I can't determine what X is saving by making customers wait a few hours for included drinks, it's not only NCL drawing ire for recent changes without notice.

[cliffd64]

So lets get it right

Since my February 2015 cruise

the following has happened

 

ROOM SERVICE

Has increased from FREE to $7.95 a delivery

 

DRINKS

have increased in price. 14% for my tipple

 

DRINKS SERVICE CHARGE

Has increase from 15% to 18 %

 

SPECIALIST DINING

Has now 18% added to the bill

 

DSC

has been increased

 

What else? has disappeared or added.

 

please added

 

these increases on there own are not much but when lumped together add a great deal.

i intend to enjoy my next cruise, in April to the same same level as the last be intrested in the increased cost.

 

NCL certainly no how to upset there customers

j

 

 

In truth, I think you have exaggerated several points.

 

1.) Room service has a charge only if you order from the enhanced menu... if you order a pot of coffee and danish as before, there is still no charge. Personally I don't do room service ... no impact to me whatsoever. Zero.

 

2.) 14 percent of what? If your drink was 10 dollars before ... now it's 11.40... I'm not so sure that's significant. especially since you can get the UBP as a promo ... Not much of an impact.

 

3.) The gratuity on beverages went up by an additional 3 percent... which represents 30 cents for every 10 dollars or 3 dollars for every 100 dollars... Those of you who claim you don't drink a lot can certainly afford 3 or 6 or 9 dollars over a seven night cruise. Certainly that is not a bank breaker. Once again the UBP promo alleviates this problem.

 

4.) The new 18 percent autogratuity for specialty restaurants is certainly avoidable... there is no gun to your head to eat there... Use the MDRs or buffet or O'Sheehans or Asian restaurant. Zero impact unless you want it to be.

 

5.) Daily Service Charge... for most it went up 95 cents a day... suites, well, 3 dollars a day roughly. It's been 12 for a long time. Not a big deal as it represents 7 dollars per person in non suite cabins for a week long cruise. Very little impact.

 

 

Let's add it up for a two person cruise for 7 nights in an oceanview cabin or higher...

 

zero extra for room service unless you order enhanced menu

UBP promo so no beverage gratuities or prices - zero

zero if you don't partake in a specialty restaurant - but lets say you go to Cagneys one night... just for fun... for two people say $12.60 gratuity

Daily Service Charge - say an even 14 extra for two people for simplicity...

 

total increase as a result for most people a whopping eye-bulging $26.60 USD... WOW. The horror!

 

Even if you added in 300 dollars of drinks without the UBP with higher gratuity (9 dollars) that would only push it to about $35 USD.

 

All this complaining for $26.60 - $35 for a week?

[maywell]

In truth, I think you have exaggerated several points.

 

1.) Room service has a charge only if you order from the enhanced menu... if you order a pot of coffee and danish as before, there is still no charge. Personally I don't do room service ... no impact to me whatsoever. Zero.

 

2.) 14 percent of what? If your drink was 10 dollars before ... now it's 11.40... I'm not so sure that's significant. especially since you can get the UBP as a promo ... Not much of an impact.

 

3.) The gratuity on beverages went up by an additional 3 percent... which represents 30 cents for every 10 dollars or 3 dollars for every 100 dollars... Those of you who claim you don't drink a lot can certainly afford 3 or 6 or 9 dollars over a seven night cruise. Certainly that is not a bank breaker. Once again the UBP promo alleviates this problem.

 

4.) The new 18 percent autogratuity for specialty restaurants is certainly avoidable... there is no gun to your head to eat there... Use the MDRs or buffet or O'Sheehans or Asian restaurant. Zero impact unless you want it to be.

 

5.) Daily Service Charge... for most it went up 95 cents a day... suites, well, 3 dollars a day roughly. It's been 12 for a long time. Not a big deal as it represents 7 dollars per person in non suite cabins for a week long cruise. Very little impact.

 

 

Let's add it up for a two person cruise for 7 nights in an oceanview cabin or higher...

 

zero extra for room service unless you order enhanced menu

UBP promo so no beverage gratuities or prices - zero

zero if you don't partake in a specialty restaurant - but lets say you go to Cagneys one night... just for fun... for two people say $12.60 gratuity

Daily Service Charge - say an even 14 extra for two people for simplicity...

 

total increase as a result for most people a whopping eye-bulging $26.60 USD... WOW. The horror!

 

Even if you added in 300 dollars of drinks without the UBP with higher gratuity (9 dollars) that would only push it to about $35 USD.

 

All this complaining for $26.60 - $35 for a week?

 

Stop good sir / madam, your common sense math burns, ITS BURNS!!! - I'm jesting, jesting - But, yes you're right, that is what they are crying over when one does the math. About $27- 50 per person increase with all the different package combinations minus the room service fee, just $7-21 per person with DSC increase only. I'm with you on the complaining over the small amount....

 

 

Sent from my SGH-T399 using Tapatalk

[Kingmaker_inc]

All this complaining for $26.60 - $35 for a week?

 

 

THANK YOU!

 

So, the new CEO apparently said that his goal was for NCL to get another $50 per person (I presume this means per adult) per cruise. And he's accomplished it.

 

Let's move on and enjoy our cruises!!

[maywell]

THANK YOU!

 

So, the new CEO apparently said that his goal was for NCL to get another $50 per person (I presume this means per adult) per cruise. And he's accomplished it.

 

Let's move on and enjoy our cruises!!

 

The new CEO said he wanted try to get additional $4-5 per day from each person - if you buy the drink package, that is pretty much giving him the $4-5per day because the base prices for the drinks went up and that is not including the auto tips! He accomplished his mission on that front....

 

Sent from my SGH-T399 using Tapatalk

[Kingmaker_inc]

The new CEO said he wanted try to get additional $4-5 per day from each person - if you buy the drink package, that is pretty much giving him the $4-5per day...

 

Yes, but in the time since he took over, the drinks package has been one of the perks/freebies offered with almost all fares. The base price did not go up (I checked), and I was able to convert existing booked cruises to include a bunch of these offers.

 

I'm not an NCL cheerleader, but I do know a good deal when I see one... and I saw two of them and booked them, and am quite happy about it.

[maywell]

Yes, but in the time since he took over, the drinks package has been one of the perks/freebies offered with almost all fares. The base price did not go up (I checked), and I was able to convert existing booked cruises to include a bunch of these offers.

 

I'm not an NCL cheerleader, but I do know a good deal when I see one... and I saw two of them and booked them, and am quite happy about it.

When one sees a good deal - take it even if its not with NCL!![emoji16] Abuse that freebie as much as you like, I know I would if I was a heavy drinker (my limit is 4 per day, so UBP is a waste for me...[emoji20] )

 

Sent from my SGH-T399 using Tapatalk

[Kingmaker_inc]

When one sees a good deal - take it even if its not with NCL!!

 

I'm not discounting the valid complaints about the way these changes were rolled out... and I am surprised (from a goodwill/business perspective) that they didn't do grandfathering. If they had - no one would really have had anything to complain about. Prices go up, sometimes down... but when you strike a contract - the line should have honoured it.

 

I *am* disappointed with that piece.

Edited April 20, 2015 by Kingmaker_inc

[SUNNY D]

Sailing with NCL for the first time in June To Alaska. We have sailed RC and Carnival in the past and only went with NCL this time due to itinerary. Ever since making final payment there has been one increase after another. Had we not already booked nonrefundable airfares we would have canceled if it was possible. We plan to enjoy our cruise in June but feel strongly we will not book another cruise with NCL given all of the recent changes and how they have been implemented. So for us it's hello and goodbye NCL.

[Kingmaker_inc]

We plan to enjoy our cruise in June but feel strongly we will not book another cruise with NCL given all of the recent changes and how they have been implemented. So for us it's hello and goodbye NCL.

 

Why not go into your cruise with an open mind... see if you like it / enjoy yourself and get good value for your money??? Why decide now you aren't going back? This seems quite precipitous and definitely premature.

[cruise crazed]

Pricing is part of doing business. It creates competition. If I am unhappy with a price increase I shop elsewhere. I enjoyed my cruise on the Breakaway last year and I am sailing again on the Breakaway in July. I just returned from a Princess cruise and I feel NCL is still priced competitively with the increases.

[electro]

Norwegian Cruise Line has introduced a new enhanced room service menu that is debuting on board Norwegian Getaway and Norwegian Breakaway. The new menu offers an expanded selection for breakfast in addition to a wider variety of options available on the 24 hour menu. Individual items on the menu remain available on a complimentary basis and a convenience charge of up to $7.95 will be added to each order placed. Room service is one of up to 29 dining options offered across the fleet, and guests continue to be able to enjoy a wide array of complimentary choices onboard 24 hours a day.

 

NCL

1. If there is a fee then it in NOT complimentary.

2. There is nothing convenient about a fee on something that was free when I booked and made final payment on my cruise.:mad:

 

Lois

[stylencharm]

Wow so many changes!!