Whats gone up or changed sinced your last cruise just added

[SissasMomE]

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

 

Well, none of this (other than room service) will really have an effect on us. We pre-pay the DSC, so we are in at the old rate. We have the UBP as part of our booking, so we won't see any of those fees. We would have gone to at least two specialties, but after NCL started with the double dipping of tips, we won't - so, lost revenue for them on that front. We do not do ship sponsored excursions ... really, NCL is losing on our next cruise ... but we will certainly enjoy our free UBP :D

 

Our next cruise is with RCCL. It's been awhile since we sailed them. After, it will be Princess and Celebrity ... possibly a MSC. I'm still debating on that one. Then, we will take it from there. If we feel like NCL is worth all of their added fees after those cruises, then we'll come back, but we are certainly going to give the others a shot again.

Edited April 21, 2015 by SissasMomE

[bobg529]

I am beginning to miss the debates about chair hogs...:cool:

[stylencharm]

It's been a while for us, these changes seem not so bad.

 

Maybe because we only cruise haven it's not such a hit every time we turn around. Unless we are in the jeweller

Edited April 21, 2015 by stylencharm

[kessdarln]

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.

 

Hi Sunny D!

 

I'm curious... did NCL add costs to your cruise after you booked it? That is how I read your post and that doesn't sound like NCL. :eek: Did you buy travel insurance? If you got it with the cancel for any reason clause you can just avoid this entire BAD experience and stay home... right?

 

As for costs... I don't believe I could get hotel, meals, entertainment and transportation to different locations for such a bargain... Traveling on other ships or by land I still incur the cost of tours, drinks, spa, taxis, tips, etc. Of course if I don't buy extra services.. I save money... just like anywhere. And I don't think $12.95 a day to be waited on at every meal, my bags carried, my room cleaned 2x per day, and so many other services comes even close to what I use... so sure, there is an 18% tip on every drink ordered, big deal. Most places suggest or add 20% to your dinner or drink bill.... service people live off tips even on cruise ships.

 

Anyway... It really is too bad your upcoming cruise was spoiled by negative comments, reviews, thinking... Personally I'm of the belief it is all about the attitude... if you think you'll have a bad time, you probably will and you'll probably ruin it for everyone near you. To me, it's a vacation... down time, time off from life... seriously, how can it be bad.. unless you're on a broken down ship with someone's toilet running down your walls and no fresh water.

 

[maxwellito]

The price of my cabin!!

[Wendy&Grumpy]

well I for one will be booking with NCL for the last time .

I booked my cruise last August and since then my cabin price has reduced by £200!!!!!!!!!! from what I paid so that alone made me angry . When I booked the DSC was $12 it has now gone up to $12.95 ........ yes I could pre pay at the old price but I disagree with paying a service charge before ive even had the service . The added bar gratuity has increased from 15% upto 18% this is annoying enough but then I find that the drinks menus had considerably decreased in choice .................. where have all the cocktails gone ???????

If they start charging for room service well that will be the straw that breaks the camels back .

:(

 

They now have. :(

[Wendy&Grumpy]

ADD THE $5 Luke warm pizza will now cost $12.95

 

Pizza is now complimentary, save for the "convenience" fee.

 

You can now get your lukewarm pizza for only $7.95!

 

What a bargain, huh?! ;)

[kessdarln]

Only a suggestion: Cabin prices usually drop to fill the remaining cabins at the last minute. For those of you that booked your cruise way back when... if you are still far enough out...you can always call and change to the latest price and promotion - you will lose any perks you had with your old promotion. Also, if you call and "upgrade" your cabin, the price will reflect the current new cabin price and keep your current promotion.... of course, that is only if you have a lower cost cabin.

Edited May 3, 2015 by kessdarln

[SissasMomE]

I am beginning to miss the debates about chair hogs...:cool:

 

and a good smoking debate is always fun :D

[Beaver1975]

Pizza is now complimentary, save for the "convenience" fee.

 

You can now get your lukewarm pizza for only $7.95!

 

What a bargain, huh?! ;)

 

Do you know for certain the pizza is lukewarm? I don't know as I have not used room service in years and have not partaken of the $5 pizza option.

 

There were varying reviews of the 24/7 $5 pizza, that has been discontinued, now the new 10" personal pizza is the room service choice.

[kessdarln]

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.

 

Now I have to agree here... I do believe outside/balcony cabins prices are higher than I think they were before they threw in the free drinks making the cabin prices more in line with other cruise lines. Or so it seems to me there is a price offset for the drinks (or whatever free.) I think the prices are much higher on the mega ships too. Breakaway v Gem for the same cruise is much much more expensive.

[Wendy&Grumpy]

Do you know for certain the pizza is lukewarm? I don't know as I have not used room service in years and have not partaken of the $5 pizza option.

 

There were varying reviews of the 24/7 $5 pizza, that has been discontinued, now the new 10" personal pizza is the room service choice.

 

LOL No. The poster I was responding to called it lukewarm. I was just letting him know he could have his lukewarm pizza for $7.95 now, not $12.95 as he thought. ;)

[SteveH2508]

Do you know for certain the pizza is lukewarm? I don't know as I have not used room service in years and have not partaken of the $5 pizza option.

 

There were varying reviews of the 24/7 $5 pizza, that has been discontinued, now the new 10" personal pizza is the room service choice.

 

Leaving quality aside:rolleyes: - we've gone from a 16" pizza delivered anywhere for $5 to a 10" pizza delivered only to your stateroom for $7.95 (OK maybe 2 for $7.95).

 

That has gone from 10 cents per square inch to 25 cents per square inch and is easier/cheaper logistically.

 

FDR must be chuffed to bits about this one!:rolleyes:

[kessdarln]

Leaving quality aside:rolleyes: - we've gone from a 16" pizza delivered anywhere for $5 to a 10" pizza delivered only to your stateroom for $7.95 (OK maybe 2 for $7.95).

 

That has gone from 10 cents per square inch to 25 cents per square inch and is easier/cheaper logistically.

 

FDR must be chuffed to bits about this one!:rolleyes:

 

OK I'm just going to say the obvious... unless it's a teenager... one simply does not go on a cruise for the pizza :D:D:D

[Beaver1975]

Leaving quality aside:rolleyes: - we've gone from a 16" pizza delivered anywhere for $5 to a 10" pizza delivered only to your stateroom for $7.95 (OK maybe 2 for $7.95).

 

That has gone from 10 cents per square inch to 25 cents per square inch and is easier/cheaper logistically.

 

FDR must be chuffed to bits about this one!:rolleyes:

 

Could you not have ordered more to make up for the price per square inch discrepancy?

[SteveH2508]

Could you not have ordered more to make up for the price per square inch discrepancy?

 

I am quite particular (OK fussy:D) about my pizzas - I have never (and will never) order an NCL 'takeaway' pizza - I had a slice in the buffet once - that was enough!:(

 

Having had several lovely pizzas in Italy, I struggle to find a decent one in UK, nevermind on NCL (Princess pizza was actually quite good BTW).

Edited May 3, 2015 by SteveH2508

[SteveH2508]

OK I'm just going to say the obvious... unless it's a teenager... one simply does not go on a cruise for the pizza :D:D:D

 

Absolutely, I was just running the numbers (just like NCL do!):D

[kessdarln]

Absolutely, I was just running the numbers (just like NCL do!):D

 

Yep! People could book the Haven and get their very own butler to fetch the pizza for them ;)

[Wendy&Grumpy]

Could you not have ordered more to make up for the price per square inch discrepancy?

 

My thought exactly! lol

[BRANDEE]

We got off the gem on Wednesday

 

 

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

 

 

Hi !

 

This July will be our first NCL cruise..So many changes since we booked over a year ago and paid in full last month.

 

We pre booked three specialty restaurants and had an 18 % surcharge added. They were automatically charged to my charge card as well as the one tour reserved. We were told if the tour was canceled due to inclement weather, we would get OBC.

 

I have read many NCL threads, taken everything with a grain of salt, but still think I've made a mistake booking.

 

I've called NCL customer service for clarification on issues and get as many different answers.

 

I know prices change and policies can be implemented at the will of the cruise line, but so many is such a short time and no notice to those already booked but before final payment.

 

Poor advertising to claim veterans discounting and told after booking..oh, not available on this sailing. So on what cruise is my husband considered a veteran?

 

Questions:

I would like to know if you can deduct partial DSC or must it be all, and if you pre pay the DSC can you still reduce or cancel it once on board. Also, do waiters and room stewards on NCL get to keep cash tips or do they have to turn them in.

 

Sorry if my questions were asked and answered somewhere else. Didn't find them. Thanks

Edited May 3, 2015 by BRANDEE

[SteveH2508]

Yep! People could book the Haven and get their very own butler to fetch the pizza for them ;)

 

NCL seriously like those sort of numbers - ker-ching!:D

[kessdarln]

 

Questions:

I would like to know if you can deduct partial DSC or must it be all, and if you pre pay the DSC can you still reduce or cancel it once on board. Also, do waiters and room stewards on NCL get to keep cash tips or do they have to turn them in.

 

Sorry if my questions were asked and answered somewhere else. Didn't find them. Thanks

 

You can pay what you want - what you think the service is worth...heck you don't have to pay the automatic DSC at all. I once saw a ja going around the Spirit boasting to anyone that would listen how he told them he wasn't paying and all he had to do was sign a form to opt out of any service charges and how everyone else should do it... he was even carrying on about it at dinner as he sat in the dining room ordering multiple entrees.

[Wendy&Grumpy]

 

You can pay what you want - what you think the service is worth...heck you don't have to pay the automatic DSC at all. I once saw a ja going around the Spirit boasting to anyone that would listen how he told them he wasn't paying and all he had to do was sign a form to opt out of any service charges and how everyone else should do it... he was even carrying on about it at dinner as he sat in the dining room ordering multiple entrees.

 

He wasn't necessarily a ja. Tipping is not common practice everywhere and some even think it's robbery. It may have simply been his way of sticking with what he knows and letting others know they could as well.

[NLH Arizona]

 

You can pay what you want - what you think the service is worth...heck you don't have to pay the automatic DSC at all. I once saw a ja going around the Spirit boasting to anyone that would listen how he told them he wasn't paying and all he had to do was sign a form to opt out of any service charges and how everyone else should do it... he was even carrying on about it at dinner as he sat in the dining room ordering multiple entrees.

He sounded like he was very proud of what he was doing.

[hpecorari]

I am quite particular (OK fussy:D) about my pizzas - I have never (and will never) order an NCL 'takeaway' pizza - I had a slice in the buffet once - that was enough!:(

 

Having had several lovely pizzas in Italy, I struggle to find a decent one in UK, nevermind on NCL (Princess pizza was actually quite good BTW).

 

Having been in Italy many summers over the years as my husband is Italian and didn't come to the USA until he was 29......I can attest that one can't find a decent pizza in the Pa, NJ, DE, NY area as well!

 

Harriet