Really? You are quitting cruising?

[Cuizer2]

Oh okay, both of you enjoy your other travels then. Bye. *shrug wave*

 

I suggest you reread my post, since clearly you didn't understand it. I said people have a right to stop cruising. I never said I was going to stop. As for changing cruise lines, I've been on two NCL cruises in 2005 and 2008. Also have two with Princess, one with a cruise line I don't think exists any more, ten with Carnival and eleven with Royal Caribbean. I also have two more booked with Royal Caribbean and then one with NCL.

 

My prior two cruises total 21 nights and cost about as much combined as the ten night cruise I just booked (twice as much for half the number of nights) and my prior 13 night cruise was in the same suite category as my next NCL cruise.

 

As to the room service charge, since I have never ordered room service in the past, I don't expect to start now (and since I'm in a suite, I assume the charge will not apply anyway).

 

As I see it, the other big complaints are, 18% tip in the specialty restaurants (I'll worry about that when the time comes - seems like a way to raise prices without raising prices) and the DSC, which I assume means daily service charge. I assume the complaint is that it was either recently raised or it is no longer optional. However, since people are threatening to have it reduced to zero, I guess it is still optional and thus was recently raised.

 

At this time I don't know what the DSC amount will be, but I assume it is in line with the other cruise lines. The DSC is also a method of raising the rate without raising the rate. So instead of $110 per night it is $100 per night plus a $10 DSC per night. In my past 26 cruises I've had average or better service and I have never felt the need to reduce a DSC (other cruise lines call it a gratuity, but a rose by another name is still a DSC). I don't expect that will change during my next three cruises either.

 

The other cruise lines have just increased the cost of the specialty restaurants. On NCL the cost of each specialty restaurant is different. Last time (2008) the cost ranged from $5 to $30 (though I never paid more than $25 because I was not interested in the $30 restaurant). So, based on those prices I'll be looking at an extra $1.00 to $5.00 (probably now $2 to $7 based on inflation over the nine year gap from 2008 to 2017). Besides, on both of my prior cruises there is a time when the specialty restaurants are half price. Hopefully that will still be the case.

 

On the last cruise the butler was surprised that I tipped him because he didn't think he had done anything for me (short memory - he received a tip that reflected how much he had in fact done for me).

 

So, to make a long story short, and sorry to ruin your day, but you are going to be stuck with me for the next three years, and perhaps five, since I can think of another NCL cruise I would like to try.

[maywell]

I suggest you reread my post, since clearly you didn't understand it. I said people have a right to stop cruising. I never said I was going to stop. As for changing cruise lines, I've been on two NCL cruises in 2005 and 2008. Also have two with Princess, one with a cruise line I don't think exists any more, ten with Carnival and eleven with Royal Caribbean. I also have two more booked with Royal Caribbean and then one with NCL.

 

My prior two cruises total 21 nights and cost about as much combined as the ten night cruise I just booked (twice as much for half the number of nights) and my prior 13 night cruise was in the same suite category as my next NCL cruise.

 

As to the room service charge, since I have never ordered room service in the past, I don't expect to start now (and since I'm in a suite, I assume the charge will not apply anyway).

 

As I see it, the other big complaints are, 18% tip in the specialty restaurants (I'll worry about that when the time comes - seems like a way to raise prices without raising prices) and the DSC, which I assume means daily service charge. I assume the complaint is that it was either recently raised or it is no longer optional. However, since people are threatening to have it reduced to zero, I guess it is still optional and thus was recently raised.

 

At this time I don't know what the DSC amount will be, but I assume it is in line with the other cruise lines. The DSC is also a method of raising the rate without raising the rate. So instead of $110 per night it is $100 per night plus a $10 DSC per night. In my past 26 cruises I've had average or better service and I have never felt the need to reduce a DSC (other cruise lines call it a gratuity, but a rose by another name is still a DSC). I don't expect that will change during my next three cruises either.

 

The other cruise lines have just increased the cost of the specialty restaurants. On NCL the cost of each specialty restaurant is different. Last time (2008) the cost ranged from $5 to $30 (though I never paid more than $25 because I was not interested in the $30 restaurant). So, based on those prices I'll be looking at an extra $1.00 to $5.00 (probably now $2 to $7 based on inflation over the nine year gap from 2008 to 2017). Besides, on both of my prior cruises there is a time when the specialty restaurants are half price. Hopefully that will still be the case.

 

On the last cruise the butler was surprised that I tipped him because he didn't think he had done anything for me (short memory - he received a tip that reflected how much he had in fact done for me).

 

So, to make a long story short, and sorry to ruin your day, but you are going to be stuck with me for the next three years, and perhaps five, since I can think of another NCL cruise I would like to try.

 

And again - enjoy your travels.

[fshagan]

Well, I don't like price increases either, and always wonder about how the narrative gets so far in front of the companies that raise prices ... it was reported that room service now has a fee, but the truth was that NCL is testing two price points for a room service fee on two ships. Not quite the same thing, but their Facebook page and some forums blew up over it.

 

But buying less drinks or switching to another line will have no impact on NCL; they will adjust pricing and, just like the airlines found out with baggage fees, people will still buy based not on the total expected cost, but on the sticker price. There's a reason the airlines have almost uniformly switched to the extra-charge pricing. People compare flights and buy the one that is less money, even if there are baggage fees.

 

In one respect, I would rather control what fees I pay. The MDR food is fine for me (and I think Cagney's is overpriced now at $30), so I wont' be paying the 18% gratuity. The interesting thing about that is I usually tipped at a much higher rate if the service was good (really, who leaves a measly 18% tip at a nice dinner?)

 

I don't drink much on a cruise because the drink prices were already too high. I don't gamble because it is, well, a tax on people who are math challenged. And we don't do room service because we would rather be up and out on deck anyway.

 

So the people who want those things will pay for them, and those that want to avoid the charges will not do them.

[luvtheships]

I will reiterate my original theory.....

 

Ncl doesn't want saavy longtime cruisers any longer....

 

They want newbie cruisers who wil be in awe of the experience and not realize how quickly all the onboard fees are adding up.... Because they just don't know any better

 

I always laugh when I see pax who do everything onboard because they think that is just the way it is....

 

From bingo to booking every port excursion thru the ship

 

They are who Ncl is courting now....

 

Those who don't understand cruising

.....

 

Those of us that understand more than they want us to are now the enemy.....

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

Edited April 1, 2015 by luvtheships

[Single Cruiser]

I will reiterate my original theory.....

 

Ncl doesn't want saavy longtime cruisers any longer....

 

They want newbie cruisers who wil be in awe of the experience and not realize how quickly all the onboard fees are adding up.... Because they just don't know any better

 

I always laugh when I see pax who do everything onboard because they think that is just the way it is....

 

From bingo to booking every port excursion thru the ship

 

They are who Ncl is courting now....

 

Those who don't understand cruising

.....

 

Those of us that understand more than they want us to are now the enemy.....

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

 

I agree.

[luvtheships]

Well, I don't like price increases either, and always wonder about how the narrative gets so far in front of the companies that raise prices ... it was reported that room service now has a fee, but the truth was that NCL is testing two price points for a room service fee on two ships. Not quite the same thing, but their Facebook page and some forums blew up over it.

 

But buying less drinks or switching to another line will have no impact on NCL; they will adjust pricing and, just like the airlines found out with baggage fees, people will still buy based not on the total expected cost, but on the sticker price. There's a reason the airlines have almost uniformly switched to the extra-charge pricing. People compare flights and buy the one that is less money, even if there are baggage fees.

 

In one respect, I would rather control what fees I pay. The MDR food is fine for me (and I think Cagney's is overpriced now at $30), so I wont' be paying the 18% gratuity. The interesting thing about that is I usually tipped at a much higher rate if the service was good (really, who leaves a measly 18% tip at a nice dinner?)

 

I don't drink much on a cruise because the drink prices were already too high. I don't gamble because it is, well, a tax on people who are math challenged. And we don't do room service because we would rather be up and out on deck anyway.

 

So the people who want those things will pay for them, and those that want to avoid the charges will not do them.

 

I agree here

 

Other than the increased dsc none of the new fees affect me

 

Have maybe 3 drinks on a cruise so no biggie there

 

Never used or will use room service because we only book cheap insides and eating in them is disgusting anyway.

 

Btw in my book cheap Insides equal more and longer cruises for us lol

 

I have eaten in every specialty restaurant they have and don't care for the excessive food or time in takes so even a free udp doesn't matter to me plus they don't give free Ubp or udp to the insides. Lol

 

The BA mdr is excellent anyway

 

Never too impressed with the Jewel or gem mdr though

 

The BA free food venues are incredible also as in uptown and osheeans

 

The casino? Now that's a joke. I might drop a $20 at most if it were smoke free but until then I will leave it to those who breath smoke to live versus air like the rest of us

 

I will use my FCC at some point no doubt but doubt I will buy another anyway

 

In all my cruises I just bought my first in January anyway. I will survive.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

Edited April 1, 2015 by luvtheships

[legion3]

Won't quit cruising as I like the sea to much.

 

Especially with the cost of air travel.

[Cuizer2]

Well, I don't like price increases either, and always wonder about how the narrative gets so far in front of the companies that raise prices ... it was reported that room service now has a fee, but the truth was that NCL is testing two price points for a room service fee on two ships. Not quite the same thing, but their Facebook page and some forums blew up over it.

 

It is called lack of communication. Had NCL announced and explained it ahead of time, the PR problem they now face would have been much less. Instead they surprised people which resulted in misinformation which resulted in a big PR problem for NCL. Apparently they don't teach Learning From Prior Mistakes in business school any more.

[Cuizer2]

I will reiterate my original theory.....

 

Ncl doesn't want saavy longtime cruisers any longer....

 

They want newbie cruisers who wil be in awe of the experience and not realize how quickly all the onboard fees are adding up.... Because they just don't know any better

 

I always laugh when I see pax who do everything onboard because they think that is just the way it is....

 

From bingo to booking every port excursion thru the ship

 

They are who Ncl is courting now....

 

Those who don't understand cruising

.....

 

Those of us that understand more than they want us to are now the enemy.....

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

 

Interesting, the long time cruisers on Royal Caribbean are saying basically the same thing.

[luvtheships]

Interesting, the long time cruisers on Royal Caribbean are saying basically the same thing.

 

So I guess you are agreeing with me?

 

The cruiselines see saavy longtime cruisers as too difficult to maintain.

 

The newbies and first timers don't know the difference and just drink the kool aid and happy for the opportunity to do so. Lol

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

[Cuizer2]

So I guess you are agreeing with me?

 

The cruiselines see saavy longtime cruisers as too difficult to maintain.

 

The newbies and first timers don't know the difference and just drink the kool aid and happy for the opportunity to do so. Lol

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

 

I didn't say I agreed with you. I said that long time cruisers on Royal Caribbean are saying basically the same thing.

 

That said, yes, I agree with you.

[RikkuCat]

From 1/2 the threads on here, you can get the impression that many folks want to to give up on cruises. I guess it is a sin for cruise companies to realize a profit or their workforce to get some sort of raise. All the new builds need to be paid for.

 

Unless you are camping or staying in budget hotels cruising is still a great deal. NCL gives options, you take 'em or leave 'em. I personally like the options, like all the different specialty resturants. HAL, Carnival, RCCL, Celebrity and Princess do not offer the variety that NCL does. I have sailed all those lines and the product NCL offers I perfer over the others.

 

No I will not quit cruising my self. It is still one of the best vacation deals.

 

I agree completely. While we enjoy other types of vacations as well, we spend signficantly less on a cruise than we spend on any other vacation. Even with the new charges, I don't think we're going to see much of a difference in our bottom line. Certainly not enough to make us quit cruising or quit NCL - and our bottom line will still come out significantly less than it would if we took a non-cruise vacation instead. That's why we cruise occassionally. It doesn't meet all 100% of our travel needs, but it's a good deal - and while we don't take vacations to save money, sometimes we're looking for a good deal.

 

And while we always compare cruise lines when we're thinking about booking a cruise, we won't rule NCL out because of the new charges. Sometimes it will be the best option for us and other times it won't. We like that NCL has more specialty dining options and don't mind paying extra for them. Whatever cruise line we go on, there are some features that we don't mind paying extra for and some included features that we never use.

[sparks1093]

Nope, I am not going to quit cruising. Price and itinerary will continue to decide who I cruise with.

[mbisson]

I'm not giving up on cruising at all...(in fact in a couple yrs, wife will join me in retirement and we expect to do MORE)

 

But we also RV and I get confused, why the constant cheap shots at camping???? Heck, if I could bring my RV on board & park it pool side, I'd be in heaven (or is it haven?) ;)

Edited April 1, 2015 by mbisson

[sparks1093]

I'm not giving up on cruising at all...(in fact in a couple yrs, wife will join me in retirement and we expect to do MORE)

 

But we also RV and I get confused, why the constant cheap shots at camping???? Heck, if I could bring my RV on board & park it pool side, I'd be in heaven (or is it haven?) ;)

 

A good camping trip can be just as fun and relaxing as a good cruise.

[Ilovesailing]

We are cutting back on cruising not because of any thing to do with NCL but the exchange rate is making cruising that much more expensive.

 

We had a 21 day Europe cruise planned for Jan 2015 but because of exchange rate then the cost of euro dollars and ridiculous excursion prices and then air fares from Canada off season.We just couldn't justify the cost so we switched to a 12 day cruise out of New York and was able to book flights under $350 pp.

[SnootieTootie]

I'm not done with cruising but I am done with NCL. Will use the two cruise rewards we purchased, most likely for 2 cabins on the same sailing. I will not spend 1 cent onboard....and then I am done.

NCL does not deserve my loyalty. The sneaky, underhanded way they are conducting their business has soured me against them.

See ya NCL. 43 cruises, the majority with you, but this love affair is over. I will be two timing you with Disney Cruise Line. Disney seems to have more integrity.

Edited April 1, 2015 by SnootieTootie

[sundercruiser]

I'm not giving up on cruising at all...(in fact in a couple yrs, wife will join me in retirement and we expect to do MORE)

 

But we also RV and I get confused, why the constant cheap shots at camping???? Heck, if I could bring my RV on board & park it pool side, I'd be in heaven (or is it haven?) ;)

 

That's taking "chair hogging" to a whole 'nother level!

[DaisyGoldberg]

I always laugh when I see pax who do everything onboard because they think that is just the way it is....

 

From bingo to booking every port excursion thru the ship

 

They are who Ncl is courting now....

 

Those who don't understand cruising

 

God forbid people play bingo on their vacation with their own money. If only they understood!

[Winston Wolf]

No, of course you don't quit cruising...that is just cutting off your nose to spite your face.

 

You simply have to protest by turning the tables.

 

Cruise lines make their money by what you spend onboard. The shops, casino, bars, restaurants, shore excursions, photos, etc are their real money maker. So the way to send a message is by cutting back in an amount GREATER than they are attempting to get from you via the new fees/raises.

 

You have a valid point. That said, not going to specialty restaurants, casino, etc. affects some pax enjoyment of their vacation. So for them it's either pay extra to enjoy what they always have, go without, or find another cruise line which offers them a better value.

[Winston Wolf]

We are cutting back on cruising not because of any thing to do with NCL but the exchange rate is making cruising that much more expensive.

 

We had a 21 day Europe cruise planned for Jan 2015 but because of exchange rate then the cost of euro dollars and ridiculous excursion prices and then air fares from Canada off season.We just couldn't justify the cost so we switched to a 12 day cruise out of New York and was able to book flights under $350 pp.

 

If only I could take that much time off. That 12 day BA itinerary is great.

[maywell]

If only I could take that much time off. That 12 day BA itinerary is great.

If its the 12 days starting with Nov 29- yes, yes it is. Wonderful way to spend one's birthday. [emoji322] [emoji1] [emoji512]

 

Sent from my SGH-T399 using Tapatalk

[mbisson]

That's taking "chair hogging" to a whole 'nother level!

 

Naw, I'd be willing to set up chairs on the roof ;)

[Ilovesailing]

If only I could take that much time off. That 12 day BA itinerary is great.

 

 

You can if your retired.

[ikoolu]

first of all the room service charge is for only two ships and it does not effect suites or above - these big new ships are expensive to operate with 4000 plus passengers aboard and like all businesses - that's for profit businesses like NCL they have to cover expenses and have an ROI to the stockholders -

 

I bet on these huge ships more and more people are using room service to avoid the long waits for tables or buffets and this strains the limited resources they have- my guess its to discourage room service to a point as well as cover costs -

 

as a stock holder I want to see the stock and dividends go up - period that's why we invest and that's what they are in business for - to make money