Norwegian Cruise Line Bans Food Outside of Dining Areas

[Kingofwylietx]

Yeah, everyone should cruise how they want. It's ludicrous for anyone on here to tell others on here how to enjoy their vacation.

 

Opinions, ideas, and information are great, and that's really what this forum is about. But, really, we shouldn't be telling each other that they are not doing it right. If you are having fun and enjoying yourself on your cruise, then you are doing it right (no matter what anyone on here says).

[mking8288]

Hmmm, do you think the $7.95 fee would have corrected the problems with poor service, delivery time, and proper temperature? I bet some posters on here will think so.

A slim chance, maybe - I rather trust this device here to see if it meet tough Food Protection standards, i.e. set forth by the NYC DOH ... and, I don't think some of you will like the most findings on hot food's serving temperature - even without poking around. :D (land-based restaurant's health inspection programs)

 

As for the so called 50 cents post cyber warriors, maybe they aren't, why bother dealing - IGNORE LIST they go - all I see is childlish efforts to jack up the post counts. Not one single helpful, useful or constructive replies to others - selfish trolls, that's all.

 

To add to Harriet's post above - think for a moment or two before answering -

Some folks do get seasick with motion sickness, and typically spend more time in their cabin, whether it's a midship inside or AFT extended balcony on the upper decks - they do sometimes want for Room Service and surely should pay for delivery, it's a long walk for the crew ... (They should and can stay home instead, right) Or, else - they pay like everyone else, why should they be entitled to an exemption. Don't forget takeout is not allowed per NCL.

NCL - you are reading this - you are wrong & just won't admit the policies are bad. Plain & simple.

Edited May 17, 2015 by mking8288

[motleyfan]

LOL good for you Legion3, don't let the keyboard bullies bully you. I like your style. :)

 

Bully? That's a bit of a stretch, I was simply asking why somebody would pay a bunch of money to sit in a room and look at a wall when you can do that at home for free. I wouldn't call a simple inquiry bullying but I guess you would.

[Sandman799]

OK, here you go. From the terms & conditions printed on the bottom of the new room service menu:

 

"Complimentary continental breakfast and orders that include special occasion and/or non-complimentary beverage items are exempt from the $7.95 convenience charge."

 

Seems pretty clear.

 

That does seem pretty clear, however some other posts indicate that's not exactly how it works and could be worded better. The way it's worded might make you think that if you ordered your food along with a beer (non-complimentary beverage), there would be no convenience charge, so if the beer costs less than $7.95, you save a little money AND have a beer added to your order. Obviously if that were the case everyone could easily get around the charge by including some sort of non-complimentary beverage with every order. For those with the UBP, that would effectively allow them unlimited room service, all exempt from the convenience charge by simply including a drink with every order, whether they plan to actually drink it or not.

 

Others have posted that in reality, the drink itself is all that's exempt from the charge, and that if food is ordered at the same time, they still had to pay for the convenience charge. This isn't how the terms and conditions make it sound, but that seems to be how it's being done. If that's the case, it should be reworded as "Complimentary continental breakfast and orders Limited to Only special occasion and/or non-complimentary beverage items are exempt from the $7.95 convenience charge." I think their intent is to not charge you the convenience fee for things that you have to pay separately for anyway, but still charge you for delivery of anything that's complimentary.

 

Would be good to hear some additional stories from those returning to see if those posting that they were charged the fee despite ordering alcohol with their order was an actual overcharge from a crew that may not have been aware of how this was written, or if this is just written wrong and was enforced as intended rather than how it's written.

Edited May 17, 2015 by Sandman799

[old sole]

That does seem pretty clear, however some other posts indicate that's not exactly how it works and could be worded better. The way it's worded might make you think that if you ordered your food along with a beer (non-complimentary beverage), there would be no convenience charge, so if the beer costs less than $7.95, you save a little money AND have a beer added to your order. Obviously if that were the case everyone could easily get around the charge by including some sort of non-complimentary beverage with every order. For those with the UBP, that would effectively allow them unlimited room service, all exempt from the convenience charge by simply including a drink with every order, whether they plan to actually drink it or not.

 

Others have posted that in reality, the drink itself is all that's exempt from the charge, and that if food is ordered at the same time, they still had to pay for the convenience charge. This isn't how the terms and conditions make it sound, but that seems to be how it's being done. If that's the case, it should be reworded as "Complimentary continental breakfast and orders Limited to Only special occasion and/or non-complimentary beverage items are exempt from the $7.95 convenience charge." I think their intent is to not charge you the convenience fee for things that you have to pay separately for anyway, but still charge you for delivery of anything that's complimentary.

 

Would be good to hear some additional stories from those returning to see if those posting that they were charged the fee despite ordering alcohol with their order was an actual overcharge from a crew that may not have been aware of how this was written, or if this is just written wrong and was enforced as intended rather than how it's written.

 

I know I am debating this to the point of absurdity, but just how would the crew know any better than I do what "was intended"? Yes, it does seem illogical that a sandwich + a coke would cost less than just the sandwich. But maybe they really want to push coke sales. Maybe they just want people to get used to the idea of paying something for room service and think this would be a good way to accomplish that. Who knows? The only way either I or the crew knows whether waiving the fee was intended is by reading what is printed on the menu. As it is currently written, the fee is waived for an order that includes a non-complimentary beverage. It just is not open to interpretation. If NCL corporate does not intend for that to happen, then simply change the wording on the menu to reflect the intent. Leaving it up to the person taking the order to decide what to charge is just not acceptable. I deserve to know how much an order I am considering will cost. If I can't believe the actual document, how am I to know what anything on the ship costs?

[Sandman799]

But maybe they really want to push coke sales. Maybe they just want people to get used to the idea of paying something for room service and think this would be a good way to accomplish that. Who knows?

 

FDR did indicate part of the reason for the fee was to cut down on those only ordering a cup of coffee and a piece of toast, and by eliminating those orders, speed up service for everyone else. I suppose they could be thinking that by giving you the choice of paying this fee or at least buying a beverage to avoid the fee, the delivery would be more worth while and still cut down on the "trivial" deliveries. I hope that's the case since that eliminates this issue for anyone with the UBP or willing to buy at least a soda with every order. But, other posts saying that's not what the NCL reps are saying (yes we know they frequently get it wrong too), and one that was charged seem to indicate crews and reps are interpreting it to mean the fee is exempt only if the order is just the non-complimentary items. I for one would hold them to exactly what it says if it still says that when I sail in September. If they won't stand by it, I guess we could always refuse delivery.

[old sole]

FDR did indicate part of the reason for the fee was to cut down on those only ordering a cup of coffee and a piece of toast, and by eliminating those orders, speed up service for everyone else. I suppose they could be thinking that by giving you the choice of paying this fee or at least buying a beverage to avoid the fee, the delivery would be more worth while and still cut down on the "trivial" deliveries. I hope that's the case since that eliminates this issue for anyone with the UBP or willing to buy at least a soda with every order. But, other posts saying that's not what the NCL reps are saying (yes we know they frequently get it wrong too), and one that was charged seem to indicate crews and reps are interpreting it to mean the fee is exempt only if the order is just the non-complimentary items. I for one would hold them to exactly what it says if it still says that when I sail in September. If they won't stand by it, I guess we could always refuse delivery.

 

Or when given the slip to sign, scratch through the $7.95, write unauthorized charge on it and correct the total before signing. Then if they put the original total on your account anyway, ask guest services to remove it. If they refuse that, then dispute the charge with your CC company, sending them copies of the receipt and the menu with the terms & conditions that support the dispute. With that documentation, the charge will be reversed.

 

That's not how I want to spend my time on what should be a relaxing and enjoyable trip of course. If you're not already stuck with a booking too late to cancel, better to just to avoid NCL altogether as long as this nonsense continues. There are too many other cruise lines that act like they want my business to put up with this.

[legion3]

Why? Because we choose to only vacation and talk about cruise lines we like and not complain like 2 year olds.

 

No that's not the reason.

[legion3]

Bully? That's a bit of a stretch, I was simply asking why somebody would pay a bunch of money to sit in a room and look at a wall when you can do that at home for free. I wouldn't call a simple inquiry bullying but I guess you would.

 

I agree partially, bullies are usually good at what they do, and that clearly doesn't apply here.

 

Simple inquiry? I agree that if you posted an inquiry it would be simple, most of your post's are, but I can't find this simple inquiry about other people spending their money, their way. Strange, oh well...:cool:

[hpecorari]

Those are fair points , but miss Harriet do you spend most of your cruise in the room? As far as the pool goes I guess it depends where you live if you can sit by the pool at home, but yes you can spend most of your time sitting in your room at home for free. one of the arguments that a lot of the cruise consultants make on why it's okay to get a small room is you won't be in there much anyway. You can't tell me you've never heard that said before?

 

Do I spend most of my cruise in my cabin. No. But that doesn't mean that other might - for whatever reason they choose. Yes, TA's want a sale. When one says the price is higher than they wanted to pay, TA's will say to get an inside cabin 'as you won't be in there much, anyway'. You must also remember that inside cabins don't have a balcony. Those with balcony's like to spend time on their balcony, therefore, they're in their room more than those in an inside.

 

Harriet

[hpecorari]

The whole point of a cruise is drinking

 

LOL -

 

Maybe at your age. But believe me most people don't take a cruise with their whole point being to drink.

 

However, this explains why you can't/don't understand why one might wish to spend time in their cabin/balcony.

 

You just proved my point in my other post in regard to ....... never mind! LOL

 

Harriet

[ltatz]

we had two emails from NCL advising of the increase in the gratuities with the option to prepay by the end of April at the old rate.

[legion3]

LOL -

 

Maybe at your age. But believe me most people don't take a cruise with their whole point being to drink.

 

However, this explains why you can't/don't understand why one might wish to spend time in their cabin/balcony.

 

You just proved my point in my other post in regard to ....... never mind! LOL

 

Harriet

 

No, not even at his age do most people cruise to drink. After all, you can do that at home...and not pay a bunch of money to do so.

[legion3]

we had two emails from NCL advising of the increase in the gratuities with the option to prepay by the end of April at the old rate.

 

Well if you can't cancel then I would pre pay at the old rate. " Grandfathered in" does not seem to be a concept NCL is familiar with.

[sparks1093]

Bully? That's a bit of a stretch, I was simply asking why somebody would pay a bunch of money to sit in a room and look at a wall when you can do that at home for free. I wouldn't call a simple inquiry bullying but I guess you would.

You've brought this point up ad infinitum and have had many people explain their point of view. It's obvious you will never understand so stop bringing it up. If yoy don't get it you won't.

[TrishaBarry]

Just off the getaway and saw many people walking thru pool area with plates of food

[mintsugarcube]

Well said, people should be able to enjoy their vacation anyway they please. You paid for the cruise so you should be able to enjoy the food on your balcony anytime you please. Some people are not happy unless they are controlling how others think and live.

 

Yes! They must lead dull lives I guess.

[maywell]

[/color]

 

Yes! They must lead dull lives I guess.

 

When one can bring ziplock bags, tupperware, insulated travel mugs, refillable water bottles, bring their own sealed / factory packaged snacks at embark port, still bring their water bottles and sodas in carry-on, checked luggage or with a tag on it - I guess they must be dull for doing that even before the changes happen. Also with the dense life is going down at different hours than the maddening crowds -the updated dailies after the room service fee and food restriction polices tells what time the complimentary / specialty especially for breakfast / lunch / snacks are open and closed. There also hearing from other people who got off ships that have those policies what they have to say about how its being enforced but again that would be to difficult to do plus so humdrum and daft. Finally, the old-fashion way of just going and see for one's self but that would be so dull to do one one's vacation anyway.:rolleyes:

 

 

If giving advice on how to handle the situation is dull and controlling, then I guess all of the complainers are screwed badly by NCL while those who don't have major issues with the policies are just going to have settle for good times onboard, lol. That how the world works - there's always someone miserable out there even on what suppose to be a happy occasion. :cool:

Edited May 17, 2015 by maywell

[Jason26]

You're single and young.....you have a lot to learn. However, there is no right way or wrong way to spend one's time on a cruise.

 

Honeymooners may spend MOST of their time in their room, enjoying themselves and their balcony. (They can do that at home too, right?)

 

Others may spend MOST of their in the Casino. (They can do that at home too, right?)

 

Others may spend MOST of their time at the pool. (They can do that at home, too, right?

 

Others may spend MOST of their time at the bar. (They can do that at home, too, right?

 

What one does on THEIR cruise or where one goes on THEIR cruise is not for you or anyone else to judge.

 

You're not married, not engaged don't have small children....so you don't understand and can't understand why or how some might spend more time in their cabin then you will. You're on the prowl....LOL Others aren't.

 

Harriet

 

Harriet,

 

Very well stated. When some of the first recent changes were implemented (e.g. the room service charge) there were a few that wrote it off saying that it is no big deal, "I'll just get food from the buffet and bring it to my cabin. Everyone should lighten-up and enjoy the cruise". Now that food from restaurants are not allowed in the cabins, some of those same individuals are now complaining.

 

If NCL implemented a time limit on deck chairs, for example, it would not affect me as I do not care to sit out in the hot sun for hours by the pool. I do, however, recognize that this would be an issue for many and would not agree with the change.

 

The bottom line is each person enjoys a variety of things on the ship. Just look at the variety of activities on the dailies schedule and it doesn't take a genius to see that.

 

Jason

Edited May 17, 2015 by Jason26

[legion3]

When one can bring ziplock bags, tupperware, insulated travel mugs, refillable water bottles, bring their own sealed / factory packaged snacks at embark port, still bring their water bottles and sodas in carry-on, checked luggage or with a tag on it - I guess they must be dull for doing that even before the changes happen. Also with the dense life is going down at different hours than the maddening crowds -the updated dailies after the room service fee and food restriction polices tells what time the complimentary / specialty especially for breakfast / lunch / snacks are open and closed. There also hearing from other people who got off ships that have those policies what they have to say about how its being enforced but again that would be to difficult to do plus so humdrum and daft. Finally, the old-fashion way of just going and see for one's self but that would be so dull to do one one's vacation anyway.:rolleyes:

 

 

If giving advice on how to handle the situation is dull and controlling, then I guess all of the complainers are screwed badly by NCL while those who don't have major issues with the policies are just going to have settle for good times onboard, lol. That how the world works - there's always someone miserable out there even on what suppose to be a happy occasion. :cool:

 

More like pointless lives. That's how the world works... Epic :rolleyes: The NCL employee from the Bronx advice. less than priceless. ;)

[maywell]

More like pointless lives. That's how the world works... Epic :rolleyes: The NCL employee from the Bronx advice. less than priceless. ;)

 

Well if you can't offer up alternatives then I guess you're just as pointless - Stay miserable and crummy on your vacation, dear. :rolleyes:

[legion3]

Well if you can't offer up alternatives then I guess you're just as pointless - Stay miserable and crummy on your vacation, dear. :rolleyes:

 

Alternatives for what? NCL's lame policies, you have said the alternatives, sail on someone else. Which I might. but then again, I might not!!

[maywell]

Alternatives for what? NCL's lame policies, you have said the alternatives, sail on someone else. Which I might. but then again, I might not!!

 

I said plenty of alternatives including sailing on other line. Now is you still choosing to sail on NCL knowing fully well their policies - That at your own peril, not mine or anyone who has no issue with it!

 

The beauty of capitalism - one can vote with their wallet especially when there's plenty of alternatives to choose from for one's vacation. Even better, it doesn't even have to be a cruise ship - resorts can be a good bargain if one wants. The sky is truly the limit when it comes to how one spends their money on vacation but I guess you limit yours to what makes you the most irritable, miserable and wretched which is NCL, lol.

[LMaxwell]

Here's an alternative for those of us booked and paid for now saddled with this stupid policy: Ignore it.

[punkincc]

For those with the UBP, that would effectively allow them unlimited room service, all exempt from the convenience charge by simply including a drink with every order, whether they plan to actually drink it or not.

 

 

You are assuming that those with the UBP are not charged for drinks delivered by room service. Actually, room service drinks are specifically excluded from the UBP.

 

So, if NCL's wording is to be believed, and we all know they are terrible when it comes to stating anything clearly, then someone with the UBP would be charged for the drink, but would avoid the $7.95 delivery charge. Just pointing this out lest someone with UBP thinks they can order unlimited drinks and food from room service and have a $0 bill.

 

But, I agree with you, if I am going to pay $7.95 for delivery of room service, I might as well order a drink for around the same price, pay for that, and avoid the delivery fee, even if I could get the drink for $0 elsewhere.