Question regarding tipping on NCL

[MisterFidgetpants]

Because NCL's PCC's always give correct information...

 

The PCC was correct . It is a discretionary charge. You can do nothing and stay automatically on, or can option out and handle business the way you see fit. That's 100% accurate and factual. It's what NCL has their employees telling people and they are the ones that took my booking, so I have no reason to disbelieve them. Further, the poster I had responded to I also responded to prior when he or she had given incorrect information.

 

There can be as many different opinions as there are people, so I'm not trying to argue anyones feelings about it, I'm just correcting someone who made an incorrect statement.

 

I just feel it is important for people to set aside opinions or agendas and just stick to facts, even if they don't always like them.

[roger001]

It is not intended to be optional. It can, IF (notice the IF) services cannot be met to your satisfaction, adjusted down. Here is the NCL policy on DSC. When you purchase your cruise, consider the DSC part of the cruise cost, just like taxes, port fees, etc.

 

What's the service charge?

Why is there a service charge?

The reason there's a fixed service charge is an important one: Our Crew (as are the crew from other lines) is encouraged to work together as a team. Staff members including complimentary restaurant staff, stateroom stewards and behind-the-scenes support staff are compensated by a combination of salary and incentive programs that your service charge supports. How much is the charge? Onboard Service Charges are additional.

How much are the service charges:

$12.95 for guests staying in Studio, Inside, Oceanview, Balcony and Mini-Suite categories

$14.95 for guests staying in Suite and The Haven categories

This is automatically added to your onboard account

Are service charges across the board for all guests?

All guests 3 years or older.

How do I prepay my service charges?

Contact your travel professional and request that it be added to your cruise reservation. If you have not made final payment this will be included in your final payment amount or if final payment has already been made we will require full payment at the time it is added.

At what point in the booking process can the prepaid charges be added?

They can be added at anytime up to 24 hours prior to sailing.

Why would I prepay my service charges?

The convenience of pre-paying the service charges allows you to plan your budget prior to your cruise giving you additional freedom while on board.

If I cancel my cruise are the service charges refundable?

Yes! The service charges are 100% refundable. If there is a service issue can the service charges be adjusted on board? Guest satisfaction is the highest priority at Norwegian Cruise Line. We have structured a guest satisfaction program designed to handle any concerns about service or on-board product quickly and efficiently. However, in the event a service issue should arise during your cruise please let our on-board guest services desk staff know right away, so that we can address these in a timely manner. It is our goal to reach a satisfactory solution to any issue when it happens and make sure our guests can focus on enjoying their cruise. Should your concerns not be met with satisfaction you can adjust the charges.

[zqvol]

Why is it cheap when paying the same amount in cash VS the auto tip. I prefer to give it to those that actually serve me. You can do it your way and I will do it my way. We can do it different ways without name calling, that's childish on your part. If NCL allows the passenger to make the choice how to tip. Unless they make it mandatory one way or the other passengers are free to do what works for them.

 

 

Because it doesn't go to all the people that serve you only the ones you select, and when you do that some of the waiters, and cabin attendants are left out.

[zqvol]

Are the charges discretionary or not?

 

 

Yes and no. They are added to your account, and can in theory be removed. NCL says in order to remove them you have to tell them why you want to remove them, and you have to give them an opportunity to fix whatever is causing you to want to remove them. That is the theory. In practice, all it may take to remove the DSC is a trip to the desk. I don't know how it actually works because I have never felt the need to remove them. We tip more than the DSC amount almost every time we go out for dinner, so the amount to me seems rather small.

[MisterFidgetpants]

Yes and no. They are added to your account, and can in theory be removed. NCL says in order to remove them you have to tell them why you want to remove them, and you have to give them an opportunity to fix whatever is causing you to want to remove them. That is the theory. In practice, all it may take to remove the DSC is a trip to the desk. I don't know how it actually works because I have never felt the need to remove them. We tip more than the DSC amount almost every time we go out for dinner, so the amount to me seems rather small.

 

I have no issue leaving them in place, paying them, giving additional cash for excellent service.

 

I just take issue with people misquoting the policies or telling others they are not discretionary. My PCC confirmed it is a discretionary charge.

[pieshops]

In real life tipping in a restaurant, the valet who parks you car, the person who cuts your hair, the bellman who brings your bags to your room, the person who helps you load your car with a big item at lowes or home depot etc etc etc. are all discretionary. But the reality is, you do this because that is what is expected and what a decent human being does.

 

You can play this game of NCL calls it discretionary so i am removing it game all you want and pretend you tip on your own but it is expected to be kept on unless like any of the above, you get bad service and it is not fixed after you speak with someone.

[newmexicoNita]

We have only sailed on NCL once. And it was a while ago. Is it customary to tip anyone above and beyond the DSC? Like cabin stewards, baristas, etc? Thanks!

 

Normally, we only tip our cabin steward and the conciegne if we use him or her. The bar staff is already getting 15%. I know people who use the child care facilities normally tip the camp staff. If on rare cases when I have done well in the casino and I mean rare, and someone on the casino staff is really nice, I might give them a few bucks at the end of the cruise. But no one should expect an extra tip and you shouldn't feel obligated either.

[roger001]

Are the charges discretionary or not?

 

 

It is not discretionary regardless of what your person told you. It is a fixed fee for which you will be charged. It will be on your end of cruise statement. NCL does have a procedure available where if you experience service that does not satisfy you, you are to bring that issue to NCL's attention. NCL will then make every effort to correct the issue to your satisfaction. Then, and only then, if you are still not satisfied, the DSC will be reduced an appropriate amount.

 

Now..reality...if you show up at the service counter and say you want all of your DSC removed, after NCL requests why that might be, but you only insist that you want the charge removed, NCL will in most cases remove the entire amount for you. However, this will only be done in order to avoid any discomfort overall on the cruise for the ship and other guests. An unplesent scene created at the service desk is just not worth the amount of the DSC being removed. This is a fact. But then I'm just repeating what others have already said.

[hamgela]

We were on the pearl in November 2013 and inquired at guest services about removing the DSC and tipping on our own. We were told that the DSC was mandatory and couldn't be removed.

[LoveyHowell]

100% discretionary, period.

[mjkacmom]

Pick up the phone and call your PCC. The charge is discretionary. To say it is "not" is factually incorrect.

 

I thought the purpose of a community forum was to separate fact from fiction?

 

It's not my intention to argue with you until you agree, so call up NCL and ask them. A fact is a fact is a fact. What your opinion is of that fact is totally yours to hold; but we must first agree that a fact is a fact before we can discuss anything further. Trying to tell me NCL lied to me, even when I called back today and got the same answer, is a pretty tall bill of goods to try to sell me.

 

It's the PCC's job to communicate NCL policy to me. I asked what the policy is and was told. Your explanation actually makes little sense. Since you won't take my word for it either, and why should you, I invite you to ring up NCL and verify their position on the matter.

 

Just because you can legally do something doesn't mean it's right, or expected. You can go out for dinner, and not leave a tip. You can eat spaghetti with your hands. You can blow your nose on your sleeve in a crowded elevator. You can remove the DSC.

 

However, the terms are clearly written. If you have an issue that is not resolved, you can adjust your DSC. Nowhere does any literature state that you are free to remove it, for any reason, and just tip people on your own. If I missed it, please post it. I'm going to trust what my eyes see, vs. what some minimum wage drone on the other end of the phone tells me.

[MisterFidgetpants]

Just because you can legally do something doesn't mean it's right, or expected. You can go out for dinner, and not leave a tip. You can eat spaghetti with your hands. You can blow your nose on your sleeve in a crowded elevator. You can remove the DSC.

 

However, the terms are clearly written. If you have an issue that is not resolved, you can adjust your DSC. Nowhere does any literature state that you are free to remove it, for any reason, and just tip people on your own. If I missed it, please post it. I'm going to trust what my eyes see, vs. what some minimum wage drone on the other end of the phone tells me.

All I'm doing is saying what the policy is. Nothing more or less.

 

Why do people here insist on stirring words or saying nasty things about NCL employees to justify passing off falsified statements as fact? Give us all a break

[ColinIllinois]

All I'm doing is saying what the policy is. Nothing more or less.

 

Why do people here insist on stirring words or saying nasty things about NCL employees to justify passing off falsified statements as fact? Give us all a break

 

 

PCC's are notorious for not giving exact and proper information to guests. Again, read the policy from the NCL web site that was posted earlier.

[Out to sea!]

WOW what an ego!

 

The expected response from someone who shirks their duties. :(

[Out to sea!]

When we booked our PCC from Norwegian said it is optional.

 

The DSC has NEVER been optional. It is adjustable if you are not able to resolve issues on board. Seems your PCC needs retraining.....or at least tell him/her to read their own website. :rolleyes:

[Out to sea!]

The PCC was correct . It is a discretionary charge. You can do nothing and stay automatically on, or can option out and handle business the way you see fit. That's 100% accurate and factual. It's what NCL has their employees telling people and they are the ones that took my booking, so I have no reason to disbelieve them. Further, the poster I had responded to I also responded to prior when he or she had given incorrect information.

 

There can be as many different opinions as there are people, so I'm not trying to argue anyones feelings about it, I'm just correcting someone who made an incorrect statement.

 

I just feel it is important for people to set aside opinions or agendas and just stick to facts, even if they don't always like them.

 

If you want to stick to facts, show any piece of literature from NCL that states the PCC is optional. If you can't show that, then stick with the facts and stop using such wording.

[MisterFidgetpants]

PCC's are notorious for not giving exact and proper information to guests. Again, read the policy from the NCL web site that was posted earlier.

Go call NCL. Your own PCC or the main number. Ask if the DSC is discretionary or mandatory and tell me what they say. I don't care of you like their policy or not. We all have to abide by it. I'm not saying opinions just black and white facts.

[MisterFidgetpants]

If you want to stick to facts, show any piece of literature from NCL that states the PCC is optional. If you can't show that, then stick with the facts and stop using such wording.

The DSC is discretionary. That means optional.

[boo214]

It is not intended to be optional. It can, IF (notice the IF) services cannot be met to your satisfaction, adjusted down. Here is the NCL policy on DSC. When you purchase your cruise, consider the DSC part of the cruise cost, just like taxes, port fees, etc.

 

What's the service charge?

Why is there a service charge?

The reason there's a fixed service charge is an important one: Our Crew (as are the crew from other lines) is encouraged to work together as a team. Staff members including complimentary restaurant staff, stateroom stewards and behind-the-scenes support staff are compensated by a combination of salary and incentive programs that your service charge supports. How much is the charge? Onboard Service Charges are additional.

How much are the service charges:

$12.95 for guests staying in Studio, Inside, Oceanview, Balcony and Mini-Suite categories

$14.95 for guests staying in Suite and The Haven categories

This is automatically added to your onboard account

Are service charges across the board for all guests?

All guests 3 years or older.

How do I prepay my service charges?

Contact your travel professional and request that it be added to your cruise reservation. If you have not made final payment this will be included in your final payment amount or if final payment has already been made we will require full payment at the time it is added.

At what point in the booking process can the prepaid charges be added?

They can be added at anytime up to 24 hours prior to sailing.

Why would I prepay my service charges?

The convenience of pre-paying the service charges allows you to plan your budget prior to your cruise giving you additional freedom while on board.

If I cancel my cruise are the service charges refundable?

Yes! The service charges are 100% refundable. If there is a service issue can the service charges be adjusted on board? Guest satisfaction is the highest priority at Norwegian Cruise Line. We have structured a guest satisfaction program designed to handle any concerns about service or on-board product quickly and efficiently. However, in the event a service issue should arise during your cruise please let our on-board guest services desk staff know right away, so that we can address these in a timely manner. It is our goal to reach a satisfactory solution to any issue when it happens and make sure our guests can focus on enjoying their cruise. Should your concerns not be met with satisfaction you can adjust the charges.

not discretionary

[LMaxwell]

[/color]

not discretionary

 

Here is the contract from NCL. Read page two of it under service charges.

 

http://www.ncl.com/sites/default/files/Guest_Ticket_Contract_03_2014.pdf

 

 

If you have a problem with NCL and try to go by the website FAQ they will laugh and stand behind the contract as it is the only thing that matters. The FAQ is not a comprehensive contract.