"FREE" at Sea ! Really ?

[NCLfamily]

Same thread... over and over and over and over again.

 

 

And the OP never comes back and replies.

 

 

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[hladygirl]

We booked a 7 day cruise with casino at seas and paid $1000 total for the trip. We get ocean view picture window, UBP, dining special and trip insurance. That $1000 included the gratuities for the beverage and dining. We are very happy campers!

[FreestyleNovice]

Must be different for Uk - we have UBP + dining - no extras on top - all included ...

Only grats we pay are the regular daily service grats - nothing for the drinks.

2 week TA on Jade - bargain!

 

UK/EURO UBP has the grats included. US UBP had but not anymore.

[stleda124]

In dollars its under $300.00. That's $14.00 a day to drink unlimited beverages.

 

It's a good deal. You will easily drink over $14 worth of drinks a day

[hawkeyetlse]

And the OP never comes back and replies.

The thread is only 5 hours old. But if I were the OP I wouldn't ever come back, either.

[SeekTheSun]

Not the OP but a variation. We wanted the Free at Sea promotion cause it sounded like a good deal. Selected to see the sailings from the promotion. Scrolled through that list, selected and booked one. Problems with future cruise credit so called in. When I asked how to pick our two free at sea's we were told it did not apply to our cruise that we selected from the promotion ad. Phone lady told us we should have known as our cruise was some $600 cheaper than those that had the free promotion. Booked plenty of cruises with NCL and still prefer them but was turned off by this booking big time.

[Ktuluorion]

Has anyone really purchased the UBP for $79 per day? Anyone who claims to drink $79 everyday for seven (or more) days straight is flat out lying. Not to mention paying for both people in the room, so now you both have to drink $79 per day. Maybe a few sea days, but no one would break even. I'm sure people will reply saying they have done it so they can impress people, but come on, be real. Yes it is very convenient to have it but $79 is ridiculous. There are a lot of people who end up paying more for gratuities than they would paying cash for drinks. NCL knows what they're doing by increasing it every other week and saying it's free. Good marketing.

 

I could easily do that. I've had 30 shots in one night at the bar. 7-10 drinks a day is amateur action for me.

[PCO]

didn't knew that this "service fee" was considered as gratuities.

I totally agree that great service should normally incured a decent gratuity. That's not the problem.

IMHO, the fact that they promote this offer as "free" is.

 

As I understand, gratuities are included with the offer in the UK. Maybe they have publicity rules that are more serious there...

[hawkeyetlse]

Not the OP but a variation. We wanted the Free at Sea promotion cause it sounded like a good deal. Selected to see the sailings from the promotion. Scrolled through that list, selected and booked one. Problems with future cruise credit so called in. When I asked how to pick our two free at sea's we were told it did not apply to our cruise that we selected from the promotion ad.

You booked super last minute, right? (within 30 days of sailing)

 

When you click on "View Sailings", it shows you all the itineraries that have eligible sailings. But if you click on "View all dates and pricing", it will show you all the available dates for that itinerary, including last minute sailings that are not eligible for the offer. The applicable offers are always indicated next to each price by little color-coded symbols. You cannot assume that clicking through from the promo page guarantees that anything you click on for the rest of your session automatically has the promo attached to it. But you already figured this out the hard way…

 

Sounds like you have already applied payment to the booking, and since you're under 30 days, you're stuck. In the future, never finalize a last-minute booking online (i.e. apply any payment or credits)! Just ask for a courtesy hold, and give yourself 24 hours to check all the details and call to ask for explanations/modifications if necessary. Because as your case illustrates, you only get once chance to get a last minute booking right.

Edited March 18, 2016 by hawkeyetlse

[SeekTheSun]

The applicable offers are always indicated next to each price by little color-coded symbols.

 

Oh, you mean those little color-coded boxes that sometimes show up in an unmarked column and sometimes have a legend identifying them. We emailed NCL the path we took through their website. That path failed to identify what the color-coded boxes in the unmarked column meant on multiple occasions and failed to print out on a cruise comparison. Really had no clue. Sales agent when calling said that we should have known since it was so much cheaper, lol. While on hold kept hearing an ad that said "Book a cruise by March 15 in an oceanview and choose two..." No select sailings or other caveats.

 

Rant over, time to enjoy the cruise.

[ready2cruzagain]

In dollars its under $300.00. That's $14.00 a day to drink unlimited beverages.

 

It's a good deal. You will easily drink over $14 worth of drinks a day

I agree! Our last cruise was 21 days on Carnival and the drink package would have cost us over $2100. :eek: No way would I pay that.

 

We are coming back to NCL after 10 years because of the UBP being included in the promo.

[TougherThanTheRest]

For me, the choice to take the "free" perk comes down to simple math:

 

My out of pocket (in this case 18% of the UBP) / number of guests paying for "perk" / nights = actual cost per day

 

If actual cost per day is more than I would have spent, I pass, if it is less I get it. Assuming cost of the cruise has not been marked up for the "free" perk.

 

Using real numbers from a Getaway trip I've booked:

 

I paid about $174 for the gratuities for 2 on the UBP, based on the cost at the time I booked.

$174/2 people =$87

$87 / 7 nights = about $12.42 pp/night "drink" cost

 

I booked it once I found a cruise at a good price. Two of use will easily spend $12.42 on drinks.

[DMH15]

I think people get out of sort about it because they say it's "free". If it truly was then there should be no service charge and just pay as you go tipping. That is what I would have liked. Then you only drink what you want and tip accordingly. You wouldn't feel like you have to drink enough to cover that $200 charge.

 

 

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Duh. But, that is how it started out and guess what? People were not tipping. Hence the charge. I was told this by a reliable NCL source.

[DMH15]

Well it IS free at sea, you just pay the 18% on land before you go.

 

 

 

Maybe they should use the term freeish.

 

 

Post of the day!

[Demonyte]

Duh. But, that is how it started out and guess what? People were not tipping. Hence the charge. I was told this by a reliable NCL source.

 

 

Why would people have been tipping when it was clearly stated that the service charge (actually they used the word "gratuity" back then) was included with the promo?

[SPB in da RVA]

[quote name='PCO']Looking for a 21-day cruise onboard NCL. So, I've asked my TA to send me rates. She told me they actually have an interesting promotion that allows you to get a "free" beverage package. Surprise ! You have to pay $797Cad per couple to get those "free" beverages. WOW ! Never been on a NCL cruise. Not sure if I will ![/quote]

Would you rather pay $3318.00 US plus the 18% gratuity or are you going to complain that you only have to pay the 18% gratuity in order to get $3318.00 USD at no cost?

[rochelle_s]

[quote name='DMH15']Duh. But, that is how it started out and guess what? People were not tipping. Hence the charge. I was told this by a reliable NCL source.[/QUOTE]


Not sure what position your reliable source is in but it was clearly stated to me by NCL and was repeatedly posted here on the boards when these promos started that the gratuities were included? If they expected people to tip additionally, whether in cash or signing for on the slip, then the onus was on NCL to make this information clear to their guests.

If NCL is some how 'surprised' that the guests did not tip additionally then they shouldn't be, it was their communications that led 99% of passengers to believe they were already included.


Rochelle


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[NLH Arizona]

[quote name='DMH15']Duh. But, that is how it started out and guess what? People were not tipping. Hence the charge. I was told this by a reliable NCL source.[/QUOTE]I have thought this since the inception of the 18 percent gratuity being paid by the passenger. I think NCL just thought that those that received the UDP or UBP for free would tip a little, just like those that received the free casino drink card (unfortunately many didn't tip on that either). I've always tipped when I got the free UDP or UBP prior to the automatic gratuity added on. I'm sure your reliable source is just a reliable as those that say their sources say they don't get the 18% tips. Edited March 18, 2016 by NLH Arizona

[Sotermarler]

[quote name='rochelle_s']Not sure what position your reliable source is in but it was clearly stated to me by NCL and was repeatedly posted here on the boards when these promos started that the gratuities were included? If they expected people to tip additionally, whether in cash or signing for on the slip, then the onus was on NCL to make this information clear to their guests.

If NCL is some how 'surprised' that the guests did not tip additionally then they shouldn't be, it was their communications that led 99% of passengers to believe they were already included.


Rochelle


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Exactly, we only tipped extra to ensure faster service, or for good service but other than that we were told it was included. If NCL wasn't passing the included gratuity on to crew, that's on them.
My guess is they will see even less cash tips going forward since people paid extra for tips already. At least when it was included I didn't feel like it was double dipping.


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[Ajkcruiser]

I am travelling with my little girl.... Who would only drink when her mood suits her .....and just likes nectars.....UDP not for me, as I would need to get the soda package for her .

Looked into wine packages of 7 bottles.... These too carry the 18%.

IMHO.....OP should consider corking wine.... I did it for both transatlantics, paying the 15.00 per 750ml bottle represented big savings..... And the ability to drink the wine of preference.

I bought couple of beer buckets on sale and what I didn't drink when served, took it to my cabin .

I even had sparkling wine to add to my orange juice in the mornings on 375ml and was charged 15 bucks for two.

Best news..... NO 18% on those bottles and can be drank any where on the ship .... Give some extra tips to the bartender of your choice and your wine will follow you to any venue.... Even your white with an ice bucket!!

Good luck

Aj

[MrMan]

[quote name='PCO']Looking for a 21-day cruise onboard NCL. So, I've asked my TA to send me rates. She told me they actually have an interesting promotion that allows you to get a "free" beverage package. Surprise ! You have to pay $797Cad per couple to get those "free" beverages. WOW ! Never been on a NCL cruise. Not sure if I will ![/QUOTE]


When your dinner is comped at a restaurant do you not tip your wait staff? You will be missed, (well maybe with the exception of the hard working bar tenders and bar backs).

[Blondie008]

[quote name='NCLfamily']UK cruisers have never paid the 18%. US and Canadians do.


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Well thats awright! ;)- makes a difference that we benefit for a change.
Lovely day today hey? Been a nice week :)

[NCLfamily]

[quote name='Blondie008']Well thats awright! ;)- makes a difference that we benefit for a change.

Lovely day today hey? Been a nice week :)[/QUOTE]


Nice to see the sun yeah. Although I cruise next week, so I'm not that fussed [emoji4]

[Blondie008]

[quote name='NCLfamily']Nice to see the sun yeah. Although I cruise next week, so I'm not that fussed [emoji4][/QUOTE]

OOh fab - where are you off to? On which ship?
Bon Voyage!!