is the "nickel and dining" that bad?

[ollienbertsmum]

When we planned our cruise on the Epic we estimated how much the extras would add up to. I think we came within $20 of our estimates. We had the UDP, and a 3 night specialty dining package. We went to another 3 of the specialty restaurants, attended every show offered, and visited every port city on our cruise. We didn't use any of NCLs tour packages, we just figured out how to do it ourselves. I booked a spa treatment one day. And we participated in the obligatory bingo game...once.

 

If you know what you like to do it's easy to estimate costs and then decide if this is the right cruise for you. It was the right cruise for us and we've on the Sun touring South America next year.

 

We did the same, we planned what we would spend. We planned not to go to any of the speciality restaurants because we knew that we would enjoy Manhattan (and we did). We did not go to the Spa because we don't. We spent about $100 in the casino because we enjoy that. We were given a 50 photo package and actually took 7 photos home. They would have cost use $82 that would have been a joke. We went on one tour in Marseilles because it was to a place on my bucket list and I could not see how we could get there DIY without risking missing the ship.

 

That was it, hardly any nickels and very few dimes.

 

We had a great time and are probably not the sort of customer that NCL (or any other cruise line) wants.

[OneWord]

To all the "nickel and dimers" out there:

 

Just looked at my invoice for future 7-night cruise. It lists $223.92 for service charges for UBP and 3-night dining plan.

 

Consider the UBP: I would never buy it outright since neither of us drink enough to warrant it. That said, we would probably have at least a glass of wine at dinner each night and more than likely have at least one mixed drink or beer each day. If you were buying drinks outright, at that rate, assuming $12.00 per drink plus service charge, you would spend about $400.00

 

Consider the dining plan: We would probably eat in at least three specialties

even without the dining plan. At an average of $30.00 per person with service charge you would spend a little over $200.00

 

By my math I am coming out ahead by paying $224.00

 

With regard to the $7.95 room service fee, I don't consider it an issue.

If I want juice and coffee in the morning, I don't pay it. If I want a cooked to order hot breakfast, I pay it. Someone has to take the order, someone has to cook it and someone has to deliver it in an expedient manner.

 

As much as anything, the delivery fee is an aversion thing. Maybe someone will think twice about ordering room service if it is extra. I have seen too many trays with half eaten food sitting in the hallways. Same goes for pizza.

Can you imagine how many pizzas would be ordered if they were free.

 

Pictures, bingo, scratch offs and whatever may be nice to have but do you really need them to have a nice cruise.

 

You cannot be "nickel and dimed" if you don't want to be.

 

Excellent.

[sfaaa]

Latest definition of 'nickel and dining': Want something for nothing and is too inflexible and unwilling to consider other alternatives.

[navybankerteacher]

If you choose to eat in the specialty dining venues, that is a choice not nickel and diming. If they started charging you to eat in the MDR or buffet, to me that would be nickel and diming.

 

Charging for things which used to be included in the basic fare IS nickel and diming.

[esp13]

False

Its not a play on words or disgruntled people. Of course all cruise lines or resorts do it but the phrase has nothing to do with disgruntled people and it has nothing to do with people not planning on spending. If consumers know costs in advance then they can plan. Vacation resorts and cruise lines charge surprise or hidden fees that many first time cruisers are not aware of. Fee's for eating better food, NCL charges for entertainment, spa use, etc. Its not accurate or fair to call those consumers disgruntled. Its a phrase that is widely and commonly used.

 

Well there is absolutely no reason that anyone on a cruise - first time or not - should not know the charges on the ship. The charges for specialty dining, the spa, certain entertainment, etc. are all found on the NCL website or by any fairly simply google search. Those aren't "hidden" fees as they are openly acknowledged by the company. And they are only a surprise if you choose not to do any research into your cruise AT ALL. I was a first time cruiser once and didn't run into any charge that had been hidden from me or that surprised me.

 

I can't feel sorry for somebody who chooses not to check into the most basic information.

[mugtech]

Well there is absolutely no reason that anyone on a cruise - first time or not - should not know the charges on the ship. The charges for specialty dining, the spa, certain entertainment, etc. are all found on the NCL website or by any fairly simply google search. Those aren't "hidden" fees as they are openly acknowledged by the company. And they are only a surprise if you choose not to do any research into your cruise AT ALL. I was a first time cruiser once and didn't run into any charge that had been hidden from me or that surprised me.

 

I can't feel sorry for somebody who chooses not to check into the most basic information.

 

Second that motion :D

[4774Papa]

I dont feel like they nickle and dime you any more than the next mass market cruise line. They all have photos, drinks, specialty dining, gift shops etc.

 

We cruise on NCL and Celebrity.

 

There are differences between the two cruise lines.

 

NCL has more announcements and pushes sales harder than Celebrity. It is not a huge difference, but we notice a difference.

 

When you board the ship with NCL you are offered a nice cocktail, but try to take it and you will be charged for it, while Celebrity gives you champagne free on boarding.

 

On NCL if you have the drinks package you pay the gratuity, on Celebrity, you no not.

 

The excursions tend to be more expensive on NCL.

 

If you are elite on Celebrity, you get free drinks at happy hour every day, while on NCL, you get drinks a couple of times on a 14 day cruise at a Captain's party or Latitudes party.

 

Celebrity's specialty restaurants are more expensive than NCL's, but the quality is a little better.

 

We still cruise on NCL, depending on the itinerary and bottom line prices. Usually, NCL's prices are lower.

[KeithJenner]

When you board the ship with NCL you are offered a nice cocktail, but try to take it and you will be charged for it

 

 

Sorry to go off topic, but I see this mentioned occasionally and I have never been offered a cocktail when boarding a ship. There is often a line of staff from various departments (kids club always say hi to our son for example) and that's it. I don't ever recall being offered a cocktail at that point.

 

Am I the only one?

[Quilting_Cruiser]

Sorry to go off topic, but I see this mentioned occasionally and I have never been offered a cocktail when boarding a ship. There is often a line of staff from various departments (kids club always say hi to our son for example) and that's it. I don't ever recall being offered a cocktail at that point.

 

Am I the only one?

 

I've sailed NCL only twice, but my experience is consistent with yours.

[spanishguy1970]

This just a bunch of crap, a corporation is obligated to their share holders to make as much as they possibly can. How has your vacation been "diminished"?

 

 

I am not sure why since you are so unhappy for a November cruise why you do not cancel and book somewhere else you will be happier?

 

with all do respect some of us are getting tired of your antics and disagreeable attitude. Like " loveyourbutler" says it seem you come on here to argue and push an agenda. Some of us come here to learn and actually give information that will help fellow cruisers. Please respect people opinion if you don't agree with it then move on...Happy cruising. :rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes::cool:

[mking8288]

Once upon a time, free bubbles was free at embarkation as part of the welcome abroad, before the mega ship era. Then, it changed to "let's swipe your keycard" if you take one.

 

Then, there was none.

 

Sent from my Nexus 5X using Tapatalk

[pieshops]

with all do respect some of us are getting tired of your antics and disagreeable attitude. Like " loveyourbutler" says it seem you come on here to argue and push an agenda. Some of us come here to learn and actually give information that will help fellow cruisers. Please respect people opinion if you don't agree with it then move on...Happy cruising. :rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes::cool:

 

 

I am so sorry, my comments hurt your feeling, I appreciate the PC police making their feeling know. You do realize this is a public message board? If you don't like what I say move on, you do know there is an ignore feature? Why do I have an agenda if you don't agree with me?

 

Have you never disagreed with anything in your life? When I disagree, I make my opinion know. Well over 95% of my posts and responses are positive.

 

It is beyond me why people continue to bash NCL and continue to sail on her, like people who love their butler, sorry JMHO.

Edited April 27, 2016 by pieshops

[Sizzlechest]

You cannot be "nickel and dimed" if you don't want to be.

 

If they started adding surcharges to every form of entertainment and dining except the buffet, you could still make that silly statement. Stay in your room like a veal. Come out only to eat at the buffet and return there quietly.

 

The problem is when it becomes difficult to avoid purchasing an "extra" when there's a shortage of free alternatives. Pool too crowded on the Breakaway class ships? Buy a Vibe pass or spring for the Haven. Theater too small? There's fee-based entertainment to offset the inconvenience. NCL deliberately caused these conditions on their newer ships to nudge you into upgrading.

[pieshops]

If they started adding surcharges to every form of entertainment and dining except the buffet, you could still make that silly statement. Stay in your room like a veal. Come out only to eat at the buffet and return there quietly.

 

The problem is when it becomes difficult to avoid purchasing an "extra" when there's a shortage of free alternatives. Pool too crowded on the Breakaway class ships? Buy a Vibe pass or spring for the Haven. Theater too small? There's fee-based entertainment to offset the inconvenience. NCL deliberately caused these conditions on their newer ships to nudge you into upgrading.

 

We sailed on the Breakaway to Bermuda last October, we did the cirque dinner show which we paid for but other then that I can not remember any fee based entertainment, correct me if I am wrong but all the other shows in the main theater were free, the comedy show was free, the dueling piano was free. While some of the shows ask for reservations to be made, the reservations are free and we walked right into some shows without a reservation, they just scanned our card.

 

I agree the pool on the breakaway is ridiculous for the amount of people

[wdsted]

Blah, blah, blah. If you don't want to pay for extra stuff, don't use it. You can have a great cruise eating at the free choices (dining rooms, buffet, the pub), attending shows, hanging by the pool, using the gym, and attending dozens of free events. If it angers you to pay a $100 service fee to drink for free, then you either don't know a good deal, don't drink much, or picked the wrong freebie. The one and only downside I've ever noticed on any of the dozens of NCL cruises we've taken are that subset of people who go on a cruise for no other reason than to complain. And 99.8% of the time, they also treat the crew like crap and then complain about their attitudes--a problem we've never had once.

[Sissaaaaaa]

Once upon a time, free bubbles was free at embarkation as part of the welcome abroad, before the mega ship era. Then, it changed to "let's swipe your keycard" if you take one.

 

Then, there was none.

 

Sent from my Nexus 5X using Tapatalk

 

That was what got me hooked on NCL - the welcome aboard glass of champagne. It was just so classy, and no other line did that at the time. It's a shame they stopped.

[mrobstad]

i choose to pay for the extras on NCL.....but adding the gratuity to the drink and dining packages is certainly nickel diming since we all pay a flat rate gratuity per day, and no ones seen a raise.

[vicocala]

i choose to pay for the extras on NCL.....but adding the gratuity to the drink and dining packages is certainly nickel diming since we all pay a flat rate gratuity per day, and no ones seen a raise.

 

We don't know who has gotten raises and who hasn't other than the reported income of FDR.

 

I have booked five cruises since last June because I don't feel nickled and dimed anymore! With the introduction of the beverage package and the specialty restaurant package coupled with usually prepaying my DSC and excursions I don't have to worry if I want a soda or a mixed drink, I can go to Cagney's if I want and have no worries at the end of the cruise.

 

As a matter of fact on my last cruise I didn't even use the remainder of my non-refundable credit!

[DMH15]

Well there is absolutely no reason that anyone on a cruise - first time or not - should not know the charges on the ship. The charges for specialty dining, the spa, certain entertainment, etc. are all found on the NCL website or by any fairly simply google search. Those aren't "hidden" fees as they are openly acknowledged by the company. And they are only a surprise if you choose not to do any research into your cruise AT ALL. I was a first time cruiser once and didn't run into any charge that had been hidden from me or that surprised me.

 

 

 

I can't feel sorry for somebody who chooses not to check into the most basic information.

 

 

So true. Many do not want to take personal responsibilty.

[fshagan]

We will more than likely be taking this cruise on NCL, but we will wait until they eliminate the allegedly 'free' dining and UDP and perhaps the fares will come down a tad more.

 

If you have a travel agent or have used one in the past see if they can secure a "fare only" or "cruise only" price without the added promos. The way NCL does math is that the $200 you pay for gratuity on the drink package buys you much higher value ... some ridiculous number I don't recall at the moment, like $1,500 value. So the "fare only" or "cruise only" price without the promos might only be $200 less. But in your case it is really $400 less because you aren't paying the gratuity for something you aren't using. NCL will say you're not saving $1,500 in free promos. Math is hard, but money is money.

[sjlocke]

Well there is absolutely no reason that anyone on a cruise - first time or not - should not know the charges on the ship. The charges for specialty dining, the spa, certain entertainment, etc. are all found on the NCL website or by any fairly simply google search. Those aren't "hidden" fees as they are openly acknowledged by the company. And they are only a surprise if you choose not to do any research into your cruise AT ALL. I was a first time cruiser once and didn't run into any charge that had been hidden from me or that surprised me.

 

I can't feel sorry for somebody who chooses not to check into the most basic information.

 

Ok, well, first timer here, and we've got the UDP for four nights as part of a promo. I've not seen anything about gratuities, so feel free to point out on the NCL website where those details might be.

[Quilting_Cruiser]

Ok, well, first timer here, and we've got the UDP for four nights as part of a promo. I've not seen anything about gratuities, so feel free to point out on the NCL website where those details might be.

 

It's on the page that talks about specialty dining packages. Here's the link.

 

At the bottom of the table it says:

 

18% gratuity and specialty service charge will be added at time of purchase.

 

It's also in the FAQs.

 

It's also in the terms and conditions.

[spanishguy1970]

Once upon a time, free bubbles was free at embarkation as part of the welcome abroad, before the mega ship era. Then, it changed to "let's swipe your keycard" if you take one.

 

Then, there was none.

 

Sent from my Nexus 5X using Tapatalk

 

Oh I remember that, in fact, on my first cruise in 2009 i said to myself that bubbly was the start of a great party it sorta made you feel you were on the start of a great vacation. On my 2010 cruise that bubbly gesture was nowhere to be seen....:(:(

Edited April 28, 2016 by qtaromar1970

[LakeWobegon]

No. As someone new to cruising, or relatively new, no. NCL was the cheapest of any cruise line other than Carnival (in many but not all instances) AFTER paying all the nickels and dimes, by far. And you get what you pay for. In my estimation, NCL is by far the best value in terms of quality for what you pay. I'm not sure how they do it. Why they aren't as much as RCCL for instance?

[Burgmeister]

 

 

With regard to the $7.95 room service fee, I don't consider it an issue.

If I want juice and coffee in the morning, I don't pay it. If I want a cooked to order hot breakfast, I pay it. Someone has to take the order, someone has to cook it and someone has to deliver it in an expedient manner.

 

As much as anything, the delivery fee is an aversion thing. Maybe someone will think twice about ordering room service if it is extra. I have seen too many trays with half eaten food sitting in the hallways. Same goes for pizza.

I agree with this IF it was clearly stated before you book. We booked our cruise when NCL were clearly advertising that room service was complimentary except between midnight and 5am. Shortly after booking, however, this was amended to include the "Service Charge". For reasons that I won't bore everyone on here with, we usually have a breakfast in our cabins on port days and so this has incurred a cost to us that we were not aware of when we booked.

 

Of course things change and of course a company is entitled to change its policy. But you should either receive the terms as set out when you agreed to your contract or be allowed to cancel without charge (I appreciate that US cruisers can do this - EU cruisers can't).

 

Let's take this a bit further as an example. Say you have done your "due diligence" and have compared prices and that you're a family man so has to book ahead so as to be able to get time off work while the kids are on school break. You choose Cruise Line A because it has what you want and even adding in the extras its cheaper than Cruise Line B for a similar class of product. So you book.

 

One month later you get an email from Cruise Line A.....

 

"For your convenience we have introduced a small charge for the kids club. This small charge of only $10 per child per day is to improve the experience ...blah, blah"

 

"OK" you think,"That's not too bad, we'll only use it on the 5 sea days and we've only 2 kids so it's only an extra $100 - still cheaper than Cruise LIne B"

 

One month later another email from Cruise Line A....

 

"Following the success of our kids club initiative we have made it even better. To attend the kids club you will need to purchase a Kids Club pass to cover your entire cruise duration for each child. Don't worry though it is still $10 per day per child"

 

"Hmmm", you think " Thats now 14 days at $10 per child. $280 extra I wasn't expecting to have to pay - not that much better than Cruise Line B"

 

A further month passes and the dreaded email arrives....

 

"We have had a review of our gratuities/Service charges and have decided taht the staff that work so hard looking after our kidies should also receive this award therefore we will be adding 18% + tax to the cost of the kids club"

 

"Oh FFS" you now think. "This isn't what I signed up for - $350 more cost to swallow"

 

 

 

This may or may not happen, but you get the point. Would everyone on here be that surprised if, one day, they received an email from their cruise line that went along the lines of...

 

"Following the success of our A la carte dining we have decided that, for your enjoyment and benefit, all of our restaurants will now adopt this policy. For the avoidance of doubt, this includes the MDR and buffet restaurants."

 

They are, of course, entitled to change their policies but it shouldn't be unilateral.