Can't bring soda on board anymore

[Sizzlechest]

We solve the dry throat by stopping by the Lido before heading back to our room for the night and getting a couple glasses of Ice Tea, water, or lemonade and stick them in the refrigerator to keep cold. No need to go out in the middle of the night.

 

Yes, leaving uncovered cups of liquid in the refrigerator that you have to retrieve each night is a great alternative to sealed bottles of water and soda.

[$hip$hape]

Can I have the steward empty the fridge so I can fill up my portable water bottle and stick it in there to keep chilled?

Yes; let them know your intentions.

On our last cruise, our steward apologized and asked us to wait for the staff person that has the responsibility for counting stuff.

THEY are the ones that re-fill and/or empty the fridge.

It's your fridge. If you need room, take their crap out.

[peacefulOR]

Just a question from someone who never ever thought about bringing his own food or beverages on board of a cruise ship:

 

I would like to understand the "ado" about this issue. Is bringing soda on board of a cruise ship something essential maybe especially for passengers from the US / the Americas?

 

This question is 100 % serious, no joking or teasing. Why would I bring my own beverages onto a cruise ship?

 

If you read even a few pages of this gigantic thread, you would realize that some people feel that they need certain brands of water or soda to be comfortable, whether medically or psychologically, it doesn't matter. Furthermore, most of us booked our cruise with the consideration that we could bring alternate brands to enhance our enjoyment of our cruises, some of which last 2 weeks or more. It was a plus that NCL would allow us to do so. For me, I've never brought on bottled water or smuggled alcohol but did consider that I could get my Coke Zero.

What I would be curious to know is: How many of the naysayers who can't understand the "need" for water or alternate drinks are that way because no one has affected their Ultimate Beverage Packages which allows them to drink alcohol all day long? Not one post on here has made a derogatory comment about heavy drinkers but many have commented about cheap water/soda drinkers. Personally, we have a few alcoholic drinks a day....not interested in getting our money's worth by drinking more than usual as has been expressed here over and over to justify the UBP?

Why don't we just support each other, whatever camp we are in....and kudos to those who have been supportive when it's not their concern. I agree that there is a small safety issue with bottled beverages as well as a legitimate concern about smugglers. I can live without my preferred soft drink for 8 sea days. And, please, stop thinking that your alcohol is free. It's built in there (balanced by former free restaurants that now charge?). It's not just Americans, either, but we are the largest group on most sailings so the most vocal.

[OV8]

I just reviewed all the cruise lines and the beverage policies on my blog-

http://thecheerfulcruiser.blogspot.com/2016/07/bringing-beverages-on-major-cruise-lines.html

 

Thanks for this!

[OV8]

It isn't "one thousand percent markup!" It's about 2.5 times what I would pay for the same item at a convenience store near the port.

 

Ok it's a 150% markup on bottled tap water....

[blackwing]

Yes, leaving uncovered cups of liquid in the refrigerator that you have to retrieve each night is a great alternative to sealed bottles of water and soda.

I do the same, I go up the buffet and get cups of ice water for the cabin. I don't have any issues leaving them on the nightstand overnight. They're usually still cold in the morning.

 

If you're afraid of dust or whatever getting into them, you could always bring a refillable plastic or aluminum bottle like a Hydro Flask or Camelbak or Contigo.

[Deptacon]

This thread mainly points out how cheap people are. :eek:

[thistimeplease]

I do the same, I go up the buffet and get cups of ice water for the cabin. I don't have any issues leaving them on the nightstand overnight. They're usually still cold in the morning.

 

If you're afraid of dust or whatever getting into them, you could always bring a refillable plastic or aluminum bottle like a Hydro Flask or Camelbak or Contigo.

 

I have the brita water bottle and a small carafe with a lid (purchased from amazon) for this reason. They work great.

[Deptacon]

Being from the UK, I can't comment on the American mindset, but certainly over here in the UK, it's a bit of a non-issue.

 

Usually when we go on holiday, we're visiting new countries, sampling new things, experiencing new cultures, eating new foods, drinking new drinks.

 

However, certainly from reading these boards I've discovered how loyal some people are to their brands of soft drinks, if loyal is the right word.

 

We do have similar British holidaymakers with a similar mindset. The hoards that migrate to the likes of Benidorm and Magaluf to only drink lager and eat fast food, home from home.

 

Each to their own I suppose, whatever floats your boat.

 

 

 

 

Sent from my ONE A2003 using Tapatalk

 

As an American, let me help you with the american mindset:

 

self centered, narrow world view, cheap, demanding the world revolve around them. This thread is a prime example.

 

If you cant go a week without your soft drink you need to stay home. You are probably suffering health problems from your addiction to soft drinks.

[Swells1]

This thread mainly points out how cheap people are. :eek:

 

Who's being cheap? Just about everyone here is willing to purchase bottled water if the price were lower.

If NCL sold Coke products, I'd buy them in a minute. In fact, I did back in 2008 before they made the switch to Pepsi.

I'd even be okay with paying a small 'convenience' fee to carry on my sodas.

[FreestyleNovice]

This thread mainly points out how cheap people are. :eek:

 

[Deptacon]

 

+5 Points

[peacefulOR]

This thread mainly points out how cheap people are. :eek:

 

I guess that you're one of those rare people who doesn't insist on his UBP? Maybe you don't drink anything, lol.

[ano]

When I read USA Today's article on Norwegian not allowing beverage (which I knew previously) I was amused when the article said that you could buy a 12 pack case of bottled water for $47.14 delivered to your room. The cost for the same 12-pack of water delivered to your room on Princess? $6.90 which includes the gratuity.

 

I liked Norwegian, and its one of my wife's favorites, but we won't be using them again.

[luvtheships]

As an American, let me help you with the american mindset:

 

 

 

self centered, narrow world view, cheap, demanding the world revolve around them. This thread is a prime example.

 

 

 

If you cant go a week without your soft drink you need to stay home. You are probably suffering health problems from your addiction to soft drinks.

 

 

Are you moving out of the USA soon since you seem to hate Americans? Of which you claim you are one?

 

I hear Cuba is opening up. Have fun

Edited July 14, 2016 by luvtheships

[NMLady]

Yes, leaving uncovered cups of liquid in the refrigerator that you have to retrieve each night is a great alternative to sealed bottles of water and soda.

 

We just put a glass of ice from the ice bucket on the nightstand next to the bed. Makes a nice glass of ice water during the night.

[pokerpro5]

First off, it is fallacious to compare the price of 1-liter bottles of water in convenience stores compared to what NCL charges. 1-liter bottles are fairly uncommon as far as bottled water goes, so they are often expensive. However, convenience stores always have a cheaper alternative in the more common 16-ounce bottles, which you can ALWAYS acquire for $6 per 24 bottles -- and frequently as low as $3.

 

The problem is that NCL offers ONLY 1-liter bottles. So the price per ounce of bottled water on NCL is MANY MANY TIMES that of grocery and convenience stores on land. There is no getting around this.

 

Other cruise lines such as Carnival have already adjusted their prices and made them reasonable. NCL is stubbornly refusing to do this.

 

NCL has been inundated with phone calls (and cancellations) from unhappy customers, but has not budged an inch.

 

This makes me believe that this is much more a passive-aggressive way of getting rid of value-shopping customers than it is about making a few extra bucks on water/soda sales.

 

The cruise industry is one of the few which does NOT value all of its customers.

 

As has been mentioned many times out here, NCL makes its money from onboard spending. It also makes a fair amount of money from suite passengers. However, they make very little money (and often take a loss) on inside/oceanview/balcony cruisers who barely spend any money onboard.

 

NCL cannot ban the "value cruisers" without causing a public relations nightmare which would backfire.

 

Therefore, all they can do is make life difficult on the value cruisers until they voluntarily go away.

 

The current "free offer" sales method is actually aimed at thwarting the valu cruisers, to some degree. You get more inclusions than you used to, but the base fare (for the most part) is higher. This has been a wild success thus far, and NCL is more profitable than it was before this scheme was invented.

 

But back to the soda/water thing of the present.

 

When you bring on your own soda and water, it indicates that you're a do-it-yourself traveler to some degree. It not only indicates that you're unlikely to purchase soda and water onboard, but it also means you're more likely to be the type to do your own excursions, arrange your own transportation away from the final port, etc. It's kind of like a psychological profile. I would be willing to bet big money that the average water/soda-bringer spends FAR less onboard than those that don't.

 

FDR is a bright guy, and he probably realized that, as well.

 

The ideal NCL cruiser is one who boards with minimal preparation or planning, and lets the ship take care of all of their needs.

 

Don't know much about the ports? No problem! Here is a list of expensive excursions we will take you on.

 

Don't want to go out to eat? No problem! Order room service for $8!

 

Want bottled water? No problem! We sell it onboard!

 

Feel like you want to be massaged or pampered? Come to our spa!

 

Feeling that gambling jones? Come to our casino!

 

Don't know how you'll get back to the airport at the end? Buy one of our transfers!

 

NCL does not want the purposed traveler who already has his whole week mapped out to where he can have maximum enjoyment for almost zero onboard spending. They would be thrilled to be rid of this type of customer.

 

This is why they are being so hard-line about this new policy.

 

They actually want the value cruiser to leave.

 

Will this inadvertently drive away others who aren't otherwise value cruisers? Perhaps. That's why I don't think this was such a good plan. However, as long as those people are replaced by OTHER spendy cruisers, then FDR will be fine with that.

 

We shall see.

[haply]

Ditto. I like to drink bottled water. I do not mind paying for it, but not for a 10X mark-up. I have many, many vacation options. I do not want to have to bring my own drinkware when I go on vacation-too much of a hassle.

[luvtheships]

First off, it is fallacious to compare the price of 1-liter bottles of water in convenience stores compared to what NCL charges. 1-liter bottles are fairly uncommon as far as bottled water goes, so they are often expensive. However, convenience stores always have a cheaper alternative in the more common 16-ounce bottles, which you can ALWAYS acquire for $6 per 24 bottles -- and frequently as low as $3.

 

 

 

The problem is that NCL offers ONLY 1-liter bottles. So the price per ounce of bottled water on NCL is MANY MANY TIMES that of grocery and convenience stores on land. There is no getting around this.

 

 

 

Other cruise lines such as Carnival have already adjusted their prices and made them reasonable. NCL is stubbornly refusing to do this.

 

 

 

NCL has been inundated with phone calls (and cancellations) from unhappy customers, but has not budged an inch.

 

 

 

This makes me believe that this is much more a passive-aggressive way of getting rid of value-shopping customers than it is about making a few extra bucks on water/soda sales.

 

 

 

The cruise industry is one of the few which does NOT value all of its customers.

 

 

 

As has been mentioned many times out here, NCL makes its money from onboard spending. It also makes a fair amount of money from suite passengers. However, they make very little money (and often take a loss) on inside/oceanview/balcony cruisers who barely spend any money onboard.

 

 

 

NCL cannot ban the "value cruisers" without causing a public relations nightmare which would backfire.

 

 

 

Therefore, all they can do is make life difficult on the value cruisers until they voluntarily go away.

 

 

 

The current "free offer" sales method is actually aimed at thwarting the valu cruisers, to some degree. You get more inclusions than you used to, but the base fare (for the most part) is higher. This has been a wild success thus far, and NCL is more profitable than it was before this scheme was invented.

 

 

 

But back to the soda/water thing of the present.

 

 

 

When you bring on your own soda and water, it indicates that you're a do-it-yourself traveler to some degree. It not only indicates that you're unlikely to purchase soda and water onboard, but it also means you're more likely to be the type to do your own excursions, arrange your own transportation away from the final port, etc. It's kind of like a psychological profile. I would be willing to bet big money that the average water/soda-bringer spends FAR less onboard than those that don't.

 

 

 

FDR is a bright guy, and he probably realized that, as well.

 

 

 

The ideal NCL cruiser is one who boards with minimal preparation or planning, and lets the ship take care of all of their needs.

 

 

 

Don't know much about the ports? No problem! Here is a list of expensive excursions we will take you on.

 

 

 

Don't want to go out to eat? No problem! Order room service for $8!

 

 

 

Want bottled water? No problem! We sell it onboard!

 

 

 

Feel like you want to be massaged or pampered? Come to our spa!

 

 

 

Feeling that gambling jones? Come to our casino!

 

 

 

Don't know how you'll get back to the airport at the end? Buy one of our transfers!

 

 

 

NCL does not want the purposed traveler who already has his whole week mapped out to where he can have maximum enjoyment for almost zero onboard spending. They would be thrilled to be rid of this type of customer.

 

 

 

This is why they are being so hard-line about this new policy.

 

 

 

They actually want the value cruiser to leave.

 

 

 

Will this inadvertently drive away others who aren't otherwise value cruisers? Perhaps. That's why I don't think this was such a good plan. However, as long as those people are replaced by OTHER spendy cruisers, then FDR will be fine with that.

 

 

 

We shall see.

 

 

Ncl can't ban the value cruisers because nobody will pay high prices for insides. Lol

 

They keep building ships that have insides and ovs so who exactly to they expect to book them?

 

If they only want rich cruisers then start building suite only mega ships. Good luck there

 

Fwiw we can all say Ncl wants to get rid of pax like me but the fact is they can't or their ships sail half empty

 

I book way out and get my great price...then the less savvy after me book the same cabin and pay much more....then Ncl has the inevitable fire sale or risks sailing with empty cabins

 

All lines do that. On our 2012 princess grand Med that I willingly paid $3000 in total more for 2 cabins over Ncl spirit price...and glad I did....even princess had to have a fire sale...

 

I paid about $1500 per person for 12 days....and met pax from both Spain and Italy among other easy to get to port countries....who paid $900 for a b2b....24 days total!!!!!

 

I think the smart USA traveler buys a plane tix at the best price but makes sure that within the plane tix time frame that there are several cruises that they can grab last minute...and if not....it's a 2 or 3 week land trip. No big deal

 

Btw when we found out how princess gave away the unsold cabins....we heard and met many others who were planning to do this exact thing.

Edited July 14, 2016 by luvtheships

[zqvol]

Yes, leaving uncovered cups of liquid in the refrigerator that you have to retrieve each night is a great alternative to sealed bottles of water and soda.

 

So bring a refillable water bottle. Your argument about getting up at night doesn't hold water, or just get water out of the sink. It comes from the same tanks and through the same pipes as the water in the dining rooms and at the buffet.

[pokerpro5]

Ncl can't ban the value cruisers because nobody will pay high prices for insides. Lol

 

They keep building ships that have insides and ovs so who exactly to they expect to book them?

 

If they only want rich cruisers then start building suite only mega ships. Good luck there

 

Fwiw we can all say Ncl wants to get rid of pax like me but the fact is they can't or their ships sail half empty

 

I book way out and get my great price...then the less savvy after me book the same cabin and pay much more....then Ncl has the inevitable fire sale or risks sailing with empty cabins

 

All lines do that. On our 2012 princess grand Med that I willingly paid $3000 in total more for 2 cabins over Ncl spirit price...and glad I did....even princess had to have a fire sale...

 

I paid about $1500 per person for 12 days....and met pax from both Spain and Italy among other easy to get to port countries....who paid $900 for a b2b....24 days total!!!!!

 

I think the smart USA traveler buys a plane tix at the best price but makes sure that within the plane tix time frame that there are several cruises that they can grab last minute...and if not....it's a 2 or 3 week land trip. No big deal

 

Btw when we found out how princess gave away the unsold cabins....we heard and met many others who were planning to do this exact thing.

 

 

NCL doesn't have to charge a lot for insides in order to get rid of value cruisers.

 

They just need to push out the inside-cabin-purchasers who also don't buy much onboard.

 

A family friend took his family on an NCL cruise about two years ago, and complained that he didn't like it and that it cost him a lot of money.

 

He stuffed all 4 members of his family into an inside cabin (great for the cruiseline).

 

He booked all of his excursions through NCL.

 

He ate in the MDR and didn't like the food. (Believe it or not, the specialties are the one on-board purchase which are NOT a bad value!)

 

He bought airport transfers through NCL.

 

He generally spent a bunch of other money on miscellaneous things, and found himself with a big bill at the end, yet came back feeling like he didn't have much fun.

 

Aside from his unwillingness to return, this is the type of passenger that NCL covets in their insides -- NOT the value cruiser who barely runs up his onboard folio.

 

BTW, the days of NCL dumping rooms cheaply between 14 and 55 days before cruise time are mostly over. That's yet another FDR change, intended to push out the value cruisers.

[Sizzlechest]

So bring a refillable water bottle. Your argument about getting up at night doesn't hold water, or just get water out of the sink. It comes from the same tanks and through the same pipes as the water in the dining rooms and at the buffet.

 

I think you just made the argument for bottled water ironclad.

[Lorey2007]

When I received a call from NCL regarding my email the rep said I could purchase 20oz bottles of water for $2.50. Does anyone know if these are only available to purchase once onboard and where do you get them.

Edited July 15, 2016 by Lorey2007

[Feelin' Nauti']

Ditto. I like to drink bottled water. I do not mind paying for it, but not for a 10X mark-up. I have many, many vacation options.

 

I do not want to have to bring my own drinkware when I go on vacation-too much of a hassle.

I agree! I bring way too much stuff as it is. :o

 

Budget Conscious women would rather buy drinkware in every color to match her outfits than waste her hard earned money on expensive disposable bottles.

[ano]

This makes me believe that this is much more a passive-aggressive way of getting rid of value-shopping customers than it is about making a few extra bucks on water/soda sales.

 

Will this inadvertently drive away others who aren't otherwise value cruisers? Perhaps. That's why I don't think this was such a good plan. However, as long as those people are replaced by OTHER spendy cruisers, then FDR will be fine with that.

 

Honestly, I think this is giving the cruise line more credit than they deserve. I'm sure it was a simple way to get more money. I see the board meeting in my mind. I see Frank Del Rio asking his group for suggestions on how to make more money so his Christmas bonus isn't impacted, and this is what he heard.

 

The problem is consumers are far more complex than that. I have only flown Southwest for years because I will NOT pay for luggage. Do I pay more? I really have no idea because I don't care. It's not about money. Same here. Not only did they loose my water purchases they also lost ALL my cruise money because I will no longer go on them. I also can tell you I'm far from a "value" customer.

 

The cruise industry is very competitive, and making customers mad for a reason that will likely bring them very little money is not a smart idea. Especially when others haven't followed their lead. Stupid in my book, but how much do you want to bet that they reverse this policy within 6 months? We SHALL see.

Edited July 15, 2016 by ano