NCL supposedly includes 2 out of 4 choices of freebies...

[azgkrudi]

Sounds great, right? You go to make your 2 choices on the booking, and all of a sudden there's a $223.92 "Choice Promo Service Charge". So what is free about that?! Really clever of NCL to try to sneak that by the unsuspecting prospective customer.

 

Disclaimer: If you don't choose that option but only the standard cruise fare option, you wouldn't be charged the "Choice Promo Service Charge" - but most folks would be saying heck yeah, I'll choose 2 free options, so they click on one, and not even realize they are still paying for those "FREE" options.

 

We have always bought the beverage package before once we got on board, and haven't cruised NCL in awhile now, but when we saw the promo we thought, "Oh, that's a great deal with those "FREE" choices." NOT! Good thing I was paying attention.

 

I'm sure there are others who have already posted about this here, but I was so ticked off I had to create my own post with my frustration. I wasn't patient enough to wade through several months of posts to find this topic. ;-)

[triptolemus]

They're not trying to "sneak it by" -- didn't get by you, did it?

 

I agree... the use of the term "free" is disingenuous at best. But this has been around for about 2 years now... give or take a bit.

[azgkrudi]

They're not trying to "sneak it by" -- didn't get by you, did it?

 

I agree... the use of the term "free" is disingenuous at best. But this has been around for about 2 years now... give or take a bit.

 

Well, most folks would not notice it...so I'm sure they "sneak it by" many.

[jints07]

I understand your frustration but the amount in question is a gratuity. I don't really have a problem with it provided 100% of it goes to the staff. I believe in EU countries the 18% is actually included so free does mean free there, but in the good old US, we have been conditioned to accept that free means "look for the asterisk". Haha.

[triptolemus]

Well, most folks would not notice it...so I'm sure they "sneak it by" many.

 

Nah. Everyone notices it because everyone comes here to complain about it.

[SeaShark]

Well, most folks would not notice it...so I'm sure they "sneak it by" many.

 

I don't know how you know that "most folks would not notice it". :rolleyes:

 

Anyway, since you have purchased the UBP before:

 

If a cruiser was to buy the beverage package, they not only have to pay the cost of the UBP, but they also have to pay the 18% gratuity charge.

 

IOW, to have a drink package, the guest my purchase:

Item #1 - The UBP at the current per day rate

Item #2 - The gratuity charge which is 18% of the cost of item #1

 

When NCL offers the UBP for free, you are getting Item #1 at no charge to you (IOW, Free). What you do NOT get it Item #2 for free. And since they are not offering Item #2 for free (as is pointed out in the Free At Sea promotion), they aren't trying to "sneak something past you".

 

The disappointment here is simply a result of a false assumption on the part of the cruiser. That is why it is always importing to read the terms of the offer and understand exactly what the offer entails.

 

And FWIW, don't think the UBP is really free either...it is built into the price of the cruise. NOTHING is truly free. ;)

[azgkrudi]

I understand your frustration but the amount in question is a gratuity. I don't really have a problem with it provided 100% of it goes to the staff. I believe in EU countries the 18% is actually included so free does mean free there, but in the good old US, we have been conditioned to accept that free means "look for the asterisk". Haha.

 

Is it really the gratuity? And so then we wouldn't have to add extra onto each tab we get? If so, that makes more sense to me.

[azgkrudi]

I don't know how you know that "most folks would not notice it". :rolleyes:

 

 

You'd be surprised at how many people just look at the final price and say "Oh, OK!" Particularly the elderly. And I'm not rolling my eyes like you did. :-(

[casofilia]

The Canadians were caught in the same way with the "Canadian at Par" offer. The only thing that was "at Par" was the actual cost of the cruise and nothing else.

 

These days "Free" is the way of telling you "Caveat Emptor"!

[shof515]

Is it really the gratuity? And so then we wouldn't have to add extra onto each tab we get? If so, that makes more sense to me.

 

it is gratuity, you do not have to pay extra on the drinks/dining package

 

if you read the terms and of conditions, it says it in plain English that the fees is for gratuities

Drinks Package:

Guest is responsible for 18% gratuities on the retail value of the Ultimate Beverage Package ($14.22 USD per person, per day) and/or Soda Package ($1.35 USD per person, per day) prior to cruise, except when booking The Haven or a Suite.

Retail value of Ultimate Beverage Package is $79.00 USD per person, per day. Package price is subject to change.

By selecting it as an Promo in your booking, you are saving $79 dollars

Dinning Package:

Guest is responsible for 18% gratuities on the retail value of the Specialty Dining Package prior to cruise.

The retail SDP price is $69.00-$100+. By selecting it as an Promo in your booking, you are saving $69

 

If you do buy the retail SDP or drink package, you still have to pay 18% gratuities anyways.

[StolidCruiser]

They're not trying to "sneak it by" -- didn't get by you, did it?

 

I agree... the use of the term "free" is disingenuous at best. But this has been around for about 2 years now... give or take a bit.

 

Nah. Everyone notices it because everyone comes here to complain about it.[/QUOTE]

 

Add one more to the list.

[SeaShark]

You'd be surprised at how many people just look at the final price and say "Oh, OK!" Particularly the elderly. And I'm not rolling my eyes like you did. :-(

And you know this how?

[BirdTravels]

Smart people would take a few minutes to read about what they are buying before blindly giving someone your credit card number. The Ts&Cs for the free at sea are not long (like the passenger contract). And if you don't like it, cancel. Immediately. Then there is nothing to complain about.

[jints07]

Is it really the gratuity? And so then we wouldn't have to add extra onto each tab we get? If so, that makes more sense to me.

 

Yep, correct. In fact there is no way to actually add anything on to the room tab at the bars because with the promo they don't even ask you to sign anything when you get a drink (unless you are in a port in which case you have to sign for the local tax).

 

I used the term "room tab" because you are of course free to tip additional in cash. The bartenders do not expect it, but naturally are appreciative of something extra if you find their service good.

[Jason82]

The moderators really need to just make a tacked thread for the Free at Sea UBP complaints.

 

We used it as a goal for how much we needed to drink. :D

[Weluv2cruise2gether]

I would rather pay $223 total for DH and myself to drink then $652 ($79 x7 + 18%) per person on a 7 day cruise as it would be if we paid for the UBP out of pocket. So, yeah, it is not really totally free, but it is a great savings (> $1000). Maybe you should look at it that way. I don't drink much alcohol, but I can guarantee you that DH will certainly drink more than the $223 that the UBP perk will cost us.

[KarimaJ]

Well, most folks would not notice it...so I'm sure they "sneak it by" many.

 

 

I was irritated at first too. But even paying $180 for our package is still cheaper then full price. But it should be called Discounted Drink Package not Free. It certainly is hard to sneak by though, every mock booking I have done on my online TA a box pops up about it to be clear.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums mobile app

[Two Wheels Only]

If NCL added $100 to the price for every guest #1 & #2 while simultaneously removing the 18% on the UBP promo, people would complain about paying for something that they don't want/need.

 

By making the UBP promo optional, only the people who want it have to pay $99.54pp (if they have to pay the 18%). There are promos that cost less or cost nothing. There is also the "Norwegian Rate" which adds no promos and no extra costs (beyond the mandatory taxes, port fees, etc.)

[CruisinHarvey]

Just take the Excursions and the WiFi there's no gratuities with those. If you don't take the drink or food promo, you'll pay a gratuity when you buy drinks or food in the specialty restaurants. Just because you bought the promo doesn't mean you're exempt from the grats.

[hladygirl]

Oh get over it! It is still a bargain that other cruiselines don't offer.

[ImNotSara]

Nothing sneaky about it. It is fully disclosed in MANY places that you still pay the gratuity on the free packages. The bartenders still need to mix and pour your drinks whether you get them free or if you are paying. If you would rather pay the full price of the package as well as the tip by all means do so. I am sure NCL would not mind at all.

[ImNotSara]

https://www.ncl.com/termsandconditions/FreeAtSea-Dec2016?hide_hf=true

 

 

 

AND...

 

 

1. Unlimited Open Bar*

2. Specialty Dining*

3. Shore Excursions

4. WiFi

5. Friends & Family Sail Free**

 

 

Enjoy a poolside mojito, highballs in the casino, and a glass of pinot at dinner, all included with the Ultimate Beverage Package. *Service charges apply

 

 

All you have to do is READ? :)

[mark290]

 

if you read the terms and of conditions, it says it in plain English that the fees is for gratuities

Drinks Package:

 

 

 

Kind of funny because that is not really plain english.

[ImNotSara]

 

Kind of funny because that is not really plain english.

 

 

Seems pretty plain to me...

 

"Guest is responsible for 18% gratuities on the retail value of the Ultimate Beverage Package ($14.22 USD per person, per day) and/or Soda Package ($1.35 USD per person, per day) prior to cruise, except when booking The Haven or a Suite."

[Songwriter37201]

Sounds great, right? You go to make your 2 choices on the booking, and all of a sudden there's a $223.92 "Choice Promo Service Charge". So what is free about that?! Really clever of NCL to try to sneak that by the unsuspecting prospective customer.

 

Cruise Critic has a good article about this:

 

http://www.cruisecritic.com/articles.cfm?ID=2492

 

Also, this is very similar to the comps gamblers receive at casinos: I would never think of not tipping for a free meal. In fact, I'm usually motivated to tip MORE.

 

I get a lot of pleasure from being able to give wait staff a 30-50% tip on the value of a free meal.

 

Shared blessings.

 

Peace~