Not Happy with Hidden Fees on NCL

[debiggs]

NCL doesn't let you carry water or soda onboard any longer. Actually, in your analysis it the passengers could carry it on it would save NCL a lot of hassle.

I recently found that NCL as of 7/1/16 no longer allows you to carry drinks or water on for security reasons. but I am sure it saves them allot of time not having to check anything liquid. My personal opinion if you do not offer Coke then you should be allowed to bring it on board but it will not stop us from cruising NCL because they have Pepsi only.The last time I sailed NCL was Christmas 2015 , jumped ship since our family members wanted to try RCCL and Carnival, both bad experiences . We still will sail NCL for these reasons, they make us feel appreciated, they have something for everyone to have a good time, they have several specialty restaurants, they have good entertainment , good casinos, clean ships, Probably my biggest grip was the restroom on the Epic Balcony, did not care for that bubble .

[BabsinTX]

When I price it out, NCL is still far cheaper than Royal Caribbean or Carnival (especially once I add the drink package), so I think it’s still a great value.

 

All of the big lines are moving to less included and more activities with fees - cruisers have shown they would rather have lower fares and the option to do something vs a higher fare and actives included, so the cruise lines are obliging.

 

In November we decided to book a cruise for January 2018. On NCL I could get an aft balcony for the same price as a huge Club Class mini-suite on Regal Princess. Went for the larger cabin.

 

This happened in 2016, too. On sailings out of Houston Princess was $400 cheaper for an aft cabin. I'll buy my own drinks for that.

[DMH15]

That needs to be washed daily at least. They get extremely gross and filthy. No thanks! Someone else can wash my crap while I’m on vacay. Otherwise what’s the point of vacay.

 

 

 

No one likes pampering and relaxation on vacay more than me. I book suites. But rinsing out a water bottle is too much work for you? LOL.

 

 

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[grouchomarx]

No one likes pampering and relaxation on vacay more than me. I book suites. But rinsing out a water bottle is too much work for you? LOL.

 

 

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LOL...Uh yes. I wear lip balm and lip gloss literally all the hours I'm awake. every single day. Did you ever see what that it looks like after sipping on a bottle all day? A swamp of gooey filth on the rim of the bottle. And yes I've done it so I know, it's not a hypothesis. So now you've learned something you didn't know when you woke up today.

[NLH Arizona]

LOL...Uh yes. I wear lip balm and lip gloss literally all the hours I'm awake. every single day. Did you ever see what that it looks like after sipping on a bottle all day? A swamp of gooey filth on the rim of the bottle. And yes I've done it so I know, it's not a hypothesis. So now you've learned something you didn't know when you woke up today.

That is why I have a water bottle with a straw which I can change out the straw daily.

[DMH15]

LOL...Uh yes. I wear lip balm and lip gloss literally all the hours I'm awake. every single day. Did you ever see what that it looks like after sipping on a bottle all day? A swamp of gooey filth on the rim of the bottle. And yes I've done it so I know, it's not a hypothesis. So now you've learned something you didn't know when you woke up today.

 

 

 

Guess what? I wear lip balm too. And lipstick. Here is a news flash for you. They made this great new invention. A straw. Pack a handfull. Now You have learned something too.

 

BTW, this is playful banter. Hope you realize that. No offense intended.

 

 

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[grouchomarx]

Guess what? I wear lip balm too. And lipstick. Here is a news flash for you. They made this great new invention. A straw. Pack a handfull. Now You have learned something too.

 

BTW, this is playful banter. Hope you realize that. No offense intended.

 

 

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Indeed I have learned a lot today.

[marktwothousand]

Wayyyyyy off topic. I thought we were talking about government regulation.

[beerman2]

Wayyyyyy off topic. I thought we were talking about government regulation.

Has definitely gone sideways and transformed into a water thread!

[cheersforbeers]

Has definitely gone sideways and transformed into a water thread!

 

 

 

Wayyyyyy off topic. I thought we were talking about government regulation.

 

 

 

As a frequent and loyal cruiser of NCL, I have grown unhappy with their increase in fees. I understand that they want to make a nice profit but sadly the quality of the experience onboard has declined.

 

 

 

1. What started out as an unlimited drink package has now turned into a limited package with a cap of $170 of drinks per guest per day plus the increase in gratuities. In addition, the drinks have been watered down and contain less alcohol. This was very noticeable on my last sailing on the Escape in September.

 

 

 

2. As the Bliss gets ready to sail next year, I'm hearing that it will also have additional fees to use the go-karts and other new features of the boat. I doubt very seriously this will be a modest fee.

 

 

 

Of course there is no stop to fees once they get started. I can see in the near future resort fees and fees for luggage. If this continues, I may have to start doing inclusive resorts. I just one to pay one price and be done with it.

 

 

 

We started out with “NOT HAPPY WITH HIDDEN FEES”

Never was suppose to be about Government Regs, proper drinking etiquette from a bottle or a straw, water, Lions, Tigers or Bears but “HIDDEN FEES”.

We did stray like a lost dog. Hope someone finds him soon and takes him home

[fshagan]

Probably my biggest grip was the restroom on the Epic Balcony, did not care for that bubble .

 

My wife got tired of me going in there, sliding the door shut and yelling "Beam me up, Scotty!"

[newmexicoNita]

In November we decided to book a cruise for January 2018. On NCL I could get an aft balcony for the same price as a huge Club Class mini-suite on Regal Princess. Went for the larger cabin.

 

This happened in 2016, too. On sailings out of Houston Princess was $400 cheaper for an aft cabin. I'll buy my own drinks for that.

Generally this is not the situation especially if you consider itinerary and class of ship. This has a lot to do with pricing. Now, in your case, good for you, you did your homework and you are saving money. That is how many people do choose their cruise and cruise line. You do have to also consider other perks they may affect the price, between 2 lines. It isn't just drink prices, it is specialty, and other promos being offered at a given time.

BTW: I will say I do think the UBP should include specialty coffee and water. It makes no sense if it is a beverage package not to, what is NCL thinking?

[NMLady]

...

BTW: I will say I do think the UBP should include specialty coffee and water. It makes no sense if it is a beverage package not to, what is NCL thinking?

 

I agree with you but I imagine that what NCL was thinking was more money since so many people seem to want bottled water rather than tap water.

[The Other Tom]

Hidden fees ? What hidden fees ? All fees are disclosed and the OP knew about them. He/She may not like the fees but they aren't hidden.

[destinyjameson]

It's been my experience that the 15 cruises I've taken with NCL when we were offered the drink package we got precisely what we paid for and there was no mark up. As far as drinks being watered down that was not my experience in fact one day I ordered 1 drink and I could not stand up it must have been some alcohol in that one for sure. Keep in mind if you do an inclusive land vacation you will be paying more your hotel will be higher, the food will not be as good and you will have to pay extra for entertainment. The floating fun vessels provide me with the best vacation and no one on earth can find me that makes it even better!

[grouchomarx]

It's been my experience that the 15 cruises I've taken with NCL when we were offered the drink package we got precisely what we paid for and there was no mark up. As far as drinks being watered down that was not my experience in fact one day I ordered 1 drink and I could not stand up it must have been some alcohol in that one for sure. Keep in mind if you do an inclusive land vacation you will be paying more your hotel will be higher, the food will not be as good and you will have to pay extra for entertainment. The floating fun vessels provide me with the best vacation and no one on earth can find me that makes it even better!

 

It has been my experience that very nice AI resorts in Mexico and the DR always work out cheaper than a cruise for the same duration. Drinks are plentiful and top shelf, no limits on what you can have (except bottles of wine), food is as good and often better than cruises, with many more choices of different venues and cuisine. Entertainment is never extra! Not sure where you got these facts. Cruising is great but there is inevitably a big bill at the end. AI never has a single fee when we check out. So I guess that experience has made me acutely aware of all th extra fees for cruising, “hidden” or not.

[thetaro]

It's not Nickle and Diming. It's just a base fare and you have options to choose based on your needs. If you want extra or convenience, you pay for it. That's fair enough.

 

You pay the least if you:

1. Don't care about the location of your cabin.

2. Don't drink soda or alcohol

3. Don't care about bottled water.

4. Don't use NCL excursion

5. Don't use internet

6. Don't bother with specialty restaurants.

7. Don't use the photo/laundry/spa service

 

You can still have a very positive cruising experience without all these above, and the fare is still much cheaper than other cruise lines. There is no difference between add-on and all-inclusive, you pay for it one way or another. At the end of the day, you do your own math.

[grouchomarx]

It's not Nickle and Diming. It's just a base fare and you have options to choose based on your needs. If you want extra or convenience, you pay for it. That's fair enough.

 

You pay the least if you:

1. Don't care about the location of your cabin.

2. Don't drink soda or alcohol

3. Don't care about bottled water.

4. Don't use NCL excursion

5. Don't use internet

6. Don't bother with specialty restaurants.

7. Don't use the photo/laundry/spa service

 

You can still have a very positive cruising experience without all these above, and the fare is still much cheaper than other cruise lines. There is no difference between add-on and all-inclusive, you pay for it one way or another. At the end of the day, you do your own math.

 

Cruising without items 1-6 would be a deal breaker for me.

There is in fact a big difference in cost between cruising with add ons and AI resorts. They are different experiences but just taking into consideration items 1-6, AI is much less expensive.

[abe3]

No. Sometimes you need a bottle. Going ashore, bedside table at night. Ever try to drink from a glass while mostly laying down? Doesn’t work. Water bottle works. And no I’m not taking a refillable water bottle on vacation because I’m on vacation. The environment can wait. It’s about convenience and a standardized safe product, Nothing more.

 

 

 

I guess the environment can wait forever with your thinking.

 

 

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[DMH15]

I have been to dozens of AIs and they certainly did not have as many restaurant choices as NCL.

 

I have been to some who have a buffet, which I do not like on land or sea, and sometimes only one or two other specialty restaurants. And sometimes we were limited to only one or two nights non-buffet. A lot of them only offered buffets for breakfast. No thanks.

 

 

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[mugtech]

I agree with you but I imagine that what NCL was thinking was more money since so many people seem to want bottled water rather than tap water.

Obviously it is not an all beverages package, but an alcohol package. They could include more beverages but then that would raise the price for everyone, including people who sober up on standard coffee.

[grouchomarx]

I have been to dozens of AIs and they certainly did not have as many restaurant choices as NCL.

 

I have been to some who have a buffet, which I do not like on land or sea, and sometimes only one or two other specialty restaurants. And sometimes we were limited to only one or two nights non-buffet. A lot of them only offered buffets for breakfast. No thanks.

 

 

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The last one I stayed at in Mexico had nine a la carte restaurants, no limit to visits and no reservations needed. Buffet was much better than cruise ship buffet, but we rarely used it anyway. Resorts will vary. The ones I choose have many dining options because that’s important to us.

[ColinIllinois]

Looks like the O.P. threw out a fish hook and it got 8 pages worth of bites. Bravo! ;)

[deliver42]

I just got off the Escape today. There is NO limit on how many drinks you can have, either daily for for the week. The only time I felt nickle and dimed, was when I bought a cigar at the cigar lounge and was charged a 20% service charge. Really?

[mugtech]

I just got off the Escape today. There is NO limit on how many drinks you can have, either daily for for the week. The only time I felt nickle and dimed, was when I bought a cigar at the cigar lounge and was charged a 20% service charge. Really?

Cigars don't grow on trees, lot of service involved to turn tobacco into a cigar.