Why am I being charged for Free at Sea Gratuities

[KeithJenner]

49 minutes ago, ged1967 said:

Being in the U.K. free is free (we don’t get charged gratuities on freebies) 

 

However I’m assuming you live in the U.S  therefore you’ll be able to take advantage of any price reductions (via refunds or upgrades) which we in the U.K. cannot do.  
 

it’s all swings & roundabouts. I do a mock booking every now & then for my currently booked cruise and no matter what the promotion is it has never been lower than the price I paid plus I got an extra incentive, OBC.  

We may not get charged gratuities on the free at sea offers but we do have to pay extra to get them, at an amount which is very similar, so there is little difference really.

 

In fact, our way is worse if you would, for example, like the dining package but don’t drink as you pay the same amount regardless of whether you take the drink package.

[Cabana Girl]

NCL has left us bewildered.  These pricing games are distasteful and annoying.  Their total prices are adding up and leave me scratching my head.  RCCL, for example, is much more straightforward in their pricing and they do a surprisingly good job.  RCCL gives me four free drinks per day as a Diamond, NCL gives me little to nothing as a Platinum Plus.  Comparing balcony bookings on the NCL Escape and the RCCL Harmony of the Seas - out of Port Canaveral - how can NCL be almost twice as much?

 

We are sitting on 4 cruise certificates and they don’t make much difference.

 

we are booked in a Haven room on the Star in April and we are thinking maybe our money would be better spent on a Viking cruise.  
 

I hope NCL pays attention and stops “nickel and diming” their passengers.

 

We are happy to reward good service with gratuities, but enough with the built-in tipping and service fees.  Add this in as part of the price and pay the crew properly.

[All-ready2cruise]

I guess, if I were so upset by what NCL is offering... and also having better experiences on another cruise line, I'd be wondering why you'd be considering NCL at all.  

There are plenty cruise lines and plenty of cruises being offered on those various cruise lines.  We all make choices.  I've made mine, so please feel free to make yours, it's all on you to make you PREFERRED cruise line/cruise itinerary choice.  

 

Enjoy your cruise, I will certainly enjoy mine. I only have 4 booked on NCL in 2022.  

Cheers 🥂

[Cabana Girl]

I hope you enjoy all of your cruises!  Pls don’t assume I am insulting or judging you or your choices.  
 

we have been NCL cruisers for years and still have NCL cruises booked.  We have only recently sailed on RCCL (because they were sailing out of Port Canaveral) and were pleasantly surprised.  I was excited to book the NCL Escape…..then realized the NCL pricing is so out of kilter.  I was sitting there with credit card in hand when the cost and pricing made me stop.  Disappointing, but it’s time to explore new choices!

 

Bon voyage!

 

[Minoushka]

In the good old days people left a tip in specialty  restaurant over and above fee .Now they  just add it beforehand because too many did not leave something for the waiter .lets faceit you support the workers not the cruiseline ….so they are making sure 

i used to leave extra before but now automatic 18-20% is way enough I think for all..more is exagerated  

[CruizinKittie40]

On 3/5/2019 at 3:30 AM, mianmike said:

 

Of course MSC's free perks are built into the cruise fare (the way it should be) and yet MSC is consistently less expensive than the other cruise lines.   

 

You get what you pay for....

[Two Wheels Only]

14 hours ago, Cabana Girl said:

We are happy to reward good service with gratuities, but enough with the built-in tipping and service fees.  Add this in as part of the price and pay the crew properly.

 

If NCL did this, do you think that the overall cost to the guest would be more, the same, or less?

[CruizinKittie40]

14 hours ago, Cabana Girl said:

 NCL pricing is so out of kilter.  

 

In what way? I've never cruised anywhere but NCL or Carnival so I would love some insight

[Captain_Morgan]

Pardon the ignorance as this will be mine and my wife's first time cruising with NCL (we've cruised extensively with other lines over the years) and we chose our upcoming trip because it lined up well with other plans, the price was 'right', we appreciate the mandatory vax policy (contentious topic for some I'm sure) and of course the 'free' at sea promo.

 

As it relates to the promo in question, I get that there is an added gratuity on all drinks which is fine, but I've just received my invoice from my TA and I see there is a pre-paid gratuities for the 'free at sea' line on my bill (we also pre-paid the 'regular' per day gratuities) so does this mean when i order a drink there isn't a further additional gratuity per drink as I presume there would be if i hadn't pre-paid? 

 

Again, apologies if that is a silly question or doesn't come across as making sense as the whole notion of 'free / not free' clearly gets people's dandruff ruffled but so long as i know what i'm paying for it stings a little less.

 

Also, as part of the promo we're showing '1 meal specialty dining package' with both of our names so does mean we get only 1 x meal in a specialty restaurant onboard or is it an option to dine in the specialty restaurants throughout the course of the cruise for both of us?  

As I say, i don't mind paying 'extra' so long as i know what i'm getting for my money and so far as a first timer with NCL they don't make it terribly clear although its nothing that's going to ruin our trip I'm sure.

 

Thanks in advance to the 'experts' who can clarify and safe sailing!

 

[KeithJenner]

30 minutes ago, Captain_Morgan said:

Pardon the ignorance as this will be mine and my wife's first time cruising with NCL (we've cruised extensively with other lines over the years) and we chose our upcoming trip because it lined up well with other plans, the price was 'right', we appreciate the mandatory vax policy (contentious topic for some I'm sure) and of course the 'free' at sea promo.

 

As it relates to the promo in question, I get that there is an added gratuity on all drinks which is fine, but I've just received my invoice from my TA and I see there is a pre-paid gratuities for the 'free at sea' line on my bill (we also pre-paid the 'regular' per day gratuities) so does this mean when i order a drink there isn't a further additional gratuity per drink as I presume there would be if i hadn't pre-paid? 

 

Again, apologies if that is a silly question or doesn't come across as making sense as the whole notion of 'free / not free' clearly gets people's dandruff ruffled but so long as i know what i'm paying for it stings a little less.

 

Also, as part of the promo we're showing '1 meal specialty dining package' with both of our names so does mean we get only 1 x meal in a specialty restaurant onboard or is it an option to dine in the specialty restaurants throughout the course of the cruise for both of us?  

As I say, i don't mind paying 'extra' so long as i know what i'm getting for my money and so far as a first timer with NCL they don't make it terribly clear although its nothing that's going to ruin our trip I'm sure.

 

Thanks in advance to the 'experts' who can clarify and safe sailing!

 

If you have the beverage package then you don’t pay any gratuity on all drinks which are covered by the package. You obviously do pay gratuity on anything which is chargeable so, for example, if you get a drink which costs more than $15 then you are charged the amount over $15 plus the gratuity on that extra.

 

I think that makes sense. 🙂

 

If you have a 1 meal speciality dining package then each of guests 1 and 2 get one meal. If you want any more than that then you need to pay for them, either per meal or by buying an extra dining package.

[Two Wheels Only]

27 minutes ago, Captain_Morgan said:

so does this mean when i order a drink there isn't a further additional gratuity per drink as I presume there would be if i hadn't pre-paid? 

 

Since you have the PBP (part of the FAS) and paid the 20% charge on that package, you will not be charged anything per drink as long as each drink is $15 or less. If your drink is more than $15 (say $18), you will pay the $3 difference plus 20% on that $3 ($.60). 

 

30 minutes ago, Captain_Morgan said:

Also, as part of the promo we're showing '1 meal specialty dining package' with both of our names so does mean we get only 1 x meal in a specialty restaurant onboard or is it an option to dine in the specialty restaurants throughout the course of the cruise for both of us? 

 

Guests 1&2 each get the same number of meals based on length of cruise. In your case, you each get 1. The package will cover your appetizers, sides, desserts, and 1 main entrée. Some restaurants have a set number of items (Food Republic, for ex.) covered by the package since each is a "small" item. 

 

 https://www.ncl.com/specialty-dining-package/faq

[phissy]

18 hours ago, farjar said:

Phissy, Do you book directly with an NCL reservation specialist or a travel agent?  When I've looked at booking online it seems to give you only the options of taking everything or refusing everything. We don't drink and I would love to be able to do what you suggested.

When you get to this page, just click on REMOVE

on the Drinks Package.

 

Rate Types & OffersDetailsAvg Per PersonFree at SeaTake up to 4 Free Offers

$3399

^$ 2209

 

 

• • Open Bar
  • Save up to $1,400 on all the spirits and cocktails, wines, draft beer, juice and soda for all guests 21 years or older. Gratuities will be added to your booking.
  • REMOVE
• • Specialty Dining
  • Save up to $160 and savor free meals at our Specialty Dining venues for Guests 1 & 2. Gratuities will be added to your booking.
  • REMOVE
• • Shore Excursions
  • Save $50 per Shore Excursion, per stateroom.
  • INCLUDED
• • WiFi
  • Save up to $130 on an Internet Package you can use anywhere on the ship.
  • INCLUDED

PLUS, YOUR SECOND GUEST FLIES FREE

Pay our airfare for Guest 1, and Guest 2 flies free. Choose the departure city that works best for you from the options below.

 

• Everyone on your reservation will be booked on the same flights.
• Flights are booked and sent 45-60 days prior to sailing.
• Price shown is an average for all guests, and includes roundtrip flights, and air taxes, fees and surcharges. Transfers to and from the port will be added to your booking.
• Seat and itinerary modifications are not available.

 

CONTINUE

Edited November 6, 2021 by phissy

[julig22]

17 hours ago, Cabana Girl said:

I hope NCL pays attention and stops “nickel and diming” their passengers.

And I hope NCL continues their current pricing policy - I don't drink and I'm perfectly happy with non-specialty dining.  Why should I pay for services/goods that I won't utilize.  It's not nickel and diming - it's giving people an a la carte option.

[mianmike]

7 hours ago, CruizinKittie40 said:

You get what you pay for....

 

I've cruised Royal, NCL, Princess, MSC, Carnival and Princess.  I find the cruise lines are more similar than dissimilar.  I hear the higher-end cruise lines (Crystal, Regent etc.) are noticeably different.   

[mianmike]

2 hours ago, julig22 said:

And I hope NCL continues their current pricing policy - I don't drink and I'm perfectly happy with non-specialty dining.  Why should I pay for services/goods that I won't utilize.  It's not nickel and diming - it's giving people an a la carte option.

 

To not pay extra for the "free' packages you must book NCL's Sailaway rate which often sells out quickly is only for inferior cabins.  Back in the "old days" the Sailaway rate included cabin selection and we were able to snag some good deals in decent cabins.  

[julig22]

31 minutes ago, mianmike said:

 

To not pay extra for the "free' packages you must book NCL's Sailaway rate which often sells out quickly is only for inferior cabins.  Back in the "old days" the Sailaway rate included cabin selection and we were able to snag some good deals in decent cabins.  

Not entirely true.  You can opt out of the food and drink package (not pay the gratuities), which are the services/goods that I don't want "included" in my price. Yes, I am still technically paying for meals/drinks I don't want but the difference between the sailaway and "regular" rate is often much less than the value of the wifi, excursion and airfare perks which are useful to me - although currently the excursion discount is also included on sailaway rates.

[ChiefMateJRK]

5 hours ago, mianmike said:

To not pay extra for the "free' packages you must book NCL's Sailaway rate which often sells out quickly is only for inferior cabins. 

What is an "inferior cabin?"  Are those the ones where the toilet doesn't work and the door doesn't lock?

[mianmike]

2 hours ago, ChiefMateJRK said:

What is an "inferior cabin?"  Are those the ones where the toilet doesn't work and the door doesn't lock?

 

LOL. 

 

"Inferior" 

1.  lower in rank, status, or quality.

2.  ANATOMY

low or lower in position.

 

After you've been on enough cruises to have experienced the gambit of cabin locations you'll realize poor location sometimes matters and is inferior to a more preferred location.  Prior to the implementation of the Sailaway cabin these cabin locations were the ones that were often the last to sell.  

[Captain_Morgan]

Thank you to @KeithJenner and @Two Wheels Only for clarifying and confirming what I thought was the case.  Looking forward to our first NCL experience as it will be interesting to see how much 'value' is actually achieved with the FAS promo.

 

@mianmike we've sailed P&O, Princess, Seabourn, Viking, Cunard and can honestly say that the higher end cruises are not as dissimilar as some might believe.  Sure the price point is noticeably higher and there are definitely some things missing on the likes of Viking (no kids, casinos, photographers) and the cabins are generally larger in comparison because in the case of Seabourn and Viking they have outside cabins only, but we found the general ambiance of the so-called higher end lines to be more toxic than the mainstream brands. 

Seabourn is very status driven and because the ships are smaller people tend to be very territorial, especially if they're a higher tier in the otherwise meaningless loyalty program which many wear like a badge of honor.

Viking has very nice decor but the ships are all identical, bar a couple of the first ones which don't yet have minor inclusions from the newer ones (i.e. planetarium, which is quite small and not very awe inspiring IMO).  Sadly though due to their die-hard passenger base it means they often sell out very quickly so first timers find it very difficult to get onboard and they also require payment in full much further in advance than any other line.  Yes they have included WiFi (which can be very slow and cumbersome when 900 people are all connected 24/7) and draft beer / house wine included with meals as well as an included tour in each port.  Naturally they also offer a 'premium' beverage package for added cost. 

Onboard entertainment on most 'higher end' lines tends to be much less spectacular than what you see on the mainstream lines, and the overall safety / security onboard seemed much more relaxed in comparison to the likes of Princess, etc. which was evidenced by the fact Viking made redundant their Chief of Security, leaving the job to a navigating officer with no actual law enforcement / security background, and Seabourn seemed to have the idea that if people paid obnoxious amounts of money they were somehow lower risk?!?

 

Sorry for the thread drift, just chiming in on the comment about comparing mainstream to higher end brands based on personal experience

 

[Two Wheels Only]

1 hour ago, Captain_Morgan said:

Sorry for the thread drift, just chiming in on the comment about comparing mainstream to higher end brands based on personal experience

 

No need to apologize. The information on/opinion of other lines is appreciated. 

[Captain_Morgan]

1 minute ago, Two Wheels Only said:

 

No need to apologize. The information on/opinion of other lines is appreciated. 

 

Good to know!  Sadly it can't be said the same on other sub forums on here whereby the notion of being a cruise 'critic' is considered trolling by the kool-aid drinking sycophants 

[RocketMan275]

On 3/4/2019 at 7:34 PM, Outerdog said:

 

Give me a break. 

 

Once upon a time, most of these perks were free as in free. There was no extra cost associated with them beyond what was probably built into the fare.  Now there is extra cost associated. 

They were never 'Free'.  They may have been 'Included' but never 'Free'.   In today's cruising world, 'Free' simply means they're not itemized on your bill but you still paid for them.

[CruizinKittie40]

19 hours ago, mianmike said:

 

To not pay extra for the "free' packages you must book NCL's Sailaway rate which often sells out quickly is only for inferior cabins.  Back in the "old days" the Sailaway rate included cabin selection and we were able to snag some good deals in decent cabins.  

Yeah that's not true.  I sailed on the Epic in October and we opted out of the drink package but used the other perks.  Also we upgraded our cabin on a bid and felt we received a good value. 

[mianmike]

2 hours ago, CruizinKittie40 said:

Yeah that's not true.  I sailed on the Epic in October and we opted out of the drink package but used the other perks.  Also we upgraded our cabin on a bid and felt we received a good value. 

 

Myself and my Budget Analyst (her job) wife tend to place value analytically (lots of spreadsheets).  LOL.  If you felt you received good value and you're happy that's all that matters.  It's your vacation.    

[nferr]

The whole topic is kind of silly. If you get better pricing from another line and that's all that matters than go there.  To me it's also cruise ports, departure port, the ships themselves and the vibe on the ship. And basically I find NCL to be right in line with RCCL and the other majors in pricing. And paying $20 a day for open bar including tips is fine with me.