Centuryrace Posted May 17, 2023 #701 Share Posted May 17, 2023 12 minutes ago, Norwayfan1 said: Are there any extra taxes being charged during your itinerary (like the dreaded Spanish tax)? Just curious! No, not offered, just no booze in UK ports full stop. If they had offered it this thread wouldn't exist Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
schmoopie17 Posted May 17, 2023 #702 Share Posted May 17, 2023 (edited) After wading through 700 posts on this subject, I really need a drink. 🥃 Good thing I'm not on an NCL ship in the UK... Edited May 17, 2023 by schmoopie17 1 14 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
podgeandrodge Posted May 17, 2023 #703 Share Posted May 17, 2023 1 hour ago, teazy said: https://www.cruisemummy.co.uk/cruise-ships-banning-alcohol-in-ports/ I reached out to Jenni on cruisemummy and this is her article Whatever about minor inaccuracies, it's good that this site has picked up the issue, as it should hopefully help put more pressure on NCL to fix the damn problem. I see she quotes a few posters on here, enjoy your fame 🙂 4 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greener123 Posted May 17, 2023 #704 Share Posted May 17, 2023 14 minutes ago, DCGuy64 said: I think that's a very reasonable approach. Like you, I want what I paid for. On my last NCL cruise, I had a couple of issues with food, at both Cagney's and Moderno. Both were rectified immediately after I spoke up. There are many "camps" on Cruise Critic. Two of the most commons ones are what I'd call the "cheerleaders" and the "haters." Cheerleaders support their line of choice, come what may, justifying everything the cruise line does and attacking anyone who criticizes it. Haters do the opposite: they carp and complain about every slight, imperfection, error, or inconsistency and, in their turn, they attack anyone who questions their reasonableness, rationale, or in any way defends the cruise line. I think we need to get away from this binary approach, but this is how it is. The world has sadly shifted toward my team vs your team… your team are 100% wrong about everything all the time. It’s infected so many areas of life now and I don’t see how we go back. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kirtihk Posted May 17, 2023 #705 Share Posted May 17, 2023 59 minutes ago, DCGuy64 said: You're right in one sense: I'm the only one who refuses to get on the bandwagon of "NCL is evil." Then again, I pride myself on being able to see all sides of an issue, not just the popular one, and I like being able to say "hang on a minute" when everyone else is saying "get onboard, everyone else thinks this, so you must, too." That's just not who I am. No, you are not alone at this matter. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dermotsgirl Posted May 17, 2023 #706 Share Posted May 17, 2023 49 minutes ago, KeithJenner said: It’s interesting that when a new cruiser comes along and complains that their holiday went wrong, there are usually a group of people on here telling them that it is their fault because they missed something. However, when it’s the cruise company that forgot the form it’s all ok apparently. 🙂 That’s another feature of online discourse. if you report having a wonderful time, you are congratulated for it, but if it wasn’t so good, it’s treated as if it’s your own personal failing ! 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kirtihk Posted May 17, 2023 #707 Share Posted May 17, 2023 (edited) 18 minutes ago, Greener123 said: The world has sadly shifted toward my team vs your team… your team are 100% wrong about everything all the time. It’s infected so many areas of life now and I don’t see how we go back. Actually, it's relatively easy: eliminate all superfluous matters and keep the rest. PS. Everything is in our head. Edited May 17, 2023 by kirtihk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flamingo_fancies Posted May 17, 2023 #708 Share Posted May 17, 2023 59 minutes ago, KeithJenner said: Well firstly, I wouldn’t run NCL because that isn’t my thing, but a company like NCL should have review processes and anything like this should be fully investigated through those systems and improvements identified and managed. When it went wrong on the Jade last year the whole process should have been reviewed and improvements made. Then when it happened again on the Gem it should have caused a further review with higher level management involved and any further improvements made. Then, there was Gibraltar when they could have another look it this before we got to where we are now. I mean what your pointing out here is basically general buisness practice. A company like NCL should be able to easily implement it, as to why it isn't already in place, who knows 🤷♀️ 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Norwayfan1 Posted May 17, 2023 #709 Share Posted May 17, 2023 29 minutes ago, Centuryrace said: No, not offered, just no booze in UK ports full stop. If they had offered it this thread wouldn't exist Sorry, I was wondering about the ports in the Republic of Ireland and whether any extra taxes were charged there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare DCGuy64 Posted May 17, 2023 #710 Share Posted May 17, 2023 Doesn't NCL sail in other parts of the world, like Asia, Africa, South America, the Caribbean, North America, the Mediterranean, and Scandinavia? It doesn't seem like there's been any problem in those places, only the UK and one port in Italy. I'd say this is (mostly) very much restricted to one part of the UK only, therefore it can't be characterized as a system-wide issue. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greener123 Posted May 17, 2023 #711 Share Posted May 17, 2023 (edited) 2 minutes ago, DCGuy64 said: Doesn't NCL sail in other parts of the world, like Asia, Africa, South America, the Caribbean, North America, the Mediterranean, and Scandinavia? It doesn't seem like there's been any problem in those places, only the UK and one port in Italy. I'd say this is (mostly) very much restricted to one part of the UK only, therefore it can't be characterized as a system-wide issue. Livorno, Civitaveccia, Trieste and Greek ports have all had the dreaded notices. I think a lot of the frustration is the lack of consistency and lack of clarity from NCL. Edited May 17, 2023 by Greener123 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Centuryrace Posted May 17, 2023 #712 Share Posted May 17, 2023 2 minutes ago, DCGuy64 said: Doesn't NCL sail in other parts of the world, like Asia, Africa, South America, the Caribbean, North America, the Mediterranean, and Scandinavia? It doesn't seem like there's been any problem in those places, only the UK and one port in Italy. I'd say this is (mostly) very much restricted to one part of the UK only, therefore it can't be characterized as a system-wide issue. At the moment it's a UK port problem with no booze. Various ports around the world get NCL and other cruise line to collect taxes when in port, even on package supplies. New York, Miami, for sure because I have been charged. Spanish ports do the same apparently and Greece has been banning it to persuade folk off ships and spend in port. There are stories of Italian ports banning some hard spirits. However I was in Greek and Italian ports with NCL last year and had no problems. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Centuryrace Posted May 17, 2023 #713 Share Posted May 17, 2023 7 minutes ago, Greener123 said: Livorno, Civitaveccia, Trieste and Greek ports have all had the dreaded notices. I think a lot of the frustration is the lack of consistency and lack of clarity from NCL. Was in trieste, mykonos and santorini last year with absolutely no problem on the NCL Dawn. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greener123 Posted May 17, 2023 #714 Share Posted May 17, 2023 3 minutes ago, Centuryrace said: Was in trieste, mykonos and santorini last year with absolutely no problem on the NCL Dawn. Breakaway was in Livorno and Civitaveccia this past week and had the notices 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare DCGuy64 Posted May 17, 2023 #715 Share Posted May 17, 2023 8 minutes ago, Greener123 said: Livorno, Civitaveccia, Trieste and Greek ports have all had the dreaded notices. I think a lot of the frustration is the lack of consistency and lack of clarity from NCL. OK, but that doesn't answer my question about the other ports. And wasn't Greece an issue LAST year, or is it still going on? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greener123 Posted May 17, 2023 #716 Share Posted May 17, 2023 12 minutes ago, DCGuy64 said: OK, but that doesn't answer my question about the other ports. And wasn't Greece an issue LAST year, or is it still going on? Still very early in the season, not sure anything has gone over there just yet, will probably find out next week with breakaway, it’s only just finished it’s TA 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hawkeyetlse Posted May 17, 2023 #717 Share Posted May 17, 2023 17 minutes ago, Greener123 said: Still very early in the season, not sure anything has gone over there just yet, will probably find out next week with breakaway, it’s only just finished it’s TA Breakaway started stopping in Greek ports more than a week ago. You can see the relevant rule (no alcohol sales in or near Greek ports, but beverage packages do work) at the bottom of the Dailies that Happycrafter123 posted in their live report. For example: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare DCGuy64 Posted May 17, 2023 #718 Share Posted May 17, 2023 4 minutes ago, hawkeyetlse said: Breakaway started stopping in Greek ports more than a week ago. You can see the relevant rule (no alcohol sales in or near Greek ports, but beverage packages do work) at the bottom of the Dailies that Happycrafter123 posted in their live report. For example: Thank you for this. At least the beverage packages do work, so that's something. 😀 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greener123 Posted May 17, 2023 #719 Share Posted May 17, 2023 Thanks, I was following that sailing and was trying to find the post about it but couldn’t easily - the poster was more excursions focused than NCL dodgy dealings… understandably so 🤣 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare KeithJenner Posted May 17, 2023 #720 Share Posted May 17, 2023 2 hours ago, DCGuy64 said: There are many "camps" on Cruise Critic. Two of the most commons ones are what I'd call the "cheerleaders" and the "haters." Cheerleaders support their line of choice, come what may, justifying everything the cruise line does and attacking anyone who criticizes it. Haters do the opposite: they carp and complain about every slight, imperfection, error, or inconsistency and, in their turn, they attack anyone who questions their reasonableness, rationale, or in any way defends the cruise line. I think we need to get away from this binary approach, but this is how it is. Which begs the question as to why you keep insisting that people who are critical of NCL on this one issue hate them, or think they are evil. If you want people to move away from this binary approach then perhaps you should stop doing it yourself. 17 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare ollienbertsmum Posted May 17, 2023 #721 Share Posted May 17, 2023 2 hours ago, Centuryrace said: Was in trieste, mykonos and santorini last year with absolutely no problem on the NCL Dawn. but I was in Trieste last week and there was a ban on alcohol being served to those who had not pre-purchased the drinks package. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jennjess Posted May 17, 2023 #722 Share Posted May 17, 2023 2 hours ago, Centuryrace said: At the moment it's a UK port problem with no booze. Various ports around the world get NCL and other cruise line to collect taxes when in port, even on package supplies. New York, Miami, for sure because I have been charged. Spanish ports do the same apparently and Greece has been banning it to persuade folk off ships and spend in port. There are stories of Italian ports banning some hard spirits. However I was in Greek and Italian ports with NCL last year and had no problems. In Greece this March I wasn't allowed to buy a fruit juice whilst in port. I didn't have a drink package as it didn't seem worth it for me as a non alcohol drinker. Those with a package were being served as normal. Not a big problem for me as I just went to the buffet and got a drink there but there are still strange rules in Greek ports. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare ollienbertsmum Posted May 17, 2023 #723 Share Posted May 17, 2023 (edited) For me it is not a question of do I hate or love NCL. In fact I am critical of what is going on with the alcohol issue, but I love cruising with NCL. My frustration is that we are not warned about the issue. If NCL said “we can apply the package in 3 out of 5 ports (for example) so we will sell the package to you on a day by day basis”, then it would seem fair. If they would warn customers that - when we are sailing in waters by Trieste we will not be able to serve you alcohol if you don’t have the package it would seem forewarned and fair. The way they are doing this seems so random. You want all of this information before you get on board, not just go down to a bar and find a notice that basically says ‘we won’t be serving you tonight’. That is what frustrates me and makes me cross. Edited May 17, 2023 by ollienbertsmum 11 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Traveling Man Posted May 17, 2023 #724 Share Posted May 17, 2023 44 minutes ago, KeithJenner said: If you want people to move away from this binary approach then perhaps you should stop doing it yourself. There are 10 types of people in the world, those who understand binary math and those who don't. 2 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SouthamptonCruiseFan Posted May 17, 2023 #725 Share Posted May 17, 2023 So Dawn is heading out of UK waters tomorrow, going to Stockholm, Sweden, instead or Stornaway, Scotland. Bizarre, but changes the dynamics of the duty free rules! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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