When ‘Free at Sea’ is not Free at At Sea

[KeithJenner]

5 hours ago, ontheweb said:

Isn't it just as likely that the exchange rate will make it less expensive than to make it more expensive?

Yes, of course, and over time it is likely to even itself up, but the uncertainty on any individual cruise isn’t necessarily what people want.

 

I prefer to just know what the final cost will be, which is one of the reasons why I don’t book this way.

[insidecabin]

On 10/15/2023 at 10:37 PM, KeithJenner said:

Generally, not really. The fee for free at sea in Europe is generally fairly similar to the gratuities paid in the US. It is something to take into account when deciding where to book (as part of the total cost), but it’s unlikely to be the thing that makes the difference and if so then it would be very marginal.

 

The biggest difference would be if you want the free at sea benefits except for the beverage package, as the US has the option to refuse the beverage package and avoid its cost.

 

The other factor is that there are occasional offers where free at sea is cheaper, usually half price. This could mean that it makes more of a difference.

 

Basically, just price it in when comparing costs.

 

Never seen 50% free at sea in the US.

 

UK will be getting it again worth looking out for.

Next UK sale refresh is Thur/Friday

(Whisper is it might be longer than a few days flash sale this time)

[ontheweb]

4 hours ago, KeithJenner said:

Yes, of course, and over time it is likely to even itself up, but the uncertainty on any individual cruise isn’t necessarily what people want.

 

I prefer to just know what the final cost will be, which is one of the reasons why I don’t book this way.

OK, I can understand that, but somehow I got the impression from your previous posts that you feel the exchange rate will almost certainly get worse for you. 

[JamieLogical]

This whole thread made me even angrier with NCL's exorbitant list price for all their drinks. They keep raising the drink prices because everyone has Free at Sea and they want to force people to upgrade to the Premium Plus or whatever they call it now. It seems fine when the pricing is all "fake" and you are just paying the difference on drinks over the FaS package or paying to upgrade. But if you are having to pay VAT on all the fake drink prices, that can really add up!

[DCGuy64]

39 minutes ago, JamieLogical said:

But if you are having to pay VAT on all the fake drink prices, that can really add up!

Great point!

[Panhandle Couple]

50 minutes ago, JamieLogical said:

This whole thread made me even angrier with NCL's exorbitant list price for all their drinks. They keep raising the drink prices because everyone has Free at Sea and they want to force people to upgrade to the Premium Plus or whatever they call it now. It seems fine when the pricing is all "fake" and you are just paying the difference on drinks over the FaS package or paying to upgrade. But if you are having to pay VAT on all the fake drink prices, that can really add up!

Ever drink in an airport?

Or at a concert?

 

NCL prices are slightly lower than the airport, and a LOT lower than a concert. 

 

[JamieLogical]

1 hour ago, Panhandle Couple said:

Ever drink in an airport?

Or at a concert?

 

NCL prices are slightly lower than the airport, and a LOT lower than a concert. 

 

 

Right, but compared to other cruise lines, their prices are obscene. On MSC, a shot of Bailey's is $10. On NCL it's $16!

[jayfurr]

We just got off the Gem after cruising in Spanish waters.   I noted that all our drink receipts did show a charge for drinks in addition to the VAT despite our having the bar package.  However, none of those drink charges showed up on our final bill -- just the VAT did.  

[greg2014]

@jayfurr - what was your itinirary ? where have you started and finished your cruise ? As it was wrote here, charging VAT depends on different parameters (port of start/end + if you have non-EU ports onroute).

[terrillja]

On 10/17/2023 at 11:06 AM, JamieLogical said:

they want to force people to upgrade to the Premium Plus or whatever they call it now. 

We had premium plus and it was madness dealing with the fact that absolutely no one from guest services to any bar staff had a clue what was and was not included. Some bottles of wine are supposed to be included, no one on the ship had any idea which ones, some drinks up to $50 a serving are included but others at 20 were not. The whole beverage program was a hot mess. 

[DCGuy64]

8 hours ago, terrillja said:

We had premium plus and it was madness dealing with the fact that absolutely no one from guest services to any bar staff had a clue what was and was not included. Some bottles of wine are supposed to be included, no one on the ship had any idea which ones, some drinks up to $50 a serving are included but others at 20 were not. The whole beverage program was a hot mess. 

Thank you for this, it makes me glad we opted not to get that.

[Ladyshopper23]

Am quite surprised. We're on the Getaway, and expected Spanish VAT to be charged today as we're mainland Spain, but it hasn't been.

 

Even had the dreaded email before the cruise warning us about it.

 

Cruise started in Southampton, stopped in France first, then Spain today and tomorrow.

[steamboats]

@Ladyshopper23 as your cruise started in Southampton you are only required to pay the Spanish VAT in Spanish ports (and within the 3 miles zone).

 

Anyway, someone on the Epic said that they now don´t charge the Spanish VAT anymore on drinks when you do have the package. The information in the daily read "not for F&B packages".

 

steamboats

[schmoopie17]

15 minutes ago, steamboats said:

 

 

Anyway, someone on the Epic said that they now don´t charge the Spanish VAT anymore on drinks when you do have the package. The information in the daily read "not for F&B packages".

 

And the ongoing saga of the VAT takes another turn. Let's hope this is the trend going forward, since we paid VAT for our four Spain ports last year.

[Ladyshopper23]

2 hours ago, steamboats said:

@Ladyshopper23 as your cruise started in Southampton you are only required to pay the Spanish VAT in Spanish ports (and within the 3 miles zone).

 

Anyway, someone on the Epic said that they now don´t charge the Spanish VAT anymore on drinks when you do have the package. The information in the daily read "not for F&B packages".

 

steamboats

We're in a Spanish mainland port today (well, just left) and are also in one tomorrow. There was nothing in the daily for today mentioning any charge, and no signs up, nor any extra charges made.

[Fredrik]

2 hours ago, steamboats said:

@Ladyshopper23 as your cruise started in Southampton you are only required to pay the Spanish VAT in Spanish ports (and within the 3 miles zone).

 

Anyway, someone on the Epic said that they now don´t charge the Spanish VAT anymore on drinks when you do have the package. The information in the daily read "not for F&B packages".

 

steamboats

Interesting. Does anyone have screen shots to back this up? Highly appreciated.

[sansroof]

7 hours ago, Ladyshopper23 said:

We're in a Spanish mainland port today (well, just left) and are also in one tomorrow. There was nothing in the daily for today mentioning any charge, and no signs up, nor any extra charges made.

In October we were on the Getaway from Southampton to various EU ports including Spain and also had no additional charges while in Spanish waters. 

[insidecabin]

This is the problem with NCL they can't tell you how the rules apply and when they do say something it's not consistent.

 

There is  just wishy washy(washy) wording in any terms  that means they can make it up as they go along.

 

NCL need a better strategy to deal with people purchasing an all inclusive cruise.

That does not have mixed messages on extra charges.