Nickel and Diming?

[Liljo22]

14 hours ago, Capitan Obvious said:

 

I don't believe that to be accurate. What was it that (please be specific) that NCL charged for that were once included in the cruise fare?

The big one is specialty dining.  They were the first one have paid dining outside of the MDR with the Sky in 1999.  They are also the first cruise line to charge for room service.  

[luv2kroooz]

.....and I almost forgot....replacing included quality Broadway entertainment with pay-to-play Wheel of Fortune. No thanks.

[complawyer]

luv2kroooz. hate to argue with you on such a minor point, but "quality Broadway entertainment" is really only available in places like Broadway itself, or London's west end theater district. while the cruise shows are nice (some even entertaining) there is really no comparison.

 

if you dont want to pay for wheel of fortune, or any other like activities, DON'T!

 

in reality, any of those activities are of no interest to me. after 10pm. i'd rather be in my cabin reading my kindle. im 75 years old, and only choose a cruise based on both its price and itinerary. the other bells and whistles are of no furtherr consequence.

 

im even contemplating removing the drink package (1) it saves about $500-$700 of the cruise price (2) i find i drink a whole lot more on a daily basis, because i bought the package

[Russiamomm]

9 hours ago, bkrickles1 said:

Just like I met people in July at Horseshoe Bay in Bermuda, who paid $49 per person for a transfer back and forth from the pier instead of the $14 per person we always pay when we visit.

That's the one I'm always surprised about!

Yup.  The I’ve been to Bermuda several times.  The only time I used the NCL transport was when I was traveling solo.  With the $50 credit, it was free, but even then they only let you stay for 3 hours.  So I took a mini bus home.  So the excursion saved me $7.  😂

[Russiamomm]

9 hours ago, bkrickles1 said:

Just like I met people in July at Horseshoe Bay in Bermuda, who paid $49 per person for a transfer back and forth from the pier instead of the $14 per person we always pay when we visit.

That's the one I'm always surprised about!

Yup.  I’ve been to Bermuda several times.  The only time I used the NCL transport was when I was traveling solo.  With the $50 credit, it was free, but even then they only let you stay for 3 hours.  So I took a mini bus home.  So the excursion saved me $7.  😂

[Diver2014]

Some people want everything (and beyond) on the ship to be 'free' thus the nickel and dime complaints.  Those people need to go on an all inclusive cruise and they can pay the fares for their 'free' stuff.  Most people who complain about nickel and diming just enjoy complaining.  No one is forced to purchase items that are charged separately from the base fare and especially now when the cruise lines had no income for two years.  Pay no attention to the complainers.

[ChiefMateJRK]

1 hour ago, Diver2014 said:

Pay no attention to the complainers.

I pay attention because it amuses me.😎

[fshagan]

23 hours ago, julig22 said:

Regular room service has had a charge for a long time, don't know if it was ever free - but there's always been a charge since I've been sailing on NCL. 

However, there is now a charge for breakfast, so yes that's new BUT they also upped the menu, so it's more than just a continental breakfast now.

 

I assure you, it used to be free, 24/7, for all cabin classes. There was a lot of concern here in this forum when they went to a service charge. They had to backtrack and make "continental breakfast" free of service charge due to the protests from passengers. If I recall correctly, the charge was either 6.95 or 7.95 - something like that. I understand it is more now.

 

But I don't think NCL "nickel and dimes" you any more than any other hospitality business.

 

Taking away something that was free isn't in itself a problem. It's when you book and the change happens when you weren't expecting it.

 

 

 

[tonyfall1]

I shopped all of the lines and NCL had the cheapest price. They were even cheaper than MSC. When shopping the packages the FAS seemed like a great deal. I know it's not "free" and doesn't include the service charge, but it cost me and my wife $328 total, or $164pp for unlimited drinks, some wifi and one specialty dining plus $50 off per excursion. Even if you factor in the $20 service charge it comes out to $304pp all in. That seems like a pretty good deal.  I also got the BOGO airfare. I don't want to go down that road lol. My flight is only a couple hours and I am flying in a day early. That saved me $700 as well. I also got the cruise first certificate for a down payment which saved $150. When I was crunching the numbers between lines, NCL came out significantly cheaper.

Edited October 18, 2023 by tonyfall1

[chill6x6]

The only time I have TRULY walked off the ship having paid no more than the cruise fare was with Celebrity in a suite.  They used to include gratuities, OBC, premium beverage, and premium internet.  OBC covered speciality dining and excursions.  

[Ktuluorion]

1 hour ago, chill6x6 said:

The only time I have TRULY walked off the ship having paid no more than the cruise fare was with Celebrity in a suite.  They used to include gratuities, OBC, premium beverage, and premium internet.  OBC covered speciality dining and excursions.  

NCL used to be that way in the suites too.  Dining & drinks packages for FAS used to not have service charge, and at one point the grats were a perk.  

[UKstages]

I think the nickel and diming refers to upcharges for certain items, such as lobster and such in specialty restaurants, particularly those items that used to be included. (i’m looking at you, beef rossini at le bistro.) also, things like selling an arcade package, which excludes some of the most popular games. charging for games like “deal or no deal” that have no reasonable expectation of a win. moving things like bailey’s irish cream to the premium plus beverage packing.

 

i myself have never really felt nickeled and dimed, but i do understand why people feel so. they’re not cheapskates, they don’t want something for nothing… they are just confused, disappointed, disillusioned or bamboozled by the way the services are marketed.

 

i’m onboard the joy right now and I do see that NCL has fully embraced the concept!  “taste” and “savor” have been renamed “nickel” and “dime.”

 

(yes, I used the same joke a few months ago in a similar thread. but, like they used to say about summer repeats on NBC’s killer thursday night summer schedule… if you haven’t seen it, it’s new to you! come back at 11. i do all my blue material at the late show.)

[luv2kroooz]

17 hours ago, complawyer said:

luv2kroooz. hate to argue with you on such a minor point, but "quality Broadway entertainment" is really only available in places like Broadway itself, or London's west end theater district. while the cruise shows are nice (some even entertaining) there is really no comparison.

 

That is fair. The point I was trying to make is that they are replacing their free production shows with a pay to play game show.

 

17 hours ago, complawyer said:

if you dont want to pay for wheel of fortune, or any other like activities, DON'T!

Great advice. Candidly, I don't intend to watch Wheel of Fortune let alone pay for it. For us, NCL now loses on entertainment when compared to Princess or RCL. They are more on par with Carnival now.

[luv2kroooz]

16 hours ago, Diver2014 said:

Some people want everything (and beyond) on the ship to be 'free' thus the nickel and dime complaints.  Those people need to go on an all inclusive cruise and they can pay the fares for their 'free' stuff.  Most people who complain about nickel and diming just enjoy complaining.

Untrue on multiple fronts. Educated, budget minded consumers want the most "bang for their buck" and will naturally gravitate to the offering that meets their needs. Don't confuse facts for complaints.

[bkrickles1]

I disagree "mostly" with the nickel and diming.

Every cruise line has their unique way of pricing and packaging the product they offer.

To me, it's clearly laid out and I always know exactly what I'm getting into. A little research and ownership of what you're purchasing is more important now than in the past and if you are surprised or confused it's on you.

The pandemic crushed the entire cruise industry and required everyone to raise prices and reconstruct things just so they could survive and provide all of us with a cruise product that's still pretty damn good if you're a reasonable person. I began cruising, as an adult nearly 33 years ago, so I am aware of how things used to be. I'm also aware that the world has changed just a little bit too.

Our last 4 cruises have been on NCL, but I always look at RCCL and Celebrity too when I'm planning.

Apples to apples, with all fees, taxes, upcharges, and whatever else you can think of, NCL has always provided us with more for less. The one caveat in my research is that we like to drink a little more on vacation. If you're a drinker, NCL is a tremendous value with their FAS perks.

And, we just sailed Joy in July, post pandemic, and the service and entertainment was excellent in spite of cutbacks.

We enjoyed it so much that we've since booked a 10 sailing on Getaway for next April.

[skittl1321]

On 10/17/2023 at 4:48 PM, complawyer said:

luv2kroooz. hate to argue with you on such a minor point, but "quality Broadway entertainment" is really only available in places like Broadway itself, or London's west end theater district. while the cruise shows are nice (some even entertaining) there is really no comparison.

 

Except that NCL was using touring productions in residency; they were licensing shows with a Broadway/West End pro. The actors almost all have credits on broadway and west end. They aren't in house troupes.  It is Broadway quality, just as when Six, Kinky Boots, or Choir of Man tours around the country, it's Broadway quality  (Choir of Man hasn't been on Broadway yet, but is touring, so it's West End quality). These shows are heavily regulated in how they are allowed to be presented.

Having seen many of the shows NCL presents touring and on Broadway, the comparison is very apt. Many times the touring casts were also playing on Broadway at some point.  You typically get bigger above the line names on Broadway, but the quality of the show as a whole is very similar.

Ships used to almost all have two of these shows, and most now have one.  The lack of production shows was really disappointing on NCL.  I'd even go for an in-house troupe.  

 

 

 

As for nickel and diming- I didn't feel like it was required Nickel and Diming, you didn't have to spend anymore than your base fair, but there sure were lots of choices of things to spend money on.  I was on NCL as a solo and didn't pay for most of the extras, but I decided I wouldn't take my kids on NCL. There wasn't enough for them to do that wasn't extra cost, as opposed to the other lines I've cruised where there were many additional activities they would enjoy (golf course, ropes course, etc).

Edited October 19, 2023 by skittl1321

[mjkacmom]

25 minutes ago, skittl1321 said:

Except that NCL was using touring productions in residency; they were licensing shows with a Broadway/West End pro. The actors almost all have credits on broadway and west end. They aren't in house troupes.  It is Broadway quality, just as when Six, Kinky Boots, or Choir of Man tours around the country, it's Broadway quality  (Choir of Man hasn't been on Broadway yet, but is touring, so it's West End quality). These shows are heavily regulated in how they are allowed to be presented.

Having seen many of the shows NCL presents touring and on Broadway, the comparison is very apt. Many times the touring casts were also playing on Broadway at some point.  You typically get bigger above the line names on Broadway, but the quality of the show as a whole is very similar.

Ships used to almost all have two of these shows, and most now have one.  The lack of production shows was really disappointing on NCL.  I'd even go for an in-house troupe.  

 

 

 

As for nickel and diming- I didn't feel like it was required Nickel and Diming, you didn't have to spend anymore than your base fair, but there sure were lots of choices of things to spend money on.  I was on NCL as a solo and didn't pay for most of the extras, but I decided I wouldn't take my kids on NCL. There wasn't enough for them to do that wasn't extra cost, as opposed to the other lines I've cruised where there were many additional activities they would enjoy (golf course, ropes course, etc).

Depending on the ship, there is mini golf, ropes courses, rock climbing walls…

[skittl1321]

4 minutes ago, mjkacmom said:

Depending on the ship, there is mini golf, ropes courses, rock climbing walls…

I was on encore. These activities were not available.  There is the galaxy pavillion, for a fee, the laser tag, for a fee, the escape room, for a fee, the go carts, for a fee.

 

I personally did not feel nickel or dimed, as I didn't want to do any of these things, and that meant I wasn't paying for them in my base fare either.  But the ship was not suitable for my children. 

Maybe I need to research more, or my itinerary just didn't support it, as I didn't see those free activities on any of the ships I was looking at.

[mjkacmom]

18 minutes ago, skittl1321 said:

I was on encore. These activities were not available.  There is the galaxy pavillion, for a fee, the laser tag, for a fee, the escape room, for a fee, the go carts, for a fee.

 

I personally did not feel nickel or dimed, as I didn't want to do any of these things, and that meant I wasn't paying for them in my base fare either.  But the ship was not suitable for my children. 

Maybe I need to research more, or my itinerary just didn't support it, as I didn't see those free activities on any of the ships I was looking at.

I know the breakaway had a free rope course and ninigolf the last time we sailed.

[scar4711]

I would rather be "nickled and dimed" vs having large fare increases to compensate for the increased costs of things I dont use/consume.. etc. 

 

the only thing I really "buy" above the base fare is the premium drink package (on music charters.. no FAS), or on a regular cruise, i'll get the FAS+ ($210 for a 5 day cruise... and includes 2 more specialty dinners, unlimited internet, and premium drink package so water and starbucks..) 

I also may donate a hundred or so to the casino... but again, my choice. 

[ged1967]

My understanding of people that complain of nickle & diming are long time cruisers who find that items/activities that were included in the fare are now an extra charge item. 
Plus all the free things that have been removed altogether. Such as chocolate on pillow at turndown, towel animals, midnight buffets/chocaholic midnight buffet etc 

 

im sure there are plenty other examples. 

[SoloAlaska]

I love how people complain about midnight buffets being gone but also often those are the people who are in bed by 11 at the latest. I don’t consider the lack of turn down and chocolates to be a nickel and dime situation but just a change in product to balance the budget and offer competitive prices. Celebrity still does turndown and chocolates on the pillow but it’s going to cost you.

 

Coming from cruising on Celebrity I am surprised that bottles water and specialty coffee aren’t included in the drink package but at the price of the cruise it’s a better deal to just upgrade to FAS+.

[BirdTravels]

1 hour ago, ged1967 said:

Plus all the free things that have been removed altogether. Such as chocolate on pillow at turndown, towel animals, midnight buffets/chocaholic midnight buffet etc 

Midnight buffet and Chocolate buffet were 86ed because no one went to them or ate at them. At the end, over 10,000 lbs of chocolate was being ground and fed to the fish weekly when NCL had a small fleet. Total waste of money that no one wanted. So, it's gone. Same is true of the late buffet,,, the vast majority of food at the buffet after 9:30 pm was being thrown out. NCL provides 24/7 restaurant service (unlike some other cruise lines), so there is always food available. 

 

I don't know about you, but all of the chocolate on our pillows went into the trash (which is representative of the quality of chocolate it was).

 

Same for towel animals... 2 or 3 towels * 2000 staterooms = lots of unnecessary laundry. 

[SoloAlaska]

1 minute ago, BirdTravels said:

Midnight buffet and Chocolate buffet were 86ed because no one went to them or ate at them. At the end, over 10,000 lbs of chocolate was being ground and fed to the fish weekly when NCL had a small fleet. Total waste of money that no one wanted. So, it's gone. Same is true of the late buffet,,, the vast majority of food at the buffet after 9:30 pm was being thrown out. NCL provides 24/7 restaurant service (unlike some other cruise lines), so there is always food available. 

 

I don't know about you, but all of the chocolate on our pillows went into the trash (which is representative of the quality of chocolate it was).

 

Same for towel animals... 2 or 3 towels * 2000 staterooms = lots of unnecessary laundry. 

So sad for all the chocolate. Wasting chocolate isn’t right. As long as you can get some food at 1 am after drinking I’m happy wether it be a 24hr restaurant or a few things at a buffet. celebrity didn’t have much but I could get pizza or a made to order pasta dish after drinking so I was happy, it wasn’t 24/7 but really how many people will be going to eat at 3:30am. 
 

Towel animals are cute but so unnecessary especially daily. If/when I travel with a kid I would be very happily surprised if we came back to a towel animal once during the entire cruise. It should be special instead of expected. Now that I think about it maybe I should learn to make towel animals for my BFs daughter.

[firstimer2009]

On 10/16/2023 at 10:47 AM, rj59 said:

I'm Elite with Princess and go on NCL, but as a price-conscious solo I simply don't play along for all the money-making temptations, like casino, photos, bingo, packages, or other nonsense, particularly Princess now charging for room service or the previously-free Alfredo's pizza. I think people get upset about having to pay for go karts or other things on NCL, but I realize that's how they make money. They can be a little sneaky with FAS, giving only a limited amount of free internet, counting on most people to burn through it and pay for more, and they hide the $20 or so daily gratuities for the 'free' drinks package. They're also sneaky about selling $250 future cruise deposits, so I was fooled into buying more than I wanted by their sneaky phrasing. As with every other cruise line, realize they have a mountain of debt and have to pay for their fancy new ships, so they're going to try to extract as much from passengers as possible, but it's your choice whether or not to play along. Every other line has been cutting back and increasing prices, but people still are filling (and often overfilling) ships, so with NCL it's best to focus on the positives. For me it's the outside walk around most of the ship with incredible views, especially since all the other lines are cutting out wraparound promenades entirely. Then the Broadway and other shows are better than anything on Princess, and they have a comedy club (book as soon as you get on the ship) and Beatles band on many ships. So to me it's a nice middle-road between the insanity of the megaships of Royal and the dull old people ships of HAL and Princess. Even with food, I look at the positive--NCL has the most extensive Indian menu of any line in their buffets, as well as scoop ice cream, which Princess doesn't offer. And for pricing, NCL has incredible last-minute deals for a solo like myself. 

Well said!   There is the most hysterical post on the cruise Reddit forum from someone that took an Alaska Princess cruise.  I do feel NCL for me (and in non school holiday travel time) offers the best mix of ages and variety of food and entertainment.  I cancelled a Royal cruise on an older ship because I didn’t want to eat at a MDR every day and wanted more variety.  Escape here we come!