Understanding NCL Freestyle - A synopsis

[sjbdtz]

Hopefully this can eventually be merged into the FAQ, or become a forum STICKY...

 

To clear up some very common misconceptions about Freestyle:

 

DINING

Just like living in any big city, there are different types of restaurants, including buffet, mid-level, and specialty.

 

On an NCL cruise, the buffet and mid-level restaurants are included in your cruise fare. Reservations are NOT required, nor are there typically significant line-ups.

 

In the event that there is a line-up, the ships offer pagers which can beep you when a table is available.

 

Specialty restaurants carry a surcharge, albeit quite reasonable. These restaurants, like the upscale restaurants in a city, are usually smaller, more intimate venues, where people might put a little more care into their appearance, and where people expect a more upscale & romantic atmosphere (devoid of screaming children, etc.).

 

At these specialty restaurants, reservations are recommended simply because of the size of the venue. This is no different than upscale restaurants at home.

 

FORMAL NIGHTS:

These are optional. Dress to the nines, or the eights, sevens, sixes or however you feel. Some guests around you may use this occasion as their once-a-year dress-up night.

 

It’s all about mutual respect. Dress as you like. Enjoy your evening.

 

FREESTYLE DRESS CODE

The Freestyle Dress Code offers a lot of flexibility. You can wear whatever you want, all day long. Swim trunks by the pools, jeans in the library, sweatpants in the gym. If you are looking for the recommended level of dress, it’s Resort Casual. This means either button-up or polo shirt for men, with Dockers or slacks. Whatever you would reasonably see people wearing in a country-club or resort.

The only rule in both the specialty restaurants and the main dining rooms (the mid-level restaurants), is no jeans, and no shorts AFTER 5:00 p.m. Those who wish to wear jeans or shorts all day may partake either at the buffet, or at the 24 hour restaurant (e.g. Blue Lagoon on the Jewel).

AUTOMATIC TIPPING (the service charge)

Tipping differs by culture, with some people expecting that the employer will adequately compensate the employee. Others expect that the employee’s salary is based on gratuities.

In an effort to eliminate confusion, to facilitate the awkward ‘tipping dance’, and to provide employees with a more consistent revenue stream which isn’t contingent on whether they were easy to locate on tip-day, NCL has instituted a NO TIPPING REQUIRED policy.

NCL collects $10 per person, per day ($5 for children), and applies it to an ‘incentive pool’ which compensates the staff (seen & unseen), according to an integrated incentive program. The amount of incentive received by each staff member is relative to the ratings & comments on the comment cards, their seniority, and the number of complaints they receive.

To repeat: THERE IS NO TIPPING REQUIRED ON NCL. All services rendered to all passengers in the normal course (room stewards, waiters, assistant waiters, busboys, etc.) are covered. These people are adequately compensated for their work.

If someone goes way above & beyond what would normally be expected in their line of work, they are not forbidden to accept an ADDITIONAL gratuity in cash, if you choose to extend one.

If you use services which are not used by all passengers (bar service, Spa, Salon), please note that these people are not included in the ‘incentive pool’, and an automatic surcharge of 15% is added to your bill at the point-of-sale.

Other services not rendered to all passengers include Room Service, babysitting, Kid’s club, Concierge or Butler, and these people are not included in the ‘incentive pool’. While these are salaried positions, the guest is welcomed to provide a gratuity to these personnel commensurate with the degree and quality of services rendered.

REMOVING THE AUTOMATIC TIP & TIPPING IN CASH

This is strongly discouraged, as the incentive pool covers people with whom you may not interact.

A consistent revenue stream is important to the employees, probably moreso than faking being overjoyed because a guest gave them $20.00

Since there are implications beyond those which are evident, please do not adjust or cancel the automatic tipping unless there is a serious, unresolved issue.

RESOLVING ISSUES:

The Reception Desk is the first point-of-contact in the event that any element of service is not to your expectations. With direct access to all of the ship’s officers, the hosts at the reception desk are there to ensure that by the end of the trip, everything is wonderful.

Don’t suffer in silence! If anything requires fixing, let the staff know. This is a hotel. Sometimes the light bulbs burn, sometimes a room steward gets distracted and completely forgets your room. Sometimes the kitchen overcooks the food, or the waiter has too many tables, or is disorganized.

These things can happen at sea, as they happen on land.

Given a chance, they can all be corrected. If you remain dissatisfied, there is a Guest Relations department at NCL, where you can write upon your return.

Remember though that some things take time to resolve.

SMUGGLING ALCHOL…can I do it?

Sure you can smuggle alcohol. You may get caught & have to face the consequences though.

NCL operates a strict no outside alcohol policy, and enforces it. That’s it, that’s all.

There’s one exception: wine & champagne. You may bring as much as you like, and you will be assessed a $15 per bottle fee (called a corkage fee, but not relating to whether they open the bottle, or you do).

This fee will apply whether you take your wine to a restaurant, or whether you enjoy it on your balcony.

You may take other drinks onboard without issue or penalty (water, soda, etc.)

DISEMBARKING

Freestyle disembarkation works on a colored tag system. You are assigned luggage tags on the 2nd last day, according to whether you are on an early NCL-transfer flight, or whether you have made your own arrangements, or whether you have booked a city tour for the last day, or whether you have decided to carry your own luggage off the ship (express).

Announcements are made once the ship has cleared customs and the gangway is in place. You can go & have breakfast, and wait in your stateroom, OR in the common areas until your tag color is called.

It’s a relaxing & enjoyable way to end your NCL vacation.

FINALLY

NCL has a reputation as the poor cousin of cruising, which we’ve found to be undeserved. As a continually innovating cruiseline, they are introducing new elements to make the experience less formal & obtrusive, and more about vacation….rest & relaxation. Enjoy!

Stephen

[Luckyroot]

What an excellent, informative post, thank you so much! This coming November will be our first experience on NCL, so I appreciate all you have shared!

[KeystoneCruiser]

 

DINING

In the event that there is a line-up, the ships offer pagers which can beep you when a table is available.

 

 

 

Stephen

 

 

Great synopsis, but let me make one correction to this part. Not all ships have this capability yet. Only one of the four NCL ships that I have been on has this capability.

 

The same is true of making reservations in the specialty restaurants from your cabin TV. Only the Jewel, Pride of America (POAm) and Pride of Hawaii have this system in place. (Although, the Pearl will when she launches in late 2006.)

[1st time crusier]

Great piece of information. I am going to print it and keep it for our cruise in dec. Just wanted to add one thing if you go to one of the surcharge restaurants between 5:30 and 6:30 the fee is half price.

[steveaaaa]

Hopefully this can eventually be merged into the FAQ, or become a forum STICKY...

 

To clear up some very common misconceptions about Freestyle:

 

DINING

Just like living in any big city, there are different types of restaurants, including buffet, mid-level, and specialty.

 

On an NCL cruise, the buffet and mid-level restaurants are included in your cruise fare. Reservations are NOT required, nor are there typically significant line-ups.

 

In the event that there is a line-up, the ships offer pagers which can beep you when a table is available.

 

Specialty restaurants carry a surcharge, albeit quite reasonable. These restaurants, like the upscale restaurants in a city, are usually smaller, more intimate venues, where people might put a little more care into their appearance, and where people expect a more upscale & romantic atmosphere (devoid of screaming children, etc.).

 

At these specialty restaurants, reservations are recommended simply because of the size of the venue. This is no different than upscale restaurants at home.

 

FORMAL NIGHTS:

These are optional. Dress to the nines, or the eights, sevens, sixes or however you feel. Some guests around you may use this occasion as their once-a-year dress-up night.

 

It’s all about mutual respect. Dress as you like. Enjoy your evening.

 

 

FREESTYLE DRESS CODE

The Freestyle Dress Code offers a lot of flexibility. You can wear whatever you want, all day long. Swim trunks by the pools, jeans in the library, sweatpants in the gym. If you are looking for the recommended level of dress, it’s Resort Casual. This means either button-up or polo shirt for men, with Dockers or slacks. Whatever you would reasonably see people wearing in a country-club or resort.

 

The only rule in both the specialty restaurants and the main dining rooms (the mid-level restaurants), is no jeans, and no shorts AFTER 5:00 p.m. Those who wish to wear jeans or shorts all day may partake either at the buffet, or at the 24 hour restaurant (e.g. Blue Lagoon on the Jewel).

 

 

AUTOMATIC TIPPING (the service charge)

Tipping differs by culture, with some people expecting that the employer will adequately compensate the employee. Others expect that the employee’s salary is based on gratuities.

 

In an effort to eliminate confusion, to facilitate the awkward ‘tipping dance’, and to provide employees with a more consistent revenue stream which isn’t contingent on whether they were easy to locate on tip-day, NCL has instituted a NO TIPPING REQUIRED policy.

 

NCL collects $10 per person, per day ($5 for children), and applies it to an ‘incentive pool’ which compensates the staff (seen & unseen), according to an integrated incentive program. The amount of incentive received by each staff member is relative to the ratings & comments on the comment cards, their seniority, and the number of complaints they receive.

 

To repeat: THERE IS NO TIPPING REQUIRED ON NCL. All services rendered to all passengers in the normal course (room stewards, waiters, assistant waiters, busboys, etc.) are covered. These people are adequately compensated for their work.

 

If someone goes way above & beyond what would normally be expected in their line of work, they are not forbidden to accept an ADDITIONAL gratuity in cash, if you choose to extend one.

 

If you use services which are not used by all passengers (bar service, Spa, Salon), please note that these people are not included in the ‘incentive pool’, and an automatic surcharge of 15% is added to your bill at the point-of-sale.

 

Other services not rendered to all passengers include Room Service, babysitting, Kid’s club, Concierge or Butler, and these people are not included in the ‘incentive pool’. While these are salaried positions, the guest is welcomed to provide a gratuity to these personnel commensurate with the degree and quality of services rendered.

 

REMOVING THE AUTOMATIC TIP & TIPPING IN CASH

This is strongly discouraged, as the incentive pool covers people with whom you may not interact.

 

A consistent revenue stream is important to the employees, probably moreso than faking being overjoyed because a guest gave them $20.00

 

Since there are implications beyond those which are evident, please do not adjust or cancel the automatic tipping unless there is a serious, unresolved issue.

 

RESOLVING ISSUES:

The Reception Desk is the first point-of-contact in the event that any element of service is not to your expectations. With direct access to all of the ship’s officers, the hosts at the reception desk are there to ensure that by the end of the trip, everything is wonderful.

 

Don’t suffer in silence! If anything requires fixing, let the staff know. This is a hotel. Sometimes the light bulbs burn, sometimes a room steward gets distracted and completely forgets your room. Sometimes the kitchen overcooks the food, or the waiter has too many tables, or is disorganized.

 

These things can happen at sea, as they happen on land.

 

Given a chance, they can all be corrected. If you remain dissatisfied, there is a Guest Relations department at NCL, where you can write upon your return.

 

Remember though that some things take time to resolve.

 

 

SMUGGLING ALCHOL…can I do it?

Sure you can smuggle alcohol. You may get caught & have to face the consequences though.

 

NCL operates a strict no outside alcohol policy, and enforces it. That’s it, that’s all.

 

There’s one exception: wine & champagne. You may bring as much as you like, and you will be assessed a $15 per bottle fee (called a corkage fee, but not relating to whether they open the bottle, or you do).

 

This fee will apply whether you take your wine to a restaurant, or whether you enjoy it on your balcony.

 

You may take other drinks onboard without issue or penalty (water, soda, etc.)

 

 

DISEMBARKING

Freestyle disembarkation works on a colored tag system. You are assigned luggage tags on the 2nd last day, according to whether you are on an early NCL-transfer flight, or whether you have made your own arrangements, or whether you have booked a city tour for the last day, or whether you have decided to carry your own luggage off the ship (express).

 

Announcements are made once the ship has cleared customs and the gangway is in place. You can go & have breakfast, and wait in your stateroom, OR in the common areas until your tag color is called.

 

It’s a relaxing & enjoyable way to end your NCL vacation.

 

 

 

FINALLY

NCL has a reputation as the poor cousin of cruising, which we’ve found to be undeserved. As a continually innovating cruiseline, they are introducing new elements to make the experience less formal & obtrusive, and more about vacation….rest & relaxation. Enjoy!

 

 

Stephen

 

Is this fiction or fact?

 

Formal nights are optional on all cruise lines.It is "suggested attire". I also have never seen anyone thrown out of the dining room for jeans.It is an empty threat.The same goes for shorts,empty threat.

 

Automatic tipping and your do not remove suggestion.Again,what a joke.If it is a tip,then it cannot be automatic.If it is a service charge,then it is not a tip.This is the way they get the passengers to pay the wages of the workers.This is how they can advertise a low price yet stick it to you when you board.This is why the FL AG made the cruise lines include port charges into the rates so the public was ware of the true charge.

I am a firm believer in tipping in cash and if you do not remove the tips,there is no incentive for the workers to work any better.If you have not had major issues with some aspect of cruising you might think the contact with the reception desk is the cure all,but that is only in a fantasy world.If you read many postings on CC you would have read that most major issues go unresolved and you suggestion of writing a letter afterword does very little and does not even generate a standard I'm sorry letter.Do you think writing a letter is going to get a free cruise?You get nothing,unless you had the owners suite or something that is/was worth big bucks to the cruise line and even then a fruit basket on you next cruise is still a joke.

 

Where did you get your facts on smuggling booze?I have read no where of people being made to walk the plank?More fiction I pressume.

 

The bottom line is cruising is a business.They do not care about the little guy.There are tens of thousands waiting to board behind you.

Steve

[dmmac]

Great piece of information. I am going to print it and keep it for our cruise in dec. Just wanted to add one thing if you go to one of the surcharge restaurants between 5:30 and 6:30 the fee is half price.

 

This is not universal to all the ships in the NCL fleet. It seems to vary depending on the discretion of the Hotel Director for that ship. Probably best to look for and ask one of the recent cruisers of the ship that you will be cruising on to verify their policy.

 

 

Opps, almost forgot . . . great synopsis sjbdtz (Stephen).

[Got2Cruise]

The information concerning shorts is true. You will not be able to be seated in the dining room at dinner time if you are wearing shorts. Just ask my nephew. . . .he tried it.:rolleyes: (This was on the Crown, which is one of the more casual of all the ships)

[Zeno]

GREAT post sjbdtz! Useful ACCURATE info!

[Noorderdam]

No, no, it's not all sunshine......., an exemple:

For years Holland America Line has the system: 'no tipping required'. Of course it was allowed... and many people did, of course, most were very genereus.

But....crew-member were NOT depending of it, because normal wages plus overtime-bonus were paid.

Since the new system this is changed.

In the 'collective agreement of payment between the workers and the shipping-company', there was this statement : the company will financially take care of travel-cost to the ship (by start) and home (by end of contract) of the crewmember.

But now...in the 'new' tipping-system, collected and controlled by the so- called "paymaster", the company used this money (10-th's of thousend a day) for the travelcosts of the crewmembers.

So, by fact your tipping money is used for travelcosts home for the seafarer-crew.

Also...there is nothing 'on paper' that will tell the how distribution by the "paymaster" is !!

So ..... may think of that what you want.

But -as stated here before by other writer Steveaaaa- it's just business.

N.Dam.

[newmexicoNita]

Hopefully this can eventually be merged into the FAQ, or become a forum STICKY...

 

To clear up some very common misconceptions about Freestyle:

 

DINING

Just like living in any big city, there are different types of restaurants, including buffet, mid-level, and specialty.

 

On an NCL cruise, the buffet and mid-level restaurants are included in your cruise fare. Reservations are NOT required, nor are there typically significant line-ups.

 

In the event that there is a line-up, the ships offer pagers which can beep you when a table is available.

 

Specialty restaurants carry a surcharge, albeit quite reasonable. These restaurants, like the upscale restaurants in a city, are usually smaller, more intimate venues, where people might put a little more care into their appearance, and where people expect a more upscale & romantic atmosphere (devoid of screaming children, etc.).

 

At these specialty restaurants, reservations are recommended simply because of the size of the venue. This is no different than upscale restaurants at home.

 

FORMAL NIGHTS:

These are optional. Dress to the nines, or the eights, sevens, sixes or however you feel. Some guests around you may use this occasion as their once-a-year dress-up night.

 

It’s all about mutual respect. Dress as you like. Enjoy your evening.

 

FREESTYLE DRESS CODE

The Freestyle Dress Code offers a lot of flexibility. You can wear whatever you want, all day long. Swim trunks by the pools, jeans in the library, sweatpants in the gym. If you are looking for the recommended level of dress, it’s Resort Casual. This means either button-up or polo shirt for men, with Dockers or slacks. Whatever you would reasonably see people wearing in a country-club or resort.

The only rule in both the specialty restaurants and the main dining rooms (the mid-level restaurants), is no jeans, and no shorts AFTER 5:00 p.m. Those who wish to wear jeans or shorts all day may partake either at the buffet, or at the 24 hour restaurant (e.g. Blue Lagoon on the Jewel).

AUTOMATIC TIPPING (the service charge)

Tipping differs by culture, with some people expecting that the employer will adequately compensate the employee. Others expect that the employee’s salary is based on gratuities.

In an effort to eliminate confusion, to facilitate the awkward ‘tipping dance’, and to provide employees with a more consistent revenue stream which isn’t contingent on whether they were easy to locate on tip-day, NCL has instituted a NO TIPPING REQUIRED policy.

NCL collects $10 per person, per day ($5 for children), and applies it to an ‘incentive pool’ which compensates the staff (seen & unseen), according to an integrated incentive program. The amount of incentive received by each staff member is relative to the ratings & comments on the comment cards, their seniority, and the number of complaints they receive.

To repeat: THERE IS NO TIPPING REQUIRED ON NCL. All services rendered to all passengers in the normal course (room stewards, waiters, assistant waiters, busboys, etc.) are covered. These people are adequately compensated for their work.

If someone goes way above & beyond what would normally be expected in their line of work, they are not forbidden to accept an ADDITIONAL gratuity in cash, if you choose to extend one.

If you use services which are not used by all passengers (bar service, Spa, Salon), please note that these people are not included in the ‘incentive pool’, and an automatic surcharge of 15% is added to your bill at the point-of-sale.

Other services not rendered to all passengers include Room Service, babysitting, Kid’s club, Concierge or Butler, and these people are not included in the ‘incentive pool’. While these are salaried positions, the guest is welcomed to provide a gratuity to these personnel commensurate with the degree and quality of services rendered.

REMOVING THE AUTOMATIC TIP & TIPPING IN CASH

This is strongly discouraged, as the incentive pool covers people with whom you may not interact.

A consistent revenue stream is important to the employees, probably moreso than faking being overjoyed because a guest gave them $20.00

Since there are implications beyond those which are evident, please do not adjust or cancel the automatic tipping unless there is a serious, unresolved issue.

RESOLVING ISSUES:

The Reception Desk is the first point-of-contact in the event that any element of service is not to your expectations. With direct access to all of the ship’s officers, the hosts at the reception desk are there to ensure that by the end of the trip, everything is wonderful.

Don’t suffer in silence! If anything requires fixing, let the staff know. This is a hotel. Sometimes the light bulbs burn, sometimes a room steward gets distracted and completely forgets your room. Sometimes the kitchen overcooks the food, or the waiter has too many tables, or is disorganized.

These things can happen at sea, as they happen on land.

Given a chance, they can all be corrected. If you remain dissatisfied, there is a Guest Relations department at NCL, where you can write upon your return.

Remember though that some things take time to resolve.

SMUGGLING ALCHOL…can I do it?

Sure you can smuggle alcohol. You may get caught & have to face the consequences though.

NCL operates a strict no outside alcohol policy, and enforces it. That’s it, that’s all.

There’s one exception: wine & champagne. You may bring as much as you like, and you will be assessed a $15 per bottle fee (called a corkage fee, but not relating to whether they open the bottle, or you do).

This fee will apply whether you take your wine to a restaurant, or whether you enjoy it on your balcony.

You may take other drinks onboard without issue or penalty (water, soda, etc.)

DISEMBARKING

Freestyle disembarkation works on a colored tag system. You are assigned luggage tags on the 2nd last day, according to whether you are on an early NCL-transfer flight, or whether you have made your own arrangements, or whether you have booked a city tour for the last day, or whether you have decided to carry your own luggage off the ship (express).

Announcements are made once the ship has cleared customs and the gangway is in place. You can go & have breakfast, and wait in your stateroom, OR in the common areas until your tag color is called.

It’s a relaxing & enjoyable way to end your NCL vacation.

FINALLY

NCL has a reputation as the poor cousin of cruising, which we’ve found to be undeserved. As a continually innovating cruiseline, they are introducing new elements to make the experience less formal & obtrusive, and more about vacation….rest & relaxation. Enjoy!

Stephen

Steve, very well done: NCL, btw, for those who don't know was the first line to offer a private island, I believe the first to do the Caribbean, the first to offer alternative dining (Le Bistro about 10 years ago) and of course, we all know, the first to introduce any form of freestyle dining. I am referring to mass marketed lines, not other ones. They were also the first to add a $10 daily tip charge (call it what you want) indeed they have always been the pioneers in cruising. That is why the bad rap sometimes. NMnita

[newmexicoNita]

SteveAAA, I have seen people refused service in the dining room for showing up in jeans as well as shorts, etc. It's like smuggling the booze on< can you get away with it? Sure, sometimes but is it worth trying? The same is true about jeans. For me, I wouldn't want to be sent back to my cabin to chance my clothes. NMNita

[derf5585]

Rats, I thought Freestyle meant the cruise was free.

[sjbdtz]

Is this fiction or fact?

 

Formal nights are optional on all cruise lines.It is "suggested attire". I also have never seen anyone thrown out of the dining room for jeans.It is an empty threat.The same goes for shorts,empty threat.

 

Automatic tipping and your do not remove suggestion.Again,what a joke.If it is a tip,then it cannot be automatic.If it is a service charge,then it is not a tip.This is the way they get the passengers to pay the wages of the workers.This is how they can advertise a low price yet stick it to you when you board.This is why the FL AG made the cruise lines include port charges into the rates so the public was ware of the true charge.

I am a firm believer in tipping in cash and if you do not remove the tips,there is no incentive for the workers to work any better.If you have not had major issues with some aspect of cruising you might think the contact with the reception desk is the cure all,but that is only in a fantasy world.If you read many postings on CC you would have read that most major issues go unresolved and you suggestion of writing a letter afterword does very little and does not even generate a standard I'm sorry letter.Do you think writing a letter is going to get a free cruise?You get nothing,unless you had the owners suite or something that is/was worth big bucks to the cruise line and even then a fruit basket on you next cruise is still a joke.

 

Where did you get your facts on smuggling booze?I have read no where of people being made to walk the plank?More fiction I pressume.

 

The bottom line is cruising is a business.They do not care about the little guy.There are tens of thousands waiting to board behind you.

Steve

 

Everything here is Fact. You haven't even sailed on NCL since the Freestyle changes, yet you purport to know better...

 

Formal night on most cruiselines is suggested attire in the way that some thick-necked guy named Vinnie might say "I suggest you take your hands off me". (I borrowed that line from someone else).

 

Automatic gratuities ensure that the employees receive higher wages / more benefits that they would otherwise. This enables the line to hire a better calibre of employee, who works extra hard to keep this higher-paying job.

 

I've seen many people refused entry to the dining rooms after 5:30 (in fact I've been one of them), when we tried to wear shorts to dinner.

 

I have no idea what the FL AG has to do with anything....Many Floridians can't even figure out how to work an election ballot.

 

As for writing letters, I've received significant credit based on a misadventure on a prior cruise.

 

Most of what I've written (except for the booze smuggling) is based on personal experience.

 

 

The idea here is to gather up the questions which are asked 40 million times, and provide a space where everything is neatly consolidated in plain English.

 

Thanks for participating....

[Host CMLA]

Is this fiction or fact?

These comments are MOSTLY fact but as with everything (attire, smuggling, etc) some will always get away with something.

Formal nights are optional on all cruise lines.It is "suggested attire". I also have never seen anyone thrown out of the dining room for jeans.It is an empty threat.The same goes for shorts,empty threat.

I have seen people denied entry into the dining room while wearing shorts and jeans. It happens and it's not always an empty threat. But again, some will always get away with something.

Automatic tipping and your do not remove suggestion.Again,what a joke.

Did I miss the funny part of what Stephen said? Where's the joke?

If it is a tip,then it cannot be automatic.If it is a service charge,then is added to your account everyday.

On NCL ships the tip is added to your account at the end of every day. You can change the amount if you feel the service was unacceptable. Having it added to your account is a convenience but under no circumstances do you HAVE to keep the tip on your account. If you feel the service was great and you'd tip anyway...why not take advantage of the convenience of having it on your account already?

This is the way they get the passengers to pay the wages of the workers.This is how they can advertise a low price yet stick it to you when you board.This is why the FL AG made the cruise lines include port charges into the rates so the public was ware of the true charge.

I didn't realize tipping was a secret and the cruising public didn't realize they needed to tip. If everyone knows they'll need to tip, why is having it added automatically now become some big scandal of the passengers paying the staff's wages? That's how it's always been.

I am a firm believer in tipping in cash and if you do not remove the tips,there is no incentive for the workers to work any better.

This is so far from the truth. Before, when the staff was tipped manually at the end of the cruise, the cruise line had no idea who was getting big tips and who got very little. If you get big tips, you must be a good staff person. If your tips are low, you might need some training. Now that the cruise line distributes the tip money based on seniority and feedback from passengers, the cruise line can see where they need to work on things. And if getting promoted and getting more tips isn't an incentive, I don't know what is.

If you have not had major issues with some aspect of cruising you might think the contact with the reception desk is the cure all,but that is only in a fantasy world.

You must have had some bad experience on a cruise to feel this way. I've reported problems to reception and got results. No fantasy world there.

If you read many postings on CC you would have read that most major issues go unresolved and you suggestion of writing a letter afterword does very little and does not even generate a standard I'm sorry letter.Do you think writing a letter is going to get a free cruise?You get nothing,unless you had the owners suite or something that is/was worth big bucks to the cruise line and even then a fruit basket on you next cruise is still a joke.

Again, you must have had a big problem that wasn't resolved. Many people here have talked about big issues and had them resolved.

Where did you get your facts on smuggling booze?I have read no where of people being made to walk the plank?More fiction I pressume.

I don't understand your walk the plank statement. NCL will take alcohol from you if they find it. That's a FACT that can be verified by members here.

The bottom line is cruising is a business.They do not care about the little guy.There are tens of thousands waiting to board behind you.

Yes, it's a business. But again, I think you must have had a pretty bad experience. And if you really feel this way...why do you keep cruising?

[joie1016]

These comments are MOSTLY fact but as with everything (attire, smuggling, etc) some will always get away with something. I have seen people denied entry into the dining room while wearing shorts and jeans. It happens and it's not always an empty threat. But again, some will always get away with something. Did I miss the funny part of what Stephen said? Where's the joke? On NCL ships the tip is added to your account at the end of every day. You can change the amount if you feel the service was unacceptable. Having it added to your account is a convenience but under no circumstances do you HAVE to keep the tip on your account. If you feel the service was great and you'd tip anyway...why not take advantage of the convenience of having it on your account already? I didn't realize tipping was a secret and the cruising public didn't realize they needed to tip. If everyone knows they'll need to tip, why is having it added automatically now become some big scandal of the passengers paying the staff's wages? That's how it's always been. This is so far from the truth. Before, when the staff was tipped manually at the end of the cruise, the cruise line had no idea who was getting big tips and who got very little. If you get big tips, you must be a good staff person. If your tips are low, you might need some training. Now that the cruise line distributes the tip money based on seniority and feedback from passengers, the cruise line can see where they need to work on things. And if getting promoted and getting more tips isn't an incentive, I don't know what is. You must have had some bad experience on a cruise to feel this way. I've reported problems to reception and got results. No fantasy world there. Again, you must have had a big problem that wasn't resolved. Many people here have talked about big issues and had them resolved. I don't understand your walk the plank statement. NCL will take alcohol from you if they find it. That's a FACT that can be verified by members here. Yes, it's a business. But again, I think you must have had a pretty bad experience. And if you really feel this way...why do you keep cruising?

good for you!!!!!!!!!

[Retired not Expired]

Steve, very well done: NCL, btw, for those who don't know was the first line to offer a private island, I believe the first to do the Caribbean, the first to offer alternative dining (Le Bistro about 10 years ago) and of course, we all know, the first to introduce any form of freestyle dining. I am referring to mass marketed lines, not other ones. They were also the first to add a $10 daily tip charge (call it what you want) indeed they have always been the pioneers in cruising. That is why the bad rap sometimes. NMnita

 

What's sad, Nina, is so many of those who come on here to give a bad rap to NCL either have not sailed with NCL or have not sailed in many years.

 

Some also don't like that they have to tip and others enjoy the fawning, bowing, scraping, singing and dancing waiters so much they fear freestyle may catch on with other lines. My service has always been good on NCL without all that other. I can and do enjoy other lines but given the same itinerary, I'll pick NCL over the others every time.

[halos]

What an excellent, informative post, thank you so much! This coming November will be our first experience on NCL, so I appreciate all you have shared!

 

Ditto! :)

 

Also, Thanks to Host Cecilia for your response to Steveaaa

[Zeno]

What's sad, Nina, is so many of those who come on here to give a bad rap to NCL either have not sailed with NCL or have not sailed in many years.

 

Some also don't like that they have to tip and others enjoy the fawning, bowing, scraping, singing and dancing waiters so much they fear freestyle may catch on with other lines. My service has always been good on NCL without all that other. I can and do enjoy other lines but given the same itinerary, I'll pick NCL over the others every time.

 

My sentiments exactly!

[sjbdtz]

No, no, it's not all sunshine......., an exemple:

For years Holland America Line has the system: 'no tipping required'. Of course it was allowed... and many people did, of course, most were very genereus.

But....crew-member were NOT depending of it, because normal wages plus overtime-bonus were paid.

Since the new system this is changed.

In the 'collective agreement of payment between the workers and the shipping-company', there was this statement : the company will financially take care of travel-cost to the ship (by start) and home (by end of contract) of the crewmember.

But now...in the 'new' tipping-system, collected and controlled by the so- called "paymaster", the company used this money (10-th's of thousend a day) for the travelcosts of the crewmembers.

So, by fact your tipping money is used for travelcosts home for the seafarer-crew.

Also...there is nothing 'on paper' that will tell the how distribution by the "paymaster" is !!

So ..... may think of that what you want.

But -as stated here before by other writer Steveaaaa- it's just business.

N.Dam.

 

 

Ummmmm......this is the NCL board, not HAL.

 

NCL does things differently than HAL.

[KeystoneCruiser]

Formal nights are optional on all cruise lines.It is "suggested attire". I also have never seen anyone thrown out of the dining room for jeans.It is an empty threat.The same goes for shorts,empty threat.

 

On most cruise lines, if you do not adhere to the dress code, then they will ask you to dine in the buffet. On NCL you only have to dress to resort casual on any night to enjoy any restaurant.

 

And like Cecilia, I have seen people turned away for jeans and more often, for shorts. They don't "throw you out," they simply refuse to seat you.

 

If it is a tip,then it cannot be automatic.If it is a service charge,then it is not a tip.

So what do you call it when you go with a large group to a land restaurant and they automatically add 18% or higher "gratuity" to your bill? Isn't that and automatic tip that I am sure you have paid??

 

On the foriegn flagged NCL ships it is a TIP. It goes into a tip pool paid out to the crew. On NCL-America, it is a service charge used to pay vacation time for the crew.

 

If you read many postings on CC you would have read that most major issues go unresolved and you suggestion of writing a letter afterword does very little and does not even generate a standard I'm sorry letter.Do you think writing a letter is going to get a free cruise?

Then that is why NCL came through and found my party three rooms together (including a connecting room) after I complained.

 

Where did you get your facts on smuggling booze?I have read no where of people being made to walk the plank?More fiction I pressume.

 

On RCCL, they have the option of refusing you passage for smuggling alcohol on board. NCL just simply confiscates it or charges you a corkage fee.

 

The bottom line is cruising is a business.They do not care about the little guy.There are tens of thousands waiting to board behind you.

Steve

 

Crusing is a business and a business has to make money to stay in business! But a business that is a bad business gets bad reviews and reputations and people tend to avoid that business. Customer Service is what keeps people coming back and also gets people to reccommend your company to others. One of the secretarys at my school and two other couples just booked NCL for next summer based on my reccommendation. If NCL had screwed me over, believe me, I wouldn't have told her to sail them!

 

There will always be those who get away with something. Some will be successful at getting alcohol on board, some will not be stopped from dining in jeans, etc. But the rules and things that Stephen has posted are the norms.

[yancycruiser]

Thank you Steve and Host Cecelia.

 

I agree with your post Steve and your comments Cecelia. Steve, thanks for taking time to start this thread and Cecelia, I have always agreed with your comments...kinda scarey huh!

[sunshine 229]

sjbdtz

 

Great informative post. Even though NCL has been doing freestyle for a long time now so many posters new to thie board seem to be confused about what it means. You've done a great job summing it up.

 

Just one question. You did not mention the option to carry your own luggage off and avoid the wait for your color to be called. Is that still available on NCL ships?

[johnql]

You did not mention the option to carry your own luggage off and avoid the wait for your color to be called. Is that still available on NCL ships?

I'm not the OP, but yes, Express Disembarkation is still available for those pax who are able and willing to carry off all their luggage. They are the first ones off once the ship is cleared by Customs and Immigration. AFAIK, Express Disembarkation is available to U.S. passengers only.

[Host CMLA]

and Cecelia, I have always agreed with your comments...kinda scarey huh!

Very! You're the second person this week to agree with something I've said. Am I becoming more reasonable and do I have more common sense than I used to? LOL ;)

 

Seriously...I reread my comments and I hope Steve took my comments in the way they were intended. I think he may have the wrong understanding about some basic things inherent to NCL and it will make a much better trip for him if some of us tell of our personal experiences based on countless cruises with NCL.

[hotspur]

NCL does things differently than HAL.

For which many of the NCL regulars here are enormously grateful.