NCL Service Charge - Can this be changed? waved?

[Cosmopolitan]

Butler and concierge service

 

And remember, butler and concierge are NOT included in the tip/service charge so be prepared to tip them accordingly regardless of what price you paid for the suite:)

[rybreadsmom]

Apologies if this has already been mentioned in this thread (too many pages to read) but the Service Charge is easily reduced and/or indeed removed totally from the bill. When you get your final bill (the night before you disembark) you need to contact Reception or whoever and tell them what you want. NCL will ask that you complete a simple form 'explaining' why you want the Service Charge reduced/removed (e.g. you prefer tipping in cash). And it's done, with minimal fuss.

 

I believe this answers the initial question.

 

p.s. No, I didn't do it. I just know about it. ;) I don't have a problem with the SC, and indeed see it as a nice way of allowing me to forget to remember to tip, except where I see fit on an individual basis. As discussed elsewhere, I also agree that the Staff Comment Cards are powerful tools if used wisely.

[Cosmopolitan]

I can think of a couple of folks that would swear they ate horse on their NCL cruise. Want me to notify them of this turn of events? ;)

 

As long as you DON'T mention...jeans or flip-flops ;)

[salty dingo]

I am not saying don't tip. The point I am trying to make is that there are more importing things than the size of a tip.

 

So, size really doesn't matter! I knew it!! :p

[Cuizer2]

And remember, butler and concierge are NOT included in the tip/service charge so be prepared to tip them accordingly regardless of what price you paid for the suite:)

This is correct. However, each should be tipped based on the use of their services. Neither should be tipped based on some flat rate per day (like the waiters and room steward are tipped). And don't ask how much to tip the butter or concierge in an open forum like this unless you have your flame suit on.

[Cuizer2]

So, size really doesn't matter! I knew it!! :p

Good one. :)

[Thrifty]

Cuizer2: Thank you for your thoughtful reply. Again I agree with much of what you say except that I can't believe that 500 people would want to change the prescribed amounts. I think it might be between none and three. Most of us are relieved to not have to worry about how much to tip; we used to agonize about how much to tip and now we can rely on the set amounts except for staff we feel deserve a supplement and we would rarely want to interrupt our enjoyment of the cruise to seek an adjustment even if we thought of doing so because of some uncommon staff annoyance. Your disagreement with my assertion that tips are effective as an incentive surprises me, but I respect your view. Fortunately, anyone who doesn't like the fixed service charge doesn't have to move to a more expensive cruise line or book a suite, because many inexpensive cruise lines don't have a fixed service charge. If they ever all do, I and my kind can start looking for that five star hotel on some foreign shore which will make more room for those who remain. Thanks again for your willingness to address the issue at such length.

[Cuizer2]

Cuizer2: Thank you for your thoughtful reply. Again I agree with much of what you say except that I can't believe that 500 people would want to change the prescribed amounts. I think it might be between none and three. ... Your disagreement with my assertion that tips are effective as an incentive surprises me, but I respect your view.

500 was a number that I made up. I have no idea how many would or would not. I just picked 25% of 2000 and used that. But I do think it would be more than you think it would be. Just count the number on this thread that want to adjust the service charge (for positive or negative reasons).

 

As to the size of the tip, remember I said I did not believe it was the controlling factor (I believe work load is). However, I do agree that the potential for a greater tip is an incentive. On that we agree.

[zqvol]

Again, no system is perfect. Sometimes by solving one problem others are created.

 

If so, then either try one of the cruise lines that have a better staff ratio, or if you want to stick with NCL, get into one of the suites, where you get access to more staff than those in the regular cabins - like ...

• Priority embarkation
  
• Butler and concierge service
  
• Butler to unpack your luggage

• French champagne, gourmet hors d’oeuvres, bottled water and sodas

 

Great post!

[zqvol]

Apologies if this has already been mentioned in this thread (too many pages to read) but the Service Charge is easily reduced and/or indeed removed totally from the bill. When you get your final bill (the night before you disembark) you need to contact Reception or whoever and tell them what you want. NCL will ask that you complete a simple form 'explaining' why you want the Service Charge reduced/removed (e.g. you prefer tipping in cash). And it's done, with minimal fuss.

 

I believe this answers the initial question.

 

p.s. No, I didn't do it. I just know about it. ;) I don't have a problem with the SC, and indeed see it as a nice way of allowing me to forget to remember to tip, except where I see fit on an individual basis. As discussed elsewhere, I also agree that the Staff Comment Cards are powerful tools if used wisely.

 

Without rehashing this entire thread, as has been clearly pointed out , NCL has removed this option. Each passenger is assessed a mandatory $10 per day service charge that according to the documents may not be adjusted.

[Thrifty]

I'm glad we're agreed about the incentive factor, because that is at the heart of my concern about the cruise experience. One tiny final clarification: my estimate of none to three at the purser's counter or office was based on my proposal that the passenger not be allowed to change the total amount, only the distribution. If they could save money by reducing the amount, I agree that there would be more.

[Host Star]

on a recent cruise (not NCL) where the option was voluntary , as there is no freestyle dining, I asked our waitstaff if they preferred the personal receiving of tips or the charged to your account.. they ALL (of course, I didn't poll the entire wait staff) said they preferred the charge system...there were rumours that the CL deducted a percentage for handling the monies but this rumour is not true.. but what the cruiseline does is 'kite' the money.. the staff does not receive it for 25 days but they do have a continuous flow but your particular tips are not registered to their accounts for 25 days.. this may not be true on all cruise lines..personally I like the charge system and if a server or staff member has been above and beyond expected good service I put a note and an extra cash tip.. some have said they get to keep it others have said that they have to put it in the 'pool'......

[greywillow]

I'm glad we're agreed about the incentive factor, because that is at the heart of my concern about the cruise experience.

I, for one, completely disagree with this based on my experiences with "flat-rate" cruise lines and "envelope" cruise lines (including the vaunted Celebrity, in a suite with a butler). All the so-called "incentive factor" results in is butt-kissing, bowing, scraping, fawning, and phoniness. However, I suppose that stuff is important to some...

[Jana]

500 was a number that I made up. I have no idea how many would or would not. I just picked 25% of 2000 and used that. But I do think it would be more than you think it would be.

 

In June, 2004, before it became a mandatory "service charge" and not subject to being unchangable, I asked an NCL hotel director how many people chose to remove the charges. The number was surprisingly low, like two or three per cent; even he was a bit surprised by it. (The HD was Tony Becker; he had just gone from the Dawn to the Spirit as it joined the NCL fleet. He's no longer with NCL... does anyone know where he is now?)

 

Jana

[rybreadsmom]

Without rehashing this entire thread, as has been clearly pointed out , NCL has removed this option. Each passenger is assessed a mandatory $10 per day service charge that according to the documents may not be adjusted.

 

You're wrong.

 

The SC is NOT mandatory, no matter what is suggested here or elsewhere, and may be reduced/removed as I set forth in my earlier post.

 

I saw it happen as recently as my cruise on the Spirit in November. I witnessed it happening, and disucssed it with the fellow passenger doing it. Furthermore, in NCL's 'Welcome Aboard' booklet I received with tickets/excursion details etc. before my cruise, it clearly states on Page 14. "...guests will be able to adjust the service charge...". Sure, it's hidden away in the stuff about explaining the SC, and NCL suggest that it's most unlikely that you'll ever be so unhappy that you feel the need to do it, but it's there all the same. Black and white.

 

For the sake of answering the initial question, and presenting a fair and balanced argument, this information should be known.

[newmexicoNita]

I, for one, completely disagree with this based on my experiences with "flat-rate" cruise lines and "envelope" cruise lines (including the vaunted Celebrity, in a suite with a butler). All the so-called "incentive factor" results in is butt-kissing, bowing, scraping, fawning, and phoniness. However, I suppose that stuff is important to some...

thank you, my feelings exactly!!!!

[zqvol]

You're wrong.

 

The SC is NOT mandatory, no matter what is suggested here or elsewhere, and may be reduced/removed as I set forth in my earlier post.

 

I saw it happen as recently as my cruise on the Spirit in November. I witnessed it happening, and disucssed it with the fellow passenger doing it. Furthermore, in NCL's 'Welcome Aboard' booklet I received with tickets/excursion details etc. before my cruise, it clearly states on Page 14. "...guests will be able to adjust the service charge...". Sure, it's hidden away in the stuff about explaining the SC, and NCL suggest that it's most unlikely that you'll ever be so unhappy that you feel the need to do it, but it's there all the same. Black and white.

 

For the sake of answering the initial question, and presenting a fair and balanced argument, this information should be known.

 

You need to read the changed contract of carriage (it appears that the change has been made in the past week or so). The charge has recently been made mandatory and may not be removed.

[mpk218]

You need to read the changed contract of carriage (it appears that the change has been made in the past week or so). The charge has recently been made mandatory and may not be removed.

 

 

 

Oh thank god . Now that its mandatory we can all move on to more important topics like " jeans at dinner " .....

 

mpk

 

 

(Its now refered to as a " Fixed " service charge on NCL's web page .)

[Cuizer2]

personally I like the charge system and if a server or staff member has been above and beyond expected good service I put a note and an extra cash tip.. some have said they get to keep it others have said that they have to put it in the 'pool'......

I prefer the charge system too. As for putting the money in the pool, I check every day I am on the ship and I have yet to see any. Found a dollar in the hallway once, but it was a long way from the pool. Nonetheless, I'll keep checking the pool. Who knows, perhaps one day I'll get lucky.

[Cuizer2]

In June, 2004, before it became a mandatory "service charge" and not subject to being unchangable, I asked an NCL hotel director how many people chose to remove the charges. The number was surprisingly low, like two or three per cent; even he was a bit surprised by it. (The HD was Tony Becker; he had just gone from the Dawn to the Spirit as it joined the NCL fleet. He's no longer with NCL... does anyone know where he is now?)

 

Jana

Okay, then it is a lot less than I thought it would be. 3% of 2000 is 60. That is a manageable number. If 50% of these people then don't tip at all (we have to assume some people remove the charge so they can tip in cash) than the stiffing problem is likely not as great as some people think it is.

[Jana]

 

 

(Its now refered to as a " Fixed " service charge on NCL's web page .)

 

Can you tell me where, please?

 

This is so bizarre. I went to check what it said after reading rybreadsmom's posts. The last time I looked, a couple of months ago, that portion of the FAQ said something like "our team understands how important it is to serve you blah blah blah and we have instituted a service charge to use as an incentive for the people you see and those you don't blah blah blah and while 'tipping' is not necessary, it would be nice blah blah blah."

 

The part that mentions the service charge is completely gone from the FAQ now and I couldn't find it anywhere, let alone on the site map that requires a 42" monitor to find the link in the first place. They talk about the tips (still not necessary but nice) but I couldn't find a mention of the service charge.

 

So I looked at the part that's "about e-docs" to see what it says in the contract of carriage, and what they have is a jpeg that is not legible. And then, under what the cruise fare includes, is this: What does my cruise fare include?

 

Your cruise fare entitles you to accommodations, meals and entertainment aboard ship. Certain specialty restaurants are available with either nominal cover charges or fixed price menus and à la carte pricing in addition to the standard dining program. Items of a personal nature are not included, such as alcoholic beverages and soft drinks, spa treatments, indoor pool relaxation areas, certain specialty exercise classes, laundry, photographs, casino, ship-to-shore phone, email, Internet, fax and Shore Excursions (including all Dive In" programs). Government taxes and fees are also not included. All these things that aren't included, and no mention of a service charge? Strange!

 

 

 

I prefer the charge system too. As for putting the money in the pool, I check every day I am on the ship and I have yet to see any. Found a dollar in the hallway once, but it was a long way from the pool. Nonetheless, I'll keep checking the pool. Who knows, perhaps one day I'll get lucky.

 

LOL!!!

 

Jana

[Jana]

Okay, then it is a lot less than I thought it would be. 3% of 2000 is 60. That is a manageable number. If 50% of these people then don't tip at all (we have to assume some people remove the charge so they can tip in cash) than the stiffing problem is likely not as great as some people think it is.

 

It might even be lower than that. Both Tony Becker and another HD, Frank Hasenwinkel, told me that the objective was to resolve problems as they arose so as not to have someone so upset at the end of the cruise that they witheld the grats (or service charges). It doesn't always work, but both indicated that when someone complained and said that they wanted to remove the auto-charge, they were queried as to why, and an effort was made to resolve whatever issues they had.

 

Of course we know from this board that not everyone can be pleased, but both hotel directors said that they were able to turn most unhappy passengers around if their complaints were early enough in the cruise, and they happily let the charges stand.

 

On another note, my sister and BIL sailed the Sun in Alaska two summers ago. It was their second cruise, both on NCL. The first was in 2000 on the Sea, before Freestyle. They loved their experience on the Sun, just loved it. They knew about the $10 per day charge, but they took cash with them and tipped their servers in the restaurant anyway, just as they would in a land-based eatery. It worked for them.

 

Jana

[Thrifty]

Does anyone (presumably an insider) know whether or not NCL will take the position that any recent change to the contract of carriage applies to passengers who booked and paid before the change?

[ohioNCLcruiser]

A good example of why auto tips is a good thing happened last night. I was working in the buffet and we had more people come in then normal, plus down two crew. What they had me do was go in back by the dishwasher and when waiters came in with their dirty trays i would sort them "muck" instead of them doing it so they could get back out faster and clear more tables faster..get drinks faster etc but with the auto tipping i still was able to get some tips even though I was taken off the floor. James

[Cuizer2]

... but with the auto tipping i still was able to get some tips even though I was taken off the floor. James

Try and get a job as a pool attendant. I keep reading that there are a lot of tips in the pool.