SJ

Two people on this thread have reported they spoke to NCL and they both were told the specialty servers are no longer in the DSC pool.

 

It sounds like the info is pretty consistent.

I don't think it matters much that they are included or not per Ncl right now. Ncl is going to spin this however it will make this believable by those who won't see it for what this is. An additional gratuity on top of the DSC. Logically speaking and in practice, they were always included and there is no reason to believe they won't be now. If anything the DSC should be reduced to offset the additional gratuity, not increased. Doesn't make sense and the math doesn't work imho.

For the promotional UBP, NCL says that the 18% is included as part of the perk. I don't think they can just say that and then turn around and give nothing to the bar staff, and I do think we would have heard something from the bar staff if that were the case. For the UDP, I don't know, since the 18% is brand new. But when you go to a specialty restaurant with the UDP you still get a check that lists the cover charge, so they can calculate the 18% there (before crediting everything back to $0 for the package holder).

They would need to distinguish udp from promo, udp from purchase from today forward because the 18% is already paid and udp purchase before today. That's a lot of accounting. But FDR is a CPA so anything is possible. They will need more colors for stickers on the keycards and color code chart for the servers ringing up the transaction. . I would also object if those who chose ubp are not subjected to their 18% onboard if I am with the udp I received from the same promo. Since they are charging the 18% starting today, it's relatively safe to assume all udp will not incurred the 18% on board. But anything is possible.

No cruiseline can run without an effective crew. While it may hurt the service staff if people remove DSC in the shortrun, this is might be another way for Ncl to get the message when their staff leaves because they are not being paid adequately or can do better elsewhere. I am tire of being guilt into tipping people who should have a decent wage. As for its not our business how Ncl runs the company or how it pays its employees, it is our business when we are being asked to pay their employees salaries in addition to the cost of the product I already paid for.

I think it's business as usual for the staff and Ncl keeps the extra. Would anyone be surprised?

No one can convince me that specialty waitstaff was not part of the dsc. I would think no one would want to work there. If they are being removed from the DSC, then the DSC should not have been raised. I think I can almost buy into this if they didn't raise the DSC before this new gratuity. If they ever do make the DSC not adjustable that's when I will cancel my cruise. Makes one wonder if the DSC was raised to get people to prepay so fewer people can adjust onboard.

Whenever you go to any place to eat they ask to see your room key. Your room key will be coded that you have the UDP.

 

My friend had a comped meal and was not charged the 18% on her comped meal.

 

Harriet

Curious, if your key card is coded with UDP, why is a sticker necessary? I failed to see the need. The sticker says more to me that the card is not coded. I don't know since I never bought a package.

You don't think that NCL makes money off those restaurants? Avoiding the restaurants WOULD be a cost to NCL. If those restaurants are sitting empty, NCL would notice. That's a given. The problem is, people will bitch, whine, complain, and then still choose to dine there.

I agree. People need to take action. Words are cheap. Only let the people with udp promo eat there for now.

Freestyle at the new NCL must mean they're free to do whatever they want with our money. Auto gratuities doe lead to complacency on the part of the crew. I definitely feel service was better when we were still tipping with envelopes. I am sorry those who choose to not tip on the last evening ruined the old system.

Last few cruises, our cabin couldn't even be made after leaving it for several hours and I had to wait for steward to finish before I can return. I don't blame the steward as it is a result of being understaff which is why I oppose increase the dsc. Now the pool is supposedly even smaller yet still an increase. The math doesn't work.

The auto-gratuity is not mandatory, it's "added for your convinience" or something similar marketing talk. ;)

They are betting most would be too embarrassed to remove it even if it was possible. Not sure it is. Anyone ever tried crossing off drink gratuities?

We must be too stupid to realize they're not doing this for us.lol

How do you know it's going to the server? This is part of the problem. We always tip in cash - whether it's the MDR, the buffet (yes, we leave money on the table) or the specialties. Now it's being stuck on a bill. Who's to say they are getting that money? I do not believe the money is going to the server. I don't buy it at all, especially with the sneaky way NCL has done this. Further, the now "sudden silence" from NCL on both these boards and their Facebook page leaves MUCH to be desired.

Their silence confirmed this new fee for me. I didn't need pictures of the dailies to know it's true. No companies want their consumers to believe higher prices when there is none. How disingenuous of NCL to claim this is for our convenience. We should not just accept this. Talk with your wallet, everyone. Every time we accept increase on false pretences, these companies would just keep coming for more. Price increases need to be justified and transparent.

Wow, as a convenience to our guest? Don't you mean as a convenience to NCL? Plus we are not in a land restaurant. I don't pay just to get into a land restaurant which is what my fare is. This insults your passengers' intelligence NCL but hey it might work for you. Only first time cruisers wouldn't know any different.

Reducing the pool from the dsc should not require an increase. Removing the specialty staff automatically increase pay to all left in the pool. This is just the line NCL has to say to justify this move. Frankly Ncl would need extra accounting to calculate who would get that extra 18% as I am sure specialty waitstaff don't just work at dinnertime. Meaning they still get a cut from the dsc for working the buffet or osheehans.

This is a money grab by Ncl as it sees all those cash tips they can't get their hands on before. Now they would have complete control and whether they distributed to the specialty waitstaff or not is anyone's guess. I can't help but think they are keeping some portion of it. The only winner in the short run is NCL. Passengers paying more, the crew not necessarily getting more but NCL is for certain.

I think people should stop paying at the specialty restaurants for awhile until they remove this new gratuity/sales tax. Other cruiselines are watching how this plays out and if we as consumers don't push back, this will be true on every cruiselines.

Just want to remind everyone this is how we got rid of the fuel supplement because passengers voiced their complaints otherwise we would still be paying it today despite lower fuel costs. Fewer ports and slower speed is how cruiselines have hedged against high fuel cost but does anyone think they will be going faster to reach more port or give more port time as a result of lower fuel costs? Probably not because the market is already bearing fewer ports or shorter port time. Not to mention, more time on ship means more spending by the passengers. I imagine fewer shows in a theater that can't accommodate all passengers even with 4 showings leads to more spending. Ncl is trending the wrong way. Good luck NCL!

It is more like a sales tax than a gratuity. Ncl is really counting on their customer base to be stupid enough to just accept it. I hope this will not stick even though I don't personally eat at the specialty restaurants but got the UDP from the promo for our next cruise.

Even though I personally will not pay this 18% most likely, I don't believe we as consumers should just bend over when big corporations want to take more of our money without giving any value back. For those who think this is acceptable, you can bend over for NCL and don't berate others for not wanting to.

Funny you mentioned that. We are introducing 4 cabins of cruisers to NCL with one of our upcoming trips. They are used to the traditional type of cruise, with eating in the MDR each night. I was going to suggest one or two specialty restaurants, but there's no way I'm doing it now - strictly on principle. I never complain about raised prices, fees, etc. This though, solely because of the way they did it, irks me to no end, and I refuse to give them one dime more.

I so agree. We don't sail until December so plenty of time for me to find what will happen with udp from promo.

I don't understand how that works. I just checked both of my reservations. I can purchase the UDP for $119 pp. There is no 18% gratuity in that. Since I already have the UBP, I wouldn't expect a bill at dinner. Where are they sticking the 18%?

It could be their IT department hasn't caught up yet. I just hope udp from promo works the same way ubp promo does. No additional tips on bill you sign. Otherwise, this is a gamechanger for me as i would not have chosen udp but the $200 obc.

But it also gives the passengers a choice. They can choose to pay the 18 percent or not go to the specialty restaurants or (if it is correct that it is not included in the UDP) purchase the UDP or as some have said they will do, deduct it from the DSC. So no one really has to pay this, if they disagree with the policy.

We on this forum know dsc is adjustable, many do not especially if they're first time cruisers. Companies like NCL rely on their consumers to be ignorant and/or complacent and hope they just pay it without knowing any better. I gave them the benefit of the doubt about dsc but this is pretty low. It's also sneaky the way they decided to implement this without formal announcement. Hard to justify this since they just increased the dsc. Their silence on social media speaks volumes of their intent. Is this from FDR or new ncl ceo Andy Stuart? Somehow I think Andy will get the axe when and if things don't go according to plan.

Let's see if NCL passengers are smart enough to push back by not dining at these restaurants or be the suckers every corporation looks for in their business in the name of profit.

I knew changes would come with new leadership but this is too much too fast. I am sure the bottom line will look great at least for the next 2 quarters. After that who knows, maybe the freestyle promo will need to be permanent to sustain current booking levels because I won't book without it unless it's super cheap. How a company does it's business also says a lot about how they treat their employees. Would anyone be surprised if they lost the good staff down the road? I already experience staff who are under trained and understaff but yet asked to pay more for their salary.

Penny wise pound foolish for NCL if this occurs fleetwide. No one will believe the waitstaff in specialty dining was not part of the dsc all these years. The best usually works there otherwise none of the waitstaff would asked to work in specialty dining if their tips are solely based on cash tips by those who dine there.

I don't understand why there are some who continues to defend a company for raising prices without giving anything back. Instead the company pretends its for the benefit of their employees. My fare should contribute at least in part to employees expenses, I shouldn't be asked to pay after I booked to compensate employee wages.

Frankly, this new system of auto gratuity or dsc leads to worse service. No one needs to go the extra mile if they're just going to pool all the money. I am sure the crew is aware of these increases, so if they don't see the same increase in their pay, I imagine they would look for other employment. Of course this would only leave the not so great staff behind.

Good luck NCL, you might see an increase in profit in the short run but I doubt it would last.

Ncl has been a trend setter for other cruiselines but lately it has setting the wrong trends.

Prefer Gem over breakaway as a ship, but Bermuda wins hands down over Bahamas. I know many rave about the Breakaway, I personally don't need to go back for various reasons. I would only sail on her to go to Bermuda. If you are not flexible when you can sail, then take Breakaway to Bermuda. Nice ship for the first time but I am going back to the Gem in December. Choose the Gem with another itinerary if possible. Have fun on your first cruise!

For those interested, Ncl creates a new latitude number each time you book unless you give them your latitude number at time of booking. Do not rely on your TA or Ncl to find the right you in their system. If you do get assigned a new latitude number, simply call their tech support for their site and request to have all your latitude numbers merged. I had to do this when I realized this was happening to my family. I was the exception because the fcc was in my name so they always had the correct latitude number for me. So missing latitude points could simply be under a different account. Hope this can help someone.

Before I purchase my fcc, my obc from the cc was used against my dsc as that was my only charge on my bill. This is as it should be. This obc is earned not given to us by ncl. I know Ncl tells us it doesn't apply to dsc but in reality it did on my statement anyway.

I guess I should mentioned last cruise, my obc did not post and I had to go to guest services. They posted it eventually. Not sure if that made a difference.

I think all the megaships have diluted the number of above average service personnel. They're not properly trained and understaff. I think the cruiselines should improve service while increasing the dsc. No one wants to pay more for less.

A rose by any other name is still a rose. A tip by any other name is still a tip. Dsc replaced those envelopes we used to hand out so I failed to see how it's not a tip. Just because ncl allows obc to be used for non dcs tips, doesn't make the dsc not a tip.

I am also curious how much ncl will pay the crew for those who will have the dsc free in the next promo. Prices have risen since yesterday in anticipation of the new promo but not by the amount of the dsc at least for the lower categories. Does this mean ncl is willing to put in the difference to rightfully compensate the crew? Just wondering. ..

It's always good to reprice your cruise right before you make your final payment. This promo began on December 16. That should have been before your final payment. You could have received the ubp at that time.

So as I have read this correctly no real price protection on Norwegian. Looking to book POA for Hawaii 2016 for six of us. So if the price drops we have to cancel lose deposit and rebook for any pricedrops Yes I have read the faqs and this is what it says so now I am nervous to book so far out. Thankyou for this info I really appreciated this thread. My dates in January are flexable to feb so I will continue to watch this cruise.

Ncl price protection works just like the other cruiselines. If your price drops, you can get the price adjustment and whatever the current promotions are. So do the math and then decide if its worth it. And you don't lose the deposit if there's a price adjustment. Only the promo codes if applicable will change.

I only book when the 3rd-8th passengers sail free. Price won't drop enough to beat that promotion as I don't book the higher categories like the suites where prices can drop lower than the sail free promotion.

Can anyone explain the purpose of the stickers if your card is coded for the packages you bought? Either way the restaurant or bar has to swipe your card. So I am guessing the stickers must serve some purpose. Thank you.