SAILPRO

They may be trying to limit Cagney's reservations due to the many many complaints they have been receiving lately about slow and poor service. We were on Epic last week and it took over 2 hours for dinner and we didn't even stay for dessert. Everyone was complaining about how long it took to order and get food. While the food was good we'll never book Cagney's again as it took up too much of our time that evening. With the UDP the specialty restaurants are more crowded than ever and service is suffering. Maybe by limiting the number of reservations they can improve the service levels.

Why work faster & harder since an 18% gratuity charge is now added? :rolleyes:

There's sooo much talk on CC about the DSC. I might as well throw my 2 cents in here.. I've been on 5 NCL cruises. I have never adjusted/removed my DSC. I always leave it in place, and also tip cash to those that go the extra mile, I'm definitely an over tipper.. HOWEVER .. I have no problem with the people that do adjust/remove the DSC.. know why? Cause it's their CHOICE! What ever happen to "to each his own" or "live and let live"... Listen, you may not agree with someone removing their DSC, but frankly it's not your business. As humans, we are free to make our own personal decisions. I can't understand why so many people think they can dictate how others run their lives. People need to seriously stop worrying about what everyone else is doing, and worry about yourself. People on here that have admitted to removing the DSC have gotten torn apart. It's not your money people, you make your decisions, and let others make theirs. I'm not saying that removing the DSC is right/fair/appropriate but as long as NCL gives that CHOICE, people are free to do as they please.

 

End of rant :D:D:D

Wow! 1000% agreed!

It's not your money. Others can spend their money how they wanted and it's none of anyone business!

It seems some posters have a real issue with DSC on NCL being discretionary and the fact that it can be removed by the guest just for asking without the need to provide any reason whatsover. If it bothers you so much...why continue to patronize a company with policies you do not like?

 

There are other lines that have all inclusive charges. Or, for example, you can sail with Royal Caribbean which will make you pre-pay gratuities to use their version of Freestyle dining and it is non-refundable no matter the quality of service.

 

I ask this because whenever NCL changes a policy and people voice concerns or complaints, the standard answer by many is if you don't like the policy, don't pay NCL for a vacation. Well, the question is back to those same people - If you want a company that does not allows DSC to be a discretionary fee, why are you still with NCL?

Because they just have to judge what other do.

None of their _____ business! :mad:

There are cruiselines with all inclusive fees, or non-refundable service fees. Why do you continue to cruise with a line that has a policy you clearly do not support. Instead of complaining about "cheapos" why not put your money where your mouth is and support a company whose policies more closely align with what you consider to be the right thing to do?

 

I just don't understand people getting so mad about other people choosing something NCL allows, complaining daily about it, and doing absolutely nothing about it.

 

And since the DSC is 100% discretionary at a guest wishes no excuses or justifications need be made with NCL. "Please take this charge off" is the only thing required. A thank you is nice as well, I admit.

100% agreed !

Because they wanted to complain, vent, etc. even though they don't like NCL policy :D

The Guest Ticket Contract clearly states "the charge is subject to adjustment at your discretion". And that is ALL it says.

 

http://www.ncl.com/sites/default/files/Guest_Ticket_Contract_03_2014.pdf

100% agreed !!

Most don't know what (discretion) mean? :confused:

Was able to make reservation online for all restaurants (including specialty) and all shows but CANNOT make revervation for Cirque Dreams Jungle Fantasy on Breakaway!

Does anyone have this problem?

Since we are docked at the furtherst berth with starboard side facing out toward the sea, we aren't going to see any late/last minute "pier runners" about to miss the ship's sailaway - might as well get ready for our 2nd. evening of comp'd specialty dinner at LeBistro. Was going to switch over to Moderno but DW not a red meat person so decided to hold onto our confirmed reservation, made with iConcierge on Day 1 while lunching at the Savor MDR .

 

Editorial comments of my own on the subjectivity of food, IMO, on the BA this week - YMMV - overall services for our 1st. LeBistro's meal was good and very attentive, a little on the slow side but fine for us not a rush to catch a show, etc. Mussels were nicely prepared but they're some of the smallest ones that we've eaten on NCL over the years, must be out-of-season or something, I guess - tasty, it's okay. DH had the breast of duck and that was very good, she said & I concurred. (Not interested in Peking Duck over at "Ocean Blue" with a $39 p/p surcharge and our certificate's face value cannot be applied, plus the newly "piloted" 18% suggested gratuity ...)

 

However, the imported Australian roasted rack of (junior-sized) lamb was not so good, in fact - a little disappointing to my biased taste, a bit too tough & somewhat excessive in fats (usually lean & soft) but it was still edible, so I didn't send it back to the kitchen & asked for something else instead.

We're given the same waiter as Monday evening & he immediately recognized us with a friendly welcome & took good care of us. Tonight, DW ordered the mussels for us to share and it's a little better & fatter (maybe they got a new patch delivered shipside in Florida earlier in the week) Taking our 2nd. bottled of (comp'd) house wine with us unopened to go, we ordered 2 soda instead - using our available OBC, again - no extra revenue for ..., LOL.

 

Ordered the Cream of Four Mushrooms Soup last time but only for me this time, it's good as always. The MDR has been serving French Onion Soup almost every other day (not everyday, however) so I don't want to get that at all - no matter how good it is (and, it's always too salty for my taste buds.) My favorite Escargots - good with that rich butterly taste & smell.

 

My entree, the Swordfish was fine and okay - IMO - but nothing to highlight about it - switch back to Salmon or something else next time (memo to myself.) DW got the Med. Fish Soup that I usually get as she wasn't too hungry (still early for us) but managed to finished it all and that's amazing.

By now, ship's photographer came around to offer to pictures just like the other night (never saw them coming thru the MDR on all the other evenings ???) Dessert time - a different different, getting the Chocolate Fondue for 2 plus a 2nd item for her; and, of course, French-pressed coffee . Excellent choice & we enjoyed it very much. As usual, we cash tipped our waiter, Mr. E from the Philippines for his services and that of his assistant.

 

This early evening, LeBistro was not fully filled up but shown on the App as not available, yet like Monday - there're half a dozen small empty tables that stayed unnfilled for almost the entire duration of our dining time (90+ minutes) - especially the "sidewalk" ones on the outside.

 

Meanwhile, 2 BA passengers were getting public P.A. ship-wide paging to immediately contact Guest Services a little after 5:30 PM as we're getting ready to go downstairs - that usually meant that the names being announced are unaccounted for, somehow not swiped back onto the ship's gangway after leaving the ship - both Asian sounding names ... It would not be fun if they are foreign nationals stranded behind, whether they were lost, sightseeing or caught up in a shopping frenzy as some of them are known to do. Up until this cruise, we've never anyone tried to swim in the waters with their Easter-styled hats on, LOL.

 

Don't know for sure if anyone was late for the ship that evening or if those 2 were back or not - by the time we finished our dinner a little after 7 PM, we've already left the pier & out of harbour heading into the Atlantic for NY.

 

Our next evening stop, as it's too early to go back to our stateroom - ship's casino. Very smoky around the center atrium/open lobby area, but not as bad near the AFT (designated non-smoking section) area next to the Shanghai Noodles Bar, which - for next several hours - seemed to be quiet & mostly empty of any paying guests eating a la carte there ?? Late evening, some of the ship's uniformed crews did met up & sat down to chat and eat there, enjoying themselves as they're off the clock on their own. Across the way, Bar 21 - like all the others all over the ship - was non-stop busy, must be related to all those with UBP and/or casino drink cards (there's supposed to be a sizable group from Foxwood on a CAS-sponsored sailing onboard, so both the slots & table games were busy all week)

 

2 full Sea Days ahead of us before disembarkation in New York ... weather is forecasted to be still warm in the 70's mostly but heading into/across a weather front later in the day, with possibly choppier sea conditions. The Lattitude - Silver, Gold & Platinum - Wine & Cocktail Reception is Friday evening at 7:30 PM.

Day 6 is next, stay tuned for more pictures.

mking8288, love your honest review and great photos especially the food (they made me hungry) :D

Since you were on starboard side (facing pier)? Were you able to see Statue of Liberty from your balcony when you embark?

What type of camera were you using?

Thank you!

Personally, if I was affected by all this (oh, wait a minute, I am! :mad:) I'd decide what sort of penalty NCL needs to pay you for what you consider a breach of contract. (As any number of "cheerleaders" here will tell you, NCL isn't technically in breach, but every representation made to those who booked or finally paid prior to this week included "free room service.")

 

Then go to CS desk and calmly tell them you wish to adjust the service charges, up or down, to whatever level you feel comfortable with, taking into consideration what you feel their "breach of contract" should cost them. I wouldn't give them any reason, you do not have to give them any reason, it's adjustable AT YOUR DISCRETION. This doesn't mean adjustable at your discretion if NCL thinks it's a good idea. Or even if maywell or NLH Arizona think it's a good idea. If YOU think it's a good idea, it's a good idea. It's at your discretion. PERIOD.

 

If they give you any hard time about it, I'd calmly (always calmly!) remind them about the Contract. Ask them to get you a copy so the two of you can review the requisite clauses. Or print it out and bring it with you. Explain that "at your discretion" means exactly that.

 

It probably wouldn't hurt to have your cabin-mate along, quite possibly with a camera, so you can record the interaction. I personally would have your mate wait to start recording until there's a hesitation or refusal, always better to have things go pleasantly. Starting off with a camera staring them in the face might not be the way to go. :)

 

I do NOT think you will be successful arguing the merits of the room service charge, and the fact that it was added after final payment. Contractually and possibly legally, they're probably covered there.

 

But just as NCL (and its cheerleaders here) are going to hew to the very letter of the Contract, no matter how indefensible, I would suggest YOU hew to that Contract too, and just figure out how to get the satisfaction you require.

 

Setting up your onboard account with a credit card (and NOT pre-paying DSC) seems like an obvious way to go, too, just in case.

Totally 100% agreed !!

So lets see, a $7.95 or $4.95 convenience fee is being charged for delivery of free food that use to be free. Now people are going to be bought off by free noodles that everyone thinks is wonderful.

 

No wonder corporations can get away with anything they want to do. Just give someone something cheap for free and they will all line up and praise the Ivory Tower for their concern and caring. Oh, what wonderful people management is!

 

Also, apologize after the fact, because you were trying to slide a new fee in place, got caught and get a lot of unexpected negative feedback.

 

Just like Royal Caribbean did a few years ago when they kicked their Diamond Member out of the Concierge Club. CEO Goldstein admitted they did not expect the outrage they received. So they bought off the Diamonds with free glasses of cheap wine and beer nuts (No soda that was changed after an another outrage). Everyone was happy!!

 

So when will the next under handed fee change take place, and what are you willing to sell your beliefs for? Noodles are gone!

Yup, most will buy this but they can't fool me! :rolleyes:

You watch, more shoes will be dropped.

You should know that no one NCL will give you correct answers. I guarantee if you call back 3 or 4 times you will get a different answer every time.

FootballParent is 100% correct! I've tried it before and get different answers for the same question. :rolleyes:

I thought I was clear earlier. I do not begrudge the crew the DSC. I have never removed or even adjusted the amount in the past. I have always tipped extra to my steward, wait and bar staff. I don't begrudge the increase to the DSC.

 

I do not agree with the forced auto gratuity on specialty restaurants, coffee shop, pizza delivery etc. It was only after there were questions of double dipping were we then told that these wait staff are not a part of the DSC and I find that very hard to believe as they have other duties as well on the ship. I don't agree with the possibility of paying up to $7.95 for the delivery for room service. If it went 100% to the person who delivered then I wonder why he is deserving of twice the amount for dropping off my food as the person who serves me for 2/1/2 hours in Le Bistro? If the money is going into the pockets of the corporation then they are taking away from the employee who delivered it, as most people in the past would have been giving him a couple of dollars cash tip and now many will refrain from doing so.

 

We will pay our DSC and every time we turn around on the ship we will be paying more in the form or auto-grats and service charge/convenience fee. That implies that everywhere we turn we should be expecting the highest level of service. NCL has set that bar and I and others will be less inclined to just accept whatever service we are given. Prior to these changes that blanket acceptance is exactly what I would do, because I do feel the staff is hard working and deserves what we give them, but I always had a choice in the matter. When the company forces me to pay more and more and makes my tipping non discretionary it does change the way I feel about it. Where previously I would have just not tipped extra for inferior service I will now have to address any issues with management and if need be adjust the DSC. That is the option they have afforded me and I refuse to be bullied or pressured from ever using that option with the myth that my waiter/steward is some poor indentured servant from a third world country. Most of the time on a ship I find the service to be excellent and hopefully I will never have to make any adjustment to the DSC because of a bad situation.

 

We do have health care in Canada but at the same time a minimum wage employee in this country is most often living below the poverty line.

Someone in Florida who works a job that receives tips, is paid a minimum wage of $4.91 per hour and likely will never be considered middle class doing their job. But as you said crew members earn the equivalent of a middle class income for their home country. A middle class income in Canada is $70,000 per year. I think you might find a fair few people who would be more than willing to work on a ship for that type of money. In fact there are Canadians who work on cruise ships who make less than that they, just work in different departments.

 

I understand that the crew give up a lot when they choose to work on a cruise ship. My father was not a navy man but he was in the military (army) so I do have some idea of the life of a crew member and their family. I've no doubt that life on a cruise ship can be difficult but there are benefits too. I am glad to hear that things will be better for them in terms of the MLC. At the same time enough from those who want to place some sort of guilt trip on me as if I am personally responsible for the welfare of each and every crew member. They chose to work on a ship and receive decent compensation for doing so. As I said before I have never made any change with the DSC in the past but if I receive really inferior service in the future I will not hesitate anymore to alter if necessary.

 

 

 

Rochelle

"like" and 100% agree !!

I have not regularly tipped at specialty restaurants because I assumed that since the maitre d' knows your cabin number when you come for dinner, that your evening meal portion of the DSC was "earmarked" for the staff that served you in that specialty restaurant. So where is that portion of the DSC going now if a passenger is eating every night in a specialty.

It's against our policy to tell you. :D

if it all went to the staff, ncl would simply call it a gratuity.

 

The fact that they choose to label it as a service charge means, by definition, that ncl can choose the amount, method, ancd criteria for whatever portion of that money they choose to distribute...if any.

"like"

Okay, I try my best to avoid tipping threads, and probably won't be back to debate this, since I'm headed back to sea, so I'll just put my view out there for others to shred.

 

Everyone seems to be mainly motivated over an increase in DSC, the increase in drink and specialty restaurant gratuity, and the room service charge. In my opinion, this is NCL's model for keeping profits up while keeping fares down. RCI has increased gratuities, and has stated that they won't be discounting fares to fill the ship. That is a different model. Which will work better? Time will tell.

 

Now, I can't be certain, but I believe that both ohionclcruiser and pieshops worked for NCL in Hawaii on the US flag ships, so there is some disconnect there as the labor laws are totally different for US crews to international crews.

 

Actually, NCL has no problem with a guest adjusting the DSC, they just wish that you would specify what your reason is for your dissatisfaction with the service, and if there was a particular crewmember who did not provide adequate service. If those things are noted at the time of DSC adjustment, the crew that failed to perform will lose their portion of your DSC, while the other crew who did perform will receive their normal share.

 

Someone brought up the "I asked my steward" thing. First off, crew are seriously discouraged from talking salary with guests, secondly given the changes in wage structure resulting from the MLC 2006 labor convention, the crew are most likely told that their wage is in the form of wage and "incentive" without mention of the DSC, and thirdly as I've stated before, did the turkey ever ask for Thanksgiving to be a holiday? There might be some vested interest in the crew's answers.

 

Now, for LMaxwell:

 

Quote:

 

In NCL's guest ticket contract it pretty clearly spells out that NO, the entire DSC does not go to the staff.

 

-First, some portion is deducted to go into a general crew welfare fund. Percentage unknown.

 

-Secondly, NCL state that they have their own performance metrics for staff to meet and it is NCL's sole discretion how much of the remaining pile someone gets based on those internal metrics.

 

Here is the NCL guest ticket contract. Page 2. Section 3C.

 

http://www.ncl.com/sites/default/fil...ct_03_2014.pdf

 

 

The real question - Why are people vital to hotel operations, yet are NOT guest facing, such as people in laundry services, being made to be dependent on a discretionary service charge when they never see a single guest? Before this auto-tip stuff no one ever suggested to tip them, because they earned a wage commensurate with their job.

Unquote

 

Where in your restatement of NCL's policy does it say that all of the DSC does not go to the crew? Yes, a portion goes to crew welfare which benefits the crew. Second, the remainder is divided by NCL's metrics as to how much someone gets, not how much the crew gets. If someone fails to perform, they will get a reduced percentage, while the others may get more, or get the normal distribution. Why do they include back of house employees in this incentive program? Because they are trying to build a team effort for guest service, and if the laundry crew do not do a good job in taking stained or ripped towels out of service before they get to the steward, then the guest who receives them will fault the steward, not the laundry person.

 

Next you claim that staffing levels have dropped. Do you have statistics or evidence of this? Then you claim that wages dropped since auto-tipping started. Evidence? Statistics?

 

Yes, NCL will take a float on pre-paid DSC, nothing wrong with that. Next you say that DSC paid onboard is held for weeks or months? Again, evidence of this? Removals of DSC are looked at onboard at the weekly revenue meeting, and as pieshops has stated, the DSC for each crewmember is adjusted weekly based on DSC adjustments for that week, and paid bi-weekly. That is fact.

 

And finally, with regards to tip-guilt. You are describing the service industry attitude in the US when you speak of restaurant staff expecting 20%. As you say, you are basing this on web forums for restaurant workers, and how many of them are from overseas? Service industry workers from other countries, like the international crew, don't have the sense of entitlement that US workers do. Why punish these workers for the attitudes of people in your own country?

 

Now, Rochelle s. First you say that nothing is said about how much the crew is paid, and imply that this is unimportant to the issue, and then mention a gross figure for DSC and imply that this is excessive. Since you bring this up, I will mention how much these people make. Per the MLC 2006 international labor convention, the minimum wage for a seafarer for a 40 hour week is $585 per month. That's about $3.65/hour. There is additional wage for hours over 40 hours, but that may or may not be at a higher rate, depending on the employee's contract. Now, not certain how you got $137 million for a year's sailing on Getaway, because I've got $12.95x4500 guests x 365 days/year = $21.2 million. Now, 1600 crew, minus about 120 deck/engine, minus 100 supervisory hotel staff, minus 100 concessionaires = 1280 crew possibly in the DSC pool. Even going down to 1100 crew, that comes to $53/per crew/per day or another $3.80 per hour for their standard 14 hour day. So this looks to my eyes as if their incentive is 50% of their compensation (some more, some less), but not a great windfall that is making them all rich.

 

Do I support everything NCL does? No. Do I feel that the compensation for the international crew is fair? No. Have I worked with both the NCL US and international crews? Yes. Have I been involved with the ship's daily revenue issues, accounting, and service charge issues? Yes. Does NCL make mistakes? Yes. Are the increased DSC, gratuities, and room service charge the proper business model? Time will tell.

 

But NOT EVERYONE on this thread agrees that NCL is withholding DSC from the staff to make profit. Again, I will reference a thread that was over on the RCI board, that discussed profit per passenger. According to RCI's filings, they make $148/passenger. That is not per passenger per day, that is per passenger booked. I have to assume that the other lines are similar. That included fares, gratuities, and all onboard revenue, and worked out to a 9% return on investment. Is this a huge profit margin? So, even IF NCL were retaining a portion of DSC, it still only gives them a fair, not exorbitant, return.

 

I know I will not convince anyone on this board, but I had to vent a little before going to work.

had to vent a little before going to work. :D

I will reduce the DSC to $0 if they charge room service fees for butler deliveries in suites.

 

Don't give me that fake crap about the poor hardworking underpaid crew. Not my problem. That's NCL's problem and they will see it manifest in the form of attrition.

"like"

Why they did not include this on the TERMS & CONDITIONS but on the FAQ? I don't buy it and it'll be hard to argue later.

Q. WHAT IS INCLUDED IN THE ULTIMATE DINING PACKAGE?

A. With the Ultimate Dining Package, you can dine in any specialty restaurant every night of your cruise, including our exciting Italian, Asian, Brazilian, French and signature steakhouse restaurants. On Norwegian Breakaway, Norwegian Getaway and Norwegian Epic the Ultimate Dining Package will also include dining at Spiegeltent/Illusionarium on the first sailing day only. Plus, you can enjoy 20% off the cover charge for dinner at Ocean Blue and all a la carte priced restaurants (not included in Ultimate Dining Package).

Ok, I knew there had to be something I was missing. I was going back and trying to look up all the old promos that I have in my email and trying to find something that helps. I usually save things too...just for occasions like this.

 

I did take the time to read this entire thread and my heart is bleeding for those that are unable to book this for free. We were able to do it on our cruise last year (under the free UDP on the first night) and it's such a wonderful show. This just makes me sick.

 

Someone help me understand WHERE this would be listed in the promos they send you. I have tons of emails advertising the promos, but it just states the options you can pick...not what they include. Where did the long listing come from with the "details"?

mitsugirly or anyone, please see if you have copy of promo stated that the dinner shows are free if you have UDP for the embark night. Most of us need copy of that so we can bring it with us and show it ON THEIR FACE!

My suggestion......for what it's worth?

 

Book it online. I know it'll charge you.

 

When you get to the ship bring your paid receipt for the show as well as a copy of when you booked your cruise and that the first evening was included at that booking with the UDP. Go to guest services and tell them there was some kind of glitch on their website and it charged you when it should not have. Tell them to remove those charges.

 

Harriet

They don't even let you book it online! :mad:

Why won't NCL come on here and say something I posted on their FB, twitter sent an email.............. NOTHING!

 

except for a long call with NCL full of lies.

 

Is ripping me and two kids off for the price of a show that important to them that they won't even answer??

monkeybone,

Don't think it matter unless we take it to the next level national tv/paper.

I can't believe I'm reading more about NCL!! I am disgusted by them. I will be chasing folks away from using them. Maybe they need to be shaken up to get their attention!

Don't think they give a _____ about us at CC. We need something bigger.

I booked the 9pm show for 6/7 and it was free with UDP

Already paid the final payment and still cannot reserved the the dinner show online for the BA.

That is Outrageous. I sure hope whoever calls you tomorrow has some shred of sense. This perk is clearly stated as included in UDP, they use it as a selling point. Really sad to see NCL sinking so low:(

On NCL website under UDP, they had the text saying....

Starting with 4/1/14 sailing on BA, GA, and one other ship, you'll get the dinner show for FREE on Embark day.

Did NCL removed it since I cannot find the text?

I hope they get back to you tomorrow with something more positive. If someone who just booked today can get it for free then you should be to.

 

I do question the fact that are removing it at all. For people who booked during these recent promotions it clearly said that the first night the Dinner/show was free...and was exactly why I chose that option for March 2016. I am paid in full for that cruise and would hate to have found out in the early part of 2016 that was no longer the case. This is just one more instance where the lack of communication by NCL is appalling. If they offered something as part of the promotion and are changing the terms it is their obligation to notify the consumer. The fact that a $40 show could have been the main part of their selection process as it was mine. To take it away just reeks of dishonesty.

 

When it becomes standard that this inclusion on the first night is no longer possible I am sure we will see another thread here on CC go viral.

 

 

Rochelle

Same here, THEY BETTER HONOR IT !!

Breakaway issues for now: we like to be :eek: surprised, somtimes, but not always :D Open seating or by reservations, whichever way NCL wanted to change is fine by us - BUT, communicate, inform & notify and not just via social media or forums. Without going into ancient NCL cruise stories, it's not the first time nor the last time ship crews tried their best to "fix" corporate (referred to as "Miami" HQ) decisions made. That's unacceptable but nothing much can be done, huh. I do expect the appropriate NCL dept. to address this matter, fix the discrepancies - it is not a big deal to some, but yes to others - and its the right thing to notify/inform/email, etc.

Our 3/22 Roll Call is growing & newcomers unfamiliar with NCL's new era of "quasi"-FreeStyle concept are booked for the shows with dinner plans around it. If we're to leave this Sunday & print out the eDocs with the attachment, it is still showing reservations for shows as booked & confirmed. There is no email notifications about any changes nor automatically cancellations of the ones booked - YET- , which can be easily done with a few DBMS command lines in their system for BA bookings and it would free up our blocked times on the ship's calendar blocks to plan dining, etc. Tada - no surprises. NCL reserved the rights to (blah, blah, blah) and I won't get into all that. But for the sake of goodwills & customer services, they can and should alert us - before the surprise welcoming notice.

Now, if I can find that concierge contact info as it is supposed to be our perk ... which I knew better ... for some "assistance" to sort this out before next Sunday. It would be nice but we'll likely do it the Norwegian way & kowtow by winging it. :mad: Is this going to ruin our cruise, not at all but looking as this as sort of monkey circus, we can ROTFL and can definitely see some upset pax. Will wait when this Sunday's group sail away & post any updates here.

With the "free" UBP giveaway scored by some, not sure if NCL really want folks to arrive extra early & start ordering extras, unless it's coupled with selling those Instant Wins.

Life is short - have a good laugh or two & chill out ... (most of the time, anyway)

Like!

Please tell them to get their act together! Since you're going to inform/update lots of CC when you come back. :(

And i'd like to add to my other posts about the increase in service charges and drink prices...

 

IF you work with a good travel agent (such as myself) you would've been notified about the increase in service charges. We found out that they were being increased from $12 per day to $12.95 per day back in the middle of February. I immediately emailed my clients and notified them of this. Norwegian was giving anyone who was already booked prior to the increase of March 1st, the opportunity to pre-pay their gratuities before their sailing. So, if you weren't notified by your travel agent, then shame on them and if you didn't take advantage of pre-paying your gratuities, then don't complain when you get onboard and they've gone up. Just sayin... :cool:

 

As far as drink prices, again, prices go up. Cruise prices have remained steady over the past 20 years. They make their money on drinks and casino. You're on vacation - have a drink and if you can't afford the increase, then stay home :D

 

I went to my local pub last weekend (i don't go out much) and was shocked that I'm paying $5.50 for a Corona. Same price as a ship. Go figure!!

Nowadays there aren't too many good travel agents like yourself.

Once you're booked, good luck. Some don't even repsonse to your phone/email. Like previous poster said, you get different answers for the same question. :(