Mr Wicker

Many thanks guys

Hi, Can I use OBC to pay for shore excursions. We are on NCL Epic 31 Mar 2018. Not sure what procedure is.

I agree NCL is expensive, and I hope Haven is worth it. Wife and I both 70 at cruise time so happy to pay for something special with NCL rather than risk an untried cruise.

Thanks for all the comments

Hi Guys, Thanks for the interest which has now prompted me to study the t&c's. Something I should perhaps have done earlier but life is too short sometime to get down into the minutiae. On the UK webiste NCL in their main t&c pop up menu still list per diem tipping rates as general rule of thumb for all staff. However, in a separate menu solely concerned with AI the following applies.

"All gratuities and tips related to the all-inclusive services are included as well as the service charge.

An 20% gratuity will automatically be added to guest's accounts for dining options and spa treatments not included in the cruise fare. We encourage guests utilising these additional services to acknowledge good service provided by the staff members with appropriate gratuities. We recommend to guests staying in Suites who receive services from a butler or concierge to acknowledge service provided appropriately."

So I may or may not tip the butler/concierge. Will wait and see what goes down.

It would help if there was a common approach for all guests. Confusion reigns for a reason I think.

Many thanks again, probably obvious I have not read the small print and have taken AI at face value. Same argument applies though; my package cost a lot and having attended a recent NCL welcome/appreciation event in Glasgow to show boat AI where NCL stress this new arrangement relieves guests of all the hassle inc tipping I remain reluctant to tip; unless service is excellent. (but I have paid for that already :o)

Many thanks guys, don't want to be miserable, but at the same time don't feel like paying extra when not needed even though it would undoubtedly be appreciated. I doubt the on board staff will be aware of this new arrangement and the difference between UK and US guests.

NCL in UK now market cruises as Premium Inclusive to include all gratuities. My question is should on board staff still expect to be tipped. Wife and I are Haven on Epic March 2018 and I do not plan on budgetting per diem for Butler/Concierge etc.

NCL stress in their marketting material that their new approach takes this pressure away from guests.

Any comments