New NCL policy ... Hope HAL doesn't follow suit

Check out this article....no food to be taken from buffet to other areas, including your room. Hope HAL doesn't adopt this too!

http://www.usatoday.com/story/cruiselog/2015/05/13/norwegian-cruise-food-ban/27034385/

I think that's silly!! I like having a snack for later or eating on the balcony.

I don't like it, but I have to say they're smart making this policy just as they introduce a charge for room service. Charging for room service will lead to more DIY room service.

But how will they enforce this? Plate police at the doors?

I heard this from elsewhere. Apparently it has come in just after they started charging for Room Service but, of course, it couldn't be to do with that - they say it's for hygiene reasons. :rolleyes:

I heard this from elsewhere. Apparently it has come in just after they started charging for Room Service but, of course, it couldn't be to do with that - they say it's for hygiene reasons. :rolleyes:

Yeah, I noticed that. Of course it's hygiene. Nothing to do with protecting a source of revenue...

There are some good reasons to limit DIY room service. There is an increased chance of food being spilled, which means crew have to clean up. And then there are the dirty dishes left in the room. When we have a Neptune suite, we take snacks back to enjoy on our balcony. I always feel guilty when my room stewards have to pick up dishes in addition to their other tasks.

I do remember several years ago when we sailed on Celebrity there was a sign in the buffet saying that you were not to take food out of the area. When I mentioned it on the X board people said I was crazy until someone posted a picture of the sign.

I think they will see alot of large beach totes (and tupperware) in the lido now.

I heard this from elsewhere. Apparently it has come in just after they started charging for Room Service but, of course, it couldn't be to do with that - they say it's for hygiene reasons. :rolleyes:

Funny how hygiene reasons come up when it benefits the cruiseline by cost saving or revenue generation. However, there is never the concern for hygiene (even in a code red situation) on the casino slot machines, which have many users in an evening!

In the same article they indicate the line is looking to increase onboard revenue, and they have the gall to claim this is for health reasons? They should just be honest and say that to keep fares low, they need to keep a steady stream of onboard revenues, which means more fee-for-service options vs. inclusives.

Like many of you, I find this practice distasteful (no pun intended) and I hate to say this, but this seems to be where lines are headed more and more. I'd calling cruising "somewhat" inclusive these days.

Funny how hygiene reasons come up when it benefits the cruiseline by cost saving or revenue generation. However, there is never the concern for hygiene (even in a code red situation) on the casino slot machines, which have many users in an evening!

Good one ;)

Why do these things surprise us? Consumers wanted cheaper cruise fares and the cruise lines have given us that. Many more people cruise now than in the past, because it's more affordable.

And people crow when they get extremely low rates. Good for them.

But to expect the same level of freebies when the base price has dropped is just plain silly. Nothing's free. Lower base price + added charges probably tries to make up for the old higher base price overall.

Money -- Money -- Money

The cruise lines will be nickel and dime us more and more.

The younger generation won't know any different when they start to cruise so they will pay for all the extras that many of us have had for free for years.

Only applies to full plates of food. We all have run up to the Lido to grab a quick snack or dish of ice cream.

Not as harsh as the headline makes it sound.

Only applies to full plates of food. We all have run up to the Lido to grab a quick snack or dish of ice cream.

 

Not as harsh as the headline makes it sound.

I don't know if that's ture. From the Cruise Critic News section"

In other words, if you want to bring food to someone in your cabin or bring your dessert back to your room to enjoy later, you won't be able to do so.

The new policy was confirmed in a statement by Vanessa Picariello, senior director of public relations for Norwegian. The line also posted it on the Cruise Critic message boards.

Is it just me, or are there a fair number of "Cruise Line X has this new policy. How long until HAL does?" threads? (In this context, the X is the algebraic first variable, and not Celebrity.)

In the last few months we've been treated to: Charges for room service, one and only one bottle of wine, no more formal dress code, increased HSC, and now "no sneaking food from the buffet."

Anyone care to venture how many of these things came true?

Folks on the NCL board have reported they have been able to take food from the buffet to their cabins. My own impression is that so long as you're a little discreet, and taking only a reasonable amount of food; i.e., a few cookies, a carton of yogurt, a piece of fruit, etc. the Lido staff aren't likely to care or even notice. Taking an entire tray back to your cabin is another matter entirely. Carry-out meals from venues such as O'Sheehan's or Blue Lagoon are no longer permitted. For hygenic purposes and our convenience. Uh-huh. I don't care as much about the policy change as I do about having smoke blown up my...well, you know.

Is it just me, or are there a fair number of "Cruise Line X has this new policy. How long until HAL does?" threads? (In this context, the X is the algebraic first variable, and not Celebrity.)

 

In the last few months we've been treated to: Charges for room service, one and only one bottle of wine, no more formal dress code, increased HSC, and now "no sneaking food from the buffet."

 

Anyone care to venture how many of these things came true?

It's the same with the smoking thread. Most of the arguments are every other cruise line has banned balcony smoking so when will HAL? As you have noted, none of it has come to fruition.

Now, I wonder what Carnival Corp will be announcing at its June 4th press conference?

They are also going to charge a $7.95 fee for Room Service Delivery of all but a continental breakfast. Two items will be permitted to be ordered by each person and an additional charge for more items in same order.

Meant to add there will be no Room Service Delivery charge for guests in Suites that have butlers.

Wonder if this will apply to people who are quarantined to their rooms due to Noro? Would be another reason for people not to report it.....no free room service and no family member carrying food to the room.

I guess the poor crew who deliver the room service food etc will now be able to forget about a tip!!!! Who will pay for delivery and then also tip???

Wonder if this will apply to people who are quarantined to their rooms due to Noro? Would be another reason for people not to report it.....no free room service and no family member carrying food to the room.

Good point.

NCL tried charging for room service many years ago and it was a huge failure. Back then I believe it was $5.00.

As I recall there were several charges implemented back then that hurt them for quite a while.

They have excluded Cagney's from their Unlimited Dining Program. It is an additional charge soon for those who bought the package (or got it as a booking benefit) whereas in the past it was included in the specialty dining package.

Is it just me, or are there a fair number of "Cruise Line X has this new policy. How long until HAL does?" threads? (In this context, the X is the algebraic first variable, and not Celebrity.)

Thanks for the laugh. Have been coding this morning and when I go back, dimming X will be in a whole new light. Or shall I say, class?

 

Now, I wonder what Carnival Corp will be announcing at its June 4th press conference?

Well, when they released the revision to the Wine policy ( the July 2013 version) there was no press conference. They just posted it and started implementation.

Totally agree about NCL's announcement making it sound like they are doing pax a favor for their health. That line really sounds like "customer Service 101- step 2. Give the customer personal value". That right after step 1: tell them how much you understand/ empathize. Am so tired of that formula stuff when contacting customer service at several companies. It's so phoney.