Hidden fee's and charges you were not expecting

[kgymn]

The only surprises I've ever had are how much my husband spent in the casino and on drinks ;)

I prefer to prepay our DSC so we don't have to worry about that while onboard (we use cash for our onboard account, prepaying DSC we can do with a debit card easily.) Anything else that carries an additional charge IME (on another line but I can't see NCL being any different) is clearly marked. That makes it perfectly easy to know ahead of time what you are spending and if you don't want to pay extra for something you can just choose not to purchase it.

Things like gratuities for drinks should be printed on the receipt as well that you sign, so there should be no surprises there (except maybe the first if the % recently changed)

 

~Katy

[sfaaa]

Nothing is ever hidden. You just have to read the fine print.

[don't-use-real-name]

If you order the Viva Vino wine package the charge will be posted on one of the

restaurants be it the Main Dining Room or perhaps a Specialty restaurant.

Well you ordered wine why doesn't it appear on a bar tab or some other liquor

venue. That is just the way the system works. One mighty expensive meal from

a free restaurant or an odd ball dollar figure that just does not add up to

the Specialty restaurant fee schedule ?

 

Once a day check with the Pursers (Registration) Desk and have a hard copy

of your current account printed out to check off and review any questionable

expenses - don't wait for a fuzzy memory to kick in what was that I bought

in the Gift Shop all those drinks in the Bally-Ho Bar and that Spa treatment.

 

Ideally the invoice you have printed out the night before the voyage ends

should be same as the one left at your door the morning of leaving the ship.

If it is and it is what you agreed to paying by credit card then you should be

able to walk off the ship and then pay the credit card company when that bill

comes due.

 

It is real simple - just make sure that it remains that way !

[Rufferto]

They charged me for a mini-bar can of Pepsi which I did not drink. I had bought a can at the terminal while waiting to board. I had the empty can in my stateroom, and I guess they thought it came from the mini bar. I contested and it got removed from my account.

[LrgPizza]

What kind of fees or charges were on your Norwegian billing statement at the end of a cruise that were unexpected and therefore a surprise?

 

None. We did our research on cruise critic and especially on the NCL website, so there were no surprises at all. Nothing is "hidden", so if the passenger isn't aware of a charge, that's the passenger's fault.

[grandpa99]

Just check all slips when you buy anything to ensure that it is your name on the invoice. In the bars when it is busy you may be given someone else's invoice to sign by mistake.

[NLH Arizona]

I do a lot of research on any of my vacations, so there is nothing charged to my account, that I'm not aware of, sans the rare charge for something from the mini bar that I didn't drink (and that is easily corrected with a trip to guest services).

 

I always get a copy of my statement half way into the cruise and then again a day or two before we depart, to make sure there are no issues.

[deerhuntingal]

I think what the OP is looking for is not really hidden charges, but unexpected charges i.e. charges for specialty desserts, coffees in the MDR, use of certain areas (outside of the spa).

 

I think most understand that if you sign for it, you are charged for it, but are there items that you would think are included but are not.

 

You are exactly right!

[Philob]

If your on Pride of America there is a Hawaiian sales tax added to purchases.

Edited March 10, 2015 by Philob

[deerhuntingal]

The only surprises I've ever had are how much my husband spent in the casino and on drinks ;)

I prefer to prepay our DSC so we don't have to worry about that while onboard (we use cash for our onboard account, prepaying DSC we can do with a debit card easily.) Anything else that carries an additional charge IME (on another line but I can't see NCL being any different) is clearly marked. That makes it perfectly easy to know ahead of time what you are spending and if you don't want to pay extra for something you can just choose not to purchase it.

Things like gratuities for drinks should be printed on the receipt as well that you sign, so there should be no surprises there (except maybe the first if the % recently changed)

 

~Katy

 

That is what I was wondering...If the gratuities are printed on the receipt for drinks, etc. If they are, then I will know what is what.

Thanks!

[deerhuntingal]

The only thing I missed was tax added to some drinks while in Lousiana waters (we had the UBP), but that was my own fault for not reading up on it properly. In my defense, it was a last minute booking.

 

I also missed that up-charge entrees are included in the UDP, so I avoided them. No charges, but missed out on some lobster!!

 

That is great to know these things are included in the UDP. Yes, I have read up on the web site and here but it is not easy to find specifics.

Thanks!

[newmexicoNita]

What kind of fees or charges were on your Norwegian billing statement at the end of a cruise that were unexpected and therefore a surprise?

 

I'm booked on an Alaskan cruise and we are budgeted pretty tightly on this one saving most $$ for the excursions so I would like to know if any little fee's will be showing up on my billing at the end of it all if some of you know of any.

 

Alcoholic drink gratuities may be one or something in dining. We have the specialty dining for free but there may be a fee if you order something in the specialty restaurant not covered? :D

 

Let me know what you all have run across in the recent past. We are going on the Jewel in May for a 9 day cruise.

 

They are not hidden charges, but charges you probably are aware of: like you said alcohol, excursions and gratuities. I can't think of any fees that just pop up on your statement at the end of the cruise.

[punkincc]

I think what the OP is looking for is not really hidden charges, but unexpected charges i.e. charges for specialty desserts, coffees in the MDR, use of certain areas (outside of the spa).

 

I think most understand that if you sign for it, you are charged for it, but are there items that you would think are included but are not.

 

Where are there any extra charges added on for a dessert in a specialty restaurant or a cup of coffee in the MDR?:confused:. A regular coffee in the MDRs are free unless you are ordering an expresso type drink. Desserts in the specialties are free as well and you can order additional appys, sides and desserts without generating an additional charge. Just don't order an extra entree and stay away from the up charge items like lobster.

 

I understand your concern. I don't know how often it would happen that you would be presented with a bill for an up charge item BEFORE you have consumed it. It is usually done at the end of the meal. You wouldn't want to order a cappuccino in the MDR and then be presented with a bill after you have finished it.

[Shawnino]

We looked like missing a port one day on the Jade recently and I found myself with other CCers in the Atrium waiting for news. Bloody Marys and Screwdrivers were being ordered from the circulating waitress--8am a hair too early for this cat, so I just asked for a coffee.

 

I fully expected to hand over a buck or sign to leave it for the service, but the coffee proper was $1.75. By no means a big deal and I was happy to make the total $3, but I somehow thought that because it had no alcohol and wasn't soda (I did have soda plan), it wasn't extra.

 

Please don't construe this as a complaint, just a very mild surprise.

[deerhuntingal]

Pretty much this - You have to pretty dense to not see the menu sign for specialty restaurant(s) that says "Cover charge" on it or think that the casino is free. Not to be rude, but everything on NCL is pretty crystal clear when it comes to extra charges / expenses.

 

Edit: If possible, just check your onboard account via the TV or at Guest Services daily; if your worry about hidden fees.

 

We are new this time to Norwegian so not to be rude....but my question is legit for a first timer and asking all the vets of cruising for suggestions/comments is what makes Cruise Critic a fun place to go to for info! I do not know what is clearly printed on the ship as I have not been on it yet.....I did not know the auto gratuity is clearly printed on your receipt for drinks. I did not know the up charge for certain foods in the specialty restaurants is covered under the UDP. I do now. We have the UDP so we are set. Free casino's would be a cool thing wouldn't they? lol! I would go! Ha!

Thanks to all of you for the helpful info. I did not mean to sound dense as I have done a ton of research but did not find these types of things anywhere yet. That is why I turn to you for the help! :D

[deerhuntingal]

Get your room steward to empty the mini-bar so you don't do the 'midnight, bit squiffy, grab a nightcap thing' and then forget about it in the morning.

 

Minibar charges are one area that seem to generate a lot of 'phantom' charges. We got charged a few (having emptied the fridge) and complained to GS. It turned out that another room steward had written the room number down wrong when doing the minibar audit. Our steward was not best pleased (he did get his extra tip because he was an excellent steward).

 

Awesome tip! I will have it emptied the first day. We are not drinkers and will be bringing our own sodas/water so fridge space is needed in any case.

 

Thanks!:D

[sverigecruiser]

What kind of fees or charges were on your Norwegian billing statement at the end of a cruise that were unexpected and therefore a surprise?

 

 

I had a $300 OBC noone had told me about! It was no fee but it was a surprise!

[punkincc]

We looked like missing a port one day on the Jade recently and I found myself with other CCers in the Atrium waiting for news. Bloody Marys and Screwdrivers were being ordered from the circulating waitress--8am a hair too early for this cat, so I just asked for a coffee.

 

I fully expected to hand over a buck or sign to leave it for the service, but the coffee proper was $1.75. By no means a big deal and I was happy to make the total $3, but I somehow thought that because it had no alcohol and wasn't soda (I did have soda plan), it wasn't extra.

 

Please don't construe this as a complaint, just a very mild surprise.

 

Another good example of how you can generate a charge without expecting one. The coffee drinks in the Atrium Coffee Bar come with a fee, but many might expect them to be free.

[deerhuntingal]

We looked like missing a port one day on the Jade recently and I found myself with other CCers in the Atrium waiting for news. Bloody Marys and Screwdrivers were being ordered from the circulating waitress--8am a hair too early for this cat, so I just asked for a coffee.

 

I fully expected to hand over a buck or sign to leave it for the service, but the coffee proper was $1.75. By no means a big deal and I was happy to make the total $3, but I somehow thought that because it had no alcohol and wasn't soda (I did have soda plan), it wasn't extra.

 

Please don't construe this as a complaint, just a very mild surprise.

 

That kind of thing is exactly what I was looking for. You would think it was free but where/how it was served made the difference. Thanks!

[deerhuntingal]

I had a $300 OBC noone had told me about! It was no fee but it was a surprise!

 

Wow! That is a pleasant surprise! We have $200 OBC due to points added from credit card and such. They come in handy!

[Va. Plumber]

Fresh squeezed orange juice is extra.

 

Espresso or specialty coffees are extra, unless you make friends with the waiter.

 

And then there is that pesky elevator fee. LOL

[deerhuntingal]

Another good example of how you can generate a charge without expecting one. The coffee drinks in the Atrium Coffee Bar come with a fee, but many might expect them to be free.

 

I hear the free coffee is not that good so I bet we will be bringing our own to make in the room. Hubby likes his Columbian! lol!

I might get a fancy coffee if it is good. I wonder if they sample out any at that bar? I'll have to ask..

[deerhuntingal]

Fresh squeezed orange juice is extra.

 

Espresso or specialty coffees are extra, unless you make friends with the waiter.

 

And then there is that pesky elevator fee. LOL

 

Elevator fee!! If they start that ....I'm running/swimming far away! lol!

[shealea]

This isn't really a "hidden" fee, but .....

 

My dh and I ordered a drink in the Spinnaker Lounge. We don't normally order drinks, so we weren't aware of the prices. They brought the drink in a "special" NCL souvenir glass. Having it in that glass made the drink quite a bit higher.

 

I learned that if you don't want that higher price, make sure to tell the waiter when you order that you don't want the drink in the souvenir glass.

[punkincc]

I hear the free coffee is not that good so I bet we will be bringing our own to make in the room. Hubby likes his Columbian! lol!

I might get a fancy coffee if it is good. I wonder if they sample out any at that bar? I'll have to ask..

 

Some think the small fee at the coffee bar, especially for that first cup in the morning, is well worth the price. I like strong coffee, but the coffee in the buffet was way to strong for me. They say the machines there that use fresh ground taste better.

 

The machines in the cabins use the 4 cup coffee pods like the hotel machines. We bought some once to take with us, and a good brand too, but they were just as nasty as the ones provided by NCL.