Room Service No Longer Free - NCL Starts $7.95 Charge Per Order

[rochelle_s]

Actually on your med cruise you will be quite surprised at the demographics

 

It will be predominately American upper middle class types and many families with high school and college kids depending on the time of year

 

They will dress better than on a Carib cruise and the focus will be on the ports and the history there

 

While there will be Europeans of course the announcements will be in English

 

You are on an Ncl ship but this time the med not the Carib

 

Med cruises are nicer all around but if you want or expect a large European crowd take a different line

 

 

Princess and carnival are the same as Ncl in the med

 

And actually carnival in the med attracts an upscale crowd believe it or not

 

I have done them all in the med

 

 

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Thanks for sharing your experience. I have cruised the Med before on HAL, Celebrity, Princess and NCL anywhere from 14 to 45 day. Surprisingly the most European of all those trips was my previous trip on the Jade in 2013. A B2B Holy Land/Turkey cruise (Turkey replaced Egypt). We started and ended in Rome and had Gary Gladding as our CD, which meant 400 Italians + other nationalities and Gary doing every announcement in 5 languages. :eek: There was a large Japanese group on board also and they had an interpreter to do the announcements once for them. Even trivia was done in 3 languages LOL

 

In my experience you just never know what the demographics will be until you board. This trip is in May so I don't think there will be many North American families on board as school might not be out yet.

 

Sounds like you have enjoyed your time there and I am sure we will have a wonderful cruise as well. It will not take much to please me. I love cruising Europe and cruise there at least once a year. Put me on a tug boat with a wooden crate for a bed and you will still see a smile on my face every day. :) 37 days but who's counting ;)

 

 

Rochelle

[BeachRum]

The notion that they're going to charge for something without adding value makes no sense. There's been added value all along: FREE room service. They've been bringing you your breakfast, lunch, midnight snacks to you, large feast or bagel & coffee, on your whim, without you having to pony up one red cent. Can't see the forest for the trees? Talk about fear of losing one's entitlement.

[Wendy&Grumpy]

No wonder there is so much bickering. We can't even agree on what a piece of paper is worth.

 

I've got a rare quarter that sells on the open market for 50¢. So how much is the quarter worth?

 

I've got one quarter and all you have are one dollar bills. You are hopping up and down with your legs crossed. The only available restroom requires a quarter. Now how much is that quarter worth?

 

Things - be they monetary instruments, certificates, whatever - have absolutely *zero* inherent value.

 

The only value anything has is what we as human beings give it.

 

Give your FCC's, quarter, and dollar bills to a monkey and see what you get for them. ;)

[insidecabin]

NCL in Europe is very international, they are not overrun with Americans,

 

On some trips there are more passenger nationalities than crew.

 

They also attract loads of first timers and the latitudes numbers are often quite low.

[biker@sea]

Let them that use it pay for it .

 

To many folk abused the free room service !

 

I have seen here on C.C. recommend having room service wake you up with coffee cuz your in and inside cabin and it's easier than bringing an alarm clock.

 

I don't use room service why should I pay for some one else to be pampered .

 

If it helps keep my cruise price down I love it .

 

Let me pay for what I use , my last cruise my finale bill was $310 and $250 was a future cruise reward cert. .

 

I feel it was the passengers that ruined a good thing by abusing the system .

[sparks1093]

And you keep forgetting I know how to avoid paying majority of the extra charges because I look at the numbers and/or already figure out an cheap / low-cost alternative for myself. For example: on weekends and vacation, I naturally get up at around 6 -9am and is already walking around as soon as I'm awake - So a free room service wake up / delivery is waste for me, anyway. So that's why its easy for me to just walk up to the buffet, look completely around despite the "masses" and then pick up a plate with just taking stuff that doesn't have too many people hovering over it plus looks appealing to me AKA same way I behave at land buffets, anyway. Also, what I had should had done for my 2nd trip (not going for 3rd cruise trip without it) bring my own spill-proof insulated travel mug for coffee / tea because 1) makes it easy to measure as well as fix the taste and 2) less walking back to the buffet because the cups NCL uses are tiny anyway. And that suggestion actually came from here on Cruise Critic on how to same money / time - its a good advice/tip, especially now.

 

NCL is always going to money grab, matter of fact, all cruise lines do money grabs too - Royal /Celebrity does with different fees and Carvinal & its lines does it by reducing stuff here and there but you're still paying the same /low price. Question is: Knowing now that NCL is doing these things are you going to:

1) set aside a budget for the known room service delivery that you plan to do?

2) Get a very good travel mug that keeps hot for 12 hours and just make your cup the night before?

3) use the coffee machine that in your balcony / mini-suite room to make your brew?

4) swallow your pride/ put your shame aside , and go to buffet or the casino and make your coffee?

5) Or be miserable on your vacation, since it seems you don't know how to make the best of a situation?

 

Regarding that last one - Putting your whole plan on one thing without a backup plan is always doom to failure sooner or later (making room service the main source of breakfast instead of one the sources.) That sound advice for anything in life that's not cruise-related, really....And no I am never going to understand because I don't wallow in pity and boo-boo for long - I build a bridge over it or I move on it because life never stops (I had way too many tragedies and mess up situations that weren't mine in 1st place but I got drag into automatically by association- these increase NCL fees are water under the bridge to me...)

 

I like to feel like a valued customer and not a sheep to be shorn and NCL's latest moves make me feel like the latter, you get that or you don't. It isn't about how to avoid charges or how to look at life. And yes, all of this is minor compared to life's issues. As I've said before I will still consider sailing with NCL but if their fares continue to be hundreds more than the competition they won't be getting my business.

[LMaxwell]

 

I feel it was the passengers that ruined a good thing by abusing the system .

 

Ordering RS is not abusing the system. :confused:

[maywell]

Let them that use it pay for it .

 

To many folk abused the free room service !

 

I have seen here on C.C. recommend having room service wake you up with coffee cuz your in and inside cabin and it's easier than bringing an alarm clock.

 

I don't use room service why should I pay for some one else to be pampered .

 

If it helps keep my cruise price down I love it .

 

Let me pay for what I use , my last cruise my finale bill was $310 and $250 was a future cruise reward cert. .

 

I feel it was the passengers that ruined a good thing by abusing the system .

That one of the funny things about this whole situation - People abusing the room service system for whatever reason and Del Rio seeing a golden opportunity, pulled off one of the most brilliant dastardly moves I've seen in years. For a couple of moments, I honestly clap because that's magnificent bastard territory when I saw the new NCL room service menu - Who wouldn't pay for eggs /bacon/ oatmeal along with coffee deliver to thier rooms? If they do the $4.95 rate, that's even better - Its easy to stomach $5 twice or 3 times a day than it is with $8.

 

Then with the Asian/Noodle Bar being free, he pulled another dastardly move - depending on where those restaurants are at on each ship, he made even more money. Yeah NCL lost about $4-15 per person for making it free but they made it back or more by the casinos / bars / other shops that are near by.

 

Gotta hand it to Del Rio - he winded up getting those $4 per person in one form or the other. I'm impressed....

 

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Edited April 2, 2015 by maywell

[princess di44]

shore excursions appear to have increased also. One I booked last week for 119.00 is now 129.00

 

 

All 3 of our shore excursions we booked last week are more this week :/

[triptolemus]

 

Gotta hand it to Del Rio - he winded up getting those $4 per person in one form or the other. I'm impressed....

 

 

What a tool.

[sundercruiser]

Just wanted to let y'all know that we've written a News story on this:

 

Norwegian Cruise Line Adds Room Service Charge

 

Not sure why you chose the "Feestyle" thread to show CC members' discontent with NCL's "test," since it's only 29 posts long. This thread, which is closing on 1200 posts in three days, would seem to be a much better choice in terms of showing what CC'ers are saying about this new charge.

 

OTOH, it does make the awesome "Feestyle Cruising" meme seen on post #16 very easy to find! :D

[maywell]

Ordering RS is not abusing the system. :confused:

Using room service to avoid / reducing the DSC was one of the abuses & NCL pretty much kill that excuse by charging a fee now. I guess they do read Cruise Critic forums regarding DSC removal....[emoji57]

 

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[sundercruiser]

Looks like posts on Ncl's fb page complaining about the rs fee, are disappearing right and left. Ncl must be deleting them.

 

Post deletion: the newest last refuge of a scoundrel.

[maywell]

What a tool.

You don't have to like and/or love a person to be impress by the evil creative stunt(s) they pulled. And those 2 stunts are evil in their own ways.

 

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Edited April 2, 2015 by maywell

[LMaxwell]

Using room service to avoid / reducing the DSC was one of the abuses & NCL pretty much kill that excuse by charging a fee now. I guess they do read Cruise Critic forums regarding DSC removal....[emoji57]

 

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Not sure I see the relationship here. Please explain.

 

Free room service has existed for far longer than any DSC has. I know you are a novice cruiser, so I will extend you some benefit of the doubt here.

 

I think DSC is completely unrelated, but you should understand that the DSC has no impact on the cruise lines bottomline (at least not according to those that claim all of the DSC goes to workers). That is to say, even if ALL DSC was taken off, the cruise line is still not "out" any money. With the new RS "convenience fee" that is a direct revenue stream to the cruise line and has nothing to do with DSC whatsoever. It's just an entirely new source of income. And it only takes one person to pay the convenience fee for the test to be a "success" because previously they got $0 revenue from RS.

Edited April 2, 2015 by LMaxwell

[maywell]

Not sure I see the relationship here. Please explain.

 

Free room service has existed for far longer than any DSC has. I know you are a novice cruiser, so I will extend you some benefit of the doubt here.

Well from some of previous posts that floated around on CC regarding removing DSC - some people suggested they use room service as an alternative by tipping the deliveryperson instead of paying it. Now NCL closed that loophole by adding a fee to room service- so now if one tries to reduce DSC you either have to say your having issues at the MDR and/or buffet (thus admitting that your using them, a Catch-22 ) or pay the room service fee.

 

 

 

FYI-Just because I have 2 cruise ship trips in my history, (with a upcoming 3rd in Nov/Dec, plus a 4th and 5th in the works) doesn't mean I'm not an experienced traveler. *rolleyes* I just find cruises are easier to pay for, they're not necessarily the cheapest especially when one travels alone as often as I do.*shrug*

 

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Edited April 2, 2015 by maywell

[sundercruiser]

Well from some of previous posts that floated around on CC regarding removing DSC - some people suggested they use room service as an alternative by tipping the deliveryperson instead of paying it. Now NCL closed that loophole by adding a fee to room service- so now if one tries to reduce DSC you either have to say your having issues at the MDR and/or buffet (thus admitting that your using them, a Catch-22 ) or pay the room service fee.

 

What is it about "The charge...is...subject to adjustment at your discretion" that you don't understand. There's no "loophole" in using RS instead of eating at MDR or buffet, because very simply put THERE IS NO NEED FOR ONE.

 

What follows is irrelevant (see my first paragraph) but just because I enjoy mind-wrasslin', by the logic inherent in your "I enjoy camping on the ship" cruising style :rolleyes: you could very easily claim that you haven't been eating in the MDR or buffet because you brought on your week's supply of food with you. Along with the wet wipes for your shower.

 

But again, you don't need to.

[LMaxwell]

Well from some of previous posts that floated around on CC regarding removing DSC - some people suggested they use room service as an alternative by tipping the deliveryperson instead of paying it. Now NCL closed that loophole by adding a fee to room service- so now if one tries to reduce DSC you either have to say your having issues at the MDR and/or buffet (thus admitting that your using them, a Catch-22 ) or pay the room service fee.

 

 

 

FYI-Just because I have 2 cruise ship trips in my history, (with a upcoming 3rd in Nov/Dec, plus a 4th and 5th in the works) doesn't mean I'm not an experienced traveler. *rolleyes* I just find cruises are easier to pay for, they're not necessarily the cheapest especially when one travels alone as often as I do.*shrug*

 

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RS convenience fee is a new revenue stream for the company. It is unrelated to the DSC.

 

You do not need to provide a reason to remove DSC. Simply ask at guest services and they will take it off. The daily service charge is discretionary. It's an option NCL offers. Please call NCL directly or your travel agent. Either one will verify this statement of fact.

 

If one is to believe that the company does not profit from the DSC, then conversely the company loses $0 if someone removes DSC.

 

They do, however, make money off the RS convenience fee since it is a new source of revenue and not used to compensate workers directly. If it were used to compensate workers, they would state it was for that.

 

And with two cruises, you are a novice cruiser, which is the only thing I said. I am giving you the benefit of the doubt meaning that your baseline is fundamentally different than mine which spans 25 years and has seen many, many changes that you have not experienced. That is to say, we have different perspectives because our experience is different. There is no need to take offense to that. There are active members of this community with 40+ years of cruising history that have seen even more changes than I have and have yet another, different, perspective than either you or I. The baselines are different as are expectations of services and value.

Edited April 2, 2015 by LMaxwell

[biker@sea]

Ordering RS is not abusing the system. :confused:

 

I have seen way to many full tray's of food left in the hall that folks ordered the night before , got woke up Way To early for their hangovers .

 

One sip of coffee one bite out of a muffin . Done . IT's Free any way .

 

Same as the Chocolate buffet .

If I had a nickel ( or a dime ) for every heaping plate I've seen left for junk ,I could take a free cruise . :)

 

They my be cutting cost's , but in the end it's MY cost's too .

 

I say abuse , but , J.M.H.O.

Edited April 2, 2015 by biker@sea

[maywell]

RS convenience fee is a new revenue stream for the company. It is unrelated to the DSC.

 

You do not need to provide a reason to remove DSC. Simply ask at guest services and they will take it off. The daily service charge is discretionary. It's an option NCL offers. Please call NCL directly or your travel agent. Either one will verify this statement of fact.

 

If one is to believe that the company does not profit from the DSC, then conversely the company loses $0 if someone removes DSC.

 

They do, however, make money off the RS convenience fee since it is a new source of revenue and not used to compensate workers directly. If it were used to compensate workers, they would state it was for that.

 

And with two cruises, you are a novice cruiser, which is the only thing I said. I am giving you the benefit of the doubt meaning that your baseline is fundamentally different than mine which spans 25 years and has seen many, many changes that you have not experienced. That is to say, we have different perspectives because our experience is different. There is no need to take offense to that. There are active members of this community with 40+ years of cruising history that have seen even more changes than I have and have yet another, different, perspective than either you or I. The baselines are different as are expectations of services and value.

You're right, DSC goes to the employees while Room Service fee goes to NCL - either way its the passengers that pay, a Catch-22 no matter how you diced it. Personal history, I saw what happen when someone did try to take it off the DSC on my last trip - Let's just say, that person should had used a better excuse and took the exchange NCL offered them.

 

 

Regarding personal cruising history - considering you posted back to me condescending and rude matter in another thread, you'll have to excuse me for throwing a mild haymaker at your direction. Consider it even.

 

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[smeyer418]

I have seen way to many full tray's of food left in the hall that folks ordered the night before , got woke up Way To early for their hangovers .

 

One sip of coffee one bite out of a muffin . Done . IT's Free any way .

 

Same as the Chocolate buffet .

If I had a nickel ( or a dime ) for every heaping plate I've seen left for junk ,I could take a free cruise . :)

 

They my be cutting cost's , but in the end it's MY cost's too .

 

I say abuse , but , J.M.H.O.

 

the last NCL trip I was on was February. no chocoholics buffet only extra desserts. you can say the same thing about buffets with people piling on the food. the midnight ones are gone too. I don't miss them but what was special about a cruise is being eroded unless you pay extra, yet they are pushing all you can drink and dining at the specialty restaurants. imo

[medicalma'am]

I admit that I have never ordered room service. Breakfast is the only thing that I ever considered but those menu choices never interested me. I have always desired a more substantial meal since it is a meal that I do not have when not on a cruise.

 

I have to say, the new menu does have some hot items on it now that would interest me enough to order. The way I see it is that they are trying to appeal to people like me. This will cause a need to have more employees to fill that new market, thus the fee.

 

It does say "trial". Their method is to put it out there, see if there is a customer base to support it, then make decisions on whether to continue it or not. Smart move on their part. How worse would the backlash be if they did the "trial" without a fee, then decided to implement it WITH a fee? I think they are being up front with us in the trial.

 

So, we shall see in the future whether or not it was popular enough to continue. Time will tell...

 

[thistle1234]

Yeah, but only because that Kathy is from New York. Kathy from Miami only charges $4.95.

 

 

In other cities Kathy costs $3.95 but only between midnight and 5am.

 

drops the mic, wins the thread

[Cuizer2]

Same as the Chocolate buffet .

If I had a nickel ( or a dime ) for every heaping plate I've seen left for junk ,I could take a free cruise . :)

 

How could the cruise be free if you need all those nickles and dimes to pay for it? :confused:

[motleyfan]

Let them that use it pay for it .

 

To many folk abused the free room service !

 

I have seen here on C.C. recommend having room service wake you up with coffee cuz your in and inside cabin and it's easier than bringing an alarm clock.

 

I don't use room service why should I pay for some one else to be pampered .

 

If it helps keep my cruise price down I love it .

 

Let me pay for what I use , my last cruise my finale bill was $310 and $250 was a future cruise reward cert. .

 

I feel it was the passengers that ruined a good thing by abusing the system .

 

I agree