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

[triptolemus]

I think that we can all agree that we know what your opinion is.

 

I disagree. His position remains unclear.

[NLH Arizona]

NLH Arizona - If you don't see this as a problem, why do you continue posting on this thread? Are you trying to convince people that this is not a problem or simply expressing your opinion? If you are simply expressing you opinion, then I think that we can all agree that we know what your opinion is.

Just posting my opinion and I think everyone knows the opinions of those posters with differing opinions, so why are they still posting and why are you not asking the same question of them?

[LMaxwell]

you think the guest should always determine who gets tip and what they get tipped?

 

Yes.

[SeaShark]

No, the guest isn't making the decision, but this is the way it is on most cruise ships and has been this way for quite some time. Do you really think NCL is going to sway away from the norm, because you think the guest should always determine who gets tip and what they get tipped?

 

Your points...especially those you edited into the quote...are nonsensical and way off the mark.

 

You obviously don't have a grasp on the difference between a service charge and a gratuity, and you can't understand why a business would have one over the other.

 

Even a basic understanding of a tip proves that the giver determines the amount...if any. Otherwise, it can't be a tip.

 

 

Like Mr White always says....:rolleyes:

[rochelle_s]

Rochelle, My opinion: they can raise all the fees on any "choice" item they want. Is that better.

 

I think I was the one that came on the other thread and said that NCL had told me that the specialty restaurant staff was not getting any of the DSC with the change right after the implementation of the charge and was told both NCL and I were lying, so I did my research. BTW, the website was changed shortly after the announcement of the NEW 18 percent gratuity was announced (granted it should have been changed the day the fee was added). I have no idea how the crew is paid nor does anyone else on here. But it is very disingenuous to say that NCL is double or triple dipping when there are no facts to back it up, only conjecture on the part of some.

 

I think the changes to the website were made after all the uproar on here about double dipping. But we can agree to disagree on the matter. As neither side will ever know for sure.

 

 

Rochelle

[triptolemus]

This has turned into a Battle for the Last Word...

 

Wonder who will win...

[ColinIllinois]

This has turned into a Battle for the Last Word...

 

Wonder who will win...

 

 

That's so unusual around these parts for this to happen. ;)

[NLH Arizona]

I think the changes to the website were made after all the uproar on here about double dipping. But we can agree to disagree on the matter. As neither side will ever know for sure.

 

 

Rochelle

I believe I said the website was changed shortly after the change, I believe it was about a week. Did it have to do with people accusing NCL of wrong doing, probably so.

 

You are right, we will never know and I choose not to vilify a company unless I know for sure, others might feel differently.

 

Rochelle, I thought this was an interesting post by crkdad on another thread:

 

It is a common misconception on cruise critic that NCL's staff have received huge increases due to the increases in the DSC, room service charges and increases in other fees. All gratuities, Room service charges, the DSC, etc. goes into a employee compensation pool. 100% of this collected fees goes into the pool. However, even with the increases, The pool only covers a PORTION of the employee compensation paid to the crew. It is a very large portion, but it falls short of the total dollars required to pay the crew. The cruise line is responsible for the difference. This "shortfall" has been increasing in recent years due to staff salaries and increases in employee salaries and benefits. The increase in the DSC has decreased this shortfall.

 

Staff compensation is relatively independent of the DSC. Cruise lines set compensation for all employees based on a base salary and bonuses and incentives. Bonuses and incentives for ship personnel are based on customer satisfaction and manager evaluations. Each crew member has a vested monetary incentive to make sure you enjoy your cruise and gives them a good rating. A mention in a comment card, or a comment you make to a manager about a crew member may positively affect that crew member's bonus. If you do not pay the DSC, then that is a negative review against the ship and every crew member that touched the passenger. Their bonus will be negatively affected by the removal of the DSC.

 

With respect to the room service charge comment, if fewer passengers order a single pot of coffee each morning, then the cruise line will need fewer employees. The cruise line's stockholders will be happy because profits will increase and most cruisers will be happy because overall fares did not increase and those that see the benefit of a $7.50 pot of coffee will still be able to enjoy this service.

Edited April 5, 2015 by NLH Arizona

[legion3]

I believe I said the website was changed shortly after the change, I believe it was about a week. Did it have to do with people accusing NCL of wrong doing, probably so.

 

You are right, we will never know and I choose not to vilify a company unless I know for sure, others might feel differently.

 

Rochelle, I thought this was an interesting post by crkdad on another thread:

 

It is a common misconception on cruise critic that NCL's staff have received huge increases due to the increases in the DSC, room service charges and increases in other fees. All gratuities, Room service charges, the DSC, etc. goes into a employee compensation pool. 100% of this collected fees goes into the pool. However, even with the increases, The pool only covers a PORTION of the employee compensation paid to the crew. It is a very large portion, but it falls short of the total dollars required to pay the crew. The cruise line is responsible for the difference. This "shortfall" has been increasing in recent years due to staff salaries and increases in employee salaries and benefits. The increase in the DSC has decreased this shortfall.

 

Staff compensation is relatively independent of the DSC. Cruise lines set compensation for all employees based on a base salary and bonuses and incentives. Bonuses and incentives for ship personnel are based on customer satisfaction and manager evaluations. Each crew member has a vested monetary incentive to make sure you enjoy your cruise and gives them a good rating. A mention in a comment card, or a comment you make to a manager about a crew member may positively affect that crew member's bonus. If you do not pay the DSC, then that is a negative review against the ship and every crew member that touched the passenger. Their bonus will be negatively affected by the removal of the DSC.

 

With respect to the room service charge comment, if fewer passengers order a single pot of coffee each morning, then the cruise line will need fewer employees. The cruise line's stockholders will be happy because profits will increase and most cruisers will be happy because overall fares did not increase and those that see the benefit of a $7.50 pot of coffee will still be able to enjoy this service.

 

This is a post from another thread from you:

 

Why is it that some on here say they know how the crew is getting paid and say that they are getting screwed and NCL is taking the money or NCL is double dipping or NCL is triple dipping, when not one person on this site has any idea whatsoever what is happening with the DSC and/or tips or how the crew is paid. All they are doing is guessing, when in fact they have no idea, and are just trying to stir the pot and/or further their agenda and then people believe what they are saying and then they run with it as well.

 

So does crkdad know what is going on with the DSC or is he "guessing, when in fact they have no idea, and are just trying to stir the pot and/or further their agenda"

 

So many post about crew pay it's hard to follow the players without a program.

[NLH Arizona]

So does crkdad know what is going on with the DSC or is he "guessing, when in fact they have no idea, and are just trying to stir the pot and/or further their agenda"

 

So many post about crew pay it's hard to follow the players without a program.

I have no idea if what he posted was correct or if he was guessing, thus I didn't say he was correct or not, I just thought his post was interesting.

 

Just proves my point that there is so much conjecture and no one really knows.

Edited April 5, 2015 by NLH Arizona

[insidecabin]

Bottom line is you cannot trust a cruise line(not just NCL) to deliver what they sell you.

 

The earlier you book the higher the risk they will change something.

(we already adopt a book late strategy to reduce those risks)

 

The new on board costs, if you utilise those services, just mean there will be less in the pot to pay up front.

 

Door to door budget does not change.

[Cuizer2]

I talked to my cruise consult yesterday and she said if enough people complain to Ncl directly then she could definitely see it being eliminated but she said complaining on cruise critic isn't going to change anything. So I'm just wondering have any of the people on here who are so against the room service charge actually called or emailed Ncl? If you mentioned you had I must have missed it. I say calling is better because you're getting an immediate answer from a real person. even though I still don't see why its a big deal. honestly if it was per item I would be right there with you complaining but per order still is a good deal .

 

E-mail is a better option because it provides documentation. With a phone call you have to hope the person words it correctly and passes it on.

[Cuizer2]

yeea first review in from getaway last week!

 

$4.95 plus 18% gratuity...on room service ....say it ain't sooo!!!!!!:mad::mad::mad::eek:

 

siiigh

 

no one here even counted on the 18% on top!

 

dayum! dayum!

#speechless

 

18% on top of the room service charge??? No wonder the cheerleaders stopped posting. Nobody can defend an automatic tip on top of a service charge!

 

Now lets hear from all of those who are still going to tip cash on top of the double dip room service fee / gratuity.

 

What is next? Perhaps a convenience charge for tap water followed by an 18% gratuity for the plumber.

Edited April 5, 2015 by Cuizer2

[Cuizer2]

Were there other reviews, that said they wouldn't take it off? I did just ask the poster who did a review if they asked for it to be taken off.

 

Here is the response from the poster who did the review when asked if they asked for the charge to be taken off: They brought the receipt for me to sign with the food. I rejected the food and told them nevermind I don't want it if I'm going to be charged. They couldn't explain the charge to me and very soon thereafter I saw my room steward who was surprised as well. He asked came back and showed me on the bottom on the room service menu in very small font there is now an asterisk that says $4.95 + 18% gratuity

 

I can't say I was surprised by this reaction. I would have reacted the same way. This is going to be a PR disaster for NCL.

[JimS4210]

There exists an historical example of the failure to support others because we are not affected. While there is a huge difference in seriousness of the results between the example and our NCL discussion, the logic is the same.

 

 

Commemoration: National Holocaust Museum, Washington, DC

Lutheran Pastor Martin Niemöller (1892–1984)

 

 

"First they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out—

Because I was not a Socialist.

 

Then they came for the Trade Unionists, and I did not speak out—

Because I was not a Trade Unionist.

 

Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—

Because I was not a Jew.

 

Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me."

 

This thread has officially jumped the shark. Uniall, as much as I agree with everything you've said and as much as I disagree with NLH Arizona (how you can continue to try and defend the indefensible is beyond me. It boggles the mind!), the instant someone introduces N a z i s and/or Hitler into the conversation, it's over.

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Godwin's_law

 

Jim

 

Edit: Did not realize that **** was a banned word, hence the spaces...

Edited April 5, 2015 by JimS4210

[NLH Arizona]

I can't say I was surprised by this reaction. I would have reacted the same way. This is going to be a PR disaster for NCL.

Neither was I. I would guess that the passengers didn't read the part of the menu that said there was a service charge and then when the room steward showed him the bill, he was surprised and refused the food. When I'm in a hotel and I look at the room service menu, the first place I look is the bottom to see if there is a service charge or automatic gratuity. If there is a service charge, I don't order through room service and if there is an automatic gratuity and I order room service, I adjust what I would have tipped accordingly.

[SteveH2508]

This thread has officially jumped the shark. Uniall, as much as I agree with everything you've said and as much as I disagree with NLH Arizona (how you can continue to try and defend the indefensible is beyond me. It boggles the mind!), the instant someone introduces N a z i s and/or Hitler into the conversation, it's over.

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Godwin's_law

 

Jim

 

Edit: Did not realize that **** was a banned word, hence the spaces...

 

Actually Niemoller was referred to many pages ago but the reference seemed to go whoosh for most:rolleyes:.

 

I have been waiting for Godwin's Law to hit this thread for some time.

[thecaptain1969]

This is going to be a PR disaster for NCL.

 

In my opinion it isn't going to be the PR disaster that some people are hopeful that it will be.

 

4.95+8%=5.34 total on the GA which is .39

 

7.95+8%=8.58 total on the BA which is .63

 

It's not a gigantic increase in the overall "charge" and again nobody is being forced to use RS. It's a convenience for the passenger, not mandatory for them to use. Those that choose to use it will pay for it and that's their right. Just as it is ones right to refuse to pay for use of the service.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TheCapt

[ltjn]

Hey Capt,

it is 18% not 8

[JimS4210]

Neither was I. I would guess that the passengers didn't read the part of the menu that said there was a service charge and then when the room steward showed him the bill, he was surprised and refused the food. When I'm in a hotel and I look at the room service menu, the first place I look is the bottom to see if there is a service charge or automatic gratuity. If there is a service charge, I don't order through room service and if there is an automatic gratuity and I order room service, I adjust what I would have tipped accordingly.

 

But this wasn't a hotel, where room service usually DOES involve a charge. If you were under the assumption that room service was free, as it's always been on NCL and was up until this past week, why would you think to look at the bottom of the menu to see if anything has changed?

 

Jim

[tiffygirl]

In my opinion it isn't going to be the PR disaster that some people are hopeful that it will be.

 

4.95+8%=5.34 total on the GA which is .39

 

7.95+8%=8.58 total on the BA which is .63

 

It's not a gigantic increase in the overall "charge" and again nobody is being forced to use RS. It's a convenience for the passenger, not mandatory for them to use. Those that choose to use it will pay for it and that's their right. Just as it is ones right to refuse to pay for use of the service.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TheCapt

where did you hear 8%???

[thecaptain1969]

Hey Capt,

it is 18% not 8

 

I realized that afterwords and the correct math is 10.29 total GA 9.31 BA respectfully. While the math is nice, it's not really the point as most should realize.

 

You're going to pay for the service or you're not, it's really the consumers choice if it is worth it or not.

 

I do however apologize for the miscalculation.

 

 

 

 

 

 

TheCapt

[Cuizer2]

This has turned into a Battle for the Last Word...

 

Wonder who will win...

 

There is actually a last word thread ...

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1955408

 

And for the record, the moderator has won each time.

[tiffygirl]

I realized that afterwords and the correct math is 10.29 total GA 9.31 BA respectfully. While the math is nice, it's not really the point as most should realize.

 

You're going to pay for the service or you're not, it's really the consumers choice if it is worth it or not.

 

I do however apologize for the miscalculation.

 

 

 

 

 

 

TheCapt

 

the POINT is they took what was INCLUDED in the fare and now charge for it.

 

so they can start charging for the MDR, buffet, the pub. they were all EQUALLY included choices in the cruise fare.

 

if you are ok with this im sure you all don't mind paying a convenience fee for ALL the complimentary dining right? you cannot argue against one and NOT the others.

 

because that is what you are agreeing to!!

Edited April 5, 2015 by tiffygirl

[insidecabin]

Neither was I. I would guess that the passengers didn't read the part of the menu that said there was a service charge and then when the room steward showed him the bill, he was surprised and refused the food. When I'm in a hotel and I look at the room service menu, the first place I look is the bottom to see if there is a service charge or automatic gratuity. If there is a service charge, I don't order through room service and if there is an automatic gratuity and I order room service, I adjust what I would have tipped accordingly.

 

How often do you check in detail a menu of places you go to on a regular basis for changes or service charge tweeks.

 

I bet many repeat PAX don't do a front to back, word for word read of the dailies or their latitude vouchers for sneaky changes.