Room service and to go food

[NLH Arizona]

This article should send huge alarm bells through NCL corporate. It is now out in the open that they have screwed up and are screwing their customers.

 

This is not good publicity - anyway you try to spin it.

You would have thought alarm bells would have gone off, after the way they handled the first set of changes, so not sure this will either.

[maywell]

You would have thought alarm bells would have gone off, after the way they handled the first set of changes, so not sure this will either.

Have to agreed on that because Facebook should had been on fire for months since the DSC increase and its not.....

[Wendy&Grumpy]

And what loophole would that be?

 

I haven't a clue what you are referring to.:confused:

 

I think she meant wormhole. :eek:

[dna529]

I've read a lot of posts too. I sure wouldn't have come up with that list by distilling what I have read.. Could you be more condescending?

 

But to answer, for myself only -

 

1. No, not looking for that.

2. Don't use it that way, but yes, R/S should be available 24/7, and until announced with notice should be complimentary as it is described in NCL literature and on the website.

3. Would I take food to the atrium lobby, to the library, to the show lounge, to the internet cafe? No, and I have never seen anyone do that. I do expect to take what I want to the privacy of my cabin to enjoy when I want though.

4. No, I don't expect that. I either return cups, plates, silverware to the buffet to be bussed along with other dinnerware already there or I stack it neatly for the room steward to remove. As for plates etc. in the hallways, I do see that occasionaly. I'll admit that until a few years ago I put some out there myself, because that's what the room steward instructed us to do. Only after reading comments on Cruise Critic did I realize how it's not a good idea and that's why we stopped.

5. Better? how about some? As far as I can tell the only people who know anything about a ban on taking food to your cabin are people on Cruise Critic. No notice for people reviewing the website preparing to book, no notice to booked passengers, no notice even to people already onboard that they can't take anything to their cabin. They only find out by being confronted when they attempt it. It's apparent that even onboard staff don't know what the policy is, judging from the inconsistency we see reported. So do I agree with #5. Yes I do. I don't think anyone breathing has a different opinion on that one. The question is, in the month since Andy Stewart admitted as much, why hasn't the situation changed?

 

Well said. I feel the same. I don't think anyone on here is complaining about prices- but communication and consistency would be nice. That is the bottom line.

 

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[Relax Cruiser]

Probably someone on here can answer me better-

We are due to travel in 2 weeks time and ever since room service charges have been introduced, thinking of taking cookies/chips and pot noodles-Chicken(?) (incase of emergencies). We are early sleepers, and like to relax in cabin so thinking these might come in handy without having to order room service. I don't mind traveling with NCL but object to paying for food again onboard since we've already paid for food.

 

Could someone tell me if the above items will pose a problem to take onboard?

Thank you.

[legion3]

Probably someone on here can answer me better-

We are due to travel in 2 weeks time and ever since room service charges have been introduced, thinking of taking cookies/chips and pot noodles-Chicken(?) (incase of emergencies). We are early sleepers, and like to relax in cabin so thinking these might come in handy without having to order room service. I don't mind traveling with NCL but object to paying for food again onboard since we've already paid for food.

 

Could someone tell me if the above items will pose a problem to take onboard?

Thank you.

 

Most cruise lines, if they allow it, require that food be sealed in its original wrapping or container.

[Travelcat2]

Well said. I feel the same. I don't think anyone on here is complaining about prices- but communication and consistency would be nice. That is the bottom line.

 

Sent from my SCH-I535 using Forums mobile app

 

Interesting! So, if NCL raised their fares 5% in order to have unlimited room service, this would be okay with you? This is something that I think NCL management would be interested in (instead of complaints that lead to nowhere). Do agree with you regarding communication.

[maywell]

Interesting! So, if NCL raised their fares 5% in order to have unlimited room service, this would be okay with you? This is something that I think NCL management would be interested in (instead of complaints that lead to nowhere). Do agree with you regarding communication.

 

I'm going to sound wrong for this - I'm glad they removed room service from part of the fare and prices went down for it because to me, I was paying a service I really wasn't using at all. True, last trip I was sick and had to use it but that was only because at the time, I didn't have a travel mug to make tea and the tea cups on NCL are just so tiny; so running back and forth refilling a tiny little cup was just not a smart health decision. If I was sick again, I don't think I would mind paying for it since it has way better meal options than last time - was eating BLT sandwiches to max out my 5 cups of tea order but wish I had the chicken entree with a baked potato instead to go along to what I was drinking.

 

 

DSC, I don't mind paying because I use what's being covered by it alot (room steward, MDR, O'sheenan and buffet) more so than room service. Should that be included in the fare? That is good question...Yes, NCL should had communicated the changes alot better than through media outlets broadcasting it like bad news (honestly, that exactly what it looks like) - no one going to argue on that front. But room service being part of the fare again? That's a question of not who uses it, but how many really uses it during their vacation...

[dna529]

Interesting! So, if NCL raised their fares 5% in order to have unlimited room service, this would be okay with you? This is something that I think NCL management would be interested in (instead of complaints that lead to nowhere). Do agree with you regarding communication.

 

Personally, I don't use room service so I never complained about the fee. I would like the freedom to bring back food to my stateroom if I so desire.

 

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[Travelcat2]

Personally, I don't use room service so I never complained about the fee. I would like the freedom to bring back food to my stateroom if I so desire.

 

Sent from my SCH-I535 using Forums mobile app

'

 

If you were in the MDR and wanted food taken back to your stateroom....... and, they were willing to deliver it to your stateroom for no charge, would this solve the problem? And, would it be okay with you to keep the plates inside of your stateroom until your steward or stewardess picked it up?

 

maywell: I agree that there should not be a fare increase so that there can be unlimited room service. It does not seem fair to charge everyone for the few that actually use room service.

[LMaxwell]

I'm going to sound wrong for this - I'm glad they removed room service from part of the fare and prices went down for it because to me, I was paying a service I really wasn't using at all. True, last trip I was sick and had to use it but that was only because at the time, I didn't have a travel mug to make tea and the tea cups on NCL are just so tiny; so running back and forth refilling a tiny little cup was just not a smart health decision. If I was sick again, I don't think I would mind paying for it since it has way better meal options than last time - was eating BLT sandwiches to max out my 5 cups of tea order but wish I had the chicken entree with a baked potato instead to go along to what I was drinking.

 

 

DSC, I don't mind paying because I use what's being covered by it alot (room steward, MDR, O'sheenan and buffet) more so than room service. Should that be included in the fare? That is good question...Yes, NCL should had communicated the changes alot better than through media outlets broadcasting it like bad news (honestly, that exactly what it looks like) - no one going to argue on that front. But room service being part of the fare again? That's a question of not who uses it, but how many really uses it during their vacation...

Fares went down? Funny I didn't get any price drops when the new fees started.

[NLH Arizona]

Interesting! So, if NCL raised their fares 5% in order to have unlimited room service, this would be okay with you? This is something that I think NCL management would be interested in (instead of complaints that lead to nowhere). Do agree with you regarding communication.

To me, it wouldn't matter one way or the other...charge for it or bury it in the fare.

 

The one thing I do think is that I would bet with the USA Today article, NCL might reconsider their actions, at least for bringing food back to the cabins. I don't think social media would have had them reconsidering, but with this article, I think they will.

[Travelcat2]

To me, it wouldn't matter one way or the other...charge for it or bury it in the fare.

 

The one thing I do think is that I would bet with the USA Today article, NCL might reconsider their actions, at least for bringing food back to the cabins. I don't think social media would have had them reconsidering, but with this article, I think they will.

 

We have a difference of opinion as to what the USA Today article means. Just re-read it. Since Carnival and RCCL are trying the same thing (on a limited basis), to me this means that all main stream cruise lines will be charging for room service. In terms of bringing food back to the cabins, this is yet to be seen. As I posted, if you can have food from the restaurants delivered to your cabin at no charge, this eliminates the issue.

[maywell]

To me, it wouldn't matter one way or the other...charge for it or bury it in the fare.

 

The one thing I do think is that I would bet with the USA Today article, NCL might reconsider their actions, at least for bringing food back to the cabins. I don't think social media would have had them reconsidering, but with this article, I think they will.

 

 

I think they will reconsider regarding the buffet because honestly, I don't how they are going to police that especially on the Breakaway-class ships due to the outside seating and where the aft-elevators /stairs are (literally in the smack dab middle of the buffet area hidden by glass doors).

[asubaru]

Well said. I feel the same. I don't think anyone on here is complaining about prices- but communication and consistency would be nice. That is the bottom line.

 

Sent from my SCH-I535 using Forums mobile app

 

Exactly how I feel...I'd like a vacation where I was confident all crew were well versed in rules/regs/procedures and I didn't need a manual to decipher what was free, incl, prices of extras, excluded, time constraints and on and on and on!

Edited May 14, 2015 by asubaru

[NCLStarHawaii2003]

.... or in the case of the new ships, pull your card from the slot. I have a final back to back on the Escape in November and will be looking for a new cruise line for my 30th anniversary May 2016. Possibly Europe or Australia. If anyone has any suggestions it would be appreciated. NCL is not the same cruise line anyway, so now is a good time for a change. Maybe once the current regime is ousted I might reconsider. I have one more cruise reward that expires Feb 2019, so maybe I will revisit NCL then... or try to sell if they haven't self -destructed.

[lettienets]

.... or in the case of the new ships, pull your card from the slot. I have a final back to back on the Escape in November and will be looking for a new cruise line for my 30th anniversary May 2016. Possibly Europe or Australia. If anyone has any suggestions it would be appreciated. NCL is not the same cruise line anyway, so now is a good time for a change. Maybe once the current regime is ousted I might reconsider. I have one more cruise reward that expires Feb 2019, so maybe I will revisit NCL then... or try to sell if they haven't self -destructed.

The new Carnival Vista ship comes out May 2016 and is doing several Europe/Med cruises before a transatlantic next Oct.

[NCLStarHawaii2003]

The new Carnival Vista ship comes out May 2016 and is doing several Europe/Med cruises before a transatlantic next Oct.

 

Thanks - never been on Carnival, is it appropriate for 50 -55 year olds?

[lettienets]

Thanks - never been on Carnival, is it appropriate for 50 -55 year olds?

It sure is esp. in Europe. Carnival always has an older crowd on longer cruises, repositioning cruises and transatlantics. Avoid school holidays, spring break, thanksgiving Christmas and Easter. Too many kids. I love Carnival for a change of pace. Most of my cruise days are Carnival and Holland America. NCL is creeping up there. Since I have 3 NCL FCRs certificates I will still have NCL on horizon. In 2016 I got HAL new ship Koningsdam in May and b2b Carnival Vista in Oct. next year

[b_cruise]

Thanks - never been on Carnival, is it appropriate for 50 -55 year olds?

 

Absolutely... I was on carnival sunshine two years ago in Europe. I'd say average age was 45-65. I'm 51... Loved it... Met lots of folks my age.

 

I'm sailing on vista in June 2016 but trying NCL spirit in two months whoohoo

[karinad]

Another vote for Carnival! We're 59-61 yrs. old and we were on 3 Carnival Cruises the past 3 yrs. I was pleasantly surprised after only cruising with Princess, Celebrity, RCCL and DCL, NCL. No, I wouldn't do a short party cruise with them, but we have been on an 8 day Bahama and a 12 day Europe. Food was great and the ships were beautiful!

 

We're booked with CCL in Oct..

[lettienets]

I am on a 14 day NCL Star June 12 cruise in Norway and will be curious how all these new food rules will shake down. And want to hear what other guests have to say. I usually take fruit back to my cabin. The only room service I have ever ordered is continental breakfast. But I have picked up and delivered food to sick friends.

[mojomorris]

FWIW & IMO

I don't care about room service fees - we never use it

BUT

I do like to enjoy a slice of pizza and cold beverage on the balcony in the PM.

So...

I'm venting my displeasure by posting my opinion in the comment section of any

article about NCL's policy change re' bringing food back to the cabin.

In addition I'll e-mail our TA at AAA and perhaps a groundswell of negative reaction could/might/hopefully pressure NCL to reconsider.

Will this accomplish anything? Who knows...but there are search engine algorithms out there that comb through the internet and parse data for the benefit of corporation big wigs.

Maybe some company like Princess or RCCL might incorporate the slogan

"No Fee Style Cruising" and steal NCL customers.

[sparks1093]

We have a difference of opinion as to what the USA Today article means. Just re-read it. Since Carnival and RCCL are trying the same thing (on a limited basis), to me this means that all main stream cruise lines will be charging for room service. In terms of bringing food back to the cabins, this is yet to be seen. As I posted, if you can have food from the restaurants delivered to your cabin at no charge, this eliminates the issue.

 

CCL is doing what NCL used to do- free room service with some surcharge items available on the menu, no delivery fee. Haven't been on the RCI board in awhile so can't speak to that aspect of it. Why would they let passengers have food delivered at no charge from the restaurants when they are charging for delivering room service?

[sparks1093]

I'm going to sound wrong for this - I'm glad they removed room service from part of the fare and prices went down for it because to me, I was paying a service I really wasn't using at all. True, last trip I was sick and had to use it but that was only because at the time, I didn't have a travel mug to make tea and the tea cups on NCL are just so tiny; so running back and forth refilling a tiny little cup was just not a smart health decision. If I was sick again, I don't think I would mind paying for it since it has way better meal options than last time - was eating BLT sandwiches to max out my 5 cups of tea order but wish I had the chicken entree with a baked potato instead to go along to what I was drinking.

 

 

DSC, I don't mind paying because I use what's being covered by it alot (room steward, MDR, O'sheenan and buffet) more so than room service. Should that be included in the fare? That is good question...Yes, NCL should had communicated the changes alot better than through media outlets broadcasting it like bad news (honestly, that exactly what it looks like) - no one going to argue on that front. But room service being part of the fare again? That's a question of not who uses it, but how many really uses it during their vacation...

 

You weren't really paying for a service you weren't using- the food was food that was available in other venues for free so it was the same included food that everyone paid for (or it was a surcharge item that the ordering passenger paid for) and the server was compensated by the service charge. So technically by not utilizing room service you weren't using a service that you had paid for:).