Room service and to go food

[LMaxwell]

Agreed! I still want to see it though. I'm sure someone will post it. I'm not wading thru all of these posts to find it! Edited - found it. Correct - doesn't include the charge. Well ... ok :-) So I will tell the kids instead of pulling a soda out of the mini bar, to just order it with their RS.

 

Looks like we've cracked it haha! I'm sure most people would order a drink with their food anyway so more than like just pay the price of the drink plus 18% or if you have the UBP then just order your drinks plus a bottle of water or wine ;-)

 

I believe you are misreading the menu.

 

They are saying orders for non-complimentary items do not incur a service charge. This is because they are a la carte items. Therefore you only pay for the beverages that you purchase. Purchasing a beverage is still separate from the 7.95 delivery fee for food. If you order food, you will pay the 7.95 fee. If you order non-complimentary drinks WITH the food, you pay the 7.95 delivery fee plus the cost of drinks. However if you ONLY order drinks and no food, you just pay for each drink you order.

 

So, no, you can not order a $2 drink and tack on the food and get it all for $2. You will pay $7.95 plus the $2 drink.

 

I do not believe UBP covers room service orders either.

[aberdare_chick]

I believe you are misreading the menu.

 

They are saying orders for non-complimentary items do not incur a service charge. This is because they are a la carte items. Therefore you only pay for the beverages that you purchase. Purchasing a beverage is still separate from the 7.95 delivery fee for food. If you order food, you will pay the 7.95 fee. If you order non-complimentary drinks WITH the food, you pay the 7.95 delivery fee plus the cost of drinks. However if you ONLY order drinks and no food, you just pay for each drink you order.

 

So, no, you can not order a $2 drink and tack on the food and get it all for $2. You will pay $7.95 plus the $2 drink.

 

I do not believe UBP covers room service orders either.

 

 

Oh ok that has cleared it up then lol

[mkm1998]

I believe you are misreading the menu.

 

They are saying orders for non-complimentary items do not incur a service charge. This is because they are a la carte items. Therefore you only pay for the beverages that you purchase. Purchasing a beverage is still separate from the 7.95 delivery fee for food. If you order food, you will pay the 7.95 fee. If you order non-complimentary drinks WITH the food, you pay the 7.95 delivery fee plus the cost of drinks. However if you ONLY order drinks and no food, you just pay for each drink you order.

 

So, no, you can not order a $2 drink and tack on the food and get it all for $2. You will pay $7.95 plus the $2 drink.

 

I do not believe UBP covers room service orders either.

 

 

This is the line from the menu:

 

Complimentary continental breakfast and orders that include special occasion and/or non-complimentary beverage items are exempt from the $7.95 convenience charge.

[SissasMomE]

I believe you are misreading the menu.

 

They are saying orders for non-complimentary items do not incur a service charge. This is because they are a la carte items. Therefore you only pay for the beverages that you purchase. Purchasing a beverage is still separate from the 7.95 delivery fee for food. If you order food, you will pay the 7.95 fee. If you order non-complimentary drinks WITH the food, you pay the 7.95 delivery fee plus the cost of drinks. However if you ONLY order drinks and no food, you just pay for each drink you order.

 

So, no, you can not order a $2 drink and tack on the food and get it all for $2. You will pay $7.95 plus the $2 drink.

 

I do not believe UBP covers room service orders either.

 

I don't think so. It states if you order a beverage or other non-complimentary item, the service charge is waived.

[LMaxwell]

I don't think so. It states if you order a beverage or other non-complimentary item, the service charge is waived.

I truly don't believe people are going to get around the 7.95 fee by adding a $2 bottle of water. They will pay 7.95 for the food and $2 for the water. Beverage and special occasion items are a la carte, continental breakfast 6:30 - 10AM is complimentary. Everything else incurs a 7.95 charge.

 

I really do not read it to be a loophole. Maybe the wording leaves room for someone to make an argument by using the word "includes", perhaps it should be "of", or "stand alone" added. Believe me, I wish it WAS a loophole. But I don't think it is.

[SissasMomE]

I truly don't believe people are going to get around the 7.95 fee by adding a $2 bottle of water. They will pay 7.95 for the food and $2 for the water. Beverage and special occasion items are a la carte, continental breakfast 6:30 - 10AM is complimentary. Everything else incurs a 7.95 charge.

 

I really do not read it to be a loophole. Maybe the wording leaves room for someone to make an argument by using the word "includes", perhaps it should be "of", or "stand alone" added. Believe me, I wish it WAS a loophole. But I don't think it is.

 

An 18% gratuity and beverage service charge will be added to your check for non-complimentary beverage or special occasion items. Complimentary continental breakfast and orders that include special occassion and/or non-complementary beverage items are exempt from the $7.95 convenience charge ... "

 

That is pretty darn clear to me!

[marazad16]

An 18% gratuity and beverage service charge will be added to your check for non-complimentary beverage or special occasion items. Complimentary continental breakfast and orders that include special occassion and/or non-complementary beverage items are exempt from the $7.95 convenience charge ... "

 

That is pretty darn clear to me!

 

I'm reading it the same way you are. However, my gut is telling me they are going to clean up the verbage based on all their other changes that don't reflect well. I just don't see them allowing this, but who knows!

[LMaxwell]

An 18% gratuity and beverage service charge will be added to your check for non-complimentary beverage or special occasion items. Complimentary continental breakfast and orders that include special occassion and/or non-complementary beverage items are exempt from the $7.95 convenience charge ... "

 

That is pretty darn clear to me!

 

In the spirit of fairness...we need to find a guinea pig:D

[SissasMomE]

I'm reading it the same way you are. However, my gut is telling me they are going to clean up the verbage based on all their other changes that don't reflect well. I just don't see them allowing this, but who knows!

 

I wouldn't doubt that for a second!!!!

[SissasMomE]

In the spirit of fairness...we need to find a guinea pig:D

 

Someone needs to order a cheeseburger and fries and a pepsi and see what happens lol

[LMaxwell]

Someone needs to order a cheeseburger and fries and a pepsi and see what happens lol

 

I'll wager $5 on my way being what happens.

 

I'd also like to wager $2 on "They get it for the cost of the drink, but thrown off at the next port"

[old sole]

The waiver of the $7.95 if an order contains a non-complimentary beverage was discussed at length a few weeks ago and then it just sort of went by the wayside. Rochelle_S is on a Jade cruise now. She said before she left she intended to place such an order and would report back.

 

I agree that the policy on the bottom of the menu is very clear. It does not say that orders for non-complimentary beverages only will have the fee waived. It says any order that contains a non-complimentary beverage will have the fee waived. I don't see how it could be interpreted any other way. If that's not what they intended they've had almost a month to correct it and haven't done so. And its not like this is some obscure policy that nobody has been paying attention to. It's not a loophole. It's the policy.

[mkm1998]

Yeah, the way I interpret it is basically that aside from the Continental Breakfast (which is still free), they wanted to make sure that ANY other room service call would cost something. I can see people probably were ordering free items from room service, and then running to the drink station to score free drinks. This way it's probably cheaper (and in effect more cleaner) to just have room service bring it all to you.

[Wendy&Grumpy]

The waiver of the $7.95 if an order contains a non-complimentary beverage was discussed at length a few weeks ago and then it just sort of went by the wayside. Rochelle_S is on a Jade cruise now. She said before she left she intended to place such an order and would report back.

 

I agree that the policy on the bottom of the menu is very clear. It does not say that orders for non-complimentary beverages only will have the fee waived. It says any order that contains a non-complimentary beverage will have the fee waived. I don't see how it could be interpreted any other way. If that's not what they intended they've had almost a month to correct it and haven't done so. And its not like this is some obscure policy that nobody has been paying attention to. It's not a loophole. It's the policy.

 

Maybe the intention all along was to get passengers to buy *something* rather than just ordering free items.

 

That might explain why they went with $7.95 rather than $4.95.

 

If I had to pay $8 anyway, I'd probably order a $10 drink "because it's only $2 more!"

[LMaxwell]

There's no way they are bringing you a beer with your food for less overall cost than just ordering food.

[old sole]

Then the Hotel Director is going to have to explain to me why the menu doesn't mean what it plainly says.

 

And someone is going to have to explain the same thing to my credit card company when I dispute the charge, backed up with a copy of the receipt marked "not authorized for payment" and a copy of the menu with the terms & conditions plainly stated.

 

I have no idea why they decided to waive the $7.95 convenience fee for those orders. I just know they did. They can always change the policy of course. But they can't just charge me for something after the fact because they feel like it when I have followed their rules.

 

I can be stubborn that way.

[NCLStarHawaii2003]

Either way, FDR just got you to spend some $ on room service achieving his goal. It may not be the 7.95, but by the end of the cruise, you will have exceeded his goal of getting people to spend just a little bit more.....

[old sole]

Sadly, that's true.

 

And maybe that was their thinking. The camel's nose under the tent approach.

[Travelcat2]

Just a reminder that FDR is not making these changes, however, he is probably approving them. The changes are proposed by the President of NCL. This is probably part of a plan to reduce costs in some areas while increasing costs in others (like food quality, etc.) The result will no doubt be a better cruise line.

 

Obviously, the over-ordering of room service has been an issue for some time and is costing NCL money. So, if you had a choice, what would you choose:

 

1. Leave the new policy in place.

2. Raise fares by 3-5% to cover costs and go back to unlimited room service.

3. Have the opportunity to purchase a package that permits unlimited room service.

 

Keep in mind that things that cost NCL extra $$$ is going to be passed on to passengers. That is the way all cruise lines work (based on what I have read).

[NCLStarHawaii2003]

I would go with #4 - now might be a good time to expand my horizons and try other cruise lines. The reason I choose NCL is because I always knew what to expect and grew comfortable in the fact that there was consistency regardless of the ship. I even booked the Getaway because I knew staff that that progressed to the new ship. I was a little afraid to venture beyond the brand; but since NCL has decided to become something that I can't count on for consistency , I have a golden opportunity to try something new for my 30th wedding anniversary next year. Thanks NCL for broadening my horizons.

[JENNIEB]

I did not read the whole thread but we are having the same discussion on the Roll Call for my sailing.

 

I contacted NCL Concierge since we are staying in a suite on the NCL Dawn in Sept to Bermuda and asked if this is all true. Here is what she emailed me today! I hope this helps at least people plan better for the cruise. It is not a good thing but I am sure all the cruise ships will start to do this. I hate it.

 

Yes it is true.. see below for proper action for room service fee & taking food back to your staterooms.

 

Room service fee…

 

Effective with sailings beginning 5/1/15, the new room service menu and the $7.95 convenience charge currently being tested on Breakaway and Getaway will be implemented fleet wide. In addition, the Pizza 24/7 program is being discontinued as pizza is now included in the new room service menu.

 

· Guests staying in the Haven and Suites with a butler will not be subject to this surcharge.

 

· Coffee and continental breakfast selections will not incur a convenience charge until 10:00 am

 

· If ordered after 10:00 am, the Room Service Convenience Charge will be added to each order

 

Taking Food to Staterooms

 

For our guests’ well-being and to maintain a beautiful clean environment, we ask that guests enjoy their meals while dining at one of our many restaurants. Every ship in the Norwegian fleet offers dining at any time day or night, with a wide variety of options and cuisines available complimentary.

 

This means that going forward, guests are unable to take full plates of food from any of the restaurants or buffet back to their rooms. For guests who need a snack, etc. throughout the day, they are able to take a piece of fruit or a box of cereal from the buffet. Morning coffee and continental breakfast remain complimentary through room service as well.

 

Should you receive calls from travel partners or guests about this new guideline, please see the FAQ’s below to assist you in addressing their questions:

 

Q) Why are guests no longer able to take food to their rooms?

 

a) We too frequently experienced food spills, dirty plates and food waste along our corridors, which lead to a less than ideal experience for our guests. It is our goal to deliver a top quality experience with every single guest. We are making enhancements and adjustments to our product to make sure we deliver the best possible experience, focusing on the most important elements..

 

Q) Why are guests still able to receive food via room service?

 

a) It’s important to note that room service is delivered by professionally-trained staff; the food is coming directly from the kitchen and packaged appropriately to maintain its freshness and temperature; and it being delivered immediately to the guest for their enjoyment.

 

 

Q) Are guests who are dining at the Garden Café still able to enjoy their meals outdoors?

 

a) Yes guests are still able to utilize outdoor and pool area seating when dining at the Garden Café.

 

 

Q) What if a guest is unable to leave their stateroom due to unforeseen circumstance or illness?

 

a) Room service is always available as an option

 

 

On a side note but sort of related you can also read this article about gratuity charges on most of the cruise ships. This is a great blog by the way.

 

http://www.cruiselawnews.com/2015/05...rew/index.html

[hpecorari]

 

http://www.cruiselawnews.com/2015/05...rew/index.html

 

Your link is not working.

 

Harriet

[JENNIEB]

Sorry about that. I hope this one works. If not go to http://www.cruiselawnews.com and look for the article about expect to pay higher gratuities from 5/2015

 

http://www.cruiselawnews.com/2015/05/articles/worst-cruise-line-in-the-world/loyal-to-royal-expect-to-pay-higher-gratuities-and-the-moneys-not-for-the-crew/index.html

[karinad]

Sorry if this one has been asked, answered or explained, but does the $7.95 supposed to include the "tip" that some of us would normally give to the person who delivers room service?

 

I, for one, will no longer be giving a tip whether it's the "complimentary" morning room service or if I absolutely have to order it at $7.95 a shot. I also suspect that the poor over-worked cabin person will not get that extra $$ that some might give over and above the normal gratuity. I think NCL knows this, but doesn't care about their employees, either, because they will be getting more money!

[Tangocherie]

"Sorry if this one has been asked, answered or explained, but does the $7.95 supposed to include the "tip" that some of us would normally give to the person who delivers room service?"

 

Of course the $7.95 charge goes to NCL only! The service crew gets none of it.

Edited May 15, 2015 by Tangocherie