With all the "nickel & dime" talk, is it possible to spend $0?

[Nola26]

Thanks all! I appreciate your responses!

 

So we can carry bottled water onboard??? If so, PERFECT! We love the convenience of bottled water. Hubby drinks maybe 1 soda a day at home but doesn't have to. I do not drink soda at all.

 

We typically drink alcohol on cruises...varying amounts, really. When we paid for the adult beverage package on Royal we drank like fishes. We've done the same on Disney a few times (then cringed at our final bar tally even after all we carried onboard). But on our recent Panama Canal voyage we drank very very little. It's a toss-up, really, but with our largest ever onboard account balance to date being mostly bar tabs I figured going with the UBP would be wisest.

 

The dining is all new to us either way and with so many inclusive options I think we can be happy just exploring those.

 

Are there a ton of for-fee activities I'm not aware of?

 

Your question was about having zero balance, not going without.

 

If you take the UBP sodas are included, but not bottled water.

 

Prepaying will allow you to keep the balance at or near zero:

1. DSC

2. Weekly Spa thermal suite pass

3. Any excursions

4. Photo package if you want at least 10 photos

5. UDP for as few as 3 nights

6. Illusionarium show

7. Any treats (I paid $12 for chocolate covered strawberries as a welcome treat for the family)

8. Onboard credit for the small or just in case purchase you might make (Bingo, game room, ice bar cover charge, spa services, workout class, etc.)

 

So you could still have the onboard treats, but just buy them ahead.

 

The biggest expense for me last trip was purchasing a Future Cruise Certificate for $250. I received onboard credit back for $100 and am using the FCC as my deposit on our upcoming Getaway cruise, excellent deal. You can just plan for that so even though you'll have a balance it will be money that was factored into your original plan.

[hansolosmom]

One thing to keep in mind, Royal's drink package includes water bottles and specialty coffees, NCL's doesn't. So I'm budgeting for the coffees, we'll take a case of water onboard with us.

[lisakoivu]

Will you not want any shore excursions? That's the only thing I haven't seen mentioned (but I read fast, so could have missed it?)

 

I've been sailing NCL for about 8 years and I have N-E-V-E-R eaten in a specialty restaurant. Once had lunch at noodle bar when it was for pay, but that was Christmas dinner, lol.

 

I think it's entirely possible to spend $0, but I was wondering if you intend to do excursions and if so, how you are budgeting for that.

[sweetpee_1993]

Will you not want any shore excursions? That's the only thing I haven't seen mentioned (but I read fast, so could have missed it?)

 

I've been sailing NCL for about 8 years and I have N-E-V-E-R eaten in a specialty restaurant. Once had lunch at noodle bar when it was for pay, but that was Christmas dinner, lol.

 

I think it's entirely possible to spend $0, but I was wondering if you intend to do excursions and if so, how you are budgeting for that.

 

Excursions I would do separately, probably not with the cruise line. I'm not big on large group things. :cool: So not included in what I'm thinking for the cruise cost. But thank you! Good thinking!

[Donna_In_India]

Other than the usual bingo, deal and no deal, drink tastings, Illusionarium show, casino, Carlo bake shop, Atrium cafe, specialty restaurants and sales at the Tradewinds / shopping - not much to spend on NCL.

 

You forgot Bingo. And really, it's the same on ALL cruise lines now. You can spend as much or as little as you want.

[sweetpee_1993]

You forgot Bingo. And really, it's the same on ALL cruise lines now. You can spend as much or as little as you want.

 

We aren't bingo peeps. But good to know!;)

[maywell]

You forgot Bingo. And really, it's the same on ALL cruise lines now. You can spend as much or as little as you want.

 

It 's the 5th word in the sentence you quoted....;)

Edited July 26, 2015 by maywell

[zqvol]

I'll preface by stating I've been on 11 Disney cruises & 1 Royal Caribbean.

 

Hubby & I are seriously looking at jumping on the Getaway in September kinda last minute. I was thinking we'd grab the semi-free (:p) UBP to offset our usual carrying booze onboard w/Disney. I would prepay the DSC/gratuities.

 

I read so much about all the upcharge things. We aren't big foodies. We don't gamble. I can't imagine I'd do much shopping onboard. May buy a picture or 2 to mark the occasion. Generally our expenses come from what we spend in ports. All that said, would it be realistic to think we wouldn't spend a whole boat-load of $$ onboard?

 

I read a thread once on a different website among Disney cruise fans asking what's the lowest onboard balance everyone had closed out at. How about NCL? All you regulars out there, do you end a cruise with a low onboard balance??? Is it realistic to think we could do a whole week cruise as described without a ton of bleeding from our wallets in onboard "nickel & dime-ing"?

 

Thanks muchly.

 

 

If you don't consume alcoholic beverages, and eat in the main dining room or other free venues, and don't use room service it is easy to avoid having any bill when you leave the ship. (of course just like on other lines you have to deal with daily service charges or gratuities) (also excursions might need to be factored but it looks like you don't take them anyway)

 

My last cruise the final bill was under $50.

[hawkeyetlse]

The big spending is yet to come. NCL would be terribly short-sighted to write off people that way. Ya know? I'm definitely trying to get a feel for NCL's business model.

Their business model probably takes into account the empty-nest phenomenon to some extent, but I doubt that it's sophisticated enough to predict that in your specific case, grabbing a last-minute fare and spending $0 extra on board your first NCL cruise this year means that you're definitely planning to spend big bucks a few years down the line. They're not going to write you off (whatever that actually means in practice), but they're not going to make big gestures to entice you to come back, either. You will get pretty much the same product that everyone else on board gets (assuming you're not in a suite/Haven), and it's up to you to decide if you want to sail NCL again after that.

[sweetpee_1993]

Their business model probably takes into account the empty-nest phenomenon to some extent, but I doubt that it's sophisticated enough to predict that in your specific case, grabbing a last-minute fare and spending $0 extra on board your first NCL cruise this year means that you're definitely planning to spend big bucks a few years down the line. They're not going to write you off (whatever that actually means in practice), but they're not going to make big gestures to entice you to come back, either. You will get pretty much the same product that everyone else on board gets (assuming you're not in a suite/Haven), and it's up to you to decide if you want to sail NCL again after that.

 

Yep. ;)

[LrgPizza]

95% of your cruise will be identical to everyone else on board. There are plenty of included dining options, so you will still have variety. All the entertainment except one show is included. All ports can be wandered and explored on your own for no charge.

 

Bingo? The prizes are stupid. Wait until you are 85 years old and play at a community center.

 

Spa? It's comical how overpriced these are when most mid-sized cities in the country have at least one good spa, and large cities have several.

 

Bottled water? Bring a refillable bottle. The ship's water is just fine to drink, or you can haul your own on, but no need to bother.

 

There is no reason to pay a single dime to still have a completely full, amazing trip. Since you have the UBP and are prepaying DSC, you can without a doubt have a $0 balance.

Edited July 26, 2015 by LrgPizza

[brookie848]

If you want to do the Illusionarium (on-board dinner show), you should book (and pay for) that before you board.

 

We have been happy with the free dining options on board. While we have enjoyed the two specialties we've visited, they were by no means necessary for the enjoyment of our cruise.

[Sand and Seas]

You will find lots of free entertainment on board. And we like the complimentary dining choices. Since we are Platinum with NCL, we get two free specialty restaurant dinners, but if we didn't have them we would be perfectly happy in the MDRs or at the buffet. Hope you have a great time!

[stormynow]

Until the recent UBP included, have never cruised (60 some) where my cruise fare was more than my on board charges. Meaning we spend more on board than for the cruise fare.

[johnlatte]

95% of your cruise will be identical to everyone else on board. There are plenty of included dining options, so you will still have variety. All the entertainment except one show is included. All ports can be wandered and explored on your own for no charge.

 

Bingo? The prizes are stupid. Wait until you are 85 years old and play at a community center.

 

Spa? It's comical how overpriced these are when most mid-sized cities in the country have at least one good spa, and large cities have several.

 

Bottled water? Bring a refillable bottle. The ship's water is just fine to drink, or you can haul your own on, but no need to bother.

 

There is no reason to pay a single dime to still have a completely full, amazing trip. Since you have the UBP and are prepaying DSC, you can without a doubt have a $0 balance.

 

^^^^^^^ This

[Son of a son of a ...]

Wow - we budget $150-$200/day for DW and I (including excursions). OBC helps, but we usually have $1,100 tab at the end of a seven days cruise. To each his own!

[emmak8]

Very easy to have a zero balance. I agree with LRGPIZZA!

[NMLady]

I'll preface by stating I've been on 11 Disney cruises & 1 Royal Caribbean.

 

Hubby & I are seriously looking at jumping on the Getaway in September kinda last minute. I was thinking we'd grab the semi-free (:p) UBP to offset our usual carrying booze onboard w/Disney. I would prepay the DSC/gratuities.

 

I read so much about all the upcharge things. We aren't big foodies. We don't gamble. I can't imagine I'd do much shopping onboard. May buy a picture or 2 to mark the occasion. Generally our expenses come from what we spend in ports. All that said, would it be realistic to think we wouldn't spend a whole boat-load of $$ onboard?

 

I read a thread once on a different website among Disney cruise fans asking what's the lowest onboard balance everyone had closed out at. How about NCL? All you regulars out there, do you end a cruise with a low onboard balance??? Is it realistic to think we could do a whole week cruise as described without a ton of bleeding from our wallets in onboard "nickel & dime-ing"?

 

Thanks muchly.

 

It is very possible to end up with a very low balance:

 

1) prepay the DSC

2) do not buy photos

3) do not play Bingo

4) do not use the spa

5) do not use room service

6) do not eat at specialty restaurants.

7) do not participate in casino tournaments

8) do not make onboard shop purchases

9) do not book excursions onboard

10) only do the free gym things, not the classes

 

Since you are purchasing the UBP the 18% gratuity should be part of the purchase price.

If you purchase it aboard ship that could be your only balance.

Edited July 27, 2015 by NMLady

[tomk3212]

DW and I find it VERY easy to cruise NCL and not spend a lot of extra $$, even with the "nickel and diming"...lol We don't drink alcohol very much (one drink each/day), we stick to ice tea for dinners in MDR, we'll buy a cruise rewards coupon for a future cruise, we don't use the Internet, we don't "spa" & we don't dine in the specialty restaurants that much; the MDRs are fine for us. Since we've become Platinum members we DO hit LeBistro twice and leave a nice tip each time.

 

As the old adage sez, "you get what you pay for" so if you want to spend a lot of extra $$ you are welcome to do so. I truly believe that you can have a very enjoyable cruise on any NCL ship w/o spending a lot of extra $$.

 

One funny story about spending extra $$; we were on a cruise on the Spirit in March '06 that had a TON of Spring Break college kids aboard. On the last day as were were lining up to get off we were standing next to 2 young college girls, one of whom had managed to run up a three thousand dollar ($3000) bill!!! She had had to call "Daddy" because her credit card would take this amount. She told us that her dad paid the bill without any hesitation but also stated, "We're going to talk about this when you get home later today..." I'm sure if she ever cruises again she'll watch her onboard charges a little more carefully...

 

Have a great cruise.

 

Tom

[sid_9169]

My last cruise on the Getaway, my total bill was $38.00... And that's only because I purchased 1 picture ($25.00) The rest was the small amounts over the $11.00 drink limit with the UBP (Totally free at the time that I booked)... I was trying out all the different ultra high-end tequilas...

Edited July 27, 2015 by sid_9169

[NLH Arizona]

I love the term "nickel and diming". No one can "make" you spend your money no matter how hard they try. On any cruise line there are free beverages (not alcohol), free food, free activities, etc., so it is your choice to spend money on things that are not included in your cruise fare. Can someone leave with a "zero" balance, of course they can and I'm sure many do. I like that I have choices as to what I will spend my money on and that all these "extra charges" are not automatically included in my cruise fare.

[cadien]

The only thing I haven't seen mentioned already (now someone will quote it :p) is the fresh-squeezed juice in the buffet. That's not free.

 

We did buy a few things but all were indulgences we could have easily gone without and still had a good time.

 

 

I do hope NCL isn't really counting on millennials to attend the art auctions and jewelry shows and the casinos though...

[Sizzlechest]

You can have an excellent cruise without spending any additional money. It's getting harder on the newer NCL ships to accomplish, but it's certainly doable.

 

Rather then concentrate on the for-pay stuff, don't forget the free stuff.

 

• Crafts for kids
  
• Liquor tastings
  
• Poolside events
  

[mom2tcdx2]

It really is the individual who determines how much you will or won't spend. I don't generally buy anything from the shops anymore. I just don't need all that stuff anymore. If we go to ports we have been to, then we don't do a lot in excursions. I think the last cruise my husband and I did we did spend a little in the casino, no specialty dinners, no shore excursions, no photos, bought 1-2 drinks a day so in the end our bill wasn't super high.

 

On our upcoming cruise though we have the free UDP, we purchased the 7 day dining plan and then we will do some shore excursions (though not booked with the ship). My daughter will want pictures as she always does, and when we book with the whole family we usually take some kind of group photo.

 

Personally I didn't find the dining room meals to be all that great, the reason for buying the package. If you find the dining rooms to be acceptable to you then you wouldn't need to spend on the specialty restaurants.

[Pattyblueii]

We were on the Gem last February and only spent money on two shore excursions,tips and one picture. You don't have to spend extra money if you watch your pennies!!! Had a wonderful time and will be on the breakaway in the fall!!