Bait and switch

[SteveH2508]

They do not use the terms Daily Service Charge or Discretionary Service Charge as an exact quote, not that I've ever seen anyway (if you have a link that says otherwise I'd love to see it). As I said in my post they say "a service charge assessed daily" or "service charge subject to adjustment at the passenger's discretion" (not direct quotes from the FAQ but close enough to convey what I mean). Once could certainly say that a service charge assessed daily is a Daily Service Charge, but that's not what NCL calls it (nor do they use the abbreviation DSC).

 

Maybe we should try to promote the use of OBSC (On Board Service Charge) as an acronym which 'does what it says on the tin'?

 

(The fact that it is the first four letters of obscure is purely coincidence:rolleyes:).

[hpecorari]

They do not use the terms Daily Service Charge or Discretionary Service Charge as an exact quote, not that I've ever seen anyway (if you have a link that says otherwise I'd love to see it). As I said in my post they say "a service charge assessed daily" or "service charge subject to adjustment at the passenger's discretion" (not direct quotes from the FAQ but close enough to convey what I mean). Once could certainly say that a service charge assessed daily is a Daily Service Charge, but that's not what NCL calls it (nor do they use the abbreviation DSC).

 

Yet, to throw something else into the pot - when they were giving away free "DSC" months ago as one of the 4 perks you could choose they called it "Free Gratuities". Yet, on the Amenity confirmation they called it Prepaid Service Charges.

 

Harriet

[fshagan]

Why did they start this? I would think everyone would do it if it's as easy as sending in a form, no?

 

Of course not. The new system allows the very few who feel a need to reduce the service charge to do so without negotiating at the service desk while on board.

 

Those who have used the new system say they were given the form without question, and received their requested refund in a few weeks.

 

But the vast majority of passengers would never even think of reducing the service charge. This forum makes you think everyone is doing it, but I'd like to see the real numbers. I suspect it's far less than 5% who do so.

[LMaxwell]

Of course not. The new system allows the very few who feel a need to reduce the service charge to do so without negotiating at the service desk while on board.

 

Those who have used the new system say they were given the form without question, and received their requested refund in a few weeks.

 

But the vast majority of passengers would never even think of reducing the service charge. This forum makes you think everyone is doing it, but I'd like to see the real numbers. I suspect it's far less than 5% who do so.

 

Before the change people on this forum also claimed that on some cruises it was non-stop lines of people removing it; greater than 50%. So who knows??!? (Besides NCL).

[sjbdtz]

The average passenger doesn't read the cruise contract from front to back.

 

 

This particular individual not only still cruises with NCL, but still plays heavily in their casino, and still routinely defends them on message boards.

 

I think you might also know him.

 

 

Therein lies the problem. EVERY passenger (adult) should read what they're signing. Of course they don't have the ability to change the terms, but they should certainly be aware of them, so that when the situation occurs which feels like a betrayal, they'll harken back to when they agreed to this scenario with full free-will.

 

 

 

As for the individual you indicate, he was reasonable enough to understand that he hadn't EARNED the suite, even though it was confirmed....and that humans make errors, occasionally (like saying 'no food to your room').

 

It's funny....I'm the very-least religious person I know....and probably one of the most forgiving.

 

 

Stephen

 

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[Golfin55]

I am not convinced that any of the 18% service charges on NCL actually make it over to the staff directly.

 

 

 

I think that the staff is promised a certain pay, and then the 18% service charge is just reimbursing NCL for paying those salaries.

 

 

 

For example, let's take specialty dining on the NCL Dawn.

 

 

 

If tomorrow 400 people eat at Cagney's, I am not convinced that the servers will make twice as much that day as if 200 people ate at Cagney's (even though twice as much in service charges will have definitely been collected).

 

 

 

From a variety of reasons, I have theorized that NCL is keeping all of the money collected via the DSC and 18% service charges, and that the staff pay is constant.

 

 

To make such an accusation that is slanderous. Then I sincerely hope you no longer cruise on ANY cruise line. Because, if you are so concerned about the financial well being of the front of house staff not receiving there earned money. Then it would be totally hypocritical to condone such criminal activity by taking a cruise.

 

Or, since it's a publicly traded company the have to disclose all expenditures on there quarterly & annual statement.

[SeaShark]

To make such an accusation that is slanderous. Then I sincerely hope you no longer cruise on ANY cruise line. Because, if you are so concerned about the financial well being of the front of house staff not receiving there earned money. Then it would be totally hypocritical to condone such criminal activity by taking a cruise.

 

Or, since it's a publicly traded company the have to disclose all expenditures on there quarterly & annual statement.

 

Well...the publicly traded company is NCLH, which is simply a holding company and NOT the company that you cruise with and/or pay the service charge to. THAT company is certainly NOT publicly traded...it is a wholly owned subsidiary.

 

It is rare to say this, but PP is correct...the people onboard DO get their contracted pay. The service charge "supports" (hint: that is a very important word) their salary and incentive programs. "Supports" could mean that 100% of the service charge goes to salaries, or it could mean that 1% does. It says NOTHING about where the money comes from that "supports" the rest of the salaries. NCL doesn't say that the DSC is simply split up and handed out to everyone....that idea exists only as internet forum urban legend.

[Moby0215]

They just reverse the charge to your credit card; they don't mail a check.

 

 

I assume they would mail a check if you did not use a credit card.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[andrew_moss]

It may not fit the LEGAL definition of bait & switch, but when the final price is MORE THAT TWICE the initial listed price, you're being pretty unscrupulous!

[ColeThornton]

3 minutes ago, andrew_moss said:

It may not fit the LEGAL definition of bait & switch, but when the final price is MORE THAT TWICE the initial listed price, you're being pretty unscrupulous!

 

 

No need to bump up posts that are five years old.  More often than not they have outdated/incorrect info.

[BirdTravels]

2 hours ago, andrew_moss said:

It may not fit the LEGAL definition of bait & switch, but when the final price is MORE THAT TWICE the initial listed price, you're being pretty unscrupulous!

Andrew

 

I realize that this is only your second post, but be careful. There is no reason to pick a fight on a thread that has been closed for years and years. It causes a lot of confusion since the information on the thread is very old and no longer accurate. 

Edited June 12, 2020 by BirdTravels

[All-ready2cruise]

5 hours ago, andrew_moss said:

It may not fit the LEGAL definition of bait & switch, but when the final price is MORE THAT TWICE the initial listed price, you're being pretty unscrupulous!

Andrew, it seems you're upset about something NCL has/is doing.  I'd suggest that if you have questions that you need answers to, that you ask them specifically. 

There are many knowledgeable cruisers here who may be able to help.  

 

Good luck