Can't bring soda on board anymore

[Shawnino]

I still say they should reduce the price of the water and charge folks the equivalent of what it would cost for the soda they bring on (because as most have said, they would buy it if they had it on the ships), plus they have to carry all of it on themselves, not having the crew deliver it anymore. Now, that is a win win for everyone, IMHO.

 

That's not a win for NCLH.

$60/case is the win for NCLH.

[NLH Arizona]

That's not a win for NCLH.

$60/case is the win for NCLH.

You are not looking at the big picture. They might be losing revenue on the water, but are gaining it on the soda that is brought on board the ships. Like I said, it is a win win for everyone.

[SeaShark]

The coke people, and those that will only drink something they don't sell, will still have an issue and what about those that don't want the water or soda, why should they pay an extra $50.

 

I still say they should reduce the price of the water and charge folks the equivalent of what it would cost for the soda they bring on (because as most have said, they would buy it if they had it on the ships), plus they have to carry all of it on themselves, not having the crew deliver it anymore. Now, that is a win win for everyone, IMHO.

The Pepsi contract is for fountain products. There is nothing that says NCL couldn't offer other brands in cans...if they wanted to.

 

Your "solution" is interesting, but you don't explain why NCL should have to buy, transport, store and deliver water and soda at extremely low prices, nor how this is a win win for BOTH parties.

 

There has to be more in it for a company than the fact that the customer is happier when things benefit them.

[Shawnino]

You are not looking at the big picture. They might be losing revenue on the water, but are gaining it on the soda that is brought on board the ships. Like I said, it is a win win for everyone.

 

How is it a 'win' for NCLH if they're charging less than minibar prices?

 

*smh*

[Boschmann]

Easy solution for NCL...

 

Raise the price of the cruise by $50 per person and give each cabin a free 12 pack of water and a free 12 pack of soda.

 

Win-Win. Problem solved.

 

Ha, sounds familiar!

 

How about a voucher you can buy, good for carrying on a 12 pack of your preferred drink. That will cover the extra "security" costs.

Edited July 3, 2016 by Boschmann

[NLH Arizona]

The Pepsi contract is for fountain products. There is nothing that says NCL couldn't offer other brands in cans...if they wanted to.

 

Your "solution" is interesting, but you don't explain why NCL should have to buy, transport, store and deliver water and soda at extremely low prices, nor how this is a win win for BOTH parties.

 

There has to be more in it for a company than the fact that the customer is happier when things benefit them.

I haven't read NCL's contract with Pepsi, so I don't think I could address your comment on that. Where I volunteer (a senior citizen home), they have a contract with coke for fountain drinks and cans/bottles and they can not sell other products. When someone orders a soda from room service, is it delivered in a glass?

 

NCL wouldn't be buying, transporting, storing or delivering soda other than Pepsi, which they do already, the passengers would be doing all that, plus paying NCL for the right to bring it on board. As far as the water, they buy it and store it already, they would just be lowering their price and hopefully what they would make on the soda would offset their lost revenue on the water.

Edited July 3, 2016 by NLH Arizona

[cruzen2gether]

I was on Carnival in May and we had to discard any liquids before we could get on the ship. I wonder if other cruise lines are doing the same.

[Feelin' Nauti']

There has never been a sign on the water dispensers asking you not to fill your water bottles at them on any of my NCL cruises. Can't remember if there is a sign that says to use glasses to fill them. I've been lucky, I've only seen folks use glasses to fill them. I have, however, gotten a few snide remarks from people to just put it under the spout, you are holding me up by using glasses.

Wait a minute, you can't fill containers at the beverage stations?

You have to stand there, filling it up glass by glass, holding up the line?

[cincicruisers]

It's a bummer that I finally decided to give NCL a try and now the drinks issue is so not cool. My daughter only drinks bottle water and I love Diet Coke. I booked the cruise and was told that I could bring on water and soda. The drink package is not "free" as I originally thought.

 

I just noticed the "service charge" for drinks and specialty dining after info from CC. Trying to figure out if I should choose another option instead of the beverage package.

 

Not a great start with NCL.

[SeaShark]

I haven't read NCL's contract with Pepsi, so I don't think I could address your comment on that. Where I volunteer (a senior citizen home), they have a contract with coke for fountain drinks and cans/bottles and they can not sell other products. When someone orders a soda from room service, is it delivered in a glass?

 

NCL wouldn't be buying, transporting, storing or delivering soda other than Pepsi, which they do already, the passengers would be doing all that, plus paying NCL for the right to bring it on board. As far as the water, they buy it and store it already, they would just be lowering their price and hopefully what they would make on the soda would offset their revenue.

 

Hopefully doesn't run a business. You have a fiduciary responsibility to act in the best interest of your stockholders. Cruise lines make a lot of their money from onboard food and beverage sales. You can't be successfully allowing outside supplies onboard.

[Boschmann]

Wait a minute' date=' you can't fill containers at the beverage stations?

You have to stand there, filling it up glass by glass, holding up the line?[/quote']

 

I hope you're being sarcastic.... It's called good hygiene and helps prevent the spread of disease.

Edited July 3, 2016 by Boschmann

[SNJCruisers]

Stay classy.

I thought the phrase was "stay thirsty"......oh wait, this is NCL's new policy terminology for Coke drinkers.

[pspercy]

Bottled water causes immense trash problems, particularly in individual sizes.

I remember an IBM(?) Commercial where they slipped in a joke about it. Can't find that but this sums it up well tho' it's not just an American issue:

http://www.cc.com/video-clips/pymif1/comedy-central-presents-bottled-water

 

https://www.banthebottle.net/bottled-water-facts/

Edited July 3, 2016 by pspercy

[fstuff1]

There has never been a sign on the water dispensers asking you not to fill your water bottles at them on any of my NCL cruises.

there's a sign on the gem (pre-renovation) and breakaway.

im assuming the sign is still there post renovations Gem.

[Mr Six]

Correct me if I'm wrong' date=' but don't the buffet water dispensers ask you to not fill your water bottles at them? I still see people do it. It is gross when they don't use a clean glass. I do prefer to bring water on board. My kids drink a lot of it and it's nice to have in the room.

 

I am also disappointed with all the changes, not just this one. That's what's driving us away. We are finally platinum and now this? What's next? I don't want to have to start over with another cruise line.[/quote']

 

I hear that there are other cruise lines that will credit your status to their own loyalty program to get you on board.

[jlat]

That's nice and all but I'm not sitting here just stomping my feet. My chest remains unpuffed, my posts unblustered. I voted with my dollars months and months before this. I encourage others to do the same.

 

Well....I don't think that you specifically were puffed or blustered, maybe a tiny foot stomp though...but many on this thread were doing exactly that. Hence my finding the hilarity of it all.

 

And I applaud your decision on moving away from NCL. I believe it will be the best for all parties involved. I hope that you find what you are looking for out there.

 

Namaste

[triptolemus]

Namaste

 

[NLH Arizona]

Hopefully doesn't run a business. You have a fiduciary responsibility to act in the best interest of your stockholders. Cruise lines make a lot of their money from onboard food and beverage sales. You can't be successfully allowing outside supplies onboard.

Did very, very well in business. People have been bringing outside supplies (soda and water) on board for years and cruise lines have been losing revenue because of it. At least with my proposal NCL would be making revenue on soda folks bring on to the ships, while your solution is to charge folks $50 for things they might not want, which would tick more folks off than it has with the new policy. Edited July 3, 2016 by NLH Arizona

[ECCruise]

I guess people's lives revolve around soda and bottled water for one week of their lives.

 

Gotta love the "one week of their lives" sentiment.

 

We've been on NCL 34 days in the last 2 months. The constant chip-chip-chipping of benefits is becoming deafening. Down to 1 cruise booked on NCL (6 on other lines) in the next year or so. And like so many others, we do NOT carry on soda or water, but that is not the point. The point is that NCL is rapidly becoming a shadow of its former self, and we have been sailing them fairly regularly (around 150 days total) in the last 15 years.

 

Honestly, enough is enough. If the cheerleaders want to keep looking the other way, then more power to you. Will love to hear the squealing, though, when something that is important to you is pulled out from under you. And with the trend in the cuts/changes/price increases for nothing continue, it likely won't be long.

[legalcanuckmom]

I think we all need to make our voices heard-- if there is a huge pushback NCL may at least drop the bottled water prices. I plan to call as well as write by snail mail.

 

In the meantime I will pack tons of water bottles.

[spenceblake]

Just curious, and I am be sincere, but what type of compensation would satisfy you? What would it take to leave that soda in the fridge and just go enjoy that cruise without it? Also what type of soda and how much do you normally bring on the cruise?

We have eight people in our group all were going to bring water, soda and boxed juice. Nothing over the top in quantities maybe a twelve pack per person but nothing more. Now in terms of compensation how about a discount of for on board purchase of these same items. Currently the prices for water are as follows:

Aquafina 6 pack - $27.08 (price will be 30% higher on board)

Aquafina 12 pack - $47.14 (price will be 39% higher on board)

Aquafina 18 pack - $58.94 (price will be 50% higher on board)

Aquafina 24 pack - $70.74 (price will be 55% higher on board)

 

This is absurd.

[SeaShark]

Did very, very well in business. People have been bringing outside supplies (soda and water) on board for years and cruise lines have been losing revenue because of it. At least with my proposal NCL would be making revenue on soda folks bring on to the ships.

Well then, you probably shouldn't stray far from the phone. Obviously they are going to be calling you for advice...at least.

[triptolemus]

Gotta love the "one week of their lives" sentiment.

 

We've been on NCL 34 days in the last 2 months. The constant chip-chip-chipping of benefits is becoming deafening. Down to 1 cruise booked on NCL (6 on other lines) in the next year or so. And like so many others, we do NOT carry on soda or water, but that is not the point. The point is that NCL is rapidly becoming a shadow of its former self, and we have been sailing them fairly regularly (around 150 days total) in the last 15 years.

 

Honestly, enough is enough. If the cheerleaders want to keep looking the other way, then more power to you. Will love to hear the squealing, though, when something that is important to you is pulled out from under you. And with the trend in the cuts/changes/price increases for nothing continue, it likely won't be long.

 

This.

 

Thank you.

[Sandman799]

Yes...

 

The below was kindly posted by asubaru on a new thread about "Complaints".

 

A copy definitely belongs in this thread!

 

Originally Posted by asubaru

In light of the "no more soda/water allowed to be brought on", I wanted to comment about complaints.

 

IMO, complaining among ourselves will not do much good; yes, venting may help a bit. I donWhat happens if I bring a case of water to the ship?

Guests who bring beverages to embarkation will be directed to return the items to their vehicle. If the guest does not have a vehicle onsite, the items will be disposed of.'t believe that NCL will the read hundreds of posts about the new carry on policy. They know it won't be popular and are expecting backlash.

 

I am of the belief that energy/time would be better spent taking your opinions to social media and contacting NCL. Facebook, Twitter, email, and snail mail are some options. Andy Stuart has a Twitter account: AndyStuart@nclandy. NCL is on Facebook with many followers.

 

I have contacted the woman listed below before with some concerns. She may suggest a better contact for your complaints or questions.

 

One thing I don't do is embellish, dramatize, exaggerate, nor threaten to leave NCL. Threatening, IMO, is counterproductive almost as bad as cursing!

 

Vivian Ewart

Vice President, Passenger Services

7665 Corporate Center Dr.

Miami, FL 33126

(305) 436-4011

vewart@ncl.com

 

 

There is a consumer advocate type website done by Christopher Elliot that has a wealth of info regarding complaints. There is even contact in for NCL. Google is your friend.

[emphasis added]

 

The above post provided the name and position of someone who may be in a position to effect change, or at least forward to others who can. I've decided it might be worthwhile to write to Ms. Ewart to summarize what seem to be the primary complaints about this policy and propose they follow CCL's lead in compromising by lowering the cost of bottled water and allowing limited amounts of canned sodas. Below is what I wrote:

 

Ms. Ewart,

 

My first and only cruise was on the Getaway, which we absolutely loved. The waterfront is a distinctive feature of the NCL ships and along with the less formal freestyle dining concept are the primary reasons I chose the Getaway for our first cruise, and based on our very positive experience there, chose our next to be on the similarly designed Escape, already booked for September 2017. I have every intention on remaining a loyal NCL customer but am concerned NCL’s policy changes could one day drive me to another cruise line, which I sincerely hope doesn’t have to happen.

 

I’m sure you’re aware of the backlash of public opinion due to NCL’s recent Liquor and Beverage Policy change effective on 15 July which prohibits passengers from bringing bottled or canned water or sodas on board. I don’t bring my own bottled water or sodas aboard, so this doesn’t affect me, but I am concerned with the perception this is leaving with your other customers, some of whom have vowed to make their cruises already booked their last with NCL, or are planning to cancel their cruises if the policy isn’t altered before July 15th when it’s implemented.

 

After having read the first 16 of 38 pages (and counting) of the discussion on the subject from the CruiseCritic.com forum thread entitled “Can’t bring soda on board anymore”, I can see there are some valid criticisms and hope NCL would be open to considering these criticisms and are willing to compromise in a way that doesn’t turn away current or future passengers, and provides a better cruise experience for all, myself included. I’m sure NCL values the viewpoints expressed on CruiseCritic.com and would prefer those researching cruises for the first time find NCL presented in a positive light, as I did before deciding on NCL for my first cruise. For that reason I’ve chosen to write to you in an effort to summarize the complaints from 42 pages (and counting) down to the most pertinent, and encourage a compromise in policy I believe will be much better received and accepted by your customers.

 

Carnival Cruise lines implemented a similar but more relaxed change effective July 9th, 2015. Details can be found here: https://help.carnival.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/2634/~/liquor-and-beverage-policy-q%26a. I’ve concluded most complaints regarding the NCL change in policy are based on the differences between NCL policy and CCL policy and can be resolved if NCL were willing to relax their policy to be more in line with the CCL policy. Both policies cite the impact to the embarkation process and additional security resources required to screen beverage containers. Both cite alcohol smuggling as one of the reasons such screening is necessary. Here are the differences:

1. CCL recognizes there are those who cannot afford to pay current onboard prices for bottled water and have therefore reduced their price to a more reasonable $3.99 for a 12-pack of purified bottled water.

 

2. CCL recognizes that bottled beverages, not canned, are the primary method used to smuggle alcohol aboard, and therefore limit their ban to bottled beverages. Accordingly, they allow a small quantity of non-alcoholic beverages (sparkling water, sodas, juice, and milk) packaged in cans or cartons to be brought on board, with small quantity considered a maximum of 12 sealed, unopened cans/cartons of 12 ounces or less per person.

 

Please be aware that passenger perceptions thus far are extremely negative due to NCL not making the same concessions as CCL did when making this change. Lack of a similar price decrease in the cost of bottled water leaves passengers no recourse other than to pay unreasonable prices for bottled water, at a minimum of $27.08 for 6 bottles, and up to $70.74 for a 24-pack. Naturally the perception is that NCL places more value in profiting from bottled water sales than reducing the impact this change has to passengers, some of whom cannot afford to pay such high prices. Expectations are that NCL will follow CCL’s lead in reducing bottled water prices to similar, more reasonable prices, to meet the needs of the customer at a reasonable cost. Also, as one poster pointed out, NCL should be prepared for an increase in passengers with gastrointestinal issues brought on by passengers choosing not to pay those prices for water and instead getting water in ports that may not be entirely safe to drink. If such an increase were to occur, that cannot be good for NCL’s reputation, as widespread shipboard illnesses tend to make national news.

 

Polls differ as to which most prefer between Coke and Pepsi, but since those are the two leading cola brands, NCL should probably expect a good number of their customers prefer Coke products over Pepsi products and will not concede to drink Pepsi products for even a week. NCL’s unwillingness to compromise on the canned beverage policy by not allowing even a limited quantity to be brought onboard leaves those who prefer Coke products with no recourse whatsoever if your contractual agreements with Pepsi prohibit sales of Coke products as well. As noted in CCL’s policy, “Bottled beverages are the most common means by which guests attempt to smuggle alcohol on board”. Accordingly they limit their total ban to bottles, not cans. NCL’s failure to make that same distinction and banning cans as well despite their minimal threat of alcohol smuggling seems unjustified and unreasonable. The customer perception is that citing that same concern for both bottled and canned products is merely a pretense to further maximize cost saving by substantially reducing or eliminating entirely the need to screen beverages of all types, except the few who choose to bring bottles of wine aboard. Unwillingness to allow even a limited quantity of canned products, knowing there is no other recourse for passengers who dislike Pepsi products, is viewed as an unjustified disregard for the needs and desires of those passengers.

 

Other changes made over the past few years which were viewed as ultimately decreasing costs to NCL and increasing prices to customers, this profits to NCL, have been seen as “nickel and diming”. This policy change is being similarly rejected as making no concessions or compromise to the customer, while providing a greater potential for NCL profit through decreased screening costs and increased sales of bottled water and sodas. While no single change is likely to drive away repeat customers, their accumulation over time does change the overall cost of a cruise as compared to other cruise lines and may impact your customer base. Your repeat customers are especially aware of the changes that have occurred over time, and it is the accumulation of those changes, this one included, which seems to be the basis of customer threats to cancel after this change was announced. I believe it’s in NCL’s best interests to weigh the risk of losing repeat as well as first-time cruisers with the costs associated with compromising on this policy and making changes as needed before its July 15th implementation.

 

On behalf of all others with similar concerns who are also following the CruiseCritic thread on this topic, I’d like to thank you for taking the time to read this and thank you in advance for any policy changes our concerns may bring about.

 

 

Sandman799

CruiseCritic Member and NCL Customer

 

Unfortunately, I received the following auto-reply: Thank you for contacting Norwegian Cruise Line. Sorry I missed your email but I am out of the office with limited access to email. If you need immediate assistance please email AMoris@ncl.com. Thank you for your continued support..

 

My email was sent on a holiday weekend, so this is completely understandable. I don't know AMoris' position within the company, and don't see this as needing an immediate response, or at least before the weekend is over, so I'll just wait and hope it will be read on Tuesday. I'll post whatever response I get, or lack of one if that turns out to be the case.

[NLH Arizona]

Well then, you probably shouldn't stray far from the phone. Obviously they are going to be calling you for advice...at least.

No need to be rude and snarky, just because we disagree on something.