"Free" drinks package - do we now have to pay 18% service charge?

[DaveL00]

That info is in the NCL Frequently Asked Questions.

 

I meant the link in CC for complaining...jokingly. The expensive water is no joke though...

Edited November 26, 2016 by DaveL00

[SteveH2508]

I do not believe this is an accurate statement. I am pretty sure Carnival charges a service charge on their beverage package plus their package is limited to 15 drinks a day.

 

 

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Agreed that they have a 15 drink limit per day - however - they include almost every drink (including coffee and bottled water) and the per diem price is significantly lower than NCL's.

 

They all charge gratuities when you buy the package - I am talking about when the package is given as a supposedly 'free' booking perk.

[pspercy]

These threads will continue because people don't like being told something is free when it isn't.

 

More like because people seem incapable of reading the "small print" before they buy.

[mugtech]

I do not believe this is an accurate statement. I am pretty sure Carnival charges a service charge on their beverage package plus their package is limited to 15 drinks a day.

 

 

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Limited to 15 drinks? So I must pay for #16? They be misusing the word free.:D

[Blondie008]

I have the free drinks package for our February cruise. I am assuming that, like other cruise lines we would pay nothing when we order a drink up the the amount of $15 I am sure I read on here that from December we will now have to pay a 18% service charge for each drink we order now? Is that correct? If so, what is 18% of nothing - for that is what we will be paying for our drinks? If this in fact correct, then there is no "free" drinks package and passengers will be paying 18% of drinks prices rather than nothing up to the stated amount.

 

We UKers don't pay the 18% - however - and this was a first for me - have sailed ex Barcelona, Fort Lauderdale and Miami with other lines (within the last 12 months) - on our TA cruise we were indeed charged the 20% Spanish tax - and in Miami and Tampa - the 8% tax - other cruise lines suck it up - Norwegian - now charging us the tax within 25 nautical miles -

We didn't let it annoy us - just ordered drinks as normal

But the drinks package for sure has slipped downhill a notch - The bars seem to only be stocking what is on each menu -

Doesn't stop me cruising NCL - bought $1000 cruuse credits - but yeah - there is def a downward slide on the UBP...

[Moby0215]

We UKers don't pay the 18% - however - and this was a first for me - have sailed ex Barcelona, Fort Lauderdale and Miami with other lines (within the last 12 months) - on our TA cruise we were indeed charged the 20% Spanish tax - and in Miami and Tampa - the 8% tax - other cruise lines suck it up - Norwegian - now charging us the tax within 25 nautical miles -

 

We didn't let it annoy us - just ordered drinks as normal

 

But the drinks package for sure has slipped downhill a notch - The bars seem to only be stocking what is on each menu -

 

Doesn't stop me cruising NCL - bought $1000 cruuse credits - but yeah - there is def a downward slide on the UBP...

 

 

 

The tax is not the same thing as the 18% service charge.

 

 

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[Cruiser Who Knows Nothing]

Drinks: free

Gratuities: not free

 

Easy squeezy.

 

 

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[Blondie008]

The tax is not the same thing as the 18% service charge.

 

 

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I didn't say it was

Hence the word "However" ...............

[Moby0215]

I didn't say it was

 

Hence the word "However" ...............

 

 

 

My bad. Missed that. this is a thread about the service charge and you quoted someone who was specifically talking about the 18%. So you can see my confusion. The taxes are not controlled by NCL. And correct me if I am wrong but don't most if not all lines have to collect the taxes?

 

 

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[Blondie008]

My bad. Missed that. this is a thread about the service charge and you quoted someone who was specifically talking about the 18%. So you can see my confusion. The taxes are not controlled by NCL. And correct me if I am wrong but don't most if not all lines have to collect the taxes?

 

 

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I am not sure - certainly didn't pay any with Celebrity or Costa ex Barcelona - only NCL

And never ever ex Miami or Fort Lauderdale -

NCL Sky - we did on Nov 15 directly after coming off Celebrity and didn't pay TAX then -

Just saying that NCL seem to be squeezing in the extras - I think other lines are sucking this tax up and paying it??

As I say - wont stop me cruising with them - just never experienced this before and I know many on board were kicking off about the taxes. It also seemed to put pressure on the staff who were the "messengers" :(

[SNJCruisers]

Limited to 15 drinks? So I must pay for #16? They be misusing the word free.:D

No, they are upfront about everything. The main differences are that Carnival does NOT give away their drink package unless you gamble your life away and get your free drinks in the casino while gambling. It is indeed limited to 15 alcoholic drinks per day, but unlimited non alcoholic beverages including bottled water, espresso based coffees, vitamin water and even milk shakes. They also have a dollar limit of 50 on their drinks, unlike the 15 on NCL. And their gratuity is 15% based on a pre-cruise purchase price of 49.95.

 

Some complain about the 15 drink limit, but I would love to see someone polish off 15 long island iced teas or 15 Fosters Oil Cans.

 

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Edited November 26, 2016 by SNJCruisers

[newmexicoNita]

I have the free drinks package for our February cruise. I am assuming that, like other cruise lines we would pay nothing when we order a drink up the the amount of $15 I am sure I read on here that from December we will now have to pay a 18% service charge for each drink we order now? Is that correct? If so, what is 18% of nothing - for that is what we will be paying for our drinks? If this in fact correct, then there is no "free" drinks package and passengers will be paying 18% of drinks prices rather than nothing up to the stated amount.

 

It has been that was for over a year: why shouldn't you pay the gratuity, but it should have been charged to you already, we just got off the Epic and it was charged prior to sailing. We never paid a penny on the ship. Of course it is a free drink package. If you go to a local restaurant that has a 2 for 1 dinner special you certainly tip on both the meal you pay for and the one you get free I would hope

Edited November 26, 2016 by newmexicoNita

[GLYNAGP]

It has been that was for over a year: why shouldn't you pay the gratuity, but it should have been charged to you already, we just got off the Epic and it was charged prior to sailing. We never paid a penny on the ship. Of course it is a free drink package. If you go to a local restaurant that has a 2 for 1 dinner special you certainly tip on both the meal you pay for and the one you get free I would hope

When we book NCL via a British Travel Agent or with NCL UK and they advertise a free drinks package it is totally free . I believe legislation in the UK and possibly other EU countries says that if something's advertised as free it has to be totally free. We have the Free drinks package on our Christmas B2B cruises on Norwegian Spirit which was booked with NCL London and nothing extra is charged for gratuities on the Drinks package. Obviously we will tip some cash on board for exceptional service.

[mugtech]

When we book NCL via a British Travel Agent or with NCL UK and they advertise a free drinks package it is totally free . I believe legislation in the UK and possibly other EU countries says that if something's advertised as free it has to be totally free. We have the Free drinks package on our Christmas B2B cruises on Norwegian Spirit which was booked with NCL London and nothing extra is charged for gratuities on the Drinks package. Obviously we will tip some cash on board for exceptional service.

 

Should also tip for average or better service.

[NHL Philly Fan]

If you received the UBP by way of a FREE promo then there should be NO gratuity or 18% service charge.

NOTHING TIMES NOTHING IS OF COURSE NOTHING and 18% of NOTHING is still nothing !

 

Now if you purchased the UBP then you would be charged the cost of the UBP

package and an additional 18% of the program cost.

Thanks NCL for making that Oh so clear.

 

If you go to a bar restaurant etc. and order a drink costing more than $15 (FREE) you could expect to be charged the difference plus the 18% of that difference.

So you order an high end premium drink that costs $20 - $15 is covered under

the UBP and the remaining $5 is charged the gratuity of $0.90 for a charge

of $5.90 for that premium drink.

It is fawty (intentionally misspelled) math to charge 18% on the total drink of $20 when $15 was under a FREE program or had already been charged 18% !

 

Something is rotten in the state of Norway - or put another way what part of FREE do you not understand NCL ?

 

 

That may be your OPINION but that is not how it works. Learn to read the terms of an offer. The part of free that you do not understand is that you are paying $0 for the package. If you would prefer to pay the cost of the package instead of getting it free then by all means choose another offer! :eek:

[nissach]

No, they are upfront about everything. The main differences are that Carnival does NOT give away their drink package unless you gamble your life away and get your free drinks in the casino while gambling. It is indeed limited to 15 alcoholic drinks per day, but unlimited non alcoholic beverages including bottled water, espresso based coffees, vitamin water and even milk shakes. They also have a dollar limit of 50 on their drinks, unlike the 15 on NCL. And their gratuity is 15% based on a pre-cruise purchase price of 49.95.

 

Some complain about the 15 drink limit, but I would love to see someone polish off 15 long island iced teas or 15 Fosters Oil Cans.

 

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I know that Carnival has a 15 drink limit on their package, but just wondering as I have not read it anywhere, does NCL have a limit of drinks per day??

[NLH Arizona]

I know that Carnival has a 15 drink limit on their package, but just wondering as I have not read it anywhere, does NCL have a limit of drinks per day??

No they don't.

[nissach]

No they don't.

 

Awesome thanks!

[newmexicoNita]

When we book NCL via a British Travel Agent or with NCL UK and they advertise a free drinks package it is totally free . I believe legislation in the UK and possibly other EU countries says that if something's advertised as free it has to be totally free. We have the Free drinks package on our Christmas B2B cruises on Norwegian Spirit which was booked with NCL London and nothing extra is charged for gratuities on the Drinks package. Obviously we will tip some cash on board for exceptional service.

 

I thought about this after I posted. I do realize a handful of countries do not have a tipping policy. Sorry for my comment,but I do think everyone should expect to tip accordingly.

[shelbyg19]

If you plan to drink on an NCL cruise, the package even with the gratuity is a great deal. When selecting the UBP, and UDP, it does say that there will be an 18% service charge assessed. If you don't check the fine print, you can't complain. Both are well worth it. If you paid for every drink and ate at the specialty restaurants separately, you would pay the 18% service charge every time.

[hamrag]

....The taxes are not controlled by NCL. And correct me if I am wrong but don't most if not all lines have to collect the taxes?

 

 

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All cruiselines have to pay such taxes, but certainly do not have to collect them....NCL choose to do so, other lines bear that cost on behalf of passengers!

[Cruiser Who Knows Nothing]

All cruiselines have to pay such taxes, but certainly do not have to collect them....NCL choose to do so, other lines bear that cost on behalf of

 

 

this doesn't sound right. I always thought that only the consumer can pay the taxes. That why when furniture stores run sales that say "we pay the taxes" there's a little asterisk that says "the equivalent of the tax".

 

 

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Edited November 28, 2016 by Cruiser Who Knows Nothing

[Moby0215]

All cruiselines have to pay such taxes, but certainly do not have to collect them....NCL choose to do so, other lines bear that cost on behalf of passengers!

 

 

 

And I'm sure the lines that bear the cost are certainly making it up somewhere else. Maybe with higher cruise or something else. They definitely aren't just paying the taxes out of the good of their hearts lol.

 

 

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[NHL Philly Fan]

If you plan to drink on an NCL cruise, the package even with the gratuity is a great deal. When selecting the UBP, and UDP, it does say that there will be an 18% service charge assessed. If you don't check the fine print, you can't complain. Both are well worth it. If you paid for every drink and ate at the specialty restaurants separately, you would pay the 18% service charge every time.

 

 

There is nothing in FINE PRINT. It is all fully disclosed several places and is in the same font and size as the rest of the page.

[GLYNAGP]

I thought about this after I posted. I do realize a handful of countries do not have a tipping policy. Sorry for my comment,but I do think everyone should expect to tip accordingly.

No need to apologise for your comment, this is such a diverse issue and I don't want to get into long lengthy discussion but a tip to us here in Europe is something we leave if we've had a good meal or service, basically it's a bit extra for the staff member and is not expected to supplement their salary. In many cases you find it all goes into 1 pot and the staff have a share out periodically. If I travel to the USA I really do try and respect the tipping culture there, however here in Europe it just not like that, for really good service in Europe I may leave 10% but certainly wouldn't consider leaving any more, certainly not 20%