Premium all inclusive coming to the UK

[old nutter]

I dare say that NCL must be looking towards a point where their forward currency contracts will start to run out of the time before all the European rates crashed last summer because of the political turmoil caused by Brexit. Those forward contracts probably insulated the company for a while, but the more permanent re-structuring of currencies that we are now in will eventually need new ways of doing international business to keep making profits. They probably need to find a way to generate more revenue from their GBP customers so have found this new pricing structure. It is largely smoke and mirrors with a real healthy amount of spin that covers the fact that they want to still sell to GBP customers who are paying with a currency that seems to have permanently fallen in value the best part of 25%.

 

The Euro customers have also seen their currency drop something like 10% relative to the dollar over the same period, so there is the same need to find ways to make them pay more without actually feeling it. This realignment should not really come as a surprise. It is known over here as "making the best of a bad job".

[lujaha]

We are off to have afternoon tea with NCL later today. I will report back tonight. Should be interesting and hopefully tasty?!!

 

Put my report on the thread with the premium poll on.

[jaxw17]

According to the stereotype, the DSC was not being paid by a significant proportion of guests from the UK. I don't know if anyone here has any actual numbers. And I'm not sure about the rest of Europe, since we generally get ignored on this board, but the fact that NCL first introduced Premium All-Inclusive for the German and then the French speaking European countries I think indicates that there was "resistance" to the DSC in those markets, too.

 

Yes there will be because our culture is not to automatically tip. Call it what you like it is seen as a tip. How can I tell before I have even got somewhere that I am going to get good service. i am not psychic. You will find that Brits don't discuss what they do decide to tip as they see talking about money being crass.I resent the comments about lines of Brits waiting to take off the charge.

These cruise lines make big money look at the cost of the trips, photos, casino Spa none are cheap options so pay the staff what they are owed they make enough money to do so..

Don't get mad at the different views expressed on here but get mad with NCL they are the ones that short change their staff.

Example of rip off well over £200 for a trip into Rome. The train is 10 Euros.

They charge for everything from the minute you get on to when you get off.

[KonkyWonky]

We are booked on the Star in an obstructed oceanview for Sep with UBP & SDP + $50 OBC, we paid £2138 + £119 Tips = £2257

 

The new price is £2258 so pretty much identical but I'd rather have the SDP & OBC than coffee's and bottled water.

 

I wonder if they will still run promotions for the SDP now and again, otherwise that's a lot of footfall to lose out on.

[KeithJenner]

I resent the comments about lines of Brits waiting to take off the charge.

 

 

I wouldn't resent the comments too much.

 

I've seen enough anecdotal and actual (i.e. I've seen the queues) evidence to be quite sure that this is true to an extent at least.

 

I wouldn't like to guess the numbers, but certainly lots do.

[Blondie008]

I did a dummy booking last night on Epic TA 2018 - I screenshot it so that I had it to review when I got time..

In total with grats - drinks package and dining package in a spa balcony, it was £2519.

Same cabin today, minus the dining package, and on the "premium" now comes in at £2838.

Total increase of £319.

Thankfully we have our next four cruises booked - will see what happens but £319 is a fair hike for a cup of coffee and a bottle of water (neither of which I give two hoots about paying for should I want them).

I don't like booking via USA - I like to book via my bank and pick up the 10% discount - wonder now though will that 10% apply to the full cost. Not that that makes much difference....

[bmwman]

I did a dummy booking last night on Epic TA 2018 - I screenshot it so that I had it to review when I got time..

In total with grats - drinks package and dining package in a spa balcony, it was £2519.

Same cabin today, minus the dining package, and on the "premium" now comes in at £2838.

Total increase of £319.

Thankfully we have our next four cruises booked - will see what happens but £319 is a fair hike for a cup of coffee and a bottle of water (neither of which I give two hoots about paying for should I want them).

I don't like booking via USA - I like to book via my bank and pick up the 10% discount - wonder now though will that 10% apply to the full cost. Not that that makes much difference....

 

If it is NatWest with the 10% - You may be in for changes and I tried it worked it out more expensive than NCL ????

[bmwman]

I wouldn't resent the comments too much.

 

I've seen enough anecdotal and actual (i.e. I've seen the queues) evidence to be quite sure that this is true to an extent at least.

 

I wouldn't like to guess the numbers, but certainly lots do.

 

I am afraid Keith is perfectly correct again. We have been on cruises where the line to reduce the service charges has and (saddos) counted over 100 strong. It is a sad (IMHO) fact that Brits will not tip well and I think all cruise lines using US$ are in for a very rough time with UK market as forward contracts expire.

 

Another reason is can you imagine non UBP drinks bills with current exchange rate. With the 18% service charge it will be horrible so price it in!

 

I think the Spa will suffer in Europe with the 25% service charge or has that reduced?

 

As to the website redirect use a proxy server to get to the the US site (should work) or just go to a US agent. I have not yet priced a cruise in US$ but I have a strange feeling next year will be more than interesting with the differences.

 

So the bottom line is pay up or go elsewhere!!!

[Blondie008]

If it is NatWest with the 10% - You may be in for changes and I tried it worked it out more expensive than NCL ????

 

Royalties travel - gives 10% off the web price NCL (and any company except Costa for that matter) offers but excludes the taxes and service charges - no 10% on those. However if NCL are now setting it as a whole price, then one has to assume the 10% comes off the total (still excluding taxes)?

Have been using them for 20+ years - always a great service, free insurance, free airport lounge vouchers plus 10% - I always check live online as I call the travel service - and its never failed me - fingers Xd they don't go belly up too :(

Closing branches left right and centre though - so God only knows how long we keep the travel benefits :/

[bmwman]

I wouldn't resent the comments too much.

 

I've seen enough anecdotal and actual (i.e. I've seen the queues) evidence to be quite sure that this is true to an extent at least.

 

I wouldn't like to guess the numbers, but certainly lots do.

 

Royalties travel - gives 10% off the web price NCL (and any company except Costa for that matter) offers but excludes the taxes and service charges - no 10% on those. However if NCL are now setting it as a whole price, then one has to assume the 10% comes off the total (still excluding taxes)?

Have been using them for 20+ years - always a great service, free insurance, free airport lounge vouchers plus 10% - I always check live online as I call the travel service - and its never failed me - fingers Xd they don't go belly up too :(

Closing branches left right and centre though - so God only knows how long we keep the travel benefits :/

 

Ok this is the same service as Nat West - As you may know they have just withdrawn the legacy black card benefits and the insurance is getting worst by the day. Indeed my manager asked me who I use instead. The 10% is off the commisionable fare which is now reduced with all inclusive package

 

The Nat West travel benefits are provided by Affinion and I intend to find out the answer to the 10% today when I try another booking. We get the Priority Pass lounge access unlimited and this is very good.

[Blondie008]

Ok this is the same service as Nat West - As you may know they have just withdrawn the legacy black card benefits and the insurance is getting worst by the day. Indeed my manager asked me who I use instead. The 10% is off the commisionable fare which is now reduced with all inclusive package

 

The Nat West travel benefits are provided by Affinion and I intend to find out the answer to the 10% today when I try another booking. We get the Priority Pass lounge access unlimited and this is very good.

 

They changed ours out a few months ago - we have two different accounts both with travel benefits - one personal, one business -(one black one select platinum) I was on the phone to them yesterday as was missing an NCL invoice - no mention of anything - and they emailed it over right away - The insurance for us has never changed ? Still free as are priority passes etc - I have cruises booked with them right up until November 18 - sincerely hope we wont lose our benefits - This is one of the reasons I keep my business banking with them - lose this then we start shopping around - We are already looking now at having to use the post office and mobile bank for daily banking -

Let us know how you get on with the booking? I might call them when I have time and run a dummy booking by them to see what discount comes off...

[Wendy-Europe]

The reason why Europeans tend to tip less is easy:

 

First l – we are used that service staff is paid in full by the employer – tip in Europe is additional and just given for service above the usual labour. You are not tipped, if you just do your job like it is in your job description. If you are a server, than you cannot expect to be tipped, if you just serve your tables. If you go the "extra mile" for your guest, guests will tip.

 

 

In most European countries you you round your bill to the next even amount, for example, if the bill is 9,10 €, usually you give 10 €. But at some countries no tip would be expected.

 

Second – if the tip is mandatory – like the 18 % service charge with the unlimited beverage package, you are not allowed by European law to charge it above.

 

Everything has to be included in the price of the cruise which is mandatory.

Cruise lines are not allowed to advertise with rates before port taxes and fees.

If the Tip (ort hotel service charge) is mandatory and you are not able to adjust this fee, they have to include it in the advertised price.

If they include a beverage package or dining package at their rate, they are not allowed to charge you with a service charge on your cruise account, if these charges are mandatory and not adjustable.

 

Of course they are allowed to suggest a daily tip – but they are not allowed to add it mandatory on top of the advertised cruise rate.

 

It is nothing new – same thing the airlines had to learn – they tried to advertise prices without fuel charge, passenger tax and so on. They all lost the processes at the European court.

 

So tipping less it is not a bad habit of the European guests.

[jaxw17]

I am afraid Keith is perfectly correct again. We have been on cruises where the line to reduce the service charges has and (saddos) counted over 100 strong. It is a sad (IMHO) fact that Brits will not tip well and I think all cruise lines using US$ are in for a very rough time with UK market as forward contracts expire.

 

Another reason is can you imagine non UBP drinks bills with current exchange rate. With the 18% service charge it will be horrible so price it in!

 

I think the Spa will suffer in Europe with the 25% service charge or has that reduced?

 

As to the website redirect use a proxy server to get to the the US site (should work) or just go to a US agent. I have not yet priced a cruise in US$ but I have a strange feeling next year will be more than interesting with the differences.

 

So the bottom line is pay up or go elsewhere!!!

 

I will decide where I go thank you.

[jetset763]

We made a video about the All Inclusive Package - it has all the deets about it - find it here

 

 

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[anniegb]

We made a video about the All Inclusive Package - it has all the deets about it - find it here

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums mobile app

 

How much were you paid by NCL??

 

Annie

[jetset763]

How much were you paid by NCL??

 

 

 

Annie

 

 

As stated in our video we are not paid or sponsored for any of our videos...we do this purely for fun to share our knowledge and help our fellow cruisers.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums mobile app

[anniegb]

As stated in our video we are not paid or sponsored for any of our videos...we do this purely for fun to share our knowledge and help our fellow cruisers.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums mobile app

 

Your video would be enhanced if you detailed the price hikes NCL has imposed.

 

Annie

[Blondie008]

We made a video about the All Inclusive Package - it has all the deets about it - find it here

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums mobile app

 

And you have how much experience of cruising Norwegian?

[Shocked91]

So no more dinning packages on NCL?

[KeithJenner]

So no more dinning packages on NCL?

 

 

 

It is no longer an option to select as a promo in the areas that have the all inclusive (except if you are in a suite, in which case you get it whether you want it).

 

 

 

It's still a free at sea offer in the places that have that, and it's available to buy for the rest of us.

Edited April 10, 2017 by KeithJenner

[KeithJenner]

We made a video about the All Inclusive Package - it has all the deets about it - find it here

 

Evidence that NCL are doing the right thing from a business point of view.

 

It shows that some people are so happy not to be charged extra for gratuities that they will be pleased to hand over a few hundred pounds extra for the privilege, and also some people believe them when they talk about things like £1,200 savings.

[Shocked91]

No.

 

It is no longer an option to select as a promo in the areas that have the all inclusive (except if you are in a suite, in which case you get it whether you want it).

 

It's still a free at sea offer in the places that have that, and it's available to buy for the rest of us.

 

That's a bummer then.The last 2 cruises we had the full premium drinks package and 5 night dining package.

[Blondie008]

That's a bummer then.The last 2 cruises we had the full premium drinks package and 5 night dining package.

 

I don't mind the no dining package- in fact - our next cruise on getaway we didn't get a dining package - we bought one - and that's fine. We also pre paid our £272 in grats - and that's fine too. Our cruise after that DOES have a drinks package - just different deals we picked up along the way.

I don't care about the water rule, or the capped 15$ drinks rule. Happy to pay the extra for the nice drinks we like..

Its the random price hikes - there is no logic to them - not a percentage across the board - some cruises are a jump of around £300 pp - and some are three times + that amount -

I am lucky - have a good few deals already sorted - but I know we absolutely wont buy our $1000 FCC next cruise - we will wait to see how things pan out - there are lots of options out there - If NCL are still good value then we will stick with it - but right now - prices are looking pretty grim :/ We have still got two FCCs to use - but good thing is at least we can sell them if we don't use them.

[Shocked91]

I don't mind the no dining package- in fact - our next cruise on getaway we didn't get a dining package - we bought one - and that's fine. We also pre paid our £272 in grats - and that's fine too. Our cruise after that DOES have a drinks package - just different deals we picked up along the way.

I don't care about the water rule, or the capped 15$ drinks rule. Happy to pay the extra for the nice drinks we like..

Its the random price hikes - there is no logic to them - not a percentage across the board - some cruises are a jump of around £300 pp - and some are three times + that amount -

I am lucky - have a good few deals already sorted - but I know we absolutely wont buy our $1000 FCC next cruise - we will wait to see how things pan out - there are lots of options out there - If NCL are still good value then we will stick with it - but right now - prices are looking pretty grim :/ We have still got two FCCs to use - but good thing is at least we can sell them if we don't use them.

 

We also paid our grats.

[dekohman]

We made a video about the All Inclusive Package - it has all the deets about it - find it here

 

 

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Nice video...Like your work! I think the video was made before the price changes went into effect - it would be interesting to hear your update about how big the changes seem. It looks like this might be a bigger benefit for those that would typically select the UBP. It sort of sucks though that the "5 Free at Sea" promotion isn't an option for those that want a different perk. Hoping that doesn't change here in the US.

 

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