Service charge increase fleetwide

[newmexicoNita]

Do you ask employees at your local restaurants their salaries and pay? Do you ask the employees at the stores you shop these types of questions? Do you ask your accounting/tax firm how they pay their employees? I know I don’t.

 

If the pay was not decent and MUCH better than they can get at home, they would not work these ships for years and decades. I feel if they are speaking to passengers about their pay or lack there of, they are fishing for bigger tips.

excellent post: most of the servers and cabin stewards we have had over the years have been with NCL for many years. We did have a few on our last cruise that were relatively new and doing a great job I will add.

Anyone who expects the crew to honestly share how much they are getting is living in a dream world in my opinion.

 

Spanish Guy, I don't know when you have booked a cruise recently or how you booked it, but the gratuities as a perk are still been offered on many bookings. No, not all, but they have been offered on all sailings. Like anything else promos come and go.

Edited March 22, 2018 by newmexicoNita

[newmexicoNita]

Why are the Sun & Sky more than other ships?

wondered the same thing: I am guessing it either has to do with the itineraries being shorter in many cases or something to do with going to Cuba. What that has to do with it, who knows?

[NLH Arizona]

Where does my post say I asked him? He was more than happy to volunteer information. He never said they don't have good jobs; he said that the money NCL claims is "gratuities" is not.

If a stranger were to ask you what you make or made or where your salary came from, what would your response be?

[NLH Arizona]

Why are the Sun & Sky more than other ships?

Unlimited free drinks...they don't have the UBP or have to pay for their drinks.

[Regguy]

Unlimited free drinks...they don't have the UBP or have to pay for their drinks.

 

Right -- it looks as though the Sun sailings that do not have all-inclusive drinks are not priced at the higher level (the Miami departures and one or two longer Port Canaveral departures), although it sounds as though some on the longer Sun cruises are getting the e-mail and so are confused. I'm sure they will straighten it out.

[tmcabee]

Does anyone know...if I prepay at the lower rate, but decide to cancel the cruise later (before the final payment), will the prepaid DSC also be refundable?

[shof515]

Does anyone know...if I prepay at the lower rate, but decide to cancel the cruise later (before the final payment), will the prepaid DSC also be refundable?

yes

[Linda the Book Lover]

Pre-paid DSC for an upcoming cruise in June. It took a while for the rep to take care of it as my DD and I selected pre-paid DSC and the software would not allow me to pay for my DGD. He got it handled and was very nice and polite about it. I read about the increase on Facebook as I did not get any message from NCL. I am not surprised as I usually get any new information on any changes on CC or Facebook.

[mpk]

Can u use onboard credits to pay the gratuity charge?

We have not been able to on past cruises. Other cruise lines always

I've been told it depends on what *type* of onboard credit it is. If it is from NCL itself, via a promo, etc. then it cannot be applied to service charges.

 

But if it is from your travel agent, or purchased/prepaid by you, it is as good as cash and can be used for anything, including service charges.

[shof515]

But if it is from your travel agent, or purchased/prepaid by you, it is as good as cash and can be used for anything, including service charges.

have your travel agent clarify this and fully explain it. On my previous cruise my travel agent gave me 100 dollar on board credit, 75 was non refundable and 25 was refundable. i dont know why that is, but it is what it is

[eroller]

I suspect a change in the ability to adjust the Discretionary Service Charge may be coming soon. NCL keeps jacking the charge up and from all the information I have gathered, the crew is not being rewarded with these increases. More and more passengers seem to be adjusting their Discretionary Service Charge and I have a feeling NCL is looking very hard on how to limit or eliminate the ability.

 

Source: Dozens of cruises on NCL and many crew I consider friends who seem to tell me the truth about what actually happens at NCL.

 

 

 

NCL makes it very difficult to like them. They are the kings of extra fees and subtle price increases (drinks, speciality restaurants, etc). Enough is enough. If I thought for one minute the crew was receiving the extra gratuity I wouldn't mind, but more than one told me with the last increase they saw not an extra dime. This is basically a way for NCL to instantly increase their profitability. I hope it eventually gets to a point that people have had enough and book away. That is the only thing that will prevent it from continuing to happen.

[zitsky]

I'm wondering where everyone gets their numbers. My current offer is $13.99 pp/day. The info I'm getting is it's going to $19.99 pp/day. I'm on the NCL Sun. :loudcry:

 

In a veranda cabin.

[ElaineKeagy]

I'm wondering where everyone gets their numbers. My current offer is $13.99 pp/day. The info I'm getting is it's going to $19.99 pp/day. I'm on the NCL Sun. :loudcry:

 

In a veranda cabin.

 

 

 

What cruise do you have booked?

 

 

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[zitsky]

What cruise do you have booked?

 

 

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14 day South America San Antonio, Chile to Buenos Aires.

[LMaxwell]

14 day South America San Antonio, Chile to Buenos Aires.

 

The higher prices for Sun and Sky are only on cruises where they are sold as Open Bar cruises

[ElaineKeagy]

14 day South America San Antonio, Chile to Buenos Aires.

 

 

 

I was going to tell you what Maxwell told you. Enjoy your cruise.

 

 

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[Georgie562]

14 day South America San Antonio, Chile to Buenos Aires.

 

• $17.50 USD per person per day The Haven and Suites;

• $14.50 USD per person per day for Mini-Suites and below.

 

Norwegian Sky and Norwegian Sun (Port Canaveral sailings only*) -

$22.99 USD per person per day for Suites;

$19.99 USD per person per day for Mini-Suites and below.

 

I'm guessing your cruise is not closed loop from Port Canaveral so you are at:

• $17.50 USD per person per day The Haven and Suites;

• $14.50 USD per person per day for Mini-Suites and below.

[zitsky]

Ok thanks for all the replies. Looks like just $0.51 that others have reported. I can still pay up or down on the ship.

 

I'm exhausted figuring out everyone's tip amount.

[2hearted]

Do all the people that are worried about pre paying or not realize this increase only equates to $3.50 a person for a week long cruise? Unless you’re in the Haven and you can afford whatever increase they decide on.

 

 

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[david_sobe]

NCL makes it very difficult to like them. They are the kings of extra fees and subtle price increases (drinks, speciality restaurants, etc). Enough is enough. If I thought for one minute the crew was receiving the extra gratuity I wouldn't mind, but more than one told me with the last increase they saw not an extra dime. This is basically a way for NCL to instantly increase their profitability. I hope it eventually gets to a point that people have had enough and book away. That is the only thing that will prevent it from continuing to happen.

 

We think alike Ernie. I said the same thing 2 years ago and I have not cruised with NCL since. I am surprised they can maintain strong bookings and increase the prices on cruise fares, drinks, gratuities over and over again and again. I cant even keep up with all the increases :eek:

I would like to see or know proof these increases really do go to the crew. Too many times the employees tell us they never see any increase.

[zitsky]

Do all the people that are worried about pre paying or not realize this increase only equates to $3.50 a person for a week long cruise? Unless you’re in the Haven and you can afford whatever increase they decide on.

 

 

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Part of the problem is bad information. I received an email with the wrong price listed when it was just 51 cents. I don't have a problem with an extra $7 pp. What I saw said a $6 increase pp/day.

 

I also want to know whose pocket is getting this money.

[eroller]

We think alike Ernie. I said the same thing 2 years ago and I have not cruised with NCL since. I am surprised they can maintain strong bookings and increase the prices on cruise fares, drinks, gratuities over and over again and again. I cant even keep up with all the increases :eek:

I would like to see or know proof these increases really do go to the crew. Too many times the employees tell us they never see any increase.

 

 

Glad to hear I'm not alone! I'm also on a sabbatical from NCL. There are too many other cruise lines I like just as much if not more, that seem to appreciate my business more than NCL. It's a shame because overall I like the NCL ships and product, but I don't like the way it's run from the Miami office. After reading some of Del Rio's comments to the stockholders about getting more $$ out of customers, it really turned me off. I realize all cruise lines are out to make money, they are just not as off-putting about it as NCL is. It's downright offensive how NCL has been little by little gouging the customer. Most people of course don't realize it or don't think it's a big deal, because NCL does it rather sneaky. Those of us that have been around for a while certainly notice it, and all the little increases and added fees add up.

Edited March 22, 2018 by eroller

[maggie cruises]

Glad to hear I'm not alone! I'm also on a sabbatical from NCL. There are too many other cruise lines I like just as much if not more, than seem to appreciate my business more than NCL. It's a shame because overall I like the NCL ships and product, but I don't like the way it's run from the Miami office. After reading some of Del Rio's comments to the stockholders about getting more $$ out of customers, it really turned me off. I realize all cruise lines are out to make money, they are just not as off-putting about it as NCL is. It's downright offensive how NCL has been little by little gouging the customer. Most people of course don't realize it or don't think it's a big deal, because NCL does it rather sneaky. Those of us that have been around for a while certainly notice it, and all the little increases and added fees add up.

 

 

 

So so so true!!!!

 

I've had good times on ncl but honestly my princess and carnival cruises were great if not better

 

After one more cruise cert is used up I'm on to celebrity and non smoking casinos

 

Price is not really a big deterrent either

 

Also I'm really enjoying spending more time on USA soil too. 3/4 day trips are great especially with your own car

 

The beaches in America are awesome too

 

 

 

 

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[latebloomer56]

We have not been able to on past cruises. Other cruise lines always

 

 

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Wow I need to look now all my OBC was used up each time on all cruises regardless of which line. NCL doesn't use OBC (non-refundable) first for daily charges. Thanks for that info I will look on the POA next month.

[Two Wheels Only]

Unless you’re in the Haven and you can afford whatever increase they decide on.

What someone "can afford" isn't always what someone is willing to pay.

 

Using myself as an example, a NCL cruise will have "X" amount of enjoyment and will cost "Y" amount of dollars. Service charges, tips, port fees, etc. are irrelevant to me. They are just parts of what make up "Y". As long as "X" is greater than or equal to "Y", I'll sail with them. I'll try other lines/ships no matter what NCL does.

 

Every increase makes "Y" larger which is not good. The fact that "X" is only getting slightly better (new ships) isn't helping the situation. If NCL made some things better for suite/Haven guests, the increased "Y" would be easier to tolerate.

 

If my MSC Yacht Club "X" is even close to Haven for a much smaller "Y", MSC will get more from me and NCL will get less in the future.