Charge for Indoor Pool

[bulgargirl]

Hi - I hope this isn't a stupid question......:eek:

 

I just read a review of the Star and the writer mentioned that they charged a fee (something like $15 a day) to use the indoor pool located in the spa. I was under the impression this pool was free and adult only and highly recommended in other reviews.

 

Is it possible that the charge was due to the fact that it was an Alaskan cruise and cold? Like, with more demand comes the charge? I'm going on a mexican cruise so I still have the option of outdoor pools.

 

Thanks for any info! :)

[claroquesi]

I don`t know about the charge, but on the Jewel it wasn`t so much a pool as it was an oversized hot tub with what looked like chaise loungers sunk in it.

[Parker1]

I was just on the Star, August 6-13 and there was a charge - $15/day or $60/week. I'd read about this charge on the boards, but when I called NCL they told me the indoor pool was free and "don't believe everything you read". When I got on-board the pool charges were right at the entrance to the spa. When I asked I was told that the charge went into effect on the Star in April of this year and that Customer Service had given me incorrect info. They didn't say it was only for Alaska, although I didn't ask that specific question.

[shoreguy]

It is not a charge to use the pool. It is a charge to use all the spa facilities including the very small indoor lap pool. It was never intended to be an indoor party pool but part of relaxed environment. The intent of the charge is to make sure that those paying for treatments or who really want to enjoy the spa can enjoy the space.

 

It was never intended to substute for the covered swiming pools some ships have seperate from their spa.

 

 

The new ships Jewel + do not have a lap pool like the Dawn and Star.

[bulgargirl]

It is not a charge to use the pool. It is a charge to use all the spa facilities including the very small indoor lap pool. It was never intended to be an indoor party pool but part of relaxed environment. The intent of the charge is to make sure that those paying for treatments or who really want to enjoy the spa can enjoy the space.

 

It was never intended to substute for the covered swiming pools some ships have seperate from their spa.

 

 

The new ships Jewel + do not have a lap pool like the Dawn and Star.

 

I understand that concept, but I get annoyed with yet again, something else I have to pay extra for. Not that annoyed. But I'm a little bit of a gym rat. From what I understood, this was part of the spa/gym area. I don't know how available the machines are, and I like to actually swim laps. Which I would never do if I was getting a facial or manicure or something. So it kind of defeats the purpose for me.

[shoreguy]

I understand that concept, but I get annoyed with yet again, something else I have to pay extra for. Not that annoyed. But I'm a little bit of a gym rat. From what I understood, this was part of the spa/gym area. I don't know how available the machines are, and I like to actually swim laps. Which I would never do if I was getting a facial or manicure or something. So it kind of defeats the purpose for me.

 

Not part of the gym - nobody likes paying extra especially me - just trying to explain the logic as it was explained to me.

[bulgargirl]

No - I get you. Thanks Shoreguy. Did I sould snippity? I didn't mean to!

 

I've never been on this ship. I got the impression from the reviews that to use the gym, you use the spas changing rooms? But I probably got that mixed up. Anyway, I'd like to use the lap pool. I like spas to be peaceful, but if you're really using the pool as a lap pool, you're probably peaceful. Maybe they could make it a pay/or really work out thing. Hmmm.... that probably wouldn't fly either, would it? ;)

[shoreguy]

No - I get you. Thanks Shoreguy. Did I sould snippity? I didn't mean to!

 

I've never been on this ship. I got the impression from the reviews that to use the gym, you use the spas changing rooms? But I probably got that mixed up. Anyway, I'd like to use the lap pool. I like spas to be peaceful, but if you're really using the pool as a lap pool, you're probably peaceful. Maybe they could make it a pay/or really work out thing. Hmmm.... that probably wouldn't fly either, would it? ;)

 

 

Not snippity at all :) Just someone looking for what you should expect.

[cantwaitt]

Shoreguy:

 

Your logic is sound.

 

but, I think the bigger story here is that the charge to use the indoor pool is yet another among a rapdily growing list of things that are now extra on the Dawn and other NCL ships that just a year or so ago were included.

 

I think NCL is testing the "waters" (no pun intended) to see how far they can push this extra-charge policy, until the passengers push back.

 

I truly believe that in 3-5 years from now, the shows in the Starlight Theater will be extra, and basic lower-quality shows will be in Spinaker's/Galaxy of the Stars.

 

I also think the main dining restaurants--which now no longer serve things like Filet Mignon and Chilean Sea bass--will very soon stop serving Lobster tails and escargot.

 

Basic NCL cruises will be (already are) the razor so the cruise line can sell as many razor blades as it can when you get on the ship.

 

Perhaps that's the image they want.

[shoreguy]

Shoreguy:

 

Your logic is sound.

 

but, I think the bigger story here is that the charge to use the indoor pool is yet another among a rapdily growing list of things that are now extra on the Dawn and other NCL ships that just a year or so ago were included.

 

I think NCL is testing the "waters" (no pun intended) to see how far they can push this extra-charge policy, until the passengers push back.

 

I truly believe that in 3-5 years from now, the shows in the Starlight Theater will be extra, and basic lower-quality shows will be in Spinaker's/Galaxy of the Stars.

 

I also think the main dining restaurants--which now no longer serve things like Filet Mignon and Chilean Sea bass--will very soon stop serving Lobster tails and escargot.

 

Basic NCL cruises will be (already are) the razor so the cruise line can sell as many razor blades as it can when you get on the ship.

 

Perhaps that's the image they want.

 

Hope you are not right but I think the spa charge is more about cost reduction then revenue increase. With hundreds a day stopping in for a quick did in the pool leaving towels and using the facilities the number of staff needed to keep up was extrodinary. They can make more on one game of Bingo then a week of spa passes.

 

Two choices raise the fares to cover the cost (a full ship currently does not cover cost on fares) or sell razor blades ;)

[Kathy555]

On our 8/19 Star to Alaska my husband and I paid the $60.00 pp for the spa which included a lap pool, hot tub and a hydrotherapy pool (large square hot tub with pipes making lounge type chairs). This was great because the beds were so horrible on my back I needed it. It is a beautiful peaceful area and was worth the extra charge. WE really should have only paid the $15.00 per day because you need to go 4 days to get your money's worth and we were on the go quite a bit.

 

I found bingo to be a big rip-off with the new electronic cards. The first day it was $55.00 for one and when we played the last game it jumped to $155.00 for an electronic board!!

[Dolphins]

Even before the latest extra charge, what always bothered me about the indoor lap pool was despite the fact the health spa claimed it was open 24 hours a day, the indoor pool was not. I like to swim laps before breakfast but the lap pool was locked until 8AM? Now with the additional charge, I will never use it.

What NCL needs most for a ship sailing year round out of New York is a large pool with a sliding glass roof that can be used in the winter and is open 24 hours a day. The Golden Princess had such a pool and it was the best feature on the ship. The new Crown Princess, now sailing out of New York, lacks such a pool. Only HAL provides such a pool on most of their ships but they don't sail year round out of New York and don't offer free-style dining.

[BethP781]

Should I assume that NCL Spirit charges a per day fee to use their indoor lap pools (like the Dawn)? Is it also $15/day? Also, if it's a per day fee, how do they know if you go once in the morning and again in the evening, without paying twice? :confused:

[NJBear]

Should I assume that NCL Spirit charges a per day fee to use their indoor lap pools (like the Dawn)? Is it also $15/day? Also, if it's a per day fee, how do they know if you go once in the morning and again in the evening, without paying twice? :confused:

 

There was no charge for the inside pool on the SPIRIT when I was there 6/3/06, it was located through the gym. The pool at the gym on the SPIRIT was one of those small pools where you swim against a current, much smaller than the indoor pool on the DAWN, I would imagine no more than one person at a time can use the SPIRIT one.

 

 

*IF* they are now charging per day fee, they don't have to know how many times you use it as that fee would be "per day" not "per use"

[cruise2much]

I have been on 4 cruises with NCL going on my 5th next week, each time I find new charges added for previously included activities or services or increased over before. The use of the pool is just an example of what was once free. This would not be so bad if the initial cruise price was less but NCL is the same if not more than competing cruise lines that offer the same service included. Take the dining for example; Carnival also has Specialty restaurants to offer their guest a unique and private dining experience. They do not however make the free dining inferior to make the pay restaurants more appealing. I have said NCL stands for New Charges Likely and NCL seems to be trying to live up to that definition... I like NCL a lot and regardless of what they do we will continue to cruise with them but I must say they are making the dedication hard as they continue to add charges and take away from loyal cruisers like the discount for latitudes on drinks.

[dwrist]

You know, I try to stay out of some things on this board but my experience with the indoor spa area pool and hot tubs makes me want to explain something. When we were on the Star in Feb this year, we had a couple of spa appointments scheduled. We decided to stay on the ship in the ports because that is what we wanted. Going to the spa was our excursions for this sailing. While in the area, we observed the spa pool/hot tubs and saw people(many older, assume they were grandparents) using them with children. Yes the signs say 18 and older only, but people's attitude is 'this is my cruise and I will do want I dam well please'. With this $15 daily would it not stop children from using the area? It is my understanding from our cruise in Aug on the Star to Alaska, that if you used the spa for treatments, you could use the area for that day.

 

MOHO:)

[hotspur]

I have been on 4 cruises with NCL going on my 5th next week, each time I find new charges added for previously included activities...

Please give examples other than the spa pool.

[NJBear]

.......... my experience with the indoor spa area pool and hot tubs makes me want to explain something. ...............(many older, assume they were grandparents) using them with children. Yes the signs say 18 and older only, ...................It is my understanding from our cruise in Aug on the Star to Alaska, that if you used the spa for treatments, you could use the area for that day.

 

MOHO:)

 

On both DAWN cruises I experienced the same with the grandparents choosing the indoor / pool/ hottub spa area as a place of choice to babysit the children. There were spa clients relaxing on the lounge chairs overlooking the back of the ship and I saw people actually sitting down on the SAME lounge chairs as those occupied as though it was an ok thing to do .One woman actually sat on a woman's hair that was occupying a lounge chair and as the occupant went to sit up she was pinned to the chair.....I'd say it is cirumstances like this that lead them to start the $15 charge..just simply an attempt to let the spa..be a spa and not 1001 uses for a room with water and lounge features

[mbisson]

Carnival also has Specialty restaurants to offer their guest a unique and private dining experience. They do not however make the free dining inferior to make the pay restaurants more appealing.

 

Biting my lip and no, I'm not gonna say what I'm thinking! ;)

 

-monte

[newmexicoNita]

I understand that concept, but I get annoyed with yet again, something else I have to pay extra for. Not that annoyed. But I'm a little bit of a gym rat. From what I understood, this was part of the spa/gym area. I don't know how available the machines are, and I like to actually swim laps. Which I would never do if I was getting a facial or manicure or something. So it kind of defeats the purpose for me.

Then you might as well find something other than cruising as all lines are adding extra fees for things we used to expect to be free: no, wait a minute, indoor pools in spa areas are a rather new concept, so we didn't get them free for very long. Celebrity used to have free use of the T pools, no more: HAL used to let you get money from the casino and put it on your room account with no fees, not anymore (NCL still offers this free) Princess used to have bar set ups in the room for a very reasonable amont, they don't even offer this anymore. Cappachino is free on NCL but not on most lines: I am not trying to cause a problem but do think we all need to realize, and this has been said over and over: as long as the cruise prices stay down in a range that allows more people to cruise, we will pay for extras. To me this is a better solution than to jack up prices for everyone to pay for things like the use of the spa for a day, when many cruisers don't use the facility. Why should they pay? Same with drinks, I hate the cost of alcohol but I realize if they keep the prices down, the cruise rates go up and all those who don't not indulge will be paying for my vice. NMNita

[newmexicoNita]

I have been on 4 cruises with NCL going on my 5th next week, each time I find new charges added for previously included activities or services or increased over before. The use of the pool is just an example of what was once free. This would not be so bad if the initial cruise price was less but NCL is the same if not more than competing cruise lines that offer the same service included. Take the dining for example; Carnival also has Specialty restaurants to offer their guest a unique and private dining experience. They do not however make the free dining inferior to make the pay restaurants more appealing. I have said NCL stands for New Charges Likely and NCL seems to be trying to live up to that definition... I like NCL a lot and regardless of what they do we will continue to cruise with them but I must say they are making the dedication hard as they continue to add charges and take away from loyal cruisers like the discount for latitudes on drinks.

Sorry I have to disagree with you on the food, NCL versus Carnival and so would most of my clients: yes, food is subjective, but I find it hard to believe many people would find Carnival's food better than NCLs not to mention the service charge for the specialty restaurant is more and the choices are not the same. No one offers the variety that we get with NCL of which many of the choices are free. As for the latitude drink discount, I agree about 100%. This is the one thing that really upset me. NMNita

[cruise2much]

I love the Dawn and I will be sad to see it leave NY and perhaps I was a little overzealous in my first posting. I do think however if cruisers do not voice their concerns with the, in some cases extreme increases in prices that they will continue to go up. And I do think NCL should reconsider what they do with regard to their loyal customers. I love to cruise and will continue to as long as I am able. But, I don’t want the ships to turn into floating hotels where it becomes necessary to budget for feeding and entertaining yourself.

[newlywedcruisers]

Biting my lip and no, I'm not gonna say what I'm thinking! ;)

 

-monte

Come on, say it!

[bulgargirl]

Then you might as well find something other than cruising as all lines are adding extra fees for things we used to expect to be free: no, wait a minute, indoor pools in spa areas are a rather new concept, so we didn't get them free for very long. Celebrity used to have free use of the T pools, no more: HAL used to let you get money from the casino and put it on your room account with no fees, not anymore (NCL still offers this free) Princess used to have bar set ups in the room for a very reasonable amont, they don't even offer this anymore. Cappachino is free on NCL but not on most lines: I am not trying to cause a problem but do think we all need to realize, and this has been said over and over: as long as the cruise prices stay down in a range that allows more people to cruise, we will pay for extras. To me this is a better solution than to jack up prices for everyone to pay for things like the use of the spa for a day, when many cruisers don't use the facility. Why should they pay? Same with drinks, I hate the cost of alcohol but I realize if they keep the prices down, the cruise rates go up and all those who don't not indulge will be paying for my vice. NMNita

 

I understand your point, but I don't agree. I wouldn't mind slight increases to keep up with inflation and everything else. But I'm paying more for my room than I would for an all-inclusive stay in mexico. I figure that the rates for cruise ships and all-inclusive hotels should be --- not the same, but comparable.

 

Like I said, I'm not that annoyed by the charge, just a little. But if it's more because people were abusing the use of the pool and having rules just wasn't cutting it - then I'm better with the idea. But wouldn't that be solved even with a $5 per day charge or something?

[mbisson]

Come on, say it!

 

I think Nita said it a few posts back...but she was a lot nicer than I probably would've been.. ;)

 

-Monte