Captain-John

Same here, still showing on My NCL and no updates from TA etc. But, when I try and do a new dummy booking for the sailing via my TA, I get an error - 'fare not found.' Hmmm.

Absolutely. A tip is 'over and above' for me, and for a service rendered - not just routine course of doing one's job or as you say, expecting a tip when no service is actually rendered or wanted! 'when in Rome' - I was specifically referring to US restaurants as I believe the servers are taxed by the IRS on an 'assumed' level of tips etc. which seems quite punitive. I will continue to 'tip' (or is that remunerate) relative to the quality and quantity of service I experience (or, require).

Thank you, and yes, aware but will never 'understand.' 🙂 I've also noted the resort fee trend and I believe some NYC properties with no pool, no gym, etc. also have the gall to charge it! Just to keep it simple, this is how I think (made up numbers): US base price per person: $700 + $120 tax + $180 expected tip/DSC whatever. UK price: $1000 USD (tax included, tip/DSC included - no additional expected). Question is - would a US consumer really be put off by the higher 'base' price? I guess the answer is yes, or the model would have changed years ago. Likewise with the resort fees example - room rate is $200 plus $40 resort fee. Or - room rate is $240 (no resort fee). I would still stay in the property at $240 headline price...?

That's your only response to not reading my post properly? Ha. I clearly said it wasn't NCL in my post.

I guess there is also a fundamental difference in business model across the pond - I have already splurged on the Haven or whatever suite product by virture of the (much) higher base fare. The fact a proprotion of that increased fare does not go towards the remuneration of the butler is a choice of the cruise line, and the line has an expectation the gap will be made up by the guest (you term it a responsbility, I might say 'guilt trip'), but I find it bizarre to operate this way, and it is clearly advantageous to the line. They do this with DSC too (a seperate debate I know). It is fair to say 'when in Rome' - I find this way of business very tacky but, I am aware of it, therefore I would comply in say a US restaurant and tip 15-20% as would be customary, but I absolutely do not understand or agree with it. It disguises the true price amongst other things. But I know it's expected, and I do it. However - in the butler example - his actions negatively affected my experience and therefore any 'base' tip I would give to comply with the 'guilt trip' was erased.

No I didn't. This was MSC cruises, not NCL, as I mentioned. On some of their ships, the restaurant was situated outside the 'ship withinin a ship' area, and commonly an escort is offered as it is not a straightforward route. But I was very familiar with the ship, did not want to be tied to a particular dining time and declined the escort. He came to the cabin anyway, and the subsequent evening, despite me saying not to.

No, nothing at all of that nature. It was MSC Yacht Club so they don't bring snacks by default nor serve meals in the cabin. The cabin steward did a phenonmenal job and was tipped accordingly.

I'm afraid I wholeheartedly disagree and how they are salaried should be absolutely nothing to do with the guest. To your latter point (not on NCL) - I have had a butler who ignored a direct request not to escort us to dinner, not to escort us off the ship etc. - butlers should be able to 'gauge' the level of service their guests require and in fact that overbearing approach actually detracted from our experience, and did not enhance it. No tip was given. I find it heartwarming that so many people in the world are seemingly so generous - paying for a service not received a great example - but I'm not wired that way and it shouldn't be expected. It's really unfair of the cruise lines to 'guilt trip' guests like this, to help lower their own bottom line.

Yes that's what I plan on doing as well. I have it in writing from my TA that this will be the case.

Thank you - I know it's not a guarantee that they will even open a bidding program for a given sailing but I've had nothing yet.

May I ask what your sailing date is and when the bidding window opened? I board Epic 10/23 and haven't had a bid invitation yet.

I had the exact same query - I've booked and paid for Vibe for an 04/23 sailing on Joy - but checked with my agent if I could cancel, should I later upgrade to Haven (no spa on Joy sadly). They answered with a positive 'yes' - and refund would be made to original payment method. Good enough for me!

Awesome, thank you. 🙂

I have the option to pre-book Vibe passes for a Joy sailing next year. If I pay now, and subsequently upgrade to Haven (either paying or through upgrade programme) - can I get a refund of Vibe passes?

All interesting points raised! Hank - you're right, it's very difficult to compare directly amenities/cabin size/itineraries on a 1 for 1 basis. I suppose there is an element of 'perceived value' as well as actual value. So for example for me the food on MSC is often a drawback to an otherwise good experience. How much 'extra' is good food worth to me - assuming all else is the same? I picked a random week in the Med (sailing 1st April). I found a YC1 for £3800/($4,500). c. $320 pp. per day. Different itinereary but I also found a V2 Verandah on Azamara pursuit for £3720. Drinks package is an extra £200 from what I can see (Wifi and Gratuities excluded from both). So for £120 more - I could sail Azamara over MSC. Again - it depends on whether itinerary or ship or 'experience' is the driver - but it's a less clear 'win' for the YC IMO. It's funny - I don't actually like the idea of a small ship (I'm not very social!). I love the 'ship within a ship' concept. But I can't physchologically get past the fact I could get the small ship luxury experience from a more 'premium' line, for roughly the same price as MSC charge for the YC - a mass market line albeit offering a niche product Everything is 'case by case' - but I just think the differential between YC and 'the rest' is evaporating - which takes away a reason to consider YC. All the other 'push and pull' factors remain. However price (and the weighting this is given when considering a cruise) has definitely changed in my view.

Hi all As an occasional visiter to these forums, and occasional MSC cruiser, as we return to 'normal' I've been looking to book cruises both this year and next in the YC. I am absolutely staggered at the prices being asked (even from my favourite, discount TA). We're talking Oceania or Viking money or beyond. Is this because MSC have a bidding system now? NCL's Haven also prices really high but often the cabins are unsold and people are upgraded via the bidding programme. As much as I enjoy the YC - I can't see how the experience is on par with truly premium lines. I understand the wider reasons as to why crusing is more expensive now - lots of future travel vouchers to be used from cancelled cruises, pent up demand (although my NCL sailing in October is very quiet looking at cabin availbility), inflation, 'lost time' the cruise lines need to make money back from, lower capacity on ships - etc. But the rises for YC are disproportionate to all of that from what I can see. How are others finding it?