Frick_&_Frack

Liquor "upgrades" seems to be hit/miss.

I've had luck sometimes, no luck others.

You can ask now and, if it's a "no", try again once aboard. ;)

Enjoy!

It doesn't hurt to make the requests. I've had luck with some (mostly those that are allergy-related such as no flowers in the suite).

Just don't worry if those things aren't done. The butlers will generally try to do all they can as soon as they can.

Yes... I can verify that Super Premium beverages are excluded and cost me the full price plus 18% on both the Breakaway and Dawn (I purchased one per ship so that I would know what to expect)

 

Using the specialty coffee as an example..... if the coffee is "excluded" and you do NOT get a $15 allowance towards your latte.... then when NCL says Super Premium is "excluded" why would you expect to get a $15 allowance towards the Patron... same with Bucket of Beers.... it's excluded and you pay full price for the Bucket plus 18%

 

Of course, this also depends on your bartender and if they pour you a Patron but ring it up as house tequila because you've been a good tipper.... that's a different animal

 

You are correct that moving things from one column to another is a huge cost saving opportunity ... I am not judging if it is right or wrong or not ethical or fantastic business sense... just passing along the T&Cs and how they may \ are applied

Thank you for confirming, Scott.

Has anyone verified this to be true? To me this looks like NCL now has a list of drinks that will cost you the full price, regardless of having the UBP. By simply moving more top shelf liquor into that list of "super premium" they can effectively cut the cost of providing the UBP as a promo and increase liquor spending on board.

I hadn't really ever read through the T&C on the UBP since I don't drink very much (sort of a waste on me). But, I see what you mean.

I guess a good example is the bucket of beer. Do you get $15 off that? (and, I truly don't know - just asking).

It seems like *some* items you may get to deduct the $15, while others you cannot (I know that coffees are totally excluded - always have been).

So, using the coffees as a reference, then, I would gather the answer may now be "excluded"?

Good thing I have OBC. :rolleyes:

In general, the pre-concierge hasn't reached out to me (and I have only sailed in the Haven).

You can reach out to them with your requests (the letter with the luggage tags directs you to do so).

Only time they sent me e-mails was when I was in DOS or higher. ;)

Happy Cruising! :)

There is really an underlying issue here that I don't think anyone is recognizing.

 

With the continual "extension" of the Free At Sea promos, "everyone" has a drink package. Free drinks for everyone.

 

Meanwhile, the price of the drink package creeps up.

 

Meanwhile, the price of individual drinks creeps up.

 

 

Yet nobody cares because everyone has the drink package.

 

 

For now.

 

 

 

Eventually though, the "free" drink packages are going to come to an end and people will be left to deal with whatever they've managed to raise the package price to by then OR to pay the cost of whatever they've managed to raise the individual drink prices to by then.

 

And just like the lobster sitting in the slowly heating pot of water...it will be too late.

I've been surprised that the promos lasted as long as they have. Granted, the costs are built into the fare (let's face it, NCL is a business - not a charity).

I don't drink much, so it wouldn't matter much to me without it (cruised that way for years and it was just fine). I think you are correct that it is concerning that if the promos go *poof*, suddenly we are facing drinks above $15 each.

If that happens, I have a feeling the outcry here on CC will make the soda/water thing look like a tea party. JMHO of course. ;)

when it comes to someone wanting to stick their hands deep in my pocket for the cash i have earned you better believe it's all abut me, me, me. and i damn well expect to get what i paid for. but with ncl this is rarely the case. book a cruise 9 months out and see what you paid for that you end up not getting because they 'changed' policies. if you want to frivolously throw your money into the wind that is your prerogative but i expect the policies in place when i book a cruise to be in place when i take the cruise.

Very well said!

For Escape, that would be decks 11 and 14 for the H6.

 

 

 

If you had deck 9, you had the largest. (That's true for Escape, Breakaway and Getaway).

Sorry, should have been more clear and added the deck numbers for the bath by balcony ones. :)

I try to "sandwich" between decks of cabins due to the possibility of noise. Also, there are 2 different room configurations - so you need to be careful which you choose (if it matters to you). Personally, I prefer the main bathroom by the balcony, but there are fewer designed that way. :)

I don't think it is all the posters that take it so personally, just some of them. It is the ones who have to resort to the incivility as to attack an employee of NCL or attack those that disagree with them, instead of just voicing their displeasure and I would bet those are the ones who stand in line at Starbucks and complain to anyone who will listen.

I agree that the attacks on employees of NCL is just so horribly wrong, on so many levels. I did receive a call, on the first day of the "soda/water thing" ;) from NCL (around 4pm - I was sort of in the first "wave").

I had a super conversation with the gentleman (who, by then, had gotten an earful). He offered to even put a supervisor on with us. I told them that I, personally, was sorry that they were the "front lines" to hear complaints over and over - no matter what the issue was.

No need for it to get uncivil. I actually had them laughing at times. I still got my point across, but I didn't want them ever to think that I was just an insensitive moron either.

We can all discuss, and make opinions known, in ways that are constructive. A corporation may, or may not, change their rules (sometimes they do - remember "New Coke" ;) ).

Personally, I come on CC to get the latest word (before boarding as I would be mighty ticked to have found some of this *at* boarding).

This way, I've vented and then can cruise with my new, adjusted, expectations.

Re: the Haven menu. Our last three Getaway cruises, the most recent being November , lobster was NOT an option on the menu except on seafood night. I was shocked when the new menu came out and had whole, allegedly Maine lobsters. It would have been a nice treat, but it is gone now. Lobster prices are high right now at the commercial level ( cousin is a lobsterman).

 

It isn't as though the Haven always offered whole lobsters or even the tails. It was a new offering and went away before I even tried it. It is a non- issue.

 

I will say that the Haven prices are too high, but to take the vacation we want I had to grin and bear it. It won't affect my cruise enjoyment at all. At least it won't if I can stay away from reading upsell threads !😜

 

Having paid zero for the UBP and Zero service charge in the Haven, if for some reason I can't find a drink

I like under 15 bucks, I'll drop the 2 extra dollars.

 

Royal Caribbean HAS priced us out of their suites. Even the older, small ships like Grandeur have insane suite prices without the drinks ( except a few hours in the concierge lounge) , the meals, etc.

 

This isn't a criticism of your post at all- but the Haven lobster was only around a short while, they have added rack of lamb. I'm happy with that!

 

The single supplement must truly stink. Sorry you have to pay double!

Enjoy your cruise. We are going to check out MSC if we get a chance to cruise before college tuitions change our life- our next cruise is a special occasion and I went all out.

 

And your flamingo is the best avi on cruise critic

 

😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀

Thanks re: the avi. :D

I hear you on the upsells...smh I try to not look since I've never been offered one even after all these full-priced sailings.

I guess I shouldn't have pointed to "lobster" - but, even the shrimp cocktail at lunch. It's just "little" things. Some bug me, some don't. Actually, most don't even impact me at all. I think it's more the concept that it just seems almost neverending right now. May sound odd, but had they done most of the changes in one shot - I'd probably have been pretty fine with the concept. *shrugs* That's just me.

RCCL's pricing can be high - but, actually, I could have gone cheaper on the same week next year with more perks in the highest available suite. I chose the ships I did since I wanted the new Star Class. So, overall, it's about the same for me. It's my choice to pay the 200% no matter where I go. I got used to the suites when DH was alive and now can't go "back". :eek: I do nothing but work all year and help my Mom, I don't even go to the movies. So, for me, it's my time to "splurge" and I don't think about spending. It's the price I pay for having a bit of fun for myself.

I just will wait out NCL's current spate of "small" things. Eventually, it will slow down/steady and then I'll put them back on the radar of choices.

(I did check MSC as well. I wasn't quite as awed for the exact timeframes I wanted; however, I will continue to check them out as well.)

Happy Cruising! :)

And I agree, I hope they don't change in the next 30 days to not allow us the option of paying the co-pay.

I think this has become my biggest concern. I'm wondering what *exactly* the product will be when I board. :eek:

I had been very loyal to NCL. However, it's been so many "little" changes so quickly that finally got to me. It just seems like once a month (or less) that changes are made - none adding, just removing. And, they didn't add the high speed internet as even promised (which, personally, would have just covered a lot of my disappointment as I have to be reachable 24/7).

I'm a stockholder, so, from a business perspective, I'm all for them being competitive (though, no dividends have been paid).

What concerns me is the almost constant "slight" changes. For me, it was the soda. Yes, may seem silly; however, I'm allergic to a lot of things and hate Pepsi with a passion. So, I always have my small supply of Coke and add some Rum. I may have 2 a day like that? OK, I figured I'd switch to just Martinis. Now, the 2 types I will drink are priced out of UBP.

While it's just a few dollars (and I have plenty of OBC to cover), it's just tiring. Maybe it's because I'm done with paying 200% of fare (I'm solo) to be in the Haven, and then get a chit for $2 or $3 for the few drinks I'll have. (And, in the Haven they have changed the menu even.)

So, NCL has always been a wonderful product. However, it's time to branch out. I only manage 2 weeks of vacation a year (even though I'm entitled to quite a bit more). I don't want to constantly be uncertain of small changes.

If they slow that down, then I can put them back on my cruise radar.

Edited to add: I should note that I wouldn't have even posted much at all; however, the "soda" thing came after final payment, so I had no option but to keep the cruise. I seriously would have cancelled and just found a replacement or spent it on the beach in Miami at this point.

Happy Cruising!

If they have jacked espresso martinis to 18.95 (which I find hard to believe) - that would be another deal-breaker to me (Think Coke and silly priced waters for others:rolleyes:)

 

That is piss-take pricing (if it is true).:mad:

That was noted by someone recently staying in the Haven. And, it's on par with no Coke (since that prompted me to cancel all booked cruises beyond the one in final payment). :eek: And, since that woman didn't change anything, and confirmed the price, I'm pretty confident in it. I'll find out in a month in the Haven for myself (unless someone can post a copy of a current menu). ;)

When DH was alive, we did stay aboard a lot (more than getting off the ship). Sometimes a quick "walk" on the pier, but mostly just enjoyed the quiet of the nearly-empty ship.

I've now been getting off and walking around the "familiar" ports; however, I have a feeling that phase will pass quickly and I'll be back to just enjoying time on the ship.

Besides, so much to explore on Anthem and Allure - WOW - feel like I'll need a month on each! :eek: :D

Hi Lori -

We did it a number of years ago back in 2012). But, I called the regular "Wedding Experience" people and set it up through them.

I'm not certain, but would assume it could still be done that way.

All I know, is it was an incredible Vow Renewal and a very special memory to me.

All the best!

The thread is here:

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2386472

I was trying to see about Martinis (specifically Chocolate or Espresso) as I've recently seen those at 18.95-ish within a few reviews.

Does anyone have a recent picture of the Martini menu? I've seen just a few recent reports of the "flavored" ones going for around $18.95 or so now.

Thanks.

I don't cruise in the Haven, but in an aft penthouse and I've always received a liter of water and on one of my cruises when I went through that bottle, they gave me another one.

I usually cruise in the Haven, but my last was an aft suite (except for twice in DOS - so no comparison on those). My "hit" ratio on the free replacement of water is probably less than 50/50. Doesn't personally matter; however, I guess it could start to get pretty pricey.

And they're reimbursing us 1/7 of what we paid. It'll be made in the form of onboard credit, but any unused onboard credit will be credited back to your CC.

That's good that you will get that since, a night in port that is "planned" but not the original cruise should at least get that from them (planned as in, not due to weather, or other unforeseen circumstances).

Matt - The funny thing is that I'm pretty calm (well as calm as an OCD Type-A personality can get ;)).

I'm so low-maintenance. Once I get dinners set up, and sort out maybe seeing a few shows/entertainment items (I haven't been to a show in years and years and it's against my nature to not "pre-book" dinner as I've grown accustomed to doing for years now), I pretty much just stay to myself.

It's so weird "re-learning" to cruise. :p :D

I believe what Del Rio is looking to do is attract folks away from more direct competitors that currently have a higher price point (RCL, Celebrity, Princess) rather than draw passengers from the budget lines (CCL, MSC).

I know that, for the cruises I replaced, there were a lot of options that cost less than the NCL Haven ones I had booked. Yes, some were equal or more. But, by the time I added in some of my extra expenses on NCL, those differences in price-points weren't as large either.

And, MSC Yacht Club (so I have heard) is an amazing, and quite comparable experience to NCL's Haven - so, that's not a "budget" line. ;)

 

If you want Carnivals Beverage Package then you will pay $50 pp per day plus 15% gratuity, NCL only charges an 18% gratuity if you choose it as a promo.

 

NCL charges 18% on all beverages purchased (including any plans) - Promo or not (unless you are in the Haven and get it as a promo). ;)

They can simply charge for each menu item at O'Sheehans and your two free eateries will be the buffet and MDR, everything else is premium. hungry at night after 9PM? Well, nothing for free anymore...

Well, it may be "free" but there may be a charge (a la Room Service), for our convenience, of course. ;)

O'Sheehans already has a premium dessert menu with some awesome sundaes :eek:

I don't see where they can add more fees. But I expect to see more cutbacks. The biggest test will be to see what the new entertainment will be for the shows that expired. I don't expect to see the top tier entertainment we normally get from NCL.

Oh, please don't challenge them with "I don't see where they can add more fees".....:eek: :rolleyes: