GEORGET

How do you get to that figure?

Also:

GLENFIDDICH Feb tip was $1.28 NOW $1.71

 

$1.28 x 33% = $1.70

j

Dining packages are non-refundable and must be purchased for the whole cruise. It can be purchased for children 13 years of age and older and adults. Please note that we charge 18% gratuity and on cruises from/to Spain and Italy

we are required to charge an additional VAT.

For guests that are Platinum Latitude Members there will be a discount of $20.00 off standard Ultimate Dining Package.

Ultimate Beverage Package

Enjoy a wide selection of soft drinks, beers, spirits, cocktails and wines by the glass during your entire cruise.

Packages must be purchased by all qualifying individuals residing in the stateroom or additional staterooms under the same folio for the entire length of the cruise.

Individuals under the age of 21 will be required to purchase the Soda Programme. Please note that we charge 18% gratuity and on cruises from/to Spain and Italy

we are required to charge an additional VAT.

$54.00 per day ($ 59.00 when booking on board) + 18% gratuity

Did not think that there was Vat on drinks out of Italy just 20% on goods.??

And this is why the UBP at $54 + 18% tip ($64) becomes more viable. 5 Glenfiddich's and a cpl soft drinks or a beer and you've got your money worth.

Yes but it still means the bar staff have recieved a 33% increase in tips on one drink.

thats if NCL gives this amount to them, even if you are on the UBP.

Trouble with the UBP is that all in the cabin have to sign up and drink that amount a day to break even.

j

being from the UK it is hard to realise that it is virtually compulary to tip, their way of life (usa).

Could you imagine what would happen if i was in my local and went to the bar for a £3 pint and was told it was £3 54 because they had to pull it.

J

So my Glenfiddich has gone up from $8.50 plus auto grats 1.28 total $9.78

To $9.50 plus auto grats $1.71 total $11.21.

Since february 2015

11.7% base price increse by NCL + WITH GRATS increase total 14.82% rise when inflation is supposed to be 2%.

Makes a farce of the "A 18% gratuity is included in your bill, However please use the "ADDITIONAL tip" line to recognize outstanding service

at the bottom of drinks slip.

nearly $2 a drink it better be outstanding service.

plus an extra 10% vat on some cruises, ouch

i can see how Ncl are increasing revenue

ps how come the new bar prices have disappeared for two posts?

Sorry, typo in previous message, referring to UDP when of course it is the UBP.

 

The point is that there are three situations for ships sailing on cruises from Spain, and it is not clear that NCL are applying them correctly.

 

1. Drinks bought as no UBP. Then VAT should be included in whatever the menu price is (including any compulsory service charge). It doesn't matter that the menus are printed fleet wide, that is NCL's problem. However whether it is an inclusive price or added on top, VAT should be calculated on a per drink price.

 

2. UBP paid for (and it doesn't matter before boarding or after). VAT should be calculated on the daily UBP charge, not the theoretical drink price which isn't being paid. Whatever appears on the drinks bill is irrelevant, as either NCL charge the customer nothing (treating the UBP charge as they should as inclusive), or at worst, $5.40 per day irrespective how many drinks were drunk.

 

3. UBP included in the cruise price. No VAT is due, as no drinks are being bought. What has been paid for is transport for the cruise. Whatever appears on the drinks bill is irrelevant, as no VAT is due from either the customer or NCL.

you are wrong in some respects.

yes under eu law prices should include VAT in the upfront price, but cruise lines all that i have been on have added VAT If the ship does not leave EU waters or while in port in Spain or ITALY.

On Spirit in february while in port in Spain VAT AT 10% was added even if you had the UBP This will apply to the UDP UDP if the ship does not leave EU waters.

now if you are a EU resident and PRE pay the UDP or the UDP ARE YOU CHARGED vat at purchase???, if NCL or any other line says yes . you can argue this point.

But remember how many lawyers they have.

TO ALL CRUISERS DO NOT CRUISE IN THE EU UNLESS THE SHIP VISITS A NON EU PORT AT LEAST ONCE.

J

Blue Lagoon will probably also be open, but it is quite small on the Spirit.

opened after drill great little place

j

Its a breach of European consumer law by quoting ex-VAT prices on menus etc. Should be inc-VAT. This is not the good ole US of A, where sales taxes are always added on to the ticket price.

I agree mentioned this on P&O AND RCCL was told it was the Spainish and Italian that added this tax.

The real reason is that they would have to change the price of every item on board, plus the menu's just because the ship remains for the total cruise in EU waters.

Nobody has taken them to court over this.

This VAT applies to ALL SHIPS docking in there ports or remaining in EU waters

NCL FAQ SITE

What about tipping?

You will have either pre-paid the service charge on your holiday invoice or it will be charged to your on-board account. In addition, a suggested gratuity of 18% on drink bills, dining options, which are not inlcuded in the cruise fare and on spa and salon bills will be added automatically and charged to your on-board account. Click here to find out more.

Shopping on-board - tax & duty-free

With the exception of Hawai'i itineraries, our on-board stores carry tax- and duty-free items like liquor, tobacco, fragrances and cosmetics, as well as casual beach and cruising apparel. You’ll also find designer watches, stunning pieces of jewellery and more. Please note that in order to comply with Spanish and Italian tax regulations we are required to charge Spanish and Italian VAT on applicable retail items purchased on board on cruises from/to Barcelona and from/to Venice and Rome, as well as on all other cruises whilst the ship is in Spanish and Italian waters.

IF you pre purchase any package it does not include this VAT so it is added to your bill onboard.

we had the UBP and in Barcelona only the VAT appeared on our statement , the same in Malaga, this was because the ship left EU waters, if it had remained in the EU it would have been charged the whole cruise.

now that 10% from Spain could add up.

the vat was charged while we were docked and seemed to be lifted after the ship was at sea, could be when the pilot leaves.

One thing not mentioned by NCL is that if the ship stays permanatly in EU the Duty free shop is closed on ship and on land.

since being caught twice have picked ships that are all inclusive or visit one port outside EU

j

Raffles court buffet 11.30 till 4.00 pm deck 12 aft

Windows Main dining 12.30 till 2.30 deck 6 aft

Are the two open on day one.

life boat drill 4.30 on deck so wear a coat.

enjoy the cruise j

I am probably one of those folks you might think is cynical and suspicious and I really don't mean to be.

 

I do like how you broke it down to basic math. Three weeks ago they were collecting $48 per day from that family of four who dine in a specialty restaurant at night. Now before we reach the end of the month it will cost that same family $74. That is a $26 per day increase for this family.

. Just think every suite or Haven couple who has booked in the last couple of months will board the ship and can drink as much as they like, eat wherever they like and have their cabin serviced two or more times a day by their steward. At the end of the week they will have contributed zero dollars to the DSC or the bar tip pool out of pocket (they very well may tip above and beyond but that is another discussion). We are told the DSC, the bar tips and now the 18% gratuity in specialty restaurants are included in the promotion. So that couple ate in a specialty every night and over the course of the week drank $300 worth of beverages each. This would mean that more than $350 should be going towards the DSC and the bar servers tip pools. Where is that money coming from? Do you believe this is coming out of the companies pocket and into the pools? That is just one suite couple. Now multiply by every suite or Haven booked under this ongoing promotion. Add in every UDP or UBP chosen from mini-suite on down. Those are an awful lot of gratuities that need to be paid and they have to come from somewhere.

 

 

I see where you are coming from but remember how much more the Suites costs are, the offer is built into the inflated price. Please note UK suite guests have to pay $14 95 pp per day as offer of free DSC seems only to apply to the USA. ON top of that the Butler and Concierge will expect a large tip.

 

actually if the 18% is added to the UDP as an additional cost, like vat, it will save me money as i will no longer cash tip.

 

the latest offer of the above package Plus on selected cruises Friends and Family sail for Port Fee only.

they will of course have to pay the DSC and purchase any onboard package.

 

it is like a supermarket trick, increase the base price then put an offer/reduction on it so that when the offer has finished the new base price looks normal.

especially the drinks package.

 

Time that all tips/service charges/ gratuites are included in the base price.

this way the staff are paid the correct wage, they cannot be stiffed by having tips removed, new cruisers are not given an unexpected bill and it would be one less thing to moan about.

trouble is the USA has a tipping fobia (culture) that the rest of the World cannot understand.

But the corporate bodies do.

j

since the rise in DSC does this now include the Butler ?

Just a Thought

If NCL had increase the cover charge by 18% and said cover still includes gratuities would there be such an outcry?

NCL seem like other line's able to shot its self in the foot.

Makes you wonder about the usefulness of the high paid executives in this business.

j

In February we had the UDP and the bill showed zero so we gave a cash tip.

Are you saying that this has changed and they are adding 18% to the UDP bill ie Le Bistro $20 x 2 would show a $7.20 auto grat charge to my account?

this actually will make it easier for me as i will no longer leave a cash tip.

this will affect the staff in the specialist venues as i cannot see NCL giving them more if they also recieve from the DSC.

Which to us Brits has increase from £7 a day to £ 9.50 per person since February.

looks as though the cruise industry, thinks we will not notice and continue using them.

Drinks up, Grats up, Cruise prices up, next cruise $5800 before any of these charges for 2.

can go anywhere 5* for that and is making even the all inclusive ships attractive.

Still want all the grats included in the upfront price like our Australian cousins

j

Question I have is most flights I see for the 2016 schedule fly out of Barcelona at 10:30am for the states on disembark day..

I always just walk off the ship as early as possible but in this case I am concerned whether there will be enough time to get a Taxi to the airport and clear customs in time for the flight...

IN February collected our luggage at 7 30 and there was plenty of taxi's.

fixed charge of 39 euro's.takes approx 20 minutes to airport.

please make sure the driver knows which flight company you are with and terminal.

easily made our 10 10 flight.

alternatively NCL was running a shuttle to the airport for 10 to 11 am flights at 6.20 am

hope it helps j

Having said that, there's nothing to stop you debarking the ship at whatever time you feel like. Just look for your luggage in the appropriate colour location.

Agree

on Spirit in Feb Disembarkation with colour tags started at 610 for early independants and also 715, 7,30 815, 820, 835.( for independants)

all off by 9am

you could pick up your colour tags the day before but on a first come first served basis.

time and place on the Disembarkation Program leaflet delivered to your stateroom.

no problem if you have a suite as you are escourted off at any time .

hope it helps

j

Great news for us brits,

hope it is replacing the Island Escape for the same offers.

Island Escape is an all inclusive package, price including flights, all grats and drinks.

also pound sterling onboard.

Cannot wait to see the prices.

thanks for the info

j

You will probably dock in the outskirts, they supply transfers to the old town. Each cruise line charges a differrent amount.

you will be very lucky if you tender in.

Since Croatia has joined the EU they have strangly insisted that you use their currency.

So if you want to use taxi's (cannot see a problem) or buy anything check if they will take Euro's or Dollars in cash. Or pay by card.

Also take your passport as been known to spot check at the dock gates and send people back to the ship if they had not . It can be a long walk.

have a great cruise

j

your onboard card and your travel companions who have the UDP will be charged seperately for the meal but the total will show zero.

except for any tips or drinks purchased.

it will be listed on your statement but no price for the meal will be shown

hope it helps j

May June late September to early November for cruises as cooler and avoids school holidays.

July and august can be 75-90+ in western Med and higher in eastern Med.

as i have said before please make sure the cruise you choose leaves EU waters at least once to avoid extra taxes.

have a great holiday j

Malaga spain at present is 60+ barcelona 50+ and this is there cold period.

I am a first time cruiser in July on Azura. I think I am now more confused than ever regarding tips. I was going to leave on my auto tips but now it seems people have said they are tipping on top of this to the waiter staff on the last night and you may be the only one on a full table not doing it. Do the staff look for a tip on top of their auto tips almost hand out type of thing. Or can I safely avoid embarrassment and leave on my auto tips and that is it. Do I need to tip any other staff anywhere else, if auto tips only covers some staff. Also it seems some tables in the MDR are not as nice as others and not in such a desirable position as others can someone expand on this for me.

First you will enjoy the cruise. leave auto tips on or prepay them and forget about it. Nobody will expect more and the staff know you have paid.

As for dinning if you are not on Freedom dining and do not like the table you are given, the time or the table company simply ask to be moved.

hope it helps j

Thank you for this post

As i thought it was just the Euro cruises that had increased.

D+ on RCCL but have moved to P&O Last year, 4 cruises because of better overall value for Money, that year.

in February book bargain last minute NCL suite with all the extras a no brainer.

Had such a good experience with the included specialist free dining package, free drinks and OBC.

our first time on NCL

So good rebooked again and paid more before this offer was pulled.

RCCL cruises were way above this price.

Will return to RCCL when they offer value as there competitors and are the same price.

The last 5 cruises away from RCCL shows that RCL standards are not as high as the Management thinks it is. Last cruise on Brilliance, which we have done 10 cruises on, was

another reason we jumped ship.

retired, spending our savings and loving it

j

Of course, it's even harder for the OP, because he's from Yorkshire, so the idea of giving anyone any money will bring him out in a cold sweat.

 

I'm joking, of course. I'm typing this at home, about 10 miles from Sheffield, and in the same county. :)

to right

could you imagine what would happen in the pub if you gave 18% tip at the bar, the locals would lynch you.

how much!!!!! is the yorkshire war cry

thanks

j

I'm lost... Did he tip more than the $120 to the butler and $90 to the concierge?

 

"is this additonal total amount we gave ok for both of us?

 

the last total $ 500+ surcharge (including above), plus $100 in the specialist dinning grats and not including the 18% added to the drinks was more than twice my weekly pension".

JUST again thank you for making me feel that it was ok.

just for the record $14 95 x 2 x 10 standard grats = $299, plus$120 B plus $90 C = $500 +

THANKS j

thank you both was worried cheers j

Ten day cruise

Have read plenty of threads on this subject, but as a Brit we are not use to tipping.

most brits would think that the Butler was covered by the increased suite cabin charge and the high price paid.

I know it is not

I prepaid our tips as usual, and gave the butler £80 /$120 approx and the Concierge £60/ $90.

On some threads Americans seem to give more than i earn just to them

the reason i am asking, we are returning to the same ship soon.

is this additonal total amount we gave ok for both of us?

the last total $ 500+ surcharge (including above), plus $100 in the specialist dinning grats and not including the 18% added to the drinks was more than twice my weekly pension.

To make it worse the TA'S in the UK ask if you want the tips added to save the above embarresment to us brits. Hence why some butlers may get nothing.

Great beliver in tips being included in the up front price like thomson, you never see anybody queuing to remove them on the last day there.

If it was on all lines the staff would be on a win win senario and may be the total price would come down.

tips if you prepay them before the increase you will not have to pay the extra.

Could be worse on a 14 day RCCL cruise it is £224 for two.NCL £252 + 18% added to drinks bill.

Have alway prepay tips to get the hassle out of the way.

Last P&O cruise two couples in inside cabins opposite ours cancelled there tips and gave £20 Between them.

how do i know, was at reception checking my OBC and also when they left the ship.

Pity that they are not treated like airlines and have to show the hidden costs on the invoice.

Trouble is P&O, Like most lines are Foreign owned by countries that are used to tipping. We are like the Australians and not used to it.

Would it not be great if the government made all tips/grats/service charges included in the price like VAT.

Solve all problems on tipping.

j

IN feb on the Spirit Cagney,s was full so asked for the meal in our room. butler had to ask the manager and as we were there we had to Prepay with our cards. It seemed to confuse the issue.

Still we got our meal but as usual only warm.

told that all drinks from the fridge and room service drinks was not covered by the UBP.

looks as though it .UDP, is confusing some staff.

Will find out in April when we order again.

These perks with a suite are great

hope it helps

j