Phoenixon

No additional cost beyond the 20% package gratuity payable upon booking (works out to US $22/person/day). No drink limit. $15 maximum per drink (any drink over $15 you pay the difference plus gratuity). Does not include specialty coffees.

You're correct.

Ah, I see! Makes sense.

Why would they be getting tipped less if the gratuity has gone up and the number of staff cleaning cabins (the pool of people receiving that gratuity) has fallen? Both those changes would increase the gratuity on an individual basis.

Can't speak to speed but should be around $400USD per person to upgrade to the unlimited premium wifi. Don't believe you can purchase it for only one traveller (based on double occupancy).

Do you think there's anything that NCL could improve upon to better communicate these changes to passengers or is letting them find out on their first bill the best they can do?

Reported in another thread that these changes to VAT were introduced on September 25th and that most lines are rolling the cost into the drink package cost or fare. NCL is doing it as a line item.

Good to know, thanks! Appreciate the report. 🙂

Interesting....thanks for sharing. Did they specify whether these changes only apply to closed loop (EU only) sailings? Surprised they said Epic is headed to Canaveral in April since there's a TA sailing to Port Canaveral on December 1st.

We can really only speculate in the absence of an official statement from NCL. My guess, and it's at best a guess, is that this could be a test case to evaluate the guest reception to a policy/procedural change like this. Could also be a measure to meet revenue targets but again, you can only speculate.

Except that the VAT law in the EU requires a chargeable event which occurs at the time of supply of the good/service. In this case, it is the "purchase" (or supply) of the beverage, whether or not it is discounted 100% because of FAS. My understanding is the reason this is not charged on included consumables (e.g. buffet) is because there is no chargeable event (i.e. transaction - your card is not swiped). Other consumables (e.g. Specialty Dining) are likely not being passed on (as of now). Somewhat like the fuel subsidies which NCL has the right to levy per the contracts but chooses not to.

Depends on the particular sailing also. Going to be easier on a 2-week TA than a 5-day Caribbean during school holidays. Still possible in the latter case but would anticipate a wait.

For balcony category or higher. It's nothing fancy though (hotel room style with the single use sachets). Unless in the Haven (or Joy suites) where you get the Nespresso.

I don't think there's a hard and fast rule with this. Technically you're supposed to own the shares at the time of sailing but they don't follow-up to confirm you do on embarkation. I just submitted a trade confirmation slip/receipt (not statement) for my next cruise and they accepted it.