Punky Guy

Apologies i'm still trying to understand NCL as i've not been with them for many years. Why would it matter what order they are booked in? Also what would happen if they did change the à la carte classification in the future?

Apologies as I know this gets asked a lot and people of sick of reading it but I'm trying to understand how the gratuities for Free At Sea specifically so there are no suprise costs. As soon as I think I understand it, something seems to confuse me. I'm sailing Feb 2025 with FaS (I know about MaS but don't think gratuities have changed). I purchased it in the UK on top of the base fare and I thought that as in the UK the FaS gratuitities were included the FaS cost when you buy the cruise, so they are paid up front, for drinks and speciality dining. (I understand if you buy same cruise in the US they're different rules) However on my booking for Cagney's etc it says: Charges Apply A 20% gratuity and speciality service charge will be charged at time of payment. Is this only if you don't have FaS? And if I don't have any extras beyond the 1 starter, entree, and no upcharge items like Surf & turf, then there will be no gratuity to be paid? For any extras then then it would 20% of whatever that is? Also for Moderno it says "cover charge apply". Is this only if you don't have FaS? Or will I still have to pay something? Likewise with drinks - no service charge unless I have any drinks outside of the package/mini bar etc. Is that all correct?

I'm glad it's not just me. Although I have found with cruises a lot of it makes no sense.

It does seem like an overall improvement for people but there are winners and losers On the face of it, the drinks package seems a slight improvement. I think it depends on what this "Connoisseur Collection". If you aren't fussy on your brands, I suspect you'll do well, but if you drink a lot of the absolute top shelf stuff, it will now cost you more. I'm pleased that I'll get the MAS drink benefits for my FAS booking in Feb. Specialty dinning seems an improvement, extra meals, extra starters/desserts Wifi is a downgrade from me. The only winners are the cabins with 3 & 4 guests on shorter cruisers. I'm a solo on a 12 night cruise and thankfully on FAS I get 300 mins, but on MAS I would only get 150 mins. I think measuring internet in mins is just silly anyway, it should be in GBs. I don't see why if you're waiting for someone to reply on WhatsApp, it should cost you. It would be so much more convenient to just leave your phone on all the time and use your data when you want.