KeithJenner

Good point, I’d forgotten about that.

Aah, OK, I get you. Yes, that would work, but it does mean that in some places you wouldn't be able to get a drink whilst others with the package can, so it swings both ways really.

What? You may not understand what laughter is? It's something that people do when they see or hear (or in the case of your posts, read) something funny. Why would you think I'm suggesting it would change the situation? Truly bizarre!

I'm not sure how that would help. In some places it would just mean that you couldn't get a drink where others with the package can.

To make your Tesco example a bit more similar to this one. If 5 times over 13 months Tesco wasn't selling any alcohol to their customers for a number of days whilst all the other supermarkets were openly doing so, and just put a sign up saying that the government weren't letting them do so then I would assume that they had any issue that they are struggling to get fixed, for whatever reason. When someone then came along and said "this is just a minor issue and it will be sorted soon" then I would laugh at their confidence that Tesco would suddenly be able to fix the problem.

The tax in Spain has been an issue for years. We first cruised from there in 2012 and it was charged (for the entire cruise on the Epic Western Med). The situation regarding the beverage package has changed over the years. The usual procedure has been not to charge such people, but I am aware of at least two times when they did (for a few cruises quite a few years ago, and again at the time that people are discussing here).

I love the certainty that something that has now been happening for 13 months will have more than blown over in 6 months time. 🙂

That are talking about people being charged tax.

It’s been going on for over a year now. First time that I’m aware of was Athens in April last year.

An issue with the UK, and the EU. For now. Last year it was just an issue with Greece, but that’s not much consolation to the people on the UK cruises now. If NCL can’t get this sorted in the current countries then what reassurance does this give us that they won’t have a problem elsewhere. The Baltic cruises are starting soon (with long port stops). What will happen there? They will probably get the UK sorted soon, as they did with Greece, but I’d be very nervous if I was sailing somewhere towards the start of a season (as I am next Spring on the Viva).

This particular issue (no alcohol at all) is currently only happening in the UK, but it has happened earlier this year in Gibraltar and happened on a couple of occasions in Greece last year. As mentioned there are also the current restrictions in Italy. I don’t think we know for sure that it is fixed in Gibraltar. It may just be that they haven’t been there lately. The concern is that we don’t know where it will happen next.

I’ve booked dining onboard using the app. Only problem I’ve ever had is that on embarkation day it was slow to update so my reservation didn’t show up in my booked items for a while.

A two meal package is given to the first two people on the reservation. Most people take them as two meals for two.

My understanding from Greece is that they are serving anyone with any package (but I assume not anything that isn’t fully covered - drinks at over $15 with the basic package for example). I also believe that people are allowed to consume wine they bring aboard. I think that Trieste was operating the same rules as Greece.

As long as the booking is made by someone with the package then that makes no difference at the booking stage. The system assumes everyone is the same. Then, when you turn up for the meal just let the server know how individual people are paying and they will sort that bit out and charge the relevant people for their food.

I’m not sure about that. In some places the shuttle buses are operated locally (and I get the impression that they have to be). Livorno is another example. I was actually quite impressed by the local cruise welcoming set up in Belfast which included shuttle buses and lots of information and guidance (they had local staff at the drop off points to offer assistance, for example). My take away was that is how Belfast do it, and NCL was just following that.

Didn’t stop them last year when NCL had two ships in Santorini, one serving and one not.

Yeah, that’s my memory. I did wonder whether someone kicked up a fuss and NCL were told they couldn’t charge it, as next time we sailed from Southampton it was gone (from memory). All speculation of course.

Yeah, NCL drink prices are high. A theory is that they increased the prices (and beverage package prices) that few people actually pay in order to increase the gratuity charges, that do get paid in many countries. It would be ironic if that is the case and then NCL find that they have to pay increased tax charges based on those inflated prices. 🙂

The tax issue in Barcelona isn’t new. We have been sailing from there since 2012 and it has always been a factor on NCL. The rules (or how they are interpreted) have changed a few times over the years. It has been discussed a few times on these boards over the years and my understanding is that most other lines don’t charge the tax to their customers. The assumption has been that they just price it into the drinks, but that is speculation. In the past NCL has charged customers the tax in the UK. I particularly remember when the Escape was launched and there was a one night sampler cruise that had a lot of non NCL regulars onboard and there was a lot of fuss about the charge. I don’t think that NCL have charged it since then (I don’t recall paying it and I’ve sailed from Southampton a few times). As has been stated elsewhere on the thread there are rules about having to show the full price including tax, which probably conflicts with the way NCL usually do these things.

It’s basically one dish from each course (some items have an upcharge). From the website: ”An SDP meal in a la carte restaurants includes 1 appetizer, 1 soup or salad, 1 main course and 1 dessert (does not apply to cover charge restaurants or Food Republic, Pincho Tapas Bar and Sushi, where a meal includes any 4 menu items). SDP does not include beverages and additional and/or premium menu items will incur charges.”

Keep checking. They were probably never actually offered. This sort of thing is very common with new ships.

I’d be amazed if NCL has given accurate information to their staff (see the examples of people being told by phone staff that there is no problem). The blame us not with the individuals. Another reason why NCL need to get this sorted for the sake of their staff who are under unnecessary pressure.

How walkable that is depends on what luggage you have and what terminal you are at. A lot of people say that the nearby railway station is too far to walk with bags. There is also a co-op near the Premier Inn, which is closer (as well as M&S in West Quay.

Not at the terminal as far as I am aware. There are some options in Southampton, but you would need to walk a little way (depending on which terminal you are in).