PATRLR

After reading some excellent input in this thread, my gut sense is that those who used to get the envelopes are now getting an equivalent pay by way of their cut of DSC. From my point of view as the passenger, the DSC replaces the envelope with the "recommended" tip. With the envelope system, I tipped more than the "recommended" amount if I felt the crew member provided above and beyond the expected level of service. Same thing today, but only that "extra" portion is handed to the crew member. Effectively, DSC = Weekly Gratuities. This is something most everyone knows but for some reason causes others to get their britches in a bunch.

Thank you and I also agree it would be best if the crew were paid a reasonable rate that didn't rely on tips.

We bought ours by calling NCL. I'd recommend a call and not risk it selling out on you.

@chengkp75I truly appreciate in your input to these discussions, thank you. I know you said this would be your one post, I am hoping you might indulge one more question which I think can be answered as fact, and a second that might be more your experience. 1. Before NCL implemented the DSC format, crew such as stewards and waiters made $X which was a salary from NCL and gratuities (the envelopes at the end of the cruise with a cruise line recommended gratuity per day, per passenger) from passengers. After implementation of DSC, that same crew made $Y which as you stated was "base salary" + "DSC contributions". My question is, assuming that historical occupancy of 105% and assuming all passengers paid their recommended gratuity/DSC, was $X less, equal, or greater than $Y? My assumption is "equal" at the time of the switchover. 2. Do you have firsthand knowledge of crew's opinions of the DSC method versus the old "envelope" method? Do they like/prefer the new or the old systems?

No. First come, first seated.

I'm not sure what you are saying here, but last week's Encore cruise had prime rib in the MDR on the last night. It was typical low quality MDR fare, but it was prime rib. I also saw a sign for it being the buffet on the first night. Can't confirm it was there or how good as we ate in MDR first night.

Just posted in another Encore thread: From memory, Nov 13-20 Encore sailing: Sunday was a Beatles show - can't remember if there was 1 or 2 shows Monday was Kinky Boots - 2 shows, 7-ish and 10-ish Tuesday was Choir of Man - 2 shows, 7-ish and 10-ish Wednesday - ? Thursday was Kinky Boots - 2 shows, 7:30(?) and 10:30 Friday was Choir of Man - 2 shows, 7:30 and 10:00 Saturday - Beatles at 7-ish, some other music at 10-ish

Good for you. Not everyone has understood it the same way, the base note to this string being typical of such people.

My discussion confirmed it's been eliminated. He claimed other brands as well and it was related to the reductions coming out of Covid.

I don't think they change week to week. They aren't going to have the big production shows on the first or last nights and I think they are going to have them on two nights to give everyone a best chance to see them. From memory, Nov 13-20 Encore sailing: Sunday was a Beatles show - can't remember if there was 1 or 2 shows Monday was Kinky Boots - 2 shows, 7-ish and 10-ish Tuesday was Choir of Man - 2 shows, 7-ish and 10-ish Wednesday - ? Thursday was Kinky Boots - 2 shows, 7:30(?) and 10:30 Friday was Choir of Man - 2 shows, 7:30 and 10:00 Saturday - Beatles at 7-ish, some other music at 10-ish

If your fare code includes the "Free at Sea" options, then you should take the drink package if you and passenger #2 are likely to drink, on average, 4 or more drinks per day. As stated above, the cost of the "Free at Sea" package is $21.80 per day. Drinks cost about $10-$12 each, so, drink 4 between the two of you and you likely are ahead of the game.

Sounds like it's time to talk to the Beverage Manager. Doubtful it will change anything now, but, if enough people complain maybe gets it reversed. I had such a conversation with him last week on Encore regarding lack of Captain Morgan.

Was not the case last week on Encore. Not allowed to serve at all, or, not included in drink package?

Really? Here's my example from a couple days ago on the Encore. I bought two CNs. That purchase of 2 CNs caused my onboard account balance (the bottom line of what I owed NCL for onboard expenses) to increase by $250. When I use those CNs, they will reduce the cruise cost to my by $500. I spent $250 to eventually save $500.

Agreed 100%. But the genesis of the specific comments of mine that you quoted was a response to the subsequent quotes in my post.

FWIW, we purchased Vibe for our cruise last week on Encore. We were in Vibe before we could even get to our room. As stated, our key cards let us in. There were wristbands in the room but we never wore them and I believe I only saw 2 other couples wearing theirs. We had them with us in case we were asked, but never were.

Of course it matters. The fact that the fine print says it's a service charge doesn't override the fact that the marketing says gratuities.

This is where words matter. @KeithJennershould have said "the net charge to your account is $250" Correct. @RocketMan275is correct, the charge was $1000. Both posters failed to discuss the OBC portion of the transaction.

Unfortunately both NCL and the major travel agents refer to the DSC as gratuities and NCL would have you believe they are treated like gratuities in so much as a portion goes to the servers and stewards and back of the house staff.

Really? They know exactly who waited on each table and how many guests were at the table. A very simple SQL query would tell them how many people a waiter served each day/cruise/month/whatever. But I think the point is that NCL would have you believe that a portion of the DSC goes to the waiters. Assuming the same number of waiters from one cruise to the next it seems reasonable to assume that more guests would mean more money from the DSC going to the waiters. I'd love to see something to support this claim. So if I leave the DSC and give cash, they keep the cash? But if I remove the DSC they turn the cash in? Seems like a really loose system relying on some honor system to turn in some cash but not other cash? I believe the tip cup / pooled tips to be true. I saw a gentleman this week on Encore hand an envelope to each bartender in Vibe Saturday afternoon. Each one took the envelop and threw it on the counter. Someone else later scooped them up. No doubt they went into a common cup. I do hope that money stays with those bartenders. I tipped them heavily on the assumption it does.

In other words, encouraging you to buy even more stuff on board. It's gross. Yesterday I went to the desk and told the woman I want to purchase 2 CNs. Instead of helping make that happen, she launched into a sales pitch for a special deal "today" if I bought 4 CNs and how I'd get $500 OBC. I was so annoyed - I had to cut her off and ask her again to just process my request for 2 CNs. I so badly wanted to walk away, but, that would only hurt me.

@YVRteacher added more here: I'll accept her at her word. When I was on, I specifically asked a staffer and then I asked a manager (well, more like complained to a manager type). Both made it clear crepes were in Coco. Last week I walked all around the Encore buffet looking for the crepe grills and didn't see them so assumed they were banished to Cocos. Now I am wishing I'd asked.

Really? In the buffet? They didn't have them in June 2018. And they didn't have them last week on Encore. Both Bliss and Encore they are paid for items in Cocos.

It probably wasn't on Epic's buffet, probably down in Cocos where you get to pay for them now. Bliss and Encore also have no crepes in the buffet. Need to pay for them in Cocos. Part of NCLs plan to increase onboard spend, no doubt.

I find the marketing of CN certs to be similar to the sleaziness of things like time shares. This idea that you get $X OBC is just one example. It's total BS meant to entice the uninformed to buy something. They should just market it the way it is: 1 CN with face value $250 costs you $150. 2 CNs, each with face value $250 for total of $500, costs $250, etc. On the Encore last week, I watched the future cruise presentation. I thought the presentation was awful and that Cruise Next Manager shouldn't be doing marketing presentations (he spent way to much time talking about crazy long back to back itineraries like the masses really care to combine 5 segments into a 45 day cruise). But one thing he was real good about was explaining exactly what you pay to get the CNs - He made it real simple - Buy 2 CNs, pay $250. No BS about OBC.