Krydstosser

I wrote to the Vice President yesterday but got no answer!

I am still shocked by this self-inflicted Non-alcohol policy in many ports, they are advertising in mails (today) with "Free at Sea" but they do not deliver! This is very close to be fraudulently behavior.

We must tell EVERYONE about this so they not will get Scammed by the NCL offer "Free at Sea" 

I wrote to Emma, she answered me but I don't think she will bring the issue on her youtube film.  I wrote to Don Terris (YouTuber) He is away I think due to medical issues so I don't think he can bring it to Youtube. La Lida Loca has no e-mail on his site. 

I loved NCL but my love for them is close to be dead! 

4 minutes ago, DCGuy64 said:

I'm frankly not surprised NCL is circling the wagons and refraining from comment, given that the torch and pitchfork crowd are out there baying for blood. 😆 It sure would be nice if people could just chill out and let things get resolved, yet here we are on the 23rd page of comments. We may hit a record soon!

You do not care about alcohol so why are you still here?? We are all just alcoholics right? 

Just now, graphicguy said:

Sounds like an issue with the U.K. And the EU.  But, from what you’re saying, maybe only the U.K. As it’s not been reported in other areas for a while.  We know it’s a regulatory and/or tariff/tax issue between the U.K. And NCL.  But, other than that, it’s all we know.

But there is also issues with NCL in Livorno and Civitavecchia, this are within the EU!

1 minute ago, graphicguy said:

That’s the best way of going to another cruise line you may like more.  NCL is the cruise line I seem to sail most (I do like their cruise experience).  But, I cruise other lines.

 

This is only happening in the U.K.  So, while it is a “thing” for those cruises and cruisers, it seems the rest of the world where NCL sails doesn’t have these rules and regulations.  Again, there’s more to this.  We just don’t know what it is other than there’s some barrier (either by U.K. Or NCL) that’s keeping them from serving hard liquor on ships sailing around the U.K.

What about Livorno and Civitavecchia here is also issues with serving?

6 minutes ago, Norwayfan1 said:

For what it's worth, I have just emailed the travel agent who sold me my forthcoming Norwegian Star cruise.

 

Here in the UK, the  'Free at Sea' package is sold as a fare add-on and I do feel that if the promised open bar isn't delivered each day, then that is mis-selling.

 

I don't really expect the travel agent to do anything, or to be able to get any sense out of NCL, but I felt I should write anyway. 

 

If I receive anything of note, I'll add an update here. 

I agree! We took an NCL Cruise because of the free at sea package, but if I had known this I would have purchased a Celebrity Cruise. They sold me the "Puls" Package so I feel stupid! 

11 minutes ago, podgeandrodge said:

Ironically, "may be served" could also mean is "allowed to be served" rather than "might be" !

Currently they are not serveing in ports so it must be "Might" 

3 minutes ago, flamingo_fancies said:

It isn't a law it's NCL stating those with a beverage pack "may" be served. But you won't know until your on board🤯

They act like they are the only cruise line in the world....

1 minute ago, flamingo_fancies said:

I think the important words here are "MAY be served" its been cleverly worded it doesnt say WILL be served. Its also the fact that they are saying that guests with drinks packs will not know if it can be used fully until they are onboard the ship🤯🤯

How can a law use the word "May" ?? This is ridiculous!!

17 hours ago, goldmom said:

I would suggest that people start sending e-mails detailing this situation and stating that other cruise lines sailing from the same port are not suspending serving alcohol.

Try sending e-mails to : vicepresidentguestservices@ncl.com

I believe this is Katy Bird's address and I know her office has responded to customer concerns in other areas.

Good luck and hopefully this situation will be dealt with.

I just send the Vice president an e-mail about this. Hopefully they will take it seriously. 

4 minutes ago, flamingo_fancies said:

So I've had my response to my email sent last week questioning the new policy. 

 

Norwegian Star, 5/11/2023

Thank you for writing and choosing Norwegian Cruise Line for your vacation at sea. Please be advised that in accordance with the laws and regulations of select ports, the sale of duty-free goods including alcohol beverages is not permitted while the vessel is in port or proximity thereof. However, in certain ports of call which will be specified onboard, guests who have pre-purchased any of NCL’s beverage packages may be served.  Thank you for your understanding. We appreciate this opportunity to address your concerns.   I have however gone back to question the statement of     "However, in certain ports of call which will be specified onboard, guests who have pre-purchased any of NCL’s beverage packages may be served"   I have read this to mean that guest who have pre-purchased a beverage pack will not know what ports they can actually use it in until actually onboard the vessel.   I have received my response to this query and it seem like my initial email is the company line and they are not willing to discuss it further.

How arrogant can they be?? This answer is not acceptable! 

14 minutes ago, SouthamptonCruiseFan said:

On NLC ships in the UK, nobody can drink when leaving from ports, with or without the drinks package, as NCL are basically refusing to cover the cost of the duty, and their business model this year seems to be to recharge these costs to the passengers - which is what they are doing in other locations, including places where they didn't previously, eg, 25% surcharge in Brazil. It would appear there is something in UK law that is preventing them from carrying out THIS practice on these ships. There is no problem actually providing the alcohol as all other lines are happily doing, the problem is solely in paying the duty. Not sure if other cruise lines charge extra surcharges elsewhere? 

The HMRC guidance posted earlier seems to be that if you leave a UK port and go to the non-UK port you can serve alcohol immediately you leave the berth, but if you're going to another UK port you cannot while in UK waters. So when Star left Southampton 11 May to go to Waterford she should have been able to serve alcohol straight away, but didn't until around 9.30pm. NCL are not telling the whole truth about this, and aren't even following the correct policy.

What about the restrictions in Livorno and Civitavecchia with only Beer and wine? And other Cruiselines have no issues in those ports? 

1 minute ago, SakeDad said:

Was it ALL the Free at Sea people that could use the package or just the ones that bought the premium PLUS package? Also, do you know if anyone who had brought on their own wines could use them? Thanks

Look at this from Livorno 

Hey Guys

You must talk with your feet! I have a NCL Cruise in June, if I experience those issues with "Closed" bars and no Cocktails it will be my 3th and last Cruise with NCL.

I have Cruised with P&O, RCCL, Celebrity, Carnival so next time they will get my money. 

4 minutes ago, fastpitchdad said:

If you bring your own Wine/Champagne on board are you still allowed to drink it in public areas or with meals? 

This is ridicules what's next? They (NCL) must step up and change their sloppiness so people can get what they had paid for.... 

1 minute ago, KeithJenner said:

And Greece and Gibraltar.

 

Maybe NCL should get into the habit of checking these things a bit earlier.

I hope the sloppiness not apply to safety issues too.... 

6 minutes ago, DCGuy64 said:

Obviously not, and I'm not even sure why you would suggest that. It's entirely possible other lines were given more advance notice. It's like blaming a cruise line for skipping a port due to a hurricane and then acting suspicious because 3 ships from other lines docked there with no problems just 3 days earlier. CONDITIONS CHANGE.

Can't you see this is too far out? And the same has happen in Livorno and Civitavechia?

5 minutes ago, DCGuy64 said:

I'm sorry, but I don't believe you. People on board the very ship right now have been given information that contradicts what you've stated, so I believe what they're saying. This information was provided earlier in the thread.

It is a law only for NCL? Not for P&O, Princees? Individual laws for each company? 

2 hours ago, SouthamptonCruiseFan said:

Er, because it doesn't exist! Even their port agent is contracting them.

This behavior from NCL will destroy their Brand, after this I would NEVER recommend NCL to anyone at all! 

I Purchased NCL because of the "Free at seas" but you are not free.... and I upgraded to Premium Plus! Man I feel so stupid!! 

I have a Cruise coming up with Getaway in june. If they close for Cocktails with my Premium Plus package, this is my 3th and LAST cruise with NCL. PERIOD! 

Hello Guys

I have a cruise in December with Ventura, do P&O have restriction on alcohol in UK ports and Italy? As with NCL?

6 hours ago, ziggyuk said:

If this continue i am done with NCL.... 

I don´t think you got my point with this thread, I can live without alcohol/Spirits but I don't think its fair to sell a drink package upgrade and promise me premium spirit brands, without telling its not available in two ports, including the last evening in Livorno. 

If it is a tax issue between NCL and Livorno they should at least let the customers decide if they will pay the ekstra tax or not have any drinks/spirits as they do in spanish ports. 

I posted this here because I would here if Princess had similar issues if they do not maybe I should try Princess next time. 

Thanks for all your answers, I really appreciate it very much!

Please do not mind my spelling... I am Danish... 

On 5/9/2023 at 9:34 PM, bluesea777 said:

Mind boggling when you say you wouldn't upgrade tour booze package, don't you realize the booze pkg Plus include the premium wines that you are allowed to drink while ported in Livorno!

 

 

I prefer Cocktails with premium brands spirits, what I also purchased. And you can't do that with the Livorno restrictions. Thats our last evening before the debarkation in Civitavecchia. 

34 minutes ago, DCGuy64 said:

IIRC, you only bought the Premium+ package at the end of the cruise, right? And only for Livorno? Personally, I would not buy an upgrade for just one port. It sounds to me like Livorno was the only port where you couldn't get hard liquor, is that right? Or were there others? At any rate, your reply implies that NCL knowingly took your money for the upgrade with full knowledge they couldn't deliver a portion of it (remember, Premium+ includes high end wines, too, not just the hard stuff). Different strokes for different folks, I don't upgrade because it's too expensive and because (apart from the fancy champagne) the selections aren't worth it for me. 

They Charge you pr. day but one of the days you at best only get a half package, my only point is that it would be fair to tell me. Some people have overnight stay in Italy. 

3 minutes ago, cameronp12 said:

Is this just an example of NCL being cheap? I was on a Celebrity cruise last 2 weeks that went to multiple ports in Spain (but none in Italy admittedly) and experienced no additional taxes (as some have reported here in Spain with NCL). 
 

So the question begs, does Celebrity just eat that extra cost, negotiate better, or something else?

 

Food for thought…

How could I Negotiate better, I did not know about this! Thats my point if they had told me I would not have upgraded to the "Plus" package (Now called the Minus package) No just kidding...