littlelulu01

For now it’s done onboard.  In addition to the $20 pp pd fee you’re paying for the free beverage package you will pay an additional $29 pp pd plus an additional 20% service fee.  So $35 extra pp pd to get your whiskey of choice. Or $55 total pp pd for the package you desire vs $20 pp pd for the package you have. 

The Jade is an excellent ship for this itinerary. They usually have the best port times and a laid back atmosphere onboard along with a ship that’s not too big or small.  Just right for the itinerary. August is typically a more expensive month.  Much of Europe is on holiday in August so a lot more kids on board and potentially some brutal temperatures. I suspect the higher prices you currently see are for the airfare discount.  Sometimes a sail away rate without “free” perks is better option.  I’ve been on the Jade Europe a few times and loved every sailing.  I personally preferred latter September/October due to heat and crowds a little less and priced typically much lower than August. 

Well supposedly they rolled out their new up charges on the beverage package due to overwhelming success with test markets on some ships 😂.  

Splashed on their website is the claim of the most inclusive line with the free at sea perks.  At this point it’s safe to say the majority of passengers either know they will be confronted with endless opportunities to Upsell onboard to get what they think they received as a “free” perk or be dumbfounded when at every turn they are faced by the extra charges.

paying $55 pp pd for a “free” ultra premium beverage pkg  isn’t “free” .  When a cruise line makes these changes to packages and perks it makes me wonder how stupid they must think customers are.  

The shrimp upcharge is a joke.  So is the free at sea.  At this point they would be better off canning the entire farce and just charging what other lines do for their packages. Unless you have a perk that gets a discount, the oop  $35/day for internet, excursions double the cost of other lines, a beverage package at $129/day plus 20% service charge with mandatory everyone in stateroom purchase, specialty dining packages that supposedly gets you high quality food but does not include a basic shrimp cocktail?  

Not to include something as basic as shrimp cocktail in an inclusive specialty dinner package makes one highly suspect that the inclusive portion of the specialty meal is something far inferior to an inexpensive food basic that most of us use for cheap protein!  

Be careful.  I’ve got error messages before when the charge actually went through. For big payments I call ncl and do it over the phone. 

It can vary per sailing. But from my experience upgrading is allowed till 2nd day of cruise.  So potential savings of one day worth if you hold off on use.  I’ve never asked about any further discount on the bonus lattitude mins but have read accounts of a slight additional discount on that. Wouldn’t hurt to ask. 

10% discount for prepurchase so weighing the actual $ value of internet perk vs switching to another perk on longer sailings might be a consideration. 250 perk gets $125 off non discount rate.  Pre purchase gets 10% off.  250 minute perk on a 14 night worth about $82 compared to discount pre purchase.

3 hours ago, gmbhardy said:

If serving customers three shrimp was hurting their margins, they should have simply removed it from the menu. I think the backlash wouldn’t have been so pronounced. Makes you wonder who’s making these decisions.

Wouldn’t be surprised if shrimp is the next to disappear.  That’s what happened to lobster and some of the other more expensive ingredients. When they first ditched lobster they offered as an up charge item, which imo was better than nothing.

   I wouldn’t be surprised to find the crab cakes made out of Krab.  It’s technically still seafood like a hotdog is technically still meat. 

30 minutes ago, fstuff1 said:

 

link to ncl saying the auto 20% tips on drinks dont all go to the bartender staff?

 

The beverage service charge t&c’s on ncl site states it’s for gratuity AND beverage service charges.  It can’t be 20% all to grats if it’s grats + something else. Ncl states in plain English the beverage service charge is not just grats.    

https://www.ncl.com/terms/premium-beverage-package

This is different from the DSC which specifically goes to staff as incentives and ncl specifically states it’s an easy way to provide staff grats. 

Gratuity is given at discretion and is optional and removable  = DSC. Beverage service charge is mandatory and zero ability to reduce = not solely gratuity. 

2 hours ago, fstuff1 said:

 

the 20% is for bartenders AND bar backs.

ie: bartender helpers

 

According to ncl t&c’s it’s not solely a gratuity.  There’s zero possibility it’s all going to the bar backs and bartenders.  Even ncl doesn’t think we’d believe that and they definitely don’t try and make that claim. Service fees on a “free” beverage packages are a money maker for NCL.  They are not collecting them so they can pay their bar staff more than the captain and officers combined. They claim the dsc is an easy way for us to pay staff grats which is much different than what they’re telling us the beverage package service charge is for. 

1 minute ago, CruisingNole said:

 

If the powers that be felt the crew was THAT underpaid that they were going to charge the customer 50% more to make up for it, they have been running a sweat shop. But sweat shops don’t give their staff from poor countries gigantic raises. What’s the incentive?

That 50% dsc increase has occurred over the past few years. Not just this latest increase. Granted it is an extraordinary increase but who knows - there’s always a chance they are getting it to crew as grats like ncl states they are. Their explanation of the 20% is more ambiguous and with regard to the ubp I can bet it’s mostly a way to make $ on “free” alcohol.  

For dsc they clearly state the dsc is grats to crew. For all I know they’re trying to make it more fair for everyone.  I’ve had talks with seasoned crew over the years.  Supposedly US passengers don’t typically remove dsc unless they have an issue that’s not resolved. Who knows if it’s true but a crew member told me dsc and the extra write in tips are distributed per sailing.  They supposedly have a quota and once the quota for the sailing is met the extra is split up. Quota is typically exceeded on USA sailings.  A sailing that is say half charter with a group which removes dsc and no extra spending   onboard and isn’t drinking won’t make quota so no extra to crew. I’ve actually been on one of these over half charters and the included venues were a madhouse while the specialty venues,  bars and casino were empty. It was on one of these sailings that a crew member explained the grats situation.  He told me they were not going to make quota on the sailing so not to bother writing in an extra cash tip on a bill. It was a particularly peculiar sailing in that they had to search passengers as they got off the ship in each port for ship’s food. They could have cared less what was brought back on at the end of the day but the getting off the ship the bag search was a comic s*** show. 

  Cash is cash and every cash extra tip is kept by the crew who receives it. I know Ncl’s got a well earned king of nickel and dime reputation but they also typically have great crew.  They are doing something right by their crew so I’m happy to pay the dsc.  With all the new up charges and increased grats and fees I’m less likely to give the extra cash amount I did in the past. 

7 minutes ago, CruisingNole said:

 

I would imagine the crew receives wage increases just like most other jobs, 3% annually unless you get a promotion.

 

The notion that NCL would give their crew a 50% raise over the course of a few years (and at the cost of angering the customer) is absolutely absurd. Do you think a corporate big wig just decided one day, hey, let’s give our service employees a bigger raise than any of our working customers receive, and we’ll make the customer pay for it all! Ha!

They raised the dsc 50% over the past few years.  That’s presumably only a small portion of actual wages so theoretically they might have passed it all on to crew.  20% of ubp is no way making it to the bartender.  If it is they’re making more than the ship captain. 

2 minutes ago, erdoran said:

Is there an expectation or perception you should?  Other than butler/concierge the whole point of DSC is to do away with the little envelopes.  There are some on here who sound like they think everyone should pay DSC and do th envelope thing besides, but I really hope that they are the exception.  I have to say that when I first sailed NCL, whenever I did something that added an auto tip - paid for a drink, did a spa service - that “extra tip” line was a bit of a shock, made me think there was an expectation.  This was pre-DSC days.

There’s no expectation according to ncl but in reading these boards there’s typically an overwhelming response that the dsc and 20% is not a gratuity despite Ncl’s repeated assertions they are grats. People start thinking they’re stiffing the poor crew if they’re not giving their room steward... an extra $10 pp pd.  Ncl does increase the grats and fees pretty regularly as well as cut back on what the freebies include.   when folks are sold or given one thing but received something less once onboard it’s easy for distrust to arise.  But imo Ncl’s distribution of dsc and the 20%... is between ncl and their crew.  Extra cash tips for  excellent service will still occur but likely not to the extent crew were accustomed to which will likely affect morale now that these up charges are in place for specialty dinner, drinks...  Dsc increases in themselves are not likely to deter an extra cash tip when warranted but if you’re paying an extra $5 plus 20% just to get a couple shrimp with your specialty meal that you also paid 20%... plus you’re paying for the dsc...well that’s not going to work out to an additional cash tip windfall for crew.

I bid pretty close to max bid on the Bliss Alaska and got rejected.  My original booking was in a sail away ms. Haven rooms were almost sold out and remaining suites were insanely priced. the sail away rate for ms was ridiculously inexpensive.  It was still a huge savings over booking outright to bid almost max and was pretty surprised we didn’t get bids accepted. It was husband’s first time not in Haven and he was pretty bummed but once onboard we ended up really enjoying the spa, racetrack, specialty dinners, some excursions we normally wouldn’t have sprung for... and in the end we were better off knowing he’s just fine not in the Haven. We found a couple excellent specialty servers and made sure we had them for meals, had an excellent room steward and hit the spa whenever it wasn’t packed out.  Just by adjusting our schedule to be behind the masses we avoided the crowds and had an excellent vacation. 

11 minutes ago, erdoran said:

Comments on the FB page are that crew doesn’t see the increases.  What was interesting was scrolling through the page, MSC is making DSC mandatory effective 3/31, and they also stated that they DISCOURAGE additional tipping!  That’s interesting!

I think it’s not my business to determine if ncl pockets the dsc.  They tell guests it’s the easiest way to pay the gratuity.  Ncl calls it a gratuity.  They also say we’re welcome, but not expected, to give additional cash tips for above and beyond service.  Now that they’re up charging for just about anything and everything and adding a 20% on top of it, the rake is substantial. 

If I’m charged 20% on a dinner out at land based, I’m certainly not adding another 20% just in case the owner is scamming his employees.  I’m likely not alone in this reasoning.  

Butler and concierge  get cash tipped at the end of the vacation at my discretion and by me.  I’m ok bringing a certain amount of usd for tips but I’m not going to be running to a cash machine in every port in Europe just to keep getting more euro to square away everyone onboard just in case ncl is not tipping them out like they tell me they are. 

2 hours ago, JoMoe said:

Littlelulu01, 

 

Do you think that the cruise line employees who are supposed to get these "gratuities" got a 50% raise when the DSC went up 50%?  It is just a way to charge you more while making you think it is for the employees. 

 

If everyone on a cruise did not tip, would the employees not be paid?  Of course they would.  When someone removes the tips, do the employees still get paid the same amount?  Yes.  Are the tips reduced when you don't eat a meal or forgo housekeeping for a day?  No, but why not if you are not receiving those services?  You don't have to leave a tip at a restaurant if you don't eat there?  These questions I have asked are to illustrate how "gratuities" are not what most believe they are and not what the cruise lines want you to believe.

 

Thanks, 

Joe

 

I don’t know if the hardworking crew have received the entire 50% increase we’ve incurred over the last few years but  I don’t reduce my dsc.  Ncl tells me that by paying the dsc im providing gratuity to all the crew I need to aside from the butler and concierge.  Bar and specialty dinners have the 20% mandate.  I’m not going to stiff my butler so I know I have to pay a double tip on any specialty dinners he brings me but otherwise I’m about tapped out on all the up charges,  service fees and tips and grats on top of tips and grats business.   We mostly do longer sailings.  I find a few good crew  and servers in a few different places and cash tip whoever made our vacation better.  This is done towards the end of sailing. I don’t run around the ship with wads of cash to throw at everyone who I interact with.  I find the best service I receive on a ship is done with no expectation of extra cash tips.  I might very well be a sucker for paying the dsc, but I’m not up for tallying up everyone who serves me and making sure they are taken care of with cash when I’m on a boat thousands of miles from home. I’m just fine letting ncl take care of business with my dsc.

4 years ago the dsc was $12/day for those in suites and not in suites.  Suite dsc has increased 50% in four years compared to inflation which was a little over 5% during the same time period. If only passenger  income and the ship employees income had increased by 50% in the same period!

Service fees on purchasing dinners and drinks and spa went up from 15% to 20% during that period as well as adding the $7.95 room service fee.  

I hope ncl is taking care of their employees with all these increases. When passengers are charged such high tip rates in dsc specialty dining and beverage fees, they’re likely not tipping the extra cash they otherwise would. My fear is the ship staff resentment from decreased cash tips. 

The perks can really rub some the wrong way. Charge someone industry high prices and say it is “free” this and that but then step onboard and find out it doesn’t include this and it’s an up charge for that? When spending those prices you expect impeccable service, excellent food.... not just a great butler and a nice room. Overall I’ve never had an ncl cruise I didn’t enjoy but there’s definitely a few irritating aspects and cutbacks definitely noticed.  

Who thinks it’s a great idea to charge top suites for a water at the table but byob from your stateroom if owners suite or better and it’s on the house? At the very least they should rethink their inclusion of soda and water on all Haven suites vs just os or better.  

I would rather just pay a la carte and have an excellent meal with a choice of lobster... vs a free sdp. It sounds a bit silly to tell the world you’re going after a customer willing to spend more on a cruise.  Anyone willing to spend Haven prices on a cruise doesn’t want to be hustled for an extra nickel every time they turn around. They pay extra for a premium experience. 

charge whatever customers will pay for  the Haven but don’t cheap out on those customers once they’re onboard. Give them what you’re advertising so they will come back. I suspect this new roll out on the beverage pkg will not be a smash success for Haven passengers.  “Here’s your free ubp perk for $20/pp pd. It’s something special. we only give pick all 6 to suites...except we give it to everyone else now for an unlimited limited time.  If you want the drinkable wine it’s an up charge but for the low low price and today only, a mere $34/ pp extra per day will get you that glass of wine you want.”  I guess the test market was lined up for the deal. Time will tell.  

Our next Haven was more than I wanted to pay but verged on reason for a two week sailing.  We prefer the Jewel class and the great itineraries that ncl provides for Europe. Going forward we’ll likely skip the Haven or choose another line. We were very content on the Bliss Alaska in a non Haven. We did the last minute sail away and got a crazy inexpensive deal last year. Made the extras for the spa, excursions, racetrack and specialty dining painless. Had I paid the initial prices I’d have been pretty upset with all the up charges onboard. 

I think when there’s only one of something left the price goes way up. I’m guessing it’s to give the person who purchased the first gv pause in canceling- they likely had a ta put a hold on it and then decided against it so never lost any $. It also might make bidding go a little higher knowing there’s only one left. 

The same thing happens when Haven is sold out completely. Our Jade sailing sold out of full suites a year in advance. When a haven comes back up for grabs it’s higher priced than original listing. Not to the degree you are seeing with gv though but they are getting snapped back up within a couple days. 

On the popular sailings with sold out haven they usually have a few get lost at final payment and if they don’t sell at list prices they sometimes reduce like what you saw today. Once they hit a mark the few remaining go sky high and likely go to bidding vs list prices. 

We were assigned to a handicap mini suite  sail away rate on deck 10.  It’s the exact same room as the handicap balcony right next door. Deck plans show the mini suite as larger but they’re inaccurate. The location of these rooms is EXCELLENT and the additional balcony space was nice. The interior of these rooms is definitely functional  for someone in a wheelchair.  A bit institutional feeling if you’re not in need of the accessibility. No sofa, no chair with arms. Just one stool type chair and a footstool and a bed. When looking at the outside of the ship it appears to have two sliding doors however on the inside of the room the extra slider is boxed in with paneling. I suppose there’s a slight chance that someone would need the room but I tried to switch out prior to sailing and because it was a sail away rate I was told we were not able to change.The cabin door to hallway is an automatic and slow opening/closing mechanism.  If you’re trying to sneak out when your partner is asleep there’s a slight chance you will be able to quickly close the door if you only open a crack, slide out quickly and pull door shut.  If it opens up more than a few inches it’ll go through an agonizing process of fully opening and waiting for what seems like forever to slowly shut. Here’s pictures of your room. Just so you don’t freak out like I did- If the phone or doorbell rings strobe lights flash (in case you’re deaf). I thought it was emergency evacuation or something when someone rang door to deliver the lattitude strawberries at 10pm and I was asleep. You can ask your steward to bring you a chair with arms. Bathroom is large and shower is roll in. No issues with drainage. And the white space in between these rooms is a supply closet for stewards. No noise issues. 

Here’s some pictures of the side of the ship that might give you an idea of view from balconies. 

12 hours ago, thunter1224 said:

littlelulu01.. What cabin were you in ?  I will be in 10620. and was wondering about the view too..   I am thinking there are NO Views straight down to water .. you will see part of the track, a roof, or a lower balcony .. in all the cabins . 

 

We were in 10290 a sail away mini suite. We booked last minute so no choice for room location or any perks but we were very happy with our assigned location. We really preferred aft elevators - much less waiting. Here’s some more pictures of the view down, out from room and looking forward. 

We were on deck 10 near aft elevators. We did not have any issues with our view down but deck 8 did stick out a little. 

Looks like a great itinerary. Have you seen the buy one get one 50% for your sailing?  It’s available on the Ncl new zeland site for the least amount but need to book in nzd. The ncl India is booked in usd and also has 50% off 2nd passenger.  some other ncl sites also have the 50% but cost a little more in usd. Benefit of 50% off second passenger is obvious but know that you can’t transfer to a ta for anything extra and zero perks meaning no 3 & 4th free if you’re planning on everyone in same room. Great deal for suites or really any room if you’re planning on 2 to a room and not interested in the beverage pkg /are diy with ports. Might be worth a look. 

Here’s a link for the ncl sites in the different countries. 50% is good for India, Australia, NZ and a couple others. 

https://www.ncl.com/international-offices

We had booked a private day tour of Ephesus. We ended up with a factory tour  in Seluck with a promise that our tour guide would stay with us and no hard sell.  It was a great experience. Learned a lot with our private tour while sipping Turkish coffee and saw some magnificent rugs. Some upward of 50k.  Loved how they would twirl and present them and they let my girls try their hand and weaving. I did end up purchasing a wool rug, no hard sell in fact I didn’t even bother negotiating and it was $150 for a 4x6. They wrapped it up for us and charged our cc in American dollar so no extra fees from my bank. Who knows the real story but we were told the rug we got was a discount because it had flaws and the sale would benefit the woman who actually made it. The paperwork and certificate says the rug was made in Taspinor?  They did have the names of who made what on the rugs and mine does have a less than perfect slightly bowed side. It’s in my kitchen and I just love it for the beautiful color and pattern. We have some very expensive imported hand me down rugs in our kitchen and the little rug from Turkey actually is the one that people always compliment.  If anything, it’s nice to stand on wool vs a man made material while doing the dishes and cost wise it wasn’t much more than something synthetic and machine made from target.  I love my Turkish rug just because of the wonderful experience I had with the purchase.  I wouldn’t have been comfortable with a large purchase for lack of knowledge. I will say the rug stores we walked past on our own in town had horribly aggressive salesman and we never bothered with them. Idk if they’re just naturally that way or if it was because I was traveling alone with my daughters but our tour guide did pre warn us prior to leaving us and told us not to engage them. 

We rented a car in Reykjavik and picked it up right off the ship in port. Can’t recall the company but it was local. Definitely recommend getting the gps as all the sights as well as directions back to port are already loaded and it was only a few $ extra. Also did rental pick up for the afternoon.  That way we essentially got two days rental for price of one. Depending on time of year you arrive, the days are long.  We did golden circle on day 2. Took off very early and were back in plenty of time to catch the ship. Also avoided traffic by getting an early start. Everything was horribly expensive in Iceland. Soda and water bottles are much less $ onboard the ship. 

In akureyri we we just walked to town, the church and the gardens and had some lunch/did a little shopping. We weren’t there overnight so didn’t bother with car rental. 

Loved both ports. Really enjoyed getting on the road and seeing all the sights along Golden circle route at our own pace in Reykjavik. Dress for weather.  I forgot a hat and gloves and paid a pretty penny for them.  The store at the geyser stop had  reasonable- ish  priced warm drinks and free bathrooms.