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A) because they are staff in the suite areas that provide you with additional services.

 

B) Because they can..........

 

C) Because there are separate staff for the suites. Suites guest use all of the facilities in the main ship and the services and effort required to maintain facilities for suite guests.

 

D) All of the above.

 

And the correct answer is D.

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First you pay on average double for the suite then they want to hit you for more money with the fake daily service charge. But you do have a choice, while NCL try to hide it the simple fact it is these fees are discretionary, you can change or remove.

 

The policy:

 

If there is a service issue can the service charges be adjusted on board?

Guest satisfaction is the highest priority at Norwegian Cruise Line. We have structured a guest satisfaction programme designed to handle any concerns about service or on-board product quickly and efficiently. However, in the event a service issue should arise during your cruise please let our on-board guest services desk staff know right away, so that we can address these in a timely manner. It is our goal to reach a satisfactory solution to any issue when it happens and make sure our guests can focus on enjoying their cruise. Should your concerns not be met with satisfaction you can adjust the charges.

As the last lines says "Should your concern s not be met to your satisfaction you can adjust the charges" The simple fact here is you do not need to give them a reason or you can, if you want but you can adjust to zero and nothing they can do about it.

NCL can and will try to use strong arming and intimidation if they think they can get away with it. My last few cruises with them, Guest Services has contacted me and asked if I want the fees removed. They have a past file because on principle I have always paid my own gratuities as I see fit. Even knowing in advance I remove these fees they still take the reservations and accept the bookings why? Because they cannot under the account and system they use make daily service fees mandatory.

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First you pay on average double for the suite then they want to hit you for more money with the fake daily service charge. But you do have a choice, while NCL try to hide it the simple fact it is these fees are discretionary, you can change or remove.

 

The policy:

 

If there is a service issue can the service charges be adjusted on board?

Guest satisfaction is the highest priority at Norwegian Cruise Line. We have structured a guest satisfaction programme designed to handle any concerns about service or on-board product quickly and efficiently. However, in the event a service issue should arise during your cruise please let our on-board guest services desk staff know right away, so that we can address these in a timely manner. It is our goal to reach a satisfactory solution to any issue when it happens and make sure our guests can focus on enjoying their cruise. Should your concerns not be met with satisfaction you can adjust the charges.

As the last lines says "Should your concern s not be met to your satisfaction you can adjust the charges" The simple fact here is you do not need to give them a reason or you can, if you want but you can adjust to zero and nothing they can do about it.

NCL can and will try to use strong arming and intimidation if they think they can get away with it. My last few cruises with them, Guest Services has contacted me and asked if I want the fees removed. They have a past file because on principle I have always paid my own gratuities as I see fit. Even knowing in advance I remove these fees they still take the reservations and accept the bookings why? Because they cannot under the account and system they use make daily service fees mandatory.

 

You have a choice. Don’t cruise.

 

At home, don’t go to a restaurant if you want to stiff the server because they are already being paid to serve you.

 

Don’t go and get a haircut if you don’t want to tip the stylist because they are being paid to cut hair.

 

Don’t take a cab if you don’t want to tip someone who is being paid to drive.

 

Don’t tip your housekeeper in a hotel because they are being paid to clean your room.

 

 

 

 

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You have a choice. Don’t cruise.

 

At home, don’t go to a restaurant if you want to stiff the server because they are already being paid to serve you.

 

Don’t go and get a haircut if you don’t want to tip the stylist because they are being paid to cut hair.

 

Don’t take a cab if you don’t want to tip someone who is being paid to drive.

 

Don’t tip your housekeeper in a hotel because they are being paid to clean your room.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

She did say she tips accordingly for her, just prefers to do it herself.

 

Honestly, I think she has a point. I never considered it until now, but I do think I’m going to adjust downward. I don’t think it’s right to charge for each guest in a stateroom when one is three years old. I would rather delete the three year olds daily charge, and give extra to the staff directly that helped with him, such as our room steward and the kids club area. That seems more appropriate.

 

But why should I pay for a three year olds charges that aren’t really being used? Or maybe I’m wrong? I’m interested.

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What did they do?

Introduced "Premium All Inclusive" which eliminated the DSC and promo services charges but increased the fare by more than the amount of the DSC and promo service charges. BTW, since there is no DSC, there is nothing that the guest can get removed or reduced.

 

Would the DSC removers prefer that?:confused:

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I would rather have it as part of the cost. Makes it easier beforehand.

 

I just looked and saw the kids staff is not included in dsc. I’m definitely thinking of adjusting my son’s dsc downward and giving it to them. Plus extra to steward. That seems more fair as he will spend a lot of time there.

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I would rather have it as part of the cost. Makes it easier beforehand.

 

I just looked and saw the kids staff is not included in dsc. I’m definitely thinking of adjusting my son’s dsc downward and giving it to them. Plus extra to steward. That seems more fair as he will spend a lot of time there.

 

 

What issue did you have to justify lowering your DSC?

 

 

 

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She did say she tips accordingly for her, just prefers to do it herself.

 

Honestly, I think she has a point. I never considered it until now, but I do think I’m going to adjust downward. I don’t think it’s right to charge for each guest in a stateroom when one is three years old. I would rather delete the three year olds daily charge, and give extra to the staff directly that helped with him, such as our room steward and the kids club area. That seems more appropriate.

 

But why should I pay for a three year olds charges that aren’t really being used? Or maybe I’m wrong? I’m interested.

Why? Does your child eat? Sleep? Bathe? I have 5 kids, it never crossed my mind to reduce the DSC. In fact, they potentially reduce profits for NCL, because they don’t drink alcohol, gamble, buy photos or watches, or use the spa.

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First you pay on average double for the suite then they want to hit you for more money with the fake daily service charge. But you do have a choice, while NCL try to hide it the simple fact it is these fees are discretionary, you can change or remove.

 

The policy:

 

If there is a service issue can the service charges be adjusted on board?

Guest satisfaction is the highest priority at Norwegian Cruise Line. We have structured a guest satisfaction programme designed to handle any concerns about service or on-board product quickly and efficiently. However, in the event a service issue should arise during your cruise please let our on-board guest services desk staff know right away, so that we can address these in a timely manner. It is our goal to reach a satisfactory solution to any issue when it happens and make sure our guests can focus on enjoying their cruise. Should your concerns not be met with satisfaction you can adjust the charges.

As the last lines says "Should your concern s not be met to your satisfaction you can adjust the charges" The simple fact here is you do not need to give them a reason or you can, if you want but you can adjust to zero and nothing they can do about it.

NCL can and will try to use strong arming and intimidation if they think they can get away with it. My last few cruises with them, Guest Services has contacted me and asked if I want the fees removed. They have a past file because on principle I have always paid my own gratuities as I see fit. Even knowing in advance I remove these fees they still take the reservations and accept the bookings why? Because they cannot under the account and system they use make daily service fees mandatory.

 

When I read posts such as these it makes me drop to my knees and pray that all cruise lines would simply raise cruise fares to "bake in" an ample gratuity, thereby eliminating the DSC and the opportunity of removing anything in what I feel is a hideous practice!

 

 

Most crew members in service positions (deemed by NCL or any other line for that matter) usually sign approximate 9 month contracts to live in tight conditions and work SEVEN DAYS A WEEK, occasionally being granted a 4 -5 hour block of time off on a port day. They DEPEND on the portion of the service charge that is collected and distributed by the line. Many are sending their earnings home to support extended families. Withholding the DSC "because I can" can literally mean taking food out of people's mouths.

 

Ad nauseam, discussions continue as to how much and who shares in that DSC... and most lines' reluctance to share that information. At the end of the day, who better to decide on DSC distribution other than the cruise line.

 

When a passenger reasons "I mostly sat for MDR meals with one individual, so I'll give them $xx and another $xx to the guy that cleaned my room," many others suffer:

 

  • Think of all the trips to the buffet and the people that set and clean those tables, or bring you a condiment that you forgot.

  • Think of the kitchen staff that prepares and cooks your meals.

  • Think of the deck staff / pool staff up before the sunrises and back late at night that clean, set and arrange the loungers you enjoy.

  • Think of the staff that greets you for every meal in the dining room and escorts you to a table.

  • Think of the smiling "Washy Washy" greeter at the buffet entrance.

  • Think of the laundry staff sweating in heated conditions to clean and fold those fluffy towels in your room.

And maybe there are others that will suffer. Who? Only the cruise lines know, as they are making the decisions and are in the best position to build economic models for staffing and compensation.

 

And yes, to avoid a PR nightmare from a news article that reads: "We were forced to pay a DSC for our 7 day cruise which had lousy, horrible, non-existent service..." NCL does have a procedure that --in all fairness-- asks first for the opportunity to make things right. to turn around the guest experience. Yet, NCL knows there may be that circumstance where things cannot be made right, so there's that form.

 

I wonder if they ever dreamed people would be so shortsighted as to cheat crew out of their anticipated earnings and exploit the loophole!

 

Let me be clear that my post here is NOT INTENDED or AIMED at the individual I have quoted. To them, I have nothing to say; that ship has sailed.

 

Instead, I write this to anyone reading about the practice and thinking it may be a good idea or are considering doing this in the future. Please, please, do not.

 

And to NCL: good that it seems, by the poster's words, that you DO TRACK this. Consider ACTING on the information. We've all read about lines barring passengers from future cruises because of cabin damage or disruptions. Think of the financial damage and disruption this repeated practice has upon your staff.

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You have a choice. Don’t cruise.

 

At home, don’t go to a restaurant if you want to stiff the server because they are already being paid to serve you.

 

Don’t go and get a haircut if you don’t want to tip the stylist because they are being paid to cut hair.

 

Don’t take a cab if you don’t want to tip someone who is being paid to drive.

 

Don’t tip your housekeeper in a hotel because they are being paid to clean your room.

 

 

 

 

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If you take a cab in Germany, or go to a restaurant in Australia or go on a cruise out of Dennark. Do you still tip?

 

You know, everything and everyone is not American.

 

 

Though, I agree with you. If its costumary to tip. You tip. You have to budget that in.

 

I think the eu pricing on ncl is the future. To have all charges included in the price.

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Threads like this always leave me conflicted. On one hand, I'd rather see tipping go away, at least as a primary income source, and simply be reflected in the cost. On the other hand, too many of the restaurants that are doing away with tipping are shifting that money to the back of the house and into their own pockets, instead of ensuring the wait staff is fairly compensated.

 

So that is probably the biggest reason I like tipping, I know it actually goes where intended. Too often management is tempted to use it for other purposes. But to say that tipping ensures good service is a lie. Tipping is almost always done after the fact and I've gotten plenty of bad service in my life. Also, there is a lot of social pressure, often in the form of your spouse or other party members, pushing you to tip well regardless of poor service.

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So that is probably the biggest reason I like tipping, I know it actually goes where intended.

 

 

Do you?

 

Some restaurants were collecting portions of tips from the staff (see various lawsuits.) Many places pool tips, to cover busboys and runners. There is a rumor that should come back in about five posts that Norwegian collects cash tips and redistributes them.

 

There is a system in place. It is badly named. Why not just use the system?

 

 

 

 

 

 

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I would rather have it as part of the cost. Makes it easier beforehand.

 

I just looked and saw the kids staff is not included in dsc. I’m definitely thinking of adjusting my son’s dsc downward and giving it to them. Plus extra to steward. That seems more fair as he will spend a lot of time there.

 

Here's something you may or may not need to consider.

 

How does your son behave in the restaurants?

 

Does the waitstaff take initiative to bring something special to pacify your son?

 

Did you need to make any special food requests through the waitstaff for your son?

 

I've observed tables with small children where the floor looked like a food fight must have occurred with the mess left behind. Some parents will acknowledge the bus person with an additional gratuity and say I'm sorry for the mess. Others will walk away thinking "that's their job to clean it up."

 

Did your son eat off of a plate and use the flatware as you did at the buffet? Did your son clear away and clean the table?

 

On a 7 day recent Getaway sailing I had opportunity to eat 21 meals. All but three were eaten in The Haven Restaurant. Of those 18 meals, I think 14 were eaten at the same table with the same server because the DR manager knew my preference.

 

At the end of the cruise I provided an additional gratuity to that server who approached me later with more gratitude and stated: "that was too much." I didn't think so. I left an additional cash gratuity for each of the two dinners I ate outside The Haven and a cash gratuity to the bartender that served me lunch and drinks on embarkation.

 

I provided an extra gratuity to my room steward. (And of course, I gave a gratuity to my butler and concierge team, as they do not participate in the DSC.)

 

I never set foot in the buffet or any of the MDR's. Despite that, every penny of my DSC remained in place. Was I cheated or did I feel I didn't need to pay? NO, not at all.

 

As you consider what to do, should you feel the staff isn't deserving, or you're being cheated, then perhaps instead feel that you're doing a little something extra.

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Introduced "Premium All Inclusive" which eliminated the DSC and promo services charges but increased the fare by more than the amount of the DSC and promo service charges. BTW, since there is no DSC, there is nothing that the guest can get removed or reduced.

 

Would the DSC removers prefer that?:confused:

 

Amen, Hallelujah! My prayers are being answered. Please enact this worldwide.

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Put it in the fare. It is now part of the cost of the cruise.

 

Great, so there is no longer any need to pay the DSC at all, nor to tip any staff.

 

End of discussion, stop tipping if they are already charging you for it.

 

 

 

By the way, while I live in the US, I do understand that America does not rule the world culturally. Required tipping is very much an American thing.

 

Do I support tipping staff? Absolutely.

 

 

But see the tipping threads, these employees are actually paid a decent wage, tips are a bonus, not part of their salary.

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You have a choice. Don’t cruise.

 

At home, don’t go to a restaurant if you want to stiff the server because they are already being paid to serve you.

 

Don’t go and get a haircut if you don’t want to tip the stylist because they are being paid to cut hair.

 

Don’t take a cab if you don’t want to tip someone who is being paid to drive.

 

Don’t tip your housekeeper in a hotel because they are being paid to clean your room.

 

Also, do not travel. Not all countries consider tipping polite. Some cultures consider tipping your wait staff to be rude.

 

I tip my wait staff in the US because they are paid less than minimum wage. I do not tip the person at McDonald's because they are paid minimum wage, I also don't tip the person at any of the fast food places that bring my food to my table for the same reason. If you don't tip the McDonald's employee you are stiffing them on 15% of your bill and are a very rude person by your standards.

In places where wait staff is being paid minimum wage and up, there is no reason to tip them for doing what they are being paid to do.

 

 

Tipping is for going above and beyond in service, it is not meant to be a part of your paycheck. Places where it is meant to be a part of your paycheck means that the employer is too cheap to pay his workers a decent wage. Why are you supporting that business anyway?

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