Nickle and dime

[ColinIllinois]

BECAUSE BOTH AIRLINE TRAVEL AND CRUISES ARE STILL AFFORDABLE ESPECIALLY WHEN I CONSIDER WHAT I PAID 20 YEARS AGO AND NOT MUCH DIFFERENCE.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk - now Free

 

 

No need to yell. Nothing to get upset about. ;)

[DMH15]

No need to yell. Nothing to get upset about. ;)

 

Sorry. Didnt mean to do all caps.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk - now Free

[Will Sail For Food]

I do not agree with your math, though. Let's say it costs us $5000 for a week on NCL - it would cost us double on DCL. Add the extra show ($30 pp) and alcohol (I could add up the specialty restaurants, too, but that makes no sense, because we'd eat at the same amount of specialties on both, and DCL's are way more expensive), and NCL is still thousands cheaper. Heck, I could add on the UBP, Thermal Spa pass, excursions, gratuity, specialty dining every night, specialty coffee, pastries, gelato... I'd still come out ahead on NCL.

 

We did enjoy our time on DCL - sailed the same week we always sail NCL (except we sail NCL out of NYC, so that adds to the cost). It's always way cheaper on NCL, for a very similar product. NCL brings in big revenue on alcohol and gambling, so DCL has to charge a premium, with no casino, and allowing folks to bring some booze onboard.

 

You can challenge my math, I can challenge yours. Big deal. Obviously we would not have identical cruises. I mean, who does? Cruise experiences are individual things, financially and otherwise. I hope you enjoy your next one as much as I will enjoy mine on the Getaway. Can't wait!

Edited January 8, 2014 by Will Sail For Food

[bonniboo1]

Thanks for all of the feedback.I didn't think that this would cause so much controversy. I am glad that I have choices. I usually go to at least 1 if not more specialty dining venues on Ncl. I don't do this because I don't like the regular dining rooms, I just do it because my friends sometimes enjoy the smaller venues. Many folks say that Ncl forces you to pay for the specialty restaurants because the food is so bad. I think that the food is just fine. I am a chef by profession. It is nice to have someone cook for me occasionaly.

 

People have complained that you have to pay for bowling on Ncl. If I get the urge to bowl at home, I pay. If I want a fancy coffee, I pay. I dont mind that I am going to pay for the Cirque de Solei (sp) on the Breakaway. I have never had the opportunity to see it.

 

I consider Ncl and the 2 other lines that I have sailed as a la carte with a whole bunch of items already included. As I have already said, it's nice to have a choice when cruising.

 

happy sailing!

[mjkacmom]

You can challenge my math, I can challenge yours. Big deal. Obviously we would not have identical cruises. I mean, who does? Cruise experiences are individual things, financially and otherwise. I hope you enjoy your next one as much as I will enjoy mine on the Getaway. Can't wait!

 

Just for fun, I priced out the Fantasy and Getaway for the same itinerary, same week, in June, lowest priced balcony, for 4.

 

Fantasy - $8577

Getaway - $4275

 

Again, really enjoyed our Disney cruise, but just can't justify the cost. If I had the extra $ for a Disney cruise, you better believe I'm getting a nice suite on NCL, and living the high life (but with a family of 7, I think we will have to make due with 2 connecting balconies. We will have to wait until they're out of the house first!

 

I know there are some things included on DCL that you pay for on NCL - just not $4000+ worth.

[Will Sail For Food]

Just for fun, I priced out the Fantasy and Getaway for the same itinerary, same week, in June, lowest priced balcony, for 4.

 

Fantasy - $8577

Getaway - $4275

 

Again, really enjoyed our Disney cruise, but just can't justify the cost. If I had the extra $ for a Disney cruise, you better believe I'm getting a nice suite on NCL, and living the high life (but with a family of 7, I think we will have to make due with 2 connecting balconies. We will have to wait until they're out of the house first!

 

I know there are some things included on DCL that you pay for on NCL - just not $4000+ worth.

 

I seriously cannot fathom why you are making an issue of this. We did our math, as we do for any trip we plan. After we add in all the extras we plan to enjoy on NCL, it came up slightly higher. That's it. I have no clue who you are, so I'm pretty sure you weren't sitting in my kitchen when we ran the numbers, so please don't tell me I'm wrong. Get over it. I can price it the same way you did, also. But I priced it for US and the way we want to travel, which is logical for anyone, except maybe you I guess. Again, have a nice trip. :rolleyes:

[bonniboo1]

I wasn't trying to pit one line against another, I merely was saying that I benefit by getting to choose what I spend my money on.

[Will Sail For Food]

I wasn't trying to pit one line against another, I merely was saying that I benefit by getting to choose what I spend my money on.

 

You're fine! I absolutely agree, and that is why we chose NCL and are happy with our decision.

[bonniboo1]

You are correct. There are a number of Haters here who can't tell the difference between Nickel and Diming and the offering of the optional choice to purchase something. (Makes you wonder how these people survive a typical shopping mall...:rolleyes:)

 

Nickel and Diming refers to small charges which are NOT optional. As an example, if NCL told you at check in that you had to pay $5 to get your room card, THAT would be Nickel and Diming! You would have to pay it because a room card isn't OPTIONAL.

 

 

NCL does actually have one Nickel and Diming charge....its funny how most of the haters can't even identify it.

 

Ok Seashark, what is the one Nickel and Diming charge?

[Snooksi]

All that except soda is included on NCL, and the soda card is about $6 per day (I don't drink soda, so I don't know for sure). Plus iced tea and a few flavored waters.

 

My next two cruises are with NCL so I'm trying to research/learn as much as I can about NCL before the cruises.

 

Are juices free? On RCCL, even juice is extra that's why I'm asking.

 

Thanks

Edited January 8, 2014 by Snooksi

[SissasMomE]

Interesting...what happened to your reserved chair if you decided not to be outdoors one day? Did it just sit empty with your assigned pool boy standing at the ready to spread your towel in case you changed your mind?

 

It was your chair for the duration of the cruise, so yes, I suppose it did go empty for the entire day.

[bonniboo1]

You're fine! I absolutely agree, and that is why we chose NCL and are happy with our decision.

 

I saw that you were on the Spirit. Of all my cruises and land vacations, that was my best one ever!!!

[bonniboo1]

My next two cruises are with NCL so I'm trying to research/learn as much as I can about NCL before the cruises.

 

Are juices free? On RCCL, juice isn't even included that's why I'm asking.

 

Thanks

 

I don't drink juice but I believe that it's available for no charge in both the dining room and buffet at no charge for breakfast only.

[VIPERTRUCK]

My next two cruises are with NCL so I'm trying to research/learn as much as I can about NCL before the cruises.

 

Are juices free? On RCCL, juice isn't even included that's why I'm asking.

 

Thanks

 

Select juices are free at breakfast time only. Not high quality stuff but it resembles juice...

[Snooksi]

I don't drink juice but I believe that it's available for no charge in both the dining room and buffet at no charge for breakfast only.

 

Thanks that answered it for me. My concern was being able to get OJ free at breakfast. It's the only juice we enjoy.

 

If you don't mind another question. I understand they don't allow us to purchase alcohol packages during Spring Break. What about soda packages? Can we purchase them during Spring Break?

[mpk218]

I do not agree with your math, though. Let's say it costs us $5000 for a week on NCL - it would cost us double on DCL. Add the extra show ($30 pp) and alcohol (I could add up the specialty restaurants, too, but that makes no sense, because we'd eat at the same amount of specialties on both, and DCL's are way more expensive), and NCL is still thousands cheaper. Heck, I could add on the UBP, Thermal Spa pass, excursions, gratuity, specialty dining every night, specialty coffee, pastries, gelato... I'd still come out ahead on NCL.

 

We did enjoy our time on DCL - sailed the same week we always sail NCL (except we sail NCL out of NYC, so that adds to the cost). It's always way cheaper on NCL, for a very similar product. NCL brings in big revenue on alcohol and gambling, so DCL has to charge a premium, with no casino, and allowing folks to bring some booze onboard.

 

I feel the same .. Now if one of us would do the math , it would be painfully obvious that NCL is a better deal. ...:D Tomorrow..

[VIPERTRUCK]

Thanks that answered it for me. My concern was being able to get OJ free at breakfast. It's the only juice we enjoy.

 

If you don't mind another question. I understand they don't allow us to purchase alcohol packages during Spring Break. What about soda packages? Can we purchase them during Spring Break?

 

I can't help too much with that specific time of year. But my experience with NCL soda packages is that you can wait a long time to get a drink and they only give you about 8 ounces at a time. The crew do not make extra tips for getting you a soda and they have very little interest in doing it. We prefer to buy a few bottles in each port and carry them on with us.

[punkincc]

Thanks that answered it for me. My concern was being able to get OJ free at breakfast. It's the only juice we enjoy.

 

If you don't mind another question. I understand they don't allow us to purchase alcohol packages during Spring Break. What about soda packages? Can we purchase them during Spring Break?

 

Soda packages will be available. Spring Breakers have little interest in overindulging in Pepsi products.;)

[antsnanny]

i think that i am feeling cranky from the sub zero weather, but i feel that i just want to say this. In my opinion ncl and the other cruise lines aren't nickle and diming us, they are merely giving us choices. I would rather have the option of paying extra for something if i want it instead of having it built into my cruise fare.

If i wanted everything included, i would go on an ultra expensive cruise. I feel that i have always gotten decent value from all 3 lines that i have sailed with. Ncl is still my favorite though.

 

There, i feel better now.

 

Bonni

 

well said.

[antsnanny]

Three of my last 4 cruises have been on Disney. My most recent cruise, although a few years ago, was on NCL. Although people talk about Disney being more expensive, overall it costs us less than our cruise on NCL did, because all of the restaurants, entertainment, adult area, etc. are included AND we can carry our own beer and alcohol on board. We would save money this time too, if we cruised Disney (since we have already worked out the cost of most of the restaurants, etc. that we would like to enjoy on our upcoming NCL cruise). That's okay with us, because obviously we have chosen to sail NCL again, but people need to realize it is what it is. It can be a very low cost cruise line, but only if you are sacrificing things that other lines include. I feel bad for those who book without researching so they don't realize, even though it's their own fault.

 

I had no idea Disney let you carry liquor on!

[newmexicoNita]

I think that I am feeling cranky from the sub zero weather, but I feel that I just want to say this. In my opinion NCL and the other cruise lines aren't nickle and diming us, they are merely giving us choices. I would rather have the option of paying extra for something if I want it instead of having it built into my cruise fare.

If I wanted everything included, I would go on an ultra expensive cruise. I feel that I have always gotten decent value from all 3 lines that I have sailed with. NCL is still my favorite though.

 

There, I feel better now.

 

Bonni

 

You are not being cranky, you are being honest and making good sense. I happen to feel exactly the same: I like the you chose where you money is going attitude. Other than the DSC and the actual fare there are no other charges anyone has to pay when the cruise. Yes,we pay for liquor but that is our choice, the same with specialty dining rooms, casino, bingo, tours etc. We choose what kind of cabin we want, and how much we have left for other things, then we decide what is important to us.

 

If that is nickel and diming, so is life!!!!!!

[QuiGonJohn]

Airlines nickel and dime you today too. They now charge for bags, meals, snacks, and extra bags, etc. All of these things used to be included in the airfare.

Next up for the airlines, the old coin locks on the bathroom doors. :D

 

NCL does actually have one Nickel and Diming charge....its funny how most of the haters can't even identify it.

 

SeaShark, please do tell us what is this charge you are referring to, (as I see nobody mentioned this after you put it out there). Thanks!

[bonniboo1]

Thanks Nita, I love your posts, you are always so calm and make perfect sense.

[SteveH2508]

<snip>

 

 

SeaShark, please do tell us what is this charge you are referring to, (as I see nobody mentioned this after you put it out there). Thanks!

 

My guess - the night-time delivery charge for room service?

[bonniboo1]

Ah ha...that sounds like u got it