what do you mean nickel and dime you

[jcool]

What do people mean by saying that NCL nickel and dime you? I unedstand that you have to pay for drinks and excursion and pictures also for specialty restaurants and tipping. what else do you pay for? Is the food any good at the buffet? And the free restaurant?

[Tralfie]

There are free restaurants, and the buffets are free. People basically use "nickle-and-diming" as a complaint when they feel as if they have to pay too much for things or pay for too many things that they believe should be free. Some feel that the food/service in the main dining rooms has gone down hill as an attempt to get people to spend extra money in the specialty restaurants; others complain that things like Bingo cost too much.

 

You'll find the same complaint on other lines, from what I've seen. It sort of depends on your viewpoint, as far as what qualifies as "nickel and diming." It's all a matter of perspective, I suppose.

 

Richard/Tralfie

[miataman19]

What do people mean by saying that NCL nickel and dime you? I unedstand that you have to pay for drinks and excursion and pictures also for specialty restaurants and tipping. what else do you pay for? Is the food any good at the buffet? And the free restaurant?

 

I don't see it as "nickel & dime". I see it as giving the guest options. If you don't want the extras don't buy them. IMHO I like having the option to eat in a smaller restaurant (as an example). NCL is the cruise line that has the most extras for the guest to "purchase". Other lines have similar options. It just depends on what YOU want to spend. You can have a wonderful cruise without spending extra.

 

Sent from my DROID RAZR using Forums mobile app

[DDMau]

If I know about these items in advance and the option is mine to buy or not then that is not "nickel & dime".

 

We always have a wonderful cruise without spending extra.

[Seanote]

Nickel & dimming is a catch phrase that newbies use to describe some of the ala carte options available on all mass market cruise lines. When I started cruising in 2002, NCL charged for:

Specialty restaurants

Shore excursions

Beverages

Casino

Spa

Bingo

Photos

 

Guess what? Nothing has changed. Yes there are now more specialty restaurants and a bucket of beer costs more than it did 12 years ago.

[Seanote]

I also think it's worth noting that on our first cruise in 2002 on the Majesty to Bermuda, our OV cost $3000. On our next cruise to Bermuda on the Dawn we are getting an aft suite for around the same price. I'll take the nickel and diming.:cool:

[spidybabe]

Just off the Gem yesterday:

Main dining room food very good-especially first night lobster tails

Buffet- great for breakfast-lunch as well as the great outdoors(favorite breakfast spot) and poolside bar-b-ques and food.

24 hour places--great comfort foods (wings, fingers, soups, dips, sandwiches,burgers, dogs....)

Room service- limited but good

If you want to pay extra for the specially restaurants, they are very good, but no need to spend the money unless you desire too.

Bingo, deal or no deal, liquor/beer tastings, some special shows cost extra

You can have a wonderful entertaining non stop cruise, with food EVERYWHERE without spending an extra penny.

Safe sailing

[SeaShark]

What do people mean by saying that NCL nickel and dime you? I unedstand that you have to pay for drinks and excursion and pictures also for specialty restaurants and tipping. what else do you pay for? Is the food any good at the buffet? And the free restaurant?

 

When you see the term "nickel and diming" it is mostly a "sour grapes" complaint.

 

IF there were nickel and diming, we (as cruisers) would be faced with small, UNAVOIDABLE charges for things that should logically be included. For example, imagine going to check in for your next cruise and the registration desk agent informs you that there is a $5 fee to get your room card....THAT would be nickel and diming.

 

 

What NCL offers are CHOICES or OPTIONS. NONE of which are required. You can enjoy your cruise without having to spend a single extra dime on board. That choice, like all of the others, would be yours or mine to make.

 

 

That said, we all cruise on some sort of budget...none of us has unlimited money! Therefore, the choices we make must fit within our limitations (budget) and sometimes we come across things we WANT but cannot afford. When this happens, many people (who understand the limits of their means) simply accept the situation and move on. Others simply cannot. Their WANTS exceed their MEANS and they are left feeling unhappy as a result. Then the desire to attach blame for the unhappy feelings kicks in...as you no doubt know, people don't like to blame themselves, so the blame has to be directed at others. It has to somehow be someone else's fault. So the easy solution is to blame the "evil" cruise line for "nickel and diming".

 

 

I sometimes wonder how these people ever go to the mall where EVERYTHING has a price! They must feel that the whole world nickel and dimes! :rolleyes:

[vols_159]

What do people mean by saying that NCL nickel and dime you? I unedstand that you have to pay for drinks and excursion and pictures also for specialty restaurants and tipping. what else do you pay for? Is the food any good at the buffet? And the free restaurant?

 

Very good.. No need for specialty inless you love moderno like I do.. 20 bucks on ship 40 on land .. So we splurge on the ship

[Love my butler]

Nickel and diming is just a term experienced cruisers use to describe the NCL freestyle experience. You pay for your cruise and get the bare bones. Food, entertainment, service. You then get the option to 'upgrade' your experience for a cost, the nickel and the dime.

 

It's a very accurate description though many feel it is a derogatory term.

[TruckerDave]

Some folks want to pay "motel 6" prices and expect a "Waldorf" experience.

 

And other folks just want to bi#%h and moan about everything.

[Valen9]

I sometimes feel like they are "nickel and diming" me when there seem to be small charges everywhere. Like a station with coffee and pastries, but SOME coffee and SOME pastries are a charge but others aren't. What drives me absolutely NUTS is long, loud announcements about BINGO several times a day. I also don't appreciate waiting on a long line at Embarkation because it is being held up by the photographers who try to strong-arm me into posing for a picture I don't want to buy.

 

Mostly I feel that NCL does a good job of giving me an all-inclusive vacation without asking me to pay more for things I don't feel are worth it. I think NCL is the best value in cruising, especially for folks like me who don't like to pay for all these extras.

[newmexicoNita]

What do people mean by saying that NCL nickel and dime you? I unedstand that you have to pay for drinks and excursion and pictures also for specialty restaurants and tipping. what else do you pay for? Is the food any good at the buffet? And the free restaurant?

 

Like most ships, you also pay for using the spa, gambling, of course, Bingo, and activities like wine and Margarita tasting, but I would think that is a no brainer. As for the food in the buffet and MDRs, this depends on what you consider good? Is it 4 star? No, none of the cruise lines offer the same quality they did years ago, but it certainly isn't bad. We split our meals between MDR, buffet, specialty dining and a few other options. Rarely have we had something that was not prepared correctly and enjoyable. The biggest complaint to me, is small servings, which is actually a blessing. None of us need to return home 10 lbs heavier than when we left.

 

As for NCl versus other lines and nickel and diming: for those who think NCL does too much of this, start pricing other vacations. We just did this, cruising, whether NCL or another line is still the most economical way to enjoy a vacation in our estimation. We have priced nice AI and tours. We will stick with the cruising thank you. And yes, let the prices stay low, let me decide where I want to spend my extra $$S. It can be on the bar, the casino, tours, spa treatments, whatever.

Edited January 22, 2014 by newmexicoNita

[sparks1093]

When you see the term "nickel and diming" it is mostly a "sour grapes" complaint.

 

IF there were nickel and diming, we (as cruisers) would be faced with small, UNAVOIDABLE charges for things that should logically be included. For example, imagine going to check in for your next cruise and the registration desk agent informs you that there is a $5 fee to get your room card....THAT would be nickel and diming.

 

 

What NCL offers are CHOICES or OPTIONS. NONE of which are required. You can enjoy your cruise without having to spend a single extra dime on board. That choice, like all of the others, would be yours or mine to make.

 

 

That said, we all cruise on some sort of budget...none of us has unlimited money! Therefore, the choices we make must fit within our limitations (budget) and sometimes we come across things we WANT but cannot afford. When this happens, many people (who understand the limits of their means) simply accept the situation and move on. Others simply cannot. Their WANTS exceed their MEANS and they are left feeling unhappy as a result. Then the desire to attach blame for the unhappy feelings kicks in...as you no doubt know, people don't like to blame themselves, so the blame has to be directed at others. It has to somehow be someone else's fault. So the easy solution is to blame the "evil" cruise line for "nickel and diming".

 

 

I sometimes wonder how these people ever go to the mall where EVERYTHING has a price! They must feel that the whole world nickel and dimes! :rolleyes:

 

Agreed, and it is a term that is usually used by someone who is loyal to another line trying NCL for the first time (I guess it makes them feel better about paying more on their preferred line).

[mizLORInj]

I realize my cruise fare covers the included eateries and a nice cabin in which to sleep. If I choose to eat a a specialty restaurant, I will pay extra. Specialty restaurants with an upcharge are also on Princess, Carnival, and other lines as well.

If I want photos, bingo, cocktails, wine, souvenirs, etc. on ANY cruiseline, I also have to pay extra for those. Not unique to NCL.

So I don't feel "nickel and dimed" on NCL any more than other lines. :D

Edited January 22, 2014 by mizlorinj

[lmd4941977]

I have considered cruising on the Breakaway. I usually cruise from Bayonne or Baltimore but can do NYC.

I remember when I was in Bermuda on a tour, there was a lady complaining about only being able to attend several shows, paying too much for food, etc.

 

So I was confused by the difference. I was on the Summit at the time.

So what is the difference between NCL and the others? Why is free style cruising any different than RCI, CELEB, or CCL?

 

PS: I never took a cruise I didn't love every moment. Never cruised on a ship I didn't want to return for another great time . Every easy to please when I'm floating on the open seas.

[deschoolie]

I realize my cruise fare covers the included eateries and a nice cabin in which to sleep. If I choose to eat a a specialty restaurant, I will pay extra. Specialty restaurants with an upcharge are also on Princess, Carnival, and other lines as well.

 

If I want photos, bingo, cocktails, wine, souvenirs, etc. on ANY cruiseline, I also have to pay extra for those. Not unique to NCL.

 

So I don't feel "nickel and dimed" on NCL any more than other lines. :D

Well said and totally agree.

[ColinIllinois]

Nickel and diming is just a term experienced cruisers use to describe the NCL freestyle experience. You pay for your cruise and get the bare bones. Food, entertainment, service. You then get the option to 'upgrade' your experience for a cost, the nickel and the dime.

 

It's a very accurate description though many feel it is a derogatory term.

 

 

I wonder if that would be because it's always used in the context of a derogatory term?

 

You ever read: "Hey, can't wait to get on the ship so I can get nickel and dimed to death......WooooooHooooo"

[kcwingwalker]

When you see the term "nickel and diming" it is mostly a "sour grapes" complaint.

 

IF there were nickel and diming, we (as cruisers) would be faced with small, UNAVOIDABLE charges for things that should logically be included. For example, imagine going to check in for your next cruise and the registration desk agent informs you that there is a $5 fee to get your room card....THAT would be nickel and diming.

 

 

What NCL offers are CHOICES or OPTIONS. NONE of which are required. You can enjoy your cruise without having to spend a single extra dime on board. That choice, like all of the others, would be yours or mine to make.

 

 

That said, we all cruise on some sort of budget...none of us has unlimited money! Therefore, the choices we make must fit within our limitations (budget) and sometimes we come across things we WANT but cannot afford. When this happens, many people (who understand the limits of their means) simply accept the situation and move on. Others simply cannot. Their WANTS exceed their MEANS and they are left feeling unhappy as a result. Then the desire to attach blame for the unhappy feelings kicks in...as you no doubt know, people don't like to blame themselves, so the blame has to be directed at others. It has to somehow be someone else's fault. So the easy solution is to blame the "evil" cruise line for "nickel and diming".

 

 

I sometimes wonder how these people ever go to the mall where EVERYTHING has a price! They must feel that the whole world nickel and dimes! :rolleyes:

 

"like" excellent answer:)

[mexico8]

I sometimes feel like they are "nickel and diming" me when there seem to be small charges everywhere. Like a station with coffee and pastries, but SOME coffee and SOME pastries are a charge but others aren't. What drives me absolutely NUTS is long, loud announcements about BINGO several times a day. I also don't appreciate waiting on a long line at Embarkation because it is being held up by the photographers who try to strong-arm me into posing for a picture I don't want to buy.

 

Mostly I feel that NCL does a good job of giving me an all-inclusive vacation without asking me to pay more for things I don't feel are worth it. I think NCL is the best value in cruising, especially for folks like me who don't like to pay for all these extras.

 

My dh and I have about 200 days cruising and some of those days were with NCL. On one of the NCL cruises they were always trying to get us to buy tickets for a 50/50 draw and announcing bingo and art sales many times a day. (Nickel and diming). We find NCL excellent value and they charge extra for excursions and drinks and all the extras that other cruise lines charge for as well. Excellent value IMHO.

[Demonyte]

On one of the NCL cruises they were always trying to get us to buy tickets for a 50/50 draw and announcing bingo and art sales many times a day. (Nickel and diming).

 

That is not nickel and diming, just annoying and/or intrusive marketing.

[Warm Breezes]

What do people mean by saying that NCL nickel and dime you? I unedstand that you have to pay for drinks and excursion and pictures also for specialty restaurants and tipping. what else do you pay for? Is the food any good at the buffet? And the free restaurant?

 

It's not nickle and diming you. You can find good food in the buffets and MDR's. NCL does offer you more choices to upgrade your cruise experience if you so desire. But nothing has to come out of your pocket if you don't want it to. I prefer it this way. If I choose I want to upgrade my dining experience on a particular cruise I can. If not then I'm not paying extra for it.

[Warm Breezes]

I have considered cruising on the Breakaway. I usually cruise from Bayonne or Baltimore but can do NYC.

I remember when I was in Bermuda on a tour, there was a lady complaining about only being able to attend several shows, paying too much for food, etc.

 

So I was confused by the difference. I was on the Summit at the time.

So what is the difference between NCL and the others? Why is free style cruising any different than RCI, CELEB, or CCL?

 

PS: I never took a cruise I didn't love every moment. Never cruised on a ship I didn't want to return for another great time . Every easy to please when I'm floating on the open seas.

On the newer ships (Epic and after) you normally make reservations to see some of the shows so there may be a little planning involved. Before you sail they allow you to reserve your seats showing you what the show schedules will be in the different rooms. There is a chance you can get in on standby if you do not make reservations or if you wait to reserve on the ship. We just prescheduled ours. The difference with other cruiselines (and older NCL ships) is the shows are only done once or twice on a certain night and you don't need reservations on those. On the newer ships the show are done on multiple nights at different times with multiple different shows going on at the same time in smaller venues with reservations recommended.

 

You still do not need to go to a specialty restaurant to eat. There are just as many if not more included restaurants that do no charge. If she was paying too much for food, then that was her choice to do so.

[dalgirl]

Nickel and diming is just a term experienced cruisers use to describe the NCL freestyle experience. You pay for your cruise and get the bare bones. Food, entertainment, service. You then get the option to 'upgrade' your experience for a cost, the nickel and the dime.

 

It's a very accurate description though many feel it is a derogatory term.

 

Funny to call a vacation with chose of restaurant and food, lots of entertainment, and excellent service as "bare bones." You also "upgrade" from an inside to a suite - but everyone is on the same ship and as far as I can tell gets treated with the same respect. As an "experience cruiser" I call nickle and dime "freestyle choice." Most people are happy to pay a lower fare and not have to pay for "upgrades" they don't intend to use. For me "nickle and dime" is a term used by mostly disgruntled customers.

[jakeT]

All cruise lines do this. Like we have a great steak house, except its a extra charge. Let me take your photo. Have to buy photos., we have an spa on board. But you have yo pay for it. Most people know this. It's just like there more and more paid activities. Cooking classes, wine tasting. Drink tasting, bar crawl

Some dance classes it's just seems to go on and on

 

You think your cruse is going to cost X $. And it's now. X$ plus all the extras.