Tip question

[cabincop]

Also there an no tax implications as cruiseseal implied NCL is not a U.S. registered ship. No taxes

[luvtheships]

Also there an no tax implications as cruiseseal implied NCL is not a U.S. registered ship. No taxes

 

Really? So you don't think Ncl pays any USA taxes? Um ok?

 

 

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[hawkeyetlse]

Also there an no tax implications as cruiseseal implied NCL is not a U.S. registered ship. No taxes

NCL is an American company, so they are subject to US (and state & local) tax laws. And I assume that the crew members are subject to tax laws in their home countries. I have no idea if there are tax implications or not to keeping the DSC separate vs. including it in the cruise fare, but just because the cruise takes places on a foreign-flagged ship doesn't mean anything goes tax-wise with the money they collect from passengers.

[ColinIllinois]

I believe the O.P. had her question answered. No need to get in to yet another tipping thread sword fight.

[luddite]

You are correct no one should feel obligated but the service usually warrants a bit extra

 

I am not one to tip to be a big shot trust me but I was generous on my recent BA 12 day because the steward was the best in 10 cruises.... The mdr staff when ordering wine was incredible ( fwiw we didn't get a wine steward so don't know if they have them or he was just busy) and the specialty mdr staff went overboard

 

As I said I don't tip to be a big shot but this cruise warranted something extra

 

Btw I prepaid my dsc for the first time ever on this cruise.

 

 

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Room Service guys are also expecting a tip but they aren't gonna lollygag with their hand out either.

[njhorseman]

Also there an no tax implications as cruiseseal implied NCL is not a U.S. registered ship. No taxes

 

Really? So you don't think Ncl pays any USA taxes? Um ok?

 

 

 

NCLH and NCL have their physical headquarters in the US and their stock is traded on a US exchange (NASDAQ), but both are incorporated in the Bermuda. In addition the ships are flagged in the Bahamas, with the exception of Pride of America, which is flagged in the US. Further, I recall reading (and I can't find a reference at this moment) that the ships are actually owned by various subsidiary corporations, which may be domiciled in other countries. As another poster stated, crew members are subject to the tax laws of their home countries, which can have an effect too.

 

Obviously this means what taxation the corporation is subject to is very complicated. They're subject to US taxes to a certain extent being headquartered in the US , but are also subject to the tax laws of Bermuda, the Bahamas, and possibly other countries. I doubt anyone participating in this conversation, myself included, has sufficient expertise to know exactly how their taxes are calculated, so making broad brush statements isn't a very good idea.

Edited January 22, 2015 by njhorseman

[rvsullivan]

Many grow weary but here goes anyway. NCL does not mention discretionary anywhere in their description of the Service Charge, they actual call it a fixed service charge.

 

"What's the service charge?

Why is there a service charge? The reason there's a fixed service charge is an important one: Our Crew (as are the crew from other lines) is encouraged to work together as a team. Staff members including restaurant staff, stateroom stewards and behind-the-scenes support staff are compensated by a combination of salary and incentive programs that your service charge supports. How much is the charge? Onboard Service Charges are additional. A charge of $12 per person per day will automatically be added to your onboard account. Are service charges across the board for all guests? All guests 3 years or older. How do I prepay my service charges? Contact your travel professional and request that it be added to your cruise reservation. If you have not made final payment this will be included in your final payment amount or if final payment has already been made we will require full payment at the time it is added. At what point in the booking process can the prepaid charges be added? They can be added at anytime up to 24 hours prior to sailing. Why would I prepay my service charges? The convenience of pre-paying the service charges allows you to plan your budget prior to your cruise giving you additional freedom while on board. If I cancel my cruise are the service charges refundable? Yes! The service charges are 100% refundable. If there is a service issue can the service charges be adjusted on board? 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 program 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. Guest satisfaction is the highest priority at Norwegian Cruise Line. We have structured a guest satisfaction program designed to handle any concerns about service or on-board product quickly and efficiently.

 

On some of NCL's overseas websites it may be described differently, but on the U.S. website the above quote is direct.

The OP seems satisfied with the answer.

Edited January 22, 2015 by rvsullivan

[njhorseman]

Many grow weary but here goes anyway. NCL does not mention discretionary anywhere in their description of the Service Charge, they actual call it a fixed service charge.

 

"What's the service charge?

Why is there a service charge? The reason there's a fixed service charge is an important one: Our Crew (as are the crew from other lines) is encouraged to work together as a team. Staff members including restaurant staff, stateroom stewards and behind-the-scenes support staff are compensated by a combination of salary and incentive programs that your service charge supports. How much is the charge? Onboard Service Charges are additional. A charge of $12 per person per day will automatically be added to your onboard account. Are service charges across the board for all guests? All guests 3 years or older. How do I prepay my service charges? Contact your travel professional and request that it be added to your cruise reservation. If you have not made final payment this will be included in your final payment amount or if final payment has already been made we will require full payment at the time it is added. At what point in the booking process can the prepaid charges be added? They can be added at anytime up to 24 hours prior to sailing. Why would I prepay my service charges? The convenience of pre-paying the service charges allows you to plan your budget prior to your cruise giving you additional freedom while on board. If I cancel my cruise are the service charges refundable? Yes! The service charges are 100% refundable. 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 program designed to handle any concerns about service or on-board product quickly and efficiently.

 

On some of NCL's overseas websites it may be described differently, but on the U.S. website the above quote is direct.

The OP seems satisfied with the answer.

 

While I'm not siding with those who encourage removing the service charge, he Guest Ticket Contract, the single most important document associated with your cruise does say that the service charge can be adjusted at your discretion:

 

http://www.ncl.com/sites/default/files/Guest_Ticket_Contract_03_2014.pdf

 

 

© Service Charges: Certain members of Carrier’s crew are compensated by a combination of salary and incentive programs that are funded in part by the service charge paid by each Guest. The charge ,which is automatically added to your onboard account and subject to adjustment at your discretion, is intended to reward service provided in all departments and job categories and is distributed to employees according to Carrier's evaluation of job performance. A portion of the service charge collected by Carrier is also used for fleet-wide crew welfare programs.

 

You've also omitted the last sentence of the service charge FAQ from your quote:

 

Should your concerns not be met with satisfaction you can adjust the charges.

Edited January 22, 2015 by njhorseman

[luddite]

Many grow weary but here goes anyway. NCL does not mention discretionary anywhere in their description of the Service Charge, they actual call it a fixed service charge.

 

"What's the service charge?

Why is there a service charge? The reason there's a fixed service charge is an important one: Our Crew (as are the crew from other lines) is encouraged to work together as a team. Staff members including restaurant staff, stateroom stewards and behind-the-scenes support staff are compensated by a combination of salary and incentive programs that your service charge supports. How much is the charge? Onboard Service Charges are additional. A charge of $12 per person per day will automatically be added to your onboard account. Are service charges across the board for all guests? All guests 3 years or older. How do I prepay my service charges? Contact your travel professional and request that it be added to your cruise reservation. If you have not made final payment this will be included in your final payment amount or if final payment has already been made we will require full payment at the time it is added. At what point in the booking process can the prepaid charges be added? They can be added at anytime up to 24 hours prior to sailing. Why would I prepay my service charges? The convenience of pre-paying the service charges allows you to plan your budget prior to your cruise giving you additional freedom while on board. If I cancel my cruise are the service charges refundable? Yes! The service charges are 100% refundable. If there is a service issue can the service charges be adjusted on board? 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 program 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. Guest satisfaction is the highest priority at Norwegian Cruise Line. We have structured a guest satisfaction program designed to handle any concerns about service or on-board product quickly and efficiently.

 

On some of NCL's overseas websites it may be described differently, but on the U.S. website the above quote is direct.

The OP seems satisfied with the answer.

 

It's a charge for service.

It isn't a charge for 'great' service or 'above and beyond' service.

[Love my butler]

Many grow weary but here goes anyway. NCL does not mention discretionary anywhere in their description of the Service Charge, they actual call it a fixed service charge.

 

NCL does most certainly call it a Discretionary Service Charge in many places. Both printed material available on board and US websites describing NCL and the amenities. I have pointed this out many times in the past. Feel free to search my post history to easily find the citations. I grow weary of posting the proof over and over to those that refuse to acknowledge it.

 

P.S. I have never seen NCL refer to it as a daily service charge. I think that is just an inaccurate shortcut used here on cruise critic.