NCL adds weddings at sea, tests expanded room service/order fee, drops Asian cover

[Diver2014]

I'll gladly pay the room service fee for a full breakfast that I can enjoy on my balcony on the Escape. Sometimes I don't want to get dressed to go find breakfast. It makes me laugh that people spend thousands on a cruise then gripe about $7.95 for room service. So tired of complainers!

I'm really happy about NCL dropping the Asian food fee. We paid dearly on the Pearl (twice) because our extended family loves Asian food. We can now all enjoy a nice Asian dinner for 4 on the Escape in December.

[Rochesterboatingdotcom]

My money is on the $4.95 charge for room service once the dust settles. If that includes hot foods, I think it is a good change. $7.95, not so much. We have never used room service on NCL since the selections were so limited. Also, very nice on the free Asian, we will definitely take advantage of that.

[Va. Plumber]

I absolutely love the way folks go from zero to sixty on CC based on unsubstantiated rumors.

 

People have endlessly ranted recently about the "new" charge for room service, as though it were fleetwide.

 

According to the above, it is a test marketing on only two ships at two price levels. Add to that the fact they are trying out an expanded menu. I believe I have read here several posts about the lousy room service breakfast menu.

 

And by the way, the blood sucking, money grubbing cruise line is expanding the free dining options. Another case of nickel and diming?

[calex]

For the asian restaurants there is no cover charges BUT there will be some menu items offered a la carte and not FREE.you will have to pay for some items.

 

A first hand report from the refurbished Star - http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showpost.php?p=46051506&postcount=42

 

Our second night we reserved the new Asian restaurant, it is no longer called Ginza (even though the signage was not changed). There are 3 types of food on the menu, Chinese, which is complimentary, Hot Rock (kind of like an at your table teppanyaki), which is $10 pp upcharge, which is a hot lava rock served with the ingredients of your meal to cook them at your table. It was very good, and fun. I wish I had taken a picture, but I did not. The third type is sushi a la carte. We did not try the sushi, but others around us did and they said it was very good.

[nemini]

On the one hand, I'm glad the Asian locations are going complimentary. I enjoyed both Shanghai's and the Noodle Bar on Epic in the past, so next time I'm on a Norwegian ship with an Asian establishment, I'd love to go back. Even moreso if it's still free.

 

On the other hand, I'm not actually being bought by noodles because my next NCL cruise is on Escape, which has no Asian restaurant and no Noodle Bar. (Shanghai's appears to have been removed for more casino space, possibly in part because of the addition of another a la carte establishment, Food Republic, on Deck 8.) So if NCL would like to come up with an alternative for buying me off, I'm willing to listen. :D

[kismet618]

Since there already is an extra $3.95 delivery charge for overnight RS, would the new $4.95 on the GA, or the $7.95 on the BA, be in addition to that? Just curious to see if anyone had heard anything along those lines. I will be taking my three teen kids on the Thanksgiving 2015 Escape cruise, and have always allowed them to order RS whenever they wanted. Obviously, we will have a little talk about how often that happens. I'm sure by the time our cruise embarks, the new fleet wide pricing will be in effect.

[sgt1010]

For what it's worth, did anyone notice that Breakaway and Getaway were NOT included when they were talking about taking the charge away for the Asian restaurants/noodle bars. They said they were taking the charge away on 11 ships. I believe there are 13 ships total. So I would not get your hopes up that there is no charge on Getaway and Breakaway.

 

If your read the post it states that the fee is not waived on the Sun and Skye. So that should make them free on the Breakaway and Getaway.

[mabones]

After reading a few other threads, I have come to the conclusion that you may be able to order some foods from the Restaurants on the ship. I think that is what will be charged the Service Fee. I think the Coffee & Danish will still be available free of charge.

[SAILPRO]

So lets see, a $7.95 or $4.95 convenience fee is being charged for delivery of free food that use to be free. Now people are going to be bought off by free noodles that everyone thinks is wonderful.

 

No wonder corporations can get away with anything they want to do. Just give someone something cheap for free and they will all line up and praise the Ivory Tower for their concern and caring. Oh, what wonderful people management is!

 

Also, apologize after the fact, because you were trying to slide a new fee in place, got caught and get a lot of unexpected negative feedback.

 

Just like Royal Caribbean did a few years ago when they kicked their Diamond Member out of the Concierge Club. CEO Goldstein admitted they did not expect the outrage they received. So they bought off the Diamonds with free glasses of cheap wine and beer nuts (No soda that was changed after an another outrage). Everyone was happy!!

 

So when will the next under handed fee change take place, and what are you willing to sell your beliefs for? Noodles are gone!

 

Yup, most will buy this but they can't fool me! :rolleyes:

You watch, more shoes will be dropped.

[khirschman]

Looks like I might be in the minority here, but I dont have a problem paying 7.95 for having my breakfast delivered to me now that you can order eggs to order.. sausage etc... especially on port days when we are in our cabin getting ready.. will be nice to have that option! And yay on the asian food!!!!! To each their own I suppose! Either way not something that would make or break a vacation for me.