For those who do not like the fact that DSC is 100% Discretionary...

[SAILPRO]

Here's my take. Its possibly a foot in the door. If the company is successful with this them there will be more and more charges. Decrease in quality will be next, as I have witnessed on RCL these last few years. People complain because they like what they see now. These days, you give a company an inch, they'll take a mile every time so I think a person is smart to stand up for against things like this. You have to keep companies honest or they'll walk all over you if they think they can get away with it.

 

Very true 100% agreed.

[maywell]

Either you or NCL have different definitions of DSC and Gratuity

per ncl.com

 

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 complimentary 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

 

 

What about Gratuities?

 

Unlike most other ships in the cruise industry, there is no required or recommended tipping on our ships for service that is generally rendered to all Guests. While you should not feel obligated to offer a gratuity, all of our staff are encouraged to “go the extra mile,” so they are permitted to accept cash gratuities for exceptional or outstanding service if you care to offer them. Also, certain staff positions (e.g., concierge, butler, youth program staff and beverage service) provide service on an individual basis to only some guests and do not benefit from the overall service charge. We encourage those Guests to acknowledge good service from these staff members with appropriate gratuities. Additionally, there is an 18% gratuity and spa service charge added for all spa and salon services, as well as an 18% gratuity and beverage service charge added for all beverage purchases and an 18% gratuity and specialty service charge added to all specialty restaurant dining and entertainment based dining.

 

So based on your interperation DSC is compensation and not a gratuity, However, NCL removed the specialty waist staff from there DSC pool so they are nolonger getting compensated (DSC), but now are getting a gratituity.

 

Based your theisis , the part of the staff is providing " acceptable service" (thru part of the Compensation of DSC) and another part of the staff (speciality waitstaff) is "providing exceptional service should receive a gratuity"...that is the 18% auto gratituty that is already placed on the tab BEFORE exceptional service is even rendered.

 

that does not make sense. Because it looks like NCL is using 'gratuity' to compensate there staff (specifically the staff they removed from the DSC pool. So by there actions, DSC and gratuity are being used for the same puprose.

 

Or you don't have a correct understanding of DSC and gratitiy according to NCL.

Section 3c of the guest ticket contract states exactly what service charges are. You can also do a word search for gratuitie(s) / tip(s), and one will discover that neither word is in the contract anymore.

 

Service Charges is exactly what it is, a service charge that compensates the staff cover by DSC ( D for me stands for daily, everyone esle can call it that or <i>discretionary<\I> as they wish). The FAQ adds more information /stripulations regarding the 2 terms (DSC & Gratuities/Tips) but the contract clears calls one of them for it is, the 'gratuties/tips' can be interpreted however one sees fit. (I called them service charges too since it added automatically / one of the costs of cruising - everyone esle can see them gratuities as they see fit...)

 

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[NLH Arizona]

Here's my take. Its possibly a foot in the door. If the company is successful with this them there will be more and more charges. Decrease in quality will be next, as I have witnessed on RCL these last few years. People complain because they like what they see now. These days, you give a company an inch, they'll take a mile every time so I think a person is smart to stand up for against things like this. You have to keep companies honest or they'll walk all over you if they think they can get away with it.

I don't think it has anything to do with honesty, it has to do with business. Do companies keep coming up with new ways to make themselves more profitable, of course, that is what business is all about.

 

My crystal ball doesn't say that quality will be next, but it does say that NCL, like any other business in this world, will find new avenues to make more revenue, which will keep them in business, keep their top management happy and keep their share holders happy.

 

Things always change and evolve and not always in a way we like. Hey, I liked it when gas was 50 cents a gallon, but am realistic to understand that it could not have stayed that way forever.

[tiffygirl]

Section 3c of the guest ticket contract states exactly what service charges are. You can also do a word search for gratuitie(s) / tip(s), and one will discover that neither word is in the contract anymore.

 

Service Charges is exactly what it is, a service charge that compensates the staff cover by DSC ( D for me stands for daily, everyone esle can call it that or <i>discretionary<\I> as they wish). The FAQ adds more information /stripulations regarding the 2 terms (DSC & Gratuities/Tips) but the contract clears calls one of them for it is, the 'gratuties/tips' can be interpreted however one sees fit. (I called them service charges too since it added automatically / one of the costs of cruising - everyone esle can see them gratuities as they see fit...)

 

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Oh i understand. I was just pointing out in that prior post, because he tried to explain the difference between and DSC and gratuity. I think NCL uses the word interchangabiliy.

 

The service charge doesn't cover all the staff under DSC (technically), which is why they imposed the auto gratuity aka service charge to those areas where they say the DSC didn't cover.

 

I just think it would be easier to use the term service charge and elminate the term 'auto gratuity' because its mis leading. Basically, its a service charge. Gratuity like the prior poster said is for exceptional service after it has been rendered.

 

but NCL probably has a legality reason why they wont do that.

 

For the record. I do not and will not remove my DSC. The staff that i have met onboard has always provided me great service and was some of the most delightful folks i have met.

 

I know because of all these changes, i think the staff are the ones who are feeling it the most because human nature wants to retalliate to punish corporate, but we end up hurting staff and its not their fault. They are at the bottom of the totem pole. They only do what the head tells them to do.

 

Which is why this whole situation is screwed up and pisses me off, its a trickle down effect. FDR did not consider his staff. He rolled out impromtu changes and didn't provide the staff with any information. Basically left his front line staff to take the brunt of passenger anger. That is wrong.

 

It needs to redirected to ones who make the decisons and not the ones at the bottom of totem pole. But because we can't get to them, we 'get them back' any way we can.:o

 

 

 

*rant over*:)

Edited April 8, 2015 by tiffygirl
grammer sucks

[maywell]

I don't agree with your comment that the DSc is the least valuable option.

 

If a person doesn't drink or limits themselves to one or two, and if that person is satisfied with the MDR meals, the DSc option becomes much more valuable than the other two.

For once I have to agree with you - What's valuable to one person isn't of value to another person during a cruise. DSC is biggest tab for me next to my drinking of like 0-4 drinks per day and family christmas shopping in Nov / Dec trips.

 

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[rochelle_s]

Oh i understand. I was just pointing out in that prior post, because he tried to explain the difference between and DSC and gratuity. I think NCL uses the word interchangabiliy.

 

 

I know because of all these changes, i think the staff are the ones who are feeling it the most because human nature wants to retalliate to punish corporate, but we end up hurting staff and its not their fault. They are at the bottom of the totem pole. They only do what the head tells them to do.

 

 

I agree with you 100%.

 

The do use the word interchangeably. Last month's promotion and again in this months they are offering FREE GRATUITIES as one of the options of the promotion. This option means that you will not have to pay the $12.95 or $14.95 DSC. Clearly they are calling the two the same. The poster you were referring to earlier tried to explain the difference between the two. If the cruise line themselves refer to DSC as a gratuity how can anyone say a passenger is wrong in doing so.

 

And yes the ones being hurt by all of these changes are those at the bottom of the totem pole, those who answer the phones and those who are on the ships. Guest services on board already have to deal with so many issues throw in all the changes and their jobs must be like living nightmares. I do not envy them in the slightest.

 

 

Rochelle

[maywell]

I agree with you 100%.

 

The do use the word interchangeably. Last month's promotion and again in this months they are offering FREE GRATUITIES as one of the options of the promotion. This option means that you will not have to pay the $12.95 or $14.95 DSC. Clearly they are calling the two the same. The poster you were referring to earlier tried to explain the difference between the two. If the cruise line themselves refer to DSC as a gratuity how can anyone say a passenger is wrong in doing so.

 

And yes the ones being hurt by all of these changes are those at the bottom of the totem pole, those who answer the phones and those who are on the ships. Guest services on board already have to deal with so many issues throw in all the changes and their jobs must be like living nightmares. I do not envy them in the slightest.

 

 

Rochelle

Because some customers do not like word 'service charges' which sounds like one has to pay it instead of 'gratuities/tips', where it sounds like one is not force to pay but willingly. To me, when I see the words auto / automatic or mandatory in front of 'gratuities/tips', that's actually service charge /fee / tax IMO; everyone esle can interpreted it differently if they like o make themselves feel better or not. That corporation's / business way of wordplay to make customers feel at ease and to not be suspicious of wrong doing - sometimes you have read between the lines and/or see it in action to realize what a policy/rule really means.

 

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[Out to sea!]

Well for me this time I chose the UDP because I am traveling with a group that has never sailed before and the show the first night will be great for the kids.

 

If I was traveling with just one other person I would choose the DSC. I don't really drink. If I did drink I get a free drink card from the casino where I spend most of my time. A free dinner from the casino and a free dinner for being Platinum.

 

If I wanted to eat in another specialty restaurant the casino (CAS) would pick that up as well. Unless of course they have changed something at CAS.

 

You do understand that show on the first night is not free anymore for those with the UDP (so I've read)?

[Out to sea!]

Look at all these people who dislike the policy, but want the policy in place for themselves just in case, continue to sail NCL, do nothing about it, don't complain to NCL, don't take their money elsewhere.

 

It's very simple - if you find the policy so bothersome take it up with NCL or spend your money elsewhere, otherwise you don't really have room to pass judgment on anyone else. You either support the current policy, or you don't. Grow a spine and take a position, stop willow wallowing over each side of the fence "Yeah, the policy is great, I just hate other people" is something only someone would say that gets a paycheck from NCL:rolleyes:

 

C'est La Vie

 

Which policy is this? The true policy about the DSC or your modified version? Just want to ensure we're talking about the same thing.

 

I am taking my money elsewhere. Just booked 2 Carnival cruises (one on the Vista......woohoo, can't wait). Truthfully, the reason has nothing to do with the DSC because I don't have an issue with the policy as stated by NCL........it's just everything else they do that I have a problem with. BTW, what is "willow wallowing"???? :rolleyes:

 

Es ist egal!

Edited April 9, 2015 by Out to sea!

[Out to sea!]

I don't agree with your comment that the DSc is the least valuable option.

 

If a person doesn't drink or limits themselves to one or two, and if that person is satisfied with the MDR meals, the DSc option becomes much more valuable than the other two.

 

Sorry, but the DSC is the least valuable option to select (based on NCL's appraisal). It may be more useful to some than others but as can be seen among these threads here, how many people on an NCL cruise aren't either alcoholics or gluttons? :D ;)

[maywell]

Which policy is this? The true policy about the DSC or your modified version? Just want to ensure we're talking about the same thing.

 

I am taking my money elsewhere. Just booked 2 Carnival cruises (one on the Vista......woohoo, can't wait). Truthfully, the reason has nothing to do with the DSC because I don't have an issue with the policy as stated by NCL........it's just everything else they do that I have a problem with. BTW, what is "willow wallowing"???? :rolleyes:

 

Es ist egal!

 

 

Honestly, how many different ways can a person say to a hardhead in simplest terms - 'its not the policy but the abuse of it that I don't like'....

Edited April 9, 2015 by maywell

[paiagirl]

I don't agree with your comment that the DSc is the least valuable option.

 

If a person doesn't drink or limits themselves to one or two, and if that person is satisfied with the MDR meals, the DSc option becomes much more valuable than the other two.

 

 

Hi Bill,

We got the DSC for an 11 day cruise which comes to $284.90 because we don't drink alcohol and always have to ask it replaced with water or find someone who drink to give it away. As far as specialty restaurants, we already have the complimentary and are not meat eaters so the DSC is worth it for us.

 

Hope to see you again.

[maywell]

Sorry, but the DSC is the least valuable option to select (based on NCL's appraisal). It may be more useful to some than others but as can be seen among these threads here, how many people on an NCL cruise aren't either alcoholics or gluttons? :D ;)

 

I can't speak for everyone but I'm not alcoholic or a glutton (for specialty dining) - so DSC being paid for is one less cost for me to deal with on a trip. :)