Rare insidecabin Posted September 17, 2015 #176 Share Posted September 17, 2015 (edited) Might as well throw in continental europe T&C.s http://www.ncl.eu/helpful-information/booking-conditions/#!/helpful-information/booking-conditions/booking-conditions-2015-16/ which refers to the FAQ(brochure / on-line) or welcome aboard books forming part of the contract. wording in the welcome aboard is similar to UK, discretionary, change on board. Edited September 17, 2015 by insidecabin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare LMaxwell Posted September 17, 2015 #177 Share Posted September 17, 2015 Were you in the same room? Did you use a credit card? I can see them possibly allowing less of a cash deposit if service charges are prepaid. However that certainly isn't there policy as it is clearly stated on the website of $300/person. Of which that is what was required of me when I used a cash account. That being said I didn't ask to put less. By the way, where did the amount of $152 come from. Sounds very arbitrary. Lol Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk I thought it was a typo until I saw it twice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maywell Posted September 17, 2015 #178 Share Posted September 17, 2015 I agree - I think it is a smart move on NCL's part - I disagree with those who remove the SC just because they can. I am guessing that corporate want to introduce some consistency of enforcement of the 'unresolved service issue' element of the refund process. It also gives them a better overview of service issues on particular ships and serial SC removers. The form itself doesn't give a better overview of service issues nor does it give an impression(to me any way - other people seem to think so) of keeping track of serial removers (there's an important thing missing off the form that I assume will be connected on the backend - I hope). What all of does though in a sick twisted way, is make the wait time period go from minutes with Guest Services on the ship by making then remove it before hitting the credit card/ cash/debit/OBC before disembark under the old way; to now days/weeks after disembark and dealing with some corporate office out in the middle of nowhere. Pretty much what NCL did was, they use the loophole language in the contract that was used against them by DSC-removers, into an advantage for themselves. The advantages they have right now with this, is nothing short of amazing... Sent from my SGH-T399 using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare sparks1093 Posted September 17, 2015 #179 Share Posted September 17, 2015 Were you in the same room? Did you use a credit card? I can see them possibly allowing less of a cash deposit if service charges are prepaid. However that certainly isn't there policy as it is clearly stated on the website of $300/person. Of which that is what was required of me when I used a cash account. That being said I didn't ask to put less. By the way, where did the amount of $152 come from. Sounds very arbitrary. Lol Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk She was in a room with our kids but had her own separate account. She had saved $152 for the cruise and by golly that is what she brought to spend (and ended up with a $41 refund too):). I have read of many people putting down a lesser amount so I don't think it was an anomoly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare LMaxwell Posted September 17, 2015 #180 Share Posted September 17, 2015 (edited) What all of does though in a sick twisted way, is make the wait time period go from minutes with Guest Services on the ship by making then remove it before hitting the credit card/ cash/debit/OBC before disembark under the old way; to now days/weeks after disembark and dealing with some corporate office out in the middle of nowhere. Pretty much what NCL did was, they use the loophole language in the contract that was used against them by DSC-removers, into an advantage for themselves. The advantages they have right now with this, is nothing short of amazing... It has nothing to do with punishing people, and everything to do with having a larger chunk of money "on float" which can be very advantageous to a corporation for a number of reasons; inflate numbers to boost stock, likewise to secure more loans or capital, and even though the interest earned may not be huge in a short time frame, it's a BIG pot of money so "not huge" is relative here. You think it is amazing because it's punitive. How is that amazing? It's even punitive to people with legitimate issues, right? So how is that a positive compared to the industry? The only amazing aspect is from a business aspect; making money off OPM. Which isn't amazing, it's just smart accounting. You actually applaud punishing people who have had bad service? That seems to be your position. I'd think NCL is going to be VERY wary to contest claims lest they tick off some lawyer out there that goes after them and they stop the practice altogether and go back to the old way. Put emotion aside, for once, and just count the dollars and cents here. More coming in, held for longer time, more on float, more interest earned. NCL isn't going to want to actually go and tick people off and ruin their good thing. If NCL DID act emotionally or out of a position of spite, or evil, or whatever bizarre emotion you want to claim, my suggestion would be for everyone to sell their stock immediately and the board have a vote of no confidence because there is a lunatic at the helm. If NCL truly wanted a non-removeable service charge, they could implement one, but they haven't. And that's down to dollars and cents, not down to emotions. Corporations don't act emotionally. Accountants are not emotional. Edited September 17, 2015 by LMaxwell Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare insidecabin Posted September 17, 2015 #181 Share Posted September 17, 2015 I think this change has the side effect of changing the reduction in the amount paid to a post cruise compensation payment. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swedish weave Posted September 17, 2015 #182 Share Posted September 17, 2015 (edited) It has nothing to do with punishing people, and everything to do with having a larger chunk of money "on float" which can be very advantageous to a corporation for a number of reasons; inflate numbers to boost stock, likewise to secure more loans or capital, and even though the interest earned may not be huge in a short time frame, it's a BIG pot of money so "not huge" is relative here. You think it is amazing because it's punitive. How is that amazing? It's even punitive to people with legitimate issues, right? So how is that a positive compared to the industry? The only amazing aspect is from a business aspect; making money off OPM. Which isn't amazing, it's just smart accounting. You actually applaud punishing people who have had bad service? That seems to be your position. I'd think NCL is going to be VERY wary to contest claims lest they tick off some lawyer out there that goes after them and they stop the practice altogether and go back to the old way. Put emotion aside, for once, and just count the dollars and cents here. More coming in, held for longer time, more on float, more interest earned. NCL isn't going to want to actually go and tick people off and ruin their good thing. If NCL DID act emotionally or out of a position of spite, or evil, or whatever bizarre emotion you want to claim, my suggestion would be for everyone to sell their stock immediately and the board have a vote of no confidence because there is a lunatic at the helm. If NCL truly wanted a non-removeable service charge, they could implement one, but they haven't. And that's down to dollars and cents, not down to emotions. Corporations don't act emotionally. Accountants are not emotional. Your coments are spot on !!! The lawyer comment triggered a thought about how lucrative it would be for a lawyer to challenge the idea of NCL holding onto the DSC for an extended length of time instead of using it for the employees benefit. After all, the money supposedly belongs to the employees instead of NCL. A multi-million dollar slush fund would be very attractive, and NCL's method of extending the time they can hold onto it should be of concern. Edited September 17, 2015 by swedish weave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
abe3 Posted September 17, 2015 #183 Share Posted September 17, 2015 (edited) If you do go this route, may I suggest the issue is NCL and not the crew? Raising DSC twice in 2 months, poor communication, etc. Not poor communication. They communicated that they raised it so I don't think thats poor communication but they just raised it twice. Edited September 17, 2015 by abe3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
legion3 Posted September 17, 2015 #184 Share Posted September 17, 2015 Just want to say thank you to Laura S for not deleting this thread yet. I came on here to learn about cruises and I appreciate all the advice, reviews, and pictures from everyone. This will be my last post ever. I proved my point that people will remove their DSC not bc they have a legit service problem but because they liars and cheaters and cheapos. They will say anything and do anything to hurt the crew so they can pocket just a few dollars. I will write a letter to FDR or who ever and let them read these post. Hopefully they will make it HARDER for them to get their refund. I wish most everyone a happy life and happy future cruises. Candi Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Its way more than a few dollars. Wish NCL did this: Service Per Guest, Per DayDining Room Services $6.10 Stateroom Services $3.90 Alternative Services: distributed to kitchen, entertainment, guest services and other hotel staff members. $2.00 Total Gratuities $12.00 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveH2508 Posted September 17, 2015 #185 Share Posted September 17, 2015 <snip> Do the kids club counselors get it? <snip> They have never been part of the DSC pool. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
legion3 Posted September 17, 2015 #186 Share Posted September 17, 2015 They have never been part of the DSC pool. Why? Because they get paid a decent (er) wage? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveH2508 Posted September 17, 2015 #187 Share Posted September 17, 2015 Why? Because they get paid a decent (er) wage? Maybe their salary is better, but mainly it is because not all passengers use their services. Similar logic as to why the casino staff and bar staff are not in the DSC pool - not all pax gamble or drink. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
abe3 Posted September 17, 2015 #188 Share Posted September 17, 2015 Why? Because they get paid a decent (er) wage? Not everyone has kids on the cruise. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
legion3 Posted September 17, 2015 #189 Share Posted September 17, 2015 Not everyone has kids on the cruise. On NCL not everyone eats in the MDR. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
abe3 Posted September 17, 2015 #190 Share Posted September 17, 2015 On NCL not everyone eats in the MDR. You eat elsewhere or not at all on the cruise? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveH2508 Posted September 17, 2015 #191 Share Posted September 17, 2015 On NCL not everyone eats in the MDR. Then they eat in the buffet or O'Sheehans or the grills on deck - these are still staffed by crew in the DSC pool. Next spurious justification please. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NLH Arizona Posted September 17, 2015 #192 Share Posted September 17, 2015 Maybe their salary is better, but mainly it is because not all passengers use their services. Similar logic as to why the casino staff and bar staff are not in the DSC pool - not all pax gamble or drink. You are correct, also like the butlers and servers when in the specialty restaurants, since not everyone uses them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
legion3 Posted September 17, 2015 #193 Share Posted September 17, 2015 You eat elsewhere or not at all on the cruise? Yes I eat elsewhere on NCL. Other lines not so much so, but then again if they had the number of choices NCL has... Have the UDP - the older more comprehensive one - that will likely lead to eating every night elsewhere. Hate the buffet and NCL's MDR's are not that great or I should say have not been that inspiring to eat at. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jb456 Posted September 17, 2015 #194 Share Posted September 17, 2015 (edited) On NCL not everyone eats in the MDR. A family of 4 get up on a port day and walk right off the ship. Eat lunch and supper in port board the ship and head straight to their cabin for the night. Put the kids down to bed spend some time on their balcony before they go to bed. Still charged $34 for the day when all they used that day was room cleaning. Easy to see how flawed NCL's dsc system is and what side is making free money off guests. Edited September 17, 2015 by jb456 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maywell Posted September 17, 2015 #195 Share Posted September 17, 2015 Then they eat in the buffet or O'Sheehans or the grills on deck - these are still staffed by crew in the DSC pool. Next spurious justification please. Don't forget breakfast, lunch and/or snacks; if one doesn't use the room service, specialty restaurant such as the Atrium cafe or brought there own food from port(s) - pretty much have to pay some DSC in the complimentary places. Sent from my SGH-T399 using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
legion3 Posted September 17, 2015 #196 Share Posted September 17, 2015 Then they eat in the buffet or O'Sheehans or the grills on deck - these are still staffed by crew in the DSC pool. Next spurious justification please. None to offer. Nevertheless... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
legion3 Posted September 17, 2015 #197 Share Posted September 17, 2015 You are correct, also like the butlers and servers when in the specialty restaurants, since not everyone uses them. The Haven costs a higher DSC, correct? Is it worth the difference? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
abe3 Posted September 17, 2015 #198 Share Posted September 17, 2015 Yes I eat elsewhere on NCL. Other lines not so much so, but then again if they had the number of choices NCL has... Have the UDP - the older more comprehensive one - that will likely lead to eating every night elsewhere. Hate the buffet and NCL's MDR's are not that great or I should say have not been that inspiring to eat at. Do you tip the customer service desk when you take off the DSC? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
legion3 Posted September 17, 2015 #199 Share Posted September 17, 2015 Don't forget breakfast, lunch and/or snacks; if one doesn't use the room service, specialty restaurant such as the Atrium cafe or brought there own food from port(s) - pretty much have to pay some DSC in the complimentary places. Sent from my SGH-T399 using Tapatalk Not if its discretionary. And certainly not the full amount. So just who is in this DSC pool? And please no guessing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
legion3 Posted September 17, 2015 #200 Share Posted September 17, 2015 Do you tip the customer service desk when you take off the DSC? Why, should I? Now not much needs to be done at the customer service desk. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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