Dear NCL, Do You Want New Customers?

[thatjoeguy]

With so many changes, it seemed you could not possibly implement more policies that would grab another nickel from my pocket. Feeling safe, I again began looking into booking my first trip with you only to be surprised, or not I suppose, to find that you now will substantially raise both your beverage and dining packages. I'm sure this isn't the first time you've heard this, but you are never going to win converts from other lines with this nonsense. Beyond the price increases and everything else, is the simple fact that you are making those of us who are considering your product completely gun shy with all of these random changes.

 

Um...prices aren't static in the world. Milk is more this year than it was last year; that doesn't mean I'm never buying milk again. My house is worth more than it was last year. I make more money than I do last year. Things change.

 

Besides, I've had fairly good luck with the NCL changes. For my January cruise, I booked with the UBP when it was all included. Between booking and the trip, they raised the cost of the UBP and also made the cruiser cover the service charge. Neither of those affected me. NCL also changed the terms of the UBP so that it covered drinks up to $15 instead of $11. That did change for me as well. So...changes go either way, and NCL applies the positive (to the customer) after you've booked. That's nice to do.

[Sizzlechest]

https://www.gm.com/investors/earnings-releases.html

 

 

Indeed. Record profits.

 

 

.

 

You mean NCL will need a government bailout in 5 years to remain profitable, too?

[fshagan]

I'll be going on my first cruise in september. I didn't do any research on cruise lines or practices because this was a group deal set up by a friend. I personally dont like the nickel and diming that most cruise lines do.

 

Since this will be your first cruise, I think like Mark Twain's death you'll find the stories of "nickle and dimeing" to be greatly exaggerated.

 

People rush to extra cost dining, extra cost drinks, and if they offered it, I'll bet people would queue up for "sea air" at $30 a pop on the promenade deck. The reason we are getting so many extra cost things on ships is because WE BUY THEM.

 

As for us, we go on cruises and have only our DSC (Discretionary Service Charge) and a few drinks on our bill at the end of the cruise. When we prepay our DSC our bill is just drinks ... and usually under $100.

 

 

Bottom line is I dont think they should be increasing pricing multiple times a year as it is definitely going to leave a bad taste in people's mouths, and being that people tend to book vacations way in advance, its frustrating to them when they wait on buying something only to find out that what was $60 a month ago is now $70. Not to mention who knows if they'll raise the price again between now and September, or whenever that person's cruise will be.

 

The rate of change has been what troubles me, even though like LrgPizza, the changes have very little effect on me. To be honest, I'm not going to get upset by a $10 increase in something that is part of a $4,000 vacation cost. To me it's a nuisance price increase.

 

Some of the people here get comped rooms due to a gaming membership; I imagine for them any cash increase seems like a lot. The move from $12 a day to $13.50 for the DSC is certainly an increase, but $21 extra on a week that cost me $4,000 isn't going to bother me. But it really, really upset people because when they reserved their cruise, it was $21 less.

Edited March 2, 2016 by fshagan

[bonvoyagie]

For the moment, the things that attracted me to NCL back in 2002 are still in place - no need to dress up and real any time dining. I am not a big drinker, foodie, or gambler - I do enjoy good music and entertainment. It is for those reasons I cruise NCL.

 

I booked a suite for our next cruise back when the tips were included and the optional dining was not ala carte. So I have some OBC, the UBP and UDP (the old names). As long as NCL honors the terms of these old packages when I cruise I will be happy. So far I have heard that there have been no problems with the old packages- unless you order two entrees - which has always resulted in an extra charge. :D I also see the changes in the MDR where again they are offering select entrees at a surcharge. I am ambivalent on this one as I usually don't order those entrees anyway. On the bright side - every night can be lobster night - for a price. :D

 

Change in inevitable I do agree that there have been too many price increases without any change to the packages being offer. I guess it might have been more palatable if they had created an additional tier - one that included water, coffee, etc and then re-racked and priced the entire lot. Price increases for the sake of price increase just gets you bad press - Norwegian Raises Beverage prices - again. I also do not like the idea of them "giving" you the packages, then turning around an forcing me to pay the 18% tip tax on them.

 

off my soap box :cool:

[Blondie008]

Personally, I wish NCL would give the option of "all inclusive".

 

Give me a dining package (promo or paid for) that lets me eat ANYWHERE without thinking of upcharge, extra, etc.

 

The drinking package is fine as long as the limit per drink is more than the inflated per drink price.

 

 

I have both free drinks and six nights specialty dining on our 14 nights NCL cruise - I think that's pretty awesome :)

 

TO OP:

Celebrity - its a totally different ballgame. I love Celebrity - and am returning to them for an Alaska cruise - port intensive and not about "the party".

For Transatlantic I would not do Celebrity again - its just to zzzzzzzing - prefer NCL to Celebrity for night buzz and by far prefer NCL spa to Celebrity.

 

I think all lines now are so "value for money" they MUST upsell - I know we were spending more back in early 2000s for cruise +bar + speciality dining.

There was a period of time where we said - "okay its land vacations for a while its just got too expensive" ( we have to fly cruise everywhere often two flights often a short + long haul flight).

 

Celebrity "nickel and dime" too. BLU - (I travel Aquaclass) is a great restaurant but it comes at a hefty price. Suite level - I don't go there any more. Been there - done that - and as we get older - value my hard earned cash to much to spend money on a room I sleep and bathe in. Specialty dining on Celebrity comes at a higher price.

Not sure where they are at with drinks package anymore - does anyone still actually BUY a drinks package? Both lines have offers on which include drinks package more often than not.

We upgraded our classic package on Celebrity to Premium at a cost of £113 for two of us for seven days and yet - apparently less than 20% who sail celebrity, upgrade from classic (often free) to premium.

 

Cruising has become very affordable and long may it continue! If I lived somewhere I didn't need to fly from to get on a cruise - I would be going every other month (well - aside from cruising from Southampton that's a never ever ever go back!).

NCL are doing great - I LOVE EPIC - way more than Celebrity Equinox - what a ship - fabulous time! AND try comparing an NCL SPA to Celebrity's - Celebrity have a cheek to call it "a spa" - its pathetic (And remember I sail Aquaclass!) Same for the salon - NCL is by far cheaper than Canyon Ranch prices.

My only wish would be that NCL would leave a mega ship in Europe all year around - I would take cruises more often in winter - just for a cheap break - Spirit is too small for me for a winter cruise. Celebrity I don't think have anything at all in Europe in winter. We have to look to MSC and Costa for winter short breaks.

Celebrity and NCL two different lines - I cruise both for entirely different reasons.

BOTH quite rightly so "nickel and dime" each in their own way, and at the prices and offers they are coming up with - they sure are entitled to do so!

Edited March 2, 2016 by Blondie008

[cardbucfan]

We cruise for the itinerary for the most part so even though the changes are annoying, particularly the frequency with little to no notice, we will sail again with NCL if they have the best trip for where and when we want to go. I've sailed most of the mass market lines (still haven't tried Celebrity or Disney) and have found they are more similar thank different.

[Jezo]

What actually changed that made you cancel?

 

I dont see that mentioned anywhere. You talk about changes NCL has made but would any of that apply after you booked? It would only be new bookings..

[luckyinpa]

I'm at the other end of the spectrum, as I wish NCL would offer a cruise only (would included the complimentary dining, complimentary entertainment, etc.) low price and then have the other items SDP, UBP, etc. as for purchase items and not included perks. That way, I can pick and choose how I want to spend my dollars, instead of paying for perks that I might not want or need.

 

i would love the cruise only option. i'm in the un/enviable position not to have to monitor things and plan for years to come. this is my one and only cruise i can take for a very long time coming up. but i wish they could deduct the 1200 drink pack from the price of my haven suite. i have to admit if that was the case i could cruise at least one more time :)

 

1562 was the value of the 'free' stuff they would have given me when i figured this all out a month ago. id buy a haven spa room for 700 bucks any day of the week. not 2200 :eek:

[bjlaac]

Me too, that is why I picked free gratuities (DSC) when I booked last year, since it is something I would spend money on anyway. I did not take the completely free UBP or UDP (no cost for me at all when I booked almost a year ago) because I won't be spending more than the $190 the gratuities were worth on either beverages or dining.

 

And that's exactly why the free gratuities are no longer offered. If you notice the "free" stuff is all for things you must pay something for

[boopsahoy]

I have both free drinks and six nights specialty dining on our 14 nights NCL cruise - I think that's pretty awesome :)

 

TO OP:

Celebrity - its a totally different ballgame. I love Celebrity - and am returning to them for an Alaska cruise - port intensive and not about "the party".

For Transatlantic I would not do Celebrity again - its just to zzzzzzzing - prefer NCL to Celebrity for night buzz and by far prefer NCL spa to Celebrity.

 

I think all lines now are so "value for money" they MUST upsell - I know we were spending more back in early 2000s for cruise +bar + speciality dining.

There was a period of time where we said - "okay its land vacations for a while its just got too expensive" ( we have to fly cruise everywhere often two flights often a short + long haul flight).

 

Celebrity "nickel and dime" too. BLU - (I travel Aquaclass) is a great restaurant but it comes at a hefty price. Suite level - I don't go there any more. Been there - done that - and as we get older - value my hard earned cash to much to spend money on a room I sleep and bathe in. Specialty dining on Celebrity comes at a higher price.

Not sure where they are at with drinks package anymore - does anyone still actually BUY a drinks package? Both lines have offers on which include drinks package more often than not.

We upgraded our classic package on Celebrity to Premium at a cost of £113 for two of us for seven days and yet - apparently less than 20% who sail celebrity, upgrade from classic (often free) to premium.

 

Cruising has become very affordable and long may it continue! If I lived somewhere I didn't need to fly from to get on a cruise - I would be going every other month (well - aside from cruising from Southampton that's a never ever ever go back!).

NCL are doing great - I LOVE EPIC - way more than Celebrity Equinox - what a ship - fabulous time! AND try comparing an NCL SPA to Celebrity's - Celebrity have a cheek to call it "a spa" - its pathetic (And remember I sail Aquaclass!) Same for the salon - NCL is by far cheaper than Canyon Ranch prices.

My only wish would be that NCL would leave a mega ship in Europe all year around - I would take cruises more often in winter - just for a cheap break - Spirit is too small for me for a winter cruise. Celebrity I don't think have anything at all in Europe in winter. We have to look to MSC and Costa for winter short breaks.

Celebrity and NCL two different lines - I cruise both for entirely different reasons.

BOTH quite rightly so "nickel and dime" each in their own way, and at the prices and offers they are coming up with - they sure are entitled to do so!

 

It would be awesome if we didn't have to pay "gratuities" (upfront no less) I don't know how much you paid but If I took the "free" drink package for a 10 day cruise they wanted 250 bucks-that means we would need to drink more than 1 drink a day just to break even with the 250. We usually have a zero bar bill and do most of our drinking in the casino or in the room with the free wine (platinum, casino) So the 250 is a big extra expense for us. We ended up taking the "Free" shore excursions and the dining package. I would have rather had a lesser cost for my cabin. Last year I took the 200 obc and the free DSC. Now that was a good deal! So of course its gone this year!

[Warm Breezes]

I am booking NCL Escape today for Sept 2017. I am paying the same net price (after OBC's) for a balcony room that I paid for our Oct 2013 NCL Jewel cruise. In addition I am receiving included in that cost the dining package for both of us for 4 nights (we paid extra to go to the Brazilian Steakhouse on Jewel and won a free dinner at the Italian restaurant at the past guest party) and 250 in wifi minutes (which I paid extra for in 2013). We don't drink much so I am guessing our beverage bill will be about the same, we don't buy pictures when it is just the 2 of us, which both these cruises were, excursions are dependent on the ports but most of the time we book independently or just take a taxi and do our own thing, and we rarely do room service unless it is for breakfast. The main point of this, when all is send and done, I am expecting overall to pay less for this cruise than we did on our NCL Jewel cruise and get more specialty dinners out of it and a newer ship. How could I complain about that?

 

In another comparison we are sailing on the CCL Dream in May 2016. My net cost after OBC is $485 less on the Dream for a Balcony Room. However we will have to pay for our internet (which will probably just be the basic plans for the kids-much cheaper than NCL) and any specialty dining we may do (if any).

 

Compared to CCL, NCL is more expensive overall for the cruises we chose. I am ok with that because of (a) the ship we are sailing (b) we have cruise rewards deposit to use that expires in Oct 2017, that is already a sunk cost of $250 to NCL and reduces the variance to CCL to $235, and © the better entertainment we find on NCL. Compared to what we paid in 2013 for NCL, NCL 2017 is cheaper overall for the cruises we chose. Those are our facts....YMMV.

Edited March 2, 2016 by Warm Breezes

[beerman2]

NCL is still a value ( cruise, beverage, dining , service charges, etc.) compared to other lines.

 

I have mock booked Carnival, RCI, Princess for equivalent time frames, cabin categories, and NCL is still the best choice as far as price.

 

Do they do things correctly on ALL things, absolutely not. Just changed something again on the Escape ( departure time). Will I let it affect MY cruise, not in the least bit!

[BrandoMan13]

Since this will be your first cruise, I think like Mark Twain's death you'll find the stories of "nickle and dimeing" to be greatly exaggerated.

 

People rush to extra cost dining, extra cost drinks, and if they offered it, I'll bet people would queue up for "sea air" at $30 a pop on the promenade deck. The reason we are getting so many extra cost things on ships is because WE BUY THEM.

 

As for us, we go on cruises and have only our DSC (Discretionary Service Charge) and a few drinks on our bill at the end of the cruise. When we prepay our DSC our bill is just drinks ... and usually under $100.

 

I agree, its how businesses operate for better or worse.

 

We're prepaying the DSC and food and drinks are included. That being said, we know we are going to spend money in Bermuda, and gamble a bit, tip extra, etc. Its all part of a vacation. Even with the all inclusives, you're probably going to spend a little bit extra, how much is up to you.

 

 

The rate of change has been what troubles me, even though like LrgPizza, the changes have very little effect on me. To be honest, I'm not going to get upset by a $10 increase in something that is part of a $4,000 vacation cost. To me it's a nuisance price increase.

 

Some of the people here get comped rooms due to a gaming membership; I imagine for them any cash increase seems like a lot. The move from $12 a day to $13.50 for the DSC is certainly an increase, but $21 extra on a week that cost me $4,000 isn't going to bother me. But it really, really upset people because when they reserved their cruise, it was $21 less.

 

I think thats the point I was trying to make, you've said it better, its the rate of the changes that is going to upset people. Overall, im like you, I can't let a few dollars bother me on the 1 vacation I take a year, if that.

 

I still will never understand the obsession with the DSC as far as having it refunded, who gets what, and why, etc. I guess being ive never cruised I dont remember the old days when there were no mandatory fees or gratuities. But as a former waiter I know that for a lot of people, when given the opportunity to tip well on good service, they don't. Even when they thank you up and down and applaud your effort, they still left 10-12% at times. If anything, we all have those types of people to thank for the mandatory 18% on everything and the $13.50 DSC. Unfortunately there are people out there who think a buck a day is a great tip for the person cleaning their room.

[sjbdtz]

Some of the people here get comped rooms due to a gaming membership; I imagine for them any cash increase seems like a lot. The move from $12 a day to $13.50 for the DSC is certainly an increase, but $21 extra on a week that cost me $4,000 isn't going to bother me. But it really, really upset people because when they reserved their cruise, it was $21 less.

 

Chances are, if you're getting a comped room, and you are still actively playing, they'll write-off a lot of your onboard spend (excluding DSC).

 

And when you're taking shoreex, and spa, and dining and drinking at reduced cost, then it's not that big a deal that the DSC went from $12 - $13.5.

 

 

 

Stephen

 

 

.

[luckyinpa]

if you dont pay the DSC until on board and it goes up. do you pay the higher price because you waited? the numbers guy in me says why prepay it at all. this is the only reason i can think to do it

[boopsahoy]

if you dont pay the DSC until on board and it goes up. do you pay the higher price because you waited? the numbers guy in me says why prepay it at all. this is the only reason i can think to do it

YES! I had a cruise booked last year when they raised it and I had to prepay to not pay the increase.

[Jemima3]

Blondie - What was terrible about cruising out of Southampton, I'm intrigued! (new to cruising, based in SE England) :D

[Mistizoom]

if you dont pay the DSC until on board and it goes up. do you pay the higher price because you waited? the numbers guy in me says why prepay it at all. this is the only reason i can think to do it

 

Right, the only reason to prepay is to lock in a price if the DSC goes up, and you would get a warning if that is going to happen. That is what I had to do last July to avoid paying an extra $5 or so for my son's DSC. However, the payment was not actually charged until final payment deadline.

Edited March 2, 2016 by Mistizoom

[Regguy]

I don't mind so much raising cruise prices. That is what it is. Things go up in price. You make your decisions. You compare with other lines.

 

The problem here is that NCL is pretty obviously raising prices in a roundabout way that is obviously intended to thwart comparison and to make the ultimate cause of cruising a bit less predictable. It's the equivalent of a hotel "resort fee" designed to give the appearance that the price of the hotel is lower, because the resort fee doesn't show in the price when you do a search.

 

The difference is that the resort fee for NCL doesn't even remain static. It continues to change. So, your cruise advertised as "$899" doesn't really tell you as much as you need it to for NCL, unless you're prepared to pre-purchase everything on the spot. Need a little while to decide on the dining package, and poof -- now it's $10 more per person. Don't know there's a link to prepay "gratuities"? Poof, they just went up again. And again. NCL is not the only line to do this, but they have shown themselves to be much more aggressive in the last year or so than the others, and some of it is starting to border on unfair consumer practices (well covered in the UBP "service charge" threads). It is like baggage fees on steroids. NCL has clearly engaged in a business model designed to show you a mythical "$899" fee with "free" perks, that appears on its face to be lower than a $999 fare on Royal Caribbean, while actually finding ways to make the revenue the same. They understand the psychological forces here -- once people put down their deposit, they often stop comparison shopping. Not everyone. But they don't need everyone. Also, since most people need to make airline and hotel reservations to get to and from their cruises, they know that once it gets reasonably close, you're locked in.

 

For someone who is very compulsive (raises hand), you can definitely budget and get predictability about your cruise. But NCL is making it harder and harder. And while I still, by paying attention to these boards and frequently checking for new promotions and fare drops at NCL and competitors, can maintain predictability and do comparisons, I'm really starting to tire at NCL's approach here. To me, the product and the itineraries are most important. And I don't expect for-profit businesses to act like anything other than for-profit businesses. Nor am I prone to hyperbole, but even for me, the cynicism of some of these practices is starting to sour me on NCL.

[grandmarnnurse]

I too, understand the frustration with NCL right now. I've only been cruising since 2012 and all our cruises have been with NCL so obviously they've done some things right or I'd be gone for sure.

 

I guess, for us, it's not just about the fees but about the fact that they do keep adding/changing fees. The thing to remember though, is that once you book, those changes don't affect you ie. UDP to SDP, if you booked with the UDP, ignore all the chatter about the SDP, it doesn't apply to you but do print off your Amenities and take a copy with you so there can be no question about what YOU have.

 

We'd like a "no frills" cruise option and would have no problem paying for what we want to pay for on the cruise we want to take. I'd be quite happy booking within 30 days so that we get a good price and still get a cruise we want, however, due to having to fly to pretty much any port, it loses it's luster when looking at flight costs.

 

Once you've taken an NCL cruise, you'll either love it, (as we do) or decide that it's not something you like, hey, it happens, cruising isn't for everyone.

 

I hope you all find the cruise that suits you with the benefits that you're comfortable with to make it a wonderful experience.

 

Best of luck,

Cheers

 

I have booked my first NCL cruise for January 2017, and really looking forward to it. We have previously cruised on 7 Carnival and 2 RCCL, but wanted to try the Freestyle Cruising of NCL. We will be getting the UBP, and I think it was a great deal, as drinks/cocktails can cost $14 each. As for booking anything else, it is unlikely, as we never book specialty restaurants. I will wait until closer to cruise date to book any excursions. The way I see it, all cruise lines will try to nickel and dime you. It has gotten worse in recent years, but I have no intention of giving up cruising! I am a cruise addict! 😊

[luckyinpa]

Right, the only reason to prepay is to lock in a price if the DSC goes up, and you would get a warning if that is going to happen. That is what I had to do last July to avoid paying an extra $5 or so for my son's DSC. However, the payment was not actually charged until final payment deadline.

 

do you mean me as the customer would get specific warning via email or that i should just be monitoring the NCL site for an increase

[NLH Arizona]

Chances are, if you're getting a comped room, and you are still actively playing, they'll write-off a lot of your onboard spend (excluding DSC).

 

And when you're taking shoreex, and spa, and dining and drinking at reduced cost, then it's not that big a deal that the DSC went from $12 - $13.5.

 

 

 

Stephen

 

 

.

Actually I'm probably not the norm, but I do get my cabin comped (I pay for an upgrade to a penthouse suite) and I pre-pay my DSC (which went to $15.50), I pre-pay my UDP (except for my next cruise where I got it as a perk) and I pre-pay my shore excursions, so the increase do affect some of us. Even though it affects me, I don't think it is a big deal, as I understand that business have to raise their prices, because their vendors raise prices to them.

[casofilia]

I'm at the other end of the spectrum, as I wish NCL would offer a cruise only (would included the complimentary dining, complimentary entertainment, etc.) low price and then have the other items SDP, UBP, etc. as for purchase items and not included perks. That way, I can pick and choose how I want to spend my dollars, instead of paying for perks that I might not want or need.

 

Exactly.

[pateng]

It is not just the "extras" pricing as the overall prices for most cruises are significantly higher than booking last year at this time. I booked two cruises last January 2015 (for November 2015 Breakaway and May 2016 Gem) and looking to 2017, I cant even come close to the prices that I paid. I understand increases but increases of 25 to 60 percent or more is way too much.

[purpletequila]

I can certainly understand your position. You are happy with the product and life is good.

 

Whether you think the changes are bad or simply neutral, I think it is time to slow down. Most cruises are long lead purchases. Many people are not booking a cruise for next month, but 6 months to a year from now. Who wants to constantly read about this changing or that changing, whether it is good or bad.

 

If the majority of people are simply booking a cruise for next month, then that isn't such a big deal. And if that is what NCL's numbers support, that most cruises are bought very close to actual travel dates, then carry on.

 

100% my issue. I'm so afraid I'm going to book thinking all is good and I have x,y and z only to find out over the course of the months leading up to it that NCL has changed its mind again. I like to feel confident in what I'm purchasing and don't think that's asking for too much but I might be crazy.