NCL and Dimed

[mianmike]

Hidden fee can also mean a Buyer is too lazy to read the contract terms or make a reasonable effort to understand the deal. If someone is not prepared to do his homework or research, then don't complain when the product or experience turns out to be less than the expectation or cost more to the pocket.

 

I agree, but I do feel for infrequent travelers who are also first time NCL cruisers and Spirit airline customers as things are much different than what many have been conditioned to expect.

 

I find reading fine print legalese especially boring. CC a great resource to ferret out the truth behind the misleading promos. It's a shame that businesses feel they must mislead to trick people (because they know many will not read the fine print) into buying their product.

[horseymike]

First, a Note on Airlines

“De-bundling” is a popular term, particularly in the airline industry, for the concept of variable pricing for airfare, baggage, beverages, etc. The airline industry runs on tight margins, and continuously seeks to increase ancillary revenue.

From a customer’s perspective, this translates to “hidden costs”. While there was much uproar over checked bag fees a few years ago, most customers have come to understand that this shift is an industry norm.

To the benefit of the customer, de-bundling gives the opportunity to pay only for the services desired. For example, Spirit Airlines charges a la carte for everything including carry-on bags and sodas, for which most customers have an expectation will be complimentary. To Spirit’s credit this also provides them the ability to present the lowest price base fare compared to other carriers because they attach the costs after the fact. Unfortunately for Spirit, they have very low customer satisfaction ratings because they take advantage of opaque pricing, and are not very forthcoming about managing customer expectations of hidden fees.

While the revenue enhancing element of Spirit’s practice has benefits to the organization, there are external costs borne by the customer service team, who often have to apologize for practices that outside the norms of air travel. Further, those customer relations employees are given very little autonomy to help customers because the nickel-and-dime-the-customer business model is the core practice of the airline.

 

Cruises

Very few industries operate on as tight margins as cruise lines. In fact, the price of the room may even operate at a loss. Cruises depend on ancillary revenue, particularly from the casino and alcohol sales. And, these are acceptable cultural norms for cruise providers and customers alike. For example, it is commonly known that all cruise lines enforce strict policies around bringing alcohol on board because selling drinks is the primary revenue stream for a cruise line. And, people have an expectation that the prices will be high, which is a tradeoff for low cost accommodations and free meals.

Norwegian Cruise Line is a pioneer in “de-bundling” in the cruise industry. They have branded themselves as offering “freestyle” cruising which has many benefits. The basic premise is not having a committed dinner seating. So, NCL is able to offer more dining venues, some with optional, nominal supplemental charges. This is a great way to enhance revenue for the cruise line and provide a better overall experience for discerning customers who want a more upscale or more private experiences while aboard.

On the flip side of cruise “de-bundling”, NCL has pushed some boundaries in other areas. For example, they are one of the first cruise lines to charge a delivery fee for room service… a traditionally free amenity of cruising. Also, they advertise enticing promotions like free Wifi, dining upgrades, drink packages, photos, etc. But, these promotions have complex terms and conditions, which catch people by surprise.

Just like Spirit Airlines, though, this type of creativity in pricing and breaking from typical expectations of travelers may have long term customer experience and reputational repercussions.

 

NCL Guest Relations

Hopefully you’ve found the opinions above to be objectively represented. Unfortunately, I did find myself in a “caught by fine print” situation. I have tried to resolve my issue 7 times with NCL guest relations. It has been my experience that NCL guest relations’ policy is to not respond to pre-cruise or post-cruise requests.

 

there are "included meals " more now than ever , nothing is free

[NCLfamily]

Thankfully I haven't been caught by fine print since I was a teenager and was taught by my parents to read it.

 

It's ridiculously easy to sail on NCL with no extra charges that wouldn't have been there 10 years ago and more. Some people just don't manage finances or reading fine print as well as others. Sorry.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums mobile app

 

 

This applies to me too.

 

In the UK we have Ryan Air. People have been complaining about 'hidden costs' with them for 20 years. They ain't that hidden. People who complain are the ones that are lazy, unorganised and too casual. As soon as something happens they look to blame the airline.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums mobile app

[Cruzaholic41]

I find it fascinating that the OP felt it necessary to create a new user to post this message vs. their normal user. Why hide?

 

Funny. I ask NCL the same thing. Why hide? Why do people have to read the fine print to see all the hidden fees on this cruise line?

 

Nevermind. Don't answer. There's so much objectophelia on this board, NCL can get away with being sneaky.

Edited June 21, 2016 by Cruzaholic41

[4774Papa]

Pricing is moving back to bundling, with that plethora of constant special with beverage packages, dining packages, etc.

 

Please, just go back to baseline low prices.

[ColinIllinois]

Funny. I ask NCL the same thing. Why hide? Why do people have to read the fine print to see all the hidden fees on this cruise line?

 

Nevermind. Don't answer. There's so much objectophelia on this board, NCL can get away with being sneaky.

 

 

It's not called "fine print" because they are trying to hide things. People want to see nice big shiny adverts that show people having fun, delicious meals and pristine beaches. They don't want to see terms and conditions.

 

As evidenced by so many questions on this forum many, many people are too damn lazy to do their own research. Tons of people don't even bother to read the basic Frequently Asked Questions section on NCL.com or read past the first page on this forum.

 

Go and read the T/C's on the promo page right now. Time yourself and see how quickly you can read through the whole thing. It's not rocket science.

[Envelope21]

I have noticed many times on CC where someone posts a well-written, well thought-out message, and then people respond with snarky, holier-than-thou statements. Phrases like, "Some people just don't manage finances or reading fine print as well as others" for example.

 

Yes, it is the buyer's responsibility to read the find print and to understand what they are getting into. But isn't it interesting that businesses put vital information in the fine print in the hopes that the buyer won't notice.

 

How many people automatically click on Agree when downloading an Ap without reading the multiple pages of fine print. Who knows whats actually in that print? You could be agreeing to have tele-marketers call you multiple times a day. But hey, that's your fault for being lazy and irresponsible not reading the fine print.

[SuiteCruiser]

It's not called "fine print" because they are trying to hide things. People want to see nice big shiny adverts that show people having fun, delicious meals and pristine beaches. They don't want to see terms and conditions.

 

As evidenced by so many questions on this forum many, many people are too damn lazy to do their own research. Tons of people don't even bother to read the basic Frequently Asked Questions section on NCL.com or read past the first page on this forum.

 

Go and read the T/C's on the promo page right now. Time yourself and see how quickly you can read through the whole thing. It's not rocket science.

 

I agree to some of what you say, how about the the thousands of people who did read the T&Cs for the promotions they were given as part of their purchase and the T&Cs changed, they go on their cruise and either have to fight for what they paid for, or not get it and leave upset.

 

There is nothing wrong with expecting communication of changes to be provided.

 

How many times do the folks on here read the T&Cs and the guest contract before each sailing?

[Loralye]

Funny. I ask NCL the same thing. Why hide? Why do people have to read the fine print to see all the hidden fees on this cruise line?

 

Nevermind. Don't answer. There's so much objectophelia on this board, NCL can get away with being sneaky.

 

Agreed... with the objectophelia + passive aggressive behavior on CC these days, the forum has lost a bit of quality that it once had.

[ColinIllinois]

I agree to some of what you say, how about the the thousands of people who did read the T&Cs for the promotions they were given as part of their purchase and the T&Cs changed, they go on their cruise and either have to fight for what they paid for, or not get it and leave upset.

 

There is nothing wrong with expecting communication of changes to be provided.

 

How many times do the folks on here read the T&Cs and the guest contract before each sailing?

 

 

Absolutely agree with you that NCL's communications can and should be better. No doubt about that. It's a waste of time to read the Guest Contract, that's a bunch of mumbo jumbo legalese, but at least take the time to know what your promo includes and excludes. That's just basic Traveler 101.

[beerman2]

Yoy are correct Spirit does charge for luggage, carryons, drinks. But you know when you book what it will cost you.

 

I fly Spirit and I'm never surprised at the cost. I can add the 30.00 baggage fee to the low cost fare. Most times it is much cheaper than other airlines.

 

Add direct flights to destinations we travel to and it makes sense!

 

NCL "nickel and dimeing" is really overblown. It's spelled out pretty good on your summary also.

 

Anyone who isn't aware of what they are spending on anything shouldn't complain.

[esm54687]

I agree to some of what you say, how about the the thousands of people who did read the T&Cs for the promotions they were given as part of their purchase and the T&Cs changed, they go on their cruise and either have to fight for what they paid for, or not get it and leave upset.

 

There is nothing wrong with expecting communication of changes to be provided.

 

How many times do the folks on here read the T&Cs and the guest contract before each sailing?

 

Hit "print" and put the T&Cs with your travel documents.... they change so often and the poor crew are trying to keep up.... this way there are no "gray areas"

 

I do it cruising, hotels, rental cars, Groupon, Living Social.....

[SuiteCruiser]

Hit "print" and put the T&Cs with your travel documents.... they change so often and the poor crew are trying to keep up.... this way there are no "gray areas"

 

I do it cruising, hotels, rental cars, Groupon, Living Social.....

 

Some people have had luck with that route and complaining to guest services and others have had the print out in hand and told they've changed and they are no longer entitled. I do exactly that and so far, I've been lucky.

[ColinIllinois]

Hit "print" and put the T&Cs with your travel documents.... they change so often and the poor crew are trying to keep up.... this way there are no "gray areas"

 

I do it cruising, hotels, rental cars, Groupon, Living Social.....

 

 

I think that NCL management is about done for the near term with the changes. I believe the ala carte pricing change was the last of their changes. They got a whole lot of changes in at once and that was their plan. Sort of rip the band aid off quickly type of stuff.

 

Of course, that is speculation on my part.

[Shawnino]

Now, explain how Margaritaville was advertised as a complementary restaurant when I booked but was à la carte when I sailed....

 

It changed while you were looking for your lost shaker of salt?

Edited June 21, 2016 by Shawnino

[lanceholt]

Bottom line is if you don't like the product, then don't use the product...no one is forcing you to cruise NCL. Lot of whining here.

[4774Papa]

Yoy are correct Spirit does charge for luggage, carryons, drinks. But you know when you book what it will cost you.

 

I fly Spirit and I'm never surprised at the cost. I can add the 30.00 baggage fee to the low cost fare. Most times it is much cheaper than other airlines.

 

Add direct flights to destinations we travel to and it makes sense!

 

NCL "nickel and dimeing" is really overblown. It's spelled out pretty good on your summary also.

 

Anyone who isn't aware of what they are spending on anything shouldn't complain.

 

NCL does nickel and dime, and while it can be irritating, it is not constant. Mostly it is during the early days of the cruise. Our last cruise on the Star, on our first day, we were asked a dozen times if we wanted a beverage package. The answer is just say no.

 

The only other primary irritation is that on some cruises just getting off the ship can be delayed by the photographer and someone in a costume pushing photos.

[NLH Arizona]

Bottom line is if you don't like the product, then don't use the product...no one is forcing you to cruise NCL. Lot of whining here.

I feel the same way. If one doesn't like the business practices of a company, don't give them your money, as it is the only way to change things.

[beerman2]

NCL does nickel and dime, and while it can be irritating, it is not constant. Mostly it is during the early days of the cruise. Our last cruise on the Star, on our first day, we were asked a dozen times if we wanted a beverage package. The answer is just say no.

 

The only other primary irritation is that on some cruises just getting off the ship can be delayed by the photographer and someone in a costume pushing photos.

 

All cruise lines do the picture thing getting off! You are on vacation things like that shouldn't irritate anyone.

 

Cruiselines make money off pictures!

[cruizinwithkids]

Agreed... with the objectophelia + passive aggressive behavior on CC these days, the forum has lost a bit of quality that it once had.

 

I really don't think it's just a cruise critic thing. It's all over the internet.

[Aquahound]

Yoy are correct Spirit does charge for luggage, carryons, drinks. But you know when you book what it will cost you.

 

I fly Spirit and I'm never surprised at the cost. I can add the 30.00 baggage fee to the low cost fare. Most times it is much cheaper than other airlines.

 

Add direct flights to destinations we travel to and it makes sense!

 

NCL "nickel and dimeing" is really overblown. It's spelled out pretty good on your summary also.

 

Anyone who isn't aware of what they are spending on anything shouldn't complain.

 

Considering Spirit Airlines is the lowest rated domestic airline in customer satisfaction, it's not exactly a compliment to NCL when the 2 companies are compared for their similarities.

[swedish weave]

I have experienced many of the deceptive advertising gimmicks NCL has put before us, and it is not my choice to book a cruise expecting "the other shoe to fall", so I have taken the advice of several of the NCL fans and have shifted most of my cruising budget to other lines where I see straightforward advertising and promotions.

 

It makes my cruises much more comfortable when I know what to expect and I get what I paid for.

 

It is also comforting to know I can be lazy and don't need to micro-scan the fine print to protect myself from nickel and diming.

Edited June 21, 2016 by swedish weave

[kathybelcher2433]

It changed while you were looking for your lost shaker of salt?

 

 

"Some people say that it's a woman to blame." [emoji443]

[LrgPizza]

My son is currently touring in Germany, and he is being charged to use public toilets. THAT is an example of nickle and diming - when you are being forced to pay for something you can't very well do without. I've never seen anything similar on NCL.

[spanishguy1970]

All cruise lines do the picture thing getting off! You are on vacation things like that shouldn't irritate anyone.

 

Cruiselines make money off pictures!

 

Oh Geez i totally agree, I just go around them when i get off the ship is not a biggie. The only time i have gotten annoyed was on a particular cruise where the one who was taking the pictures would get annoyed when you said NO and say something snarky, needless to say we reported her to her superiors, we did not appreciate her attitude.:D.

Edited June 21, 2016 by qtaromar1970