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Hidden Costs

BearPenn2010

By BearPenn2010,
in Norwegian Cruise Line

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disneygirl10

disneygirl10

Posted
Posted
Is anyone aware of any Hidden Costs to be aware of when Cruising on the Breakaway...I know they are offering the Free Picks like the Drink Pkg and Specialty Dining....Is there any Hidden Costs associated with these...Thanks in Advance

 

I booked, for the first time, with NCL yesterday. The 'not so hidden' costs are the gratuities. I paid $99.54 for myself for gratuities on the beverage package, and maybe $20 for my child's gratuities on the soda package.

 

For myself I am going to compare if it's actually a better deal compared to the dining (which I think was $25 total in gratuities for the 2 of us), because the drinks will be a wash for me.

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swedish weave

swedish weave

Posted
Posted
Is anyone aware of any Hidden Costs to be aware of when Cruising on the Breakaway...I know they are offering the Free Picks like the Drink Pkg and Specialty Dining....Is there any Hidden Costs associated with these...Thanks in Advance

 

NCL adds an 18% service charge to the published price of these two items, but that is disclosed in booking.

 

They are not totally free

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NLH Arizona

NLH Arizona

Posted
Posted
Is anyone aware of any Hidden Costs to be aware of when Cruising on the Breakaway...I know they are offering the Free Picks like the Drink Pkg and Specialty Dining....Is there any Hidden Costs associated with these...Thanks in Advance
Nothing is hidden, it is all in the terms and conditions.

 

FREE OPEN BAR

 

Enjoy a poolside mojito, highballs in the casino, and a glass of pinot at dinner, all included with the Ultimate Beverage Package. Applicable service charges apply.

 

FREE SPECIALTY DINING

 

The first two guests receive 3 meals on 5- to 9-night cruises and 4 meals on 10+ night sailings. Applicable service charges apply.

 

Just click on applicable service charges apply within the description of the offer and they clearly spell it out:

 

https://www.ncl.com/cruise-deals/choice

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jm485 "Live from...." Rare

jm485

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I'm not sure if you'd consider them "hidden costs", but both the SDP and UBP have various exclusions, upcharges, etc.

 

It's really important to read the T&Cs so you won't be surprised to learn that -- for example -- only drinks up to $15 are included in the UBP or that certain dining venues are not included in the SDP. They are spelled out there -- so not "hidden" -- but also might be things you wouldn't think of, so it's definitely worth reading them to avoid any surprises on your bill.

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BirdTravels "Live from...." Rare

BirdTravels

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All costs are fully disclosed.

 

Up front: gratuities on any dining or beverage package. Neither are required for crusing.

 

On board: a daily service charge for gratuities to the service staff.

 

You can do a zero balance trip other than that.

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kcwingwalker

kcwingwalker

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Posted
All costs are fully disclosed.

 

Up front: gratuities on any dining or beverage package. Neither are required for crusing.

 

On board: a daily service charge for gratuities to the service staff.

 

You can do a zero balance trip other than that.

 

Agree!

 

We like to prepay the daily service charge. I have never received my final bill with a huge balance, usually well under $100.00. You know the little things you end up buying at the gift shop because you ran out or forgot to pack. On the other hand, DD loves the spa and was a cranky companion after she saw her bill.

 

Zero is the best:)

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pscozz702

pscozz702

Posted
Posted
Is anyone aware of any Hidden Costs to be aware of when Cruising on the Breakaway...I know they are offering the Free Picks like the Drink Pkg and Specialty Dining....Is there any Hidden Costs associated with these...Thanks in Advance

 

Had the drink package on the Breakaway in July, first time having a drink package. While in port in NYC you will be charged City taxes on your drinks. Once you are out of the city limits you no longer get charged...Hope that helps.

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MikeBTN

MikeBTN

Posted
Posted
One of these is compulsory and one is not.

 

DSC is not compulsory either. You can remove it at any time by visiting the service desk. And before the flaming starts, no, I don't do that and no, I don't recommend it.

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NLH Arizona

NLH Arizona

Posted
Posted (edited)
DSC is not compulsory either. You can remove it at any time by visiting the service desk. And before the flaming starts, no, I don't do that and no, I don't recommend it.
Actually, those in the US can not removed it at the service desk. They have to pay it and then they will be given a form, which they have to send in to NCL to request a refund. Edited by NLH Arizona
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stickey_mouse

stickey_mouse

Posted
Posted
"Hidden Cost or fees" would suggest that NCL doesn't disclose them in their booking engine or published terms and conditions. There are no surprises..No hidden fees that will pop up on your final bill. Enjoy your cruise !

 

I mildly disagree. I consider fees disclosed in the fine print to be somewhat hidden. I would include with this the aforementioned service fees charged for the UBP/open bar promo. If someone receives a free drinks promotional offer, I would consider a mandatory fee that comes with it to be somewhat hidden, or at the very least, unexpected!

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NYcruzzer

NYcruzzer

Posted
Posted (edited)
I mildly disagree. I consider fees disclosed in the fine print to be somewhat hidden. I would include with this the aforementioned service fees charged for the UBP/open bar promo. If someone receives a free drinks promotional offer, I would consider a mandatory fee that comes with it to be somewhat hidden, or at the very least, unexpected!

 

They are not "hidden fees". They are disclosed when you enter a cruise in the online booking engine and multiple promo links on their website. Of course if someone books by phone with NCL or a TA and the agent doesn't disclose these fees to a customer when booking then that can be construed as hidden.

Edited by NYcruzzer
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stickey_mouse

stickey_mouse

Posted
Posted (edited)
They are not "hidden fees". They are disclosed when you enter a cruise in the online booking engine and multiple promo links on their website. Of course if someone books by phone with NCL or a TA who doesn't disclose these fees to a customer then they may be construed as hidden.

 

Agree to disagree. To me, something made harder to find is hidden. I don't interpret hidden to necessarily mean there is no disclosure whatsoever.

Edited by stickey_mouse
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BirdTravels "Live from...." Rare

BirdTravels

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Posted
DSC is not compulsory either. You can remove it at any time by visiting the service desk. And before the flaming starts, no, I don't do that and no, I don't recommend it.

 

Incorrect. You can not remove it any time at the service desk. You may request, after you have completed your cruise, to have some of our DSC refunded.

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BirdTravels "Live from...." Rare

BirdTravels

Posted
Posted
I mildly disagree. I consider fees disclosed in the fine print to be somewhat hidden. I would include with this the aforementioned service fees charged for the UBP/open bar promo. If someone receives a free drinks promotional offer, I would consider a mandatory fee that comes with it to be somewhat hidden, or at the very least, unexpected!

 

Right on the Free at Sea promotion page, there is a "Applicable service charges apply" under the Free Open Bar and Free Specialty Dining offers. Not sure how much more transparent you need to be.

 

https://www.ncl.com/cruise-deals/choice

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stickey_mouse

stickey_mouse

Posted
Posted
Right on the Free at Sea promotion page, there is a "Applicable service charges apply" under the Free Open Bar and Free Specialty Dining offers. Not sure how much more transparent you need to be.

 

https://www.ncl.com/cruise-deals/choice

I think we are focusing on different things. You are focusing on the literal definition of hidden. I am focusing more on concept or implementation.

 

Example:

 

*Congrats, you've won a drawing for a free cruise!

 

*All winners must pay a $1,000 service charge.

 

In the above example, there is an express disclaimer of a fee. However, I still consider it a "hidden cost" because one wouldn't expect to have to pay such a high sum for a "free cruise".

 

Of course no cost is entirely hidden, as then it wouldn't be legal.

 

And frankly, I really dislike and disagree with the argument that if it is expressly stated, it cannot be argued with or complained about. I'm not necessarily referring to you, but rather several on these boards who defend NCL to such a degree that I'm beginning to think they are on the payroll. I swear, if NCL put out a disclaimer that said all cruise passengers would get 20 lashings a day, some on these boards would say the passengers had it coming as they were formally warned without adding to the discussion as to whether the policy itself is good or not.

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NHL Philly Fan

NHL Philly Fan

Posted
Posted
Is anyone aware of any Hidden Costs to be aware of when Cruising on the Breakaway...I know they are offering the Free Picks like the Drink Pkg and Specialty Dining....Is there any Hidden Costs associated with these...Thanks in Advance

 

 

There are no hidden costs at all on NCL for anything. All fees are clearly stated. Now some people might overlook where things are disclosed but that does not mean they are hidden!

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