Hidden Costs

[stickey_mouse]

What about all those "As Seen On TV" advertisements where they scream "BUY ONE GET THE SECOND ONE FREE" and then whisper "Just pay additional shipping and handling." It's essentially the same thing because, under your logic, the second one isn't really totally free.

 

 

 

Call it "hidden", call it "false advertising", call it whatever you want. This type of promotion abounds across a multitude of industries. It's not new and it's not going to go away just because you grumble over semantics.

 

Are you attempting to defend NCL by comparing them with infomercials? Not sure that helps NCL's case. But anyway, you're right, it won't make any difference. The only way to make a difference is to "vote" with your wallet.

[stickey_mouse]

I've never ever seen any fine print on NCL's web site. All of the terms and conditions are in the same font and size as the rest of the site The fact that the list of details is on a second page and you have to click a very clearly marked link for TERMS AND CONDITIONS does not make the print any different. in your citation, the 18% is only unexpected if one chooses to IGNORE the link and not read the T&C.

 

You realize "fine print" can be a figure of speech, right?

[stickey_mouse]

The package IS free. You do not pay the cost of the package in any manner at all.

 

Not sure I understand.

[NHL Philly Fan]

You realize "fine print" can be a figure of speech, right?

 

 

A highly over used and mis-used term at that. There was no fine print. Everything was fully disclosed. IN fact it was in BOLD and ITALICS.

[NHL Philly Fan]

Not sure I understand.

 

 

It was pretty clear. With the offer you are not paying the cost of the package in any way at all. The package is 100% free. Example the UBP is about $70 a day per person. There is an 18% gratuity added to all UBP paid or free. The freebie you are not paying the $70 cost of the UBP, but it is 100% irrelevant to the server how much you paid (or did not pay) for the drink, they still served you so you are paying the tips. Remember that you are under no obligation to take the $70 a day package at no cost. You can decide to pay that $70 a day if it makes you feel better.

[beerman2]

It was pretty clear. With the offer you are not paying the cost of the package in any way at all. The package is 100% free. Example the UBP is about $70 a day per person. There is an 18% gratuity added to all UBP paid or free. The freebie you are not paying the $70 cost of the UBP, but it is 100% irrelevant to the server how much you paid (or did not pay) for the drink, they still served you so you are paying the tips. Remember that you are under no obligation to take the $70 a day package at no cost. You can decide to pay that $70 a day if it makes you feel better.

 

Agree 100%!

 

And while they are at it don't forget the 18% on top of the $70.

 

It's pretty simple pay 490.00 + 18% approx. 590.00

 

Take the promo for "free" and pay approx $95.00.

 

Yes the cost of the "free" promo is built into the fare, but we know that going into the purchase.

[Steve007NY]

deleted; I found the answer

Edited August 18, 2016 by Steve007NY

[stickey_mouse]

It was pretty clear. With the offer you are not paying the cost of the package in any way at all. The package is 100% free. Example the UBP is about $70 a day per person. There is an 18% gratuity added to all UBP paid or free. The freebie you are not paying the $70 cost of the UBP, but it is 100% irrelevant to the server how much you paid (or did not pay) for the drink, they still served you so you are paying the tips. Remember that you are under no obligation to take the $70 a day package at no cost. You can decide to pay that $70 a day if it makes you feel better.

If you cannot buy the package without the service charge, how is it 100% free? They are mutually inclusive: you cannot have one without the other.

[KT Cruiser]

 

Yes the cost of the "free" promo is built into the fare, but we know that going into the purchase.

 

 

And there is the answer to the original question of this thread. The hidden costs is that everyone is now paying for the "free" perks through raised fares whether you want the perks or not. This "hidden cost" is not explained anywhere on the NCL website, but yet the experienced cruisers of NCL know it. The newbies most likely do not. It's not "Freestyle" anymore when your base fare already includes mark up to pay for other cruisers "free" perks.

[swedish weave]

It was pretty clear. With the offer you are not paying the cost of the package in any way at all. The package is 100% free. Example the UBP is about $70 a day per person. There is an 18% gratuity added to all UBP paid or free. The freebie you are not paying the $70 cost of the UBP, but it is 100% irrelevant to the server how much you paid (or did not pay) for the drink, they still served you so you are paying the tips. Remember that you are under no obligation to take the $70 a day package at no cost. You can decide to pay that $70 a day if it makes you feel better.

 

If you accept the FREE package, you pay. If you don't accept it, you still pay if you order a drink.

 

In addition to that, you pay a discretionary service charge (another FEE) daily for everything except what NCL has conveniently decided to separate from that FEE so they can charge another FEE.

 

Instead of arguing details, why not truthfully disclose the entire picture.

[swedish weave]

I believed I answered this on another thread for you. I said if you drink more than 3 sodas a day, you would come out ahead if you choose the beverage packages. Tax on the beverage package per day is $14.22 and sodas cost $3.48 (including tax). Your response was that you did think you should be drink 4 sodas a day.

 

If NCL had not instituted their recent money grabbing restriction on taking beverages onboard, you could purchase and take with you a twelve pack of soda for the price NCL is charging for ONE SODA.

 

Dealing with NCL, that is NOT coming out ahead. It is merely submitting to another of NCL's antics.

[Jana60]

Agree 100%!

 

And while they are at it don't forget the 18% on top of the $70.

 

It's pretty simple pay 490.00 + 18% approx. 590.00

 

Take the promo for "free" and pay approx $95.00.

 

Yes the cost of the "free" promo is built into the fare, but we know that going into the purchase.

 

The drink package is $79 per day plus the 18% gratuity (NOT $70) if you purchase it separate from the promos. They charge from $149 to $200 plus $100 for the gratuities per person more for the rooms other than guarantee rooms that do not include the perks so you are essentially paying $149 - $200 per person plus $100 per person for the gratuities for your drink's package and the ability to choose your room. I wish they would still allow you to choose your room for the price that is $149 to $200 per person less and allow you to do this without the drinks package so that if we wanted to choose your room but don't want the drinks package we could still get the lower price.

[mom2tcdx2]

Again, that's your take on it. Why didn't they state the exact charge on the page of the promotion?

 

Regardless, we are arguing about the wrong thing. What's most important (to me, anyway) is that they charge a mandatory fee on something presented as a free perk.

 

So why is it you don't also point out that you still pay for a 3/4 guest even when they are listed as free. While they were free the taxes, fees were not. So I still paid $184 per free guest. So what is the difference between that and paying for the taxes, fees, gratuity - whatever on the drinks or dining package?

[thistimeplease]

Not sure if the OP's original question was answered or not, and since this has turned into a bad NCL/good NCL thread, I will answer based on my experience. I booked with the free beverage package, it was made very clear by all that a additional gratuity would be added. I might also add that it was included with my final total for the cruise. When I went on my cruise I was also given $260 additional onboard credit. We decided to visit one special restaurant (our choice). I then purchased some photos (my choice) and paid NO more hidden fees and was refunded the onboard credit minus the dinner and photos. I did leave a additional gratuity (not necessary) for my room steward and also tipped some bartenders and waiter some singles. I felt the cruise was well worth the money and would sail NCL again (already booked for next year). When searching other cruiselines I found NCL to be the best deal for what I wanted.

[disneygirl10]

I've been following this thread. First, because I'm interested in what charges I may incur on my cruise that I may not expect. Secondly, because the term "hidden fees" always amuses me.

 

The line of work that I'm in deals with it constantly, so we are always pointing out where the "hidden fees" aren't so hidden.

 

Also, with my casino one of my perks was a "complimentary" (up to) 8 night cruise once every 6 months with Carnival (which I've come close, but never used due to itinerary restrictions, and I didn't care for the ship available). In this case "complimentary" means I still pay all additional taxes and fees, and then of course the upgrade from my included oceanview to a balcony or above- all of this makes sense to me. The funny thing is that I can't look at their website and know what the up charge will be. Carnival says their online prices are the sale, and the 'regular price' (not found online anywhere) is what I'm paying the difference on.

Example- if the online price shows a $400 pp difference, my price could be $600 pp. In my opinion that is truly a "hidden" cost, and really the only one I've ever experienced.

 

As of last month the rewards switched to NCL, it's similar because I have a "flat fee" for upgrade, this I understand more than a different non listed price. Some of the upgrade fees do not make sense and are higher than the difference online, others seem to be about the same. The one thing that was new to me was the $260pp ADMIN FEE, which apparently everyone pays, but for the general bookings it is already included in their price, not additional. In my case it's more of a (little less than) $2k discount (for Alaska, don't know about the other itineraries) more than an actual complimentary cruise.

 

Point being- "Free" is rarely ever really free, always check for asterisks and ask the right questions.

Edited August 18, 2016 by disneygirl10

[mom2tcdx2]

There really aren't hidden costs, it is a matter of whether someone actually reads the materials and does research before a cruise. Before I ever knew about cruises and was looking into things, I took into account the cost of everything I could think of. I didn't know really about the gratuity before I booked my first cruise, then I learned about shore excursions, then specialty dining. I was pretty much aware of the normal factors of a vacation like purchasing souvenirs, the casino, drinking alcohol. Typical things I would budget for on any vacation.

 

But often when I tell others pricing and then add in that the gratuity, drinks packages, etc. they often freak out at the final overall cost. But even when you go anywhere you need to factor in the extras.

 

You can do a cruise without buying souvenirs, photos, skipping the casino, bingo, no ship excursions, limiting drinks purchases. I have done cruises where we paid nothing extra for any kind of food. I have left a ship with a spending bill of $13 (I always prepay my gratuity and consider it a standard part of the cruise cost now), and I have had a final bill of over $1500.

Edited August 18, 2016 by mom2tcdx2

[stickey_mouse]

So why is it you don't also point out that you still pay for a 3/4 guest even when they are listed as free. While they were free the taxes, fees were not. So I still paid $184 per free guest. So what is the difference between that and paying for the taxes, fees, gratuity - whatever on the drinks or dining package?

Because I have zero experience with paying for a 3rd or 4th guest, but I suppose you could make the same argument. However, I think it is a little more reasonable to be forced to pay port fees on a 3rd and 4th person, as they are not imposed by NCL. As for the taxes, I'm afraid I don't really know how they work, so I will hold my tongue on them.

 

I don't want people to think that this issue is ruining my life- it isn't. I'm just speaking up about something that could've been handled by NCL a little better.

 

By the way, Celebrity offers a free drink perk that includes gratuities. Shocking, right?

[mom2tcdx2]

It is just interesting on the materials it mentions the extra fees owed for the service charges on the drinks and dining packages, but doesn't mention (that I saw) that fees would be owed for the 3/4 guest being free - because clearly free isn't free.

[NLH Arizona]

 

Point being- "Free" is rarely ever really free, always check for asterisks and ask the right questions.

So correct Disneygirl. NCL is saying the drink package is free, they are not saying the gratuities are free, just as the casino is saying your cruise is free, but they are not saying your port charges and taxes are or other things you might purchase on that cruise.

 

Hidden charges are only hidden to those that don't want to see them.

[TonyFred]

Because I have zero experience with paying for a 3rd or 4th guest, but I suppose you could make the same argument. However, I think it is a little more reasonable to be forced to pay port fees on a 3rd and 4th person, as they are not imposed by NCL. As for the taxes, I'm afraid I don't really know how they work, so I will hold my tongue on them.

 

I don't want people to think that this issue is ruining my life- it isn't. I'm just speaking up about something that could've been handled by NCL a little better.

 

By the way, Celebrity offers a free drink perk that includes gratuities. Shocking, right?

 

 

Then book with Celebrity. Shocking solution, right?

[gary222]

There really aren't hidden costs....

 

Otherwise the company's lawyers wouldn't be doing their job right?

[stickey_mouse]

NCL is saying the drink package is free, they are not saying the gratuities are free . . . Hidden charges are only hidden to those that don't want to see them.

 

But the drink package requires pre-paid gratuities- they are one in the same! You cannot get the drink package without the gratuities. It's all a game of semantics.

 

Then book with Celebrity. Shocking solution, right?

You're correct! Vote with your dollars. If Celebrity had the same itinerary as the Getaway, I'd have booked it.

[NLH Arizona]

But the drink package requires pre-paid gratuities- they are one in the same! You cannot get the drink package without the gratuities. It's all a game of semantics.

 

 

Drinks are free; it might require pre-paid gratuities, but you are not paying for the drinks, thus free drinks. It is just like when a car dealer advertises that a lease is $199 a month for car X, the lease is $199, but you have to pay taxes on the lease in order to get it, which raises your cost.

 

No one is forcing anyone to pay the gratuities, all they have to do if they don't want to pay them is not pick the UBP as a perk.

 

BTW, I also cruise on Celebrity and their cruises cost me a heck of a lot more than my NCL cruises costs, so I'd be paying a lot more to save $14.22 a day in gratuities on the UBP.

 

Let's face it, we will never agree, so let's just agree to disagree.

Edited August 18, 2016 by NLH Arizona

[stickey_mouse]

It is just like when a car dealer advertises that a lease is $199 a month for car X, the lease is $199, but you have to pay taxes on the lease in order to get it, which raises your cost.

Let me change your example slightly, because taxes aren't charged by NCL, but by governments. A car dealer advertises a $199 monthly lease but adds on a $20 per month administrative fee. Still okay in your book?

[NLH Arizona]

Let me change your example slightly, because taxes aren't charged by NCL, but by governments. A car dealer advertises a $199 monthly lease but adds on a $20 per month administrative fee. Still okay in your book?

Then I'll change your example, they also require a down payment, which is not included in the $199 lease price and if you don't pay the amount of the down, the lease prices would be much higher. Edited August 18, 2016 by NLH Arizona