Hidden Costs

[stickey_mouse]

Same if you look at the website to book a cruise. It states a cruise is $449 and then you get further into the booking process and they add $261 for taxes, port charges, etc. The cruise is in fact only $449 and the port charges, taxes are $261 and even though you can't purchase one without the other, they are two different things.

Sorry, not the same. Does NCL mandate the taxes and port fees? No. Now if NCL charges a $449 cruise and includes a mandatory $30 dining fee? Congrats, you have a $479 cruise.

 

Edited to say: Actually, it does irk me when you find a cruise price that does not include the requisite taxes and fees. Again, not quite the same, because they are imposed by a third party, but still annoying and, at the very least, a little deceiving.

Edited August 18, 2016 by stickey_mouse

[stickey_mouse]

Yes but it is still not good enough. Some people insist that NCL is required to hold their hands and spoon feed them the promo deal like a teacher explaining a new subject to her students in Grade 3. If a buyer is capable to read simple English, a buyer should be capable to understand the promo terms and make an informed decision before he buys in on the deal.

Nobody is asking NCL to hold their hands. We are not complaining about the cost of the Service Charge or the fact that gratuities exist. We are complaining that we were offered a free perk and still have to pay the requisite service charge. The difference is small, and confusing, but important.

 

If NCL began including in its terms that all passengers will be punched in the nose, would you argue that we shouldn't complain about such a term, because it is expressly written and disclaimed? I just don't see this logic.

[Warm Breezes]

Nobody is asking NCL to hold their hands. We are not complaining about the cost of the Service Charge or the fact that gratuities exist. We are complaining that we were offered a free perk and still have to pay the requisite service charge. The difference is small, and confusing, but important.

 

If NCL began including in its terms that all passengers will be punched in the nose, would you argue that we shouldn't complain about such a term, because it is expressly written and disclaimed? I just don't see this logic.

 

If you had the option to choose another promo where the terms did not include the punch in the nose then yes I would argue that you shouldn't complain about the option you chose and knew what it consisted of.

[stickey_mouse]

If you had the option to choose another promo where the terms did not include the punch in the nose then yes I would argue that you shouldn't complain about the option you chose and knew what it consisted of.

I didn't say anything about promos. This hypo includes a punch for any and all cruisers. Some posters on here (not necessarily you) would say "buyer beware" rather than questioning the practice itself.

[sfaaa]

Nobody is asking NCL to hold their hands. We are not complaining about the cost of the Service Charge or the fact that gratuities exist. We are complaining that we were offered a free perk and still have to pay the requisite service charge. The difference is small, and confusing, but important.

 

If NCL began including in its terms that all passengers will be punched in the nose, would you argue that we shouldn't complain about such a term, because it is expressly written and disclaimed? I just don't see this logic.

 

No disrespect and don't really want to argue with you. But if you say to NCL Yes, I read the terms and I agree you can punch me in the nose. Then you consented and should keep your words and standby your decision. Yes means Yes and No means No.

[Warm Breezes]

I didn't say anything about promos. This hypo includes a punch for any and all cruisers. Some posters on here (not necessarily you) would say "buyer beware" rather than questioning the practice itself.

 

I would still say that the choice was yours when you chose to purchase NCL over another cruise line that didn't have the terms "punch in the nose" and if you chose to sail NCL with those terms then you shouldn't complain about it. And you can add me to the posters that say Buyer Beware...I just did a couple posts ago and I'm not ashamed of it either :D:p.

[stickey_mouse]

No disrespect and don't really want to argue with you. But if you say to NCL Yes, I read the terms and I agree you can punch me in the nose. Then you consented and should keep your words and standby your decision. Yes means Yes and No means No.

And I wouldn't have cause to complain? You can contract your way out of anything, I guess!

[Warm Breezes]

And I wouldn't have cause to complain? You can contract your way out of anything, I guess!

 

You had a choice. NCL didn't force you to sail with them and get punched in the nose. You could have sailed another line and not gotten punched in the nose. You accepted NCL's terms when chose to go with them. If you get punched in the nose then that is your fault for agreeing to it. You can complain all you want but you would get no sympathy from me :D.

[NLH Arizona]

I would still say that the choice was yours when you chose to purchase NCL over another cruise line that didn't have the terms "punch in the nose" and if you chose to sail NCL with those terms then you shouldn't complain about it. And you can add me to the posters that say Buyer Beware...I just did a couple posts ago and I'm not ashamed of it either :D:p.

Add me to that Buyer Beware list as well. If a company had a punch in the nose as a part of their condition of sale and if the buyer didn't read the terms or didn't research if other like companies didn't have it and purchased the item, it is their fault they got punched in the nose, not the fault of the company. If they got punched in the nose, they could complain all they want, but it would go on deaf ears. Edited August 18, 2016 by NLH Arizona

[sfaaa]

And I wouldn't have cause to complain? You can contract your way out of anything, I guess!

 

You can complain but as a responsible adult who honor his/her words, you still have to perform and deliver your part of the deal because the other side has done his.

[disneygirl10]

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?

Yes. It is fine for a dealer to do that. Fees vary by state. A nationally advertised lease is what you are paying for the car itself, any other fees can not be included in that because the manufacturer does not know where you live..and no car dealership can do a blanket advert including taxes and fees.

I am positive that every dealer and manufacturer does say "plus tax title and fees" in any advertisement associated with a lease, so it is not being dishonest.

 

The same way that my casino isn't being dishonest by giving me a "complimentary ocean view", but I have to pay all taxes and fees and of course the upgrades and extras that I do. That is no different than a "free drink" promotion.

My issue there is with NCL charging me an 'admin fee' that I can't find disclosed anywhere else, but I admit that I haven't heavily researched it. Also like I said, with Carnival and NCL quoting me a price difference for an upgrade that is so different than what shows online. Norwegian's upgrade fees are at least more realistic than Carnival was, which is one of the reasons why I chose to pay for Disney Cruise Line over taking my "complimentary" Carnival cruise.

 

As for the Open Bar promotion, for me I look at the value the same as I looked at the cruise. At the end of the day am I saving or spending more for something that I don't really want? That's where my decision making comes in.

Edited August 18, 2016 by disneygirl10

[NLH Arizona]

My issue there is with NCL charging me an 'admin fee' that I can't find disclosed anywhere else, but I admit that I haven't heavily researched it. Also like I said, with Carnival and NCL quoting me a price difference for an upgrade that is so different than what shows online. Norwegian's upgrade fees are at least more realistic than Carnival was, which is one of the reasons why I chose to pay for Disney Cruise Line over taking my "complimentary" Carnival cruise.

Here is how the admin fee changed for me, maybe different in your situation. The administration fee is a current change. I noticed on one of my booked cruises and called an asked about it. They use to just have the upgrade amount (I always get a balcony or mini-suite and upgrade to an aft penthouse) and they switch it over to read admin fee. I looked back at other cruises I had booked and the amount was basically the same. I'm guessing it has something to do with their booking. The first time I saw it, after not being there for many cruises, I was surprised as well. Edited August 18, 2016 by NLH Arizona

[stickey_mouse]

Add me to that Buyer Beware list as well. If a company had a punch in the nose as a part of their condition of sale and if the buyer didn't read the terms or didn't research if other like companies didn't have it and purchased the item, it is their fault they got punched in the nose, not the fault of the company. If they got punched in the nose, they could complain all they want, but it would go on deaf ears.

 

You can complain but as a responsible adult who honor his/her words, you still have to perform and deliver your part of the deal because the other side has done his.

Really? We wouldn't have justification to complain about such a policy? :eek:

 

I'm not arguing that I shouldn't be punched if I sail with them (that's a contractual obligation, albeit probably an illegal one). I'm arguing that cruises shouldn't punch people in the nose. A distinction that people aren't grasping.

[stickey_mouse]

I never said you couldn't complain about the policy. What I said is if you agree to the contract that said you would get punched in the nose (whether you read the contract or not) and you get punched in the nose, your complaints would go on deaf ears, because you agreed to it by agreeing to the contract.

Hopefully the ears wouldn't be too deaf. Complaining can lead to change, sometimes. And just signing the contract doesn't I mean I agree with it, just that I consent to receiving it.

 

BTW, I really don't understand why you brought up a punch in the nose being on a NCL contract, when we all know that would never happen in this world or the next, but it is fun to discuss.

I think you answered your own question. And I suppose I wanted an extreme example to better illustrate the importance of voicing concern.

[stickey_mouse]

Why do people continue to argue ad nauseum with people whom they know are not going to change their minds? Do you just enjoy banging your head on the wall?

 

Taking a cruise is supposed to be fun. Arguing with strangers on an internet forum for 51 out of 52 weeks between cruises has to be the dumbest thing on the planet.

 

Some of you really need to put your keyboard away and go out and get some fresh air. Seriously.

You have a point. But don't worry, I've spent at most 25 minutes doing this today. I've seen the sun, and it's glorious.