Premium all inclusive coming to the UK

[Blondie008]

Nice video...Like your work! I think the video was made before the price changes went into effect - it would be interesting to hear your update about how big the changes seem. It looks like this might be a bigger benefit for those that would typically select the UBP. It sort of sucks though that the "5 Free at Sea" promotion isn't an option for those that want a different perk. Hoping that doesn't change here in the US.

 

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We drink and use the UBP - and believe you me it isn't working out good for us.

 

I can understand NCL doing a package to cover the grats costs - because yes, even we were shocked on our last Jade cruise - that British - and that was Scots and English - were openly discussing removing gratuities - It was a conversation my husband and I were not afraid to reply back to with distaste. The cruise was a really affordable cruise, and there were these miseries still removing the grats - The service was amazing - food was great - what was their problem - few hundred quid that was their problem. So now - Norwegian have got wise - and added it on. That's fine. Its the ++++£££££S on top of that which is bothering us - Yes we expect a reasonable rise (inflation) - in costs - but there is no reason to the pricing structure. Its a mess.

Time will tell - hopefully it will somehow balance out..

Another point to note - is that the prices they initially show - are not the ACTUAL price - when you do a dummy booking take it right through to the point where you are supposed to enter your name address etc - the price goes up ..

My only other thought is that in order to have "sales" - they have to have prices initially high? Is that a possibility?

Edited April 11, 2017 by Blondie008

[anniegb]

We drink and use the UBP - and believe you me it isn't working out good for us.

 

I can understand NCL doing a package to cover the grats costs - because yes, even we were shocked on our last Jade cruise - that British - and that was Scots and English - were openly discussing removing gratuities - It was a conversation my husband and I were not afraid to reply back to with distaste. The cruise was a really affordable cruise, and there were these miseries still removing the grats - The service was amazing - food was great - what was their problem - few hundred quid that was their problem. So now - Norwegian have got wise - and added it on. That's fine. Its the ++++£££££S on top of that which is bothering us - Yes we expect a reasonable rise (inflation) - in costs - but there is no reason to the pricing structure. Its a mess.

Time will tell - hopefully it will somehow balance out..

Another point to note - is that the prices they initially show - are not the ACTUAL price - when you do a dummy booking take it right through to the point where you are supposed to enter your name address etc - the price goes up ..

My only other thought is that in order to have "sales" - they have to have prices initially high? Is that a possibility?

 

Remember the prices displayed on the UK site are the APRIL SALE prices.

 

Annie

[KeithJenner]

Remember the prices displayed on the UK site are the APRIL SALE prices.

 

 

 

Annie

 

 

 

The comparisons I've made are usually to prices just before the changes, when I think the sale was on as well.

 

The other thing I have compared are against what I paid for the same cruise in previous years. I generally would have booked during sale periods.

[fshagan]

Another point to note - is that the prices they initially show - are not the ACTUAL price - when you do a dummy booking take it right through to the point where you are supposed to enter your name address etc - the price goes up ..

 

I've often found NCL has a teaser price, but when you get to the point of actually choosing a cabin all the cabins at that lower price are gone. So you have to move up a couple of hundred dollars. This sounds like it is past the point of choosing a cabin? I'm not sure how the UK site handles the booking.

[Blondie008]

Remember the prices displayed on the UK site are the APRIL SALE prices.

 

Annie

 

 

Yes, you are right - oh dear - we are doomed lol!

[Sermenn1]

Help, please, to understand.

I booked a cruise from an English TA, received a booking confirmation, which states the condition "all inclusive".I checked my booking on the NCL website. In My Holiday Summary are told that I have "Prepaid Service Charges for All Cat except for Haven and Suites", but it is not indicated anywhere that this is an all-inclusive reservation, no mention is made of the included drinks.

Maybe someone has already made an all-inclusive reservation and can tell me how it is reflected on the NCL website. Is everything okay with me or need to worry.

Thank you!

[Blondie008]

Help, please, to understand.

I booked a cruise from an English TA, received a booking confirmation, which states the condition "all inclusive".I checked my booking on the NCL website. In My Holiday Summary are told that I have "Prepaid Service Charges for All Cat except for Haven and Suites", but it is not indicated anywhere that this is an all-inclusive reservation, no mention is made of the included drinks.

Maybe someone has already made an all-inclusive reservation and can tell me how it is reflected on the NCL website. Is everything okay with me or need to worry.

Thank you!

 

When did you make the reservation? Which date did you book?

[huskypup]

Help, please, to understand.

I booked a cruise from an English TA, received a booking confirmation, which states the condition "all inclusive".I checked my booking on the NCL website. In My Holiday Summary are told that I have "Prepaid Service Charges for All Cat except for Haven and Suites", but it is not indicated anywhere that this is an all-inclusive reservation, no mention is made of the included drinks.

Maybe someone has already made an all-inclusive reservation and can tell me how it is reflected on the NCL website. Is everything okay with me or need to worry.

Thank you!

 

We got off the Epic last Friday - we are British but booked through a US TA - we had the same on our holiday summary but we had UDP on our room/swipe card but did not receive of the free bottled water in our cabin or the coffee after dinner - but we did book it over a year ago - and got the free grats in a flash 24 hour sale.

[8420PR]

If NCL just wanted to increase their prices, they would have done this quietly without changing to premium all inclusive (as they have in previous years).

 

When I checked before and after for a cruise I had booked and some I was interested in, the 2017 cruises didn't have any significant price increases, however 2018 increases where significant.

 

My honest guess is that (as mentioned already by old nutter), the changes we are seeing to UK prices are largely the results of currency changes - particularly the devaluation of GBP since June last year and the fact it is becoming very difficult to get a decent GBP to USD or EUR forward rate given the record number of people shorting GBP. Ultimately, NCL is a US company (NASDAQ listed) so it's the USD earnings that matter.

[Petitbotcottage]

 

When I checked before and after for a cruise I had booked and some I was interested in, the 2017 cruises didn't have any significant price increases, however 2018 increases where significant.

.

On checking the price that we paid for a B6 balcony on a 7 night Mediterranean cruise out of Barcelona on the Epic last September, the price in 2018 for the same cruise has risen by 40% :(

[littlelulu01]

I was looking at pricing with the 50% off second passenger deal they are running for UK right now. Terms and conditions state if you choose this perk you do not receive the free at sea perks. That's understandable but do you still get the new inclusions of DSC, water bottle and specialty coffee with meals? If DSC and the waters and coffees are included brings some of the sailings that qualify for the 50% off down to their lowest price since they went on sale. This is potentially a great deal for someone who doesn't want the UBP. Am I correct that the UK bookings do not get to partake in the upgrade advantage program?

[Petitbotcottage]

. Am I correct that the UK bookings do not get to partake in the upgrade advantage program?

Yes you are correct. Another Atlantic anomaly.:confused:

[NCLfamily]

I was looking at pricing with the 50% off second passenger deal they are running for UK right now. Terms and conditions state if you choose this perk you do not receive the free at sea perks. That's understandable but do you still get the new inclusions of DSC, water bottle and specialty coffee with meals? If DSC and the waters and coffees are included brings some of the sailings that qualify for the 50% off down to their lowest price since they went on sale. This is potentially a great deal for someone who doesn't want the UBP. Am I correct that the UK bookings do not get to partake in the upgrade advantage program?

 

 

Where did you see this 50% off for second pax?

 

 

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[Cully1953]

I was looking at pricing with the 50% off second passenger deal they are running for UK right now. Terms and conditions state if you choose this perk you do not receive the free at sea perks. That's understandable but do you still get the new inclusions of DSC, water bottle and specialty coffee with meals? If DSC and the waters and coffees are included brings some of the sailings that qualify for the 50% off down to their lowest price since they went on sale. This is potentially a great deal for someone who doesn't want the UBP. Am I correct that the UK bookings do not get to partake in the upgrade advantage program?

 

Hi. I'm from the UK and regularly check on the NCL UK website. I have not seen an offer with 50% off for the 2nd passenger. Free at Sea is no longer available for European passengers, instead we have the Premium All Inclusive package, also they are discounting up to £200 per stateroom during April. You are correct in stating that UK bookings can't partake in the upgrade advantage program

[NCLfamily]

I've never heard of it either.

 

 

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[nomad098]

Just came off the Dawn and during the M&G asked about the all inclusive being available to EU but not UK was informed that they were implementing as we spoke.

 

I also asked about the upgrade advantage as I can find information about it on the UK site. I was informed by the Hotel Director that he was under the impression that it was to be implemented at the same time as the all inclusive and would look into it but he never got back to me.

 

We did get shrimp cocktails and lemon cookies for both cabins from the head chef:D:D

[NCLfamily]

Just came off the Dawn and during the M&G asked about the all inclusive being available to EU but not UK was informed that they were implementing as we spoke.

 

 

 

I also asked about the upgrade advantage as I can find information about it on the UK site. I was informed by the Hotel Director that he was under the impression that it was to be implemented at the same time as the all inclusive and would look into it but he never got back to me.

 

 

 

We did get shrimp cocktails and lemon cookies for both cabins from the head chef:D:D

 

 

AI is already implemented in U.K, has been live for over two weeks.

 

Upgrade programme isn't mentioned on UK site?

 

 

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[nomad098]

AI is already implemented in U.K, has been live for over two weeks.

 

Upgrade programme isn't mentioned on UK site?

 

 

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We went out early to New Orleans so missed the announcement

 

Here's a link to the T&C's on the UK site for the upgrade advantage no idea why they have not implemented it

https://www.ncl.com/uk/en/content/upgrade-advantage-terms

[littlelulu01]

Hi. I'm from the UK and regularly check on the NCL UK website. I have not seen an offer with 50% off for the 2nd passenger. Free at Sea is no longer available for European passengers, instead we have the Premium All Inclusive package, also they are discounting up to £200 per stateroom during April. You are correct in stating that UK bookings can't partake in the upgrade advantage program

 

I apologize. The 50% off sale is currently running for the India site. I had a few sites bookmarked and thought it was the UK. Still not a bad deal but no included DSC. It's either 50% off second passenger or free at sea. Only good on select Europe sailings balcony or better. I think it runs through 5/1/17.

[Ergates The Ant]

Yes there will be because our culture is not to automatically tip. Call it what you like it is seen as a tip. How can I tell before I have even got somewhere that I am going to get good service. i am not psychic. You will find that Brits don't discuss what they do decide to tip as they see talking about money being crass.I resent the comments about lines of Brits waiting to take off the charge.

These cruise lines make big money look at the cost of the trips, photos, casino Spa none are cheap options so pay the staff what they are owed they make enough money to do so..

Don't get mad at the different views expressed on here but get mad with NCL they are the ones that short change their staff.

Example of rip off well over £200 for a trip into Rome. The train is 10 Euros.

They charge for everything from the minute you get on to when you get off.

 

Some very good points made here.

One way of thinking is that US customers do not actually tip at all, they withhold most of the pay of service staff, give this at the end of the meal or service and call it a tip.

UK, much of Europe, and the Antipodes, pay all the staff wages as they are included in the cost of a meal. If they choose to give extra on top, this is a tip in the true meaning.

[fshagan]

Some very good points made here.

One way of thinking is that US customers do not actually tip at all, they withhold most of the pay of service staff, give this at the end of the meal or service and call it a tip.

UK, much of Europe, and the Antipodes, pay all the staff wages as they are included in the cost of a meal. If they choose to give extra on top, this is a tip in the true meaning.

 

There are seven states where servers make state minimum wages that are in excess of the $7.25 Federal minimum wage. The western US is where most of these are (AK, CA, HI, MN, MT, NV and OR), and they are about 53 million people in those states (about 17% of our total population). AZ has a state minimum for servers that is $7 instead of $7.25, so it is close.

 

But I think it makes sense to have the UK passengers to pay a fare that includes all the extras, etc. The flip side is that there is no way to show your displeasure by removing the tip portion if you are unhappy with the service, and you have paid as much as the American who removes the small amount of the DSC in protest of the bad service. But we're talking about .04 percent of the cruise fare, so even that is not that much of a protest (percentage based on 7 days at $13.99 on a cruise that cost $2,500).

 

The lines already have to have different booking processes due to the different consumer protection laws, so I think it makes sense for the UK and Australia (the other "non-tipping culture") to have them rolled into the fare. I would actually like to see it here too, just to simplify pricing and price comparisons.

[thebooler]

There's a significant jump in prices for 2018 cruises. They increase the price by £150/ £250 and cut staffing numbers to compensate for giving AI Packages.

Hotels did this years ago - NCL are following suit it would seem. I'm just off the Epic, and staffing levels are way down on normal, and bar staff are not as fast as normal either.

It was a nightmare trying to get a drink at almost every bar, and the queue of people cancelling their Service Charges was as big as I've seen. I cancelled mine, as I always do, but I heard a whole load of people complaining, and that they'd be cancelling, as they never received the expected service.

It's the first time in 7 cruises I never met my room maid until departure day when she woke me at 7.30am to clean my room, and the only English she seemed to know was "clean room".

I'd guess the majority of the staff were training but can't be sure if this was the case, or if they were just pissed off with the UBP too!

 

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[Silverhairedbee]

Absolutely all correct. It is simple. LESS CHOICE, HIGHER PRICES, that is until the market re-adjusts itself.

 

Before All-Inclusive I booked a 10 day December cruise including UBP for £519.

 

I don't think you can find a WEEKS cruise for under £800

At the moment.

 

I predict late price drops and a bold move in a few years time "OPTIONAL DRINKS PACKAGE" more choice!!!

 

 

 

Not a good idea for any number of reasons such as:

 

• non-alcohol drinkers
  
• non-soda drinkers
  
• solo travelers
  
• additional service charges
  
• non-speciality coffee drinkers or non coffee drinkers
  
• non-speciality diners
  
• no need for bottled water since water on board is safe to drink
  

These changes will only serve to raise cruise prices and take away your choice of options. Let's hope bookings drop and the all-inclusives go quietly away.

 

 

Let's not forget that NCL is not in the same league as Silver Seas, etc.. where you pay a much higher fare but do not have to make reservations for dining, shows and the passenger/staff ratio is higher. All-inclusive will still not cover shore excursions either.

 

 

MARAPRINCE

[NCLfamily]

What everyone needs to remember is the £/$ is terrible. Price hikes for EVERYTHING are inevitable. It's only going to get worse as Brexit approaches.

 

An NCL cruise is still much better value than similar cruises and much better value than a Mediterranean land based holiday.

 

 

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[dekohman]

I'm not sure I understand what you mean by that. When you book in the US you pay 18% on top of the price of the drink and dining package - even if those were "free" promotions. On top of that is the $13.99/day/person gratuity charge. I know there's a lot of debate about whether those should be viewed as a tip or not (I look at them that way) - and I know that technically you can remove or reduce them after the cruise if you really want to, but I don't have an impression that a lot of people do that. Those strike me as reasonable tips given the service we receive. Obviously some won't agree... others will have really bad experiences too I suppose and reduce the amount.

Some very good points made here.

One way of thinking is that US customers do not actually tip at all, they withhold most of the pay of service staff, give this at the end of the meal or service and call it a tip.

UK, much of Europe, and the Antipodes, pay all the staff wages as they are included in the cost of a meal. If they choose to give extra on top, this is a tip in the true meaning.

 

 

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