Why Admin Fee being charged during Tax Free promotion?

[CruisinHarvey]

Why would they list such a clarification?

 

Because CAS uses these same promos, and the term "fee" is highly misleading for that reason?

 

 

I'm really curious. Is there anybody else on this thread that thought when the tax free promo was announced, that they would not have to pay the CAS admin fees?

[NLH Arizona]

I'm really curious. Is there anybody else on this thread that thought when the tax free promo was announced, that they would not have to pay the CAS admin fees?

I never thought it was, one reason is that if someone just took the comped cabin (without an upgrade) wouldn't they cruise for free!

[luvcruzing]

I never thought it was, one reason is that if someone just took the comped cabin (without an upgrade) wouldn't they cruise for free!

 

Well, yes, they would. But isn't that what NCL/CAS claims?

 

Come in & get your FREE cruise Certificate!

Discover the very best in Freestyle Cruising with Norwegian Cruise Line.

[NLH Arizona]

Well, yes, they would. But isn't that what NCL/CAS claims?

 

 

 

 

Come in & get your FREE cruise Certificate!

Discover the very best in Freestyle Cruising with Norwegian Cruise Line.

Cruise is free, but it doesn't say that the port charges, taxes, administration fee, etc. are free....read the fine print and if you don't want to pay them, don't take the cruise. Edited May 9, 2017 by NLH Arizona

[abe3]

Nothing confusing about it at all. "Free Government Taxes, Port Expenses & Fees for Guest 1 & 2" It say PORT expenses and fees. What you are paying is NOT a port fee.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The OP has no clue and just baited and switched us all to read their rant.

 

 

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[luvcruzing]

Cruise is free, but it doesn't say that the port charges, taxes, administration fee, etc. are free....read the fine print and if you don't want to pay them, don't take the cruise.

 

I knew I'd get a quick response. Thanks for not disappointing me. :D

[NLH Arizona]

I knew I'd get a quick response. Thanks for not disappointing me. :D

You are more than welcome. I try to respond in a timely manner to those post that respond to my posts.:D

[joey3079]

My 2cents Anytime my bottom line is reduced by any promotion I am happy.

Getting on the water for less is always a good thing .

[swilliams1660]

Yes, getting on the water is a good thing, paying for the bottled water isn't so much. 😂

[LMaxwell]

Come on.

 

If you are going to accuse a company of breaking the law, then stand up and sue them, instead of just accusing them on a public forum.

Oh please, they'd charge you triple and you'd thank them.

[zqvol]

The fact that the OP doesn't understand the promotion does not make it a bait and switch, any more than his accusation is enough to make a case for libel.

[fshagan]

I'm not an attorney, and I'm not going to file lawsuits over a few hundred dollars. That's a tremendous waste of my time, even if it were to be successful.

 

I just want NCL to keep their word regarding their promotions.

 

You don't have to sue them. You don't have a cause of action, as you aren't injured. It probably isn't "bait and switch" (there is no "switch" in this case) but it could be deceptive advertising. The FTC will accept complaints and consider fining or "working with them" to get agreement for them to stop. This will only take a few minutes, and is absolutely free.

 

Go to this link: https://www.ftccomplaintassistant.gov/#&panel1-9 and click the text that says "Click here for more options (page 1 of 2)". Then click this area to file a complaint: For those on mobile devices, on that second page is the link to complain about "Travel, Vacations or Timeshares" which they say is "(including hotels, cruises and airlines)"

 

It is effective. Google "ftc actions against cruise lines" and you'll get some hits for illegal telemarketing calls and that sort of thing.

[pokerpro5]

I'm not going to sue or make any additional complaints. I wanted to understand why the Admin Fees were not included when "government charges, port taxes, and fees" were supposedly WAIVED.

 

Now that I understand they just used confusing wording ("fees" meaning two different things), I accept this and move on.

 

It's still a good promotion. I just wanted to know why I wasn't getting what it appeared I was getting.

 

The fact that several NCL employees couldn't explain this (aside from the very last person I talked to) proves that this isn't as simple or painless as some of you think it is.

 

At the same time, now that I understand that Admin Fee is not a "fee" (huh?), I'm satisfied enough to drop the matter.

 

Making an FTC complaint would be petty at this point.

[mexico8]

I'm not going to sue or make any additional complaints. I wanted to understand why the Admin Fees were not included when "government charges, port taxes, and fees" were supposedly WAIVED.

 

Now that I understand they just used confusing wording ("fees" meaning two different things), I accept this and move on.

 

It's still a good promotion. I just wanted to know why I wasn't getting what it appeared I was getting.

 

The fact that several NCL employees couldn't explain this (aside from the very last person I talked to) proves that this isn't as simple or painless as some of you think it is.

 

At the same time, now that I understand that Admin Fee is not a "fee" (huh?), I'm satisfied enough to drop the matter.

 

Making an FTC complaint would be petty at this point.

I would also have been disappointed that the "fees" were not covered. It was misleading. Good that you can let it go and I hope you enjoy your cruise.

[khaide612]

The use or non-use of the comma most definitely isn't stylistic. If the comma is there, then yes you are talking about three separate items. If the comma is not there, it is open to interpretation. Since the comma is not there, the discussed phrase could mean government taxes, port expenses, and fees) or it could mean government taxes, port expenses and port fees. When in doubt, put the comma in or rewrite the sentence.

[pokerpro5]

The use or non-use of the comma most definitely isn't stylistic. If the comma is there, then yes you are talking about three separate items. If the comma is not there, it is open to interpretation. Since the comma is not there, the discussed phrase could mean government taxes, port expenses, and fees) or it could mean government taxes, port expenses and port fees. When in doubt, put the comma in or rewrite the sentence.

 

Okay, but you're basically making my point from the original post.

 

Since the comma is not there, it could be interpreted either way.

 

In fact, from the definition of "fees" from the Princess (very similar cruise line) website, it is clear that these are not just "port fees" but all kinds of different fees, so it really did mean "government taxes, port charges, and fees".

 

Thus, my point about it being misleading (not waiving the Admin Fee, which is also a fee) stands, and in fact is bolstered.

[Mikiejag]

Come on.

 

I'm not an attorney, and I'm not going to file lawsuits over a few hundred dollars. That's a tremendous waste of my time, even if it were to be successful.

 

I just want NCL to keep their word regarding their promotions.

 

I view it less as a bait and switch and more along the lines of Free unlimited beverages (except for the fees) and dining package...neither one is free, yet technically they are...

 

I am usually happy to get anything for free. :)

[Cruisekwean]

I realize this is the final day of the so-called "Tax Free" promotion, but we've seen it twice recently, so I imagine it will be back.

 

I tried to book it today (via the casino department) and found a RUDE surprise -- I am still forced to pay the FEES portion!

 

The promotion's wording says: "Only applicable to Government taxes, port expenses & fees related to the cruise fare."

 

Okay... great.

 

Government taxes? CHECK. I get those free.

 

Port expenses? CHECK. I get those free.

 

Admin fee? FAIL!! I have to pay it in full!

 

So why am I not getting the "admin fee" for free?

 

Before you answer, "They're referring to other fees, not the admin fee", that's incorrect.

 

I am not getting ANY OTHER FEES for free. In fact, I have never seen any non-tax, non-port-charge related "fee" in any of my past cruises aside from the Admin Fee (formerly known as Non-Commisioned Fare, but referred to as "fees" in all publications).

 

So basically this promotion promises free "FEES", yet in reality we have to pay fees -- which are typically the most expensive part of these additional charges.

 

I have not gotten a straight answer from NCL on this.

 

Casinos At Sea passed the buck to "Guest Services", telling me that they did not set this policy.

 

I called "Guest Services" and they were super-confused, and in fact got cold-transferred to reservations without my permission (lol).

 

Reservations told me, "That's a mistake in the promotion. You do get government taxes and port charges for free, but not fees. It shouldn't say that."

 

LOL!!!

 

Anyone else deal with this silly situation? Did any of you try to raise issue with this?

 

Non-casino bookers probably didn't even notice, because the "admin fee" is actually built into the regular fares you see -- only the taxes are added later.

Thanks for pointing this out to non casino travellers. I also looked at this though it was on my ship and cruise it was not on my travel dates. This admin fee is only since the new owners have taken over. Interesting.

[Surf&Sand]

Saved me about $400 on 11 Day Cruise.

Just have to pay Gratuities

 

Last trip I had gratuities paid

 

 

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