Free isn't always free

[mugtech]

It's a variant of the English language called Marketing language. Every industry does it. That's why it's so important that people take a few minutes to read the fine print.

Exactly

[BirdTravels]

Sorry, but what part of free don't you understand? Free means without cost. If you add on gratuities it is no longer free! It is sad the way we slaughter the English language. Must be some kind of statement about the education system of our country.

 

You would fail in any job requiring you to sell anything. Has nothing to do with your definition of the "English Language". It has to do with the context the words are being used in. Without context, the words are meaningless (having no meaning, lacking any significance).

[mskaufman]

When I recently booked my cruise my TA gave me two prices - one with the free at sea promotion and one without. There was a $200 pp difference in fare.

[Moby0215]

Sorry, but what part of free don't you understand? Free means without cost. If you add on gratuities it is no longer free! It is sad the way we slaughter the English language. Must be some kind of statement about the education system of our country.

 

 

 

If you had a coupon for a free meal at a restaurant the meal is free, the tip is not free. Same thing here. Not sure why that is so hard for people to understand?

 

 

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[swedish weave]

If you had a coupon for a free meal at a restaurant the meal is free, the tip is not free. Same thing here. Not sure why that is so hard for people to understand?

 

 

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The fallacy in that logic is the restaurant doesn't force you to tip.

 

The cruise line not only forces you to tip but determines the amount if you choose the "free"package.

[NLH Arizona]

The fallacy in that logic is the restaurant doesn't force you to tip.

 

The cruise line not only forces you to tip but determines the amount if you choose the "free"package.

It is really easy, then don't choose the "free" perk if you don't want to pay the 18% gratuity, as no one is forcing you to choose it.

[Tatka]

Some lines have packages that are all inclusive (gratuity is included)

[NLH Arizona]

Some lines have packages that are all inclusive (gratuity is included)

Thanks, guess, if they don't want to pay the gratuities, another choice would be to sail on those lines.

 

I'm doing this from memory, so if I'm incorrect, someone please let me know.

 

Celebrity's 3 night package is $109, which includes gratuities. On NCL a 3 night package is $69, plus gratuities of $12.42, which totals $81.42 (and you can save $10 on it by purchasing in advance).

[phissy]

Some lines have packages that are all inclusive (gratuity is included)

This was the case for NCL, which is why so many became loyal.

 

NO LONGER...They will continue to charge additional fees for anything they can. It seems every few months they "quietly" add additional fees or raise existing charges.

This will be our last NCL Cruise....

It is getting just egregious ...

[swedish weave]

It is really easy, then don't choose the "free" perk if you don't want to pay the 18% gratuity, as no one is forcing you to choose it.

 

Nobody forces you to accept the free meal that was used as an example either.

 

What is your point ?

[mugtech]

The fallacy in that logic is the restaurant doesn't force you to tip.

 

The cruise line not only forces you to tip but determines the amount if you choose the "free"package.

Then there are those who believe tipping is theft.

[NH Cruisers]

Some lines have packages that are all inclusive (gratuity is included)

Go on then... Sail on them, they are much more expensive though even to begin with.

[lgdesign]

My question.....

Is this now going to be policy going forward or just part of the current promotion.

The current promotion is set to expire June 30.

I am thinking I will wait until July to book my Suite, hoping that the additional grats will gone.

Color me optimistic. :rolleyes:

 

Saw this on another thread that I've been actively participating in that's discussing basically the same thing:

 

"My NCL PCC told me this was a permanent change on a go forward basis and would not end when the promo ends. Anyone who has already booked a suite or the Haven is grandfathered in though."

Haven Free at Sea Promotion Extra Charges

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2507607

[Maverick61]

 

Much of the logic used to support the value of the package is based on NCL's inflated prices of drinks.

 

The true value of the package should be determined by each individuals idea of how much a drink is worth to them.

 

Faulty logic. No, the price of the drink may not be worth it to me - but it is the only option. So the logic is - would you buy a drink without the package or just drink water or ice tea all the time. If you would buy a couple drinks a day anyway, the package is worth it

[Maverick61]

That is the way it should be done. &156 and $867 aee borh insane. Shame on them for charging for the free package. Outrageous

 

Not on a 14 day cruise

[Tatka]

Go on then... Sail on them, they are much more expensive though even to begin with.

Thank you for advice ;).

If you check my signature, you will see that we are sailing with all of them. :)

And no, they are not necessarily much more expensive. I am not talking about luxury lines, but about alcohol packages on massmarket lines.

[txagfan]

I love these threads. I wish after years of this promo and charging the service charge there would be more. They are the BEST!

 

 

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[swedish weave]

Faulty logic. No, the price of the drink may not be worth it to me - but it is the only option. So the logic is - would you buy a drink without the package or just drink water or ice tea all the time. If you would buy a couple drinks a day anyway, the package is worth it

 

I won't buy drinks if I think they are price too high.

[NLH Arizona]

Then there are those who believe tipping is theft.

And they probably feel the same way about the DSC.

[Moby0215]

The fallacy in that logic is the restaurant doesn't force you to tip.

 

 

 

The cruise line not only forces you to tip but determines the amount if you choose the "free"package.

 

 

 

That's not 100% accurate. There are plenty restaurants that tack on an automatic tip, especially where coupons are involved. A perfect example is with Groupon. They specifically state that an 18% tip will be automatically added to the value of the coupon.

 

 

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[Doughboy139]

http://www.cruisecritic.com/news/news.cfm?ID=7883

[Bosrox]

We just booked a group cruise, tips and service charges included so no extra fees.

[raea416]

You can request in writing the 18% back post cruise...but really the servers deserve it.

 

 

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[Moby0215]

You can request in writing the 18% back post cruise...but really the servers deserve it.

 

 

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Since when? Can you show us where this policy is documented? Or are you mistakenly talking about the DSC?

 

 

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[Tatka]

I agree, it is more about removing dsc due to bad service.