Nickel and Diming?

[D_And_K_gocruising]

We've never gone on a cruise, so NCL will be our first..  As far as trying to figure out what I need to pay, to get what I want, and be able to walk off the ship without having any charges, NCL seemed to be IMO the easiest to figure out.. I'm still trying to figure out how much a drinks package will cost me on RCI if I wanted to book there.  It may be between $59 and $105 pp/day.. ***** kind of price is that?   I also never ever thought the "free at sea" was actually "free"  I saw when I was pricing that it included the gratuity pp/day that would be charged.  Told how much the "free" specialty dining was.   None of that was hidden.  I think the only "add on" that is expected was the pre paid daily service charge.. And maybe I just missed that on the initial booking.   Sure since then I've upgraded and bought the vibe and went to FAS+, but because I just want it.  Not that I needed it, had to buy it etc etc..   From trying to compare as close apples to apples in my newbie to cruising mind, NCL just seems simplest to see what the whole cruise will cost me.   Obviously not talking about stuff that used to be included to what's not blah blah blah.. It is what it is now.. Since i never had it, I cant miss it..    

[ged1967]

2 hours ago, BirdTravels said:

Midnight buffet and Chocolate buffet were 86ed because no one went to them or ate at them. At the end, over 10,000 lbs of chocolate was being ground and fed to the fish weekly when NCL had a small fleet. Total waste of money that no one wanted. So, it's gone. Same is true of the late buffet,,, the vast majority of food at the buffet after 9:30 pm was being thrown out. NCL provides 24/7 restaurant service (unlike some other cruise lines), so there is always food available. 

 

I don't know about you, but all of the chocolate on our pillows went into the trash (which is representative of the quality of chocolate it was).

 

Same for towel animals... 2 or 3 towels * 2000 staterooms = lots of unnecessary laundry. 

 
I disagree that no one went to midnight buffets. I cruised with 3 very different cruise lines back in the 90s and the queues to get in was very long. Particularly for the chocolate buffet. 
 

The work that went into them must’ve been huge. Ice carvings, vegetable carvings & chocolate profiterole structures. 
The main buffet used to make use of left overs from dinner in the reastaurant thus reducing waste from the dinner menu (no open dining back then) 

 

Yes it must have cost a lot in time & money, and I fully understand that it had to be cut. 
 

Towel animals too. Thousands of extra towels to be laundered along with the crew time to make. Cabin stewards have many, many more cabins to look after now than they did 30 years ago. 
 

The same with the chocolate on pillow. Another way to cut costs. 
 

However all 3 were just that bit special. You didn’t get all that in any hotel, even 30 years ago. 
 

I just feel it’s a shame that things keep getting cut, but as long as cruise lines keep  friendly helpful staff that remember your name and drinks preferences that’ll help set them apart from land based hospitality. 
 

I’ve just thought about all the wait staff. How many waiters were there plus a sommelier (who kept your wine glass topped up almost invisibly) 

 

I miss those days, but times change and the open dining is a good change. (Remember the days when you were at a table of 6 or 8 and there was always this odd couple. Or the couple who were always late & held up wait staff.)

 

There are lots a facilities for kids & the big kid in us all (if we want) 

the evening entertainment is good. Day time entertainment is much the same. Its like Butlins at sea (a reference for us Brits of a certain age) 

 

I love cruising but if prices don’t come down in price then I doubt I’ll be cruising anytime soon. I really can’t justify over £3k for a 1 week med cruise on a basic outside cabin for 2 adults. 😞 

 

for the OP take all the negatives with a large pinch of salt. Make the most of your cruise. You’ll love it. 

[cruiser2015]

3 hours ago, SoloAlaska said:

So sad for all the chocolate. Wasting chocolate isn’t right. As long as you can get some food at 1 am after drinking I’m happy wether it be a 24hr restaurant or a few things at a buffet. celebrity didn’t have much but I could get pizza or a made to order pasta dish after drinking so I was happy, it wasn’t 24/7 but really how many people will be going to eat at 3:30am. 
 

Towel animals are cute but so unnecessary especially daily. If/when I travel with a kid I would be very happily surprised if we came back to a towel animal once during the entire cruise. It should be special instead of expected. Now that I think about it maybe I should learn to make towel animals for my BFs daughter.

I still get a (little) kick out of towel animals.

Necessary? Nope.

You could open it up and use it in your bathroom (not wasted then).

For the record, I'm no kid. First cruise was in 1975 (on my own). No animals on that one (except some of the passengers, LOL).

[ellenw]

2 hours ago, D_And_K_gocruising said:

We've never gone on a cruise, so NCL will be our first..  As far as trying to figure out what I need to pay, to get what I want, and be able to walk off the ship without having any charges, NCL seemed to be IMO the easiest to figure out.. I'm still trying to figure out how much a drinks package will cost me on RCI if I wanted to book there.  It may be between $59 and $105 pp/day.. ***** kind of price is that?   I also never ever thought the "free at sea" was actually "free"  I saw when I was pricing that it included the gratuity pp/day that would be charged.  Told how much the "free" specialty dining was.   None of that was hidden.  I think the only "add on" that is expected was the pre paid daily service charge.. And maybe I just missed that on the initial booking.   Sure since then I've upgraded and bought the vibe and went to FAS+, but because I just want it.  Not that I needed it, had to buy it etc etc..   From trying to compare as close apples to apples in my newbie to cruising mind, NCL just seems simplest to see what the whole cruise will cost me.   Obviously not talking about stuff that used to be included to what's not blah blah blah.. It is what it is now.. Since i never had it, I cant miss it..    

Wow! How well informed your are for this being your first cruise! I look back and feel like I knew nothing on my first cruise! I hope you have a wonderful time, and are taking the first of many future cruises. 

 

I think many of us remember cruising when there were no drink packages. Yikes! Who knew what your bill would be? It was so easy to lose track of what you were spending. 

[Russiamomm]

3 hours ago, D_And_K_gocruising said:

We've never gone on a cruise, so NCL will be our first..  As far as trying to figure out what I need to pay, to get what I want, and be able to walk off the ship without having any charges, NCL seemed to be IMO the easiest to figure out.. I'm still trying to figure out how much a drinks package will cost me on RCI if I wanted to book there.  It may be between $59 and $105 pp/day.. ***** kind of price is that?   I also never ever thought the "free at sea" was actually "free"  I saw when I was pricing that it included the gratuity pp/day that would be charged.  Told how much the "free" specialty dining was.   None of that was hidden.  I think the only "add on" that is expected was the pre paid daily service charge.. And maybe I just missed that on the initial booking.   Sure since then I've upgraded and bought the vibe and went to FAS+, but because I just want it.  Not that I needed it, had to buy it etc etc..   From trying to compare as close apples to apples in my newbie to cruising mind, NCL just seems simplest to see what the whole cruise will cost me.   Obviously not talking about stuff that used to be included to what's not blah blah blah.. It is what it is now.. Since i never had it, I cant miss it..    

You understand this a whole lot better than most new, or even experienced cruisers!  Have a fantastic time.  It looks like you’re well on your way to a zero bill at the end!

[D_And_K_gocruising]

3 hours ago, ellenw said:

Wow! How well informed your are for this being your first cruise! I look back and feel like I knew nothing on my first cruise! I hope you have a wonderful time, and are taking the first of many future cruises. 

 

I think many of us remember cruising when there were no drink packages. Yikes! Who knew what your bill would be? It was so easy to lose track of what you were spending. 

 

2 hours ago, Russiamomm said:

You understand this a whole lot better than most new, or even experienced cruisers!  Have a fantastic time.  It looks like you’re well on your way to a zero bill at the end!

Thanks, I tend to over analyze everything, sometimes that’s good sometimes bad. But I don’t like surprises, so I TRY to find all the possible “gotchas” that pop up.. 

[BirdTravels]

6 hours ago, ged1967 said:

 I disagree that no one went to midnight buffets. I cruised with 3 very different cruise lines back in the 90s and the queues to get in was very long. Particularly for the chocolate buffet. 

Have you noticed that it is no longer the 90's (it's now 2023)???

 

The contemporary cruiser could care less about midnight buffets. Wings and beer is what they are looking for at 1 in the morning. 

 

And old time cruisers and contemporary cruisers are really happy that they don't have to share a table at dinner. 

 

If cruise lines don't adapt to the desires of contemporary cruisers, the millennials that will sustain the business for the next decade, then they will go the way of the dinosaurs. 

Edited October 21, 2023 by BirdTravels

[insidecabin]

On 10/18/2023 at 3:27 PM, Ktuluorion said:

NCL used to be that way in the suites too.  Dining & drinks packages for FAS used to not have service charge, and at one point the grats were a perk.  

Freeatsea is included for suites on UK bookings, no extra charges.

[insidecabin]

We find many cruise lines you can add  packages and prepay options to get close to what you want with little/no on board spending.

 

Main add-ons for us are service charges, drinks and speciality charged restaurant package.

 

If there is no package option or it's too expensive we budget the PAYG option.

 

Once you build your cruise it's a lot easier to compare value across a few options.

[Monica887]

When I started cruising as an older teen I remember it being more all inclusive. My parents said they would pay for excursions and I should bring my own money for drinks and room service tips, and that was all we would have to pay for. 

 

Now as a parent I miss that vibe a little. I hate saying constantly to my kids "no, it costs money" 100 times a day. I'm fine with saying no to my kids, but there are SO many add ons that I'm saying no constantly. We do a few add ons here and there, of course, but with some many of them we really pick and choose. 

 

When I go without the kids, I don't mind it much at all. I ignore most of the extra fee stuff and don't drink much, and leave with a very low bill. 

 

So, as I think I've said on other threads, it's fine for new cruisers who understand what they're getting into, but frustrating for those who were used to it being a certain way and don't like change. 

 

[insidecabin]

17 hours ago, ged1967 said:

 

 

I love cruising but if prices don’t come down in price then I doubt I’ll be cruising anytime soon. I really can’t justify over £3k for a 1 week med cruise on a basic outside cabin for 2 adults. 😞 

 

for the OP take all the negatives with a large pinch of salt. Make the most of your cruise. You’ll love it. 

From the UK we have been seeing enough cruises under £1kpp with drinks service and flights 7-11nights.

[insidecabin]

Some lines dropped midnight buffets and moved gala/theme buffets to the lunch/afternoon on sea days.

 

They could be great, massive brunch style after a light breakfast and still a good picture opportunity which is what the midnight gala were all about.

 

Some droped late buffets to snacks in lounges/casino.

Much prefer the late/24hr venue options.

 

 

 

[ged1967]

3 hours ago, insidecabin said:

From the UK we have been seeing enough cruises under £1kpp with drinks service and flights 7-11nights.

I need to research this. Feel free to DM 😄

[MoCruiseFan]

"Nickel and dime" is merely code for "I'm too cheap to pay for what  I actually use".  I very much prefer to pay for the services I use and ONLY the services I use instead of paying an inflated cruise fare to subsidize othee folks habits.

[MoCruiseFan]

I am surprised that no one has complained that they charge for cigarettes!  😉

[RocketMan275]

1 hour ago, ged1967 said:

I need to research this. Feel free to DM 😄

CC has turned off the message function.

[yakcruiser]

4 minutes ago, MoCruiseFan said:

"Nickel and dime" is merely code for "I'm too cheap to pay for what  I actually use".  I very much prefer to pay for the services I use and ONLY the services I use instead of paying an inflated cruise fare to subsidize othee folks habits.

"You only pay for what you need." 

[D_And_K_gocruising]

6 minutes ago, MoCruiseFan said:

I am surprised that no one has complained that they charge for cigarettes!  😉

WHAT?!?!?!?   When did that start?!?   

[insidecabin]

1 hour ago, ged1967 said:

I need to research this. Feel free to DM 😄

Start with NCL just do a search every cruise sort on price and work through the list

 

As an example there is a 12n Epic in Oct base price inside is £359 add drinks and service £800pp

Just need flights with bags should be something reasonable.

Trieste/Marco Polo and  Rome.

 

For a no fly northern Europe winter took at 

MSC Euribia.

[david_sobe]

All cruise lines nickel and dime.  All resorts nickel and dime.  Its part of the industry.  For some reason some get offended if its pointed out.  NCL was pretty clever several years ago when they started to charge for entertainment that would be free or included on other lines.  On Getaway many years ago that magic show was what you would see on a river cruise for free.  The meal was MDR quality.  That was a good example of reaching too far.  NCL used to make you pay a gratuity on a cover charge for a specialty dining on top of the auto gratuity for the meal on top of the auto daily gratuity you get charged daily.

I am not as familiar with the other cruise lines but I am sure they do something similar.  Some Hilton resorts are worse.  They charge you for parking at the hotel, charge for Wifi, and charge you for an auto restaurant charge that allows you to get $10 of food from the bar every day.  Of course this is to lure you to the bar and order drinks for that food.  Its all a game. You cant really fight it.  You just have to try and limit your damage as much as possible. 

[ontheweb]

58 minutes ago, RocketMan275 said:

CC has turned off the message function.

Was it ever on?

[ontheweb]

2 hours ago, ontheweb said:

Was it ever on?

Seriously, was that feature ever functional? And if so, when was it disabled?

[BirdTravels]

18 hours ago, MoCruiseFan said:

I am surprised that no one has complained that they charge for cigarettes!  😉

[graphicguy]

On 10/16/2023 at 1:15 PM, Cruising Lynne said:

Though I have not sailed with Princess, I have sailed with NCL, Celebrity, and Royal Caribbean. Plus, I often research cruises, and have upcoming cruises with HAL and MSC cruise booked. I also watch several cruising related Youtube channels. I do not feel that NCL nickel and dimes any more than the others. It bothers me that some of the vloggers out there like to say that NCL does this. The only charge that I can think of that would be a surprise is the tax on drinks while in certain ports, and this is a minimal charge. 

 

A lot of cruises I have researched seem less expensive on first glance, but by the time the booking is done it costs more than NCL to get what is included in the FAS. I paid almost a thousand dollars extra to upgrade my husband and I to get the Have it All package on Holland America Line.

Agree.  That’s the thing.  People look at the fare and consider it the end of the line when it comes to out of pocket.  Not necessarily the case.

 

I do know that a couple of my Celebrity Cruises included tips, internet, etc.  But, the initial fare was much higher, too.

 

Specialty dining, alcoholic drinks, specialty coffees, Bingo, etc will cost extra, regardless of cruise line.  That’s not exclusive to NCL.

[schmoopie17]

To hear some people complain, to them NCL stands for Nickelanddime Cruise Lines.

 

 

Edited October 22, 2023 by schmoopie17