Seeing alot of extra charges

[NYCHICK]

So it seems there is a fee for the pool, a fee for certain restaurants etc....are there any other things that there is an extra charge for? Just trying to budget and be prepared. Thanks!

[2inTul]

There is no charge for use of the pool on the Crown. The only pay restaurant on the Crown is Le Bistro I believe it was $15.00.

[TG2005]

Soft Drinks, alcohol, $10.00 per person Tip per day, shore excursions maybe

[Audiocracy]

First of all, there is no charge to use the main pool(s) on any of the NCL or NCLA ships. You probably thought there was a charge because of the recent thread about the indoor pool on the Dawn. There is a charge there because the indoor pool is located inside the spa and there is now a $15 a day or $60 a week charge to use the spa facilities per person (unless you get a spa treatment, then you get to use the spa for the day?). That is why that particular pool (and any other pool that is located inside the spa facilities) has a charge.

 

Other than that, other things not included in your cruise fare are: soda, alcohol, special bottled water, Coffee frm the coffee bar(I think... it's free everywhere else onboard), spa treatments, some aerobics classes, the Service Charge of $10 per day per person, specialty restaurants, tipping, pictures taken by the ships photographers, stuff from the boutiques onboard, internet access, art from art auctions, and shore excursions.

 

Personally, I don't feel like I'm being "nickeled and dimed" and like that these things cost extra. The price of cruises hasn't changed much and may have even gone down in the past decade even with inflation and the soaring price of fuel. That said, something has to make up for the cost. Not everyone onboard will partake in alcohol or soda or even the spa, so why should I have to pay to have it included in my cruise if I'm not going to use it? This way, the price of the cruise is lower for me and for the people that want those extras, they will pay accordingly. If you know you will want to use those extras, you should include them into your budget accordingly. Ok, i'm off of my soapbox now...:)

[cdaystravel]

Audiocracy: Quote: There is a charge there because the indoor pool is located inside the spa and there is now a $15 a day or $60 a week charge to use the spa facilities per person (unless you get a spa treatment, then you get to use the spa for the day?). That is why that particular pool (and any other pool that is located inside the spa facilities) has a charge.

 

I am hoping that this fee is only being imposed during the times of the year that there are alot of kids' cruising. Fingers crossed.

[TWELVEOHONE]

Audiocracy: Quote: There is a charge there because the indoor pool is located inside the spa and there is now a $15 a day or $60 a week charge to use the spa facilities per person (unless you get a spa treatment, then you get to use the spa for the day?). That is why that particular pool (and any other pool that is located inside the spa facilities) has a charge.

I am hoping that this fee is only being imposed during the times of the year that there are alot of kids' cruising. Fingers crossed.

 

This has nothing to do with kids. I have been on more than 30 cruises on most cruise lines and NON of the other ships charge for using the pool in the spa.. Most recently I was on the Golden Princess who had a nice indoor pool in the Spa and their was NO charge for using it.

 

These pools, as well as the solarium pools on other ships have a sign no one under 18. The crew makes sure that it is obeyed and it works fine, no kids.

 

The bottom line is their bottom line, every nickle and dime they can get they will.

[Shawnee Indian]

Have you cruised HAL?

I think HAL charges for the pool inside the Spa...

 

RCCL - Charges for use of their thermal spa rooms on Radiance Class ships -

I am not sure if a "private" pool is included.....

 

NCL - NCL does not charge extra to use the - Darn - I cannot remember the Name - I will call it "The Excersise/Swim Against The Flow Pool".......

(Somebody help me out!)

[watchdiva]

The "pool" inside the spa on the vista class HAL ships is a thalassotherapy pool and there is indeed a charge for it's use - just as there is a charge for the use of the thermal suites inside the spa. On a recent HAL cruise, DH and I paid $200/couple for use of the spa/T pool and thermal suites for the week. Now I know some people might think that's nutsy when there is a free pool (or two) on deck but we both enjoyed spending hours lying on the thermal beds, watching the ship glide through the waves and reading a good book. We then popped into the steam/saunas and wandered into the T pool for a float and a soak as DH says:p ,

 

Again, HAL vista class ships (at least Westerdam and Zuiderdam) market the "solarium pools" (the pools have a retractable roof which is either opened or closed depending upon the weather) to families including their children since the AFT pool on both of these ships is "adults only". I don't know if someone were to bring their kids to the AFT pool whether they would be asked to leave but the pool is designated adults only in the dailies.

[jentroubles]

Shawnee-- I think you are referring to the Spirit. We were on there in May and there was no charge for using the lap pool.

 

And on the Dawn in July-- we just walked in with our robes on-- no one ever asked us to pay, so we didn't volunteer payment

[cruisingbug]

I felt VERY nickled and dimed last year on our Princess cruise - hoping NCL won't follow suit. We had little cards on the dining room tables - cappuccino was $2.50, espresso $2, etc. They charged for packets of cocoa unless you got it in a pot at breakfast in the dining room (and who makes it to the dining room for breakfast! Well, we did once which is how we found out...). Seemed like every little thing had a price tag, but that's what's happening now that fares are lower overall.

[hotspur]

I felt VERY nickled and dimed last year on our Princess cruise - hoping NCL won't follow suit. We had little cards on the dining room tables - cappuccino was $2.50, espresso $2, etc.

Last I saw cappuccino and espresso were FREE in NCL dining rooms. Better enjoy it while that's still the case.

[kannruss]

Last I saw cappuccino and espresso were FREE in NCL dining rooms. Better enjoy it while that's still the case.

yes you are right - they are both free. I definitely overindulged in cappacinos on my last cruise :)

[Zeno]

Last I saw cappuccino and espresso were FREE in NCL dining rooms. Better enjoy it while that's still the case.

 

Which is why I always order capuccino in the dining rooms. I am not crazy about the regular coffee but I LOVE those free capuccinos.

[KeystoneCruiser]

So it seems there is a fee for the pool, a fee for certain restaurants etc....are there any other things that there is an extra charge for? Just trying to budget and be prepared. Thanks!

 

Since it seems no on will give a straight answer, here is a partial listing of extra charges. (I'm sure I missed something)

 

1.) Specialty Restaurants. Between $15-25 per person cover charge. (you could eat in the main restaurants every night and avoid this charge)

 

2.) Automatic Tip: $10 per person per day is automatically added to your bill for tipping. No additional tipping is necessary, but you can if you want. On NCL ships (not NCL-A), you can have this amount removed or reduced.

 

3.) Soda: Don't know the exact cost per can/glass because I drink Iced Tea, which is free but I believe it is $1.50 a can.

 

4.) Service charge: On all bar and spa bills, they add 15% "Service Charge" to the cost of the item. (so that $1.50 soda above is really, $1.73!)

 

5.) Spa services. (normal to all ships)

 

6.) Alcoholic Beverages.

 

7.) Shore Excursions booked through NCL

 

8.) On some NCL ships there is a charge for the INDOOR pool. No NCL ship charges for use of the outdoor pool.

 

9.) Bingo and casino.

 

10.) Photo Gallery (only if you buy)

 

11.) Art Auctions (only if you buy, my dad has gone to these the last two years just to watch and learn about art. He has never bought a painting at one but won the drawing both years for free paintings!)

 

With the exception of #2, you can avoid every additional charge if you choose to. (in fact you can even avoid #2 if you are on an NCL ship.) The amount you want to spend on board is totally up to you based on your own interests (casino, art, bingo) and desires (soda, alcohol, dining).

 

Have fun.

[Shawnee Indian]

AQUA SWIM - The indoor "Swim Against The Flow" pool in the Roman Spa on the NCL Spirit is called the Aqua Swim Pool - There is No Charge....

[kannruss]

Since it seems no on will give a straight answer, here is a partial listing of extra charges. (I'm sure I missed something)

 

1.) Specialty Restaurants. Between $15-25 per person cover charge. (you could eat in the main restaurants every night and avoid this charge)

 

2.) Automatic Tip: $10 per person per day is automatically added to your bill for tipping. No additional tipping is necessary, but you can if you want. On NCL ships (not NCL-A), you can have this amount removed or reduced.

 

3.) Soda: Don't know the exact cost per can/glass because I drink Iced Tea, which is free but I believe it is $1.50 a can.

 

4.) Service charge: On all bar and spa bills, they add 15% "Service Charge" to the cost of the item. (so that $1.50 soda above is really, $1.73!)

 

5.) Spa services. (normal to all ships)

 

6.) Alcoholic Beverages.

 

7.) Shore Excursions booked through NCL

 

8.) On some NCL ships there is a charge for the INDOOR pool. No NCL ship charges for use of the outdoor pool.

 

9.) Bingo and casino.

 

10.) Photo Gallery (only if you buy)

 

11.) Art Auctions (only if you buy, my dad has gone to these the last two years just to watch and learn about art. He has never bought a painting at one but won the drawing both years for free paintings!)

 

With the exception of #2, you can avoid every additional charge if you choose to. (in fact you can even avoid #2 if you are on an NCL ship.) The amount you want to spend on board is totally up to you based on your own interests (casino, art, bingo) and desires (soda, alcohol, dining).

 

Have fun.

Keystone - I don't know if everything you posted is fair since many of those are common to other cruiselines. You noted #5 as common but I think I can argue some of those other ones are too, like the casino for example. I am sure other cruiselines don't give you their money to play.

[MrLee]

Keystone - I don't know if everything you posted is fair since many of those are common to other cruiselines. You noted #5 as common but I think I can argue some of those other ones are too, like the casino for example. I am sure other cruiselines don't give you their money to play.

 

Actually, the 2 other lines I've been on, ALL of them are common! :rolleyes:

[kannruss]

Actually, the 2 other lines I've been on, ALL of them are common! :rolleyes:

Thanks Mr. Lee - I didn't want to say that but I was thinking it :)

[KeystoneCruiser]

Keystone - I don't know if everything you posted is fair since many of those are common to other cruiselines. You noted #5 as common but I think I can argue some of those other ones are too, like the casino for example. I am sure other cruiselines don't give you their money to play.

 

Kannruss, you are correct. Most of those are common charges on cruise lines. I should have put that comment after #5 at the end of the post.

 

I was attempting to show the OP all of the many charges that she may incurr onboard her cruise to help her in budgeting. Both common charges to all lines and those for NCL. Basically, only #1 and 2 are only to NCL and a few other lines. The rest are common to almost all lines.

 

As Shawnee Indian also pointed out, not all NCL ships charge for their indoor pool.

[cantwaitt]

You now have to pay $15 per day to use the indoor pool on the Dawn?

 

I was on it as recently as last summer, and there was no charge.

 

Is there no end to these additional fees?

 

The sneaky price increase is in the food.

 

In the past, you were able to get in the dining room things like real shrimp cocktail, not those crappy little salad garnishes they call shrimp cocktail; Filet Mignon and Chilean Sea Bass, to name just a few things.

 

No more.

 

On the Dawn, they no longer have the nice dessert tables and NCL employee cutting up fresh fruit for you. Not a big deal, but taken with everything else, a distinct decline in offerings.

 

I'll bet within two years you no longer can get Lobster tail and escargot in the inclusive dining rooms.

 

They also discourage you from going to the inclusive dining rooms by only seating half the dining room at a time, thus causing huge one-hour lines. They then provide horrendous service--long waits between courses, with the waiters frequently vaporizing inexplicably for 30 or 40 minutes. This is no a complaint. It is fact, experienced by many people on many sailings on a wide variety of NCL ships.

 

Thise are the subtle charges. Less is more for NCL.

 

In the near future, I wouldn't be surprised if they start charging for the shows in the Stardust Room, and then have lower quality "free" shows in the Galaxy of the Stars/Spinakers type rooms.

 

Then, they might charge a few extra dollars to "reserve" the first tenders to the private island.

 

If you think this is far-fetched, then you haven't experienced the slow, creeping charges and reductions of higher quality offerings over the past few years.

 

I've been on NCL every year since 2002. The irony about "free style" is that every year fewer things are "free."

 

I like the variable dining times and casual dress of free-style. But, at some point, you cross over the pro-con line.

 

The great thing about the free (like that word) market is that you don't have to go on NCL if you feel more and more cheated.

 

It would be sad if NCL lost its repeat customers--the life blood of any business.

[Zeno]

 

They also discourage you from going to the inclusive dining rooms by only seating half the dining room at a time, thus causing huge one-hour lines. They then provide horrendous service--long waits between courses, with the waiters frequently vaporizing inexplicably for 30 or 40 minutes. This is no a complaint. It is fact, experienced by many people on many sailings on a wide variety of NCL ships.

 

Now that is odd - because I too have been on NCL ships 3 years in a row and NEVER experienced this situation in a dining room. I have never waited longer than 5 minutes to be seated and I have arrived at the dining rooms at MANY different times. The ONLY line-up I EVER saw was on "lobster" night at 7:15PM ("prime" time on the most popular night for dining in the dining rooms). The dining room service has been quite good - no long waits for anything, no disappearing waiters. We only experienced ONE night (inTHREE cruises) were dining room service was not at least quite good. and even then it was nowhere near as bad as you describe.

On that night our waitress was somewhat remiss about refilling water and coffee because she was distracted by a large very demanding table - in other words a pretty minor service lapse.

So frankly this is not "fact" in my experience at all.

[kannruss]

Kannruss, you are correct. Most of those are common charges on cruise lines. I should have put that comment after #5 at the end of the post.

 

I was attempting to show the OP all of the many charges that she may incurr onboard her cruise to help her in budgeting. Both common charges to all lines and those for NCL. Basically, only #1 and 2 are only to NCL and a few other lines. The rest are common to almost all lines.

 

As Shawnee Indian also pointed out, not all NCL ships charge for their indoor pool.

Just making sure we were on the same page ;)

[newmexicoNita]

This has nothing to do with kids. I have been on more than 30 cruises on most cruise lines and NON of the other ships charge for using the pool in the spa.. Most recently I was on the Golden Princess who had a nice indoor pool in the Spa and their was NO charge for using it.

 

These pools, as well as the solarium pools on other ships have a sign no one under 18. The crew makes sure that it is obeyed and it works fine, no kids.

 

The bottom line is their bottom line, every nickle and dime they can get they will.

I beleive Celebrity charges for the use of the spa pool, in fact I am almost positive of that: The Princess may not charge for the pool, but does add extra charges for many things other lines do not add. No one has to go to any specialty restaurant; there are many choices and all lines not have specialty dining; NCL just offers more than others. Good for them.

 

As for extra charges, yes, all lines are doing this: they are holding the prices down so cruising can be enjoyed by more people and families; in order to do this they have to make up for it some way. Wouldn't you agree? There are only 2 things that I will admit NCL is high priced with: booze, although they are in line with almost all other lines, Princess is still the least expensive and their Bingo, apparently is much higher. I would rather spend my gambling money on slots so don't know from experience, only from what I have heard.

 

NMita

[cantwaitt]

Now that is odd - because I too have been on NCL ships 3 years in a row and NEVER experienced this situation in a dining room. I have never waited longer than 5 minutes to be seated and I have arrived at the dining rooms at MANY different times. The ONLY line-up I EVER saw was on "lobster" night at 7:15PM ("prime" time on the most popular night for dining in the dining rooms). The dining room service has been quite good - no long waits for anything, no disappearing waiters. We only experienced ONE night (inTHREE cruises) were dining room service was not at least quite good. and even then it was nowhere near as bad as you describe.

On that night our waitress was somewhat remiss about refilling water and coffee because she was distracted by a large very demanding table - in other words a pretty minor service lapse.

So frankly this is not "fact" in my experience at all.

 

 

Consider yourself lucky. Keep in mind that my long waits typically occur on two or three nights per 7-day sailing.

 

My fried just came back from the Spirit on Saturday--his second cruise ever--and said the only thing he did not like about the ship was the long waits for dinner almost every evening.

 

He also said friends he ran into on the ship complained about the same thing.

 

The wait would be more understandable if there weren't dozenbs of empty tables when you are finally seated. I think that is what frustrates people almost as much as having to wait 45 minutes to eat a meal (not in the pay restaurants, I heard but wouldn't know) on a cruise ship.

 

I wouldn't wait that long at a local restaurant, either.

 

In fact, at the theme parks, our policy is no longer than 30-minute lines.

 

I don't reward businesses for understaffing or overbooking customers (this incluseds arrogant doctors who make you wait in full waiting rooms for 45 minutes to an hour).

[johnql]

I've been on 6 NCL Freestyle cruises and never had to wait more than 10 minutes to be seated, and that has happened only twice. As far as slow service, this too has only occurred to me once or twice. It's certainly not typical as far as my experience has gone.