Extra Costs NCL Spirit

[rsingleton]

Looking to book a cruise on NCL for the first time. Have been on Carnival, Disney and RCCL. I've heard from other posts that NCL charges extra for alot of things other cruise lines don't. Use of certain facilities and dining. Can someone provide me some information based on their experience. Does NCL low ball the rate just to sucker you into upcharges on the ship.

[ZoneHPH]

Does NCL low ball the rate just to sucker you into upcharges on the ship.

 

how about this. NCL charges you and arm and a leg, plus your first born...so you can have all the amenities that you may never have a need for? and things like alcohol, spa, and casino still require more money.

 

so i wouldn't call it "suckering" us. we can pay to stay...or we can pay more to play.

[Mooder]

Looking to book a cruise on NCL for the first time. Have been on Carnival, Disney and RCCL. I've heard from other posts that NCL charges extra for alot of things other cruise lines don't. Use of certain facilities and dining. Can someone provide me some information based on their experience. Does NCL low ball the rate just to sucker you into upcharges on the ship.

 

You will pay:

Daily Service Charge - $12 per person per day

Alcohol and soda

Spa, if used

Specialty restaurants, if you choose. You can eat aplenty without ever stepping foot in one.

Items purchased in gift shop

Casino and Bingo bets

Shore excursions

 

Not sure which of these is not charged on the other lines, having never cruised them, but I think you will find that you can spend as little or as much as you like and having that control over your final bill, rather than subsidizing activities you do not use, is a nice perk.

[martinchem]

Most of all the cruiselines now charge for "special" dining on their newer ships. NCL Spirit will offer free and pay restaurants. Most cruiselines also charge your service/tip fee up front now, so they are pretty much the same. NCL does have a few more "special" restaurants than most other lines, something you may want to experience, but there are ample included dining choices available.

[sottovoce]

Burgers and fries are free, unlike in RCCL's Johnny Rocket's.

 

I'm guessing the only thing that NCL charges for that's free on the others you named is perhaps soda on Disney. But you pay through the nose for that "free" soda.

[zqvol]

Looking to book a cruise on NCL for the first time. Have been on Carnival, Disney and RCCL. I've heard from other posts that NCL charges extra for alot of things other cruise lines don't. Use of certain facilities and dining. Can someone provide me some information based on their experience. Does NCL low ball the rate just to sucker you into upcharges on the ship.

 

Can't speak for Disney, but as to RCCL and CCL the charges on NCL are the same as on those two lines.

[nealstuber]

Does NCL low ball the rate just to sucker you into upcharges on the ship.

 

IMO, a little bit. They all do it, and it really depends what you're into, but there are some things that are more reasonable too. The kids soda cards were very reasonable compared to RCCL and CCL. NCL just ticks me off with "extra-extra" chrages. We no sooner get used to the notion of paying extra for a specialty resturaunt, then they have items on the menu for an extra-extra additional charge. Its not "hidden" per say - but they are very good a "suckering" you in.:)

[garycarla]

I would ask "what things" you are referring to that NCL charges extra for that other cruiselines do not.

 

I am thinking that list is very, very short.

[nealstuber]

I would ask "what things" you are referring to that NCL charges extra for that other cruiselines do not.

 

I am thinking that list is very, very short.

 

I did not mean to infer that its a long list, that's why I said "a little." The service charge is 25% higher than Brand X and that hits everyone. We were caught off guard at having to pay to use the spa facilities, and we really got a good laugh at paying extra for a specialty resturaunt and then a specialty entre' and then being solicited for a specialty sauce.

 

None of these things affect my cruising decisions, but I would have found them less irritating if I was working from the perspective I have now - so I thought I'd share it with OP.

[newmexicoNita]

Looking to book a cruise on NCL for the first time. Have been on Carnival, Disney and RCCL. I've heard from other posts that NCL charges extra for alot of things other cruise lines don't. Use of certain facilities and dining. Can someone provide me some information based on their experience. Does NCL low ball the rate just to sucker you into upcharges on the ship.

 

This comes up from time to time but rarely can anyone give an example. I see someone just posted NCL charges 25% more for auto tipping, than other lines. I would venture to guess that person hasn't cruised recently as 2 other lines are about the same as NCL. Disney does not charge for soda, but the basic rates are about 50% higher. NCL does change a little more for alcohol than some lines, but no more than other lines. I think the one thing they do sock it to us for is Bingo, but no one makes us play. That is why hubby and I never do...they actually have more free dining than most lines, they have more sur charge restaurants as well, but again, no one twists our arms to eat anyplace we do not want to eat.

 

Yes, the rates are a little lower and yes, you may find some charges will offset the lower rates, but there is very little you will have to pay after boarding the ship you do not choose to pay.

 

Nita

[nealstuber]

This comes up from time to time but rarely can anyone give an example. I see someone just posted NCL charges 25% more for auto tipping, than other lines. I would venture to guess that person hasn't cruised recently as 2 other lines are about the same as NCL. Nita

 

Was on Carnival in April auto tips were $10. $12 is 20% more. RCCL still recommends $9 - $12 is 33% more. So I averaged.

 

I gave other examples could gcould provide other instances where I felt "suckered in" but that would make it a appear to be a bigger deal than it was. The essance of my original post was: you might see a little of this, but it won't bother you if you're ready for it.

 

And Nita - The Thanksgiving Turkey was still BAD! :D

[Teacherloves2Cruise]

My opinion, based on my experience is that if you want good service on NCL, you need to go to the pay dining rooms. The free ones provided sub-par service. I would factor in dining up-charges as you compare fares. (i.e. my service on RCCL Mariner Main Dining Room was equal to NCL Spirit's Le Bistro for $15pp.) Other than that, I think things are comparable.

[rsingleton]

Great. Thanks for the all the replies. Seems like there isn't too many things out of the ordinary that other ships charge (upgraded dinner, alcohol, casino, excursions, gifts shops) just wanted to make sure I wasn't going to have to pay for clean utensils or something.

 

ONe other questions, some cruise lines allow children to pay 1/2 of recommended tipping, ie $5 per day instead of the full $10 (or $12). Does NCL charge children 50% for tips

[DMH15]

Children are $12 also.

[travelcrazy006]

does NCL's spirit charge extra for "turn down" service? also do they change the bedding at all during the 7 day cruise?

thanks