NCL proving too much for us + anyone use the Thermal Spa Pass?

[RedSox68]

So we booked a cruise to Bermuda on the Breakway last year for this October. Since then, we have discovered that NCL now charges a $7.95 fee for room service, added gratuities to our "free" drink package (never had another cruise line do that -- their drink packages included the tips), and now won't let you bring water onboard but want you to pay $58 for a 12-pack case.

Is this going to become the cruise industry norm -- or is this typical for NCL to nickle and dime people so much. We've sailed 16 cruises on five different lines and I've never seen so much expense before we even board (must pay for any specialty restaurants up front -- so we couldn't use our onboard credits for that either). And then a rep tells me on the phone that under no circumstances are we allowed to remove or change our prepaid gratuities as they are considered service charges! Since when don't we have a say as to how we pay our gratuities or how much or to remove them if we have a problem with our stateroom host or server, etc.? Sometimes we prefer to pay the individual servers and room steward in cash and the NCL rep says we can't do that anymore?!?

After this one, I think I'll stick to my promise that after our horrid experience on Pride of America in 2008, we really don't need to consider NCL ever again!

 

[Wishing on a star]

While ALL cruise lines are guilty of this... I do believe that NCL has been mentioned in the media as being the worst.....
Aren't they the one who tried to forbid taking food from the buffet to the rooms, as EVERYONE was doing this to try to avoid the ridiculous room service charge.

Have you looked into Royal Caribbean?

I have not sailed with RC, but have really never, ever, had any inclination to board an NCL ship.

 

[RedSox68]

While ALL cruise lines are guilty of this... I do believe that NCL has been mentioned in the media as being the worst.....
Aren't they the one who tried to forbid taking food from the buffet to the rooms, as EVERYONE was doing this to try to avoid the ridiculous room service charge.

Have you looked into Royal Caribbean?

I have not sailed with RC, but have really never, ever, had any inclination to board an NCL ship.

Thank you! Yes, we researched cruises to Bermuda as we have waited so long to go -- but only NCL stayed for as long as they do, 2-1/2 days. RCCL only stayed for 1-1/2 on the sailings out of NYC. The price was reasonable, but since we have booked there have just been too many changes and additions and exclusions, etc. I've never experienced so much upheaval on any other line we have taken -- seems like the new CEO at NCL is tearing up policies and really sticking it to the passenger.

And yes, I saw the article and the huge outcry from people last year when they tried to instill not bringing food back to your stateroom. They pulled back on that rule very quickly. They seem to be throwing everything out there to see what they can get away with. Let's see how long their ban on non-alcoholic beverages stays in place!

 

[declansdad]

Typical of NCL, they are the kings of nickle and diming you.

 

[RedSox68]

Typical of NCL, they are the kings of nickle and diming you.

yes, I am being royally indoctrinated into that awareness! Now that I am researching this, there are lots of blogs and petitions out there about stuff they have or tried to initiate. Apparently Cruise Critic site blew up about the water and non-alcoholic policies1

 

[wilkeliza]

I've sailed NCL and our "cheap" cruise ended up being so expensive after all the additional charges and the service did not meet the expectation of that price that we won't sail NCL again.

 

[declansdad]

yes, I am being royally indoctrinated into that awareness! Now that I am researching this, there are lots of blogs and petitions out there about stuff they have or tried to initiate. Apparently Cruise Critic site blew up about the water and non-alcoholic policies1

We did the NCL Bermuda cruise out of Boston 2 years ago. We loved Bermuda a lot but NCL not so much. That being said, a cruise is what you make it but NCL is not high on our list for a return cruise.

 

[okeydokey]

If it is not too late to cancel and get your deposit back, I would look into Celebrity or RCCL.

 

[RedSox68]

If it is not too late to cancel and get your deposit back, I would look into Celebrity or RCCL.

I did, but they do not stay as long in Bermuda as NCL -- and our only point for going is to spend as much time in Bermuda as possible, not for the cruise line. That being said, it is too late to cancel without penalties.

On a more positive note -- we booked the Cirque de Soliel dinner for a good price and the Moderno Brazilian specialty restaurant for half of what those restaurants in our area cost. So we're looking forward to those, and to seeing the free Burn the Floor show. We are always good about making the most of a bad experience -- which I hope this isn't, but NCL will not be at the top of our preferred cruise lines in the future for sure.

 

[Wishing on a star]

You might want to re-think the whole cruise thing, if Bermuda is the bigger priority.
Surely you can fly to Bermuda, or travel some other route?

 

[Pumbaa_]

I was on Celebrity Summit to Bermuda in May. We were docked in Bermuda wed-fri. Great cruise line, had a great credit through the line as one of my perks and an additional through Costco. I had a 12 bill when I got off the ship

Really enjoyed the line, it is very geared towards adults vs families/nightlife

 

[RedSox68]

You might want to re-think the whole cruise thing, if Bermuda is the bigger priority.
Surely you can fly to Bermuda, or travel some other route?

No, like cruising - the ocean, the destinations -- what I meant was the ship is not our main priority, but the cruising experience is what we are going for. For the costs to fly round trip and stay there, and their cost of food is nuts, it is cheaper to cruise (for us) -- and no flying involved.

 

[RedSox68]

I was on Celebrity Summit to Bermuda in May. We were docked in Bermuda wed-fri. Great cruise line, had a great credit through the line as one of my perks and an additional through Costco. I had a 12 bill when I got off the ship

Really enjoyed the line, it is very geared towards adults vs families/nightlife

Celebrity is one of the cruise lines we haven't tried but really want to! Thanks.

 

[usnuzuloose]

Yes, NCL has been doing a lot changing. I have never even tried the line. But I think the charge for the room service is way out of line, along with that outrageous charge for the water. That is insane. But some of the lines are going that way due to the fact that people try and smuggle the alcohol on. This is not the only line changing things up. I could be wrong , but at some point I think all lines will stop allowing people to bring soda or wine in carry on only. Carnival still allows a 12 pack can of soda no bottles of anything. And one bottle of 750 ml of wine. No more water, you have to buy it from them. So everyone just needs to read the new rules for bringing on drinks. Your not alone in feeling the way you do.

 

[PaulaSB12]

If it is not too late to cancel and get your deposit back, I would look into Celebrity or RCCL.

I booked a christmas cruise with NCL as I didn't have a problem with the one week cruise I did with NCL last year. Celebrity and RCCL would cost me double as neither seem to have any solo cabins aboard odd since these cruise lines that do have them are always booked up. how come they don't do solo cabins?

 

[shoney]

We have gone on lots of All Inclusive vacations, and people are always asking "is this or that included?" The answer is "yes" it is all inclusive! the only extra's are usually the spa and motorized water sports, if they have any.
We went on 2 cruises in the last few years...1 on Royal Caribbean w/the kids and 1 on Celebrity (summit to bermuda) w/o the kids. Now I understand why people ask that....this soft serve is included but this scooped ice cream isn't....this restaurant is, but this one isn't....this wine is included in your premium drink package, but this one isn't.....coffee in the buffet is free, but not at the coffee place.
Bingo is HOW MUCH????? Rather play for free and maybe win a t-shirt.

Tips are up to your discretion at an AI...tip as little or as much as you want.

Cruising is not my favorite...it is a cheaper way to see Bermuda though. The only PITA is being docked so far away. I prefer to walk out of my resort room and be on the beach!

 

[mummabear]

OP, that sucks, it's really frustrating to find lots of ads on costs.
Personally I think housekeeping should be included in the room charge, and frankly if it's not do I get to decide how often it's done etc?
Here in NZ all advertised pricing must include all taxes and mandatory fees so I find it particularly annoying when some places overseas to have taxes, tips, service charges, resort fees etc added, I think it's a very underhanded way of doing things.

 

[tvguy]

I've been cruising since 1980 and a lot has changed. Cruise lines have added thousands of beds over the year, and the competition means they have to lower the initial price. However, the cost of operating the ship hasn't gone down. They need to make it back somehow. Remember, NCL has to compete with Carnival with owns 9 cruise lines.
Despite the add ons, I think cruises are still far far cheaper than they used to be. It has to be. In 1980 cruises were a once in a life time trip that retired people do before they die. Stop by the cruise line forum. There are people who have done 100 Disney cruises in the 18 years that cruise line has exited, and people who take 2, or 3 Disney cruises with their family a year, PLUS go to Disney World. And most claim they have middle class incomes!

 

[shoney]

I've been cruising since 1980 and a lot has changed. Cruise lines have added thousands of beds over the year, and the competition means they have to lower the initial price. However, the cost of operating the ship hasn't gone down. They need to make it back somehow. Remember, NCL has to compete with Carnival with owns 9 cruise lines.
Despite the add ons, I think cruises are still far far cheaper than they used to be. It has to be. In 1980 cruises were a once in a life time trip that retired people do before they die. Stop by the cruise line forum. There are people who have done 100 Disney cruises in the 18 years that cruise line has exited, and people who take 2, or 3 Disney cruises with their family a year, PLUS go to Disney World. And most claim they have middle class incomes!

I think it depends how u cruise. I know a family member who cruises. She and he dh never buy anything that isn't included. Only drink the free beverages and take an inside cabin. They go off season and choose local to save on airfare.

This is not the way we like to travel but it works out for them.

 

[mtemm]

We have never cruised before but I had no idea all this stuff cost extra! I thought you were only charges for alcohol on a cruise, I didn't realize non alcoholic drinks cost $!