Cruise Talk: ALARMING new changes on Norwegian C.L. ships!!

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»	Cruise Talk » Cruise Lines » ALARMING new changes on Norwegian C.L. ships!! (Page 1)

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Topic: ALARMING new changes on Norwegian C.L. ships!!

Mercy
First Class Passenger
Member # 322

posted 05-23-2000 11:46 PM

I had a long talk with my travel agent today. He said that there are going to be new changes on Norwegian ships starting in September of THIS year. For starters.. They are going to add the tips automatically to your sail and sign account!!!!The tips for waiters, cabin stewards etc. Even if you don't like the service! Also no more ordering more than one entree at dinner. My husband will be dissapointed about that. He said there will be several things changed. Maybe Joe can help with this???? What have you heard Joe? It's a real shame. We had a wonderful time on the SKY and had no complaints. If it aint broke...DON"T fix it!!!

Posts: 697 | From: Stanwood, Wa. USA | Registered: Sep 99 | IP: Logged

mitch
First Class Passenger
Member # 708

posted 05-24-2000 07:10 AM

Mercy

I realise Star Cruise line have taken over ownership and we all probably think they are the instigators of these changes.

We just recently sailed with them and though there was 15% on drinks there certainly was no extra charge on our final bill. We also had a waiter who insisted on bringing extra entrees even if we did not want them just for us to try something "special"

Maybe this change is for all the ships that they own?????

Posts: 87 | From: australia | Registered: Aug 99 | IP: Logged

Tim in Fort Lauderdale
First Class Passenger
Member # 953

posted 05-24-2000 08:59 AM

This whole thing about only being able to roder one entree is the biggest bunch of garbage...I wish some TA's would get the facts before running off at the mouth.

Additionally, if one is not satisfied with the service received, you may adjust the tip amount on your account at the end of the cruise by contacting the purser's office.

Cunard and Premier, btw, do the same thing and this trend is likely to take hold throughout the industry.

--Tim

Posts: 1468 | From: Fort Lauderdale, FL | Registered: Dec 1999 | IP: Logged

Mercy
First Class Passenger
Member # 322

posted 05-24-2000 10:12 AM

I just cruised on the SKY in April. My TA said that the changes would take place starting in "September". I HOPE he is wrong, but he usually is not. He has been in the buisness for many many years and is the most informed TA I have ever come across. Except Joe, of course

I really loved the SKY and hope that things stay as they are?

Posts: 697 | From: Stanwood, Wa. USA | Registered: Sep 99 | IP: Logged

billee
First Class Passenger
Member # 1133

posted 05-24-2000 04:29 PM

Mercy...Tell your travel agent to get on the ball. The bit about not ordering more than 1 entree is NOT true. Tips on your account works amazingly well. I just got off the QE2..they do it. No stupid envelopes & trying to get change from a $50 or $100 bill. If you're not happy..decrease the amount on your account.

Posts: 159 | From: Baltimore, MD USA | Registered: Mar 2000 | IP: Logged

gizmo
First Class Passenger
Member # 972

posted 05-25-2000 06:53 AM

I think you should have a choice on having tips added to your account. I prefer to hand the tips out myself. NCL has always added 15% to drinks.

Posts: 686 | From: Kennesaw Ga. (origianlly from Philly) | Registered: Dec 1999 | IP: Logged

Mercy
First Class Passenger
Member # 322

posted 05-25-2000 10:30 AM

I have ALWAYS tipped. Always more than they suggest. I just worry that the quality of service will go down if there is no incentive. Or do the waiters, room steward etc. expect additional money for good service? I wouldn't mind at all being able to charge the tips to the sail and sign card. It's the AUTOMATICALLY that worries me.
Remember "tips" mean "To Insure Promptness"

Posts: 697 | From: Stanwood, Wa. USA | Registered: Sep 99 | IP: Logged

K&K
First Class Passenger
Member # 1040

posted 05-25-2000 12:03 PM

If it is automatically added to your onboard account, then it is no longer a TIP! In my opinion. If you still can add or reduce the amount (maintain control) then I think it could be a very convient thing. HAL, Costa also add 15% to all drinks.

Posts: 446 | From: Sandpoint,Idaho,USA | Registered: Jan 2000 | IP: Logged

gizmo
First Class Passenger
Member # 972

posted 05-25-2000 01:44 PM

K&K,

I do not believe HAL adds 15% to the drinks.
None of my receipts ever reflected this.

Posts: 686 | From: Kennesaw Ga. (origianlly from Philly) | Registered: Dec 1999 | IP: Logged

jean elmore
First Class Passenger
Member # 1192

posted 05-25-2000 04:29 PM

you are correct, HAL never adds tips or service charges to bar bills or any other bills, the last time I sailed Costa a year ago, it was 10% added for service, and they still have the lowest "suggested" amount for tips to stewards etc.

Posts: 68 | From: obetz oh. usa | Registered: Mar 2000 | IP: Logged

K&K
First Class Passenger
Member # 1040

posted 05-25-2000 04:31 PM

Well, I certainly could be wrong. Just thought we were told that gratuities were included in the drink prices not added too. Sorry if I misled
Kevin

Posts: 446 | From: Sandpoint,Idaho,USA | Registered: Jan 2000 | IP: Logged

MHP
First Class Passenger
Member # 1101

posted 05-25-2000 04:42 PM

All lines add 15% to your bar bill....They just don't break it down on your invoice. Pull up a couple of receipts and you will find that $4.95 drink is charged back to your account at $5.69 or that $1.50 coke costs $1.74. They don't charge gratuities on excursions, transportation, bingo etc...

Posts: 86 | From: Toronto, Canada | Registered: Feb 2000 | IP: Logged

JoeO
First Class Passenger
Member # 224

posted 05-25-2000 11:03 PM

The good thing about "auto-tipping" via one's on-board account is that it might thwart those nasty people who don't tip altho the real bad ones may still make the negative adjustment at the purser's desk.

The good thing about it is that some of those who would have stiffed the help might be too lazy or embarassed to go to the purser!!!!

Posts: 93 | From: St Aaugustine, Fl., U.S.A. | Registered: Dec 98 | IP: Logged

Grant
First Class Passenger
Member # 1000

posted 05-27-2000 01:33 AM

Re: automatic gratuities "for you convenience" and drink prices. I read a few months ago that not only does Holland America not add such a gratuity, but they also have the lowest drink and soft drink prices out of all the regular cruise lines operating in the North American market. From past personal experience, I know that the tips are not added to their bar tabs.

Posts: 834 | From: Victoria, BC, Canada | Registered: Jan 2000 | IP: Logged

gohaze
First Class Passenger
Member # 586

posted 05-27-2000 05:53 AM

Hi..if you want to see an interesting bit about tipping or non tipping, on HAL, go to Ken Stutts site at www.stutt.com/wheel/home.htm ...Ken took it up with the President of HAL...click on 'tipping' on the menu...peter

Posts: 1909 | From: Vancouver.BC | Registered: Sep 99 | IP: Logged

CB
First Class Passenger
Member # 58

posted 05-29-2000 12:50 AM

I have been on three lines: Carnival, HAL and Princess. HAL is the only one where I did not feel pressured to tip.

Now most cruisers feel tipping is optional, but if it is added to your account automatically, where is the option? Why do I have to go to the Purser's desk to argue about some that was supposed to be "optional?" By doing this, the line makes it a "required" tip. Certainly glad there is always HAL.

Posts: 109 | From: Arlington, TX, USA | Registered: Mar 99 | IP: Logged

Mercy
First Class Passenger
Member # 322

posted 05-30-2000 09:58 AM

I think it might lead to long lines at the purser's desk, the last morning of the cruise!

Posts: 697 | From: Stanwood, Wa. USA | Registered: Sep 99 | IP: Logged

sympatico
First Class Passenger
Member # 797

posted 05-30-2000 01:43 PM

HAL definitely does not add tips to the bar bill. If a can of pop is listed as $1.65, it will be $1.65 on your bill. I have sailed with them 35 times and never once has a tip been added.

Posts: 3305 | From: Toronto, Ont. Canada | Registered: Jul 99 | IP: Logged

jean elmore
First Class Passenger
Member # 1192

posted 05-30-2000 07:03 PM

Thank you Sympatico, that was what I said, and yes they do have cheaper drink prices than other lines,, regards, jean.

Posts: 68 | From: obetz oh. usa | Registered: Mar 2000 | IP: Logged

K&K
First Class Passenger
Member # 1040

posted 05-30-2000 07:56 PM

Maybe Costa Lines has different prices for different ships or areas. I don't know but, I do know three years ago on the Romanticia it was 15% and I just recieved a new book and they state 15% tip added for the ships cruising the carribean. I do believe HAL is the best cruise line today. I also believe that in their marketing stradegy they may not add a gratuity but have included it.

Posts: 446 | From: Sandpoint,Idaho,USA | Registered: Jan 2000 | IP: Logged

HGREEK
Just Boarded
Member # 1322

posted 05-31-2000 10:50 AM

YOU MISINTERPED THE RULE , YES THEY ADD TO BILL,BUT GO AND REDUCE THAT AMOUNT TO ZERO AND TIP EACH PERSON PERSONALLY IF YOU PREFER TO DO THAT.

Posts: 1 | From: SILVERDALE,WASH.USA | Registered: May 2000 | IP: Logged

Ascendancy
First Class Passenger
Member # 840

posted 05-31-2000 02:24 PM

Auto tipping can be a good thing. I don't have to scramble to get the cash at the end of the cruise. BUT I should be able to still get good to average service. That's fine by me. Another thing is, it forces all those ones who don't usually tip, to tip. I knew it would be coming to this.
I also hate the rule of one entree'. That's insane. You don't have that restriction at any restaurant.

Posts: 354 | From: Aurora, CO | Registered: Oct 1999 | IP: Logged

Mercy
First Class Passenger
Member # 322

posted 06-01-2000 11:03 AM

HGREEK...Welcome aboard! I too am from Washington State. Have you had a chance to see the new Bell Street Pier in Seattle yet?

Posts: 697 | From: Stanwood, Wa. USA | Registered: Sep 99 | IP: Logged

Paulo
Just Boarded
Member # 1359

posted 06-15-2000 01:52 PM

My understanding is that this started on the Sky in late May and will gradually be extended to the rest of the fleet by year end.

It's all part of their new marketing concept called "Freestyle Cruising", one of the key aspects being that you can have dinner at any restaurant at any table at any time (17:30 to midnight). Also attire is more flexible. But the point is that they are trying to protect tips (at least for the dining room staff), since one will not have the same waitstaff each evening.

Of course, if one wants to leave a tip in cash or reduce or increase the tip left on their account, they can do this at any time.

Personally, I don't think the idea is bad at all. I went on a charter a few months ago on the Sky where the tips were prepaid (other than the extra tip I elected to give my exemplary cabin steward), and it was EXTREMELY convenient. But there are plenty of other products out there on the market. If you don't like NCL's, then choose another.

(By the way...never heard that about only one entree...we'll have to see.)

Posts: 1 | From: New York | Registered: Jun 2000 | IP: Logged

gohaze
First Class Passenger
Member # 586

posted 06-15-2000 03:40 PM

So NCL is going to open seating with no assigned dining room. In other words you can eat where and when you want served by different waiters for every meal.
You people who are complaining - how are you going to tip those waiters - give them cash every time and how much 15%? 10% ? of WHAT - what is the value of the meal. COME ON - GET REAL.
You ALWAYS have the option of having it taken off your account any time during the trip and doing your own tipping.
As for only one entree - that was a stupid rumour started by some TA. Whats to stop you going to every restaurant on the ship every night - just think about it.
...peter

Posts: 1909 | From: Vancouver.BC | Registered: Sep 99 | IP: Logged

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