Thread: Can You Remove Ncl Service Charges

Originally Posted by nealberk

Sounds like you have to work really, really hard to not pay the full amount that they have quoted.

Not only to pay the full amount, but even if you want to pay more! Can you imagine giving someone a monetary gratuity because you thought their service was above and beyond, only to have it turned down because they could get fired if they accepted it? How crazy is that??

Pete

Originally Posted by nealberk

Sounds like you have to work really, really hard to not pay the full amount that they have quoted.

Yeah, I spoke with an NCL spokesperson and they said that this mandatory charge is a "service charge" and not a tip so it is not removable. They said if you are unhappy or unsatisfied to go to speak to the pursers desk and let it be known and that different types of compensation could be discussed at that time. But they were confident we would enjoy cruising with NCL. Probably, but they missed the core principle of the issue or my concern.

Yeah, just on principle it is wrong. But, now it makes complete sense to me why the reputation of service provided on NCL cruises is poor compared to other cruise lines. NCL repeatedly gets the poorest reveiws for the level of service and now I see why.

I am definately not cheap. I usually pay more than the automated gratuity. I read a good review on Cruise Critic, that recommended $5/night to the head waiter, $3/night to assistant waiter, and $5/night to the room steward. This is recommended on top of the automated gratuity if the service is good. I have been on only one cruise where I decreased the gratuities (50%) because the service was so bad. A cruise where the itenary was changed 2-days before the sail date and the mood of the passengers and crew was terrible on the ship.

This capability helps promote excellent service, and it makes sense.

For vacations, NCL has some great prices even with the $12pp/night service charge. Cruising is one of the most valuable vacations one can book. But if you want value and service, it seems going with Royal Caribean or Carnival might be the better choice. I did Disney in 2009, service was comparable to Carnival but price was 5-6x that of Carnival or Royal Caribean. But you do get the Characters ! LOL....

Happy cruising...

Originally Posted by tylerrd

Yeah, I spoke with an NCL spokesperson and they said that this mandatory charge is a "service charge" and not a tip so it is not removable.

As the saying goes, "If it looks like a skunk and smells like a skunk, you can bet it's a skunk."

Calling it a service charge is their way of not admitting it's actually gratuities shared by the staff. Makes one wonder how they report this on their wages???

Pete