Disappointed!

Item: Norwegian Breakaway
Rating: 2
Author: frantoy

Norwegian Breakaway Cruise Review to Bermuda

frantoy

Contributor Level: Purser

Cruises: 7+ cruises

Review: 1

Helpful Votes: 15

Overall rating:

2 out of 5

Sail date: May 01, 2016

Ship: Norwegian Breakaway

Cabin type: Balcony

Cabin number: 11110

Traveled as: Singles/Friends

Reviewed: 8 years ago

Review summary

I am a veteran of many cruises. I am a diamond level on Cunard, a platinum level on Princess and a gold level on NCL. Upon arriving in my stateroom, 11110, I unhappily discovered a $7.95 charge for room service. Venturing onto the 15th deck for something to eat, the "easy" flow of alcoholic beverages made for loud, raucous behavior. Added to that, the number of irresponsible parents who allowed their children to run around and yell in public places made dining a less pleasurable experience! Finally, being unable to reward staff members at MY discretion - being automatically charged $13.50 per day per person and being told that I would need to write to "corporate headquarters" for an adjustment was the final "blow."

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

3 out of 5

The food choices were fine. It was the noise level from undisciplined children which made for less than pleasant dining.

Onboard Activities

I was on board to just relax so chose not to engage in any of the onboard activities.

Entertainment

I just relaxed; I enjoyed reading while sitting on my balcony.

Service and Staff

3 out of 5

Cabin / Stateroom

5 out of 5

It was a very satisfactory room and Ruby was personally compensated for her service as room steward.

Ports of call

New York, New York

5 out of 5

43 Comments

Gwbigdog 1 year ago

Thanks for sharing your cruise.

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staralfur 8 years ago

@TeamAJ...I don't know you but you're doing it the right way. Never once have I had an unpleasant experience with a crew member. The guys at the bars work their asses off. There were at least 4000 guests and by day two any crew we met the day before already knew our names. They treated my son like a prince. A prepaid gratuity never seems like enough when you've met all these great people. Again, I'm not bragging. That's not me. If someone is going to go out of their way for my family I'm going to be as generous as possible. And as I walk off the ship I'm going to know I did not only a good thing but the right thing. We have to start caring about people. The staff are sometimes away from their families for 6 months at a time. I get it. They probably chose their job. But remember, while you"re being warmed by the sun they're working. It's not an easy job. Help people out. You can never have enough good karma.

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TeamAJ 8 years ago

oooh ya mad? I read the fine print on where the money goes and I talk to the staff about their cost of living back home. I know EXACTLY where i'm putting my money and don't fret about nickles because we aren't like that. I also be sure to thank the buffet staff and behind the scenes people whenever I can. Was handing out wads of bills before this trip we just got back from. You're just doing it wrong son...us and Staralfur got it all right and that's why we always get great service...universe...energy...google it.

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maryrunyon 8 years ago

I'm sure all lines have tipping policies. We are booked on Anthem and did prepaid thus time. We will leave extra if we decide to.

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TarafromBklyn 8 years ago

I always pay the $13.50 and tip extra. The service is amazing!!

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Kristiscraft 8 years ago

It would be easier to just pay the $13.50. Tip extra if you like. Listen $13.50 is not much per day for all that they do. This top goes to the people who clean the rooms. Not the people who work in the bar or restaurants. So if you want an amazing vacation. Well go with the flow. Good luck

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mgil5229verizonnet 8 years ago

I'm confused , so I shouldn't pay the 13.50 per person per day ? I should say I want that credited back to my acct at the end of the cruise and during the cruise just tip who ever helps us and room staff on my own ..

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kream36 8 years ago

Good point staralfur.....some people will never be pleased because they are that kind of person, no matter what the situation, they always find something to complain about.

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staralfur 8 years ago

People who complain about the service...I really have to wonder if maybe it's you. Some people refuse to accept what they perceive as what's good versus awful. You get what you give. There are good people in/on this 🌎.

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staralfur 8 years ago

Not to brag but I handed out crisp bills on the last nite, paid the gratuities up-front, and made sure our room steward was ESP taken care of as he was great. Sometimes you have to give to get. Cruising is, of course, part of the service industry and my wife and I worked in restaurants growing up. I believe in literally paying it forward. The staff was incredible. People who say otherwise...

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staralfur 8 years ago

I used my OBC to tip waiters and bartenders...anyone who really showed interest or cared and they paid it forward to me when I'd ask for a few drinks or to "squeeze" us into a dining room spot. Staff couldn't have been nicer to our son (he was 2 and well-behaved, thank you). They all remembered his name and were hugging him and taking pics on the last nite.

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lenni819 8 years ago

@mummy this isn't about wanting something for free. If you think that, then your missing the entire point. This is about NCL being honest up front as to what charges are to he expected, and working with their guests to make adjustments as needed. Not throw a form in your face and tell you to handle it yourself on your own time. It's suckers like you that make the lines feel empowered to rip off customers.

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lenni819 8 years ago

Plwn.. it's not hard but that's beside the point. Guest Services has the ability to hit 1 button on their end and POOF your charges could be gone. The reason they don't do that, is because they hope you forget to fax that paper when you get home. Think about how many people say they are going to do it vs those who actually remember. And read the fine print of your on-board bill, you have 30 days after disembarkation to make any adjustments. I would estimate over 50% people forget to do it. And then NCL gets what they want, over priced gratuities.

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ckaplwn 8 years ago

Although it really isn't too difficult to just fax the paper for removal when you get home. Just a simple form picked up at guest services

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ckaplwn 8 years ago

So true lenni819

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lenni819 8 years ago

Shouldn't have to tell guest services to remove gratuities. It's criminal they charge you gratuities multiple times and multiple ways. Also shouldn't need to take time of your busy schedule to write a letter to corporate requesting this be removed. How about corporate writes me a letter requesting it be added. NCL is a rip off. Don't be fooled by the low quoted prices, they gauge you every chance they get while on board.

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ckaplwn 8 years ago

It is so much better to just give the tips in person to your steward and to the wait staff. By deducting the amount that is imposed, I feel that my compensation directly is more beneficial to those I choose. They will make more that way

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esm54687 8 years ago

Thank you sideout..... I rest my case Scarlet, it's not that I'm unprepared to pay it.... I am and in fact pay MORE than AJ it seems because I don't halve my tips.... it's called knowing what you are being charged for! Not one time did I say I withhold money or tips or fill out refund forms...

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sideout1961 8 years ago

http://www.cruiselawnews.com/2015/05/articles/worst-cruise-line-in-the-world/loyal-to-royal-expect-to-pay-higher-gratuities-and-the-moneys-not-for-the-crew/

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scarletsmummy 8 years ago

I still think if you are unprepared to pay it .DON'T Book it

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esm54687 8 years ago

not to mention AJ halving his tip without knowing NCL's distribution.... actually could result in less that the staff makes in the week.... what if NCL only puts 20% back to staff and certain jobs get a certain percentage of that 20..... well, the staff just got screwed by AJ halving his tip.

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esm54687 8 years ago

AJ, Scarlet and Kream...... please go back and read the thread..... you have missed the point completely... the fact NCL does not disclose the exact distribution of the DSC or the 18% is the issue. We all have no issue paying the extra that is identified as a DSC or Gratuity if it is in fact going to the crew and staff. NCL does disclose that it goes to salary and "incentives" but in what manner or percentage?? In fact, I mentioned that if they just put it on the final bill as another "fee" at least that is being more transparent than hiding behind the current description. I tip in addition to the added costs so that I am guaranteed that the staff receive the money..... trusting NCL to distribute 100% or 50% or 5% is the complaint

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kream36 8 years ago

Very true scarlet....when you go on NCL they do not hide any additional costs, if you don't like it, try other vacation. Extra costs included, a cruise is still a very good value.

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scarletsmummy 8 years ago

I agree teamaj .NCL slong with other cruise lines fo not hide the charges .We travel from the uk to cruise NCL and are aware of the charges despite the fact we have transatlantic flights and hotels we are still willing to pay it.If people do nothing but complain about the extras they should perhaps choose a different lind of vacation or stay at home .You get nothing in this world for nothing

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TeamAJ 8 years ago

I love all these wannabe upscale people scanning their bills to complain about 14 bucks a day. NCL was pretty open about that policy when they instituted it and we simply halved our regular tips to the staff during our stay and only gave cash to those who blew our minds. it all evened out I guess because we dont argue over pennies on vacation!

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pamela72784 8 years ago

I'm cruising in June to Bermuda. And I'm just trying to understand the 189.00 fee for grautities. I apologize if you have already answered this. But, is this fee optional? I would rather give a tip to someone in person rather than a set fee that they are not going to see any part of it. If there is a option....who do you contact? Thank you and happy cruising!! :-)

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ckaplwn 8 years ago

Just tell guest services to remove the 13.50 and get the form to fax when you are back from the trip. It is very easy. Then you are free to give gratuities directly to the steward and waiters. NCL will refund the gratuity portion directly to you.

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esm54687 8 years ago

Hi Scarlet..... yes, they do receive part of their contractual amount on a monthly basis.... but we have no idea how much of the DSC or 18% pool they are actually receiving and what is going into incentive programs, etc

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scarletsmummy 8 years ago

We spoke to staff on the spirit 4 weeks ago .the gratuities are shared out on a monthly basis

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esm54687 8 years ago

Not an assumption at all... I referenced the UBP 40 minutes ago when I asked "what could a bartender upsell especially with UBP" and you replied "would you like a double sir?" when I specifically set the conditions to include the UBP... you chose to give me an example without clarifying you left the original conversation. We both agree that NCL is kinda sneaky and unless they are completely transparent on how it is applied and the language of every contract on the ship we will never know who gets what

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esm54687 8 years ago

Well, NCL loves passengers like you who are willing to buy the UBP and accept a Double Brandy at a cost of $29..... where you will pay the additional $14 out of pocket.... they hate passengers like me who will ask for TWO brandy that are under $15 separately and then combine them in one glass for my "double"... that's what I'm going on about

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esm54687 8 years ago

and any passenger with half a brain would say "keep it under the $15 or give me two glasses".... and technically that bartender would be violating the UBP because T&Cs are one beverage at a time and a double is two (I'm sure it happens all the time or the bartender knows he's getting a cash tip and pours heavy) We can play this game all day but unless NCL is completely transparent on the distribution we will never know..... the bar staff is under different contract terms than those in the DSC pool and is why 18% is added... the contract may say of the 18% collected, FOH bartenders receive 6%, servers make 4%, restaurant service bars 3%.... etc.

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esm54687 8 years ago

what could a bartender upsell especially with UBP?

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JK2 8 years ago

I think his dismay was from having to write corporate headquarters to get an adjustment of the 13.50 a day.

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esm54687 8 years ago

10000% agree that NCL does not make the actual distribution clear concerning the DSC or 18% Gratuity collected..... BUT the money's collected are applied as I described to people I used as an example whether it is in salary or "performance bonuses".. and NCL makes that very clear. All staff members have a signed contract for length of service and salary.... so, will NCL take 50% of the DSC and apply it to salary, probably. Will NCL take 25% and apply it to the" Vacation Hero" fund, you betcha.... is it kinda a shifty thing to do by NCL... ABSOLUTELY! Im pretty sure that all staff who sell you things..... Future Cruise and Excursion are hotel officers and my understanding is that the store employees are contracts to third party companies (I know the duty free liquor store definitely is). I tip separately for services rendered and look at the DSC or 18% as just another fee (like port or NCL administrative) that's been itemized..... NCL should just include it in the overall price because it does leave room for confusion....

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Cruzeing74 8 years ago

I pay the gratuities and tip extra they work hard

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scarletsmummy 8 years ago

"Upscale"people i take umbridge at that ,i prefer NCL not because i am downscale but because i am not a snob and more easy going and want a good time .myself and hubby (both in our later years travel from the uk and enjoy watching others having a good time )

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esm54687 8 years ago

The DSC is not just for room stewards. It is also for the buffet staff, deck hands, MDR staff, and many behind the scenes employees (generally for staff that service the majority) Specialty Restaurant staff, Bar staff, Spa staff are part of the 18% gratuity and service charge specific to packages or services provided by them. Splash Academy staff, butlers, and concierges (staff who service a specific guest) are NOT part of ANY DSC or automatic gratuity and service charge distribution.

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Kristiscraft 8 years ago

That $13.50 is gratuity. You can tell them you don't want that. People don't realize you can do that. But again why would you. This tip/ gratuity is for room service. Meaning cleaning and keeping up with the room.

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kream36 8 years ago

Cunard and Princess cater to more upscale people, if you are used to that, of course you were going to have a shock when you went NCL. If you are really gold level at NCL, no way you didn't know about the daily service charge. If you want to tip more, you can personally give those staff members additional money if you think they went above and beyond.

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Lovecruisingwithmyhubby 8 years ago

If you are gold level on NCL I'm surprised you didn't know about the $13.50 gratuity charge.

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ckaplwn 8 years ago

No comparison between the class of Princess vs NCL. What saved my cruise was the Vibe deck. Was lucky to get a cabana by boarding early.

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maryrunyon 8 years ago

From Cunard to NCL? Talk about culture shock. No more NCL I bet.

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