Not happy

Item: Norwegian Dawn
Rating: 1
Author: ejessiemac

Norwegian Dawn Cruise Review to Bermuda

ejessiemac

Contributor Level: Purser

Cruises: 2-3 cruises

Review: 1

Helpful Votes: 21

Overall rating:

1 out of 5

Verified Review

Sail date: July 29, 2016

Ship: Norwegian Dawn

Cabin type: Oceanview

Cabin number: 4628

Traveled as: Family (older children)

Reviewed: 8 years ago

Review summary

First thing was the extra service fee of 13.50 a day per person that I thought was included in the price of the cruise and was not.That cost me and extra 378.00 dollars.I thought that was sneaky.If I was informed of that cost and knew while booking the cruise it would not have bothered me but I was not.And no I would not recommend this to anyone.

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

3 out of 5

Onboard Activities

3 out of 5

Entertainment

5 out of 5

Children's Programs

3 out of 5

Service and Staff

3 out of 5

Ship Quality

3 out of 5

Cabin / Stateroom

3 out of 5

Ports of call

Boston, Massachusetts

5 out of 5

31 Comments

Gwbigdog 2 years ago

Thanks for sharing your cruise.

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lisawunschel 8 years ago

All cruise lines do it, I think it makes life easier it's paid and over with

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msorchid 8 years ago

I guess that you work for free?

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lisawunschel 8 years ago

Nope

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msorchid 8 years ago

You've got to be kidding, right?

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bhuse 8 years ago

I like having the gratuities added on. It saves me from having to bring money or waiting for change.

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VinnyS1 8 years ago

All cruise line charge a daily service fee, nothing new.

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MrChocoholic 8 years ago

What's the difference between those kinds of "fees" and bed-taxes charged by hotels and resorts?

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mvrck1010 8 years ago

Pretty clear policy.

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rogermasse 8 years ago

OK all the fees onboard are explain to you prior your booking with an agent or online you have read the fine print whatever it is ROYAL CARRABIAN, NCL, CELEBRITY, ETC, it is like a credit card if you do not read the fine print you will get burnt. So take the time to read everything before you book your cruise. And enjoy and have fun.

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memphisblonde 8 years ago

Unfortunately those fees are standard in the cruise industry but I agree you should have been informed. I too felt nickel and dimed on Ncl more so than any other cruise line including the less expensive carnival cl......for many reasons

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lisawunschel 8 years ago

I prepaid mine

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theatmf 8 years ago

It would have stated on your final bill that you paid them. I always prepay gratuities. Every statement I've ever gotten from NCL is itemized.

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DandDatSea 8 years ago

I feel that everyone has their favorite cruise line and their style of cruising. When I post on a cruising board I post what I look for in a cruise and if someone else likes that style, great. If not there are many other options for many different styles and budgets. I have only been on ten cruises with four different lines so I'm far from an expert. So far my past four on Celebrity have been my favorite. I have three more booked between November 2016 and April 2017 on Celebrity.

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esm54687 8 years ago

Agreed and appreciate the great discussion..... finally one without an adversary type dialogue

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DandDatSea 8 years ago

I think every cruise line deserves to make money and you could look at it that way. I like to know up front this is what I'm paying and this is what I'm getting. I still feel that given the food, service, quality and atmosphere Celebrity is a much better value. To each their own. That's just my opinion, which really doesn't mean squat to anyone else. Cheers.

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esm54687 8 years ago

if Celebrity is a little more than NCL it's safe to say that a lot of the "nickel & diming" you claim NCL does is actually built into the Celebrity higher cost?

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DandDatSea 8 years ago

Celebrity is probably a little more but in my opinion is worth it.

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lmaccaux 8 years ago

I worked with our travel agent to ensure all our gratuities are paid up front. We are also going on our first cruise in January and I am a die hard researcher. Our poor TA keeps getting emails and phone calls from me for answers on questions like this, right down to the tips for the ULD package.

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esm54687 8 years ago

Thanks for taking the time to answer. Really appreciate it. One last: what is the overall fare difference between Celebrity and NCL? For similar itineraries I know Princess is more than NCL so when that is factored in the costs are pretty equal at the end of the cruise.

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lisawunschel 8 years ago

When I get off my cruise with ncl I will owe nothing unless I choose to buy a gift all my drinks , specially diners excursions are already paid for.

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DandDatSea 8 years ago

When you get a drink package on NCL you still have to pay an extra 18℅ service charge, on every drink on Celebrity it's all included. And yes Celebrity doesn't charge for room service. I will give NCL the nod on specialty restaurant pricing being lower however the food, in my opinion, is way better on Celebrity. On Celebrity one of the free perks in prepaid gratuities. When I get off of a Celebrity Cruise I owe nothing.... unless I purchased an excursion or a gift.

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esm54687 8 years ago

space-coaster-cruiser, I hear this n&d comment all the time when comparing NCL to other lines such as Celebrity and I was wondering if you could give examples of this. I have cruised many many Princess cruises and a couple NCL and I don't notice NCL charging any more than another line will (or vice versa). They all charge about the same for the same things. For example, if NCL charges $7.95 for room service and Celebrity charges zero but Celebrity's overall cruise fare is $1,000 more..... I will pay the $7.95 on occasion and save $992.05 TIA

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lisawunschel 8 years ago

They were very clear about the service charge and who it goes to and why, and you can pre pay it, you can pre pay just about everything,excursions ect..dinners ....

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DandDatSea 8 years ago

Both good, Celebrity to relax and Royal if you have the family and want all of the daytime pool game and such. I'm in my 50's so I prefer Celebrity and I think it is a better value when you get the perks.

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eddiemac1 8 years ago

Celebrity or royal. I like them both

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DandDatSea 8 years ago

I usually sail on Celebrity so I choose the drink package and prepaid gratuities so when I'm done with the cruise I owe nothing, unless I book a excursion or buy something. My last cruise was on Norwegian Dawn and they nickel and dime you to death. After being on a Celebrity Cruise I was very disappointed with NCL. Lesson learned, I will stick to what I like best, Celebrity.

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angusmom101 8 years ago

It says on the website its in addition to the cruise. We are first time cruisers and NCL added in the fees BEFORE the cruise so those can be paid ahead. They have been great to deal with regarding questions and costs.

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cruiserssandr 8 years ago

Did you book through a travel agent? Also on the NCL there is a Q and A section that explains all that. Why did you think the daily service charge was included? Before our first cruise I had a million questions

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eddiemac1 8 years ago

And I'm pretty sure it's on their website

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cruisingrayman 8 years ago

It pays to be informed. This is a known additional cost, deserving to those that work hard to earn it and people that see it as a deal breaker are best to pass on cruising.

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Other reviews of this sailing

Family Cruise

Not for us.Tho

Dawn experiance was excellent.....Bermuda is cost prohibitive