While I hate these changes I'm so damn sick of people acting like NCL is the ONLY cruise line nickel and diming us to death. Get a clue people!! All these cruiselines are doing this crap. Every one of them.
I have just about given up on cruising it used to be fun and cheaper when all of the food was included, and drinks were cheaper, and it did not cost an arm and leg to go on a cruise. done with cruising.
Also more overworked crew. I think I’m done with NCL too. It’s just not as nice as it used to be. Menus, service frequency, entertainment, perks. It’s probably just satisfactory for new cruisers who don’t know how it used to be.
After my next cruise and 1st time out of Miami I was expecting a smoother slide onto the ship and I'llbeaSapphireandmy brother a Platinum. Crazy how NCL pumps up the latitudes level benefits, but if 2 in a room are Platinum and above only one gets their 2 Specialty dinners for two in that room. So getting to Platinum with about 11 cruises for each cruiser loyal to NCL doesn't seem to matter to NCL for being loyal! They even doubled down and made a point of putting PER CABIN in the benefits list. Why not add water as a Platinum and above perk NCL?
@rgruenhaus That's why my friend & I will book 2 Solo cabins so each of us will get the 2 Specialty dinners for 2 & both will get $50 off per excursion !!
Cruise lines are slowly killing their businesses. All of the downsides being implemented are the ones that brought them cruisers because they made cruisers feel special and pampered at a fair price.
Disagree with cruise lines killing their business. Prices on new Royal Caribbean, NCL and Celebrity ships have been outrageous. But people don't seem to care and are paying the fare. Supply and demand at it's finest.
It's nice to see a cruise video with original content - not mentioning the latest onboard fights. I'll mention that Norwegian Cruise Line stock is up 63% the past 12 months and it's good to see another strong competitor to Carnival, RCL, MSC etc., in the U.S., which is good for all cruisers.
You're right. Their stock price has increased dramatically and so have their prices. They are now priced about 50% more than Celebrity and Royal even without More at Sea. At the same time, their service and food quality have decreased greatly. Time to look for another cruise line. We are cruising with Celebrity next.
@@kenb6102 I've heard Celebrity is great. Sailing out of Baltimore (we're not interested in spending money to fly or drive to another port) leaves us with Royal Caribbean or Carnival. Overall, the more financially healthy cruise lines, the better the competition. MSC is probably the biggest threat being a private company and part of a huge shipping line.
Did you hear about the debacle on Encore on the cruise before drydock. Since people arrived by 9:30 (or earlier) for set embarkation times and it was closer to 3pm or 3:30pm when embarkation actually started, there had to be at least 2-3 thousand people in and around the terminal (around the terminal since as the hours passed, the terminal was packed to the gills, and I imagine that some people were not allowed inside), people with disabilities standing since all benches were occupied; the big hallway had people sitting on benches, as well as on the floor behind benches and around posts and many, many, many more people standing as there was nowhere to go and nothing else possible. When finally someone said that embarkation would finally start, and asked those disabled, using aids, crutches or wheelchairs come to the entrance ways, the question was HOW??? The crowd was almost cheek to jowl; there was some cautious movement, followed by jostling, and also pushing and shoving. One high level passenger I spoke to actually called the NCL offices from inside the terminal to ask if Management knew what was happening in their terminal, and that she DID NOT FEEL SAFE in the NCL terminal, and NO ONE should experience such a start to a cruise, where a fight developed right in front of her. There were also issues with drinking water made available if you could get to it, plus the minimal number of washrooms, since the terminal is meant to deal with passengers moving constantly through it, rather than the thousands stuck inside, resulting in flooding, cleaning, and possibly more. BUT I felt the most for the lower level Encore staff dealing with the water, washrooms, etc, who had to face the growing anger of frustrated passengers, without any support from higher levels of management in terms of them if not explaining the situation to passengers, at least acknowledging that there was a problem, or guiding staff on what to say if asked. Unfortunately this continued once we were on board, since many felt the need to express their frustration at someone... in the bars, the restaurants, the customer service desks and long lines everywhere. IMHO What would have lessened the frustration would have been an acknowledgement by management that we were "inconvenienced", NCL was not responsible for the delay but was doing all it could to help to resolve the issues at hand. There would not have been the same resentment build up, the booing that rose to a seriously ominous level in the terminal, followed by the pushing and shoving that in at least one place resulted in fists flying and police being called. Instead we got a regularly repeated cheery message welcoming us to the wonderful port of Miami, and that they were still involved in the disembarking of the last cruise, which delayed embarkation. It was SO cheerful, it became more than annoying and I would say was one of the last straws for many passengers - maybe costing them in future business as well.
@@rgruenhaus I didn't feel unsafe but I wasn't where the fight took place no matter how small. The length and undercurrent of the booing did make me uncomfortable, though. Obviously I cannot forget the experience, and though not a big cruiser, I know that were I to consider a cruise, I might be hard pressed to consider NCL.
I have two cruises booked with them for 2026. I didn’t think the cost or changes were out of line. But I don’t drink coffee, so I can see how that would affect someone else. You can if you’d like, exclude something from your package, I was told if I didn’t want the 5 specialty dining nights we could receive $200 back, same with the drink package etc. although different amounts refunded. I’m excited about the Plantary (sp) with vegetarian finally being addressed. Hopefully it will catch on to the other ships. Thank you for the information.
Went on the Joy this past September. What a mess! Lines everywhere! Venues waaay too small to accommodate the number of passengers. Wait times for dinner averaged 45 minutes in all three of the main complimentary restaurants. Getting on and off the ship during excursions meant more long, slow lines. While we did encounter some very nice staff members, the majority of them seemed to just be going through the motions and couldn’t be bothered. I’ve cruised on other lines so I do know the difference. You couldn’t get me back on an NCL ship for free.
It’s one thing to change a promotion. To do so and enforce the new terms on people paid full within the cancellation penalty is scummy. Between that and bait and switching itineraries like crazy, again without ability to cancel within 120 days we will be canceling our 2026 bookings and looking elsewhere for our family vacations.
The new terms are only applied in a beneficial way. We booked with Free At Sea in 2024 for a 2025 cruise. We now get an additional specialty dining meal for 2, and the enhanced More At Sea drinks package, no extra charge. Very happy with the way the transition is being handled, and happy with the minor changes. It simplifies things and still leave plenty of room for guests to customize what's worth paying for because you actually use it.
Your explanation at 6:45 about the new itineraries has me so excited for 2025! NCL keeps raising the bar. Thanks for keeping us informed with such engaging content - I always learn something new from your videos! ✨🛳
Very informative. Another change I read was that the Asian sit down restaurant previously included such as Chin Chin is now part of specialty dining so not included
FYI, O'Sheehan's is pronounced with the second "h" silent. Think O'Shean's. Our family name is the Anglicized version of O'Siodhachain. The Irish translation of "peace" is siochain.
@@samwoodward2676 not sure about that - even with the second person at 50% off im still paying more for a regular balcony on the side than i ever did for an aft balcony in Havana on a Carnival ship. and at least they included bottled water in their drink package when we got it
If NCL is not in your budget there is always Carnival. As fuel prices rise I feel cruise ships will start charging more and give you less. Gotta keep the stockholders happy. Happy New Year.
It just means that more people will get turned off of cruising and the deals will return. Our first NCL cruise on the Encore last year was great, our recent one on the Joy was ok. The new less at sea program is very disappointing, I dont drink really but still did the free at sea plus due to water, starbucks, extra meals and wifi, now I pretty much lost all of that. Wifi is way too expensive, Starbucks plan isnt worth it unless you drink more than 2 or 3 a day and we now have no way to add more dining. To top it off its not like Latitudes tiers gained any perks with the changes.
More at sea is really less at sea. Sure you get an extra specialty dining and a wider selection of booze but you have no option of upgrading anything. Free at sea plus gave you extra meal credits, free WIFI, unlimited bottled water, unlimited Starbucks drinks, more shore excursions and top shelf booze. The Wifi plans are way too expensive, the starbucks plan isnt worth it unless you go more than twice a day and the bottled water packages are also too expensive. I will say though that if you drink the water in any of the restaurants and Buffet then you can just fill your water bottle in your stateroom since its all the same water.
I used to travel with NCL frequently but when they started making it so much more expensive for a solo traveller despite the Amazing solo provisions, it was the gratuities (sorry the service charge they mandatory) unless U were onboard and went to reception... So I moved with my feet and went elsewhere
Essentially, yes and yes. The starters and desserts are smaller. There are also less options, so less potential people would really order 3. Entrees on the other hand are more money and more diverse. What is your favorite specialty restaurant?
Sailed on Viva last x-mas , Stayed in the Haven...after experincing Star class on RC & YC on MSC, I will not be going back to NCL unless they make some major changes. Those mentioned in your video are definitely not enticing,I mean taking away the Starbucks from the Premium +,C'mon! NCL "Nickel & Dime at Sea"...Booked a RL on RC OC this New Year's, good call NCL, your fee structure cost you at least an Owner's Deluxe Haven suite.BTW...I do appreciate your content!
What was unclear? With more at sea guests can a number of credits to dine at specialty restaurants. The number is basset on the length of the sailing and stateroom category.
@Eatsleepcruise1 I live here in Los Angeles and did the Radiance a couple of months ago. Found out getting off for Ensenada that water was not included in my nonalcoholic package. I was ridiculously dumbfounded on that one. They charged me the tax for the water while in port. And on the ocean another price. Talk about nickel and diming people.
Your specialty dining you received with free at sea is still valid. You will need to pay flat fee for any additional. What is the itinerary and what type of stateroom do you have?
@@elizabethtaylor6339 platinum still gets the tier benefit dinner coupons..two dinners for two. You can't use them in the same venue. They are separate from the specialty dining that is part of the package.
The changes are in effect now. We just booked a 5 day Cabo cruise yesterday on the Bliss for April this year. I wanted to add on the coffee package just for me since my husband doesn't drink coffee and the website would only do by cabin so when they called to confirm our cruise purchase about an hour after I had booked it online the nice gentleman on the phone was able to get the coffee package just for me. :) Just an FYI in case you need to do something similar.
@@donacorning1668thanks. One thing I’ve noticed is we were still able to reserve one included ($40 or $50 extra at booking) specialty dining meal. Maybe I’ll need to call and make sure that that is indeed covered still. We were able to reserve the table and did pay the extra for it at booking, so it better be!
More reasons to prefer other cruise lines - just about any other cruise line. Check out JJ Cruises post today about dealing with NCL as a travel agent.
We will be going on NCL Breakaway (first NCL) in April. We have purchased free at sea. On Celebrity and Royal coffee was a part of the drink package. I hate Starbucks………. And it is for purchase only. Is the coffee at breakfast any good? Thanks
how can it be considered a credit if we have to pay extra for it - or am i not understanding how it works? i finally decided to book with NCL after years of vowing i wouldnt due to the cost and now things like this are making me think this is why i didnt want to book with them
I don't clearly understand the specialty restaurant fees? We just booked for March 2025 and paid $100 each for specialty dining getting 5 meals. Do we also have to pay the "cover charge" at each meal depending on which restaurant you eat at? Plus tips? We did pay the service charge up front of $600 which covers tips as I understand it? Thanks for your help!
No that $100 covers all of the cost to dine at the specialty restaurants. And yes the service charge covers the tips for all of the staff with the exception of the butlers and concierge in the Haven.
We get extra specialty dining because we are platinum. We have never paid for specialty dining ever and usually get 4-5 a cruise. Can we still eat at all the specialty restaurants or is it limited?
you sure can and you can book ahead as well (another platinum member, i wouldn't pay for the meal as I never thought they were worth it even before the price went up) you get coupons when you board
@@Eatsleepcruise1 I've been on 3 NCL Cruises and 1 Princess. I personally believe there is a big difference between the two. I've created a few videos on my thoughts. Now that their Premier Package includes unlimited specialty dinning, it puts Princess above NCL
It's very simple. Drinks: Same class of beverages included with the addition of soft drinks. No more drink cost cap. More top-shelf included. Specialty dining: more on average per length of cruise. A la carte restaurants are now flat-price specialty dining like the rest. That's it.
There is nothing you can do with the price increase. Just get a second job to pay for the one week vacation you get from your job benefits from your first job 9 to 5
We just returned from our 4th NCL cruise, and if not for future cruise credits and deposits from other cruises, it would be our last. Their prices have gone sky-high and their service and food quality have gone downhill. Our cabin steward had 20 rooms to clean and we saw him twice on an 11 day cruies. It takes forever to get a drink at most of the bars. Their entertainment is an embarrassment compared with other cruise lines. They have also cancelled more than 100 upcoming cruises after people booked them in good faith, some years ago. They have a new CEO and President and my personal opinion is they are trying to increase profits short-term in order to raise their stock price, then they will likely bail. Our next cruise is with Celebrity and the price is half what it would have been on NCL, and their reviews are much better than Norwegian's.
I can say many cruises get cancelled because the cruise lines "rent" out their ships for themed cruises this is not just NCL. Themed cruises pay the cruise lines for a complete double occupancy sellout. So they are guaranteed more money.
Thank you for the informative video. I'm going on my second (and last) cruise on the Epic in January 2025. I booked before the radical changes. This is the most nickel and diming cruise line I've ever been on. NCL is a crappy, bottom of the barrel, ghetto cruise line. Did you know that the $20 daily fee for tips is voluntary? Go to guest services and get them removed and tip at your own discretion. Did you also know that the the entire ship's crew shares that fee, from the dishwashers to the captain? Do you want your tip going to captain who earns six figures?
So we will be spending more money with this new "more at sea",? I really don't need top shelf liquor, for now thing, and an extra specialty restaurant is not important to me either. And the gratuities will come out to more. I booked a May 2025 Alaskan cruise in July, and I understand that I will automatically get the more at sea, but not have to pay the extra fee and gratuities. Is that correct? Thank you for explaining this better than a previous video I watched.
Glad you found the video helpful. You will be grandfathered into your promotion. So, you will not need to pay anything else besides what you already paid under free at sea when you booked earlier this year. What ship are you sailing on in Alaska? We sailed on Encore and have a full review.
@ The Bliss. We picked that one because Jersey Boys will hopefully still be playing, and also it happens to set sail on our 45th wedding anniversary, May 17th
@@Eatsleepcruise1That’s good to hear. We booked a cruise to Iceland/Greenland this past April that sails in July 2025. I’m glad we will be grandfathered in. If we cruise with Norwegian again (this is my first time), I will be refusing to get the package. I don’t drink, and not that interested in the specialty dining. Had to buy it because of others cruising with me on this cruise.
If you haven't already booked, you can remove the free-at-sea package just leaving some shore excursion credit(s) and some time of minutes free wi-fi. Sadly can't get rid of those as we don't use either and you're stuck with it if you don't.
@@incredibleshrinkingfungus1731 I loved the free at sea. It was well worth it for us. This new More at Sea annoys me, assuming everyone wanting top self liquor, which will make the gratuities higher. And I was happy either way just 2 specialty dinners. I see what they are doing. In the coming years there will be no complementary dining rooms and everyone will be forced into specialty dining only having More at Sea available. I may sound jaded, but I believe this is the future of cruising, at least with NCL. I love NCL, we have been loyal to them for the last 19 years. our May 2025 cruise to Alaska may be our last with NCL. I'm sad about that, but I will be researching other cruise lines where my money will go further.
So called guests purchasing this drinks package are actually paying slightly over $150 per person per day to drink to oblivion. A bottle of good or even premium scotch, tequila, vodka, craft bourbon is only around $65. $150 a day for just for beer divided by the normal $8-10 per item range is 15-18 beers per day. Who can and does drink this much? But it's all inclusive. You're getting a great deal. You're getting ripped off and too much an alkie to know it because you also have to pay the gratuities too. AND the Havenites don't get free booze and have to pay for the package or their individual drinks on top of their fare.
@@teresamotz Deduct the cost of the drinks package AND the gratuities tacked on from the total cruise fare and it was $1,045 less. Divide $1,045 by 7 (days/nights length of cruise).
@@incredibleshrinkingfungus1731 My invoice for a 7 day cruise - More at Sea Beverage Package $210 Prepaid Service Charges $140 (which applies to food as well) Total - $ 350 divided by 7 = $50 per day
At Royal and Celebrity water was included and coffee with the drink package. I am not a huge drinker so the coffee and water made it worth it. This cruise was a test run……….. so far it is failing.
@@clownster456 correct-- I bought the basic drink package and it gets you water, basic drinks, and coffee. Thus while I am not a huge drinker I get these services. I have been on 30 cruises. All royal and Celebrity.
I've always sailed exclusively with ncl. With these changes and the lowered cruise experience, I'll be seeking another cruise line for the best deals from here forward. The nickel and diming is rediculous. I like the smaller shops and they are really aging, and they look bad with the maintenance lacking. Not everyone's problem, but a a smoker they treat me and others bad. On the last Alaskan cruse this past September the only option was it on the pool deck with very minimal weather protection. They couldn't even offer self serve coffee service like they had on other ships. The salsa Mexican restaurant served raw fish to one of my guests on their entree. The paid games are pathetic, overly priced, take to long and get very little entertainment for the money they extort to pay them. And what really irks me is the NCL CEO is paid more than every other cruise line company CEO, and they are charging more in gratuities and fees. I'm not going to cruise on a mega ship. The lines, reservations and crowded embarcation/disembarcation is not for me. I'm not disabled, but my sciatic nerve can't handle standing or waling for extended periods of time.
NCL is going backwards when it comes to service and options...all for the sake of squeezing more money out of their already higher prices...we have been on 5 NCL cruises and we're done...greed greed greed is the name of the game with NCL
@markanderson4163 good luck elsewhere and don’t let the door hit You on the way out (seriously). I’m not happy with NCL’s changes but this is happening across the board with ALL MAJOR CRUISE LINES. For years I was “Loyal To Royal” but they have made changes so insane that they have priced out even their long time loyalists. The Pandemic nearly bankrupted the Cruise Industry and even though Cruise Lines are profiting now more than ever. The debt that they owe from the billions they had to borrow to stay in business will not be paid until after most of us over 40 are long gone.
You know what I hear when I watch these types of videos? "B*tch, b*tch, b*tch." People forget that it's a business. If you don't like how the business is being run take your business else. NCL still has one of THE best values in the cruise industry for the dollar. Quit whining and enjoy it or, again, go elsewhere. (And this is coming from a Sapphire member on NCL and Platinum on Carnival..)
Right? I have a NCL cruise in January 2025 and after watching some of these negative videos on NCL, they are tempting me to jump off the ship in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean!
It should be called "Pay More at Sea" 😂
Haha. That would be more accurate.
Thanks!
We are glad you found the video helpful. Thanks so much for your generous super, it is much appreciated! Are you cruising on NCL in the new year?
While I hate these changes I'm so damn sick of people acting like NCL is the ONLY cruise line nickel and diming us to death. Get a clue people!! All these cruiselines are doing this crap. Every one of them.
NCL is much worse than Royal’s system (plus their ships and their food kinda suck, too)
@@edvaira6891 Royal has a horrible customer service and the food is subpar
Absolutely true. Because Royal Caribbean practically charges for (oxygen) these days. Ridiculous
Holland America better
@ nice ships, nice ports, good food and shows? I’m pretty sure that those are all yes answers. I am going to look into their itineraries. Thanks
$60 is still cheaper than a steak out in town, and that’s just the steak! I kinda like the flat cover charge.
We prefer the flat fee as well. Do you have an NCL cruise in 2025?
I have just about given up on cruising it used to be fun and cheaper when all of the food was included, and drinks were cheaper, and it did not cost an arm and leg to go on a cruise. done with cruising.
everything has gone up in prices these days. are you expecting this thing to be for free?
I took a reusable water bottle and was fine without the water being included in the drink package.
But what about the coffee?
I'm Sapphire and getting tired of NCL. Less fun, less entertainment, more expensive.
I'm getting tired of the whole cruise hassle.
Also more overworked crew. I think I’m done with NCL too. It’s just not as nice as it used to be. Menus, service frequency, entertainment, perks. It’s probably just satisfactory for new cruisers who don’t know how it used to be.
After my next cruise and 1st time out of Miami I was expecting a smoother slide onto the ship and I'llbeaSapphireandmy brother a Platinum. Crazy how NCL pumps up the latitudes level benefits, but if 2 in a room are Platinum and above only one gets their 2 Specialty dinners for two in that room. So getting to Platinum with about 11 cruises for each cruiser loyal to NCL doesn't seem to matter to NCL for being loyal! They even doubled down and made a point of putting PER CABIN in the benefits list. Why not add water as a Platinum and above perk NCL?
Same. We have 300 points and our last 2 cruises booked under the old Free at Sea will be the last.
@rgruenhaus
That's why my friend & I will book 2 Solo cabins so each of us will get the 2 Specialty dinners for 2 & both will get $50 off per excursion !!
Cruise lines are slowly killing their businesses. All of the downsides being implemented are the ones that brought them cruisers because they made cruisers feel special and pampered at a fair price.
They are all trying to generate revue while still competing on cruise fares. That’s why all the uncharged. Who do you typically cruise with?
@@Eatsleepcruise1holland America… which has good packages and the cruises themselves go on regular sales at great prices.
They just want to build more ships at our expense!
Disagree with cruise lines killing their business. Prices on new Royal Caribbean, NCL and Celebrity ships have been outrageous. But people don't seem to care and are paying the fare. Supply and demand at it's finest.
Record bookings thru 2027 at over capacity is HARDLY killing their business.
It's nice to see a cruise video with original content - not mentioning the latest onboard fights. I'll mention that Norwegian Cruise Line stock is up 63% the past 12 months and it's good to see another strong competitor to Carnival, RCL, MSC etc., in the U.S., which is good for all cruisers.
Thanks. When is the next cruise?
@@Eatsleepcruise1 You're welcome. Baltimore-Bahamas on Royal Caribbean in April.
You're right. Their stock price has increased dramatically and so have their prices. They are now priced about 50% more than Celebrity and Royal even without More at Sea. At the same time, their service and food quality have decreased greatly. Time to look for another cruise line. We are cruising with Celebrity next.
@@kenb6102 I've heard Celebrity is great. Sailing out of Baltimore (we're not interested in spending money to fly or drive to another port) leaves us with Royal Caribbean or Carnival. Overall, the more financially healthy cruise lines, the better the competition. MSC is probably the biggest threat being a private company and part of a huge shipping line.
Did you hear about the debacle on Encore on the cruise before drydock. Since people arrived by 9:30 (or earlier) for set embarkation times and it was closer to 3pm or 3:30pm when embarkation actually started, there had to be at least 2-3 thousand people in and around the terminal (around the terminal since as the hours passed, the terminal was packed to the gills, and I imagine that some people were not allowed inside), people with disabilities standing since all benches were occupied; the big hallway had people sitting on benches, as well as on the floor behind benches and around posts and many, many, many more people standing as there was nowhere to go and nothing else possible. When finally someone said that embarkation would finally start, and asked those disabled, using aids, crutches or wheelchairs come to the entrance ways, the question was HOW??? The crowd was almost cheek to jowl; there was some cautious movement, followed by jostling, and also pushing and shoving. One high level passenger I spoke to actually called the NCL offices from inside the terminal to ask if Management knew what was happening in their terminal, and that she DID NOT FEEL SAFE in the NCL terminal, and NO ONE should experience such a start to a cruise, where a fight developed right in front of her. There were also issues with drinking water made available if you could get to it, plus the minimal number of washrooms, since the terminal is meant to deal with passengers moving constantly through it, rather than the thousands stuck inside, resulting in flooding, cleaning, and possibly more. BUT I felt the most for the lower level Encore staff dealing with the water, washrooms, etc, who had to face the growing anger of frustrated passengers, without any support from higher levels of management in terms of them if not explaining the situation to passengers, at least acknowledging that there was a problem, or guiding staff on what to say if asked. Unfortunately this continued once we were on board, since many felt the need to express their frustration at someone... in the bars, the restaurants, the customer service desks and long lines everywhere. IMHO What would have lessened the frustration would have been an acknowledgement by management that we were "inconvenienced", NCL was not responsible for the delay but was doing all it could to help to resolve the issues at hand. There would not have been the same resentment build up, the booing that rose to a seriously ominous level in the terminal, followed by the pushing and shoving that in at least one place resulted in fists flying and police being called. Instead we got a regularly repeated cheery message welcoming us to the wonderful port of Miami, and that they were still involved in the disembarking of the last cruise, which delayed embarkation. It was SO cheerful, it became more than annoying and I would say was one of the last straws for many passengers - maybe costing them in future business as well.
OMG that sounds crazy!
I never thought that could happen in an NCL Miami terminal! NYC maybe! Thanks for your detail of that situation.
@@rgruenhaus I didn't feel unsafe but I wasn't where the fight took place no matter how small. The length and undercurrent of the booing did make me uncomfortable, though. Obviously I cannot forget the experience, and though not a big cruiser, I know that were I to consider a cruise, I might be hard pressed to consider NCL.
Holy wall of text, Batman!
Why drink bottled water onboard when the tap water is already filtered? We take water bottles with filters which filters the water even further.
We sailed on the Viva last August while my hubby and I loved the ship and the cruise but really need to improve the pool
Hopefully, NCL Aqua will be better.
I have two cruises booked with them for 2026. I didn’t think the cost or changes were out of line. But I don’t drink coffee, so I can see how that would affect someone else. You can if you’d like, exclude something from your package, I was told if I didn’t want the 5 specialty dining nights we could receive $200 back, same with the drink package etc. although different amounts refunded. I’m excited about the Plantary (sp) with vegetarian finally being addressed. Hopefully it will catch on to the other ships. Thank you for the information.
Glad this was helpful. What NCL ships are you sailing on?
@ , next month on the Sun and in November the Epic. We’ve been on the Prima and Viva and love those ships.
Went on the Joy this past September. What a mess! Lines everywhere! Venues waaay too small to accommodate the number of passengers. Wait times for dinner averaged 45 minutes in all three of the main complimentary restaurants. Getting on and off the ship during excursions meant more long, slow lines. While we did encounter some very nice staff members, the majority of them seemed to just be going through the motions and couldn’t be bothered. I’ve cruised on other lines so I do know the difference. You couldn’t get me back on an
NCL ship for free.
It’s one thing to change a promotion. To do so and enforce the new terms on people paid full within the cancellation penalty is scummy. Between that and bait and switching itineraries like crazy, again without ability to cancel within 120 days we will be canceling our 2026 bookings and looking elsewhere for our family vacations.
The new terms are only applied in a beneficial way. We booked with Free At Sea in 2024 for a 2025 cruise. We now get an additional specialty dining meal for 2, and the enhanced More At Sea drinks package, no extra charge. Very happy with the way the transition is being handled, and happy with the minor changes. It simplifies things and still leave plenty of room for guests to customize what's worth paying for because you actually use it.
Your explanation at 6:45 about the new itineraries has me so excited for 2025! NCL keeps raising the bar. Thanks for keeping us informed with such engaging content - I always learn something new from your videos! ✨🛳
We are excited for 2025 too. Norwegian Aqua looks amazing. What are your plans?
Very informative. Another change I read was that the Asian sit down restaurant previously included such as Chin Chin is now part of specialty dining so not included
FYI, O'Sheehan's is pronounced with the second "h" silent. Think O'Shean's. Our family name is the Anglicized version of O'Siodhachain. The Irish translation of "peace" is siochain.
Good to know. Do regularly sail on NCL?
Nobody cares
NCL is notorious for nickel and diming customers. I have cruised NCL a lot... but now I am shopping
I consider it flexible and customizable experience and pricing - a plus!
@@celianolan3837 Except you get less for more money no matter how you do it.
Every cruise line is doing this. NCL is still great value
@@samwoodward2676 not sure about that - even with the second person at 50% off im still paying more for a regular balcony on the side than i ever did for an aft balcony in Havana on a Carnival ship. and at least they included bottled water in their drink package when we got it
Where are you going shopping?
The best from all MSC cruise.Good price,perfect food and not hidden payments extra
MSC has its pros and cons. Just sailed on World Europa and overall we enjoyed the ship.
I’m going to join you on your journey Kim. I have plans to work on loosing weight also. Let’s Get It In!👍🏾💪🏽🏋🏽♂️
If NCL is not in your budget there is always Carnival. As fuel prices rise I feel cruise ships will start charging more and give you less. Gotta keep the stockholders happy. Happy New Year.
Happy New Year. Any cruises booked for 2025?
Sadly the cruise lines had record bookings last week. So that's a signal to continue raising prices.
It just means that more people will get turned off of cruising and the deals will return. Our first NCL cruise on the Encore last year was great, our recent one on the Joy was ok. The new less at sea program is very disappointing, I dont drink really but still did the free at sea plus due to water, starbucks, extra meals and wifi, now I pretty much lost all of that. Wifi is way too expensive, Starbucks plan isnt worth it unless you drink more than 2 or 3 a day and we now have no way to add more dining. To top it off its not like Latitudes tiers gained any perks with the changes.
More at sea is really less at sea. Sure you get an extra specialty dining and a wider selection of booze but you have no option of upgrading anything. Free at sea plus gave you extra meal credits, free WIFI, unlimited bottled water, unlimited Starbucks drinks, more shore excursions and top shelf booze. The Wifi plans are way too expensive, the starbucks plan isnt worth it unless you go more than twice a day and the bottled water packages are also too expensive. I will say though that if you drink the water in any of the restaurants and Buffet then you can just fill your water bottle in your stateroom since its all the same water.
I used to travel with NCL frequently but when they started making it so much more expensive for a solo traveller despite the Amazing solo provisions, it was the gratuities (sorry the service charge they mandatory) unless U were onboard and went to reception... So I moved with my feet and went elsewhere
Where did you go?
@Eatsleepcruise1 oh I did a few... Some out of New York, one from Vancouver and lots out of Barcelona
Wonderful cruise ships
Yes. Which NCL ship is your favorite?
So many charges. Plus if you're solo that can't get a studio, you have to pay for a ghost? That's dumb.
Does any one know how glasses of wine work? Are they still included? Do they charge you bottle price if you want a glass?
Glasses of wine are still included. All drinks under the dollar allotment are included. When are you sailing on NCL?
@ in 13 days! We’re typically a premium plus group like you are so just making sure what we can still get. Thanks for the info!
I would agree-bad PR relations!
I'm so confused as to why 3 starters and 3 desserts are OK. Unless the starters are going to be smaller or less expensive to make?
Essentially, yes and yes. The starters and desserts are smaller. There are also less options, so less potential people would really order 3. Entrees on the other hand are more money and more diverse. What is your favorite specialty restaurant?
@@Eatsleepcruise1 Cagney's has never let us down!
Sailed on Viva last x-mas , Stayed in the Haven...after experincing Star class on RC & YC on MSC, I will not be going back to NCL unless they make some major changes. Those mentioned in your video are definitely not enticing,I mean taking away the Starbucks from the Premium +,C'mon! NCL "Nickel & Dime at Sea"...Booked a RL on RC OC this New Year's, good call NCL, your fee structure cost you at least an Owner's Deluxe Haven suite.BTW...I do appreciate your content!
sending more ppl to other cruise lines with all these changes. Bottle of water...amazing.
I couldn't understand the specialty dining segment about which you spoke.
What was unclear? With more at sea guests can a number of credits to dine at specialty restaurants. The number is basset on the length of the sailing and stateroom category.
Carnival dosen't include water anymore either. And they now stopped all personal bluetooth speakers also. 😤😡😠
When did Carnival stop including bottled water in the cheers package?
@Eatsleepcruise1 I live here in Los Angeles and did the Radiance a couple of months ago. Found out getting off for Ensenada that water was not included in my nonalcoholic package. I was ridiculously dumbfounded on that one. They charged me the tax for the water while in port. And on the ocean another price. Talk about nickel and diming people.
Glad about the Bluetooth speakers. Nobody wants to listen to ignorant aholes blast their horrible music
Taking my first NCL in June 2025 Aqua
Disney and Caribbean never included water in our drink package, we always had to buy cases of water.
Yes, NCL never included them. Disney doesn’t have a drink package.
Uh oh- I planned to bring a water bottle & use filtered water on board. Is that an option?
You can get refills of water at the buffet. And ask for iced water at restaurants and bars to put in your water bottle. What ship?
@@Eatsleepcruise1 Viva 🛳️
@@Eatsleepcruise1 we always take our refillable water bottles on board. Why pay for more plastic bottles to be thrown away?
So we booked I'm April for July 2025. So no specialty dining with our " old free at sea"?
Your specialty dining you received with free at sea is still valid. You will need to pay flat fee for any additional. What is the itinerary and what type of stateroom do you have?
@@Eatsleepcruise1 7 night Bermuda, balcony.
@@alyssasimon3940 You would get 3 meals with new more at sea with a Balcony room
QUESTION FOR PLATIUM WE ALWAYS GOT 2 ADDITIONAL SPECIALTY DINNERS ?? WHAT HAPPENS TO THAT ??
@@elizabethtaylor6339 platinum still gets the tier benefit dinner coupons..two dinners for two. You can't use them in the same venue. They are separate from the specialty dining that is part of the package.
That should not have changed. Have you contacted Latitudes program to ask?
I’m shopping cruises for April and May right now and none of these changes are showing.
The changes are in effect now. We just booked a 5 day Cabo cruise yesterday on the Bliss for April this year. I wanted to add on the coffee package just for me since my husband doesn't drink coffee and the website would only do by cabin so when they called to confirm our cruise purchase about an hour after I had booked it online the nice gentleman on the phone was able to get the coffee package just for me. :) Just an FYI in case you need to do something similar.
@@donacorning1668thanks. One thing I’ve noticed is we were still able to reserve one included ($40 or $50 extra at booking) specialty dining meal. Maybe I’ll need to call and make sure that that is indeed covered still. We were able to reserve the table and did pay the extra for it at booking, so it better be!
More reasons to prefer other cruise lines - just about any other cruise line. Check out JJ Cruises post today about dealing with NCL as a travel agent.
Are they tough to deal with as an agent?
@ Apparently.
@@Eatsleepcruise1 yes, they can be insane to deal with!!! But we still book people wherever they choose to go.
We will be going on NCL Breakaway (first NCL) in April. We have purchased free at sea. On Celebrity and Royal coffee was a part of the drink package. I hate Starbucks………. And it is for purchase only. Is the coffee at breakfast any good? Thanks
The coffee is your typical brewed coffee you get on a cruise ship. No better, no worse. Who do you typical sail with?
Every time I watch a video about NCL, I get pissed at the idea they seem to nickel and dime vacationers. I’ll stick to Celebrity and Virgin!
how can it be considered a credit if we have to pay extra for it - or am i not understanding how it works? i finally decided to book with NCL after years of vowing i wouldnt due to the cost and now things like this are making me think this is why i didnt want to book with them
What are you referring to, the specialty dining credit? You are getting three dinners at specialty restaurants paying for one.
@@Eatsleepcruise1 oh ok i was thinking it was 60 per
Booked on the new NCL Aqua for Nov 2025, solo studio cabin.
I don't clearly understand the specialty restaurant fees? We just booked for March 2025 and paid $100 each for specialty dining getting 5 meals. Do we also have to pay the "cover charge" at each meal depending on which restaurant you eat at? Plus tips? We did pay the service charge up front of $600 which covers tips as I understand it? Thanks for your help!
No that $100 covers all of the cost to dine at the specialty restaurants. And yes the service charge covers the tips for all of the staff with the exception of the butlers and concierge in the Haven.
We get extra specialty dining because we are platinum. We have never paid for specialty dining ever and usually get 4-5 a cruise.
Can we still eat at all the specialty restaurants or is it limited?
you sure can and you can book ahead as well (another platinum member, i wouldn't pay for the meal as I never thought they were worth it even before the price went up) you get coupons when you board
Do you have to pay for O' Sheehan's foods now or is that still free? I was on The Escape, my first cruise.
No that's staying the same
NCL just needs to do the same as Princess and offer a Plus and Premier. all-inclusive packages. Without it, NCL will start losing customers.
That would be nice. Is Princess your favorite cruise line?
@@Eatsleepcruise1 I've been on 3 NCL Cruises and 1 Princess. I personally believe there is a big difference between the two. I've created a few videos on my thoughts. Now that their Premier Package includes unlimited specialty dinning, it puts Princess above NCL
It may be cheaper to just fly to a destination and stay there now.
That’s still not the case for most cruise destinations.
NCL donated to project 2025. They will NEVER see a dime from me or any of my friends considering a cruise.
Muchas gracias, seguro que me serán muy útiles!! 👍🏻
When is this taking place?
🤣😂
It’s seems like we need to take an NCL course to understand “more at sea”
It's very simple. Drinks: Same class of beverages included with the addition of soft drinks. No more drink cost cap. More top-shelf included. Specialty dining: more on average per length of cruise. A la carte restaurants are now flat-price specialty dining like the rest. That's it.
It seems so bizarre to me that people won’t bring their own water bottle and refill!!!!! Plastic kills!!!!
We're switching to Explora Journeys. I'm tired of getting nickel and dimed.
I really didn't understand the any of the DRINK PACKAGE. I AM CRUISE ING TO HAWAII IN 2026
There is nothing you can do with the price increase. Just get a second job to pay for the one week vacation you get from your job benefits from your first job 9 to 5
We just returned from our 4th NCL cruise, and if not for future cruise credits and deposits from other cruises, it would be our last. Their prices have gone sky-high and their service and food quality have gone downhill. Our cabin steward had 20 rooms to clean and we saw him twice on an 11 day cruies. It takes forever to get a drink at most of the bars. Their entertainment is an embarrassment compared with other cruise lines. They have also cancelled more than 100 upcoming cruises after people booked them in good faith, some years ago. They have a new CEO and President and my personal opinion is they are trying to increase profits short-term in order to raise their stock price, then they will likely bail. Our next cruise is with Celebrity and the price is half what it would have been on NCL, and their reviews are much better than Norwegian's.
Just got off Celebrity Ascent and won’t be back on NCL after 4 cruises.
I can say many cruises get cancelled because the cruise lines "rent" out their ships for themed cruises this is not just NCL. Themed cruises pay the cruise lines for a complete double occupancy sellout. So they are guaranteed more money.
The cruise lines are going to be pricing themselves out of business. After our prebooked cruises are done, we won't be sailing anymore.
Cruising is still a great value when compared to other forms of vacation. Who are you sailing with?
@@Eatsleepcruise1 2 with Carnival, MSC World America, Margaritaville, and Princess, and Royal.
No wonder NCL can afford more new ships by charging us $20 per Specialty dinner despite them being part of the MAS!
Thank you for the informative video. I'm going on my second (and last) cruise on the Epic in January 2025. I booked before the radical changes. This is the most nickel and diming cruise line I've ever been on. NCL is a crappy, bottom of the barrel, ghetto cruise line. Did you know that the $20 daily fee for tips is voluntary? Go to guest services and get them removed and tip at your own discretion. Did you also know that the the entire ship's crew shares that fee, from the dishwashers to the captain? Do you want your tip going to captain who earns six figures?
Why is coffee or tea not part of every dinner. I guess no loitering at the table over a tea or coffee.
Regular coffee and tea (including iced) are included. Specialty coffees (like Starbucks) are not.
So we will be spending more money with this new "more at sea",? I really don't need top shelf liquor, for now thing, and an extra specialty restaurant is not important to me either. And the gratuities will come out to more. I booked a May 2025 Alaskan cruise in July, and I understand that I will automatically get the more at sea, but not have to pay the extra fee and gratuities. Is that correct? Thank you for explaining this better than a previous video I watched.
Glad you found the video helpful. You will be grandfathered into your promotion. So, you will not need to pay anything else besides what you already paid under free at sea when you booked earlier this year. What ship are you sailing on in Alaska? We sailed on Encore and have a full review.
@ The Bliss. We picked that one because Jersey Boys will hopefully still be playing, and also it happens to set sail on our 45th wedding anniversary, May 17th
@@Eatsleepcruise1That’s good to hear. We booked a cruise to Iceland/Greenland this past April that sails in July 2025. I’m glad we will be grandfathered in.
If we cruise with Norwegian again (this is my first time), I will be refusing to get the package. I don’t drink, and not that interested in the specialty dining. Had to buy it because of others cruising with me on this cruise.
If you haven't already booked, you can remove the free-at-sea package just leaving some shore excursion credit(s) and some time of minutes free wi-fi. Sadly can't get rid of those as we don't use either and you're stuck with it if you don't.
@@incredibleshrinkingfungus1731 I loved the free at sea. It was well worth it for us. This new More at Sea annoys me, assuming everyone wanting top self liquor, which will make the gratuities higher. And I was happy either way just 2 specialty dinners. I see what they are doing. In the coming years there will be no complementary dining rooms and everyone will be forced into specialty dining only having More at Sea available. I may sound jaded, but I believe this is the future of cruising, at least with NCL. I love NCL, we have been loyal to them for the last 19 years. our May 2025 cruise to Alaska may be our last with NCL. I'm sad about that, but I will be researching other cruise lines where my money will go further.
NCL's ability to resolve problems is a joke. Go on any other line. NCL is the bottom of the barrel these days.
Time to get rid of some of the old ships. Tired and lacking.
They have the new Aqua and Luna coming out. Which NCL ship is your favorite?
I like the Encore, and I also liked the Dawn.@@Eatsleepcruise1
So called guests purchasing this drinks package are actually paying slightly over $150 per person per day to drink to oblivion. A bottle of good or even premium scotch, tequila, vodka, craft bourbon is only around $65. $150 a day for just for beer divided by the normal $8-10 per item range is 15-18 beers per day. Who can and does drink this much? But it's all inclusive. You're getting a great deal. You're getting ripped off and too much an alkie to know it because you also have to pay the gratuities too. AND the Havenites don't get free booze and have to pay for the package or their individual drinks on top of their fare.
I'm booked on a 7-night cruise. It's costing $30 per person, per day ($210) for the drink package. Where do you get $150 a day from?
@@teresamotz Deduct the cost of the drinks package AND the gratuities tacked on from the total cruise fare and it was $1,045 less. Divide $1,045 by 7 (days/nights length of cruise).
@@incredibleshrinkingfungus1731
My invoice for a 7 day cruise - More at Sea Beverage Package $210
Prepaid Service Charges $140 (which applies to food as well)
Total - $ 350 divided by 7 = $50 per day
They don’t include bottled water because the NCL drink package is such a better value than any rcl and carnival. Way cheaper stop complaining
At Royal and Celebrity water was included and coffee with the drink package. I am not a huge drinker so the coffee and water made it worth it. This cruise was a test run……….. so far it is failing.
@@brendagardner9195 really? Why’s that? I’ve been on royal carribean before but never celebrity
@@clownster456 correct-- I bought the basic drink package and it gets you water, basic drinks, and coffee. Thus while I am not a huge drinker I get these services. I have been on 30 cruises. All royal and Celebrity.
I've always sailed exclusively with ncl. With these changes and the lowered cruise experience, I'll be seeking another cruise line for the best deals from here forward.
The nickel and diming is rediculous. I like the smaller shops and they are really aging, and they look bad with the maintenance lacking.
Not everyone's problem, but a a smoker they treat me and others bad. On the last Alaskan cruse this past September the only option was it on the pool deck with very minimal weather protection. They couldn't even offer self serve coffee service like they had on other ships.
The salsa Mexican restaurant served raw fish to one of my guests on their entree.
The paid games are pathetic, overly priced, take to long and get very little entertainment for the money they extort to pay them.
And what really irks me is the NCL CEO is paid more than every other cruise line company CEO, and they are charging more in gratuities and fees.
I'm not going to cruise on a mega ship. The lines, reservations and crowded embarcation/disembarcation is not for me. I'm not disabled, but my sciatic nerve can't handle standing or waling for extended periods of time.
Norwegian is the new carnival
So “More at sea” means you will be paying more at sea! Wtf?
But you are getting more with some of the perks.
Prima is not waiting till 2026!
I hate crushes.
Have you had your heart broken in the past?
With the cancellations and itinerary changes, I won't take a chance on NCL.
Nothing different from any other cruise line.
I like Celebrity and I avoid the bedbug-infested line.
You'll have to guess which ships.
Hint: It isn't NCL.
NCL more hidden charges. I’d never cruise them again.
Why no better coffee celebrity can and water and sparkle water
Am I alone feel old vs new ship 2 different experience
these NCL non-child friendly ships are doing too much!
Yup…nickel and dime’ing…won’t take that cruise line. It just ruins it. Yup… They are slowing killing their businesses
Their ships as well as Royal are just malls at sea ,not at all attractive
The Prima class is actually really nice. More stylish than their other ships.
NCL is going backwards when it comes to service and options...all for the sake of squeezing more money out of their already higher prices...we have been on 5 NCL cruises and we're done...greed greed greed is the name of the game with NCL
@markanderson4163 good luck elsewhere and don’t let the door hit You on the way out (seriously). I’m not happy with NCL’s changes but this is happening across the board with ALL MAJOR CRUISE LINES. For years I was “Loyal To Royal” but they have made changes so insane that they have priced out even their long time loyalists. The Pandemic nearly bankrupted the Cruise Industry and even though Cruise Lines are profiting now more than ever. The debt that they owe from the billions they had to borrow to stay in business will not be paid until after most of us over 40 are long gone.
Can’t think of anything g worse than a cruise . Bug breeding cans on the sea . You can’t get away from people how awful
Everything you like is stupid.
You know what I hear when I watch these types of videos? "B*tch, b*tch, b*tch."
People forget that it's a business. If you don't like how the business is being run take your business else. NCL still has one of THE best values in the cruise industry for the dollar. Quit whining and enjoy it or, again, go elsewhere. (And this is coming from a Sapphire member on NCL and Platinum on Carnival..)
Right? I have a NCL cruise in January 2025 and after watching some of these negative videos on NCL, they are tempting me to jump off the ship in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean!
@@ByronRice-g6h I agree. NCL still a great value especially on longer overseas cruises.