On April 1st, Norwegian Cruise Line introduced a new “convenience charge” of $7.95 per order for room service on its Breakaway-class ships which includes the Breakaway sailing out of New York and the Getaway sailing out of Miami.
Haven and suite passengers were exempt from the new fee, but all other guests who wanted room service were charged the convenience fee on these two ships.
Norwegian Getaway. Photo by NCL.
NCL announced this new room service fee shortly after the cruise line instated an automatic 18 percent gratuity on all specialty and entertainment dining.
Customer backlash was intense on social media and cruise discussion boards such as Cruise Critic.
Today NCL released this written clarification of its “convenience charge.”
“Norwegian Cruise Line is offering an enhanced room service menu on board Norwegian Getaway and Norwegian Breakaway. The new menu offers an expanded selection for breakfast, in addition to a wider variety of options available 24 hours. Individual items on the menu remain available on a complimentary basis and a convenience charge of $7.95 will be added to each order placed.
To provide our guests with more options as a part of their Freestyle Cruising experience, coffee and continental breakfast selections will not attract a convenience charge. Room service orders placed by guests sailing in The Haven will also not incur a charge.
Room service is one of up to 29 dining options offered across the fleet, and guests continue to be able to enjoy a wide array of complimentary choices onboard 24 hours a day.”
This policy “clarification” puts the new Norwegian charges on a similar basis with new room service charges from Carnival Cruise Lines. That is coffee and continental breakfast items ordered from room service will not have a convenience charge, but new hot breakfast offerings will, as well as room service at any other time outside of breakfast.
Will these new charges impact you on your next cruise?
Personally, we rarely order room service on any of our cruises. It’s nice to have if you have a really early morning shore excursion, but we prefer to eat outside of our cabin. But room service really appeals to some cruisers.
This “fee” for room service trend is one that we do not see going away.
Do you use room service when you cruise? Are you willing to pay a fee for it, in addition to the customary cash tip? Please share your thoughts in comments below.
Other cruise-related posts to check out:
- A Better Way to Get Your Luggage Home from Your Cruise
- Viking River Cruises To Launch Mississippi River Cruises Out of New Orleans
- Norwegian Cruise Line Raises Its Daily Service Charge
- Holland America Announces More Details of New Koningsdam Cruise Ship
- Details About The Ultimate Beverage Package on Norwegian Cruise Line
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