Norwegian Cruise Line raises service fees to levels never seen before in cruises – see how much you’ll pay
Bad news, Norwegian Cruise Line fan: You’re about to pay a much higher daily fee.
The world’s fourth-largest cruise line on Tuesday announced it would raise the daily service fee for customers to an unprecedented 25% for most cabins, effective January 1.
The new rate for passengers in most cabins will be $20 per person per day — an increase of $4. Passengers staying in The Haven suite on the Norwegian ship and in other suites will be charged a service fee of $25 per person per day – an increase of $5.
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With the increase, a family of four staying in an apartment will pay a $700 service fee on a typical seven-night cruise – a level unheard of in the yachting business.
Other mainstream lines like Festival cruise lineHolland America and Royal Caribbean add much less service fees to customers’ bills, ranging from $14.50 per person per day to $16 per person per day.
Princess Cruise only significant service fee increase this weekfrom $14.50 to $16 per person per day, but even with the increase, the airline’s tax bill is still nowhere near what Norway plans to start charging.
Notably, the increase in Norwegian’s service rates is the second increase of the carrier in just nine months. On April 1, Norway increased the service fee by 50 cents to $1.50 per person per day, depending on cabin type.
The net result was a Norwegian service charge that increased by as much as 35% in less than a year for some cabin types.
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Related: TPG’s ultimate guide to cruise ship fees and tips
The fee increase in Norway takes place in the context of sudden price increase for all kinds of items on board at line.
The brand also recently announced it will cost increase for Unlimited Open Bar Drinks Package on January 1st around 10%, to $109. The cost of a premium drink pack will soon be $138, up from $128.
Many Norwegian customers receive a “free” drink package as part of a booking promotion. However, the booking promotion does not include an automatic 20% bar bonus on the theoretical cost of the packages. As the cost of Norway’s beverage packages increased, so did the cost of its auto-tip bar.
Related: 8 Norwegian ship classes, explained
Norway has also in recent days started charging a room service fee for continental breakfast on some ships – something that has so far not charged.
Other major routes including Carnival and Princess have also raised fees sharply this year on everything from service fees to restaurant, beverage and Wi-Fi fees.
Cruise lines this year have blamed rising prices on ships and such additional fees on the inflated costs they incur to buy food and fuel to operate ships as inflation is high. economic impact, as well as ongoing supply chain challenges.
That said, in many cases, the prices travelers find at shipboard locations such as restaurants and bars — and the amount they spend on board — are growing much faster than inflation. broadcast.
Related: The Ultimate Guide to Norwegian Cruise Line
The chairman and CEO of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings, Frank Del Rio, told Wall Street analysts last month that the company’s revenue per passenger per day in the third quarter of this year was about 30% over the same period in 2019.
Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings is the parent company of Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruise.
In the United States, consumer prices have increased 7.7% over the past year, as measured by the latest Consumer Price Index report from the US Department of Labor.
Norway says customers with existing cruise bookings for 2023 and beyond can lock in a current, lower service fee by paying the bonus upfront by January 1.
Passengers who are not satisfied with the service they receive on board the Norwegian train can adjust the daily bonus amount deposited into their account while on board by visiting the Customer Service desk, according to the line.
Related: Why we love Norway’s new Prima
In addition, passengers can sometimes receive a “free” service fee that is included in the price of their cruise fare when booking through one of Norway’s regular “free at sea” promotions including Service fee included as part of the package. That said, service fees are not always included in such promotions.
Norway’s current “free of charge” promotion includes a free drink package, two dinners at a chargeable on-board restaurant (for seven-night cruises), a credit of 50 dollars per excursion and 150 minutes of Wi-Fi access – but no service fees.
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