Norwegian Cruise Line has added “for fee” entrees to the dining room menus on their largest and newest cruise ship, Norwegian Escape, reports Cruise Critic.
The biggest change will be the extra charge for ordering prime rib (16 oz), that now comes with a $14.99 surcharge. Other items added to the main dining room menus are lobster ( 1.5 to 1.75 lbs) for $19.99 and surf and turf ( 8 oz filet mignon with lobster tail) for $24.99. These entrees are in addition to the complimentary options.
Norwegian joins Royal Caribbean and Carnival who each have a few items (primarily steak and lobster) on the main dining room menus that come with a surcharge. There is no word yet on whether Norwegian will roll out this change to other ships in their fleet. However, based on changes the cruise line has made in the past year, the chances are high that other ships will add the new menu.
Earlier this year, Norwegian began to offer an enhanced room service menu that has a surcharge of up to $7.95. More recently in July, the cruise line announced that many of their specialty restaurants will switch to an a la carte menu instead of a fixed fee pricing per person. On a positive note, the cruise line did announce that they will be adding a separate, enclosed smoking section to the casino on Norwegian Escape.
Every time I read a Norwegian press release I become less likely to ever cruise with them. This year in particular has been a torrent of nickel-and-diming. What next, a surcharge for clean restrooms?
I guess we all have to upgrade to the ULTIMATE DINING PACKAGE now. NCL wants to make money…