Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL), known for its “Freestyle Cruising” philosophy that champions flexibility, is initiating a major change to its complimentary dining experience. The cruise line will impose a $5 surcharge for passengers ordering a second or any additional entrée in its main dining rooms (MDRs). This quiet policy shift, typically noted in the fine print on the bottom of menus, marks a notable departure from the long-standing tradition of unlimited, complimentary main courses – a hallmark of the classic cruise vacation.
For generations of cruisers, the ability to freely sample multiple entrées at dinner was a symbol of the value and indulgence included in the cruise fare. Whether to try a new dish, share with a tablemate, or simply satisfy a larger appetite, ordering a second main course was an expected, no-cost pleasure. NCL’s new rule, which states “One entree per guest. Additional entrees will incur a $5 charge,” repositions the complimentary main dining experience and has ignited widespread discussion about the evolving economics of the cruise industry.
The Policy: Details and Industry Context
The fee applies to every second and subsequent entrée ordered by a guest during a single meal service across the entire NCL fleet’s main dining venues. Importantly, this charge does not apply to complimentary buffet areas or to specialty restaurants, which operate on separate, pre-established cover charges or à la carte pricing structures.
While NCL’s decision has ignited significant controversy among the cruising public, it is not an entirely new concept within the cruise sector. The move follows similar policies already established by its competitors, though the terms vary. MSC Cruises has already implemented a comparable $5 surcharge for a second entrée on its cruises departing from U.S. homeports, positioning it as an established cost-cutting measure on its North American sailings. Carnival Cruise Line introduced a $5 fee for extra entrées in 2019, but it generously allows two complimentary entrées per guest before the surcharge applies to the third and beyond.
By applying the charge directly to the second plate, NCL joins MSC Cruises in taking the most restrictive approach, forcing guests to make a conscious, cost-based decision on even their second course. The overall trend signals that the era of unlimited main courses is receding, as cruise lines look to curb costs and mitigate food waste.
Driving Forces: Waste Reduction or Revenue Generation?
NCL has not provided an official, detailed public statement explaining the new fee, but industry analysts and commentators overwhelmingly point to a dual motivation: reducing food waste and maximizing revenue and operational efficiency.
The Case for Sustainability and Efficiency
The most publicly appealing argument is the need to address food waste. The traditional culture of abundance often led to guests ordering multiple dishes purely for sampling, leaving substantial portions untouched and discarded. This is both environmentally unsound and a significant cost drain for the cruise line. The $5 charge acts as a soft deterrent, encouraging guests to be more thoughtful and conservative with their orders.
Furthermore, fewer plates being ordered ultimately leads to improved service flow and reduced strain on kitchen staff. Streamlining the preparation and delivery of entrées can contribute to a better, faster dining experience for all guests, while also lowering the high operational expenses associated with food and labor costs.
The Revenue Aspect
The fee is also an undeniable new stream of ancillary revenue. Across a large ship with thousands of passengers, a $5 charge for every second entrée ordered over a seven-day cruise can generate significant income. This tactic falls under the broader industry trend of “nickel-and-diming,” where cruise lines look for incremental revenue opportunities outside the base fare to maintain profitability amid rising costs for fuel, provisions, and staff wages. The revenue generated effectively offsets the cost of the food and service for the extra dish.
Part of a Larger NCL Policy Evolution
The $5 main dining room fee is not an isolated event; it is part of a series of recent, interconnected policy updates at NCL that signal a strategic overhaul of its guest offerings and cost structure.
– Specialty Dining No-Show Fee: NCL recently introduced a $10 per-person penalty for guests who fail to cancel or adjust a specialty dining reservation at least two hours prior to the scheduled time, or who arrive more than 15 minutes late. This measure was largely praised by the cruising community as a necessary step to free up valuable reservation slots that were previously wasted by guests holding multiple bookings.
– “More at Sea” Rebranding: The line has rebranded its long-running value program, “Free at Sea,” to “More at Sea.” This change has been accompanied by various adjustments to the included perks, highlighting a focus on more transparent pricing and more defined benefit levels.
– Digital Communication: The cruise line has also scaled back the automatic delivery of printed Freestyle Dailies (the daily onboard activity schedule) to cabins, now requiring guests to request a physical copy or rely on the NCL app.
These changes, taken together, demonstrate NCL’s commitment to tightening up operational inefficiencies, driving revenue from previously uncosted services, and nudging guests toward a more digitally engaged and intentional vacation experience.
Cruisers’ Response: A Value Proposition Under Scrutiny
The introduction of the $5 fee at NCL has created a visible divide within the cruising community, echoing debates that arose when MSC and Carnival introduced similar charges. Reactions range from acceptance to vocal criticism.
On one side, the pragmatists argue the fee is fair and minimal. They believe that few guests genuinely need more than one entrée and that the charge is a justified method to reduce waste and prevent “gluttony.” For those who order a second dish simply because they disliked the first, service recovery is typically expected to resolve the issue without a charge.
On the other side, critics express deep disappointment, viewing it as another cutback that diminishes the traditional cruise value. They point out that:
- Entrée portion sizes are often small, making a second course a necessity rather than an indulgence.
- The pleasure of sharing and sampling different menu items as a group is now penalized.
- It erodes the all-inclusive feel of the main dining experience, a core reason many choose to cruise.
Ultimately, the $5 charge fundamentally alters the psychological contract of complimentary dining. While a small amount, it removes the sense of unlimited abundance that has long defined the onboard culinary experience and forces a transaction into a space traditionally reserved for unrestrained indulgence. As NCL sets this new precedent, the industry awaits to see if other major cruise lines will follow suit, continuing to reshape the traditional economics of dining at sea.
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Fair and complete assessment.
Thank you for the comment Dieter.