mw_1970 Posted January 8, 2013 Author #76 Share Posted January 8, 2013 About November NCL started to introduce the trial of this package, they should put out (if they haven't already) a press release if it goes fleetwide and becomes permanent. As far as I know it is still only in the trial phase, thats why there is such limited and conflicting information on it. No It's no longer a trial and for now is here to stay is what I was told by F&B manager onboard Spirit. Of course, everything has a lifespan. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
che5904 Posted January 8, 2013 #77 Share Posted January 8, 2013 No It's no longer a trial and for now is here to stay is what I was told by F&B manager onboard Spirit. Of course, everything has a lifespan. Interesting and surprising then that NCL has not had a press release, they appear to have one every time something is concrete. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Debbie1029 Posted January 8, 2013 #78 Share Posted January 8, 2013 Just off the Sky and wines that sold for $10 or less by the glass were included. I was served specialty martinis in the Plantation lounge. The bartender rang it up as a vodka purchase ( as opposed to a martini) and used an allowable vodka not the Grey Goose described. Not certain if I broke even or not but it was nice not to have to worry about the final bill and allowed me to try drinks I might not normally try! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mw_1970 Posted January 8, 2013 Author #79 Share Posted January 8, 2013 Just off the Sky and wines that sold for $10 or less by the glass were included. I was served specialty martinis in the Plantation lounge. The bartender rang it up as a vodka purchase ( as opposed to a martini) and used an allowable vodka not the Grey Goose described. Not certain if I broke even or not but it was nice not to have to worry about the final bill and allowed me to try drinks I might not normally try! I found the bar tenders on the whole very helpful Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Partyatsea Posted January 8, 2013 #80 Share Posted January 8, 2013 I was told by my very reliable PCC the program is fleetwide on sailings 3 days or longer. I have read on here it is not available on POA, not sure if thats confirmed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ImolaZHP Posted January 8, 2013 #81 Share Posted January 8, 2013 Just came back from an 11-day on the Sun. I was in a cabin with 2 others. Total came to $619/each. Honestly, If you're not a HEAVY drinker or if you're mostly drinking beer/cheaper mixes this package probably won't work in favor for you. There are ways to drink cheaply as listed earlier. However, it is nice to not have to think about the bill at the end. Since you can't see the individual drinks on the final statement you receive, I decided to tally up all my receipts and it brought a total just shy of $800. So...It did work out for me!!...but that also requires consistent, copious amounts of drinking..I was also ordering more expensive frozen or complicated cocktails I wouldnt normally get. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eiffeltower07 Posted January 8, 2013 #82 Share Posted January 8, 2013 A NCL rep said to someone we are traveling with that they would not be offering the drink package during the spring break season. Has anyone else heard this? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TSUmom Posted January 8, 2013 #83 Share Posted January 8, 2013 So, about how much is a bucket of beer? We will be traveling with two others. Two of us are wine and mixed drink people and the others are beer people and will probably drink two to 3 buckets a day. I am just trying to figure out if the package will benefit us or not. Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mw_1970 Posted January 8, 2013 Author #84 Share Posted January 8, 2013 Buckets (from memory) are around $27.50 +15% so around $31 for 6 You can take any surplus back to your cabin Buckets are not available from ALL bars. On our latest cruise, just pool bars and pub. If you just drink beer I can't see the UBP working for you. The UBP works best for cocktail and wine drinkers in my opinion. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mw_1970 Posted January 8, 2013 Author #85 Share Posted January 8, 2013 A NCL rep said to someone we are traveling with that they would not be offering the drink package during the spring break season. Has anyone else heard this? VERY good idea in my opinion. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2boyzmom Posted January 8, 2013 #86 Share Posted January 8, 2013 (edited) A NCL rep said to someone we are traveling with that they would not be offering the drink package during the spring break season. Has anyone else heard this? I hope that is not the case for us but it looks like it may be true since the corporate and large group drink packages are unavailable from March 1st- April 15th! http://www.events.ncl.com/assets/documents/18282GroupBeverageFlyer.pdf Edited January 8, 2013 by 2boyzmom Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare sparks1093 Posted January 8, 2013 #87 Share Posted January 8, 2013 Buckets (from memory) are around $27.50 +15% so around $31 for 6 You can take any surplus back to your cabin Buckets are not available from ALL bars. On our latest cruise, just pool bars and pub. If you just drink beer I can't see the UBP working for you. The UBP works best for cocktail and wine drinkers in my opinion. It depends on the quantity, if someone is drinking 12 beers a day that's the equivilent of two buckets at $62. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare sparks1093 Posted January 8, 2013 #88 Share Posted January 8, 2013 A NCL rep said to someone we are traveling with that they would not be offering the drink package during the spring break season. Has anyone else heard this? It makes sense. It has to be remembered that NCL offers this program to make money, not because they want to do everyone a favor. They take the gamble that most people will not drink the amount necessary to break even with the program. NCL probably figures that during Spring Break they are more likely to lose money on the program so they suspend it during that time frame. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mw_1970 Posted January 8, 2013 Author #89 Share Posted January 8, 2013 It depends on the quantity, if someone is drinking 12 beers a day that's the equivilent of two buckets at $62. True That's one gassy day Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
time2cruise1 Posted January 8, 2013 #90 Share Posted January 8, 2013 It depends on the quantity, if someone is drinking 12 beers a day that's the equivilent of two buckets at $62. The down side buying one beer at a time. Nothing better then a bucket or two in the suite to enjoy on the balcony. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk - Jim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jdvmd Posted January 8, 2013 #91 Share Posted January 8, 2013 Received this today. Ultimate Beverage Package Flyer.pdf.pdf Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kato92 Posted January 8, 2013 #92 Share Posted January 8, 2013 attachment not valid:confused: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
time2cruise1 Posted January 8, 2013 #93 Share Posted January 8, 2013 attachment not valid:confused: It's a PDF and I had no problem opening it. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk - Jim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
che5904 Posted January 8, 2013 #94 Share Posted January 8, 2013 Received this today. Thanks Linda. Odd it says nothing about buying a soda package for those in your cabin under age. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jdvmd Posted January 8, 2013 #95 Share Posted January 8, 2013 Thanks Linda. Odd it says nothing about buying a soda package for those in your cabin under age. I picked up on that. Makes you wonder, doesn't it? Maybe they will do away with that requirement? Came from NCL to my agency. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
che5904 Posted January 8, 2013 #96 Share Posted January 8, 2013 I picked up on that. Makes you wonder, doesn't it? Maybe they will do away with that requirement? Came from NCL to my agency. Probably be a good requirement to do away with. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare sparks1093 Posted January 8, 2013 #97 Share Posted January 8, 2013 The down side buying one beer at a time. Nothing better then a bucket or two in the suite to enjoy on the balcony. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk - Jim Can't drink your hops and eat them too:cool:. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
justkiya Posted January 8, 2013 #98 Share Posted January 8, 2013 (edited) I'm debating this. Last cruise (7 day on the Spirit), I spent ~390 on drinks - and this included a Bon Voyage package that I didn't finish and two bottles of wine. This (7 day on the Star) would end up being 343 + 52 (gratuity) + 33 (NOLA Sales Tax @ 9.75%) = 428 There IS the convenience of not having to go back to my room to top off (which is why the BV liquor was carried off the ship with me), and I'm sure I'll order more from the bar if it's covered. And really, that 30 dollar difference all goes to NOLA, annnnyhow. Though, I had an inside room last time, and this time I'll have a balcony, so I might actually spend more time in my room than I did last trip. Gah! It'll be nice to not have to worry about the size of the bar bill at the end of the trip. But. I don't know. I think it might be a wash either way. Edited January 8, 2013 by justkiya Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sebas030 Posted January 8, 2013 #99 Share Posted January 8, 2013 I am heading out on a 9 night cruise soon ... not soon enough but .... with 4 port days that I know we will get out of the ship, do some excursion and come back late afternoon, then you are left with only dinner time and the evening to drink your "minimum" of 7 or 8 drinks....or even more if you have beer, then you better get 6 beers and a few drinks or glass of wine. I do not think this will be an alternative for us.... we always bring onboard a few bottles of champagne and red wine, and we order a couple of beer buckets per day. I read somewhere on CC that you could even get 2/1 on beer buckets during happy hour in a certain bar....if that is the case, no way this package is worth it for us...a few happy hour buckets per day and....voila ! And it's one card per order, multiple drink at a time.....well I think I will pass on this offer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
njcrab Posted January 9, 2013 #100 Share Posted January 9, 2013 Did you purchase the package while still in port and were you charged sales tax? Just came back from an 11-day on the Sun. I was in a cabin with 2 others. Total came to $619/each. Honestly, If you're not a HEAVY drinker or if you're mostly drinking beer/cheaper mixes this package probably won't work in favor for you. There are ways to drink cheaply as listed earlier. However, it is nice to not have to think about the bill at the end. Since you can't see the individual drinks on the final statement you receive, I decided to tally up all my receipts and it brought a total just shy of $800. So...It did work out for me!!...but that also requires consistent, copious amounts of drinking..I was also ordering more expensive frozen or complicated cocktails I wouldnt normally get. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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