UBP with large (> 30) group

[AtlantaAlly]

Looks like we may have a new family vacation next summer and I'm wondering if 1 person books the 38 of us and it is paid for by one person, will just 20 of us be able to order the UBP? I can understand small families that all are of the same financial and drinking mindset, but we have some that will not drink anything because they are too cheap and many that are not even 21. Second question: how does it work for a 1 year old? Do they have to get the soda package?

 

And I do apologize that I couldn't din this answer because I swear I looked!

[triptolemus]

The terms read that all persons staying in the same cabin or "under the same payment method" must purchase the package. I'm not clear whether that means reservation payment method, or on-board account payment method. Responses to this thread will be mixed about 50/50 telling you it's one way or the other. My personal opinion is that NCL wants to sell the package, so, venturing a guess, I'd say it's on-board account payment method. In this case, folks wanting the UBB should set up on-board accounts on their own.

 

Far as I can tell, the 1 y/o will need the soda package.

[CruiseNwill]

When it says same payment it is payment for room charges. When you check in they as for a credit card, as long as those are different you are fine.

[orangegrove]

The UBP has to be purchased for all persons staying in the cabin that are over 21. The 1 year old does not need to purchase the soda card. When you purchase the soda card they put a sticker on your card. They only give you one glass of soda at a time. It is fountain soda not can. You can ask for a can if you purchase a soda without the soda plan.

[wichitastatecruiser]

Looks like we may have a new family vacation next summer and I'm wondering if 1 person books the 38 of us and it is paid for by one person, will just 20 of us be able to order the UBP? I can understand small families that all are of the same financial and drinking mindset, but we have some that will not drink anything because they are too cheap and many that are not even 21. Second question: how does it work for a 1 year old? Do they have to get the soda package?

 

And I do apologize that I couldn't din this answer because I swear I looked!

 

Technically everyone in the same cabin is suppose to have some kind of package on their card. However in your situation I would have the person paying call NCL customer service and explain the situation and I'm sure because of the large number of people booked under a single card that they would be willing to work with them, especially if its 20 people wanting to get the package.

[gooch47]

Not saying this OP or his group would ever do this, but allowing only part of a large group traveling together to buy the package would be a prime way to cheat the system. I really am curious how NCL handles it.

[khaide612]

Before the UBP, there was a group beverage package. Not sure if they still have it. It was for groups of over 20 people and every person in the group had to purchase it.

 

We are sailing with a group of about 24 people in May. Not a group rate or anything - everyone booked separately. There are some in the group that don't drink, some who get the casino card, some may buy the UBP and some may just stick to the beer buckets. If the UBP is limited to 15 drinks per person per day, there can't be much "cheating" when only a few buy the UBP in a large group.

[wichitastatecruiser]

Not saying this OP or his group would ever do this, but allowing only part of a large group traveling together to buy the package would be a prime way to cheat the system. I really am curious how NCL handles it.

 

The OP also states that there are individuals in the party that are under 21 (including a 1 year old), assuming that there are 8 kids that would be 20 out of 30 people getting the UBP. It would also be a guaranteed $6600 income for NCL and probably do a lot to satisfy the customer, especially since this trip is sponsored by a single payer. My guess that if NCL has any type of business sense that they will bend over backwards to accommodate the person who is paying for 38 people to cruise.

[wichitastatecruiser]

Before the UBP, there was a group beverage package. Not sure if they still have it. It was for groups of over 20 people and every person in the group had to purchase it.

 

We are sailing with a group of about 24 people in May. Not a group rate or anything - everyone booked separately. There are some in the group that don't drink, some who get the casino card, some may buy the UBP and some may just stick to the beer buckets. If the UBP is limited to 15 drinks per person per day, there can't be much "cheating" when only a few buy the UBP in a large group.

 

I believe Carnival is the only line that has the 15 drinks in 24 hour limit. RCCL and NCL don't have that, though if your daily drinks got to high I would assume they would investigate your usage.

[khaide612]

I believe Carnival is the only line that has the 15 drinks in 24 hour limit. RCCL and NCL don't have that, though if your daily drinks got to high I would assume they would investigate your usage.

 

Thanks I thought I read on here that it was NCL too. Doesn't matter to me on my next sailing as it won't be worth it but good to know for others.

[peg013]

Looks like we may have a new family vacation next summer and I'm wondering if 1 person books the 38 of us and it is paid for by one person, will just 20 of us be able to order the UBP? I can understand small families that all are of the same financial and drinking mindset, but we have some that will not drink anything because they are too cheap and many that are not even 21. Second question: how does it work for a 1 year old? Do they have to get the soda package?

 

And I do apologize that I couldn't din this answer because I swear I looked!

 

Is this same person paying for everyone's onboard expenses? If not then only those that are in the same cabin or being paid for under the same credit card would need to buy the UBP with soda cards for any children in that cabin. If the one person is paying for everyone with the same credit card then it should be everyone or no one gets it. All you can do is ask once onboard.

Edited April 29, 2014 by peg013

[gooch47]

Like I said, I wasn't specifically talking about the OP and his group. I was just saying that a large group traveling together COULD easily beat the system and wondered how NCL would deal with that possibility.

[blackwing]

I am curious as well. I do think the potential for abuse of the UBP with a large party is great, but it could just as easily happen with a smaller party. Two couples are cruising together. The guys are big drinkers and want the UBP. The women would have an occasional drink but can't drink $49 per day's worth.

 

Solution: Book adjoining cabins. Have the two guys registered in one cabin and the two women in the other. The guys get the UBP. They drink like fishes, and occasionally get a drink for their spouses. There would be some slight inconvenience with the onboard account, but that could be easily taken care of. Guy A uses his card for anything he and Woman A want to charge. Woman B uses her card for anything she and Guy B want to charge.

 

There would also be some slight inconvenience with room keys, but if they are connecting rooms and they are close friends then there probably isn't much of an issue.

 

As far as a potential limit for drinks in a 24 hour period... it could easily be explained. "I have the UBP and want to take advantage of it and try as many different drinks as possible. I didn't like many of them and only took a few sips out of some before discarding."