Ultimate drink package increase??

[Patsfans]

Did the drink package really increase to 62.00 that is what they just quoted me

[SeaShark]

Did the drink package really increase to 62.00 that is what they just quoted me

 

Yes, of course it did....quite some weeks back actually.

[hladygirl]

Yes, of course it did....quite some weeks back actually.

Not worth the money! I would drink too much just trying to make it worth it. No Thanks!

[YoHoHo]

Did the drink package really increase to 62.00 that is what they just quoted me

Yes, that is correct. That does include the forced service charge so is the realistic and correct per day cost that you will pay. Now mutiple by number of days, times the number of adults in the cabin and add in the soda package for any minors and you have the full cost. The total can be more of an eye-opener than a Mimosa for breakfast lol.

 

What is often overlooked in 'price is rising' threads is that NCL also modified the package. The $ limit has been raised to include more drinks.

 

So if you want higher end cocktails the new package is much better. For a few days it is fine but everyday, for everyone in the cabin, for the length of the cruise it can be a lot of money or a lot of drinking to balance the cost against simply paying as you go.

[cb3thatsme]

On NCL are the drinks included with the specialty restaurants and the MDR?

 

Also what are the Wine / Beer / Cocktail limits now?

[rochelle_s]

Even more if you purchase onboard.

 

I was planning on purchasing the UBP for my upcoming Getaway cruise for convenience sake. With the increase in price I have changed my mind. I have a drink card from CAS for the casino, will purchases a wine package and then just pay as I go for anything else.

 

I think a lot of people purchase the package for convenience sake. Raising the prices of the packages will deter a lot of these people.

 

I wonder how many UBP they sell on port intensive cruises.

 

Rochelle

[ee1999]

Even more if you purchase onboard.

 

I was planning on purchasing the UBP for my upcoming Getaway cruise for convenience sake. With the increase in price I have changed my mind. I have a drink card from CAS for the casino, will purchases a wine package and then just pay as I go for anything else.

 

I think a lot of people purchase the package for convenience sake. Raising the prices of the packages will deter a lot of these people.

 

I wonder how many UBP they sell on port intensive cruises.

 

Rochelle

Rochelle,

I agree with you. We just had the drink package on Getaway and we paid for it before the price increase. I originally got it for the convenience and I thought I would try more drinks if I got it.

 

The reality was you have to sign the same ticket with NCL as if you were buying a drink without it. It freaks a lot of people out at first because you actually sign a check with the actual prices and gratuities on it. When you look at your account on the app or tv you see those same prices, but they zero everything out before your final bill.

 

It made it easy to see that we spent about $500 on drinks vs the $800 we paid for the package, and we drank a lot! The other thing that I question is if NCL gives the entire !5% gratuity we paid on the package to the bartenders or does it just give the 15% from the actual drinks? We tipped cash extra on every drink, but as a business decision NCL could bring in a lot of bucks if they do what I suspect.

 

My suggestion would be don't even consider the UBP unless you're not getting off the ship in the ports.

[don't-use-real-name]

In less than 6 months it has gone UP twice.

Was originally $49 a day pp

went to $54 bought in advance of sailing - $59 bought on board

and now $62 - - -

 

Almost like adding one more daily drink to the budget albeit the drinks

it covers are now including the more expensive ones !

[KeithJenner]

In less than 6 months it has gone UP twice.

Was originally $49 a day pp

went to $54 bought in advance of sailing - $59 bought on board

and now $62 - - -

 

Almost like adding one more daily drink to the budget albeit the drinks

it covers are now including the more expensive ones !

 

I'm pretty sure that the price hasn't gone up again.

 

$54 plus 15% tip is $62.10

 

I think the OP was just quoted the actual price they will pay, including tips.

[yoboy08753]

I have yet to make our final payment for our Oct 2014 7day cruise that we booked about 2 weeks ago and just logged into my ncl acct. UBP is available for me to buy at 54.00 pp. .....869.40 total after gratuity and tax

Edited June 30, 2014 by yoboy08753

[willise]

$870 for a weeklong cruise, just for alcohol, seems like an awful lot to me. I wouldn't say we are BIG drinkers, but we have them when we want to have them, and we have never gone over $500.

 

It seems a little out of perspective to me when you consider the cost of the UDP, but of course, NCL like other cruise lines, has a captive audience and can charge whatever they want. I guess they make a large portion of their revenue on liquor, given this price increase and the wildly excessive prices for in-room bar setups.

[Beaver1975]

I'm pretty sure that the price hasn't gone up again.

 

$54 plus 15% tip is $62.10

 

I think the OP was just quoted the actual price they will pay, including tips.

 

How dare you inject truth into this thread? It does not fit the blame NCL for everything narrative that is so prevalent around here. But then again you have the same narrative on the others lines also. SMH!

[yoboy08753]

here's a great spreadsheet to see if the package is worth it.Dont forget to input the # of cruisers on the package towards the bottom

NCL Drink Spreadsheet Version 1.1.xls

Edited June 30, 2014 by yoboy08753

[NEW 2 CRUISIN]

$870 for a weeklong cruise, just for alcohol, seems like an awful lot to me.

 

I totally agree!

I guess if all one did was stay omn the ship and drink it might work out. But the bill for the new liver would far outweigh any savings on booze! HAHA!

 

We usually have a drink (or few) on shore during excursions or on the beach, where they are generally much tastier and less expensive. Often can't beat the local beers and rums that are not available onthe ship.

 

I suppose there are those out there who can make this package work though, and am glad they have that choice! I just think of what that extra $870 could be used for instead! :eek:

Edited June 30, 2014 by NEW 2 CRUISIN

[NEW 2 CRUISIN]

here's a great spreadsheet to see if the package is worth it.Dont forget to input the # of cruisers on the package towards the bottom

 

Now THAT'S awesome, YOBOY!

 

Thanks for sharing!

I just confirmed my suspicions that the drink package would be a terrible deal for us! HAHA!

[holidaychick75]

Thanks for the spreadsheet that is such a great tool!!!

I am just organising the finer details for my cruise with the family and couldnt decide what drinks package to go with!!

 

Can anyone answer this - my son only drinks water, but as the terms and conditions say if you buy a package then kids have to pay for the soft drink package - seems unfair to pay £25 for fizzy drinks he will not use! is it best to buy on board so that I can try to get a deal? :confused:

[LrgPizza]

here's a great spreadsheet to see if the package is worth it.Dont forget to input the # of cruisers on the package towards the bottom

 

Now THAT'S awesome, YOBOY!

 

Thanks for sharing!

I just confirmed my suspicions that the drink package would be a terrible deal for us! HAHA!

Thanks for the spreadsheet that is such a great tool!!!

 

That was an old version of the spreadsheet. The updated version is this:

 

NCL Drink Package Spreadsheet version 1.3

 

Thanks goes to wichitastatecruiser for putting tons of time into creating this.

Edited June 30, 2014 by LrgPizza

[LrgPizza]

On NCL are the drinks included with the specialty restaurants and the MDR?

 

Also what are the Wine / Beer / Cocktail limits now?

 

 

No, drinks are not included in specialty restaurants. You pay for beverages everywhere.

 

The UBP limit is $10 for any type of drink.

[wichitastatecruiser]

That was an old version of the spreadsheet. The updated version is this:

 

NCL Drink Package Spreadsheet version 1.3

 

Thanks goes to wichitastatecruiser for putting tons of time into creating this.

 

Also as per usual big shout to Gambee for taking the time on his cruises to take photos of everything and to everyone who has but that spreadsheet into a more accessible link since I suck at putting things in the "cloud"!

[yoboy08753]

Also as per usual big shout to Gambee for taking the time on his cruises to take photos of everything and to everyone who has but that spreadsheet into a more accessible link since I suck at putting things in the "cloud"!

 

here is the attachment

NCL Drink Spreadsheet 1.3.xls

Edited June 30, 2014 by yoboy08753

[wichitastatecruiser]

Thanks for the spreadsheet that is such a great tool!!!

I am just organising the finer details for my cruise with the family and couldnt decide what drinks package to go with!!

 

Can anyone answer this - my son only drinks water, but as the terms and conditions say if you buy a package then kids have to pay for the soft drink package - seems unfair to pay £25 for fizzy drinks he will not use! is it best to buy on board so that I can try to get a deal? :confused:

 

Try spreadsheet 1.3. Since if you get a drink package your son will have to get the drink package version 1.3 takes that into account and let you know if you would still be saving money (and how much) by going with a package.

[wichitastatecruiser]

Rochelle,

I agree with you. We just had the drink package on Getaway and we paid for it before the price increase. I originally got it for the convenience and I thought I would try more drinks if I got it.

 

The reality was you have to sign the same ticket with NCL as if you were buying a drink without it. It freaks a lot of people out at first because you actually sign a check with the actual prices and gratuities on it. When you look at your account on the app or tv you see those same prices, but they zero everything out before your final bill.

 

It made it easy to see that we spent about $500 on drinks vs the $800 we paid for the package, and we drank a lot! The other thing that I question is if NCL gives the entire !5% gratuity we paid on the package to the bartenders or does it just give the 15% from the actual drinks? We tipped cash extra on every drink, but as a business decision NCL could bring in a lot of bucks if they do what I suspect.

 

My suggestion would be don't even consider the UBP unless you're not getting off the ship in the ports.

 

I actually like having to sign and them tracking it. Carnival did it and it made it super easy for me to see that I had more than broke even. Whereas on Royal I have no idea if I broke even or not. As are as you breaking even, you need to remember that the price on the screen does not include the 15% gratuity per drink so without the package your bill will have been $588. In order to break even the two of you would have had to drink 2 more drinks per day a piece so you were closer than what you think.

[yoboy08753]

Try spreadsheet 1.3. Since if you get a drink package your son will have to get the drink package version 1.3 takes that into account and let you know if you would still be saving money (and how much) by going with a package.

 

That's assuming the son is over 21. Only people in the same cabin 21 and older have to purchase it

[wichitastatecruiser]

That's assuming the son is over 21. Only people in the same cabin 21 and older have to purchase it

 

The fine print states that everyone in the cabin must purchase a drink package if one gets it. That means that people under 21 must purchase a soda package. The spreadsheet I created takes that into consideration.

[yoboy08753]

Try spreadsheet 1.3. Since if you get a drink package your son will have to get the drink package version 1.3 takes that into account and let you know if you would still be saving money (and how much) by going with a package.

 

The fine print states that everyone in the cabin must purchase a drink package if one gets it. That means that people under 21 must purchase a soda package. The spreadsheet I created takes that into consideration.

 

Ahhh OK