ultimate beverage package

[dbcharles]

Is it worth it? Any restrictions?

 

 

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[Demonyte]

Nobody can tell if it is worth it to you, for some it is and for others not so much. Yes, there are restrictions (fewer than before though).

 

Also, there are a ton of threads about the matter started pretty much daily, I suggest you take a look of some of those.

Edited July 11, 2014 by Demonyte

[LrgPizza]

Is it worth it to me? Absolutely. Is it worth it to you? I have no idea. We haven't yet met.

 

This is a spreadsheet put together by CC member wichitastatecruiser in which you can plug the length of your cruise, and what drinks you think you might have each day. It will give you a yes/no on whether or not it is worth it.

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showpost.php?p=42797372&postcount=1

 

Keep in mind that the UBP allows you to try things you might not otherwise try, and to walk away from a drink you don't like or that got watery without batting an eye.

[Annmeat]

Is it worth it? Any restrictions?

 

 

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Everyone 21 and over in your suite must purchase the UBP, and your 4 teens will each have to purchase the soda plan as well. NCL has Pepsi products - just in case your family is one of the" no Pepsi-COKE" families.

 

I have to tell you, the spreadsheet is a work of art!

There are drinks listed there that I have never heard of. Although not a big drinker, I have a few on my " need to try " list!

 

 

Ann

[graphicguy]

Nobody can tell if it is worth it to you, for some it is and for others not so much. Yes, there are restrictions (fewer than before though).

 

Also, there are a ton of threads about the matter started pretty much daily, I suggest you take a look of some of those.

 

 

I agree.

 

We had it thrown in for free when NCL was running a promotion when we booked for our June cruise. I'm not sure we got our money's worth, as you have to drink A LOT of alcohol for it to pay off (we figured 8 liquor or wine drinks, or 10 beers, each day....every day). That said, soft drinks were included, too....as were juices. So, maybe it would have been a break even proposition given those inclusions.

 

The upside, we never found any drink that was excluded from the package. I have heard there was some sort of cognac and rare scotch that wasn't included, but neither of us were interested in those drinks.

 

Only you can answer that question, though.

[suron]

When considering the UBP you should bear in mind that all adults in your party will have to take it up. If you take into account that every drink you order has a 15% surcharge on it then it may work out best for you to have the package. Another point to consider is that if you book and pay for this prior to departure you will not incur the 15% surcharge on the package which is applicable if you wait until you get on board to buy it.

 

For me it was the right choice as although not a big drinker I do like to try the cocktails of the day which in some cases cost around $8. I also enjoy a glass of wine with my evening meal and have the odd drink and/or cokes during the day - gin and tonics were about $6.50 and other alcoholic drinks about the same. Cokes and other sodas were about $4. The UBP will allow you to order wine only by the glass - there is a Wine Package available - another way of getting more money out of you! Sodas and other soft drinks and coffee are included in the UBP so for adults it would seem a wise choice. For children there is the Soda Package which I think is good value. Bottled water is not included in any of the packages and is expensive on board - would make sense to purchase this ashore and take it on board - I took on 8 large bottles of water which I bought in the cruise terminal for Euros 8 and no-one stopped me taking it on board.

 

It all comes down to personal choice and to whether you feel it would be used to the full. Good Luck with all your plans and have a great cruise.

 

One final point - sometimes the rules are different when sailing in Europe as opposed to the Caribbean - did not know where you are cruising to.

 

Suron (in Bristol, UK)

[Coastalbreezes]

When the UBP first came out, I was told that only "regular" vodka or gin martinis were included or dirty martinis, no Cosmopolitans etc. Is that still true? Are "fancier" martinis now included? It's difficult to tell when reading the fine print.

 

Thanks,

Tracy

[triptolemus]

It's not that difficult.

 

All drinks up to $10 are included.

 

This spreadsheet has a current price list:

 

http://mrose.org/cc/NCL%20Drink%20Spreadsheet.xlsx

[LrgPizza]

When considering the UBP you should bear in mind that all adults in your party will have to take it up. If you take into account that every drink you order has a 15% surcharge on it then it may work out best for you to have the package. Another point to consider is that if you book and pay for this prior to departure you will not incur the 15% surcharge on the package which is applicable if you wait until you get on board to buy it.

That is not true. 15% gratuity is added to the price of the package regardless where or when it is purchased.

[triptolemus]

That is not true. 15% gratuity is added to the price of the package regardless where or when it is purchased.

 

Agreed, totally bunk info.

 

I don't understand why people come here and get 31 flavors of answer when the straight dope is at NCL.com - unreal.

[dongordon]

It's not that difficult.

 

All drinks up to $10 are included.

 

This spreadsheet has a current price list:

 

http://mrose.org/cc/NCL%20Drink%20Spreadsheet.xlsx

 

I was unable to download the spread sheet.

 

Are Cosmos, Chocolate, Expresso, French Martinis, etc. on the package.

Has anyone been able to get these drinks on the package on their cruises.

 

Thanks.

Don

Edited July 12, 2014 by dongordon

[kato92]

I was unable to download the spread sheet.

 

Are Cosmos, Chocolate, Expresso, French Martinis, etc. on the package.

Has anyone been able to get these drinks on the package on their cruises.

 

Thanks.

Don

 

All included, but don't know what a french martini is

[wichitastatecruiser]

I was unable to download the spread sheet.

 

Are Cosmos, Chocolate, Expresso, French Martinis, etc. on the package.

Has anyone been able to get these drinks on the package on their cruises.

 

Thanks.

Don

 

The Cobalt Blue is the only martini over $10, besides that I think there are only 3 wines by the glass over the $10 price point.

 

Since the other link isn't working anymore try this one:

 

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B9acUoQmSNXKMDJVeFBaeUNKV2s/edit?usp=sharing

[dongordon]

The Cobalt Blue is the only martini over $10, besides that I think there are only 3 wines by the glass over the $10 price point.

 

Since the other link isn't working anymore try this one:

 

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B9acUoQmSNXKMDJVeFBaeUNKV2s/edit?usp=sharing

 

If all Martinis (except for the Cobalt Blue) are included and most wines, it appears to be a good package for us.

We will both have 2 martinis before dinner and 2 glasses of wine each at lunch and dinner.

Also a nice cordial or drink after the show or in the casino (or for me in the cigar lounge).

Perhaps a drink or two on deck during the day for both of us if the weather is nice.

Since our next cruise is the Transatlantic with lots of sea days, I think that works out to a savings.

 

Sorry, I am "computer illiterate" and could not use or print the drink chart.

Perhaps someone could help me and figure this one out by the information given above, I would appreciate it. :) :)

 

Thanks so much for this information....greatly appreciated!!

 

Don

[wichitastatecruiser]

If all Martinis (except for the Cobalt Blue) are included and most wines, it appears to be a good package for us.

We will both have 2 martinis before dinner and 2 glasses of wine each at lunch and dinner.

Also a nice cordial or drink after the show or in the casino (or for me in the cigar lounge).

Perhaps a drink or two on deck during the day for both of us if the weather is nice.

Since our next cruise is the Transatlantic with lots of sea days, I think that works out to a savings.

 

Sorry, I am "computer illiterate" and could not use or print the drink chart.

Perhaps someone could help me and figure this one out by the information given above, I would appreciate it. :) :)

 

Thanks so much for this information....greatly appreciated!!

 

Don

 

When you click the link hit the download arrow (the down arrow icon next to the printer icon) and it should give you the option to download the sheet to your computer. If I knew how to get it to directly download I would have set it up that way.

[melsmom303]

i feel it should include the lavazza coffee too for the price they charge its only like 2 dollars a cup :confused::confused:

[dongordon]

i feel it should include the lavazza coffee too for the price they charge its only like 2 dollars a cup :confused::confused:

 

That would be really nice and would probably increase the number of interested buyers.

 

They do it on Celebrity! :)

 

Don

[KeithJenner]

When considering the UBP you should bear in mind that all adults in your party will have to take it up. If you take into account that every drink you order has a 15% surcharge on it then it may work out best for you to have the package. Another point to consider is that if you book and pay for this prior to departure you will not incur the 15% surcharge on the package which is applicable if you wait until you get on board to buy it.

 

 

I see a few people have responded to this, but I will just clarify.

 

I believe that this poster was on the Epic in the Med, where VAT (at 10% not 15%) is charged for the whole of the cruise on all drinks. However, if you buy the UBP before the cruise you don't pay the VAT. As said by others the 15% gratuity is charged whatever.

 

So the general point above is actually nearly correct, but it's 10% rather than 15% and they failed to mention that the saving is only relevant to a couple of itineraries,

 

 

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