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New cruiser with questions on UBP

backtodavis

By backtodavis,
in Norwegian Cruise Line

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backtodavis

backtodavis

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I have never been on a cruise and have a few questions. I am considering getting the UBP but not sure I really need it. Do you have to get it for your whole cruise? I know you can buy it while on the ship but do you have to buy it the first day? Also if you are on a 7 day cruise do you pay for all 7 days as the last day you are only on until 8 am. I am going on a cruise certificate from casino, I will have free drinks from the casino, but also like to have a cocktail with dinner at times and while lounging by the pool. I am not able to get the UDP or UBP with any upgrades I make because I was only "given" an inside room and will only get an OBC. I don't really agree with that if I am willing to pay a good price for the upgrade but won't if I don't get any benefits from doing so. Thanks for any help I am sure I will have lots more lol:confused:

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rydan

rydan

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I believe the beverage package is approx $75 per day per person. Also, everyone in your cabin also has to purchase the UBP. Minors have to purchase the soda package. it much less than the adult UBP.

 

On a 7 day cruise i remember them selling the package for the first couple of days.

 

The UBP has a limit of up to $10 on a single beverage. The average beverage is $7-9.

 

Hope this helps.

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AKR2011

AKR2011

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The UBP recently went up and now covers drinks up to $11. You can search the threads, as there are quite a few on the topic. I'm getting it for the first time on my next cruise, but I never had it before. I always thought it was unnecessary. Definitely weigh your options and decide how much you'll drink on the ship verses how much time you'll be spending in port. That really makes a difference. I used to just budget $30-$40 a day and go for the specials like Drink of the Day and whatever was 3 for $15. I was always able to find specials and Happy Hours, but now people are reporting that there are less of those. Like I said, check out the forums and you'll see a lot of debate. That's what made me get it now for my cruise in 2016. Who knows what it will cost then.

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hawkeyetlse

hawkeyetlse

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Also if you are on a 7 day cruise do you pay for all 7 days as the last day you are only on until 8 am.
If you are on a 7-day cruise, the last day is actually Day 8. Don't take my word for it: Count them!

 

The UBP still works on the last morning, but you won't find many bars open :p It makes up a little bit for the fact that Day 1 (embarkation day) doesn't have much of a morning.

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sixesandeights

sixesandeights

Posted
Posted (edited)
I believe the beverage package is approx $75 per day per person. Also, everyone in your cabin also has to purchase the UBP. Minors have to purchase the soda package. it much less than the adult UBP.

 

On a 7 day cruise i remember them selling the package for the first couple of days.

 

The UBP has a limit of up to $10 on a single beverage. The average beverage is $7-9.

 

Hope this helps.

 

 

Why post when you clearly do not have any factual information?

 

If you pre purchase the UBP before the cruise it is $54 a day plus 18% gratuity. That comes out to $63.72 a day. You have to purchase for the entire cruise. So a 7 day cruise costs $446.04 per person. If you are purchasing the package everyone in your cabin that is 21 and over has to purchase it. The price on the ship is $59 per person a day plus 18%, so buy in advance if possible.

 

With the UBP you can get any drink up to $11. This is basically every drink on the ship except high end wines, and very few specialty scotches, and cognacs. Prices have just gone up on drink so a beer is now around $6.75 after gratuity, mixed drink are in the $8-$11 range, and wine are 8-11 as well. Martina's are around $12 after gratuity (still included as it is the pre-gratuity price that applies to the limit), and frozen drinks are around $10.

 

Consider your drinking habits on cruises to see if is worth it for you. My wife an i typically come out far ahead.

 

6&8

Edited by sixesandeights
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hawkeyetlse

hawkeyetlse

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So would a long island iced tea be doable under UBP since it is only priced at 9.50 but when you add in the 18% it comes to 11.21?
Don't worry about the 18%. The $11 limit is before tips and before taxes (if any). If the base price listed on the menu is $11 or less, it is included.

 

There are recent reports that you can also order drinks above $11, and you will only pay the difference (plus 18% tip). Check with you bartender before ordering to make sure.

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jertom

jertom

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Is coffee served after dinner in MDR on NCL?

 

Usually you have to ask for coffee if you want it after dinner. And best to really make a point of exactly when you would like it: with the dessert, or before or after.

Tom

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AzStyle

AzStyle

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We just got of the epic we were asked after every dinner in the premium restaurants if we wanted coffee with desert which was nice and it was included. I like coffee and bailey's which was not included but our waiter told us to order the shot of bailey's on the side and it would be included. Even if your drink is over the 11.00 limit you only pay the difference.

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backtodavis

backtodavis

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@ALS1214 What type of certificate did you have? Was it from their CAS? I got mine from a casino in Atlantic City. I called to book and was told even I upgraded to a balcony I would not get any additional promotion because I was only given an inside cabin. For the price I am paying just in nfc and taxes to upgrade I'm ready to just book directly thru NCL with no certificate. it would save me more $$ to have the promo going on. Do you get the free drink card in the casino as well? I'm just curious if that is all I need instead of the UBP.

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kitten3008

kitten3008

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We originally hadn't planned on purchasing the UBP on our cruise the beginning of this month, but with the increase in drink prices plus the increased gratuity we went ahead and did so, and we were glad we did. It was my first cruise and I couldn't imagine drinking enough to make up the cost, but it was extremely easy to do so. We didn't tally the drinks but I know for certain there was only one day on our cruise when I had less than ten drinks; that sounds crazy, but when you think about it... a mimosa/bloody Mary or two in the morning, three or four frozen drinks by the pool or in the casino, a couple glasses of wine at dinner, a few scattered shots throughout the day - that puts you over ten without really even over indulging. Never mind the nights we spent at Howl at the Moon, where we drank like fishes, lol. There were only even a couple of evenings where I can say I actually felt remotely drunk, and based on the tips we added alone we more than paid for the UBP. YMMV, but I don't think I'd ever cruise without it!

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AzStyle

AzStyle

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I agree kitten, I rarely drink at home but my husband does, so at first we weren't going to get it but I'm so glad we did. I drank more on Wednesday then I had in 5 years combined! Well there were shots involved and of course the drink of the day and the martinis at dinner! I also would never cruise without it.

Edited by AzStyle
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