Ala Carte Dining

[Lollygil]

If you have UDP what is the deal with the ala carte menus. I am sure some items are additional again--getting nickeled and dimed here--but other than that are we free to choose any item on the menu? Is there a limit? What if I want two apps

[KeithJenner]

Experience has been that you can order whatever you want. The only additional charge is if you have multiple entrees.

 

Recently, a few people have posted things on here that suggest that it is possibly changing. However, when asked for more details only one person has responded, so I'm treating those reports with some scepticism at the moment.

 

The one person who did give more details was in Le Bistro and was told they could only have one of each course (which is the stated rule for the platinum latitudes meal). My thought was that maybe the server was confused.

 

Anyway, until we have any more reports I'd assume that it isn't limited but be aware that there could be issues. The T&Cs certainly suggest the limit is only to entrees.

[NCLfamily]

As Keith has stated the deal should be as many appetisers and desserts as you want but one inclusive entree ($10 charge for further), although who could eat two entrees?

[BirdTravels]

As Keith has stated the deal should be as many appetisers and desserts as you want but one inclusive entree ($10 charge for further), although who could eat two entrees?

 

Agreed. The servers are allowing people to order multiple appetizers and deserts. Actually, in the past, when we go to La Cuccina, we have ordered an entree with a "side" risotto (since we don't care for the polenta). Probably about 1/2 the time, the servers bring out a entree risotto. And we eat it :p Last fall, we were in Le Bistro and ordered a butter poached lobster,,,, and the server said "you need some "turf" with that "surf"",,, and brought out an entree filet. And we, once again, ate it :D

[sonntags]

Following this thread...I've read and re-read the terms for the Ultimate Dining Package, and it sounds like if you have the UDP and choose to go to an a la carte restaurant, you pay for your app, entree, and dessert and only get 25% off of the entire bill. This seems to be applicable for Le Bistro and Cagney's... but, again, I'm not totally sure.

[LrgPizza]

Following this thread...I've read and re-read the terms for the Ultimate Dining Package, and it sounds like if you have the UDP and choose to go to an a la carte restaurant, you pay for your app, entree, and dessert and only get 25% off of the entire bill. This seems to be applicable for Le Bistro and Cagney's... but, again, I'm not totally sure.

 

 

Not at all. The new a la carte restaurants work exactly the same way those restaurants did when they had cover charges. At Cagney's, Le Bistro, and La Cucina, you can order as many apps, sides, or desserts as you want. Extra charge for extra entree, just like before. No upcharge items. This has been reported multiple times by multiple people, and is also my own experience.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums mobile app

[punkincc]

Following this thread...I've read and re-read the terms for the Ultimate Dining Package, and it sounds like if you have the UDP and choose to go to an a la carte restaurant, you pay for your app, entree, and dessert and only get 25% off of the entire bill. This seems to be applicable for Le Bistro and Cagney's... but, again, I'm not totally sure.

 

If it is truly the UDP rather than an SDP package, those terms were written before Cagneys, Le bistro and La Cucina became a la carte and probably referred to Ocean Blue. Since the inception of the SDP, they have applied the same rules to the UDP although they never formally updated them.

 

With either the UDP or SDP, you pay nothing extra at the three a la carte venues mentioned nor for Moderno and Tappanyaki. Multiple apps and sides and desserts. A second entree would be $10. Upcharges of $15 apply for Ocean Blue, Bayamo and the dinner shows. Small $7 upcharges for some others like the sushi restaurants.

[KeithJenner]

Following this thread...I've read and re-read the terms for the Ultimate Dining Package, and it sounds like if you have the UDP and choose to go to an a la carte restaurant, you pay for your app, entree, and dessert and only get 25% off of the entire bill. This seems to be applicable for Le Bistro and Cagney's... but, again, I'm not totally sure.

 

 

These are the T&Cs you need to read.

 

https://www.ncl.com/specialty-dining-package/faq

[hawkeyetlse]

Following this thread...I've read and re-read the terms for the Ultimate Dining Package, and it sounds like if you have the UDP and choose to go to an a la carte restaurant, you pay for your app, entree, and dessert and only get 25% off of the entire bill.

Your confusion is understandable. The problem is that there are now two or three different kinds of "à la carte" venues. When the UDP was still an ongoing concern for NCL, there was only one kind. They have never updated the UDP terms, because they just don't care about this package anymore. There are still people cruising with this package, but they are a dying breed, and NCL would like for them to die off as quickly as possible. ;)

[sonntags]

These are the T&Cs you need to read.

 

https://www.ncl.com/specialty-dining-package/faq

 

 

Thanks- it looks like this is just for the SDP, not the UDP :(

[sonntags]

Not at all. The new a la carte restaurants work exactly the same way those restaurants did when they had cover charges. At Cagney's, Le Bistro, and La Cucina, you can order as many apps, sides, or desserts as you want. Extra charge for extra entree, just like before. No upcharge items. This has been reported multiple times by multiple people, and is also my own experience.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums mobile app

 

Ah! So you had the UDP and were able to get in without a charge, correct? Only a charge for additional apps, entrees?

 

Thank you!

[KeithJenner]

Thanks- it looks like this is just for the SDP, not the UDP :(

 

 

They are treated the same onboard. The only practical difference is the number of meals included.

 

Some people have reported being able to get the original UDP terms onboard when they proactively ask for them (ie those who bought it when it included free access to the dinner show on first night), but otherwise, they just use the SDP terms, even if they are better than the original UDP ones.

Edited March 4, 2016 by KeithJenner

[KeithJenner]

Ah! So you had the UDP and were able to get in without a charge, correct? Only a charge for additional apps, entrees?

 

 

 

Thank you!

 

 

Charge is for extra entrees, not apps.

[sonntags]

Your confusion is understandable. The problem is that there are now two or three different kinds of "à la carte" venues. When the UDP was still an ongoing concern for NCL, there was only one kind. They have never updated the UDP terms, because they just don't care about this package anymore. There are still people cruising with this package, but they are a dying breed, and NCL would like for them to die off as quickly as possible. ;)

 

:) I'm glad I'm not the only one..it sounds like there are lots of confused people :)

[punkincc]

Ah! So you had the UDP and were able to get in without a charge, correct? Only a charge for additional apps, entrees?

 

Thank you!

 

As others have said, no charges for extra appetizers, sides and desserts. Order as many as you like with no extra charge. Only an extra main entree will be an extra charge of $10.

 

The terms and conditions for the SDP is the one which applies to the UDP now. The only difference between your UDP and the SDP, is that the SDP is for a set number of nights/meals, and your UDP is for every night and as many visits as you want. You could dine at 5:30 and then again at 8:30 if you wanted, or go back just for dessert somewhere.:p

[KeithJenner]

If you want some extra reassurance, last time I was onboard I had the SDP. My bills from Cagneys etc have the costs on them and then it is all cancelled off by what is called "UDP discount". Not SDP discount, but UDP. They treat them both the same. NCLs system doesn't have different terms programmed in for the UDP and the SDP. They treat them both the same and have to make manual adjustments if you ask for the original UDP terms.

 

Just work on the basis that you have the SDP without the limit on the number of meals and you will be fine.

[Feelin' Nauti']

Ultimate Dining Package

$10 per each additional main course will be charged in Le Bistro & Cagney’s.

 

Can you order as many entrees in Moderno, Teppanyak, La Cucina???

[hawkeyetlse]

Moderno the meats keep coming around and you can have as much as you want. Teppanyaki you can order combinations of meats but not actually multiple orders of meat (reportedly). They usually cook a little too much so people around the table can get extra if they want.

 

La Cucina I don't know. I doubt they will let you have two meat main dishes for no extra charge, but one meat dish following one pasta/risotto, I don't know. After all that is how a traditional Italian meal works (not that they would know anything about that at La Cucina…)

[BirdTravels]

Thanks- it looks like this is just for the SDP, not the UDP :(

 

They have been applying the same rules for both.

 

In standard specialty restaurants ( Cagney's Steakhouse, Moderno Churrascaria, Teppanyaki and our French and Italian restaurants), you can eat "for free". Multiple appetizers, single entree, desserts.

 

If you go to a dinner show (e.g. Cirque, Illusionarium, Supper Club, Cabaret), there will be an upcharge. If you go to some "special" restaurants (sushi, tapas, raw bar, Ocean Blue, Bayamo) there is an upcharge.

[hdowney]

Agreed. The servers are allowing people to order multiple appetizers and deserts. Actually, in the past, when we go to La Cuccina, we have ordered an entree with a "side" risotto (since we don't care for the polenta). Probably about 1/2 the time, the servers bring out a entree risotto. And we eat it :p Last fall, we were in Le Bistro and ordered a butter poached lobster,,,, and the server said "you need some "turf" with that "surf"",,, and brought out an entree filet. And we, once again, ate it :D

 

 

They sound like my kind of servers :)

[TougherThanTheRest]

I'm most looking forward to the Raw Bar with UDP. On my last cruise, I spent quite a bit out of pocket there. Reading the T&C, I'm thinking I may not even book traditional venues. Any recent experience?