Beverage Package

[BetJoe21]

Opted for the Free Adult beverage package on my upcoming June 19 New York to Bermuda on the Breakaway. Can anyone give me an idea of how this works? I assume I can have all the alcohol I want as long as it is under $15. Has anyone had any surprises with this package or is it all good. Just wondering if there are any hidden rules. :)

[Demonyte]

Terms and conditions (also exclusions) can be found here: https://www.ncl.com/terms/ultimate-beverage-package

[LrgPizza]

After 4 cruises with UBP, we've had no surprises. You might have to pay NY state sales tax on drinks purchased before you leave port, but that's not a big deal - just a buck or two per drink. It sounds like you've read the terms, but here they are, just in case:

https://www.ncl.com/terms/ultimate-beverage-package

 

Also, if a beverage is over $15, you only pay the difference. There are very, very few drinks you can find that will be over $15. You really have to look to find them.

Edited June 6, 2016 by LrgPizza

[bruadhin]

Just off the Getaway. We had absolutely no trouble with it. I would recommend using the bar versus servers. While we did tip the bartenders some extra throughout the cruise, it was never very much of frequent. You may have to tip servers more often to get good service from them.

[realnurse2]

Is the tip extra for any drink or if the drink is under $15 is the tip included? I am used to the system (other cruise lines) where you just sign and pay at the end of your cruise. Thanks!

[BetJoe21]

Thank You, Is it expected to tip for every drink we order? We usually do but I'm expecting I will be drinking just a bit more as the drinks are free this time.

[ColinIllinois]

Thank You, Is it expected to tip for every drink we order? We usually do but I'm expecting I will be drinking just a bit more as the drinks are free this time.

 

 

That is entirely up to you. You will already have paid 18% gratuity surcharge on the package. Some people will tip, some won't. It's not necessary. I don't and I've never had any bad service.

[Demonyte]

Is the tip extra for any drink or if the drink is under $15 is the tip included?

 

 

Service charges are always handled in one way or another before boarding - either those are included in the package or you have paid them based on package retail price with total cruise fare. So nobody with UBP pays extra service charges for included drinks onboard.

 

The $15 limit is the price shown in menus - that's before auto-gratuity is added.

 

I am used to the system (other cruise lines) where you just sign and pay at the end of your cruise. Thanks!

 

 

It's exactly the same on NCL - when you have a drink package on other cruise lines, it works the same way too.

[bruadhin]

Is the tip extra for any drink or if the drink is under $15 is the tip included? I am used to the system (other cruise lines) where you just sign and pay at the end of your cruise. Thanks!

 

With NCL, you don't sign for anything on the drink package. They just run the card. An additional tip is not necessary by any means. It definitely does help if you want prompt service. They served everyone, but they certainly focused on those who tipped extra or those who were paying per drink.

 

On the first night, they are supposed to charge taxes for all drinks in port. They simply wrote it all down and ran it later. They were very sloppy in keeping records. If it was a UBP drink, they just noted it on whatever slip was at hand, regardless of if it was for you or another cabin.

[realnurse2]

Thanks for the information!

[Scorch]

Thank You, Is it expected to tip for every drink we order? We usually do but I'm expecting I will be drinking just a bit more as the drinks are free this time.

 

Tips are in the package, I tipped but I found a couple good bartenders on the first couple days, tipped them nicely and kept going back to them for the most part and wasn't concerned with extra tips.

 

The only 'wrinkle' is that the service in the dining rooms can be slow, (typical of any cruise line with UBP, not a complaint). So stop by a bar on your way to dinner and bring it in with you, and I would also order another when I sat down if you planned on having another during dinner.

 

Same goes with the shows and casino. basically set yourself up first.

[BirdTravels]

Is the tip extra for any drink or if the drink is under $15 is the tip included? I am used to the system (other cruise lines) where you just sign and pay at the end of your cruise. Thanks!

 

You pre-pay the tip at the time you buy the package or at the time the UBP promotion is added to your reservation. You have already paid the tip. Could you throw in an extra buck for your regular bartender or server, sure you can.

[Katsumom]

Has anyone had any surprises with this package or is it all good. Just wondering if there are any hidden rules. :)

 

It is in the terms but I find it odd it doesn't cover specialty coffees.

[Burgmeister]

We are just off the Epic and we had the UBP. I have to say that the whole process worked brilliantly and we never bought a drink that cost extra - and we drank a whole load of different cocktails. It looked like the only drinks that cost more than the $15 limit were rather specialist Single Malts and Brandies etc. Regular branded spirits were all available under the $15 max.

[BensonFan711]

My sister and I usually get the UBP when we cruise. If you diligently check your account (like we tend to), you will see each individual drink come up. Don't be alarmed if this happens. Sometime during the night, they reconcile drink charges with folks who have the UBP and they come off. I nearly had a heart attack when my bill was over $100 at the end of Day 1. It all changed by morning. :-)

[bruadhin]

My sister and I usually get the UBP when we cruise. If you diligently check your account (like we tend to), you will see each individual drink come up. Don't be alarmed if this happens. Sometime during the night, they reconcile drink charges with folks who have the UBP and they come off. I nearly had a heart attack when my bill was over $100 at the end of Day 1. It all changed by morning. :-)

 

That must have changed then. Other than the time my 8 year old son ordered two glasses of wine, I never saw a single beverage charge on our bill and I checked it regularly on the app and the tv.

[Diane123boys]

That must have changed then. Other than the time my 8 year old son ordered two glasses of wine, I never saw a single beverage charge on our bill and I checked it regularly on the app and the tv.

 

 

LOL your son???? I gotta hear that story!!

:D

[mpiepertx]

When I booked I ordered the adult beverage package. All I see the ultimate beverage package is this the same thing¿

[LrgPizza]

That must have changed then. Other than the time my 8 year old son ordered two glasses of wine, I never saw a single beverage charge on our bill and I checked it regularly on the app and the tv.

On all 4 of our UBP cruises we've seen drink charges on our bill that are then zeroed out. It just depends when you look.

 

When I booked I ordered the adult beverage package. All I see the ultimate beverage package is this the same thing¿

 

Yes

Edited June 8, 2016 by LrgPizza

[mpiepertx]

Yes

 

thanks