Can't bring soda on board anymore

[hawkeyetlse]

The ship recycles. And will still sell you water.

Recycling is nice, but reducing consumption is better. I actually like the environmental angle, and it would justify keeping the price of bottled water on board high. But I don't think that most cruise ship passengers give a damn about waste, so I don't expect NCL will try to spin this as a conservationist policy. But they really need to find a better way to spin it than what they have offered so far, because "safety and security" is quickly becoming the new "for your convenience" and people are going to love throwing these hollow words back in NCL's face every time they raise another price or cut another benefit.

[Jimmy Geegitz]

12 pack water in Carnival 3.99. NCL. 40.00

[BirdTravels]

Recycling is nice, but reducing consumption is better. I actually like the environmental angle, and it would justify keeping the price of bottled water on board high. But I don't think that most cruise ship passengers give a damn about waste, so I don't expect NCL will try to spin this as a conservationist policy. But they really need to find a better way to spin it than what they have offered so far, because "safety and security" is quickly becoming the new "for your convenience" and people are going to love throwing these hollow words back in NCL's face every time they raise another price or cut another benefit.

 

Bottled water is free at the casino bar. Just takes a bit of effort to get a case.

[Feelin' Nauti']

Celebrity's Premium Package is The BEST out of all the cruise lines.

Fountain

soda

selections

•

Fresh

and

bottled

juices

•

Premium

coffees

and

teas

•

Premium

bottled

purified

water

•

Vitamin

Water

•

Red

Bull

[cb at sea]

You know...you don't even have to drink water to stay hydrated.....about 60% of your fluids come from FOOD....if you have some OJ in the morning with your coffee or tea...a drink in the afternoon, and a couple at night...you're probably good to go, unless you're climbing a mountain or running a marathon....

 

Put ice in the water...chilled water has little to no taste!

[Cubechick]

Celebrity's Premium Package is The BEST out of all the cruise lines.

Fountain

soda

selections

•

Fresh

and

bottled

juices

•

Premium

coffees

and

teas

•

Premium

bottled

purified

water

•

Vitamin

Water

•

Red

Bull

 

Too true. Just sailed Celebrity and their beverage package (even the basic one) is far superior and less expensive.

Edited July 2, 2016 by Cubechick

[luvtheships]

I'd be more inclined to just sell them to the highest bidder on eBay.

 

 

Lol but anyone savvy or perhaps stupid enough to buy them on eBay at above face value perhaps probably already knows about the nonsense Ncl pulls

[DMH15]

This may look like an attempt to stop liquor smugglers, but they know this policy will never be able to stop it. Too many rum runners, shampoo bottles, etc... smugglers will smuggle. It will affect people who want product NCL doesn't offer and picky water drinkers like my family. I'd be happy not to have to pack water/soda if it were offered reasonably on board. Offering a better UBP or reasonable water prices would gain them the same benefit of this policy without getting their customer's mad.

 

 

Absolutely. If this announcement was paired with bottled water being added to the UBP - or- a new offering of it at a reduced rate it would have softened the blow.

 

I do not know what the soda supplier exclusivity program entails so I did not touch that one.

 

And, I cannot stand dasani. A choice of a few brands is nice.

[tartan cruiser]

Absolutely agree Celebrity has the best beverage package. Much cheaper, much more included and no 18% service fee. Celebrity or Princess is always our first choice when cruising without the family. Just when I think NCL has finally eased off on the nickel and diming and possibly give them another chance they prove me wrong. Sorry grandkids no NCL next year either. It's RCCL again.

[drvalo]

Totally disagree with you post. People need to have self control to avoid dehydration. However, water is available all over the ship for free. In the buffet, at any bar, restaurants or stateroom. You can still bring a sports bottle and keep it filled. So I really don't understand why its a detriment to the passengers?

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums

 

The problem is the high salt content in the water on the ship. It never used to bother me, but my last two cruises I really puffed up. It tastes good and I am sure is fine to drink, but it was not good for me to drink a lot of.

[NLH Arizona]

 

I do not know what the soda supplier exclusivity program entails so I did not touch that one.

A company agrees only to sell their product/products for the length of the contract and in turn gets a lower price. The majority of restaurants do it, fast food companies (I believe Coke has been associated with McDonalds since the mid-fifties), universities, public schools, amusement parks like Disneyland/Disneyworld, cruise lines, hotels, etc.

[don't-use-real-name]

Heck it is not even the 4th of July and you can't put the fireworks out with your own water -

the un-mitigating gall you have to PAY on board for that same bottled water.

 

Like a fire truck (pumper) going to a fire without a hose - then having to

rent one at the fire for more than fair trade !

 

The decisions coming from NCL Corporate need to have a cruise ship mutiny of

sorts since NCL has changed the rules and its flag to a skull and cross bones

with a BIG BOLD DOLLAR SIGN ( *$*) IN THE MIDDLE !

[marazad16]

Well, this was news to me. You know how posts are made and slip onto the next page. Sailing in September and we always bring 2 cases of bottled water with us. Thanks appreciate the post!

[littlelulu01]

They would absolutely use this as an excuse to increase the UBP package price considerably, so I'm hoping you are wrong. I don't care to pay an inflated 18% on the package price for things I don't want.

 

Although I would never consider buying the UBP at even the current price, the "free" promo UBP given with booking is nice, even with having to pay 18% on the package price. But if they up the price, we'll pay even more for the 18%. I don't drink pop, and rarely a specialty coffee. If I want one, I'd rather pay a couple bucks rather than pay an inflated price for things I don't want.

 

I understand where you are coming from but if you think about it from a non drinker's standpoint or someone who drinks very little, they may take the UBP perk just for ease sake. If in a suite it comes with your room regardless and you don't pay the gratuity. It's built into your fare.

 

It would be much more palatable to me to NOT to have to pay extra and full price for each bottle of water, can of soda, pelligrino, speciality coffees... Those all add up. for someone in a suite who had it built into their fare it's in your face that each speciality coffee, each can of soda, bottle of water is listed, charged for, service fee and all. So in that person's case you have this perk that was paid for in your higher fare and yet nothing you are drinking is covered!

 

Then there's many who only have one drinking person or two who drink very little. They choose the perk thinking that ultimate beverages up to $15/drink are included only to find out the ultimate beverage package will get you just about anything with alcohol in it but just about nothing without. So I'd rather pay $5 more per day in fees and just not worry about my water or coffee or canned soda tab at the end of the cruise- which with this new rule could be a whopper of a bill even with the UBP!

[triptolemus]

Well, this was news to me. You know how posts are made and slip onto the next page. Sailing in September and we always bring 2 cases of bottled water with us. Thanks appreciate the post!

 

Not this time.

 

The 19+ page thread has been at the top all day.

 

This (and the other few) are a case of someone jumping onto the forum without looking at it first and quickly posting thinking they've got the scoop.

 

It's alright... it happens. Kinda funny though.

[abe3]

At least they let you bring purified water on board for free. That should be good for all the babies on cruise critic to fill up their bottles.

[cosmosmommy]

I'm sailing the Med next spring on the Spirit and planned to buy Diet Coke at the port in Venice. Guess I'll be getting my diet Coke fix when on land when in port. Diet Pepsi isn't my favorite, though it is barely tolerable if you squeeze lemon into it. Maybe this will give me an excuse to start breaking my habit. I also bring my own Diet Coke into Applebees.

[KyleClark]

[Askmelanie]

It isn't merely the taste of the water that is the issue. Many do not drink the ship's water due to the chemicals which many swear cause swelling of the feet. I would not have thought it would make that much difference, but on the Getaway, my feet bacame so swollen, for the first time in my life, that I wondered if I was suddenly going into heart failure. Same thing happened to my daughter in law on another cruise.

 

For families with a few children who like to drink soda, buying a soda package for a few kids, rather than just bringing on a case of pop can get pricey.

 

I too noticed the swollen feet! And I was very careful to avoid high sodium food.

[Medic 5]

Totally disagree with you post. People need to have self control to avoid dehydration. However, water is available all over the ship for free. In the buffet, at any bar, restaurants or stateroom. You can still bring a sports bottle and keep it filled. So I really don't understand why its a detriment to the passengers?

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums

 

I disagree, people are on vacation and have paid money for. "All inclusive" you could say.... But I just paid $590 in tips and get this BS issue .....

Let's think healthy and give away "water" not purified ocean water with 10 times the amount of salt...

You may not realize but society is a abusive one.... I work In the health care field and know and will tell you there is abuse of All types so let's get a healthy theme to a vacation then just offering alcohol. I love my wine or a drink but as we get older want healthy. Options and expresso etc.

So the ship drink water is Not the answer...

We still not have focused on anyone under age yet.... They appear they want every kid to drink sugar for a week straight ....

I Love Cruising and have for 50 yrs and always well but want cruise lines and passengers to have a Great time and have a healthy vacation...

[Casino Comp Chick]

Just got the official email from NCL.

As your cruise approaches, we would like to inform you of a recent policy change effective July 15. The safety and security of our guests are always our top priority and to ensure a safe and enjoyable onboard environment for you, guests are prohibited from bringing any beverages on board our ships, either as carry-on or checked luggage.

 

Exceptions to this policy are purified or distilled water in factory-sealed containers for use in conjunction with medical devices or for the reconstitution of infant formula, and fully sealed and/or corked wine bottles for personal consumption onboard for guests 21 years of age or older and subject to screening and a corkage fee. Open beverages of any kind must be consumed or discarded at the security check-point, on embarkation day and at any port of call.

 

This revised policy brings the company in line with other best practice travel security protocols and reduces the need for individual time-consuming screening and package inspection of large volumes of beverages.

 

Thank you for your understanding, cooperation and compliance with this change, and we look forward to welcoming you on your cruise. More information on our beverage policy is available on our website at https://www.ncl.com/faq#what-to-bring.

 

Sincerely,

Norwegian Cruise Line

 

 

So I'm tempted to respond. If not allowing this for safety and security reasons, can you explain what those safety and security concerns are?

 

Just be honest about it please.

 

I think they are being very honest about it, this is truly a safety and security risk, they said it twice. Just like on the Airlines. If everyone is going to bring on containers and let's be honest many bring on bottles that are filled with Alcohol that are trying to beat the system and it has been happening for many years now. our world is changing and they have to protect their customers and their brand.

We live in a world where you do not know what can happen next and Cruise Ships hold thousands of people.......it is an absolutely horrible thought but they have to be aware and keep us safe.

So if they want to do that, then I am fine with it. Just like at the airports, keep me safe that is all I ask. You want me to take off everything but my bra and underwear so be it. I would rather be safe then sorry.

I know many may not feel the same way, but my two cents.

This is in the big picture of things.

Also a side note, I have been on over 30 cruises myself, almost every line. The "Tap" water on the ship IS purified water? I have never noticed a difference.

 

I think I could do more more damage to someone's "safety" with a heavy glass wine bottle then a 12 ounce plastic bottle.

Just saying....

 

Safety haha what a crock.

[riddle]

If I want a drink I get it at the casino for free. If my DH wants a coke he gets it at the casino for free. Problem is that he tends to spend more time in the cabin than I do and likes to read or watch TV and a tiny glass of coke is not what he wants. He wants a 12 oz bottle or two.

 

I've had more and more trouble getting him to cruise lately and this may be the last straw.

 

Even if we went with Pepsi would both of us need the UDP. DH does not drink alcohol and my occasional one comes from the casino. This makes no sense. I purchased the max number of cruise next certificates on my last cruise and I will probably be looking for a refund on them or denying payment to the CC company since their product is not what it was when I bought it.

[Regguy]

It's really hard to take any reason NCL advances seriously when every daily has language that says, "for your convenience" a $7.95 charge is made for room service.

 

I know in the 21st a Century we're all almost immune to market speak, but that's downright insulting. For purposes of this discussion though, I think it makes clear that NCL will say pretty much anything and you can't take any of it seriously.

[Feelin' Nauti']

Yuk!

I am one of those people that dislikes the taste of tap water on a ship?

Doesn't quench my thirst.

Bottled water is the only way to go.

[Sauer-kraut]

 

Even if we went with Pepsi would both of us need the UDP. DH does not drink alcohol and my occasional one comes from the casino. This makes no sense. I purchased the max number of cruise next certificates on my last cruise and I will probably be looking for a refund on them or denying payment to the CC company since their product is not what it was when I bought it.

 

No you both don't need to purchase the soda package, buy it on board for just one of you. On the other hand, if you purchase each soda individually you actually get a CAN of soda, so buy a couple and stash them in the cabin. Buying the soda package only makes sense if one will drink more than 3 sodas per day. However, you only get a glass with ice not a full can on the package.

 

A can of soda will cost you about $3.25 each