riddle Posted July 2, 2016 #1 Share Posted July 2, 2016 We have never chosen the UBP as DH does not drink alcoholic beverages and I am happy with what I get in the casino for free. With the new beverage policy, I have questions about the UBP. For example, DH used to buy a soda package for himself. Has that been discontinued? If DH gets a soda package (if it is still there) does everyone in the cabin need to get it? Even children? How does the "tip" process work on these packages? Know I could call NCL but would probably get different answers so I am appealing to you folks at C. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kerryincork Posted July 2, 2016 #2 Share Posted July 2, 2016 I believe you can buy the soda package on board without everyone needing to buy it, but when buying online it forces everyone to get it. There is an 18% gratuity added to the package. If you get the UBP as a free perk you still have to pay the 18% tip which equalsc about $163 each. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
casofilia Posted July 2, 2016 #3 Share Posted July 2, 2016 Just remember that both of you have to buy the UBP. That means you will be charged about USD14 a day each with the 18% charge. To make it economic then you will have to have 4 or more drinks every day. Hubby can still buy his package on board. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LrgPizza Posted July 2, 2016 #4 Share Posted July 2, 2016 How does the "tip" process work on these packages? You pay 18% on the price of the package. If you are buying the package, that is paid at the time you make the purchase. If you receive the UBP as a promo, it is paid along with your final payment. Either way, you won't be responsible for any further gratuities once on board. UBP also includes sodas, so at least those with UBP wouldn't need a soda package also. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sauer-kraut Posted July 2, 2016 #5 Share Posted July 2, 2016 The soda package is still available, purchase on board at most larger bars or find the table set up in the terminal building. Both passengers DO NOT have to purchase this package. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThePhoenix Posted July 2, 2016 #6 Share Posted July 2, 2016 I booked over a year ago and got the Adult Beverage Package and Ultimate Dining Package promos. There's no mention of gratuities for these items anywhere on my reservation confirmation. Do they add them to your stateroom bill when you're on the ship, or did I get these promotions at a time when they weren't charging a gratuity on the packages? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare BirdTravels Posted July 2, 2016 #7 Share Posted July 2, 2016 I booked over a year ago and got the Adult Beverage Package and Ultimate Dining Package promos. There's no mention of gratuities for these items anywhere on my reservation confirmation. Do they add them to your stateroom bill when you're on the ship, or did I get these promotions at a time when they weren't charging a gratuity on the packages? You are good. You got the packages before the additional charges done at time of booking. No additional charges. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare BirdTravels Posted July 2, 2016 #8 Share Posted July 2, 2016 With the new beverage policy, I have questions about the UBP. For example, DH used to buy a soda package for himself. Has that been discontinued? You can still get the soda package online prior to cruise or onboard. If DH gets a soda package (if it is still there) does everyone in the cabin need to get it? Even children? No. Just who ever wants the package. How does the "tip" process work on these packages? 18% gratuity is automatically added to the price of the package when you pay for it. Enjoy your cruise. If you can get CAS drinks, then you can avoid the cost of the gratuities on the full UBP,,, but you can only get drinks during casino hours at the casino bar. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bonvoyagie Posted July 2, 2016 #9 Share Posted July 2, 2016 There was a brief time period when the UBP and UDP were indeed offered as booking perks with no strings or gratuities attached :cool: I booked my upcoming cruise in Dec 14 and got them this way - I believe the gratuities were added in the spring of 15. You can ask your TA or PCC for a copy of your booking confirmation - it will show up there and yes you will pay them at final payment. The only other charges for beverages would be in port on embarkation day. Some cities charge at tax on drinks served in their waters. :( Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThePhoenix Posted July 2, 2016 #10 Share Posted July 2, 2016 (edited) You are good. You got the packages before the additional charges done at time of booking. No additional charges. Thanks, that's nice to know! I'd already talked myself into being okay with paying for them! 😆 Edited July 2, 2016 by ThePhoenix Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hladygirl Posted July 3, 2016 #11 Share Posted July 3, 2016 Does anyone know if you can get drinks like mudslide,Daquan or pain killer without alcohol with the beverage package. Also can you get smoothies. Hubby doesn't drink alcohol. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NLH Arizona Posted July 3, 2016 #12 Share Posted July 3, 2016 Does anyone know if you can get drinks like mudslide,Daquan or pain killer without alcohol with the beverage package. Also can you get smoothies. Hubby doesn't drink alcohol.Didn't order the drinks you mentioned, but I had many virgin strawberry daiquiris, so I would guess you can get most drinks without alcohol. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xcell Posted July 3, 2016 #13 Share Posted July 3, 2016 One more thing... If you have the UBP and in port - you will have to pay the tax of the drink of that port...I hope that makes sense... Ie. if in Port canaveral - what ever the sale tax is in PC, you will be charged that for the drink. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jbhcw Posted July 3, 2016 #14 Share Posted July 3, 2016 We are new to NCL...other than a cruise long ago on a small older ship...we also have the UBP...a promo from our booking...would this include specialty coffees??? DH does not drink much alcohol...but loves his coffee! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mom2tcdx2 Posted July 3, 2016 #15 Share Posted July 3, 2016 I believe you can buy the soda package on board without everyone needing to buy it, but when buying online it forces everyone to get it. There is an 18% gratuity added to the package.If you get the UBP as a free perk you still have to pay the 18% tip which equalsc about $163 each. This is not correct I purchased the soda package for my son who is 21 and nobody else had to purchase it. This was just last month. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Demonyte Posted July 3, 2016 #16 Share Posted July 3, 2016 We are new to NCL...other than a cruise long ago on a small older ship...we also have the UBP...a promo from our booking...would this include specialty coffees??? DH does not drink much alcohol...but loves his coffee! No. https://www.ncl.com/terms/ultimate-beverage-package Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jbhcw Posted July 3, 2016 #17 Share Posted July 3, 2016 No. https://www.ncl.com/terms/ultimate-beverage-package Thanks for the link Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cole Posted July 3, 2016 #18 Share Posted July 3, 2016 There was a brief time period when the UBP and UDP were indeed offered as booking perks with no strings or gratuities attached :cool: I booked my upcoming cruise in Dec 14 and got them this way - I believe the gratuities were added in the spring of 15. You can ask your TA or PCC for a copy of your booking confirmation - it will show up there and yes you will pay them at final payment. The only other charges for beverages would be in port on embarkation day. Some cities charge at tax on drinks served in their waters. :( I am curious as to where I might find whether our UBP package will also be charged an 18% service charge or not (on our booking confirmation). It does include the daily service charge that we have prepaid, but I do not see an additional 18% beverage gratuity. We booked in January, 2015. We have several cabins in our party with the package and I want to be certain that I provide them with correct information. Thanks in advance for your help. Cole Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Demonyte Posted July 3, 2016 #19 Share Posted July 3, 2016 I am curious as to where I might find whether our UBP package will also be charged an 18% service charge or not (on our booking confirmation). It does include the daily service charge that we have prepaid, but I do not see an additional 18% beverage gratuity. We booked in January, 2015. We have several cabins in our party with the package and I want to be certain that I provide them with correct information. It would show on your confirmation if it applied to you. In Jan 2015 promo UBP still included service charges. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swimmom1 Posted July 3, 2016 #20 Share Posted July 3, 2016 Thank you all for all your info Quick question... I know sales tax is charged on all drinks at us ports but do you also pay extra at ports when docked. Thanks again Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ColinIllinois Posted July 3, 2016 #21 Share Posted July 3, 2016 Tip for newbies: To find out what your promo includes/excludes click on the promo on the main page. Then scroll down to the bottom of the page where you will see the Terms and Conditions. Easy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThePhoenix Posted July 3, 2016 #22 Share Posted July 3, 2016 Tip for newbies: To find out what your promo includes/excludes click on the promo on the main page. Then scroll down to the bottom of the page where you will see the Terms and Conditions. Easy. That's great for current promos, but when you've booked over a year ago and they've made changes, it's hard to figure out what the terms and conditions were at the time of booking. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cole Posted July 3, 2016 #23 Share Posted July 3, 2016 It would show on your confirmation if it applied to you. In Jan 2015 promo UBP still included service charges. Thanks so much! That information is priceless ;). Cole Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ColinIllinois Posted July 3, 2016 #24 Share Posted July 3, 2016 That's great for current promos, but when you've booked over a year ago and they've made changes, it's hard to figure out what the terms and conditions were at the time of booking. Probably a good idea in that case to print out a copy of the T/C's at the time of your booking. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dam1979 Posted July 26, 2016 #25 Share Posted July 26, 2016 I booked during a January promo for a November cruise. Promo was for a beverage package. My NCL now says 'Adult Beverage Package'...is that the UBP, the Corks and Caps, or something else? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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