jleslie48 Posted November 17, 2016 #1 Share Posted November 17, 2016 I cruised last april and I got the ultimate drink package and the ultimate dining package for free as part of the "free at sea" promotion. I'm going to book a trip now, but I see that gratuities are added as a cost now to my bill is that true? so for instance on a 10 day cruise getting the ultimate drink package for "free" actually costs me and my wife $79*2*10*.18 == $284.40? for the dining option, its $84*2*.18 ==$30.24? Also what is the story with the french restaurant? what costs will I occur there if I want to use my dining package there? just checking. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moby0215 Posted November 17, 2016 #2 Share Posted November 17, 2016 Yes, you now need to pay the 18% gratuity as that is no longer included in the promo. Still one hell of a perk. You shouldn't incur any other costs at Le Bistro. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ryarger Posted November 17, 2016 #3 Share Posted November 17, 2016 Also what is the story with the french restaurant? what costs will I occur there if I want to use my dining package there? just checking. At the a la carte restaurants like Le Bistro you get one entree and unlimited appetizers, sides and desserts. I've heard that some servers may try to restrict you to a single one of each course, but the T&C of the SDP is pretty clear and you can have them check with the manager if that becomes an issue. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jleslie48 Posted November 17, 2016 Author #4 Share Posted November 17, 2016 Yes, you now need to pay the 18% gratuity as that is no longer included in the promo. Still one hell of a perk. You shouldn't incur any other costs at Le Bistro. hard to say. the soft drink package is $150, I'd rather have that and pay for the 10 or so drinks that typically get on a cruise. I think the pre-paid gratuities and the bistro dining is the only ones I'm interested in. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
easyboy Posted November 17, 2016 #5 Share Posted November 17, 2016 Yes, you now need to pay the 18% gratuity as that is no longer included in the promo. Still one hell of a perk. You shouldn't incur any other costs at Le Bistro. Right. Instead of paying in full for the drink. Sent from my iPad using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TonyFred Posted November 17, 2016 #6 Share Posted November 17, 2016 I take it you havent been on this forum in a while. This has been discussed to death. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SNJCruisers Posted November 17, 2016 #7 Share Posted November 17, 2016 (edited) hard to say. the soft drink package is $150, I'd rather have that and pay for the 10 or so drinks that typically get on a cruise. I think the pre-paid gratuities and the bistro dining is the only ones I'm interested in. The cost differential between a guarantee cabin and an assigned one with a perk is usually around 200, so it would be better to choose your cabin and pick the UBP than roll the dice with the guarantee and pay for your own alcohol by the drink and soda package. YMMV with the difference in price if you book last minute. Sent from my XT1254 using Forums mobile app Edited November 17, 2016 by SNJCruisers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NCLfamily Posted November 17, 2016 #8 Share Posted November 17, 2016 If you drink it's a great deal, of you don't then it's not, take another perk. Or apply for British citizenship. We don't pay the 18%, free is free. Sent from my iPad using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ned11 Posted November 17, 2016 #9 Share Posted November 17, 2016 If you drink it's a great deal, of you don't then it's not, take another perk. Or apply for British citizenship. We don't pay the 18%, free is free. Sent from my iPad using Forums [emoji23][emoji23][emoji23][emoji23] Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SNJCruisers Posted November 17, 2016 #10 Share Posted November 17, 2016 Or apply for British citizenship. We don't pay the 18%, free is free. Sent from my iPad using Forums More than likely you pay a higher price for your cabin through NCL.UK. They are going to get you one way or another. Sent from my XT1254 using Forums mobile app Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NCLfamily Posted November 17, 2016 #11 Share Posted November 17, 2016 More than likely you pay a higher price for your cabin through NCL.UK. They are going to get you one way or another. Sent from my XT1254 using Forums mobile app Possibly in some cases. But to be honest, anytime I've compared, no. We normally get a pretty good deal. What we don't get is the ability to cancel and get deposit refunded. But we don't pay the 18%. Sent from my iPad using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
khaide612 Posted November 17, 2016 #12 Share Posted November 17, 2016 hard to say. the soft drink package is $150, I'd rather have that and pay for the 10 or so drinks that typically get on a cruise. I think the pre-paid gratuities and the bistro dining is the only ones I'm interested in. Gratuities on UBP work out to $14 per person per day. If you aren't going to each have more than 2 drinks per day it wouldn't be worth it to you. Get the free DSC instead and pay for drinks as you go. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jleslie48 Posted November 17, 2016 Author #13 Share Posted November 17, 2016 I take it you havent been on this forum in a while. This has been discussed to death. well a search of >Norwegian ultimate beverage gratuities < didn't pop up anything something is quite wrong with the search engine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jleslie48 Posted November 17, 2016 Author #14 Share Posted November 17, 2016 Gratuities on UBP work out to $14 per person per day. If you aren't going to each have more than 2 drinks per day it wouldn't be worth it to you. Get the free DSC instead and pay for drinks as you go. sorry, what is DSC? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jleslie48 Posted November 17, 2016 Author #15 Share Posted November 17, 2016 The cost differential between a guarantee cabin and an assigned one with a perk is usually around 200, so it would be better to choose your cabin and pick the UBP than roll the dice with the guarantee and pay for your own alcohol by the drink and soda package. YMMV with the difference in price if you book last minute. Sent from my XT1254 using Forums mobile app I never do the guarantee cabin anyway. good point. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pspercy Posted November 18, 2016 #16 Share Posted November 18, 2016 I saw a post that said a special 11/21 - 30 would offer UBP inclusive of the "grats" and more choices for Insides. We'll see soon if that's true ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kymnotkim Posted November 18, 2016 #17 Share Posted November 18, 2016 sorry, what is DSC? DSC: Daily Service Charges Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jleslie48 Posted November 18, 2016 Author #18 Share Posted November 18, 2016 DSC: Daily Service Charges Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Ah yes. thank you . the DSC is absolutely the best deal of bunch for starters, the question is the drink package vs the meal. I would definitely pay for the soft drink package, and that would work out to $180, the Unlimited beverage would be $284, so $104 in drinks is probably break even. The dining is worth $160 so the question is will I go over the $160 in liquor drinks. its about break even for me. The problem with figuring it out is what would I actually drink if cost was not an issue and only my enjoyment. Am I drinking because I paid for it and in my mind I "have to get my money's worth" or is it something I'm glad to have access to and not have to worry. Not an easy question to answer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flamencacha Posted November 18, 2016 #19 Share Posted November 18, 2016 My last 12 day cruise, what I paid in gratuities for the UBP definitely was worthwhile. Unless you are like the poster above, that only drinks 10 a cruise, it is worth it. Decent Wines range from 8-14 a glass on average, and cocktail are similarly priced. The daily service charge, I cruise SOLO so it's not a bargain for me. I bought a 3 dinner package and they added the service charge. It was a pretty good deal also. So free plus the service charge even better. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flamencacha Posted November 18, 2016 #20 Share Posted November 18, 2016 Ah yes. thank you . the DSC is absolutely the best deal of bunch for starters, the question is the drink package vs the meal. I would definitely pay for the soft drink package, and that would work out to $180, the Unlimited beverage would be $284, so $104 in drinks is probably break even. The dining is worth $160 so the question is will I go over the $160 in liquor drinks. its about break even for me. The problem with figuring it out is what would I actually drink if cost was not an issue and only my enjoyment. Am I drinking because I paid for it and in my mind I "have to get my money's worth" or is it something I'm glad to have access to and not have to worry. Not an easy question to answer. You can get fountain drinks with the UBP Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jtorty Posted November 18, 2016 #21 Share Posted November 18, 2016 So if I understand correctly that if I dine at La Cucina I should not have any additional charges with the dining package? Hope we can get in . Late to get any reservations. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jenna2407 Posted November 18, 2016 #22 Share Posted November 18, 2016 If they were included when you booked, will we have to pay them on our upcoming cruise in feb? We drink like fish and I dont really want to be tipping 18% each time! Sent from my SM-G925F using Forums mobile app Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moby0215 Posted November 18, 2016 #23 Share Posted November 18, 2016 If they were included when you booked, will we have to pay them on our upcoming cruise in feb? We drink like fish and I dont really want to be tipping 18% each time! Sent from my SM-G925F using Forums mobile app Already included Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare cml4958 Posted November 19, 2016 #24 Share Posted November 19, 2016 If they were included when you booked, will we have to pay them on our upcoming cruise in feb? We drink like fish and I dont really want to be tipping 18% each time! Sent from my SM-G925F using Forums mobile app If they are included on your invoice as "Bev Srv Charge" then you have to pay the 18% gratuities. The only additional charges you might have are sales tax within certain jurisdictions and the (correct me if I'm wrong) 18% grat + difference between drink price and max limit. Depending on when you booked, your gratuities may have been covered. That was a promo for a while in early 2016. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SNJCruisers Posted November 19, 2016 #25 Share Posted November 19, 2016 If they were included when you booked, will we have to pay them on our upcoming cruise in feb? We drink like fish and I dont really want to be tipping 18% each time! Sent from my SM-G925F using Forums mobile app You'll know whether they were included or not when you pay your final invoice. Back in mid 2015 is when the 18% gratuity was added. The only additional cost would be state sales tax on embarkation day before the ship hits international waters. This would be an additional tax of less than 1.00 per drink. If you have any OBC to burn through, it can be applied to pay for it. Once in international waters, drink like a fish and enjoy the UBP. Just make sure you don't go over the 15.00 limit, otherwise you pay the difference plus the 18% on the difference. There was a price increase back in July on some basic drinks that are now over 15.00. Check the price list at the bar you're at to verify. Sent from my XT1254 using Forums mobile app Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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