Water Policy with NCL

[cf3670]

I am aware of the policy with NCL regarding bringing bottled water onboard, which I can understand for security reasons. What I don't understand is having to purchase water when we have the ultimate beverage package. Seems odd that they call it that ("ultimate")when bottled water isn't even included. Does NCL allow personal water bottles that we can refill at the restaurants? If yes, how is the quality of the water?

 

 

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[SuperMommy]

The water from the taps are all fine and you will find chilled filtered and even flavored water at the drink stations in the buffet. You can fill you personal water bottles by filling a cup with ice and water and then filling your bottle. This is to avoid people putting water bottles that have been near their mouths to the spouts of the dispenser to eliminate any spread of germs. We often take our water bottles (Contigo stainless steel are awesome) to breakfast in the MDR and the waitress will often take it and fill it for us. Otherwise we just use our tap in our cabin and the ice our steward leaves us daily. I believe the reason no they do not include it in the UBP is that it's not necessary and to carry that much bottled water on a ship that makes it own water by reverse osmosis is counter productive to the environment and to the economics of cruising. I think you'll happy with the quality and the flavored waters are a nice little touch even though sometimes I find them a little strong and I just use half of a flavor (mango, kiwi strawberry are what NCL has) and half plain water.

 

 

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[kjquilts]

You may bring your own water bottle and fill it in the buffet or restaurant. You are requested to fill your bottle from a glass of water instead of from the water dispenser. I've read that you can also request a glass of ice water from any of the bars. I like to have a bottle of water by the bed at night so I usually fill one from the melting ice in our ice bucket. We have no problem with the taste.

 

[myToast]

I was on the Escape this past week. I brought my own insulated water bottle from home. I didn't plan to pay for a 6pk of Aquafina. Very pricey.

On day 2, my husband bought the bottles. I carried my insulated bottle to the pool and on excursions. Always filled up in the Garden Cafe. Free water. In my opinion, tastes better than Aquafina. Though I did enjoy it late nights after drinking piña coladas all day. It was nice to have it in my room. Our room attendant always had our ice bin filled.

 

 

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[kjquilts]

Great explanation SuperMommy. You were posting while I was typing.

 

[easyboy]

I bring my Brita water bottle and just fill it with tap water.

[cf3670]

Thank you all for the information and helpful tips. I also like to keep a bottle by my bedside. With the UBP, I'm sure I'll need it!

 

 

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[wdsted]

Your room steward will keep your water bottle filled with ice during their AM and PM servicing. Just ask. We use Hydroflasks and fill with tap water.

 

 

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[BostonGal35]

i prefer the filtered water available at bars and in the cabin to the aquafina. aquafina is just bottled water. tap, in a bottle. we drink Poland Spring at home so we are used to that taste.

[HeatherLynne]

I think you'll happy with the quality and the flavored waters are a nice little touch even though sometimes I find them a little strong and I just use half of a flavor (mango, kiwi strawberry are what NCL has) and half plain water.

 

 

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Anyone know how these waters are flavored? Is it strictly real fruit or is there an artificial flavoring added to enhance it?

[hawkeyetlse]

"Natural flavors" — which does not sound to me like the same thing as "real fruit" ;) — but artificial sweeteners (sucralose and acesulfame K).

 

The brand appears to be "Vitality" (Nestle), so you can check the full ingredients here: tropical mango & strawberry kiwi.

Edited December 12, 2016 by hawkeyetlse

[HeatherLynne]

"Natural flavors" — which does not sound to me like the same thing as "real fruit" ;) — but artificial sweeteners (sucralose and acesulfame K).

 

The brand appears to be "Vitality" (Nestle), so you can check the full ingredients here: tropical mango & strawberry kiwi.

 

 

Thank you so much for this info!! I thought I was being a little silly for asking, expecting it to be just sliced fruit in water like I've had at resorts, but this is great info. I would have made a huge mistake drinking it since I can't have artificial sweeteners. If it says "sugar free" I usually just stay away. Thanks!

[Mikkar]

I was on the Escape this past week. I brought my own insulated water bottle from home. I didn't plan to pay for a 6pk of Aquafina. Very pricey.

On day 2, my husband bought the bottles. I carried my insulated bottle to the pool and on excursions. Always filled up in the Garden Cafe. Free water. In my opinion, tastes better than Aquafina. Though I did enjoy it late nights after drinking piña coladas all day. It was nice to have it in my room. Our room attendant always had our ice bin filled.

 

 

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Do you remember how much the bottled water was? I purchased in advance on the Epic and then I saw it was for sale at the bar in the buffet but didn't pay much attention because I already had it. On my next cruise we have onboard credit, so I might wait to purchase it.

[em-sk]

I am aware of the policy with NCL regarding bringing bottled water onboard, which I can understand for security reasons. What I don't understand is having to purchase water when we have the ultimate beverage package. Seems odd that they call it that ("ultimate")when bottled water isn't even included. Does NCL allow personal water bottles that we can refill at the restaurants? If yes, how is the quality of the water?

 

 

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Has nothing to do with "security reasons". It has everything to do with maximising revenue.

 

Ship board water is fine, and refillable container is better for the environment that bottled water containers.

 

If you were to take a six back, pour out the water out while in line, then bring the empty six max on board I think it would send a clear message to NCL. However that is probably not the way to start what is to be a awesome week.

[fshagan]

I am aware of the policy with NCL regarding bringing bottled water onboard, which I can understand for security reasons. What I don't understand is having to purchase water when we have the ultimate beverage package. Seems odd that they call it that ("ultimate")when bottled water isn't even included. Does NCL allow personal water bottles that we can refill at the restaurants? If yes, how is the quality of the water?

 

All the other cruise lines seem to include bottled water in their version of the UBP, so yes, NCL is stingy in this regard. If you drink wine, you'll find another area they have really gotten stingy (according to some recent posts here), with only one or two red and white wines available on the plan. Unless you are getting it "free" (they still charge you gratuities of about $95 - another NCL exclusive), then I'm not sure the UBP is worth it at over $70 per day.

 

I don't like the tap water as the chlorine smell and taste is pretty strong for me (we don't have chlorine in our water at home so we are definitely not used to it!) Bottled water doesn't have chlorine, even if it is from municipal sources where it is bottled. Aquafina uses reverse osmosis, carbon filtration, UV and ozone for sanitation - all are techniques that leave no residual chemicals in the water like chlorine does, and does not produce the "disinfection byproducts" of reacting with natural organic matter in the water: trihalomethanes, haloacetic acids, chlorite, halonitromethanes, haloacetonitriles, haloamides, halofuranones, iodo-acids such as iodoacetic acid, iodo-THMs (iodotrihalomethanes), nitrosamines. Most municipal systems using regular chlorine have to be careful of these chemicals, although in the US only the chlorite level is monitored in some locations. Many communities, like mine, have moved to chloramines to reduce the amount of these chemicals in their water. It produces less of them, and has much less odor and taste impact.

 

The ship's chlorinated water probably does not produce much of these even though they use chlorine, as the water is continuously circulated and not in leaky pipes buried in the ground, where organic materials are plentiful.

 

But as picky as I am, the filtered water at the bars, in the restaurants and in the buffet is certainly acceptable. The carbon filtering removes the chlorine effectively. The water is a little "flat" tasting, but acceptable. Because of the closed system and constant flow of the water through the pipes I'm far less concerned about any "sanitation byproducts" as there is not much for the chlorine to react with.

[NHL Philly Fan]

i prefer the filtered water available at bars and in the cabin to the aquafina. aquafina is just bottled water. tap, in a bottle. we drink Poland Spring at home so we are used to that taste.

 

Pure water does not have a taste. :D

[Two Wheels Only]

Unless you are getting it "free" (they still charge you gratuities of about $95 - another NCL exclusive), then I'm not sure the UBP is worth it at over $70 per day.

 

Not everyone who gets the UBP pays $99.54 per person.

[BostonGal35]

we purchased twice the UBP back when it first came out, before they started offering it free to pretty much every sailing.

 

we did the math out. you had to have 10 drinks per day on a 7 day cruise in order to break even. the first time we did it, we broke even on day 5, but that was a sailing where we really didnt get off the ship and we had sprung for the VIBE where we literally hung out 8 hours a day every day. The second time we barely broke even on day 7 - we got off the ship more adn were not in the VIBE.

 

we usually start drinking at lunch, but moderately paced so we dont get wasty face by dinner (we want to enjoy the food!!). a few more drinks at dinner, and then once we hit spinnaker/bliss/casino/nighttime events its game on.

 

its also nice becuase you get the chance to try drinks. for example, i tried an $7 bloody mary (never had one before). i took a sip and did not like it. i never would have tried that if i had paid for it. also, if you are at a deck party, you can set down a half full drink to go dance or whatever, and if its gone when you come back, you didnt lose any money.

 

paying just the gratuity on it is still well worth it for us.