Free isn't always free

[jimsig]

Of course it's up to you to get it or not but $156 for 14 days works out to $11.14 a day so if you have one drink at dinner and a couple soft drinks each day it would come out to more then that a day if paying per beverage.

[Granny DI]

I'm really not a drinker. If a "free" drink package was offered I would occasionally have a sangria or a glass of wine. If no drink package then water is fine. My DH is into top shelf scotch and a beer during the day. His scotch is never part of the package. This new package isn't for us as we would never drink enough to pay for the service charge. We always tipped 18% when we had the "free " package. We'll use the OBC to buy the top shelf scotch and an occasional sangria for me. Purpose of my thread was for people to evaluate if these packages are really a good value.

[NMLady]

... Purpose of my thread was for people to evaluate if these packages are really a good value.

 

There have been LOTS of threads with that discussion.

I'm not sure how you missed all those discussions.

 

Most have agreed that the package is worth it since if you have only two drinks a day, that gratuity pays for them and more drinks a day, or sodas, end up free.

[swedish weave]

There have been LOTS of threads with that discussion.

I'm not sure how you missed all those discussions.

 

Most have agreed that the package is worth it since if you have only two drinks a day, that gratuity pays for them and more drinks a day, or sodas, end up free.[/quot

 

Much of the logic used to support the value of the package is based on NCL's inflated prices of drinks.

 

The true value of the package should be determined by each individuals idea of how much a drink is worth to them.

[NYcruzzer]

We have always sailed in the Haven. This time we are on a smaller ship in an aft suite. The fees weren't added on my original confirmation document. I can't drink $156 in 14 days.

 

How much was your price drop ? I certainly hope it was more than $156.00 PP Sailing in a suite you got all perks. If you were in anything other than a suite you could have switched the UBP for another perk that doesn't carry a service charge.

[Granny DI]

The new deal was a drop of $200 pp and OBC of $150 pp. We retained all the goodies. We dine every night in the specialty restaurants so no problem with prepaid service charge for dining. We always prepay the other gratuities. The UBP was never important to us as we only used it for house wine and sangria. We prefer OBC to all the other goodies.

 

As a side note NCL has also raised the deposit for suites. In fact doubled the amount. Our next cruise is on the Jade and gratuities are included.

[Brad1185]

I understand this policy started at midnight on June 6. A $156 service charge assumes I would consume $867 worth of drinks. This is insane. Just charge 18% on each drink sold then deduct the cost of the drink if buyer has the beverage package. We will use our OBC to buy our drinks.

 

That is the way it should be done. &156 and $867 aee borh insane. Shame on them for charging for the free package. Outrageous

[buchman67]

Just curious you said your hubby likes top shelf scotch, with the UBP it pays the first $15 of that scotch. So lets say its $20 a glass it will now only be $5. Plus .90 gratuity. Just having 1 a day and 1 beer will make the package pay for itself. No extra tipping needed, unless you are so inclined.

 

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[ezcruiser56]

We have always sailed in the Haven. This time we are on a smaller ship in an aft suite. The fees weren't added on my original confirmation document. I can't drink $156 in 14 days.

 

 

 

You would be surprised how many folks can do that on the first two days.

 

 

 

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[Moby0215]

I'm really not a drinker. If a "free" drink package was offered I would occasionally have a sangria or a glass of wine. If no drink package then water is fine. My DH is into top shelf scotch and a beer during the day. His scotch is never part of the package. This new package isn't for us as we would never drink enough to pay for the service charge. We always tipped 18% when we had the "free " package. We'll use the OBC to buy the top shelf scotch and an occasional sangria for me. Purpose of my thread was for people to evaluate if these packages are really a good value.

 

 

 

The package includes the first $15 of any drink. I like johnny blue, so I just get charged the extra after the $15. It's a great deal!

 

 

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[Velvetwater]

They're not 'drink charges' they're gratuities for the staff. Norwegian doesn't take them. (Assuming they're not lying about them, obviously)

 

Regardless of who they go to they are an unavoidable charge to most cruise passengers. Whatever you want to call them they are are by definition still a 'charge'.

 

Although, on our cruise last year we did hear of a guy who was heading to guest services to get all his 18% grat drink prices removed. Not sure he was successful as it was the last night.

[newbe dave]

Just curious you said your hubby likes top shelf scotch, with the UBP it pays the first $15 of that scotch. So lets say its $20 a glass it will now only be $5. Plus .90 gratuity. Just having 1 a day and 1 beer will make the package pay for itself. No extra tipping needed, unless you are so inclined.

 

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Great point. On the Escape, I got Macallan 12 at a bar and it cost me about $3 including the tip since I had UBP. Now don't tell anyone but when I asked about Macallan 18, the bartender told me the same price. I will leave it to you what I drank the rest of the cruise. UBP was a great deal for me. I am not sure what scotch the husband drinks but I bet Macallan 18 is top shelf enough.

 

Regarding the clueless title of this thread, "Free isn't always Free". I hope the OP understands that those lucky people on the Price is Right that win a year's supply of RIce-o-Roni get to pay taxes on it. So it is not technically free. Same with lottery winnings and your bingo/casino winnings too.

 

Most of the time in the US, Free is never really Free. You are paying for it somehow. Get over it. Run the numbers and if a sale saves you money, Great. If not, wait for the next sale and be happy for those targeted by the current sale. I suggest you do what I do, book early. Keep checking prices and if a new "sale" reduces you cost prior to final payment, jump on it. If not, be happy with your original price that must have been a good, acceptable price or you would not have booked the cruise to begin with.

[phillyguy31]

That is the way it should be done. &156 and $867 aee borh insane. Shame on them for charging for the free package. Outrageous

Have you checked out the prices in a bar in most large cities or a resort for that matter. NCL's prices are pretty much in line with them.

As for the gratuities if you have a "buy one get one free" do you tip only on the one you pay for or what the entire bill would be?

[NH Cruisers]

I'm really not a drinker. If a "free" drink package was offered I would occasionally have a sangria or a glass of wine. If no drink package then water is fine. My DH is into top shelf scotch and a beer during the day. His scotch is never part of the package. This new package isn't for us as we would never drink enough to pay for the service charge. We always tipped 18% when we had the "free " package. We'll use the OBC to buy the top shelf scotch and an occasional sangria for me. Purpose of my thread was for people to evaluate if these packages are really a good value.

Just so you know, Jonny Walker Blue had an additional up charge of only $4.85 a shot over using the drink package on my Breakaway cruise. Jonny Walker Blue goes for $35-$40 a shot with no tip included in local pubs in my area. The drink package is a real deal if that is what one is into.

Edited June 10, 2017 by NH Cruisers

[NH Cruisers]

The package includes the first $15 of any drink. I like johnny blue, so I just get charged the extra after the $15. It's a great deal!

 

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Last cruise on Breakaway, it was a $3.95 upcharge using the UBP. With gratuity was I think $4.85. On a cruise is the only time I can afford to drink Jonny Blue.

[hladygirl]

I have 14 night next October booked on the dawn to Caribbean Boston to Boston. Just for giggles I looked at a similar cruise on princess. It cost $1200 dollars less than my ncl cruise but only 3 ports vs 7, only 10 days vs 14, no drinks included vs ncl UBP, no specialty dining vs ncl 4 night package plus 2 nights platinum dining and I would have to get to New York and fly home from Florida vs no flights and quick drive to the Boston port. I feel that ncl is a much better deal.

[Moby0215]

I have 14 night next October booked on the dawn to Caribbean Boston to Boston. Just for giggles I looked at a similar cruise on princess. It cost $1200 dollars less than my ncl cruise but only 3 ports vs 7, only 10 days vs 14, no drinks included vs ncl UBP, no specialty dining vs ncl 4 night package plus 2 nights platinum dining and I would have to get to New York and fly home from Florida vs no flights and quick drive to the Boston port. I feel that ncl is a much better deal.

 

 

 

I wouldn't say that is a similar cruise at all [emoji12]

 

 

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[GLYNAGP]

They're not 'drink charges' they're gratuities for the staff. Norwegian doesn't take them. (Assuming they're not lying about them, obviously)

 

Whatever they are there not charged if booking in the UK (and possibly the rest of Europe) . I think legislation here says that if something advertised as "Free" it has to be totally free.

 

Having said that if we have a "regular waiter " on board we'd always look after him

[hladygirl]

I wouldn't say that is a similar cruise at all [emoji12]

 

 

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It is as close as I could get

[4774Papa]

Just noticed a price drop on my Nov 2018 cruise. Called my TA for the lower price. Received my new confirmation and on it were prepaid service fees for the "free"beverage and specialty dining packages. The pre paid fees for the "free" beverage package were $156 pp! DH and I only have a drink before dinner or wine at dinner. I contacted my TA and asked her to remove the "free" beverage package from our goodies list. The service fees for specialty dining are reasonable and will add to them.

We are moderate drinkers and mainly for that reason, we never select the drinks packages. Also, the wine selection is poor for red wines on the drink packages.

[cruisersflife]

from what I have been figuring out by pricing it out it seems by wanting to pick the UDP u get forced into more expensive categories then those service charges or tips added on to that. Plus both in cabin gets charged those additional fees . So I,m seeing at least a 250.00 to 400,00 a person added on your expense . that's a lot of drinking .

[csopi]

I can drink $156 in a day!

 

 

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With current NCL prices of drinks, not a problem to drink $156 in a day, you don't even need to start that early.

 

Good thing they have the UBP

[phissy]

One of our Free at Sea promos was Prepaid Service Charges for Haven and Suites. We always wait to book when this is included in the Free at Sea which does not occur too often.

When was this promo last offered? It seems like I have only seen a variation of the current promo. (With and without OBC as variation)

[Just4funn]

Sorry, but what part of free don't you understand? Free means without cost. If you add on gratuities it is no longer free! It is sad the way we slaughter the English language. Must be some kind of statement about the education system of our country.

[ColinIllinois]

Sorry, but what part of free don't you understand? Free means without cost. If you add on gratuities it is no longer free! It is sad the way we slaughter the English language. Must be some kind of statement about the education system of our country.

 

It's a variant of the English language called Marketing language. Every industry does it. That's why it's so important that people take a few minutes to read the fine print.