Sailor1959 Posted June 21, 2017 #1 Share Posted June 21, 2017 If given a choice of UBP or 4-Meals at Specialty Restaurants where tip/service charge is included... which would you choose ? DW thinks getting free UBP option is superior. How much would a "4-Meals at Specialty Package" cost on board ? We're aware we'd be charged 18% service/tips. I read somewhere that NCL offer "packages" for specialty restaurants which is cheaper than buying individually.... True ??? TIA Sailor1959 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare BirdTravels Posted June 22, 2017 #2 Share Posted June 22, 2017 (edited) A 4-night dining package costs $84.99 US total plus 18% gratuity. The beverage package costs $79.00 US per day plus 18% gratuity Since you're talking about a 4-night SDP, I assume that your cruise is at least 10 days which would be $84.99 value of the dining package or $790.00 value of the drinks package. An example meal at Cagney's Steakhouse would be Shrimp Cocktail $6 Lobster Bisque Soup $5 Caesar Salad $4 Ribeye with Mushrooms $21 Baked Potato $2 Cream Spinach $2 Seven Layer Cake $6 Total $54.28 with tip. SDP Cost would be $25.07 Edited June 22, 2017 by BirdTravels Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wizdiz Posted June 22, 2017 #3 Share Posted June 22, 2017 Having cruised NCL a few times, I really think that their Main Dining Rooms are so good I no longer ever go to the specialty places. So for me the drink package sounds best. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
azbaby8062 Posted June 22, 2017 #4 Share Posted June 22, 2017 I think it would also be dependent upon how much you drink. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sailor1959 Posted June 22, 2017 Author #5 Share Posted June 22, 2017 Howdy BirdTravels ! A 4-night dining package costs $84.99 US total plus 18% gratuity. Let's see... $84.99 plus 18% equals $100.29. Sounds pretty good to me, if we opt for the UBP offer (which includes gratuity). (Yup.. cruise is 14-days.) BTW: How "current" is NCL's 4-Meal Package price of $84.99 p/p ? The beverage package costs $79.00 US per day plus 18% gratuity.YIKES... for 14-days it'd be a whopping $1,305 !!! A free UBP is the way to go. Much appreciated BirdTravels ! Sailor1959 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sailor1959 Posted June 22, 2017 Author #6 Share Posted June 22, 2017 Having cruised NCL a few times, I really think that their Main Dining Rooms are so good I no longer ever go to the specialty places. So for me the drink package sounds best. True. We don't drink much but I've been tempted many times on board. Even if I only have 2 or 3 drinks per day would be a luxury. Being able to have a diet-coke anytime also sounds good too. We usually opt for iced-tea cause it's free. :evilsmile: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sailor1959 Posted June 22, 2017 Author #7 Share Posted June 22, 2017 I think it would also be dependent upon how much you drink. True. See my reply to WizDiz above. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Manbo Posted June 22, 2017 #8 Share Posted June 22, 2017 Having cruised NCL a few times, I really think that their Main Dining Rooms are so good I no longer ever go to the specialty places. So for me the drink package sounds best. We agree 100%!!! Most times we leave specialty dining disappointed. I think NCL does a great job marketing the specialty dining, but we were never that impressed. Go for the drinks and have some nice wine in the main dining rooms! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sailor1959 Posted June 22, 2017 Author #9 Share Posted June 22, 2017 We agree 100%!!! Most times we leave specialty dining disappointed. I think NCL does a great job marketing the specialty dining, but we were never that impressed. "Taste" is very subjective. We especially enjoy Cagney's and Modeno (Brazilian BBQ). Also enjoyed our meals at Le Bistro (French) and Teppanyaki. Go for the drinks and have some nice wine in the main dining rooms! That's the idea... without having to face the dreaded "cash-register" on debarkation day. :D I believe the "average" price of a drink on board including 18% is about $12. Three of them suckers would be $36 per day, not including the soft drinks at lunch. Bon Voyage All ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phissy Posted June 22, 2017 #10 Share Posted June 22, 2017 True. We don't drink much but I've been tempted many times on board. Even if I only have 2 or 3 drinks per day would be a luxury. Being able to have a diet-coke anytime also sounds good too. We usually opt for iced-tea cause it's free. :evilsmile: I believe NCL does not have Coke. Pepsi is the soft drink. My husband loves caffeine free Diet Coke. Now we cannot bring it on board, so will go without. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
easyboy Posted June 22, 2017 #11 Share Posted June 22, 2017 UBP for me definitely. Can use it anytime. Sent from my SGH-M919 using Forums mobile app Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sailor1959 Posted June 22, 2017 Author #12 Share Posted June 22, 2017 I believe NCL does not have Coke. Pepsi is the soft drink. My husband loves caffeine free Diet Coke. Now we cannot bring it on board, so will go without. OK... as long as they have diet-pepsi. Dunno if they allow you to bring soft-drinks on board anymore. I recall purchasing soft-drinks somewhere in Mexico and they allowed me to bring it on board. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sailor1959 Posted June 22, 2017 Author #13 Share Posted June 22, 2017 Hey Guys and Gals ! Regarding BirdTravel's note about a 4-pack Specialty Dining for $84.99; above.... we just made it to Latitudes Platinum. Thus... one of the bennies is two free meals: Dinner For Two At Cagney's Or Le Bistro With A Bottle Of Wine Dinner For Two At Moderno Or La Cucina so I'll probably won't buy the 4 Specialty package. Definitely will settle for the free UBP. Thanks everyone for your input. Sailor-1959 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NMLady Posted June 22, 2017 #14 Share Posted June 22, 2017 ...I recall purchasing soft-drinks somewhere in Mexico and they allowed me to bring it on board. That must have been before July of last year when they passed the rule of NO liquids other than wine, which has a corkage fee. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sanger727 Posted June 22, 2017 #15 Share Posted June 22, 2017 Do you plan to purchase the SDP either way? If so, Assuming this is a 7 night cruise, picking the UBP will cost you $400. So yes, just gets down to how much you plan on drinking. I found the drinks to cost between $10-$18 on board, $12 is a good average; so 2+ a day(or 2 alcoholic plus a handful non-alcoholic) each is the break even point for choosing the UBP. Otherwise choose the SDP and pay as you go. Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sailor1959 Posted June 22, 2017 Author #16 Share Posted June 22, 2017 Do you plan to purchase the SDP either way? If so, Assuming this is a 7 night cruise, picking the UBP will cost you $400. Dunno if you read my original post. Picking the UBP -or- the 4-meal Dining package won't cost me anything. Based upon reviewing replies and my situation, I decided to opt for the FREE UBP and may buy one or two individuals meals at Specialty restaurants, since we'll have two free meals. .... I found the drinks to cost between $10-$18 on board, $12 is a good average; so 2+ a day(or 2 alcoholic plus a handful non-alcoholic) each is the break even point for choosing the UBP. Good information for future cruises,.. .Thanks ! For this cruise.. since the UBS (and service-charge is included)... it doesn't matter if I have one drink or a dozen per day. There is no break even point to worry about. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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