Free Promos are Not Free

[david_sobe]

NCL is hoping you take the "free" offers. Booking more people on the ship increases revenue. Taking the UBP and UDP increases revenue instantly. The only ones that beat NCL at their game are the people who drink 8 or more drinks a day. Every offer is not for everyone if saving money is your goal. Research before you book.

Edited July 27, 2018 by david_sobe

[teamflames]

NCL is hoping you take the "free" offers. Booking more people on the ship increases revenue. Taking the UBP and UDP increases revenue instantly. The only ones that beat NCL at their game are the people who drink 8 or more drinks a day.

 

 

 

Ding ding we are always winners! (Except for our waistlines)

 

 

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[SeaShark]

NCL is hoping you take the "free" offers. Booking more people on the ship increases revenue. Taking the UBP and UDP increases revenue instantly. The only ones that beat NCL at their game are the people who drink 8 or more drinks a day. Every offer is not for everyone if saving money is your goal. Research before you book.

 

 

Not quite. You are looking at from a "retail price of the drink" point of view. NCL looks at this from a "cost of the drink" point of view. The only people beating NCL at their game are those where the total cost (to NCL) of their consumption exceeds BOTH a) the amount built into the price of everyone's cruise to cover the promo, and b) the gratuity amount collected.

 

Consider...what does a drink cost NCL? IF, it costs them 75 cents to give you a rum & coke, drinking 8 of them a day only costs NCL $6.00. You haven't even covered the gratuity much less the built in package cost.

[U4icmusic]

Not quite. You are looking at from a "retail price of the drink" point of view. NCL looks at this from a "cost of the drink" point of view. The only people beating NCL at their game are those where the total cost (to NCL) of their consumption exceeds BOTH a) the amount built into the price of everyone's cruise to cover the promo, and b) the gratuity amount collected.

 

Consider...what does a drink cost NCL? IF, it costs them 75 cents to give you a rum & coke, drinking 8 of them a day only costs NCL $6.00. You haven't even covered the gratuity much less the built in package cost.

Exactly. The so-called free drink package is a HUGE moneymaker for the cruise lines. If it wasn't, they wouldn't offer it.

 

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[PTC DAWG]

Seems to me that my Bride and I and NCL are winners.....I'm fine with that. No profit, no cruise.

[Letsgo 2]

We don't buy drink packages on Carnival or HAL because we don't drink that much. I do get free drinks in the casinos every time we cruise and the server gets a tip - I asked the casino hosts because I wanted to make sure he/she received a tip. So free is free there.

ok so you get drinks in the Casino, that means you are gambling right ? so "free" is not "free" there either, nothing is ever "free"

Marion

[billfish]

Has anyone figured out what you pay for all the FREE Stuff you get with An AI vacation ???

 

Nothing is free !!!!!

 

A cruise is still a better value even if you include the cost of the beverage package

[DaCruiseBug]

The reason most people complain about the drink package is because it's a racket, whereas the dining plan is not.

 

What do I mean?

 

I mean that the price of the dining plan and the gratuities you pay on it are pretty much in line with the industry average and at about $30 per meal it's a realistic price.

 

The price of the UBP is $89 per day and you pay 20% on that amount. No other cruise line even comes close to $89 for a drink package and the other cruise lines actually include MORE in their drink packages compared to NCL. This is why people complain about it.

 

Another form of revenue for NCL is the taxes/fees you pay when you dock at Harvest Cay and Great Stirrup Cay. For example, at Harvest Cay NCL charges you $43.56 in "taxes" which is certainly above average compared to other Caribbean ports. So a few bucks here and a few bucks there and NCL just made tens of millions of dollars more in revenue out of your own pocket with most people not even realizing it.

[SeaShark]

The reason most people complain about the drink package is because it's a racket, whereas the dining plan is not.

 

What do I mean?

 

I mean that the price of the dining plan and the gratuities you pay on it are pretty much in line with the industry average and at about $30 per meal it's a realistic price.

 

The price of the UBP is $89 per day and you pay 20% on that amount. No other cruise line even comes close to $89 for a drink package and the other cruise lines actually include MORE in their drink packages compared to NCL. This is why people complain about it.

 

Another form of revenue for NCL is the taxes/fees you pay when you dock at Harvest Cay and Great Stirrup Cay. For example, at Harvest Cay NCL charges you $43.56 in "taxes" which is certainly above average compared to other Caribbean ports. So a few bucks here and a few bucks there and NCL just made tens of millions of dollars more in revenue out of your own pocket with most people not even realizing it.

 

Whaaaa? :confused: Sorry, but NCL doesn't make revenue from port taxes/fees anywhere. Harvest Cay is still a part of Belize and GSC is still part of the Bahamas. Port taxes and fees are set by, and remitted to, those respective governments.

[DaCruiseBug]

Whaaaa? :confused: Sorry, but NCL doesn't make revenue from port taxes/fees anywhere. Harvest Cay is still a part of Belize and GSC is still part of the Bahamas. Port taxes and fees are set by, and remitted to, those respective governments.

 

That’s how it works in most cases, but not the islands owned by the cruise lines. The port fees go in part to the government if there’s customs facilities being used or the handling company in places like PortMiami. This is not the case st the private islands because 1) There’s no customs facilities used and 2) The cruise lines use their own personel (actually employees or contracted) to perform the necessary duties.

 

Read up on it...

[Tatka]

Seems to me that my Bride and I and NCL are winners.....I'm fine with that. No profit, no cruise.

Exactly.

Of course lines are looking for profits.

If their deal matches my desires I use it.

 

If somebody really upset with companies making profits they can try to do the same and get profits.

 

NCL isn't our favorite company, but this deal works really well for us when we cruise with NCL.

[Tatka]

The reason most people complain about the drink package is because it's a racket, whereas the dining plan is not.

 

What do I mean?

 

I mean that the price of the dining plan and the gratuities you pay on it are pretty much in line with the industry average and at about $30 per meal it's a realistic price.

 

The price of the UBP is $89 per day and you pay 20% on that amount. No other cruise line even comes close to $89 for a drink package and the other cruise lines actually include MORE in their drink packages compared to NCL. This is why people complain about it.

 

Another form of revenue for NCL is the taxes/fees you pay when you dock at Harvest Cay and Great Stirrup Cay. For example, at Harvest Cay NCL charges you $43.56 in "taxes" which is certainly above average compared to other Caribbean ports. So a few bucks here and a few bucks there and NCL just made tens of millions of dollars more in revenue out of your own pocket with most people not even realizing it.

If you think of it, fare for additional restaurants is collected on top of already paid for dining fare, so whoever wants to complain can do it easily. :)

I don't want to as it is company/people choice to provide and use it.

[SeaShark]

That’s how it works in most cases, but not the islands owned by the cruise lines. The port fees go in part to the government if there’s customs facilities being used or the handling company in places like PortMiami. This is not the case st the private islands because 1) There’s no customs facilities used and 2) The cruise lines use their own personel (actually employees or contracted) to perform the necessary duties.

 

Read up on it...

 

Not necessary, I am well aware of the facts. Considering the multiple errors and assumptions, I think you'd benefit from your own advice. Read up on it. Perhaps you could start with the fact that Harvest Cay is a developed destination, not a private island. They merely signed an agreement with Belize for exclusive rights to dock there in exchange for NCL providing the funds to develop the island. There is a lot you could learn.

[Two Wheels Only]

The reason most people complain about the drink package is because it's a racket, whereas the dining plan is not.

 

What do I mean?

 

I mean that the price of the dining plan and the gratuities you pay on it are pretty much in line with the industry average and at about $30 per meal it's a realistic price.

 

The price of the UBP is $89 per day and you pay 20% on that amount. No other cruise line even comes close to $89 for a drink package and the other cruise lines actually include MORE in their drink packages compared to NCL. This is why people complain about it.

 

Another form of revenue for NCL is the taxes/fees you pay when you dock at Harvest Cay and Great Stirrup Cay. For example, at Harvest Cay NCL charges you $43.56 in "taxes" which is certainly above average compared to other Caribbean ports. So a few bucks here and a few bucks there and NCL just made tens of millions of dollars more in revenue out of your own pocket with most people not even realizing it.

 

Here's my take....

 

I DON"T CARE how much or little goes where, to whom, or why. I only have 3 concerns.

What do I get? How much will I enjoy it? How much does it cost?

 

If cruise A is $99 with $1,000 in taxes, port fees, UBP/SDP service charges, DSC and the grand total is $1,099

If cruise B is $1,099 with all taxes, port fees, service charges, DSC included and the grand total is $1,099

 

If both cruises are the same, I don't care which one I take. Some will complain that cruise A is "bait and switch" but I don't look at the "base" price of things. I look at the total. Yes, I hate that the UBP/SDP service charge is added even for suites when before it wasn't. Yes, I hate that the service charge on the UBP.SDP has gone from 15% to 18% to 20% in a little over 2 years. Yes, I hate that the cost of the UBP has gone from $59 to $79 to $89pppd over roughly the same time. Yes, I hate that the base price has risen substantially. Those things all add to the total. Nobody wants a higher total price. It seems that people complain more about how the total price is made and where that money goes instead of focusing on the total. If there is a better overall experience for the same money or less, take it.

[Toofarfromthesea]

Well said.

 

But not the way the world has ever worked.

[Toofarfromthesea]

The reason most people complain about the drink package is because it's a racket, whereas the dining plan is not.

 

What do I mean?

 

I mean that the price of the dining plan and the gratuities you pay on it are pretty much in line with the industry average and at about $30 per meal it's a realistic price.

 

The price of the UBP is $89 per day and you pay 20% on that amount. No other cruise line even comes close to $89 for a drink package and the other cruise lines actually include MORE in their drink packages compared to NCL. This is why people complain about it.

 

Another form of revenue for NCL is the taxes/fees you pay when you dock at Harvest Cay and Great Stirrup Cay. For example, at Harvest Cay NCL charges you $43.56 in "taxes" which is certainly above average compared to other Caribbean ports. So a few bucks here and a few bucks there and NCL just made tens of millions of dollars more in revenue out of your own pocket with most people not even realizing it.

 

Wow, tens of millions. Sounds profitable. You should invest in them.

[Toofarfromthesea]

Here's my take....

 

I DON"T CARE how much or little goes where, to whom, or why. I only have 3 concerns.

What do I get? How much will I enjoy it? How much does it cost?

 

If cruise A is $99 with $1,000 in taxes, port fees, UBP/SDP service charges, DSC and the grand total is $1,099

If cruise B is $1,099 with all taxes, port fees, service charges, DSC included and the grand total is $1,099

 

If both cruises are the same, I don't care which one I take. Some will complain that cruise A is "bait and switch" but I don't look at the "base" price of things. I look at the total. Yes, I hate that the UBP/SDP service charge is added even for suites when before it wasn't. Yes, I hate that the service charge on the UBP.SDP has gone from 15% to 18% to 20% in a little over 2 years. Yes, I hate that the cost of the UBP has gone from $59 to $79 to $89pppd over roughly the same time. Yes, I hate that the base price has risen substantially. Those things all add to the total. Nobody wants a higher total price. It seems that people complain more about how the total price is made and where that money goes instead of focusing on the total. If there is a better overall experience for the same money or less, take it.

 

Best post of the thread. Ignore the words, do the math

 

:beer-toast:

[DaCruiseBug]

Here's my take....

 

I DON"T CARE how much or little goes where, to whom, or why. I only have 3 concerns.

What do I get? How much will I enjoy it? How much does it cost?

 

If cruise A is $99 with $1,000 in taxes, port fees, UBP/SDP service charges, DSC and the grand total is $1,099

If cruise B is $1,099 with all taxes, port fees, service charges, DSC included and the grand total is $1,099

 

If both cruises are the same, I don't care which one I take. Some will complain that cruise A is "bait and switch" but I don't look at the "base" price of things. I look at the total. Yes, I hate that the UBP/SDP service charge is added even for suites when before it wasn't. Yes, I hate that the service charge on the UBP.SDP has gone from 15% to 18% to 20% in a little over 2 years. Yes, I hate that the cost of the UBP has gone from $59 to $79 to $89pppd over roughly the same time. Yes, I hate that the base price has risen substantially. Those things all add to the total. Nobody wants a higher total price. It seems that people complain more about how the total price is made and where that money goes instead of focusing on the total. If there is a better overall experience for the same money or less, take it.

 

I agree with you here. I was merely stating why people complain about the beverage package and not the dining package.

[DaCruiseBug]

Not necessary, I am well aware of the facts. Considering the multiple errors and assumptions, I think you'd benefit from your own advice. Read up on it. Perhaps you could start with the fact that Harvest Cay is a developed destination, not a private island. They merely signed an agreement with Belize for exclusive rights to dock there in exchange for NCL providing the funds to develop the island. There is a lot you could learn.

 

Considering that up until about 2 years ago I worked for a maritime company with a sizeable operation in the Caribbean I’m pretty sure I know a little more about the subject then you do.

[newmexicoNita]

to decruisebug,

 

You can believe the UBP is a scam, but when it is a perk, you are making absolutely no sense. Let's just say, you have 3 drinks a day, at $12 each.That is $36 if my math is right. Now tip on top of that which you would still do; compare that with the same 3 drinks as perks even with the additional gratuities added. How is the drink package a rip off? I am very conservative when I say 3 drinks a day and only $10 per drink.

[DaCruiseBug]

to decruisebug,

 

You can believe the UBP is a scam, but when it is a perk, you are making absolutely no sense. Let's just say, you have 3 drinks a day, at $12 each.That is $36 if my math is right. Now tip on top of that which you would still do; compare that with the same 3 drinks as perks even with the additional gratuities added. How is the drink package a rip off? I am very conservative when I say 3 drinks a day and only $10 per drink.

 

I don’t think it’s a scam, it’s a marketing ploy by NCL that most people fall for.

 

How?

 

1. Cruise fares are inflated to partially offset the cost of the beverage package.

2. The UBP cost is inflated purposely so that NCL collects a much greater amount on the 20% service fee that also partially offsets the cost of the UBP.

3. Drink prices are higher on NCL then most other cruise lines...which once again partially offset the cost of the UBP.

 

People that think the UBP is free as a perk and those that Toni they’re only paying $17.80 for it are exactly who NCL is goin after. Those not intelligent enough to figure out how it is all just a strategy to get more revenue.

[Two Wheels Only]

People that think the UBP is free as a perk and those that Toni they’re only paying $17.80 for it are exactly who NCL is goin after. Those not intelligent enough to figure out how it is all just a strategy to get more revenue.

 

For people who always select their stateroom, it's $17.80pppd more with the UBP promo vs without. For those who are willing to book a Sailaway, it may be a better deal to skip the UBP promo and pay for drinks a la carte.

 

It's not really a matter of intelligence. It's just that people are different and different options are better for them.

[DaCruiseBug]

For people who always select their stateroom, it's $17.80pppd more with the UBP promo vs without. For those who are willing to book a Sailaway, it may be a better deal to skip the UBP promo and pay for drinks a la carte.

 

It's not really a matter of intelligence. It's just that people are different and different options are better for them.

 

 

Very few people would select their cabin if there were no perks and the room was $150-300 more per person. People end up willing to pay that extra because they get the perk, not because they can select their room. So in essence you are paying for your perks.

[DaCruiseBug]

For people who always select their stateroom, it's $17.80pppd more with the UBP promo vs without. For those who are willing to book a Sailaway, it may be a better deal to skip the UBP promo and pay for drinks a la carte.

 

It's not really a matter of intelligence. It's just that people are different and different options are better for them.

 

 

If you look at the Sky for example, the difference between a Sail Away and a category that allows you to pick your cabin is about $50 (give or take a little). That’s the true cost of selecting your cabin...not the $300 per person difference as is in some cases on a 7 night Caribbean sailing. It’s obvious that you’re paying for the perks as well.

[KeithJenner]

Very few people would select their cabin if there were no perks and the room was $150-300 more per person. People end up willing to pay that extra because they get the perk, not because they can select their room. So in essence you are paying for your perks.

 

 

I certainly wouldn’t agree that very few people would select their cabin if it wasn’t for the perks. For years, guarantee cabins were offered that are cheaper than standard cabins, with no difference in perks, and lots of people (I’d guess the majority, but have no evidence of that) paid the extra.

 

Even now, there are many people for whom this isn’t an option. We usually stay in specific cabins (large balconies, aft rooms, specific rooms with differences from the usual). There are no sail away versions of these rooms. The same goes for suites, spa rooms etc.

 

There are a significant proportion of cruisers for whom other factors mean that the rates without perks are not options that they will be looking at.