Not the "Unlimited Beverage" Package anymore

[Two Wheels Only]

The change was made June 6, 2017.

 

EDIT

By "change", I mean the service charge for suite guests. We got a bit off topic.

Edited July 31, 2018 by Two Wheels Only

[PTC DAWG]

The change was made June 6, 2017.

 

I feel better. :) thanks..

[kopiko]

I think what the lawyers were discussing was the difference in terminology like "ultimate beverage package", as in "hey, a bottled water is a beverage, why is not included", vs the updated and more accurate "unlimited open bar", which describes more accurately what we actually get. Semantics, I know, but I can see the lawyer angle to the first argument.

 

Don't shoot the messenger!! I love the UBP or whatever we call it nowadays and happily pay the gratuities. I'm just pointing out the reasoning behind the original discussion at the OPs office.

 

Cheers!

[graphicguy]

Actually, I would pay $89 per day if the package included way so much much more.

 

I’ve had no problem buying the drink package on other cruise lines because it includes way more and it’s cheaper than $89 per day. Norwegian makes no effort in making the package worth $89 per person per day . It’s all about the money [emoji383]

 

 

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Even though NCL says over and over they're gratuities, let's use your analogy. The drink package costs $18/day, for the alcohol package, and call it UBP. Well...well worth it!

[SeaShark]

Not sure what's so "ultimate" about it. There's not much "ultimate" included in the beverage package but booze and soda.They should just simply call it beverage package.

 

Ummmm...it is called "ultimate" because it is the most comprehensive of all of the packages that they offer. That they offer. That they offer. Not because it is the "ultimate" package that could possibly be conceived of.

 

Maybe just me, but I thought that was pretty obvious.

[Maniacal Cruiser]

Actually, I would pay $89 per day if the package included way so much much more.

 

I’ve had no problem buying the drink package on other cruise lines because it includes way more and it’s cheaper than $89 per day. Norwegian makes no effort in making the package worth $89 per person per day . It’s all about the money [emoji383]

 

 

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If something is being sold at a price that you are not willing to pay then simply do not buy it, problem solved!

[DMH15]

Re: suites being charged the service fee on UBP.

 

Just one more reason I have decided to try something else.

 

 

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[Maniacal Cruiser]

Relax Maniacal.... the OP was just saying what happened at her meeting. One of the lawyers she met with spoke about NCL changing the title of their beverage package.

No one is complaining. Not sure why if someone mentions a factual event, its considered complaining. Some get confused about what the program offers and I don't think that is complaining either. No one is forced to take the drink package.

 

 

I am actually very relaxed. Thanks for asking. i was merely correcting a few things that the op stated. My post did not say nor did it imply that the Op was complaining in any sense of the word. I am sure people do get confused, normally that is a result of that person's failure to read what is clearly stated on line though. Often the person then turns that into a reason to complain and believe that they are due something or a pitiful plea for the cruise line to "do the right thing" which (as we all know) is merely saying "I have no leg to stand on but if I try to guilt trip the other party hard enough I might get my way".

[Cruisercl]

Ummmm...it is called "ultimate" because it is the most comprehensive of all of the packages that they offer. That they offer. That they offer. Not because it is the "ultimate" package that could possibly be conceived of. 'And not what other cruise lines offer....:rolleyes:'

Maybe just me, but I thought that was pretty obvious.

 

Agree!!!!

[MyTMo777]

I get what OP is saying, and it is interesting. When I read "open bar," however, I immediately think only of the short cruises to Bermuda or the Bahamas or Cuba, where everyone gets free booze, not just those who choose a beverage package.

 

I'm always rather boggled by all the UBP posts on here. I'm not a veteran cruises - only been on 3. My upcoming November cruise will be the first one on which we've chosen the UBP as one of our "perks." I had absolutely no problem going onto the NCL website and looking up what the package included and didn't include. I read the part where gratuities would be added to my "free" perk. I understood that if I purchased the UBP I would still pay those same gratuities, plus the cost of the package itself, so yes, I was getting a free beverage package, but I was not getting free gratuities. It wasn't hard. Why are people always asking what's included, what's not, why isn't it really "free," etc.? I also understood that I could pay less for a Sailaway cabin and not have any free perks. I did the math and figured out how much more it would cost to choose my own cabin and then get the UBP as one of my perks.

 

I'm not exceptionally smart, and I figured it out.

[Medtech2]

I certainly understand that the UBP is really UOB, and I pay the gratuities because it’s worth it to me. Yeah, I get all the fine print. What I have not figured out, though, is what the thought process is behind not including coffees. I would think coffee drinks are cheaper to make. No need to debate here, just my musing...

[TFLG]

Even though NCL says over and over they're gratuities, let's use your analogy. The drink package costs $18/day, for the alcohol package, and call it UBP. Well...well worth it!

 

NCLs bevy package is about the highest cost of any the big lines. The Carny charges $55 and it covers drinks to $50 or some silly amount (limited to 15 a day though but sodas and water don't count and are included). Celebrities (the guys that really started the "included booze package" are $65 a day and that includes ALL beverages up to $14. Also they don't charge you any extra if it's a free perk. So most other lines are considerably less than NCL.

 

Now is this "free" package really free (even excluding the gratuity). Well, look at the prices of todays cruises versus prior to this promotion. I know I'm paying about $600pp more for a nearly identical cruise I did 3 years ago without the promo. Slightly better cabin but WAY more money. Looking at future cruises they are even more, probably nearly double to what I paid a few years ago. Balcony cabins on the Joy for a 7 day Mexico cruise are starting at $1600-$1900, that's insane. So you can be assured NCL isn't giving us any deal here. just a shell game. Don't get me wrong I love the booze package but we aint getting much of a deal on it.

[Maya1234]

I really like the change to Unlimited Open Bar ( that seems to be how it’s exclusively advertised these days at least in the US). My colleague said that his understanding was the change was precipitated by survey evidence showing people felt this was not deceptive vs a good chunk feeling that Ultimate Beverage Package was deceptive when it didn’t include a lot of things. I had seen the change recently and was wondering why.

[Maniacal Cruiser]

An UNLIMITED OPEN BAR means all drinks the bar serves will be free with no limits. A package of any type indicates that it only includes items in that package and thus NOT everything. The new name is misleading not the old one.

[Maniacal Cruiser]

I certainly understand that the UBP is really UOB, and I pay the gratuities because it’s worth it to me. Yeah, I get all the fine print. What I have not figured out, though, is what the thought process is behind not including coffees. I would think coffee drinks are cheaper to make. No need to debate here, just my musing...

 

 

"Specialty" coffee is not a bar drink. My point of view as to one reason why.

[Maya1234]

"Specialty" coffee is not a bar drink. My point of view as to one reason why.

 

Agree. And I think that is why the surveys indicated people felt UOB was more accurate. People associated “Open Bar”with what you’d get at a wedding from the bar for free. Which means no specialty coffee, no bottled water, no top shelf liquor or high priced wine.

[DaCruiseBug]

NCLs bevy package is about the highest cost of any the big lines. The Carny charges $55 and it covers drinks to $50 or some silly amount (limited to 15 a day though but sodas and water don't count and are included). Celebrities (the guys that really started the "included booze package" are $65 a day and that includes ALL beverages up to $14. Also they don't charge you any extra if it's a free perk. So most other lines are considerably less than NCL.

 

Now is this "free" package really free (even excluding the gratuity). Well, look at the prices of todays cruises versus prior to this promotion. I know I'm paying about $600pp more for a nearly identical cruise I did 3 years ago without the promo. Slightly better cabin but WAY more money. Looking at future cruises they are even more, probably nearly double to what I paid a few years ago. Balcony cabins on the Joy for a 7 day Mexico cruise are starting at $1600-$1900, that's insane. So you can be assured NCL isn't giving us any deal here. just a shell game. Don't get me wrong I love the booze package but we aint getting much of a deal on it.

 

The NCL apologists will always claim that you're only paying $18 per day for the beverage package because it's "free" when in reality just as you pointed out, the price is actually built in to the cruise fare you select. It's a marketing gimmick.

 

If you're ok with paying $18 per day plus an inflated cruise fare for the beverage package then you pick it, and if not then you don't. Simple choice.

 

This is one of the many reasons we're trying out the Seaside in the Fall. Paid $3,500 in a Yacht Club Deluxe Suite with $250 OBC and a free internet package and don't have to worry about a thing (other then specialty restaurants although we get 1 free). It was the same price as a mini-suite on the Bliss so it was a no brainer.

 

My bet is that within the next 2 years NCL will have to make some changes in favor of the customer due to increased competition especially with MSC entering the market and offering more for less.

[Jana60]

The NCL apologists will always claim that you're only paying $18 per day for the beverage package because it's "free" when in reality just as you pointed out, the price is actually built in to the cruise fare you select. It's a marketing gimmick.

 

 

 

If you're ok with paying $18 per day plus an inflated cruise fare for the beverage package then you pick it, and if not then you don't. Simple choice.

 

 

 

This is one of the many reasons we're trying out the Seaside in the Fall. Paid $3,500 in a Yacht Club Deluxe Suite with $250 OBC and a free internet package and don't have to worry about a thing (other then specialty restaurants although we get 1 free). It was the same price as a mini-suite on the Bliss so it was a no brainer.

 

 

 

My bet is that within the next 2 years NCL will have to make some changes in favor of the customer due to increased competition especially with MSC entering the market and offering more for less.

 

 

 

I guess NCL is not the cruise line for you but that’s OK because thankfully there are many cruise lines to choose from so everyone can find one to their liking!

 

 

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[DaCruiseBug]

I guess NCL is not the cruise line for you but that’s OK because thankfully there are many cruise lines to choose from so everyone can find one to their liking!

 

 

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Well I have a "free" casino cruise booked for next year. So as I said, book it if it makes sense...otherwise go elsewhere. It's hard to beat a 7 night Caribbean sailing on NCL with a beverage package for around $800 total (2 people).

[Maniacal Cruiser]

The NCL apologists will always claim that you're only paying $18 per day for the beverage package because it's "free" when in reality just as you pointed out, the price is actually built in to the cruise fare you select. It's a marketing gimmick.

 

If you're ok with paying $18 per day plus an inflated cruise fare for the beverage package then you pick it, and if not then you don't. Simple choice.

 

This is one of the many reasons we're trying out the Seaside in the Fall. Paid $3,500 in a Yacht Club Deluxe Suite with $250 OBC and a free internet package and don't have to worry about a thing (other then specialty restaurants although we get 1 free). It was the same price as a mini-suite on the Bliss so it was a no brainer.

 

My bet is that within the next 2 years NCL will have to make some changes in favor of the customer due to increased competition especially with MSC entering the market and offering more for less.

 

EXCEPT getting the FAS offers is NOT all that you get for a non-reduced fare. I am not apologizing for anyone or anything. I am simply pointing out an absolute fact.

[Maniacal Cruiser]

Agree. And I think that is why the surveys indicated people felt UOB was more accurate. People associated “Open Bar”with what you’d get at a wedding from the bar for free. Which means no specialty coffee, no bottled water, no top shelf liquor or high priced wine.

 

 

Except it is NOT an UNLIMITED open bar, well not unless they removed the $15 price cap.

 

UNLIMITED open bar means you can have as many of ANY drink that ANY bar serves.

 

Ultimate beverage PACKAGE mean it is the providers best (in their opinion) drink package and it in and of itself by name does not define what drinks are and are not included. Ergo the terms and conditions spelled that out CLEARLY!

[Love my butler]

Ultimate beverage PACKAGE mean it is the providers best (in their opinion) drink package and it in and of itself by name does not define what drinks are and are not included. Ergo the terms and conditions spelled that out CLEARLY!

 

Let's be real. NCL uses the term 'Ultimate' because they excel in deception. The beverage package is indeed very minimal and very expensive.

[Georgie562]

Let's be real. NCL uses the term 'Ultimate' because they excel in deception. The beverage package is indeed very minimal and very expensive.

Sure is. Highest costing package at sea $89 per person per day just so they can make more out of that 20%. But tell that to the Del Rio cheerleaders 📣 they are okay with it . :rolleyes:

[gkr283]

I certainly understand that the UBP is really UOB, and I pay the gratuities because it’s worth it to me. Yeah, I get all the fine print. What I have not figured out, though, is what the thought process is behind not including coffees. I would think coffee drinks are cheaper to make. No need to debate here, just my musing...

I'd guess it's to do with who is providing you with the coffee. It's probably not NCL. It's likely to be a 3rd party who've paid NCL to set up shop on the ship.

 

The terms of the contract will be that the customer pays for the coffee etc rather than NCL.

 

I think of it like a food provider at a music festival. They pay for the pitch and you buy from them. The promoter of the festival doesn't pay for your food.

 

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[mianmike]

The NCL apologists will always claim that you're only paying $18 per day for the beverage package because it's "free" when in reality just as you pointed out, the price is actually built in to the cruise fare you select. It's a marketing gimmick.

 

If you're ok with paying $18 per day plus an inflated cruise fare for the beverage package then you pick it, and if not then you don't. Simple choice.

 

This is one of the many reasons we're trying out the Seaside in the Fall. Paid $3,500 in a Yacht Club Deluxe Suite with $250 OBC and a free internet package and don't have to worry about a thing (other then specialty restaurants although we get 1 free). It was the same price as a mini-suite on the Bliss so it was a no brainer.

 

My bet is that within the next 2 years NCL will have to make some changes in favor of the customer due to increased competition especially with MSC entering the market and offering more for less.

Yes the UBP is a marketing gimmick, but a hugely successful gimmick. Del Rio is the master of deception. He inflated the price of the cruise to pay for the UBP, but the unintended consequence was NCL wasn't competitively priced commensurate with the class of cruise line.

 

When prospective cruisers compared prices amongst cruise lines NCL wasn't as competitive as they were pre-UBP. The fix was the introduction of the "Sail-away" rate which once again made NCL appear competitive when price shopping across cruise lines.

 

The genius of Del Rio is he knew the public and knew people would ignore the inflated price of the cruise and only focus on the UBP gratuity. Thus all the "The UBP is only $18 a day" posts which completely ignore the inflated cost of the cruise.