Onboard extras

[tigerfire2002]

I'm curious why the beverage package does not include bottled water? This is one of the main reasons I prefer OTHER cruise lines over Norwegian. Especially when the package costs twice as much as other cruise lines. Something small, but it's enough to make me and many others I know, not want to cruise Norwegian again.

The other 2 reasons I did not like NCL, was that 1) all entertainment is not included. Seriously? NCL is that greedy you can't even include all the shows, but still charge extra? 2) Internet is not unlimited and you can't stream. And it's also more expensive than other cruise lines. 

 

So what is my incentive to cruise NCL when it goes to all the same destinations as other cruise lines, but it's more expensive? 

[GUT2407]

No idea why it doesn’t include water, but I did find their water package pretty good value.

[Sauer-kraut]

What entertainment other than the dinner show has a fee?

Howl at the Moon, the main stage productions and the lesser musicians and comedy are all free.

 

Water on the ship is fine no need to purchase the package.  Just bring a container to carry around and off the ship if you want water at a port.

Edited January 12, 2019 by Sauer-kraut

[barric]

Water on the ship is quite pure.  And I don't believe NCL adds flouride or other things that may appear in your home tap water.    Possibly better than bottled water which can contain unplasticized resin molecules from the bottle manufacturing process.  

[tallnthensome]

Nobody actually buys the drink package, they get the promotion. My upcoming 15 Panama Canal drink promo cost less than $500 for my wife and I for 15 days. A similar cruise on Carnival has a cost of over $1600 for Cheers. That's an $1100 difference. I can buy a whole lot of bottles water to satisfy or complete the package with $1100 for drink packages. BTW,  when all was added the NCL cruise on the new Bliss was $500 for 15 days than 14 on Carnival's older ship. NCL = better deal this time. 

Edited January 12, 2019 by tallnthensome

[casofilia]

If those are problems then you had better stick to other lines so that those of us who love NCL can enjoy what we get.  Potable water from every tap, free entertainment every night and as much internet that allows us to be in contact; we are after all Platinum Plus!!!  And of course 15% off our shorex.

[NLH Arizona]

I believe the only place you will get the correct answers to your questions is to call NCL and ask.  With your issues, it is certainly good that you prefer other cruise lines, because I don't see any changes in the future, since their ships are selling full or fairly full.

[tigerfire2002]

1 hour ago, Sauer-kraut said:

What entertainment other than the dinner show has a fee?

Howl at the Moon, the main stage productions and the lesser musicians and comedy are all free.

 

Water on the ship is fine no need to purchase the package.  Just bring a container to carry around and off the ship if you want water at a port.

Last time I was on epic, only the lesser musicians and comedians were free. Everything else had a charge, not just the dinner show.

[tigerfire2002]

1 hour ago, tallnthensome said:

Nobody actually buys the drink package, they get the promotion. My upcoming 15 Panama Canal drink promo cost less than $500 for my wife and I for 15 days. A similar cruise on Carnival has a cost of over $1600 for Cheers. That's an $1100 difference. I can buy a whole lot of bottles water to satisfy or complete the package with $1100 for drink packages. BTW,  when all was added the NCL cruise on the new Bliss was $500 for 15 days than 14 on Carnival's older ship. NCL = better deal this time. 

I did notice that lol, I don't think I've ever seen NCL offer a cruise without the "free at sea" promotion. It always seems to be happening. 

[casofilia]

I did notice that lol, I don't think I've ever seen NCL offer a cruise without the "free at sea" promotion. It always seems to be happening. 

 

Look online in the NCL website for the "Sailaway" rate when you do a trial booking.

[Visigoth]

So what is my incentive to cruise NCL when it goes to all the same destinations as other cruise lines, but it's more expensive? 

 

No incentive at all.  I think you should avoid NCL altogether.  Sorry to lose you. TTFN.

[casofilia]

So what is my incentive to cruise NCL when it goes to all the same destinations as other cruise lines, but it's more expensive? 

 

The absolutely fabulous people who cruise NCL.

[cb at sea]

No reason to buy or bring "bottled" water.  The ship's water, which is in your food, beverages and ice, is perfectly potable and fine.  You do need to chill it, as it won't "run cold" from the tap.  Just drink the provided water.  H2O....it's all the same as far as your body is concerned.

[cathi007]

9 minutes ago, cb at sea said:

No reason to buy or bring "bottled" water.  The ship's water, which is in your food, beverages and ice, is perfectly potable and fine.  You do need to chill it, as it won't "run cold" from the tap.  Just drink the provided water.  H2O....it's all the same as far as your body is concerned.

And ypu can bring empty water bottles and fill them to keep them in your fridge and then take them to the beach, easy peasy and free 🙂

[BirdTravels]

1 hour ago, tigerfire2002 said:

Last time I was on epic, only the lesser musicians and comedians were free. Everything else had a charge, not just the dinner show.

Hmmmm,,, We have been on the Epic 6 times and shows other that the Cirque dinner show and a fee. All entertainment in headliners was free. All entertainment in the Cavern Club was free. Everything in the main theater was free. All entertainment in Spice H20 was free. All entertainment in the Atrium was free. All entertainment in the bars at night was free. All entertainment on deck was free. 

[casofilia]

BUT make sure you empty them BEFORE you try to re-board or you are likely to have the bottles confiscated.

[Crzy4my2]

 My 1st cruise was on RC's Allure It was very nice, We LOVED the staff. We spent a good amount in the Casino. The next time we wanted to take a cruise RC didn't have a sailing the dates we needed so we looked at NCL, and because they had the exact dates we wanted,  we booked and sailed on the Epic.  I actually bought a small water package because we drink a lot of water(family of 4)  and like to have it at night if we wake up thirsty. We never brought the bottles out of the room and if we wanted water when we were out and about on the ship, we just got the Ships water. It tasted perfectly fine. We spent the same amount of money in the Epic casino (maybe a little more but not much) and after our 1st cruise with NCL, I received an offer for a free cruise for 2 (pay taxes). We booked for last Feb and took the kids..So we had to pay for the 3rd and 4th guest.. After that cruise I got another offer for a free cruise for 2, Again we are taking the kids and paying for the 3rd and 4th passenger.. We are going on the Epic again to the Mediterranean for under $3,000 for 4 in family balcony room...There's MY incentive. I never received any offers from Royal Caribbean 

[samiam0403]

2 hours ago, BirdTravels said:

Hmmmm,,, We have been on the Epic 6 times and shows other that the Cirque dinner show and a fee. All entertainment in headliners was free. All entertainment in the Cavern Club was free. Everything in the main theater was free. All entertainment in Spice H20 was free. All entertainment in the Atrium was free. All entertainment in the bars at night was free. All entertainment on deck was free. 

Exactly. I've sailed on Epic twice in the last two years (last time was a few weeks ago), and am sailing her again at the beginning of February. I've never seen an 'upcharge' show other than Cirque, which includes dinner. Maybe OP means the wine or whiskey tasting or the painting event that they do? *shrug* But I do recall Royal offering $79 'premium' seats for shows in the main theater last year, and Carnival doing similar for their 'Live' series cruises...

[fshagan]

5 hours ago, barric said:

Water on the ship is quite pure.  And I don't believe NCL adds flouride or other things that may appear in your home tap water.    Possibly better than bottled water which can contain unplasticized resin molecules from the bottle manufacturing process.  

 

They add chlorine to the water and may adjust the pH if needed. It is the same quality and safety as the water that comes out of your tap at home (unless you live in Flint MI or someplace like that).

[BirdTravels]

Since a lot of ships bunker water, it is the water that comes out of your tap at home. 

[KeithJenner]

7 hours ago, tigerfire2002 said:

Last time I was on epic, only the lesser musicians and comedians were free. Everything else had a charge, not just the dinner show.

I’d be interested to hear what other shows you were charged for, and how much.

 

As others have said, I have sailed on the Epic a few times and never been charged for any entertainment other than Cirque.

 

I suspect you are misremembering.

[KeithJenner]

As for why bottled water isn’t included, the NCL beverage package includes drinks for immediate consumption.

 

It doesn’t include bottles of wine, bottled water or cans of soda. I believe that all beers etc which come in bottles are supposed to be opened when served (although the bar staff will often ignore this).

 

I’m not saying whether I agree with this or

not, but I’ve seen it in a number of places which offer “all you can drink” deals. It avoids people stocking up and sharing with others who don’t have the deal.

 

Based on that, and the fact that water is available for free from dispensers or bars, it seems fairly logical to me for bottled water not to be included. Not including coffees stands out more to me.

[tigerfire2002]

On 1/12/2019 at 8:38 PM, BirdTravels said:

Hmmmm,,, We have been on the Epic 6 times and shows other that the Cirque dinner show and a fee. All entertainment in headliners was free. All entertainment in the Cavern Club was free. Everything in the main theater was free. All entertainment in Spice H20 was free. All entertainment in the Atrium was free. All entertainment in the bars at night was free. All entertainment on deck was free. 

It was a few years ago, I think the ship was still pretty new so maybe that's why

[PATRLR]

On 1/13/2019 at 3:10 AM, KeithJenner said:

As for why bottled water isn’t included, the NCL beverage package includes drinks for immediate consumption.

 

It doesn’t include bottles of wine, bottled water or cans of soda. I believe that all beers etc which come in bottles are supposed to be opened when served (although the bar staff will often ignore this).

I will acknowledge that I am not quite following your point here, I apologize if I've just flat out missed it.  But, bottles of water can be for immediate consumption just as much as a bottle of beer or soda in just the same manner as a bottle of beer or soda.

[PATRLR]

On 1/12/2019 at 11:57 PM, BirdTravels said:

Since a lot of ships bunker water, it is the water that comes out of your tap at home. 

I thought the newer ships were making their own water now.

I agree that water on board is fine and as someone who drinks a lot of bottled water, I managed to adapt just fine to bringing along my own water bottle and filling it on board.