Not Happy with Liquor Up Charges

[david_sobe]

12 minutes ago, NLH Arizona said:

It was not offered on my December Breakaway cruise, but others have reported that it was offered to them on their December and January cruises on some ships.

That's strange.  Another person also posted it was not offered when they asked the concierge.  But the concierge said he would comp them the meal if they wanted to go.  Apparently the concierge felt bad the announcement was not made and the guests had been planning on it.  Its also possible there are things we don't know about. Maybe Margaritaville was low on supplies and had to streamline the meals for a few cruises.  

[Falckon]

This recent article explains NCL's attitude on pushing the pricing envelope.

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/what-recession-this-cruise-line-is-still-packing-its-massive-ships-out-123002593.html 

 

"Executives lifted the top end of their full-year profit outlook several months ago. And they disclosed that ships were already 65% booked for 2019 at higher prices."

[gmbhardy]

3 hours ago, newmexicoNita said:

thank you.. I think he has made his point very clear. None of us are jumping with joy over this news but enough is enough. I just hope he feels better before he posts another thread about the increase I happen to believe, regardless of what we drink, we can usually find a substitute that will work. I told hubby about the increase, knowing his scotch would be higher. He said the same, there are other decent brands out there. 

 

Unfortunately, there is no substitute for Grand Marnier. Having our favourite drinks covered by the UBP made the cruise experience special.

[Outerdog]

58 minutes ago, gmbhardy said:

 

Unfortunately, there is no substitute for Grand Marnier. Having our favourite drinks covered by the UBP made the cruise experience special.

 

Guess you'll have to develop a taste for triple sec neat.

 

/s

[PegNRay]

My issue is that there has been no communication with booked passengers regarding the change. I really feel sorry for the bar staff who will have to be on the receiving end of cruiser surprise and dissatisfaction.I  feel that the cruise line should grandfather in those who are past final payment and should actively communicate the change to all others.

[AlexandNessa]

Yeah,  and on what planet is a chocolate martini made with vodka and cordials $17.95? That's insane.  Didn't the U in UBP at one point stand for Ultimate,  or am I imagining that? Now it's practically unlimited well drinks,  unless you want an additional upcharge ....

 

 

Can't wait to tell hubby that his XO Cafe Patron is now an upcharge. 🙄

 

Paying exponentially more for the Haven while others are fretting over or lowballing bids is also cheapening the Haven experience. If you're in the Haven, any reasonable drink should be included,  period. Grey Goose, Grand Marnier up charges at the Haven bar .... ridiculous money grab. Rethinking some upcoming bookings now,  for sure.  

 

Pretty soon we'll be back to "has anyone had any luck with rum runners because I have to have grey goose" threads ...

[Meekofigaro]

I just got off the Pearl sailing this past week and it was the first ship to offer the Premium package / upgrade... I am posting the sign for it. 

• Upgraded package versus Ultimate Beverage Package includes:
  • All beverages by the glass (no beverage price cap)
  • Bottled water (flat and sparkling)
  • Energy drinks and specialty coffee
  • Select wines by the bottle when dining
  • 40% discount on all other bottles of wine, wine and spirit experiences, tastings or flights purchased on board
  • also includes fresh juice 

[gmbhardy]

15 minutes ago, Outerdog said:

 

Guess you'll have to develop a taste for triple sec neat.

 

/s

 

Yuck!!!

[gmbhardy]

8 minutes ago, Meekofigaro said:

I just got off the Pearl sailing this past week and it was the first ship to offer the Premium package / upgrade... I am posting the sign for it. 

• Upgraded package versus Ultimate Beverage Package includes:
  • All beverages by the glass (no beverage price cap)
  • Bottled water (flat and sparkling)
  • Energy drinks and specialty coffee
  • Select wines by the bottle when dining
  • 40% discount on all other bottles of wine, wine and spirit experiences, tastings or flights purchased on board
  • also includes fresh juice 

 

Thank you very much for posting this. Some posters were questioning the authenticity of the conversation I had with the food and beverage director on the Bliss. So the upgrade will cost you $243.60 (including gratuity) per week. Wow. I bet you’ll see the cost of more and more  drinks raised over the $15.00 threshold to encourage more people to buy the premium package. What a rip-off.

[graphicguy]

I guess this begs the question, what do you want CC members to do about it?

 

We can whine about it, but that's not going to change it.  I like bourbon.  They don't even carry the bourbon I like (Basil Hayden).  But, they have others, like Bulleit bourbon.  So, that suffices.  I would imagine it would be the same with Gin or Vodka.

 

Either you like any of the cruise lines, or you don't? If you don't like their policies, there are all sorts of others out there to sail.  

 

Every ship I've been on I've enjoyed....some more than others.  But, I've sailed Carnival, Royal, HAL, Celebrity, MSC and yes, NCL.  Liked all of them.  Maybe try a different cruise line that you might like better?

Edited January 21, 2019 by graphicguy

[gmbhardy]

5 minutes ago, graphicguy said:

I guess this begs the question, what do you want CC members to do about it?

 

We can whine about it, but that's not going to change it.  I like bourbon.  They don't even carry the bourbon I like (Basil Hayden).  But, they have others, like Bulleit bourbon.  So, that suffices.  I would imagine it would be the same with Gin or Vodka.

 

Either you like any of the cruise lines, or you don't? If you don't like their policies, there are all sorts of others out there to sail.  

 

Every ship I've been on I've enjoyed....some more than others.  But, I've sailed Carnival, Royal, HAL, Celebrity, MSC and yes, NCL.  Liked all of them.  Maybe try a different cruise line that you might like better?

 

You are absolutely right. But the cruise lines do monitor these boards and mabe I’m naive, but I think if enough people were to launch a tidal wave of complaints, it might influence future decisions. 

[Outerdog]

6 minutes ago, gmbhardy said:

 

You are absolutely right. But the cruise lines do monitor these boards and mabe I’m naive, but I think if enough people were to launch a tidal wave of complaints, it might influence future decisions. 

 

Honestly, the only time I can think of that NCL received enough blowback to reverse a policy change was the bit about bringing food back to your stateroom from the buffet.

 

They've been chipping away at the UBP for years -- moving the goalposts constantly, as I said earlier. All the complaining didn't change a damn thing. 

 

FDR is trying to see how he can get an extra $5 a day from your wife. That's the MO and has been for some time.

Edited January 21, 2019 by Outerdog

[Sea saw 56]

However....the new Premium + package looks more appealing than the old UBP since it includes bottled water, specialty coffees, fresh juice....and all beverages with no price cap.  An additional $5.80/day might be worth it for some.

Just a shame that they are making the traditional UBP a package that excludes so much.

Wonder how long before they raise the price of the Premium + package if it goes over well.

[Meekofigaro]

2 hours ago, Sea saw 56 said:

However....the new Premium + package looks more appealing than the old UBP since it includes bottled water, specialty coffees, fresh juice....and all beverages with no price cap.  An additional $5.80/day might be worth it for some.

Just a shame that they are making the traditional UBP a package that excludes so much.

Wonder how long before they raise the price of the Premium + package if it goes over well.

 

It is per day, the 29.00 plus 20%.... not for the week extra. For 5.80 I would take it for sure! 

 

 

[pitz0005]

So the total cost would be $20 service charge plus $34.80 upgrade per day for a total of $54.80 per day.  What a nice free perk.  

[littlelulu01]

23 minutes ago, pitz0005 said:

So the total cost would be $20 service charge plus $34.80 upgrade per day for a total of $54.80 per day.  What a nice free perk.  

So it took less than 4 years for the ubp to out free itself. In 2015 the ubp was $54 all in out of pocket. 

[gmbhardy]

36 minutes ago, pitz0005 said:

So the total cost would be $20 service charge plus $34.80 upgrade per day for a total of $54.80 per day.  What a nice free perk.  

 

The cost would be $29.00 plus 20% gratuity ($5.80) which equals $34.80 per day or $243.60 per week.

[pitz0005]

I 

4 minutes ago, gmbhardy said:

 

The cost would be $29.00 plus 20% gratuity ($5.80) which equals $34.80 per day or $243.60 per week.

 

I get that, but add to that the $20 per day service charge up front to get the total cost of the package when comparing to other lines. 

[Shidah]

To the OP, wasn’t questioning the fact you had the conversation, but I like to see things in print rather than rely on a he said she said scenario before I believe anything.  Don’t know, might not be such a bad deal.  Includes water, but I get that in the casino already.  Sparkling water may be nice though.  Where do they have specialty coffees on board? I don’t drink coffee on board as much as home really, I start the morning with mimosas and don’t look back.   Same with fresh juice, can you get that with room service? I’m still happy with the choices that are still under 15 (never a headache with Tito’s can’t say the same for Grey Goose).  I really wouldn’t need the new upgrade but on vacation I tend to buy things just because they are available.  Still would be hard drinking 29 dollars worth of sparkling water and fresh juice.  

[SNJCruisers]

17 hours ago, gmbhardy said:

 

Unfortunately, there is no substitute for Grand Marnier. Having our favourite drinks covered by the UBP made the cruise experience special.

How about Cointreau?  It's covered by the UBP.

[tallnthensome]

This new package would be an extra $1000 on our upcoming 15 day cruise. Ripoff, and not going to happen. NCL just lost a lot of appeal and any advantage it had over other cruise lines in my opinion. Again, I paid $8.25 on Celebrity to upgrade to premium from their free package. NCL wants 4X that ....... Sun is setting on our preference for NCL. 

[KateQ22003]

17 hours ago, Outerdog said:

 

Guess you'll have to develop a taste for triple sec neat.

 

/s

Triple Sec as a replacement for Grand Marnier??? Heck, no! That's blasphemy!!

 

[KateQ22003]

1 hour ago, SNJCruisers said:

How about Cointreau?  It's covered by the UBP.

Not even close. Anyone who drinks Grand Marnier regularly will tell you that there is nothing that comes close.

[SNJCruisers]

3 minutes ago, KateQ22003 said:

Not even close. Anyone who drinks Grand Marnier regularly will tell you that there is nothing that comes close.

I guess the few hard core Grand Marnier devotees will either have to fork up the price difference on NCL or choose to sail on another line that has Grand Marnier as part of their included package. 

[KateQ22003]

1 minute ago, SNJCruisers said:

I guess the few hard core Grand Marnier devotees will either have to fork up the price difference on NCL or choose to sail on another line that has Grand Marnier as part of their included package. 

I guess you are right. Certainly not a deal breaker, but something to think about when looking at cruise options. Everyone has his/her traditions when they cruise; mine is having a snifter of Grand Marnier after dinner when watching the shows.

Edited January 22, 2019 by KateQ22003