Free offers or wait until onboard??

[Msmojo66]

We are getting ready to book for a summer cruise to Alaska.  We've sailed twice before on NCL and had UBP and Dining plan before.  My mom was just talking with someone and they said it was more expensive to book with those "free" choices and to wait until 1st day on the ship to sign up for them.  Anyone have any advice on that?? 

[RedwingHockeyFan]

You'd have to get one hell of a deal on your room for it to be cheaper to pay for the UBP than to take it as a perk.  Like over $800 per person deal for a 7 day cruise.

Edited March 4, 2019 by RedwingHockeyFan

[ollienbertsmum]

I think you might have to check your itinerary, do your sums and see how the costs add up.  When we went on our Alaska cruise (with PRincess not NCL) we did not have a beverage package but found that the days in port were so long we hardly had time on the ship to enjoy the bars so our resulting bar bill for 4  was not great and  almost covered by our (small) winnings in the Casino.  

 

Whether or not you get the dining plan is really personal (I don't eat meat so it might be easier to find  good quality veg dishes i n the MDR).    We have had a dining plan on 2 of our 6 NCL cruises and although we have enjoyed them, they have not really been deal breakers.  For me the most important factor is being able to choose the cabin location.  

 

Good luck with planning your cruise.  I was in your position this time last year.  It was a wonderful trip. 

[ksmcdonald]

If you sign up for those two packages the first day on the ship, you will have to pay $99 per day plus gratuities ($118.80 per day) for the UBP and $94.80 plus gratuities for the three day dining package.    I don't think that will be cheaper than just paying the higher price for your room and pick the free at sea promotions.  The sail away prices are cheaper, but that is really only cheaper if you don't want the drink or dining packages.

 

 

 

[bluesea777]

4 hours ago, ksmcdonald said:

If you sign up for those two packages the first day on the ship, you will have to pay $99 per day plus gratuities ($118.80 per day) for the UBP and $94.80 plus gratuities for the three day dining package.    I don't think that will be cheaper than just paying the higher price for your room and pick the free at sea promotions.  The sail away prices are cheaper, but that is really only cheaper if you don't want the drink or dining packages.

 

 

 

 

And BOTH the pax 1 and 2 have to purchase them.

 

It's cheaper to get the room with UBP & SDP as the free at sea promo and pay $138.60 and $18.96 in gratuities, than get a room at a sail-away rate and pay the full amounts $831.60 and $113.76.