Premium Plus Drink Package

[jkbec101]

We upgraded to the Free at Sea Plus which comes with the upgraded drink package. 

 

I'm a beer guy normally, but on a cruise (last one on the Epic), I will drink margarita, Blue Hawaiian, simple drinks.  

 

If you had the upgraded drink package, what's the one (or two drinks) you would order, that you wouldn't normally if you had the regular drink package?

[Sthrngary]

@jkbec101 I hope the op-ed below helps.  I look to always have a few 1942 Tequila.  Enjoy the stream.

 

 

[dbrown84]

Macallan

 

[phillygwm]

Veuve Clicquot

[gmbhardy]

5 hours ago, Sthrngary said:

@jkbec101 I hope the op-ed below helps.  I look to always have a few 1942 Tequila.  Enjoy the stream.

 

 

Unfortunately, I don’t think Don Julio 1942 Tequila is available anymore. If the OP enjoys beer I would try Chimay beer, either white label or red label, in the District Brew House. They also have a couple other abbey brewed beers that are more than $15. We enjoy the Champagnes either Veuve or Pommery. I would recommend Zacappa rum in Mojitos or Pina Colodas and if you like dessert wines try the Inniskillin ice wine. 

[Sydneyberlin]

French champagne, totally. Or a nice upscale Scotch Single Malt- Talisker is an awesome peaty one.

[Lupush]

Blue Label, Hennesy XO, Macallan Terra.

[Sthrngary]

12 hours ago, gmbhardy said:

Unfortunately, I don’t think Don Julio 1942 Tequila is available anymore. If the OP enjoys beer I would try Chimay beer, either white label or red label, in the District Brew House. They also have a couple other abbey brewed beers that are more than $15. We enjoy the Champagnes either Veuve or Pommery. I would recommend Zacappa rum in Mojitos or Pina Colodas and if you like dessert wines try the Inniskillin ice wine. 

The reality of my last three NCL cruises all of which I had the Premium Plus Beverage Package can be summed up with the following words from the crew and Bartenders; "Sorry we don't have that because of Supply Chain Issues."  

 

My wife drinks Chardonnay.  Not Don Julie 1942, Chardonnay.  That used to be my drink of choice. Her favorite wine at home is literally in a box.  Actually in a bag that is in a box.  Another words, she is not looking for over the top quality.  What the ship had was worse than "Two Buck Chuck" in Trader Joes. Actually two buck chuck would have been fine.  I wanted Crown Royal, they were out of it.  The Premium Plus Drink Program has obviously been revamped.  

 

All of my writings are to be fair, reasonable and most importantly provide realistic expectations so when on board, you are not disappointed.  My last few experiences were below average.  Then they policy of only one bottle of selected wine at dinner that could not be taken back to the suite was the straw.  Now I wrote the op-en on this subject.  I can no longer endorse this upgrade.  I get the feeling NCL is using it to pump up revenues and not providing the same value they had for years before. 

 

These experiences were mine.  I have written about them before.  I will not debated them.  Take what have to say and other to make your own business decision.  Than report back to this and other streams on this subject so other can make better decision.  

 

Cruise well and enjoy every moment. 

[grobma]

On 3/31/2023 at 9:46 AM, Sthrngary said:

I can no longer endorse this upgrade.  I get the feeling NCL is using it to pump up revenues and not providing the same value they had for years before. 

 

Gary, you have been the guide and beacon for the PPD for so many (much appreciated!) and I am neither disagreeing nor arguing with you. I actually do agree with you, but would offer a different perspective.

 

I pay for the FAS+ because a) I want the unlimited WiFi, b) I want the two extra specialty meals, and c) the price of the PPD when packaged together comes down a bit. Yes, I would definitely like more top shelf brands and not have to hear "supply chain" ever again, and yes, I would like more than one bottle of wine. But I - and, like you, this is a very personal choice - believe I probably make my money back between two Starbucks drinks a day, bottled sparkling water with every meal (and bottles of water after dancing late at night), Biosteel hydration drinks after the gym and time in the sun, and whatever top shelf items I can get. And all without worrying about what my tab will look like at the end of the cruise. Like you, just my personal perspective.

[Sthrngary]

12 minutes ago, grobma said:

 

Gary, you have been the guide and beacon for the PPD for so many (much appreciated!) and I am neither disagreeing nor arguing with you. I actually do agree with you, but would offer a different perspective.

 

I pay for the FAS+ because a) I want the unlimited WiFi, b) I want the two extra specialty meals, and c) the price of the PPD when packaged together comes down a bit. Yes, I would definitely like more top shelf brands and not have to hear "supply chain" ever again, and yes, I would like more than one bottle of wine. But I - and, like you, this is a very personal choice - believe I probably make my money back between two Starbucks drinks a day, bottled sparkling water with every meal (and bottles of water after dancing late at night), Biosteel hydration drinks after the gym and time in the sun, and whatever top shelf items I can get. And all without worrying about what my tab will look like at the end of the cruise. Like you, just my personal perspective.

@grobma Great comments.  Thank you. FYI, everything I write is just my opinion. Does not make it right. You were to kind in the way you approached my past comments. 
 

I am currently on another cruise brand board. Let’s say, they are very vocal on many of my comments. Again, everyone has an opinion. Lol

 

Cruise well and enjoy every moment. 

[phillygwm]

53 minutes ago, grobma said:

But I - and, like you, this is a very personal choice - believe I probably make my money back between two Starbucks drinks a day, bottled sparkling water with every meal (and bottles of water after dancing late at night), Biosteel hydration drinks after the gym and time in the sun, and whatever top shelf items I can get. 

Agreed.  I drink a lot of Pellegrino.  I have cases from Costco stacked in my kitchen right now.  At $6 per on the ship, 3 a day is $18.  Add a Venti Starbucks, maybe two, and I'm getting pretty close to offsetting the P+ cost before hitting the sauce.  Add in some Champagne, maybe a Chimay now and again, and it's going to be a good deal for me. On top of that, I need the Wifi and I'm going to purchase the additional meals anyway, so FAS+ is not a bad deal.

 

Where I might hesitate to recommend is if someone doesn't care about the water/coffee and is considering the package only for one label.  As others have noted, that can be hit or miss.

[UKstages]

the water would be a no brainer for me and catapult me into the + category. but with my casino drink card, i can get what they describe as "ultra" dinks and that includes pellegrino. (i think you can even get it with the "premium" casino drink card, however.) typically, they will give me two of the big bottles. i usually drink one in the casino and take the other one back to the room.

[Antimony]

Veuve, Bailey's, too much Starbucks, Pellegrino, and the Inniskillin ice wine is amazing. I'm not a huge wine drinker, but the wine steward at Le Bistro suggested the ice wine when she saw I had the plus package and I am so happy she did. I didn't remember to ask for my margaritas and rum drinks to be made with the top shelf stuff, but I will on my next cruise. Like others here, it wasn't just about the premium alcohol but the entire package (especially not having to remember to log off of the internet or watch minutes). I feel like I about broke even with the specialty meals, bottled waters, and Starbucks so the upscale boozy drinks were just a lovely bonus. I also went to a chocolate and wine tasting, only because the plus package gave me 40% off the cost; for around $15, it was a very nice way to spend a leisurely couple of hours on a sea day. For me, the plus package was worth it and I'll likely budget to be able to upgrade again on future cruises. I'd still have a wonderful cruise without it, but it was definitely nice to have. I feel the same way about the thermal spa.

[dbrown84]

2 hours ago, UKstages said:

the water would be a no brainer for me and catapult me into the + category. but with my casino drink card, i can get what they describe as "ultra" dinks and that includes pellegrino. (i think you can even get it with the "premium" casino drink card, however.) typically, they will give me two of the big bottles. i usually drink one in the casino and take the other one back to the room.

you can get pellegrino even with the house casino drink card.