Rare New2cruise2022 Posted Friday at 07:45 PM #101 Share Posted Friday at 07:45 PM 1 minute ago, RocketMan275 said: True, but if you want to compare the two, then you should include the pluses and the minuses. You've lost the coffees, the Aqua, water and wine, but in return you've gained the cost of the upgrade from FAS to FAS+. That refund will offset much of those things you've lost. I think the amount of the refund will matter, as well as the cost of the elements you can add. Other than FAS+, I have not seen a package to add still and sparking water. The Starbucks package and Unlimited packages are available, but those two alone are nearly $50 pppd after taxes and grats. Even if there was a package to pick up the nice waters, fresh juices, and bottled waters, you are already exceeding the current offering with FAS+. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rnfulk Posted Friday at 07:53 PM #102 Share Posted Friday at 07:53 PM 7 minutes ago, RocketMan275 said: True, but if you want to compare the two, then you should include the pluses and the minuses. You've lost the coffees, the Aqua, water and wine, but in return you've gained the cost of the upgrade from FAS to FAS+. That refund will offset much of those things you've lost. There are always going to be those who saw the value in FAS+ and those who didn’t. I loved FAS+ because it took all of the guesswork out of my final bill. Everything I wanted was included. I don’t know, nor do I care, if I could have spent less by paying the extra cost of drinks that exceeded the standard drink package or paying menu price for water and coffee. The value of the package for me was not having to worry about what anything cost. I’ll survive with the MAS drink package, but it will make my cruises feel a little less special. 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare New2cruise2022 Posted Friday at 08:21 PM #103 Share Posted Friday at 08:21 PM 20 minutes ago, rnfulk said: There are always going to be those who saw the value in FAS+ and those who didn’t. I loved FAS+ because it took all of the guesswork out of my final bill. Everything I wanted was included. I don’t know, nor do I care, if I could have spent less by paying the extra cost of drinks that exceeded the standard drink package or paying menu price for water and coffee. The value of the package for me was not having to worry about what anything cost. I’ll survive with the MAS drink package, but it will make my cruises feel a little less special. Agreed. I don’t vacation nearly as much as I wish I could because of time and money. So when I do, I love being able to package and arrive at a place that feels carefree. I will enjoy FAS+ one last time this month. Then next spring I will return to Princess. The Premier package really does take all of the guesswork away and comes very close to ALL inclusive. It includes gratuities, unlimited premium drinks, specialty coffees, unlimited WiFi on 4 devices, unlimited fitness classes, unlimited desserts, unlimited casual dining, unlimited specialty dining, drinks delivered to your stateroom or anywhere on the ship, unlimited fresh juices. Sadly, there is no still and sparkling water inclusion, but loads of other perks. I can’t and won’t use many of the amenities (fitness classes, desserts, etc.) but it’s the notion that I pay one fee and I can choose and enjoy — as well as my adult children — and not worry about a bill at the end. No surprises. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PangeanSir Posted Friday at 08:37 PM #104 Share Posted Friday at 08:37 PM On 10/1/2024 at 12:46 PM, ETski said: I have a cruise booked for Nov 2025. We have regular Free at Sea. Will that stay the same? Poor bartenders they will have more the 2 beverage packages to deal with. If you booked before October 1st, then you will get a wider/better selection of alcoholic beverages under the new drink plan compared to Free at Sea (at no extra cost). The bartenders will actually have it easier as there will only be More at Sea. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Greenpea2 Posted Friday at 09:18 PM #105 Share Posted Friday at 09:18 PM (edited) Hmmm. OK, so I have not been keeping up here, with NCL. Clearly. What the heck is all this! I am a NCL fan and while I only cruise once every year or two, that's who I cruise on. I have kind of a headache trying to figure all this out. We have been getting what used to be the Premium Plus liquor package--which was high-end booze and Starbucks. Plus 2 free Specialty restaurant and two $50-off excursions. All that is gone now?. Would someone please take pity on me (change is hard) and explain what I CAN now get? I only have one or two Starbucks a day so that is no great loss. I will just pay for them. But the premium drink package was something I LOVED. From what I can gather from this thread, there is (at least at this time) no premium booze package, correct? And no specially restaurants package and no $50-off excursions? I always have gone with the unlimited internet--and only had to pay for myself (not also whoever I cruise with). Is that still available for just one person?? If I have to pay for premium vodka, tequila, and champagne I suppose I just will. But this is really disappointing. I mean really a let-down for someone who has been an NCL fan for 30 years. Can someone clarify what I CAN still get? Thank you in advance. I am confused, I admit it. P.S. Our cruise is in early March, 2025, if that makes a difference. Edited Friday at 09:19 PM by Greenpea2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UKstages Posted Friday at 09:20 PM #106 Share Posted Friday at 09:20 PM 12 hours ago, MiniJeffrey said: they probably weren't too happy with people doing this trick... at least: NCL waiters never made a problem of it to provide it to the whole table. when i had premium+ drink package on my last cruise (as a casino benefit), i never once tried to do this this "trick," but i wish i had a dollar for every time a waiter proactively offered it. (i'd have about forty bucks after a ten day cruise.) i would order a bottle of pellegrino and the waiter would pour it for me and my standard FAS guest. when my companion ordered ABC wine, the water would say, "let's use UKstages' card, I'll bring you XYZ wine, you will enjoy that more." my point is that if they felt there was shrinkage in their product, they might be able t eradicate it, by educating their waitstaff. i don't think there has ben widespread abuse of the premium+ package, but perhaps this is why we can't have nice things. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dbrown84 Posted Friday at 09:36 PM #107 Share Posted Friday at 09:36 PM 14 minutes ago, UKstages said: when i had premium+ drink package on my last cruise (as a casino benefit), i never once tried to do this this "trick," but i wish i had a dollar for every time a waiter proactively offered it. (i'd have about forty bucks after a ten day cruise.) i would order a bottle of pellegrino and the waiter would pour it for me and my standard FAS guest. when my companion ordered ABC wine, the water would say, "let's use UKstages' card, I'll bring you XYZ wine, you will enjoy that more." my point is that if they felt there was shrinkage in their product, they might be able t eradicate it, by educating their waitstaff. i don't think there has ben widespread abuse of the premium+ package, but perhaps this is why we can't have nice things. I've had a server ask me to get a drink for someone not even with me. We were in the cigar lounge. I happily did it, but it was actually the server who asked Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ajaris Posted yesterday at 12:17 AM #108 Share Posted yesterday at 12:17 AM On 10/3/2024 at 12:13 PM, quillwercruisers said: We sail in March of 25, reservation was made in Jan 24. The FAS+ is back on my reservation, and I am able to book excursions using the extra $50 excursion credit. This is from my Vacation Summary: ours is back too but got an email today it was going away... so confusing... we are going feb 2025 and have paid full already. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CurtandLeslie Posted yesterday at 12:50 AM #109 Share Posted yesterday at 12:50 AM 3 hours ago, Greenpea2 said: Hmmm. OK, so I have not been keeping up here, with NCL. Clearly. What the heck is all this! I am a NCL fan and while I only cruise once every year or two, that's who I cruise on. I have kind of a headache trying to figure all this out. We have been getting what used to be the Premium Plus liquor package--which was high-end booze and Starbucks. Plus 2 free Specialty restaurant and two $50-off excursions. All that is gone now?. Would someone please take pity on me (change is hard) and explain what I CAN now get? I only have one or two Starbucks a day so that is no great loss. I will just pay for them. But the premium drink package was something I LOVED. From what I can gather from this thread, there is (at least at this time) no premium booze package, correct? And no specially restaurants package and no $50-off excursions? I always have gone with the unlimited internet--and only had to pay for myself (not also whoever I cruise with). Is that still available for just one person?? If I have to pay for premium vodka, tequila, and champagne I suppose I just will. But this is really disappointing. I mean really a let-down for someone who has been an NCL fan for 30 years. Can someone clarify what I CAN still get? Thank you in advance. I am confused, I admit it. P.S. Our cruise is in early March, 2025, if that makes a difference. Did you buy the Free at Sea Plus package before October 1? If you already paid for it, they are refunding the "beverage portion" (no one knows what that $ is yet) but you will keep your 2 additional dining credits, $50 shore excursion credit for the 2nd person and unlimited wifi. If you hadn't purchased FAS+ yet, you can't anymore.😞 You will keep the number of dining credits you would have had under the old Free at Sea (2 for balcony and above). I just clicked on the link to upgrade wifi on a 2026 cruise that I didn't have FAS+ on and I can't just do it for one of us. As far as drinks go, you and everyone else with a beverage package after 1/1 will have the new More at Sea package, which does not include bottles of wine, Starbucks, bottled water or fresh juices. More at Sea is supposed to include some things that were previously included in the plus package. There is a "connoisseur's list" that you can buy by the drink and get a $15 credit towards. Neither list has been published so until they do, it's all speculation. I'll miss the Free at Sea Plus package. We made sure to maximize it when we had it so I'm sure NCL lost money on us! 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JSar Posted 23 hours ago #110 Share Posted 23 hours ago (edited) 5 hours ago, Greenpea2 said: Hmmm. OK, so I have not been keeping up here, with NCL. Clearly. What the heck is all this! I am a NCL fan and while I only cruise once every year or two, that's who I cruise on. I have kind of a headache trying to figure all this out. We have been getting what used to be the Premium Plus liquor package--which was high-end booze and Starbucks. Plus 2 free Specialty restaurant and two $50-off excursions. All that is gone now?. Would someone please take pity on me (change is hard) and explain what I CAN now get? If you already booked your cruise and purchased the FAS+ package - you should still have it for your next cruise. Otherwise... essentially the FAS package was expanded to include more of what you get with the FAS+, but it does NOT include the bottled water/unlimited Starbucks. Here is the link to what you DO get with MAS, which includes more premium alcohols than the FAS option previously included. extension://bfdogplmndidlpjfhoijckpakkdjkkil/pdf/viewer.html?file=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncl.com%2Fsites%2Fdefault%2Ffiles%2F1813003-MAS%2520Flyer.pdf For most people - this is an upgrade for the FAS option, But there are a couple downgrades from FAS+ Edited 23 hours ago by JSar Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MiniJeffrey Posted 18 hours ago #111 Share Posted 18 hours ago 10 hours ago, UKstages said: when i had premium+ drink package on my last cruise (as a casino benefit), i never once tried to do this this "trick," but i wish i had a dollar for every time a waiter proactively offered it. (i'd have about forty bucks after a ten day cruise.) i would order a bottle of pellegrino and the waiter would pour it for me and my standard FAS guest. when my companion ordered ABC wine, the water would say, "let's use UKstages' card, I'll bring you XYZ wine, you will enjoy that more." my point is that if they felt there was shrinkage in their product, they might be able t eradicate it, by educating their waitstaff. i don't think there has ben widespread abuse of the premium+ package, but perhaps this is why we can't have nice things. I never did it on purpose but indeed they would pour the bottled water/wine/champagne for everyone. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DominicAUS Posted 16 hours ago #112 Share Posted 16 hours ago I always get the FAS+ mostly for the water and coffee, I have B2B booked for February, they are refunding the cost but giving us all the perks, minus the coffee and water. $980 in my back pocket, I’ll happily pay for the coffee. I do agree with others where I love to pay upfront and not have to worry about a bill or costs. I am keen to see what’s included in terms of brands of alcohol. They’ve already said grey goose so happy with that! 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JSar Posted 13 hours ago #113 Share Posted 13 hours ago I am always surprised by the number of people who would rather pay more for a package so they don't have to worry about the bill. I do get the convenience. BUT... I could never drink enough to justify the gratuities on the FAS alcohol package, and I doubt I would drink enough coffee or water to justify the FAS+ price difference. And I definitely do not want to overpay for things I know I won't use. Different priorities for sure! And to me... the "included" meals and beverages are just fine. The only thing I deliberately pay extra for is the soda package for my daughter - she does drink enough soda to justify that cost. But son and I skip that as well. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ggTexasGal Posted 12 hours ago #114 Share Posted 12 hours ago 4 minutes ago, JSar said: I am always surprised by the number of people who would rather pay more for a package so they don't have to worry about the bill. I do get the convenience. BUT... I could never drink enough to justify the gratuities on the FAS alcohol package, and I doubt I would drink enough coffee or water to justify the FAS+ price difference. And I definitely do not want to overpay for things I know I won't use. Different priorities for sure! And to me... the "included" meals and beverages are just fine. The only thing I deliberately pay extra for is the soda package for my daughter - she does drink enough soda to justify that cost. But son and I skip that as well. I think that most who have selected FAS+ are looking for their best options for variety & choices all wrapped up in a package. Yes, that option makes it pricey! 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare New2cruise2022 Posted 12 hours ago #115 Share Posted 12 hours ago 5 minutes ago, JSar said: I am always surprised by the number of people who would rather pay more for a package so they don't have to worry about the bill. I do get the convenience. BUT... I could never drink enough to justify the gratuities on the FAS alcohol package, and I doubt I would drink enough coffee or water to justify the FAS+ price difference. And I definitely do not want to overpay for things I know I won't use. Different priorities for sure! And to me... the "included" meals and beverages are just fine. The only thing I deliberately pay extra for is the soda package for my daughter - she does drink enough soda to justify that cost. But son and I skip that as well. It really is a mentality that is coupled with likes and dislikes. I really like saving money. If I was retired and had more time to travel, I would opt for less amenities and inclusions so I could spend more days at seas. I think I could be very happy without a drink package, enjoying the coffee and juices included with all fares, and only eating the complimentary food options. But, I really only splurge for 1 or 2 vacations per year and I definitely get the value out of inclusion. That being said, my brother (who often joins me for these getaways) are planning to do a cruise with ZERO packages, including WiFi, to see what the experience is like. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Greenpea2 Posted 9 hours ago #116 Share Posted 9 hours ago 14 hours ago, JSar said: If you already booked your cruise and purchased the FAS+ package - you should still have it for your next cruise. Otherwise... essentially the FAS package was expanded to include more of what you get with the FAS+, but it does NOT include the bottled water/unlimited Starbucks. Here is the link to what you DO get with MAS, which includes more premium alcohols than the FAS option previously included. extension://bfdogplmndidlpjfhoijckpakkdjkkil/pdf/viewer.html?file=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncl.com%2Fsites%2Fdefault%2Ffiles%2F1813003-MAS%2520Flyer.pdf For most people - this is an upgrade for the FAS option, But there are a couple downgrades from FAS+ I booked the promotional beverage package that was included at the time and planned to upgrade to the Premium Plus...The link you had did not work for me, but I did see the list on the NCL website. No Grey Goose! That is my go-to vodka. At least there is Patron Silver (another go-to), but no other "really good" tequila, which is a disappointment. And bottles (or even glasses that I could see) of top-shelf champagne. Another go-to for me. Sigh...I am disappointed in NCL about this. I'm sure they made money on me (and people like me) who don't drink tons of drinks, but do want the really good stuff. Wondering how much a drink with top-shelf costs just to buy outright. I have been on the packages for so long I never paid attention to the prices per drink. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mistertomatoe Posted 9 hours ago #117 Share Posted 9 hours ago 3 hours ago, JSar said: I am always surprised by the number of people who would rather pay more for a package so they don't have to worry about the bill. I do get the convenience. BUT... I could never drink enough to justify the gratuities on the FAS alcohol package, and I doubt I would drink enough coffee or water to justify the FAS+ price difference. And I definitely do not want to overpay for things I know I won't use. Different priorities for sure! And to me... the "included" meals and beverages are just fine. The only thing I deliberately pay extra for is the soda package for my daughter - she does drink enough soda to justify that cost. But son and I skip that as well. It's not just the freshly squeezed juice, bottled water, Starbucks, Energy drinks, and premium plus alcohol. If you're going to get the Internet anyways and the 2nd person in the room take shore excursions ($50 credit), it's looking pretty good. Add two extra dining on top as a bonus. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CurtandLeslie Posted 8 hours ago #118 Share Posted 8 hours ago 1 hour ago, Greenpea2 said: I booked the promotional beverage package that was included at the time and planned to upgrade to the Premium Plus...The link you had did not work for me, but I did see the list on the NCL website. No Grey Goose! That is my go-to vodka. At least there is Patron Silver (another go-to), but no other "really good" tequila, which is a disappointment. And bottles (or even glasses that I could see) of top-shelf champagne. Another go-to for me. Sigh...I am disappointed in NCL about this. I'm sure they made money on me (and people like me) who don't drink tons of drinks, but do want the really good stuff. Wondering how much a drink with top-shelf costs just to buy outright. I have been on the packages for so long I never paid attention to the prices per drink. See if this link works. https://www.ncl.com/sites/default/files/1813003-MAS Flyer.pdf It's for the More at Sea for sailings after 1/1/2025 so the top section on the Unlimited Open Bar should apply to your sailing. It specifically calls out Grey Goose, Woodford and Casamigos as being included. The NCL rep I chatted with the other day said they didn't have a full list to share yet. My next cruise is at the end of January so I'll be keeping an eye out for any lives or posts from people on sailings at the beginning of the year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JSar Posted 7 hours ago #119 Share Posted 7 hours ago 1 hour ago, mistertomatoe said: It's not just the freshly squeezed juice, bottled water, Starbucks, Energy drinks, and premium plus alcohol. If you're going to get the Internet anyways and the 2nd person in the room take shore excursions ($50 credit), it's looking pretty good. Add two extra dining on top as a bonus. Yeah... personally - I can live without all of that! Even the internet. I just wait until I get to shore to make any phone calls and check anything I need to check online. I don't see a problem with paying extra because you want the premium products and you will be using the plan enough to justify the cost. That isn't what I was intending to to say at all. I just saw a lot of comments about people who just paid the extra cost so they don't have to pay attention to the bill they would be accruing - and not caring whether or not they got the value of the upgraded package. To me - that lack of wanting to know if you got the value of the upgrades you are purchasing is what I find strange! I always want to know how much I am spending and whether or not I am getting a decent deal. If I were to pay for the extra upgrades - I would want to make sure I used the upgraded options enough to justify the value. And quite frankly - I can't drink enough alcohol or coffee etc to justify the extra cost. I am still "breaking the bank" with my spending on my next cruise - but the focus of my spending is on massages, thermal suite, and shore excursions. I prefer to pay for experiences rather than consumable items like coffee/alcohol etc. Just a different set of priorities - that is all! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JSar Posted 7 hours ago #120 Share Posted 7 hours ago 5 hours ago, New2cruise2022 said: That being said, my brother (who often joins me for these getaways) are planning to do a cruise with ZERO packages, including WiFi, to see what the experience is like. Yeah - I started out without the "extras" - and have enjoyed my cruises without them. I did pay for ATT at sea... but it didn't work anyway! Our next cruse is the first time we are doing FAS with updgraded specialty dining (and dropped alcohol again)... and will actually do 4 restaurants since it is a 2 week holiday cruise. And the alcohol - I just buy a drink here and there... never spend anywhere near as much as it costs to pay for just the gratuities on FAS. Sure - I would be more likely to order more alcohol if I had it. But I don't need it to enjoy myself. My son is like me - he didn't even want to pay for the soda package. Daughter is another story - but she is still under 21 (and I won't tell her I can sign a release for her to drink wine). She will have to pay for her own alcohol package/gratuities if she wants to have it on future cruises after her 21st birthday. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare New2cruise2022 Posted 7 hours ago #121 Share Posted 7 hours ago 1 minute ago, JSar said: Yeah - I started out without the "extras" - and have enjoyed my cruises without them. I did pay for ATT at sea... but it didn't work anyway! Our next cruse is the first time we are doing FAS with updgraded specialty dining (and dropped alcohol again)... and will actually do 4 restaurants since it is a 2 week holiday cruise. And the alcohol - I just buy a drink here and there... never spend anywhere near as much as it costs to pay for just the gratuities on FAS. Sure - I would be more likely to order more alcohol if I had it. But I don't need it to enjoy myself. My son is like me - he didn't even want to pay for the soda package. Daughter is another story - but she is still under 21 (and I won't tell her I can sign a release for her to drink wine). She will have to pay for her own alcohol package/gratuities if she wants to have it on future cruises after her 21st birthday. I think for someone new to drinking (that can do so responsibly) a drink package is a lot of fun and helps someone figure out what they like and don’t like. When I can’t get FAS+ with unlimited internet, coffee and bottled water and juices, I will buy alcohol as I go. I don’t drink like I used to. Too old I guess. A nap is cheaper and usually sounds better than a cocktail. Haha. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JSar Posted 7 hours ago #122 Share Posted 7 hours ago Just now, New2cruise2022 said: I think for someone new to drinking (that can do so responsibly) a drink package is a lot of fun and helps someone figure out what they like and don’t like. When I can’t get FAS+ with unlimited internet, coffee and bottled water and juices, I will buy alcohol as I go. I don’t drink like I used to. Too old I guess. A nap is cheaper and usually sounds better than a cocktail. Haha. That "Can do so responsibly" is key! My daughter is no stranger to alcohol. Whenever she is in Europe she drinks and has since she was 15 and they started serving her wine with dinner, but of course... she would NEVER drink in the US at her university (LMAO... she has plenty of friends and older brothers to buy what she wants/needs). I am not sure she needs a drink package to figure out what she does and does not like... she seems to already have her favorites. But - she doesn't like when her friends get sloppy drunk so she is pretty responsible (most of the time) and drinks in moderation or sometimes is the designated driver. And yeah... I prefer to "nap" in the Thermal Suite rather than get drunk in one of the ships bars/clubs. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Greenpea2 Posted 3 hours ago #123 Share Posted 3 hours ago 5 hours ago, CurtandLeslie said: See if this link works. https://www.ncl.com/sites/default/files/1813003-MAS Flyer.pdf It's for the More at Sea for sailings after 1/1/2025 so the top section on the Unlimited Open Bar should apply to your sailing. It specifically calls out Grey Goose, Woodford and Casamigos as being included. The NCL rep I chatted with the other day said they didn't have a full list to share yet. My next cruise is at the end of January so I'll be keeping an eye out for any lives or posts from people on sailings at the beginning of the year. The page said "Looks like this page took a permanent vacation!" Guess they are still working out the list...? But thank you, the link did work. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MB_ Posted 3 hours ago #124 Share Posted 3 hours ago I'm really curious to see the new alcohol list. There were quite a few offerings on the FAS+ menu that I was interested in. I also kind of wonder if now that more people have complimentary and unlimited access to whatever higher end alcohols are going to be available, if they'll just go out of stock faster. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Greenpea2 Posted 2 hours ago #125 Share Posted 2 hours ago (edited) Just received this. Still not sure what it means vs the old Premium Plus but NCL seems to be tweaking things. I’m sure they are reading this thread. Come on, NCL, add my Grey Goose and at least one super premium tequila! Oh, and a good champagne, and a discount on my one Starbucks per day? ;—) Edited 2 hours ago by Greenpea2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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