NCL Ultimate Beverage Package

I just found this on the NCL website

http://www.ncl.com/sites/default/files/Ultimate-Beverage-Package02082013.pdf

It states pricing etc, but not how you buy it. I can't find a link anywhere on any page connected to Epic, or any explaination as to how or where to buy it. Does anyone know? Has anyone bought this package on Epic?

you buy it onboard, its not offered during spring break, its 49 a day plus 15 tips [about 55 a day], everyone in your cabin must buy it to avoid passing drinks to each other and you must buy for the entire cruise

you buy it onboard, its not offered during spring break, its 49 a day plus 15 tips [about 55 a day], everyone in your cabin must buy it to avoid passing drinks to each other and you must buy for the entire cruise

I would imagine this will be a deal for some. I personally want to remember my vacation, not just the photos!

Jon

I plan on getting it on the may 12 breakaway studio for 2 reasons, i have 150 OBC and I always buy the soda plan anyway [i tend to drink every other day on cruises] and it would be nice to try different drinks [if i know i am spending 8 bucks per i will only buy what i know i like] so in my mind i am only paying about 150 out of pocket for the week.

50 soda plan plus 150 free money equals 200. plan costs 350 so 150 for everything works for me. I know people will read this and shake their heads but hey it works for me.

The package described at the link above seems to have far too many limitations (eg., no bottled water or specialty coffees) to make it really worthwhile for many people.

Celebrity sells several different levels of beverage packages. My partner and I took our first trip with X last year, a transatlantic. As a surprise for her, I bought her the Premium Beverage Package, which (with some truly minor exceptions) included anything and everything, alcoholic and not, from specialty coffees to martinis to wine. It turned the trip into an "all inclusive," which made it that much more fun. (I got myself the Premium Non-Alcoholic Package.)

Did we get our money's worth if you added up what the packages cost and what we drank? No. You'd have to be three sheets to the wind every day for that math to work out. But if you factor in the unquantifiable value of the "all inclusive resort," particularly on a trip as long as a TA, we enjoyed having the packages. I wouldn't do it all the time, and on that TA I was able to buy the packages during a sale, but there are some situations in which it's worth considering.

I'm not saying what NCL is offering is a good deal, given the limitations, I'm just noting that the concept of a beverage package is not a bad thing.

We are undecided about purcashing this on our Bermuda cruise in July, leaning more towards yes. Figuring what we spent on our last cruise I think it would probably be a better deal for us to purchase it.

With the cost of drinks it doesn't take to many to add up to $50 per day. We usually get a bucket of beer by the pool during the day and if you have some wine with dinner then maybe a couple of drinks later on in the evening or even a bloody mary in the morning I don't think it would take to much to get up to the per person cost per day.

I saw this last week on the Bon Voyage list to pre-purchase but now I do not see it listed. If we did purchase I'd prefer to buy & pay for ahead of time rather then purcashing it once we get on the ship.

you buy it onboard, its not offered during spring break, its 49 a day plus 15 tips [about 55 a day], everyone in your cabin must buy it to avoid passing drinks to each other and you must buy for the entire cruise

I'm hoping that means just for the adults in a cabin?

I'm hoping that means just for the adults in a cabin?

If I understand correctly what I have read about this then everyone over 21 in the cabin must purchase this and under 21 must purchase the soda package.

I'm hoping that means just for the adults in a cabin?

It is for the adults in the cabin, but, you have to also buy the soda package for every child also. Make sure you factor that into your costs.

It is for the adults in the cabin, but, you have to also buy the soda package for every child also. Make sure you factor that into your costs.

Thanks for the info!

The package seems insanely expensive to me; especially adding in the soda package for my two kids staying in the cabin with me and my husband.

Its not offered on the shorter cruise only 6 nights or longer am I correct?

I'm hoping that means just for the adults in a cabin?

Kids in the room are required to buy the soda plan

and that's only 4 days, but as stated not during march, and NO BUCKETS OF BEER......you will have to buy one at a time and sign for each drink, every time....as i understand it.....

Can you purchase UBP on the second day? If yes would they charge for all 7 days or just from the day it was purchased?

Can you purchase UBP on the second day? If yes would they charge for all 7 days or just from the day it was purchased?

I would say no since the UBP terms and conditions state that it needs to be purchased for the entire length of the cruise.

Can you purchase UBP on the second day? If yes would they charge for all 7 days or just from the day it was purchased?

I would say no since the UBP terms and conditions state that it needs to be purchased for the entire length of the cruise.

I think (I'm not 100% sure~ ) you are able to purchase it the 1st and 2nd days of the cruise~ and then they are supposed to remove any beverages from your account that you paid for on the first day~

We did it last June on the Gem. Was told we could get it on the 2nd day but they were still going to charge us all 7 days, so why waste a day! We won't get it again though because we didn't drink that much! We came up about $150 short of what we paid....:(

This might be a silly question, but have only cruised twice before (both times with NCL) so still consider myself a newbie.

Is the UBP valid at all specialty restaurants and in the casino assuming you are drinking the eligible drinks?

Thanks johnql, alliezona09 and 3 poundpuppies for your quick responses. I found a post on old dallies and saw that the UBP is only offered the first two days on the cruise. We will try to get it the first day.

This might be a silly question, but have only cruised twice before (both times with NCL) so still consider myself a newbie.

 

Is the UBP valid at all specialty restaurants and in the casino assuming you are drinking the eligible drinks?

its valid anywhere onboard.

its valid anywhere onboard.

except room service & mini-bar

except room service & mini-bar

of course. :)

We did the UBP on both our Breakaway and Gem cruises last year.

Well worth it for us.

Our Gem cruise my Mom took the package. she had to wait a day because my Aunt had a medical emergency amd was a no show. The second day onboard they allowed my Mom to purchase it and credited her first day's drinks. My Mom is far from being a big drinker and she felt she got her money's worth.

Mom and I enjoy wine with and after dinner. We drank either the blackstone Merlot or the Estancia Pinot Noir. By the glass they ran around $9 a glass. Wine is not a big pour. Add some midday, afternoon, and a nightcap and you definitely break even. Not counting getting sodas in between.

I liked being able to prepay for this and our DSC before we went. This was definitely a great way to budget our vacation. no sticker shock on the door last night:eek:

Ok, so from reading this, if you get this package, it includes soda?

Not a big deal for me, as they have nasty Pepsi, but hubs will drink that swill. :)

Ok, so from reading this, if you get this package, it includes soda?

 

Not a big deal for me, as they have nasty Pepsi, but hubs will drink that swill. :)

Yes, soft drinks are included.