UBP or 4-Meals at Specialty Restaurants ?

If given a choice of UBP or 4-Meals at Specialty Restaurants

where tip/service charge is included...

which would you choose ?

DW thinks getting free UBP option is superior.

How much would a "4-Meals at Specialty Package" cost on board ?

We're aware we'd be charged 18% service/tips.

I read somewhere that NCL offer "packages" for specialty restaurants

which is cheaper than buying individually.... True ???

TIA

Sailor1959

A 4-night dining package costs $84.99 US total plus 18% gratuity.

The beverage package costs $79.00 US per day plus 18% gratuity

Since you're talking about a 4-night SDP, I assume that your cruise is at least 10 days which would be $84.99 value of the dining package or $790.00 value of the drinks package.

An example meal at Cagney's Steakhouse would be

Shrimp Cocktail $6

Lobster Bisque Soup $5

Caesar Salad $4

Ribeye with Mushrooms $21

Baked Potato $2

Cream Spinach $2

Seven Layer Cake $6

Total $54.28 with tip.

SDP Cost would be $25.07

Having cruised NCL a few times, I really think that their Main Dining Rooms are so good I no longer ever go to the specialty places. So for me the drink package sounds best.

I think it would also be dependent upon how much you drink.

Howdy BirdTravels !

A 4-night dining package costs $84.99 US total plus 18% gratuity.

Let's see...

$84.99 plus 18% equals $100.29.

Sounds pretty good to me, if we opt for the UBP offer (which includes gratuity).

(Yup.. cruise is 14-days.)

BTW:

How "current" is NCL's 4-Meal Package price of $84.99 p/p ?

The beverage package costs $79.00 US per day plus 18% gratuity.

A free UBP is the way to go.

Much appreciated BirdTravels !

Sailor1959

Having cruised NCL a few times, I really think that their Main Dining Rooms are so good I no longer ever go to the specialty places. So for me the drink package sounds best.

True.

We don't drink much but I've been tempted many times on board.

Even if I only have 2 or 3 drinks per day would be a luxury.

Being able to have a diet-coke anytime also sounds good too.

We usually opt for iced-tea cause it's free. :evilsmile:

I think it would also be dependent upon how much you drink.

True.

See my reply to WizDiz above.

Having cruised NCL a few times, I really think that their Main Dining Rooms are so good I no longer ever go to the specialty places. So for me the drink package sounds best.

We agree 100%!!! Most times we leave specialty dining disappointed. I think NCL does a great job marketing the specialty dining, but we were never that impressed.

Go for the drinks and have some nice wine in the main dining rooms!

We agree 100%!!! Most times we leave specialty dining disappointed. I think NCL does a great job marketing the specialty dining, but we were never that impressed.

"Taste" is very subjective.

We especially enjoy Cagney's and Modeno (Brazilian BBQ).

Also enjoyed our meals at Le Bistro (French) and Teppanyaki.

Go for the drinks and have some nice wine in the main dining rooms!

That's the idea... without having to face the dreaded "cash-register" on debarkation day. :D

I believe the "average" price of a drink on board including 18% is about $12.

Three of them suckers would be $36 per day, not including the soft drinks at lunch.

Bon Voyage All !

True.

 

We don't drink much but I've been tempted many times on board.

Even if I only have 2 or 3 drinks per day would be a luxury.

Being able to have a diet-coke anytime also sounds good too.

We usually opt for iced-tea cause it's free. :evilsmile:

I believe NCL does not have Coke.

Pepsi is the soft drink. My husband loves caffeine free Diet Coke. Now we cannot bring it on board, so will go without.

UBP for me definitely. Can use it anytime.

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I believe NCL does not have Coke.

Pepsi is the soft drink. My husband loves caffeine free Diet Coke. Now we cannot bring it on board, so will go without.

OK... as long as they have diet-pepsi.

Dunno if they allow you to bring soft-drinks on board anymore.

I recall purchasing soft-drinks somewhere in Mexico and they allowed me to bring it on board.

Hey Guys and Gals !

Regarding BirdTravel's note about a 4-pack Specialty Dining for $84.99; above....

we just made it to Latitudes Platinum.

Thus... one of the bennies is two free meals:

so I'll probably won't buy the 4 Specialty package.

Definitely will settle for the free UBP.

Thanks everyone for your input.

Sailor-1959

...

I recall purchasing soft-drinks somewhere in Mexico and they allowed me to bring it on board.

That must have been before July of last year when they passed the rule of NO liquids other than wine, which has a corkage fee.

Do you plan to purchase the SDP either way? If so, Assuming this is a 7 night cruise, picking the UBP will cost you $400. So yes, just gets down to how much you plan on drinking. I found the drinks to cost between $10-$18 on board, $12 is a good average; so 2+ a day(or 2 alcoholic plus a handful non-alcoholic) each is the break even point for choosing the UBP. Otherwise choose the SDP and pay as you go.

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Do you plan to purchase the SDP either way? If so, Assuming this is a 7 night cruise, picking the UBP will cost you $400.

Dunno if you read my original post.

Picking the UBP -or- the 4-meal Dining package won't cost me anything.

Based upon reviewing replies and my situation, I decided to opt for the FREE UBP and may buy one or two individuals meals at Specialty restaurants, since we'll have two free meals.

.... I found the drinks to cost between $10-$18 on board, $12 is a good average; so 2+ a day(or 2 alcoholic plus a handful non-alcoholic) each is the break even point for choosing the UBP.

Good information for future cruises,.. .Thanks !

For this cruise.. since the UBS (and service-charge is included)...

it doesn't matter if I have one drink or a dozen per day.

There is no break even point to worry about.