UBP - Is it worth it?

[westcoastman]

Ok, your first reaction is probably it depends on so many factors.

 

With the UBP is now costs $446.04 and the shopping cart now says drinks under $10 (not $11 anymore). I remember I regretted not getting it on a RCCL three day cruise for around $150 because I just about flat out refused to drink paying a la carte prices (but RCCL differs in they let you bring wine onboard for free and I've done Disney which allows all the alcohol you can carry). And three days is easier to assure value then stretching it into 7 with the possibility of having to recover for a day or two.

 

I can drink a reasonable share however there are many factors that come into play such as the amount of time spent off the ship and also endurance factors (I seem to build a tolerance to alcohol about 3 or 4 days into a vacation). Seems like you have to be pretty dedicated to come out ahead. Are they going to be difficult in allowing you to easily get more drinks or worse expect more tips on top of the 18% they are getting? Most on the cruise will have gotten the UBP for free so will I be treated just like them.

 

I figure whether I get it or not I will have regrets.

[jknacke]

Assuming the average drink is $9 divided by $445 (I think that's the cost of the UBP) the total is 49-meaning 49 drinks. 49 divided by 7 (7 days) that's 7 drinks a day. If you think you'll drink 7 drinks a day that could be worth it. But you can also prepay OBC so that might be a better option.

[westcoastman]

I think you bring up a great point. The high cost of the UBP might justify putting aside some OBC equal to less than half. For example, $200 would be 4-5 $9 drinks over 5 of the 7 days.

[rpb718]

DW and I took advantage of the free UBP on our last cruise in March, kept all the receipts for the drinks we had, and tallied them up. Turns out we averaged around 8 drinks a day apiece. However, I'm counting my morning bloody marys and DW's mimosas which are priced on the low side. And while most of our drinks were in the $11 range, there were quite a few in the $10 and lower range - like glasses of wine with dinner, etc.

 

Long story short, it wouldn't have mattered if we paid for the UBP or paid a la carte - the cost of UBP vs PAYG was pretty much a wash. Since we didn't pay for the UBP we came out way ahead. However, I now know for the future that the UBP may not save us any money.

 

Of course we booked our next cruise already so we could get the free UBP again. This next one is 3 days longer with at least a couple more sea days, so we'll see how that tallies.

[xriva]

The real question you should ask yourself is, "Is the cost reasonable for me to not have to worry about my bar tab onboard?"

 

Everyone obsesses about whether you will drink enough to "make money", but the real question is how much would you pay to not have to keep track at all? That's what the UBP gives you.

[zqvol]

Ok, your first reaction is probably it depends on so many factors.

 

With the UBP is now costs $446.04 and the shopping cart now says drinks under $10 (not $11 anymore). I remember I regretted not getting it on a RCCL three day cruise for around $150 because I just about flat out refused to drink paying a la carte prices (but RCCL differs in they let you bring wine onboard for free and I've done Disney which allows all the alcohol you can carry). And three days is easier to assure value then stretching it into 7 with the possibility of having to recover for a day or two.

 

I can drink a reasonable share however there are many factors that come into play such as the amount of time spent off the ship and also endurance factors (I seem to build a tolerance to alcohol about 3 or 4 days into a vacation). Seems like you have to be pretty dedicated to come out ahead. Are they going to be difficult in allowing you to easily get more drinks or worse expect more tips on top of the 18% they are getting? Most on the cruise will have gotten the UBP for free so will I be treated just like them.

 

I figure whether I get it or not I will have regrets.

 

 

The cost is roughly $900 per stateroom. Have you ever had a bar bill that high? That answers your question.

[westcoastman]

The cost is roughly $900 per stateroom. Have you ever had a bar bill that high? That answers your question.

 

Agree with you 100% except for this cruise in unique situation with one adult and one child in the stateroom but still that's another $35 for soda package and like most we hate diet Pepsi vs diet Coke. But still I keep doing the math and having trouble rationalizing it. Almost like the card counters in Vegas if you find a way to make the UBP work out ahead then maybe they start to investigate you.

Edited March 28, 2015 by westcoastman

[Linda the Book Lover]

One of our roll call members gave me one of the best ideas on how to think about the UBP. You can try as many drinks or tastes of a certain beverage as you want and if you don't like it order a different one. She was planning on trying a honey bourbon she always wanted to try.

[GEORGET]

Assuming the average drink is $9 divided by $445 (I think that's the cost of the UBP) the total is 49-meaning 49 drinks. 49 divided by 7 (7 days) that's 7 drinks a day. If you think you'll drink 7 drinks a day that could be worth it. But you can also prepay OBC so that might be a better option.

 

The pre book UBP is $54 a day pp equals 6 drinks a day at $9 the 18% grat is added to the package but you would pay this on board per drink anyway.

 

As NCL has just put there prices up my glenfiddich is now $9.50 plus grat, so like the OP will have to think about it.

it is of course a no brainer if it is offered free over the UDP OR OBC.

J

 

Just a thought would they notice if you asked for a drink and a can of soda.

[LrgPizza]

We have purchased it on our last 2 cruises, and will purchase it again on our November cruise. We won't sail without it. We probably drink just enough to break even, but we like the convenience and the ability to try things guilt-free.

[jaja]

. We probably drink just enough to break even, but we like the convenience and the ability to try things guilt-free.

 

I agree ;)

[L-in-CLT]

DH and I had UBP on our first ncl cruise as part of an all inclusive offer. We are not big drinkers. I had mimosas in the mornings, and we enjoyed cocktails throughout our cruise. We thought we were being excessive in our drinking. We saved all of our receipts and found we spent a few hundred dollars on drinks combined over our 12 day cruise - not enough to even remotely break even. That being said, we probably wouldn't have been as easy going about getting drinks if we didn't have an open tab. If there was an OBC vs UBP offer, we would still probably go with UBP because it just made for a good overall experience. However, if you are pinching pennies, you would need to really think about where you want to put your discretionary spending money. Enjoy!!

[punkincc]

Ok, your first reaction is probably it depends on so many factors.

 

With the UBP is now costs $446.04 and the shopping cart now says drinks under $10 (not $11 anymore).

 

 

Wondering if maybe you looked at some old info. I just looked and it says drinks up to and including $11. And it was just increased to $11, so I can't believe they'd drop it now. Not to mention there would probably be a near riot on Cruise Critic and have not seen a thing about any price change to $10 except for yours.

[cliffd64]

Personally, I'm using my next trip on Norwegian as a benchmark for the UBP... We have it free as a perk for booking our suite, so I plan on saving each receipt and logging the totals to see if it would make sense in the event we have to purchase it someday.

 

I think the main benefit is not the quantity but the freedom to not have to worry about the tab... sort of like pre-paying your DSC and being able to try new things and enjoy yourself without the prospect of that shocking charge at the end of the cruise. It adds another layer of relaxation especially for those who are a little OCD (like my wife) not having to worry about our bill...

 

I admit that having a UBP will change our behavior in that we will probably have a few more drinks at times when we wouldn't usually... like maybe a mimosa in the mornings, or a bloody mary etc. I think it may also affect the desire to have beverages on shore at ports, simply because we know we can go back to the ship and have them without spending additionally. When you are being charged for each drink to your room, I think there is a tendency to check our balance more frequently (at least my wife does...) and an innate sense of trying to moderate the cost. Will we exceed 9 per day on average? Maybe... we will have to see. My guess is that we will perhaps break even... I do not anticipate that we will exceed the cost by a huge amount.

 

My guideline for evaluating the cost will be that if at the end of the cruise, we have enjoyed ourselves thoroughly and our totals surpass the cost of the package, it might be something we consider in the future if it isn't available for free.

[abbyar]

If only we could "like" posts. I'm very much the same and am looking forward to our cruise also for a benchmark and not having to worry about the ongoing costs.

[jaja]

Personally, I'm using my next trip on Norwegian as a benchmark for the UBP... We have it free as a perk for booking our suite, so I plan on saving each receipt and logging the totals to see if it would make sense in the event we have to purchase it someday.

 

I think the main benefit is not the quantity but the freedom to not have to worry about the tab... sort of like pre-paying your DSC and being able to try new things and enjoy yourself without the prospect of that shocking charge at the end of the cruise. It adds another layer of relaxation especially for those who are a little OCD (like my wife) not having to worry about our bill...

 

I admit that having a UBP will change our behavior in that we will probably have a few more drinks at times when we wouldn't usually... like maybe a mimosa in the mornings, or a bloody mary etc. I think it may also affect the desire to have beverages on shore at ports, simply because we know we can go back to the ship and have them without spending additionally. When you are being charged for each drink to your room, I think there is a tendency to check our balance more frequently (at least my wife does...) and an innate sense of trying to moderate the cost. Will we exceed 9 per day on average? Maybe... we will have to see. My guess is that we will perhaps break even... I do not anticipate that we will exceed the cost by a huge amount.

 

My guideline for evaluating the cost will be that if at the end of the cruise, we have enjoyed ourselves thoroughly and our totals surpass the cost of the package, it might be something we consider in the future if it isn't available for free.

 

LIKE:) and your wife and I are of the same mind...(checking balance)..it will be so nice not to have to do it...! My June cruise..no UBP.:mad:.but have one for 2016. :D

[Guindalf]

I normally rarely drink at home but we had the UBP on the Dawn in January. We had a suite so got it included along with the UDP and OBC.

 

However, not having to worry about the bill at the end of the cruise, I had a great time drinking Bloody Marys in the morning, various cocktails throughout the day, a beer with lunch, wine with dinner and a few whiskeys and other liquors while playing in the casino in the evenings, not to mention the diet pepsis throughout the day. As mentioned, I got to try a few different spirits and even brought a couple of duty-free bottles home! I was never drunk throughout the whole week.

 

We did bring all the receipts back but haven't had a chance to add it all up, but without a doubt, we'd pick it as the perk every time now, even though my DW doesn't drink. She does like the occasional virgin colada or soda though, so it's still the best option for us.

 

As previously stated, it really does change your thinking about when and what to drink. So much better than subsisting on water, tea and lemonade!! ;)

[jcallcut]

I had purchased the UBP because I wanted to feel free to try different drinks without worrying about the cost. I usually balk at the drink prices. I too had thought about adding OBC for drinks but I know me. I would end up not buying the drinks because I know if I don't spent the OBC I get it back so it is really no different from paying as you go. With the OBP the money is spent. That is a sunk cost. There is no chance of getting it back if I don't drink. All that would happen is that the Welcome Aboard drink I always have would be costing me almost $450. That gives me the incentive to try drinks I would have never purchased otherwise.

 

Jim

[westcoastman]

Wondering if maybe you looked at some old info. I just looked and it says drinks up to and including $11. And it was just increased to $11, so I can't believe they'd drop it now. Not to mention there would probably be a near riot on Cruise Critic and have not seen a thing about any price change to $10 except for yours.

Pretty sure that's the case if they just raised it to $11. I saw the $10 on the online cart on NCL.com before you hit checkout which probably has not been changed yet but the terms and conditions clearly state $11 and the limit seems to only go up for that package.

[vicocala]

I talked to NCL this evening. If you received the UDP the limit will be eleven dollars, regardless of when it was given or purchased if you cruise after the price went up.

[MaryZ]

When they offer it as a perk, it's worth it.

Would I buy it otherwise? I doubt it.

Ncl drink prices aren't high to begin with. So the days we are on the ship, each of us having a few drinks isn't going to be a wallet buster.

We take it as a perk because out of the 4 choices on a caribbean cruise, it's the one that appeals to us the most.

 

We have it for the next 4 NCL cruises we have booked.

Edited March 29, 2015 by MaryZ

[GrammyLove]

I am looking forward to the UBP because then I don't have to worry about how much I am spending for each drink. I plan on the mimosas with breakfast, trying out new drinks, wine with meals, and just relaxing without worrying about how much the drinks cost. Of course, we got the UBP as a free perk, so I definitely want to take advantage of it. Boarding the Sun in a few hours!!!!!

[newmexicoNita]

Ok, your first reaction is probably it depends on so many factors.

 

With the UBP is now costs $446.04 and the shopping cart now says drinks under $10 (not $11 anymore). I remember I regretted not getting it on a RCCL three day cruise for around $150 because I just about flat out refused to drink paying a la carte prices (but RCCL differs in they let you bring wine onboard for free and I've done Disney which allows all the alcohol you can carry). And three days is easier to assure value then stretching it into 7 with the possibility of having to recover for a day or two.

 

I can drink a reasonable share however there are many factors that come into play such as the amount of time spent off the ship and also endurance factors (I seem to build a tolerance to alcohol about 3 or 4 days into a vacation). Seems like you have to be pretty dedicated to come out ahead. Are they going to be difficult in allowing you to easily get more drinks or worse expect more tips on top of the 18% they are getting? Most on the cruise will have gotten the UBP for free so will I be treated just like them.

 

I figure whether I get it or not I will have regrets.

 

It looks to me like, the price would be a deal if you drink about 7 drinks a day at a rate of $8. If you go for the $10 ones you would only need to drink about 6 a day. We are not huge drinkers either, we do love our wine. For us it wouldn't pay unless it was part of a promotion. For those who enjoy their booze on vacation it would be a good deal and so much easier than paying as you go.

 

We jumped on the package as a perk for our Oct cruise. For us it was the best of the 4 perk options.

Edited March 29, 2015 by newmexicoNita

[RikkuCat]

I'm in the minority around here, but I've never worried about our bar tab without the UBP. Never kept track of it, never worried about the price of a drink, and never decided not to have a drink due to cost. We're not high-rollers or anything - it's just a cost that we budget for vacations, so we're prepared to pay it. We've never been very far off in our estimates, either - except for our very first cruise, when we over-budgeted for drinks, expecting bar prices to be similar to what we pay at home. We were pleasantly surprised that NCL's drink prices are very reasonable compared to bar prices at home. So for me, the UBP would not provide peace of mind about the bar tab - though I understand the draw of that for those who choose it for that reason.

 

For me, it comes down to whether or not it would save us any money. If it's offered as a perk, we'll take it - paying nothing for drinks will save us money regardless of how much we drink. If we had to buy it, I think the best we could hope for is to break even - I don't think we've ever had a bar tab of $900, though some cruises may have come close. $600-$700 is about average for our bar tab. So no, I don't think we'd buy it. I think I'd have the opposite problem from what everyone has described - I would stress about drinking enough to justify the cost of the UBP.

 

Here's what I would do, in your case. Since you would have to pay for the UBP and you're unsure whether you'll break even with the package, don't get it - but set aside the $900 that you would have spent on it. That way, you don't waste money on a package that you don't need, but you'll have the money set aside to pay the bar tab, so no surprises. I sometimes have trouble understanding why people like to prepay for things on cruises - whether you pay beforehand or after the cruise, it's all coming from the same place, right?

[hawk1972]

I wouldn't pay for UBP because we don't drink that much but since it's one of the giveaways I figured it was more value than UDP or OBC or gratuities. We can have a few drinks a day it's worth more to us than the other freebies.