Ultimate Dining Plan UDP Experiences and Discounts on NCL Escape

[17cruisesnsl]

The Escape sails out of Terminal B and C (based on even or odd number floors). Everyone goes through security screening upon entering the terminal. Once you are past the security checkpoint and in the Check-In area, look for the CAS checkin signs (normally to the far left). You can use the casino checkin lines whether you are booked through CAS directly or using a Caesars certificate.

 

On the Escape only (currently), CAS offers $100 dining credit to gold and $200 dining credit to black players. The credit does NOT need to be used all at once, CAS will pay for all food and beverage expenses up to the credit limit. They also offer $150/$300 spa credit. Red and Green players still get the free drinks card (which covers things not on the UBP like bottled water, energy drinks).

 

Even if you have a dining package, you can use that dining credit for a la carte lunches and non-casino beverages. It also pays for dining upcharges (e.g. Supper Club, Bayamos, and Tapas bar). Even though we had a dessert with our SDP dinner, we went to the Food Republic for one of their specialty desserts!

 

Thank you - this was VERY helpful and more than I learned fromCAS or Caesars after 5 cruises! Looks like I missed some great perks on my last Breakaway cruise.

 

The boards on Cruise Critic have been most helpful

thank you again!

[macandlucy]

We have the UDP and will be three in a stateroom. Our teen son wants to go to two of the restaurants for sure, and I understand we must pay for him. No problem there. What I am unsure of, is if I don't want to go to one of the restaurants, can my husband take our son in my place (acting as the second person) or does it apply only to me and my husband, and we;ll have to pay for our son even if only one of us go with him.

 

Anyone know the answer to this? TIA :)

[mvh]

I am in the exact same situation you are in and was told that your card is marked with the SDP. So, if you son's card isn't marked he has to pay. Whether or not he can use your card is a different story. Hopefully someone who has tried this scenario on board can clear it up. That would be great if you (I) can do it that way.

[SeaWatcher65]

We have the UDP and will be three in a stateroom. Our teen son wants to go to two of the restaurants for sure, and I understand we must pay for him. No problem there. What I am unsure of, is if I don't want to go to one of the restaurants, can my husband take our son in my place (acting as the second person) or does it apply only to me and my husband, and we;ll have to pay for our son even if only one of us go with him.

 

Anyone know the answer to this? TIA :)

 

I don't know the answer for sure... the UDP is for each person not the room. If you received UDP (not SDP) as a promotion earlier in 2015, it might have applied to everyone in the room, not just the 1st 2 people. Check your promotion.

[Loonbeam]

As I understand it, officially its tied to the person. Otherwise, for example, someone could get 2 packages and rotate in 10 people (theoretically).

 

That said, who knows how closely the server will look at names...

 

We have the UDP and will be three in a stateroom. Our teen son wants to go to two of the restaurants for sure, and I understand we must pay for him. No problem there. What I am unsure of, is if I don't want to go to one of the restaurants, can my husband take our son in my place (acting as the second person) or does it apply only to me and my husband, and we;ll have to pay for our son even if only one of us go with him.

 

Anyone know the answer to this? TIA :)

[rvsullivan]

As I understand it, officially its tied to the person. Otherwise, for example, someone could get 2 packages and rotate in 10 people (theoretically).

 

That said, who knows how closely the server will look at names...

 

When they swipe your card, not only does your name come up, but your picture also. Hope they look alike!:confused:

[macandlucy]

Thanks everyone for your replies. :)

 

We have the newer package, which is 4 dinners in specialty restaurants and applies to the first and second guests only. (Btw, we would not attempt to cheat the system -- it would still be the same eight meals total, even if my son went in my place everytime.)

 

I kind of took the "first and second guests only" stipulation to mean that only two people are getting it, not three or four, but from what you all are saying, i t doesn't sound like it. I will definitely inquire once onboard and report back :)

 

Thanks again.

[Loonbeam]

I wasn't 100 percent sure Norwegian had a POS with the image. I honestly could not recall from last cruise.

 

When they swipe your card, not only does your name come up, but your picture also. Hope they look alike!:confused:

[MacGuffin]

UDP? SDP? WT F?! Charging for lobster and prime rib in the 'free' dining rooms?? Can NCL make it any more complicated to nickel and dime their customers?? After reading the obviously confused NCL customers in this thread, and hearing about the confused passengers and employees in the restaurants, my bet is this new pricing scheme will be short lived. Under their new leadership, NCL has been publicly saying they're going re-vamp their image to focus more on customer service and less on nickel and diming. Streamlining their dining options would be a great start. Adding more pools and less passengers would be another. Anyone want to bet the Bliss (i.e. Breakaway Plus #3) will have some design changes? :rolleyes:

Edited November 20, 2015 by MacGuffin

[insidecabin]

. Anyone want to bet the Bliss (i.e. Breakaway Plus #3) will have some design changes? :rolleyes:

 

Catch up at the back...

[insidecabin]

Thanks everyone for your replies. :)

 

We have the newer package, which is 4 dinners in specialty restaurants and applies to the first and second guests only. (Btw, we would not attempt to cheat the system -- it would still be the same eight meals total, even if my son went in my place everytime.)

 

I kind of took the "first and second guests only" stipulation to mean that only two people are getting it, not three or four, but from what you all are saying, i t doesn't sound like it. I will definitely inquire once onboard and report back :)

 

Thanks again.

 

Official line is not transferable.

 

What happens on the ships does not always match.

 

The POS system is broken with the changes to support SDP.

One issue they need to fix is how many you have left no way for the people at the reservation desk to tell you. Especially if you also have platinum or comp meals.

[SuiteCruiser]

The Escape sails out of Terminal B and C (based on even or odd number floors). Everyone goes through security screening upon entering the terminal. Once you are past the security checkpoint and in the Check-In area, look for the CAS checkin signs (normally to the far left). You can use the casino checkin lines whether you are booked through CAS directly or using a Caesars certificate.

 

On the Escape only (currently), CAS offers $100 dining credit to gold and $200 dining credit to black players. The credit does NOT need to be used all at once, CAS will pay for all food and beverage expenses up to the credit limit. They also offer $150/$300 spa credit. Red and Green players still get the free drinks card (which covers things not on the UBP like bottled water, energy drinks).

 

Even if you have a dining package, you can use that dining credit for a la carte lunches and non-casino beverages. It also pays for dining upcharges (e.g. Supper Club, Bayamos, and Tapas bar). Even though we had a dessert with our SDP dinner, we went to the Food Republic for one of their specialty desserts!

 

Just to add to this great post that CAS Hot level people get $75 food/bev credit on Escape, and Dinner for two on other ships.