Drink package - extra tipping

[Justaddvodka68]

Hi everyone!

 

We're about to embark on our first Norwegian Cruise on the Jan 2nd sailing on the Spirit.

 

I've been enjoying all the posts and have had many questions answered already through reading, but can't find this one.

 

We have the UDP. When you order a drink, do you get a slip to sign as you would if you were charging it to your account and if so, can you add additional gratuity at that time or should we bring small bills for extra tipping at the bar?

[CasinoCruzGirl]

Hi everyone!

 

We're about to embark on our first Norwegian Cruise on the Jan 2nd sailing on the Spirit.

 

I've been enjoying all the posts and have had many questions answered already through reading, but can't find this one.

 

We have the UDP. When you order a drink, do you get a slip to sign as you would if you were charging it to your account and if so, can you add additional gratuity at that time or should we bring small bills for extra tipping at the bar?

 

You will receive a slip to sign and can either add a tip to the bill or give cash. Up to you. You however do not have to give a tip because that was included when u bought your UDP or got it as a promo. I always give additional cash tip but that's me. I also leave cash tips in MDR, specialty restaurants. But like I sais that's me. Do what you feel is appropriate.

[KeithJenner]

You will receive a slip to sign and can either add a tip to the bill or give cash. Up to you. You however do not have to give a tip because that was included when u bought your UDP or got it as a promo. I always give additional cash tip but that's me. I also leave cash tips in MDR, specialty restaurants. But like I sais that's me. Do what you feel is appropriate.

 

 

That used to be the case, but recent reports are that you no longer have to sign for drinks with the UBP.

[cruisebie]

If you want to tip extra you will need to bring some small bills. For the UBP, they no longer print a receipt unless you are in the embarkation port and they need to add taxes. I was on the Getaway in Dec and this is how they handled it.

 

Have a great cruise

Edited December 28, 2015 by cruisebie

[Demonyte]

First of all, the drink package is UBP, not UDP (which is the old speciality dining package). :)

 

Secondly there have been several reports recently about NCL too going receipt-less when no extra charges occur (they still print receipt for example when in a port that forces them to collect taxes), so depending on the progress of this change there might as well not be receipts and therefore dollar bills would be easier way to give extra tips.

[Justaddvodka68]

Ok, thanks all! I'll bring small bills just in case! I know we paid 18% on the package value when we booked, but you gotta reward those good bartenders that keep the drinks flowing!

[beerman2]

Ok, thanks all! I'll bring small bills just in case! I know we paid 18% on the package value when we booked, but you gotta reward those good bartenders that keep the drinks flowing!

 

Agree 100%. Always take extra dollars!

[Toni Wilson]

I just got off the getaway December 20 and I always bring some dollars and tip the bartenders and servers. Enjoy your cruise we enjoyed ours⛴⛴⛴

[helen haywood]

Yes, it seems to be reports from the same sailing, on the same ship, will have some people reporting it was impossible to get a drink....or long waits....and others on the same cruise reporting no problem at all....and I think I know why. I always tip a bit in cash.

[NLH Arizona]

Hi everyone!

 

We're about to embark on our first Norwegian Cruise on the Jan 2nd sailing on the Spirit.

 

I've been enjoying all the posts and have had many questions answered already through reading, but can't find this one.

 

We have the UDP. When you order a drink, do you get a slip to sign as you would if you were charging it to your account and if so, can you add additional gratuity at that time or should we bring small bills for extra tipping at the bar?

If you mean the UBP (Beverage Package), I was just on the Dawn and didn't get a receipt to sign, except while still in port for taxes. I just carried around some $1 and tip that per drink.

[bbryan5]

I always tip a bit to servers that go above and beyond. It makes a difference :D:D

[eddeb]

We always tip the bartenders and everyone else, we brought lots of candy also to tip with...

 

I would go up to a bar, and they would ask, Where's my candy? lol

 

Make them Happy and you will be too!

 

Most people do not realize that tips are a large portion of their pay, which they send home

 

every week. We brought 50 pounds of candy bars on the Spirit on our Nov. 28th Western cruise... and passed them out all week.

 

We usually cruise on Halloween, (last year the Getaway on Halloween), I am a good Jack Sparrow.... :)

 

Take care, Do Not Miss the Production Shows, Rock N Roll, The "World" and Elements!

 

Also tell Gio our great cruise director that Ed and Sean say Hello, and he advised us to see the Quest show, we almost died laughing.

 

Also Shogun's is not to be missed , share a huge lobster at you table, do not miss the Pot sticker apps, and ask for family style platters, more great food than you could ever eat.

 

Raffles is 24/7 for hot wings, etc. Free sauna and steam room and showers at the spa.

 

Any more questions just ask.

 

We are the Moore's

Tampa Bay

 

Take care and safe journeys everyone.

 

Good luck to all in 2016.

[roger001]

Our last cruise, last month, which was our first drink package (hell of a deal by the way), included the 18%. We weren't charged for it. As others said, other than when in port (Miami) or on the NCL island (GSC), where tax is charged, no signing required. However, I do always tip $1 a drink. It's neither right or wrong to do so. Up to you.

[tombec1]

We just got off the Getaway with the UBP. Never got a receipt to sign for alcohol and our kids didn't get a receipt for soda either. They swipe your card and you're on your way.

[MurrayCat]

We returned a few weeks ago from the Jewel. We had the Unlimited Beverage Package. We heard from a few passengers that they no longer print the slips for signature because customers were complaining about having to sign when the drinks were free. On the last night we asked each of our bartenders to please print a slip so we could add tip (or you could leave cash), and they were able to do so. They also expressed their gratitude. We pretty much added $20.00 for each of those who had been serving us all week; probably $120 all together for the Great Outdoors, O'Sheehans, Magnums and the Casino. Many of the work as teams and you will figure this out during your week on board. Looking back we should have done this earlier in the cruise, once we figured out where we would be spending most of our time, but no matter they took very good care of us and we were happy to add a bump to the included gratuity.

[mattio]

You are only given a receipt to sign for while you are in port and have to pay taxes. For us sailing out of New Orleans, we were paying 81 cents on each drink until we went to bed, which was after midnight. Anytime after that, nothing to sign.

 

While gratuity is included in your UBP, I recommend bringing some extra cash to tip or asking for a receipt at the end of the cruise to sign and leave a tip. You will find that some bartenders are much better than others, and some locations offer faster service. We found the casino bar to be the best.

[shagalicious]

We always tip the bartenders and everyone else, we brought lots of candy also to tip with...

 

I would go up to a bar, and they would ask, Where's my candy? lol

 

Make them Happy and you will be too!

 

Most people do not realize that tips are a large portion of their pay, which they send home

 

every week. We brought 50 pounds of candy bars on the Spirit on our Nov. 28th Western cruise... and passed them out all week.

 

We usually cruise on Halloween, (last year the Getaway on Halloween), I am a good Jack Sparrow.... :)

 

Take care, Do Not Miss the Production Shows, Rock N Roll, The "World" and Elements!

 

Also tell Gio our great cruise director that Ed and Sean say Hello, and he advised us to see the Quest show, we almost died laughing.

 

Also Shogun's is not to be missed , share a huge lobster at you table, do not miss the Pot sticker apps, and ask for family style platters, more great food than you could ever eat.

 

Raffles is 24/7 for hot wings, etc. Free sauna and steam room and showers at the spa.

 

Any more questions just ask.

 

We are the Moore's

Tampa Bay

 

Take care and safe journeys everyone.

 

Good luck to all in 2016.

 

Hello, we are going on the Getaway on their Halloween cruise. Which night did you have the costume dress up. and can you tell me anymore about any Halloween party events. Thank You