Ultra Beverage Program is a Ripoff

[KeithJenner]

The way you are trying to define Unlimited is unrealistic because then nothing would ever be able to be unlimited. There would always be some extent blocking the unlimited.

 

Once again, you are making the mistake of thinking that I am actually involved in this argument. I'm not. I'm commenting on the futility of it. If you pay attention you will notice that when I mention the definition in the post you quoted, I state that I am assuming that is what the other poster would say. I don't give my opinion on it,

 

I am not trying to define anything. However, it is a fact that many dictionary definitions of unlimited refer to more than quantity. If you don't agree with that definition, perhaps you should be directing your comments towards the producers of those dictionaries.

 

You picking one definition that doesn't mention extent doesn't alter the fact that others do. It just suggests that you are deliberately selecting your evidence to prove your case, which really does you no favours at all.

 

Just as an example, as you have gone for the Cambridge dictionary, I will have a look at Oxford Dictionaries. They define unlimited as:

 

"Not limited or restricted in terms of number, quantity, or extent"

 

I'm sure there is a contact address somewhere so you can take this up directly with them. :)

 

Whilst you are at it, you may need to talk to the Collins and Websters amongst others.

Edited December 18, 2017 by KeithJenner

[PTC DAWG]

I am all out of popcorn...

[Moby0215]

Once again, you are making the mistake of thinking that I am actually involved in this argument. I'm not. I'm commenting on the futility of it. If you pay attention you will notice that when I mention the definition in the post you quoted, I state that I am assuming that is what the other poster would say. I don't give my opinion on it,

 

I am not trying to define anything. However, it is a fact that many dictionary definitions of unlimited refer to more than quantity. If you don't agree with that definition, perhaps you should be directing your comments towards the producers of those dictionaries.

 

You picking one definition that doesn't mention extent doesn't alter the fact that others do. It just suggests that you are deliberately selecting your evidence to prove your case, which really does you no favours at all.

 

Just as an example, as you have gone for the Cambridge dictionary, I will have a look at Oxford Dictionaries. They define unlimited as:

 

"Not limited or restricted in terms of number, quantity, or extent"

 

I'm sure there is a contact address somewhere so you can take this up directly with them. :)

 

Whilst you are at it, you may need to talk to the Collins and Websters amongst others.

 

 

 

Of course you are involved. Otherwise we wouldn’t be replying to each other.

 

I️ know there are multiple definitions of which some do use the word extent which is why I pointed out that even in that case you are using the word extent wrong. And when I️ say you, I️ don’t mean just you. And also why I️ pointed out that when any entity (not just NCL) that offers an unlimited package is referring to quantity. Wouldn’t make sense to offer unlimited any other way. Look at it this way, on carnival I️ can only drink up to 15 drinks per day. Once I️ try to order number 16 that will be denied. On NCL ordering number 16 is not a problem. Ordering number 20 is not a problem. At some point one will run out of time in the day to be able to continue ordering. Does that then make the plan not unlimited? I️ don’t think so because you can just start ordering the next day’s drinks. Or at some point they may run out of a particular liquor, in which case you just order something else.

 

 

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[LrgPizza]

Of course you are involved. Otherwise we wouldn’t be replying to each other.

 

I️ know there are multiple definitions of which some do use the word extent which is why I pointed out that even in that case you are using the word extent wrong. And when I️ say you, I️ don’t mean just you. And also why I️ pointed out that when any entity (not just NCL) that offers an unlimited package is referring to quantity. Wouldn’t make sense to offer unlimited any other way. Look at it this way, on carnival I️ can only drink up to 15 drinks per day. Once I️ try to order number 16 that will be denied. On NCL ordering number 16 is not a problem. Ordering number 20 is not a problem. At some point one will run out of time in the day to be able to continue ordering. Does that then make the plan not unlimited? I️ don’t think so because you can just start ordering the next day’s drinks. Or at some point they may run out of a particular liquor, in which case you just order something else.

I think the point Keith is trying to make is that you are arguing with him, but you haven't noticed that he isn't arguing with you. It's pretty funny for the rest of us to watch.

[KeithJenner]

OK, I know when I’m beaten. I’ll leave it there. There is no point me explaining again, as you have clearly decided what you think I’m saying, so there is no point me wasting any time typing more stuff for you to not actually read.

 

Have fun.

 

 

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[KeithJenner]

I think the point Keith is trying to make is that you are arguing with him, but you haven't noticed that he isn't arguing with you. It's pretty funny for the rest of us to watch.

 

 

 

That’s the one.

 

I wonder whether they will continue to argue with me without my input. We will see. [emoji4]

 

I had thought the words “you are, of course, correct” would have been an indication that I wasn’t in it for an argument. :)

 

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[Two Wheels Only]

After reading so much debate as to the meaning of "unlimited", NCL will now place a limit on both the number of alcoholic beverages per day (15) and a monetary limit of $150 per day on alcoholic beverages for the UBP....

Thanks, guys.:evilsmile::')

[billslowsky]

What a wonderful and helpful thread.

 

I bought a sail away rate on an upcoming cruise, going solo and this rate was really cheap. i have had the upb on prior cruises, found it a good freebie.

 

Most recently we were allowed to each get 2 drinks at a time, which saved our two companions from having to make separate trips to get theirs. No questions asked.

 

So would someone volunteer to get a second drink for poor me on my next cruise?

[ColinIllinois]

...........

 

So would someone volunteer to get a second drink for poor me on my next cruise?

 

 

Sorry, you've been cut off.

[billslowsky]

Sorry, you've been cut off.

 

Phooey.

[grandmarnnurse]

I think that even with paying just the gratuities, it’s a great freebie to choose! We certainly get our money’s worth! Would I pay $89/day + 20% gratuities for it? No, but just paying the gratuities makes it a real bargain.

 

 

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[Dave85]

I think that even with paying just the gratuities, it’s a great freebie to choose! We certainly get our money’s worth! Would I pay $89/day + 20% gratuities for it? No, but just paying the gratuities makes it a real bargain.

 

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Totally agree. I broke even by the end of day 3 on the Escape last week... it was a 7-night cruise. :D

[grandmarnnurse]

Totally agree. I broke even by the end of day 3 on the Escape last week... it was a 7-night cruise. :D

Heading back out on the Getaway in 17 days and plan to make great use of it again! 🍹🍸🍷

[Nelsj099]

After one of my cc meets the whole cruise people’s second drinks some how ended up in my hand. I am not a drinker I prefer diet soda but I was drinking a lot for those 9 days.

 

 

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[pspercy]

We'd rather be at home planning our next cruise with the money we saved by NOT buying the drink package on our previous cruise .

:D :D

 

I'm planning a next cruise too, we didn't buy the drink package either but enjoyed it as a perk for solely the cost of the gratuities which turns out to be equivalent to about one, maybe two drinks/day. Bargain. We would never pay their full price for UBP.

 

And I didn't pay more for that choice, on the one we booked the fare was the same regardless of whether you picked one of the perks or none at all. A cheaper "guarantee" rate was also offered (with none of the perks).

[Nelsj099]

... you could also gamble the price of the ubp and get free drinks in the casino no gratuity and it works for a year. And if you do that enough you can get premium drinks in the casino...

 

 

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[Twinzma]

Off of GW on Sunday. My typical day consisted of 2 mimosas at breakfast. A bahama mama before going ashore. A bushwacker or two after port. A couple of glasses of wine with dinner and to top off the night a dirty martini with Greygoose. (some nights 2 martinis).

 

I spaced out my drinks, wasn't falling over drunk and didn't have to worry how much any of it would cost in the end. Though one night the dirty martinis were exceptionally good & I had a few more than I should have ;-) It's NCL feel free to do what you want!

[GlamorousGirl]

They talk about throwing in dining, beverages, internet, excursion, etc as a freebie or a choice of several.

 

But the beverage fee at $89/day, which they calculate service charges on, is a absolute joke. Well over $30/day more than what Carnival and Princess charge per day. plus they add 20% gratuity (other line add 18%) as a service charge. So in essence you pay $60/pp extra in gratuity/service fees for the bloated beverage per diem price. Sad thing is the program is no where near as inclusive as Carnivals.... As I've learned...nothing comes for free. Another example of Norwegian finding away to nickle/dime and over price their so called freebies!!

 

The service charges do end up being much higher than Carnival and Princess, and unlike those other lines the NCL drink package does NOT include specialty coffee or sparkling water, both of which are included on the other lines. This was a huge downer for us as we are heavy coffee drinkers. I paid $5 for a large iced coffee that looked more like a small. You get less for your money than at Starbucks. It seemed so ridiculous to me that they were charging for a less expensive drink than the alcoholic beverages I was getting for free that I refused to pay for any more after that. Because of this policy I ended up costing NCL more than I would have if the coffee had been included because I ended up drinking earlier in the day than I would have - and ordering more expensive drinks than coffee drinks.

 

All that being said overall my experience was as good as my experience on Princess and far better than my experience on Carnival, so these outrageous charges will not stop me from booking Norwegian again.

[GlamorousGirl]

... you could also gamble the price of the ubp and get free drinks in the casino no gratuity and it works for a year. And if you do that enough you can get premium drinks in the casino...

 

 

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I just got off the Dawn this week, and you needed 1500 casino club tier points to earn free drinks. I don't know about you, but in my experience in Casinos at Sea I need to spend a lot more than the ubp to reach this level of points.

[GlamorousGirl]

I still wish they would just charge the gratuities for the drinks you actually consumed instead of 20% of whatever amount they decide the package is worth. That way even if you only drank 1 drink a day it would still be a worthwhile perk to take and nobody could complain that it’s “not really free”. There would definitely still be people complaining that there’s automatic tips added to their drinks though.

 

This is an excellent point. You are being charged service fees for service you may or may not even be using. I am surprised this does not bother more people. Not surprising however considering all service charges need to be paid in advance regardless how good or bad the service is or whether or not you even use them. Even if you leave your "do not disturb" on the door for the steward the whole time and dine only in the buffet you have to pay the same "service charges" as people who receive the maximum services. And even if you receive terrible service you pay the same charges as someone who received excellent service. The service charge system is really illogical.

[KeithJenner]

It could be argued that it would be in NCLs interest to add the gratuity per drink, rather than on the value of the package, as it would potentially reduce the amount that people drink. As there is no individual charge for the drinks consumed, there is nothing to stop people from ordering more of them, even if they aren’t sure whether they really want it. Bar staff, in my experience, often just pour you another drink before you even ask, which wouldn’t be appropriate if there was a charge.

 

The current way of dealing with the gratuities is certainly better for a lot of people, as they would be charged more (or would get less out of the package) otherwise. It’s one of those things where you can’t please everyone.

 

There is one factor which could be a reason why they charge it the way they currently do. Generally, NCL try to make the onboard experience fairly similar regardless of where passengers are from. I assume that this is mainly for simplicity. As they are not able to charge the gratuity for passengers from some countries, this is easily dealt with my charging it prior to the cruise. If it was done per drink they would have different procedures for different passengers, dependent on where they are from. That would be quite messy in comparison.

 

I may obviously be wrong, but I wouldn’t be surprised if that was a factor.

[Nelsj099]

I just got off the Dawn this week, and you needed 1500 casino club tier points to earn free drinks. I don't know about you, but in my experience in Casinos at Sea I need to spend a lot more than the ubp to reach this level of points.

 

 

 

On the epic I lost 200 dollars and got 5000 points. The other two trips I was on this year weren’t as successful but I do get premium drinks now?

 

 

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[KeithJenner]

You are making the HUGE assumption that people actually would tip. Many woudl use the line of thought "the drink cost me $0 so 20% of $0 is $0".

 

 

 

This discussion is about the auto gratuity which is currently added to the value of the SDP, and whether it should be charged per drink instead. There is no choice on the part of the customer.

[AnonomissX]

This discussion is about the auto gratuity which is currently added to the value of the SDP, and whether it should be charged per drink instead. There is no choice on the part of the customer.

 

Hey Keith, you're the DUDE! The ultra Dude!

 

So, in your honor, instead of being all salty about it, on my next 7 night NCL cruise, I will pay _just_ under 125.00 and enjoy all the Margaritas and other alcoholic drinks I want, that are 15.00 or less. I will enjoy it with the man of my dreams who thinks the UBP is gods gift to mankind and has complimented me on my shopping savvy so he can enjoy his favorite drink: beer.

 

And he will take me dancing at the clubs, and pay (shocker) just under 200.00 to add the dining package.

 

And I won't think of you. Not even once.

Edited December 22, 2017 by AnonomissX
speeling counts

[Moby0215]

On the epic I lost 200 dollars and got 5000 points. The other two trips I was on this year weren’t as successful but I do get premium drinks now?

 

 

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That’s some serious good luck and you must have been winning a lot at one point. Cause 5000 points is $25,000 in spins.

 

 

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