Ultra Beverage Program is a Ripoff

[Nelsj099]

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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Haha ya but the most I was ever up was 600.

 

 

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[Moby0215]

Haha ya but the most I was ever up was 600.

 

 

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Still... that’s a lot of action for only losing $200. Congrats.

 

 

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[KeithJenner]

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.

 

 

 

Wow, what on Earth do you think I said?

 

 

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[Markanddonna]

Here's a time when the beverage package wouldn't be a good deal: On my last cruise (a 22 day TP), I had my first case of seasickness. So, subtract two days of possible drinking while I recovered. Then, I was also sick (the prevalent upper respiratory infection going around) for the first time on any cruise, and that required antibiotics, so no drinking for another ten days. That would have meant I shouldn't be drinking for over half the cruise, yet I would still have to pay for the auto gratuity. Maybe the ship's doctor would have written a note to the bursar's office? :')

[graphicguy]

Trying to understand the complaint here. If you don’t like the price of the drink package, don’t buy it. Buy your drinks one at a time and pay the service charges only on those drinks which are served to you.

 

What’s the point in arguing when the solution is simple?

[ColeThornton]

Here's a time when the beverage package wouldn't be a good deal: On my last cruise (a 22 day TP), I had my first case of seasickness. So, subtract two days of possible drinking while I recovered. Then, I was also sick (the prevalent upper respiratory infection going around) for the first time on any cruise, and that required antibiotics, so no drinking for another ten days. That would have meant I shouldn't be drinking for over half the cruise, yet I would still have to pay for the auto gratuity. Maybe the ship's doctor would have written a note to the bursar's office? :')

 

 

"Bursar" isn't the word you are looking for there. ;p

[LrgPizza]

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.

#drunk

[nednrom]

I'm on the side of neutral Keith - :D One would have to test the extent of UBP limits and its cost by drinking and paying as you go on a 7 day cruise vs just paying for the gratuity. That would provide some data to expand this conversation.

[Jnsplace1]

I did a lot of shopping around for my cruise in Jan 2018, and much to my delight I feel like the cabin + UBP is a great deal. It will be the first time for my Mom & I using it.

Honestly, I have zero issues pre-paying the gratuity. It's like having the gratuity automatically added when I go to a group dinner or such. I also feel now I have the mental permission to really enjoy playing around with drinks. If I don't like one, move onto the next, no hassles.

What better vacation is that? No hassling? Looking forward to it for sure.

[phoenix1181]

I'm on the side of neutral Keith - :D One would have to test the extent of UBP limits and its cost by drinking and paying as you go on a 7 day cruise vs just paying for the gratuity. That would provide some data to expand this conversation.

 

On our first cruise in 1990, our bar bill was slightly over $1,000.00 :eek:! We had a great trip, were not drunk, and have continued to consume comparable quantities every cruise. Paying only the gratuity on the UBP has saved us a LOT of money!

[nednrom]

On our first cruise in 1990, our bar bill was slightly over $1,000.00 :eek:! We had a great trip, were not drunk, and have continued to consume comparable quantities every cruise. Paying only the gratuity on the UBP has saved us a LOT of money!

 

There you go -- see there is data out there already LOL -- :beer-toast:;p

 

Actually the same thing happened to us so I don't mind paying the gratuity at all - my point is everyone has a choice whether is limited/unlimited ripoff or not - as of yet, in the US it is not part of the fare if you choose not to include it.

[newmexicoNita]

Here's a time when the beverage package wouldn't be a good deal: On my last cruise (a 22 day TP), I had my first case of seasickness. So, subtract two days of possible drinking while I recovered. Then, I was also sick (the prevalent upper respiratory infection going around) for the first time on any cruise, and that required antibiotics, so no drinking for another ten days. That would have meant I shouldn't be drinking for over half the cruise, yet I would still have to pay for the auto gratuity. Maybe the ship's doctor would have written a note to the bursar's office? :')

doubt that would have helped either. When hubby fell on the Dawn one time and couldn't go into the water the the 10 days of our cruise, the doctor wrote a note but the spa wouldn't refund the money he had spent for the spa pool. I will add, the Dawn, for those who do not know doesn't have a luxurious spa like some of the ships. All it really is is a small lap pool, about 1/2 dozen lounges that overlook the water and a hot tub. For the most part there was nothing he could use and we were only 2 days into the cruise.

 

As for the no drinking for the rest of the cruise for you, my heart goes out to you. What a crappy vacation: first sea sickness and then an infection. I will add most anti biotics do not limit drinking. I have only had one that did. I just got over taking one kind for 10 days, no restrictions on alcohol at all.

[newmexicoNita]

I did a lot of shopping around for my cruise in Jan 2018, and much to my delight I feel like the cabin + UBP is a great deal. It will be the first time for my Mom & I using it.

Honestly, I have zero issues pre-paying the gratuity. It's like having the gratuity automatically added when I go to a group dinner or such. I also feel now I have the mental permission to really enjoy playing around with drinks. If I don't like one, move onto the next, no hassles.

What better vacation is that? No hassling? Looking forward to it for sure.

I am with you, I think the UBP is a great. We could care less about paying the grats up front. I will add, one of our favorite parts of the UBP is trying new drinks and never having to pay much attention to the price of what we are drinking. NO, we don't have 10 or so drinks a day: we usually have one in the morning while playing trivia or something: a glass of wine with lunch and a couple of drinks before dinner plus wine with dinner. We do order wine or a drink if we go to the show or if we are in the casino. So, probably we are talking more like 8 a day, still works out well.

[llollipoppi]

Sorry if I'm not following this but I booked in May 2016 for January 2018 and got the UBP free and in my terms and conditions it states that gratuity is included in the promotion. I took a screenshot of it but don't know how to upload pics here. I think that's a good deal:)

[KeithJenner]

Sorry if I'm not following this but I booked in May 2016 for January 2018 and got the UBP free and in my terms and conditions it states that gratuity is included in the promotion. I took a screenshot of it but don't know how to upload pics here. I think that's a good deal:)

 

 

In the UK we have never paid the gratuity on the promo beverage or dining packages, so a lot of the detail in this discussion doesn’t apply to us.

 

 

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[llollipoppi]

In the UK we have never paid the gratuity on the promo beverage or dining packages, so a lot of the detail in this discussion doesn’t apply to us.

 

 

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Thanks for clearing that up @keithJenner:D

[grandmarnnurse]

On our first cruise in 1990, our bar bill was slightly over $1,000.00 :eek:! We had a great trip, were not drunk, and have continued to consume comparable quantities every cruise. Paying only the gratuity on the UBP has saved us a LOT of money!

I have often told this story on several different threads, but I will mention it again. One year, back in 2002, we sailed with our two youngest daughters, both of legal age. We had them in a separate cabin, but all charges were on just our credit card. Those girls ran up a $2000 bar bill on that 8 day cruise!

[deliver42]

We just got off the Escape with the UBP. Between my wife and myself, we found ourselves drinking more than usual, but totally enjoyed ourselves. Definitely worth the $200.00 service charge.With the UBP and dining pkg, the cruise came out to a lot less than RCCL or Carnival. We will definitely sail NCL again with the packages.

[OceanBlueWaters]

I agree. I have no problem paying gratuity.

 

A few years ago we got the final bill (no package). Not sure how they were able to fit the bill under the door! :eek:

 

Went to nearest bar to digest what just hit us...

 

LOL!

[beerman2]

I agree. I have no problem paying gratuity.

 

A few years ago we got the final bill (no package). Not sure how they were able to fit the bill under the door! :eek:

 

Went to nearest bar to digest what just hit us...

 

LOL!

Just 1 more!😂 I love reading how people justify or not how just paying the "gratuity " is worth it!

 

For most it's a " no-brainer"!

[theroos17]

Free should be free with no extra charge

 

Unfortunately, with all the "cheap" people out there, they need to take the gratuities ahead of time. Having cruised during the time of the "tip envelopes", it was disgusting to see how many people would simply not give anything to the employees, which is where most of their income comes from.

[grandmarnnurse]

Unfortunately, with all the "cheap" people out there, they need to take the gratuities ahead of time. Having cruised during the time of the "tip envelopes", it was disgusting to see how many people would simply not give anything to the employees, which is where most of their income comes from.

I, too, cruised back in the day of cash tips in envelopes, and remember people “stiffing” staff. The prepaid gratuities is a much better idea, PLUS I also leave extra cash for my room steward AT BEGINNING OF CRUISE (as an incentive), and extra cash again at end of cruise for a job well done.