The Price of "Free"

[rtkenmore]

The package may not be for you...math is easy..not crazy...I love the perk myself..

 

There is no maximum number. They are charging gratuity based on the daily price of the package. As long as you drink 1-3 drinks a day between juices, soft drinks, wine and cocktails, you come out better than you would otherwise typically. Especially if you would have gotten the soft drink package anyway to start.

[dd likes to cruise]

I have to admit, I skimmed through all these posts. we have gotten drink packages with two different lines. On Celebrity is was included. With Carnival, it was purchased. My question is about 'private islands'. Does NCL accept the drink packages there? Celebrity does, Carnival does not. That would also be a factor in whether I would choose that particular perk.

 

If that makes or breaks your choice, you must drink a super large amount of drinks during one beach trip. ;p

[fshagan]

It's maybe what you're familiar with? I find it rather difficult to compare apples to apples. I know with NCL I just add the $124 in but with celebrity I've found I had to go through the whole mock booking to find the true price and then back everything out. Usually I'm like wow it's a great price with the perks, but then you choose the perks and suddenly the price is higher than the price I saw when I said yes I wanna go better or whatever it is.

 

Yeah, probably. I was used to NCL's policy and was surprised at Celebrity's policy ... "pay more and get this stuff free" ... but in the end it's pretty much the same thing. You pay more to get a beverage package.

 

In both cases it's a discounted price, although I wonder if anyone ever really buys the NCL beverage plan at $89 per day.

[canadianeh934]

It is a great deal if you like to drink 4 or more drinks a day.

 

My wife and I have the true free drink package on a back to back cruise and we tipped more then the current tip charge on the package as the drink service was out standing.

[sandyh85]

Yeah, probably. I was used to NCL's policy and was surprised at Celebrity's policy ... "pay more and get this stuff free" ... but in the end it's pretty much the same thing. You pay more to get a beverage package.

 

In both cases it's a discounted price, although I wonder if anyone ever really buys the NCL beverage plan at $89 per day.

Probably only the third person in a room of young adults who are on a fun party vacation. But they'd likely split the cost of the room and one full package between 3.

 

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[Shidah]

We paid for the package on one of our cruises last year and doing the same for one this year. Both times paying for the third person in the room, and both times being my daughter's boyfriend. So, yes, people actually buy the package at $89 a day. They are 23 years old....still a bargain at $89!

[HowardK]

They raise the retail value to the point where it is $125 in gratuitues Then people still mention tipping on top of that which is fine- but a whole different issue. If it really was free, there would be no "service charge"

[JillK]

As many other posters have mentioned, the gratuities on the "free" package are very reasonable. For example, the only time we've had the package was when it was a booking perk on the Silhouette and on the Escape. And they truly were free because neither line was charging a gratuity on them at the time we booked (don't know if Celebrity now charges or not). My parents who decided to join us on the Escape booked later than us once the gratuities had been implemented and had to pay.

 

For every other cruise we've paid per drink and they add up quick. Generally, I budget between $350-400 per cruise (seven day) for beverages (alcohol, specialty coffee and soft drink) and that is with us drinking two alcoholic drinks a day each. I remember the first few cruises when they gave receipts you had to sign, I was adding them up each day to make sure we were staying on budget!

 

I've just booked a cruise on the Getaway and happily paid the $250 for the beverage package. So nice to not have to worry about it and know that I'm paying less than I usually do.

 

You can choose a different perk if you're dissatisfied with the price point of the gratuities and pay for your beverages as you go.

[DirtyDawg]

When I have gotten Celebrity's drink package as a perk, I've never paid an additional charge for the gratuities, like with NCL.

 

So if anyone doesn't like NCL's 'free' drink package policy can simply book with Celebrity and get their 'free' drinks package. Easy Peasy Lemon Squeezy.

[newmexicoNita]

I just booked with NCL. If you are new to cruising, or even if you aren't, you might want to know that all the "Free at Sea" options are not actually free. On a one week cruise we were asked to pay $155 per person in service charges if we chose the beverage package. This, they said, was to cover "tips", but was in addition to the traditional service charge that is added every day. We sailed with Norwegian a couple of years ago and got the beverage package,which was at that time actually free. I do not like their deceptive marketing and very nearly walked out on the travel agent when I heard about it. :mad:

Yes there was a short period of time when the package was free, but people decided not to even bother to tip, so it became necessary to add the service charge. If you are a drinker who consumed more than a few drinks a day it is still a good deal. We love knowing,when we board everything is paid for:no huge bill at the end of the cruise. There was a time when there was no set DSC as well, in fact HAL didn't even have a suggested tipping policy. they were the first line to add a DSC; the reason again: cheap people who did not leave any tips. So blame those who do not tip for the up front charges, not the cruise lines.

[newmexicoNita]

I both agree and disagree regarding this post. The UBP "perk" is not truly free because you have to pay for the gratuities, and according to these boards, if you want good bar service, you still need to tip the servers and/or bartenders an extra $1-2 per drink.

 

I've been sailing for years with NCL, since before this perk was common (they've been running this promotion pretty much non-stop for at least 3-4 years). When I sailed in 2015 to Alaska, this was truly "free" as the gratuities were paid by the cruise line. We didn't pay "extra" for the gratuities, as they were paid by the cruiseline. The next cruise was to New England and we paid for gratuities up front when we booked the cruise, and at that time I believe the Per Day UBP was $59 per day, so our gratuities were about $75 per person. Still acceptable to me because I will drink that much easily.

 

We are currently booked to Alaska for 2018, and we must have booked when the UBP was $79 per day, before the UBP went to $89 per day, so our gratuities are $99 for the 7 nights. Starting to push it, but still acceptable. In these few years, we have seen the daily charge go from $59 per day to $89 per day (A fee I would NEVER pay because I would never drink that much)...and the price per drink go from an average of $9.00 a drink to about $15 per drink, so yes I think that the line is inflating this per day and per day drink fee (compared to other lines) in order to collect more gratuities.

 

I guess my point is...the UBP gratuities are still worth it because we can drink about $100 each a week worth of drinks, so it is still a deal. And we can order without worrying about the cost. However, if I were paying for drinks (like I recently did on a Disney Cruise) we would only drink 1-2 drinks a day each, because I refuse to spend that much money on alcohol.

 

It's all relative, and it's about choices, and about what is the best deal for you and your family.

 

The only truly "free" perks are the shore excursion credits, internet package, and (when offered) the Daily Service Charge coverage.

you do not need to tip the bar tender anything and it is not expected. IN fact if you pay attention you will see very few people tipping them. Yes, you may get an exceptionally good bar tender that you do want to give a buck extra but it absolutely is not expected. In fact ours are usally so busy they don't have time to even notice. We do tip a drink waitress once in awhile when we sit in the atrium every day and have the same server each day.

[beerman2]

I just booked with NCL. If you are new to cruising, or even if you aren't, you might want to know that all the "Free at Sea" options are not actually free. On a one week cruise we were asked to pay $155 per person in service charges if we chose the beverage package. This, they said, was to cover "tips", but was in addition to the traditional service charge that is added every day. We sailed with Norwegian a couple of years ago and got the beverage package,which was at that time actually free. I do not like their deceptive marketing and very nearly walked out on the travel agent when I heard about it. :mad:

Just an FYI , nothing is ever free. Do you think those game show winners don't pay a tax (fee)??? for what they win/get.

 

You are getting the (item/prize) for FREE, it's just going to cost you taxes/gratuity.

 

Where can you go and drink for a week for 100.00-120.00. Simply no where!

[Tiggertastic]

I think it’s a great deal, even if all I’ve drunk that day is a few sodas and a tea, it takes away the thinking. We once did a count up on a cruise and decided that we’d had our money’s worth even when we paid for the package outright so just go with it. Yes some days I’ve not had the full value but it stops me wondering what my final bill is or having to check it.

 

 

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[NLH Arizona]

Yes there was a short period of time when the package was free, but people decided not to even bother to tip, so it became necessary to add the service charge.

I agree and think this was the reason for the gratuity to be added and rightfully so. I also notice in the casino, some with casino drink cards don't tip.

[erdoran]

Actually, there's a very simple solution:

 

FREE Beverage Pkg *

 

 

*Mandatory 20% gratuity not included

 

done deal!

 

And as far as tipping or not,

 

FREE Beverage Package, including gratuity

FREE Beverage Package excluding gratuity

 

That type of advertising clears it right up. If the intent is to make it 100% free (I'm sure the cost is included into cruise fare anyway) then NCL could/should pay the NCL-funded gratuity to the same place the cruiser-funded gratuity goes.

 

If NCL isn't including a gratuity, so it's "Free excluding mandatory 20% gratuity" then they are doing the right thing by making that gratuity prepaid and mandatory. Otherwise it actually DECREASES the value of the package if I'm going to have to tip one drink at a time--THAT can really add up!! And be hard to keep track of...and yes, there's confusion (unintentional and otherwise) along the lines of "it's free so I can't tip on 20% of zero".

 

So my 2c worth (worth what you pay for it) is that perhaps the FREE should be a bit clearer that it does exclude that mandatory gratuity, because it's that lack of clarity that leads to threads like this one, plus I'm sure that the majority of people who opt for the FREE booze pkg do a doubletake at the $250 more or less added to their fare and their TA/cruise planner has to take time to explain and help them get over the disenchantment, time that would be better spent selling another cruise.

[rtkenmore]

Actually, there's a very simple solution:

 

FREE Beverage Pkg *

 

 

*Mandatory 20% gratuity not included

 

done deal!

 

And as far as tipping or not,

 

FREE Beverage Package, including gratuity

FREE Beverage Package excluding gratuity

 

That type of advertising clears it right up. If the intent is to make it 100% free (I'm sure the cost is included into cruise fare anyway) then NCL could/should pay the NCL-funded gratuity to the same place the cruiser-funded gratuity goes.

 

If NCL isn't including a gratuity, so it's "Free excluding mandatory 20% gratuity" then they are doing the right thing by making that gratuity prepaid and mandatory. Otherwise it actually DECREASES the value of the package if I'm going to have to tip one drink at a time--THAT can really add up!! And be hard to keep track of...and yes, there's confusion (unintentional and otherwise) along the lines of "it's free so I can't tip on 20% of zero".

 

So my 2c worth (worth what you pay for it) is that perhaps the FREE should be a bit clearer that it does exclude that mandatory gratuity, because it's that lack of clarity that leads to threads like this one, plus I'm sure that the majority of people who opt for the FREE booze pkg do a doubletake at the $250 more or less added to their fare and their TA/cruise planner has to take time to explain and help them get over the disenchantment, time that would be better spent selling another cruise.

 

I'd hate for people to actually READ the terms & conditions of the package they are purchasing... That solves a lot too. Just comprehend and understand the fine print. :confused:

[AmazedByCruising]

Yes there was a short period of time when the package was free, but people decided not to even bother to tip

 

You mean that it was originally expected that people would tip $1 for each beer or specialty coffee and $3 for each cocktail?

[AmazedByCruising]

So my 2c worth (worth what you pay for it) is that perhaps the FREE should be a bit clearer that it does exclude that mandatory gratuity, because it's that lack of clarity that leads to threads like this one, plus I'm sure that the majority of people who opt for the FREE booze pkg do a doubletake at the $250 more or less added to their fare and their TA/cruise planner has to take time to explain and help them get over the disenchantment, time that would be better spent selling another cruise.

 

Exactly!

[jaxon41]

Ok, got it. I have to admit, not having sailed NCL for a long time, when I did the trial booking, I was shocked to see the service charge for something that was supposed to be free. Now, I have to figure the value as my husband and I are not big drinkers. Can anyone tell me if they still sell wine packages -- so many bottles per sailing? Or is everything by the glass? Any restrictions on the label of the booze or wine if you pick the UBP? Is the soda canned, or machine? Thanks

[erdoran]

I'd hate for people to actually READ the terms & conditions of the package they are purchasing... That solves a lot too. Just comprehend and understand the fine print. :confused:

Fine print is fine, but put something that significant right up front, right near FREE, so people know what the real deal is. That's all. They can still read the fine print for the rest of the info like inclusions/exclusions--but something that is going to add an unexpected $250+/- to your bill deserves to be disclosed very, very clearly rather than buried in the fine print.....

 

and just think of all the time it will save TAs and PCC's, as well as aggravation, if you know BEFORE you book that it's going to cost....

 

plus if you try to do an online booking, notice it shows up NOWHERE on the page of "pick one, two, three" etc items...it is NOT disclosed there at all. When I went to do this booking and checked off I wanted all four free items, then saw the "special services" $250 added to my bill, I had absolutely zero idea what it was for, and had to google for NCL special services - and even then didn't find it. I finally figured it out by process of elimination.

 

It doesn't have to be that hard. Really!

 

Although I have to say, the DSC is also not visible anywhere when booking, that's another "hidden cost" for newbies. My TA also "forgot" to mention it, even after we booked. I finally asked him how much it was.

 

So between the "free" UBP and the undisclosed DSC, my bill has gone up over $500 from the advertised price including port charges.

 

Yes, someone "should" expect to tip or do DSC, but a newbie isn't going to know about DSC. As strongly as we all feel about properly tipping staff, surely gratuities should be front & center, not snuck on to a bill quietly or months after booking, customer being hit with the prepay DSC bill.

 

Sorry, off soapbox. Can you tell I'm a fan of clarity & honesty in pricing & advertising?

[smplybcause]

It's drinks up to $15, which if you bought without the package would include a 20% gratuity would make it $18. That's $0.20 more than what you pay per day per person for the perk. Excluding beer, two of pretty much any alcoholic drink would be more paying out of pocket than what you are charged for the perk per day.

 

Not sure on wine packages, but I would think buying by the bottle would be more money if you buy more than two bottles.

 

Bringing your own wine on board might be cheaper if you bring no more than 6 and pay less than twenty a bottle and aren't one to drink the non alcoholic drinks included in the UBP. And it doesn't cost you extra money to get them to the port.

 

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[rtkenmore]

Ok, got it. I have to admit, not having sailed NCL for a long time, when I did the trial booking, I was shocked to see the service charge for something that was supposed to be free. Now, I have to figure the value as my husband and I are not big drinkers. Can anyone tell me if they still sell wine packages -- so many bottles per sailing? Or is everything by the glass? Any restrictions on the label of the booze or wine if you pick the UBP? Is the soda canned, or machine? Thanks

 

The way we looked it if this helps is like this... We always purchased the soda package which would be about $126 on a 7 day cruise for two people. The gratuities on the UBP package for two on a 7 day cruise is about $249. The difference being $123.20 or $61.60/person... Or $8.80/person/day.

 

When you break it down that way, if you were planning on doing the soda package anyway, as long as you get one or two alcoholic drinks a day, you basically cover the costs of your package. And as a lot of other people have mentioned, the benefit of KNOWING that after 7 days, you haven't racked up a $300 or $400 bar bill is nice.

[rtkenmore]

It's drinks up to $15, which if you bought without the package would include a 20% gratuity would make it $18. That's $0.20 more than what you pay per day per person for the perk. Excluding beer, two of pretty much any alcoholic drink would be more paying out of pocket than what you are charged for the perk per day.

 

Not sure on wine packages, but I would think buying by the bottle would be more money if you buy more than two bottles.

 

Bringing your own wine on board might be cheaper if you bring no more than 6 and pay less than twenty a bottle and aren't one to drink the non alcoholic drinks included in the UBP. And it doesn't cost you extra money to get them to the port.

 

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Keep in mind if you bring your own wine on board, they still charge a corkage fee of $15/bottle for 750ml bottled and $30/bottle for 1500ml.

[smplybcause]

Keep in mind if you bring your own wine on board, they still charge a corkage fee of $15/bottle for 750ml bottled and $30/bottle for 1500ml.

I was including it in my calcs. $15 corkage plus $20 bottle equals just below the daily charges for two people. That's why I said no more than 6 bottles because 7 would put you at the same cost unless you're taking on $10 or less bottles (and paying $15 for the pleasure of it!)

 

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[rtkenmore]

https://www.ncl.com/cruise-deals/choice

Fine print is fine, but put something that significant right up front, right near FREE, so people know what the real deal is. That's all. They can still read the fine print for the rest of the info like inclusions/exclusions--but something that is going to add an unexpected $250+/- to your bill deserves to be disclosed very, very clearly rather than buried in the fine print.....

 

and just think of all the time it will save TAs and PCC's, as well as aggravation, if you know BEFORE you book that it's going to cost....

 

plus if you try to do an online booking, notice it shows up NOWHERE on the page of "pick one, two, three" etc items...it is NOT disclosed there at all. When I went to do this booking and checked off I wanted all four free items, then saw the "special services" $250 added to my bill, I had absolutely zero idea what it was for, and had to google for NCL special services - and even then didn't find it. I finally figured it out by process of elimination.

 

It doesn't have to be that hard. Really!

 

Although I have to say, the DSC is also not visible anywhere when booking, that's another "hidden cost" for newbies. My TA also "forgot" to mention it, even after we booked. I finally asked him how much it was.

 

So between the "free" UBP and the undisclosed DSC, my bill has gone up over $500 from the advertised price including port charges.

 

Yes, someone "should" expect to tip or do DSC, but a newbie isn't going to know about DSC. As strongly as we all feel about properly tipping staff, surely gratuities should be front & center, not snuck on to a bill quietly or months after booking, customer being hit with the prepay DSC bill.

 

Sorry, off soapbox. Can you tell I'm a fan of clarity & honesty in pricing & advertising?

 

https://www.ncl.com/cruise-deals/choice

 

It says clear as day, "Excludes gratuities and service charge."