Promo Beverage Package - Coffee?

[esm54687]

On 11/10/2018 at 9:50 AM, podgeandrodge said:

We have Ultimate Beverage Package with specialty coffee in restaurants and juice (not fresh) as well as 1 litre water per person per cabin per day. Is this different than US customers? (UK/Ireland bookings?) 

Technically, you don't have the UBP...... you have an "all-inclusive". I know it seems like splitting hairs but using the proper terms lessens confusion.

[NurseJEB]

On 11/9/2018 at 11:17 AM, LrgPizza said:

 

I wouldn't know since I only drink the ship's water, since it's healthier and better prepared. Bottled water is one of the biggest scams in the world. I also bring my Yeti to refill and keep ice water with me nearly all the time.

 

 

As my S/O says, pretty soon someone will sell and market bagged air convincing the more giullible among us that it is far healthier than "regular air" and you have to have it in order to survive.  Just ask this guy, he will explain it to you.

[zqvol]

On 11/9/2018 at 7:15 AM, 4774Papa said:

Sorry, but the NCL beverage package stinks.  It is overvalued, adds 20% gratuities and its wine choices are poor.  Also, doesn't include coffees, water or juice like Celebrity.

 

By all means you should not accept it if it is offered as a perk.

 

Of course if it is a perk it is the least expensive of any beverage package on any line, even if it doesn't include coffee or water.

[4774Papa]

28 minutes ago, zqvol said:

 

By all means you should not accept it if it is offered as a perk.

 

Of course if it is a perk it is the least expensive of any beverage package on any line, even if it doesn't include coffee or water.

Since promos are mandatory and prices bundled with the bottom line price, you have no way of knowing how much you are paying for the beverage package.

[newmexicoNita]

On 11/8/2018 at 5:28 PM, themutis said:

Hi

 

New to NCL - we received the promo beverage package as a perk - does this include lattes and espressos?  And if so, where on Escape can we get them?

 

Thanks Much

as already said: no to both and it is beyond me why? I think it pretty much sucks and most people know I do not  think many things about NCL are bad choices. As for water, well I have never understood why people can't use the tap water on the ship. It is safe and tastes just fine, the coffee, that is another thing. Now for those who say the wine list is awful you must be wine specialists as we love our wine and are quite satisfied with the selection over  all.   

[podgeandrodge]

. 

Edited November 13, 2018 by podgeandrodge
Double post

[podgeandrodge]

9 hours ago, esm54687 said:

Technically, you don't have the UBP...... you have an "all-inclusive". I know it seems like splitting hairs but using the proper terms lessens confusion.

Yes, it seems like splitting hairs. Yes, it's 'all inclusive'.

But if you need to split hairs, technically, it's also UBP, my key card states "UBP" on it. 

[esm54687]

9 minutes ago, podgeandrodge said:

Yes, it seems like splitting hairs. Yes, it's 'all inclusive'.

But if you need to split hairs, technically, it's also UBP, my key card states "UBP" on it.

There is no UBP when booking an "all inclusive" because everything is included. The UBP stamped on your key card is there as a courtesy so people don't line up at check in or guest services asking about it....... next time you talk to your TA or NCL PCC ask them to itemize the UBP in your fare and they can't. 

 

But whatever..... 

[nclsuncruiser]

4 hours ago, esm54687 said:

There is no UBP when booking an "all inclusive" because everything is included..........The next time you talk to your TA or NCL PCC ask them to itemize the UBP in your fare and they can't. 

 

But whatever..... 

The other poster is not wrong. 

There IS a UBP when purchasing all inclusive. I just checked my NCL amenity invoice (I'm on the premium all inclusive) and, while not individually priced, it specifically itemises "Adult Ultimate Beverage Package", separate to bottled water per day etc and other included items. So he or she DOES have the Adult Ultimate Beverage Package, its an included specific item as part of  their all inclusive. 

 

But, whatever. 

[esm54687]

30 minutes ago, nclsuncruiser said:

The other poster is not wrong. 

There IS a UBP when purchasing all inclusive. I just checked my NCL amenity invoice (I'm on the premium all inclusive) and, while not individually priced, it specifically itemises "Adult Ultimate Beverage Package", separate to bottled water per day etc and other included items. So he or she DOES have the Adult Ultimate Beverage Package, its an included specific item as part of  their all inclusive. 

 

But, whatever. 

ok

[zqvol]

On 11/13/2018 at 6:31 AM, 4774Papa said:

Since promos are mandatory and prices bundled with the bottom line price, you have no way of knowing how much you are paying for the beverage package.

 

Promos are not mandatory. There are fares with no perks included.

[4774Papa]

Just now, zqvol said:

 

Promos are not mandatory. There are fares with no perks included.

The only cruises that I find that don't require promos are the repos and transatlantic/transpacific cruises.   When I try to book without a promo, the price is always the same as the bundled price.

[zqvol]

On 11/15/2018 at 4:58 PM, 4774Papa said:

The only cruises that I find that don't require promos are the repos and transatlantic/transpacific cruises.   When I try to book without a promo, the price is always the same as the bundled price.

 

Dig further almost every cruise has a fare without promos.

[ColdCruise]

On 11/13/2018 at 3:55 AM, NurseJEB said:

 

 

As my S/O says, pretty soon someone will sell and market bagged air convincing the more giullible among us that it is far healthier than "regular air" and you have to have it in order to survive.  

Your S/O isn’t far off - google “oxygen bars” although I think that trend is gone.

[4774Papa]

11 hours ago, zqvol said:

 

Dig further almost every cruise has a fare without promos.

I have had this discussion before and confirm that is not accurate.  I have found fares without promos (on other than trans or repo cruises), but the far is never lower than the bundled fare.  I have called X and explored this with them.   

Sometimes, I see fares offered close to the cruise date (I always book early) for a guarantee cabin, and those frequently are not bundled, but the fare is almost never lower than the bundled fare.   

 

Recently, a cruise friend informed me that prices for this cruise had dropped a bit, so I did a dummy booking for the same balcony cabin that we have.  There was a price savings that I ultimately took, but I could have done a balcony guarantee for even more savings, but I declined to do the guarantee.

[Froggy1369]

I just compared because I am trying to decide if I want to cancel my 5 day cruise on Carnival Fantassy in February and book the 7 day on Escape instead. Dollar for dollar for us it works out about the same. For Carnival  we have to fly, rent a car, get a hotel room etc. For NCL my brother can drop us off in New York and come back and get us, eliminating parking fees. We live in PA so only like a 2 hour trip. 

 

I did look at the sail away fare vs the fare with all 5 deals. Sail away with no perks was 2594. Same cabin with 5 free(including 3rd guest for my 9 year old) is 2904. So for 450 bucks more I am getting 2131 dollars of stuff. I am pretty sure we will drink more than 450 in drinks during the 7 days. That alone makes it worth it without including anything else. 

 

But yes I can book the sail away with no extras and then nickel and dime myself to death. I still haven’t decided if I am going to change yet though. 

[SNJCruisers]

50 minutes ago, Froggy1369 said:

I just compared because I am trying to decide if I want to cancel my 5 day cruise on Carnival Fantassy in February and book the 7 day on Escape instead. Dollar for dollar for us it works out about the same....... I still haven’t decided if I am going to change yet though. 

7 days on a recently built ship with open bar and 3 nights of specialty dining where you're driven to and picked up from the ship versus 5 nights on an older rust bucket where you have to pay for drinks, specialties, air and hotel.  That decision can be made in a nano second as far as I'm concerned.

[Froggy1369]

1 minute ago, SNJCruisers said:

7 days on a recently built ship with open bar and 3 nights of specialty dining where you're driven to and picked up from the ship versus 5 nights on an older rust bucket where you have to pay for drinks, specialties, air and hotel.  That decision can be made in a nano second as far as I'm concerned.

 

I’m pretty convinced, but my 9 year old is not. She really wanted to go to Mexico, but I think showing her the difference in water slides alone would convince her. 

 

Plus I have to see if NCL does the 5 free again soon. The change is because hubs work is giving him a large amount to cover most of it. We were originally driving to Alabama. With the additional $$ comes additional options. Unfortunately we won’t have it in hand until Thursday and the current promo ends today. 

 

Do do they run them often?  FWIW this will be our first cruise. Or I can look at later sailings to book with the 50 deposit, but we wanted to go for DH 45thh birthday. 

[SNJCruisers]

9 minutes ago, Froggy1369 said:

 

I’m pretty convinced, but my 9 year old is not. She really wanted to go to Mexico, but I think showing her the difference in water slides alone would convince her. 

 

Plus I have to see if NCL does the 5 free again soon. The change is because hubs work is giving him a large amount to cover most of it. We were originally driving to Alabama. With the additional $$ comes additional options. Unfortunately we won’t have it in hand until Thursday and the current promo ends today. 

 

Do do they run them often?  FWIW this will be our first cruise. Or I can look at later sailings to book with the 50 deposit, but we wanted to go for DH 45thh birthday. 

Driving to Alabama versus getting driven to NYC?  If you need to book it today, just book it.  Is it a problem because your credit card is really a debit card and the funds won't be there till Thursday?  If this is true, maybe booking through an online agency will allow you to stretch things till then.  I don't know since I have always had a credit card.

[Froggy1369]

17 hours ago, SNJCruisers said:

Driving to Alabama versus getting driven to NYC?  If you need to book it today, just book it.  Is it a problem because your credit card is really a debit card and the funds won't be there till Thursday?  If this is true, maybe booking through an online agency will allow you to stretch things till then.  I don't know since I have always had a credit card.

 

You hit the nail on the head. I only have a debit card and only spend what I have now. I screwed shit up a while back and went through a program to get it all cleaned up. Just haven’t brought myself to jump back into the world of credit cards, yet! And I’m not touching my emergency savings account to pay for a vacation! I worked hard to get it where it is and I don’t want to find myself in that same place again! I’m older and wiser now and know better, but gun shy!

 

Anyway, I can book this week because they brought back free at sea today. I’ll only get 3 offers instead of all 5, but I’m okay with not having the excursion credit and internet! So we will be changing from Carnival to NCL. The little gremlin was definitely on board when I showed her the water slides on the escape!!! 

[SNJCruisers]

Glad that the pieces of the puzzle are coming together for you.  Make sure that you make your reservations for your three nights of specialty dining and either of the two big shows as soon as you're licked in with your reservation this week and your my NCL account is up.  I would recommend Cagney's, Teppanyaki and La Cucina, but you may want to just go to the a la carte places since you have to pay for the little gremlin.  Enjoy the Escape, she's a great ship that I have been on 3 times.

Edited November 20, 2018 by SNJCruisers

[quickrate]

On 11/9/2018 at 11:17 AM, LrgPizza said:

 

I wouldn't know since I only drink the ship's water, since it's healthier and better prepared. Bottled water is one of the biggest scams in the world. I also bring my Yeti to refill and keep ice water with me nearly all the time.

When you say better prepared, what does that mean? We don't drink water with chlorine and florided added to it. 

Pat

[Froggy1369]

1 hour ago, SNJCruisers said:

Glad that the pieces of the puzzle are coming together for you.  Make sure that you make your reservations for your three nights of specialty dining and either of the two big shows as soon as you're licked in with your reservation this week and your my NCL account is up.  I would recommend Cagney's, Teppanyaki and La Cucina, but you may want to just go to the a la carte places since you have to pay for the little gremlin.  Enjoy the Escape, she's a great ship that I have been on 3 times.

 

Thank you! We are super excited to be escaping dreary Northeast PA! By the end of February I will be more than ready to get away! Especially if last weeks foot of snow is a foretelling of the winter to come!

[fshagan]

22 hours ago, quickrate said:

When you say better prepared, what does that mean? We don't drink water with chlorine and florided added to it. 

 

The ship's water is either bunkered water from a port, or water created from sea water by flash steam evaporators (or, less commonly, reverse osmosis filters). The water from ports has to be sequestered for a time and tested, then, like the sea water that is distilled or filtered, has sodium hypochlorite (chlorine bleach) added. It is recirculated constantly and the chlorine levels monitored constantly, so it has better "purification" than water sitting in pipes waiting to be drawn into your home when you turn on the tap. Sodium hypochlorite is short lived in water, so leaving water out exposed to the air usually means the chlorine will dissipate within a few hours. That is why people say it's "better than at home" because the sanitizer some of us are trying to avoid is more evenly and consistently distributed into the water. For possible disease prevention, they are right in that respect. It still tastes bad to me. 

 

Because sodium hypochlorite is short lived, some municipalities use chloramines to treat water, as they are longer lived, produce less smell and impact the taste less. You may taste the difference if you drink tap water at home, and it is treated with chloramines instead of chlorine.

 

If you drink bottled water, which is often carbon filtered and run through reverse osmosis filters as well, and sanitized using ultraviolet or ozone before bottling, you will definitely taste the difference. However, the filtered water served at bars and restaurants on ships has most of the chlorine filtered out using activated charcoal, so it tastes acceptable to me. Water directly out of the tap on board tastes like pool water to me, with a large taste impact and strong smell (my community treats water with chloramines so we are not used to the smell).