Premium Beverage non included items

[clojacks]

Booking our first NCL cruise in a long time and after about 10 Celebrity cruises, and curious about NCL's Premium Beverage package. If I'm reading the exclusions correctly, NCL's regular "Premium" package DOES NOT include bottled water or specialty coffee's, which we came to greatly enjoy on even Celebrity's Classic drink package. Am I reading this correctly, and interpreting that the only way I get these is to either purchase them individually or upgrade to the "Premium Plus" for another $30 per person a day? Am I wrong in describing this as one of the worst of the beverage packages available in the industry, and then  to add on the "Tip charge" on my bill seems kind of insult to injury? But, I guess you don't have a choice....

[hallux]

5 minutes ago, clojacks said:

Am I reading this correctly,

You are.

 

6 minutes ago, clojacks said:

Am I wrong in describing this as one of the worst of the beverage packages available in the industry, and then  to add on the "Tip charge" on my bill seems kind of insult to injury?

That's your opinion.  With the standard package you need to consume only 2 drinks per day to get your money's worth from the package that is included in your fare.  The sail-away rate does not allow you to choose your cabin, and if you choose the fare with the perks the fare does not go down any if you decline the drink package perk (except the $20 per day for the gratuities).

 

I guess it was time for a new thread complaining about this, the most recent of the many threads is probably buried.

[JustAPilot]

Mods should just sticky in capital letters “beverage package does not include bottled water or speciality coffees and juices”!

 

 

[clojacks]

21 minutes ago, hallux said:

You are.

 

That's your opinion.  With the standard package you need to consume only 2 drinks per day to get your money's worth from the package that is included in your fare.  The sail-away rate does not allow you to choose your cabin, and if you choose the fare with the perks the fare does not go down any if you decline the drink package perk (except the $20 per day for the gratuities).

 

I guess it was time for a new thread complaining about this, the most recent of the many threads is probably buried.

Sorry if I took up anyone's time. Have you tried to use the CC search feature lately? 

[cruiseny4life]

10 minutes ago, JustAPilot said:

Mods should just sticky in capital letters “beverage package does not include bottled water or speciality coffees and juices”!

 

 

But why? It's fun to answer the same question over and over! 

 

And yes, OP it is a terrible deal, though I can't compare it to any other lines as the last time I cruised another line it was Carnival, back in 2009. I'd much rather pay an increased fare so the staff could actually be paid a living wage, rather than needing to get them to a somewhat (maybe) decent wage using the gratuities...but hey, ethics is a whole 'nother topic.

[PTC DAWG]

2 minutes ago, cruiseny4life said:

But why? It's fun to answer the same question over and over! 

 

And yes, OP it is a terrible deal, though I can't compare it to any other lines as the last time I cruised another line it was Carnival, back in 2009. I'd much rather pay an increased fare so the staff could actually be paid a living wage, rather than needing to get them to a somewhat (maybe) decent wage using the gratuities...but hey, ethics is a whole 'nother topic.

I’m guessing that Guest Services would gladly take a nice donation from you to distribute to the crew…you know, so they make more money. Since you’d rather pay more.  🙂

Edited July 12, 2022 by PTC DAWG

[cruiseny4life]

1 minute ago, PTC DAWG said:

I’m guessing that Guest Services would gladly take a nice donation from you to distribute to the crew…you know, so they make more money. Since you’d rather pay more.  🙂

I'm sure they would! I do tip the crew I know more...it's hard not to know them when you're in the Haven seeing the same servers and bartenders every day. Plus don't forget about the concierge/butler that need their tip. So yes, I'm 100% in favor of higher cruise fares to support higher wages for onboard staff. 

[PATRLR]

26 minutes ago, hallux said:

With the standard package you need to consume only 2 drinks per day to get your money's worth from the package that is included in your fare.  The sail-away rate does not allow you to choose your cabin, and if you choose the fare with the perks the fare does not go down any if you decline the drink package perk (except the $20 per day for the gratuities).

 

To be clear, it's 2 drinks per person.  for a couple that perhaps one person doesn't drink at all, that's 4 drinks per day the other has to drink.

Also, to be clear, there are rate codes that allow you to pick your cabin but do NOT include any perks.  It's not just "Sail Away" rates that don't have the perks.

 

4 minutes ago, clojacks said:

Sorry if I took up anyone's time. Have you tried to use the CC search feature lately? 

I agree.  The search feature is awful.

[ColeThornton]

39 minutes ago, clojacks said:

But, I guess you don't have a choice....

 

 

Of course you have a choice.   No need to get it if you don't feel it's a good deal for you.

 

CHEERS!!

[clojacks]

4 minutes ago, PATRLR said:

 

To be clear, it's 2 drinks per person.  for a couple that perhaps one person doesn't drink at all, that's 4 drinks per day the other has to drink.

Also, to be clear, there are rate codes that allow you to pick your cabin but do NOT include any perks.  It's not just "Sail Away" rates that don't have the perks.

 

I agree.  The search feature is awful.

And that describes us...

[coastcat]

26 minutes ago, clojacks said:

Booking our first NCL cruise in a long time and after about 10 Celebrity cruises, and curious about NCL's Premium Beverage package. If I'm reading the exclusions correctly, NCL's regular "Premium" package DOES NOT include bottled water or specialty coffee's, which we came to greatly enjoy on even Celebrity's Classic drink package. Am I reading this correctly, and interpreting that the only way I get these is to either purchase them individually or upgrade to the "Premium Plus" for another $30 per person a day? Am I wrong in describing this as one of the worst of the beverage packages available in the industry, and then  to add on the "Tip charge" on my bill seems kind of insult to injury? But, I guess you don't have a choice....

You can decline the Premium Beverage Package. This removes the gratuities charge. Depending on what you prefer to drink, this could be a viable option. 
 

Agreed, it’s not a great beverage package compared to what’s available elsewhere. 

[PATRLR]

11 minutes ago, clojacks said:

And that describes us...

That's our situation as well.  I was able to book a BB category balcony that did NOT include the Free At Sea Perks.  Even after adding the cost of paying for a couple drinks/day, internet and a couple of Specialty Dining meals, I found I was still about $600 ahead by not getting the Free at Sea perks. 

The problem for some people is that most categories that do not include all the perks also do not allow you to pick a cabin.  I think I got lucky with mine.

 

Edited July 12, 2022 by PATRLR

[hallux]

30 minutes ago, clojacks said:

Have you tried to use the CC search feature lately? 

I have, it works as expected.  Sometimes it's just knowing what to search for.

[Trimone]

The Wine selection is awful in the standard package and now Baileys is an upgrade 😢

[dbrown84]

I've always declined the drink package (I just get drinks in the casino which includes water, soda, and coffee), but I'm thinking of taking it and upgrading to premium on my next cruise so I can have Macallan.  Now I'm getting worried because they are coming up short of some drinks due to supply chain issues.  I would hate to take the package (and upgrade) to have them run out of the one drink I'm taking the package for.

[clojacks]

26 minutes ago, dbrown84 said:

I've always declined the drink package (I just get drinks in the casino which includes water, soda, and coffee), but I'm thinking of taking it and upgrading to premium on my next cruise so I can have Macallan.  Now I'm getting worried because they are coming up short of some drinks due to supply chain issues.  I would hate to take the package (and upgrade) to have them run out of the one drink I'm taking the package for.

So, we booked under the 4 free at sea offer today. Are you saying we can decline 1 of the offers if we prefer? And that would remove the drinks gratuities?

[hallux]

48 minutes ago, clojacks said:

Are you saying we can decline 1 of the offers if we prefer? And that would remove the drinks gratuities?

Yes you can.  I do this as I don't drink.

[GALSews]

44 minutes ago, clojacks said:

So, we booked under the 4 free at sea offer today. Are you saying we can decline 1 of the offers if we prefer? And that would remove the drinks gratuities?

2 of the four offers involve service fees. If you don't want them, then you won't be charged the service fee for whichever you reject. 

 

If you elect not to use the $50 cruise credit per port, you don't get anything back as you aren't paying additional for it.

 

So far as the WiFi goes, I add to get unlimited before boarding. However, I understand that if you don't turn on the WiFi package the first day, you can do something on the second day which gives you a good value.  Again, as I don't do that, I'm  not really up on the details.

[dbrown84]

2 hours ago, clojacks said:

So, we booked under the 4 free at sea offer today. Are you saying we can decline 1 of the offers if we prefer? And that would remove the drinks gratuities?

yes, by declining you save the gratuities.  If you don't care about choosing your own room, you can book the sailaway rate and save on the actual cost of the drink package. 

[Colorado Buffalo]

We were supposed to cruise a few months ago with Royal and the drink package for two was 

going to cost us $1090.04. No Starbucks included.

 

On NCL we are planning to upgrade to the Premium Plus which for two will be $488.04 plus 

$138.60 gratuity per person for the 'free' drink package. This makes the total price on NCL

$765.24 for two which DOES include Starbucks. So that's a savings of $324.80 going with NCL.

IF you are going with the Premium Plus NCL has the better deal.

[gmbhardy]

3 hours ago, Trimone said:

The Wine selection is awful in the standard package and now Baileys is an upgrade 😢

Grand Marnier is also now an upgrade😖

[BirdTravels]

40 minutes ago, Colorado Buffalo said:

We were supposed to cruise a few months ago with Royal and the drink package for two was  going to cost us $1090.04. No Starbucks included.

Fact check. While “Starbucks” is not included, you can get your specialty coffee at cafe promenade and other coffee bars. Just not at the Starbucks kiosk.
 

And the NCL Premium Plus gets you so much more than the $13 drinks on the RCCL package. Not just Starbucks. 

Edited July 12, 2022 by BirdTravels

[PATRLR]

On 7/12/2022 at 5:01 PM, gmbhardy said:

Grand Marnier is also now an upgrade😖

Is this documented somewhere?  Published list indicates it's part of the regular Premium Beverage Package - https://www.ncl.com/sites/default/files/premium-beverage-package.pdf

[ggTexasGal]

10 minutes ago, PATRLR said:

Is this documented somewhere?  Published list indicates it's part of the regular Premium Beverage Package - https://www.ncl.com/sites/default/files/premium-beverage-package.pdf

Sadly, that list was printed in 2019.  There are others floating around, but none-the-less, all of them are "Subject to change." (And, plenty of change seems to be taking place right now).