Premium Plus Bev Pkg

[KeithJenner]

25 minutes ago, Liljo22 said:

Agreed. At 2 drinks you are already in the positive so it’s a no brainer unless you absolutely don’t drink at all.  Even if you only end up having one drink on a day it’s still only about $6-7 that you “loss”. The only things that I have had to upgrade on is wine if we didn’t like the wine in that type and it usually is only $1-$2.

We seem to have started talking about the standard beverage package. This discussion is about the premium plus package where the maths is a lot different.

[KeithJenner]

23 hours ago, FLcruisergrl said:

Yeah, my tastes are expensive! Love the Veuve, so between that, coffee, and water, it’s totally worth it. Excited to try other things, too. I like the idea of letting the Haven bartenders create things for me.

Honestly, it really isn’t just the Haven bartenders who will do this.

[mtrancher]

4 minutes ago, KeithJenner said:

We seem to have started talking about the standard beverage package. This discussion is about the premium plus package where the maths is a lot different.

So I'll take math completely out of it. Being on vacation I want to order what I want whenever I want without having to justify to myself if the 'extra price' is worth it. With the plus package I won't have to do the math, ponder if it's worth it, wonder what my bar bill will be at the end of the cruise. I can just sit back, indulge and enjoy. I'm not even worried about what is in stock, they will have plenty that I will enjoy and some I don't even know about but will come to enjoy. For me vacation isn't about math and milking every dollar for the maximum return, it's about enjoying all the time I am on vacation with out the everyday concerns and considerations.

[KeithJenner]

6 minutes ago, mtrancher said:

So I'll take math completely out of it. Being on vacation I want to order what I want whenever I want without having to justify to myself if the 'extra price' is worth it. With the plus package I won't have to do the math, ponder if it's worth it, wonder what my bar bill will be at the end of the cruise. I can just sit back, indulge and enjoy. I'm not even worried about what is in stock, they will have plenty that I will enjoy and some I don't even know about but will come to enjoy. For me vacation isn't about math and milking every dollar for the maximum return, it's about enjoying all the time I am on vacation with out the everyday concerns and considerations.

You totally missed my point.

[mtrancher]

19 minutes ago, KeithJenner said:

You totally missed my point.

No I didn't. I just didn't answer specifically to you point. I answered with my opinion which does take math out my reasoning.

It appears you really do need a vacation.
 

[KeithJenner]

20 minutes ago, mtrancher said:

No I didn't. I just didn't answer specifically to you point. I answered with my opinion which does take math out my reasoning.

It appears you really do need a vacation.
 

If you were answering the previous posts then you probably should have quoted them, rather than mine.

 

I agree with what you said, by the way, and I’m good for holidays thanks.

Edited November 27, 2022 by KeithJenner

[dbrown84]

1 hour ago, New2cruise2022 said:

For me, bottled water, sparkling water, coffee all day long, energy drinks … oh and booze. All day long. I make many, many trips to the head. 

I should have mentioned that I drink at the casino bar, which includes all you mentioned without fees or pre-paid gratuities.  I'm limited to one bar, but that's ok.  I don't get the coffees or energy drinks, but I keep my room fridge stocked with waters and cans of soda.  

[mtrancher]

6 minutes ago, KeithJenner said:

It’s probably best that you just re-read the thread. You may see why your reply was totally irrelevant to my post.

 

I’m fine for holidays thanks. 
 

Edit - I should just point out that I agree with you

Do you mean I should re-read your post regarding the thread switching to remarks about the premium package and not the premium plus package. And the math differs quite a bit rationalizing between the two packages?  If so I got it, and my response fits right in, addressing the premium plus package and the math or lack thereof that I use to justify it. In addition my response goes way back to the original poster... who was looking for ways to take advantage of the premium plus package, which my response again address my method.

it's late in England, get some rest.

[KeithJenner]

6 minutes ago, mtrancher said:

Do you mean I should re-read your post regarding the thread switching to remarks about the premium package and not the premium plus package. And the math differs quite a bit rationalizing between the two packages?  If so I got it, and my response fits right in, addressing the premium plus package and the math or lack thereof that I use to justify it. In addition my response goes way back to the original poster... who was looking for ways to take advantage of the premium plus package, which my response again address my method.

it's late in England, get some rest.

Honestly, talk to the people that are posting the stuff that is relevant to what you are saying. I’ll say it again, I agree with you.

[PTC DAWG]

4 hours ago, mtrancher said:

So I'll take math completely out of it. Being on vacation I want to order what I want whenever I want without having to justify to myself if the 'extra price' is worth it. With the plus package I won't have to do the math, ponder if it's worth it, wonder what my bar bill will be at the end of the cruise. I can just sit back, indulge and enjoy. I'm not even worried about what is in stock, they will have plenty that I will enjoy and some I don't even know about but will come to enjoy. For me vacation isn't about math and milking every dollar for the maximum return, it's about enjoying all the time I am on vacation with out the everyday concerns and considerations.

This is me^^^^

[Juncti]

4 hours ago, mtrancher said:

So I'll take math completely out of it. Being on vacation I want to order what I want whenever I want without having to justify to myself if the 'extra price' is worth it. With the plus package I won't have to do the math, ponder if it's worth it, wonder what my bar bill will be at the end of the cruise. I can just sit back, indulge and enjoy. I'm not even worried about what is in stock, they will have plenty that I will enjoy and some I don't even know about but will come to enjoy. For me vacation isn't about math and milking every dollar for the maximum return, it's about enjoying all the time I am on vacation with out the everyday concerns and considerations.

This is me for the most part, with the exception of stock. If I pay for the plus package and everything plus is out of stock, it feels like a rip off. 

 

It's one thing if I pay for plus and never order a plus item, that's on me. It's a different thing if they sell me plus and I can never have a plus drink because they didn't stock up and there's nothing plus available.

[mtrancher]

12 minutes ago, Juncti said:

This is me for the most part, with the exception of stock. If I pay for the plus package and everything plus is out of stock, it feels like a rip off. 

 

It's one thing if I pay for plus and never order a plus item, that's on me. It's a different thing if they sell me plus and I can never have a plus drink because they didn't stock up and there's nothing plus available.

I hear you! I'm just not at the point where I think NCL is intentionally stocking low or going without on purpose. Given all the supply chain issues I'm experiencing I can't point fingers at others when possibly the same thing is happening to them.

[Sailing12Away]

16 hours ago, JGmf said:

 

As mentioned, getting creative drinks from inventive bartenders is not exclusive to the Haven.  Find a not-busy bartender in a not-busy bar.  Read: not the lobby bar.  I've found they are happy to indulge you with creativity. (For them, it's probably not that creative!).  Tip appropriately!

 

 

15 hours ago, KeithJenner said:

Honestly, it really isn’t just the Haven bartenders who will do this.

 

It might not be a formal rule per se, but I've never once been told 'no' by a Haven bartender. On many occasions I have been restricted to ordering drinks only from a specific set menu at a non-Haven bar. Even though they had the spirits right behind them to make what I was asking for.

 

Epic has 2 bars literally next to each other, but you could only order certain drinks based on where you were sitting in the chairs in front of the bars. Up to chair xxx you could only order from the Maltings menu, once you made it to chair yyy you had to order from the Shakers menu. 

 

Sometimes it completely depends on the bartenders though (so again, NCL is consistent in being inconsistent). POA we tried to get the bartender to just create something off menu for us at the atrium, they said no and pointed to the menu (bar wasn't full or busy). Later that trip we found a different bartender who was willing to make all sorts of fun stuff at the same bar.

[TrinaLC]

Considering upgrading. One attraction is the fresh squeezed juice - but we typically do breakfast in the buffet.  I suppose that means a trip somewhere to get the fresh stuff?    Do bars typically stock?

 

Traveling on Joy if that matters. 
 

Also, someone mentioned a two drink limit. If I had my husband’s card (and mine). Could I get two doubles of eg top drawer scotch at the same time?

 

And - will they give you unopened bottles of soda/sparking water to bring to your room?

[gmbhardy]

27 minutes ago, TrinaLC said:

Considering upgrading. One attraction is the fresh squeezed juice - but we typically do breakfast in the buffet.  I suppose that means a trip somewhere to get the fresh stuff?    Do bars typically stock?

 

Traveling on Joy if that matters. 
 

Also, someone mentioned a two drink limit. If I had my husband’s card (and mine). Could I get two doubles of eg top drawer scotch at the same time?

 

And - will they give you unopened bottles of soda/sparking water to bring to your room?

Bars typically don’t have fresh orange juice. I’m not sure about availability in the Observation Lounge bar. You shouldn’t have a problem getting two doubles with two cards. You should also be able to get bottled water to take back to your room.

[TrinaLC]

47 minutes ago, gmbhardy said:

Bars typically don’t have fresh orange juice. I’m not sure about availability in the Observation Lounge bar. You shouldn’t have a problem getting two doubles with two cards. You should also be able to get bottled water to take back to your room.

Thanks!  We’ve been traveling Carnival a lot recently as they port in several nearby cities, but I am fed up with the heavy rules that come with their beverage plan.  We used to typically cruise NCL and this may tip us back. 
 

If anyone can answer where you can get fresh oj outside of the MDR?

[farmecologist]

18 hours ago, mtrancher said:

So I'll take math completely out of it. Being on vacation I want to order what I want whenever I want without having to justify to myself if the 'extra price' is worth it. With the plus package I won't have to do the math, ponder if it's worth it, wonder what my bar bill will be at the end of the cruise. I can just sit back, indulge and enjoy. I'm not even worried about what is in stock, they will have plenty that I will enjoy and some I don't even know about but will come to enjoy. For me vacation isn't about math and milking every dollar for the maximum return, it's about enjoying all the time I am on vacation with out the everyday concerns and considerations.

 

Absolutely agree.  The issue is if we didn't have one of the drink plans, I would obsess over the cost...and we certainly wouldn't try many of the drinks we do indulge in.  With that said, we have done the premium plus plan as well as the standard plan and have found that the standard drinks are more than enough for us.  It is actually fun to just let the bartenders go wild and create something for you. 

 

 

[akny]

19 hours ago, dbrown84 said:

I've always declined the drink package.  Never felt it was worth even the cost of the gratuities.  The only reason I would take the package would be to upgrade it to plus so I could drink macallan.  I haven't done it because of all the reports of upgrade items not being stocked 

Not having any of the Macallan would be a deal breaker. Is there a no way to know before upgrading. That is upgrade on the boat once you confirm they have it ?

[mtrancher]

33 minutes ago, akny said:

Not having any of the Macallan would be a deal breaker. Is there a no way to know before upgrading. That is upgrade on the boat once you confirm they have it ?

In today's world I would say no, there is no absolute certain way to know. IF your expectations are that specific I think you could be risking a huge disappointment if they aren't met. Not sure the the alternative of paying the difference between $15 and whatever Macallan costs isn't a fair alternative.

[dbrown84]

1 hour ago, akny said:

Not having any of the Macallan would be a deal breaker. Is there a no way to know before upgrading. That is upgrade on the boat once you confirm they have it ?

Excellent question, unfortunately I don't know the answer.  I would be willing to upgrade onboard if I knew for sure the macallan was available.  Like I said, it would be my only reason for even taking the standard drink package, in addition to upgrading to the premium.  I've seen the quest priced at $35 per shot, so a double per day would cover my cost.  I would go thru two doubles with my cigar each day 

[akny]

1 hour ago, mtrancher said:

In today's world I would say no, there is no absolute certain way to know. IF your expectations are that specific I think you could be risking a huge disappointment if they aren't met. Not sure the the alternative of paying the difference between $15 and whatever Macallan costs isn't a fair alternative.

First time on NCL so questions may sound noob. If I board and go to a bar and ask for Macallan and let's say the bartender say yes then could I not right there upgrade the package or even worse case scenario go to assistance desk and upgrade ? Or if they say no then make a determination on what alternatives they have ? Its fair to assume that what we find on the ship may vary but once you are on the ship then the uncertainty is reduced, no ?

 

or are you saying that those package upgrade can only be done prior to boarding. thanks

[mtrancher]

6 minutes ago, akny said:

First time on NCL so questions may sound noob. If I board and go to a bar and ask for Macallan and let's say the bartender say yes then could I not right there upgrade the package or even worse case scenario go to assistance desk and upgrade ? Or if they say no then make a determination on what alternatives they have ? Its fair to assume that what we find on the ship may vary but once you are on the ship then the uncertainty is reduced, no ?

 

or are you saying that those package upgrade can only be done prior to boarding. thanks

I should have included upgrading once on board. Absolutely you could check and then go upgrade. I was concentrating on having assurances prior to boarding and consequently didn't expand my solutions to once on board.

[CurtandLeslie]

With premium plus, we always ordered a bottle of the premium sparkling wine at the beginning of dinner. The options were Moet or Nicolas Feuillatte Rose last time we cruised, pre-COVID. Since you'll be the only one drinking it, you can have a glass and then order a different wine by the glass with your dinner. Staying in the Haven, your butler will deliver the bottle with the remaining wine to your room. Voila - balcony wine! 

[New2cruise2022]

2 hours ago, dbrown84 said:

Excellent question, unfortunately I don't know the answer.  I would be willing to upgrade onboard if I knew for sure the macallan was available.  Like I said, it would be my only reason for even taking the standard drink package, in addition to upgrading to the premium.  I've seen the quest priced at $35 per shot, so a double per day would cover my cost.  I would go thru two doubles with my cigar each day 

How is the cigar offering on ships? 

[dbrown84]

1 hour ago, New2cruise2022 said:

How is the cigar offering on ships? 

Pretty good, and they are reasonably priced.  I usually bring some with me and buy some in port if there is a place I trust.  But I have bought a few on the ship before.  Usually to burn up some OBC