NCL In-Stateroom Bar Setup Experience?

[jauyeung]

I've been researching boards about bringing liquor on board using the rum runner flasks that many posters have raved about and was planning on using that method. However, I'm worried about "fine print" that says they can kick you off the cruise if your caught so I'm exploring legal options.

 

Can anyone who has purchased the in room bar from NCL report on their experience? When was it delivered? Were you able to purchase just one or 2 bottles of liquor and what was the markup? Please share exact prices if you can.

 

Thanks!

[*Wink*]

Yes, you're right. They certainly CAN kick you off, but they don't. Having a bar set up is great. It's in your cabin (or should be) when you first open the door. It's expensive per liter, but still much cheaper than a drink by drink price. You can order as little as one bottle, but I'm not sure of the limit. There's a $3 service charge for each bottle. Ordering must be done at least 2 weeks prior to your cruise. They didn't charge our credit card we provided when ordering until the first day of the cruise. The email you'd write to is groupeventXXXX@ncl.com. Insert your ship name at the X's.

 

They may take a few days to reply as they work on a cruise by cruise basis.

 

Sometimes NCL says they can't send you a menu. Here's a recent menu posted by Noreddye (Post #2)

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=849360&highlight=bar+setup+menu

 

Hope that helps.

[falken]

I'm sure others who order the bar setup will chime in, but about being kicked off the cruise, I wouldn't get worried about that.

 

If they were to kick you off: It is too late to resell your cabin, you will not be spending any money onboard, you will never sail NCL agian and tell all your friends about your experience (paid for vacation you didn't get, had to pay alot of extra money to do something else or fly home early, etc).

 

They lose money, lose a customer for life, and possible bad press. Just doens't make good business sense. :)

[rlmlcb6]

did bar set up on ncl pearl last year sept on alaska cruise. worked fine- 2 bottles sitting there when we opened our cabin door. EXPENSIVE! $80 a bottle for absolut vodka. and the problem we had was we drink screwdrivers so had to fill up big jug with juice every breakfast. we got 2 bottles. also because we were unsure of how it worked we "smuggled" in two bottles. just bought the all plastic bottles and put one each in each checked bag. they both went thru no problem. needless to say we drank the Absolut first!! lol. cruising the med in feb on the jade and planning on doing it the same way. might think about the rum runners this time. not sure. worse comes to worse---they keep it for you----;)

[DMH15]

I don't like strong drinks but if I pay (full price) for a drink I want my share of alcohol I paid for. So, the bar set up works great for me. I can make my own drinks as strong as I want - or not. When I finish the bottle, I can decide if I want to order drinks (at full price) or switch to iced tea. I think $80 for a bottle of absolut will yield me more drinks than if I "paid as I go". And I don't have to tip myself either!

[mpk218]

One other note , you can not order a bar set-up once onboard the ship , must be done in advance . So make sure you order what you think you will need . Well , maybe not need but you know what I mean :D

Also the $3 service fee is per order not bottle.

Enjoy..

[retiredonthesea]

We always order bar set-up as DH likes his Jameson Irish Whiskey($90.00), even tho it's not on "the list" it can still be ordered. We also order Cherry brandy($60.00), kahlua($80.00), and rum($60.000. The thing is on a 7 day cruise we hardly ever drink it all. (We make a drink called Gladstone tea.) They are such big bottles and because we don't want the trouble of bringing the extra home it goes to the very appreciated room steward and Butler. :D

 

It's always in the suite when we arrive and we order it about 3 weeks before our departure date. The thing is we still purchase our share of drinks during the cruise along with receiving free drinks in the casino.

 

Enjoy your cruise,

[AuntieBarb]

I'm sure others who order the bar setup will chime in, but about being kicked off the cruise, I wouldn't get worried about that.

 

If they were to kick you off: It is too late to resell your cabin, you will not be spending any money onboard, you will never sail NCL agian and tell all your friends about your experience (paid for vacation you didn't get, had to pay alot of extra money to do something else or fly home early, etc).

 

They lose money, lose a customer for life, and possible bad press. Just doens't make good business sense. :)

 

Should they find it though, NCL will call you to the "naughty room" and confiscate your booze! If it's wine, you'll get hit with a $15 corkage fee per.

 

We've done the bar service, but not since the prices went up. Previously we were able to get a liter of Grand Marnier and Tanqueray for $55; not sure what it is now. We always asked them to empty the refrigerator though, to have room for soda/mixers and foo-foo coffee creamer we brought along. LOL! If we weren't lounging on the balcony, we were constantly running back and forth to the stateroom to grab another drink. That provides some extra exercise for all the food you'll be eating! :D

 

This last time we went back to buying drinks at the bar and did a good job of keeping our bar tab under control. Of course, with the cruise being so port intensive and having early wake up calls, we didn't drink as much.

[chrisbd1]

We like the convenience of having the bottle waiting for us when we get on board. My bar tab dropped from OMG to reasonable once we found out about bar set-up :o . Beer used to be included with the bar set-up but I found that the bucket o beers was a better deal than in the bar set-up and single ones from the bar.

[jauyeung]

Thanks all! I just recieved a reply from the coordinator from Dawn this morning and just told me what everyone here helped me with as well. $3 charge and $60 for Smirnoff, $80 for Absolut. I didn't imagine it would be $80 for Absolut.. was hoping it would be closer to $60 since that one is my drink of choice. Now rum runners are looking for attractive. Can't decide! Either way, I'm still super excited I'm going on a cruise!!!

[newmexicoNita]

I've been researching boards about bringing liquor on board using the rum runner flasks that many posters have raved about and was planning on using that method. However, I'm worried about "fine print" that says they can kick you off the cruise if your caught so I'm exploring legal options.

 

Can anyone who has purchased the in room bar from NCL report on their experience? When was it delivered? Were you able to purchase just one or 2 bottles of liquor and what was the markup? Please share exact prices if you can.

 

Thanks!

purchase it all the time: you can get as much as you want, have to order 2 weeks or more prior to sailing and it will be in your cabin upon arrival on embarkation day..

 

Nita

[retiredonthesea]

Now I'am really upset---NO more special orders. Called to do my bar set-up and they will only do what is on the "list". Last Oct. I had no problem getting the two special bottles I needed to make my "witches brew" for our Halloween party. Now since they revised everything--higher prices ect I will no longer get what we want!:( So I have to take back everything I said in previous post about ordering anything you want!! SORRY!!:o

[*Wink*]

Now I'am really upset---NO more special orders. Called to do my bar set-up and they will only do what is on the "list". Last Oct. I had no problem getting the two special bottles I needed to make my "witches brew" for our Halloween party. Now since they revised everything--higher prices ect I will no longer get what we want!:( So I have to take back everything I said in previous post about ordering anything you want!! SORRY!!:o

Bummer!! Care to share the ingredients for "witches brew?" Sounds like a delightfully evil adult beverage. :P

[retiredonthesea]

Bummer!! Care to share the ingredients for "witches brew?" Sounds like a delightfully evil adult beverage. :P

 

It's actually called Gladstone Tea and won first prize at a Bartenders contest and was published in Cond'e Nast travel mag. a few years back.

 

Gladstone Tea (1 drink)

 

1/2 oz Jameson Irish Whiskey

1/2 oz rum

1/2 oz cherry brandy

3 oz lemonade

2 oz pepsi (don't sub with coke:eek: )

 

Tall glass fill with ice add ingredients stir. DRINK (yummy). Taste like an ice tea, but will kick your a$$ if not careful.:D I make it by the pitcher full so just multiply the recipe by how many drinks you want.

 

I use either powdered lemonade (take along on trips) or frozen when at home. Great for camping trips!

 

Enjoy,;)

Retiredonthesea

[*Wink*]

Thanks! Sounds good.. I love making different things on the weekend. I'll try it soon.

[ukbecky]

Now I'am really upset---NO more special orders. Called to do my bar set-up and they will only do what is on the "list". Last Oct. I had no problem getting the two special bottles I needed to make my "witches brew" for our Halloween party. Now since they revised everything--higher prices ect I will no longer get what we want!:( So I have to take back everything I said in previous post about ordering anything you want!! SORRY!!:o

Well, that's disappointing.

 

I've pre-ordered Jim Beam on the last 5 or 6 NCL cruises without problem. Now it's not on the new list :(

 

I don't get it - it's not an exotic liqueur. People used to complain that Captain Morgan's and Grey Goose weren't available and now they're on the list.

[*Wink*]

Well, that's disappointing.

 

I've pre-ordered Jim Beam on the last 5 or 6 NCL cruises without problem. Now it's not on the new list :(

 

I don't get it - it's not an exotic liqueur. People used to complain that Captain Morgan's and Grey Goose weren't available and now they're on the list.

It still wouldn't hurt to ask for it. I've read not too long ago where someone made a special request on their bar setup and it was fulfilled. And, I believe they were non-suite guests.

[ukbecky]

Thanks, I will try.

 

I did email the group event address for the Jade and got a pleasant, prompt response with the wine list but no liquor list. She said to email my request so we'll see what happens.

[*Wink*]

Thanks, I will try.

 

I did email the group event address for the Jade and got a pleasant, prompt response with the wine list but no liquor list. She said to email my request so we'll see what happens.

I don't know why they're being so tight with the liquor menu!! Majesty said the same thing to me. In case you didn't see it, scroll up to my post (#2) you can click on the thread where one was posted. Good Luck.

[newmexicoNita]

Darn, they used to have JWalker Red which is what hubby drinks, I may be stuck with ordering him just Cutty Sark or whatever the basic brand is..

 

It kills be to pay $60 for Cutty sark.

Nita

[retiredonthesea]

When it's right in their gift shop to sell, you think they would charge the $100.00 for it.(Jameson )and be glad that they could sell it to me for that price and have it delivered to our suite!:mad: I think I might try to contact our Concierge or Butler to see if they can do something. Or maybe it will come down to naughty room or not.;)

 

Retiredonthesea

[mpk218]

When it's right in their gift shop to sell, you think they would charge the $100.00 for it.(Jameson )and be glad that they could sell it to me for that price and have it delivered to our suite!:mad: I think I might try to contact our Concierge or Butler to see if they can do something. Or maybe it will come down to naughty room or not.

 

Retiredonthesea

 

` When in doubt , go naughty !

I feel your pain , they stopped offering my brand ( Wild Turkey bourbon ) will have to see how your contact call goes . ;)

[ukbecky]

Figured I would update my prior post:

 

I contacted the event coordinator for the Jade and the very nice lady informed me that the only liquors available are the ones on the list - and Jim Beam is no longer on the list. We're in a regular balcony so suite passengers might have better luck.

 

I still don't understand the reasoning but ordered some different things this time.

 

It's like they're begging me to smuggle......

 

Whatever:rolleyes:

 

NCL's policy is still better than RCL's.

[kg66]

Just chiming in here about beer on the bar set-up....Don't do it!! I paid $48 for 12 beers :eek: in '06 on our first NCL cruise not knowing about the buckets of beer for $25. This time we'll do a bucket before we turn in so we can have a few on the balcony.