gmbhardy

I believe it’s open for lunch on sea days.

Same with me.

I don’t think it’s fair to generalize. The Panama Canal cruise I’m on next week has a very active roll call. Almost 17 pages and 400 posts. Lots of information sharing, excursion discussion etc. More than 250 people have signed up for the “Meet and Mingle”.

What ship were you on?

I’ll try😉. I will also post about my plus experiences on the ship (if the terrible wifi allows me to).

Thanks for posting. Good things to know. I’ll be on the Bliss on Saturday for a 15 day Panama Canal cruise. I purchased the plus package, but I’m having second thoughts, especially because of the length of the cruise.

Did you complain to the beverage manager or ask for your money back?

Great post and feedback.

Someone just posted the following on another thread: “Just as a heads up ... my husband, who is also a beer snob, was sorely disappointed with the District's supply during our last sailing on the Bliss in Nov. They were nearly out of all their taps as soon as we got on the ship :(. By the end of the sailing, not only were all their taps blown, but they also had run out of nearly all their bottles as well. Our cruise wasn't even sailing full.”

That’s very interesting (and revealing). Thanks for posting.

That’s NCL’s policy. Even if you wanted drinks delivered to your room from the Haven bar you would have to pay the full price plus gratuity.

All draft beers and bottles under $15 are included. There are a few selections like Chimay that exceed $15. In that case you will be charged the difference plus 20% gratuity. I believe Haven butlers will deliver whatever you want, but you’ll have to pay the full price plus gratuity for all alcoholic beverages.

I started a thread a few years ago about walking out at theatre performances. More than 14 pages of posts, if I remember correctly.

Why is the Daily Service Charge discretionary?

Yes, for a seven day cruise.

If you pre pay your daily service charge can you request it back at the end of the cruise?

There appears to be no end to all the cutbacks. As long as people willingly keep paying more for less the cruises lines will do whatever it takes to increase their margins. I really wish I could break this cruising addiction.

I think you’re right.

Please report back with your experience.

I think that’s a pretty sound strategy, however I’ve read that on some ships they run out of some selections near the end of the cruise. If that’s true on a seven day cruise, I’m wondering what might happen on a 15 day cruise.

Just made the decision to cancel the plus upgrade on our 15 day Panama Canal cruise next month. The cost of the upgrade was $1,305.00 (Canadian) for my wife and I, and from what I’m reading on numerous threads I don’t think there’s any value in keeping it. The assortment of premium selections is constantly shrinking as is the availability at bars around the ship. As many posters have stated having to go on a treasure hunt to get something you pay for is simply wrong. NCL staff have obviously been told to blame the shortages on supply chain issues, but the reality is it’s a cost saving strategy to limit consumption. Trying to get an updated list on what’s included is virtually impossible as it seems to change daily and is subject to the whim of individual ship management. When you are unable to provide the product or experience you sell someone, it’s not bait and switch it’s fraud.

Thanks. That’s the ship I’m on in two weeks. I have the premium plus beverage package so I hope they have a good stock.😉

Does the District Brew House still stock Chimay Beer?

They have shuttles at the port quite early. Soon as you call them you’ll be picked up. The van fills up pretty quickly and it’s only about a 45 minute drive. We’ve had flights at FLL around your departure time and got there with plenty of time to spare.

My son was on the Breakaway in November and reported the same frustrations with the Premium Plus package, so much so that he cancelled the purchase on his upcoming NCL cruises. I really don’t think these are supply chain issues. NCL is restricting the availability of premium liquor to reduce costs. I’m on a 15 day Panama Canal cruise on the Bliss in a couple weeks and I have pre purchased the plus package. If I’m unable to get a fair assortment of premium drinks I’m going to raise bloody hell. I worked hard for my money and I simply want to get what I paid for.