Is the Unlimited Drink Package worth the price??

IMO, the drink package is not worth it at the advertised price. However, the advertised price is inflated to increase the 18% gratuity on the "free" package and make it look like a better deal.

you are going to pay the 18% one way or the other. I happen to think for those who enjoy a few drinks on a cruise it is a great deal, but if you are a light drinker no. As for prices inflated I disagree with you. Prices are no more expensive than at a decent land bar.

depending how expensive your drinks usually are. For us, we drink about 5 or 6 a day and that includes wine. It is still a good deal and it is nice to know: 2-you can experiment with drinks you normally would not try and you have your booze bill paid up front. If you are only going to have, maybe a martini before dinner and a couple glasses of wine a day, it wouldn't be a great deal.

If it is part of the perk or promo package it is a fantastic deal. I would rather have the drink package then internet time or excursion allowance.

I totally agree, out of the internet, excursions and UBP, I would go for the UBP. I'm sure during sea days

i'll be sipping on 5-6 cocktails during the day, a glass of wine with dinner and then a after dinner cocktail ;)

and most likely the same on port days as well, we might spend an hour or 2 on land but then get back to the haven.

I had my doubts about the prices for the drinks when I saw them, as long as their under $15, then I'm okay with it.

I'm sensing that most of the current prices for the cocktails are not under $6, that's a bummer but then again, it is a cruise.

14 days on a ship with over 3000 people, it's gonna be a zoo. The last cruise I went on was the Royal Oasis of the Seas in 2010.

Does anyone know if there's a limit on the amount of drinks a day, I read some where that on another cruise line they had a max of 15 drinks per day.

I totally agree, out of the internet, excursions and UBP, I would go for the UBP. I'm sure during sea days

 

i'll be sipping on 5-6 cocktails during the day, a glass of wine with dinner and then a after dinner cocktail ;)

 

and most likely the same on port days as well, we might spend an hour or 2 on land but then get back to the haven.

 

 

 

I had my doubts about the prices for the drinks when I saw them, as long as their under $15, then I'm okay with it.

 

I'm sensing that most of the current prices for the cocktails are not under $6, that's a bummer but then again, it is a cruise.

 

14 days on a ship with over 3000 people, it's gonna be a zoo. The last cruise I went on was the Royal Oasis of the Seas in 2010.

 

 

 

Does anyone know if there's a limit on the amount of drinks a day, I read some where that on another cruise line they had a max of 15 drinks per day.

You’re thinking of the Carnival Cheers program. They have a lot of (IMO) stupid rules on their beverage package. NCL does not limit drinks, unless of course, you are severely intoxicated, in which case a bartender can refuse you service, just like in any other bar - land or sea.

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When are you scheduled to go? Norwegian almost ALWAYS has their "Free at Sea" promotion running, and the drink package is always one of the options. It's actually the best value, in my opinion. Now, as we all know, nothing is ever truly "free," but for a one-week cruise (which is all I've ever sailed), that taxes and fees that you're responsible for amount to ~$100/per person. So, figure for a two week cruise, it's likely to be ~$200.

 

Reason I ask is that if you are ahead of your final payment date, you should be able to cancel and rebook (though I'd verify this through your travel agent, if you have one first!!!....I've never done it, but I wait for those juicy promos).

 

So, at the reduced price (~$100/week), it's quite easy to get your money's worth. 1 cocktail is probably $10-12, so if you have one/day, you're already at $70 for the week. Now, let's say you have a drink lounging by the pool and a glass of wine with dinner every night. Now you're about $40 ahead. This is why I ALWAYS snag that as a perk when it's offered.

 

For the full price, though....that's hard to hit. I don't even know what they're selling it for anymore because I always snag it as a promo. At the end of the day, think about how much you will drink. Rule of thumb: $10-12/alcohol, $7-9 for beer/wine, $2-3 for soda. Only you know your habits.

 

Whatever you decide, enjoy your trip!

Our embarkation day is January 5, 2018 on the Breakaway.

$10 - $12 per cocktail is insane!! but now a days I wouldn't be surprised anymore.

Hope you have a great time on the Oasis yourself :) even with the hurricanes.

you are going to pay the 18% one way or the other. I happen to think for those who enjoy a few drinks on a cruise it is a great deal, but if you are a light drinker no. As for prices inflated I disagree with you. Prices are no more expensive than at a decent land bar.

Compared to drink packages on other lines, the info cost is higher.

I totally agree, out of the internet, excursions and UBP, I would go for the UBP. I'm sure during sea days

i'll be sipping on 5-6 cocktails during the day, a glass of wine with dinner and then a after dinner cocktail ;)

and most likely the same on port days as well, we might spend an hour or 2 on land but then get back to the haven.

 

I had my doubts about the prices for the drinks when I saw them, as long as their under $15, then I'm okay with it.

I'm sensing that most of the current prices for the cocktails are not under $6, that's a bummer but then again, it is a cruise.

14 days on a ship with over 3000 people, it's gonna be a zoo. The last cruise I went on was the Royal Oasis of the Seas in 2010.

 

Does anyone know if there's a limit on the amount of drinks a day, I read some where that on another cruise line they had a max of 15 drinks per day.

I have never heard of a limit but am guessing even if it were 15, most people are not going to drink that much. That is a heck of a lot of booze, and I love my drinks.

you are going to pay the 18% one way or the other. I happen to think for those who enjoy a few drinks on a cruise it is a great deal, but if you are a light drinker no. As for prices inflated I disagree with you. Prices are no more expensive than at a decent land bar.

Lots of decent land bars in Calif sell drinks for about one third the price of drinks on cruise lines.

In Mexico, they are even less than that. Cheeky monkey and Sea monkey in PV have margaritas for one dollar and both are decent plus fun places.

I had my doubts about the prices for the drinks when I saw them, as long as their under $15, then I'm okay with it.

 

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Every menu had a couple drinks on it that were over the $15. But you can certainly drink all day without going over the limit. Any of your 'normal' drinks and many of the specialty cocktails will be covered.

And no, no 15 drink limit like carnival

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We did not pick the beverage package for our upcoming cruise. We are in the HAVEN, so had the chance to get everything, but when I looked at the cost of the gratuities, I didn't think we would drink enough to cover THAT cost. I am planning on a pay as you go trip. We'll see how it compares to our other trips, where we have had unlimited drinks. Then again, I am lucky to drink 2 drinks a day. Hubby will hit a little harder, but he is bigger, so can take more. And, being Latitudes and Haven guests, we have opportunities for drinks throughout the cruise.

Keep in mind that you can also get drinks that are over the $15 limit, you just have to pay the difference.

Not for me at the new price and I have quite a few drinks on board. If UDP isn't given as a perk I won't be buying it and would shop elsewhere with other lines where I can usually find a better overall price..

If two persons have the program and a third person is in the room is it possible for one of the persons with the program could very occasionally get an extra drink for the third person.

As a perk, this is unquestionably worthwhile if two people will be drinking 5 drinks per day total, or 2-1/2 drinks each per day. Otherwise, you may do better without this package. The last cruise I took, on a different line, poured differently if you were buying one drink at a time rather than on the unlimited package, so if you didn't have an unlimited package, a single drink may have had the same alcohol content as two drinks in the unlimited package.

The wine available by the glass as part of the package is unimpressive. Mostly from bottles that retail for under $10 in a store. I'm not expecting fancy wine here, but this is cheap wine. The only Riesling is from Australia. A single wine from Spain. Nothing from Portugal. Two countries which have been selling good wine at low prices in recent years. I'm certain I will try everything on the list once, with the unlimited package, and hope to find something worthwhile drinking twice, but it would be better if the list at least had the appearance of being curated.

Most disappointing, though, is taking a look at what NCL considers to be a super premium liquor. $16.50 for Gosling's rum is insane. Same goes for Patron Silver. It is a premium liquor, but $16.50 a shot? Not even in New York City.

Keep in mind that you can also get drinks that are over the $15 limit, you just have to pay the difference.

It better be a really good drink for me to pay the difference . . even $15 for cocktail is a bit excessive.

On my last cruise we just stuck to the buffet . . wasn't bad but wasn't the best either.

As a perk, this is unquestionably worthwhile if two people will be drinking 5 drinks per day total, or 2-1/2 drinks each per day. Otherwise, you may do better without this package. The last cruise I took, on a different line, poured differently if you were buying one drink at a time rather than on the unlimited package, so if you didn't have an unlimited package, a single drink may have had the same alcohol content as two drinks in the unlimited package.

 

 

 

The wine available by the glass as part of the package is unimpressive. Mostly from bottles that retail for under $10 in a store. I'm not expecting fancy wine here, but this is cheap wine. The only Riesling is from Australia. A single wine from Spain. Nothing from Portugal. Two countries which have been selling good wine at low prices in recent years. I'm certain I will try everything on the list once, with the unlimited package, and hope to find something worthwhile drinking twice, but it would be better if the list at least had the appearance of being curated.

 

 

 

Most disappointing, though, is taking a look at what NCL considers to be a super premium liquor. $16.50 for Gosling's rum is insane. Same goes for Patron Silver. It is a premium liquor, but $16.50 a shot? Not even in New York City.

From my experience this depends on the type of drink. For me, I like those $12 martinis so the drink package was worth it. At 2 drinks a day it more then compensated for the $90pp charge.

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I have a good tip for anybody that really wants to check. As most posters say, its mostly taken as a perk so you will not see a price for your beverage, on our last cruise I ran out of cash for tips (actually it was in the room and i was to lazy to walk ) so i asked for a receipt to tip the bartender. The cost of 2 white russian's was 25$. My point is order your preferred drink and ask for the slip there is probably more value then you think.

Just so others know your slip will have the total for your drinks but your account would only show the tip, you will not get charged the full amount for the drinks with ubp.

It better be a really good drink for me to pay the difference . . even $15 for cocktail is a bit excessive.

 

On my last cruise we just stuck to the buffet . . wasn't bad but wasn't the best either.

Some drink prices don't make sense, however 1 of my cruise habits is to enjoy a Chocolate Martini (pre-dinner). They are 17.95 ( yes crazy I know) but it doesn't stop me from enjoying one. The extra 2.95+18% = 3.48. X 7 is about 25.00 for a week.

It doesn't break the bank, I think of it as enjoying the drink.

And not sure how the Buffet became part of drink package.🤔🤔🤔

IF a perk , yes for sure, worth it for me...I wouldn't cruise without it..I couldn't afford to get off the ship.

As a "freebie", yes I think it's a good choice. I wouldn't order it if I had to pay the $89 a day on top of the gratuity each day. My husband doesn't think either is a good choice, so will probably never chose it again. We don't need the internet, the dining pkg, or excursion pkg (because we don't always want to go with the ship's excursions), or 3rd/4th person option, so the package choices don't hold any attraction...maybe a casino package or bingo package needs to be created :confused::D.

maybe a casino package or bingo package needs to be created :confused::D.

i wouldn't mind a bingo card a day or lets say 20 a day in freeplay instead of the internet. Im on hold with guest relations as i type should i pass your info over for a job they might need your ideas.

$17.95 is crazy for a martini O_O. I would love to have a espresso martini on the ship but I think that's also $17.95. Also I was wondering why specialty coffees aren't included in the UBP?