Aboard Epic - A few comments resulting from the beverage package.

[AlphaGeek]

We're again aboard Epic - it's been too long since our last voyage.

 

This time, there are four of us as two couples in adjoining aft penthouse suites. All of us bought the drink package (UBP) at embarkation. For the most part, all of us feel that it was a wise purchase. But, among the four of us, a few suggestions have regularly come up in conversation...

 

- we are all enjoying ordering wine by the glass when we have lunch and dinner at the Haven restaurant. But, it doesn't seem to make sense that one has to sign a separate purchase slip for each glass purchased. Among the four of us, that amounts to up to 12 slips that the wait staff must bring to the table at the end of the meal. A suggestion would be to find a way to combine all drink purchases for each UBP customer onto a single slip, if purchased during a single meal.

 

- I enjoy a chocolate martini from time to time. If both ingredients are on the "permitted list", it makes little sense to refuse to include such a martini within the UBP. I could just as easily obtain both ingredients under the UBP, and mix the drink myself.

 

- our friends enjoy an occasional glass of scotch. There are few choices under the UBP, which we've all agreed is acceptable. However, we've discussed the notion of an "upgrade" fee on a non covered item, such as a more expensive scotch, rather than paying the full price. Better yet, we've all agreed that an alternate, and more expensive UBP that covers all purchases would be desirable.

 

Yet again, we're finding all staff aboard, especially those in the Haven, to be nothing less than fabulous.

[ru4real755]

I have read that we can now get the drink of the day and frozen drinks as long as you ask house/well liquor. Anything else mixed or intricate seems to be out and anything with more than a single simple mixer also seems to be out. Besides wine and beer, what else have you ordered that was included in the package? I think this needs further clarification as the chocolate martini not being included does leave me baffled...

 

Thanks in advance

[Coastalbreezes]

We're again aboard Epic - it's been too long since our last voyage.

 

This time, there are four of us as two couples in adjoining aft penthouse suites. All of us bought the drink package (UBP) at embarkation. For the most part, all of us feel that it was a wise purchase. But, among the four of us, a few suggestions have regularly come up in conversation...

 

- we are all enjoying ordering wine by the glass when we have lunch and dinner at the Haven restaurant. But, it doesn't seem to make sense that one has to sign a separate purchase slip for each glass purchased. Among the four of us, that amounts to up to 12 slips that the wait staff must bring to the table at the end of the meal. A suggestion would be to find a way to combine all drink purchases for each UBP customer onto a single slip, if purchased during a single meal. I agree 100% about the excessive amounts of paper! Even with my free drink card in the casino, I still had to show my UBP sticker on my cabin card and again be presented with three slips of paper for every one drink. Very frustrating. There must be a way to deal with this electronically. Hoping they get all these little kinks worked out!

 

- I enjoy a chocolate martini from time to time. If both ingredients are on the "permitted list", it makes little sense to refuse to include such a martini within the UBP. I could just as easily obtain both ingredients under the UBP, and mix the drink myself. I agree. Even though fruit juice was on the "allowed" list, on the Jewel recently I was told "NO" to a cosmopolitan and that the only "approved" martinis were a plain vodka or gin or a dirty martini, no exceptions.

 

- our friends enjoy an occasional glass of scotch. There are few choices under the UBP, which we've all agreed is acceptable. However, we've discussed the notion of an "upgrade" fee on a non covered item, such as a more expensive scotch, rather than paying the full price. Better yet, we've all agreed that an alternate, and more expensive UBP that covers all purchases would be desirable.

 

Yet again, we're finding all staff aboard, especially those in the Haven, to be nothing less than fabulous.

 

 

Tracy

[youngestof9]

glad you're having a great time in the Haven. I have 11 more days!!

[lambchoplady]

As a retired Information Technology person, I can understand that the initial roll-out of the UBP program is being handled manually until they get all the kinks worked out. I suspect that they are in the midst of programmimg it into a new system. But they need to know exactly what's included and what all the rules are before they can roll out the computerized version. It is a very intensive process to make changes to any computer system that deals with financial matters.

[Cruz-n-style]

Hi all, I will be going on the Epic this April with a group of family and friends and this will be my very first cruise ever. I would like to know where to find information on the UBP. I've gone to the NCL site and when I posted the question, the only answer was there is only a soda package available.

 

Any help on what can be purchased and the cost of the package or a link would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!!

[weltek]

Hi all, I will be going on the Epic this April with a group of family and friends and this will be my very first cruise ever. I would like to know where to find information on the UBP. I've gone to the NCL site and when I posted the question, the only answer was there is only a soda package available.

 

Any help on what can be purchased and the cost of the package or a link would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!!

 

A long thread with lots of info:

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1758284

 

I agree with the OP that they need to have a TRULY unlimited package option.

[jdvmd]

Hi all, I will be going on the Epic this April with a group of family and friends and this will be my very first cruise ever. I would like to know where to find information on the UBP. I've gone to the NCL site and when I posted the question, the only answer was there is only a soda package available.

 

Any help on what can be purchased and the cost of the package or a link would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!!

 

Welcome to Cruise Critic! Be aware that there are spring break weeks going into April where the package will not be available.

[Cruz-n-style]

Welcome to Cruise Critic! Be aware that there are spring break weeks going into April where the package will not be available.

 

We're on the April 13 - 20 cruise. Is that considered spring break?

[jdvmd]

We're on the April 13 - 20 cruise. Is that considered spring break?

 

Yes. The UBP will not be offered until April 16. Question is will they allow you to have it starting on the 16th. Who knows?

[KirkNC]

Thanks for the report!

[AlphaGeek]

As a retired Information Technology person, I can understand that the initial roll-out of the UBP program is being handled manually until they get all the kinks worked out. I suspect that they are in the midst of programmimg it into a new system. But they need to know exactly what's included and what all the rules are before they can roll out the computerized version. It is a very intensive process to make changes to any computer system that deals with financial matters.

 

I talked to the F&B Director and the Beverage Manager. In both cases, the concern of one person buying drinks for multiple people was mentioned. It didn't seem like systems were a concern (I too am a senior IT person). It very much appears that they are waiting for staff feedback and are still building internal trust in the program. I suspect some favourable tweaks will occur in time.

[nikex]

Yes. The UBP will not be offered until April 16. Question is will they allow you to have it starting on the 16th. Who knows?

 

I don't think so, I called NCL to check because my sailing is leaving before the cut off for spring break but returning after, and I was concerned we'd only be allowed to have the package on a couple of days before the spring break rules kicked in. I was informed that a cruise is considered to be a spring break cruise or not based solely on embarkation date.

[Burpelson]

I surely hope that they allow any mixed drinks up to the glass of wine cost - to include margaritas, mai tais, etc, and not just rum and cokes.

 

I hope they offer the possibility of upgrading for each drink, so that one could pay the difference between a glass of wine and a super premium scotch, for example.

 

And I hope they offer a truly unlimited package including coffees, juices, etc.

[lambchoplady]

I talked to the F&B Director and the Beverage Manager. In both cases, the concern of one person buying drinks for multiple people was mentioned. It didn't seem like systems were a concern (I too am a senior IT person). It very much appears that they are waiting for staff feedback and are still building internal trust in the program. I suspect some favourable tweaks will occur in time.

 

ITA - I think we're saying the same thing - they can't define the rules for the program well enough to change the existing system and thet need to that before any deployment occurs.

[cruisingcasinos]

Thanks for the info on the UBP. I sail on march 9 and the package will not be availble for me and my DH. we are also staying in an aft PH and i would love to hear how you liked it.

i was staying in 13295 but was asked to change to 10326 (couldn't argue since this was a gift of CAS). I have been searching for photos of the suite but have not had any luck. if you have any would you mind posting?

hope you all continue to have a great trip and wish I did not need to wait so long for my turn. ENJOY!! and Thanks again for all the info!