Drink pkg not a good deal!!

[orangegrove]

This is what I pulled directly from NCL website re: taxes

 

A 15% gratuity plus any applicable taxes will be added to all package purchases

 

It is very clear that taxes could be charged depending on where you purchase the package. Here is the link: http://www.ncl.com/sites/default/files/Ultimate-Beverage-Package01032014.pdf

[KeithJenner]

This is what I pulled directly from NCL website re: taxes

 

A 15% gratuity plus any applicable taxes will be added to all package purchases

 

It is very clear that taxes could be charged depending on where you purchase the package. Here is the link: http://www.ncl.com/sites/default/files/Ultimate-Beverage-Package01032014.pdf

 

 

Absolutely, we know that taxes can be charged depending on where you buy, as anyone who has bought it on the Epic out of Barcelona will confirm.

 

What we are considering here is whether buying it from Miami before sailing is one of those situations.

 

The answer, as far as I can see is that it's the luck of the draw. The tax should be charged if it's purchased in Miami, and some have been charged it, but others haven't. I assume that with those that weren't charged, NCL didn't process their purchase until later.

 

To be absolutely sure of not being charged the tax, either buy before boarding, or wait until you are in international waters (you'll know because the Casino will be open). If you do the latter then you will most likely be charged for any drinks you buy prior to purchasing.

 

 

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[QuiGonJohn]

To be absolutely sure of not being charged the tax, either buy before boarding, or wait until you are in international waters (you'll know because the Casino will be open). If you do the latter then you will most likely be charged for any drinks you buy prior to purchasing.

 

Actually, many people have reported that if they buy the UBP after they have already bought other drinks, the other drinks wind up being taken off their onboard acct. This is even buying on day 2. You are only talking about waiting a few hours on day 1.

 

There seems to be a wide range of discrepancy in how taxes are applied to the UBP and even drink purchases. In fact, some here have stated, in this thread, that even with the UBP, if they bought drinks in port, (before the ship sails and maybe even in other ports), they are sometimes still charged tax for the drinks. I guess this shows up as an extra charge on the onboard acct. So you buy the UBP, which included the 15% and then they add on a x amount of taxes, per drink, depending on where the ship is when you actually order the drink.

 

Something doesn't sound right in all this.

[KeithJenner]

Actually, many people have reported that if they buy the UBP after they have already bought other drinks, the other drinks wind up being taken off their onboard acct. This is even buying on day 2. You are only talking about waiting a few hours on day 1.

 

 

And some have reported being charged for them. My post was trying to clarify when we know for sure that you won't be charged.

 

You may well not get charged for drinks bought pre purchase, or for the tax even if you buy before sailing, but if you want to be sure then buy before boarding, or after leaving US waters and don't buy any individual drinks before you have purchased.

 

The person above who said about paying taxes on drinks purchased in port when you have the UBP has already been back and confirmed that they were wrong,

 

 

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Edited February 19, 2014 by KeithJenner

[rino002]

on my last cruise on the breakaway a few months ago, I purchased it day 2 of the cruise dont think any taxes either..... this time I prepaid for it, just for the hell of it.. paid 394... just a reminder for some of you that dont know, not all the drinks are covered the the package... I ordered a blue moon beer and it had to pay for it, If I remember, any beer over 5.50 and any glass of wine over 10 dollars isnt covered. Patrone wasn't part of it either...

 

but over all, to me its worth it, way better than getting a $1200 bar tap at the end of the cruise!!! :)

[weltek]

Quoting myself to see if anyone can answer this...... What if you buy the package after you have already had a couple drinks?

 

I prefer to buy the UBP on board so my OBC doesn't go to waste.

 

I have no problem waiting until we sail away to buy the UBP and avoid the tax, but I don't want to wait that long for a cocktail!! :D

 

In case you don't have your answer yet...you WILL be charged for those first few drinks from what I've read. It cannot be retroactively applied.

[QuiGonJohn]

Among the dozens of UBP threads I have read, I know many people have said drinks bought prior to actually purchasing the UBP were deducted when they got the final tally of their onboard account.

[hawkeyetlse]

Among the dozens of UBP threads I have read, I know many people have said drinks bought prior to actually purchasing the UBP were deducted when they got the final tally of their onboard account.

And many have said that they were not. I certainly would not count on it happening automatically, and I would either avoid the situation (by purchasing the UBP first) or I would stop by the front desk and ask them very nicely not to double-charge me for those first few drinks. Edited February 19, 2014 by hawkeyetlse

[Winston Wolf]

And many have said that they were not. I certainly would not count on it happening automatically, and I would either avoid the situation (by purchasing the UBP first) or I would stop by the front desk and ask them very nicely not to double-charge me for those first few drinks.

 

 

Can you provide a link to those posts? Every thread I've seems says you can get those drinks deducted if you go to guest services.

 

 

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[NH Cruisers]

Quoting myself to see if anyone can answer this...... What if you buy the package after you have already had a couple drinks?

 

I prefer to buy the UBP on board so my OBC doesn't go to waste.

 

I have no problem waiting until we sail away to buy the UBP and avoid the tax, but I don't want to wait that long for a cocktail!! :D

Folks I was traveling with had the UBP and paid for full price drinks purchased prior to purchasing the UBP.

[NH Cruisers]

Can you provide a link to those posts? Every thread I've seems says you can get those drinks deducted if you go to guest services.

 

 

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Maybe thats the deal? You must go to guest services to get the drinks duducted from your bill.

[sebas030]

Sailed from NYC on the BA in November.

 

FIRST thing we did when we got on the ship is getting the UBP. Signed the slip for it and found a bar to get our "welcome aboard" drink.

 

NO taxes on the package and NO taxes on the drinks either even if we were in port.

 

I kept all my bar tabs to make sure everything was deducted at the end, and it was...no pennies, no nothing.

 

We should start a chart with homeports and taxes based on personal experience...not "friend of a friend" told me... ;)

 

So :

 

NYC NO taxes on UBP NO taxes on drinks

 

 

 

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[QuiGonJohn]

I think the biggest problems are, (unless people posting here are totally clueless or purposely lying), that there are many inconsistencies in both the way NCL handles the UBP, taxes on it and taxes on the drinks, as well as charges for drinks purchased prior to UBP purchase. The other big problem is a lot of misinformation from NCL phone reps.

[jeeplady1]

Ditto, same with us. I called and protested and got nowhere--no OBC or anything, but I guess ALL cruise lines have a blackout period during spring break.

[stormynow]

Past 7 cruise's on X, NCL, CCL have purchased the drink pkg immediately upon boarding the ship and NEVER have paid any tax. Are some people confusing the gratiuty with tax?

[stormynow]

Meant to add, out of Tampa, FLL and Mia.

[TravelinFam]

Sailed from NYC on the BA in November.

 

FIRST thing we did when we got on the ship is getting the UBP. Signed the slip for it and found a bar to get our "welcome aboard" drink.

 

NO taxes on the package and NO taxes on the drinks either even if we were in port.

 

I kept all my bar tabs to make sure everything was deducted at the end, and it was...no pennies, no nothing.

 

We should start a chart with homeports and taxes based on personal experience...not "friend of a friend" told me... ;)

 

So :

 

NYC NO taxes on UBP NO taxes on drinks

 

 

 

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Good to know...DH & I are considering the package...it's $49/day/person...I just spoke with our NCL Agent...they DO NOT charge tax...jut the gratuity. For our 7 night cruise it will be $394.45/person.

 

We've seen the beers, liquors, and cordials they include and it's worth it. From the occasional mimosa or bloody mary with breakfast, to the few beers and frozen drinks by the pool, and the drink or wine w/dinner...then the drinks while dancing or comedy show. Of course, with all that liquor we will be drinking a lot of water...hence why we're bringing at least a case of water on board with us.