Best Ways to Save Money on Drinks

[hpecorari]

 

That $100 OBC is not to spend as you wish - it is used up in your purchase of the FCC. The $100 OBC is NCL marketing BS. You buy a FCC worth $250 and your account is charged a net $150 for it - no extra booze money I'm afraid.

 

If that's the case than why can you choose not to have the OBC applied to your account and get a certificate to use in the Casino? When used in the Casino they give you not only the $100.00 to play but give you an additional $25.00 to equal $125.00 to use in the Casino.

 

Harriet

Edited March 5, 2014 by hpecorari

[DinaS]

 

That $100 OBC is not to spend as you wish - it is used up in your purchase of the FCC. The $100 OBC is NCL marketing BS. You buy a FCC worth $250 and your account is charged a net $150 for it - no extra booze money I'm afraid.

 

 

It isn't "marketing BS. You are paying $250 for a $250 future cruise credit, and they are giving you back $100 in OBC to your account. If you choose to see that as simply a "net $150" cost, that's up to you. Others will see it as $100 in OBC that will pay for that extra $100 they spent on drinks, restaurants or other on-board purchases.

 

No matter how you look at it, you are getting $100 back on a $250 purchase. It's a GREAT deal if you plan on cruising on NCL in the next 4 years.

[mylife4Jesus]

If that's the case than why can you choose not to have the OBC applied to your account and get a certificate to use in the Casino? When used in the Casino they give you not only the $100.00 to play but give you an additional $25.00 to equal $125.00 to use in the Casino.

 

Harriet

 

I never knew this thanks op for starting these great threads I'm learning so much!!

 

Harriet, is there a limit on how many you can buy, also can you use them in conjunction with promos like the kids sail free, and or freesome?? Thank you!

[mylife4Jesus]

I've never had fireball in a mixed drink, only by the shot. But now you got me thinking. I just found fireball at costco liquor store here in Ct for about 25% less than most other stores.

 

 

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Ellie, I am going to look up cocktails made from it..It does sound delicious!

[hpecorari]

I never knew this thanks op for starting these great threads I'm learning so much!!

 

Harriet, is there a limit on how many you can buy, also can you use them in conjunction with promos like the kids sail free, and or freesome?? Thank you!

 

You can purchase up to 4 future cruise certificates per cruise. You can only use one future cruise certificate per new booking. All must be booked and used within 4 years of the date you purchased it. They go towards your deposit. Full deposit if not sailing in a suite (mini suites are not a suite) and towards partial deposit if booking a suite. They can be used no matter what promo is being offered as they go towards your deposit. So yes, they would work on a cruise that had free OBC, kids sail free, freesome, etc. etc. etc.

 

Harriet

[hpecorari]

That $100 OBC is not to spend as you wish - it is used up in your purchase of the FCC. The $100 OBC is NCL marketing BS. You buy a FCC worth $250 and your account is charged a net $150 for it - no extra booze money I'm afraid.

 

Just checked my paperwork since i just returned from a cruise in February. It says:

 

"Place a $250.00 deposit towards a future cruse which will be charged to your onboard account and we will deduct $100;00 per deposit from your onboard account leaving you only with $150.00 to pay for each future cruise deposit placed, but, when you use your deposit(s) they are worth $250.00 each! Maximum deposits 4 per person

 

4 years to complete your sailings on any 6 day or longer sailing

 

Deposits can be combined with other promotions

 

Casino At Sea Players, use your deposits towards port charges/taxes/upgrades

 

Free to transfer to friends and family, making great gifts!"

 

On the wall outside of the Cruise Consultant Desk there is information on using your $100.00 at the Casino instead of them deducting the $100.00 from your onboard account.

 

Even IF they deduct if from your onboard account and don't use the words 'OBC' it still would give the OP $100.00 in free drinks.....or anyone else $100.00 off of whatever $100.00 extra they spend (excursions, drinks, specialty restaurants, photos, gift shop, etc.)

 

Harriet

 

Harriet

Edited March 5, 2014 by hpecorari

[jkgourmet]

 

No matter how you look at it, you are getting $100 back on a $250 purchase. It's a GREAT deal if you plan on cruising on NCL in the next 4 years.

 

I agree. But the important part is "if you plan on cruising on NCL" again. While we enjoyed our 21 day Jan 2014 experience in the Med on the Jade (the majority of passengers were European or Australian), we totally hated our 2004 NCL 7 day Caribbean out of Galveston. Being surrounded by folks who bragged about their methods of sneaking booze on the ship so they could bring their drinks to dinner in Gatorade bottles got old real fast.

 

 

 

Sent from my DROID RAZR using Forums mobile app

[Demonyte]

If that's the case than why can you choose not to have the OBC applied to your account and get a certificate to use in the Casino? When used in the Casino they give you not only the $100.00 to play but give you an additional $25.00 to equal $125.00 to use in the Casino.

 

Another marketing gimmick to get you to spend the $100 onboard instead of being smart and not spending any more than you normally would.

Edited March 5, 2014 by Demonyte

[KeithJenner]

As in Naples and Barcelona, if you dock at the terminal rather than using tenders to ferry you in, at stops on your cruise, you can buy liquor ashore and bring back through security because security is provided by the Port Authority rather than by NCL. Port Authority doesn't care if you bring liquor/wine aboard. If NCL did see you they would store and give back at end of cruise.

 

Not sure where you got this from, but you never tender into Barcelona and Naples (Barcelona is an embarkation port).

 

It is sometimes possible to get alcohol onto the ship at Barcelona because there is a shop which is past check in, and some people have reported not behaving their bags scanned when entering the ship. I can say from experience that this is not always the case. NCL staff were scanning bags when I entered both times I've boarded there.

[Demonyte]

I agree. But the important part is "if you plan on cruising on NCL" again. While we enjoyed our 21 day Jan 2014 experience in the Med on the Jade (the majority of passengers were European or Australian), we totally hated our 2004 NCL 7 day Caribbean out of Galveston. Being surrounded by folks who bragged about their methods of sneaking booze on the ship so they could bring their drinks to dinner in Gatorade bottles got old real fast.

 

Saying anything about any cruise line based on 10 years old experiences is useless. While you implied that your cruise on Jade was different without large US demographic, things with NCL are completely different from what they were in 2004 - from my experiences on several Caribbean cruises on NCL ships and what I've read from here, what you described sounds more Carnival-like atmosphere nowadays.

Edited March 5, 2014 by Demonyte

[KeithJenner]

Just checked my paperwork since i just returned from a cruise in February. It says:

 

"Place a $250.00 deposit towards a future cruse which will be charged to your onboard account and we will deduct $100;00 per deposit from your onboard account leaving you only with $150.00 to pay for each future cruise deposit placed, but, when you use your deposit(s) they are worth $250.00 each! Maximum deposits 4 per person

 

4 years to complete your sailings on any 6 day or longer sailing

 

Deposits can be combined with other promotions

 

Casino At Sea Players, use your deposits towards port charges/taxes/upgrades

 

Free to transfer to friends and family, making great gifts!"

 

On the wall outside of the Cruise Consultant Desk there is information on using your $100.00 at the Casino instead of them deducting the $100.00 from your onboard account.

 

Even IF they deduct if from your onboard account and don't use the words 'OBC' it still would give the OP $100.00 in free drinks.....or anyone else $100.00 off of whatever $100.00 extra they spend (excursions, drinks, specialty restaurants, photos, gift shop, etc.)

 

Harriet

 

Harriet

 

The reason why people say this is a marketing ploy is because the wording suggests that you have to find something to spend the $100 OBC on. I've seen people on here wondering what they can buy onboard with the $100 as they don't drink or use speciality restaurants etc. The answer is that you use it on the purchase of the FCC.

 

If people want to spend the $100 on things they wouldn't normally buy then that is great. No problem with that, obviously. The problem is that some people don't realise that they don't have to spend it if they don't want.

[MRBOOKEND]

Not sure where you got this from, but you never tender into Barcelona and Naples (Barcelona is an embarkation port).

 

 

Exactly: What OP of this quote was trying to say but in a less confusing way (maybe) is if your ship docks at an actual terminal like Naples, you may be able to bring alcohol back on ship as security is by Port Authority not NCL

[Demonyte]

As in Naples and Barcelona, if you dock at the terminal rather than using tenders to ferry you in, at stops on your cruise, you can buy liquor ashore and bring back through security because security is provided by the Port Authority rather than by NCL. Port Authority doesn't care if you bring liquor/wine aboard. If NCL did see you they would store and give back at end of cruise.

 

Not sure where you got this from, but you never tender into Barcelona and Naples (Barcelona is an embarkation port).

 

Also there are many non-tender ports around the world where there is absolutely no security on shore besides a rent-a-cop checking the keycards when passing through the gates to the dock area - so MRBOOKEND's advice is questionable at best.

[CruiseGirlKS]

Fireball is a yummy cinnamon whiskey. Tastes just like a red hot candy.

 

 

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Its really good....and a bit dangerous. ;)

[KeithJenner]

Exactly: What OP of this quote was trying to say but in a less confusing way (maybe) is if your ship docks at an actual terminal like Naples, you may be able to bring alcohol back on ship as security is by Port Authority not NCL

 

Aah, I see now.

 

I've always found lately that the NCL staff have been scanning on entry everywhere except Southampton where they haven't either of the two times I've boarded there.

[hpecorari]

Another marketing gimmick to get you to spend the $100 onboard instead of being smart and not spending any more than you normally would.

 

Spending or not spending.....$100.00 comes off your onboard account.

 

Harriet

[MRBOOKEND]

Just checked my paperwork since i just returned from a cruise in February. It says:

 

"Place a $250.00 deposit towards a future cruse which will be charged to your onboard account and we will deduct $100;00 per deposit from your onboard account leaving you only with $150.00 to pay for each future cruise deposit placed, but, when you use your deposit(s) they are worth $250.00 each! Maximum deposits 4 per person

 

4 years to complete your sailings on any 6 day or longer sailing

 

Deposits can be combined with other promotions

 

Casino At Sea Players, use your deposits towards port charges/taxes/upgrades

 

Free to transfer to friends and family, making great gifts!"

 

On the wall outside of the Cruise Consultant Desk there is information on using your $100.00 at the Casino instead of them deducting the $100.00 from your onboard account.

 

Even IF they deduct if from your onboard account and don't use the words 'OBC' it still would give the OP $100.00 in free drinks.....or anyone else $100.00 off of whatever $100.00 extra they spend (excursions, drinks, specialty restaurants, photos, gift shop, etc.)

 

Harriet

 

Harriet

 

Harriet, Wish I could send you my entire list so you could update. Thanks again. Will ammend my list for FCC.

 

Thanks,

Randy

[jacqueline926]

Another thing to consider is how much less you might drink aboard ship on shore excursion days. So you might not have gotten full value from the UBP on those days.

 

In preparation for my first cruise in 30 years, I have gleaned some info here on CC and copied into a list. Here's some tips from others on NCL ships so not sure if for your ship:

 

 

prices of drinks varied depending upon where you got it. Mojitos in Spice were more expensive than the Studio Lounge Bar.

 

any event that NCL serves complementary alcohol usually punch or sparkling wine, it is an open bar too even though they don't advertise it.

As in Naples and Barcelona, if you dock at the terminal rather than using tenders to ferry you in, at stops on your cruise, you can buy liquor ashore and bring back through security because security is provided by the Port Authority rather than by NCL. Port Authority doesn't care if you bring liquor/wine aboard. If NCL did see you they would store and give back at end of cruise.

A 6 or 8 oz glass of soda with ice is not the same as a 12oz can with ice on the side! So if order soda at bar, ask for can and glass of ice. (Unless you bring on soda which is allowable)

Free liquor tasting the first night starting at 6:00 PM - shots of all types of Bailey's, Scotch, etc...great special prices that night on liquor purchases but don't forgot (as we did) if you buy bottles than you'll have to check your luggage instead of carry-on when you go home.

 

Purchase Future Cruise Credit on board: Pay 150 and get 150 credit for future booking in next 4 yrs plus 100 OBC now to spend on your drinks.

 

 

Thanks for all the tips, how do I find out what places have the cheapest drinks. Thats crazy that on the same ship, the same drinks are different prices in different bars.

 

Also, are the free liquor tastings really free? they just give you free shots of whatever liquors you want? It sounds like there must be a catch?

 

What are some cases in which NCL WOULD serve complimentary alcohol? This is my first NCL cruise so I dont get any latitudes benefits, yet.

 

drink in port. We were drinking $1 beers in Cozumel. Go to the martini and margarita tastings. Visit the gift shop during booze tastings. Buy a bar setup.

 

Ive been to Mexico, drinking there was so cheap! I'm guessing you were drinking the typical $1 Sols there :D love! Does anyone have an idea of some good places for drinks in Port Canaveral or Nassau?

[jacqueline926]

Just off the Breakaway on Sunday. The Martini Tastings were $15 for 6- 3oz. Martinis. They were awesome! They had them available everyday at the Martini bar (Shakers?) Enjoy!

 

ooh perfect! every day all day, or they had a scheduled time each day? Do you know if they offered this for margaritas and mojitos perhaps, too, not a huge vodka fan, but I'll take what I can get!

 

If you're a wine drinker, remember that there is a house red and white, by the glass ($5.95) and by the bottle ($24). Plus 15% gratuity. This is available everywhere, but is NOT listed on most menus.

 

Also, the wine packages will save you about 15% for the cheapest level of wine. You have to purchase a package of 4, 6, or 8 bottles and have a choice of 4 red and 4-6 white selections at each level. This was a decent value and eliminated the schlepping of bottles into the ship (don't forget you're going to pay for THAT wine plus $15 to NCL for 'corkage')

 

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Yup, I pretty much threw out the idea of packing wine with me, like you said, the cost of it, plus the corkage fee not to mention the hassle doesnt make it worth it. I was checking out the wine list and youre right, I didnt notice a house wine. Good to know, as the cheapest wine by glass I saw was 7.50. Is this available anywhere and on all ships? Or maybe just in the MDR?

[jacqueline926]

We have taken 10 cruises in the past four years. I like to add up the $$$$ spent on alcohol, including wine with dinner. Most of our cruises are 14 days. DW and I have never exceeded $600 for both of us for a cruise and one cruise was 17 days.

 

We usually drink more wine, with perhaps a beer after a long day ashore and sometime a martini later. I think $800 for seven days will be plenty unless you drink very expensive brands.

 

Well, the reason we were going to do the UBP, even though its about $800 is because when we broke it down, it seemed like we WOULD spend more than that. I dont think we're lushes or anything, but on vacation i do like to have a drink whenever I please. Most of the time, we arent even drunk, just a nice buzz, but when drinking from 10am to 2 am, spread out over the day, it's not hard to reach that cost.

 

For instance- Bloody Mary or Mimosa with Breakfast - $6

3 - Drinks of the Day or Similar at the Pool/ Lunch - $18

Shot of Fireball as a Happy Hour Before Dinner - $8

Glass of Wine with Dinner - $7

4 Beers between dinner and bed - $24

 

That comes to $63 plus the 15% tax brings us to about $72 - now not say were going to drink that much every day, but probably pretty close to it - and honestly that will barely get me drunk - and definitely not get my boyfriend drunk. Thats simply just us. At home, we drink MAYBE twice a week and thats if wee have a day off from work, it's usually once a week besides a glass of wine with dinner, but drinking the way we'd like for vacation - $72 x 7 is $504 - not TOO over out budget, but definitely would have been worthy of the UBP :)

 

 

 

Purchase Future Cruise Credit on board: Pay 150 and get 150 credit for future booking in next 4 yrs plus 100 OBC now to spend on your drinks.

 

Purchase Future Cruise Credit on board:

Pay $250.00 not $150.00.

Get $250.00 credit for future booking in next 4 years

Get $100.00 OBC on your account to spend as you wish during your current cruise.

 

Harriet

 

I think doing this is a great idea, but not an option for us. That would require HAVING an extra $250 handy to put towards a future cruise, which we definitely will take another cruise within 4 years, but being in our 20s we arent in a position, unfortunately, to have the money to put that towards another cruise. If we had another $250 we would definitely have gotten a balcony :D

[MRBOOKEND]

To Jacqueline,

 

This is my first cruise in 30 years and list I posted was from searches on this site, some of which as I am finding are outdated.

 

So will be interested in finding out what can and cannot be done so I can update my list...

 

Enjoy....

 

PS: Might be able to sublet my 2BR but my friend might not be too happy. I did offer her daughter to come with us, but timing was wrong for her.

Edited March 5, 2014 by MRBOOKEND

[jacqueline926]

We usually only drink on cruise vacations without the kids so we are lightweights we spent 800 on drinks last cruise we purchased mostly frozen cocktails, margarita's, beers, rum and cokes, also a good bit of virgin cocktails, adds up very quickly. I was thinking of getting a bar set up to offset the cost, but since I'm partial to frozen daiquiris doesn't make much sense unless I bought my favorite mixers and a magic bullet which does seems like a great idea (whoever mentioned that!)

 

Op what is fireball whiskey I keep hearing about it, what do you mix with it, any cocktails you make with it??

 

Thanks for backing me up that $800 in drinks is NOT hard to do on a cruise ship! :D

 

Fireball is a cinnamon whiskey, like another poster said, it'd pretty strong, but so smooth and easy to drink. It's nothing like goldschlager or other cinnamon liquers, I had tried those and just thought I hated cinnamon, but I was wrong until I tried this. Now, I'm definitely more a beer girl, besides margaritas and pina coladas I rarely do liquor and even less do I drink liquor straight, but Fireball is an entirely different story. Ive only ever had it straight, although I'm sure in the right drink it would be divine. You must try it! :) I hope the ship has it!

[KeithJenner]

For instance- Bloody Mary or Mimosa with Breakfast - $6

3 - Drinks of the Day or Similar at the Pool/ Lunch - $18

Shot of Fireball as a Happy Hour Before Dinner - $8

Glass of Wine with Dinner - $7

4 Beers between dinner and bed - $24

 

Buy the wine by the bottle. It will cost a lot less than $7 a glass. If you ask them to pour you a glass each and then store the bottle then it will last a few days.

 

Also, buy the beets as a bucket. Depending on what you drink you could make that $24 buy you 6 bottles. Unless prices have gone up since last year, bottles of things like Sam Adams cost about $5. You can mix and match so you can get three bottles each if you drink different things.

 

If you really want to save money, and are prepared to be a bit flexible with what you drink to do so then replace one or two of the drinks during the day with beers and drink a little more wine in the evening. That way you could get the Viva Vino package which saves a lot of money (more than the 15% quoted earlier - more like 30%).

 

I general drink beer and wine, and get a bottle of wine plus a bucket of beer for less than the daily cost of the UBP. It also means you don't lose out if you don'd drink some days.

[kjbacon]

Couple things ... no harm intended, but if I tried to drink that much, I would pass out well before the end of that list!!!

 

Wine is cheaper by the bottle over by the glass. If you like, the bottle can stay in the restaurant with all your info and you can get it back on another night. It can move to a different restaurant too, say you order it on Tuesday in the MDR, you can get it Wednesday in Le Bistro. Be sure to save your tag for it though!

 

I do not smuggle but I don't know how anyone gets caught. Last month, we brought a case of water bottles and at the last minute decided we didn't want the hassle of carting it around. We broke the case open and hurriedly tossed about 6 bottles into one of our suitcases and a couple into my carry on. I fully expected to be flagged for possible smuggling. Nope, no problem. I was very surprised!

[MRBOOKEND]

Well, the reason we were going to do the UBP, even though its about $800 is because when we broke it down, it seemed like we WOULD spend more than that.

 

For instance- Bloody Mary or Mimosa with Breakfast - $6

3 - Drinks of the Day or Similar at the Pool/ Lunch - $18

Shot of Fireball as a Happy Hour Before Dinner - $8

Glass of Wine with Dinner - $7

4 Beers between dinner and bed - $24

 

 

 

 

Not to belabor the point but: (of course here I go) if you deduct 1st day bloody marys and drinks by the pool on shore excursion days, you would be close to cost of UBP.

 

Unfortunately, in your case, prepaying for a UBP sure would have taken away angst of having to monitor what you're spending if on a tight budget.

 

Sounds like you guys are very responsible and happy that you are tackling this issue proactively.

Edited March 5, 2014 by MRBOOKEND