Another Ultimate Beverage Question

[Patsfans]

If you have adjoining rooms but separate reservations do they make both rooms get the beverage package if 1 room does

 

Daughter over21 in 1 room and hubby and me with grand kids in other?

 

If you order a drink that is not included do they tell you when you order it??

 

Is it correct they charge your room the drink then issue a credit?? If yes do you really have to be a hawk or are they good about giving credit

 

 

Last question...

 

If you want to bring a few drinks back to your room (not for sharing) do you have to go to 1bar and then go to another ? Or if they see you have a drink they won't give you another

[rvsullivan]

Are the reservations linked? Makes a difference. If your rooms are linked, everyone must buy. If there is not relationship between the rooms, then no issue. Can't stack drinks, one at a time per person. Pretty hard to get a drink over the dollar limit, the bartenders can get creative to keep you within limits. They run the bill and zero it out. It would be pretty obvious if it showed up on your bill. Not to worry.

Edited December 2, 2014 by rvsullivan

[Patsfans]

Not sure if linked do I just call ncl and ask?

[cantthinkofanythingfun]

Throw the bartenders an extra buck or two every now and then and they will stack drinks.

[Pat]

I had to order two or three glasses of wine at a time at dinner. If I didn't no one was around to bring another glass when I wanted it. I was disappointed in the UBP because after the initial drink, I would barely be acknowledged by the bar attendant again. Please don't flame me.........this was my personal experience.

[dongordon]

I had to order two or three glasses of wine at a time at dinner. If I didn't no one was around to bring another glass when I wanted it. I was disappointed in the UBP because after the initial drink, I would barely be acknowledged by the bar attendant again. Please don't flame me.........this was my personal experience.

 

You make a very valid point and could be a problem on my upcoming cruise.

Who handles the wine at dinner at the specialty restaurants...the waiter or someone else? I am also on the UDP.

We will drink at least two to three glasses of wine each at dinner. :)

Whomever it is....I am going to hand them a $5 Bill at the beginning of dinner.

 

Don

[hawkeyetlse]

I am going to hand them a $5 Bill at the beginning of dinner.

That is very generous of you, but be sure also to give them clear instructions about how you want to be served. Otherwise you may end up feeling even more disappointed.

 

It is possible that if you have the UBP sticker they may be less enthusiastic about serving you drink after drink. But if you ask them (even without giving extra $$$), they will do it.

[Pat]

In the restaurants you couldn't depend on who was going to be bringing you drinks, sometimes it was the waiter, sometimes it was someone else. I just suggest ordering a few glasses of wine in advance and you'll be happier. We actually ordered 3 glasses and poured them into one glass (they pour a short glass of wine and the glasses are very large). The waiter actually thanked us for doing it that way!

 

We also had the UDP. A word of warning, I thought after reading multiple posts here that I would not have to make reservations DAYS in advance for the specialities and even if they were booked our butler would be able to get us in.....NOT THE CASE. The last two nights of the cruise i could not get reservations to either Cagney's, Le Bistro or La Cucina for a time earlier than 9:30 and this was trying to make those reservations two days in advance. Our butler couldn't help us at all. I was disappointed and felt the UDP was not worth it. We had to eat in one of the main dining rooms the last night and were pleasantly surprised. the food and service was wonderful.

[ncklhaus]

We had the UBP and we were able to get two drinks each on a drink order at a time and not be charged for either one. We signed for them but all charges were removed by the time we were back to our room for the night. You can check your charges on the TV in the room. We sometimes added tips to the checks and we were only charged the added tip amount. Sometimes we just gave a cash tip.

I think that the number of drinks you can buy on one check has to do with how many people are in your room that have the plan. We couldn't buy 3 alcoholic drinks on one check because we were 2 adults and 1 child. But the bartenders had no problem running two checks so each adult could get a mixed drink and a shot of Patron. :D

[Patsfans]

I called ncl and they said because I paid for both rooms on 1 credit card both rooms have to have bev plan .. Doesn't really seem quite right

[rvsullivan]

I called ncl and they said because I paid for both rooms on 1 credit card both rooms have to have bev plan .. Doesn't really seem quite right

 

Yeah, that's why I asked. If you had mentioned that you paid for both rooms it would be a certainty as you discovered. No way around it. Had you known you could have booked with two credit cards and different names and avoided the issue. Sorry!

[watchdiva]

Hi Pat, I'm confused about your inability to get specialty reservations. The butler does not handle restaurant ressies, the concierge does. Did you ask your concierge to handle reservations for you?

 

 

 

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Edited December 4, 2014 by watchdiva

[hawkeyetlse]

I called ncl and they said because I paid for both rooms on 1 credit card both rooms have to have bev plan .. Doesn't really seem quite right

Once you're on board, you can set up separate accounts for each cabin using two different credit cards. Then they will let you get the UBP just for the people in one cabin.

See here: UBP Update

Doesn't really seem right, either, since you are not any less likely to share drinks and cheat the package just because you now have two credit cards… (Not saying you are planning to cheat, but that is supposedly the rationale behind the "all passengers must purchase" rule.)

 

Anyway, that is a possible solution. Unfortunately, the UBP costs $5 more per day if you purchase it on board, but it sounds like it's your only option.

[don't-use-real-name]

Hi Pat, I'm confused about your inability to get specialty reservations. The butler does not handle restaurant ressies, the concierge does. Did you ask your concierge to handle reservations for you?

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It helps also to be in a suite and have umpa latitudes rewards points especially platinum.

If your/the concierge is busy check at the Dining Reservations desk usually on

most ships adjacent or part of the (Pursers) Registration Desk - flashing your

stateroom card for the reservation will usually result in making an extra effort

to get you what you need.

Better yet book your reservation in advance with the option of changing dates

times to suit your schedule. Large parties of 6 or more can be to a degree

troublesome at prime time. Prime time is the window about an hour or slightly

more than the first entertainment show - think dinner and show.

While you are on the ship check around near the elevators and restaurant

foyers for a TV screen showing the restaurants and availability. Not all ships

have this feature. Another place to check is the TV in your stateroom for the

(dinner channel) re-capping the same screen display.

Generally at sea days the restaurants are more flexible for times - with port

days folks rush in off their excursions and want prime time dinner with show

with a narrow window of booking opportunity. The larger the ship and smaller

specialty restaurant the problem increases - especially with the Sushi Bar/

Teppanyaki restaurant with very limited seating.

Planning at the last minute is not a great idea - give some thought to when

and where you would like to dine and give your/the concierge an opportunity

to work it out - maybe switching Cagneys on one night for Le Bistro and then

the reverse - whatever floats the boat !

AND I want dinner reservations for 8 at 7PM the last night of the cruise in

Cagney's - "But sir you would have better odds in our Casino" ! LOL !

[John1752]

Hi, I saw in some older past posts that maybe when on board after day 1 they will offer the old UDP which was like 3 Specialty rest. for $ 59.00. Has anyone experience that on the Epic recently?

[conandrob240]

Yeah, that's why I asked. If you had mentioned that you paid for both rooms it would be a certainty as you discovered. No way around it. Had you known you could have booked with two credit cards and different names and avoided the issue. Sorry!

 

Not a certainty. The cc payment doesn't seem to matter in actual practice ( even though ncl will say it does). The only definite is if the ressies are linked. Your TA can easily de-link them using her on-line tool.

 

You can easily tell if they will require all to buy by going into one ressie in ncl.com and try to add UBP. It will either list just the people in the cabin ( if not linked) or everyone in both/multiple cabins ( if linked)

[Patsfans]

Ok so if you read the rules of the drink package it says same payment method for more than 1 room but it doesn't specify original reservation or on board account ..

 

I tried to book ultimate package on my room only and her name didn't come up.

 

So if they don't appear to be linked what do you think if daughter orders now

 

Do you think we will have to buy....

 

 

When I called ncl to ask originally they said as long as she uses different cc for inboard account

 

Then after I was asking are you Sure she came back and said because I used same cc to book we would all have to have but it doesn't appear to be linked

 

 

My hubby and I bring wine on board so we don't want it but daughter wants the beverage package

Edited December 5, 2014 by Patsfans

[conandrob240]

If you can buy them separately on line now, you won't have any issues. They won't change it & make you buy it at the port. Just buy it online now and don't mention it again at the port.

[Pat]

Hi Pat, I'm confused about your inability to get specialty reservations. The butler does not handle restaurant ressies, the concierge does. Did you ask your concierge to handle reservations for you?

 

 

 

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I'm sorry I misspoke, It was our concierge that we spoke with to help us (the only thing we asked for the whole week) and Dining Reservations and the hostess at Cagney's.......and as I said, it was 48 hrs in advance and the ship was not full. The other thing was that the Dining reservation screens that indicate whether reservations are available at the specialities was never right. I asked about it, just to be told that they probably hadn't been updated (in fact, different screens had different information, but none of them were right when actually trying to make the reservations. It was what it was, and we had good meals where we ended up eating those nights, but I don't think people should get the impression that just because they have a suite or the UDP it will give them any priority.

[fridaythe13th]

Does the UBP include imported beer and top shelf liquor? :eek:

[Berniecruiser]

Below is copy/paste of UBP from NCL site. Please read diligently! I have 2 cabins on the Getaway for 01-03 & only want UPB for 1 cabin. When I called NCL the Rep said no problem & than I mention the statement about same method payment for both cabins. She said at first that it wouldn't be an issue & after a short conversation she put me on hold. When she can back, she said I was right. So, long story short - don't trust what the Reps tell you at NCL.

 

 

Norwegian's Ultimate Beverage Package includes a variety of spirits, cocktails, draft beer, bottled beer and glasses of wine up to $10 and unlimited fountain soda and juices at all bars, lounges, restaurants and the Great Stirrup Cay. A 20% discount will be applied to all bottles of wine purchased on board.

 

The Ultimate Beverage Package does not include room service, package sales, ship specific promotions or beer buckets, designated Super Premium brands (subject to change), bottled wine, mini bar purchases, bottled water, fresh squeezed juices, select Lavazza coffee beverages, energy drinks, vending machines, wine stations or spirits, cocktails, draft or bottled beer and glasses of wine over $10. One (1) beverage per person per transaction. Package can be used in all restaurants, lounges, bars and Great Stirrup Cay.

 

A 15% gratuity will be added to all package purchases; your check may reflect applicable VAT for certain ports or itineraries. Packages must be purchased by all qualifying individuals residing in the stateroom or additional staterooms under the same method of payment for the entire length of the cruise. Packages may not be shared and are non-transferable and non-refundable. You must be at least 21 years of age to purchase any alcoholic package and to consume alcohol. See the terms of our guest alcohol policy. Other terms and conditions may apply. This package is not available for purchase on charters, sailings that are two (2) days or less and Pride of America. Also not available for guests under the age of 25 years old on domestic itineraries during blackout dates of March 1 – April 15, applies to sailings that includes these dates. Blackout dates do not apply to Norwegian Jade or Norwegian Spirit for 2015 itineraries.

[peg013]

Below is copy/paste of UBP from NCL site. Please read diligently! I have 2 cabins on the Getaway for 01-03 & only want UPB for 1 cabin. When I called NCL the Rep said no problem & than I mention the statement about same method payment for both cabins. She said at first that it wouldn't be an issue & after a short conversation she put me on hold. When she can back, she said I was right. So, long story short - don't trust what the Reps tell you at NCL.

 

 

Norwegian's Ultimate Beverage Package includes a variety of spirits, cocktails, draft beer, bottled beer and glasses of wine up to $10 and unlimited fountain soda and juices at all bars, lounges, restaurants and the Great Stirrup Cay. A 20% discount will be applied to all bottles of wine purchased on board.

 

The Ultimate Beverage Package does not include room service, package sales, ship specific promotions or beer buckets, designated Super Premium brands (subject to change), bottled wine, mini bar purchases, bottled water, fresh squeezed juices, select Lavazza coffee beverages, energy drinks, vending machines, wine stations or spirits, cocktails, draft or bottled beer and glasses of wine over $10. One (1) beverage per person per transaction. Package can be used in all restaurants, lounges, bars and Great Stirrup Cay.

 

A 15% gratuity will be added to all package purchases; your check may reflect applicable VAT for certain ports or itineraries. Packages must be purchased by all qualifying individuals residing in the stateroom or additional staterooms under the same method of payment for the entire length of the cruise. Packages may not be shared and are non-transferable and non-refundable. You must be at least 21 years of age to purchase any alcoholic package and to consume alcohol. See the terms of our guest alcohol policy. Other terms and conditions may apply. This package is not available for purchase on charters, sailings that are two (2) days or less and Pride of America. Also not available for guests under the age of 25 years old on domestic itineraries during blackout dates of March 1 – April 15, applies to sailings that includes these dates. Blackout dates do not apply to Norwegian Jade or Norwegian Spirit for 2015 itineraries.

 

Don't you have a second credit card you could use for one of the cabins? That way you wouldn't have to buy the package for both cabins.

[Berniecruiser]

Don't you have a second credit card you could use for one of the cabins? That way you wouldn't have to buy the package for both cabins.

 

That's my plan. I was just trying to say you should read the conditions of any package carefully or even the general rules of the ship(Cruise Line) & not always trust just what the Reps say. I've read so many times here how people called the Cruise Line and were told one thing & then when they get to the ship not so.

[nancynana9950]

We are four people in two cabins. DH and I chose UDP. DM and DS chose UBP. Well sister is 48 and Mom is 88. Sister really wanted UBP and Mom said OK. Mom won't have more than 1or2 drinks per day. Maybe I can help her? How closely is this service monitored? I booked both cabins on one cc and had no problem choosing different plans.

 

 

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[hawkeyetlse]

Maybe I can help her? How closely is this service monitored?

You are expected to monitor yourself.