Drink Package or No?

[chaney1035]

Trying to determine whether a drink package would be cost effective. Not alcoholics here, but we will be on a cruise.

 

Any Advice?

 

Going on Epic Jan 11th

 

:confused:

[ColinIllinois]

Pretty simple. Do the math. How many drinks do you plan to drink every day? If that comes out to more than what the UBP is then get the UBP.

 

Easy peasy.

 

Here is the T & C for the package if you haven't perused it already. It might help you decide.

 

http://www.ncl.com/promo/ultimate-beverage-package/terms

Edited December 18, 2014 by ColinIllinois

[SteveH2508]

Did the cruise lines introduce the drinks packages to save you money or make them money?:rolleyes:

 

You need to average about 6 or more cocktails each every day to break even. Beers and house drinks nearer 10.

 

I/we can drink for England and on our latest 14 day cruise (hot weather in the Med.) the UDP would have cost us $270 more than we drank (and we did NOT go thirsty!:D)

[chaney1035]

Thanks all. First timer here.

[ColinIllinois]

Thanks all. First timer here.

 

 

Welcome. Lots of great information here. Cruise Critic also has some good sections for you to check out. There is a Ports of Call Forum, review section and if you are sociable there is a Roll Call section where you can talk to other people who will be on your cruise.

 

NCL also has a pretty good Frequently Asked Question section for newbies, it's under "Help" on their website.

[rochelle_s]

I bought the UBP for myself and my daughter when we were on the Getaway and we had no problem getting our money's worth out of it.

 

The package will likely mean you will indulge a little more and it does add up quick. As an example a Bellini each at breakfast and the check was $19. A glass of wine each at lunch $20. At dinner we would try the signature cocktail pre dinner and then perhaps two glasses of wine with dinner - $45. Head to the show and have an after dinner liqueur each - $16. For a vacation I don't think this is at all excessive and already you are at $100. Factor in cold beers and frozen drinks by the pool, stopping for a little something while strolling the waterfront, up at Spice H2o every night and a visit to a music venue or the casino (me) and all hours at the nightclub (her). We got our monies worth no problem, not to mention the added benefit of no surprises of a high bar tab at the end of the cruise.

 

On my next cruise I will be with my mom and she would never partake like my daughter but she does like her red wine and an occasional Pina Colada so with the new promo, picking the UBP was an easy choice.

 

Only you can decide what is best for you. The above though should give you an idea of just how quickly those numbers can add up if you are inclined to indulge when on holiday. No matter what you decide I am sure you will have a great cruise. Enjoy!!

 

 

Rochelle

[garycarla]

Thanks all. First timer here.

 

Welcome aboard. Scroll down through postings from the past week or two and you will find LOTS of great information.

[hawkeyetlse]

I/we can drink for England and on our latest 14 day cruise (hot weather in the Med.) the UDP would have cost us $270 more than we drank (and we did NOT go thirsty!:D)

14 days is tough. I think 10 days is about the limit for us. We definitely get our money's worth, and enjoy it, but we definitely drink more than we would without the package. Longer than 10 days, I think drinking the cost of the package every day would start to feel like a chore, and that would be sad. :o

 

Our next cruise is 11 days, with very few sea days, so we're going to make do with a combination of bar set-up in the cabin, Viva Vino in the dining room, and paying drink by drink at the bars, if someone will kindly remind us how that works… :D The nice thing is we will be able to take advantage of drink specials, tastings, specialty coffees, etc. (When we buy the package, we stick to the included drinks.)

[ngrund]

I recommend the package, remember that it includes soft drinks, that if you weren't on the package would cost $.

 

we were on the Epic, we went to the same bar for after dinner Baileys every night, once the staff knew we were on the package, glasses were never empty.we also like bloody marys in the morning on the balcony, had bought our own mix, and bartender had no problem giving us shots of vodka to go

[brentlym]

I, too, am a huge fan of the beverage package. When you include sodas, juices, mixers, along with most alcohol, it's totally worth it for me and my travel companion. While it's unfortunate that coffee drinks aren't included like other lines include, I still have no problems making it worth my money and I know exactly what my bill is going to be at the end of the cruise.

 

The bottom line is that NCL is going to make money off you whether you buy it or not. You just have to decide what works best for you. I like the freedom and flexibility, and I'm willing to pay for it.

[Lollygil]

We get the soft drink package and bar set up for a bottle of absolute and a bottle of Captain Morgan. And then if we want to purchase a few frozen drinks poolside we are still ahead of the game

[Robert Peel]

Trying to determine whether a drink package would be cost effective. Not alcoholics here, but we will be on a cruise.

 

 

Worth every penny, we have purchased it every year since it was introduced and have come out on the plus side each time.

 

Enjoy your trip

[zdcatc12]

It would be nice if they did like CCL and had lower per day prices the longer the cruise. On CCL five day pricing, I just broke even, I know that I never would with NCL.