Gratuity on Free Ultimate Beverage Package

[biguntx]

Cash is always better. That way you know that your tip goes to the person who gave you the great service.

 

You can get the extra $$ by either going to your bank pre cruise, or going to the casino or guest relations and asking them to break down a larger bill.

 

We usually lighten our wallets by a buck or so every day and by the time the cruise comes around we have lots of singles to take with us.

 

Thanks

[pistachio]

I don't think this was answered here yet. So if you receive the free beverage package as a promo from NCL, do you have to pay the 15% of the beverage package?

Thanks for all the drink menu photos - nice to know the prices!

[Demonyte]

I don't think this was answered here yet. So if you receive the free beverage package as a promo from NCL, do you have to pay the 15% of the beverage package?

 

 

It's in the terms and conditions of the promo - gratuities are included.

Edited January 10, 2015 by Demonyte

[lockone]

Does anyone have the list for wine? Thank you!

[lockone]

Can you just buy a souvenir glass seperately? I love that fishbowl one!

[YYC F/A]

I posted at length my experience with the UDP on Breakaway last year but I'm too lazy to find the original thread...

 

I know this is not the question the OP asked, but as a related side note...

 

NCL says drinks up to $10 are included. I ordered a premium bourbon and was declined (as when the bartender checked it, it rang through as $11). However it turns out that the $11 was the total after the 15% gratuity. So the base price of the drink was actually around $9.50 (thus included). The bar supervisor (Breakaway) subsequently confirmed that drinks up to $11.50 as they ring through on the POS would be included ($10 + 15% gratuity) as the UBP is also priced at / factors in +15% gratuity.

 

There continues to be some inconsistency with the drink prices and whether the $10 cap is a $10 cap including the 15% gratuity which in theory you've already paid separately, or whether you can go up to $11.50 ($10 + $1.50).

 

For most people it won't probably be of any consequence, unless you like the super premium tequila's, whisky's and bourbons.

 

To the OP - one little secret is to get some $2 bills from your bank before you leave. When you find a particularly good bar tender in a bar you're likely to frequent, the occasional $2 bill tip will not only be appreciated by the crew, it will be memorable for it's uniqueness. You may just find your future drinks are promptly served up before you even have a chance to ask :D ;)

Edited January 11, 2015 by YYC F/A

[Nismo1126]

This was all news to me. In April we will be sailing to the Bahamas and us too, received the special promotion beverage package compliments of NCL. I was wondering if we would have to too, but after reading the replies to this post it was great information for me myself

 

Happy sailing 🚢

[xelem3]

We've never sailed on NCL, and are considering a Spring Break cruise. We have sailed on Carnival, Princess and HAL, so we're not new to cruising.

 

One of the packages we are considering comes with this Ultimate Beverage option. I haven't been able to find any sort of list of what type of beverages would be included. I know soft drinks are included. Mostly we drink Miller Lite, an occasional mixed drink and wine. Would we be able to get our Miller Lite? What sort of mixed drinks would be included? Bloody Mary type drinks?

Thanks,

 

I believe the UBP includes beer(Miller Lite will be included), wine and cocktails under $10. Does not include specialty beer brands,drink of the day, bucket of beer or bottled water or fresh squeezed juices or specialty coffees. Each person can get 1 drink at a time. We are going next week and I will be more knowledgeable after that cruise. I will repost at that time.

Edited January 16, 2015 by xelem3

[Madmack]

Hello, I'm sorry to see the talk on this topic has ended as I have a question. For those of you that actually used the benefit of the included UBP did you notice any difference in the servers attention or the quality of the drinks provided? I'm a frequent tipper also and tend to stick to the same bar tenders and on board servers but this will be my first time using this package. Thanks.

[LrgPizza]

Hello, I'm sorry to see the talk on this topic has ended as I have a question. For those of you that actually used the benefit of the included UBP did you notice any difference in the servers attention or the quality of the drinks provided? I'm a frequent tipper also and tend to stick to the same bar tenders and on board servers but this will be my first time using this package. Thanks.

The servers wouldn't have any way of knowing if it is an included UBP or a purchased UBP. We had excellent service with our purchased UBPs on 2 cruises. I think they know we are a "sure thing" to buy drinks, and they want to ring in as many drinks as they can, so they bend over backwards for us. I have no reason to think it would be different if it's included. It's the same sticker on your card whether purchased or part of a promo.

[jerseyparts]

Hmmm I am confused, I read a review somewhere about how when someone got a drink using the UBP system, they had to fill out a bunch of papers each time they got a drink, but your description above sounds like they just take your card and run it through there???

 

 

 

Thanks for any info, First timer going in May!!!

 

B

[Demonyte]

Hmmm I am confused, I read a review somewhere about how when someone got a drink using the UBP system, they had to fill out a bunch of papers each time they got a drink, but your description above sounds like they just take your card and run it through there???

 

Hi and welcome to CC!

 

Not "a bunch of papers", but one needs to sign the receipt for every drink - just like when paying by the drink.

[urqu3]

Norwegian Cruise line has started adding $9.72 (service charge) per day to its

"FREE" beverage package. That just added almost $200 to my 10 day cruise.

I know of no other cruise line that does this. I will never book with Norwegian

again. Free used to be Free.

[gergles]

Norwegian Cruise line has started adding $9.72 (service charge) per day to its

"FREE" beverage package. That just added almost $200 to my 10 day cruise.

I know of no other cruise line that does this. I will never book with Norwegian

again. Free used to be Free.

 

Yeah, I just noticed this doing a trial booking last night. On what planet does "Free" mean $10 a day? Really pathetic nickel-and-diming, that I guess I should've expected, reading through this board recently and seeing the room service charge and going "a la carte" for Specialty dining and the ridiculous food ban they tried and and and...

[Love my butler]

Yeah, I just noticed this doing a trial booking last night. On what planet does "Free" mean $10 a day?

 

On planet NCL. They never met a nickel they didn't want to pry from your pocket. The deceptive advertising and language they use is really disgraceful imo.

 

Just last week they added 'premium selections' to the Cagney's and La Cucina menus. Even though the information sheet they hand you when you purchase the UDP clearly states everything on the menu is included, the premium selections are not. The staff cannot explain the discrepancy.

 

Queue the cheerleaders who will say 'everybody does it'. No they don't and wrong is wrong even if others are doing it.

[champagne lover]

We have the UBP - we like to have a glass of wine in our cabin, presume there is no reason why we can't get a drink at the bar and take it back to our cabin?

[Demonyte]

We have the UBP - we like to have a glass of wine in our cabin, presume there is no reason why we can't get a drink at the bar and take it back to our cabin?

 

 

Nope. You can carry drinks around the ship freely.

[Madmack]

I try to cater to my wife on cruises.....She deserves it for putting up with me for 42 years. Anyway.....I guess the extra money doesn't bother me as much as the fact I can only order a drink for myself. Anyone tried taking both yours and your wife's card to the bar to order a drink for both of yourselves to take back to the cabin?

[fabnfortysomething]

I try to cater to my wife on cruises.....She deserves it for putting up with me for 42 years. Anyway.....I guess the extra money doesn't bother me as much as the fact I can only order a drink for myself. Anyone tried taking both yours and your wife's card to the bar to order a drink for both of yourselves to take back to the cabin?

 

after the first day the waiters will figure out you are together and will just take one card-hubby often has a drink waiting for me after I've gone to a show and we usually order a last drink as a nightcap to enjoy on our balcony listening to the sound of the waves

[Madmack]

after the first day the waiters will figure out you are together and will just take one card-hubby often has a drink waiting for me after I've gone to a show and we usually order a last drink as a nightcap to enjoy on our balcony listening to the sound of the waves

 

Thanks....this is what I was hoping to hear!

[Coasty]

Norwegian Cruise line has started adding $9.72 (service charge) per day to its

"FREE" beverage package. That just added almost $200 to my 10 day cruise.

I know of no other cruise line that does this. I will never book with Norwegian

again. Free used to be Free.

 

Was that $9.72 each day, per couple or per person?

[rochelle_s]

Was that $9.72 each day, per couple or per person?

 

That is per person per day. That is $19.44 per couple so a total of $136.08 for a 7 day cruise and this will be paid at the time of final payment.

 

 

Rochelle

[rochelle_s]

On planet NCL. They never met a nickel they didn't want to pry from your pocket. The deceptive advertising and language they use is really disgraceful imo.

 

Just last week they added 'premium selections' to the Cagney's and La Cucina menus. Even though the information sheet they hand you when you purchase the UDP clearly states everything on the menu is included, the premium selections are not. The staff cannot explain the discrepancy.

 

Queue the cheerleaders who will say 'everybody does it'. No they don't and wrong is wrong even if others are doing it.

 

Do you have any more information about this? Is there similar 'premium selections' on the Le Bistro menu, as this is another a la carte venue?

 

Thanks for any updated information you can provide.

 

 

Rochelle

[Coasty]

That is per person per day. That is $19.44 per couple so a total of $136.08 for a 7 day cruise and this will be paid at the time of final payment.

 

 

Rochelle

 

Thank you. We are doing an 11 dayer. The "Free" UBP is going to cost us $214.

Hmmm.....Bloody Mary's for breakfast, 2 beers for lunch, 2 drinks before dinner, a couple of glasses of wine during dinner, an after dinner snort and a night cap. That's about 15 drinks a day= about 165 cocktails @ $1.30 each. DEAL:D

[rochelle_s]

Thank you. We are doing an 11 dayer. The "Free" UBP is going to cost us $214.

Hmmm.....Bloody Mary's for breakfast, 2 beers for lunch, 2 drinks before dinner, a couple of glasses of wine during dinner, an after dinner snort and a night cap. That's about 15 drinks a day= about 165 cocktails @ $1.30 each. DEAL:D

 

We booked two 10 days B2B in December when the gratuities were included with the promo, so fortunately we will be saving almost $400 which makes me happy.

 

Now if you both keep to that drinking schedule :cool: you can get those bevies down to 65 cents each. That would make them a fabulous bargain!! :D

 

 

Rochelle