UBP price increase, $15 per drink? But...

[Casino Comp Chick]

:o *looks around* ... *slowly raises hand* :o

 

Hahaha that explains a lot

:D

[Casino Comp Chick]

You are right on: just because one person doesn't drink much at all and can't see the benefit of a drink package, doesn't mean others do not, plus, his saying he can buy 36 cans for $30.00. Well, good for him, most of us pay a lot more than that for decent beer.

 

SHE was generalizing. I guess that went over your head.

[Casino Comp Chick]

I, too, often wonder how many of the posters here who are upset about this or that actually have any cruises booked at all...?

 

I have 8 booked through NCL and I have the UBP on all except the weekender (though I still have casino drink card) but no, I would never buy it as it makes no sense since I always have free drinks in the casino.

[abe3]

And if comparing apples to apples; the cost of NCL UBP was previously $64/day with included grats vs RCI's at $67/day with grats. So for $3/day extra you got smoothies, bottled water, specialty coffees... Now it's even worse. NCL's is $8/day more than RCI's and those items are still not included.

 

 

Well then take your money to RCI. No one is forcing you to take the UBP and no one is forcing you to cruise on NCL.

Edited October 2, 2015 by abe3

[newmexicoNita]

(soon to be) cirrhosis patients? :cool:

 

my smile for the day; but on the serious side: We have weight the difference in the UNP and just buying drinks as we go. Because we get a bottle of wine in our cabin and each get one with a dinner becaus we are platitum plus our TA always gives us a bottle we are better off to buy drinks on our own. But when we have a choice of the UBP as a perk, for us, it is a great deal.

[Casino Comp Chick]

If don't drink don't pick the UBP there are other options, if in a Suite have it removed and save the 18%

 

The rules are no substitutes, you should still be able to have it removed.

 

 

36 cans for $30 last a month, must be rubbish if you can only face drinking 1 a day.

 

Says the person with the "inside cabin" name

:rolleyes:

[newmexicoNita]

And if comparing apples to apples; the cost of NCL UBP was previously $64/day with included grats vs RCI's at $67/day with grats. So for $3/day extra you got smoothies, bottled water, specialty coffees... Now it's even worse. NCL's is $8/day more than RCI's and those items are still not included.

 

Agree, we should get smoothies and specialty coffees as well with the package. But, comparing one line with another is useless and a waste of time unless this is a deal braker for you. A martini at our PF Changs is a lot more than at our some of our local chinese restaurants, but PF Changs has better food. Which one I choose would not depend on the cost of a martini. And, let me add one more thing, are you basing the difference between RCI and NCL on todays prices or maybe the price RCI was charging say a month ago? And we have no idea when the price may go up?

[littlelulu01]

I am curious as how many of the posters upset about the price increase actually purchased the UBP and how many received it as a free perk with their cruise. Since I have it as a free perk and have never purchased the UBP I am not concerned about the specialty coffee, juice, and water omission. I usually bring my own water and when I have special coffee there is "booze involved". But then this is me personally. I agree with the posters who wrote one should take cost into consideration.

 

I think that people who got it as a perk are much less worried about the price. In all reality as a perk it has not increased a horrible amount at all. It started out with gratuities included when the package was chosen as a perk.

 

Then the 18% grat was added making it still only $9.72/day cost. Even with the latest increase in cost it’s still only $11.52 per person per day extra if taken as a perk. Still a very good deal if taken as a perk and you drink.

 

If you don’t drink, hardly drink anything and not in a suite you have other choices to pick from so I don’t think NCL is going to get some huge outcry on this increase. The person willing to pay out of pocket $75/day for alcohol in order to save money is going to be using that package to the fullest extent and making sure they get their monies worth.

 

With the competition including the grats and also including low cost add ons such as, you can have a smoothie, a water bottle, a specialty coffee with your package, they are acknowledging the nondrinker who is in a suite and gets the package for free by giving them a benefit for the package and the competition is also not the industry highest priced.

 

NCL does come across with this latest change as totally being the nickel and dime king of the industry. Adding something as low cost as a bottle of water or coffee to the package while raising prices is such a simple and low cost way to step away from this label vs. just becoming more of what people dislike about the company. It would be nice if they actually took a step like this and they might but given the track record the past year I doubt it.

[NLH Arizona]

 

NCL does come across with this latest change as totally being the nickel and dime king of the industry. Adding something as low cost as a bottle of water or coffee to the package while raising prices is such a simple and low cost way to step away from this label vs. just becoming more of what people dislike about the company. It would be nice if they actually took a step like this and they might but given the track record the past year I doubt it.

What is so great about cruising, is that there is a cruise line to fit everyone's expectations. If one doesn't like the policies of one, there are probably a number without that same policy....this is why I love cruising, there is a cruise line for everyone.

[senior lady]

Princess is even cheaper and includes all drinks under $10. Water, fancy coffee, drinks.smoothies:D

Also includes the gratuities.

[littlelulu01]

Princess is even cheaper and includes all drinks under $10. Water, fancy coffee, drinks.smoothies:D

Also includes the gratuities.

 

And HAL's is even less than Princess and also includes water, specialty coffee and smoothies.

 

I don't cruise Caribbean and don't look at those prices, trends etc. but I am always comparing west coast, Alaska and Europe. NCL was the least expensive game in town without going really bottom of the barrel. Now they are similar priced or more expensive than Celebrity and HAL for Europe, Alaska and West Coast that I am looking at. RCI seems to be coming in a little higher priced than NCL for cruises I track.

 

So for cruises I am interested in, NCL, Celebrity and HAL are the ones I track the most. My last cruise on the Jade was fabulous and im also excited about my next November on the Spirit.

 

But until my final payment I will be comparing the lines and will switch in a heartbeat if my price protected Spirit sailing is no longer a great deal.

 

In the meantime it is certainly prudent to keep an eye on changes within the lines in addition to prices. Perk package values are not remotely equal among the lines

[insidecabin]

For Europe always check UK and EU prices they are often a lot cheaper than the US and your 18% are included.

[Demonyte]

I am curious as how many of the posters upset about the price increase actually purchased the UBP and how many received it as a free perk with their cruise. Since I have it as a free perk and have never purchased the UBP I am not concerned about the specialty coffee, juice, and water omission.

 

Why would that matter? For all my future cruises with Celebrity bottled waters, canned sodas and speciality coffees are included in the cruise price because of a booking perk - all NCL is doing is devaluing their package.

Edited October 2, 2015 by Demonyte

[Demonyte]

For Europe always check UK and EU prices they are often a lot cheaper than the US and your 18% are included.

 

I have to disagree with "often" - for almost all of our cruises (some Jan-Mar, some repos, some in the summer) the price in US has been cheaper. Yes, there is (at least now) a difference with UBP terms, but that is quite recent development as is the strengthening of US dollar.

Edited October 2, 2015 by Demonyte

[littlelulu01]

For Europe always check UK and EU prices they are often a lot cheaper than the US and your 18% are included.

 

Yes and I check those too. EU and UK have cancelation penalties outside final payment though but if a screaming deal comes up it is worth it.

 

BTW I just received an email from Celebrity for a pick two promo on next year Alaska. Didn't price out as we are doing Europe next year instead but could be a good deal if comparing.

 

One of the perks is pre paid grats. One would need to weigh out the options but with their drink package being all inclusive it's pretty nice to grab water bottles when getting off the ship in port and have no charge, order a morning late for no extra, smoothie for free, fresh squeezed oj no cost. Those add up if not included in package like on NCL.

[missintuitive]

Why would that matter? For all my future cruises with Celebrity bottled waters, canned sodas and speciality coffees are included in the cruise price because of a booking perk - all NCL is doing is devaluing their package.

 

I agree. All lines with an alcoholic beverage packages will offer it as a free perk from time to time. NCL is not unique in this. It really is a marketing technique and NCL is on the record as saying that the FDR "New Deal" approach to NCL management includes continuous marketing campaigns...which means that the free perks on NCL will come every month for the unforeseen future (or until they decrease the value of it to a point that its no longer an attractive marketing draw). NCL is also on the record as saying that they want to appeal to a more affluent customer base who is willing to spend the extra money. With each change they are testing the market to see what it will bear.

 

At this point the NCL beverage package costs more and includes less than other lines so when this is compared to a free perk offered by the other lines then it doesn't have great value. That's why it's always wise to comparison shop.

 

I know that Carnival's internet deal of $5 a day for unlimited access to social media sites, $50(or something like that) for email and media and $99 for premium unlimited internet (think video streaming) on a 7 day cruise has caught my eye. That seems to me as a marketing campaign as well and I'm sure the price will eventually go up. But that won't stop me from purchasing the package.

 

With NCL, I as a customer am so offended by all the changes because they make changes that affect me even after I have paid my last payment (and then don't grandfather me in...think dsc...think no more free magic show the first night...etc.).

 

I am and will continue to consider other cruise lines. I'm already planning my next on on RCI or Celebrity. And based on the prices I've seen thus far they are comparable to NCL. Even if they were not sometimes you get exactly what you pay for...a cruise that seems less expensive on the surface but will be more expensive in the end...

[littlelulu01]

I agree. All lines with an alcoholic beverage packages will offer it as a free perk from time to time. NCL is not unique in this. It really is a marketing technique and NCL is on the record as saying that the FDR "New Deal" approach to NCL management includes continuous marketing campaigns...which means that the free perks on NCL will come every month for the unforeseen future (or until they decrease the value of it to a point that its no longer an attractive marketing draw). NCL is also on the record as saying that they want to appeal to a more affluent customer base who is willing to spend the extra money. With each change they are testing the market to see what it will bear.

 

At this point the NCL beverage package costs more and includes less than other lines so when this is compared to a free perk offered by the other lines then it doesn't have great value. That's why it's always wise to comparison shop.

 

I know that Carnival's internet deal of $5 a day for unlimited access to social media sites, $50(or something like that) for email and media and $99 for premium unlimited internet (think video streaming) on a 7 day cruise has caught my eye. That seems to me as a marketing campaign as well and I'm sure the price will eventually go up. But that won't stop me from purchasing the package.

 

With NCL, I as a customer am so offended by all the changes because they make changes that affect me even after I have paid my last payment (and then don't grandfather me in...think dsc...think no more free magic show the first night...etc.).

 

I am and will continue to consider other cruise lines. I'm already planning my next on on RCI or Celebrity. And based on the prices I've seen thus far they are comparable to NCL. Even if they were not sometimes you get exactly what you pay for...a cruise that seems less expensive on the surface but will be more expensive in the end...

 

Well said. With all the changes, exclusions, add on fees, packages that are so inferior and cost more... it's getting almost as bad as doing business on a used car lot with sleazy salesman tactics. Purchase this for zero down, but when all is said and done you'll wind up paying twice as much. If they really are trying to attract a more affluent customer base it's not the way to go about it. Most people have money because they are careful with how they spend it. My guess is they are more after a crowd that sees UBP free and books because of that. My email is blasted every day with the promise of free beverages when booking a cruise. Of course the other lines also send the same blasts but at least their packages offer a free drink for a non drinker and a benefit for someone who drinks only a few drinks.

[insidecabin]

I have to disagree with "often" - for almost all of our cruises (some Jan-Mar, some repos, some in the summer) the price in US has been cheaper. Yes, there is (at least now) a difference with UBP terms, but that is quite recent development as is the strengthening of US dollar.

 

A Quick look at the headline prices for the 12 cruises on the Epic Nov 29-March 16.

 

Balcony, so both come with UBP.

 

UK is cheaper on 10 of the 12 before you factor in the 18% quite a few are cheaper before you add the taxes.

 

The two holiday cruises are the ones cheaper US and they have extra OBC as well.

 

 

4 TAs Balcony(Escape,Star,Jade) OV(Spirit),

Only the Star is cheaper US and the 18% swings it back.

 

Some are close enough that TA incentives will swing it but NCL has been dumping cabins through UK TAs so some dates there are some seriously cheaper deals on the Epic there but mainly on insides and the UK has droped UBP on those.

 

I have seen a big swing in UK prices being cheaper on EU cruises since the CHOICE promotion started in Dec 14/Jan 15

 

 

Even picking one of the silly priced Star Baltics 31July 9nights again a balcony with UBP

 

UK $2336(£1539)

US $2399 + tax $175 + 18% $104 Total $2678

[nyscilla]

Well said. With all the changes, exclusions, add on fees, packages that are so inferior and cost more... it's getting almost as bad as doing business on a used car lot with sleazy salesman tactics. Purchase this for zero down, but when all is said and done you'll wind up paying twice as much. If they really are trying to attract a more affluent customer base it's not the way to go about it. Most people have money because they are careful with how they spend it.

 

Agreed