SDP on the Escape...so confusing

[barzm]

So I'm new to NCL and very confused about all these dining options available. We plan on doing the Super Club and, more than likely, a couple other special nights. Is the Super Club covered? Is the tip already included in the price when booking the SDP? And, I've read people complaining about a $15 additional charge at certain places with this package, making it not worth it. Thoughts please!! Thanks for the advice in advance.

[remharri]

I second this, this will be my second NCL cruise and I'm considering cancelling for RCCLs Anthem. The dining is so confusing and while I don't mind paying extra, it seems like my second time around may be A LOT extra.

 

Also, looking under my cruise summary I'm only able to book a 3 meal specialty dining package for $70 a person. If I remember correctly, they used to have like 5 days, 6 days and so on. When I purchased on the Epic all specialty dining was included, is this not the case anymore? :confused:

[BirdTravels]

So I'm new to NCL and very confused about all these dining options available. We plan on doing the Super Club and, more than likely, a couple other special nights. Is the Super Club covered? Is the tip already included in the price when booking the SDP? And, I've read people complaining about a $15 additional charge at certain places with this package, making it not worth it. Thoughts please!! Thanks for the advice in advance.

 

The dining package is explained on the NCL web site: http://www.ncl.com/onboard-packages/dining-packages

 

Specialty dining packages are honored in Cagney's Steakhouse, Moderno Churrascaria, Teppanyaki and our French and Italian restaurants. Guests who have purchased the package may also choose to dine in select à la carte priced restaurants, entertainment-based restaurants, Bayamo, and Pincho Tapas Bar , for the following per person upcharges:

•The Supper Club - $15

•Bayamo - $15

•Sushi -$7

•Pincho Tapas Bar - $7

[txagfan]

The dining package is explained on the NCL web site: http://www.ncl.com/onboard-packages/dining-packages

 

Specialty dining packages are honored in Cagney's Steakhouse, Moderno Churrascaria, Teppanyaki and our French and Italian restaurants. Guests who have purchased the package may also choose to dine in select à la carte priced restaurants, entertainment-based restaurants, Bayamo, and Pincho Tapas Bar , for the following per person upcharges:

•The Supper Club - $15

•Bayamo - $15

•Sushi -$7

•Pincho Tapas Bar - $7

 

This is a very good post. I think it's also quite confusing having cruised on the UDP last time and cruising on SDP new plan now. The one benefit I will say is I would have liked to eat at the sushi place when I was on the Getaway UDP plan, but did not since it was only 25% off the a la carte price. For $7 uncharge I would have definitely gone there.

[remharri]

The dining package is explained on the NCL web site: http://www.ncl.com/onboard-packages/dining-packages

 

Specialty dining packages are honored in Cagney's Steakhouse, Moderno Churrascaria, Teppanyaki and our French and Italian restaurants. Guests who have purchased the package may also choose to dine in select à la carte priced restaurants, entertainment-based restaurants, Bayamo, and Pincho Tapas Bar , for the following per person upcharges:

•The Supper Club - $15

•Bayamo - $15

•Sushi -$7

•Pincho Tapas Bar - $7

 

So do you pay the up charge plus the a la carte pricing? Or just the upcharge and you're free to eat what you want?

[barzm]

Thank you! Now can you select what 'days' you use the SDP? For example, if on the first day I want to use it, second day I go to a speciality restaurant but don't, and would rather save for another day can I?

[SuiteCruiser]

Thank you! Now can you select what 'days' you use the SDP? For example, if on the first day I want to use it, second day I go to a speciality restaurant but don't, and would rather save for another day can I?

 

Yes, you let them know if you're using the SDP that night. If you go to Food Republic and order one sushi roll, not worth using SDP and an upcharge, way better to just pay the $6 for the roll.

 

We were at Cagney's last night and half of the table had SDP and the other were a la carte. The a la carte people were told that they could order as much of anything as they wanted, which was good news. The waiter actually put all of the sides on their bill, which we didn't ask for, but was a nice gesture.

[punkincc]

 

We were at Cagney's last night and half of the table had SDP and the other were a la carte. The a la carte people were told that they could order as much of anything as they wanted, which was good news. The waiter actually put all of the sides on their bill, which we didn't ask for, but was a nice gesture.

 

A la Carte people can order anything they want?:confused:. Why couldn't they? They are paying by the item! So the SDP sides which would have been included with the package were put on the bill of the a la carte people? Maybe It's the fact that I haven't yet had my morning coffee, but this makes no sense.

 

Do you mean the sides ordered by those paying a la carte were charged as if the SDP passengers ordered them, making them free?

Edited November 2, 2015 by punkincc

[SuiteCruiser]

A la Carte people can order anything they want?:confused:. Why couldn't they? They are paying by the item! So the SDP sides which would have been included with the package were put on the bill of the a la carte people? Maybe It's the fact that I haven't yet had my morning coffee, but this makes no sense.

 

Do you mean the sides ordered by those paying a la carte were charged as if the SDP passengers ordered them, making them free?

 

Sorry, I meant the SDP people could order all they wanted, with no restrictions and yes, our bills (I was a la carte) only had our mains on them, which was very nice, but not to be expected going forward.

 

I haven't had coffee for days since none of the in room coffee makers have pots in them LOL. Sorry for the confusion!

Edited November 2, 2015 by SuiteCruiser

[BirdTravels]

So do you pay the up charge plus the a la carte pricing? Or just the upcharge and you're free to eat what you want?

 

So, the way it's suppose to work (as confirmed by several posts here), if you have the SDP and are at any specialty restaurant (up charge or not), you order whatever you want, as much you want.

[BirdTravels]

This is a very good post. I think it's also quite confusing having cruised on the UDP last time and cruising on SDP new plan now. The one benefit I will say is I would have liked to eat at the sushi place when I was on the Getaway UDP plan, but did not since it was only 25% off the a la carte price. For $7 uncharge I would have definitely gone there.

 

We'll see how it work,,, we were on the Epic last week with the old UDP and no a la carte restaurants. We're on the Escape next week with the SDP and several a la carte restaurants. We'll let you know how it goes.

[hawkeyetlse]

Sorry, I meant the SDP people could order all they wanted, with no restrictions

Do you mean all they wanted, as far as appetizers, sides, and desserts go? Or were the SDP also able to order more than one main dish for no extra charge (contrary to the terms)?

[NLH Arizona]

Yes, you let them know if you're using the SDP that night. If you go to Food Republic and order one sushi roll, not worth using SDP and an upcharge, way better to just pay the $6 for the roll.

 

We were at Cagney's last night and half of the table had SDP and the other were a la carte. The a la carte people were told that they could order as much of anything as they wanted, which was good news. The waiter actually put all of the sides on their bill, which we didn't ask for, but was a nice gesture.

 

Now I'm confused. The waiter told the a la carte people they could order as much as they wanted, wouldn't that be because the a la carte people are paying for each items, thus there would be no limit. Also, why would he put all the sides on the a la carte bill, wouldn't they have to pay for them, opposed to putting them on the SDP people's bill?

 

Sorry, didn't get down the thread where you said, you meant the SDP could order all they wanted.

Edited November 2, 2015 by NLH Arizona

[remharri]

So, the way it's suppose to work (as confirmed by several posts here), if you have the SDP and are at any specialty restaurant (up charge or not), you order whatever you want, as much you want.

 

I think they should just go back to the way it was. Flat fee for so many meals....gesh. I kind of would like to get on the ship and know that all my meals are paid for in advance.

 

I'm still confused, but I'll keep reading as more people post about it.:p

[barzm]

Agree!! I'm still so torn on what to do. Is it worth it to do SDP and super club with the extra $15. Should I do the 3meal option! I would love to hear a first hand experience story!

[SeaWatcher65]

The dining package is explained on the NCL web site: http://www.ncl.com/onboard-packages/dining-packages

 

Specialty dining packages are honored in Cagney's Steakhouse, Moderno Churrascaria, Teppanyaki and our French and Italian restaurants. Guests who have purchased the package may also choose to dine in select à la carte priced restaurants, entertainment-based restaurants, Bayamo, and Pincho Tapas Bar , for the following per person upcharges:

•The Supper Club - $15

•Bayamo - $15

•Sushi -$7

•Pincho Tapas Bar - $7

 

I looked at the costs for the SDP packages and divided the cost by the number of included meals. Doing that, some places are not any savings by using the SDP. The Supper Club actually costs more to use SDP. The cost of the SDP averages to $20 to $23 per meal. Then add $18 upcharge ($15 plus 18% gratuity on the $15) and it costs MORE to use the SDP instead of just paying the regular charge of $25 for Supper Club ($30 plus 18%). Adding up the a la carte prices for Bayamo (including 2 appetizers, entrée, dessert per person), it ends up being about the same price as using the SDP plus the $18 upcharge. The biggest savings if using the SDP are Cagneys, Le Bistro, and Teppenyaki.

[SeaWatcher65]

I looked at the costs for the SDP packages and divided the cost by the number of included meals. Doing that, some places are not any savings by using the SDP. The Supper Club actually costs more to use SDP. The cost of the SDP averages to $20 to $23 per meal. Then add $18 upcharge ($15 plus 18% gratuity on the $15) and it costs MORE to use the SDP instead of just paying the regular charge of $25 for Supper Club ($30 plus 18%). Adding up the a la carte prices for Bayamo (including 2 appetizers, entrée, dessert per person), it ends up being about the same price as using the SDP plus the $18 upcharge. The biggest savings if using the SDP are Cagneys, Le Bistro, and Teppenyaki.

 

Sorry Typo... The regular charge of supper club is $35 not $25. That is $30 plus 18% gratuity for "Floor Seating".

[LrgPizza]

I'm currently on the Escape with SDP and I'm not confused at all. It works exactly as the terms are written, and exactly as we expected it to work. We've also sailed twice with UDP. Yes, this is different, but not rocket science. Don't overthink it. It's a simple program that works flawlessly.

[punkincc]

Yes, but are u actually saving anything over just paying cover charges or a la carte prices?

[barzm]

Seawatcher, thank you for breaking that all down. That's exactly what I was looking for. Why they need to throw all these other charges on is silly, imo. It makes it too confusing, and frustrating. Ultimately, making people not choose it entirely. I'm still torn...as I foresee us going to Cagneys and Teppenyaki. But, supper was the third...I want to save not spend more!! Hmm!! What to do!!

[LrgPizza]

Yes, but are u actually saving anything over just paying cover charges or a la carte prices?

 

 

The food portion of our Cagney's bill came to $109 for the 2 of us. With our 4 day UDP, we spent $21 each for that meal. So what do you think?

[SeaWatcher65]

Seawatcher, thank you for breaking that all down. That's exactly what I was looking for. Why they need to throw all these other charges on is silly, imo. It makes it too confusing, and frustrating. Ultimately, making people not choose it entirely. I'm still torn...as I foresee us going to Cagneys and Teppenyaki. But, supper was the third...I want to save not spend more!! Hmm!! What to do!!

 

Cagneys, Teppenyaki, and Le Bistro - will definitely save us money using SDP. Adding the $15 surcharge for Bayamo -- probably not unless we ordered the most expensive items. Moderno is now $25 plus gratuity so will save about $5 a person there. The big question for me is how many specialty restaurants I want to commit to... That's why I'll choose the 3-Day SDP. I'd like to try the Manhattan room a couple nights, and maybe another night, just grab something quick for dinner instead of sitting down.

 

Looking at the menus -- Cagneys for example, our a la carte bill for some appetizers, entree (steak or fish), some of the $2 sides, dessert would be a LOT more then the cost of SDP. Same for Le Bistro.

Edited November 3, 2015 by SeaWatcher65

[punkincc]

The food portion of our Cagney's bill came to $109 for the 2 of us. With our 4 day UDP, we spent $21 each for that meal. So what do you think?

 

 

I think it is very understandable that many are confused about the packages, the new a la carte venues, and trying to figure out which is the best option for them. Simply telling someone that it is not rocket science and that the package works flawlessly is not helpful at all.

[SuiteCruiser]

I don't eat a lot, I joke that on my cruises, my calorie intake is eaten up by my drinks ;) So for me, it didn't make sense to use the SDP. I would have spent $25 on my Cagney's dinner (but a friend picked up the tab), I had only the onion soup in Le Bistro, it was $3.99, Food Republic, my shrimp were $10.00 and I couldn't finish them because I was full, split a salad too which was another few dollars.

 

All of this to say, it depends on if you have a large appetite or a small one. One of my friends had gastic bypass, so she has a tiny stomach and can only eat a small app at each sitting. Others I know are tiny, fit people and can eat 2 apps, a main and dessert, so it's not about being big or small, truly only about how big an appetite you have.

 

If you're going to eat several courses at your meals, then you should buy the SDP. If you are only going to have a couple of small dishes, it's not worth it. I would have wasted my money on the SDP this trip.

 

The casino normally comps me a meal for two and a bottle of wine, but they don't do that on this ship, they gave me a $70 food and beverage credit, so I'm using that. Will use my Platinum certificate as well, and likely won't be paying for food, but that's just my situation. If my husband was with me, he'd get the SDP for sure.

[LrgPizza]

I think it is very understandable that many are confused about the packages, the new a la carte venues, and trying to figure out which is the best option for them. Simply telling someone that it is not rocket science and that the package works flawlessly is not helpful at all.

 

 

It is helpful to most...

 

Back to my cruise. You know more about this than I do, obviously. /sarcasm

Edited November 3, 2015 by LrgPizza