SDP on the Escape...so confusing

[Jane Don]

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.

If I wanted Coq au vin and mushroom soup with desert at Le Bistro, it would be cheaper to use cash than 3 day SDP. So this change will require significantly more research to ensure you are getting the best value.

 

What I don't like is feeling obligated by my frugal nature to order more expensive items to increase my perception of value.

[punkincc]

It is helpful to most...

 

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

 

The responses by Jane Don and SuiteCruiser I would call insightful and very helpful to anyone to anyone considering a dining package.

[punkincc]

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.

 

If I wanted Coq au vin and mushroom soup with desert at Le Bistro, it would be cheaper to use cash than 3 day SDP. So this change will require significantly more research to ensure you are getting the best value.

 

What I don't like is feeling obligated by my frugal nature to order more expensive items to increase my perception of value.

 

 

On previous cruises, we never booked a dining package either. We did not like being committed to 7 nights of specialty dining, but now with the ability to choose any number of nights from 3 or above, and the change to a la carte pricing making it a big unknown just how big the bill would be, we decided to give it a try on the Escape.

 

But I do agree, it requires way more research and thought than I want to put into going to dinner. And you are right, I will probably be making sure I get my monies worth much more so than I ever did under the old cover charge meals when I simply ordered what I wanted vs what equals or exceeds my SDP charge plus $15 up charge. I will not be surprised if after our Escape cruise we decide that it's just not worth the hassle and go back to pay as we go.

[jmele999]

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 know that you are on the cruise right now, but when you have time, can you please elaborate as to how you were able to spend $109 for two people in Cagney's. I was under the impression (as described by Keith Jenner) that under the rules of the UDP and SDP, you can only order an app, entree and dessert. Keith Jenner reported that he ordered two apps in Le Bistro and he charged for the second one.

 

Thanks.

[jmele999]

On previous cruises, we never booked a dining package either. We did not like being committed to 7 nights of specialty dining, but now with the ability to choose any number of nights from 3 or above, and the change to a la carte pricing making it a big unknown just how big the bill would be, we decided to give it a try on the Escape.

 

But I do agree, it requires way more research and thought than I want to put into going to dinner. And you are right, I will probably be making sure I get my monies worth much more so than I ever did under the old cover charge meals when I simply ordered what I wanted vs what equals or exceeds my SDP charge plus $15 up charge. I will not be surprised if after our Escape cruise we decide that it's just not worth the hassle and go back to pay as we go.

 

The bottom line behind the SDP is that NCL is the primary beneficiary. Le Bistro used to be $20, but now it will be more than that if you order the same items A la carte. Additionally, NCL is getting your money up front. I am sure that there are going to be some folks who will not be able enjoy all of the meals that they pre-purchased under the SDP.

[hawkeyetlse]

I know that you are on the cruise right now, but when you have time, can you please elaborate as to how you were able to spend $109 for two people in Cagney's. I was under the impression (as described by Keith Jenner) that under the rules of the UDP and SDP, you can only order an app, entree and dessert.

20 servings of truffle fries each. :D

 

KeithJenner's report was about the free meal for Platinum guests, not the UDP/SDP. The rules of the dining packages say "$10 per each additional main course will be charged in Le Bistro & Cagney’s" (UDP) and "Packages include one main course per person at Cagney's and Le Bistro restaurants. Additional main courses will be charged at $10.00" (SDP). You can order as many appetizers, (soups, salads), sides, and desserts as you like.

[hawkeyetlse]

The bottom line behind the SDP is that NCL is the primary beneficiary. Le Bistro used to be $20, but now it will be more than that if you order the same items A la carte.

I don't know why you say that, the base cost per meal with the SDP is at most $59/3=$19.67 and for that amount you can order anything you like at Le Bistro (limited to one main dish, but it was already like that before).

[jmele999]

20 servings of truffle fries each. :D

 

KeithJenner's report was about the free meal for Platinum guests, not the UDP/SDP. The rules of the dining packages say "$10 per each additional main course will be charged in Le Bistro & Cagney’s" (UDP) and "Packages include one main course per person at Cagney's and Le Bistro restaurants. Additional main courses will be charged at $10.00" (SDP). You can order as many appetizers, (soups, salads), sides, and desserts as you like.

 

Thanks for the clarification. I was under the impression that even with SDP or UDP you were limited to one of each item. However, I would not be surprised if NCL decides to change the terms of the UDP (or SDP) so that you can only get one of each item.

Edited November 3, 2015 by jmele999

[jmele999]

I don't know why you say that, the base cost per meal with the SDP is at most $59/3=$19.67 and for that amount you can order anything you like at Le Bistro (limited to one main dish, but it was already like that before).

 

Just to clarify, I should have said that the new A la Carte prices are more expensive than the cover fee thereby forcing people to get the SDP.

[hawkeyetlse]

Just to clarify, I should have said that the new A la Carte prices are more expensive than the cover fee thereby forcing people to get the SDP.

Oh, I see. I agree that it is easy to go over the previous cover charge when ordering à la carte.

 

But the SDP was already cheaper than paying individual cover charges, even before the move to à la carte on Escape. Right now on the other ships, Cagney's is $29.95, but less than $20 if you get the SDP.

 

People are "forced" to get the SDP if they want to benefit from the advantages of the SDP. I don't see anything objectionable in that.

[NLH Arizona]

The bottom line behind the SDP is that NCL is the primary beneficiary. Le Bistro used to be $20, but now it will be more than that if you order the same items A la carte. Additionally, NCL is getting your money up front. I am sure that there are going to be some folks who will not be able enjoy all of the meals that they pre-purchased under the SDP.

NCL might be getting their money up front, but the SDP is certainly beneficial to the passenger. For example, my meal (salad, filet, baked potato) at Cagney's, at the a la carte prices, would cost me $26, but with the 7 day SDP, it averages out to $20 with 18% gratuity. At the Teppanyaki restaurant, I'll be paying $20 (including gratuity) with the SDP, without it it is $29.95 (without a tip).

[bzzltyr]

Is the 18% service charge based on the flat fee or what you order if it would have been chargeable (ie is my service charge going to be higher if I order 2 appetizeers and 2 desserts than it would without)? On it's own a 3 or 4 day package sounds reasonable, just didnt know if the extra charges make it less so.

[hawkeyetlse]

Is the 18% service charge based on the flat fee or what you order if it would have been chargeable (ie is my service charge going to be higher if I order 2 appetizeers and 2 desserts than it would without)? On it's own a 3 or 4 day package sounds reasonable, just didnt know if the extra charges make it less so.

If you purchase an SDP, or if you get it as a booking perk, you pay 18% in service charges/gratuities on the price of the package up front. So when NCL says the 4-meal package is $74, you will actually have to pay $87.32.

 

When you actually go to the restaurant, if your meal does not incur any additional charges (e.g. for ordering 2 main dishes), your bill at the end will be $0. Nothing more to pay. If you order an extra main dish and they charge you for it, they will also add 18% to that extra charge.

Edited November 3, 2015 by hawkeyetlse

[sixesandeights]

It is helpful to most...

 

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

 

Is the SDP for 3 meals, or 3 days? If I were to say...go to sushi for lunch would I also be able to go to dinner at a specialty or would that use 2 of my 3 meals?

 

6&8

[SeaWatcher65]

Is the SDP for 3 meals, or 3 days? If I were to say...go to sushi for lunch would I also be able to go to dinner at a specialty or would that use 2 of my 3 meals?

 

6&8

 

3 meals. And NCL told me (right or not) it is only for dinners.

[barzm]

Has anyone in here cruised on a holiday? In the fine print it states that the SDP can not be used on special occasion/holiday menus. I'm cruising NYE, and was planning on on purchasing the SDP specifically for this night.

[hawkeyetlse]

Has anyone in here cruised on a holiday? In the fine print it states that the SDP can not be used on special occasion/holiday menus. I'm cruising NYE, and was planning on on purchasing the SDP specifically for this night.

No one has yet cruised on Christmas or NYE with the SDP, so this is another case of "wait and see". In my experience in the past, the specialty restaurants have not offered a special occasion menu for these holidays. If it is just the regular menu on NYE, for the regular price, I don't see why you couldn't use your SDP. But who knows what will happen next month.

 

The only special occasion specialty dinner I have done is Valentine's Day in Le Bistro, and they actually let us do that for no extra charge because we had the UDP and UBP. Again, I don't know how that will be handled next February.

[LrgPizza]

I know that you are on the cruise right now, but when you have time, can you please elaborate as to how you were able to spend $109 for two people in Cagney's. I was under the impression (as described by Keith Jenner) that under the rules of the UDP and SDP, you can only order an app, entree and dessert. Keith Jenner reported that he ordered two apps in Le Bistro and he charged for the second one.

 

 

 

Thanks.

 

 

Hi! It looks like your question has already been answered.

 

We've eaten Cagney's twice now and had multiple sides, appetizers, the most expensive entrees (my averaged-sized marathon runner husband singlehandedly downed the 32 oz porterhouse!) and we've had no charge.

 

I know someone here will again call this post completely unhelpful, but I do hope you are one of those who see the value in first hand reports from the ship. :-).

[jmele999]

Hi! It looks like your question has already been answered.

 

We've eaten Cagney's twice now and had multiple sides, appetizers, the most expensive entrees (my averaged-sized marathon runner husband singlehandedly downed the 32 oz porterhouse!) and we've had no charge.

 

I know someone here will again call this post completely unhelpful, but I do hope you are one of those who see the value in first hand reports from the ship. :-).

 

Yes, I do appreciate first hand reports and thanks for following up. I guess that there is no restriction with the UDP in terms of the amount of food that you can order. At some point, I can see NCL limiting what can be ordered with the "old" UDP and the new SDP.