Ultimate Dining Plan UDP Experiences and Discounts on NCL Escape

[SeaWatcher65]

Hoping for some reports about the Ultimate Dining Plan UDP discounts on the Escape's first sailings. UDP is from previous promotions and purchases, not the same as the current Specialty Dining Plan SDP. Thanks! The terms and conditions on NCL's web site show: "25% applies to all a la carte and entertainment based dining and select specialty restaurants. These venues include...Food Republic...Supper Club...Bayamo and Pincho by Jose Garces."

 

• Food Republic and Pincho Tapas Bar - Are people getting the 25% discount?
  
• Bayamo - still 25% discount or are people getting charged $15 plus 18% ($17.70 total) like it is for SDP?
  
• For the Record Supper Club - still 25% discount?
  
• Any other experiences to share?
  

Edited November 14, 2015 by SeaWatcher65

[LilMsFoodie]

I just returned from the 11/11-14 Escape cruise. I dined at the Tapas Bar instead of a restaurant one night and the charge was $7. Nothing more.

 

There seem to be some problems with Bayamo. Several people left in a huff the night I was at the Tapas Bar saying they wouldn't ever try it again.

 

Tapas Bar was quite good but nothing spectacular.

[SeaWatcher65]

I thought one person reported that they did not get any discount with UDP at Food Republic. If NCL is changing the terms, I wish they would post something on their web site. But always get more accurate information here on cruise critic.

[LrgPizza]

Food Republic has never been included, and it still isn't. There is no change in terms.

[SeaWatcher65]

Food Republic has never been included, and it still isn't. There is no change in terms.

 

But the UDP terms and conditions still on NCL's web site says Food Republic is included at 25% discount. Here's what the web site says...

 

For Sailings on or after July 3rd, 2015

The Ultimate Dining Package (UDP) is available via pre-sell or onboard purchase on days 1 and 2 of the voyage only. On 3-day sailings the package is only for sale on day 1. No refunds are available if fewer restaurants are visited. The UDP is nontransferable. Reservations are not required for UDP guests, however, tables reserved onboard will be subject to availability for reservations made 24 hours in advance. We encourage you to log in to My NCL to make dining reservations in advance for specific night(s) of your cruise. An 18% gratuity and specialty service charge will be added to the package price. A 25% discount applies to all a la carte and entertainment based dining and select Specialty Restaurants (Not included in the Ultimate Dining Package). These venues include: Sushi, Raw Bar, Food Republic, Hot Rock, Tapas Bar, Noodle Bar, Ocean Blue, Ocean Blue on The Waterfront, The Cellars, The District, Murder Mystery, Cirque Dreams & Dinner, Illusionarium, Supper Club, Wine Lovers, Pajama Jam, Bayamo and Pincho by Jose Garces. The UDP does not include beverages or corresponding gratuity. No kids pricing available for UDP. Excludes all 1 and 2 day sailings. Includes add-ons in Le Bistro such as Fruit de Mer, Lobster and Cote De Boeuf. Does not apply to special occasion/holiday menus (New Year’s, Christmas, etc.). Latitudes Platinum Guests will receive a $20 discount on the UDP (as they receive 1 complimentary dinner in Le Bistro). $10 per each additional main course will be charged in Le Bistro & Cagney’s. Chef’s Table, Jazz Brunch, Carlo’s Bake Shop items, Ice Cream Bar and Gelato are not part of the package.

Edited November 14, 2015 by SeaWatcher65

[JOLTnPEST]

NCL is telling me 17.70 for Supper club.

Edited November 14, 2015 by JOLTnPEST

[BirdTravels]

NCL is telling me 17.70 for Supper club.

 

$17.70 is the upcharge for people under the Specialty Dining Plan (SDP)

 

Technically, people with the old Ultimate Dining Plan (UDP) get 25% off the $30 supper club cost + 18% gratuity ~ $26.50. Although there are report of UDP people getting the $17.70 price.

 

I had the SPD and was charged $17.70 for the "For the Record" show and $17.70 for the Cabaret show at the supper club.

[NLH Arizona]

$17.70 is the upcharge for people under the Specialty Dining Plan (SDP)

 

Technically, people with the old Ultimate Dining Plan (UDP) get 25% off the $30 supper club cost + 18% gratuity ~ $26.50. Although there are report of UDP people getting the $17.70 price.

 

I had the SPD and was charged $17.70 for the "For the Record" show and $17.70 for the Cabaret show at the supper club.

You reported on another thread that with the SDP you got one starter, one entree and one dessert at Cagney's, is this still correct information?

[BirdTravels]

There seem to be some problems with Bayamo. Several people left in a huff the night I was at the Tapas Bar saying they wouldn't ever try it again.

 

Tapas Bar was quite good but nothing spectacular.

 

We ate at the Tapas Bar for lunch on 11/13. The food was "o.k.", but the service was very disorganized with multiple groups complaining to the hostess and restaurant manager about not getting food and drinks.

 

We also ate at Bayamos for dinner on 11/13 and the service and food were excellent.

[BirdTravels]

You reported on another thread that with the SDP you got one starter, one entree and one dessert at Cagney's, is this still correct information?

 

So,,, it remains to be seen. I asked multiple restaurant hosts and reservation personnel what the "official" SDP rules on the ship, and it is One, One, One.

 

That being said, currently, the old UDP codes are still in the point of sales, and the waiters use the UDP code to "write off" whatever you order. So, when we ate at Bayamos using the SDP, we had multiple starters, a single entree and dessert. The UDP promotion code was used to zero out everything except the $15+tip ($17.70) upcharge. We were willing to pay for the additoinal starters, but the waiter promo them out.

 

I only have one data point since we ate at the supper club the two other nights of the 3-day 11/11-11/14.

Edited November 15, 2015 by BirdTravels

[NLH Arizona]

So,,, it remains to be seen. I asked multiple restaurant hosts and reservation personnel what the "official" SDP rules on the ship, and it is One, One, One.

 

That being said, currently, the old UDP codes are still in the point of sales, and the waiters use the UDP code to "write off" whatever you order. So, when we ate at Bayamos using the SDP, we had multiple starters, a single entree and dessert. The UDP promotion code was used to zero out everything except the $15+tip ($17.70) upcharge. We were willing to pay for the additoinal starters, but the waiter promo them out.

 

I only have one data point since we ate at the supper club the two other nights of the 3-day 11/11-11/14.

Thanks for the update.

[punkincc]

$17.70 is the upcharge for people under the Specialty Dining Plan (SDP)

 

Technically, people with the old Ultimate Dining Plan (UDP) get 25% off the $30 supper club cost + 18% gratuity ~ $26.50. Although there are report of UDP people getting the $17.70 price.

 

I had the SPD and was charged $17.70 for the "For the Record" show and $17.70 for the Cabaret show at the supper club.

 

We are booked for January on the Escape. One of our party has the UDP, the others the SDP. When making our bookings for the dinner show, ALL were charged the $17.70. Bayamo is $17.70 for all.

 

It seems NCL has decided to apply the SDP terms to those who are currently sailing with the UDP. It was reported in a thread here on 9-20th that someone had spoken to the PR department and was told that under UDP, the 25% discounts would apply until 10-03 and then the $15 ( or other ) upcharges would apply. Of course NCL never puts anything in writing.;).

 

While I think it is underhanded for any company to not honor the terms and conditions of a package they sold you, I think most would agree that you are better off paying a flat $15 up charge for Bayamo and the Supper Club vs a 25% discount. The exception may be for Food Republic, which is excluded under SDP, but very much included under the UDP terms with a 25% discount. So here, clearly you would be better off with a 25% discount than no discount at all.

 

So it seems NCL is giving those who bought the UDP a sort of hybrid SDP/UDP package which offers upcharges rather than 25% discounts but excludes one of the venues, Food Republic, previously listed as covered with a 25% discount.

[excitedtocruise]

We also booked last January for this January and have the UDP, we are being charged the $26.00 pp for the Dinner Show.

[insidecabin]

The POS system for dinning is broken with the a la carte and various packages.

 

I suspect they have to do manual audit to check people don't go over.

 

We found flexibility on the 1,1,1 rules if asked nicely.

 

The dinner package is quite good value if you like specially and more than covers even basic ala carte options.

 

Go hungry to tapas there is $40 menu price of ok stuff more the the one dinner+$7+grat.

[punkincc]

We also booked last January for this January and have the UDP, we are being charged the $26.00 pp for the Dinner Show.

 

I have seen others report the same, not sure why the difference in charges from one UDP to another. Possibly date package was purchased, promo package vs purchase, or just a system glitch, who knows.

[LrgPizza]

The POS system for dinning is broken with the a la carte and various packages.

 

I suspect they have to do manual audit to check people don't go over.

 

We found flexibility on the 1,1,1 rules if asked nicely.

 

The dinner package is quite good value if you like specially and more than covers even basic ala carte options.

 

Go hungry to tapas there is $40 menu price of ok stuff more the the one dinner+$7+grat.

What 1,1,1 rule? It doesn't exist except in one poster's mind.

 

There is no need to ask nicely. We could order whatever we wanted even when we didn't ask. When we did ask, we were told apps, sides, desserts are unlimited. Only charge is for extra entree, which is the same as UDP.

[punkincc]

So,,, it remains to be seen. I asked multiple restaurant hosts and reservation personnel what the "official" SDP rules on the ship, and it is One, One, One.

 

That being said, currently, the old UDP codes are still in the point of sales, and the waiters use the UDP code to "write off" whatever you order. So, when we ate at Bayamos using the SDP, we had multiple starters, a single entree and dessert. The UDP promotion code was used to zero out everything except the $15+tip ($17.70) upcharge. We were willing to pay for the additoinal starters, but the waiter promo them out.

 

I only have one data point since we ate at the supper club the two other nights of the 3-day 11/11-11/14.

 

 

I think the restaurant hosts and reservation personnel are as confused as we are, and probably more so. I don't think I would take anything they say as gospel. And then there is the added 1, 1 and 1 rule for Platinum reward dinners to further muddy the waters.

 

The actual experience reported seems to be that multiple starters are allowed with no extra charge as your experience and that of others shows. I probably won't make any fuss about not getting the 25% discount at Food Republic, which is clearly in in the UDP Terms and Conditions. But if they try to deny me appetizer, soup/and or salad along with my entree, or charge extra for two items, they will hear from me on the spot. There is no such restriction in the Terms and Conditions for either the SDP or the UDP. The only restriction is the $10 charge for extra main entree.

 

If they want to go to a one, one and one restriction on the packages, then they need to change to terms and conditions for those purchased as of a certain date and proceed from there.

[hunterjackson]

We were charged $17.70 at supper club and bayamo.

 

Able to order whatever we wanted at cagneys (not additional entre). Same with le bistro.

 

No discount at food republic. But wouldn't have saved much.

[punkincc]

We were charged $17.70 at supper club and bayamo.

 

Able to order whatever we wanted at cagneys (not additional entre). Same with le bistro.

 

No discount at food republic. But wouldn't have saved much.

 

UDP or SDP? Food Republic is excluded from SDP. I agree, probably not worth fighting over. But could add up for several people and multiple visits.

[hpecorari]

We are booked for January on the Escape. One of our party has the UDP, the others the SDP. When making our bookings for the dinner show, ALL were charged the $17.70. Bayamo is $17.70 for all.

.

 

 

For the Supper Club I was charged $15.00 per person for a total of $30.00. No 18% grats added. I paid it online via MyNCL.

 

For Bayamo I was charged $17.70 per person for a total of $35.40. Seems the 18% grats was added to that. I paid it online via MyNCL.

 

Harriet

[BirdTravels]

I think the restaurant hosts and reservation personnel are as confused as we are, and probably more so. I don't think I would take anything they say as gospel. And then there is the added 1, 1 and 1 rule for Platinum reward dinners to further muddy the waters.

 

Unlike platinum, With all of the a la carte options, CAS has moved away from the dinner voucher to a dining credit for gold and black members. They are manually administering it like the spa credit right now.

[17cruisesnsl]

Thank you for the information--do I assume CAS is providing a dollar amount credit for a specific meal? With so many having the UDP and a la carte pricing, this appears to make sense.

 

Personally I am finding all of this frustrating. Lots of confusion on line and on the phone with NCL reps concerning their new programs.

 

CAS has not provided specifics about special check-in -- I read about that on Cruise Critic. Left my last NCL cruise as CAS gold but over 1 year ago so I assume I've lost that level. Not sure, what, if anything, booking this cruise as Harrahs Seven Star provides. I hope VIP check-in as long lines and traveling with senior citizens in Miami Heat is not a good combination.

 

Like most on this site, I am a seasoned cruiser frustrated by the miscommunications and program changes. I booked NCL solely for the Seven Star promo and hope I don't regret choosing the Escape over Regal Princess.

[NLH Arizona]

Thank you for the information--do I assume CAS is providing a dollar amount credit for a specific meal? With so many having the UDP and a la carte pricing, this appears to make sense.

 

Personally I am finding all of this frustrating. Lots of confusion on line and on the phone with NCL reps concerning their new programs.

 

CAS has not provided specifics about special check-in -- I read about that on Cruise Critic. Left my last NCL cruise as CAS gold but over 1 year ago so I assume I've lost that level. Not sure, what, if anything, booking this cruise as Harrahs Seven Star provides. I hope VIP check-in as long lines and traveling with senior citizens in Miami Heat is not a good combination.

 

Like most on this site, I am a seasoned cruiser frustrated by the miscommunications and program changes. I booked NCL solely for the Seven Star promo and hope I don't regret choosing the Escape over Regal Princess.

Not sure there is anything provided because you are Seven Stars, other than the cruise free or at a discount, a drink card and CAS check-in if provided by the port.

[BirdTravels]

Thank you for the information--do I assume CAS is providing a dollar amount credit for a specific meal? With so many having the UDP and a la carte pricing, this appears to make sense.

 

CAS has not provided specifics about special check-in -- I read about that on Cruise Critic. Left my last NCL cruise as CAS gold but over 1 year ago so I assume I've lost that level. Not sure, what, if anything, booking this cruise as Harrahs Seven Star provides. I hope VIP check-in as long lines and traveling with senior citizens in Miami Heat is not a good combination.

 

The Escape sails out of Terminal B and C (based on even or odd number floors). Everyone goes through security screening upon entering the terminal. Once you are past the security checkpoint and in the Check-In area, look for the CAS checkin signs (normally to the far left). You can use the casino checkin lines whether you are booked through CAS directly or using a Caesars certificate.

 

On the Escape only (currently), CAS offers $100 dining credit to gold and $200 dining credit to black players. The credit does NOT need to be used all at once, CAS will pay for all food and beverage expenses up to the credit limit. They also offer $150/$300 spa credit. Red and Green players still get the free drinks card (which covers things not on the UBP like bottled water, energy drinks).

 

Even if you have a dining package, you can use that dining credit for a la carte lunches and non-casino beverages. It also pays for dining upcharges (e.g. Supper Club, Bayamos, and Tapas bar). Even though we had a dessert with our SDP dinner, we went to the Food Republic for one of their specialty desserts!

Edited November 15, 2015 by BirdTravels

[17cruisesnsl]

Not sure there is anything provided because you are Seven Stars, other than the cruise free or at a discount, a drink card and CAS check-in if provided by the port.

 

Thank you. The check-in is most important to me as I am traveling with a senior!