Thoughts on purchasing UBP

[julscarlson]

I imagine there are threads regarding this topic but I have not been able to find exactly what I was looking for. That being said....

 

When I booked my cruise the UBP was not an option and later once it was offered I could not make the changes without losing other perks that I had. I am not a huge drinker normally and am debating whether I could justify spending the amount it would cost me to purchase the UBP. On one hand, I tell myself to just go and drink what I want to and that I probably wouldn't spend more than that anyways....and then on the other hand, I think I really want to try out those Mojitos and if I found a place with awesome margaritas (I am a bit of a margarita snob, haha) and then of course wine...it can be pretty easy to drink several glasses of wine over the course of an evening. Oh...and Bailey's and coffee would be nice too.

 

Your thoughts are appreciated! Oh, and can I wait until I am on the ship to purchase the UBP if I decide I am going for it?

 

Counting down to sail away!

[SeaShark]

I imagine there are threads regarding this topic but I have not been able to find exactly what I was looking for. That being said....

 

When I booked my cruise the UBP was not an option and later once it was offered I could not make the changes without losing other perks that I had. I am not a huge drinker normally and am debating whether I could justify spending the amount it would cost me to purchase the UBP. On one hand, I tell myself to just go and drink what I want to and that I probably wouldn't spend more than that anyways....and then on the other hand, I think I really want to try out those Mojitos and if I found a place with awesome margaritas (I am a bit of a margarita snob, haha) and then of course wine...it can be pretty easy to drink several glasses of wine over the course of an evening. Oh...and Bailey's and coffee would be nice too.

 

Your thoughts are appreciated! Oh, and can I wait until I am on the ship to purchase the UBP if I decide I am going for it?

 

Counting down to sail away!

 

Whether or not an extra like the UBP is "worth it" varies from person to person. Things like this can be worth it to one person and not worth it to another.

 

These packages are priced based on data from hundreds of thousands of passengers. They are designed to make more money for the cruise line.

 

You have to look at your past behavior. What is your typical bar bill on a cruise? If you normally exceed the cost of the UBP, then you will find that it is "worth it", if not the cruise line will be making more money off of you.

[Cauzneffct]

I imagine there are threads regarding this topic but I have not been able to find exactly what I was looking for. That being said....

 

When I booked my cruise the UBP was not an option and later once it was offered I could not make the changes without losing other perks that I had. I am not a huge drinker normally and am debating whether I could justify spending the amount it would cost me to purchase the UBP. On one hand, I tell myself to just go and drink what I want to and that I probably wouldn't spend more than that anyways....and then on the other hand, I think I really want to try out those Mojitos and if I found a place with awesome margaritas (I am a bit of a margarita snob, haha) and then of course wine...it can be pretty easy to drink several glasses of wine over the course of an evening. Oh...and Bailey's and coffee would be nice too.

 

Your thoughts are appreciated! Oh, and can I wait until I am on the ship to purchase the UBP if I decide I am going for it?

 

Counting down to sail away!

 

It also depends on the length and port-intensity of your cruise as you're paying for it every day. Hasn't been worth it for me as I know I won't get its worth on port days and don't really have the desire (or liver) to make it up on sea days.

[Big Al B.]

Another thing I was wondering about. Can just one person in the cabin purchase the package? I seem to remember something about both needing to get it, but that might have just been with the promo.

[hamrag]

Another thing I was wondering about. Can just one person in the cabin purchase the package? I seem to remember something about both needing to get it, but that might have just been with the promo.

 

No, both must purchase.

[hawkeyetlse]

Another thing I was wondering about. Can just one person in the cabin purchase the package? I seem to remember something about both needing to get it, but that might have just been with the promo.

With the promo, the first two people get it, and that's it. The other adults in the cabin are not required to buy it.

 

If you don't have the promo, if one person in the cabin buys it, everyone else in the cabin (over 21) has to buy it, too.

Oh, and can I wait until I am on the ship to purchase the UBP if I decide I am going for it?

Yes. It used to cost less when pre-purchased, but now there is just one (high) price of $64/day plus 18% service charge. If you buy it on the first day while still in port, they may add local taxes on top of that. Edited December 13, 2015 by hawkeyetlse

[4774Papa]

For DW and self the drinks packages are a huge waste. We normally split a bottle of wine an evening or even over two evenings. Also, have a martini or beer here and there.

 

No way we are hitting the $50 plus per day each. For a two week cruise, we normally spend about $350 total on liquor of all types.

 

If I wanted to drink more, I don't think my doctor would be very happy.

[sweet curise]

Going on coral 2016 march i am booking anamal planet/discovery excursion through princess wondering if anyone has heard of discovery dollars and how to collect them? Any information on this would be much appreciated thanks

[Sotermarler]

We are also not big drinkers. DH and I had the UBP promo on our Escape 7 day. We went crazy for us, and had more drinks then ever I my life! We kept all the receipts and added them up and by day 6 we didn't even hit $600. I was drinking mixed drinks and DH beer, never anything over $11.50.

 

So it wouldn't make sense for us in the future to buy the package. I'm so glad we know that and now so we can budget going forward.

 

Like everyone says it will be different for each person.

[ibizasue]

your post made me smile. it sounds so like me. I am not a big drinker, I only normally drink on holidays, but I was on costa last year , I purchased there drinks package. I think it was around 45 eu per day. so I made a note of my drinks...................................................................list cost

3 x soda/juice /water/cappachino in the day. .............. 10eu

2 x non alcoholic cocktail .........................................10eu

2 x glass wine with dinner........................................20eu

2 cocktails in the evening shows................................20eu

 

so it was worth it for me . but more importantly, I drank what I wanted without having to worry.

[Tyskie]

Going on coral 2016 march i am booking anamal planet/discovery excursion through princess wondering if anyone has heard of discovery dollars and how to collect them? Any information on this would be much appreciated thanks

 

sweet curise This would be best asked on the Princess Board and/or Ports of Call.

 

It can be confusing when you are a newbie to Cruise Critic. :)

[Capella Black]

Drinks packages are tricky, because I find having one changes what I drink. Without a package, I judge the value of every drink, and thus drink far less than the cost of the package over the week. With the package, I try whatever sounds tasty (soda, mocktails, cocktails, wine) and generally far exceed the package cost. I also enjoy myself more, feel more luxurious.

 

So, if you'd rather restrict your drinking, and minimise your spends, then no package is probably best. If you'd rather have maximum fun, then the package may help you let go a bit more, and end up being less than the drinks you consume!

[queenschick9b]

It also depends on the length and port-intensity of your cruise as you're paying for it every day. Hasn't been worth it for me as I know I won't get its worth on port days and don't really have the desire (or liver) to make it up on sea days.

 

 

I completely agree. My last cruise was on RCCL were you had to pay, no promo. I took it because it was only 3 ports stops and one was their private island where the package works.

 

I chose UBP as my perk because I am going on the breakaway and we are only at ports for 2.5 days and one is GSC where i believe I can use the package. Totally worth it to me as a perk.

 

I will say since I paid on RCCL at first I counted my drinks every day and I felt I needed to "break even" but after the forth day I gave up didn't want any more drinks and was mostly consuming Shirley temples and virgin pina coladas :)

[Leavethekidswithmom]

With the promo, the first two people get it, and that's it. The other adults in the cabin are not required to buy it.

 

If you don't have the promo, if one person in the cabin buys it, everyone else in the cabin (over 21) has to buy it, too.

Yes. It used to cost less when pre-purchased, but now there is just one (high) price of $64/day plus 18% service charge. If you buy it on the first day while still in port, they may add local taxes on top of that.

 

 

Only online must everyone in the cabin purchase it. On the ship it can be purchased individually.

[HowardK]

I hardly drink but when I just did a booking for the Escape it offerred a combo UBP/Dining Package for $93 in service fees so I added it. Because I took a studio and eat with other solos, there will be nights where I am in the main dining room. So I few it as a $46 service charge for each.

So if I have a drink a day and eat in 2-3 restaurants it should cover it.

[hawkeyetlse]

Only online must everyone in the cabin purchase it. On the ship it can be purchased individually.

That's good to know! I have seen other reports saying the same thing. I would only caution that in all cases like this where NCL fails to follow its own stated rules, people should not count on the same thing being true for them on their cruise. NCL can decide to get strict about the policy at any time.

[bnorris10]

That's good to know! I have seen other reports saying the same thing. I would only caution that in all cases like this where NCL fails to follow its own stated rules, people should not count on the same thing being true for them on their cruise. NCL can decide to get strict about the policy at any time.

 

Yah when I went on carnival I tried to book soda package online for hubby and it wanted us both to get it and since I don't drink soda I did not want it and so when we got on the boat we asked about it and they let just him buy it

[edawn]

That's good to know! I have seen other reports saying the same thing. I would only caution that in all cases like this where NCL fails to follow its own stated rules, people should not count on the same thing being true for them on their cruise. NCL can decide to get strict about the policy at any time.

 

 

We were on the Dawn in October '15. Everyone in the cabin had to purchase the UBP.

[4774Papa]

your post made me smile. it sounds so like me. I am not a big drinker, I only normally drink on holidays, but I was on costa last year , I purchased there drinks package. I think it was around 45 eu per day. so I made a note of my drinks...................................................................list cost

3 x soda/juice /water/cappachino in the day. .............. 10eu

2 x non alcoholic cocktail .........................................10eu

2 x glass wine with dinner........................................20eu

2 cocktails in the evening shows................................20eu

 

so it was worth it for me . but more importantly, I drank what I wanted without having to worry.

I believe it also depends on what you drink.

 

On NCL we always buy a wine package where you are provided with tickets for bottles of wine. The savings is about 20%. You spend more if you buy glasses of wine instead of bottles.

 

Also, we don't drink specialty coffees, juice or bottled water.

 

Cocktails can be a bit more expensive than drinking wine through the NCL wine package.

 

I think having the drinks package would probably encourage me to drink more, which probably would not be healthy.

 

I frequently see a statement on this thread and others on this subject that having the drinks package give peace of mind, not to worry about the cost.

 

If that works for you, fine, but to me keeping up with how much you spend for booze on a cruise is so easy, just check the TV.

[bbryan5]

Whether or not its worth it varies greatly. We are not big drinkers back at home, but on vacation we indulge.. A couple bloody marys in the morning, beers at the pool in the afternoon, couple glasses of wine with dinner, mixed drinks in the casino.. it could add up quick :D:D