Ultimate Beverage Package - limits?

[xcell]

My bad..

 

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[Moby0215]

My bad..

 

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No worries. Just wanted to make sure the right info was out there.

 

 

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[SNJCruisers]

If you only have a few drinks or just soda each day do they still automatically charge you the full 18 percent gratuity as if you'd maxed out the value of the program?

 

I believe that your account is debited the cost of the drink; then it is debited the 18% and finally the cost of the drink is credited. This happens for every drink you have on the package. All you are paying for each time is 18% of the cost the drink.

 

If the cost of the drink is more than the allowed value ($15 I think) it is a little more complicated.

 

Mike

The cost of the UBP is 64.00 per day. The 18% grat is 11.52. If you pick this as your free perk for a 7 day cruise, you're charged 80.64 (11.52 x 7 days). You're charged the 80.64 if you have 1 drink or 100 drinks over the course of your 7 day vacation.

 

You will also pay for any difference in price over the 15.00 limit, plus an additional 18% on that difference if the price of your drink is over the 15.00 limit. So, if a brandy is 18.00, you'll pay the 3.00 difference, plus 0.54 gratuity.

[KeithJenner]

As others have said, the gratuity you pay is 18% of the cost of the package if it had been purchased.

 

Which, rather amusingly, goes right against what some people on here used to very vigorously (and often quite unpleasantly) argue on here that "15% of zero is zero". :)

 

I might go and dig out one of those old threads for amusement purposes.

[Pigbelk007]

Ok let's see if I can get this answered once and for all. I got the Ultimate beverage package for my wife and I. My young 9 year old daughter had to purchase the Soda package even though she don't like or drink soda. So we had to purchase the water package too because they wouldn't substitute it for the soda package. Now when I booked I paid the travel company in advance for the 18% gratuities on the UBP. Do I also need to tip each and every time my wife and I ask for a drink? Especially seeing they allow you one drink at a time? By no means being cheap here, it's just it will cost me more than the beverage package's full price by the time our 2 week back to back is over and done with.

[KeithJenner]

No, there is absolutely no need to tip when you get a drink.

 

You can if you want, but there is no need or requirement.

[Dayana]

Ok let's see if I can get this answered once and for all. I got the Ultimate beverage package for my wife and I. My young 9 year old daughter had to purchase the Soda package even though she don't like or drink soda. So we had to purchase the water package too because they wouldn't substitute it for the soda package. Now when I booked I paid the travel company in advance for the 18% gratuities on the UBP. Do I also need to tip each and every time my wife and I ask for a drink? Especially seeing they allow you one drink at a time? By no means being cheap here, it's just it will cost me more than the beverage package's full price by the time our 2 week back to back is over and done with.

 

 

 

No need to purchase the soda package for your child (especially if they don't drink soda as you stated). I have used my UBP to order an extra soda if my child asked for one. The bartenders never made an issue of it. Also you can simply purchase a case of water to be delivered to your room on embarkation day. The UBP when purchased as a perk only applies to the first 2 people in the cabin is is NOT mandatory that everyone else in the cabin purchase a drink package. If you were told different you were misinformed. Also, the 18% paid at upfront for the gratuities is all that you will pay for any drink under $15. All drinks $15+ you pay the difference for that drink along with the 18% gratuity difference for that drink.

 

 

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[sanger727]

Ok let's see if I can get this answered once and for all. I got the Ultimate beverage package for my wife and I. My young 9 year old daughter had to purchase the Soda package even though she don't like or drink soda. So we had to purchase the water package too because they wouldn't substitute it for the soda package. Now when I booked I paid the travel company in advance for the 18% gratuities on the UBP. Do I also need to tip each and every time my wife and I ask for a drink? Especially seeing they allow you one drink at a time? By no means being cheap here, it's just it will cost me more than the beverage package's full price by the time our 2 week back to back is over and done with.

 

You definitely are not required to tip when you get a drink - you paid your 18% gratuity. I'm assuming you were required to purchase the soda package because you purchased the UBP as opposed to getting it as a "perk". On a B2B that's a very substantial cost, especially adding in the water package. Have you looked to see if you can book at a rate that includes the UBP for less? There would be no need to get your daughter the soda package then if she doesn't drink soda. Or to pay a la carte? IMO NCL"s UBP price is too high with too little included for me to purchase it outright. Would just drink in port and maybe carry on a few bottles of wine.

[arestep]

That isn't correct.

 

You are charged 18% on the cost of the package when you buy it. You aren't charged for any gratuities when you actually get the drinks.

 

I agree with everything above. One thing to keep in mind is that if the ship is in a port that requires taxes on drinks, you will have to pay for the tax regardless of whether you have the UBP. For example, while the Breakaway was in NY harbor a couple of weeks ago, they did add NY sales tax to each drink order and that was not backed out on you final bill. But it amounted to a few dollars for me. I have had the same thing happen at the Port of Miami.

 

Alan

Edited June 30, 2017 by arestep

[Two Wheels Only]

No need to purchase the soda package for your child (especially if they don't drink soda as you stated). I have used my UBP to order an extra soda if my child asked for one. The bartenders never made an issue of it. Also you can simply purchase a case of water to be delivered to your room on embarkation day. The UBP when purchased as a perk only applies to the first 2 people in the cabin is is NOT mandatory that everyone else in the cabin purchase a drink package. If you were told different you were misinformed. Also, the 18% paid at upfront for the gratuities is all that you will pay for any drink under $15. All drinks $15+ you pay the difference for that drink along with the 18% gratuity difference for that drink.

 

Just to clarify....

 

When either guest #1 or #2 (or other) BUYS the UBP, every other adult (21 and older) in the same stateroom has to buy the UBP. Anyone under the age of 21 in the same stateroom has to get the soda package.

 

Beverage packages must be purchased for all guests staying within the same stateroom, additional stateroom, adjoining stateroom or travel with.

Individuals under the age of 21 will be required to purchase the Soda Program

 

When guests #1 & #2 receive the UBP as a promo, nobody else has to get any package of any kind.

[arestep]

True, you are absolutely not required to tip. I am not saying you have to do this, but a few dollars here and there will get your drinks refilled much quicker and will help you get more value from your UBP. For example, when I am on the pool deck all day, I will find a waiter and give him $10 for the day to take care of me. They will keep the drinks flowing all day. If there is a special bartender, do the same. Its up to you, but remember the crew does not make much and some cash will definitely help get you better service from bartenders and waiters. I read on CC all the time about those long lines and waits to get drinks. I have never had that experience trust me and the out of pocket amounts to about $20 or $30 cash for the entire cruise. Cash is still king and its well worth it in my opinion.

 

Alan

[Pigbelk007]

:D That sounds better lol Thank You very much!!!

No need to purchase the soda package for your child (especially if they don't drink soda as you stated). I have used my UBP to order an extra soda if my child asked for one. The bartenders never made an issue of it. Also you can simply purchase a case of water to be delivered to your room on embarkation day. The UBP when purchased as a perk only applies to the first 2 people in the cabin is is NOT mandatory that everyone else in the cabin purchase a drink package. If you were told different you were misinformed. Also, the 18% paid at upfront for the gratuities is all that you will pay for any drink under $15. All drinks $15+ you pay the difference for that drink along with the 18% gratuity difference for that drink.

 

 

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[Pigbelk007]

Ahah!!! As I suspected and read on my own before asking the question here. Now I need to make a call and have my account credited as I've already paid in full. Thanks for all the info.

Just to clarify....

 

When either guest #1 or #2 (or other) BUYS the UBP, every other adult (21 and older) in the same stateroom has to buy the UBP. Anyone under the age of 21 in the same stateroom has to get the soda package.

 

Beverage packages must be purchased for all guests staying within the same stateroom, additional stateroom, adjoining stateroom or travel with.

Individuals under the age of 21 will be required to purchase the Soda Program

 

When guests #1 & #2 receive the UBP as a promo, nobody else has to get any package of any kind.

[Dayana]

Just to clarify....

 

When either guest #1 or #2 (or other) BUYS the UBP, every other adult (21 and older) in the same stateroom has to buy the UBP. Anyone under the age of 21 in the same stateroom has to get the soda package.

 

Beverage packages must be purchased for all guests staying within the same stateroom, additional stateroom, adjoining stateroom or travel with.

Individuals under the age of 21 will be required to purchase the Soda Program

 

When guests #1 & #2 receive the UBP as a promo, nobody else has to get any package of any kind.

 

 

 

Thank you for that clarification. I did not know this as I have always chosen the UBP as a perk. (Too costly to purchase outright). Learn something new everyday!!

 

 

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[phissy]

I hope you order your liver transplant before you leave!! :D

 

Mike

Yes, and be sure to limit intake of Acetaminophen. (Tylenol) Or do not use it altogether. This is what causes many cases of liver failure .

[Redhead51]

Does NCL have a limit on how many drinks one can order at a time? On Princess, you could only order one drink person.

[Redhead51]

Carnival also has a time limit between drinks. A meager time, for sure, but regardless, NCL doesn't have a stated policy.

 

Does anyone know the time limit between drinks?

[Two Wheels Only]

Does anyone know the time limit between drinks?

For Carnival, it is 5 minutes minimum between drinks.

For NCL, no "real" limit other than 1 per transaction.

[LrgPizza]

Does anyone know the time limit between drinks?

Most of the time they let you get 2. Sometimes you will have a bartender that requires 2 cards to get 2 drinks. My husband and I usually just use 1 card when we head to a bar to buy 2 drinks - one for each of us.

[westcoastman]

If you have two UBP's in your cabin you can use one card to get two drinks. This has worked for me every time and is part of the system. I have seen passengers get really angry at the bartender thinking they will get charged for one of the two drinks so they had to assure the card holder they will not get an additional charge.

[crisp1981]

I would not judge your husband if he did drink all 15 drinks. It's a vacation. As long as he makes it back to his room without falling over the railing, I say it's budget-friendly accomplishment. :)

 

 

 

My husband did max out once on a sea day, but a couple of the drinks he had "bought" for one of the entertainment staff that we had made friends with [a couple beers while he was singing in the bar], and a couple drinks that had gone to waste when you take a couple sips and decide that it just didn't taste good. Then there were days where we only had 2 drinks each for the entire day.

[SNJCruisers]

I would not judge your husband if he did drink all 15 drinks. It's a vacation. As long as he makes it back to his room without falling over the railing, I say it's budget-friendly accomplishment. :)

It's quite an accomplishment if it was 15 drinks from Alchemy Bar or 15 long Island's. Fifteen 12 oz beers is nothing special for a serious beer drinker.

 

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[AzEileen]

I agree with everything above. One thing to keep in mind is that if the ship is in a port that requires taxes on drinks, you will have to pay for the tax regardless of whether you have the UBP. For example, while the Breakaway was in NY harbor a couple of weeks ago, they did add NY sales tax to each drink order and that was not backed out on you final bill. But it amounted to a few dollars for me. I have had the same thing happen at the Port of Miami.

 

Alan

 

So if our ship leaves from NYC and we order drinks after we board using the UBP but before the ship leaves port, we will be charged tax for NYC?

[ClevelandCruisin]

No limit... just don't act stupid or drunk.

 

No selfies on the railings...

 

Drinks under $15 are included!

 

Enjoy!

 

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[KeithJenner]

So if our ship leaves from NYC and we order drinks after we board using the UBP but before the ship leaves port, we will be charged tax for NYC?

 

 

 

Yes, and not just until you leave port. Tax is charged until you reach international waters. Given that you have to head down the river and under the bridge, I guess that will take a few hours. I'm sure someone who has done it recently will be able to confirm about when they shop charging the tax, but it's usually the same time that the casino etc opens.