Confused on cost of Grats for UDP when chosen as a perk

[Luv Cruising Land or Sea]

Hi All

 

We typically do not purchase any "perks" other than a soda perk when cruising. We are light drinkers -occasional glass of wine or cocktail, so never felt the cost would benefit us.

 

On a cruise we are looking at we have choices on "free" perks. One is the UBP and another the SDP. I know from reading other posts that we will pay gratuities on the value of these perks - where do I find the actual value to know the cost of the "free" perks? The excursion credit doesn't appeal to us as we are only in one port (Bermuda) and having been there several times we will do things on our own - and I can live without internet for a week!

 

thanks

Cindi

[Jammy Bun]

We are just home from a 12 night cruise on Spirit, on which we had the 'free' UBP. We weren't charged gratuities on any of our drinks - not sure if this is because our package was provided by a British travel agent. It was a pleasant surprise not to be stung for 18% gratuity - we'd half-expected it!

[Dajbman22]

The service charge for the UBP for 7 nights is $99.54 per person. The service charge for the SDP (3 meal) is $12.42 per person.

 

These costs are rolled into your final payment due. This is separate from your regular gratuities/service charge which is due at the end of the cruise (but can be prepaid separately from your cruise invoice).

[AryMay]

Do a "mock" booking on the NCL website and the cost of the gratuities will show up. For our 14-day Alaska cruise we chose the dining plan as our perk and will get 4 meals. I believe the shorter cruises only get three.

 

The total cost of our gratuties for the 4 meals came to $15.12/person. Had we chosen the UBP the gratuities alone would cost us more than what we would ever spend on drinks so to us it wasn't worth it.

[ColinIllinois]

Click on the promo. On the next page scroll down to the bottom. You will find the Terms and Conditions link that will tell you all the fine print for each offer.

[Luv Cruising Land or Sea]

The service charge for the UBP for 7 nights is $99.54 per person. The service charge for the SDP (3 meal) is $12.42 per person.

 

These costs are rolled into your final payment due. This is separate from your regular gratuities/service charge which is due at the end of the cruise (but can be prepaid separately from your cruise invoice).

 

Thanks that was exactly what I was looking for! DH usually gets a soda sticker which was around $95 with grats last time we sailed on NCL so it would be worth it would since we would spend that anyway and then a glass of wine on occasion would add up fast so it seems worth it to spend the $200 for this "free perk" - don't you love how they get you coming and going?

[Dajbman22]

Honestly with the drink prices, at $99/pp for the gratuity, that comes out to only $14 per person per day, which would easily pay for itself with only one alcoholic beverage and two sodas per day, which isn't that hard to do.

[Orleanscruiser]

Hi All

 

We typically do not purchase any "perks" other than a soda perk when cruising. We are light drinkers -occasional glass of wine or cocktail, so never felt the cost would benefit us.

 

On a cruise we are looking at we have choices on "free" perks. One is the UBP and another the SDP. I know from reading other posts that we will pay gratuities on the value of these perks - where do I find the actual value to know the cost of the "free" perks? The excursion credit doesn't appeal to us as we are only in one port (Bermuda) and having been there several times we will do things on our own - and I can live without internet for a week!

 

thanks

Cindi

 

you can get the pop package and pay $1.35 per day for the gratuities also the $50.00 deposit is appeling

 

$50 USD Reduced Deposits for Mini-Suites & Below

Booking Window: January 27, 2017 - February 06, 2017 11:59 PM EST

Haven & Suite categories are not applicable for this offer.

 

From NCL website https://www.ncl.com/ca/en/cruise-deals/choice

Free at Sea

 

Terms & Conditions

 

Booking Window: December 01, 2016 - February 06, 2017 11:59 pm EST

Applicable Sailings: 3 nights or longer sailings

 

Studios & Insides: Pick 1 Offer

Oceanviews, Balconies & Mini-Suites: Pick 2 Offers

Suites & The Haven: Automatically receive all available offers. Extra Guests Sail Free only available on select sailings.

 

 

Offer is not applicable to categories IX, OX, BX & MX.

 

Norwegian Sky and Pride of America sailings are not eligible for this offer. Pride of America in Hawaii offer details listed on Hawaii Free at Sea Terms & Conditions

 

Free at Sea choice(s) must be selected at least 24 hours prior to sailing and cannot be changed on board. Bookings made within 24 hours to departure can choose promotion at time of booking.

Offer is for new individual FIT reservations and new speculative groups delegates.

Qualifying new individual FIT reservations can be moved into an existing speculative group and count towards tour conductor credits.

Offer is not valid for affinity groups or tour operators and cannot be held as group block.

Offer is capacity controlled and can be withdrawn at any time.

Singles paying 200% of voyage fare qualify.

Guest cannot substitute or customize this offer. All guests in stateroom must choose same offer.

Government taxes, port expenses & fees, and discretionary on board service charges and/or gratuities are additional.

Cancellation Fees also apply based on the booking/sailing date; therefore, Norwegian Cruise Line strongly recommends the purchase of travel protection on all bookings.

Not applicable to chartered dates and group types: CMI OP EVENT, CMI OP LG EVENT, INCREG & INCLARGE

This is a cruise only offer. This promotion is not applicable on the land portion of cruise-tours or bundles.

No components included in this offer have any monetary value, are non-refundable and non-transferable.

Offer and combinability with other promotional offers is subject to change at any time per Norwegian Cruise Line's discretion. Other restrictions may apply.

Applicable to NCL MIAMI, NCL INTL, AUSTRALIA, NCL BRAZIL, and NCL ASIA. Not applicable to CE and UK offices.

 

Ultimate Beverage Package (Unlimited Open Bar):

Applicable to guests 1-2 on the reservation.

Guest must be at least 21 years of age at time of sailing to qualify for the Ultimate Beverage Package. Guests under 21 will receive the Pop Package.

Variety of spirits and cocktails, wines by the glass and bottled or draft beer up to $15 USD. Includes fountain pop and juice, and non-alcoholic beer.

A 20% discount will be given on bottles of wine (champagne and sparkling included) purchased on board.

Does not apply to the Ice Bars, room service, package sales, bottled water, ship specific promotions or beer buckets, designated super premium brands (subject to change), bottled wine, mini bar purchases, fresh squeezed juices, Lavazza coffee beverages, wine dispenser, energy drinks or vending machines.

Guest who receive the Pop Package may obtain fountain pop at any bar, lounge or restaurant throughout the duration of the cruise, excluding Harvest Caye bars, restaurants, or venues.

Guest's cheque may reflect applicable VAT and/or taxes for certain ports or itineraries.

Guest is responsible for 18% gratuities on the retail value of the Ultimate Beverage Package ($14.22 USD per person, per day) and/or Pop Package ($1.35 USD per person, per day) prior to cruise, except when booking The Haven or a Suite.

Retail value of Ultimate Beverage Package is $79.00 USD per person, per day. Package price is subject to change.

Retail value of the Adult Pop Package is $7.50 USD per person, per day. Package price is subject to change.

 

18% gratuities & service charges on the retail value of the Ultimate Beverage Package and/or Pop Package are included when booking through the Australia office.

When booking through the Australia office, gratuities related to beverage and pop packages are included.

 

When booking a Haven or Suite category, gratuities related to beverage and pop packages are included.

 

Specialty Dining Package:

 

Sail Length # Of Dining

Package Meals Retail Value 18% Gratuities

3-9 Nights 3 $69 USD per person $12.42 USD per package

10+ Nights 4 $84 USD per person $15.12 USD per package

 

Package prices are subject to change.

Guest is responsible for 18% gratuities on the retail value of the Specialty Dining Package prior to cruise.

18% gratuities on the retail value of the Specialty Dining Package are included when booking through the Australia office.

Applicable to guests 1-2 on the reservation.

Any Harvest Caye bars, restaurants, or venues, Food Republic, The Bake Shop, Ice Cream Bar, Gelato, specialty items in the Asian restaurant, Special Occasion/Holiday menus (New Year's, Christmas, etc.), Jazz Brunch, Wine Lovers and Murder Mystery lunches, and beverages are not included as part of the Specialty Dining Packages.

You may choose to dine in the following venues as part of your Specialty Dining Package for the corresponding upcharges: The Supper Club ($15 USD), For the Record ($15 USD), Ocean Blue ($15 USD), Bayamo ($15 USD), Cirque Dreams and Illusionarium ($10 USD regular seats/$15 USD premium seats/$35 USD VIP seating on Breakaway), Sushi Bar ($7 USD), Pincho Tapas Bar ($7 USD), and Raw Bar ($7 USD).

Specialty Dining Packages include one main course per person at Cagney's and Le Bistro restaurants. Additional main courses will be charged at the a la carte price listed on the menu.

There is no minimum or maximum to the number of meals that can be redeemed in a day, however each meal is counted towards the package.

 

Internet Package (Free WiFi):

250 minutes per stateroom.

Internet package is per stateroom. One login per stateroom.

Internet package is not available at Harvest Caye.

On Breakaway, stateroom receives an internet package of 250 minutes or 1000 MB of data.

Internet package includes activation fee.

 

$50 Per Port Shore Excursion Credit:

$50 USD per port shore excursion credit is per stateroom.

Credit has no monetary value and is nonrefundable.

In the event a port of call or excursion is missed, for any reason, no refund or credit will be issued.

Shore excursion credit is applicable for each port, including debarkation port, and is not transferable to other ports. Use the credit or lose it.

Does not include embarkation ports. Overnight stays count as one port, except Bermuda sailings which can receive up to 3 individual days of shore excursion.

Shore excursion credit can only be redeemed by calling 1-866-234-7350 or booking onboard.

 

*Friends & Family / Extra Guests Sail Free (3rd & 4th Guest):

Offer valid for guests 3-4 sharing a stateroom with guests 1-2 paying full fare. Offer only valid on select sailings. 3 & 4 Guests Sail Free dates are subject to change at any time without notice. No deposit is required for qualifying 3 & 4 guests. If there are guests 5 - 8 in a reservation, those guests will be required to pay prevailing fares.

 

 

$50 USD Reduced Deposits for Mini-Suites & Below

Booking Window: January 27, 2017 - February 06, 2017 11:59 PM EST

 

Haven & Suite categories are not applicable for this offer.

Offer is only applicable for mini-suites and below. Offer is for new individual FIT reservations and new group delegates booked outside of finalization. Qualifying new individual reservations can be moved into existing group and count towards tour conductor credits. Promotion cannot be held as group block. Reservation must be assigned with names. Guests who cancel and rebook must accept this promotion's terms and conditions. For reduced deposit reservations cancelled during deposit fee period, fee amount will be assessed in line with terms of booked promotion Singles paying 200% qualify. Government taxes, port expenses & fees, general excise tax (GET), and discretionary on board service charges and/or gratuities are additional. Not applicable to chartered dates and group types: CMI OP EVENT, CMI OP LG EVENT, INCREG v INCLARGE Offer and combinability with other promotional offers is subject to change at any time per Norwegian Cruise Line's discretion. Other restrictions may apply. Applicable to NCL MIAMI, NCL INTL, NCL ASIA, and AUSTRALIA. Not applicable to NCL BRAZIL, CE and UK offices.

Edited February 4, 2017 by Orleanscruiser

[Jetlagged787]

We are just home from a 12 night cruise on Spirit, on which we had the 'free' UBP. We weren't charged gratuities on any of our drinks - not sure if this is because our package was provided by a British travel agent. It was a pleasant surprise not to be stung for 18% gratuity - we'd half-expected it!

 

Yes JB, the 18% is included in the UBP perk when the cruise is bought in Europe.

 

I don't want to be accused of thread drift but would like to ask you a couple of questions re the Spirit. If you don't mind, could you drop me an email at:

 

pobox2004-ncl at yahoo dot co dot uk

 

Thanks.

[krolyat]

The fees on the UBP are waived if you book a haven stateroom.