Why are drinks so expensive

[Trimone]

Noticed on our last cruise that New Zealand savingion Blanc was removed by the glass, only purchase by the bottle only, also Hendricks and tonic was removed from the ultimate beverage package, with the extravagant service charge and DSC on top NCL are charging themselves out the market.

[KeithJenner]

Noticed on our last cruise that New Zealand savingion Blanc was removed by the glass, only purchase by the bottle only, also Hendricks and tonic was removed from the ultimate beverage package, with the extravagant service charge and DSC on top NCL are charging themselves out the market.

 

 

 

I don’t know the answer to your question, but to clarify, when you say that a drink was excluded from the beverage package, do you mean that it is specifically excluded or is it that the price has increased so that you now have to pay the difference?

 

 

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[Tutontow]

NCL has a captive audience and they can charge what they want. If you like to drink and don't have the UDP thay have you over a barrel.

[Trimone]

That’s correct, Hendricks had gone over $15, which in all honesty even with a double and fever-tree tonic and the best hotels only comes to about £8.50-£9.00. I think NCL have lost the plot

[Gampy1967]

NCL has a captive audience and they can charge what they want. If you like to drink and don't have the UDP thay have you over a barrel.

 

THIS. They are basically trying to force people to either select the UBP as a perk or purchase outright. They don't even let you bring on a single water bottle or can of coke. A "captive audience" is an understatement. They seem to keep filling the ships up so so far it seems to be working.

[PTC DAWG]

If you can drink cheaper and get more booze on another line, do it...and comparing hotel prices to cruise lines...I don’t get it.

[mjkacmom]

Living close to NYC, those prices mirror what I pay at home, $8 for a beer, $12 for house wine, $15 for a cocktail.

[Moby0215]

That’s correct, Hendricks had gone over $15, which in all honesty even with a double and fever-tree tonic and the best hotels only comes to about £8.50-£9.00. I think NCL have lost the plot

 

 

 

I don’t know about Hendricks as I didn’t ask for that on my cruise a few weeks ago but had no issue with Bombay or Tanqueray. Just need to be flexible on brand.

 

 

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[roger001]

I recently had occasion to purchase drinks at a hotel bar and a theater event in a bigger US city downtown. I was dismayed to find that both their individual drink prices were very similar, or maybe a bit more than NCL ship drink prices. And our local airport terminal prices are even more I believe. Captive audience. The drink package is the only way I'll cruise now.

[Trimone]

If you think the prices are ok? I will rest my point, personally I think they are extortionate. Plus service charge and already paid DSC. Look P&O prices

[Medtech2]

Just as in a restaurant, it is the drinks that are making the profit. (Think about even the cost of a soda in a restaurant that actually costs them pennies) Whether these prices mirror or don’t mirror any town, country, restaurant, hotel or otherwise is irrelevant.

 

Years ago when Kevin Sheheen was on Undercover Boss they really drove this point home. The profit comes from the drinks. Even the “free” package. That cost is built into the cruise fare and if one part goes up on their end the price of that item will be adjusted to keep the profit.

 

As far as the wine, if demand does not warrant “by the glass” pouring before the opened bottle goes bad that selection is removed from that option.

[Trimone]

I can only compare the prices, if not on UBP to the cafe de Paris Monaco, where one sunny afternoon I and two pals, went for it, it was a Friday so no racing 2017.

We ended up in the casino to save money on drinks. They served Hendricks?

[VA5Stones]

In 2016, Norwegian “enhanced” their drink package from $12per drink to $15 per drink, but the new drink package has been anything but anenhancement, it has actually been somewhat of a disappointment in a few areas.

Several enjoyable mid-range wines were removed from the “bythe glass” wine list, because Norwegian doesn’t want to pay the slightly highercost associated with their new $15 “benefit”. The only wines remaining by theglass are very low entry level wines. Norwegian doesn’t even offer a list of“upgrades” or “higher priced” wines by the glass, even if you were interestedin paying a few dollars more per glass. RC by contract, boasts a substantiallylarger wine list by the glass within their $12/$13 allowance, and approximatelytwenty upscale wines at a higher cost per glass

In the area of bourbons, we also saw a major cutback. A Manhattan made with Makers Mark was $11.95in 2016 prior to the change in the drink package and was covered completely bythe $12 drink package allowance. At that time Knob Creek, Woodford Reserve and few other bourbons were $1-3more per drink, very reasonable. Today, after the new $15 drink package“enhancement”, the only bourbon available that’s “included” in the drinkpackage is very low end bulleit bourbon. The new price for a Makers Mark Manhattan on Norwegian is $18.95, higherthan most restaurants in Manhattan NY charge.

When it comes to bringing unopened bottles of wine on board,they want to confiscate your bottles and charge you a $15 corkage fee even ifyou have the drink package. Ridiculous.

Norwegian now has the highest cost drink package in theindustry, with the lowest value in the industry; particularly for wine drinkers.

[Trimone]

I knew, I was right, they are ripping us off, in a real cocktail bar, you never see bottles of mixer made up, they mix fresh and 20% for doing it?

[newmexicoNita]

Noticed on our last cruise that New Zealand savingion Blanc was removed by the glass, only purchase by the bottle only, also Hendricks and tonic was removed from the ultimate beverage package, with the extravagant service charge and DSC on top NCL are charging themselves out the market.

ok, so your favorite wine is only by the bottle. This happens at bars and restaurants here quite often. Most of us don't like it but we live with it or choose another brand. As for other liquor prices on ships, they know you have no choice, you either pay the price or you don't drink. I have never found the prices much different from prices at a top notch restaurant and bar, but yes, they are expensive. NCL prices are higher than say Princess for example. That is why we are always happy to get the UBP as a perk

 

Now, the service charge issue: ask your travel agent about the costs on other lines compared to NCL I did, just the other day and most are within a $1 a day the same. Break it down to what you get for your money and it might not seem so awful. I know when we see it lumped together it does seem high. That is why I often do a comparison. I figure out what my meals would cost on land per day, add the 18 to 20% tips plus others that are enjoy some of the DSC and realize it isn't that bad That being said why do we have to bring this topic up every single week. There are those who do not believe in the DSC or don't like to tip period and there are those who have no problems. Discussing it over and over isn't going to change anything and NCL ships, for the most part are sailing close to full every day. :halo:

[newmexicoNita]

That’s correct, Hendricks had gone over $15, which in all honesty even with a double and fever-tree tonic and the best hotels only comes to about £8.50-£9.00. I think NCL have lost the plot

now that you mention price in lbs, it is clear you are number 1-not from America so are not accustom to the tipping of DSC policy most of us live with and you are comparing liquor prices to what you pay in your country. That explains your concerns. You know there are other lines out there you can sail if you don't like the American way of tipping and the prices for liquor that most of us are accustom to paying. Even in our little part of the country, it is tough to find a really decent glass of wine for less than $8 or so a glass and mixed drinks start at about the same, with good martinis for instance starting around $10. our various happy hours at our clubs only include the less expensive brands of booze often not even middle of the road brands

Edited July 7, 2018 by newmexicoNita

[jskinsd]

I knew, I was right, they are ripping us off, in a real cocktail bar, you never see bottles of mixer made up, they mix fresh and 20% for doing it?

A cabin just opened up. Trimone will no longer sail on NCL. Why would you do business with a company that is "ripping us off". I am sure you will find another cruise line that meets your alcohol needs.

[Trimone]

A cabin just opened up. Trimone will no longer sail on NCL. Why would you do business with a company that is "ripping us off". I am sure you will find another cruise line that meets your alcohol needs.

 

For sure, when all my cruise credits are used I will be looking, anyone with common sense would.

[jskinsd]

For sure, when all my cruise credits are used I will be looking, anyone with common sense would.

I cruise for itinerary, value and customer service. Alcohol has never swayed me to spend more money on a cruise just to receive a perk. But thank you for buying credits. I am a stock holder and NCL already has your money, which means you will spend more money when you cruise with us again. That could be most upsetting since NCL is ripping you off. Or just eat the credits and quit now. After all it is only money.

[LMaxwell]

It's all marketing smoke and mirrors. Inflated prices detached from reality to steer people towards selecting the "free" drinks as a perk. The inflated prices help justify inflated package prices, which in turn leads to more revenue from service charges but it's all still "free". Just marketing. NCL is making plenty of money still on this.

[Trimone]

Now I know why your defending them? Your a believer, slightest criticism even justified hurts your feelings or stock.

[PTC DAWG]

ok, so your favorite wine is only by the bottle. This happens at bars and restaurants here quite often. Most of us don't like it but we live with it or choose another brand. As for other liquor prices on ships, they know you have no choice, you either pay the price or you don't drink. I have never found the prices much different from prices at a top notch restaurant and bar, but yes, they are expensive. NCL prices are higher than say Princess for example. That is why we are always happy to get the UBP as a perk

 

Now, the service charge issue: ask your travel agent about the costs on other lines compared to NCL I did, just the other day and most are within a $1 a day the same. Break it down to what you get for your money and it might not seem so awful. I know when we see it lumped together it does seem high. That is why I often do a comparison. I figure out what my meals would cost on land per day, add the 18 to 20% tips plus others that are enjoy some of the DSC and realize it isn't that bad That being said why do we have to bring this topic up every single week. There are those who do not believe in the DSC or don't like to tip period and there are those who have no problems. Discussing it over and over isn't going to change anything and NCL ships, for the most part are sailing close to full every day. :halo:

 

Well said...

[jskinsd]

Now I know why your defending them? Your a believer, slightest criticism even justified hurts your feelings or stock.

A believer since 2013 and the stock is higher and one through the cruise next benefits (you probably bought some) and with my stockholder OBC I get for each cruise cruise I take with NCL, I have received over $10,000 of free money to apply to NCL cruise purchases. I also own RCL and CCL stock because there value has also gone up and I receive a OBC with their properties. I cruise more often with NCL because of cruise next benefits, value, itinerary and customer service. So I guess I am just a believer in CRUISING and making a little money on the side

[AshleyJax]

Expensive is a relative term. I live in NY, so for me these prices are pretty standard.

[NLH Arizona]

For sure, when all my cruise credits are used I will be looking, anyone with common sense would.

Instead of feeling ripped off, why not just sell your cruise credits and then you can look for another line where their drinks are less expensive.