Gratuities on UBP and UDP

[AAAagent18]

Hello, we got the UBP and UDP for our upcoming cruise as an added extra when we booked our cruise and I keep seeing posts here about 18% gratuities .I know when you purchase this you pay the 18% but if you get it as a bonus when you book is it 100% free or are there hidden costs? First time NCL cruiser here. Also is we are sailing out of New Orleans. Is there anything we should know about embarking and disembarking? 

[Two Wheels Only]

• The dining package is the SDP. The UDP (unlimited number of uses) is no longer offered as a promo nor to purchase. NCL still uses the letters "UDP" when purchasing but it is actually SDP and has a set number of uses (3SDP, 4SDP, etc.).
• The gratuity/service charge on the UBP/SDP is 20% whether received as a promo or purchased. It is paid along with the fare before boarding the ship if received as a promo. You'll see it as "FREE AT SEA OFFER GRATUITIES" or similar along with taxes on your total which is paid on or before final payment date. The 20% cannot be removed. There are some travel agents who will "cover" the promo service charge/gratuities.
• The UBP is sometimes called the UOB (Unlimited Open Bar) and there are a few subtle differences depending on which ship you are on. Don't stress the differences, though. 

Edited February 28, 2019 by Two Wheels Only

[dcipjr]

It's not free. If you get it as a perk, you pay the 18% on the regular price for both packages.

 

For the UBP, it looks like it's up to $99 per person per day, so that's $17.82 per person * the length of your cruise. So, for 2 people * 7 days, it's $249.

 

You'll have to do the math and see whether you'd ring up $250 worth of drink charges during your cruise, or whether $250 is an acceptable upcharge to be able to order a drink whenever you please for the duration of your cruise.

 

Fares are usually higher for the rate with perks (as opposed to the sailaway rate without perks), so one way or another, you're paying for the package. Think of it as being all (or mostly) inclusive, not free. Nothing's free. 🙂

[fshagan]

NCL raised the percentage from 18% to 20% a while back.