Why NCL Premium PLUS Adult Drink Package?

[RocketMan275]

37 minutes ago, Sthrngary said:

If I am not mistaken, the Veuve is available by the Glass.  No need for 40%.  To more specifically answer your question, yes, the 40% would work on a full bottle.  If I win in the Casino, I buy a bottle of Dom.  I get 40% off on it. Hope that helps.

 

Cruise well and enjoy every moment. 

I've decided to take the Premium Plus package.

I'm wanting a bottle of champagne for my balcony dinner sailaway and I don't want to run to a bar for each glass.  A bottle would work well. Or, if I can't get a bottle for the balcony, Costco has the Veuve for less than $60 per bottle.

 

 

[Sthrngary]

20 minutes ago, RocketMan275 said:

I've decided to take the Premium Plus package.

I'm wanting a bottle of champagne for my balcony dinner sailaway and I don't want to run to a bar for each glass.  A bottle would work well. Or, if I can't get a bottle for the balcony, Costco has the Veuve for less than $60 per bottle.

 

 

There is a bottle of Champagne you can get from the bar.  It is super nice.  If not, your plan will work great. 

 

Cruise well and enjoy every moment. 

[RocketMan275]

1 minute ago, Sthrngary said:

There is a bottle of Champagne you can get from the bar.  It is super nice.  If not, your plan will work great. 

 

Cruise well and enjoy every moment. 

Would that be the Nicolos Feuillatte rose?

[Sthrngary]

1 minute ago, RocketMan275 said:

Would that be the Nicolos Feuillatte rose?

I cannot answer that question.  Look at current list for the Premium Plus Drink Program.  It changes yearly but their are selected wines you can order by the bottle French champagne included.  I usually order one for the table when we do the Japanize Dinner night. 

 

I used to have a list but it would be different now.  Hope that all makes sense.

 

Cruise well and enjoy every moment. 

[RocketMan275]

Just now, Sthrngary said:

I cannot answer that question.  Look at current list for the Premium Plus Drink Program.  It changes yearly but their are selected wines you can order by the bottle French champagne included.  I usually order one for the table when we do the Japanize Dinner night. 

 

I used to have a list but it would be different now.  Hope that all makes sense.

 

Cruise well and enjoy every moment. 

There are three champagnes on the Plus package.  The Veuve, the Moet Chandon, and the Feuillette.  The last two can be done by the bottle.  It was my understanding you could get a bottle while at dinner.  We are having dinner on the balcony.  Can we get one of those, the Moet or the Feuillette, from the bar?  If not, I'll just pack a Veuve.

[grobma]

I did the upgrade on my last cruise on the Bliss. I was traveling with my daughter who at the time was 18, so I only had to pay for myself. With the base package free with FAS, I didn't consider it as such a big expense and was so happy that I did. I had Starbucks once or twice a day, enjoyed the bottled water - especially sparkling with a meal - and tried all sorts of things I might not have otherwise enjoyed. I realize it's not for everyone, but cruising solo for the first time on my upcoming Getaway cruise, and with the FAS again it was an easy decision. Especially with some new offerings since three years ago. Cheers everyone!

[crow99]

Was recently on the Joy - I had a bottle of Moet with a number of meals, including dinner.

When I was in O, would regularly drink Veuve by the glass.

Was a very welcome upgrade!

[Sthrngary]

3 hours ago, RocketMan275 said:

There are three champagnes on the Plus package.  The Veuve, the Moet Chandon, and the Feuillette.  The last two can be done by the bottle.  It was my understanding you could get a bottle while at dinner.  We are having dinner on the balcony.  Can we get one of those, the Moet or the Feuillette, from the bar?  If not, I'll just pack a Veuve.

@RocketMan275 I am not a Champagne kind of guy.  Then, when in the NCL French Restaurant, I simply had to have a nice Champagne with dinner.  I had the Premium Plus Beverage package.  I truly enjoyed my French Champagne.  So much so that every meal from that point forward, I ordered the bottle that was available as a selected wine.  

 

One of the main reason's I get the Premium Plus program is my wife likes wine in the room.  She, god bless her, has a bottle at dinner and we order another bottle which most of which we take back to the suite.  You can gain that bottle at Breakfast, Lunch or dinner.  You can even order it at the Haven Bar. So it does not need to be a meal or dinner.  

 

Cruise well and enjoy every moment. 

[AACJ]

So if I have the premium plus package, I can get a whole bottle of champagne without paying for the bottle or I would have to pay for it? I am very confused by the different packages.

[Sthrngary]

40 minutes ago, AACJ said:

So if I have the premium plus package, I can get a whole bottle of champagne without paying for the bottle or I would have to pay for it? I am very confused by the different packages.

@AACJ Allow me to do my best to assist you.  

 

Bottles Of Wine: At restaurants and bars, they have a list of drinks and wines.  You can order a glass of wine all the time.  On the Bottle situation.  If you have the Premium Plus Beverage Package, you can choose to order a bottle of "Selected Wine" from the list.  The list indicates that bottles that are ok under the program.  NOT every bottle so you have to check the list and that list changes frequently. 

 

Whole Bottle Of Champagne: I always do the Premium Plus program.  Over the past year, there were two French Champagne's available.  One by the glass (not a selected one for a bottle). The other by the Bottle.  When they delivered the bottle to my table, they ask how many glasses I would like to have.  When I went solo, I did the Glass selection and had several of them.  When I went to the Asian Flat Grill Restaurant, I ordered the bottle (selected) and shared with those with me.   

 

My approach: My wife loves Chardonnay.  She also loves to have a glass or two on the balcony prior to bed.  Since you are charged for room service or butlers bringing Alcoholic beverages to your suite/cabin regardless of drink program, we have a strategy.  At dinner, my wife orders a few of the nicer Chardonnay's by the glass.  Towards the end of dinner (lunch or breakfast), she orders a bottle and has on glass.  They put the cork back in and we take it to our stateroom.  Problem solved.

 

I hope that clarifies your question and confusion.

 

Cruise well and enjoy every moment. 

[silverevo]

The currently posted liquor and beverage policy states that corkage fees aren't applicable for guests with a beverage package. Good news for those intending to bring their own wine. 

 

[Traveling Fools]

On 9/23/2022 at 12:22 PM, silverevo said:

The currently posted liquor and beverage policy states that corkage fees aren't applicable for guests with a beverage package. Good news for those intending to bring their own wine. 

 

 

Wow, That's great to know!  Something I'll keep in mind when we cruise out of Miami, Ft' Lauderdale, Cape Canaveral, or some other domestic port.  But, it isn't reasonable when traveling to a foreign port for embarkation.

 

I am generally not a drinker, but am strongly considering indulging on our  November Polynesian Cruise.  AND, if I'm going to indulge I'm going to drink top shelf booze and wine!  Like many of you, DW likes to have a glass of wine while getting ready for dinner and one or two when we return to cabin for the evening.  DW is from Germany and enjoys sparkling water at meals and sometimes, during the day (as do I).  I am also a big coffee drinker, but unlike my brother I don't spring for Starbucks.  So, it would be nice to experiment with the Starbucks' menu while onboard.  And having a great glass of Veuve, Moet Chandon, or Feuillette with smoked salmon at breakfast.  Being able to take a bottle back to the cabin is quite a convenient perk. Oh, and did I mention taking an energy drink or two on each excursion.  All of these factors have me leaning towards upgrading to the Premium Plus package.

 

 

[smillerholmes]

On my recent Getaway cruise I was told that the Veuve was only available in the restaurant bars.  When I pointed out this had not been the case in February on the Bliss I was informed by the Head Wine Steward that this was a recent change.  He offered to "follow me around" as needed, but he seemed to figure out a pattern (I often ordered at the Atrium Bar). By day 3 of my cruise they were able to get it for me without contacting him first.  I asked for it at a few other bars, but when they didn't have it I just went with Prosecco.

 

I can see how that would be a cost savings as people tend to drink less while eating, so I'm interested to see if anyone else has come across this issue.  

[KeithJenner]

2 hours ago, smillerholmes said:

On my recent Getaway cruise I was told that the Veuve was only available in the restaurant bars.  When I pointed out this had not been the case in February on the Bliss I was informed by the Head Wine Steward that this was a recent change.  He offered to "follow me around" as needed, but he seemed to figure out a pattern (I often ordered at the Atrium Bar). By day 3 of my cruise they were able to get it for me without contacting him first.  I asked for it at a few other bars, but when they didn't have it I just went with Prosecco.

 

I can see how that would be a cost savings as people tend to drink less while eating, so I'm interested to see if anyone else has come across this issue.  

On the Dawn last week the Veuve was flowing at Cellars.

 

We never asked for it at any other bars though. Only Cellars and with dinner.

[laudergayle]

Does anyone know if you can get unopened cans of beer with the PP+ package?

[Sthrngary]

1 hour ago, laudergayle said:

Does anyone know if you can get unopened cans of beer with the PP+ package?

The answer is yes, but NOT from room service.  Usually they allow two.  The best approach is to find a Bartender that you connect with, give them a tip, and ask for the beer.  On wine, they usually open it and recork it.  Sometimes it is not what you ask for, it is how you ask.  

 

Cruise well and enjoy every moment. 

[palpieha]

On 9/20/2022 at 4:23 PM, RocketMan275 said:

I've decided to take the Premium Plus package.

I'm wanting a bottle of champagne for my balcony dinner sailaway and I don't want to run to a bar for each glass.  A bottle would work well. Or, if I can't get a bottle for the balcony, Costco has the Veuve for less than $60 per bottle.

 

 

 

According to the menu posted here: 

 

 

You can buy a bottle of Veuve for $59.40 on the ship ($99 - 40%), so that might make more sense than bringing your own from Costco.

 

The Moet & Chandon or the Mumm is available by the bottle with dinner, but that has to come from the restaurant. If you're staying in the Haven and having the butler bring you dinner in the balcony, then it's probably included. For room service to a non-Haven suite, I'm not sure.

 

The Dom for $137 (after the 40% discount) is a pretty good deal too...

 

 

[laudergayle]

23 minutes ago, palpieha said:

The Moet & Chandon or the Mumm is available by the bottle with dinner, but that has to come from the restaurant.

Does anyone know if you can get a Bottle of Moët &Chandon at lunch in one of the MDRs?  I think I read where someone had gotten a bottle at lunch…but they may have been in the Haven.

[Traveling Fools]

On 9/20/2022 at 4:23 PM, RocketMan275 said:

I've decided to take the Premium Plus package.

I'm wanting a bottle of champagne for my balcony dinner sailaway and I don't want to run to a bar for each glass.  A bottle would work well. Or, if I can't get a bottle for the balcony, Costco has the Veuve for less than $60 per bottle.

 

 

 

$40.99....I bought 3 of them yesterday.  One to welcome German visitors we met a a Celebrity Tokyo-Vancouver cruise several years ago.  This is their 2nd visit.  We are taking them in the motorhome to Key West and Orlando.  The 2nd one to celebrate the first night in our over the water bungalow in Papeete pre-cruise. And the 3rd for celebrating our Bon Voyage from Papeete on Nov 7th.

[Sthrngary]

1 hour ago, palpieha said:

If you're staying in the Haven and having the butler bring you dinner in the balcony, then it's probably included.

To clarify, any wine/beer/spirits brought by a butler will not be part of the Premium Plus Beverage Package.  This rule is silly in my estimation but the suite is charged.  Yes, some folks have posted that their butler brought them something on the package, that is not the rule, that is the exception.  

 

My advise which comes from both experience and the disappointment of having a huge suite tab at the end of the week; ask first then have a strategy if the answer is no.  Nothing is more upsetting as thinking thing are available and then realizing it was not. 

 

Cruise well and enjoy every moment. 

[palpieha]

1 hour ago, laudergayle said:

Does anyone know if you can get a Bottle of Moët &Chandon at lunch in one of the MDRs?  I think I read where someone had gotten a bottle at lunch…but they may have been in the Haven.

 

The complimentary bottles with premium plus are supposed to be for dinner only. You can get it with 40% discount at lunch. I don't know that this rule would be bypassed often. 

 

If you're getting by the glass at lunch (Veuve or California Chandon), it's usually a newly opened bottle anyway, and sometimes they'll leave the bottle in an ice bucket next to you to serve additional "glasses" later. Depends on the server and how many other diners are having champagne.

[Sthrngary]

13 minutes ago, palpieha said:

 

The complimentary bottles with premium plus are supposed to be for dinner only. You can get it with 40% discount at lunch. I don't know that this rule would be bypassed often. 

 

If you're getting by the glass at lunch (Veuve or California Chandon), it's usually a newly opened bottle anyway, and sometimes they'll leave the bottle in an ice bucket next to you to serve additional "glasses" later. Depends on the server and how many other diners are having champagne.

I am confused.  I don't remember reading that the list of Selected Wines for the Premium Plus Beverage package was for Dinner only.  If that is the case, I have been giving very bad advice for a long time and I am sorry.  

 

I have been able to get selected Premium Plus Bottles of Wine/Champagne at any meal including breakfast.  I have never been turned down when I ordered one.  Please share where this is the policy so I can correct my advice in the future.  I am kind of embarrassed I might have missed this. 

 

Cruise well and enjoy every moment. 

[palpieha]

2 minutes ago, Sthrngary said:

I am confused.  I don't remember reading that the list of Selected Wines for the Premium Plus Beverage package was for Dinner only.  If that is the case, I have been giving very bad advice for a long time and I am sorry.  

 

I have been able to get selected Premium Plus Bottles of Wine/Champagne at any meal including breakfast.  I have never been turned down when I ordered one.  Please share where this is the policy so I can correct my advice in the future.  I am kind of embarrassed I might have missed this. 

 

Cruise well and enjoy every moment. 

 

The flyer on NCL's website:

https://www.ncl.com/sites/default/files/premium-plus-beverage-package.pdf

 

On the second page, the column on the right says "Wines available by the bottle with dinner". The fine print says "Includes select wines by the bottle when dining". So if you read the big header, it says it's only dinner, if you read the fine print, it says "dining", which certainly includes breakfast and lunch. 

 

I'm confused as well.

[palpieha]

The page you click on when you go to upgrade:

[Edit: the link doesn't work if you're not looking at a reservation, I took a screenshot and added below]

 

"Select premium bottles of champagne and wine with dinner and 40% off all other bottles."

 

Edited September 27, 2022 by palpieha

[Sthrngary]

1 minute ago, palpieha said:

 

The flyer on NCL's website:

https://www.ncl.com/sites/default/files/premium-plus-beverage-package.pdf

 

On the second page, the column on the right says "Wines available by the bottle with dinner". The fine print says "Includes select wines by the bottle when dining". So if you read the big header, it says it's only dinner, if you read the fine print, it says "dining", which certainly includes breakfast and lunch. 

 

I'm confused as well.

It is ok, we can both be confused.  It is NCL after all.  Allow me to give my experience and say that it may not be every ones.  When in the Haven, I have never had an issue to the point where between Lunch and dinner the bartender gave me a bottle of Selected Wine for my wife.  Unopened.  Now when I have been in other restaurants specifically the MDR's, the program is not always understood.  You have to get the manager over sometimes and wait for certain selections.  Not always but sometimes.

 

The only reason I was asking was my last trip, we ordered a bottle of French Champagne (Selected Wine) had the Premium Plus program for breakfast.  No charge.  We did it a couple of times because I obviously have a need to be a little toasted in the morning, LOL.  Thank you for taking the time to post the link. Very kind of you.

 

Cruise well and enjoy every moment.