Drinks package

[nawlagal]

Hi all,

Sailing NCL Breakaway on 11/20 and I am looking for some info on the drinks package. Hubby and I consume alcohol, so we bought the premium package and added the tips package.  Now, for my question...
 

Are things like Diet Coke, orange juice, and coffee free in these packages? Just don't want to get blind-sided with more charges while on the boat.

 

thanks!

[MichiganFisherman]

You purchased the premium plus package?..... or the standard free at sea package that everyone gets as well as the tips which are added whether you want them or not. You don't add the tips package by choice. Specialty coffees , bottled water and fresh juice only applies to premium plus drink package, coke in both .

[Hutcha]

Did you decline the Free At Sea, which includes the drink package, and then purchase it separately? Or did you upgrade to the Premium Plus package?

 

On the standard drink package, you get fountain drinks, juice (not fresh squeezed), and regular coffee. With the premium plus package, you get just about anything offered by glass on the ship.

 

 

[BirdTravels]

9 hours ago, nawlagal said:

Hi all,

Sailing NCL Breakaway on 11/20 and I am looking for some info on the drinks package. Hubby and I consume alcohol, so we bought the premium package and added the tips package.  Now, for my question...
 

Are things like Diet Coke, orange juice, and coffee free in these packages? Just don't want to get blind-sided with more charges while on the boat.

 

thanks!

If you have the regular Free at Sea premium beverage package (without paying the upgrade to premium plus), it includes soda. It does not include specialty coffees (e.g., Starbucks) or fresh squeezed juice (see full terms for other exclusions).

 

You can get regular coffee and regular juices at all restaurants and the buffet. Non-fresh-squeezed juices used for mixers are available at the bar (e.g., OJ, cranberry, etc.) 

 

The package is great. It covers the first $15 of any drinks. Unless you are ordering top-shelf liquor, you can order almost any drink for no additional cost. If you exceed $15, you pay the difference with a gratuity on the difference (e.g., if you order a $16 drink, you pay $1.00 + $0.20 tip = $1.20). On a cruise with the package, we go through the menu of tropical and frozen foo foo drinks that we would never get caught dead ordering in our local bar 🙂 and have never exceeded the $15. 

 

https://www.ncl.com/about/terms-and-conditions/promotions

• Eligible guests are entitled to two beverages per person per transaction.
• Includes a variety of spirits and cocktails, wines by the glass and bottled or draft beer up to $15 USD retail price. Includes fountain soda, juice, and non-alcoholic beer.
• A 20% discount will be given on bottles of wine (champagne and sparkling included), Wine and Spirit Experiences, tastings or Flights purchased on board.
• Offer is not applicable at Harvest Caye bars, restaurants, or venues.
• Does not include: Wine and Spirit Experiences, tastings or Flights, Starbucks, 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, wine dispenser, energy drinks or vending machines.
• Guest who receive the Soda Package may obtain fountain soda at any bar, lounge or restaurant throughout the duration of the cruise, excluding Harvest Caye bars, restaurants, or venues.
• Guest's check may reflect applicable VAT and/or taxes for certain ports or itineraries.

 

If you want to get a peek at the Breakaway, the following is a link to my live post from August to the Western Caribbean. It will give you information on the ship and an idea on the types of entertainment offered daily. 

 

Edited November 12, 2022 by BirdTravels

[nawlagal]

Thanks for the replies! Yes, I purchased the Premium Plus package for both of us. Also have the Adult Beverage Package.

 

Edited November 12, 2022 by nawlagal

[GINNY L]

3 hours ago, nawlagal said:

Thanks for the replies! Yes, I purchased the Premium Plus package for both of us. Also have the Adult Beverage Package.

 

You pretty much get everything.  We started to get the premium plus at our last cruise and the one we just off a cruise on October 31.  Make sure to get the Aqua Panna water when you eat and at the bars.  get your fresh pressed juice.  Also make sure that at dinner time, if you like wine, you can order a bottle in the plus column and your husband can order a bottle in the plus column.  Also you can have one glass of wine from that bottle and take the rest to the cabin.  

 

[nawlagal]

44 minutes ago, GINNY L said:

You pretty much get everything.  We started to get the premium plus at our last cruise and the one we just off a cruise on October 31.  Make sure to get the Aqua Panna water when you eat and at the bars.  get your fresh pressed juice.  Also make sure that at dinner time, if you like wine, you can order a bottle in the plus column and your husband can order a bottle in the plus column.  Also you can have one glass of wine from that bottle and take the rest to the cabin.  

 

Ginny,

Thanks so much! I'm a noob and have only cruised once before and my FIL took care of everything for us.

 

I had NO idea we could do that with the wine. I was wondering how we would manage a bottle of wine or two in the room. 

[JandC_Cruising]

5 hours ago, nawlagal said:

Thanks for the replies! Yes, I purchased the Premium Plus package for both of us. Also have the Adult Beverage Package.

 

You are all set!  We upgrade to the Premium Plus every cruise.  

We love the bottled AquaPana at every meal, drink premium bourbons each night pre-dinner, get 2 bottles of wine at every meal, free specialty coffee's and energy drinks, boxes of water anytime throughout the day. 

Some will tell you it's not worth it, but if you take advantage of all the benefits, it will be.

Enjoy.

[GINNY L]

1 hour ago, nawlagal said:

Ginny,

Thanks so much! I'm a noob and have only cruised once before and my FIL took care of everything for us.

 

I had NO idea we could do that with the wine. I was wondering how we would manage a bottle of wine or two in the room. 

Make sure to find out what bars have the premium liquor.  Not ALL bars do.

[ChiefMateJRK]

2 hours ago, GINNY L said:

Also make sure that at dinner time, if you like wine, you can order a bottle in the plus column and your husband can order a bottle in the plus column.  Also you can have one glass of wine from that bottle and take the rest to the cabin. 

So your plan is to go to dinner, have a single glass of wine, and then retire to your room?  That doesn't sound like much fun. 

[New2cruise2022]

56 minutes ago, JandC_Cruising said:

You are all set!  We upgrade to the Premium Plus every cruise.  

We love the bottled AquaPana at every meal, drink premium bourbons each night pre-dinner, get 2 bottles of wine at every meal, free specialty coffee's and energy drinks, boxes of water anytime throughout the day. 

Some will tell you it's not worth it, but if you take advantage of all the benefits, it will be.

Enjoy.

Do you know what kind of energy drinks are carried?

[JandC_Cruising]

2 minutes ago, New2cruise2022 said:

Do you know what kind of energy drinks are carried?

Sorry, I do not recall, but i know they are included

[New2cruise2022]

5 minutes ago, JandC_Cruising said:

Sorry, I do not recall, but i know they are included

Thanks. Yeah, I’ve seen that they are included but I’ve never seen it published or discussed what the offering is — brand? Can vs poured? Etc. 

[MarkusToe]

1 hour ago, JandC_Cruising said:

You are all set!  We upgrade to the Premium Plus every cruise.  

We love the bottled AquaPana at every meal, drink premium bourbons each night pre-dinner, get 2 bottles of wine at every meal

1 hour ago, GINNY L said:

 

I'm sorry to ask again. Within my description they state wine by glass.

Bottle 40 % off.

Valid for all restaurant? Cagney's as well?

[dbrown84]

41 minutes ago, New2cruise2022 said:

Thanks. Yeah, I’ve seen that they are included but I’ve never seen it published or discussed what the offering is — brand? Can vs poured? Etc. 

I know they at least have red bull, both regular and sugar free

[New2cruise2022]

Thanks @dbrown84  I need to get those wings at sea. 

[nawlagal]

4 hours ago, ChiefMateJRK said:

So your plan is to go to dinner, have a single glass of wine, and then retire to your room?  That doesn't sound like much fun. 

I can't exactly speak to my plan. I have been on only one cruise before, but when we travel and stay in hotels, we always have a bottle of wine on hand. Sometimes, we don't finish it but it isn't like we can just run out and get one while on a ship. On our first and only cruise, we spent a lot of time after dinner in the casino and walking the ship .We also hung out on our balcony quite a lot. Everyone has different ideas of what they enjoy when traveling. Frankly, we don't go for the shows that cruises offer. They seem hokey to us, so we do more of the other things like wine tasting, gym, trivia, etc. To each his/her own!

 

[Hutcha]

22 hours ago, nawlagal said:

Thanks for the replies! Yes, I purchased the Premium Plus package for both of us. Also have the Adult Beverage Package.

 

I don't think I've heard of the Adult Bev package before, but with the premium plus package, you're all set. For coffee, it also includes Starbucks. Great tip above on the wine. If you ask nicely, they'll just open the bottle of wine, without pouring a glass, and let you take the full bottle back with you. You could also do this with a full unopened bottle of Moet for morning mimosas. Depends on the server.

[nawlagal]

Thanks, Hutcha! Great info and I do love a good mimosa! Cheers!

[nawlagal]

1 hour ago, Hutcha said:

I don't think I've heard of the Adult Bev package before, but with the premium plus package, you're all set. 

 I, too, am not sure what is included in the Adult Beverage Package. I booked through United and that was some promo feature included in the fare. I'm a little concerned I might have double-paid by upgrading to Premium Plus. At this point, though, I'm too excited about the trip to worry about it.

Edited November 13, 2022 by nawlagal
typo

[New2cruise2022]

1 hour ago, nawlagal said:

 At this point, though, I'm too excited about the trip to worry about it.

I’m 70 days away still and this is my attitude. The excitement is definitely part of the value. 

[Liljo22]

2 hours ago, nawlagal said:

 I, too, am not sure what is included in the Adult Beverage Package. I booked through United and that was some promo feature included in the fare. I'm a little concerned I might have double-paid by upgrading to Premium Plus. At this point, though, I'm too excited about the trip to worry about it.

Based on the screen shot, the Adult Beverage package is the Premium Beverage Package as a different name.  The Plus package says upgrade so I am sure you got it right.  You would probably know if you are paying the full price on the Plus package. It’s $138pppd plus 20% so on a 7 day cruise it’s an extra $2300 on top of the cruise fare.

[Dereky80]

I spoke to an NCL agent and was told that all drinks that are sold by the glass are included in the premium beverage package. I specifically asked if that includes all the whiskeys at the whiskey bar including the ones that are over $100 an ounce and she said yes. Has anyone had any experience with this?  Is it true?  If it is, it’s a no brainer for any whiskey drinking isn’t it?

[JandC_Cruising]

2 hours ago, Dereky80 said:

I spoke to an NCL agent and was told that all drinks that are sold by the glass are included in the premium beverage package. I specifically asked if that includes all the whiskeys at the whiskey bar including the ones that are over $100 an ounce and she said yes. Has anyone had any experience with this?  Is it true?  If it is, it’s a no brainer for any whiskey drinking isn’t it?

That is NOT TRUE if you are talking about the Premium Drink Package (which is the standard drink package included with the Free at Sea).  As described by Bird Travels above, that standard package includes only drinks that are $15 or less.  That is a huge selection of drinks with the "well" alcohols at each of the bar.  However, there are many pours (of booze and wine) that are more than $15.

 

Any drink ordered that costs more than $15 per glass is charges the difference plus 20%.

ie:  a $20 drink will be charged to your on board account as $6.00  ($5 +$1 gratuity)

 

However, if you upgrade to the Premium Plus drink Package ($29 per day +20% grat) you can get those higher end drinks (Whiskey's, Vodka's, Tequillas, etc.) without extra charges.  

Whiskey's/Ryes, such as Gentleman Jack, Woodford Reserve, Whistle Pig all exceed the $15 per pour.

We are big whiskey drinkers and that is a major reason we always upgrade to the Premium Plus; so we can enjoy those selections without the extra fees.

 

Items such as Louis XIII is not considered a "drink", but is classified as an "Experience".  You will not get that for free in any of the drink packages.  They will discount the cost by either 20% or 40% depending upon which drink package you have (premium or premium plus)

Edited November 14, 2022 by JandC_Cruising

[New2cruise2022]

15 minutes ago, JandC_Cruising said:

That is NOT TRUE if you are talking about the Premium Drink Package (which is the standard drink package included with the Free at Sea).  As described by Bird Travels above, that standard package includes only drinks that are $15 or less.  That is a huge selection of drinks with the "well" alcohols at each of the bar.  However, there are many pours (of booze and wine) that are more than $15.

 

Any drink ordered that costs more than $15 per glass is charges the difference plus 20%.

ie:  a $20 drink will be charged to your on board account as $6.00  ($5 +$1 gratuity)

 

However, if you upgrade to the Premium Plus drink Package ($29 per day +20% grat) you can get those higher end drinks (Whiskey's, Vodka's, Tequillas, etc.) without extra charges.  

Whiskey's/Ryes, such as Gentleman Jack, Woodford Reserve, Whistle Pig all exceed the $15 per pour.

We are big whiskey drinkers and that is a major reason we always upgrade to the Premium Plus; so we can enjoy those selections without the extra fees.

 

Items such as Louis XIII is not considered a "drink", but is classified as an "Experience".  You will not get that for free in any of the drink packages.  They will discount the cost by either 20% or 40% depending upon which drink package you have (premium or premium plus)

Such good info. If you are going to really try new things or know that you are top shelf experience, do it. I think of those nights when the bar tab got away from me — not necessarily drunk — just kept a nice buzz for hours and hours — and it’s easy to see where the value could be.