Bourbon on Norwegian Dawn - Premium Plus Question

[augiewrslr]

I am considering an upgrade to Free at Sea Plus (which I believe I need to do before the cruise starts), so I have a question about bourbons onboard:

 

Preface-

 

The latest info on the premium plus menu now lists a new category (◆Brands available in Whiskey bars):

 

https://www.ncl.com/sites/default/files/Beverage_Packages_122322.pdf

 

As I understand it, this seams to eliminate all of the bourbons with the exception of:

(1) Blanton's

(2) EH Taylor

(3) Woodford Reserve

(4) Whiskle Pig

 

 

Now, I have (1) and (2) at my house and would be more than happy with either of them on the boat, but they are allocated, so I am guessing those two are optimistic at best. The issue becomes, if they dont have (3) and (4) I would be essentially get stock with the regular free at sea options.

 

Question - 

 

Do they have other comprable options if (1) - (4) are missing or am I just stuck with the Free at Sea bourbon options? What are the chances that they only have one or none of the above four options on a ship?

 

Any help would be much appreciated. I tried to ask the Chat, but they said, that I need to ask on board (which seems strange considering that I believe I need to upgrade to the Free at Sea Plus before then).

[luv2kroooz]

13 minutes ago, augiewrslr said:

I tried to ask the Chat, but they said, that I need to ask on board (which seems strange considering that I believe I need to upgrade to the Free at Sea Plus before then).

I think it is probably good advice. No one on here is going to be able to predict what may be available on board your sailing. There are lots of threads here about the availability of the premium plus branded liquors. Sometimes they are available, other times they are not and disruption to the supply chain is attributed to the shortage. You will be limited to what is currently in stock, onboard the ship.

 

I believe you can delay purchasing your upgrade until you are onboard and have an opportunity to clearly understand exactly what is available and what you are paying for? Norwegian is changing the rules over and again with multiple revisions per month. Seems wrong to pay for premium only to find out something less than premium is available. 

[PTC DAWG]

I recently upgraded too on an April 1st sailing, hoping for the best in this regard..not in Haven.  Not sure of Whiskey bars on the Joy..I too prefer a nice bourbon or three every now and then. 
 

Some of the upgraded Gin and Vodka choices intrigue me also.  
 

Good to see 101 on the base list, that is my go to standard at home.  

[macewank]

I was on the Encore and the offerings were pretty similar in our Maltings Whiskey Bar.

Honestly, I drank the snot out of the EH Taylor until we killed the bottle (we only had 1 or 2 of them) and then I used the P+ to try new things, *edit* all of which are listed there as general offerings for P+.  Scotches and Cognacs.  That Galveston was good and the Macallan Quest was way better than expected!

I wonder if there's a "Whiskey Bar" on the Dawn that isn't actually a whiskey bar.  Maybe the Wine or Champagne bar?

Edited January 3, 2023 by macewank

[alanstarr]

I was on the Dawn in November. The "whiskey bar" is Gatsby's. Didn't see any EHT/Blanton's. They did have Bookers. Since I only had the basic drink package, it was $10+ to upgrade (worth it, it was fantastic, and I'm not the biggest fan of Bookers).  I don't think there are a lot of high-end bourbon drinkers on board, this bottle was from 2015!

 

 

Edited January 4, 2023 by alanstarr

[roger001]

We cruise next week.  If that list is still correct, I see Wild Turkey 101.  Will be my choice.  That is a really good just basic bourbon.  Gets excellent reviews and is really bargained priced retail for how good it is.  I always have some on hand.   My opinion..but the opinion of many others also.  

[detroitlions]

I just got off Escape Dec 24,

From the looks at all the bars they are slimming down there drink menus and a lot of things they had before were not available.

They did have Woodford, Whistle pig, and Bullit. 

 

[DaggoB]

3 hours ago, roger001 said:

We cruise next week.  If that list is still correct, I see Wild Turkey 101.  Will be my choice.  That is a really good just basic bourbon.  Gets excellent reviews and is really bargained priced retail for how good it is.  I always have some on hand.   My opinion..but the opinion of many others also.  

We were on the Bliss the first part of December. I drink Wild Turkey. The list shows Wild Turkey. It was no where to be found. One bartender said they have not had it for months. 

[roger001]

3 hours ago, DaggoB said:

We were on the Bliss the first part of December. I drink Wild Turkey. The list shows Wild Turkey. It was no where to be found. One bartender said they have not had it for months. 

Thanks.  

[PTC DAWG]

7 hours ago, roger001 said:

We cruise next week.  If that list is still correct, I see Wild Turkey 101.  Will be my choice.  That is a really good just basic bourbon.  Gets excellent reviews and is really bargained priced retail for how good it is.  I always have some on hand.   My opinion..but the opinion of many others also.  

I’m with ya,  not against ya, 

[DaggoB]

Try Wild Turkey rare breed!

[roger001]

1 hour ago, DaggoB said:

Try Wild Turkey rare breed!

But make it the WT101.

[DaggoB]

Rare breed 116.8 proof. 

[augiewrslr]

I appreciate the help. It sounds like they will have something as long as I dont get too focused on my top choice.Lets hope they have Bookers or EH Taylor! I just dont want to be stuck with a choice between Bulleit or Jack Daniels

[wcook]

Worse case scenario is you pay the difference between the bourbon you want and $15. Plus 20% gratuity on difference. Could be cheaper than upgrading the whole package. 
 

Note that I wouldn’t hold out hope for excellent bartending. I ordered a bourbon at the Whiskey bar on the Epic last week, got a confused look and was offered Jack Daniels. 

[PTC DAWG]

On 1/4/2023 at 7:49 PM, DaggoB said:

Try Wild Turkey rare breed!

Hard to beat.

[Lionkingrichard]

On 1/5/2023 at 7:57 PM, wcook said:

Worse case scenario is you pay the difference between the bourbon you want and $15. Plus 20% gratuity on difference. Could be cheaper than upgrading the whole package. 
 

Note that I wouldn’t hold out hope for excellent bartending. I ordered a bourbon at the Whiskey bar on the Epic last week, got a confused look and was offered Jack Daniels. 

A double of Whistle Pig was $84. So good!

 

If they were to credit you with $36 off. Not worth it.

 

1 a day equals upgrade please.

[augiewrslr]

Ok, we just got off the boat today and I wanted to provide my experience with bourbon as a data point. The champagne bar and bliss both had the best selection. We didnt see any EH Taylor or Blantons, but they did have Buffalo Trace. In terms of the plus whiskey/bourbons, they had Whistle Pig 10, Bookers, and Gentlemens Jack. They seemed to have plenty.

[cruiseny4life]

4 minutes ago, augiewrslr said:

Ok, we just got off the boat today and I wanted to provide my experience with bourbon as a data point. The champagne bar and bliss both had the best selection. We didnt see any EH Taylor or Blantons, but they did have Buffalo Trace. In terms of the plus whiskey/bourbons, they had Whistle Pig 10, Bookers, and Gentlemens Jack. They seemed to have plenty.

You are wonderful! Thanks so much for reporting back on what you found onboard. I hope your cruise was amazing.

[dbrown84]

2 hours ago, augiewrslr said:

Ok, we just got off the boat today and I wanted to provide my experience with bourbon as a data point. The champagne bar and bliss both had the best selection. We didnt see any EH Taylor or Blantons, but they did have Buffalo Trace. In terms of the plus whiskey/bourbons, they had Whistle Pig 10, Bookers, and Gentlemens Jack. They seemed to have plenty.

yes, thank you for this post.  I've always declined the drink package in the past, but was thinking of taking it on my next cruise and upgrading so that I can my Macallan.  I got nervous when I saw all the posts about the lack of the higher end drinks and I've been going back and forth since.  I don't have much need for the regular drink package since It doesn't offer much over the casino drink card.  I'm happy to hear first hand reports of the good stuff being available.