More At Sea is a downgrade if you had FAS+

[New2cruise2022]

1 minute ago, RocketMan275 said:

True, but if you want to compare the two, then you should include the pluses and the minuses.  

You've lost the coffees, the Aqua, water and wine, but in return you've gained the cost of the upgrade from FAS to FAS+.  That refund will offset much of those things you've lost.

I think the amount of the refund will matter, as well as the cost of the elements you can add. Other than FAS+, I have not seen a package to add still and sparking water. The Starbucks package and Unlimited packages are available, but those two alone are nearly $50 pppd after taxes and grats. Even if there was a package to pick up the nice waters, fresh juices, and bottled waters, you are already exceeding the current offering with FAS+. 

[rnfulk]

7 minutes ago, RocketMan275 said:

True, but if you want to compare the two, then you should include the pluses and the minuses.  

You've lost the coffees, the Aqua, water and wine, but in return you've gained the cost of the upgrade from FAS to FAS+.  That refund will offset much of those things you've lost.

There are always going to be those who saw the value in FAS+ and those who didn’t. I loved FAS+ because it took all of the guesswork out of my final bill. Everything I wanted was included. I don’t know, nor do I care, if I could have spent less by paying the extra cost of drinks that exceeded the standard drink package or paying menu price for water and coffee. The value of the package for me was not having to worry about what anything cost. 
I’ll survive with the MAS drink package, but it will make my cruises feel a little less special. 

[New2cruise2022]

20 minutes ago, rnfulk said:

There are always going to be those who saw the value in FAS+ and those who didn’t. I loved FAS+ because it took all of the guesswork out of my final bill. Everything I wanted was included. I don’t know, nor do I care, if I could have spent less by paying the extra cost of drinks that exceeded the standard drink package or paying menu price for water and coffee. The value of the package for me was not having to worry about what anything cost. 
I’ll survive with the MAS drink package, but it will make my cruises feel a little less special. 

Agreed. I don’t vacation nearly as much as I wish I could because of time and money. So when I do, I love being able to package and arrive at a place that feels carefree. 
 

I will enjoy FAS+ one last time this month. Then next spring I will return to Princess. The Premier package really does take all of the guesswork away and comes very close to ALL inclusive. It includes gratuities, unlimited premium drinks, specialty coffees, unlimited WiFi on 4 devices, unlimited fitness classes, unlimited desserts, unlimited casual dining, unlimited specialty dining, drinks delivered to your stateroom or anywhere on the ship, unlimited fresh juices.
 

Sadly, there is no still and sparkling water inclusion, but loads of other perks. I can’t and won’t use many of the amenities (fitness classes, desserts, etc.) but it’s the notion that I pay one fee and I can choose and enjoy — as well as my adult children — and not worry about a bill at the end. No surprises. 

[PangeanSir]

On 10/1/2024 at 12:46 PM, ETski said:

I have a cruise booked for Nov 2025. We have regular Free at Sea. Will that stay the same? Poor bartenders they will have more the 2 beverage packages to deal with. 

If you booked before October 1st, then you will get a wider/better selection of alcoholic beverages under the new drink plan compared to Free at Sea (at no extra cost). The bartenders will actually have it easier as there will only be More at Sea. 

[Greenpea2]

Hmmm. OK, so I have not been keeping up here, with NCL. Clearly. What the heck is all this! I am a NCL fan and while I only cruise once every year or two, that's who I cruise on. I have kind of a headache trying to figure all this out. We have been getting what used to be the Premium Plus liquor package--which was high-end booze and Starbucks. Plus 2 free Specialty restaurant and two $50-off excursions. All that is gone now?.

 

Would someone please take pity on me (change is hard) and explain what I CAN now get? I only have one or two Starbucks a day so that is no great loss. I will just pay for them. But the premium drink package was something I LOVED. From what I can gather from this thread, there is (at least at this time) no premium booze package, correct? And no specially restaurants package and no $50-off excursions? I always have gone with the unlimited internet--and only had to pay for myself (not also whoever I cruise with). Is that still available for just one person??

 

If I have to pay for premium vodka, tequila, and champagne I suppose I just will. But this is really disappointing. I mean really a let-down for someone who has been an NCL fan for 30 years.

 

Can someone clarify what I CAN still get? Thank you in advance. I am confused, I admit it.

 

P.S. Our cruise is in early March, 2025, if that makes a difference.

Edited 19 hours ago by Greenpea2

[UKstages]

12 hours ago, MiniJeffrey said:

they probably weren't too happy with people doing this trick... at least: NCL waiters never made a problem of it to provide it to the whole table.

 

when i had premium+ drink package on my last cruise (as a casino benefit), i never once tried to do this this "trick," but i wish i had a dollar for every time a waiter proactively offered it. (i'd have about forty bucks after a ten day cruise.)

 

i would order a bottle of pellegrino and the waiter would pour it for me and my standard FAS guest. when my companion ordered ABC wine, the water would say, "let's use UKstages' card, I'll bring you XYZ wine, you will enjoy that more." 

 

my point is that if they felt there was shrinkage in their product, they might be able t eradicate it, by educating their waitstaff. i don't think there has ben widespread abuse of the premium+ package, but perhaps this is why we can't have nice things. 

[dbrown84]

14 minutes ago, UKstages said:

 

when i had premium+ drink package on my last cruise (as a casino benefit), i never once tried to do this this "trick," but i wish i had a dollar for every time a waiter proactively offered it. (i'd have about forty bucks after a ten day cruise.)

 

i would order a bottle of pellegrino and the waiter would pour it for me and my standard FAS guest. when my companion ordered ABC wine, the water would say, "let's use UKstages' card, I'll bring you XYZ wine, you will enjoy that more." 

 

my point is that if they felt there was shrinkage in their product, they might be able t eradicate it, by educating their waitstaff. i don't think there has ben widespread abuse of the premium+ package, but perhaps this is why we can't have nice things. 

I've had a server ask me to get a drink for someone not even with me.  We were in the cigar lounge.  I happily did it, but it was actually the server who asked

[ajaris]

On 10/3/2024 at 12:13 PM, quillwercruisers said:

We sail in March of 25, reservation was made in Jan 24. The FAS+ is back on my reservation, and I am able to book excursions using the extra $50 excursion credit. This is from my Vacation Summary:

 

ours is back too but got an email today it was going away... so confusing... we are going feb 2025 and have paid full already.

 

[CurtandLeslie]

3 hours ago, Greenpea2 said:

Hmmm. OK, so I have not been keeping up here, with NCL. Clearly. What the heck is all this! I am a NCL fan and while I only cruise once every year or two, that's who I cruise on. I have kind of a headache trying to figure all this out. We have been getting what used to be the Premium Plus liquor package--which was high-end booze and Starbucks. Plus 2 free Specialty restaurant and two $50-off excursions. All that is gone now?.

 

Would someone please take pity on me (change is hard) and explain what I CAN now get? I only have one or two Starbucks a day so that is no great loss. I will just pay for them. But the premium drink package was something I LOVED. From what I can gather from this thread, there is (at least at this time) no premium booze package, correct? And no specially restaurants package and no $50-off excursions? I always have gone with the unlimited internet--and only had to pay for myself (not also whoever I cruise with). Is that still available for just one person??

 

If I have to pay for premium vodka, tequila, and champagne I suppose I just will. But this is really disappointing. I mean really a let-down for someone who has been an NCL fan for 30 years.

 

Can someone clarify what I CAN still get? Thank you in advance. I am confused, I admit it.

 

P.S. Our cruise is in early March, 2025, if that makes a difference.

Did you buy the Free at Sea Plus package before October 1? If you already paid for it, they are refunding the "beverage portion" (no one knows what that $ is yet) but you will keep your 2 additional dining credits, $50 shore excursion credit for the 2nd person and unlimited wifi. 

 

If you hadn't purchased FAS+ yet, you can't anymore.😞 You will keep the number of dining credits you would have had under the old Free at Sea (2 for balcony and above). I just clicked on the link to upgrade wifi on a 2026 cruise that I didn't have FAS+ on and I can't just do it for one of us.

 

As far as drinks go, you and everyone else with a beverage package after 1/1 will have the new More at Sea package, which does not include bottles of wine, Starbucks, bottled water or fresh juices. More at Sea is supposed to include some things that were previously included in the plus package. There is a "connoisseur's list" that you can buy by the drink and get a $15 credit towards. Neither list has been published so until they do, it's all speculation.

I'll miss the Free at Sea Plus package. We made sure to maximize it when we had it so I'm sure NCL lost money on us! 

 

[JSar]

5 hours ago, Greenpea2 said:

Hmmm. OK, so I have not been keeping up here, with NCL. Clearly. What the heck is all this! I am a NCL fan and while I only cruise once every year or two, that's who I cruise on. I have kind of a headache trying to figure all this out. We have been getting what used to be the Premium Plus liquor package--which was high-end booze and Starbucks. Plus 2 free Specialty restaurant and two $50-off excursions. All that is gone now?.

 

Would someone please take pity on me (change is hard) and explain what I CAN now get?

If you already booked your cruise and purchased the FAS+ package - you should still have it for your next cruise. Otherwise... essentially the FAS package was expanded to include more of what you get with the FAS+, but it does NOT include the bottled water/unlimited Starbucks. 

 

Here is the link to what you DO get with MAS, which includes more premium alcohols than the FAS option previously included.   extension://bfdogplmndidlpjfhoijckpakkdjkkil/pdf/viewer.html?file=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncl.com%2Fsites%2Fdefault%2Ffiles%2F1813003-MAS%2520Flyer.pdf

 

For most people - this is an upgrade for the FAS option, But there are a couple downgrades from FAS+

Edited 13 hours ago by JSar

[MiniJeffrey]

10 hours ago, UKstages said:

 

when i had premium+ drink package on my last cruise (as a casino benefit), i never once tried to do this this "trick," but i wish i had a dollar for every time a waiter proactively offered it. (i'd have about forty bucks after a ten day cruise.)

 

i would order a bottle of pellegrino and the waiter would pour it for me and my standard FAS guest. when my companion ordered ABC wine, the water would say, "let's use UKstages' card, I'll bring you XYZ wine, you will enjoy that more." 

 

my point is that if they felt there was shrinkage in their product, they might be able t eradicate it, by educating their waitstaff. i don't think there has ben widespread abuse of the premium+ package, but perhaps this is why we can't have nice things. 

 

I never did it on purpose but indeed they would pour the bottled water/wine/champagne for everyone.

[DominicAUS]

I always get the FAS+ mostly for the water and coffee, I have B2B booked for February, they are refunding the cost but giving us all the perks, minus the coffee and water. $980 in my back pocket, I’ll happily pay for the coffee. 
 

I do agree with others where I love to pay upfront and not have to worry about a bill or costs. I am keen to see what’s included in terms of brands of alcohol. They’ve already said grey goose so happy with that! 

[JSar]

I am always surprised by the number of people who would rather pay more for a package so they don't have to worry about the bill. I do get the convenience. BUT... I could never drink enough to justify the gratuities on the FAS alcohol package, and I doubt I would drink enough coffee or water to justify the FAS+ price difference. And I definitely do not want to overpay for things I know I won't use. Different priorities for sure! And to me... the "included" meals and beverages are just fine. The only thing I deliberately pay extra for is the soda package for my daughter - she does drink enough soda to justify that cost. But son and I skip that as well. 

[ggTexasGal]

4 minutes ago, JSar said:

I am always surprised by the number of people who would rather pay more for a package so they don't have to worry about the bill. I do get the convenience. BUT... I could never drink enough to justify the gratuities on the FAS alcohol package, and I doubt I would drink enough coffee or water to justify the FAS+ price difference. And I definitely do not want to overpay for things I know I won't use. Different priorities for sure! And to me... the "included" meals and beverages are just fine. The only thing I deliberately pay extra for is the soda package for my daughter - she does drink enough soda to justify that cost. But son and I skip that as well. 

I think that most who have selected FAS+ are looking for their best options for variety & choices all wrapped up in a package.  Yes, that option makes it pricey!

[New2cruise2022]

5 minutes ago, JSar said:

I am always surprised by the number of people who would rather pay more for a package so they don't have to worry about the bill. I do get the convenience. BUT... I could never drink enough to justify the gratuities on the FAS alcohol package, and I doubt I would drink enough coffee or water to justify the FAS+ price difference. And I definitely do not want to overpay for things I know I won't use. Different priorities for sure! And to me... the "included" meals and beverages are just fine. The only thing I deliberately pay extra for is the soda package for my daughter - she does drink enough soda to justify that cost. But son and I skip that as well. 

It really is a mentality that is coupled with likes and dislikes. I really like saving money.  If I was retired and had more time to travel, I would opt for less amenities and inclusions so I could spend more days at seas. I think I could be very happy without a drink package, enjoying the coffee and juices included with all fares, and only eating the complimentary food options. 
 

But, I really only splurge for 1 or 2 vacations per year and I definitely get the value out of inclusion. That being said, my brother (who often joins me for these getaways) are planning to do a cruise with ZERO packages, including WiFi, to see what the experience is like.