One thing I must admit. I tend to drink more while cruising. Maybe it’s because on a ship, my movements are limited or because there are bars everywhere or because I don’t have to drive anywhere or just because cruises are vacations and a place to let go. Whatever the reason, you can drop some serious cash on alcohol, if you’re not careful.
We were lucky enough to get the Ultimate Beverage Package for free as part of a booking promotion. YAY! I think that also played a role in my drinking outlook…
There is a new More at Sea promotion with a new Unlimited Open Bar package instead of the Ultimate Beverage Package. The information below is no longer valid.
Having a drink at Mixers Martini Bar. It was supposed to be a pic of me and Lucy but a grumpy looking Daddy is in the background 🙂
What is the NCL Ultimate Beverage Package?
The NCL Ultimate Beverage Package provides a “enjoy a wide selection of soft drinks, beers, spirits, cocktails, wines by the glass and bottled or draft beer up to and including $15 USD during your entire cruise.”. If you purchase a beverage over $15, you will receive a $15 discount and be charged the difference to your account.
The package is available to guests 21 and older and must be purchased by each adult in the stateroom or on staterooms with the same credit card on file. Additionally, they are now requiring “individuals under the age of 21 will be required to purchase the Soda Program.”
Price:
– Online pre-cruise purchase price for Unlimited Open Bar: $109/day per person
– Online pre-cruise purchase price for Premium Plus: $138/day per person
– Online pre-cruise purchase price for Unlimited Soda Package: $9.95/day per person
– Online pre-cruise purchase price for Unlimited Starbucks Package: $12.95/day per person
– On board purchase price: to be updated
*Plus a 20% gratuity and beverage service charge will be added at checkout.
The package excludes items ordered through room service. Current pre-cruise rates can be found here.
Is the NCL Ultimate Beverage Package Right for You?
Now, I may drink more than normal on a cruise, but that doesn’t mean I spend the cruise drunk. I might have one drink in the afternoon, one before dinner, one at dinner and one after the show. That’s 4 – 5 at most for me in a day. I’m normally a one glass of wine per day kind of girl- at least as far as I can remember!
*Please note these are not current drink prices.
*Please note these prices have now increased but it still gives you an idea on approximate rates
Beverage Price Examples:
Since we didn’t have to worry about the price of the drinks we were ordering (other than keeping it under $11 $15), we typically spent $22 for two drinks with gratuity.
Beer
- Paulaner Hefe-Weizen $5.75
- Amstel Radler $5.75
- Grolsch $5.95
- Sam Adams $5.95
- Amstel Light $5.95
- Corona $5.95
- Heineken $5.95
- Budweiser 16 oz $6.50
- Miller Lite 16 oz $6.50
- Blue Moon 16 oz $6.50
Cocktails
- Bahama Mama $8.95
- 1.5 oz Call Liquor $7.50
- 1.5 oz Super Premium Liquor $9.95
Wine
- Pinot Grigio $6.95
- Rose $7.95
- Blackstone Merlot $8.95
- Robert Mondavi Chardonnay $8.95
- VS Prosco $9.95
- Pinot Noir $10.95
Soda
- Per can (at bar) $2.49
*Prices subject to change. Please use this as a guide only.
How much we spent:
The cost of the UBP for two adults on our seven night cruise was $892.08 with gratuity. We spent $611.42 on soda and alcoholic beverages. That means we “lost” $280.66. *This was the price before the increase!
I could have closed the gap a bit more by ordering more expensive drinks. I found a Prosco that I liked priced at $9.95 per glass. I have a thing for Italian white sparkling wine.
If I had consumed one more drink per day, that would have been another $11.74 or $82.18. Derrick can drink more and his consumption varied greatly per day, so guessing an average for him is difficult..
Savings Tips & More Beverage Packages:
-
- Drink of the Day – Each day your Freestyle Daily will list the daily drink special. You can find these specials under the “Bar Manager’s Specials” section of your planner. These are priced at $6.95 each
- Beer Bucket Promotion – Look in the same section for the beer promotion. Purchase a bucket of beers to buy 5 and get 1 FREE.
- Local Cocktails – Depending on your cruise, you might be able to save on special local cocktails. These are priced at $6.95 each. We had this as a European offer.
- Corks and Caps Wine and Beer Package – a selection of soft drinks, beers, and wines by the glass during your entire cruise.The price is $44/day
- Adult & Teen Soda Program (ages 13 & older) – endless fountain soda throughout the cruise plus a Souvenir Thermal mug. Priced at $6.95/day
- Children’s Soda Program (ages 12 and under) – endless fountain soda throughout the cruise plus a Souvenir Thermal mug. Priced at $4.95/day
- BYBO – Bring your own bottle of wine and pay a $15 corking fee. Other alcohol is NOT allowed to be brought on board. It will be returned to you at the end of the cruise.
Verdict – Is the Ultimate Beverage Package the Best Option?
Yes and No.
Honestly, it depends on how much you plan to drink to determine if the package is right for you. Do you like to drink soda, cocktails, wine and beer? Or would you be better of skipping the liquor option and going with the Corks and Caps Wine and Beer Package to save $10 per day?
Wine drinkers might prefer the BYOB option. If I were to bring a bottle of wine on board that costs $5 plus pay $15 corkage fee, I’m at $20 per bottle. If each bottle has approximately 4 glasses of wine, that’s $5 per glass. Keep in mind that, if your trip originates in Europe, you can find some pretty decent wines in that price range.
If I head to the bar on the ship and purchase an “inexpensive” glass of wine (Pinot Grigio), I’ll pay $7.95 + 18% gratuity or $9.38 per glass. However, if I was going to set myself a limit of 4 glasses of wine per day, that’s 1 bottle per night. I would have to bring 7 bottles of wine on board the ship! Kind of a pain. Divide that by two, if you’re splitting a bottle and it becomes a little more attractive.
Trying new things: If I didn’t have the package, I never would have found my new favorite, Prosco wine. I would have stuck with drinking the cheaper $6.95 per glass to save $3.
I also tried a couple of different cocktails. If I didn’t like them, I didn’t feel obligated to drink them. The same when I tried a glass of wine that I disliked. Instead of feeling guilty about it, I just left it on the table. Yes, it’s wasteful of the wine or liquor, but I didn’t feel like I was wasting MONEY.
Not having to think about it: There is something to be said for not having to think about what or how much you’re ordering. I could order a drink, hand over my card, sign a paper and not think twice. It’s relaxing knowing that I won’t be hit with a huge bill at the end of the week.
We chose the Ultimate Beverage Package over the other promotional credits available. It was definitely the best choice with the greatest savings potential. I will consider the Ultimate Beverage Package next time we sail with NCL.
*Note – Bottle water is not included in the package. The prices have “reduced” in 2017. The price is a 12-pk of 1L bottles is $28
Restrictions – Mini bar purchases are not included. The Ultimate Beverage Package does not include room service, package sales, ship specific promotions or beer buckets, designated Super Premium brands (subject to change), bottled wine, mini bar purchases, bottled water, fresh squeezed juices, select Lavazza coffee beverages, energy drinks, vending machines, wine stations or spirits, cocktails, draft or bottled beer and glasses of wine over $15 USD.
What do you think? Is the NCL Ultimate Beverage Package worth the cost?
**Again, please remember that prices can vary!!
Updated July 2017 – Beverages up to $15 are now included!
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Hi There –
Am I allowed to bring a hydroflask and pour 4 glasses of rose into it, and then head to the pool?
Hi! I doubt they will say anything to you as you’re just keeping the wine chilled. But remember, you will be charged a $15 corkage fee for each bottle of wine you bring on the ship, You’re allowed to drink the wine you’ve brought onboard anywhere on the ship.
Also, make sure the bottle hydro flask is empty when you board.
If you purchase the beverage package, you can just get drinks by the pool.
It is great for us — we usually will have a shot of Bailey’s in our coffee in the morning and sometimes I would have a mimosa while waiting to head out for an excursion. We would always go to the bar as soon as we got back on and have a drink before heading to cabin to get ready for dinner – and would get another drink to carry to the cabin. We always eat at specialty restaurants — so once again you can have two glasses of wine with the dinner, and then a drink or two during a show, etc. Nice to not even have to think about the costs, etc. since we will take that as our free “choice” of 2 or 3 of the packages lately.
I am so happy I check your review again. I am in the studio cabin. In this lounge there a wine dispenser. I thought this is part of the package. After reading your post I now know it is not. Thanks again.
Have fun! The studio cabins look great for solo travelers and the lounge seems like a cool place to hangout. I believe there is a paid bar in the lounge.
I am going on NCL this Nov. 25, 2017 I got the liquor package but had to pay $100.00 up front for gratuity for the package. I paid because I am not a heavy drinker but I like a glass of wine at dinner and in the evening. I also like the martini bar also.
Found this thanks to Pinterest as I plan my first ever cruise!
My best friend from college and I are heading to Alaska together this summer. We picked the UBP as our “free” offer because we do like to get our drink on when together PLUS no one has to worry about being the driver or the more sober one to hail the taxi!
One benefit you don’t mention about getting the package is that if you ARE traveling with someone who doesn’t share a joint bank account with you – there is no worries about figuring out the drinks bill afterward, or if someone ends up paying more than their fair share. (Granted, my BFF and I are fairly loose about that. We figure when we’re old and in our 90s living with cats while her daughter comes to visit us in the home, it will all be even in the long run!) Not having to whip out our credit cards or figuring out the cash at every single meal is quite appealing to us!
I’m sure the two of you will have an AMAZING cruise!
Yes, not having to figure out the bill is a huge plus when traveling with a friend. Now the 2 of you can just sit back and enjoy your trip. And maybe start picking out names for those cats 🙂
NCL often offer the UDP as a promotion, we just got 2 included within cost of cruise
Our beverage package was included too – it’s great to save money while cruising.
Have you any thoughts on paying automatic gratuitys at the end of your cruise I am told this is $13.50 pp per day so for two people on a 14 day cruise that equates to an extra £315 on top of the cruise cost is this leagle as there is no mention of this charge when booking, is there any way round not having to pay this ?
Yes, I know this service fee (gratuities) adds up to a large sum of money on top of the cruise price. We always factor that into our cruise budget now. Part of the income of the service providers is the gratuities.
If you’re not satisfied with the service and wish to reduce the amount of the gratuities, contact the guest services desk. They will be able to help you during your cruise. If you don’t contact guest services, the amount will automatically be added.
Thanks for the article! We embark in a couple of weeks and this is the first time we have a beverage package. Like you I like the idea that if I don’t like the drink I don’t feel like I am wasting money. However I also like this package as I don’t need to think about the budget; it’s paid for and one less thing to pay for after the trip!
Exactly, it’s paid for and you know you won’t be billed at the end of your cruise. It’s nice not to have to think about this added expense. I hope you have an amazing cruise!
Hi I have got the beverage package for free for our cruise next year. Sorry if this has been answered but even though my drinks package is free do I still get charged for the %18 gratuity for every drink I have. Thanks
The gratuity is already included with your free package, thankfully. I was a bit worried about this myself at first. We left with no additional charges for our beverages. I did occasionally tip for excellent service.
Really? So if I have the package free then I don’t pay 18% on top? That’s great news!
They add the 18% in when you purchase the cruise under special services.
Hi
Our first cruise is coming up in Dec and we also got the Ultimate beverage package for free.
A question though?
Can we order all drinks under 11$ or all drinks under 11$ – 18% gratuity
thanks in advance
//Lasse
Just $11 and under for the drink. You don’t need to factor in the gratuity. I tried several drinks that were barely under the $11 mark without an extra charge. Enjoy the freebie!
Great post! I am a cruiser and my husband always opts to buy the beverage package if there is one and it is a huge money saver for those who drink alcoholic beverages. I only drink a can of soda a day and do not like the tap sodas so I just continue with paying per day for my beverages, but the wine package looks like something I may try one day. Nice info, thanks!
I did a very similar post about the beverage package on Celebrity. We were on the cruise for 12 days, so I wasn’t sure it would come out in our favor just due to not really being able to keep up that pace for 12 days. And it didn’t really come out in our favor. It only did because we were given the classic package for free, so only had to pay the upgrade. You kind of need it to be worth it at your regular level of consumption without having to push it.
Wow, I thought the drink packages were a good deal but I can’t see spending almost $900 on booze and soft drinks. However, we do tend to drink quite a bit so maybe I’ll have to look into it bit more. Seems a bit expensive thought since you lost $280. Hopefully, you made that up in food consumption!
I likely wouldn’t have chosen this package before reading your post, but after hearing the perks I know it’s definitely right for me!
So glad I helped you decide!
Thanks for laying this out in detail, very helpful for anyone planning a cruise.
So glad you found it helpful!
Although I don’t really drink, this is good to information.
They have soda packages too which can be beneficial if you like soft drinks.
We’re considering our first cruise in 2016. I’m reading your post while close to being drunk in Mexico. Good ideas, especially since I wouldn’t be skipping the alcohol option 😉
This made me laugh. Start your calculations (not tonight, lol) and see what options work best for you.
Why didn’t I read your post a month ago when I went on a cruise to Alaska and spent over $400 on drinks? Thanks for letting me know about this package. If I ever board a cruise ship again, I’ll make sure to purchase this.
It’s easy to do! We really want to take an Alaskan cruise. Did you do a land tour as well?
It takes a fair bit of study and calculation to get a deal on a cruise. I can see how just getting on board may be the cheapest part of the trip!
Yes, you just have to weigh your option. There are tons of ways to keep cruising budget friendly if you spend a bit of time planning.
An interesting idea, but you have to calculate how much you’re going to drink! 🙂
I completely agree! If you won’t use it, it’s not worth it.