Jump to content

Beverage package or not?


Recommended Posts

We are going on the Coral Princess Panama Canal Cruise in September 1917. I want to buy the all inclusive beverage package $56.75. I think it might be a good idea but I'm not sure exactly what the wine prices are so can someone help or at least give me a link to find costs. It is a 15 day cruise so any other advice is greatly appreciated.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Wine seems to be the sore point on most packages. Typically they have a per drink price limit that precludes a lot of choice in "by the glass" wine. It seems that wine folks tend to be somewhat particular in their selections and tastes so less likely to be satisfied with what fits the limit.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I tend to not drink very much as it's a fast way to gain a bunch of unwanted lbs. I have a hard time paying $50/day/person + 18% tip

 

I do have a couple tips

 

POP or Soda

I like to drink pop and I prefer it from a bottle vs a can. Most cruise lines allow you to bring bottled water, pop and juice. I stock up with 6 packs, put them in my carry on roller bag.

 

Wine - you are allowed one bottle of wine each - we do this and we get the wine package for dinner typically 1/2 bottle per night. They take the bottle, cork it and bring it the next night.

 

Pouches - go onto AMAZON and search for Cruise pouches. These are clear plastic pouches that don't show up on x-ray. They come in various sizes from 8oz to 32 oz. If you fill them, seal them and spread them around your suit case they won't be seen. You put whatever you want in them and they are secure and sealed.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Whether a package is right for you will totally depend on how much you drink...wine is so over-priced on ships, we make do with mixed drinks and beer for the duration. We are happy with ice water, instead of bottled....and we rarely drink a soda.... Almost $60 per day is a big price!!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

We are going on the Coral Princess Panama Canal Cruise in September 1917. I want to buy the all inclusive beverage package $56.75. I think it might be a good idea but I'm not sure exactly what the wine prices are so can someone help or at least give me a link to find costs. It is a 15 day cruise so any other advice is greatly appreciated.

 

Be careful. The Titanic went down only 5 years ago, but the canal is brand new and should be functioning well. I couldn't resist.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 1 month later...

I do the package to fix my budget and dont worry if for some reason I do not "break even" that day. On RCL I believe the standard beers are ~$7 and cocktails ~$10. Easy to figure the math if you figure each day to have a few vs. the average daily cost of the package.

I think the RCL package covers drinks up to $12 so that should cover your average wine.

For connoisseurs for lofty beverages I think they charge you the price if the drink less the $12 allowance.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Keep in mind, too, there are days in port where you might not be on the ship for a meal or afternoon to have a drink. To make those packages worth it, you need to be drinking an average of 5 drinks a day. I just don't have time to drink that much!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Also, different bars will often have drink specials at different times of day. We were just on Grandeur and they had $5 house cocktails in the Viking Crown just before early dinner. They also did $1 mimosas at the Casino bar on every sea day.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 2 weeks later...
Also, different bars will often have drink specials at different times of day. We were just on Grandeur and they had $5 house cocktails in the Viking Crown just before early dinner. They also did $1 mimosas at the Casino bar on every sea day.

 

 

With those prices I would skip buying the drink package. But do like the fresh oj every morning as well as a coffee from latitudes every evening..

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 5 weeks later...
  • 4 weeks later...

We're heading out to Cuba on April 30th of this year and found something I've never seen. It was a Deluxe Beverage Package with Voom for 1 device. It came out to be about $50 per person per day which is great for us. The drinks go up to $12 each I believe and wine too. So, don't plan to order bottles of wine if we can have it by the glass. They offer 40% of wines under $100 and 20% off wines over $100.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 3 weeks later...
  • 2 months later...

My wife and I sat down for over an hour just discussing the packages. We tried to work out how many drinks in total we would have, alcholic, fizzy and water. Then we tried to guess if we would drink more as we were on holiday and change in temperture. For us we both would need a seperate drinking package (I assume thats doable) so we decided on a drinks package for me and to just buy the drinks she wanted as required. I think it is all dependant on monies and if you will drink more as you are away, doesnt it?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 2 weeks later...
My wife and I sat down for over an hour just discussing the packages. We tried to work out how many drinks in total we would have, alcholic, fizzy and water. Then we tried to guess if we would drink more as we were on holiday and change in temperture. For us we both would need a seperate drinking package (I assume thats doable) so we decided on a drinks package for me and to just buy the drinks she wanted as required. I think it is all dependant on monies and if you will drink more as you are away, doesnt it?

Some cruise lines, one adult buys a package, all in your cabin must buy.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

We did Panama Canal last November and it was HOT down there those frozen drinks went down very easily They were $12...

 

Sent from my SM-P550 using Forums mobile app

 

On which cruise line did you sail for the frozen drinks to be $12?:confused:.

 

The OP is on a Princess cruise where frozen drinks are normally $10 or less so covered by the AIBP.:)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 3 weeks later...

It has been 10 years since I cruised last. We always cruise on Carnival. When I went my friend and I both got the beverage package because we drank a lot of pop AKA soda lol. An issue we had was at dinner there was a long delay in getting refills and my friend drinks a lot of beverages. He became extremely annoyed at this and was quite frustrated. I'm wondering if other people have had this issue as well? This may influence whether I buy the package again or not. Thanks in advance

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Please sign in to comment

You will be able to leave a comment after signing in



Sign In Now
 Share

  • Forum Jump
    • Categories
      • Welcome to Cruise Critic
      • New Cruisers
      • Cruise Lines “A – O”
      • Cruise Lines “P – Z”
      • River Cruising
      • ROLL CALLS
      • Digital Photography & Cruise Technology
      • Special Interest Cruising
      • Cruise Discussion Topics
      • UK Cruising
      • Australia & New Zealand Cruisers
      • Canadian Cruisers
      • North American Homeports
      • Ports of Call
      • Cruise Conversations
×
×
  • Create New...