behrsmom

7 hours ago, Jerseygirl1416 said:

I recently bought the package just for myself during this specific sale and they charged me the $72.99. I had previously purchased the refreshment package for my husband. You just have to call to do it. They didn’t ask me anything other than confirming the my husband had the refreshment package.

Thanks Jerseygirl1416, that's good to know!

Topanga49er hopefully you will see this. Maybe you can get the deal this way.

Cruise Critic forums have been such a great place to get real life info for my cruises. Thanks to all for chiming in!

Karen

35 minutes ago, little britain said:

@behrsmom -

go to the app:

select your Wonder sailing;

click on the head icon;

select Find a different sailing;

scroll to the bottom;

click Get details on the ships we support; scroll to the bottom and select Wonder; pick an upcoming sailing date;

go to dining then to bars: pick a bar then menu - you will see the prices.

 

As has been said, you can get pretty much everything  in the $13 allowance 

This. Is. Flippin. Brilliant.

Exactly what I was looking for - thank you so much!!!

2 hours ago, topanga49er said:

I saw the same sale for Wonder UBP.  Asked TA.  The 72.99 is a BOGO 50%.  Doing fast math the first is $73, second is $36.50 and that makes both $109.50 or approx 55 each.  Not bad.  Bc my DH does not drink it sucks for me, but for two is pretty good deal...

 

As was pointed out, the $72.99 price is already counting the 50% off one when buying two. I have read about some folks being able to buy just one if their cabin mate doesn't or can't drink alcohol. You or your TA have to contact RC about that and I'm guessing they would then charge you $98 per day.

The math is a bit wonky since it's 98 + 49 = 147 ÷ 2 = 73.50 per person. So they are actually "rounding down" by 51 cents.

Whatever, I did put this in my shopping cart & saw that the charge would be $1377.92 with the added 18%. That is some chunk of change! And we still need to budget for cabin gratuities & shore excursions. So yeah, we are really thinking this is just too much for us.

But still hoping to find out the latest individual drink prices specifically on Wonder. Would love to see menu pics showing wine/beer/cocktails/coffee. If anyone knows where that info might be please post. 

Karen

8 minutes ago, taglovestocruise said:

We have a Quantum and Ovation booked for Sep/Oct.  Both have had the UBP at $66 for the last few weeks. That is before the 18%.  Also most cocktails can be had under the $13 limit. Last month a Gin and Tonic was $9.00 and all Martinis were $13.

Thank you. I'm ignoring the 18% part just to keep the math simpler but of course that factors in to cost as well.

$66 I wish! That would just about make it worth it to us. To be fair this one is an 8-day cruise so I guess they have to factor in the folks who somehow manage to get a dozen or more drinks in every day. And it is the newest ship (so far). That's why I'm wondering if the prices are different on it compared to others.

But I appreciate you taking the time to answer. Enjoy your cruises!

Karen

We're booked for Jan23. Been monitoring the deluxe drinks package price for a while now. I have seen it bounce between $73 & $78 per person per day -  not worth it for us.

Now it shows as being "on sale" marked down from $98 to $72.99 (calling it a buy one get 2nd @ 50%). Since this is simply another way of saying $73 I got concerned prices across the board were increased since I've never seen the $98 referenced before. And $98!? Seriously?!???

I understand most cocktails are (were?) $12 - $13. Anyone on now or very recently please let me know what you are seeing for prices.

Sorry if this is a repeat question but searching didn't turn up this particular info for me. If I missed it please let me know where to find the most current prices. Thanks in advance.

Karen

Will be sailing WOTS next January. Here is hoping some of these little kinks will be solved by then.

Thanks for all this great info!

Oh and we were able to get paper cruise compasses from guest services the evening before, plus paper menus in main dining if requested. App was only ok, imho.

We had towel animals from Yuli, our wonderful cabin steward. Regular balcony room. I was with my friend who was on her very 1st cruise at age 68 & she took great delight in them! So did I for that matter. 😊 I get your point about resource wasting. That said, the crew needed things to do on our ~20% capacity sailing & if it creates customer satisfaction that might mitigate it a bit.

5 hours ago, Biker19 said:

You don't need to figure it out until you are on board - one of the few things that are the same price online pre-cruise and on board is the coffee card. You can also confirm with the barista on the number of punches used per the drink you want.

Oh that's good to know. Thanks so much!

On 12/2/2021 at 1:35 PM, psuboater said:

12pm *should* be OK, however, you're disembarking on a Monday, and rush hour traffic in Seattle is no joke - there's no way to go around it from the pier. If there's any accident on I5, it's gridlock. Example - we live 45 minutes north of SEA and it took us close to 2.5 hours last month because of rush hour+crash on the interstate. So as long as there's no delays with customs being able to disembark on time, 12pm should be OK, but I wouldn't go earlier. 

Psuboater is right about the traffic here, it's bad! That said, SEA is south of downtown & cruise docks so once you wind your way up to the freeway you should be going opposite of the worst of it. Theoretically.

Too bad you can't stay in town a day or two as August is a pretty nice time of year here. And do check back on port valet. Seems like Air Canada should be on the list for Pete's sake.

Good luck & happy cruising!

1 hour ago, Biker19 said:

More than the per drink price with the card if only one punch is used.

I get that. But the math changes if I only use 8 or 10 punches. Just curious what the regular menu prices are so I can figure out the best way for me to go. Thanks.

I am only familiar with using deluxe bev package but price is currently too steep for me. Is the coffee card passenger specific? My next cruise is only 4 days long & I'd like to share with my friend as I don't imagine buying 15 coffees in that time. 

Btw, what are the coffee prices like on Navigator (not Starbucks)? Thanks in advance!

8 hours ago, Lorey2007 said:

Our cruise is Feb 21st and it can't get here fast enough. Thank you for the info we will be using United's wheel chair service just to baggage claim so I'm not sure we would qualify we will just most likely order the Black Uber pick up. Is your cruise a 7 night cruise?

 

Nope, 4 days only. Catalina + Ensenada. Hubby & I cruised for a week in October around the Bahamas on Crystal Cruise Lines - fancy! It's a bit of a chore these days with testing and all but worth it to us.

This time I'm accompanying my friend on her 1st cruise to see how she likes it. You are so right .... time flies EXCEPT when you're waiting for sail away day. 😎 Take care!

To Lorey2007 - I was just researching Uber for my own LAX to San Pedro transfer and an option came up called "WAV" stated as wheel-chair accessible. Amazingly, the price was the same as for the least expensive regular Uber (about $50 as of today, 12/5/21). I cannot say if you would have to get to the special lot for pick-up or if it would be right outside baggage claim. I would hope, knowing they are picking up for wheelchair passengers that it would be at baggage claim.

Anyway, thought I'd mention it in case the info could be useful. Happy cruising!

Karen

PS - when is your Navigator trip? A friend and I are on the Jan 31st sailing.

Sorry I can't help with the specific question about this company. But I'm going to pass along advice that was given to me about this same type of question. "Why ruin your last morning on the ship worrying about rushing off and getting to the airport & through security on time?"

In our case we did end up spending quite a bit of time sitting in the Miami airport, waiting for our 2pm flight that was then delayed twice and we didn't actually take off until almost 4.

But all in all, unless you are someplace where the cruise terminal and airport are close, I think it's better to book a flight that leaves no earlier than 1pm. That way you can be more relaxed and enjoy a nice main dining room breakfast on your last day. I get that sometimes it is just not possible but if it is, that's the best strategy in my opinion.

Traveling in these Covid times means being even more flexible and patient. Good luck and I hope you have a wonderful cruise!

Karen

8 minutes ago, rockmom said:

I have been in an aft balcony on Explorer (so, sister to Navigator) and we never heard anything from the windjammer.  I think you hear a lot more if you're under a kitchen area or serving area, but there are only some tables and chairs above you if you're in an aft balcony or JS.  

That makes sense. Thanks so much for the info!

On 11/24/2021 at 12:55 PM, rockmom said:

Looking forward to pictures, we are booked in 1394 in February, I do love those aft JS/balconies on deck 10.  

Do you deck 10 folks find you have noise from the Windjammer overhead? I normally try to avoid being under public spaces but love the aft balcony jr. suite & would enjoy it even more if the view is a bit better at that level. Thanks!

Karen

Whoopsies! Looks like someone kindly made the requested change. But apologies that I missed the instructions of the proper way to go about this. Thanks for setting me (us) straight.

Karen

3 hours ago, gnome12 said:

Go to the first post in the roll call. In the top right corner there are 3 dots, click on that and hit Report Post. Let them know what you want to do, and submit.

Thanks!

Due to changes made by the cruise line, I would like to adjust the title of the roll call I started. Or do I have to start a new one then merge with the old one? Don't know how to do that either. Thanks for help.

Karen

We have cruised on Celebrity the last 5 cruises. Got used to drink pkg being included. We are just feeling that we are being priced out and want to try RCI again which weve sailed twice about 7 years ago.

Maybe this has been covered and I apologize for asking but what is the cost of the drink pkg on RCI? Drinks like vodka tonic seem to be about $8-$9 each?

Do they discount drink pkgs at all? Do both husband and wife have to get drink pkg or can one get it and other pay as you go?

Sorry for all the questions but want to hear from fellow cruisers that have been cruising on RCI recently.

No need for apologies - that's just what this board is for is to get answers to our questions! :)

Talking the ultimate package here, which covers the most - liquor, beer, wine, specialty coffee, juice, bottled water. The prices vary somewhat and your best bet is to keep an eye on the cruise planner. Our original quote was for $55 per person per day. I saw it come down to $42, then go up to $45, then come back down to $42. These prices get another 18% added on when you book, which is a prepaid gratuity. What you can do is go to the cruise planner, go through the ordering process and get the final price. That might help you figure out if it's worth it to you. Don't know for sure but I think a vodka tonic might set you back a dollar or two more than your estimate.

When we sailed last year there was not a requirement that all over age 21 in a stateroom had to purchase the package, but now there is that requirement. I have read that it is possible for RC to waive it if you call and request it based on special circumstances.

I have also read that there are drink cards SOMETIMES available, which is a punch card for 10 drinks for a set amount - $75 is the price I saw most often. Problem is they don't always offer them and if offered they don't appear until a few days into the sailing. They are a good deal because you can share them but you take your chances if/when they are offered.

One idea I read about is to put the same amount of money you would pay for the drinks package into your onboard account. This person said they ended up with money left over every cruise. If we had done that on our last one, we would have been money ahead too because I got sick and didn't eat or drink much for the last couple days.

So anyway, hope I didn't overwhelm. There's tons of info & comments about this topic here on cruise critic, so you can really research the heck out of it but it comes down to making a decision about what works best for you. Hope you have a wonderful time!

I posted the current general bar menus and specialty bar menus on my link https://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2613542

Thanks BirdTravels! It took a bit of scrolling to find the bar menu but that was the info I was looking for. Your pictures of food & cruise compasses - always so helpful!

We did decide on the ultimate package at $42/pp,pd. For an 11 day cruise it's a big splurge. But at least we won't have to think about it anymore and can try some new things. Don't suppose the tiny Serenade will have quite this much to choose from, but here's hoping! Thanks again, and to all who responded.

Side note to cb at sea - I do know that the wine bottle size is limited to the standard 750ml. Two of those per stateroom. From what I read about folks who tried to bring extension cords & power strips that were confiscated at boarding, they said they got them back upon return. But I would advise not to risk bringing the magnums because it's a pretty sure bet they'll get noticed and confiscated! And they seem as though they'd be a hassle to travel with. Just my $.02.

Trying to decide about package purchase. Does anyone have pictures or a list of current prices charged per beverage? Beer, wine, cocktails, anything not included in cruise pricing. Please & thanks.

Sailing on Serenade in 2 weeks.

Thanks! Kinda new to cruise critic so was unaware of these more specific forums for ports. I am grateful to you for taking the time to answer!

Found this tour on Trip Advisor and it is well rated. But from what I can see we would have to find our own transportation there. Just wondering if anyone here has done this and if so, what'd you think of transport, cost, time factor and enjoyment? We will be there on the Serenade in April '18. Thanks.