" What we take as normal they were amazed with the Int'l cafe and choices and 'Really its free?".. "YES" (we all had the beverage package). "
No it's NOT free , you paid for it since you had the beverage package. The other foods were not free they were included in your cruise fare. It seems a common mistake that people ( not just the OP ) state something was free when in reality it is baked into your fare.