Is it really that hard to use the Classic Pkg??

I've posted a few threads asking some questions about where we can use the Classic Pkg. And it seems from responses some report having to wait 20min in the main dining room for a glass of wine in the package. REALLY??? If this is the case we may call and cancel the pkg. Since we're doing a 16 day TA, I thought we might really get our use out of it. Maybe?? Maybe not??? After spending over $1800, there's not much chance I can talk hubby into spending more.

We have had the premium package on our last few cruises and never had a problem getting a drink... I can't see it would be any different using the classic package as the waiter wouldn't know until they pick up your card!!

I've posted a few threads asking some questions about where we can use the Classic Pkg. And it seems from responses some report having to wait 20min in the main dining room for a glass of wine in the package. REALLY??? If this is the case we may call and cancel the pkg. Since we're doing a 16 day TA, I thought we might really get our use out of it. Maybe?? Maybe not??? After spending over $1800, there's not much chance I can talk hubby into spending more.

The wait for a glass of wine doesn't have anything to do with what package you have (if any).

The only problem you may have with the Classic package is the very limited wine selection.

That was one of the main reasons we would consider upgrading to premium - but NOT at the new exorbitant price of $16 plus 18% gratuity per day!

Having had one or the other drink packages for my last 3 or 4 trips on Celebrity my experience has been that there is generally very little wait for a drink. As others have reported their mileage may vary.

Personally I think sometimes people on vacation get a little impatient and might tend to exaggerate the amount of time actually taken to get a drink.

I've posted a few threads asking some questions about where we can use the Classic Pkg. And it seems from responses some report having to wait 20min in the main dining room for a glass of wine in the package. REALLY??? If this is the case we may call and cancel the pkg. Since we're doing a 16 day TA, I thought we might really get our use out of it. Maybe?? Maybe not??? After spending over $1800, there's not much chance I can talk hubby into spending more.

No, not REALLY. I am confident whether you have a package or not will have no impact on your wait time.

Whether you should upgrade to premium is another question that depends on your what you like to drink. If you feel that you cannot spend the money to upgrade and you like better wines, beers, and higher end brands then you might be better off canceling your package and pay as you go.

The bottom line is do not make your decision on how long you think you will need to wait for a drink.

Never had any problem using the classic package. We even made a comment to our wine server in the MDR about us not being high rollers because we only had the classic and she said that package costs a lot of money and it is nothing to apologize for. Our glasses were constantly being refilled and many times we left full glasses or walked out with it.

She was very attentive, even made a few allowances with the approval of her boss to let us try something that she recommended.

being on a TA very few will have the package because it generally isn't include as part of a promo so the bars may not be that busy except between 5 and 7 because of all the elite coupons and even then it isn't that bad.

happy cruising 🌊🚢🇺🇸🌞

I find that if I order a glass of wine at the beginning of the meal, regardless of having a package or not, I have better luck having someone keep an eye on me to see if/when I'd like more. If I wait until my meal is served, it will take longer for the server (who is not always your waiter who in any case isn't the person who takes the wine order) to relay your request along the chain of command to get the appropriate person to take your order. It also helps if you ask and find out who the sommelier is for your section, that way you can make eye contact and indicate you'd like to order.

I have had the Classic package on my last three cruises (free as perk once and purchased twice) and have been MORE than satisfied with it. I would order a glass of wine to go with my appetizer and a different one for my entree in Select dining with the sommelier at the beginning of the meal and never had any issue. If you are REALLY concerned about having your wine immediately, you can stop at the bar on your way into the dining room and bring it in WITH you. Full confession, I have done this before but mostly because I love hearing the string ensemble in the bar before dinner :D

I don't generally complain about the complaints on this board since all are allowed their own opinion, but please don't be discouraged by them! Rest assured that the Classic package has been an excellent experience for me. Enjoy your coffees/teas/waters/sodas/wine/beer/cocktails and relax! :cool:

Thank you Philomath. We're excited as our cruise leaves next week!!

Having had one or the other drink packages for my last 3 or 4 trips on Celebrity my experience has been that there is generally very little wait for a drink. As others have reported their mileage may vary.

 

 

 

Personally I think sometimes people on vacation get a little impatient and might tend to exaggerate the amount of time actually taken to get a drink.

100% agreed!

I have had the Classic package on my last three cruises (free as perk once and purchased twice) and have been MORE than satisfied with it. I would order a glass of wine to go with my appetizer and a different one for my entree in Select dining with the sommelier at the beginning of the meal and never had any issue. If you are REALLY concerned about having your wine immediately, you can stop at the bar on your way into the dining room and bring it in WITH you. Full confession, I have done this before but mostly because I love hearing the string ensemble in the bar before dinner :D

 

I don't generally complain about the complaints on this board since all are allowed their own opinion, but please don't be discouraged by them! Rest assured that the Classic package has been an excellent experience for me. Enjoy your coffees/teas/waters/sodas/wine/beer/cocktails and relax! :cool:

This! I have never had the Classic Package (I've always cruised either without or with the Premium Package), but my mom had the Classic Package on our cruise last week and she received the same service as anyone else.

But as Philomath said, try not to get too discouraged by some of the complaining on this board. It often reaches the point of rampant and entitled, and I definitely understand how it can concern someone who has no way of knowing if those complaints are correct.

From personal experience I have found that if you simply treat your servers and sommelier with a shred of human decency then the odds are good that you will USUALLY be well taken care of.

I hope that you enjoy your trip :)

I've posted a few threads asking some questions about where we can use the Classic Pkg. And it seems from responses some report having to wait 20min in the main dining room for a glass of wine in the package. REALLY??? If this is the case we may call and cancel the pkg. Since we're doing a 16 day TA, I thought we might really get our use out of it. Maybe?? Maybe not??? After spending over $1800, there's not much chance I can talk hubby into spending more.

Only hard thing about using the Classic package is the yellow fizzy stuff they call "beer" that is included in it.:)

We were on the Silhouette Mar 22-29 and had no problems. Three of us had the classic package; my hubby upgraded to premium because the scotch he likes was not covered on the classic. There were no differences in service for any of us. We were well looked after in the Select dining room by sommelier Madelyn. She told us our options under each package and made recommendations. She came by often to refill our glasses. Our glasses were kept full and there was little wait. We found more of a wait at the pool bars and martini bar but that was due to not having enough staff rather than our type of drink package.

I don't think which package you have (or no package) impacts service in our experience. We have had very good, and more often than not, poor service in the MDR in getting drinks. It really varies by cruise. (and no, we are not those who expect a magic genie with drinks to appear the minute we sit down:)). In most cases, we find that if you regularly order drinks, after a couple days your drink waiter or sommelier will recognize the fact and provide better service. Until then it can be hit or miss, but a good food waiter can help out by encouraging the bar/wine servers to take care of you.

In other venues, we have never had a problem (save for our disaster Spring Break cruise on Connie, but that was a very unique situation)

We did the TA on Equinox last Nov and I had the premium package my DH the non alcoholic We found that the Martini bar was slow to serve but it was busy. In the dining room on the first night we tipped the Wine Waiter $10 and we got fantastic service, she let me try many wines and filled my glass often.....as soon as we arrived for dinner she was there.

I think that if you let the staff know what you like and how often they do try their best. Keep your package it's really worth it.

 

being on a TA very few will have the package because it generally isn't include as part of a promo so the bars may not be that busy except between 5 and 7 because of all the elite coupons and even then it isn't that bad.

 

happy cruising 🌊🚢🇺🇸🌞

Good point! :D

We ALWAYS get a drink to bring to the dining room...and we order another as soon as we sit down...that way, we have something until the next one comes!

Just got Off Eclipse on 3/29/15. We were in Blu dining room and did not have trouble getting wine or drinks.

I wouldn't cancel the beverage package works week.

Did March 14 Solstice to New Caledonia & never had a problem using Classic Package.Rarely waited more than a couple of minutes for a drink even at the busiest times.-.And fresh orange juice too ! In MDR if you want a wine just prompt one of your waiters & sommelier will usually be there in no time.

This cruise was majority Australian cruisers with the drink packages which would have tested the bars at peak times but they did a great job.Whether you had a package or not had no impact on your waiting time.

Maybe I missed anyone making this point in the above responses but keep in mind beverage package or not your server gets 18% gratuity on every drink poured. Why would any server not give you fast service and reliable refills???

The absolute beauty of Celebrity is the Classic package covers anything you drink on board at or under the price limit...includes all beer, wine, alcohol, specialty coffees, smoothies, water, and sodas. A main competitor does not. We love it after 3 cruises with it included. If you like martini's however you need to upgrade to the Premium version (except for perhaps 4 basic martini variety's).

When ordering soda via the classic pkg, will they bring canned soda or just out of the bar gun?

When we bought the soda pkg on the Millennium last year it was canned (yay!), so I assume it is for the Classic pkg too. Just wanted to double check. (The soda out of the bar gun is often pretty awful.)

All sodas sold on board are canned... From my experience anyway! [emoji41]

MIL reports she received an email that the cost of the classic package was going up by $6pp/day in the next couple of days and I can't verify that. Anyone out there know what's going on? It makes the difference between booking it now or when we get onboard for an additional $200+...

MIL reports she received an email that the cost of the classic package was going up by $6pp/day in the next couple of days and I can't verify that. Anyone out there know what's going on? It makes the difference between booking it now or when we get onboard for an additional $200+...

whole thread on price increase: http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2190579

Never had an issue on our 2013 Med cruise with the Classic pkg..great service

No, not REALLY. I am confident whether you have a package or not will have no impact on your wait time.

 

Whether you should upgrade to premium is another question that depends on your what you like to drink. If you feel that you cannot spend the money to upgrade and you like better wines, beers, and higher end brands then you might be better off canceling your package and pay as you go.

 

The bottom line is do not make your decision on how long you think you will need to wait for a drink.

On my last Caribbean cruise on Silhouette this month. I was almost done with my lunch in the Oceanview Cafe before my wine showed up. Silhouette does not have the Oceanview Bar on the aft end of the ship. Everyone looking for drinks had to go up to the Sunset bar to get drinks or wait for the server to make the drink him or herself up at the Sunset bar. They had 2 bartenders working the Sunset bar. With the 123go prom so many more people are having drinks with and without alcohol. I didn't have any trouble getting wine in Blu. The pool bars were normally not that crowded. This cruise there was not a seat to be found during the day.

Just take us for a examples. I might have 1 drink at the pool on sea days. Maybe 1 glass of wine after dinner. I would have 4 glasses of wine at the Elite event before dinner. My other half would have 2 rum and cokes at the Elite event before dinner.

With the drink package I would have wine at lunch or a watermelon or lemonade non alcohol drink from the bar. Elite event 2 glasses of wine. Four glasses of wine at dinner. Then another glass of wine at the Casino bar. Other half had Rum punch in the afternoon. Then 2 rum and cokes at the Elite event. Then 2 vodka and OJ with dinner.

Let not even talk about the line at Cafe Al Bacio.

Did we have a great cruise yes.