drink package question/advice regarding price

Infrequent cruiser, last time 15 years ago! Need help with drink packages, please.

On X web site, drink packages are listed as BOGO 50% off. So, daily prices for 1 person are as follows: premium package $51.75, classic $41.24, standard $33.75. Of course, need to add 18% gratuity.

I didn't purchase drink package with booking, I wasn't ready to decide on that at the time. I am interested in the premium package.

Are the above prices reasonable? I am not certain what the published usual prices are to confirm this "sale."

Will better prices be offered prior to my sailing (Equinox, October 5, 2018)? Like a Labor Day Sale perhaps?

Will I be offered better prices on board?

Thanks in advance for any and all advice.

Cathy

The website lists the regular prices as Premium Alcohol $69.95 Classic $55 and Standard $45. So if the prices you list are the current offer for your sailing, that is a good deal. The other promotion that I have seen was either 20% or 25% off, the same deal you're being offered, packaged differently. Take the deal, if a better one comes along before sailing, you can cancel and repurchase it. There might be sales on board, but most likely not better than what you're being offered. Of course, that is just my opinion.

The website lists the regular prices as Premium Alcohol $69.95 Classic $55 and Standard $45. So if the prices you list are the current offer for your sailing, that is a good deal. The other promotion that I have seen was either 20% or 25% off, the same deal you're being offered, packaged differently. Take the deal, if a better one comes along before sailing, you can cancel and repurchase it. There might be sales on board, but most likely not better than what you're being offered. Of course, that is just my opinion.

Thanks for the advice!

I must not have looked around enough for the regular prices, I appreciate the information.

Cathy

Since you have not cruised on Celebrity in a while, you may not be aware that the Classic Package has a price ceiling of $9 per alcoholic drink; but when you order a more expensive drink you now only pay the difference in price plus 18% e.g. a $12 martini would cost an extra $3.54.

And the Premium Package now has a similar ceiling price of $15.

With your stated $51.75 and $41.24 plus gratuity, you would need to drink at least four $12 martinis or similar higher priced drinks per day to more than break even with the upgrade to Premium.

Have a wonderful cruise.

Since you have not cruised on Celebrity in a while, you may not be aware that the Classic Package has a price ceiling of $9 per alcoholic drink; but when you order a more expensive drink you now only pay the difference in price plus 18% e.g. a $12 martini would cost an extra $3.54.

 

And the Premium Package now has a similar ceiling price of $15.

 

With your stated $51.75 and $41.24 plus gratuity, you would need to drink at least four $12 martinis or similar higher priced drinks per day to more than break even with the upgrade to Premium.

 

Have a wonderful cruise.

That is good info. Was thinking of upgrading to get Jack Daniels over Jim Beam. But if I can just pay the i

Per Drink upcharge it is better than upgrading package.

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For some reason my link doesn't work. But I just googled Celebrity Cruises beverage packages and it was easy to find lots of info from there.

Since you have not cruised on Celebrity in a while, you may not be aware that the Classic Package has a price ceiling of $9 per alcoholic drink; but when you order a more expensive drink you now only pay the difference in price plus 18% e.g. a $12 martini would cost an extra $3.54.

 

And the Premium Package now has a similar ceiling price of $15.

 

With your stated $51.75 and $41.24 plus gratuity, you would need to drink at least four $12 martinis or similar higher priced drinks per day to more than break even with the upgrade to Premium.

 

Have a wonderful cruise.

This is true, but the math is a little misleading. That premium package also includes, soda, bottled water(Perrier, I believe), red bulls, specialty coffees, etc. I always consider these into the equation. Looking at it as 4 martinis is tough to swallow...no pun intended. A martini is straight alcohol and certainly not my go to.

I always did the math this way....at a full price package i would need to drink an average of 6 drinks at an $11 average to pretty much break even. 2 mimosas with breakfast, 2 cocktails with dinner, 2 cocktails later in the evening in the casino. There is my 6 drinks and doable on port days. I know a mimosa may not be $11. But I also know on sea days I may have a few extra to bring the average up. Toss in specialty coffees, bottled water, soda, throughout the trip and I break even.

I don't buy it to come out ahead. I know I'm going to drink more than I do at home. I buy it so I don't have to think about how big my bar tab will be at the end of my trip. The math for me says I can come real close to breaking even. If I fall a little short, I consider it paying for piece of mind.

Thats an excellent analysis. Don't forget the bottle of water (now tetrapacks) you pick up on the way out to excursions well. Plus not having to remember to sign is quite nice. You just order, hand over your card and go. And no surprises on your bill later!

I couldn't manage 4 martinis. But I might have a mimosa (English call it buck's fizz). At least one specialty coffee -possibly two. Grab a bottle of water or two on the way out. Specialty team on return. Cocktail before dinner. Couple of glasses of wine with dinner. Cocktail or digestif after - possibly both. Some days I break even with the package price. Some days I win. There are still wines that don't fit in the price - but pretty much everything else does.

Just for information....The classic package does include canned sodas...and they will give you 2 bottles of water each time you order, if you ask. Some ships still use plastic bottles....others are starting to eliminate the plastic bottles.

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Hi Teufs - Where did you see the BOGOF offer..?? We are sailing on the 24th October...is this for 7 days and over cruises? Ours is only for 4 days ☹️

On the celebrity web site. Choose already booked and then cruise planning, I think. You have to enter your reservation number and name and ship and sail date information. I hope that helps.

Cathy

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Hi Cathy, Thanks, yeah I've gone into that and just offers us the drinks packages at the prices you have mentioned...doesn't say anything about BOGOF...I bet it's for longer cruises?? So don't know if we should take drinks package? We normally do but seems to be coming out so expensive at the moment, I'm sure that to do with the wreaking £? Soooo would have booked it in a heartbeat on BOGOF!!!

*weakening £

This is true, but the math is a little misleading. That premium package also includes, soda, bottled water(Perrier, I believe), red bulls, specialty coffees, etc. I always consider these into the equation. Looking at it as 4 martinis is tough to swallow...no pun intended. A martini is straight alcohol and certainly not my go to.

 

I always did the math this way....at a full price package i would need to drink an average of 6 drinks at an $11 average to pretty much break even. 2 mimosas with breakfast, 2 cocktails with dinner, 2 cocktails later in the evening in the casino. There is my 6 drinks and doable on port days. I know a mimosa may not be $11. But I also know on sea days I may have a few extra to bring the average up. Toss in specialty coffees, bottled water, soda, throughout the trip and I break even.

 

I don't buy it to come out ahead. I know I'm going to drink more than I do at home. I buy it so I don't have to think about how big my bar tab will be at the end of my trip. The math for me says I can come real close to breaking even. If I fall a little short, I consider it paying for piece of mind.

Non-alcoholic specialty coffees, regular bottles of water, mimosas, most cocktails, soda are all included in Classic, so not part of the math regarding the upgrade to Premium - only thing you mentioned not in the Classic were Perrier and red bull.

Non-alcoholic specialty coffees, regular bottles of water, mimosas, most cocktails, soda are all included in Classic, so not part of the math regarding the upgrade to Premium - only thing you mentioned not in the Classic were Perrier and red bull.

Correct. Many ...most, of those extras are covered by the classic. When doing the math you need to figure on what you drink. I did my math based on an $11 drink which is just over the Classic package limit.

When doing the math, it's easy to think of the traditional rum and coke or pina colada. However, there are specialty drinks as well. When we sailed on the Reflection 4-5 years ago, they had a drink called the Kentucky Derby which was a specialty drink. It was fantastic and became our cocktail of choice. If memory serves, it was $14. With a Classic package, at 2 of these a day, you add $70 to your tab. My wife is also a wine drinker and there are a lot of the better wines in the Premium package.

My wife also only drinks soda water so the Perrier is nice to have. I'm not trying to convince anyone to up to the Premium package. I'm trying to lay out a scenario where it's feasible for me and how it gives me peace of mind to not have a bar tab at the end of the vacation. Anyone else can simply plug their drinking style into that scenario to see if it's worth the extra money.

But you are correct and I wasn't trying to mislead anyone, soda and bottled water and non-alcoholic specialty coffees are covered with the Classic package.

Does classic package include canned soda, thought it was only fountain soda?

Correct. Many ...most, of those extras are covered by the classic. When doing the math you need to figure on what you drink. I did my math based on an $11 drink which is just over the Classic package limit.

 

 

 

When doing the math, it's easy to think of the traditional rum and coke or pina colada. However, there are specialty drinks as well. When we sailed on the Reflection 4-5 years ago, they had a drink called the Kentucky Derby which was a specialty drink. It was fantastic and became our cocktail of choice. If memory serves, it was $14. With a Classic package, at 2 of these a day, you add $70 to your tab. My wife is also a wine drinker and there are a lot of the better wines in the Premium package.

 

 

 

My wife also only drinks soda water so the Perrier is nice to have. I'm not trying to convince anyone to up to the Premium package. I'm trying to lay out a scenario where it's feasible for me and how it gives me peace of mind to not have a bar tab at the end of the vacation. Anyone else can simply plug their drinking style into that scenario to see if it's worth the extra money.

 

 

 

But you are correct and I wasn't trying to mislead anyone, soda and bottled water and non-alcoholic specialty coffees are covered with the Classic package.

We are on Millenium next summer. Classic Drink package is included. Our first time.

What is the definition of premium coffee? Cafe mocha and such. Or just a cup of joe at the coffee shop.

Thanks!!

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We are on Millenium next summer. Classic Drink package is included. Our first time.

 

What is the definition of premium coffee? Cafe mocha and such. Or just a cup of joe at the coffee shop.

 

Thanks!!

 

 

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So...anyone feel free to correct me if I'm wrong

It's been a few years since I've been on X so I'm going from memory and the refresh I've had here

This thread...

https://boards.cruisecritic.com.au/showthread.php?t=2568526

shows the menu and prices at the specialty coffee shop Cafe al Bacio....this place has the best coffee on the boat and is worth the wait in line. This is from the Eclipse in Dec 2017 so they could have changed. There are absolutely coffee drinks that are covered with the Classic Package. There are also some that are not.

Pulled from Celebrity's sine just now

Classic Package

$55 USD/per night*

Includes drinks up to $9 and those of the Standard Beverage Package. An 18% service charge is added to each check. Wines by the bottle are discounted by 15%

VODKA

• Absolut and Flavors
  
• New Amsterdam
  
• Smirnoff
  
• Tito’s
  

GIN

• Beefeater
  
• Bombay Dry
  
• Gordon’s
  

TEQUILA

• Cazadores Blanco
  
• Don Julio Blanco
  
• Herradura Blanco
  

WHISKEY (BOURBON, CANADIAN, IRISH, AND SCOTCH)

• Canadian Club
  
• Dewar’s White Label
  
• Famous Grouse
  
• Jim Beam
  
• Johnnie Walker Red
  
• Monkey Shoulder
  
• Seagram’s 7
  
• Seagram’s VO
  

COCKTAILS

A large selection of classic cocktails made with Classic Beverage Package spirits

RUM

• Bacardi & Flavors
  
• Bacardi Oakheart
  
• Captain Morgan's
  
• Kraken Black Spiced
  
• Malibu
  
• Myer’s
  
• Wray & Nephew
  

LIQUEURS & COGNACS

• Campari
  
• Galliano
  
• Goldschlager
  
• Hennessy VS
  
• Kahlua
  
• Kirsch
  
• Licor 43
  
• Novo Fogo Cachacas
  
• Ouzo
  
• Romana Sambuca
  
• Southern Comfort
  
• Tia Maria
  

BEERS

• Alaska Brewing (Alaska Sailngs)
  
• Amstel Light
  
• Boddington’s
  
• Coors Light
  
• Corona Light
  
• Corona
  
• Franziskaner
  
• Kirin
  
• Kirin Light
  
• Miller Lite
  
• Moretti
  
• Newcastle Brown Ale
  
• Pabst Blue Ribbon
  
• Red Stripe
  
• Sam Adams
  
• Strongbow hard ciders
  

WINES

A large selection of wines from around the world, such as chardonnays from California, merlots from Washington, malbecs from Argentina, and riojas from Spain

NON-ALCOHOLIC

• Nonpremium bottle water
  
• Premium coffees
  
• Juices
  
• Sodas
  
• Premium teas
  

Premium Package

$69 USD/per night*

Just $14 per night more than Classic Package

Includes drinks up to $15 and those of the Standard and Classic beverage packages. An 18% service charge is added to each check. Wines by the bottle are discounted by 20%.

VODKA

• Absolut Elyx
  
• Belvedere
  
• Belvedere Intense
  
• Chopin
  
• Christiania
  
• Ciroc & Flavors
  
• Grey Goose
  
• Hangar 1
  
• Ketel One
  
• Pearl
  
• Rain
  
• Reyka
  
• Russian Standard
  

GIN

• Bombay Sapphire
  
• Bombay Sapphire East
  
• Hendrick’s
  
• Plymouth
  
• Star of Bombay
  
• Tanqueray
  
• Tanqueray No. Ten
  

TEQUILA

• Cazadores Reposado
  
• Don Julio Reposado
  
• Herradura Reposado
  
• Patrón Citrónge
  
• Patrón Reposado
  
• Patrón Silver
  
• Patrón XO Café
  

WHISKEY (BOURBON, CANADIAN, IRISH, AND SCOTCH)

• Aberfeldy 12
  
• Bulleit Rye
  
• Chivas Regal 12
  
• Crown Royal
  
• Dewar’s 12
  
• Gentleman Jack
  
• Glen Scotia Single Malt
  
• Glenfiddich Reserva Cask
  
• Glenfiddich Select
  
• The Glenlivet
  
• Haig Scotch
  
• Highland Park Scotches
  
• Highland Park Elnar
  
• Jack Daniel's Black
  
• Jack Daniel's Honey
  
• Jack Daniel's Rye
  
• Jack Daniel's Single Barrel
  
• Johnnie Walker Black
  
• The Macallan
  
• The Macallan Lumina
  
• The Macallan Quest
  
• Maker’s Mark
  
• Rittenhouse Rye
  
• Wild Turkey
  
• Woodford Double Oaked
  
• Woodford Reserve
  
• Woodford Rye
  

COCKTAILS

Craft cocktails, large martinis, and long drinks, all made with Premium Beverage Package spirits

RUM

• Bacardi 8 Años
  
• Brugal
  
• Flor de Caña
  
• Mount Gay
  
• Pyrat XO
  
• Zacapa 23
  

LIQUEURS & COGNACS

• Baileys Irish Cream
  
• Chambord
  
• Cointreau
  
• Courvoisier VSOP
  
• Disaronno Amaretto
  
• Drambuie
  
• Frangelico
  
• Godiva
  
• Grand Marnier
  
• Remy Martin VSOP
  
• St. Germain
  
• Tuaca
  

BEERS

• Anchor Steam
  
• Blue Moon
  
• Brooklyn Brown Ale
  
• Dogfish Head 90 min
  
• Estrella Damm (gluten free)
  
• Fuller’s London Pride
  
• Grolsch
  
• Guinness
  
• Highland Stout
  
• Kingfisher Lager
  
• Kronenbourg 1664
  
• La Fin du Monde
  
• Lagunitas Little Sumpin'
  
• Lagunitas Pils
  
• Leffe Blond
  
• Magners Cider
  
• O’Hara’s Irish Red
  
• Ommegang Abbey Ale
  
• Orion Lager
  
• Paulaner Salvator Double Bock
  
• Peroni
  
• Rogue Dead Guy Ale
  
• Sapporo
  
• Sierra Nevada
  
• Stella Artois
  
• Stone IPA
  
• Woodchuck Granny Smith Cider
  
• Woodchuck Pear Cider
  

WINES

Champagnes and favorite wines such as Cherry Tart Pinot Noir, Conundrums, Decoy Cabernet Sauvignon, Ferrari-Carano Fumé Blanc, J&H Selbach Riesling Kabinett, Mer Soleil Chardonnay, Michael David Petite Petit red, and Villa Maria Sauvignon Blanc.

NON-ALCOHOLIC

• Premium bottled water
  
• Acqua Panna water
  
• Evian water
  
• San Pellegrino
  
• Premium coffees
  
• Juices, fresh and bottled
  
• Red Bull
  
• Sodas
  
• Premium teas
  
• Honest® iced teas
  
• Matcha teas
  
• Vitaminwater
  

Premium Package

 

$69 USD/per night*

Just $14 per night more than Classic Package

Includes drinks up to $15 and those of the Standard and Classic beverage packages. An 18% service charge is added to each check. Wines by the bottle are discounted by 20%.

VODKA

• Absolut Elyx
  
• Belvedere
  
• Belvedere Intense
  
• Chopin
  
• Christiania
  
• Ciroc & Flavors
  
• Grey Goose
  
• Hangar 1
  
• Ketel One
  
• Pearl
  
• Rain
  
• Reyka
  
• Russian Standard
  

GIN

• Bombay Sapphire
  
• Bombay Sapphire East
  
• Hendrick’s
  
• Plymouth
  
• Star of Bombay
  
• Tanqueray
  
• Tanqueray No. Ten
  

TEQUILA

• Cazadores Reposado
  
• Don Julio Reposado
  
• Herradura Reposado
  
• Patrón Citrónge
  
• Patrón Reposado
  
• Patrón Silver
  
• Patrón XO Café
  

WHISKEY (BOURBON, CANADIAN, IRISH, AND SCOTCH)

• Aberfeldy 12
  
• Bulleit Rye
  
• Chivas Regal 12
  
• Crown Royal
  
• Dewar’s 12
  
• Gentleman Jack
  
• Glen Scotia Single Malt
  
• Glenfiddich Reserva Cask
  
• Glenfiddich Select
  
• The Glenlivet
  
• Haig Scotch
  
• Highland Park Scotches
  
• Highland Park Elnar
  
• Jack Daniel's Black
  
• Jack Daniel's Honey
  
• Jack Daniel's Rye
  
• Jack Daniel's Single Barrel
  
• Johnnie Walker Black
  
• The Macallan
  
• The Macallan Lumina
  
• The Macallan Quest
  
• Maker’s Mark
  
• Rittenhouse Rye
  
• Wild Turkey
  
• Woodford Double Oaked
  
• Woodford Reserve
  
• Woodford Rye
  

COCKTAILS

Craft cocktails, large martinis, and long drinks, all made with Premium Beverage Package spirits

RUM

• Bacardi 8 Años
  
• Brugal
  
• Flor de Caña
  
• Mount Gay
  
• Pyrat XO
  
• Zacapa 23
  

LIQUEURS & COGNACS

• Baileys Irish Cream
  
• Chambord
  
• Cointreau
  
• Courvoisier VSOP
  
• Disaronno Amaretto
  
• Drambuie
  
• Frangelico
  
• Godiva
  
• Grand Marnier
  
• Remy Martin VSOP
  
• St. Germain
  
• Tuaca
  

BEERS

• Anchor Steam
  
• Blue Moon
  
• Brooklyn Brown Ale
  
• Dogfish Head 90 min
  
• Estrella Damm (gluten free)
  
• Fuller’s London Pride
  
• Grolsch
  
• Guinness
  
• Highland Stout
  
• Kingfisher Lager
  
• Kronenbourg 1664
  
• La Fin du Monde
  
• Lagunitas Little Sumpin'
  
• Lagunitas Pils
  
• Leffe Blond
  
• Magners Cider
  
• O’Hara’s Irish Red
  
• Ommegang Abbey Ale
  
• Orion Lager
  
• Paulaner Salvator Double Bock
  
• Peroni
  
• Rogue Dead Guy Ale
  
• Sapporo
  
• Sierra Nevada
  
• Stella Artois
  
• Stone IPA
  
• Woodchuck Granny Smith Cider
  
• Woodchuck Pear Cider
  

WINES

Champagnes and favorite wines such as Cherry Tart Pinot Noir, Conundrums, Decoy Cabernet Sauvignon, Ferrari-Carano Fumé Blanc, J&H Selbach Riesling Kabinett, Mer Soleil Chardonnay, Michael David Petite Petit red, and Villa Maria Sauvignon Blanc.

NON-ALCOHOLIC

• Premium bottled water
  
• Acqua Panna water
  
• Evian water
  
• San Pellegrino
  
• Premium coffees
  
• Juices, fresh and bottled
  
• Red Bull
  
• Sodas
  
• Premium teas
  
• Honest[emoji768] iced teas
  
• Matcha teas
  
• Vitaminwater
  

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Just for information....The classic package does include canned sodas...and they will give you 2 bottles of water each time you order, if you ask. Some ships still use plastic bottles....others are starting to eliminate the plastic bottles.

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This must not be consistent across the fleet as we couldn't get cans of soda with classic package on Infinity in February- only glasses.:(:(

Depending on your drink package, just remember that when you say to the bartender, for example, "I'll take a vodka tonic, please." you will end up with the standard bar brand unless you request the vodka in line with your drink package or an upgrade. Learned that myself for our first drink last year on the Summit. We had the Premium package and learned quickly to request the better stuff when asking for our drink. Same with bottled water. The bartender will serve you the least expensive spirit, or water, unless you speak up when you order. Just a word to the wise :-)