Evaluating a beverage package? Here is a beverage list with prices, as of mid-2010.

[jerseygirl3]

Yes you can upgrade.

[suerich42]

Yes you can upgrade.

 

From one Jersey Girl to another - do you know if I can order drinks like "virgin" coladas and daquaris with a Premium Non-alcoholic Package?

[st3drume]

Good list- thanks

[jerseygirl3]

From one Jersey Girl to another - do you know if I can order drinks like "virgin" coladas and daquaris with a Premium Non-alcoholic Package?

 

Yes you definitely can. Enjoy!

[Ando]

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0AtQ-heWqtag3dDMya2VHanpQMGRKVkpyanVtTEhRRmc#gid=0

 

If someone can provide me with another way to share this for D/L I will post it again now that Megaupload is seized.

 

Clay

 

Thanks so much for that Clay - it's Brilliant. I now know I will get VERY good value out of a premium drinks package :D

Cheers

Ando

[BoyGenius]

Yes you definitely can. Enjoy!

 

I had this on my cruise March 19-23 on the millenium. It was great!! I used the coffee bar a lot and was pelligrino every single night. They would bring a big bottle for my fiance and I every time even though she didn't have the package. We shared drinks the whole cruise which isn't allowed but they never said anything. We got pina coladas by the pool all day long. The package was well worth it. I paid $90 at sale time and probably used $130 worth of drinks so i saved $40

[Syndic cruiser]

I have seen the price list posted in July 2010 just wondering if prices have increased much since then, thinking of going for the classic pavane, would be interested to hear from anybody who has been on this ship in 2012 and what prices are like now? Especially wine by the glass and cocktails!

[kayo kruiser]

Yes you can upgrade.

 

If you don't upgrade till part way through the cruise, are you only charged the difference for the remaining days of the cruise? We're on a 12 day cruise so thinking of the classic package for 1/2 it, then the premium to go "all out" for the remaining 1/2.

Has anyone successfully tried this?

[Seamo]

...tartantiara

________________________________

Originally Posted by Mgrmitch

If we wait until the next morning to purchase a drink package will they prorate?

Are we able to use on board credit at the time to purchase the drink packages? Thanks

Yes to both questions

__________________

 

...:) ... Hi everyone,

Stellar job here .... and the Lists; WoW a "Cosmic size job" ... thank you!

 

As to the above; just off the phone with a tele-rep and her supervisor ... they said: " package is for the entire cruise.

Your charges will be the # cruise days X the Price/day of Package + 15% =s total charge to account.

 

No rebates or prorated package pricing!

 

Other questions I've read: Taxed by US or State if pre-ordered or ordered whilst ship is tied to dock.

The answer : False. No!

 

hope this is of some help

 

:)Seamo:)

[Polomom]

I have seen the price list posted in July 2010 just wondering if prices have increased much since then, thinking of going for the classic pavane, would be interested to hear from anybody who has been on this ship in 2012 and what prices are like now? Especially wine by the glass and cocktails!

 

We just returned from the Silhouette- It seems most things were about 50 cents higher than that list from 2010. Water is still the same $2.50 and $4.00. Our wine was $5.50 I think. We were on the classic package so I have no proof other than asking the waiter about specific drinks. I think the frozen drinks were 7.00-8.00 each. We got our package when they had it on sale- worked out to about $40 / day before gratuity. That's about 6 drinks a day- I came close most days. (2 frozen drinks by the pool, 2 glasses of wine at dinner, coffee after dinner, a drink at the show or in the casino. Add to that a large bottle of water most days.) It's not for everybody, thats for sure, but I loved the convenience of it.

Hope this helps!

[travellerin1984]

Hello!

 

We will be going on our first cruise with Equinox in May.

 

We are probably going to book one dinner in Murano, but we're wondering how expensive it will be with wine.

 

What are your experiences with wine in Murano?

 

We are considering buying the premium package for the cruise, but are wondering if they have good wine choices by the glass that are included in the package in Murano?

 

If we buy the wine and food combination menu, will we pay the price difference between the wines and those included in the package, or will we pay the full price?

 

Tankfull for all your thoughts and experiences regarding wine in Murano!

[C&F]

Hello, I've read through this and found the answer to part of my question about upgrading, but perhaps someone can help clarify. I have the Classic Alcohol and my wife has the Premium. She likes martinis and wine and the drinks from the molecular bar might appeal to her. I drink most stuff from the Classic, but I'm now realizing I may want to upgrade. I don't want to cancel and reorder because I got them during the sale. If I upgrade onboard would I just have to pay the difference or would it cancel and re-book at the non-discounted price? If that's the case, I'll stick with the Classic and the few times I want something from Premium, I'll switch with my wife. Also, do they give you a new card or just a sticker?

Thanks,

Freddie

[jg51]

... just off the phone with a tele-rep and her supervisor ... they said: " package is for the entire cruise. Your charges will be the # cruise days X the Price/day of Package + 15% =s total charge to account.

No rebates or prorated package pricing!

 

Hello, "Seamo."

We just want to clarify a couple of things for you and other members.

 

1. What you were told over the phone was correct concerning pre-paying for an entire package. What was said about "rebates" and "prorated package pricing," however, may be misleading or (arguably) wrong.

 

2. It is permitted to cancel a pre-paid package on Embarkation Day, with a complete refund being credited to your account. We know this from personal experience. While there may be no such thing as a "rebate," per se, there is such a thing as a full refund.

 

3. It is permitted to purchase a package AFTER Embarkation Day -- in which case one does NOT have to pay the full amount (that would have had to be paid on, or prior to, Embarkation Day. Instead, one pays the prorated amount (number of nights left X per diem + service charge). We know this also from personal experience.

 

4. In fact, the same person who canceled a pre-paid package on Embarkation Day was able to purchase a new (reduced-price) package two or three days later. The original key-card (which had a package code on it) had to be turned in for a new one (lacking a code) on Embarkation Day. After the partial-cruise package was later purchased, a sticker was placed on the new card.

[kayo kruiser]

We have an upcoming 12 night cruise with a couple of long port days at the front end. I was thinking of going without a drink package for those first 4 days, then adding the package for the remainder of the cruise when the port days are shorter. From your post, it sounds like this is possible and I'll only pay the daily charge x the # of days remaining in the cruise. Has anyone tried this?

[youwash]

Just my quick 5 cents worth: the classic package is great! Three of the 4 in our group had it and we had any drink we wanted and a good selection of wine that we were always safisfied with. Only place we couldn't get martini was at the martini bar, because they cost more. In classic- drinks may be smaller-but then you just order another!

 

 

When we went to Murano's and Tuscan Grill we just told them which package we had and they brought us the wine by the glass that we wanted.

 

We were impressed with the dining room cocktail waitress in that we gave her our cards the first night and told her what we wanted and after that we never gave them to her again and she always remembered what we wanted.

 

The wineglasses were always kept full!

 

In fact we have just booked for next Feb on Silouette for 5 couples.

 

It was so different and wonderful to hand the card over and not to even have to sign anything or be adding costs up in your head-thinking how much am I spending.

[impala1ss]

First time beverage pkg. - on Celebrity Solstice 3/25.

 

I am a wine drinker and found that the Cabernet Souv. and Merlot were both undrinkable on this ship. I am not a wine snob by any means but these were the worst wines I have ever had. If you have ever opened a bottle of red wine, and left it uncorked for several weeks, you knopw the "skanky" taste; worse than vinegar. On the 2nd day I complained to bartender and he got his manager who said there was nothing they could do. I asked to pay an additional $.50 a glass to get Pinot Noir and they said No, our package only allowed up to $8 a glass . You can not pay extra with the Classic package, but if we upgraded to Premium pkg, we could pay extra if we wanted.

 

Finally went to guest relations who told us there was nothing they could do.

 

Then went to CellerMaster who said they were getting complaints so he would fix the computer to allow us to get Pinot Noir on our package.

 

At most bars they had no knowledge and wouldn't allow us to get it. However, in Dining Room, wine steward told us he had been advised to provide Pinot Noir for us; no further problem there. At Lawn Club bar no problem getting it.

 

Asked bartender at Martini Bar if I could get and he said no but got his Supervisor who told me that it was impossible to for me to get Pinot on ship in my package. He said the person (Cellermaster) had no authority to allow me to get this but we continued to get the better wine at many places but were rejected at many others.

 

So the main idea is that if your package has really bad wine you may be stuck with it the entire cruise and you can not upgrade.

[Crazy Cruzer]

First time beverage pkg. - on Celebrity Solstice 3/25.

 

I am a wine drinker and found that the Cabernet Souv. and Merlot were both undrinkable on this ship. I am not a wine snob by any means but these were the worst wines I have ever had. If you have ever opened a bottle of red wine, and left it uncorked for several weeks, you knopw the "skanky" taste; worse than vinegar. On the 2nd day I complained to bartender and he got his manager who said there was nothing they could do. I asked to pay an additional $.50 a glass to get Pinot Noir and they said No, our package only allowed up to $8 a glass . You can not pay extra with the Classic package, but if we upgraded to Premium pkg, we could pay extra if we wanted.

 

Finally went to guest relations who told us there was nothing they could do.

 

Then went to CellerMaster who said they were getting complaints so he would fix the computer to allow us to get Pinot Noir on our package.

 

At most bars they had no knowledge and wouldn't allow us to get it. However, in Dining Room, wine steward told us he had been advised to provide Pinot Noir for us; no further problem there. At Lawn Club bar no problem getting it.

 

Asked bartender at Martini Bar if I could get and he said no but got his Supervisor who told me that it was impossible to for me to get Pinot on ship in my package. He said the person (Cellermaster) had no authority to allow me to get this but we continued to get the better wine at many places but were rejected at many others.

 

So the main idea is that if your package has really bad wine you may be stuck with it the entire cruise and you can not upgrade.

 

No offense but you get what you pay for. Wines selling for $8/glass equate to a bottle selling on the ship for $32. The ship has a restaurant type mark-up so a $32 bottle of wine would retail for about $10 give or take a few dollars. At $10/bottle for red wine you're in range where a lot of red wines are mediocre and you really have to be picky and have some experience to pick a reasonably OK wine in that range. Also, if you're buying one by the glass you never know how long the bottle has been open. If it tastes stale it probably is and you can request a fresher bottle.

 

Frankly, I think you should be happy and thankful that some of the bartenders and supervisors gave you a more expensive wine. I think it is unrealistic to think an exception granted by one person would automatically be known by all the bartenders on the ship.

 

As for not letting you pay the extra money for the upgraded above your package limits, it is well known on these boards, and Celebrity's site, that this is not an option on the classic packages and is only a benefit of the premium packages.

 

If one is picky about their wines then considering the moderately high prices on board they should take the premium package which includes better wines and the option to get nice wines by the glass by paying an up charge or forget the packages and buy your wine by the bottle from the larger wine list of wines sold only by the bottle.

Edited April 2, 2012 by Crazy Cruzer

[impala1ss]

No offense but you get what you pay for. Wines selling for $8/glass equate to a bottle selling on the ship for $32. The ship has a restaurant type mark-up so a $32 bottle of wine would retail for about $10 give or take a few dollars. At $10/bottle for red wine you're in range where a lot of red wines are mediocre and you really have to be picky and have some experience to pick a reasonably OK wine in that range. Also, if you're buying one by the glass you never know how long the bottle has been open. If it tastes stale it probably is and you can request a fresher bottle.

 

Frankly, I think you should be happy and thankful that some of the bartenders and supervisors gave you a more expensive wine. I think it is unrealistic to think an exception granted by one person would automatically be known by all the bartenders on the ship.

 

As for not letting you pay the extra money for the upgraded above your package limits, it is well known on these boards, and Celebrity's site, that this is not an option on the classic packages and is only a benefit of the premium packages.

 

If one is picky about their wines then considering the moderately high prices on board they should take the premium package which includes better wines and the option to get nice wines by the glass by paying an up charge or forget the packages and buy your wine by the bottle from the larger wine list of wines sold only by the bottle.

 

Don't want to argue but you apparently didn't read my review or you would have known that I said the wine was undrinkable, not just not as good as others. Even bottles opened in front of me were undrinkable, as vinegar is undrinkable. I have drunk the cheapest wine in China and found it OK.

 

While I was very grateful to get drinkable wine at some locations, I never knew where (what bar, AT VARYING TIMES) I would have to get in a discussion about the resolution of the problem by the CellerMaster who had advised me that they had received many complaints and were removing the brand and replacing it with another.

 

You state "if one is picky about their wine.." well I am not just want some that was undrinkable, as verified by many others on board.

 

I realize it is hard for some to accept criticism about their favorite cruise lines but two years ago on a transatlantic Celebrity cruise I NEVER had a problem. This cruise did.

[Seamo]

jg51 Cool Cruiser :.........." Hello, "Seamo."

We just want to clarify a couple of things for you and other members.

 

1. What you were told over the phone was correct concerning pre-paying for an entire package. What was said about "rebates" and "prorated package pricing," however, may be misleading or (arguably) wrong.

 

2. It is permitted to cancel a pre-paid package on Embarkation Day, with a complete refund being credited to your account. We know this from personal experience. While there may be no such thing as a "rebate," per se, there is such a thing as a full refund.

 

3. It is permitted to purchase a package AFTER Embarkation Day -- in which case one does NOT have to pay the full amount (that would have had to be paid on, or prior to, Embarkation Day. Instead, one pays the prorated amount (number of nights left X per diem + service charge). We know this also from personal experience.

 

4. In fact, the same person who canceled a pre-paid package on Embarkation Day was able to purchase a new (reduced-price) package two or three days later. The original key-card (which had a package code on it) had to be turned in for a new one (lacking a code) on Embarkation Day. After the partial-cruise package was later purchased, a sticker was placed on the new card."

_____________________________________________________

Hi again,

Hey no problem with what .... "happened" with you. (When was this?-- things do change)--- but the thing I said was:

" As to the above; just off the phone with a tele-rep and her supervisor ... they said: " package is for the entire cruise.

Your charges will be the # cruise days X the Price/day of Package + 15% =s total charge to account.

 

No rebates or prorated package pricing!

 

Other questions I've read: Taxed by US or State if pre-ordered or ordered whilst ship is tied to dock.

The answer : False. No!

 

hope this is of some help

 

Seamo

 

I would like that YOU are correct ... nontheless I'm quoting what was said by a Supervisor after I asked the intro Rep for clarification from a higher authority ... like I said ..

"hope your version is correctorenno ... have a 13 TA and

was wanting to "twick" the bar bill.

PLEASE!!!!... this is just info input .... no bristles .... if you can update and verify that YOU are correct ... oh, please ...

my budget will and (me Too) have an immediate fondness

for you:);):)

best to all ..... Seamo

Edited April 4, 2012 by Seamo
add user name

[jg51]

Hi again,

Hey no problem with what .... "happened" with you. (When was this?-- things do change)--- but the thing I said was: I would like that YOU are correct ... nontheless I'm quoting what was said by a Supervisor after I asked the intro Rep for clarification from a higher authority ... like I said .. "hope your version is correctorenno ... have a 13 TA and was wanting to "twick" the bar bill.

PLEASE!!!!... this is just info input .... no bristles .... if you can update and verify that YOU are correct ... oh, please ... my budget will and (me Too) have an immediate fondness for you:);):) best to all ..... Seamo

All we can say, "Seamo," is to scroll up to your last post and read our four numbered points again. They describe what happened on the Equinox, late in 2010. They also agree with things that have repeatedly been posted by other CrCr members here.

 

--- You don't need to pre-purchase a package.

 

--- If you do pre-purchase, you can cancel (for full refund) on Embarkation Day ... but you cannot cancel after that day ... so there can be no pro-rated refund.

 

--- Once on board, if you have not pre-purchased a package, you don't need to purchase one exactly on Embarkation Day.

 

--- Once on board, if you purchase AFTER Embarkation Day, you pay only for the remaining days. We would call this a pro-rated purchase.

 

--- We think that there is a cut-off day, after which you can no longer purchase a package, but we can't remember what day that is.

 

With regard to what you were told over the phone (by a supervisor, or otherwise): Yes, it is barely possible that "X" changed its rules ... but we think that it is more likely that a misunderstanding/miscommunication occurred during the phone call. The other possibility (which would be very bad) is that the supervisor doesn't even KNOW that crew members will sell a (pro-rated) package after Embarkation Day.

.

Edited April 5, 2012 by jg51

[Lsimon]

On our Equinox cruise less than 2 weeks ago the beverage packages were for sale, and being promoted on board, up until the second to last day. While I didn't specifically ask, I'm sure the price was pro-rated. No one is going to buy a package well into a cruise if they have to pay the full price. Celebrity telephone reps are well known on these boards for having completely incorrect information as to what on board procedures and policy is. I'm guessing most of them have little or no experience on board and try to fill in the gaps with their own speculation. It is a shame that this is the case but I've read about this happening time and time again on these boards.

Edited April 6, 2012 by Lsimon

[HDS]

For others new to Celebrity here are some tips for enjoying a few drinks within the rules, without breaking the budget or consuming to get value from a pre-purchased package.

1) You can buy and keep a bottle of wine in the dining room and/or bars to drink over two or three nights. This extends the range of wines beyond that available on packages and brings the per glass price from $8.00+ to less than $6.00. You can’t buy bottles of wine on drink packages.

2) You can carry a drink bought in a bar or dining room with you to another venue or your cabin. That way a pre-dinner glass of wine can last the night.

3) The Sunset bar sold inexpensive small flasks of (ordinary) wine holding more than two glasses. You can carry the “second” glass to your cabin, another bar or dining room if you wish.

For us, any Celebrity drinks package would have been a waste of money. Premium alcohol would have been our only option because we didn’t like the white wines and beers available on the Classic package. We don't enjoy sweet fizzy drinks or packaged fruit juices and found ship’s water drinkable with ice and a wedge of lemon. The basic teas and coffee were no worse than the pay-for ones.

 

One of us had two or three beers before dinner followed by several glasses of wine. The other had one to three glasses of wine each evening.

In addition to our evening drinks we had the $2.50 “fresh-ish” orange juice, available at breakfast till the oranges ran out, which tasted much better than the packaged orange juice. We didn’t see it being squeezed, and were disappointed in the promotion of “fresh squeezed … fruit juices,” plural implying more than one variety. In Australia “fresh squeezed” means the fruit is peeled and its juice extracted and poured into your glass while you wait. We didn’t see that option anywhere on the ship so are pleased we didn’t buy a package for the supposed variety of “fresh squeezed” juices.

 

Overall we drank what we wanted, when we wanted and spent far less than the cost of two packages. Different tastes will have different needs.

Edited April 7, 2012 by HDS

[RaptorBill]

Hi folks -

 

We generally like drinking better wine than is available on any of the drink packages. We live in Sonoma County California and are spoiled rotten!

 

So instead of a Wine or Drink Package, we get a Cellar Master Card, if on a ship with it. NONE of the drink packages include Cellar Masters.

 

Cellar Masters uses the Enomatic, wine dispensers. You buy "value" that's loaded onto a stored-value smart card: e.g. the Sommelier charges $115 ($100 plus tip) to your on-board account and get $120 worth of credit on your card (they usually have a special the first day and give you $130 that day only).

 

Then you are free to enjoy a Tasting Pour, Half-Pour, or Full-Pour of any of the 70 or so wines that they have loaded into the machines. The per glass price is about 2/3rds of what the same wine is (if it's available) elsewhere on the ship.

 

If you load enough value on the card the first day - you wind up paying about half the on-board price.

 

Also, lots of the wines available are not poured elsewhere.

 

Cellar Masters is open 24/7 and you can take the wine anywhere on the ship. You can also load up one of their large glasses with multiple full pours so you can take a glass to dinner.

 

This works a lot better for us than any of the beverage packages (we don't drink bottled water, soft drinks, bar drinks, or specialty coffees). As a result, we've never spent anywhere close to what a beverage package costs.

 

Cheers!

Bill

 

p.s. the only known downside is that you can't "socialize" the machine into giving you a "bigger" pour than the Sommelier in the restaurant may give you if you buy by the glass. But you also won't get a short pour either!

[Lsimon]

Hi folks -

 

We generally like drinking better wine than is available on any of the drink packages. We live in Sonoma County California and are spoiled rotten!

 

So instead of a Wine or Drink Package, we get a Cellar Master Card, if on a ship with it. NONE of the drink packages include Cellar Masters.

 

Cellar Masters uses the Enomatic, wine dispensers.....

 

Maybe you've had better luck than us. We've only tried the Enomatic machines on Celebrity once. Last year on the constellation we tried a glass of a higher end Napa Chardonnay that we'd had a bottle of the night before in Tuscan Grille. The wine out of the enomatic was terrible! I think it had been open too long even for the enomatic machine as we noticed very little if any activity on the machines that cruise. That was our first and last try with the machines on Celebrity. We pretty much just stick with bottled wines at dinner.

[RaptorBill]

Maybe you've had better luck than us. We've only tried the Enomatic machines on Celebrity once. Last year on the constellation we tried a glass of a higher end Napa Chardonnay that we'd had a bottle of the night before in Tuscan Grille. The wine out of the enomatic was terrible! I think it had been open too long even for the enomatic machine as we noticed very little if any activity on the machines that cruise. That was our first and last try with the machines on Celebrity. We pretty much just stick with bottled wines at dinner.

Hi Lsimon -

 

We sometimes found a bottle that was "past its prime" or corked. In every case, we pointed that out to the Cellar Master Sommelier and he not only gave us a refund and replaced the bottle, but also gave us a free pour (of the replacement)!

 

The staff we've had was very customer service oriented and responsive.

 

Like all good wine serving establishments. If it ain't right, they'll fix it (and then some)!

 

In your case - did you say anything to the host?

 

On the Silhouette in December, Cellar Master was hoppin'!

 

Cheers,

Bill

Edited April 9, 2012 by RaptorBill