Drink Package was best cruise deal ever!

[laslomas]

So sorry to burst your bubble but we returned today from a 5 day cruise on the Constellation and there is no way the number of drinks we had per day tallied to what the final bill showed. Somehow on the second night in the MDR the two of us ordered 5 drinks in 1 second. Oh, but wait! ;) :D, Two nights later the same two drinks showed as 5 drinks in the same 1 second period of time. Magically 4 drinks became 10.

 

For those on the fence with the drink package, what the final bill print out is no where near reality.

 

Is there something that is gained by these errors, I mean by the Company, or Staff? I only wonder as I have read several times on previous threads that if drinks are obtained too close together it will be noticed, or refused, as it could be due to 'sharing of Beverage Packages', which of course is not allowed. I wonder if these abnomalities should have been noticed in the billing department as it looks like you are getting a round of drinks in.

[jveevers]

So sorry to burst your bubble but we returned today from a 5 day cruise on the Constellation and there is no way the number of drinks we had per day tallied to what the final bill showed. Somehow on the second night in the MDR the two of us ordered 5 drinks in 1 second. Oh, but wait! ;) :D, Two nights later the same two drinks showed as 5 drinks in the same 1 second period of time. Magically 4 drinks became 10.

 

For those on the fence with the drink package, what the final bill print out is no where near reality.

 

 

Hi Oville, no bubble burst, I actually made a tally each day of drinks. Although I have not compared it directly with the printout, both totals are within 5 drinks.

[jveevers]

I dont know what flags the systems throws up re. ordering close together but here are 2 examples.

In the morning we went by Al Bacio and ordered takeaway Coffee with a shot of Baileys (1 each). 2 minutes later in Oceanview ordered 2 Mimosa, sat down and probably 5 minutes later a waiter comes up and asks if we want another Mimosa, so we order 1 each. So thats 3 drinks each within say 10 minutes and no questions asked.

Several times in sky Lounge, ordered a final Cocktail each and within 5 minutes ordered a Double Drambuie each "to take to the room". The Cocktail was not finished but bar guy had no reluctance to do the Drambuie.

We didnt cheat the system in any way but certainly got the most from it.

[Chirpbird]

On our first X cruise (Millie), I paid full price for 2 premium alcohol packages and one premium non-alcohol. We wanted the freedom of an "all inclusive" type vacation. We LOVED it. We had cocktails, sure. But, we also had bottles of water with each meal (so no swollen toes and fingers from cruise water), fresh juice at our meals, premium coffee drinks and so much more.

 

When the 123Go promotion came out, it was just a no brainer for us. We drank more than we paid when the drink package was full price.

[sawyer_boy]

Is there something that is gained by these errors, I mean by the Company, or Staff? I only wonder as I have read several times on previous threads that if drinks are obtained too close together it will be noticed, or refused, as it could be due to 'sharing of Beverage Packages', which of course is not allowed. I wonder if these abnomalities should have been noticed in the billing department as it looks like you are getting a round of drinks in.

 

From our experience with the premium drink package on two X cruises is well worth the money. As for drinks being charged to close together, we would have three to four drinks at molecular before dinner then spend another few hours there after dinner with more drinks. What the fantastic bartender did for us was only ask for our cards at the end of the night. This could explain the reason..

[gubby]

We just took advantage a couple of weeks ago of the 1-2-3 promotion for our Equinox cruise in October. oth DH and I drink wine with dinner, he has about 3-4 beers daily. I will have a martini before dinner, and on a sea da perhaps a froufrou drink. I am a diabetic so really must watch alcoho intake. My plan is to drink cappacinos, and because I react to excess sodium it will be great to have bottled water at meals and to take with us on port days. DH loves freshly squeezed orange juice and I am sure he will take advantage of this at breakfast each morning. In order to get these extras we paid to upgrade to the Premium package and still feel tat we got a fantastic deal. If we were paying the entire bill, there is no way that we would come out ahead, but my reasoning this one time was what do we have to lose? I know because of my condition and the fact that I am WW member that I will not go overboard and neither will DH. So we are sure to enjoy this once in a lifetime perk. Thank-you Celebrity.

[Hlitner]

Just a few thoughts about the drink package promotion (and yes, we took advantage). Let us assume that 50% (or more) of the passengers have the drink package on a cruise. So we have over 1000 souls in the MDR at dinner time and over 500 want a glass of wine. And then later during the dinner most of those folks want a 2nd glass (and perhaps a 3rd). As I recall there are only a few bar waiters normally working in the dining room and one wonders how they will be able to meet the demand. It could get UGLY! A drink package is only a good deal when you can get a drink!

 

Hank

[hmg]

Our experience with the Premium package on our cruise last year was that the sommelier handled our dinner wine. I'm not sure how that will work out with so many passengers having the drink package as a perk but perhaps someone who has recently sailed can report back and let us all know.

[boards]

There was several on board that obviously drank more than us.

Not one hangover, heading off tomorrow on a 7 day, let you know how we go.

 

You have got to be KIDDING !!!!!!

[JSMM]

Just a few thoughts about the drink package promotion (and yes, we took advantage). Let us assume that 50% (or more) of the passengers have the drink package on a cruise. So we have over 1000 souls in the MDR at dinner time and over 500 want a glass of wine. And then later during the dinner most of those folks want a 2nd glass (and perhaps a 3rd). As I recall there are only a few bar waiters normally working in the dining room and one wonders how they will be able to meet the demand. It could get UGLY! A drink package is only a good deal when you can get a drink!

 

Hank

 

Where do these assumptions come from? You make it sound like people didn't order wine before the package came along. Those 500 that want a glass of wine with the package are the same 500 that have a glass without it.

[FSL009]

So excuse my ignorance, first time cruiser - if you take the premium alcohol package it is unlimited right.

 

or is it capped to a certain upper limit each day?

 

Its hard to see on the adverts on celebrity's website.

 

Thanks

[Lsimon]

So excuse my ignorance, first time cruiser - if you take the premium alcohol package it is unlimited right.

 

or is it capped to a certain upper limit each day?

 

Its hard to see on the adverts on celebrity's website.

 

Thanks

 

Yes it is unlimited.

[Swampduck]

Just a few thoughts about the drink package promotion (and yes, we took advantage). Let us assume that 50% (or more) of the passengers have the drink package on a cruise. So we have over 1000 souls in the MDR at dinner time and over 500 want a glass of wine. And then later during the dinner most of those folks want a 2nd glass (and perhaps a 3rd). As I recall there are only a few bar waiters normally working in the dining room and one wonders how they will be able to meet the demand. It could get UGLY! A drink package is only a good deal when you can get a drink!

 

Hank

 

Hi all, we took the premium package last year, it was fantastic and well worth the money... no worrying about the bill at the end of the holiday. As for the wine with our meals, the waiters in the MDR are very attentive and our glasses wouldn't have been near the bottom and they were over topping them up, not once did we have to request our glasses to be filled and if we had finished a bottle of wine, another one appeared. They were also great at advising us one what wine to take, and reminded us that if we didn't like a wine, it would be changed....without any problem.

In the cocktail bar, when we didn't know which cocktail to try, the waiter asked us what package we were on and when we told him the premium he told us to start at the beginning of the menu and work our way through it... again, if we didn't like a cocktail, it would be changed..

I would recommend the package... it was great value. Just in process of booking our next holiday, just don't know where to go.... but it will be with Celebrity . .

[mac66]

This thread is very interesting. It looks like many of us will be able to take advantage of free beverage packages thru the 123Go promo going on now thru Jan 27th on sailings thru April.

 

We did the 123Go promo and got the free drink package but then upgraded to the premium package for around $130. Our cruise is March 9. We are not big drinkers but I saw they have some pretty good beer on the premium package and like to try new things so it should be a good deal for us.

[jveevers]

You have got to be KIDDING !!!!!!

 

KIDDING? Sorry maybe my quote was ambigous. I meant i didnt get hungover, cannot speak for other drinkers.

[cindy1957]

We are sailing on Constellation March 9. Also opted for the Classic Drink Package and asked out TA to upgrade it for me. Hope that got processed. Really need a break from work and am looking forward to this cruise. The beverage choices look like fun and I since I may want a martini or two I did not want to quibble about what was in the package and what wasn't.

[miched]

We are sailing on Constellation March 9. Also opted for the Classic Drink Package and asked out TA to upgrade it for me. Hope that got processed. Really need a break from work and am looking forward to this cruise. The beverage choices look like fun and I since I may want a martini or two I did not want to quibble about what was in the package and what wasn't.

 

 

It seems to be logical to upgrade if you look at the drink prices and things offered. Some have mentioned that even the coffee cafe has drinks that aren't included in the classic package. Many beers and choices of non alcohol drinks are also limited along with some wines. Some have mentioned that you could order a small Martini and be under the cap and that may be true but it is just more convient to get the large when taking it back to the cabin to enjoy on the balcony for a night cap.

 

 

.

[anonymousegirl]

We just booked a 12 night Solstice New Zealand crusie for March 2013. Opted for the Classic dinks package under 123Go promotion and did the upgrade.

Normally we could not drink enough on a daily basis to justify the money spent, but even taking into account the "loss" of the $300 OBC and the cost of the upgrade ($276 for two people), we will easily drink enough daily ($24 pp) to make this a huge savings for us.

[Seabourn Pearls]

Because of my job and the need to drive sober when at home I seldom drink much. On a cruise I can walk to my cabin and no one ever asks me to steer the ship. So you might say I go overboard...almost literally.

A typical day starts with a cappuccino or two. By 11 it's a bloody Mary. With lunch a Margarita or a beer. Around 4:30 ,it's 2 or 3 martinis. With dinner at six,three glasses of wine and a specialty coffee with dessert as well as a sparkling water throughout.

Then it's on to the casino for a cognac or jack and coke. At the show maybe a vodka and tonic or a cordial. Following that it's to the disco or karaoke and some specialty rum drinks.

Finally an espresso at cafe baccio and a water for the room at night. On beach days we also take liter bottles of water to the beach. I kept track for a while and see that it would have cost me130 to 150 per day before tip.

At the discount rate of $49/day I figure I'm way ahead until I have to pay for the liver transplant.

 

This is hilarious.

[alexspepa]

As for the wine with our meals, the waiters in the MDR are very attentive and our glasses wouldn't have been near the bottom and they were over topping them up, not once did we have to request our glasses to be filled and if we had finished a bottle of wine, another one appeared. They were also great at advising us one what wine to take, and reminded us that if we didn't like a wine, it would be changed....without any problem.

I Celebrity . .

 

Thanks - can you clarify the part about the bottles of wine at dinner? Did you order by the glass and they just brought a bottle, or were there "community" bottles of the more popular glasses of wine around the wait stations?

 

Looking forward to trying out the Premium package - especially wines at dinner!

[Seabourn Pearls]

Dear Celebrity Executives:

 

Bravo on the 123 promotion. I've never cruised before. When you told me I could reserve a cruise with $250 AND get free booze for the duration of the voyage ($630 value) I became a buyer. If you run this promotion again I will buy again. Thought you'd want to know.

 

Sincerely,

 

Ben Johnson

[jveevers]

Just back from 14 day and 7 day cruises with Premium Package. Both of us on same package. First couple nights at Dinner, difficult to find wine "by the glass" that we liked. After 2 nights it was obvious to us that we wouldnt be happy with "wine by glass" choices and obvious to Sommeliar that we would drink 2/3 glasses each per meal. So we asked if we could choose from the "by bottle" range which contained more wines that we knew and liked. Provided that in the range of $35- $50-, they were happy to provide a bottle instead of several glasses.

[Lsimon]

Just back from 14 day and 7 day cruises with Premium Package. Both of us on same package. First couple nights at Dinner, difficult to find wine "by the glass" that we liked. After 2 nights it was obvious to us that we wouldnt be happy with "wine by glass" choices and obvious to Sommeliar that we would drink 2/3 glasses each per meal. So we asked if we could choose from the "by bottle" range which contained more wines that we knew and liked. Provided that in the range of $35- $50-, they were happy to provide a bottle instead of several glasses.

 

You had a very nice sommelier. I've read prior reports of this happening but even more reports of it being refused.

[canoeq]

I am a travel agent who benefited from the 123Go promo. I have other clients who wonder if this will be repeated later this year or next? Any guesses?? Thanks1

[Jenna109]

There are four of us on the drinks package so is it possible that we would get wine by the bottle for dinner?