Drink Package was best cruise deal ever!

[Lsimon]

Is $1300 the cost of the premium package - if booked onboard - for two people?

 

The package prices are $14, $18, $44 and $54 per person per cruise night plus a 15% service charge added when the package is bought for the Classic non-alcohol, premium non-alcohol, classic with alcohol and premium with alcohol, respectively.

 

I thought that specialty coffees were included in the premium package, at least. Can someone clarify that for me please? And if they ARE included, does that include both the dining room and Caffe Baccio?

There is a lot of confusion and inconsitency on what a specialty coffee is and if it is included in the classic vs. premium package or not.

Here is a copy of the Cafe al Bacio menu (click here for menu). On the Silhouette last December I specifically asked which coffees are NOT covered by the classic package and was told that everything is included in the classic package except the coffees on page 5 of the menu under "Other Favorites" and those on page 6 under "More Favorites". I asked the same question on the Eclipse and was told that ALL the coffees listed in the menu were covered by the classic package. Bottom line: All the standard, or slightly fancy, coffees are included in both packages including espresso, latte, mocha, cappuccino and others. Certain coffees which include some extra ingredients may or may not be covered by the classic package depending on the interpretation of the rules on your particular sailing so you won't know for sure until you sail.

Edited May 20, 2013 by Lsimon

[lunyma]

Thank you all for your replies. Can anyone tell me how early Cafe Bacio opens? I'm an early riser and would love to have a cappucino or latte when I get up.

[Cruising89143]

Thank you all for your replies. Can anyone tell me how early Cafe Bacio opens? I'm an early riser and would love to have a cappucino or latte when I get up.

 

Pam, it was 7:00 on the Reflection.

[Lsimon]

Posted time is 7AM but once I got there a little before then and they were already open - so ask rather than rely on the info in the daily bulletin.

[SNJCruisers]

The Martini Bar bartender on the Century (March 19 - April 3) would not accept my Classic Package for a 'smaller' martini - I had to buy a regular size martini (until I upgraded to the Premium Package on Day 3). :)

 

This is contrary to my previous experiences in the Martini Bar on Century, Equinox, Millennium and Summit.

The bartender was just enforcing the rules that should have been in place across the board in the first place. Many people buck the system and share a package, while others used to buck the system and order smaller versions of the fancier martinis that cost 10 bucks and thus they found a loophole to make those smaller martinis qualify under the classic package.

 

There has not been a single recent posting that I am aware of, of someone that has gotten away with getting a smaller sized premium martini while only having the classic package. I believe that the enforcement of the rules coincides with the 123 go promo and the increased number of people that are partaking in the packages and Celebrity wanted to close an obvious loophole that many people were taking advantage of. It really was not fair to the people that had paid for the premium package and were enjoying large sized premium martinis and someone sitting across the bar from them who had the classic package were enjoying smaller versions of the same exact premium ingredient martini, while paying less money.

[laryco]

Is $1300 the cost of the premium package - if booked onboard - for two people?

 

That is what I found..there was no difference if booked before or on board ....when we booked the 123 deal was not offered...

[Cruisechristi]

I have enjoyed the Premium package in the past and plan to upgrade my 123 incentive Classic to Premium aboard the Century this weekend to Alaska.

 

Why? Choice is why.

 

I love the higher grade brands and exotic Martini's available to me at the Premium level. Plus, if I do want to try something over the per drink allowance, I only pay the difference and not the entire drink fee. So a nice 20 year old Tawny Port after dinner becomes very attractive when it only costs a few dollars more instead of the entire fee, which you will pay if you only have the Classic package.

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

[lunyma]

Pam, it was 7:00 on the Reflection.

 

Thanks, Gordon... And Lsimon, thank you too. Wonder if we're neighbors. I live in Buffalo Grove :).

[Lsimon]

Thanks, Gordon... And Lsimon, thank you too. Wonder if we're neighbors. I live in Buffalo Grove :).

 

Pretty close - we're in Libertyville.

[stellarose]

I have enjoyed the Premium package in the past and plan to upgrade my 123 incentive Classic to Premium aboard the Century this weekend to Alaska.

 

Why? Choice is why.

 

I love the higher grade brands and exotic Martini's available to me at the Premium level. Plus, if I do want to try something over the per drink allowance, I only pay the difference and not the entire drink fee. So a nice 20 year old Tawny Port after dinner becomes very attractive when it only costs a few dollars more instead of the entire fee, which you will pay if you only have the Classic package.

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

 

agreed. its all about choice. also, no worries about price. just order it. again if its over the 12 dollar range... then charge me the difference.

 

its vacation!

[LPCKG]

That is what I found..there was no difference if booked before or on board ....when we booked the 123 deal was not offered...

 

Thanks Lsimon and Laryco.

 

I think my partner will get value for money from having this package but I'm boarder line. I think we will pre-book cause I like to get these things out of the way...I was eager to know whether the cruise line offer a discount if book onboard but I pleased, in one sense, that they don't cause it means I can book in advance and know that no further savings could have been made.

[Scotts73]

I just purchased the Premium Non-alcoholic package for our upcoming Alaska cruise...my question is, If I go to the cafe to get a Latte, can I also get a large bottled water? I read somewhere on here that you can only get one "drink" per order? Does this include a bottled water?

 

Also, my husband purchased the Premium Alcohol package, does he have to drink whatever he orders IN the bar he got it from, or can he bring it back to the cabin?

 

Sorry if these are silly questions...just trying to figure it all out. :D

 

Thank you!!

[juliep99]

Thanks for a great post, it's really helped me make up my mind to get this package before we go. I don't class us as big drinkers but see how you can really get your moneys worth.:)

[SNJCruisers]

I just purchased the Premium Non-alcoholic package for our upcoming Alaska cruise...my question is, If I go to the cafe to get a Latte, can I also get a large bottled water? I read somewhere on here that you can only get one "drink" per order? Does this include a bottled water?

 

Also, my husband purchased the Premium Alcohol package, does he have to drink whatever he orders IN the bar he got it from, or can he bring it back to the cabin?

 

Sorry if these are silly questions...just trying to figure it all out. :D

 

Thank you!!

First of all, those are not silly questions.....those can be found on many other threads on CC though. ;) Your husband can bring his drink back to the cabin if he so wishes, whether it be to enjoy while getting dressed for dinner or at the end of the evening before bed as a nightcap.

 

If you get your latte, you have two options, one, you can use your card and just wait a minute or two and then order your bottle of water, or, if you have his card you can order both at the same time and just give the server the two cards and one drink will go on each card.

[Lsimon]

... If I go to the cafe to get a Latte, can I also get a large bottled water? I read somewhere on here that you can only get one "drink" per order? Does this include a bottled water?

 

...Also, my husband purchased the Premium Alcohol package, does he have to drink whatever he orders IN the bar he got it from, or can he bring it back to the cabin?...

 

Ask the waiter if it is OK to get a bottle of water at the same time as your latte. I'm not sure how hard and fast the rules are but I've read posts from some who had no problems with this. Likewise ordering an fresh squeezed OJ with a Latte at breakfast or wine at dinner when you've just ordered bottled water. It never hurts to ask, especially if you do it in a nice respectful way, and if they say they can not then ask them how long you need to wait or what they'd recommend.

 

No problem bringing drinks back to your cabin, or caring them to another location. My wife and I both had the non-alcoholic package the last two cruises and we regularly brought bottled water back to the room so we could keep a few extras handy there.

Edited May 22, 2013 by Lsimon

[ozark74]

I just purchased the Premium Non-alcoholic package for our upcoming Alaska cruise...my question is, If I go to the cafe to get a Latte, can I also get a large bottled water? I read somewhere on here that you can only get one "drink" per order? Does this include a bottled water?

 

Also, my husband purchased the Premium Alcohol package, does he have to drink whatever he orders IN the bar he got it from, or can he bring it back to the cabin?

 

Sorry if these are silly questions...just trying to figure it all out. :D

 

Thank you!!

 

 

While on the Solstice my DW was told that she had to wait 5 minutes before ordering another drink. That was at a the pool bar.

You can take the drink anywhere you want.

[ricethief]

I was wondering, does is the classic NA package enough to cover coffees at Al Bacio or do I have to go up to the premium package? Thanks.

[SNJCruisers]

I was wondering, does is the classic NA package enough to cover coffees at Al Bacio or do I have to go up to the premium package? Thanks.

It covers most of the basic espresso, cappuccino, lattes, cafe americano, etc. The first two pages of 10 different varieties as well as all of the teas are covered under the classic package. The last 10 items listed under other favorites and more favorites are not covered.

 

See the posting earlier in this thread on May 20th @ 654PM for a link to the menu that was posted by Lsimon.

[ricethief]

Thank you SNJcruisers, can't believe I missed that post.

[oliver1821]

Upgraded to premium on the phone with Celebrity for my April cruise, not shown on card, went to customer service first thing on board and they upgraded us and gave us new cards reflecting premium beverage package. Best part of all, when we got our bill at the end - they didn't charge either of us for the 11.50 per day upgrade!!!! Maybe being Elite had something to do with it, not sure. Well worth it to have the package:)

[laryco]

Returned recently from an 11day cruise on the Reflexion ( best cruise ever) ...we missed out on the 123 special and decided not to buy a drink package.....we had wine at each dinner.....beers and mixed drinks during the day....white Russians at the casino at night...our bar bill came to $700 and change....I found the drink prices reasonable and the room fridge reasonable as well

[Bobby Dee]

Upgraded to premium on the phone with Celebrity for my April cruise, not shown on card, went to customer service first thing on board and they upgraded us and gave us new cards reflecting premium beverage package. Best part of all, when we got our bill at the end - they didn't charge either of us for the 11.50 per day upgrade!!!! Maybe being Elite had something to do with it, not sure. Well worth it to have the package:)

If, as you said, upgraded prior to the cruise, then the land based reps were supposed to charge you at that time. If you didn't give them payment, then that's why your card at check in didn't include the upgrade. Basically, you hadn't paid for it. But if when on board, the purser's office gave you the upgrade, thinking that it had already been paid for, consider yourself lucky. I would imagine that if you were feeling particularly guilty about this, you could try to contact the line and give them the additional money. But I also think that doing so would confuse their bookeeping even more than if you just said thank you.

I feel confident that being elite has nothing to do with it.

[oliver1821]

If, as you said, upgraded prior to the cruise, then the land based reps were supposed to charge you at that time. If you didn't give them payment, then that's why your card at check in didn't include the upgrade. Basically, you hadn't paid for it. But if when on board, the purser's office gave you the upgrade, thinking that it had already been paid for, consider yourself lucky. I would imagine that if you were feeling particularly guilty about this, you could try to contact the line and give them the additional money. But I also think that doing so would confuse their bookeeping even more than if you just said thank you.

I feel confident that being elite has nothing to do with it.

 

Having paid for everything directly with Celebrity prior to boarding, not having premium package indicated on our card was the reason we went to customer service. For them to just take my word for having paid and not checking, well don't really think that's the case. I consider myself very lucky and no, do not free one bit guilty and yes, said a big Thank You to all the wonderful staff;)

[Edarion]

I've tried this on all my trips. And i have yet to encounter any trouble yet...

 

Usually its

 

1. Go to mast Bar. get a drink. take to the room.

2. Go to Cova get another drink. take to the room.

3. Go to Islands buffet get a drink. take to the room.

 

Not necessarily alcoholic drinks either...

 

Works with all packages :D

 

Have Fun!

[Hlitner]

I've tried this on all my trips. And i have yet to encounter any trouble yet...

 

Usually its

 

1. Go to mast Bar. get a drink. take to the room.

2. Go to Cova get another drink. take to the room.

3. Go to Islands buffet get a drink. take to the room.

 

Not necessarily alcoholic drinks either...

 

Works with all packages :D

 

Have Fun!

 

Amazing what some folks will do for a drink