Drink Package was best cruise deal ever!

[Jade13]

We have opted out of the drink package on both of our previous cruises. With the last one, we brought on a few 12 packs of soda, two gallons of water, and two boxes of wine.

.

 

I thought Celebrity only allowed two bottles per person?

[yvonneh]

Yes, Celebrity only allows you to bring 2 bottles of wine...but I have never had a problem bringing more. However, I have heard of many people being called to the "naughty room" on these boards and think I might abide by the rules next time! :D

[Esprit]

Peter,

 

We must of cross paths at some point! I think I tried all of the Martini's on the list. Also the molecule bar was interesting.

 

Did Brian make you the drink that required him to wear protective eye wear and gloves??

 

Frank

 

Hi Frank,

 

Brian did indeed don the glasses and gloves to pour the liquid hydrogen (I think that was the stuff!) into the glass to freeze the rose petals.

 

I never thought getting drunk could be so educational

 

Peter

[Tony UK]

I just love the molecular bar! We have worked through most of the drinks on the menu. We even had the one with all the smoke delivered to Murano !

Our favourite is the gin based drink with the sprig of thyme - so simple - so fab!:D

[Suite Susie]

I must be missing the value in the beverage packages. I just looked on the Celebrity website and noticed that the cost for the 11 night Classic package is $556 per person + 15% gratuity! We do drink frozen drinks and beers at the pool daily, a drink before getting ready for dinner as well as wine with dinner and a few cocktails after dinner along with bottles of water for use in the cabin and in ports. Having said that, we have never spent $556 for the both of us on a 7 night cruise so I am wondering if I am missing something here since the total bill for an 11 night cruise with gratuity is $1,446 for the classic package. Someone please let me know if I am confused as I am trying to find the deal here. Thank you-

 

Yes, the prices of the drinks on board! I think you will find it soon adds up, but I guess it depends how many glasses of wine you have with dinner every night. Also, I think you'll find that the 11 night package comes to $1,278 for two if they are charging $556 plus gratuity, so not as much as you first thought. If you like the nice coffees and freshly squeezed OJ, you will soon be in profit. We had the premium package and we definitely got our money's worth and it was lovely not having to worry about the bill at the end of the cruise. It does however encourage you to drink more. We had wine with lunch every day as well even in the Ocean View Cafe. Made for a very relaxing trip. Enjoy, whatever you choose. Susie

[Suite Susie]

You can try logging in like you're preregistering for your cruise - just need your booking number/ship/sailing date. That should do it.

 

 

Think you can only book 3 or 4 months before your sail date. Susie

[alfrules27]

Has anyone ever bought one beverage package and share it with your husband or wife?

[rhuntington3]

Has anyone ever bought one beverage package and share it with your husband or wife?

 

Beverage Package sharing is not allowed.

 

All prices in USD are subject to change without notice. A 15% service charge will be added to Soda, Wine, Water, Classic and Premium Package prices at checkout. Packages are sold on a per cruise basis, are not sold on a per day or any other basis, and no refunds will be issued for unused amounts. Packages may not be shared, and do not include beverages sold in gift shops, mini-bar or room service. Ordered packages may be modified up to four days prior to sailing by canceling and reordering the package. Cancellations or refunds will not be issued onboard the vessel after embarkation day. Availability of beverage packages varies by ship. You must be at least 21 years of age to purchase any alcoholic package and to consume alcohol. See the terms of our guest alcohol policy. Other terms and conditions apply.

 

http://www.celebritycruises.com/onboard/tabLanding.do?pagename=onboard_beverage_packages

[cruisestitch]

Hello alfrules27 and welcome to Cruise Critic --

 

I see that this is your first post --

 

One of the best features of this website is the ability to search for topics you are interested in. As you learn to use it, you'll see that there are literally dozens of posts on this topic, which is a bit of a "hot button" issue. So before anyone starts the arguments over again, take heed of advice from long-time posters -- packages are not for sharing, and should you decide to go ahead and do it, it's best not to come back and gloat about it, or you will be pounced upon!

 

If you have booked a cruise, be sure to go to that cruise's Roll Call -- go to the Celebrity Roll Call Forum, find your ship and sail date, and meet up with others who will be with you when you sail.

[CarolZaga]

Does the bottle water package include large bottles of water stocked in the cabin? Or is it only for bottled water in the dining and lounge venues?

Any assistance would be very much appreciated:)

[cruisestitch]

It does not include the water stocked in the cabin or in the mini-bar, nor does it include any beverage ordered from room service.

[4774Papa]

Let me start by saying we are not big drinkers per say, however on a cruise, we do like to enjoy ourselves, after all it is a carribbean vacation! We were on the Connie last January and purchased the Premium Drink package prior to boarding. Initially we were concerned that with so many port days we might not get our money's worth.

 

Not only did we get our money's worth and more, there were other perks that we didn't anticipate. Aside from no slips to sign etc, often around the pool when a frozen drink started melting often the staff would ask if they could just make a new one. We tried many different types of drinks esp Martinis that we might not have bought otherwise. If we tried a new drink and didn't like it it was replaced with another drink of our choice without question.

 

In order to show you why we felt this was a great deal I will describe a typical day. Disclaimer... based on this, some may think that we are heavy drinkers...if that is the case , while we appreciate your perspective and opinion please do not comment on our consumption ( this is our first post and we have seen some petty unnecessary replies). The purpose of this information is not to expose our consumption for review and/or public scrutiny, but to demonstrate to those who like to let their hair down a little and are wondering from a ecocnmic standpoint is it worth purchasing a package.

 

0830-Latte with one and half shots of Bailys..........$10.00

1100-large water...............................................$ 3.50

1230- Frozen drink..............................................$6.50

1430- Beer........................................................$5.00

1600- Frozen drink..............................................$6.50

1800- Glass of wine while dressing for dinner............$10.00

1930- Martini and dancing prior to dinner.................$12.00

2030- Dinner ( 4 different types of wine by the glass as suggested with each course by sommommlier-not all entirely consumed)..$ 40.00

2215- Specialty Coffee..........................................$ 8.00

2300- Dancing/Bar/Show/Casino Cocktail.............................$10.00

2400- Nightcap.(wearever..maybe brought back to balcony) $10.00

 

Total...$121.50 ( Drink prices are approx by memory-please don't bust me for not remembering exact price..probably cause I drank too much..Ha ha)

 

Cost per day...$55.00

Remenber this is for one person double the savings when we each bought one!

 

Only difference on port days was that we had two beers when back on ship as compared to 3 poolside drinks. Many nights we actually stayed out dancing etc later and maybe had another one...or if really hot day at the pool and having fun with poolside neighbors maybe snuck in an extra beer!

 

If you think this might come even close to a typical carribbean vacation day for you, then you can see what a true value it is. The other convieniences were no slips to sign, bar servers, waiters and sommoliers knowing your preferences and offering drink suggestions and special cocktails that we had never tried before. We told our assit waiter the first night about the specialty coffee and we had it served with our dessert every night...no hassles. It really added to the vacation atmosphere that we enjoy!

 

Hope this helps!

That may be a deal for you considering the quantity consumed, but DW and I normally spend about $400-$600 on a 10-14 day cruise. We are mainly beer and wine drinkers and happy with $30 bottles of wine.

At $55per day per two = $110 per day for a 14 day cruise = $1540 for the cruise!

[Cruise Junky]

That may be a deal for you considering the quantity consumed, but DW and I normally spend about $400-$600 on a 10-14 day cruise. We are mainly beer and wine drinkers and happy with $30 bottles of wine.

At $55per day per two = $110 per day for a 14 day cruise = $1540 for the cruise!

 

Don't forget the gratuity, it's actually $62 a day PP :eek:

[Cruise Junky]

Question for the OP, is this what you would normally drink on a cruise, or did you just go all out because you had the drink package?

 

I know if I put my mind to it, I could certainly make any drink package pay off but that's not my normal routine on a cruise and that's what I've been comparing the drink package prices to. I buy what I want to drink when I want to drink it with no real concern for cost and it's far below the package cost per day.

[easy spirit]

Beverages packages are not for sharing, and should you decide to go ahead and do it, it's best not to come back and gloat about it, or you will be pounced upon! Quote

 

Great advice.... IMO of course there will be persons that DO share the beverage package. The issue is ..... DO NOT ask permission to cheat or break a rule. That's up to your personal discression.

 

Another topic..... The bottle water in the cabin is NOT included in the beverage package , but I think you can ask for the bottle at a bar & then take it to your cabin. Is that correct?

[snh01]

Just returned from Equinox around Eastern Med. Non alc Premium package was $18 + grat and we managed to drink 6 pages of drinks ( about 240 = about 800-900$ in 11 days. Very easy when its hot, you can buy water for your trip, have freshly squeezed daily for breakfast or later... And enjoy the cafe. Could even use them on your departure day.

 

Its a choice but this worked well with a few beers and other drinks added as cant drink enough (diabetic) to make the alcoholic packages pay.

[jimzgoldfinch]

we managed to drink 6 pages of drinks ( about 240 = about 800-900$ in 11 days.

 

Hi,

What are pages of drink?

 

Jim

[frankdp]

I'm going to have to re-think this. I wasn't going to do the package - haven't in the past but I've also been careful about my consumption.

 

It would be nice to not have to worry about it but it could also be dangerous :rolleyes:

 

This was one of the best things about the premium drink package. It makes your cruise basically an all inclusive vacation. Feel like a specialty coffee, get one, craving a diet coke, no prob. All the bottled water you can drink and of course as much top shelf liquor as you want. I loved playing BJ and drinking single malt scotch. This package is perfect for folks that know they will be drinking some, like better brands and don't want to worry about blowing up a budget. Loved it, will do it on all of my X cruises.....

Edited September 10, 2011 by frankdp

[debadoo]

I believe there is another benefit to purchasing your package once on the ship and in international waters: No tax. Tax is added to the package if you purchase before your trip. So if you are thinking about it and not sure, don't fret, you may save a bit more money in the end.

[RosieCanberra]

Hi,

What are pages of drink?

 

Jim

 

I believe the pages refer to the final bill, of course if you have the package they are all $0.00.

Rosie:D

[Moomintroll]

I believe there is another benefit to purchasing your package once on the ship and in international waters: No tax. Tax is added to the package if you purchase before your trip. So if you are thinking about it and not sure, don't fret, you may save a bit more money in the end.

 

Believe tax is only added if you purchase in port, it is not added if you purchase ahead of time.

[tinky41]

As a couple who haven't cruised yet but are eagerly looking forward to our first one, this is brilliant reading such detailed information regarding the drinks prices verses the packages.Its helped me make my mind up and we will be treating ourselves to the premium package. Well your only 50 once!!!:)

[jomf]

Believe tax is only added if you purchase in port, it is not added if you purchase ahead of time.

 

We only had the service charge added, no tax, purchased beforehand.

[TamaLee]

We have never sailed on Celebrity before and this post has given us a great reason to try a new cruise line.

[luvtacruise27]

What exactly would the premium coffee be? Looking at purchasing the "Classic Package" since neither one of us are martini drinkers and it appears any and all of the alcohol we drink is included in this package.

 

Also, I noticed the price of frozen drink is $6.50? So I guess this would fall under Classic as well (up to $8 per drink)?

 

Thanks to any who can clarify for me.

 

Marilyn