Premium Alcohol Package Math

[Tropical-Stud]

For big drinkers like me, the inclusive package is a great deal. I can easily swig back 12-15 beers, cocktails, etc per day, especially on a 7 day cruise.

 

The math makes sense and will save me a bundle!

[shutterbug63]

This is so not worth it for me. I'm not a big drinker (apart from the occasional celebration night). And I agree with the previous poster about wanting to remember everything.

[constable145]

I've searched and read many threads, so I apoligize if I've missed this already.

 

Trying to determine if the premium alcohol package is worth it for our upcoming cruise.

 

$55, including 15% tips, so $46.75 in actual drinks.

 

I've found a few drink menus online which show average drink prices to be:

beer $4-6

wine $7-9 a glass

cocktails $6-9

 

On a cruise, I enjoy drinking wine and cocktails (margaritas, cosmos, martinis). With an average price of $8 a drink, I would need to consume 5.8 drinks a day to make this "worth it". Hmmmm.

 

Now, if they added specialty coffees or bottled water to the package it would be worth it to me. I don't drink soda or juice.

 

Thoughts? Has anyone else done the math and made it make sense to buy the package? Do my drink prices seem correct?

 

 

I could easily get my monies worth. It is just too bad that you need to purchase one for each adult in the room. My wife drinks maybe 4-5 drinks per cruise.

[Laticfanatic617]

I've searched and read many threads, so I apoligize if I've missed this already.

 

Trying to determine if the premium alcohol package is worth it for our upcoming cruise.

 

$55, including 15% tips, so $46.75 in actual drinks.

 

I've found a few drink menus online which show average drink prices to be:

beer $4-6

wine $7-9 a glass

cocktails $6-9

 

On a cruise, I enjoy drinking wine and cocktails (margaritas, cosmos, martinis). With an average price of $8 a drink, I would need to consume 5.8 drinks a day to make this "worth it". Hmmmm.

 

Now, if they added specialty coffees or bottled water to the package it would be worth it to me. I don't drink soda or juice.

 

Thoughts? Has anyone else done the math and made it make sense to buy the package? Do my drink prices seem correct?

 

here's a tip!

 

the package as you state monetary speaking is spot on ... $55 pppd with NO added 15% ..

 

some mention the lack of specialty coffee's ... all we did when in chops etc was to order a plain coffee, then as part of your package order the spirit to go with it ... a little charm with the waiter will get you a nice coffee glass .. add the two and bingo speciality coffee minus the extra charge

 

in november of the Indy w'bound i tried pretty much most drinks on the various bar lists ... chocolate martini ( clear in the champagne bar ) and frozen mud slide from pretty much anywhere inc pool area's .. the only drinks we found we couldn't have were the ones with champagne in the making ... as i don't care for champers i found myself harry as larry!

 

have one in april on the eastbound and from what i'm hearing they're rolling them out fleet wide this year ... although i do believe that cruises with lots of port days aren't the best way to enjoy a drinks package!

 

enjoy all the same

[Heidils]

We will use it next time. I kind of feel like it's like the pre-tipping thing. Just do it and not worry about it. At least you know ahead of time what you will spend.

 

Of course it's a personal decision. If you drink a fair amount it works, if not it doesn't.

[DrD]

I'm still mulling over whether to get the plan.

 

I may not strictly break even dollar wise, but there are intangibles, such as not worrying about receipts, and more importantly being able to be more adventurous with regards to trying cocktails without worrying about wasting money if it's not to one's liking.

 

If you always want the same drink it may not be worth it.

 

Food is like this on a cruise, you can try something without risk, you can always get something different.

 

I can see the benefit to doing the same with drinks.

 

But I'm still trying to decide.

[tmcollins]

I like to order a bucket of Corona while lounging by the pool, because the waiters don't come around as quickly as I can drink one.;) Can I order a bucket on the beer inclusive pass or can I only get one drink at a time?

thanks

collinsitwsntme -- I didn't do it

Freedom of the Seas May 19, 2013

[Iluvcruising2]

Think of the calories!!!

 

Well, I only have 1-2 drinks a day.

[mcdermott]

Cant speak for RCI but we had the package on NCL at Christmas and we were speaking to the officer in charge of the bars and I asked is there a cut off point t he said no. We then started to drink and we do drink we had a really great time and certainly were never over intoxicated .However I must say the NCL package was almost all wines (only 3 white wines not allowed that meant that 13 were)They had some really nice wines quite a few cosmopolitans and some beer as we left the bars the staff usually asked one more for the road we certainly had our monies worth.However we are sailing Monday on the Seranade for 14nights and we have not bought the package We have bought a wine package of 12 bottles and as we are in a suite and therefore CL we think that will be sufficient I must say I think the package is great but it is an encouragement to drink

[ollienbertsmum]

I would have say 3 beers around midday, glass of wine with lunch, 4 beers in pool bar in the evening, 2 beers in pub before dinner, 2 glasses of wines with dinner, 2 beers at the show, 4 beers in pub after the show and 2 jack daniels to finish off the night. Do you thing the drinks package would make sense for me?

 

and you don't enjoy a drink by the pool in the afternoon?

[Frankmac]

and you don't enjoy a drink by the pool in the afternoon?

 

I should point out that my drinking schedule is for holidays only.

 

When Im home I usually only have one Jack Daniels :)

[cruisegirl1976]

My hubby and I stayed away from cruising for awhile because of our bar bill. When we found out about this package, we decided to book a cruise. For us it is so worth getting the package, we can drink 6 or more per day. As one of of our friends say "We aren't driving the boat" lol;)

[slvrbllt]

If it included more than just house wine, I could see us getting it. If for no other reason than we would probably try a few more wines than we normally would.

[chellecruise12]

I like to order a bucket of Corona while lounging by the pool, because the waiters don't come around as quickly as I can drink one.;) Can I order a bucket on the beer inclusive pass or can I only get one drink at a time?

thanks

collinsitwsntme -- I didn't do it

Freedom of the Seas May 19, 2013

 

From what I have read..no buckets of beer..only 1 drink at a time.. :(

[waterbug123]

This is great package for a spring break bahama trip if you are 22. Otherwise I can't see it working.

 

Good heavens, you make it sound like anyone who has 6 drinks in a day is a sloppy drunk, but that isn't necessarily the case. Typically I will head up to the pool sometime in the late morning and have a Bloody Mary. Later in the afternoon either a couple of beers or a margarita. After a nap we usually meet friends for happy hour and have a cocktail. Then a couple of glasses wine with dinner, and a cocktail (or several, depending on how late the night goes!) later in the casino. Voila- there's your 6 drinks to make it "worth it", but spread out throughout the day and with meals, so hardly creating a situation where we are acting like 22 year olds on spring break, or not "aware of everything" as some have mentioned. Not that we never overindulge, but if one enjoys letting loose a little on vacation, it can be pretty easy to have the package end up being worth it. It helps that we rarely get off the ship these days, and on Celebrity, with the inclusion of bottled water and specialty coffees, it's a complete no brainer. YMMV

[mpoole3]

I plan on getting the package for my upcoming cruise for a few reasons:

 

1. Try new drinks I would normally not order.

2. I can budget what I'm going to spend before the cruise.

3. My pocket will be empty of receipts!

4. I will have ZERO problem having 6 drinks per day. (3 beers poolside for five-six hours, 1 glass of wine before dinner, 1 glass with dinner, 1 cocktail at the show)

5. Oh yes, and because its my birthday cruise! :D

[DrD]

I plan on getting the package for my upcoming cruise for a few reasons:

 

1. Try new drinks I would normally not order.

2. I can budget what I'm going to spend before the cruise.

3. My pocket will be empty of receipts!

4. I will have ZERO problem having 6 drinks per day. (3 beers poolside for five-six hours, 1 glass of wine before dinner, 1 glass with dinner, 1 cocktail at the show)

5. Oh yes, and because its my birthday cruise! :D

 

This is me exactly. (Except not my birthday.)

 

I figure I could buy 6 drinks per day for about $40-$45 (especially as half would be beers), so are numbers 1-3 worth the difference?

 

That's my dilemma.

 

Of course this is one of those decisions that reminds me that life does not suck.

[sgt1010]

20 drinks is a lot! That would be 140 drinks for a 7 day cruise. Are you serious? Do you think the bar staff would cut you off when they realize how much you have consumed? Your sea pass is keeping tack of the number of drinks you are consuming :eek:

 

Who gives a s&%t, he is not driving the ship is he? He is on HIS vacation and can do or drink whatever he wants. That is the problem with this world, everyione is worried about waht everyone else is doing. I think it is great that he enjoys himself and does what he wants. It is VACATION!! And if he is on EOS the week of 02/16 I will belly up to the bar with him and have a few!!

[twtudor]

Math is reasonable and could be more drinks than what you compute, but not likely less. The issue is though it is for every day.....departure day, probably not an issue as the excitement and fun is there. Maybe OK on day two. Still excited. Day three, four, five, questionable to cram all the drinks into the evening since you may be in port all day. Day six and seven...is it time to sober up yet...no you have to still have six drinks. Got to break even.

 

Sorry for sarcasm, we figured it out and being over 55 we couldn't handle it or rationalize it for every friggin day of the cruise.

 

Well then why are you on this thread? Go somewhere else!

[twtudor]

Who gives a s&%t, he is not driving the ship is he? He is on HIS vacation and can do or drink whatever he wants. That is the problem with this world, everyione is worried about waht everyone else is doing. I think it is great that he enjoys himself and does what he wants. It is VACATION!! And if he is on EOS the week of 02/16 I will belly up to the bar with him and have a few!!

 

I'm with ya!!

[dz9yvr]

Who gives a s&%t, he is not driving the ship is he? He is on HIS vacation and can do or drink whatever he wants. That is the problem with this world, everyione is worried about waht everyone else is doing. I think it is great that he enjoys himself and does what he wants. It is VACATION!! And if he is on EOS the week of 02/16 I will belly up to the bar with him and have a few!!

 

 

You sound like drunks don't bother anyone. YOU ARE WRONG. It's my vacation and I don't want to be around a bunch of drunks.

[twtudor]

I would have say 3 beers around midday, glass of wine with lunch, 4 beers in pool bar in the evening, 2 beers in pub before dinner, 2 glasses of wines with dinner, 2 beers at the show, 4 beers in pub after the show and 2 jack daniels to finish off the night. Do you thing the drinks package would make sense for me?

Love it!!

[BecciBoo]

Math is reasonable and could be more drinks than what you compute, but not likely less. The issue is though it is for every day.....departure day, probably not an issue as the excitement and fun is there. Maybe OK on day two. Still excited. Day three, four, five, questionable to cram all the drinks into the evening since you may be in port all day. Day six and seven...is it time to sober up yet...no you have to still have six drinks. Got to break even.

 

Sorry for sarcasm, we figured it out and being over 55 we couldn't handle it or rationalize it for every friggin day of the cruise.

 

I agree completely, we always taper off at end of cruise also, it would never benefit us, especially since we get all the diamond stuff available and the two bottles of wine. And keep in mind you have to buy the package for everyone in your cabin as well so make that 2 packages per couple!

Hope you guys are well up there.:D

[BecciBoo]

Who gives a s&%t, he is not driving the ship is he? He is on HIS vacation and can do or drink whatever he wants. That is the problem with this world, everyione is worried about waht everyone else is doing. I think it is great that he enjoys himself and does what he wants. It is VACATION!! And if he is on EOS the week of 02/16 I will belly up to the bar with him and have a few!!

 

I don't! But we have seen a person we met on one cruise that they did indeed cut off. She was absolutely plastered and they made her leave the Welcome Back cocktail party. I don't think they keep track on your seapass card, I just think they can tell when you don't know who you are anymore. Just sayin...:cool:

[Debde]

You sound like drunks don't bother anyone. YOU ARE WRONG. It's my vacation and I don't want to be around a bunch of drunks.

 

Well, the drink package is game on.

Going fleet wide little by little.

According to some on this thread, drunks will be everywhere.

According to you-you don't like to be around them.

 

Where will you all vacation now since Royal is becoming a drunk fest???:p