Beverage alcohol package

[Schoochie3]

What are your thoughts on this? Is it worth it?

[sxphil]

Just do a search there are hundreds of posts

 

It just depends on you really

[mtsnd1900]

no. will feel compelled to drink, even on days you are in port. I have had some sizable bar tabs over the years, but never once matching or exceeding the total cost of this. my opinion - but like previous poster stated, there are hundreds of posts and discussions on this topic.

[leaveitallbehind]

That would be an individual decision. The only input I can offer would be to do some simple math. The premium drink package is $55 per day per person, and both in the stateroom have to purchase it. It is calculated on the number of nights at sea, so at $110 / day x (as example) 7 nights = $770 total. The typical drink runs from about $6 - $8?, but based on an average $7 each, for instance, that would be a total of 110 drinks during the week or about 16 per day to break even.

 

Again, only you can make the call.

[sixesandeights]

What are your thoughts on this? Is it worth it?

 

If you are a person that likes to drink, will go to the club and have late nights, will have drinks of the day, etc then I would say that is will be worth it. I have a cruise coming up in a few weeks and my wife and I have the package. For me it will reduce my overall cost (Drinks average around $8 after the 15% gratuity with some drinks being as much as $11). In addition I am going to sample all the drink that on previous cruises sounded good, but risking $10 to try was out of the question. With the package if I get a drink I dont like I will simply order something different. Here was my thinking on the cost:

 

- I like to start each morning with a Mimosa (Hair of the Dog)

- I will have several (4-6) bourbon and cokes through out the day

- I, with the package, will have a glass of wine at dinner

- One drink of the day

- 2-3 shots at the club at night.

 

As you can see with how I drink on cruises I should be WELL ahead at the end of the week. I will probably replace a few Bourbons on this trip with random drink to try new things which I would not have done on past cruises.

 

If however you typically have a few beers and maybe one drink of the day then the package will probably not pay for itself. As far as "feeling obligated to drink" I dont see that as being a problem. While on vacation I like to keep a drink in my hand. I never get completely plastered as I supplement my drinking with water and LOTS of food. Also keep in mind that the package includes soda. So if you like a soda with dinner that also reduces the number of drink you have, and with the package your waiter will have that drink waiting for you after the first day.

 

I know that was long winded, but I hope it helps you. I have a thread called the "Ultimate Drink Package Thread" where I am taking questions about specific brands/drinks being available that I will answer after I get back from my cruise if you have any more specific questions about availability.

 

Chris

[akcruz]

As others have said, it really depends on a few things such as your drinking habits as well as the itinerary you are on. If you would normally have 6 - 7 drinks in a day it probably makes sense. However, remember to factor in how many ports days you have where your time on the ship will be limited and probably reduce the number of drinks you will have.

 

On the other hand, fountain soda is also included in the package, so if you have a soda or two along with 5 or so drinks maybe again it works out for you.

 

Nobody on these boards can tell you if it is worth you, only you can. We can just give you the facts so that you can make up your own mind.

[sharpasice]

What are your thoughts on this? Is it worth it?

 

I thought of it this way.....It may well be worth it for ME..since I usually only drink top shelf liquor. BUT since it must be bought for both my hubby and I at a total of $110 per day..then it is not worth it to us since my hubby is a diabetic and may drink, at the most, one alcoholic beverage per day. Together we certainly won't be drinking $110 worth per day. I know I can try getting a Dr note so he doesn't have to buy the pkg but I'm not too sure it's worth the trouble since together we may only drink 6 drinks per day at the very most. LOL I may be sorry but I doubt it. So for us our answer is no we will not be utilizing the beverage package..UNLESS LOL, it goes on sale for a good price before our Oct Oasis cruise.

[DavyB]

Don't forget that the 15% gratuity is already included in the $55/day.

[DavyB]

Don't forget that the 15% gratuity is already included in the $55/day.

 

 

To get a more accurate count, the cost is $47.83/day + 15% gratuity = $55/day.

 

To me, it's worth it not to have to worry about what my bill will be in the end AND it will allow me to try drinks that I normally wouldn't do. If I don't like a drink, I can just order something else. :D

[April-in-NC]

When did they add in the soft drinks and not alcoholic drinks? All of a sudden this is a more attractive option for me.

 

Does the $45/day package include virgin frozen drinks? I could drink those all day and not miss the alcohol... :)

[akcruz]

When did they add in the soft drinks and not alcoholic drinks? All of a sudden this is a more attractive option for me.

 

Does the $45/day package include virgin frozen drinks? I could drink those all day and not miss the alcohol... :)

 

Here is a link to brochure from the RC Website. It states fountain soda and non alcohol cocktails are included. Note, the coke freestyle machines are NOT.

 

http://media.royalcaribbean.com/content/shared_assets/pdf/menus/beverage_package_flyer_faq.pdf

 

This is the way it has been since day 1.

[Clarea]

When did they add in the soft drinks and not alcoholic drinks? All of a sudden this is a more attractive option for me.

 

Does the $45/day package include virgin frozen drinks? I could drink those all day and not miss the alcohol... :)

According to Royal's documentation, the $45 package includes "non-alcoholic cocktails", however it does not use the word "frozen" like the $55 package.

[April-in-NC]

According to Royal's documentation, the $45 package includes "non-alcoholic cocktails", however it does not use the word "frozen" like the $55 package.

 

Thanks...

 

I'm still considering, but we have four straight port days (one being Labadee) so I'm not sure it would be worth it since I am not a heavy drinker. I can go weeks without having alcohol and be completely okay with that... lol

 

I will have $100 OBC from my Visa, which would average 1.5 drinks a day before I start getting charged. I may just go that route and get about 12 "free" drinks and not worry about it any more.

 

It would be a better deal for my BF who is a heavy beer drinker. I am "making" him get a RCI Visa to get the extra bonus points for him to also get $100 OBC.

[luvseaair]

Hi everyone. We are booked on BOS Baltic Cruise in August and will be purchasing the premium drink package. Don't know about virgin frozen cocktails as not cruised before but on the RCCL website there is information on the package and it includes both frozen non-alcoholic (presume virgin cocktail) & alcoholic cocktails. Not sure if freshly made cocktails are included though, perhaps someone can advise? Shame they don't include speciality coffees smoothies and water like Celebrity their sister company does as package price is very similar. :)

[charmay]

Hi everyone. We are booked on BOS Baltic Cruise in August and will be purchasing the premium drink package. Don't know about virgin frozen cocktails as not cruised before but on the RCCL website there is information on the package and it includes both frozen non-alcoholic (presume virgin cocktail) & alcoholic cocktails. Not sure if freshly made cocktails are included though, perhaps someone can advise? Shame they don't include speciality coffees smoothies and water like Celebrity their sister company does as package price is very similar. :)

From what I have heard basically any drink you want you can get.all cocktails ,martinis,sparkling wine.

There's a black and White list on another thread somewhere.

There loads of good quality spirits etc.

 

Apart from specialty coffees.

Very high end top shelf

A couple of expensive beers.

Can't wait to try all the cocktails and martinis!

And only get house wine Inc.

[Frankmac]

There is a recent thread where it is repoted by the OP that he only had to purchase the pacgage for himself when he explained that his wife was not a big drinker.

[princessbarton]

We just got off Oasis last Saturday. My DH and I had been going back and forth about whether or not to get the Premuim Package. He drinks Scotch and I typically drink Crown. Once onboard, we decided to go for it and are very happy that we did. I will say that we are not heavy drinkers, but over the course of a day we probably had 8-9 each from mimosas at breakfast til we would leave the casino in the wee hours of the morning. We travelled with my MIL, DD and her boyfriend (they were in another cabin) and they did not get the package but instead paid by the drink. They averaged proabably 1-2 a day each so it wouldn't have been worth it for them.

 

The only issue that we ever had in ordering was that one bartender in the casino told me (on the last night) that I couldn't have a double Crown and Diet. He said that I would have to pay for the 'extra shot'. I told him that I had been drinking doubles all week (in all of the venues) and had never been told I had to pay. In fact, our drink server at dinner (MDR) asked us on the first night what we wanted to drink, we both ordered doubles and she had them waiting for us every night before we sat down after then. FYI - She got a generous tip at the end of the week and the casino bartender got to remake my drink and waste the double that he tried to charge me for :)

 

I was unhappy that they would not let me purchase the 'freestyle machine' cup that they give to the soda card people. I am willing to pay a few extra bucks to get the cup but they refused saying that I would have to purchase the soda package to get it. This irritated me because I already had unlimited sodas with my Premium Package and didn't really want to shell out an additional $50 just for the cup.

 

We never felt like we had to drink a lot just to get our money's worth. We were never drunk and we got to try a lot of drinks that we normally wouldn't have. For us, it was totally worth it and we have already decided that we will purchase it again on our next cruise. Not having to worry about what you are spending and never having to sign a receipt was completely worth it. I'm guessing that DH and I broke even or maybe did a little better, but the convenience is what will make me purchase it again.

 

Overall - as others have stated, it really is a personal and individual choice.

[ULCajunCruiser]

If you are a person that likes to drink, will go to the club and have late nights, will have drinks of the day, etc then I would say that is will be worth it. I have a cruise coming up in a few weeks and my wife and I have the package. For me it will reduce my overall cost (Drinks average around $8 after the 15% gratuity with some drinks being as much as $11). In addition I am going to sample all the drink that on previous cruises sounded good, but risking $10 to try was out of the question. With the package if I get a drink I dont like I will simply order something different. Here was my thinking on the cost:

 

- I like to start each morning with a Mimosa (Hair of the Dog)

- I will have several (4-6) bourbon and cokes through out the day

- I, with the package, will have a glass of wine at dinner

- One drink of the day

- 2-3 shots at the club at night.

 

As you can see with how I drink on cruises I should be WELL ahead at the end of the week. I will probably replace a few Bourbons on this trip with random drink to try new things which I would not have done on past cruises.

 

If however you typically have a few beers and maybe one drink of the day then the package will probably not pay for itself. As far as "feeling obligated to drink" I dont see that as being a problem. While on vacation I like to keep a drink in my hand. I never get completely plastered as I supplement my drinking with water and LOTS of food. Also keep in mind that the package includes soda. So if you like a soda with dinner that also reduces the number of drink you have, and with the package your waiter will have that drink waiting for you after the first day.

 

I know that was long winded, but I hope it helps you. I have a thread called the "Ultimate Drink Package Thread" where I am taking questions about specific brands/drinks being available that I will answer after I get back from my cruise if you have any more specific questions about availability.

 

Chris

 

Sorry I quoted the longest reply here, but the dude hit the nail on the head. :p We'll be on the Serenade OTS in Dec and have already bought the premium package. I figured a Bloody Mary in the morning, few beers scattered through the day, a couple of DOD's or BBC's :D, a glass of wine with dinner (I'm not real particular about my wine, pour it, I'll drink it! Sue me!!) Finish out the day with a couple of Crown Royals, sprinkle in some sodas, and a shot or 2 and I'll save enough money to make my deposit on my next cruise!! :eek:

 

Now is this more than the normal drinker??? Perhaps, but for this Ragin Cajun its a typical day ;)

 

So like Chris says, its up to you and what you normally do. But I see it as a great deal!!!!

[wannacruisemore]

We were on Celebrity last month, at 55.00 a day for the premium package it included bottled water, cans of soda and speciality coffee. RC is also the same price, but only offering fountain soda! I figured they would be the same!

[MommaBear55]

I am just off a 9 day repositioning on the Grandeur of the Seas and am pleased to report that there was no noticeable increase in rowdy drunken behavior with the new drinks package. I was worried that the new policy would create a different atmosphere and it did not! DH and I are wine with dinner drinkers and we spent an additional $100 or so on alcoholic beverages so we didn't buy a package ourselves.

[Frankmac]

We were on Celebrity last month, at 55.00 a day for the premium package it included bottled water, cans of soda and speciality coffee. RC is also the same price, but only offering fountain soda! I figured they would be the same!

 

I believe Celebrity's $55 package does not include the gratuity.

[harps7]

My question as to purchase or not was answered quite quickly when I saw the price of the wine on board . Generally my wife and I will drink a bottle of wine with dinner , the cheapest being $35 plus grat. , if I add a beer to start , then I have already covered the cost of the package for one of us . The benefit is then obtained for the rest of the day . I also prefer to have all costs covered prior to departure , last year at Club Med our total cost at the the end of a week was $35 for a photo .

[Frankmac]

Harps7 I see where you're coming from, but can I suggest that if your bottle of wine with dinner is important to you, you would need to check out the house wines that are available on the drinks package.

 

I dont think they stretch to $40 a bottle

[Marie&jake]

We are discussing if this option would be worth our while or not....

 

Could we take our previous 'freestyle machine' cups that we have bought and use them throughout the day rather than the glasses/plastic cups you are given around the pool?

 

I understand that we will not be able to use the actual machine as the chip will not be activated.

 

Also as I cant remember are there water fountains around to get cold drinking water from throughout the day.

[sixesandeights]

We are discussing if this option would be worth our while or not....

 

Could we take our previous 'freestyle machine' cups that we have bought and use them throughout the day rather than the glasses/plastic cups you are given around the pool?

 

I understand that we will not be able to use the actual machine as the chip will not be activated.

 

Also as I cant remember are there water fountains around to get cold drinking water from throughout the day.

 

Not sure about water fountains, I would assume these has to be, but you can always go to a bar and ask for a glass of ice water for no charge. There are bars all over, so finding water should not be a problem.