prem liquor price increase

[ORV]

I STILL don't understand why drinks on-board are so very expensive! The booze is bought tax-free - no consumption in ports where bars are closed - and in great quantities' date=' thus lowering the cost per bottle, which should bring prices lower than at stateside quality restaurants, not at the same price points!

 

Can anyone explain??[/quote']

 

I have yet to be on a cruise that the bars were closed in ports, the shops yes, the bars no.

[wripro]

I'm sure the prices will continue to rise according to the comsumption of the included alcohol. The more people drink on these packages the higher the prices will go.

[Lemailu]

I agree with most of what is being said here. This is my first Oceania cruise (and actually second cruise, the previous one being on a French boat - being French, and wine was included at dinner only). What I don't like is - I booked very very early because I absolutely wanted to be on board for our 40th wedding anniversary and ever since then I notice Oceania sends brochures with my cruise 50% off, prices of packages increase, I read about some type of "upgrade" you can buy onboard at US$ 150 from a B cabin to a Concierge level (which I booked, paid for very early in advance etc.).

I agree to "pay the price" but I don't like to feel cheated. The cruise will have to be real good or I will look for another company for my next cruise.

[rallydave]

I agree with most of what is being said here. This is my first Oceania cruise (and actually second cruise, the previous one being on a French boat - being French, and wine was included at dinner only). What I don't like is - I booked very very early because I absolutely wanted to be on board for our 40th wedding anniversary and ever since then I notice Oceania sends brochures with my cruise 50% off, prices of packages increase, I read about some type of "upgrade" you can buy onboard at US$ 150 from a B cabin to a Concierge level (which I booked, paid for very early in advance etc.).

I agree to "pay the price" but I don't like to feel cheated. The cruise will have to be real good or I will look for another company for my next cruise.

 

No issues with your last sentence Lemailu but, a few clarifications to points in your message. The 50% off is a marketing ploy and something that everyone gets. No one pays the full price shown and it is simply put into the advertising as a psychological marketing ploy to make people think they are getting a bargain and, the brochures will continue as Oceania attempts to fill the ships.

 

As to the $150 upgrade to a Concierge level cabin, that is NOT a standard item or something that you can expect. Oceania makes all types of offers as necessary to help fill the ships and they vary from none to many on any particular cruise depending on many factors known only to the company. Have to believe the $150 is an aberration that you probably won't see on your cruise. Sometimes people even get free upgrades so don't be concerned with that. Best to let your TA know that you are interested in an upgrade and see what comes before your cruise.

 

Your cruise will be good, it is Oceania's home office and poor home office management that has so many issues, if you can put that behind you, the onboard experience will be wonderful.

[Hawaiidan]

I agree many of the complaints are based on false premise, Getting 50% off...everybody get that.. go check what you paid and compare it to what is being charged.. I think it will be the same un less your travel agent is ripping you off big time The fare I paid 6 months ago is still the fare today. I have never seen Oceania do last minute discounts. they treat everyone fairly and equally

Also there is no automatic up-grade for anything for $150. Up grades are sporadic and not all that common. You might get an offer to move up to a penthouse , or you might not.

 

The advantage of booking early is you get the pick of the ships cabins, and get to pick the ideal one. Later bookings do not get that.

 

Finally it is a shure way to frustration to always be looking over your shoulder to see what the other guy paid. If you did that you would never ever fly on airlines because everyone, almost paid different fares.

 

You picked the cabin and price that was pleasing to you did you not? Whats to complain about if you were happy then?

[Kissing Seahorses]

I STILL don't understand why drinks on-board are so very expensive! The booze is bought tax-free - no consumption in ports where bars are closed - and in great quantities' date=' thus lowering the cost per bottle, which should bring prices lower than at stateside quality restaurants, not at the same price points!

 

Can anyone explain??[/quote']

 

The bars are not closed in ports, the shops and casino are closed but bars remain open when in port, they may have restricted daytime hours but is more due to the smaller number of people on board than anything else.

[S O B]

Ah, what the heck. I'll pay the extra $5 a day. But now I think I'll have one more drink each day.

[LaCroisiereS'amuse]

Ah, what the heck. I'll pay the extra $5 a day. But now I think I'll have one more drink each day.

 

:D Same here! One poster has already branded us "alcoholics", one one more won't make any difference ;)

 

[PS Caledonia]

:D Same here! One poster has already branded us "alcoholics"' date=' one one more won't make any difference ;)

 

[img']http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-p9beQ8_ySH8/TdRblGxNChI/AAAAAAAAC58/Qr0s4YC0BrI/s1600/Patsy%2BStone.bmp[/img]

Patsy!!! How fabulous....

 

Make mine a "Stolly-Bolly" (or as it will be the Premium drinks package), a "Perry-Bolly"..

 

I'll give the iced tea a miss though, urghhhhh.... nasty stuff.

 

:D:D

[Hambagahle]

I really do not think it appropriate for a poster to call people who enjoy a drink from time to time "alcoholics". Any more than it would be appropriate to criticise people who have second helpings from a buffet as "fatties". What one person likes, another doesn't and one should leave it at that!!

 

The announcement that the premium beverage package would go to $59.95/day was made before our January 2013 cruise. We had already bought it at $55/day and that is what we paid. We feel we had very good value. We are Europeans, we like a glass or two of wine with our meals (lunch and dinner, not breakfast!) and we were offered a great choice of wines by the glass. But above all we do not like the feeling of being - as you Americans say - "nickled and dimed" so not having to think about what a Calvados after dinner would add to our bill is perfect for us...

 

But alcoholics - we are not! RallyDave can attest to that!!! Let's keep the name calling away from CC!!

[PS Caledonia]

I really do not think it appropriate for a poster to call people who enjoy a drink from time to time "alcoholics". Any more than it would be appropriate to criticise people who have second helpings from a buffet as "fatties". What one person likes, another doesn't and one should leave it at that!!

 

The announcement that the premium beverage package would go to $59.95/day was made before our January 2013 cruise. We had already bought it at $55/day and that is what we paid. We feel we had very good value. We are Europeans, we like a glass or two of wine with our meals (lunch and dinner, not breakfast!) and we were offered a great choice of wines by the glass. But above all we do not like the feeling of being - as you Americans say - "nickled and dimed" so not having to think about what a Calvados after dinner would add to our bill is perfect for us...

 

But alcoholics - we are not! RallyDave can attest to that!!! Let's keep the name calling away from CC!!

 

Despite my jovial post above, I could not agree more with these comments, especially with regard to the after dinner Calvados.

 

Thank you!

[ronrick1943]

The drink package as was increased sometime ago, so I don't think they will be giving the old price. But it's still a very good deal.

Rick

[NC&KY]

The announcement that the premium beverage package would go to $59.95/day was made before our January 2013 cruise. We had already bought it at $55/day and that is what we paid.

So that I understand, the price if you had waited until the cruise would have been $59.95, but you had already purchased for $55, and they honored that price and did not make you pay the increased price?

[JimandStan]

So that I understand, the price if you had waited until the cruise would have been $59.95, but you had already purchased for $55, and they honored that price and did not make you pay the increased price?

 

Yes, that is the way that it works.

 

If one buys the Beverage Package in advance, they are protected from future price increases because payment is required at the time of purchase.

[NC&KY]

Yes, that is the way that it works.

 

If one buys the Beverage Package in advance, they are protected from future price increases because payment is required at the time of purchase.

Good to know for future reference. Thanks.

[emairs]

Yes, that is the way that it works.

 

If one buys the Beverage Package in advance, they are protected from future price increases because payment is required at the time of purchase.

 

My TA was able to get the Beverage Package yesterday, at the old price, for my daughter's honeymoon cruise next March.

 

It has been added to the cost of the cruise, and payment isn't required until final payment.

[MimsandMarkie]

I JUST purchased the Premium drink package today and the price is still $54.95.

[JimandStan]

My TA was able to get the Beverage Package yesterday, at the old price, for my daughter's honeymoon cruise next March.

 

It has been added to the cost of the cruise, and payment isn't required until final payment.

 

You are absolutely correct, Oceania has apparently recently revised the procedure.

Thank you, as we saved a nice chunk of change on our May Transatlantic! :D

[TERRIER1]

You are absolutely correct, Oceania has apparently recently revised the procedure.

Thank you, as we saved a nice chunk of change on our May Transatlantic! :D

 

Kudos to Oceania.

[Hawaiidan]

You are absolutely correct, Oceania has apparently recently revised the procedure.

Thank you, as we saved a nice chunk of change on our May Transatlantic! :D

 

 

Thats good for your 16 day... me I am on a 33 day !!! we are talking almost $400 difference for 2!

I love those that classify any one who drinks as an alcoholic... In fact I will drink to it...Grey Goose please

[ronrick1943]

Isn't $54.95 the new price?

[vaitape]

Isn't $54.95 the new price?

 

Nope! It's now $59.95. Hopefully it won't be raised again before the end of the year.

[corpkid]

I love those that classify any one who drinks as an alcoholic... In fact I will drink to it...Grey Goose please

 

I'll have one too, please... Apparently we are one cruise away from the Betty Ford clinic! Jeez - lighten up there! WE ARE ON VACATION! Quite a myopic statement if you ask me, but don't, because I'm totally wasted right now on Grey Goose and fresh squeezed grapefruit juice from my tree out back (which is probably ALSO an alcoholic - it's contagious you know).

 

[JimandStan]

Nope! It's now $59.95. Hopefully it won't be raised again before the end of the year.

 

Nope, we booked the Prestige Package at the PRESENT PRICE of $54.95. :D

[corpkid]

Nope, we booked the Prestige Package at the PRESENT PRICE of $54.95. :D

 

Still $55 for me too, and I just booked it for our Baltic cruise next week. :D