Why is Celebrity offering the free drink packages?

[monicajay]

Why is Celebrity offering the free drink packages?

 

To attract new clients. On our recent cruise we were amazed at the number of people who booked because of beverage package.

 

They will not only be 'stealing' clients from other cruise lines but trying to attract new cruisers from the folks who traditionally vac-ay at all-inclusive resorts. Again, we met many people who were trying their first cruise because their TA suggested it instead of their traditional AI.

 

We found it so much more enjoyable to hand over the card and never think or worry about the price of drinks.

[MissBreezy]

I booked our Med cruise in September and we had already been eyeing the drinks package when 1-2-3 Go! was announced.

 

I called the morning it was released and was told I would need to pay the day's price for my stateroom to get the offer. It was $400 more total for us to receive the promo.

 

We both got the classic drink package and $300 OBC, the extra $400 was WELL worth the perk considering we were more than likely going to purchase a package anyway.

 

Prices have gone up like crazy, my category is now $1,000 more than it was in November and you can now snag an oceanview for the same price we paid for our 2B balcony. Our cruise is selling very, very well though (only a small handful of 2D, 1B and 1A's are left) so I assume this has more to do with it than a perk promo.

[MR_T]

So I'm a little confused why Celebrity is offering free drink packages? It seems like it would be a costly perk to offer it's guests. Is it trying to attract a different demographic or does it really cost much less than I image to offer free alcohol? Or are other cruise lines offering drink packages and Celebrity has to keep up? Just wondering. I'm not complaining, I'll enjoy the freedom to drink what I want.

 

 

Why worry about why they offer it.... Book it... Choose it... Enjoy it...

 

 

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[Stateroom_Sailor]

We chose gratuities, likely we'll only buy 2 alcoholic drinks on the ship, and hit the cafe once a day, figure $120 max.

 

Though there is another factor other than 1. how much do the drinks cost, 2. how much in revenue are they losing that they would have made otherwise. #3, how much revenue are they gaining from those trying to justify their perk, getting tipsy, and walking around with loose wallets? They don't offer free drinks in Vegas casino's for nothing, and I'm sure the shops and specialty restaurants benefit too.

Edited March 25, 2014 by Stateroom_Sailor