Drink Package-how did you like it?

[AeroBaldness]

I think I met the $55/day challenge, or at least came close. That was good enough for me and I'd do it again. Although what I WOULDN'T do again is drink Long Island Iced Teas the first day...after getting up at 3am for traveling, boarding at 12:00, indulging right away w/LIIT's, I was LIT by muster and missed it. Well, I was there but missed it, if you catch my drift :o

 

And I had to sign for every drink, except twice when I asked for water only. So the person that mentioned the convenience of not having to sign? Not so.

 

Funny, I had an "extra" long island at the pool on The Quest day that set me up for a long evening. I was politely accused of being overly enthusiastic. My enthusiasm helped get us a silver medal and me the need to not have breakfast on day 7. :cool: I had to sign about 50% of the time and it always seemed like it was when they we fishing for an extra tip.

[skyking]

We had no problems paying the difference for a glass of wine over 12.00 nor did we have any problems ordering shots of patron in blaze.

[KarinaGW]

I'm debating about getting the $55 a day drink package. It sounds so convenient no signing, no hauling water & soda on board. Not sure if I would spend $55 a day. Would be interested in hearing about your experience. And can you use it on a coffee liquor after dinner drink?

 

 

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I loved it. With my pattern of consumption, it absolutely worked for me. DH has decided not to get it this time...unless he changes his mind. He's been waffling for weeks...mainly because I am a night owl and stay up at least 3 hours later than he.

[UFMOM]

Just off Grandeur and we could get cordials and also did a few lemon drops as well. Most drinks can be had neat, like Gand Marnier, Sambuca (with coffee beans) and top shelf bourbons like Bookers, Basil Hayden & Makers Mark (which, mixed with Ginger Ale cured me of so mild sea sickness in high seas). Where I did find confusion, was with Patron. Early in the cruise I was able to get the Patron (Silver) perfect margarita as it was less than $10.00. By day 3, I was told throughout the ship that Patron of any variety was not included. For the most part, I did not feel service suffered. In fact, I gave one of our WOW cards and a substantial additional tip to one of the bartenders (in the Solarium). Our dining room drink server also got an extra tip as well for remembering our order each night and making a b-line to us as soon as we sat down. In the end, I think it was totally worth it and my wife and I enjoyed the package completely (and, we felt we at least broke even).

 

I can't imagine why a certain drink would be excluded if it was under the price point. I kind of knew the 2 oz. Vintages pours being included would be too good to be true.:rolleyes: Seems like a lot of different experiences here with the packages. In the FAQ section on the Royal website it says cocktails above the 10.00 price will only be charged the difference, but says nothing about wine above 12.00. That is probably not a good sign for the wine being the same. I think my best course before I buy, will be to call Royal and get some clarification and have them email me the answers so I have a hard copy to bring with me.

 

Mary Ann

[kittykitty576]

I loved it. With my pattern of consumption, it absolutely worked for me. DH has decided not to get it this time...unless he changes his mind. He's been waffling for weeks...mainly because I am a night owl and stay up at least 3 hours later than he.

 

:confused: So… can people in a single room be on DIFFERENT drink packages? Meaning… I don't drink a lot (no package for me), but think that my BF would benefit from a drink package;)

 

THANKS!

Edited April 28, 2014 by kittykitty576
missed a point

[Clarea]

:confused: So… can people in a single room be on DIFFERENT drink packages? Meaning… I don't drink a lot (no package for me), but think that my BF would benefit from a drink package;)

 

THANKS!

Yes, people in the same stateroom can have two different packages.

[readytolose]

:confused: So… can people in a single room be on DIFFERENT drink packages? Meaning… I don't drink a lot (no package for me), but think that my BF would benefit from a drink package;)

 

THANKS!

 

Yes, he can get a package without you getting one!

 

Also, I've read many reviews that stated they had no problems getting shots or the after dinner shots. Most stated they were technically not supposed to keep the shot glass but many were allowed to.

[beerman2]

Ref post 73

 

Not sure why we need to care what the CDC or USDA has to say about how we lead our lives.

 

Also if you've never tried coffee with Baileys in the morning you might want to. IT can be used anytime of the day morning, noon, night.

[beerman2]

Oops post 30

 

73 was the number of posts from gordiej.

[CruiseAddict1982]

I'm debating about getting the $55 a day drink package. It sounds so convenient no signing, no hauling water & soda on board. Not sure if I would spend $55 a day. Would be interested in hearing about your experience. And can you use it on a coffee liquor after dinner drink?

 

 

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5 cocktail drinks over the course of the day and a couple of waters and you're already ahead.

 

 

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[jules815]

5 cocktail drinks over the course of the day and a couple of waters and you're already ahead.

 

 

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This is exactly why we're getting it. It would be easy to do 5-6 spread out throughout the course of the day. Add bottled waters, specialty coffees, the fresh squeezed oj and smoothies. Plus, now we won't be getting the wine package we normally would purchase. (I know the beverage package is for wine by the glass, but we're perfectly fine with that too.)

 

Question about the bottled waters. Do you get the bottled water from bartenders? Does this include the water they sometimes have when you're leaving ship on port day?

 

Does it also include sparkling water (Perrier and Pellagrino?) at bars or at dining venues?

 

Would it cover wines by the glass in Vintages?

Edited April 28, 2014 by jules815

[ratpackx5]

I have a question. My wife and I are thinking of doing the drink package on our cruise this summer. Is there a limit to how many drinks you can get within a certain time? I notice it allows for virgin drinks as well, so while at the pool, we would like to mix in a few of those, just to keep the alcohol levels at a tolerable level. ;) So If I get a mixed drink and then go back about 10 minutes later, can I get another or do they track how many you have and cut you off? Also, if I get the drink of the day with the souvenir glass, how much extra is that drink?

[Clarea]

I have a question. My wife and I are thinking of doing the drink package on our cruise this summer. Is there a limit to how many drinks you can get within a certain time? I notice it allows for virgin drinks as well, so while at the pool, we would like to mix in a few of those, just to keep the alcohol levels at a tolerable level. ;) So If I get a mixed drink and then go back about 10 minutes later, can I get another or do they track how many you have and cut you off? Also, if I get the drink of the day with the souvenir glass, how much extra is that drink?

No limits or minimum times between drinks, so far. Don't know the cost of the souvenir glass.

Edited April 28, 2014 by clarea

[TheGaDawgFan]

The water as you exit the ship is not included.

 

We always got ours from the bartenders in advance.

 

 

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[ratpackx5]

No limits or minimum times between drinks, so far. Don't know the cost of the souvenir glass.

 

If there is no limit and no minimum time frame between drinks, what stops people from sharing? My wife and I both plan to get the package as it will still save us money, but I can see it being tempting to just buy one.

[moakes]

Think about it this way, if the average drink costs 8.50, tip would bring it up to around 10. Have a couple of cocktails over the course of the day, maybe throw in a beer and a couple sodas and you'll hit your $55.

It feels like a lot to me, but when I do the math I know I'll end up ahead by buying it.

 

Totally worth it for us… using the same math as above we looked at it this way:

 

For 2 people: $770 (7 day cruise $55pp)

On previous cruises we would get the wine package (7 bottles: 1 per night/4glasses per bottle/2glasses per person)- subtract that out - $253 ($220 + 15%) = $517

 

$517 total for 7 nights = $74per day after wine.

@Avg cost $8.50 = 8.7 drinks OR 4.3 drinks per person

 

If you have a drink in the am, a drink in the afternoon, a pre-dinner drink and a drink at a show and throw in a bottle of water or two (which is included in the package) you hit your average. I know we hit the average and then some! There is also the "freedom" factor from not counting how much your spending on a per drink basis.

 

It's your vacation…relax and enjoy

[moakes]

If there is no limit and no minimum time frame between drinks, what stops people from sharing? My wife and I both plan to get the package as it will still save us money, but I can see it being tempting to just buy one.

 

They will only serve one drink at a time per package…Though you can get a bottle of water along with your cocktail/beer. Don't think there is a time limit, but you would need to go to another bar.

 

I'm sure there are "friendly bartenders" out there that circumvent the one at a time restriction but abuse of the program will result in either the packages going away or the costs going up, so…

[CruiseAddict1982]

Totally worth it for us… using the same math as above we looked at it this way:

 

 

 

For 2 people: $770 (7 day cruise $55pp)

 

On previous cruises we would get the wine package (7 bottles: 1 per night/4glasses per bottle/2glasses per person)- subtract that out - $253 ($220 + 15%) = $517

 

 

 

$517 total for 7 nights = $74per day after wine.

 

@Avg cost $8.50 = 8.7 drinks OR 4.3 drinks per person

 

 

 

If you have a drink in the am, a drink in the afternoon, a pre-dinner drink and a drink at a show and throw in a bottle of water or two (which is included in the package) you hit your average. I know we hit the average and then some! There is also the "freedom" factor from not counting how much your spending on a per drink basis.

 

 

 

It's your vacation…relax and enjoy

 

 

And u can try different drinks you've never had before and if you don't like them it doesn't matter. No harm no foul.

 

 

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[hansolosmom]

They will only serve one drink at a time per package…Though you can get a bottle of water along with your cocktail/beer. Don't think there is a time limit, but you would need to go to another bar.

 

I'm sure there are "friendly bartenders" out there that circumvent the one at a time restriction but abuse of the program will result in either the packages going away or the costs going up, so…

 

Not always true. We were on Granduer 2 weeks ago and it was either/or on the drink/ water bottle. They wouldn't give you both at once.

[moakes]

Not always true. We were on Granduer 2 weeks ago and it was either/or on the drink/ water bottle. They wouldn't give you both at once.

 

Might be a ship v ship issue…On Allure we didn't have an issue at any of the bars getting water with a drink. In fact the Boardwalk bartender asked if we wanted a bottle of water after I ordered a vodka 7.

 

Lack of consistency…not surprising.

[yolanda1]

It depends on how much you drink. We bought the premium package once and never have since. We just don't drink to the break even level, especially on port intensive cruises. Our bar bills are always far less than the package price, so wouldn't consider it again, unless we weren't getting off the ship! :D

[mamamoes]

Looks like there is a pub on the Allure....would beer from the pub be included in the $55/day package? My hubby loves good beer!

[raceboat]

We had the premium package for 2 [$770.08} We still had to sign slips, and it was worst when i went with my wifes seapass and mine to get 2 drinks, I had 4 pieces of paper in front of me at a crowded bar, 2 for inventory, 2 for guests to sign .In the casino a bartender just gave me my card back 1 time, no papers.

we did not use it to the fullest, and i always had a beer in my hand, House wins.

Thats a lot of alcohol for a week. Next time pay as we go.

[Clarea]

Looks like there is a pub on the Allure....would beer from the pub be included in the $55/day package? My hubby loves good beer!

Yes, most beers from the pub are included in the Premium package. However, there are a few beers on the menu that are not included.

[krazy4kruisin]

So is it unlimited per person per day? I was concerned if we got bottled water that would knock out a couple of drinks for us per day….