Onboard Eclipse Now. Big cutback in Classic Package Inclusions!

[20pluscruises]

Am I on candid camera? I know this must be a joke. Now imagine 2000 people doing this every time they want to try a different drink. How about if you are like most of us and don't know the name of every drink. Here's the way that conversation goes.

 

Guest What drinks do you have and what is the price of each?

 

Bartender Call Security!

 

People would be killing each other at the bars. How about if we totally do away with the daily paper which "spoon feeds" people all the available activities and have everyone stand in line at Guest Relations to interact with the staff and find out what activities are available? Or maybe do away with menus at dinner and have the waiters recite everything available on the menu at every table. What was that third thing you said waiter? Really, is this Allen Funt?

 

By the way, we interact with staff all the time. We have had waiters visit us at our home. Also, I know what rocket science is since I used to design them.

 

Perfect!

[jamesporritt]

Out of interest with the beverage packages is there a minimum return time and a strict proviso of one drink per package per bar visit? What if you want a soft drink (say you're really thirsty) prior to tackling your cocktail?

 

 

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[InnerChild]

Last Spring aboard the Reflection I ordered a cocktail from the pool bar that was so bitter I could not drink it. Instead of waiting in the line again at the same bar, I went upstairs to the Mast Bar to get something I was more familiar with. Later that night I noticed a charge for the second drink. Apparently it was too close (in time) to the previous drink so the computer automatically charges me the going rate instead of it showing as part of my drink package. Guest relations took care of it for me, but I was careful after that to make sure there was time between orders.

I have read other posts that say that you need to fully consume your first order (even if it is soda) prior to the staff getting you a second beverage.

HTH

 

 

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[Lsimon]

Out of interest with the beverage packages is there a minimum return time and a strict proviso of one drink per package per bar visit? What if you want a soft drink (say you're really thirsty) prior to tackling your cocktail?

 

 

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While there is a lot of discussion on this forum about needing time between orders I'm not sure if it is speculation or an actual policy. The basic rule is that you cannot order two drinks at once for one package holder.

 

We've found reasonable exceptions to this so I think the waiters do have some leeway. Exceptions are typically complimentary items. Bottled water and wine both at dinner. Coffee and juice at breakfast and so-on.

 

Note that if you are ever headed to a bar to pick up drinks for two people they'll let you have two beverages if you present both cards if you both have a package.

[bobsfamily]

While there is a lot of discussion on this forum about needing time between orders I'm not sure if it is speculation or an actual policy. The basic rule is that you cannot order two drinks at once for one package holder.

I seem to remember on our last cruise that the time limit was 5 minutes... although it varied and rarely was it enforced in the casino.

[Pushka]

As long as you don't abuse it by buying drinks for others I'm pretty sure there is a lot of flexibility. Eg juice and coffee. Drink and water etc.

[Lsimon]

I seem to remember on our last cruise that the time limit was 5 minutes... although it varied and rarely was it enforced in the casino.

 

How did you know about a time limit? Was there a notice some place on board?

[chamima]

I've often ordered a bottle of Pellegrino along with my (alcoholic) drink and never had a problem. (At least so far).

[cle-guy]

Last Spring aboard the Reflection I ordered a cocktail from the pool bar that was so bitter I could not drink it. Instead of waiting in the line again at the same bar, I went upstairs to the Mast Bar to get something I was more familiar with. Later that night I noticed a charge for the second drink. Apparently it was too close (in time) to the previous drink so the computer automatically charges me the going rate instead of it showing as part of my drink package. Guest relations took care of it for me, but I was careful after that to make sure there was time between orders.

I have read other posts that say that you need to fully consume your first order (even if it is soda) prior to the staff getting you a second beverage.

HTH

 

Their computer systems are not this sophisticatd. It was just an error by the bar staff.

 

They have to first input your drink package or tell the cash register you have none. if your package erases off your card it's hard for them to tell and they ring as cash in error. The swipe of seapass card only inputs your folio number, and from there they have to "look up" your package if they see none or want to investigate, the simple swipe of card doesn't tell the POS what package you have and let the computer determine to charge or not, staff have to enter that detail.

 

Watch as they ring sales into the POS at the Ensemble bar on S class and you will see (the POS here faces out to seating, so I was watching one afternoon).

 

You should have received a slip to sign if there was any amount billed to you....

 

Because of there disappearing ink on the cards, I'm an advocate of getting the stickers affixed, that way staff can easily tell, versus the disappearing PALL or CALL in small letters on your sea pass card.

[QE2_Fan]

As long as you don't abuse it by buying drinks for others I'm pretty sure there is a lot of flexibility. Eg juice and coffee. Drink and water etc.

 

 

Correct. We ordered water with wine, juice with coffee etc and never had an issue buying both together. Indeed even at our favorite bars had no issue ordering two cocktails with one card...we both had premium packages but once they get to know you all is good [emoji6].

 

 

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[wildescapade]

People would be really smart to start boycotting these drink packages! All the cruise lines are making a ton of money off stuff like this. I would never pay for it and wouldn't want it if it was free. My bar bill, coffee bill, water bill would NEVER be more than $50 per day for two people! If the cruise has a lot of port stops, you aren't even on the ship to drink anything! Any cruise line has a lot of nerve restricting what drinks you can have..imho

[QE2_Fan]

People would be really smart to start boycotting these drink packages! All the cruise lines are making a ton of money off stuff like this. I would never pay for it and wouldn't want it if it was free. My bar bill, coffee bill, water bill would NEVER be more than $50 per day for two people! If the cruise has a lot of port stops, you aren't even on the ship to drink anything! Any cruise line has a lot of nerve restricting what drinks you can have..imho

 

 

Sounds like in your case a package would indeed be a waste of money. Or choice of perk. But for many of us it offers excellent value for money along with other benefits (like not having to budget for a potentially large bar tab at the end of the cruise)

To me if I got it as a perk, I can suck it up and make the limited selection work for me...or as I have done...upgrade via small supplement to the premium package and remove such limitations. Either way is a win win, but each to their own.

 

So I will not be boycotting them anytime soon. We are all free to choose to have a drink package. They are not mandatory [emoji12]

 

 

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Edited January 20, 2015 by QE2_Fan

[Cruise Junky]

People would be really smart to start boycotting these drink packages! All the cruise lines are making a ton of money off stuff like this. I would never pay for it and wouldn't want it if it was free. My bar bill, coffee bill, water bill would NEVER be more than $50 per day for two people! If the cruise has a lot of port stops, you aren't even on the ship to drink anything! Any cruise line has a lot of nerve restricting what drinks you can have..imho

 

So don't buy a package. Easy fix. If your bill is never over $50 then they're obviously not for you.

[lectric1]

Is there a way to print this info about Celebrity Drink package? We have paid for this with our fees and hate to be hoodwinked.

 

:eek:

[kevinyork]

Is there a way to print this info about Celebrity Drink package? We have paid for this with our fees and hate to be hoodwinked.

 

 

 

:eek:

 

 

Here are the classic lists. Hope this helps.

 

 

 

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[suizas]

No mojoito on the classic list?.

 

 

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[Gordoncruickshank]

Here are the classic lists. Hope this helps.

 

 

 

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Is that from a cruise ex Southampton. The pricing looks like it must include the 15%? Sorry just noticed the bit on the right hand side which says it is.

 

It is probably worth pointing out that the per drink price limit on other cruises is $9 for wine, $8 for spirits/mixed drinks and $6 for beer on non UK sailings

Edited January 20, 2015 by Gordoncruickshank

[vulcan1971]

Am I on candid camera? I know this must be a joke. Now imagine 2000 people doing this every time they want to try a different drink. How about if you are like most of us and don't know the name of every drink. Here's the way that conversation goes.

 

Guest What drinks do you have and what is the price of each?

 

Bartender Call Security!

 

People would be killing each other at the bars. How about if we totally do away with the daily paper which "spoon feeds" people all the available activities and have everyone stand in line at Guest Relations to interact with the staff and find out what activities are available? Or maybe do away with menus at dinner and have the waiters recite everything available on the menu at every table. What was that third thing you said waiter? Really, is this Allen Funt?

 

By the way, we interact with staff all the time. We have had waiters visit us at our home. Also, I know what rocket science is since I used to design them.

 

Just getting back around to this thread and saw your comment and quote of my post. It appears others have taken what you wrote with a laugh, and I will assume nothing more was meant or intended from it than maybe a laugh at my expense.

 

I will say that when I wrote what I wrote, it did "exaggerate" a bit how any typical interaction could go, but was intended to be a light-hearted example of how easy it is to get information on drinks and pricing without a much hassle or worry.

 

If you were "offended" by my use of "rocket science", then feel free to insert/substitute another common analogy (e.g., brain surgery, etc) that doesn't prickle your sensibilities.

[vulcan1971]

No need to even include this step, since you're only concerned about the package. And it potentially adds time if it's obscure or they're new and they need to check the specific price.

 

Just jump right on to ask whether it's included in the package.

 

The_Big_M -

 

When I created my generic example, I did so with the idea in mind that I don't know which bevvy package an individual has. I don't know if they have the Classic and kept it... or maybe they upgraded.... or maybe even started with Premium. And since you are not able to "pay the difference" with the Classic Package, it is important to know what the actual "price" will be when making the decision to choose that drink or a different one covered by the package. Also, this helps people realize, by knowing the price, whether it makes sense to upgrade sooner/later depending on how many times this comes up.

[vulcan1971]

Isn't this a community board where questions can be asked. Discussions can be had. Insight can be achieved?

 

In the spirit of following the rules of this forum, I decided to erase my previous comment that I typed out.

 

Maybe you could be so kind as to elaborate on how my post that you quoted did anything to the contrary of your comment.

[cle-guy]

Am I on candid camera? I know this must be a joke. Now imagine 2000 people doing this every time they want to try a different drink. How about if you are like most of us and don't know the name of every drink. Here's the way that conversation goes.

 

Guest What drinks do you have and what is the price of each?

 

Bartender Call Security!

 

This isn't how people order drinks. Most have a drink in mind they want, so they simply say "I'd like a gin and tonic, How much and is it in my package?" After first interaction, they know for balance of cruise and wont have to ask the question again.

 

Truth be told majority of people could care less and will get whatever they want and not be so concerned about the price, you've paid to sail on a luxurious ship, on a line a step above many of the lower end lines, so if the $12 martini is not in your package and is also a budget buster, perhaps this vacation isn't really something you should have spent your meager funds on, it should have been saved for general living expenses.

[Beamafar]

Errrr ... didn't have timed to read the whole thread so sorry if anybody else has mentioned this, but isn't Old Black Bush an Irish whiskey, not a Scotch whisky? Which means only one Scotch available?

 

Because of our very strong consumer protection laws people who book in the UK could probably take legal action if the offering on board the ship is not the one available when they contracted. But I doubt anybody would bother. And if they did they would probably be black listed by Celebrity.

 

Black Bush is an Irish malt whiskey (distilled in Northern Ireland so could be classed as a UK product). It's triple-distilled as most Irish whiskies are which distinguishes it from Scotch which is generally only twice-distilled.

[kevinyork]

This isn't how people order drinks. Most have a drink in mind they want, so they simply say "I'd like a gin and tonic, How much and is it in my package?" After first interaction, they know for balance of cruise and wont have to ask the question again.

 

 

 

Truth be told majority of people could care less and will get whatever they want and not be so concerned about the price, you've paid to sail on a luxurious ship, on a line a step above many of the lower end lines, so if the $12 martini is not in your package and is also a budget buster, perhaps this vacation isn't really something you should have spent your meager funds on, it should have been saved for general living expenses.

 

 

Maybe its a British v US thing but I really would not have a clue what to ask for beyond the basic obvious drinks. If I go to a restaurant I would want to see a menu, see what the dishes were, see the prices and know if I can afford them then make my choice. Exactly the same with drinks on Celebrity. If every passenger had to ask what they could drink within their package then they would need double the bar staff due to wait times.

 

They have a drinks package, they have drinks price limits per package so have menus with the price of drinks. Thats how people order drinks.

 

 

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[chamima]

Maybe its a British v US thing but I really would not have a clue what to ask for beyond the basic obvious drinks. If I go to a restaurant I would want to see a menu, see what the dishes were, see the prices and know if I can afford them then make my choice. Exactly the same with drinks on Celebrity. If every passenger had to ask what they could drink within their package then they would need double the bar staff due to wait times.

 

They have a drinks package, they have drinks price limits per package so have menus with the price of drinks. Thats how people order drinks.

 

 

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I agree.

Some of us only really drink on vacation.

I usually have almost no idea what i want and rely on the menu (and the description of ingredients in each drink) to chose what to order.

I would HATE to have to ask the waiter and have him/her stand there and describe each drink!

 

No need to get nasty and condescending.

[The_Big_M]

The_Big_M -

 

When I created my generic example, I did so with the idea in mind that I don't know which bevvy package an individual has. I don't know if they have the Classic and kept it... or maybe they upgraded.... or maybe even started with Premium. And since you are not able to "pay the difference" with the Classic Package, it is important to know what the actual "price" will be when making the decision to choose that drink or a different one covered by the package. Also, this helps people realize, by knowing the price, whether it makes sense to upgrade sooner/later depending on how many times this comes up.

 

 

Yes, but the individual asking would (Should!) know what package they have.

 

So it's still not necessary to go through that extra questioning.

 

If they're then told that it's not included, and they are especially keen on it, they may ask the price afterwards and then evaluate whether they're happy to pay more on Premium, or if it happens often enough, whether to upgrade on Classic. But that still means in most cases, they will save time with unnecessary questions (unless they have a particular curiosity towards the luxury drinks!)