Beverages without package

[jackal24]

If I do not have any beverage package at all, is there anything free to drink in the dining venues? Tap water, OJ, lemonade, coffee, etc?

[Christine Frances]

Sure:) Coffee, tea, hot chocolate, fruit punch, lemonade etc all available at the buffet. Coffee and tea in the MDR.

[Essiesmom]

Coffee, tea, iced tea, ....I think lemonade. Juices in the morning. EM

[long time lurker]

Just clarify the juice issue, not the true juices, more the water added juice bases. Water based drinks are included such as coffee, tea, dispenser fruit juices.

[CathyCruises]

We have NEVER had a drink package and have somehow managed to really enjoy ourselves and stay hydrated! We are elite, so we get our alcohol fix at the nightly cocktail party, and drink the OJ or iced tea or just water from the tap :eek: without any ill effects!

 

Yes, on occasion I will order (and pay the whopping $5.75) a piña colada by the pool, but in general it is very possible to have a great cruise without spending much at all on beverages.

 

Last 15 day cruise, with some OBC, our total bill at the end was $175, which included specialty restos twice (@50% off), and some onboard shopping.

[Lsimon]

No extra charge beverages included in your cruise fare:

 

Tap water, Brewed coffee (regular and decaf), instant coffee (taster's choice regular and decaf), Tea (good selection of about 8 or more popular tea blends including green, mint, etc.), hot coca (Nestles instant mix), Milk (regular, chocolate and skim), juices, iced tea, lemonade, fruit punch.

 

All of these items are available in any dining area or from room service. They are available 24/7 from room service and from beverage stations in the buffet area although some items are not available at all times in the buffet: Some milks are only available during meals in the buffet and the dispensers used for juices during breakfast times are used for iced tea, lemonade and punch at other times.

 

For the most part there is an extra charge for any alcoholic, carbonated, or bottled beverage. Also most bars and lounges charge for any beverages served there. There are upscale versions of many no-extra-charge beverages available which do cost extra such as espresso based coffees, organic teas, bottled water, fresh squeezed OJ, etc.

Edited January 15, 2015 by Lsimon

[Duanerice1]

Up till this last cruise we've never had a beverage package and managed just fine. We weren't Elite at those times either so we didn't get the cocktail hours.

 

Plenty non alcoholic drinks around. Tap water even works but we used to bring a case of water with us along with 2 bottles of wine. When I finished in the gym I always made sure to fill my water bottle up too.

 

As for alcoholic drinks we did fine considering I don't drink and my wife drinks little. We did go to the Captains greeting as well as the Captain Club event which both serve free alcohol. Even been known to go to the Art Auction preview for a glass of poor bubbly if the mood strikes :)

 

Anyway, you get the gist. You will not be thirsty.

Duane

[capecodder2]

I don't understand why people are so attracted to the beverage packages. We must be in a huge minority. As stated above, there are many choices of non-alcoholic beverages without charge. Even with a cocktail and 2 glasses of wine a day, it doesn't equal the cost of any package. If we want bottled water (no need in my opinion) we buy a couple in port. You will do fine without a package unless you drink more than 4 or 5 drinks a day.

[gek]

I don't understand why people are so attracted to the beverage packages. We must be in a huge minority. As stated above, there are many choices of non-alcoholic beverages without charge. Even with a cocktail and 2 glasses of wine a day, it doesn't equal the cost of any package. If we want bottled water (no need in my opinion) we buy a couple in port. You will do fine without a package unless you drink more than 4 or 5 drinks a day.

 

Agree. There is no way I could ever justify paying for a beverage package. I'm certainly no teetotaller but 4-5 alcoholic drinks every day sounds like alcoholism to me. The free options in the buffet plus water at dinner keep me hydrated and I pay for the rest individually.

[jveevers]

Agree. There is no way I could ever justify paying for a beverage package. I'm certainly no teetotaller but 4-5 alcoholic drinks every day sounds like alcoholism to me. The free options in the buffet plus water at dinner keep me hydrated and I pay for the rest individually.

 

 

Bit strong referring to 4-5 drinks a day as alcoholism. You are virtually saying that 90% of people on board are Alcoholics. I drink average 10 a day when on a cruise but only average 2 a day when at home.

[cb at sea]

You don't need a "package" to get anything....another posted the "free" stuff, but anything can be purchased without a package.

[blindrid]

Agree. There is no way I could ever justify paying for a beverage package. I'm certainly no teetotaller but 4-5 alcoholic drinks every day sounds like alcoholism to me.

 

You must be talking about me :rolleyes:. I'm on vacation and don't think I'm ready for Step 12. Thanks for your thoughts though :cool:.

[gek]

Bit strong referring to 4-5 drinks a day as alcoholism. You are virtually saying that 90% of people on board are Alcoholics. I drink average 10 a day when on a cruise but only average 2 a day when at home.

 

Agreed. It's not alcoholism - it just sounds like it :D

 

However 4-5 drinks every day on a cruise most definitely qualifies as "heavy drinking" and 10 per day is undoubtedly "binge drinking" - I looked up the definitions :).

 

I put on enough weight on a cruise without adding huge amounts of alcohol into the mix. Although I guess if you drank daily your body would be able to process it easier. I'm lucky if I get to 10 drinks in a month.

 

I'm not criticising people for drinking. It's your cruise and your health so enjoy yourself. Each to their own. I just don't understand how anyone can drink enough to make a paid beverage package worthwhile.

[jveevers]

Agreed. It's not alcoholism - it just sounds like it :D

 

However 4-5 drinks every day on a cruise most definitely qualifies as "heavy drinking" and 10 per day is undoubtedly "binge drinking" - I looked up the definitions :).

 

I put on enough weight on a cruise without adding huge amounts of alcohol into the mix. Although I guess if you drank daily your body would be able to process it easier. I'm lucky if I get to 10 drinks in a month.

 

I'm not criticising people for drinking. It's your cruise and your health so enjoy yourself. Each to their own. I just don't understand how anyone can drink enough to make a paid beverage package worthwhile.

The mistake can be made where a " drink package" is interpreted as "alcohol package". We must remember that it also included water, juices, coffees. So in the example of someone saying "I have 12 drinks per day", they could mean " 3waters, 3 juices, 3 coffees, 3 wines". Not that is not binge drinking and that is definately worth paying for a package as the sum of these 12 drink s would be in excess of $49-. So maybe now you can see (not you Gek, the poster you quoted) a reason why people would buy a package.

[jveevers]

BTW Binge eating can be just as unhealthy as Binge drinking. If experiencing large weight increases, maybe one should consider their eating habits when on vacation.

[miataman19]

The mistake can be made where a " drink package" is interpreted as "alcohol package". We must remember that it also included water, juices, coffees. So in the example of someone saying "I have 12 drinks per day", they could mean " 3waters, 3 juices, 3 coffees, 3 wines". Not that is not binge drinking and that is definately worth paying for a package as the sum of these 12 drink s would be in excess of $49-. So maybe now you can see (not you Gek, the poster you quoted) a reason why people would buy a package.

Exactly. This example is probably the norm (it is for us). Maybe toss in a beer and a martini and you get a very good value for your money. Not everybody purchases these "Beverage Packages" to just drink alcohol. Another point here is if you have a port intensive itinerary these packages might NOT be a good value as you're not on the ship for most of your sailing to utilize them.

Edited January 16, 2015 by miataman19

[colombiangirl]

I got us the premium non alcoholic package as none of us are heavy drinkers. I do enjoy wine with dinner and an occasional scotch at the bar before dinner. We will probably just order a few bottles of wine in the dining room and a cordial after dinner with coffee. The non alcoholic includes fresh squeezed oj, water bottles, sodas, smoothies, specialty coffees, vitamin water and Red Bull. I think that will be just perfect for the teens and adults in our group.

 

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[melsuli]

Where's the problem ? People get drunk, fall down get back up again, no problem? :rolleyes:

[capecodder2]

At least no one said they just didn't want to sign the chit which I find very funny every time I read such a thing. The OJ in the dining room at breakfast is fine for me, we don't drink soda, specialty coffees, vitamin water or Red Bull (whatever that is). Smoothies are added calories and the ship water in my personal water bottle is fine. I buy whatever bottle or glass of wine I want at the time and the occasional cocktail (I could go to the elite cocktail party and have a free cocktail, but seldom do). I come out way ahead of any package - perhaps that is also partly why I seldom gain more than a pound or 2 on a 10 or more day cruise. It is wonderful that we can all do what we feel is best for us - thanks for sharing your thoughts.

[phoenix_dream]

BTW Binge eating can be just as unhealthy as Binge drinking. If experiencing large weight increases, maybe one should consider their eating habits when on vacation.

I am not defending binge eating, but binge drinking can literally kill you immediately as too many parents of college age students have sadly learned through the years. I suppose there is a small possibility of binge eating doing that as well (aiding a heart attack??) but binge drinking is a very dangerous activity, much more so than binge eating. It multiplies even more when you add the stupid, and often careless, actions that ensue when someone is stinking drunk (after living ten years with an alcoholic I am all too familiar with this topic).

 

But off point. For me, if I didn't get the alcohol package included I would skip it. It would be very difficult for me to get anywhere near $49 a day. Regular coffee and OJ are fine with me. Lunch is iced tea. Tap water is fine - I can fill a water bottle if need be (following the ship's rules for doing so:)). Even if I didn't get Elite drinks, one pre-dinner beer or cocktail and a couple glasses of wine at dinner suit me just fine. I don't like to drink during the day - I get sleepy. Total - under $25-$30. I understand why it might be appealing to some, if for the convenience if nothing else, but for many it is truly not worth the money (and we hate paying for it in the cruise fares with the 'free' perks offers - nothing is ever free).

Edited January 16, 2015 by phoenix_dream

[schlimazel_traveler]

Sure:) Coffee, tea, hot chocolate, fruit punch, lemonade etc all available at the buffet. Coffee and tea in the MDR.

 

I got a soda package because I like diet soft drinks. It was also convenient for being able to grab a drink at any bar I passed.

 

If calories were not an issue, I would have been quite happy with the surprisingly good fruit punch. Because it's not available everywhere around the ship, a refillable mug would help. (Dispense into a clean glass and pour the glass into your mug.)

 

The complimentary coffee was more drinkable than I've had on cruise ships before. It is available in the Oceanview and in the Hideaway.

 

My husband had the soda package and bought 1-2 beers or whiskeys each evening. I think that was a more economical approach than an alcohol package.

 

I would rather use my calories for ice cream. And I did.

[Sapphire723]

I'm certainly no teetotaller but 4-5 alcoholic drinks every day sounds like alcoholism to me.

 

I'm not sure this statement was necessary or helpful. At best, I think it might be a little offensive to those who've experienced alcoholism in their families to compare drinking a bottle of wine on vacation to being an alcoholic.

[Lsimon]

... I'm certainly no teetotaller but 4-5 alcoholic drinks every day sounds like alcoholism to me....

 

A generalization such as this isn't helpful to any discussion - especially when it relates to indulgence during a vacation period.

It's not unusual for me to drink more in a day on a cruise than I do in a week at home.

I also have more mid day drinks on a cruise than I do in a year at home.

Edited January 16, 2015 by Lsimon

[darbs7]

I agree...sometimes I don't have a drink for a month or more at home, but on a cruise....way different. If you have the drink package and they offer a mimosa at brunch..why not:cool:

 

Then by the pool a nice margarita or two:p

 

Then pre-dinner martini at the bar:D

 

Then wine with dinner:o

 

then after dinner drink:roll eyes:

 

then if you go out dancing or the casino who knows;)

 

this is not normal behavior...just vacation. On top of that 3 to 5 bottles of water a day (get those 64 ounces in) and a specialty coffee to start the day and my premium package is covered.

[Duanerice1]

I don't drink alcohol but can easily see where you could put away 5, 6 drinks a day easily.

 

Laying around the pool for a few hours it would be easy to have 2 or 3 drinks/beer. Then go to the bar and have a drink before dinner. Then maybe a glass of wine or 2 with dinner. Then after dinner maybe a drink/beer at the show then another in a bar or casino.

 

Very easily get to 7, 8, 9 with out getting crazy.

 

I'd never buy a package but last time it was one of the promos so I picked it up. It was either that or $300 OBC (10 night) so my price point was $300 not $49 a day times two ($940). We always managed without it as I mentioned above but the main reason I choose it was my wife.

 

See she won't spend the money on a drink. Not a big drinker anyway but she's too cheap to spend the $8 for a drink usually. This way there was "no cost" to her. So now she could have a drink whenever she wanted one. Most days it was maybe 3 if that but one time I think she actually had 4 drinks in a day. Better watch her :) But I also got to enjoy the specialty coffee, bottled water and virgin drinks. We spent our $300 worth but not much more.

 

So for us it wasn't the break even equation, it was the thought that it is all paid for. Never even thought of getting our money worth. Heck, she had no idea what it costs anyway.

enjoy,

Duane