Elite Plus and Drink Package...

[Bruin Steve]

First off, I have never cruised with a "drink package" before...It has never been remotely worth it to me to pay $49 or $59 per day per person...especially when I was already getting free drinks in the Elite Lounge for two hours pre-dinner every night...and off the ship in port most days...and, if I wanted a drink or two after dinner, those couple of drinks might cost about $16 to $20 a day--no way to ever get close to $49 or $59 worth...

 

So, now, on two of my upcoming cruises (not on my Millennium Alaska cruise where I got a really cheap price with no 123Go perks...or on my Xpedition Galapagos cruise where it's all-inclusive anyway)...But, on my Silhouette Western Caribbean cruise next March and my Constellation Iberia cruise next July, I had options on the 123Go promotion--in the Caribbean, it was one of three (of Gratuities, a $200 OBC or the Classic Drinks package)...for the Med cruise, it was two of three (Gratuities, $300 OBC or drinks)...

 

My initial instinct was to pass on the drinks--since, as I said before, I get free pre-dinner drinks...plus, now as the new Elite Plus perks allow, Iget free specialty coffees as well...

But, when I thought a little more about it, for the Caribbean cruise, the free gratuities are really worth only $168 for the two of us...For the 13 night Europe cruise, the gratuities are worth $312...

So, for the Caribbean, with the choice of one, it's really $200 versus the drinks...

For Europe, with two choices, one is the gratuities--worth more than the OBC--and, for the second, it was a choice of $300 versus the drinks...

So, the question is whether we really get $14.29 per person per day benefit...and, for Europe, $11.54 per person per day value...

 

It sounds like it should be easy--to most people...but, figuring we're in port most days on both cruises and get free drinks in a less crowded setting with great service from 5-7 every night...and free specialty coffees anyway...it's really a case of maybe wanbting one extra drink or so late night (only so much we can drink!) or maybe drinking Diet Coke rather than Iced Tea with dinner...or, maybe, my wife, if she isn't tipsy fromthe pre-dinner drink, getting another glass of wine at dinner (she's a real "lightweight" drinker)...

 

Anyway, as Elite Plus members, the Drink Package isn't really as much a benefit to us as it is to non-Elite cruisers... (I'm not trying to be snobby here, just pointing out that the free drinks package is far more a benefit to non-Elite cruisers...and adds a lot less for Elite and Elite Plus cruisers).

 

So, to any other Elite or Elite Plus cruisers, do you guys take the Drink Package on those 123Go deals? If so, how do you see it affecting how you cruise?

 

Just a dumb side question: People note that you can also get bottled water to take off the ship with the package...So, will they give you more than one bottle as you leave? When we're touring long days in the south of Spain in July, it seems we might go through more than one small bottle of water each...

[chamima]

Steve,

We're Elite (not Elite plus) AND we stay in Aqua so we get free water.

We are also not big drinkers ( I normally may have one or two drinks by the pool and a glass or two of wine with dinner and my husband only drinks the wine) but we have had the beverage package on our last 3 cruises and we LOVE it.

The hours (and limited drinks) of the Elite lounge don't fit in our schedule so that isn't something we figure into the equation.

Because of the package we discovered the Molecular Bar (we upgrade to premium) and also love the freedom to try new things and just put them down if we decide we don't like them.

I would NEVER buy a drink package. As you said, we've never consumed $49 or $59 a day unless it was from a nice bottle of wine.

But as a vacation enhancer it's just a lot of fun. Hope that makes sense.

 

 

 

And , as for the bottled water, you can get it whenever you want and keep it in your fridge so you have plenty to take off with you.

Edited April 4, 2015 by chamima

[chefcaw]

A question, please. I understand that you are Elite plus, are you sailing in a Aqua cabin?

 

In the Caribbean, you might want to have the drink package for all the bottled water you want. We find it preferable to have the package when it is offered because we are then not restricted to certain times and venues for drinks. We take the OBC when it is worth more than the tips.

 

 

 

 

Chris

[Ma Bell]

The way I look at it is the drink package is only worth what you will drink, not the cost of the package.

[Christine Frances]

When we select Europe with the 2 of the 3 perks, we opt for the drink pkg and the OBC (to offset the gratuities) and then use our OBC from our TA to upgrade the pkg:D We also take the pkg when only one perk is offered as the drink selection is better than the free drinks in the Elite lounge.

[Christine Frances]

The way I look at it is the drink package is only worth what you will drink, not the cost of the package.

 

So true:)

[jelayne]

I like your thinking. As you said the question will you get the benefit worth $14.29 each per day. With gratuities of 18% now the $14.29 is about $12.00 in drinks.

 

A glass of wine at dinner or an after dinner drink at the show, a couple of bottles of water to take ashore or to keep in the cabin, a soda when returning from a day in port, a smoothie from the AQ spa café; its not hard to spend the $12 without drinking much of any alcohol.

 

I'd take the drink package.

[miched]

First off find a TA that includes your gratuities. There are a few of them around. The TA that I use gives me the SBC in lieu of the gratuities so when they had the "All IN Package". I got $350 from the TA, SBC from the future cruise certificate and $300 SBC from the promo along with gratuities and the drink pack. Plus another $200 SBC from the TA for paying the full deposit for a block booking that he had along with a $200 discount off the cruise.

 

The Elite benefits are nice but place too many restriction on it. If there are vouchers you get three that can only be a used between 5 and 7 and limited to set menu. You can get ask for a beer unopened for later. The coupons can only be used in designated lounges. If no vouchers the drinks cannot be removed from the lounge but you can get plastered by hammering down as many as you can in that time period. Either way to benefit you have to dine at a later time. plus the Elite happy hour isn't every night.

 

No included bottled water unless in AQ.

 

No wine with dinner, or after dinner drink. Nothing while sitting in the theater.

 

I would never consume enough to warrant a drink pack so I would never buy one but when it is offered I will naturally use it and probably drink more than I normally would and that includes coffee and bottled water.

 

happy cruising 🌊🚢🇺🇸🌞

[MMOMOM]

When we cruise we usually bring bottled water onboard with us. We've not done Celebrity yet, but are looking for next year. We are Diamond on Royal so will be Elite on Celebrity. Do they not allow you to bring water onboard? We're not big drinkers either and don't see the value in the package for us. The cocktail hour times have always worked for us too. I like the idea of the specialty coffees ... but for me, I really would like to have my water if I can't bring it with me! Thanx!

[varoo]

The way I look at it is the drink package is only worth what you will drink, not the cost of the package.

So true, except I would amend that statement even further to say the drink package is only worth what you really want to drink.

 

I don't see any benefit to consuming extra drinks that you don't really want and would not otherwise order (loading your body up with extra calories and sugar) just because there is no extra charge to do so.

 

The first cruise where I did not need to pay for drinks, I started ordering those pretty, frozen drinks one after another, and the after dinner drinks just because they were so readily available, and then I thought, wait a minute......

 

That is just the way that some people on cruise ships stuff themselves with more food than they really want, need or would otherwise consume just because it is readily available at no additional cost.

 

 

As for bottled water, some people have their own preferences for certain favorite brands.

The ice water from the dispensers at the buffet tastes just as good to me as any bottled water, and certainly as good as the bottled water provided in aqua class.

(I once did a taste test to compare the two just out of curiosity.)

 

On excursions most vendors provide bottled water, as much as you want, so you don't even need to bring along your own bottle.

 

[richsea]

If you normally can't justify the drink package, I would without question take the $200 OBC. To me its a no brainer.

[varoo]

When we cruise we usually bring bottled water onboard with us. We've not done Celebrity yet, but are looking for next year. We are Diamond on Royal so will be Elite on Celebrity. Do they not allow you to bring water onboard? We're not big drinkers either and don't see the value in the package for us. The cocktail hour times have always worked for us too. I like the idea of the specialty coffees ... but for me, I really would like to have my water if I can't bring it with me!

Yes, you most certainly can bring on your own water.

Just pick up some luggage tags at the pier, write your cabin number on them, slap them on a case (or 2 or 3) of your favorite brand of water, and it will be delivered to your cabin along with the luggage.

[MMOMOM]

Yes, you most certainly can bring on your own water.

Just pick up some luggage tags at the pier, write your cabin number on them, slap them on a case (or 2 or 3) of your favorite brand of water, and it will be delivered to your cabin along with the luggage.

 

Thanx, we've actually just put the water in a suite case before, but this is even easier! Glad we can do that, thanx for the response. :)

[suec12]

I have used the same thought process as the OP and thought why get the package when we are elite :) but on an upcoming cruise, the package sort of fell into our lap and I'm glad it did. For one thing it gives you more flexibility as to dinner times - we were usually going to the elite function and then going to select dining at 7 - quite a few nights there was a fair amount of wait time.

 

We also are usually cruising with friends who are still working their way up the perks ladder - now we can enjoy our pre-dinner drinks with them (altho we have also made great friends at the happy hour). We rarely go to any entertainment before or after dinner but our friends have pointed out that the 7pm dinner time usually makes either the early or late shows difficult to attend. Now we will have more flexibility. I'm not sure how much I would pay for the package, but I think we will really enjoy it and get quite a bit of value on our 13 night cruise.

[jelayne]

If you normally can't justify the drink package, I would without question take the $200 OBC. To me its a no brainer.

 

Justifying paying $57.82 ($49 + 8.82) x2 $115.64 per day can be difficult. But I look at $200 in OBC as $100 per person. On a 7 day cruise if we both only spend $12 +tips daily on juice, bottled water, soda, smoothies or drinks we come out ahead with the beverage package.

 

I can come close to $12 on juice, bottled water and soda before evening; add glass of wine at dinner and it is justified��

Edited April 5, 2015 by jelayne

[maggie.1008]

We are Elite Plus and never take the drink pkg. We take the OBC. We bring on a few bottles of wine to enjoy in our room, have 2 hour free drinks and free coffees. We use our OBC for a nice bottle of wine at dinner. Much better than the wine served by the glass on Bev. Pkg.

[Germancruiser]

I just thought about that too, I am a newbie Elite Plus- so I thing I can let go of the drink pkg. Tea and coffee is free now- so I am better off with paying my two or three diet cokes regular! Not much of a drinker- so the Elite Cocktail will do nicely !

[Germancruiser]

I only hope those free coffee and tea does not mean they cut on the quality of the stuff they sell in Al Bacio! Wouldn´t be suprised these days! Organe juice is included in the classic non alk. pkg. - What happend- no longer freshly pressed- well not out of the "fruit" anyway- out of a bottle or container or something the like!

[uktog]

As the Elite drinks are too early for us, often we are just back on board from our day out and we never eat before 8, we always take the package if it is offered as a perk. If they were more flexible also on the dress code, we might think differently, but to have to change out if shorts before 5 is too early

[WAVTAM]

We are Elite Plus and never take the drink pkg. We take the OBC. We bring on a few bottles of wine to enjoy in our room, have 2 hour free drinks and free coffees. We use our OBC for a nice bottle of wine at dinner. Much better than the wine served by the glass on Bev. Pkg.

 

Second that thought. We take a case of water and two boxes of wine on board. We always take the OBC as its more value than the gratuities. We paid the gratuities for Select dining and use casino(with 5%) to take the OBC home in pocket.

[karena1]

We always take the bev pkg free and we are Elite. Not to have to drag anything with me -no water or soda, plus hubby gets his free specialty coffees is great. Since we also enjoy having drinks it is a total no brainer for us to take the bev pkg over the other 2 perks

 

In fact, as prices b/t Royal, Princess and Celebrity are not that much apart, we booked 2 more Celebrity cruises on March 31st just to take advantage of the free bev pkg before the promo went away.

 

Now that the promo is gone, we will go back to comparing Royal/Princess/Celebrity and take whichever gives us the best itin and deal.

[Redtravel]

I seldom drink. I am elite + and often skip the nightly drinks in the elite lounge. That's me. Other people wouldn't miss a free drink. It just isn't that important to me. Everyone is different. For a person who does drink, a beverage package could be a way to save money. Each person is different. Only you can determine if buying a drink package is right for you.

[huskerc]

We take the opposite view--given that we always have the drink package, the elite benefits are of low use to us. We don't tend to travel with other elites, so the social hours are already limited. Breakfast we typically eat in Blu. Sometimes we'll stop by the elite breakfast afterward for a coffee and the view.

 

It's really a very individual thing. If the hours of the elite event and the drink choices suit you--and particularly if you are plus and get included espresso drinks--then I could easily see the drink package taking a back seat.

 

There are many days where my first alcoholic drink comes after the elite hour has ended, so the times in particular don't work well for us.

Edited April 5, 2015 by huskerc

[If only]

We are Elite Plus & always take the Beverage package as we enjoy the occasional martini, it also lets us upgrade wine for .50c if we want & the big deal for us is the Evian water. It is great to get water anywhere we want & to take it off the ship. Yes we enjoy Cafe El Bacio immensely & it is covered anyway but we would never buy the drink package only get it if it is offered on a cruise. even if you have a glass of wine with dinner it is still worth it if offered.

[derekjp47]

First off, I have never cruised with a "drink package" before...It has never been remotely worth it to me to pay $49 or $59 per day per person...especially when I was already getting free drinks in the Elite Lounge for two hours pre-dinner every night...and off the ship in port most days...and, if I wanted a drink or two after dinner, those couple of drinks might cost about $16 to $20 a day--no way to ever get close to $49 or $59 worth...

 

So, now, on two of my upcoming cruises (not on my Millennium Alaska cruise where I got a really cheap price with no 123Go perks...or on my Xpedition Galapagos cruise where it's all-inclusive anyway)...But, on my Silhouette Western Caribbean cruise next March and my Constellation Iberia cruise next July, I had options on the 123Go promotion--in the Caribbean, it was one of three (of Gratuities, a $200 OBC or the Classic Drinks package)...for the Med cruise, it was two of three (Gratuities, $300 OBC or drinks)...

 

 

 

My initial instinct was to pass on the drinks--since, as I said before, I get free pre-dinner drinks...plus, now as the new Elite Plus perks allow, Iget free specialty coffees as well...

But, when I thought a little more about it, for the Caribbean cruise, the free gratuities are really worth only $168 for the two of us...For the 13 night Europe cruise, the gratuities are worth $312...

 

So, for the Caribbean, with the choice of one, it's really $200 versus the drinks...

For Europe, with two choices, one is the gratuities--worth more than the OBC--and, for the second, it was a choice of $300 versus the drinks...

So, the question is whether we really get $14.29 per person per day benefit...and, for Europe, $11.54 per person per day value...

 

It sounds like it should be easy--to most people...but, figuring we're in port most days on both cruises and get free drinks in a less crowded setting with great service from 5-7 every night...and free specialty coffees anyway...it's really a case of maybe wanbting one extra drink or so late night (only so much we can drink!) or maybe drinking Diet Coke rather than Iced Tea with dinner...or, maybe, my wife, if she isn't tipsy fromthe pre-dinner drink, getting another glass of wine at dinner (she's a real "lightweight" drinker)...

 

Anyway, as Elite Plus members, the Drink Package isn't really as much a benefit to us as it is to non-Elite cruisers... (I'm not trying to be snobby here, just pointing out that the free drinks package is far more a benefit to non-Elite cruisers...and adds a lot less for Elite and Elite Plus cruisers).

 

So, to any other Elite or Elite Plus cruisers, do you guys take the Drink Package on those 123Go deals? If so, how do you see it affecting how you cruise?

 

Just a dumb side question: People note that you can also get bottled water to take off the ship with the package...So, will they give you more than one bottle as you leave? When we're touring long days in the south of Spain in July, it seems we might go through more than one small bottle of water each...

 

For someone trying not to be snobby you sure are doing a good job, you could have fooled us. Don't need to say anymore, you seem to have all the answers