Has anyone regretted NOT buying the drink package?

[jules815]

Glad it worked out for you!

[mcatmcat]

Not in my case

[cruiseonship]

Just got back from FOS and 7 nights with the Premium drink package. All I can say is NO REGRETS! We LOVED it! I have not had time to go through my bill but I am 110% we made out better by having it. I had TONS of Lava Flow's which would have cost me $14.10 each and I had several a day...not to mention all the wine, soda and bottled water I had.

 

We saw no decrease in the service because we had the package. We even had one bartender make us random drinks to try...it was a lot of fun and I would have never done that if I was paying cash. We did have 2 sea days and used the package on Labadee so it was more like 3 so it was well worth it. I did love the peace of mind that it was all paid for too:)

 

Thank you again to everyone who responded! We booked another cruise for next year and I think we are going to get it again!

 

So glad you let us know! Thanks to you we will be getting the premium package when we go on the Oasis next month! I was very anxious to see how you made out. Just curious- were the pina coladas in the $12.00 range?

[Bahamma Mamma2]

So glad you let us know! Thanks to you we will be getting the premium package when we go on the Oasis next month! I was very anxious to see how you made out. Just curious- were the pina coladas in the $12.00 range?

 

Yes, all the frozen drinks were $12 on the menu... Then they add gratuity to them. Most of the regular mixed drinks were $10 too. Very expensive! You will love the package... It's so nice not to worry... But.. On the flip side... I gained over 10 pounds!!! I am miserable right now... Not sure if my clothes are going to fit when I go back to work tomorrow. I am glad I could help!

[Bahamma Mamma2]

Is everything listed on the Drinks Menu available on the Ultimate Package? Is there an up charge for anything? Thanks in advance.

 

DrB

 

I think so but I am not 100% sure. I had the premium and was never charged extra for anything. The only limits I had was wine had to be $8/glass.. Anything more than that was extra. I just had the $8 ones because all the really good ones were only sold by the bottle anyway. I drank mostly frozen drinks.

[dcgrumpy]

I think so but I am not 100% sure. I had the premium and was never charged extra for anything. The only limits I had was wine had to be $8/glass.. Anything more than that was extra. I just had the $8 ones because all the really good ones were only sold by the bottle anyway. I drank mostly frozen drinks.

 

It was an $8 limit with the Premium Package? I thought it was $8 with the Select and $12 with the Premium or Ultimate package.

Edited August 25, 2015 by dcgrumpy

[casinostreer]

Is everything listed on the Drinks Menu available on the Ultimate Package? Is there an up charge for anything? Thanks in advance.

 

DrB

 

Yep. The premium and ultimate include practically every liquor. Didn't encounter a single drink (there are a few) that wasn't included in the premium package.

 

The only difference between the two packages is that the ultimate package includes premium coffee (at Promenade Cafe or Latte-tudes depending on the ship,) fresh squeezed juices in the Windjammer and bottled SPARKLING water. (I think it's San Pellegrino.)

[Bahamma Mamma2]

It was an $8 limit with the Premium Package? I thought it was $8 with the Select and $12 with the Premium or Ultimate package.

 

That is what I thought too but on the first night we ate at Chops (very good by the way) and I tried to order an $11 glass of champagne and they said it would be an extra charge since it was over $8. I just went with the cheapo and only had one glass. All the other wine I ordered was the $8 stuff because the good ones were all in bottles anyway. But...the waiter may have been wrong at Chops...we had some service issues and someone in our group complained at the end...we found out he was new and had only been there 2 weeks so it is possible that he may have been mistaken. You could always ask and see, I didn't even think to ask...but I had already had quite a few before dinner so I wasn't on top of it either:)

[casinostreer]

Don't know if it will link - but this page (linked to the main FAQ page) says that it's wine up to $12 per glass.

 

(It also shows the old prices - so who knows.)

 

 

http://media.royalcaribbean.com/content/shared_assets/pdf/menus/beverage_packages.pdf

Edited August 25, 2015 by casinostreer

[Bahamma Mamma2]

Don't know if it will link - but this page (linked to the main FAQ page) says that it's wine up to $12 per glass.

 

(It also shows the old prices - so who knows.)

 

 

Yeah, I saw that too...but the new priced packages I do not remember seeing it. It is kinda confusing and when he told me that I would be charged we were already at sea so I didn't have any way to look it up (without buying an internet package).

[casinostreer]

Yeah, I saw that too...but the new priced packages I do not remember seeing it. It is kinda confusing and when he told me that I would be charged we were already at sea so I didn't have any way to look it up (without buying an internet package).

 

That sucks!! This is why I stick to liquor drinks!

 

My suggestion to readers is to ask at a couple of bars. You'll probably find a general consensus. I remember my sister paid a couple of bucks extra for a high priced wine while at Chops - but she's a wine snob - so it was probably like a $17 glass of wine or something. (If you're reading this, Ella - :p)

[vjh]

What about taking the money you would use for the drink package and purchasing OBC for the same amount, still no worries about what you are spending, could have a refund at end of cruise.

[casinostreer]

What about taking the money you would use for the drink package and purchasing OBC for the same amount, still no worries about what you are spending, could have a refund at end of cruise.

 

That's a great tip for people who are unsure about purchasing a drink package. They wouldn't really lose any money. I wonder if anyone here has done that? If so - please let us know. :-)

 

 

For us - who drink MORE than the $65 per day when we have the package - we would STILL owe money at the end of the cruise.

[CruisinMark]

I'll be getting the premium package for both of us on our upcoming cruise. Even if we don't break even I am willing to pay extra for peace of mind. It's quite important to me and can really help relax when on vacation. I don't want the constant little voice in the back my head stressing me out about how much I'm spending. I want to be able to get what I want, whenever I want it, and not have a care in the world about it.

 

...though I'm 99% sure that I'll make the package very worth it. :D

[Bahamma Mamma2]

I'll be getting the premium package for both of us on our upcoming cruise. Even if we don't break even I am willing to pay extra for peace of mind. It's quite important to me and can really help relax when on vacation. I don't want the constant little voice in the back my head stressing me out about how much I'm spending. I want to be able to get what I want, whenever I want it, and not have a care in the world about it.

 

...though I'm 99% sure that I'll make the package very worth it. :D

 

 

Good choice! It was totally worth it..we did get out money's worth but even if we hadn't it was still worth the peace of mind!

[widallas]

Here's the drink menu cheat sheet. I like the idea of making a game out of it. :-) Like Drink Menu Bingo! :-) I'm sure someone can come up with a score card!!

 

[ATTACH]359091[/ATTACH]

 

Thank you CasinoStreer for the inspiration...my friend and I have been working on our own "Drink Bingo" card in case anyone wants to use it. Would be easy to modify to wines, beers, liquors...whatever works for you! Doubt we'll make it through the list...if not, I guess we'll have to book another cruise. Darn.

Bingo Template 2.xls

[casinostreer]

Thank you CasinoStreer for the inspiration...my friend and I have been working on our own "Drink Bingo" card in case anyone wants to use it. Would be easy to modify to wines, beers, liquors...whatever works for you! Doubt we'll make it through the list...if not, I guess we'll have to book another cruise. Darn.

 

Brilliant! I love it! :-) We'll work on it as well and post what we get. I think it's going to be a really fun challenge. (Or a painful mistake the next morning! :p)

[CrusinAgain]

Just got back from FOS and 7 nights with the Premium drink package. All I can say is NO REGRETS! We LOVED it! I have not had time to go through my bill but I am 110% we made out better by having it. I had TONS of Lava Flow's which would have cost me $14.10 each and I had several a day...not to mention all the wine, soda and bottled water I had.

 

We saw no decrease in the service because we had the package. We even had one bartender make us random drinks to try...it was a lot of fun and I would have never done that if I was paying cash. We did have 2 sea days and used the package on Labadee so it was more like 3 so it was well worth it. I did love the peace of mind that it was all paid for too:)

 

Thank you again to everyone who responded! We booked another cruise for next year and I think we are going to get it again!

 

Welcome back! So would the Lava Flow had been $12 and the tip made it $14.10? Trying to decide myself now if I should get the package. Didn't know the prices went up so much.

[Bahamma Mamma2]

Welcome back! So would the Lava Flow had been $12 and the tip made it $14.10? Trying to decide myself now if I should get the package. Didn't know the prices went up so much.

 

 

Yes, the menu price is $12 and then they add 18% gratuity...actually making it $14.16 for each one after tip...the premium drink package was $407 which included gratuities. I needed 4 a day to break even...but that was just lava flow...not counting my soda's, bottled water and wine...I know I had at least 4 a day. I was shocked to see people paying that much for them...had I not had the drink package I would have not ordered any.

[podgeandrodge]

What about taking the money you would use for the drink package and purchasing OBC for the same amount, still no worries about what you are spending, could have a refund at end of cruise.

 

or you could have an extra bill if you drink more - so you would have to worry about your spending. :confused: That's why people get the package sometimes - to absolutely know that there is no surprise at the end.

[CrusinAgain]

Yes, the menu price is $12 and then they add 18% gratuity...actually making it $14.16 for each one after tip...the premium drink package was $407 which included gratuities. I needed 4 a day to break even...but that was just lava flow...not counting my soda's, bottled water and wine...I know I had at least 4 a day. I was shocked to see people paying that much for them...had I not had the drink package I would have not ordered any.

 

I am certainly leaning towards the package because I know myself....I will not buy a drink for $12 and we went on a HAL cruise in May and the beverage package was included for us purchasing a suite so far in advance and I loved the package but they did use the bottom of the line liquor for their drinks whereas I know RCI uses premium liquor. Most of the bartenders on HAL were trying to convince me that after adding the tonic, coke or whatever you couldn't tell the difference.....oh yeah I could and so could my head.

[kadams718]

Yes! I regretted not getting the drink package on our last cruise on the Independence. My husband did buy the premium package. We thought it would be too expensive for us to each have a package.

 

I was so jealous of the flexibility and ease he had all throughout the trip to try new things or not worry about finishing a drink or not liking something.

 

I am a rule follower and did not like the "I'll sneak you a drink" idea, It takes away from just having fun to be worrying about "what if we get caught!"

 

I will be buying the select package this trip. So I can relax and just have fun!

[hollykimalan]

Yeah, agreed. For me it's not just about the cost/saving but the idea of not having to worry about it at all. The freedom to try new drinks with impunity. I hope I don't try and work out if I have broke even every day!

[Cruisin'Kim]

We're cruising on Allure in January, and I went back and forth (actually bought a premium package, then cancelled it). For what it's worth, this is what we ended up with: my hubby has the select package as he's a beer drinker. We figure a couple of beers in the afternoon, wine at dinner and a few in the evening along with water and soft drinks should cover his. I'm going to go with the premium package, as I like the "umbrella" drinks and want to try some new ones that I normally wouldn't try. I figure I usually have 1 or 2 in the afternoon, wine at dinner, always have a drink at the show, then a couple in our favourite bar in the evening, again along with water and soft drinks should be close. I'm going to get mine after we board so that I can use our OBC. We've brought water, some soft drinks and our 2 bottles of wine on ourselves previous cruises, but we fly in the day before, and I don't feel like running around the night before getting it all to bring on the ship this time. We're going with a bunch of friends and want to have a good time, not worry about our bar bill with the price of drinks lately - oh, and I remember every moment of every cruise! LOL!

[Jasp 0401]

We never buy the drinks package as we are not big drinker and most of our cruise have not many sea days. On our last cruise which had a lot of sea days we did think about buying one but was glad we didn't when we got home as we would of been out of pocket hundreds of dollars.