Oasis Suites and Drink Package

[RocketMan275]

Looking for real world experience from those who've sailed in Suites on Oasis class ships. Considering that the Suite Lounge on Oasis provides beer and wine from 11AM to 11PM at no charge and cocktails from 5:30 PM to 8:00 PM at no charge, are there any compelling reasons to buy a drink package?

 

Sailing on Oasis in November.

[Clarea]

As posted in the other thread where you asked the same question, someone might want the ability to have cocktails at places other than the lounge, and at times outside the cocktail hour, such as around the pool during the day.

[theredwoodguy]

As posted in the other thread where you asked the same question, someone might want the ability to have cocktails at places other than the lounge, and at times outside the cocktail hour, such as around the pool during the day.

 

Busted! :)

[RocketMan275]

Yes, I asked the same question in another thread but then I realized I probably would get a wider perspective if I started a new thread specific to this question. Thank you for your response.

[Retired LEO]

As posted in the other thread where you asked the same question, someone might want the ability to have cocktails at places other than the lounge, and at times outside the cocktail hour, such as around the pool during the day.

 

That's always my choice.

[setsail]

Looking for real world experience from those who've sailed in Suites on Oasis class ships. Considering that the Suite Lounge on Oasis provides beer and wine from 11AM to 11PM at no charge and cocktails from 5:30 PM to 8:00 PM at no charge, are there any compelling reasons to buy a drink package?

 

Sailing on Oasis in November.

 

None for us, oasis was our last cruise in a cls. Factor in port days when not on the ship + what you posted.

 

We buy a few on sea days, nowhere near enough to buy a pkg.

 

Enjoy your suite and the ck/sl

Edited August 27, 2015 by setsail

[brightbluestaroftx]

The last cruise I took, I didn't get a package. Whether because I was in a suite or a diamond or my birthday, we received 2 bottles of wine in the room. Between those 2 bottles, the 2 bottles of wine we brought on board, the cocktail hour in the suite lounge, and the BOGO offers for drinks on our card, I spent surprisingly little money on drinks on board.

[3dog]

Considering that the Suite Lounge on Oasis provides beer and wine from 11AM to 11PM at no charge and cocktails from 5:30 PM to 8:00 PM at no charge...

 

I guess this also depends on what you think about the freebies they provide in the lounge or at C&A events.

 

To me, the beer selection is poor at best, and the wine selection is not much better. As I have not only stated, I very much did regularly on my last cruise: I'm more likely to buy an acceptable glass of beer/wine, than to get the free stuff provided in the lounge or to D's and above at "cocktail hour" (I think I had three of the freebies all week, and one was just a soda). And the convenience of the package has some actual value (want a drink, get a drink; no worries about the budget as it is already covered).

 

I have paid for a suite and I am on vacation; the additional cost of either the beverages themselves or the package is noise.

 

But, that is me; others will have a different take based on their budget, tastes, and experiences.

[Mjoellnir]

We are in a GS, but there is no way we are going to limit our cocktails to the few hours the CL is serving them. We rather want to use the bars and pool.

And even including any drinks in the CL, we get ahead on the UP costs.

 

But then, we are lushes.. (according to another thread here) :D

Edited August 27, 2015 by Mjoellnir

[Jackamama]

I think it depends on how much you drink.

 

We were recently in a suite on Allure. We're not big drinkers but like a few in a day, and we didn't buy a drink package. We enjoyed our complimentary drinks in the Suite lounge, pool deck, and drinks at events. We bought our drinks at other times and venues.

 

At the end of the trip we calculated that buying the drink package would have cost us over $300 more than our actual drinks bill, so we were right not to purchase drinks packages. I wouldn't consider it when in a suite, especially when we spend most days in port. Maybe on a Transatlantic though :)

[wolfganghowell]

The answer depends on your preferences. The only beer available will be a few limited brands - probably 4 brands with Corona being the best quality. The wine is the house brand which is swill IMHO. Also - the suite lounge is on deck 17 so if you want an adult beverage before 5, you are going to be spending a LOT of time traveling back and forth to get it. As for the nightly cocktails, it is a limited selection. Basic cocktails - NO call, no premium, no frozen.

 

Basically, if your needs are basic no frills and not a lot of selection, you're good. But if you like variety and a few exotic vacation drinks, don't plan on the suite lounge providing you with anything approaching that.

[CaribSailor]

Last time on oasis I was able to order 2-3 beers and leave the suite lounge and was even encouraged to. The even asked f I had a cooler bag as they would fill with ice. I did tip daily though.

Edited August 27, 2015 by CaribSailor

[Allensfan]

Hi Rocket man,

 

First of all I see no reason not to post a question in more than one spot. Sometimes you don't feel as if you got the information you needed or the trail goes cold. Ask away!

 

I was in a suite on Oasis last month...and I DID get the drink package.

 

I am not a big drinker at home (wine with dinner and such) but on vacation we want all the freedom we can get. And I hated feeling trapped to walk up to the suite holders lounge just to get a free beverage. I loved the sangria while we ate a Mexican lunch, beer by the pool and cocktails in the casino. We used the package a lot. We got drinks with lunch and wine with dinner (not in costal kitchen) and drinks at the clubs and vintages.

 

For us it is a can't miss and we will buy it again.

 

Cheers!

[cb at sea]

If you want to drink earlier in the day, or don't want to be stuck drinking in the same place all the time, you can buy drinks "a la carte" if you don't want the package. If you only want a couple drinks at dinner, and don't mind being in the CL for all your drinking, you're good to go!

Edited August 27, 2015 by cb at sea

[tropiclvrs]

Hi Rocket man,

 

First of all I see no reason not to post a question in more than one spot. Sometimes you don't feel as if you got the information you needed or the trail goes cold. Ask away!

 

Agreed! No need for anyone to think you are "busted" for asking a same/similar

[RocketMan275]

Hi Rocket man,

 

First of all I see no reason not to post a question in more than one spot. Sometimes you don't feel as if you got the information you needed or the trail goes cold. Ask away!

 

Agreed! No need for anyone to think you are "busted" for asking a same/similar

 

Thank you for your kind comments.

 

I appreciate all the time and thought by all those who've responded. This will be our first suite on RCI and wanted to gain insights from those who are more experienced than we are. While we read some good reasons to buy a package, we didn't see any that we would consider to be compelling. I expect the complimentary items in the suite lounge will be more than satisfactory. We will keep an open mind and see how it goes once we board and we'll talk to the lounge staff to make sure we aren't overlooking something.

 

Thanks for all the responses.

[CP3o]

Since it is a week cruise, why not start out seeing how you do with the suite perks and wine you bring on board the first few days, decide later if want a package. You could buy just for the last 4 days and do some of cruise with and some without, just a thought.

[jimmyzwei]

sorry guys, but it is really hard for me to understand why anyone that was willing to pay the 2x or 3x premium for suite over a balcony would worry about the <1k cost of a drink package for 2.

 

its JMHO but if you have to worry about the cost of a drink package, do you really need to be in a suite, there are cheaper ways to cruise that still are not living in the bowels of the ship.

 

sorry if i offend anyone, but again just my opinion, and being from the USA i feel I am entitled to it, again not trying to offend with that comment either

 

ps. if you can teach me how to get my future cruises to display side by side it would be appreciated

Edited August 30, 2015 by jimmyzwei

[Baby_Bear]

sorry guys, but it is really hard for me to understand why anyone that was willing to pay the 2x or 3x premium for suite over a balcony would worry about the <1k cost of a drink package for 2.

 

its JMHO but if you have to worry about the cost of a drink package, do you really need to be in a suite, there are cheaper ways to cruise that still are not living in the bowels of the ship.

 

sorry if i offend anyone, but again just my opinion, and being from the USA i feel I am entitled to it, again not trying to offend with that comment either

 

ps. if you can teach me how to get my future cruises to display side by side it would be appreciated

 

I'm sorry but I don't see the point of this argument. And I'm from the US too, though not sure how that applies and we usually travel in suites. It's not a question of what you can afford or not afford, it's a question of what you want to spend your money on. We just returned from a 7 day Med cruise and were in a GS which we thought was well worth the money. We didn't get a drinks package as we are light drinkers and were happy grabbing a drink or two each night in the Concierge lounge. On the rare occasions when we wanted something later, we just ordered a la carte drinks. No need to waste money on things you're not going to get a lot of use out of. The money saved there, we used on private tours at every port, which again we felt was well worth the expense, vs. ship tours or even small group shared tours. Just because we were willing to spend on certain things like the cabin and tours doesn't mean we were going to go crazy buying unlimited everything. And that sounds like what the OP is trying to do as well. It's good to be a smart spender.

[LilBlackDress]

sorry guys, but it is really hard for me to understand why anyone that was willing to pay the 2x or 3x premium for suite over a balcony would worry about the <1k cost of a drink package for 2.

 

its JMHO but if you have to worry about the cost of a drink package, do you really need to be in a suite, there are cheaper ways to cruise that still are not living in the bowels of the ship.

 

sorry if i offend anyone, but again just my opinion, and being from the USA i feel I am entitled to it, again not trying to offend with that comment either

 

ps. if you can teach me how to get my future cruises to display side by side it would be appreciated

 

give me a day or so, if still needed I might be able to help you.

 

It's funny reading about people will to pay so much for the room worry about a few hundred on a drinks package. I sleep in the room and that's about it personally so even a balcony on anthem was a luxury I didn't really need. Heck I think I'd rather sleep in a inside cabin and go home with a new Hublot watch with the change!

 

Sent from my SM-G920F using Tapatalk

 

I don't see where the OP was worried about money....

 

The OP simply asked does it make sense to get a drink package, on an Oasis Class Ship with a Suite.

 

No matter how much money someone may have or not have, it doesn't mean they want to flush it down the toilet!

 

As a non drinker I can't really answer. I agree with CP3o, check it out on day one or even two and see how much you drink.

[RocketMan275]

It's funny reading about people will to pay so much for the room worry about a few hundred on a drinks package. I sleep in the room and that's about it personally so even a balcony on anthem was a luxury I didn't really need. Heck I think I'd rather sleep in a inside cabin and go home with a new Hublot watch with the change!

 

Sent from my SM-G920F using Tapatalk

 

I'm not at all worried about the cost of the drink package. I'm at a point in life when where I can afford to buy whatever I want. I am concerned about whether it is a wise decision. If the complimentary drinks are sufficient, why should I want to spend $65 PD for something that I would use rarely?

 

FWIW, I would never consider buying a Hublot watch either. I've not worn a watch in 20 years. I'm one of those rare people who always knows which direction is North and what time it is. Watches to me, are a complete waste of money. Nor do I have a need to buy expensive fashion accessories.

[RocketMan275]

give me a day or so, if still needed I might be able to help you.

 

 

 

I don't see where the OP was worried about money....

 

The OP simply asked does it make sense to get a drink package, on an Oasis Class Ship with a Suite.

 

No matter how much money someone may have or not have, it doesn't mean they want to flush it down the toilet!

 

As a non drinker I can't really answer. I agree with CP3o, check it out on day one or even two and see how much you drink.

 

We're going to follow this advice and decide whether to buy or not after we board.

 

One issue that I've yet to see discussed is exactly what complimentary drinks are provided during the dinner hours. I hear cocktails are covered but martinis are not. Why cover a gin and tonic but not a gin and vermouth? I'm sure the bartenders can explain things like that after we board.

 

I also hear the included house wines are poor. But, for $130 PD for a drink package for two people, buying a good bottle of wine is a good trade-off.

[wolfganghowell]

Rocket - you can get a martini during the happy hour. At least Mr Wolf has always been able to get one on our other non oasis cruises. Basic martini not any fancy ones.

 

As for the sniping about the suites/drink packages/ etc etc. Good grief people. Maybe those of us that CHOOSE to spend our money on suites and USE our real estate also want to USE our money wisely on our drinking. The OP asked a reasonable question and the snarky comments about his choice of cabin are beyond ridiculous. You can think a suite is a waste. You can think a drink package is a waste. Then don't post here and go on with your lives. This constant need to pick fights on this board is amazing to me.

[RocketMan275]

Rocket - you can get a martini during the happy hour. At least Mr Wolf has always been able to get one on our other non oasis cruises. Basic martini not any fancy ones.

 

As for the sniping about the suites/drink packages/ etc etc. Good grief people. Maybe those of us that CHOOSE to spend our money on suites and USE our real estate also want to USE our money wisely on our drinking. The OP asked a reasonable question and the snarky comments about his choice of cabin are beyond ridiculous. You can think a suite is a waste. You can think a drink package is a waste. Then don't post here and go on with your lives. This constant need to pick fights on this board is amazing to me.

 

Thanks for the information. Just another reason why we probably won't buy a drink package. Even if the wine is not of the highest quality, as one poster observed, it gets better after a couple martinis.

 

 

 

There have been a lot of "sour grapes" comments.

[Baby_Bear]

Well said! You have the right idea - just see what your on board drinks spending is, and after a couple of days, you'll be able to judge if you need the package or not. They'll be able to accommodate you either way. RC have beautiful suites, you will have a blast. We had a GS on our cruise that just got over yesterday and I'm already missing it!:D