Another Drink Package Thread

[lgilroy]

We are sailing on the Allure on Dec. 13th. I am having such a hard time deciding on the drink package to get. While the Ultimate is outrageously priced I like the idea of being able to order anything and not be charged. I like to get a specialty coffee in the morning, and being able to get bottled water is essential. My travel agent suggested the select package due to price and while I do drink mainly beer and wine, sometimes I do venture with other things. Anyone have a breakdown of how much you would have to drink to make it worth while for each package? I'm sure someone must have posted it on here but I can't seem to find it.

[Clarea]

We are sailing on the Allure on Dec. 13th. I am having such a hard time deciding on the drink package to get. While the Ultimate is outrageously priced I like the idea of being able to order anything and not be charged. I like to get a specialty coffee in the morning, and being able to get bottled water is essential. My travel agent suggested the select package due to price and while I do drink mainly beer and wine, sometimes I do venture with other things. Anyone have a breakdown of how much you would have to drink to make it worth while for each package? I'm sure someone must have posted it on here but I can't seem to find it.

The Premium package does include bottled still water.

[Kynance103]

I am also very tempted to get the Ultimate package but not sure if I will get value for money.. (don't wanna be drunk all day) lol [emoji12][emoji12]

[s407o]

In my experience, 2 bottle waters, 2-3 coffees, and 2-3 martinis a day hardly makes me drunk all day. Maybe a little wired :p. I find it completely worth it. JMO. Side note I have been to almost all the islands and don't really do excursions anymore so that helps the cause.

[fun_one]

Did the prices really go up to $57 and $67 per person per day? That is outrageous. I could swallow the $49 a day (which is what Princess and Celebrity currently charge) but I think anything more than that is a little crazy.

 

That said, from everything I have been reading about how they have raised the drink prices and the gratuity (from 15% to 18%), it is probably still a good deal. We are doing a Celebrity cruise in March and they have this 1-2-3 package deal where you can pick your choice of benefits (for a price) including pre-paid tips, the drink package, or $150 onboard credit - that seems like the direction all cruise ships should go. You end up paying a lot less up front for the benefit and it makes you feel better about it too.

 

Just my opinion.

Barbara

[Clarea]

Did the prices really go up to $57 and $67 per person per day? That is outrageous. I could swallow the $49 a day (which is what Princess and Celebrity currently charge) but I think anything more than that is a little crazy....

The prices stayed the same, they are just including the gratuity in the published prices now. So the $49 Premium price shows up as $57 with 18% gratuity now.

[fun_one]

I feel just a little bit better now............ :)

[MNfamilycruiser]

We are sailing on the Allure on Dec. 13th. I am having such a hard time deciding on the drink package to get. While the Ultimate is outrageously priced I like the idea of being able to order anything and not be charged. I like to get a specialty coffee in the morning, and being able to get bottled water is essential. My travel agent suggested the select package due to price and while I do drink mainly beer and wine, sometimes I do venture with other things. Anyone have a breakdown of how much you would have to drink to make it worth while for each package? I'm sure someone must have posted it on here but I can't seem to find it.

 

The difference between the Ultimate and the Premium is $10 per day - and the only difference in what you can get is the fresh squeezed orange juice and the specialty coffees. For me it was easy to say, I don't need the orange juice, and I am unlikely to have more than 1 coffee a day - so no need for the Ultimate.

 

As far as breaking it down even more, it all depends on what you normally drink and how much that costs. The Premium is $15 per day more than the Select. There are lots of threads here that discuss how much an average drink is. I remember around $6-8 for a plain cocktail and $12-14 for a fancy special one. So average it out for your cruise - how many would you need to drink in addition to the wine and beer to make it worthwhile to you.

 

Plain bottled water is included in all of the plans that include alcohol.

[Clarea]

The difference between the Ultimate and the Premium is $10 per day - and the only difference in what you can get is the fresh squeezed orange juice and the specialty coffees. For me it was easy to say, I don't need the orange juice, and I am unlikely to have more than 1 coffee a day - so no need for the Ultimate.

 

As far as breaking it down even more, it all depends on what you normally drink and how much that costs. The Premium is $15 per day more than the Select. There are lots of threads here that discuss how much an average drink is. I remember around $6-8 for a plain cocktail and $12-14 for a fancy special one. So average it out for your cruise - how many would you need to drink in addition to the wine and beer to make it worthwhile to you.

 

Plain bottled water is included in all of the plans that include alcohol.

A couple of corrections:

 

Another difference between the Premium and Ultimate packages is the addition of bottled sparkling water.

 

Plain bottled water is not included in the Select (soda, beer, wine) package.

[MNfamilycruiser]

A couple of corrections:

 

Another difference between the Premium and Ultimate packages is the addition of bottled sparkling water.

 

Plain bottled water is not included in the Select (soda, beer, wine) package.

 

Thanks for the corrections:D Neither of those things affect/interest me so I have a hard time remembering about them.

[hogwildcruzers]

A couple of Bloody Mary's in the mornings, couple of specialty coffee's with Bailey's, three or four frozen drinks by the pool, drink before dinner, drink with dinner, shooter after dinner and two or three in the bars or dancing during the night after dinner and I believe I have saved a lot of money by buying the ultimate package!

[John&LaLa]

A couple of Bloody Mary's in the mornings, couple of specialty coffee's with Bailey's, three or four frozen drinks by the pool, drink before dinner, drink with dinner, shooter after dinner and two or three in the bars or dancing during the night after dinner and I believe I have saved a lot of money by buying the ultimate package!

 

2 coffees in the morning. :eek:

[casinostreer]

A couple of Bloody Mary's in the mornings, couple of specialty coffee's with Bailey's, three or four frozen drinks by the pool, drink before dinner, drink with dinner, shooter after dinner and two or three in the bars or dancing during the night after dinner and I believe I have saved a lot of money by buying the ultimate package!

 

Sounds like my kind of cruise! (But our two or three at night tend to be in the casino.) Still you all sound like fun!! :D

 

It's such a personal thing - drink packages. We don't drink much at all at home. So on vacation - we tend to "have a good time." Ex bartenders - so we're never really drunk. But I probably drink more on a cruise when I have the package.

 

NOT because I'm trying to "get my money's worth" - but because I love trying new drinks and concoctions. I would probably worry about doing that if i was paying for them individually.

 

Whichever package you pick - you'll have a great cruise!! :D

[widallas]

The only difference between the premium and the ultimate is the OJ and the specialty coffee? (Oh and the sparkling water, which makes no difference for me.)

 

Or does the premium have the $10 limit on drinks and the ultimate have the $12? To much conflicting information and I'm trying to figure out if I should stick with a premium or go "all in."

Edited September 17, 2015 by widallas

[Clarea]

The only difference between the premium and the ultimate is the OJ and the specialty coffee? (Oh and the sparkling water, which makes no difference for me.)

 

Or does the premium have the $10 limit on drinks and the ultimate have the $12? To much conflicting information and I'm trying to figure out if I should stick with a premium or go "all in."

No difference in alcoholic drink limits between Premium and Ultimate.

Edited September 17, 2015 by clarea

[widallas]

No difference in alcoholic drink limits between Premium and Ultimate.

 

 

You sir are such a wonderful source of information...thanks for always sharing! [emoji6]

[FLASHINGLIGHTS83]

Does anyone know if I wait to purchase the Drink packages onboard, will they be cheaper, or not get charged tax?? I'm just trying to decide if I want to purchase now or wait till onboard.

[Clarea]

Does anyone know if I wait to purchase the Drink packages onboard, will they be cheaper, or not get charged tax?? I'm just trying to decide if I want to purchase now or wait till onboard.

Same price, onboard or pre-cruise.

[FLASHINGLIGHTS83]

Same price, onboard or pre-cruise.

 

OK....Thank you

[thegima]

They're the same price either way.. Unless they change the price between buying it online and buying it on the ship, you'd end up paying the higher (new) price if you waited.

 

I think the premium is probably the best bet if you're not into coffee, teas, and fresh juice and just are buying it for the alcohol / soda / water..

[FLASHINGLIGHTS83]

I got the non-alcoholic one that is 22$ a day for the coffee and water and virgin beverages. Does anyone know if I decide to get a non-virgin drink, do I just pay for the alcohol in it, or do I still have to pay for the full drink?

[Clarea]

I got the non-alcoholic one that is 22$ a day for the coffee and water and virgin beverages. Does anyone know if I decide to get a non-virgin drink, do I just pay for the alcohol in it, or do I still have to pay for the full drink?

You would pay full price for anything that is not covered in your package.

[Ourusualbeach]

I got the non-alcoholic one that is 22$ a day for the coffee and water and virgin beverages. Does anyone know if I decide to get a non-virgin drink, do I just pay for the alcohol in it, or do I still have to pay for the full drink?

 

My wife had the replenish package and the few times that she wanted an alcoholic drink she just ordered a shot on the side and mixed it in herself.

Edited September 17, 2015 by Ourusualbeach

[FLASHINGLIGHTS83]

My wife had the replenish package and the few times that she wanted an alcoholic drink she just ordered a shot on the side and mixed it in herself.

 

Thats what my wife suggested.......

[wolfcathorse]

for the poster that asked how many you'd have to drink every day....I usually get the Premium Package and with the increase in drink prices you'd only have to drink 6 a day. I like to make RCI lose money on me so I drink 8 per day and I don't count the soda's I get myself out of the Freestyle machine, or the bottled water I sometimes get.