Drinks package for alcoholic

[RubyRed77]

Please don't judge or snark but I have a legit question about the drinks package for an actual alcoholic...we'll be cruising RCCL for the 1st time. Paid $500 for a 9 night cruise where we're bringing along my in-laws. My father-in-law is an alcoholic -as in he has alcohol in his bloodstream at all times. He's not belligerent or harmful in any way & he doesn't drive anywhere b/c he's retired. He gets the shakes and everything so it's a real condition for him. I don't know exactly how much he drinks to stay evened out throughout the day because he hides his consumption. So, is $500 worth it? Also, because of his issues walking around a lot and lack of stability combined with shakiness, will he have problems getting served or can a family member brino him a drink from the bar? I'm trying to figure this out. I wish it wasn't an issue but this is his life. My mother-in-law tolerates it and he's not getting rehabbed probably ever at this point. So is it worth $500 and if not, can they get a refund?

[denatravels]

If he will drink more than $500, I would imagine it's "worth it".

 

 

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[LHT28]

some lines have a limit as to how many drinks you can have in a day on the package

I would check what the policy is on RCCL

[RubyRed77]

Thanks for the replies. Wish I could stay out of this as I usually do, but I booked the whole cruise and there's a language barrier with the in-laws as well so it's up to me to do this all. Starting to think, however, he won't consume $500 worth for the duration. Does anyone find that RCCL "extras" like drinks, souvenirs, etc are more expensive than say... carnival?

[renjrusa]

I think you will get your moneys worth for 500$. Not sure what his drink of choice is but due to the cost of drinks on rccl its really not much when you divide by your 9 days.. There are many oppurtunities to drink on a cruise and thank god just as many to eat something...Enjoy your cruise

[taglovestocruise]

Running up a $500.00 bar tab for 9 nights is very easy to do. 6 drinks a day is breakeven. For someone that is a heavy drinker the breakeven will be on the first half of the cruise. He can spend all day at the same bar and not need to walk anywhere. happy cruising

[RubyRed77]

I think you will get your moneys worth for 500$. Not sure what his drink of choice is but due to the cost of drinks on rccl its really not much when you divide by your 9 days.. There are many oppurtunities to drink on a cruise and thank god just as many to eat something...Enjoy your cruise

 

 

Thanks so much. I appreciate the reply. Thinking at this point I'll just leave the drinks package. They're savvy and will find a way to get money's worth out of this. It's not like I paid for it out of my own pocket and I think it's one of those "live & learn" things-won't know til we do this. I'm sure he'll enjoy fresh squeezed OJ in the mornings. Hubby just informed me that f-i-l gets up at night to drink as well so yeah...burning through $500 will be easy. Love the guy to death but still-damn, dude:eek:

[leaveitallbehind]

Thanks so much. I appreciate the reply. Thinking at this point I'll just leave the drinks package. They're savvy and will find a way to get money's worth out of this. It's not like I paid for it out of my own pocket and I think it's one of those "live & learn" things-won't know til we do this. I'm sure he'll enjoy fresh squeezed OJ in the mornings. Hubby just informed me that f-i-l gets up at night to drink as well so yeah...burning through $500 will be easy. Love the guy to death but still-damn, dude:eek:

 

The bars are not open 24 hours - many close by 12 or 1. The casino is likely open the latest. As to value, with 6-7 drinks per day every day as a rough break even, I'm certain he'll get his money's worth. RCI does not have a daily limit but as with any bar they can refuse service if he appears incapacitated or over inebriated. And with the beverage package others cannot get his drinks for him - he needs to order them and present his SeaPass card with each drink served.

[LA_CA_GAL]

....... So, is $500 worth it?......

 

Absolutely without a doubt.

[snowskier]

Deleted

[renjrusa]

Thanks so much. I appreciate the reply. Thinking at this point I'll just leave the drinks package. They're savvy and will find a way to get money's worth out of this. It's not like I paid for it out of my own pocket and I think it's one of those "live & learn" things

[cb at sea]

There is no "limit" on RCI,...only Carnival (so far) limits you to 15 drinks per day. Drinks are pricey, so if he'll be drinking all day, the package is the way to go.

[SmoothFlying]

Please don't judge or snark but I have a legit question about the drinks package for an actual alcoholic...we'll be cruising RCCL for the 1st time. Paid $500 for a 9 night cruise where we're bringing along my in-laws. My father-in-law is an alcoholic -as in he has alcohol in his bloodstream at all times. He's not belligerent or harmful in any way & he doesn't drive anywhere b/c he's retired. He gets the shakes and everything so it's a real condition for him. I don't know exactly how much he drinks to stay evened out throughout the day because he hides his consumption. So, is $500 worth it? Also, because of his issues walking around a lot and lack of stability combined with shakiness, will he have problems getting served or can a family member brino him a drink from the bar? I'm trying to figure this out. I wish it wasn't an issue but this is his life. My mother-in-law tolerates it and he's not getting rehabbed probably ever at this point. So is it worth $500 and if not, can they get a refund?

 

Please never feel like you have to make excuses for asking ANY question of this type. You have no idea just how many people have a or many in their immediate family whose lives have been changed by alcohol. I'm a prime example. My loving father (now departed) was a heavy week end drinker the first thirty years of my life. While both have now passed, I know my mother would definitely be caught in a quandary about what to do IF we had gone on a cruise and liquor had been readily available. My father never took to drinking every day till he retired after forty years on the same job and that lasted less than five years. But, by then, he had already lost his liver and finally realized the toll not using rational drinking had taken and thankfully the last ten years never had another drink. So, regardless what either choice (daily or drink package) your in-laws decide I hope you have a wonderful cruise and don't end up feeling like you have to walk on tiptoes. In this situation, you are NOT alone.

 

Mac

[RubyRed77]

Please never feel like you have to make excuses for asking ANY question of this type. You have no idea just how many people have a or many in their immediate family whose lives have been changed by alcohol. I'm a prime example. My loving father (now departed) was a heavy week end drinker the first thirty years of my life. While both have now passed, I know my mother would definitely be caught in a quandary about what to do IF we had gone on a cruise and liquor had been readily available. My father never took to drinking every day till he retired after forty years on the same job and that lasted less than five years. But, by then, he had already lost his liver and finally realized the toll not using rational drinking had taken and thankfully the last ten years never had another drink. So, regardless what either choice (daily or drink package) your in-laws decide I hope you have a wonderful cruise and don't end up feeling like you have to walk on tiptoes. In this situation, you are NOT alone.

 

Mac

 

Thanks a million for your compassion on this. I'm shocked the man is still in the decent health he's in but retirement has not served him well (no pun intended). We're hoping to show the in-laws a good time, regardless. I wonder if the mini-bar in the room can be stocked and applied to the drinks pass as well. First time on RCCL & also dealing w/ a drinks package so not sure how it all works. Not trying to "cheat" the system...just have to make sure within limits of their finances, the man can be level.

[snyniew]

Thanks a million for your compassion on this. I'm shocked the man is still in the decent health he's in but retirement has not served him well (no pun intended). We're hoping to show the in-laws a good time, regardless. I wonder if the mini-bar in the room can be stocked and applied to the drinks pass as well. First time on RCCL & also dealing w/ a drinks package so not sure how it all works. Not trying to "cheat" the system...just have to make sure within limits of their finances, the man can be level.

 

Minibar isn't included in the drinks package. Depending on his drink of choice maybe ask for the minibar to be emptied (I do this for water & pop) then possibly get some drinks w/o ice or shots and store them in his room for his late night needs. I don't know about RCCL but on Celebrity you can get cans of pop or beer unopened to store in the fridge/minibar

[leaveitallbehind]

Minibar isn't included in the drinks package. Depending on his drink of choice maybe ask for the minibar to be emptied (I do this for water & pop) then possibly get some drinks w/o ice or shots and store them in his room for his late night needs. I don't know about RCCL but on Celebrity you can get cans of pop or beer unopened to store in the fridge/minibar

 

RCI does not stock a mini bar with alcohol in their staterooms. In fact the coolers now typically are empty when boarding and can be filled upon request with soda, water, and snacks.

[sykimball1498]

Minibar isn't included in the drinks package. Depending on his drink of choice maybe ask for the minibar to be emptied (I do this for water & pop) then possibly get some drinks w/o ice or shots and store them in his room for his late night needs. I don't know about RCCL but on Celebrity you can get cans of pop or beer unopened to store in the fridge/minibar

 

I second this. Many people who would just like a nice Bloody Mary while getting ready in the morning have a bar make them one the night before and then put in the fridge in the room so they can enjoy without having to go to a bar first thing in the morning. No one will think twice about why he is asking for the drink and taking it back to his room. This will probably also work with beer as well. Just let them know you want it unopened at the time of purchase. They should be accomodating to requests I believe.

 

If they go the daily route and do not get the drink package he can also get buckets of beer and maybe save a few for his nighttime consumption as well. You cannot get buckets of beer on the drink package however, so make sure they know that as well.

[spookwife]

its less about whether he can get his money's worth out of it and more about , will the line CUT HIM OFF cold turkey?! they can and will do so especially if he exhibits the symptoms you are describing. so when that happens( * and they absolutely can do that and not refund him a single penny) and he goes into withdrawal in the middle of a sea day, then what? or causes a huge ruckus when he tries to get a drink and is told no?

 

the ship has every right to then confine him to the cabin until the next port where he will be kicked off and left to find his own way home. medical care on board will be very expensive as well.

 

and if you are thinking ,w ell you can use your drink package to get his drinks, no you cannot, and the staff will watch HIM wherever he is and if they find out he has gotten a hold of alcohol, the person supplying him gets into trouble.

 

so unless you are EXTREMELY cognizant of his drinking style and habits, be very cautious all around. most 'man overboards' are the result of excess alcohol.

[leaveitallbehind]

its less about whether he can get his money's worth out of it and more about , will the line CUT HIM OFF cold turkey?! they can and will do so especially if he exhibits the symptoms you are describing. so when that happens( * and they absolutely can do that and not refund him a single penny) and he goes into withdrawal in the middle of a sea day, then what? or causes a huge ruckus when he tries to get a drink and is told no?

 

the ship has every right to then confine him to the cabin until the next port where he will be kicked off and left to find his own way home. medical care on board will be very expensive as well.

 

and if you are thinking ,w ell you can use your drink package to get his drinks, no you cannot, and the staff will watch HIM wherever he is and if they find out he has gotten a hold of alcohol, the person supplying him gets into trouble.

 

so unless you are EXTREMELY cognizant of his drinking style and habits, be very cautious all around. most 'man overboards' are the result of excess alcohol.

 

Wow - a bit extreme, don't you think? :rolleyes:

[Shmoo here]

Wow - a bit extreme, don't you think? :rolleyes:

I don't think so.

[LA_CA_GAL]

Wow - a bit extreme, don't you think? :rolleyes:

"Cut off ..... cold turkey ...... man overboard ...... "

This place is always good for a chuckle.:rolleyes:

[dfish]

its less about whether he can get his money's worth out of it and more about , will the line CUT HIM OFF cold turkey?! they can and will do so especially if he exhibits the symptoms you are describing. so when that happens( * and they absolutely can do that and not refund him a single penny) and he goes into withdrawal in the middle of a sea day, then what? or causes a huge ruckus when he tries to get a drink and is told no?

 

the ship has every right to then confine him to the cabin until the next port where he will be kicked off and left to find his own way home. medical care on board will be very expensive as well.

 

and if you are thinking ,w ell you can use your drink package to get his drinks, no you cannot, and the staff will watch HIM wherever he is and if they find out he has gotten a hold of alcohol, the person supplying him gets into trouble.

 

so unless you are EXTREMELY cognizant of his drinking style and habits, be very cautious all around. most 'man overboards' are the result of excess alcohol.

Rather than getting booted off or falling overboard, I would be more worried about him having a seizure due to not getting his alcohol. Given the description of his drinking levels, he may appear hale and hearty, but actually be quite fragile health wise.

[navybankerteacher]

 

...

 

He gets the shakes and everything so it's a real condition for him.

 

...

 

Also, because of his issues walking around a lot and lack of stability combined with shakiness, will he have problems getting served or can a family member brino him a drink from the bar?

...

 

 

You have described a person whose appearance may very well cause bartenders to refuse to serve him. All packages are sold with the understanding that a person can be shut off if he appears to have had too much to drink. "the the shakes" , "issues walking around" and "lack of stability" are precisely the signals that bar tenders are advised to consider reason for shutting off.

 

If your description of him is accurate, I believe it very likely that he will not get value for that $500.

[Underwatr]

I know that Cunard and Carnival sell liquor by the bottle through room service. It isn't duty-free pricing but cheaper than buying the same amount of liquor by the drink ($50-70 per bottle, with six cans of soda or mixer included). Perhaps RCCL has a similar offer via the room service menu?

[leaveitallbehind]

I know that Cunard and Carnival sell liquor by the bottle through room service. It isn't duty-free pricing but cheaper than buying the same amount of liquor by the drink ($50-70 per bottle, with six cans of soda or mixer included). Perhaps RCCL has a similar offer via the room service menu?

 

No, they don't.