For recent cruisers since the drink package change ----

[WeLuv2Cruz13]

should I upgrade to premium or just pay the difference? First, we are not huge drinkers and really have no specific preferences. I would like to try a few of the "specialty" drinks which are in premium but other than that am pretty fine with the classic package. Just wondering if people think worth the upgrade or just to pay as I go?

 

One other question - are the frozen slushy drinks served by the pool included in classic or premium?

 

Thanks so much. :cool:

[Bryce1962]

Great question, I think we are in the same boat (excuse the pun) and would welcome the answers[emoji1]

 

 

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[helen haywood]

When you say "frozen slushy drinks" I don't know whether you mean the Slush bar on some S-Class ships or all frozen slushy drinks on the pool deck in general. Can't speak to the former, but all frozen slushy drinks made with Classic Package alcohol (frozen margaritas, daiquiris, mudslides, etc.) are available at all bars with a blender and included in the Classic Package. Also, you are aware that the Classic Package has now changed and instead of paying the total cost for a drink out of your price point, you now only pay the difference? That being said, if you aren't big drinkers and don't have exotic preferences, you'd probably be fine paying as you go for up charges. And keep in mind that you can upgrade (only one person if you wish) at any time, pro-rated, up until the last three days of the cruise.

[JaniceB]

Thanks for this information.

[cruisin lady ca]

Another deciding factor might be the types of nonalcoholic beverages you prefer to consume. For example, vitamin water is included in the premium beverage but not the classic. My husband became a huge fan of vitamin water on our last cruise and consumed at least a couple of them daily. If your preference is coffee drinks, either package will provide access to the yummy lattes etc at Cafe al Bacio.

 

On our last cruise, we did have the premium beverage package for the first time. We had the classic beverage package on prior cruises and had been happy with the wine choices. Not so much on this latest cruise. It took me a few days to figure out that the sommelier in the MDR was not being very helpful and was offering only classic package wines. Be aware that they now list a few wines in the dinner menu and we were not given a wine list until I specifically asked for it, a few nights into the cruise. The wine list provides much better choices for wine by the glass. Ended up drinking Decoy Cabernet Sauvignon and Mer Soleil Chardonnay most nights from that point forward. I chose those because of posts I read here on CC. Unfortunately, the different sommeliers we encountered in the MDR (we had Select Dining) were not as helpful, creative or enthusiastic as on prior cruises.

[WeLuv2Cruz13]

Yes I meant Slush Bar (sorry, couldn't remember the exact name). I know you just pay the difference and that's why I'm wondering what people (who have gone since this change) thought of one vs. the other.

 

Again, thanks for the comments! :cool:

[vplsh]

I have been thinking about this as well for our Equinox cruise in July. We will definitely upgrade my husband to the Premium package, as he will most likely drink enough to make up the difference. I will not- upgrading for one martini a night will not cover the extra money, so I plan to just pay as I go for my drinks.

The upgrade costs $11.80 per day, so that would mean I'd need to have several drinks on the premium package to cover that.

[ladytonya]

My husband and I will be going on our first Celebrity cruise next March, so of course I'm researching the most important aspect of any cruise - drinks!

 

First off, does everyone in the cabin who is over 21 have to purchase the package? This would be a total waste of money for my hubby so we've never done it before on previous cruises.

 

Second, classic or premium? The info I'm reading says classic drinks are up to $6. I sometimes pay $6 for a beer on land so a little concerned about what exactly that might include, not to mention other drinks. A Jack and Coke was that much at our local casino.

 

Lastly, what craft beers are available? I love in a town with tons of craft brews and refuse to drink anything related to Bud or Coors or Miller. Any beer snow around here who could enlighten me? I need a nice hoppy IPA!

 

Thanks for any enlightenment you fine people can provide!

 

 

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[helen haywood]

The Classic drinks are now up to $9. If you are buying the package, no, both adults in the cabin do not have to purchase it. If you are receiving it as a promo/perk then it will be given to both occupants, or if it is one adult and one child the adult would receive the Classic Package and the child a non-alcohol beverage package. Meaning if you select the Classic Package as a perk you can't ask for one person in the cabin to get it and the other to choose the internet package.

 

Jack Daniel's is no longer on the Classic Package. It is $1 more so you'd pay $1.18 extra (18% grat.) Jim Beam is available on the Classic

 

 

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[groryjm]

This interests me greatly as well. In the past we upgraded with out much thought as one $11 cocktail alone would have justified the cost.

 

Now it seems quite hard to work out as all the posts and threads I have seen seem to talk about whether a drink is in either the classic or premium package but don't mention the cost of an actual drink.

 

A martini at the martini bar is $13, so an upgrade of $4. A nicer glass of wine say a pinot gris at $12 and a $3 upcharge. Get a $13 world class cocktail before bed and as the difference is only $10 (plus 18%) and you are already up a $1 if you upgrade.

 

The question i have is what is the upcharge for a premium water like perrier or a red bull as they are listed as premium:confused:

[helen haywood]

I think those drinks listed as Premium would require you to pay full price. Let's not debate the logic of this. [emoji11] I know the Classic now only includes fountain sodas, not cans (although that seems to be handled differently ship to ship or Bar to bar) and you will be charged full price for a can if offered a fountain drink.

 

With regard to mixed drinks, unless the price point is over $9 (as in all martinis at the Martini Bar and all World Class Bar drinks) then they will be covered by the Classic Package. As before, if you want a margarita on the Classic, no problem unless you want top shelf alcohol, then there is an up charge.

 

Some changes are a bit wonky. For example Kahluha and Bailey's (I think) are no longer available under the Classic Package but a Mudslide is. If you ask for a bourbon and Coke you will get a can. And you can get martinis under the Classic Package if you order "regular" ones from a bar other than The Martini Bar, i.e. Passport, Sky etc.

 

 

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[Cruise Raider]

We just sailed on the Solstice a couple of weeks ago and we never felt the need to upgrade. We paid the upcharge for drinks a few times but mostly everything we liked was covered in the classic package. Their wines, at least on this ship, were greatly improved from previous cruises. Sometimes, we would just pay the $1 - $3 for a better drink ... never did it hit the point where it would have been advantageous for us to upgrade to the premium package.

Keep in mind, though, not all bars participated in paying only the upcharge. I had read this previously and it was confirmed while we were onboard. In some venues, you did have to pay the entire cost of the drink if you had the classic package and it was over the $9 limit. We never went to the martini bar or the world class bar so not sure if those two did participate in this pricing. I know that the pool bars didn't ... but sure that it was in affect at the Passport Bar and Cafe Al Bacio.

Of note, the prices were being changed while we were onboard ... at least in the dining room. I had obviously gotten one of their old menus but it was quickly changed out when I mentioned that the pricing was different from my DH's menu.

Someone asked about craft beers and my DH was pretty happy with the selection. Some of these beers were $10 or more so he gladly paid the small upcharge.

[helen haywood]

Are you saying the Pool Bar charged you full price for drinks, instead of just the upcharge difference?

 

 

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[lnuzzo]

We opted for the classic beverage perk on our upcoming cruise. After doing some research, we upgraded to the premium for the extra $11 pp/pd. We don't drink many mixed drinks, but hubby loves margaritas, and the tequila offerings are pathetic on the classic package. Guinness is not included, and that was another issue for hubby.

 

Also, we do love a good red wine in the evening at the wine bar, before dinner. The classic beverage package options are extremely limited. Since cheap red wine triggers his migraines, and all it would take is a couple of upgrades to a decent red wine to cover the upgrade to premium, for us it was a no brainer.

 

In the end, it depends on your drinking habits, and whether the options fit. For us it did not, but I understand that for others it does, and that is great for them!

 

 

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[1025cruise]

I had considered this point as well. I looked at drink menus that people had posted, and thought, geez, some of those sound good, but aren't fully covered under the classic package. In the end, I still had OBC remaining after buying shore excursions and reserving some of the spa (which had to be prepaid anyways, not using OBC), that I bit the bullet and upgraded. I figured the piece of mind of just not having to worry about it was worth the added cost.

[TFLG]

We opted for the classic beverage perk on our upcoming cruise. After doing some research, we upgraded to the premium for the extra $11 pp/pd. We don't drink many mixed drinks, but hubby loves margaritas, and the tequila offerings are pathetic on the classic package. Guinness is not included, and that was another issue for hubby.

 

Also, we do love a good red wine in the evening at the wine bar, before dinner. The classic beverage package options are extremely limited. Since cheap red wine triggers his migraines, and all it would take is a couple of upgrades to a decent red wine to cover the upgrade to premium, for us it was a no brainer.

 

In the end, it depends on your drinking habits, and whether the options fit. For us it did not, but I understand that for others it does, and that is great for them!

 

 

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Even on the premium package the wines are pretty weak and so is the selection. We are just off the Equinox and the best Cab was the Decoy and the best Pinot was the Kendall Jackson (without an upcharge). Last Nov our sommelier was great, he would just bring us a bottle of wine and it was always really good, lots of stuff I've never heard of and not on the wine by the glass menu. This last cruise our sommelier was no help and offered nothing other than the few wines on the list.

 

I typically upgrade, my wife does not. It's never been an issue for her. I spend most evenings with my backside firmly planted at the World Class bar so it's a no brainer for me to upgrade.

[Jade13]

The Classic drinks are now up to $9. If you are buying the package, no, both adults in the cabin do not have to purchase it. If you are receiving it as a promo/perk then it will be given to both occupants, or if it is one adult and one child the adult would receive the Classic Package and the child a non-alcohol beverage package. Meaning if you select the Classic Package as a perk you can't ask for one person in the cabin to get it and the other to choose the internet package.

 

Jack Daniel's is no longer on the Classic Package. It is $1 more so you'd pay $1.18 extra (18% grat.) Jim Beam is available on the Classic

 

 

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How can it be up to $9.00 if canned soda is no longer included?

 

 

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[helen haywood]

I said in my post #11 "Let's not debate the logic of this." Red Bull was not included in the Classic Package and it cost less than the alcoholic drinks. It just is what they make it to be. Certain sodas, waters, other drinks that cost less than $9 are not included in the Classic Package.

 

 

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[groryjm]

I accept that things like red bull and Perrier are not covered by the classic but if you have a cruise booked with out any package included then what are they going to charge for these? based on the previously mentioned upcharge I can't believe a glass of Perrier could be $10 ........ or is that the price?

[chamima]

I accept that things like red bull and Perrier are not covered by the classic but if you have a cruise booked with out any package included then what are they going to charge for these? based on the previously mentioned upcharge I can't believe a glass of Perrier could be $10 ........ or is that the price?

 

 

Good question.

I wondered the same thing myself.

Hopefully someone knows and you'll get a response.

[pmcue]

My husband and I will be going on our first Celebrity cruise next March, so of course I'm researching the most important aspect of any cruise - drinks!

 

First off, does everyone in the cabin who is over 21 have to purchase the package? This would be a total waste of money for my hubby so we've never done it before on previous cruises.

 

Second, classic or premium? The info I'm reading says classic drinks are up to $6. I sometimes pay $6 for a beer on land so a little concerned about what exactly that might include, not to mention other drinks. A Jack and Coke was that much at our local casino.

 

Lastly, what craft beers are available? I love in a town with tons of craft brews and refuse to drink anything related to Bud or Coors or Miller. Any beer snow around here who could enlighten me? I need a nice hoppy IPA!

 

Thanks for any enlightenment you fine people can provide!

 

 

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You will find a decent selection of craft and a few IPA in the Pub area. I think all of them would be premium.

 

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[ladytonya]

You will find a decent selection of craft and a few IPA in the Pub area. I think all of them would be premium.

 

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I am finding that the good beer is only available with the premium package, I guess I am spoiled. I live in a town that is saturated by craft breweries! Thanks for the info!

 

 

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[Hlitner]

The "wine by the glass" situation is really awful on this cruise line. In most cases it is impossible to get any kind of wine list that specifically lists the wines by the glass available for the various packages. Even in Blu, where we had a good relationship to the Sommelier, we were unable to get a list of what was available. One had to ask questions such as "what cabernet's do you have today" and then might be quickly given a few choices (with no price or tasting info). The only place we routinely could get a wine list (by the glass) was in Murano...where they had their own wine list which did show the regular offerings. And in Murano if we expressed an interest in a better wine (we would usually specify the varietal) the Sommelier could be helpful and would sometimes open a better wine so we could have a few glasses. Since we had the Premium Package (under the old rules) this sometimes meant we had to agree to pay an extra fee for the better wine (we have no problem paying for good wine).

 

If you simply stop at the bar in the Lido (during the day) and ask what wines are available....all they could do is start picking up open bottles and showing us the labels. There was never a list :(.

 

Hank

[tartana]

I've been researching and haven't found a clear answer on this one: At the Martini Bar - with a classic package, do you only pay the difference in the price of a drink from the classic allowance? Or do you have to pay the full martini price there? Thanks!

[helen haywood]

You now only pay the difference.

 

 

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