Royal testing to bring back same drink package for all

[swoopy2110]

I only generally drink beer. I don't want a package that includes cocktails etc. which I'd have to pay a lot more for!

 

Select was perfect for me. They'll likely end up will less money off me now than before the package existed as I won't be buying as many beers at $7 a pop!

 

Probably the same for those that end up sharing now becuase they can't justify the cost

[Havingfun2010]

Well, my wife can never have a package do to disabilities, and I get it because I always feel I break even, and like having the bottles of water available. Plus I like the convenience of not having to sign all those papers. But if this is true, I just won't get a package. I will make sure I drink all my Diamond drinks, and not worry.

 

I do hope it's not true, but I won't cry either way.

[BekkaW]

I prefer the current system. I happily purchase the deluxe package, but hubby drinks very little so is happy with a soda package and buys an occasional adult drink. No point buying a package for him so I guess I would go back to a la carte if they implement this rule.

[amyhphoto]

Plus I like the convenience of not having to sign all those papers.

 

If you have the deluxe beverage package they don't make you sign for your drinks?

[BillOh]

Thanks for posting. Glad to see them bringing this back

 

 

Now that I'm Diamond and can get my fill during Happy hour, I wish they would do away with the drink packages and drop bar prices 33%. I know I'm in the minority in that feeling, but the statements about people needing to get their money's worth bother me a great deal. I've seen, and been the victim of myself, harm by people drinking to excess, so I'm a little sensitive to it.

[Milwaukee Eight]

We no longer consider any info from Anonymous Sources.

 

 

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[El Abuelo]

From an official source:

 

On July 7th, Royal Caribbean will be running a pilot program to test a change to the purchase of the Deluxe Beverage Package and Sip + Stream combo.

This pilot program will be for eight Harmony of the Seas sailings starting September 30, 2017 through November 18, 2017. Please see the specific dates below:

 

9/30/2017

10/7/2017

10/14/2017

10/21/2017

11/4/2017

11/11/2017

11/18/2017

 

Royal Caribbean’s Deluxe Beverage Package gives a guest nearly unlimited refreshment options at one set price; cocktails, beer, wine by the glass, soda, juice, and more. Since introducing the package, we have noted an increase in the amount of beverages that are being shared between those who have purchased the package and those who have not. Since the package price is intended to cover consumption by a single guest, we are revising our purchase policy and bringing it in line with industry standards.

 

As of July 7th, any guest cruising on select Harmony of the Seas sailings who wishes to purchase the Deluxe Beverage Package or Sip + Stream combo must do so along with all other guests 21 years of age or older who are booked in the same stateroom.

Strange, I looked at the roll call threads for those cruises and there's no mention of this new policy. Certainly a change in policy of this significance would have already been announced to people that have booked those cruises.

[Clarea]

If you have the deluxe beverage package they don't make you sign for your drinks?

Not always. We've found that if we give a cash tip with the SeaPass card, we usually do not get a receipt to sign.

[lbjen]

If this is true, I'm really not surprised. Although I'm having a hard time imagining how they are going to handle this with only some specific cruises - are they going to refund people's packages at the pier if they don't add the other one to the room?

[Clarea]

If this is true, I'm really not surprised. Although I'm having a hard time imagining how they are going to handle this with only some specific cruises - are they going to refund people's packages at the pier if they don't add the other one to the room?

I believe they will refund the cost of the package for any reason within the first two days of the cruise,

[marci22]

Well, my wife can never have a package do to disabilities, and I get it because I always feel I break even, and like having the bottles of water available. Plus I like the convenience of not having to sign all those papers. But if this is true, I just won't get a package. I will make sure I drink all my Diamond drinks, and not worry.

 

You can get bottles of water with your drink vouchers each evening and you should get 2 small bottles each in your cabin on the first day.

[Milwaukee Eight]

If you have the deluxe beverage package they don't make you sign for your drinks?

 

 

 

On MJ this past weekend, even always tipping with cash, we were given a paper receipt to sign. Exceptions were while playing in the Casino and drinking on the Floating bar. Even during Diamond and Suite Cocktail hours in the VCL we were given a paper receipt to sign.

 

 

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[Jame1987]

Maybe it's just me, but if this is true, people only brought it upon themselves. It really irks me when people publicize that they skirt the terms and conditions of certain things like sharing drink packages, or freaking out about how to get their case of water on board when it is clearly a RCI policy that it is not allowed. Call me old fashioned but we always both buy the drink packages if we're going to drink. And have never even thought about trying to share or smuggle things that aren't allowed. And seriously parents are you teaching your children if you don't like the rules that you can just bend them to meet your needs. Ok rant done.... back to my cheery self.

[Suzieanna]

Seems each ship has its own rules. I had Deluxe - didn't have to sign for anything, anywhere. Except for specialty coffees at café promenade. It wasn't paper, it was a card/swipe/sign on screen thing.

 

Myself and my adult daughter had deluxe and my husband did not have a package at all. His drinks all appeared on a bill at the end.

 

If our cards were given as a set of 3 and 3 drinks ordered - 1 cocktail, 1 diet cola 1 budweiser - they were always very surprised when we were honest and said the bud is to be "charged"... I guess we must be rare in our honesty?

 

I agree that by doing away with "select", the moderate drinkers (couple of beers and a wine or two) might feel they are being squeezed too much.

[flhokie]

I purchased the package on my recent cruise. It was just DD (6) and I so this would not have been an issue. I really enjoyed not having to worry about individual charges.

 

However, if my husband cruises with us I guess I won't be able to get the package again which is disappointing. He is on multiple medications that do not allow him to drink--strict orders from doctors so purchasing the package for him would be a complete waste. We usually purchase a soda package for him, but to pay for drinks he can't drink would be a waste. I would hope we could get a medical exception (he can provide plenty of documentation from doctors), but I guess I shouldn't hold my breath.

 

 

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[swoopy2110]

Seems each ship has its own rules. I had Deluxe - didn't have to sign for anything, anywhere. Except for specialty coffees at café promenade. It wasn't paper, it was a card/swipe/sign on screen thing.

 

Myself and my adult daughter had deluxe and my husband did not have a package at all. His drinks all appeared on a bill at the end.

 

If our cards were given as a set of 3 and 3 drinks ordered - 1 cocktail, 1 diet cola 1 budweiser - they were always very surprised when we were honest and said the bud is to be "charged"... I guess we must be rare in our honesty?

 

I agree that by doing away with "select", the moderate drinkers (couple of beers and a wine or two) might feel they are being squeezed too much.

 

I presume you were sailing in Europe ? They are less likely to offer you a receipt to sign in Europe, as the ratio of 'additional tips' given is far lower

[floatel_lvr]

1. This was Royal Caribbean's policy when alcoholic drink packages were first introduced.

 

2. Quite a few people right here on Cruise Critic have bragged about sharing a package, and how "easy" it was.

 

3. Several people on this thread have said that if this goes into effect, they will not buy the package. I assume that you will still purchase some drinks. Royal is not going to take a hit on this (definitely) in the long run and probably not in the short run, either.

 

I have (and I am sure others have as well) seen people openly sharing the package. I agree that this policy change (if true) will not negatively affect revenue for Royal. It would be nice if it had the effect of lowering the package cost but I realize this is unlikely.

[toxicfairy]

Just won't purchase any packages !

And I can see a future return of the rum runners threads for a whole lot of people!

 

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[cruiseguy1016]

If you have the deluxe beverage package they don't make you sign for your drinks?

 

On my recent Alaska cruise I had the drink package, DW did not. If I ordered a drink for just myself, I never had to sign for it. If I bought a drink for DW, I had to sign for it. DW had one or two drinks a day. I usually ordered them for her when I ordered mine. The bartender always asked for a second card to pay for the second drink. I told them I wanted to pay for it with my card. They seemed to have trouble grasping the concept of me getting one for free (on my drink package) and then using my card to pay for the second. They're probably used to people trying to get more than one free drink at a time.

[Jenjer]

I am surprised that this has not been the policy all along.

 

Last cruise DH and I both had packages and kids had non alcoholic packages. Easy as pie everyone could drink whatever they wanted and no one had to sneak drinks. Great deal for me, DH maybe broke even, DS paid off. DD said don't bother since Anthem didn't have Quantum smoothies and she doesn't drink soda. Just bottles of water and OJ for her.

 

Paying for it ahead of time made our bill at the end much lower and removed the "how much have a spent today". You defiantly don't need a drink package to enjoy a cruise so if you want it get it, if your don't, dont

[Biker19]

and i can see a future return of the rum runners threads for a whole lot of people!

+1.

[Cauzneffct]

strange, i looked at the roll call threads for those cruises and there's no mention of this new policy. Certainly a change in policy of this significance would have already been announced to people that have booked those cruises.

 

lol

[cruisegirl1]

On MJ this past weekend, even always tipping with cash, we were given a paper receipt to sign. Exceptions were while playing in the Casino and drinking on the Floating bar. Even during Diamond and Suite Cocktail hours in the VCL we were given a paper receipt to sign.

 

 

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Isn't the VCL the D/D+ event for Majesty? Were you in the D/D+ event section, or simply sitting in the VCL. We generally get our D/D+ drink at a bar and almost always get a zero receipt to sign. In the times we've been in a D/D+ lounge, we've NEVER been given a receipt to sign.

 

Makes me wonder if at some point there will be limited drinks regardless of where it is obtained.

m

[AmandaKaye79]

Seriously, if people are sharing, it can't be easy. You can't sit at the same place and order two drinks with one card for "free." You can't order one drink and two seconds later order a different drink at the same place. It would require visiting 2 places and hanging out at a third place to drink. What about during dinner or trivia? Impossible! My husband wanted to get a bucket of beer to drink on the balcony. (I don't even drink beer). He was only allowed to purchase one beer with the package. We saw a group of 4 sharing one drink package which meant they purchased one beer at the time and all drank out of it. This seems silly and too aggravating. In my experience, the bartenders get to know you and know what you like to drink. So realistically, how easy is it to share and really enjoy the cruise?

 

 

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[Cauzneffct]

Seriously, if people are sharing, it can't be easy. You can't sit at the same place and order two drinks with one card for "free." You can't order one drink and two seconds later order a different drink at the same place. It would require visiting 2 places and hanging out at a third place to drink. What about during dinner or trivia? Impossible! My husband wanted to get a bucket of beer to drink on the balcony. (I don't even drink beer). He was only allowed to purchase one beer with the package. We saw a group of 4 sharing one drink package which meant they purchased one beer at the time and all drank out of it. This seems silly and too aggravating. In my experience, the bartenders get to know you and know what you like to drink. So realistically, how easy is it to share and really enjoy the cruise?

 

 

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Its probably hard work to essentially share a drink every time you get one yourself, but I'd imagine its pretty easy to grab one here or there, particularly if you're walking between venues or in a venue-rich area of the ship.