What is included in the O Life Drinks package?

[terrydtx]

We are considering booking our first Oceania cruise in the Baltics in 2022 on the Marina. I want to book the A1 Concierge level cabin with the O Life option. The O life offers the drinks package as an option but what is included, is there a price limit on drinks and wine by the glass? We drink wine with dinners usually with a pre-dinner martini or Manhattan?  I apologize if this has been covered before but I could not find any information and the website for Oceania is pitiful for any information and descriptions of packages.

[pinotlover]

The OLife Drinks Package includes wine and beer only at lunch and dinner. No hard alcoholic drinks are included.

 

For an additional $20 per day, the package can be upgraded to the Premier Drinks Package that includes essentially all drinks most of the day.

[Rob the Cruiser]

Start here:Beverage and Wine Packages

[pinotlover]

Let me add the Package (s) are by the glass only and do not include those sold by the bottle. Also beware that in the Terrace they’ll often advertise daily special beers, particularly at lunch. Those are most often not included in the packages. The included wines and beers are those listed on the drinks menu only.

 

If in doubt, ask your waiter if the specials are included.

[jagoffee]

11 minutes ago, pinotlover said:

Let me add the Package (s) are by the glass only and do not include those sold by the bottle. Also beware that in the Terrace they’ll often advertise daily special beers, particularly at lunch. Those are most often not included in the packages. The included wines and beers are those listed on the drinks menu only.

 

If in doubt, ask your waiter if the specials are included.

Are those beers included when you upgrade to the Prestige package?

I selected the House Select as my option and plan to upgrade to the Prestige.  (@$20 a day pp)
i suspect the House Select exists to give one an opportunity to select it as an OLife option. (Nice to have beer and wine with lunch and dinner) I find it hard to imagine that someone would pay $40 a person per day to purchase it separately.  IMO it makes Oceania look kind of silly by having the worst basic drink package in the industry.  I am not complaining, just stating my opinion from my experience on other cruise lines.  

 

It has been years since I have cruised on Oceania and I am looking forward to my January 2022 Oceania cruise.

[terrydtx]

5 minutes ago, jagoffee said:

Are those beers included when you upgrade to the Prestige package?

I selected the House Select as my option and plan to upgrade to the Prestige.  (@$20 a day pp)
i suspect the House Select exists to give one an opportunity to select it as an OLife option. (Nice to have beer and wine with lunch and dinner) I find it hard to imagine that someone would pay $40 a person per day to purchase it separately.  IMO it makes Oceania look kind of silly by having the worst basic drink package in the industry. 

 

I have to agree the drinks package doesn't compare to some other premium cruise lines. We had a Viking Ocean cruise cancelled last September and beer and wine was included with all meals in the fare. We had added their unlimited Premium drinks package that was $17.99 pp per day which included all premium wines by the glass and all spirits. If we book our cruise with Oceania for 2022 we will get the Olife drinks option and then upgrade to the  Prestige package, no way we would pay $60pp a day for both packages, we just do not drink that much in a day. I like a Bloody Mary with breakfast and a martini with a glass of wine for Dinner. This cruise is in a port every day, so I doubt we will be having lunches on the ship.

 

I want to thank all of the CC members who helped clarify this for us. It has been very helpful and we now know which way to go.

[Flatbush Flyer]

43 minutes ago, pinotlover said:

Let me add the Package (s) are by the glass only and do not include those sold by the bottle. Also beware that in the Terrace they’ll often advertise daily special beers, particularly at lunch. Those are most often not included in the packages. The included wines and beers are those listed on the drinks menu only.

 

If in doubt, ask your waiter if the specials are included.

As regards wine available for purchase onboard, ask for the "bin end" list. Among the items they're trying to unload, there will be occasional bargains on some decent wines.

Same goes for the 7 bottle purchase packages. Hidden among those cheapo wines are the occasional loss leaders.

 

That said,  understand that the Prestige Package at $60 pp/day (or $20 added to the O Life booze perk) is best valued if you drink doubles of higher end booze.

 

But, IMO, whatever you choose to do, bring a stock of your own wine and replenish it at ports. I have never encountered enforcement of a bottle limit at embarkation and the $25 corkage for consumption outside your cabin is chump change when compared to the ship's pricing. For example, a really good $75 Pinot at home plus the $25 corkage (including the 18% gratuity charge) = $100 for a bottle that would cost you $200+ (and tip) onboard (if they even have it).

[pinotlover]

21 minutes ago, jagoffee said:

Are those beers included when you upgrade to the Prestige package?

I selected the House Select as my option and plan to upgrade to the Prestige.  (@$20 a day pp)
i suspect the House Select exists to give one an opportunity to select it as an OLife option. (Nice to have beer and wine with lunch and dinner) I find it hard to imagine that someone would pay $40 a person per day to purchase it separately.  

Those special beers, often local, are typically not included in the Premier package either. Not only have I found them sold in the Terrace, but at Waves bar also.

 

Additionally, one may see special wines being sold by the glass in the Terrace that aren’t on the regular wine menu. Those typically aren’t on either package also. Generally speaking, if one enters the Terrace and they are showcasing beers and/or wines on the bar, as one passes those beers and wines are not included in either package.

[sunlover12]

I believe that if you purchase the drinks package, the service charge is included in the price. If you purchase drinks separately without the package, you're paying the price listed plus a service charge.  In that case, it might not be hard to get to $40 or $60. 

 

Someone correct me if I'm wrong on this. 

[pinotlover]

31 minutes ago, sunlover12 said:

I believe that if you purchase the drinks package, the service charge is included in the price. If you purchase drinks separately without the package, you're paying the price listed plus a service charge.  In that case, it might not be hard to get to $40 or $60. 

 

Someone correct me if I'm wrong on this. 

Sunlover;

 

You are correct.

 

Let me add another exemption from the Package. The Red Ginger advertises and sells beers and sake that are exclusive to that restaurant. So remember the rules, they are not on the ship wide drink menu therefore they are not on either package.

[LHT28]

33 minutes ago, sunlover12 said:

I believe that if you purchase the drinks package, the service charge is included in the price. If you purchase drinks separately without the package, you're paying the price listed plus a service charge.  In that case, it might not be hard to get to $40 or $60. 

 

Someone correct me if I'm wrong on this. 

Yes  single priced  drinks  18% gratuity is added

There is an older drinks menu  at   https://www.thepreismans.com/marina19_menus.htm#Bar

to give you an idea of prices  but all could change in the future

[ORV]

Here's a news flash for those of you that are new to Oceania. Although different than their stated policy, they DON'T care what you bring on at embarkation or ports. SO, that is always a consideration in deciding which package to choose and whether or not to upgrade. Number of sea days vs port days always goes into my considerations on that. 

 

Also you can wait until a few days into the cruise to upgrade, but once you take the package you pay for the remaining days. I've personally waited until the last 3 or 4 days of a cruise to take it before. 

[ORV]

4 minutes ago, pinotlover said:

So remember the rules, they are not on the ship wide drink menu therefore they are not on either package.

This is an important point. If it's on the ship wide drink menu it's on the Premium package, otherwise it's not. 

[terrydtx]

Thank you everyone, we just booked out first Oceania cruise for 2022 and we are excited. Going to take the drinks option for the Olife and then upgrade to the Prestige package.

[terrydtx]

26 minutes ago, ORV said:

This is an important point. If it's on the ship wide drink menu it's on the Premium package, otherwise it's not. 

Does it include the drinks in the Martini Bar?

 

[pinotlover]

5 minutes ago, terrydtx said:

Does it include the drinks in the Martini Bar?

 

The premium package does include most all drinks in Martinis except some very high end Scotch’s and Cognacs. Most all mixed drinks are included if it includes the liquors included in the package.

[terrydtx]

55 minutes ago, LHT28 said:

Yes  single priced  drinks  18% gratuity is added

There is an older drinks menu  at   https://www.thepreismans.com/marina19_menus.htm#Bar

to give you an idea of prices  but all could change in the future

Thank you for this link it included a complete review with pictures of the cruise on the Marina as well as all the menus of the bars and restaurant. My wife and I were amazed at all of the information about the ship and Oceania, we are very excited and have booked our cruise today.

[jagoffee]

2 hours ago, pinotlover said:

Those special beers, often local, are typically not included in the Premier package either. Not only have I found them sold in the Terrace, but at Waves bar also.

 

Additionally, one may see special wines being sold by the glass in the Terrace that aren’t on the regular wine menu. Those typically aren’t on either package also. Generally speaking, if one enters the Terrace and they are showcasing beers and/or wines on the bar, as one passes those beers and wines are not included in either package.

 

1 hour ago, ORV said:

This is an important point. If it's on the ship wide drink menu it's on the Premium package, otherwise it's not. 

Thank you for the info.

You have to pay the total cost plus gratuity and not just the difference?

[ORV]

1 hour ago, terrydtx said:

Thank you for this link it included a complete review with pictures of the cruise on the Marina as well as all the menus of the bars and restaurant. My wife and I were amazed at all of the information about the ship and Oceania, we are very excited and have booked our cruise today.

Mike's the best, I've been fortunate to be on a couple of cruises with him. Amazing source of information and all around nice guy. 

[ORV]

51 minutes ago, jagoffee said:

Thank you for the info.

You have to pay the total cost plus gratuity and not just the difference?

That's correct. In the case that Pinot is referring to the special beer might be cheaper than one already available in the package, but it's not on the bar menu. It's not price, it whether or not it's on the bar menu. Doesn't always make sense, but that's the way they do it. 

[StanandJim]

55 minutes ago, ORV said:

It's not price, it whether or not it's on the bar menu.

Yes, very much in the manner of land based discounts which may  only be "matched" if those lower rates were ADVERTIZED.

[LHT28]

2 hours ago, terrydtx said:

Thank you for this link it included a complete review with pictures of the cruise on the Marina as well as all the menus of the bars and restaurant. My wife and I were amazed at all of the information about the ship and Oceania, we are very excited and have booked our cruise today.

Yes  Mike Preisman   does  a very good job in showing the ship's & food  LOL

 He is my go to guy for food porn 😉

[LHT28]

2 hours ago, jagoffee said:

 

Thank you for the info.

You have to pay the total cost plus gratuity and not just the difference?

There are not  a lot of drinks NOT in the drink Package   ..no cap like other lines  EG drinks up to $12

You could get  a$16  shot of scotch  or 2  all in the package

[jagoffee]

1 hour ago, ORV said:

That's correct. In the case that Pinot is referring to the special beer might be cheaper than one already available in the package, but it's not on the bar menu. It's not price, it whether or not it's on the bar menu. Doesn't always make sense, but that's the way they do it. 

 

15 minutes ago, LHT28 said:

There are not  a lot of drinks NOT in the drink Package   ..no cap like other lines  EG drinks up to $12

You could get  a$16  shot of scotch  or 2  all in the package

Thank you, both for the clarification.  I will know what to expect.  This as not clear to me based on the description of the packages.

Edited December 4, 2020 by jagoffee

[Rob the Cruiser]

27 minutes ago, jagoffee said:

 

Thank you, both for the clarification.  I will know what to expect.  This as not clear to me based on the description of the packages.

 

Here is a link to a menu that lists drinks that are usually available on the Premium package. Bar menu.

 

I was unable to copy/paste the list. Sorry.