Can we talk about the important drink package issue

[zekekelso]

Price, shmice. The important issue is what to drink! Of course that all depends on what you like. Speaking only for me:

 

While I like a fruity umbrella drink every now and then, especially on a cruise, five Pina Coladas a day just isn’t good for you. Besides, they fill you up to the point where you have to stop drinking. 
 

So give me a glass of whatever decent bourbon I can get on the plan... or if I want to mix things up and get fancy I’ll order “Sapphire, rocks, line.”  
 

What about you guys...

[caitlynambrai]

Ok, as a liquor neophyte, what whiskey or bourbon is the best one I can get on ship with the drink package? I've had whiskey in the past that seemed rough, but I don't think I've ever had something considered GOOD. What do you guys recommend?

[taglovestocruise]

I seem to drink a lot of Makers and Coke. In the Pub a double Makers has never been a problem.

[zekekelso]

If you don’t normally drink whiskey, it’s not so much a matter of good vs bad, but how mellow it is. Laphroaig is fantastic stuff (and probably not available on the plan) but you’d hate it.
 

Jameson isn’t fancy, but it’s darn tasty and a good choice for a non-whiskey drinker. Maker’s is a also a good choice. Both should be available and affordable. 

[chefchick]

Isn’t Buffalo Trace on the menu at some of the bars? (maybe I’m getting my cruise lines mixed up). 
 

As a first time Royal cruiser (I’ll be sailing the Ovation OTS). Where’s the best place to get a nice martini before dinner?

[strickers]

23 minutes ago, caitlynambrai said:

Ok, as a liquor neophyte, what whiskey or bourbon is the best one I can get on ship with the drink package? I've had whiskey in the past that seemed rough, but I don't think I've ever had something considered GOOD. What do you guys recommend?

Johnnie Walker Black Label is probably your best bet onboard. Stick an ice cube or two in it but don’t let anyone Scottish see you do so. 

[strickers]

I always find the best policy is to start top left and work across. 

[taglovestocruise]

11 minutes ago, chefchick said:

Isn’t Buffalo Trace on the menu at some of the bars? (maybe I’m getting my cruise lines mixed up). 
 

As a first time Royal cruiser (I’ll be sailing the Ovation OTS). Where’s the best place to get a nice martini before dinner?

With everybody else Schooners would do. Peace and relaxation in Vintages. 

[Tree_skier]

34 minutes ago, zekekelso said:

Price, shmice. The important issue is what to drink! Of course that all depends on what you like. Speaking only for me:

 

While I like a fruity umbrella drink every now and then, especially on a cruise, five Pina Coladas a day just isn’t good for you. Besides, they fill you up to the point where you have to stop drinking. 
 

So give me a glass of whatever decent bourbon I can get on the plan... or if I want to mix things up and get fancy I’ll order “Sapphire, rocks, line.”  
 

What about you guys...

Generally, in the Caribbean, I start with Pina Colada’s on embarkation day throughout the afternoon. After Muster I switch to LI ice teas. The next day I start with Mimosas at breakfast. It’ll be water and coffee till lunch. What is next depends on the whether it is a port day or sea day. Sea days include more drinking so we’ll go with that. Lunch will usually be Diet Coke and after that it’ll either be a few Stongbowsin the afternoon or some blended /frozen drink. I can’t remember the names. Last cruise I got hooked on some kind of orange colored one. 
 

Late afternoon I’ll often switch to LI Ice teas and stick with that through evening. 
 

I’m in a bit of a conundrum with my next cruise. With it being in Alaska I’m not sure the Pina Coladas and frozen blended are appropriate. I’ll need some suggestions for alternatives. 

[ramja96]

27 minutes ago, chefchick said:

Isn’t Buffalo Trace on the menu at some of the bars? (maybe I’m getting my cruise lines mixed up). 

 

Yes, it is, and it's GOOD STUFF.

[zekekelso]

4 minutes ago, Tree_skier said:

I’m in a bit of a conundrum with my next cruise. With it being in Alaska I’m not sure the Pina Coladas and frozen blended are appropriate. I’ll need some suggestions for alternatives. 

Too bad they don’t make a flaming Moe. 

[Tree_skier]

6 minutes ago, zekekelso said:

Too bad they don’t make a flaming Moe. 

I just looked that up. Looks good! 

[George C]

I drink lots of different drinks normally wine with meals or possibly a good beer with lunch, might have one pina colada on a cruise , definitely some Bombay sapphire and tonics , some scotch and soda or on rocks and finish day with a nice cognac. 

[Luckynana]

 

I enjoy a nice Sangria or Bloody Mary by the pool.  Vodka and Tonic before dinner;   if I don't have dessert I'll order a Baileys after dinner, and proceed to drink Baileys for the rest of the evening.  Sometimes I just like to have a beer or two.....😁

[Baowen]

Start the day with the fresh squeezed Orange juice. Then I stick to sparking wine for most of the day. Maybe  a BBC here and there. Also lots of water!!!!!

 

[Eddie Wilson]

4 hours ago, Tree_skier said:

I’m in a bit of a conundrum with my next cruise. With it being in Alaska I’m not sure the Pina Coladas and frozen blended are appropriate. I’ll need some suggestions for alternatives. 

 

Tree skier, on that Alaska trip stop in the Red Dog Saloon in Juneau and get a Duck Fart, or some good sh*#, or expensive sh*#.  I had a picture of the menu years ago but it is nowhere to be found

 

it is a popular spot in Juneau, used to have the best bar entertainer.

 

Eddie

[zdad59]

Double bourbon and ginger ale for dinner.   The bourbon I prefer (1792, Blanton's, Elijah Craig) aren't offered so I usually settle for a Makers Mark or Woodford Reserve.

 

Cognac with evening cigar.

 

The occasional fruity drink.

 

Our traditional 1st drink for my gang is a Blue Hawaiian.   We are all Blue Hen parents.

 

[sailor05]

I'm hoping they'll have some apple or peach Royal Crown. My fu-fu drink is a Lava Flow

[NanciRDH]

4 hours ago, Tree_skier said:

 

I’m in a bit of a conundrum with my next cruise. With it being in Alaska I’m not sure the Pina Coladas and frozen blended are appropriate. I’ll need some suggestions for alternatives. 

It is my tradition to have that frozen Piña Coloda as my first onboard drink, no matter the destination.  It's just not a cruise for me without one.  After that, I'm a vodka girl.  

[crzndeb]

Don’t like sweet, fruity or frozen, so a Dirty (filthy) gin martini works for me in the evening. I don’t do much day drinking anymore, except maybe a beer in extremely hot climates. Oh, and  I might switch out that martini for a Manhattan once in a while. I like to taste my alcohol, not all that other stuff.

[sunshinetricia]

Did I read somewhere that they do specialty shots? 

[Goodtime Cruizin]

6 hours ago, Tree_skier said:

Generally, in the Caribbean, I start with Pina Colada’s on embarkation day throughout the afternoon. After Muster I switch to LI ice teas. The next day I start with Mimosas at breakfast. It’ll be water and coffee till lunch. What is next depends on the whether it is a port day or sea day. Sea days include more drinking so we’ll go with that. Lunch will usually be Diet Coke and after that it’ll either be a few Stongbowsin the afternoon or some blended /frozen drink. I can’t remember the names. Last cruise I got hooked on some kind of orange colored one. 
 

Late afternoon I’ll often switch to LI Ice teas and stick with that through evening. 
 

I’m in a bit of a conundrum with my next cruise. With it being in Alaska I’m not sure the Pina Coladas and frozen blended are appropriate. I’ll need some suggestions for alternatives. 

 

Martinis. Just order them up until you find your bartender and favorite

[rajacks]

I usually drink wine at the pool, dinner and sometimes in the casino at night.  Usually get a few Pina Coladas and BBC's in at some point.  If we are at the bars in the evening, fun martinis are always good.  Cosmos, white Russians......I guess we mix it up quite a bit! 🤪

[Jamagerayla]

53 minutes ago, sunshinetricia said:

Did I read somewhere that they do specialty shots? 

when we cruised almost 20 years ago there was always an after dinner shot. Buttery Nipples. Man those were good. We didn't have a drink package then so no clue if they were part of that or not. 

We were 19 and 20 so it was cool just to drink legally. We loved the Buttery Nipples and Coco Locos! our drinking habits have changed a bit now and especially with kids but I can still see us easily drinking more than 5 or 6 drinks a day which makes the package worth it. I got the kids the soda package just crossing my fingers they can cruise come December. Or whenever we get to go (see my topic post about port changes for more info on that). 

[ReneeFLL]

6 hours ago, Tree_skier said:

.....I’m in a bit of a conundrum with my next cruise. With it being in Alaska I’m not sure the Pina Coladas and frozen blended are appropriate. I’ll need some suggestions for alternatives. 

Baileys and coffee, either regular or decaf. I always make sure the coffee is watered down with water (not big on coffee) and watered down again with more Baileys. 😁  Also a Girl Scout Cookie or an Irish Coffee.

 

2 hours ago, sailor05 said:

I'm hoping they'll have some apple or peach Royal Crown. My fu-fu drink is a Lava Flow

I like Crown Royal. Does the peach have much of an artificial flavor?