Quick "drinks package" question from a first-time Celebrity cruiser

[dockhl]

Please forgive my naivete, but as a first-time Celebrity cruiser I don't understand why, if everyone gets the drinks/wifi package with their fare, are there prices listed for drinks, coffees, etc? Is it just for high end liquor? I understand it on wines. ???

Thanks!

[CocoCronut]

Hey - it’s not always been the case that drinks and internet were automatically included - and I think in some fares still not. But even with a package some drinks cost more than the package so when buying you know the allowance for a drink you have, if the cost is higher than the package allowance you just pay the extra. Plus with bottles etc there may be a cost for these. 
 

not an expert, just from my experience on celebrity cruises 🙂

[slanik]

There are two levels of drink packages.  Classic and Premium.  The Classic, which is included in most cruise fares covers up to a certain price and the Premium covers also up to a certain price.  In the past, you had to pay the difference if the price of the drink was above the limit for your package. Some of the drink prices are above both of these limits.  I think these was a Verve Cliquot cocktail that was over $20 a drink.  You can also upgrade from the Classic to the Premium for around $10 per day.  We always upgrade and then we don't have to worry about most drinks being included.

[cruisestitch]

Simple answer, not everyone gets the drinks package.

 

some people booked before it was offered

 

some people book through the casino Blue Chip club, where not everyone gets the “always included”

 

some people book last minute and then the drinks package is an optional add-on which they may not have chosen

[dockhl]

Aha! Thanks for the explanations. I truly appreciate it. 

[micheleata]

TA's also offer group rates, or specials that do not come with AI.

[EMc&DrS]

What about the fine print that says a 20% gratuity will be added to every drink purchased with a drink package. If you buy a $15 drink with the premium package, will you be charged a $3 “tip” to your account?  I don’t remember it working that way in the past, but we haven’t sailed X since 2015. 

[cruisestitch]

This incorrect wording has continued to be repeated in document after document put out by Celebrity. If you have the drink package you have already paid the gratuity. It is only if you do not have the drink package that you must pay the tip on top of the price of the beverage.

[mom says]

3 minutes ago, EMc&DrS said:

What about the fine print that says a 20% gratuity will be added to every drink purchased with a drink package. If you buy a $15 drink with the premium package, will you be charged a $3 “tip” to your account?  I don’t remember it working that way in the past, but we haven’t sailed X since 2015. 

If you have a package, the tip is included in that package.  If you order a drink costing more than the package maximum,  you are charged the difference and  the tip would be calculated on the amount over you package limit.

[George C]

21 minutes ago, mom says said:

If you have a package, the tip is included in that package.  If you order a drink costing more than the package maximum,  you are charged the difference and  the tip would be calculated on the amount over you package limit.

We normally get wine by the glass a couple of dollars above the limit so we have lots of charges of approx 2.36 or 3.54 for price over plus tip on that amount.

[EMc&DrS]

Thanks for the quick replies. 

[ghstudio]

Celebrity has, on occasion, also offered a "standard drink package" which includes only well drinks....and does not allow upgrades to a more expensive drink....so they need to show the prices for all drinks.  Note: you are dealing with Celebrity.....so there are some crazy unexplainable anomalies in pricing,. Sweet vermouth is covered under the standard package; Campari is covered under the standard package; an americano which is a mix of Campari and sweet vermouth is $1 over the standard package.  Catching on?  order a sweet vermouth, order a Campari and ask for a glass with  ice.