Buying Drink Package now vs On Board?

[MrCoachRentz]

Thought I read somewhere on here that it's better to wait to get on board before buying packages like dining and drinks.  Is that true?  At the current price, would be better for us not to purchase a drink package since I get comped drinks in casino and my wife doesn't drink much.  However, if they drop the price on board, that might change.  Any thoughts or what's been the experience since the restart?  I'm not eligible for the Always Included due to the casino comp.

[jelayne]

if you don’t have a included package any discount offer we have seen were in the  Cruise Planner not once on the ship.

[HskrCrsr]

Some have said you should purchase from a bartender on board. Said bartender gets the commission. You get a grateful bartender for the duration.

 

Others have suggested purchasing on board but not until the second day since you won't get much use out of it the first night anyway. If they prorate, that offsets the loss of a discount.

 

And it may be more cost effective just to pay for the drinks you want if you won't drink enough to justify the package.

 

Sorry, this does not really address anything since the restart, just what I note people posting.

[El Crucero]

Sometimes, Celebrity will give discounts on drinks and/or dining packages the first day (I have seen it).  But don't count on it, it is very rare when it happens.  You will see staff in the atrium area on embarkation selling packages.  Just ask them if they have any discounts available.  If not (which is usually the case for drink packages) just fork over the full amount on your SeaPass card.  What you can usually get on embarkation is a discount at a specialty restaurant the first night only.

[jelayne]

The cruise planner frequently has a 30% discount for dinner the 1st night in some speciality restaurants- the advantage is that you can select your time.  These were very popular before cruising started and frequently sold out.  So waiting to until boarding for the booking the 1st night may leave few if any available dining times.

[PBRguy]

We have always booked future cruises on board so we always had the premium drinks included... 

Now that the Always Included has taken over, we have 1 cruise in 2022 that we do not have the premium pkg... If you are Elite or above there is a 10% discount to upgrade the drink pkg IF done before boarding... I am not sure if that means prior to or at the same time as final payment or if it means before boarding day.. Being Elite we will upgrade the drink pkg when we know the ship (Connie) will sail (2/4/2022 or when we  finalize final payment (with FCC from previously cancelled cruises)

 

Tom

[miched]

If you are thinking of getting or upgrading a drink pack there are pros and cons doing before or during a cruise.  
 

Please don’t do it with the Hawks that hound you in the buffet.   They are just after the commission and you will never see them again. 
 

Do it with a BT that you like as others have suggested.  When you do ask them to do it after they leave the port.   Some ports will make them add their tax to it.    This happens in FL and may in other ports or countries 

 

They will put a sticker on your card.   If you don’t like it go to GR and say you lost your card and they will make one that now has the drink pack printed on it.  I may go thru 2 or 3 cards a cruise as the print gets worn off from sun screen, sweat,  and mostly use.  
 

another is to always look at your card when getting it back.  We have been given the wrong one many times.   

 

Happy cruising 🌊🚢🇺🇸🌅