Classic Celebrity drink package vs. premium drink package.

[Stockjock]

We have a 5-night holiday cruise coming up in a few months.  I paid extra, before "Always Included" was introduced, for a Classic drink package, wifi, and spending cash (We have $350 between the 2 of us, including $50 shareholder credit).

Considering upgrading the drink package to premium.  Actually, many of the Classic drinks seem perfectly acceptable, but the wines seem quite a lot better in the Premium package, from what I can gather.  A bonafide respectable French Champagne (Montaudon) seems much preferable to Celebrity Vintages Brut, for example.

The cost is $12 per day per person, I believe, so $120 for the 2 of us to upgrade the drink package.  Presumably, I could use our OBC to upgrade the package once onboard, if not sooner.  Or, stick with the Classic package and use the OBC for gratuities, or something else.  Because this is a NYE cruise, leaning towards going with the top shelf stuff as we move into the New Year.

Any thoughts or recommendations?  Did you do one or the other and what was your opinion?  TIA.

Edited September 28, 2021 by Stockjock

[jelayne]

We always upgrade for the wines & Martini Bar. .  If you have status in the  Captains Club and call to upgrade after final payment there is a small discount.  From what I have read the Montaudon is not longer available and it has been replaced with Cattier .  

[chemmo]

If it is just wines you are concerned about remember you could simply take a couple of good bottles on board with you (corkage coming from OBC) and then simply buy a few more bottles on board or choose the ones you want each evening by the glass and pay the up charge. Whilst wines in the premium package are better than the classic you may be able to enjoy better still at a lesser cost….It may be worth while just doing a few calculations.

 

Just a thought…

Edited September 28, 2021 by chemmo

[drakes2]

48 minutes ago, chemmo said:

If it is just wines you are concerned about remember you could simply take a couple of good bottles on board with you (corkage coming from OBC) and then simply buy a few more bottles on board or choose the ones you want each evening by the glass and pay the up charge. Whilst wines in the premium package are better than the classic you may be able to enjoy better still at a lesser cost….It may be worth while just doing a few calculations.

 

Just a thought…

I will have the CBP for my upcoming cruise in November. Sailing solo and the upcharge for me will be $137 canadian for 10 nights. As I like premium wines my plan is to pay the difference by the glass and bring a bottle of really good wine from home.  Works out much cheaper and get to drink wines I enjoy.  Also like martinis and there are some decent mixers on my package.

[poffles]

Way back when they offered Classic in the 123 promo, I have 'survived' on the Classic as I had never had any drink package before and I was thrilled and totally happy with this but my mind kept overthinking what drinks I could get vs those I might mistakenly get and not be covered.  At that time if you had a drink over the price cap you got charged the entire cost and not just the difference over the cap ... this has changed of course and now it's just the cost difference so I would not be as concerned.

 

All that said, since that first time, I have always upgraded to Premium.  I do not really drink wine (think I might have had 1 glass in 10 cruises) but I like the Premium for larger beer selection and I also like that I have more freedom to consider any drink and not overthink.  Oddly, more importantly to me is the larger non alcoholic offerings ... Evian, Perrier, San Pelligrino, Premium Juices (OJ at breakfast).  Drinks are not cheap on the ship and yes I could abstain a bit in what I select but where's the fun in that.  If I cruised often I might think different but it's lucky if i get to go more than once in a year (or even every year) so I just go for it.

 

All a personal choice and I know I get my $$ out of it as I can drink a lot of water, Perrier and beer 😉 with a special drink here and there in the upper limit so I am happy with it.  Even if I lost a little in the deal my enjoyment seems to be higher.  On a 5 day cruise I might think different but I expect not.

 

Not sure what ship you are on but this is worth a read about Celebrity drink packages with some drink menus; the menus are from the Edge but they should be pretty representative of others ships minus the Eden bar.

 

Celebrity Drink Packages and Menus 2021/22

 

Have a wonderful cruise!

 

 

Edited September 28, 2021 by poffles

[LadyBerard]

We're on the 11/7 Constellation, and we upgraded to the premium package, as we like good  martinis in the evening made with better quality vodka.  However, then we called and canceled that and upgraded to drinks and more package.  Seemed like a bargain.  You get the premium package, plus we both get $50 apiece for the casino and free access to the mini bar which gets replenished daily.  Check out the cost difference.  You may want to consider this too.

[chemmo]

55 minutes ago, LadyBerard said:

We're on the 11/7 Constellation, and we upgraded to the premium package, as we like good  martinis in the evening made with better quality vodka.  However, then we called and canceled that and upgraded to drinks and more package.  Seemed like a bargain.  You get the premium package, plus we both get $50 apiece for the casino and free access to the mini bar which gets replenished daily.  Check out the cost difference.  You may want to consider this too.

It is nice having a stocked minibar. Whilst I know you can load your own fridge at no cost there is something nice about not having to carry cans back knowing your favourite sodas and beers will be chilled and waiting for you.

 

So nice there are now so many drink options…

[drakes2]

1 hour ago, chemmo said:

It is nice having a stocked minibar. Whilst I know you can load your own fridge at no cost there is something nice about not having to carry cans back knowing your favourite sodas and beers will be chilled and waiting for you.

 

So nice there are now so many drink options…

With the CBP what would be the upcharge for San Pellegrino or Perrier? I drink that at home, also Flow brand water with cucumber and mint but I'm sure the ship doesn't stock it. 

[poffles]

10 minutes ago, drakes2 said:

With the CBP what would be the upcharge for San Pellegrino or Perrier? I drink that at home, also Flow brand water with cucumber and mint but I'm sure the ship doesn't stock it. 

 

I hope someone knows the answer to this as I've always wondered myself.  I'm thinking they would be full price and not an upcharge since there is nothing really to upcharge from so likely $5 (or whatever current cost) for each?

[Stockjock]

4 hours ago, LadyBerard said:

We're on the 11/7 Constellation, and we upgraded to the premium package, as we like good  martinis in the evening made with better quality vodka.  However, then we called and canceled that and upgraded to drinks and more package.  Seemed like a bargain.  You get the premium package, plus we both get $50 apiece for the casino and free access to the mini bar which gets replenished daily.  Check out the cost difference.  You may want to consider this too.

According to my planner, there is quite a cost difference between upgrading from classic to premium vs. doing drinks and more.  As an example, on my 5 day holiday cruise.

1. Upgrade from classic to premium: $12 per day per person.
Total Cost: $120

2. Upgrade to drinks and more: $76.50 per day per person (sale, normally $84.15 per day per person).
Total Cost $765.

[Stockjock]

11 hours ago, jelayne said:

We always upgrade for the wines & Martini Bar. .  If you have status in the  Captains Club and call to upgrade after final payment there is a small discount.  From what I have read the Montaudon is not longer available and it has been replaced with Cattier .  

Thanks.  Sounds like Cattier is still pretty respectable.

In terms of the other wines, especially red wines, premium seems like a pretty big step up, in terms of quality.

[OT-Miami]

2 hours ago, drakes2 said:

With the CBP what would be the upcharge for San Pellegrino or Perrier? I drink that at home, also Flow brand water with cucumber and mint but I'm sure the ship doesn't stock it. 

San Pellegrino & Perrier are both available with upcharge on CBP, included in the PBP.  Not sure of the cost, as we had the PBP.

[poffles]

15 minutes ago, Stockjock said:

According to my planner, there is quite a cost difference between upgrading from classic to premium vs. doing drinks and more.  As an example, on my 5 day holiday cruise.

1. Upgrade from classic to premium: $12 per day per person.
Total Cost: $120

2. Upgrade to drinks and more: $76.50 per day per person (sale, normally $84.15 per day per person).
Total Cost $765.

 

That Drinks & More cost looks like the full cost of that offering and not the difference.  I find the planner online gets confused and doesn't recognize having the package so I would not rely on this being the cost.  In your planner, are you seeing the Premium listed for you at $120, curious if that is also listing as the full cost too.

 

Classic Drinks Package, $59 pp per day.
Premium Drinks Package $69 pp per day.
Drinks & More Package $85 pp per day.

 

In the past I've had to call to have an upgrade done (or do onboard) some say they can do online closer to sail date as the cost shows up right by then.  Online gremlins.

Edited September 28, 2021 by poffles

[Stockjock]

36 minutes ago, poffles said:

 

That Drinks & More cost looks like the full cost of that offering and not the difference.  I find the planner online gets confused and doesn't recognize having the package so I would not rely on this being the cost.  In your planner, are you seeing the Premium listed for you at $120, curious if that is also listing as the full cost too.

 

Classic Drinks Package, $59 pp per day.
Premium Drinks Package $69 pp per day.
Drinks & More Package $85 pp per day.

 

In the past I've had to call to have an upgrade done (or do onboard) some say they can do online closer to sail date as the cost shows up right by then.  Online gremlins.

Could well be.  Planner may be showing the classic to premium upgrade cost, where the drinks and more is showing as a new purchase (assumes no existing package).  That's probably what's going on.

If that's the case, I would assume the upgrade to drinks and more would cost $76.50 (sale price) - $59 (classic price) = $17.50 per person per day or $175 total for the 5 day sailing.  So $55 more than upgrading to premium. 

Edited September 28, 2021 by Stockjock

[poffles]

17 minutes ago, Stockjock said:

Could well be.  Planner may be showing the classic to premium upgrade cost, where the drinks and more is showing as a new purchase (assumes no existing package).  That's probably what's going on.

If that's the case, I would assume the upgrade to drinks and more would cost $76.50 (sale price) - $59 (classic price) = $17.50 per person per day or $175 total for the 5 day sailing.  So $55 more than upgrading to premium. 

 

And if that is the calculation don't forget the 20% they add to that for gratuity so the $175 becomes $210.  The $120 for the Premium upgrade cost you are seeing includes the gratuity as it is $10 per day 'pre' gratuity.

Edited September 28, 2021 by poffles

[Stockjock]

15 minutes ago, poffles said:

 

And if that is the calculation don't forget the 20% they add to that for gratuity so the $175 becomes $210.  The $120 for the Premium upgrade cost you are seeing includes the gratuity as it is $10 per day 'pre' gratuity.

Thanks.  FWIW, I did just do the upgrade to Premium.  $60 per person isn't bad (as you noted, it showed $50 per person plus $10 per person gratuity).

Figured it's not very expensive, that's what OBC is for, plus it's a holiday cruise and we've been hiding in our homes for so long, so why not live it up a bit more on NYE?

It looked like we could have upgraded one drink package only.  If that's the case, it's unusual, as with most cruise lines, all adults in the same cabin/booking have to buy the same thing, as I understand it.  Typically, they want to avoid sharing drinks with someone who didn't pay for that drink package.

Edited September 28, 2021 by Stockjock

[poffles]

2 minutes ago, Stockjock said:

Thanks.  FWIW, I did just do the upgrade to Premium.  $60 per person isn't bad (as you noted, it showed $50 per person plus $10 per person gratuity).

Figured it's not very expensive, that's what OBC is for, plus it's a holiday cruise and we've been hiding in our homes for so long, so why not live it up a bit more on NYE?

 

EXACTLY ... whoop it up as they say and on NYE cruise no less!  Champagne is waiting 🍾🥳

 

[poffles]

5 minutes ago, Stockjock said:

It looked like we could have upgraded one drink package only.  If that's the case, it's unusual, as with most cruise lines, all adults in the same cabin/booking have to buy the same thing, as I understand it.  Typically, they want to avoid sharing drinks with someone who didn't pay for that drink package.

 

Celebrity allows one person to purchase a drink package, equally same for upgrades.  They trust their passengers to be adults 😉  Where they require both is when you do initial cruise booking with Always Included options.

 

[DCPIV]

39 minutes ago, Stockjock said:

Figured it's not very expensive, that's what OBC is for, plus it's a holiday cruise and we've been hiding in our homes for so long, so why not live it up a bit more on NYE?

 

Hear, hear!  Chances are pretty good that you'll break even or better.  If you don't, it's only a small mistake.  Heck, I'd say it's worth the $120 to avoid having to wonder whether the drink you're looking for is on the classic or premium package.

[poffles]

59 minutes ago, poffles said:

 

And if that is the calculation don't forget the 20% they add to that for gratuity so the $175 becomes $210.  The $120 for the Premium upgrade cost you are seeing includes the gratuity as it is $10 per day 'pre' gratuity.

 

I do want to add one detail to this calculation though, as some have said elsewhere about the casino money you get in the Drinks & More ... $50 play (x 2 if both buying) and that would mean the $210 in theory is really $210 - $100 (play) = $110 ... IF one was going to play anything in the casino anyway?  If I'm doing that right, it would seem shorter cruises fair better with this upgrade and you come out with more for less?

 

Hmmmmm .. 

Edited September 28, 2021 by poffles

[PTC DAWG]

Wait and upgrade on board..find a bar you may frequent, the bartender will handle it, and he'll be your best friend the rest of the cruise....it is my understanding they get a cut of the upgrade.  

[Stockjock]

Here's a question.  If only one person upgraded a classic package to premium and wanted to game the system, could they order 2 premium drinks at once?

[Covepointcruiser]

I am sure some can always find a way to be dishonest.   Let your conscience rule.

[poffles]

19 minutes ago, Stockjock said:

Here's a question.  If only one person upgraded a classic package to premium and wanted to game the system, could they order 2 premium drinks at once?

 

You are limited to one drink at a time though they tend to allow bottled water like a Perrier and alcohol drink at once. So technically no to what you are asking.

[Robkat]

21 minutes ago, Stockjock said:

Here's a question.  If only one person upgraded a classic package to premium and wanted to game the system, could they order 2 premium drinks at once?

We just got off the Edge last weekend.  We upgraded from the CDP to the Premium.  We found it well worth the $$$.  We like our evening drinks to be spirits on the rocks (tequila & bourbon) and the Premium choices were great.  Plus, the wines and the liquors on the CDP were very limited, and we liked our Baileys each night.

As far as "gaming the system", whenever ordering two drinks, even as the week went on, and after waiters and bartenders recognized us, we always gave over both of our cards to run through.  That seemed like common practice.  And, gaming the system ... not such a hot idea, as I'm sure Celebrity have figured there are those who would try that, and have put deterrents in place.