Drink Package Question

[ScubaAmanda]

Weird question but know y’all can help. 
 

Hubs and I are going on a cruise in 22 days - first cruise of him not being able to drink. (he was recently diagnosed with kidney disease due to previous alcoholism).

 

I get Starbucks every day (multiple times a day…it’s a horrible addiction of mine) which I know isn’t included in any package and I’m fine paying extra for that. Starbucks is worked into my normal day to day budget. 

 

I have prime status in the casino, so if I want something, I can always get it there when it’s open (and obviously will not drink around my husband to support his non-alcoholic lifestyle), but figured I can also get non-alcoholic drinks from the casino bar as well. 

 

Neither of us are big soda drinkers so the soda package is out. He just drinks regular water and vitamin water now a days. I am however, a huge sparkling water fan and could easily go through at least 12 bottles per day of the sparking water they have on board. We might be open to a few of the mocktails or other items, but not sure if it’s worth the cost for both the husband and I to get the non-alcoholic specialty drink package. I don’t know if it’s an option but do the bars give out soda water for free if you don’t have a drink package? I could probably suffice for that.
 

I’m not trying to be cheap, I promise I tip well! I’m just trying to be economical as I would rather spend the money on the crew and not on unnecessary expenses that we won’t use.
 

I’m so use to going on cruises with my hubs & girlfriends where it’s a total booze cruise and I haven’t had to worry about getting anything other than the full alcohol package. Any suggestions? TIA!
 

 

Edited January 16, 2022 by ScubaAmanda

[Markmom18]

Hi,

  My hubby & I no longer drink, we are recovering alcoholics. 15 & 10 years.  “Friends of Bill” meetings, heard of them?  I’m assuming Royal offers the space and time slot of 1 hour per day for folks to meet up. I know Carnival does.

 

Drink wise.  I like Red Bull’s on vacation. So, I bring a 12 pack onboard.  My drink of choice is plain sparkling water …just like before … when I drank wine.  I’m Diamond and so I’ll get the vouchers.  

 

Have you looked into the Beverage Package that’s in between the alcohol & soda? 
 

I wanted to just end with Congratulations to your hubby, a sober life is one you will enjoy & remember. No regrets over things you don’t remember saying or doing. With cruising …. Damn I had no idea how much there is “to do” besides sitting at a bar and drinking all day. That is exactly what we did.  
 

P.S.  IF they offer club soda or my ‘bubbly water’ for free, I’d be interested in knowing too.
 

🛳🛳

Bobbi
 

 

Edited January 16, 2022 by Markmom18

[hnm2234]

I know this doesn't totally answer your question, but we were on the Symphony in September and they had Dasani sparkling water in the coke freestyle machines - both plain and lime. I'm like you and drink a LOT of sparkling water so decided the coke package was well worth the cost for that alone 🙂

[Biker19]

8 hours ago, ScubaAmanda said:

Any suggestions?

Get the soda package for both of you and when you feel the urge for something the package doesn't cover, make trek to the casino bar.

Edited January 16, 2022 by Biker19

[BekkaW]

To answer your question, no -  the bars do not give out soda water for free. An option might be to load as OBC the amount you would otherwise spend on the 2 refreshment packages. This will give you the data of whether a package is worth it or not, with the benefit that you can get back any unspent amount if you don’t spend it all.