Newbie Here

[cruisekitty22]

Is it worth it to upgrade to the deluxe beverage package as the drinks we like to drink are on there not the other drink package? Is $69.00 a day a good price?

[marieps]

If you're talking "upgrade," that would mean you already have the classic pkg, and upgrading would be $12 PP/PD.   We think it's worth it.  Remember if you have classic and order a premium-priced drink you just get charged the difference plus the extra gratis.

[the penguins]

4 minutes ago, cruisekitty22 said:

Is it worth it to upgrade to the deluxe beverage package as the drinks we like to drink are on there not the other drink package? Is $69.00 a day a good price?

First thing to remember is that when you have a drink from the delux range you only pay the difference in price plus the grats on that sum not the whole amount. So now you can do the math. If the diffence was say $5 you need to drink 12 a day to break even. For some this is great value for others not 

[Hawkstar33]

The benefits are worth it to us.   Specialty coffees and teas, better bottled water, frozen drinks,  and of course the top shelf beer and liquor.   $12 or so a day difference.  One shot of a nice cognac will cover that $12. Plus you don't have to sit there and wonder if what you want, is covered under the classic package.   GO PREMIUM and have a great trip

Edited January 23, 2022 by Hawkstar33

[marieps]

1 hour ago, Hawkstar33 said:

The benefits are worth it to us.   Specialty coffees and teas, better bottled water, frozen drinks,  and of course the top shelf beer and liquor.   $12 or so a day difference.  One shot of a nice cognac will cover that $12. Plus you don't have to sit there and wonder if what you want, is covered under the classic package.   GO PREMIUM and have a great trip

I agree.  We upgrade as much for convenience as savings.  Do I tally everything to make sure we're getting our $$'s worth?  Heck no.  I'm on vacation, not an accounting sabbatical.

[Torfamm]

2 hours ago, cruisekitty22 said:

Is it worth it to upgrade to the deluxe beverage package as the drinks we like to drink are on there not the other drink package? Is $69.00 a day a good price?

The price difference is $10 per day + $2.00 in gratuities.  If you would be spending more than that buying drinks above your allotted $9 per drink, then it's worth it.  It the price difference above what's allotted on the Classic package is less, then pay the difference by the drink. 

 

For example, if you want 3 glasses of wine that is $16 per glass, you will have to pay the $7.00 difference per glass plus gratuities for a total of way more than $12 per day.  If it's only an extra dollar, you'd save by sticking with your Classic package.

[Cadeleon1]

I’ll hopefully be a first time cruiser in June 2022, and just upgraded my classic beverage package online with Celebrity yesterday.  For $12 more per day, and considering what’s included, it’s worth it to me even if I don’t break even.  To be able to drink most of what they offer without having to anticipate extra charges at end of cruise gives me peace of mind to enjoy my vacation without worrying about it.  Martini Bar, here I come. 🤣

[asnaleah]

6 hours ago, marieps said:

I agree.  We upgrade as much for convenience as savings.  Do I tally everything to make sure we're getting our $$'s worth?  Heck no.  I'm on vacation, not an accounting sabbatical.

I did a spreadsheet once. It came out pretty close to even, so we always get premium. No worries that way. Enjoy your cruise! 

[swjumbo]

I saw a man, a few years ago, close to tears because of his bill.

He sat on the staircase just outside his cabin and I overheard him tell his wife how stupid they were trying to save a few bucks by not upgrading.

Apparently they had two weeks without a care in the world, ordered everything and at the end of the cruise the bill was eye watering.

Pay the extra and enjoy!!

[chemmo]

Another vote for upgrade, relax and enjoy!

 

18 hours ago, marieps said:

I agree.  We upgrade as much for convenience as savings.  Do I tally everything to make sure we're getting our $$'s worth?  Heck no.  I'm on vacation, not an accounting sabbatical.

 

We don’t generally count up either but just the better wines probably make the premium package worthwhile. Add on the occasional nice cognac, a few drinks at the Martini bar…

 

12 hours ago, Cadeleon1 said:

I’ll hopefully be a first time cruiser in June 2022, and just upgraded my classic beverage package online with Celebrity yesterday.  For $12 more per day, and considering what’s included, it’s worth it to me even if I don’t break even.  To be able to drink most of what they offer without having to anticipate extra charges at end of cruise gives me peace of mind to enjoy my vacation without worrying about it.  Martini Bar, here I come. 🤣

 

Hope you thoroughly enjoy your first cruise! A premium package is a great first planning start! Totally agree with what you say about peace of mind…

[happy cruzer]

2 minutes ago, chemmo said:

Another vote for upgrade, relax and enjoy!

 

 

We don’t generally count up either but just the better wines probably make the premium package worthwhile. Add on the occasional nice cognac, a few drinks at the Martini bar…

 

 

Hope you thoroughly enjoy your first cruise! A premium package is a great first planning start! Totally agree with what you say about peace of mind…

Wines by the glass is what we enjoy.  However, I have trouble seeing any in the premium package that are that much better than classic.  Which ones are you finding that are worth the upgrade?  Thanks.

[chemmo]

Just now, happy cruzer said:

Wines by the glass is what we enjoy.  However, I have trouble seeing any in the premium package that are that much better than classic.  Which ones are you finding that are worth the upgrade?  Thanks.

In our experience searching lists of drinks prior to boarding doesn’t always work as what they actually have on board can be different. We are not wine specialists and prior to drinks packages we tended to stick to a reliable Cabernet….Now we are far more adventurous knowing if we choose something and don’t like it we can try something else!
 

We mainly dine in the speciality restaurants. We tell them we have the premium package and ask the sommelier to pair our wines with our meal. In the speciality restaurants they do have more time to discuss options with you and I think they do have some not available in other venues.
 

First night in the MDR, Blu and Luminae tends to be busy as lots of new guests are finding out how things work. Not the best night to have meaningful discussions! However, if you discuss with the sommelier the second night the options available, explaining the types of wines you like and ask them to make suggestions you may be pleasantly surprised….In our experience this works better than looking at wine menus.

 

Hope you have a fantastic cruise!

[papaflamingo]

It sounds like you have the Classic Package, so the upgrade, as mentioned, is $12 per day.  That equates to $168 for 2 people for a 7 night cruise.  For me, it's WELL worth it as I don't have to search the drink menus looking for $9 drinks, then figuring upcharge and tip if I want a more expensive drink.  We were on Reflection a few weeks ago.  Our friend ordered a drink and simply didn't like it.  Since it was no cost, she simply ordered another.  So...yeah... worth it.  

And look at it this way.... $12 barely buys a hamburger at any restaurant.  In comparison to the price of the cruise, it's pretty insignificant and makes for a much nicer cruise experience. 

Edited January 24, 2022 by papaflamingo

[Gmell]

If you decide to upgrade consider doing it on ship with a favorite bar tender , by doing so they also get  a small cut.

[PTC DAWG]

25 minutes ago, Gmell said:

If you decide to upgrade consider doing it on ship with a favorite bar tender , by doing so they also get  a small cut.

This^^^^^

[cruisekitty22]

Thanks for the tip.  We will upgrade for sure.

[swjumbo]

Yay!

[Bo1953]

21 hours ago, marieps said:

I agree.  We upgrade as much for convenience as savings.  Do I tally everything to make sure we're getting our $$'s worth?  Heck no.  I'm on vacation, not an accounting sabbatical.

I Am on vacation from the 'pre-cruise' accounting madness.... LOL

 

Once aboard, all cares are thrown overboard..

 

bon voyage

[kearney]

3 hours ago, swjumbo said:

I saw a man, a few years ago, close to tears because of his bill.

He sat on the staircase just outside his cabin and I overheard him tell his wife how stupid they were trying to save a few bucks by not upgrading.

Apparently they had two weeks without a care in the world, ordered everything and at the end of the cruise the bill was eye watering.

Pay the extra and enjoy!!

I find that odd... when you get a beverage that is not within the limit... they usually have you sign the tab.. hard to believe you could spend that much and not have a clue...

[swjumbo]

Really? You’ve obviously never been to Vegas or had a long luncheon.

I’ve woken up on many occasions and been shocked with the amount I’ve spent. 

[kearney]

18 hours ago, swjumbo said:

Really? You’ve obviously never been to Vegas or had a long luncheon.

I’ve woken up on many occasions and been shocked with the amount I’ve spent. 

Done both... never did not notice the bill.. especially when presented it after each drink.

[terrydtx]

For us the upgraded $15 wine by the glass is a huge difference over the standard $9 wines. On the Equinox last August, most of the $9 wines were from Chile, Argentina and a couple from Calif and from wines that you can buy on land for $12 or less per bottle.  We were in the Retreat, so we got the Premium beverage with our suite, but we found some very good wines offered in Luminae and in the specialty restaurants for $15 and under. They were good enough that we didn't see the need to buy any bottles. In Murano we ordered a wine by the glass and the waiter opened a new bottle and left it at the table for us to finish. Even if we were not in a suite, we would do the upgrade for the extra $12 per day just for the wines. 

[kearney]

9 minutes ago, terrydtx said:

For us the upgraded $15 wine by the glass is a huge difference over the standard $9 wines. On the Equinox last August, most of the $9 wines were from Chile, Argentina and a couple from Calif and from wines that you can buy on land for $12 or less per bottle.  We were in the Retreat, so we got the Premium beverage with our suite, but we found some very good wines offered in Luminae and in the specialty restaurants for $15 and under. They were good enough that we didn't see the need to buy any bottles. In Murano we ordered a wine by the glass and the waiter opened a new bottle and left it at the table for us to finish. Even if we were not in a suite, we would do the upgrade for the extra $12 per day just for the wines. 

I have not upgraded before... and don't see a particular need for myself..although I have asked DH in the past ..if he would like to for any specific brand. However, I tend to agree that if you really enjoy nice wines..especially red.. I can see the benefit of upgrading.