Outrageous Cost of Alcohol Package

[vjmatty]

2 hours ago, Mum2Mercury said:

I get what you're saying:  By purchasing OBC ahead of time, you're not saving money.  I'm all about avoiding "fake savings" like putting your change aside in a jar, but I can see several reasons for purchasing OBC instead of a drink package:

 

- If you have the right credit card, you might be purchasing that OBC with "rewards points".  While that is a use of your resources, it's not quite the same as spending cash out of your pocket.

- A lot of people want a package because "it's easy once you're onboard": You don't have to stop and consider whether you SHOULD buy another drink.  Having OBC on your account gives you that same freedom -- the money's spent, the decision's made, no guilt involved. 

- On the other hand, having X amount of OBC purchased ahead of time can be a limiting factor for a person who's inclined to "go overboard"; that is, a person who knows he's likely to over-drink can allot enough OBC for 3 drinks a day and tell himself, "That's what I'm allowed." 

- If you buy an alcoholic drink package, you have to spend THIS AMOUNT, whereas, if you buy OBC, you can estimate what you think you'll really drink /have a more realistic amount of money set aside for drinks.  It's kinda like a custom-sized drink package.

 

Most of this, as you can see, is MINDSET rather than black-and-white finance decisions.

 

Plus, if you get the OBC and don't drink enough, you get some of your money back.  If you buy the drink package and don't drink enough, you get nothing back.

Edited June 2, 2022 by vjmatty

[Joebucks]

5 hours ago, Mum2Mercury said:

I get what you're saying:  By purchasing OBC ahead of time, you're not saving money.  I'm all about avoiding "fake savings" like putting your change aside in a jar, but I can see several reasons for purchasing OBC instead of a drink package:

 

- If you have the right credit card, you might be purchasing that OBC with "rewards points".  While that is a use of your resources, it's not quite the same as spending cash out of your pocket.

- A lot of people want a package because "it's easy once you're onboard": You don't have to stop and consider whether you SHOULD buy another drink.  Having OBC on your account gives you that same freedom -- the money's spent, the decision's made, no guilt involved. 

- On the other hand, having X amount of OBC purchased ahead of time can be a limiting factor for a person who's inclined to "go overboard"; that is, a person who knows he's likely to over-drink can allot enough OBC for 3 drinks a day and tell himself, "That's what I'm allowed." 

- If you buy an alcoholic drink package, you have to spend THIS AMOUNT, whereas, if you buy OBC, you can estimate what you think you'll really drink /have a more realistic amount of money set aside for drinks.  It's kinda like a custom-sized drink package.

 

Most of this, as you can see, is MINDSET rather than black-and-white finance decisions.

 

This poor's mans drink package is an even sillier idea. People absolutely lose their minds over the fear of "fees or extra charges". To many, a $3000 vacation with no upcharges is a better deal than $2000 + $500 of upcharges for the same thing. Apparently, the only way to "not worry about drink charges" is to pay $1200 extra for it, or in this case, what you decide to dedicate on the side. It's all your money in the end. No matter how you try to hide it, or put it in another bucket. 

 

The decision consistently is over-simplified into "can I spend $80 in drinks in a day?" Yes you can. We all can. Can you do it 7 days in a row? Can your partner? WOULD you otherwise? 

 

I did a Mexican riviera cruise in January with my own custom drink package. Nearly every corner had a shop selling $1 beers. We brought two bottles of wine. When wanted something on board, we bought it. A day or two I really wanted a break. Never once did I fear I was missing out, or not enjoying myself. We spent a fraction of the cost of a package.

[ALWAYS CRUZIN]

On 5/28/2022 at 5:06 PM, smokeybandit said:

You can still get alcohol without a package

Yup! I buy a bottle of rum on the ship get the unlimited soda package. No need to buy for two. Price ends up low compared to the drink package you need to purchase for all adults in the state room. Run out. Just buy another bottle of alcohol. 

[Biker19]

7 minutes ago, Joebucks said:

Never once did I fear I was missing out, or not enjoying myself. We spent a fraction of the cost of a package.

Human psychology and finances are a weird mix.

[Mum2Mercury]

5 hours ago, bigque said:

If I get the drink package I never think about if I am breaking even or not. I don’t know if I had 4 drinks in a day or 5 or 6 or 3. I don’t go get a Johnny Rocket’s shake or go get a soda or latte just to try to make up for the cost of the package just so I can say it was worth it. It is what it is and at the end of the cruise I am happy and content with however it worked out. 

I suspect you're in the minority, if you buy the package without concern for whether it's a good value or not.

[baelor]

15 minutes ago, Joebucks said:

Can you do it 7 days in a row? Can your partner? WOULD you otherwise? 

For some, including many I know, yes.  And those are the people who should consider the drinks package.

 

Also, for the generic reader/lurker, if only one person in a cabin drinks, that person can get the DBP and the other person can get the Refreshment package (which is obviously more expensive than nothing, to be fair).

Edited June 2, 2022 by baelor

[Stick93]

4/5 drinks a day - sea days even more when you start at 10am and finish at 12 am

2 coffee drinks

5-10 bottles of water a day

soda/club soda/Pellegrino

 

Trying to see how You don't break even without thinking about it. 

 

There are many ways to do it cheaper without being a rum runner - but there is value in getting what you want anywhere its available. 

 

Simple rule - If you have to think about breaking even...the package isn't for you no matter what the price is - unless it free.

 

 

[nferr]

43 minutes ago, Joebucks said:

 

This poor's mans drink package is an even sillier idea. People absolutely lose their minds over the fear of "fees or extra charges". To many, a $3000 vacation with no upcharges is a better deal than $2000 + $500 of upcharges for the same thing. Apparently, the only way to "not worry about drink charges" is to pay $1200 extra for it, or in this case, what you decide to dedicate on the side. It's all your money in the end. No matter how you try to hide it, or put it in another bucket. 

 

The decision consistently is over-simplified into "can I spend $80 in drinks in a day?" Yes you can. We all can. Can you do it 7 days in a row? Can your partner? WOULD you otherwise? 

 

I did a Mexican riviera cruise in January with my own custom drink package. Nearly every corner had a shop selling $1 beers. We brought two bottles of wine. When wanted something on board, we bought it. A day or two I really wanted a break. Never once did I fear I was missing out, or not enjoying myself. We spent a fraction of the cost of a package.

 Easily on a cruise. I did an eleven night cruise to the Caribbean on the Anthem in February. Got a great deal on the drink package at $50 per day.  I would get a double specialty coffee in the morning, a glass of fresh squeezed juice,  a glass of wine at lunch, a couple of drinks at the pool bar in the afternoon. Evenings I would have a martini pre dinner, a glass of wine with dinner, a cognac with dessert and easily a few drinks at the bars at night. Well over a $100 a day. And no I wasn't smashed, but I had a fun vacation. Well worth the drink package. 

 

Cruising again on the Anthem in November. Drink package is now around $70 a day. I just hit Diamond status so I get four free drinks a day. I'll bring two bottles of wine onboard and skip the package. I'm solo so that will be fine for a seven day cruise. Might buy one of the alcohol gift packages for around $50 for a .375 liter. It's silly to argue about this stuff. All up to the individual. 

Edited June 2, 2022 by nferr

[BND]

I'd love to know the age breakdown for those who drink enough to at least break even and those that don't.  The older you are the more likely you are to be on meds.  There are people on meds that limit how much they can drink.  Diabetics have to be careful with alcohol and sugar, including juice.  Cholesterol meds are processed through the liver and alcohol has to be limited.  And, some with heart issues have to limit caffeine.  I just have a feeling that most who think nothing of buying the package and can easily "get their money's worth" tend to be younger than those who don't.  And, yes, there are exceptions.   

[nferr]

3 minutes ago, BND said:

I'd love to know the age breakdown for those who drink enough to at least break even and those that don't.  The older you are the more likely you are to be on meds.  There are people on meds that limit how much they can drink.  Diabetics have to be careful with alcohol and sugar, including juice.  Cholesterol meds are processed through the liver and alcohol has to be limited.  And, some with heart issues have to limit caffeine.  I just have a feeling that most who think nothing of buying the package and can easily "get their money's worth" tend to be younger than those who don't.  And, yes, there are exceptions.   

 

I'm 71. See my post above. 

[dcgrumpy]

I admit that I was really annoyed with the recent price increase.  But when I do the math we still easily come out ahead. On our cruise 2 weeks ago, we were ahead by day 4. If we were beer drinkers it would be harder. But at $13 a drink, and few bottles of water and Pellegrino a day, plus the occasional latte we easily come out ahead. 

 

I'm 56, my husband is 50.

Edited June 2, 2022 by dcgrumpy

[happy cruzer]

It's not a right or wrong decision.  Everyone is different.

 

We prefer wine to mixed drinks.  The wine by the glass on the package is very average.  Carry on wine with 2 to 4 drinks (alcoholic and non) per person per day works for us.   Carry on water, coffee from cafe promenade is good enough.

 

If you like cocktails and the calories they bring then the package is probably a good choice.  Choices are good.

[baelor]

15 minutes ago, BND said:

I'd love to know the age breakdown for those who drink enough to at least break even and those that don't.  The older you are the more likely you are to be on meds.  There are people on meds that limit how much they can drink.  Diabetics have to be careful with alcohol and sugar, including juice.  Cholesterol meds are processed through the liver and alcohol has to be limited.  And, some with heart issues have to limit caffeine.  I just have a feeling that most who think nothing of buying the package and can easily "get their money's worth" tend to be younger than those who don't.  And, yes, there are exceptions.   

This is almost certainly true.  Plus obvious cases like people not drinking alcohol because of religious or personal reasons (including alcoholism), people not drinking coffee/tea for religious reasons, etc.

[cruisingguy007]

22 minutes ago, BND said:

I'd love to know the age breakdown for those who drink enough to at least break even and those that don't.  The older you are the more likely you are to be on meds.  There are people on meds that limit how much they can drink.  Diabetics have to be careful with alcohol and sugar, including juice.  Cholesterol meds are processed through the liver and alcohol has to be limited.  And, some with heart issues have to limit caffeine.  I just have a feeling that most who think nothing of buying the package and can easily "get their money's worth" tend to be younger than those who don't.  And, yes, there are exceptions.   

 

Good point and my problem currently. Sure, one can do it, but the costs get higher the older you get (physically). Slow mornings, poor sleep, nausea during breakfast and drinking again to shake off the night before and "get your monies worth" can be an issue. I suspect some may not have the same "drinking opportunities" in everyday life and may go a little nuts while on vacation. Others may just simply be bored on sea days and figure there isn't much else to do, well, besides trivia, bingo, gambling or sun soaking. I think it's different for everyone but I do think age, as well as how people live in everyday life, play a integral part of making up "value" from one person to the next. I enjoy drinking less and less these days, or the pain/consequences rather, the pleasurable feelings are still great, the heartburn, terrible sleep, interactions with prescription meds, and general maladies after a night of imbibing, not so much lol. The scales certainly keep tipping as the days/years keep ticking.         

Edited June 2, 2022 by cruisingguy007

[nferr]

5 minutes ago, baelor said:

This is almost certainly true.  Plus obvious cases like people not drinking alcohol because of religious or personal reasons (including alcoholism), people not drinking coffee/tea for religious reasons, etc.

 Well of course those people shouldn't consider a drink package. That's obvious.

[mattb31]

I'm on Oasis now, figured I'd track for the first time since this ridiculous thread started the day before we left. Gonna assume water bottles are $3 and sodas are $3. I didn't differentiate between filling my soda cup and getting a can

 

Day 1:

3 Coke Zero

4 Water Bottles

Bud Light

1 Rum and Diet

1 Pinot Noir

 

$51.50

 

Day 2:

Iced Chai Latte

2 Coke Zero

8 Water Bottles

7 Rum and Coke Zero

Lava Flow

Spike Peach Tea from Portside

Margherita 

 

$137.50

 

Day 3:

L Espresso

2 Coke Zero

3 Water Bottles

Miami Vice

Miller Light

Sake

 

$53

 

Day 4 (CocoCay):

L Espresso

5 Water Bottles

2 Rum and Diet

Pina Colada

2 Pinot Noir

Old Fashioned

 

$91.50

 

Day 5 (In Progress):

L Espresso

Blue Hawaiian

2 Coke Zero

4 Water Bottles

 

$35.50

 

Was slightly buzzed by the pool on the second day, but never once felt drunk or sick or whatever.

 

I paid $60.99 a day pre cruise which is $426.93 before gratuities. Had I bought these drinks without the package I'd be up to $369 with 2.5 days to go.

 

Easy value for me. Only got off the ship at Cococay.

[S.A.M.J.R.]

51 minutes ago, Stick93 said:

4/5 drinks a day - sea days even more when you start at 10am and finish at 12 am

2 coffee drinks

5-10 bottles of water a day

soda/club soda/Pellegrino

 

Trying to see how You don't break even without thinking about it. 

 

There are many ways to do it cheaper without being a rum runner - but there is value in getting what you want anywhere its available. 

 

Simple rule - If you have to think about breaking even...the package isn't for you no matter what the price is - unless it free.

 

 

Totally agree.  On a Sea Day, even for me, a "casual" drinker, I can easily break even.  it's the PORT days that mess me up.  Because those put me "behind" the curve.  Let's say you need 5 drinks a day (5*15=$75) to "break even".  I'm not including the coffees, juices, waters to just keep things simple.  

 

Now, how many sea days vs port days (non private island) do you have?  Let's say on a 7 day cruise, you have 2 sea days, 1 private island (basically a sea day), and 4 port days.  You still need 35 drinks over the course of the week.  If you only get 3 on port days, you need to make up the other 8 on your sea days.  

 

I think the question of whether you WOULD normally drink that much is a good one.  Take cost out of the issue, would you drink 35 drinks in a week?  

[hazeleyes46]

Shots are included also, correct? That can add up also. 

[doppelganger2621]

9 minutes ago, hazeleyes46 said:

Shots are included also, correct? That can add up also. 

Yes

[billslowsky]

52 minutes ago, mattb31 said:

I'm on Oasis now, figured I'd track for the first time since this ridiculous thread started the day before we left. Gonna assume water bottles are $3 and sodas are $3. I didn't differentiate between filling my soda cup and getting a can

 

Day 1:

3 Coke Zero

4 Water Bottles

Bud Light

1 Rum and Diet

1 Pinot Noir

 

$51.50

 

Day 2:

Iced Chai Latte

2 Coke Zero

8 Water Bottles

7 Rum and Coke Zero

Lava Flow

Spike Peach Tea from Portside

Margherita 

 

$137.50

 

Day 3:

L Espresso

2 Coke Zero

3 Water Bottles

Miami Vice

Miller Light

Sake

 

$53

 

Day 4 (CocoCay):

L Espresso

5 Water Bottles

2 Rum and Diet

Pina Colada

2 Pinot Noir

Old Fashioned

 

$91.50

 

Day 5 (In Progress):

L Espresso

Blue Hawaiian

2 Coke Zero

4 Water Bottles

 

$35.50

 

Was slightly buzzed by the pool on the second day, but never once felt drunk or sick or whatever.

 

I paid $60.99 a day pre cruise which is $426.93 before gratuities. Had I bought these drinks without the package I'd be up to $369 with 2.5 days to go.

 

Easy value for me. Only got off the ship at Cococay.

You're "ahead" because you get so many water bottles...  talk about a profit center for the ship.

[lenquixote66]

On 5/28/2022 at 12:50 PM, mattnday said:

I knew it was expensive but the last time we did it for 7 night it cost like $850. 

 

This go round it it over $1200 for our 7 night Carribean trip on the Allure coming up in November. 

 

They have finally got me to the point where I just wont dot it. I was expecting $1000 but not $1200

 

The total BS part is this is the lower sales price of what I have seen as part of one of their sales.

The normal price was closer to $1400 through my portal. 

 

 

You can give up consumption of alcohol and save all that money.

[Pandamonia]

Fresh orange at breakfast and a latte

2-3 ciders by the pool in the day maybe a cocktail

2- beers as the sun goes down in the sky bar

2 Prosseco in the champagne bar before meal or cocktails

2 red wines in chops grill. 

Espresso after meal

Vodka and lemonade in casino

3 G&T in Music bar

Shots in night club

bottles of water before bed

pass out.

 

Rinse & Repeat. 

 

add all that up!

 

Edited June 2, 2022 by Pandamonia

[ONECRUISER]

1 hour ago, BND said:

I'd love to know the age breakdown for those who drink enough to at least break even and those that don't.  The older you are the more likely you are to be on meds.  There are people on meds that limit how much they can drink.  Diabetics have to be careful with alcohol and sugar, including juice.  Cholesterol meds are processed through the liver and alcohol has to be limited.  And, some with heart issues have to limit caffeine.  I just have a feeling that most who think nothing of buying the package and can easily "get their money's worth" tend to be younger than those who don't.  And, yes, there are exceptions.   

Turned 57 Yesterday, no Health Issues/Meds, Don't Drink and Don't spend a Penny onboard so I get my Money's Worth. Sorry Royal...

[rudeney]

1 hour ago, hazeleyes46 said:

Shots are included also, correct? That can add up also. 

 

Yes, and that's a good point and brings up a question. In the past, RCCL bartenders gave very generous pours which were probably close to ordering a double.  It seems now they are more closely measuring pours.  If I have the DBP and order a double, do they just serve that and rng in in as 2 drinks on my package, or will they charge me the price that exceeds $13?  If they are going to charge me, then I'll just order a drink + a shot and make my own double.  

[mattb31]

41 minutes ago, billslowsky said:

You're "ahead" because you get so many water bottles...  talk about a profit center for the ship.

Just ordered another rum and diet which would have been $10. Add that in and take out the $72 in water bottles and I'm sitting at an average of $61.40 a day, which is still beating the $60.99 I paid.

 

I'm sure that will go up even more if I have a glass of wine with dinner and an old fashioned before bed again.