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PVMEX2021
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PVMEX2021

PVMEX2021

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We are new to RCI- we have two cruises booked- a 4 day out of Galveston in late August and a 5 day in early December.  Normally we have not bought the drink package when cruising- (Carnival)- mostly because we just don't drink enough-- however RCI has it on sale for 66.00 per day per person- and it seems like if you have more than 5 drinks this is a better deal.  Just wondering what the total package cost with tax and gratuities.  Also I am assuming on a 4 day cruise the drink package doesn't start until the first day out of Galveston? So it would be a 3 day package, correct?

 

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footzz

footzz

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The total price(s) will be stated in your Cruise Planner. You can use the package the minute you board the ship. Just be aware that there will be a limited selection of beverages available until the ship reaches international waters after leaving Galveston.

Edited by footzz
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PVMEX2021

PVMEX2021

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okay- on Carnival, the drink package was not available on the first day (embarkation) at all I believe- so on a 4 day cruise you were charged 3 days for the package, and so on.  So are you saying on RCI the drink package will be for the entire 4 days?

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S.A.M.J.R.

S.A.M.J.R.

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3 minutes ago, PVMEX2021 said:

okay- on Carnival, the drink package was not available on the first day (embarkation) at all I believe- so on a 4 day cruise you were charged 3 days for the package, and so on.  So are you saying on RCI the drink package will be for the entire 4 days?

Yes.  Day 1 is boarding day.  

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Anton

Anton

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3 minutes ago, PVMEX2021 said:

okay- on Carnival, the drink package was not available on the first day (embarkation) at all I believe- so on a 4 day cruise you were charged 3 days for the package, and so on.  So are you saying on RCI the drink package will be for the entire 4 days?

Yes.  Not sure why RCI can sell packages for the entire cruise but Carnival can’t, but that’s how it works.  The only limit is using the Texas bar menu until in international waters.

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rudeney "Live from...." Rare

rudeney

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1 hour ago, PVMEX2021 said:

Does the price ever go below 65.99?

 

 

 

Maybe, btu probably not. But it could easily go up.  If $65.99 is an acceptable price, buy it now.  Then check Cruise Planner every day until 2 days before your cruise.  If the price drops, you can cancel what you bought and get a refund, and then re-buy at the lower price.

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footzz

footzz

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1 hour ago, PVMEX2021 said:

Does the price ever go below 65.99?

 

 

These days, probably not. On an upcoming RCL cruise out of Galveston the price for the UBP has been priced between $72.99 and $77.99. 

 

Edited by footzz
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DCPIV "Live from...." Rare

DCPIV

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1 hour ago, Anton said:

Yes.  Not sure why RCI can sell packages for the entire cruise but Carnival can’t, but that’s how it works.  The only limit is using the Texas bar menu until in international waters.

 

The limit actually is that they can serve only that inventory that they've paid TABC tax on.  If you look closely enough, you'll see the tax stickers on the liquor bottles behind the bar.  Once they are far enough out, you see the bartenders put all those bottles away and bring out the inventory for the rest of the cruise.

 

1 hour ago, PVMEX2021 said:

Does the price ever go below 65.99?

 

 

 

Jump on that price.

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PVMEX2021

PVMEX2021

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48 minutes ago, DCPIV said:

 

The limit actually is that they can serve only that inventory that they've paid TABC tax on.  If you look closely enough, you'll see the tax stickers on the liquor bottles behind the bar.  Once they are far enough out, you see the bartenders put all those bottles away and bring out the inventory for the rest of the cruise.

 

 

Jump on that price.

We did!

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Cinerama

Cinerama

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On 7/6/2022 at 11:52 AM, footzz said:

These days, probably not. On an upcoming RCL cruise out of Galveston the price for the UBP has been priced between $72.99 and $77.99. 

 

 

Just returned from a five day Celebrity Cruise with Elevate package for $70 a day. That includes premium drinks, WIFI (normally $10 a day), gratuities (you would have to pay anyhow at the end of the cruse $15 a day), and $100 cruise credit. So, the drinks part of the package is $25 a day. 

 

Princess Cruises Princess Plus Package in $50 a day. That includes premium drinks, WIFI (normally $10 a day), and gratuities (you would have to pay anyhow at the end of the cruse $15 a day). So, the drinks part of the package is $25 a day.

 

I don't know why RCL doesn't have something similar.

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lchvatal

lchvatal

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On 7/6/2022 at 9:32 AM, PVMEX2021 said:

We are new to RCI- we have two cruises booked- a 4 day out of Galveston in late August and a 5 day in early December.  Normally we have not bought the drink package when cruising- (Carnival)- mostly because we just don't drink enough-- however RCI has it on sale for 66.00 per day per person- and it seems like if you have more than 5 drinks this is a better deal.  Just wondering what the total package cost with tax and gratuities.  Also I am assuming on a 4 day cruise the drink package doesn't start until the first day out of Galveston? So it would be a 3 day package, correct?

 

It starts the first day you get on the ship. However, if you get it, any cabin mate over 21 must get the package as well. 

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footzz

footzz

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11 hours ago, lchvatal said:

It starts the first day you get on the ship. However, if you get it, any cabin mate over 21 must get the package as well. 

Not necessarily. RCCL will allow one person to buy the Deluxe Beverage Package and one person to buy the Refreshment Package. But, they have to call RCCL to make it happen.

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poocher

poocher

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12 hours ago, Cinerama said:

 

Just returned from a five day Celebrity Cruise with Elevate package for $70 a day. That includes premium drinks, WIFI (normally $10 a day), gratuities (you would have to pay anyhow at the end of the cruse $15 a day), and $100 cruise credit. So, the drinks part of the package is $25 a day. 

 

Princess Cruises Princess Plus Package in $50 a day. That includes premium drinks, WIFI (normally $10 a day), and gratuities (you would have to pay anyhow at the end of the cruse $15 a day). So, the drinks part of the package is $25 a day.

 

I don't know why RCL doesn't have something similar.

Are the actual cruise fares comparable?  Or are you paying more in base fare to make up the difference.

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meab

meab

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5 hours ago, footzz said:

Not necessarily. RCCL will allow one person to buy the Deluxe Beverage Package and one person to buy the Refreshment Package. But, they have to call RCCL to make it happen.

If it's one person over 21 with the DBP, and the other passenger is under 21 - is the younger passenger required to get any kind of package?

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ATSEAMYLIFE

ATSEAMYLIFE

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On 7/6/2022 at 7:46 AM, HicksRA said:

Royal pays Texas taxes on a certain amount of alcohol that they can serve in Texas waters. 
Carnival is too cheap to do this, so cannot serve alcohol until they reach international waters. 

Exactly correct, we sailed once out of Galveston and there was only one draft beer they could serve while still docked.  There was such a run on it that the beer mugs were coming out warm from the dishwasher and I even got one that I had doubts had even been washed.  But to answer the OP yes the drink package does work on embarkation day.  

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