September Celebrity Beyond cruise drinks packages ?

[swimmom9296]

Hi, We're new cruisers, at least in this century, and the price of the drinks packages seem very expensive to us. On our 9 nite Mediterranean cruise the "Classic drinks" package is $62/per person per day which comes out to over $1100 for each of us. We decided no thanks! The non-alcoholic package is "sodas, plus fresh and bottled juices, premium coffees and teas, and non-premium bottled water." It costs only $250 for both of us, and any alcohol will be extra. Which sounds better to me.

What do you all do regarding drinks packages? (we're in our late 60's and not big drinkers but I think it's a PITA to be paying for every cup of coffee/soda/water bottle every day. Help!

[bye-seaya]

It’s a tricky one because everyone’s consumption and preferences are different.

Maybe some factors to take into consideration would be, if your cruise is port intensive - will you be on the ship all that much? Would you be ok with having regular coffees and the ship’s water rather than specialty coffees? Would bringing a couple of bottles of wine onboard with you take care of having that nice drink on the balcony or bring to the dining room & pay the corkage fee? Cocktails @ no charge are available while playing in the casino if that’s of interest. 

On a 9 day cruise with my Sis, I paid for the premium drink package and my Sis didn’t have any drink package. She was happy to pay for a beer here & there, drinking ship water, regular tea, as well as having a nightly cocktail  in the casino. I don’t like drinking while gambling and was happy with the premium package for top shelf cocktails, specialty coffees, bottled water and nice wine choices for dinner and after dinner night caps. Sis’ drink bill was less than $30. My premium package for 9 nights considerably more$$. We were both happy with our choices. 

Lots to take into consideration. 😀

Edited July 23, 2022 by bye-seaya
Typo

[ctlyf]

We usually buy the drink package... we get our money's worth. Plus if I have to pay for drinks, I'll second guess my choice every single time.... I'll stress myself out. But we did order a couple of bottles to the room for one cruise instead of getting a package. They're expensive but cheaper than drinks at the bar (i think a bottle of vodka was $75). That, with our canned pop we brought onboard plus wine, and the occasional drink from the bar, and we were good to go. 

[Guppy99]

Not sure what you need help with. You've done the math and the analysis.

I Rarely drink (because I simply don't like the taste). However, I do love fresh juice and mocktails. So a premium non-alcoholic package works for me. If I have a beer or glass of wine, I'll just pay for it. My daughter drinks a lot, and only top-shelf.  So the premium drink pkg works for her. Seems to me you have already figured out what to do.

[jelayne]

It sounds like a non-alcohol package would be the best option.   
We book a All Included rate.  That rate includes the daily gratuity charge of about $15per person  per day, and the cost of basic wi-fi ( which we need) around  $15 pp pd.  So by the time we add those 2 costs to a Cruise Only rate the difference between Cruise Only and All Included is much less than $62 pp pd and we enjoy a cocktail or 2 pre and post dinner and wine with dinner so us that rate works best.  

[BridgeMates]

I should know this, but Can only one person in the cabin get the drink pkg or does it have to be both pax?

[CHEZMARYLOU]

23 minutes ago, BridgeMates said:

I should know this, but Can only one person in the cabin get the drink pkg or does it have to be both pax?

When booking with the AI rate both guests must book that way.  If booking without AI then only one guest can buy a beverage package.

[BridgeMates]

✔ Thks for the quick reply!

[swimmom9296]

3 hours ago, BridgeMates said:

I should know this, but Can only one person in the cabin get the drink pkg or does it have to be both pax?

I'm sure we could buy 1 pkg for drinks. However, on the celebrity pages it says, "no sharing of drinks or ordering 2 at a time". So...