Different Drink Package Questions

[grod19]

I am working on some details for our upcoming cruise and wanted to see if anyone had any first hand experience with what I am thinking.  First off we are 2 couples, in 2 different rooms.  One couple is diamond so 4 free drinks a day.  The husbands drink and the drink package would be worth it, the wives would probably come up short of making it worth it, especially with the one having diamond status.  So my thought was to put the men in one room and get the drink package for them.  If I do this can the Diamond husband use his diamond drinking for the none diamond wife?  Are there any downsides to this besides the minor headaches of 1) remembering what your room number is on paper vs where you are actually sleeping 2) Diamond husband needs to be there to get non diamond wife a drink.  If the wives got to use the 4 diamond drinks each day and the husbands had the package that would be ideal for us.

 

I recently read a review that said you can purchase the drink package for just one person in a stateroom if you call up?  This was shocking news to me, anyone else experience this?  I had heard in the past you could get one person the non alcoholic package and one the alcohol package but never just getting one person the package.  

 

Lastly, are there any other downsides I am missing with this plan?  Or is there a better plan that I am not thinking of?

[Biker19]

6 minutes ago, grod19 said:

If I do this can the Diamond husband use his diamond drinking for the none diamond wife? 

The D drinks can be shared with anyone, though that person must remember to tell the bartender to use the coupon for the D drink instead of the default drink package.

[rudeney]

39 minutes ago, grod19 said:

I recently read a review that said you can purchase the drink package for just one person in a stateroom if you call up?  This was shocking news to me, anyone else experience this?  I had heard in the past you could get one person the non alcoholic package and one the alcohol package but never just getting one person the package.  

 

I hear a person recently say that they called and were told that both people were required to have "some" drink package, so the non-drinker bought the coffee card.  YMMV.

[grod19]

8 minutes ago, rudeney said:

 

I hear a person recently say that they called and were told that both people were required to have "some" drink package, so the non-drinker bought the coffee card.  YMMV.

If that is an option that is an awesome loop hole!!!!  I might have to call up and see if that is an option

[Mum2Mercury]

I'd call first and try to get the drink package for just one person in a cabin.  It'd just be easier to have the right people in the right cabins officially.  

 

If that fails, your plan sounds acceptable.  

 

I really wonder, though, if the drink package is worthwhile for the husband who is diamond.  I mean, the drink package runs around $70 -- and don't neglect the 18% tip that's added, so the real per-day price is more like $84.  Is the guy really able to drink 4 free Diamond drinks + $84/day?  I'd want to compare the cost of buying individual drinks before I'd agree to pay that price. 

Edited September 26, 2022 by Mum2Mercury

[rudeney]

1 minute ago, grod19 said:

If that is an option that is an awesome loop hole!!!!  I might have to call up and see if that is an option

Like I said, I heard someone say they did that, and it might have been a mistake on the part of the CSR, but apparently the system allowed it.  I think if the first answer is no, I'd call back and try again.  

[Mum2Mercury]

2 minutes ago, rudeney said:

Like I said, I heard someone say they did that, and it might have been a mistake on the part of the CSR, but apparently the system allowed it.  I think if the first answer is no, I'd call back and try again.  

I've heard of calling /them allowing one person to have the Deluxe Drink Package, while the other has the Soda Package -- heard it more than once.  If you could do the coffee card, it'd be better still.  

[c-leg5]

4 minutes ago, Mum2Mercury said:

I'd call first and try to get the drink package for just one person in a cabin.  It'd just be easier to have the right people in the right cabins officially.  

 

If that fails, your plan sounds acceptable.  

 

I really wonder, though, if the drink package is worthwhile for the husband who is diamond.  I mean, the drink package runs around $70 -- and don't neglect the 18% tip that's added, so the real per-day price is more like $84.  Is the guy really able to drink 4 free Diamond drinks + $84/day?  I'd want to compare the cost of buying individual drinks before I'd agree to pay that price. 

I thought the Diamond husband was giving his Diamond drinks to non-Diamond wife.

 

The guys want the package. the wives are happy with 4 drinks each.

[grod19]

c-leg is right.  I would be giving my 4 diamond drinks to the non diamond wife and I would just be drinking my package drinks.  This way she gets 4 free and I would need to have about 5-6 drinks a day to break even (not a problem)

11 minutes ago, Mum2Mercury said:

I'd call first and try to get the drink package for just one person in a cabin.  It'd just be easier to have the right people in the right cabins officially.  

 

If that fails, your plan sounds acceptable.  

 

I really wonder, though, if the drink package is worthwhile for the husband who is diamond.  I mean, the drink package runs around $70 -- and don't neglect the 18% tip that's added, so the real per-day price is more like $84.  Is the guy really able to drink 4 free Diamond drinks + $84/day?  I'd want to compare the cost of buying individual drinks before I'd agree to pay that price. 

 

3 minutes ago, c-leg5 said:

I thought the Diamond husband was giving his Diamond drinks to non-Diamond wife.

 

The guys want the package. the wives are happy with 4 drinks each.

[brillohead]

13 hours ago, Mum2Mercury said:

I've heard of calling /them allowing one person to have the Deluxe Drink Package, while the other has the Soda Package -- heard it more than once.  If you could do the coffee card, it'd be better still.  

I'm curious where you've seen this.  I read this board pretty regularly, and the standard line is that one person has to have the REFRESHMENT package, not the Soda package.  

[brillohead]

14 hours ago, grod19 said:

Are there any downsides to this besides the minor headaches of 1) remembering what your room number is on paper vs where you are actually sleeping 2) Diamond husband needs to be there to get non diamond wife a drink.

The first "downside" isn't really a problem -- all four of you go to Guest Services on the first day and have them move you all around to the right rooms.  Your on-board accounts and the room numbers on your keys will then all correspond to where you're actually sleeping -- nothing to remember.

 

The second downside is correct -- Diamond husband will have to be there to order the drinks to give to the non-Diamond person.  However, if you're all going to be hanging out regularly, it shouldn't be too much of a problem.  If the gals are in the Solarium while the guys are in the casino, the Diamond wife can use all four of her vouchers to buy drinks for herself plus the non-Diamond person (two drinks each).  Then later when the whole group is together before/during/after dinner, the Diamond husband can use all four of his vouchers to buy drinks for his wife and the non-Diamond person (two drinks each).  

If you use the same bars regularly and/or tip in cash, you might also find it's possible for the Diamond wife to access her husband's vouchers even without him present.

 

[rudeney]

8 hours ago, brillohead said:

I'm curious where you've seen this.  I read this board pretty regularly, and the standard line is that one person has to have the REFRESHMENT package, not the Soda package.  

 

That's also what I have always heard, but I recently saw two people claiming to be able to get DBP for one the coffee card as the 2nd "drink package" for their cabin mates.  I know there is a lot of misinformation on the interwebs, and this could be that.  It could be a bug in RCCL's system (I know, hard to believe) that would allow it, you just have to convince a CSR to key it in that way.  It's worth a try - all you have to lose is time on the phone.

[brillohead]

7 minutes ago, rudeney said:

 

That's also what I have always heard, but I recently saw two people claiming to be able to get DBP for one the coffee card as the 2nd "drink package" for their cabin mates.  I know there is a lot of misinformation on the interwebs, and this could be that.  It could be a bug in RCCL's system (I know, hard to believe) that would allow it, you just have to convince a CSR to key it in that way.  It's worth a try - all you have to lose is time on the phone.

I've seen the coffee card claim, but never seen the SODA package claim.

[firefly333]

8 hours ago, brillohead said:

I'm curious where you've seen this.  I read this board pretty regularly, and the standard line is that one person has to have the REFRESHMENT package, not the Soda package.  

I saw the post before I left on my b2b and just got back Sunday so it must have been 2 plus weeks ago someone posted they got the coffee card for one.

 

I had a harder than ever time using my free drinks. I usually get fresh squeezed OJ and the first was like battery acid. I tried it later in the week on thursday and it was better but sour. After that I didnt try as they said they had a bad batch. 

 

And the coffee machine was broke in diamond lounge but she gave out extra coffee vouchers each week.

[rudeney]

Just now, brillohead said:

I've seen the coffee card claim, but never seen the SODA package claim.

 

Hmm, I'd think if they'd allow the coffee card, they'd also allow the more expensive soda package.  I'll be interested to hear what @grod19 ends up with.

[awhfy]

I guess my only question is why isn’t the wife of the Diamond member a Diamond member also?    

[c-leg5]

5 minutes ago, awhfy said:

I guess my only question is why isn’t the wife of the Diamond member a Diamond member also?    

She is - that is why she HAS 4 drinks.
 

It is the wife of the non-diamond couple that doesn’t .

[DustFSU]

9 hours ago, brillohead said:

The first "downside" isn't really a problem -- all four of you go to Guest Services on the first day and have them move you all around to the right rooms.  Your on-board accounts and the room numbers on your keys will then all correspond to where you're actually sleeping -- nothing to remember.

 

The second downside is correct -- Diamond husband will have to be there to order the drinks to give to the non-Diamond person.  However, if you're all going to be hanging out regularly, it shouldn't be too much of a problem.  If the gals are in the Solarium while the guys are in the casino, the Diamond wife can use all four of her vouchers to buy drinks for herself plus the non-Diamond person (two drinks each).  Then later when the whole group is together before/during/after dinner, the Diamond husband can use all four of his vouchers to buy drinks for his wife and the non-Diamond person (two drinks each).  

If you use the same bars regularly and/or tip in cash, you might also find it's possible for the Diamond wife to access her husband's vouchers even without him present.

 

You can go up with the person's card with the diamonds drinks on there and use it.  I have done it the past few cruises.  I don't drink enough to benefit from buying the drink package, but enough to use my parent's vouchers to get a few free ones

[The Scurvy Pirate]

2 hours ago, awhfy said:

I guess my only question is why isn’t the wife of the Diamond member a Diamond member also?    

My thoughts as well.  It would have been clearer saying the friend's wife.

 

I read the same thing about using the coffee card as I had always thought the other person had to have a refreshment package.  But, I had never actually asked the customer service rep.  I do agree that if you don't like the answer the first time, call back later.

[grod19]

On 9/27/2022 at 1:07 AM, brillohead said:

I'm curious where you've seen this.  I read this board pretty regularly, and the standard line is that one person has to have the REFRESHMENT package, not the Soda package.  

correct, sorry I always forget there is a soda package and a mocktails  (refreshment) package.  In my brain there are only 2, booze and no booze!!!

[grod19]

On 9/27/2022 at 1:13 AM, brillohead said:

If you use the same bars regularly and/or tip in cash, you might also find it's possible for the Diamond wife to access her husband's vouchers even without him present.

I also found cash tips occasionally lead to a 5th or 6th free drink from time to time.  And I had no problem using my wife's.  On a few occasions one of us was out and the bartender just told us they used the other spouses drinks.