New Drink Prices and Menus Under Increased Classic and Premium Beverage Packages

[jelayne]

1 hour ago, SRQbeachgirl said:

We didn't buy an alcohol package since DH doesn't drink and I don't drink enough to justify the cost, so I just pay as I go. Last night in the MDR I ordered a glass of wine that was listed at $11. When they brought the receipt it had morphed into $21 with tax, gratuity, etc. 🤔 I noticed DH's eye starting to twitch as he looked across the table at the receipt so I refrained from adding an extra tip. 🤣

Did you question why the big difference?  We’re you in a area where VAT tax has to be added to all purchases?

[thatguy865]

My sailing on Silhouette next month only has a drink menu for Ensemble Lounge. No other menus listed for about 3 weeks now. 
 

As someone who works in the wine and spirits industry… supply chain issues are long gone. The last company claiming supply issues was LVMH, but Veuve, Dom, and Moët are flowing again.
 

[Arizona Wildcat]

4 hours ago, ivanidea said:

Last year, we could drink Champagne with the premium package.  Now, the app shows Champagne is $22 per glass.  So no Champagne for the sail away party or as an aperitif.  Will have to see what is available when we board in a few weeks time.

You are partially correct.  There is champagne, prosecco, and sparkling wine at well under $22 and covered with the premium package.  Some were covered by the basic package. 

You will indeed need to see what is offered and how it is priced.

There are several websites that give beverages and prices.

FWIW, the drink prices on X are absolutely higher than HAL, Princess and NCL.  Each cruiseline offers choices.  Earlier this month dining on Princess was dreadful to twice very good compared to X. One needs to evaluate the entire experience including the itinerary- most important to me.

[SRQbeachgirl]

1 hour ago, jelayne said:

Did you question why the big difference?  We’re you in a area where VAT tax has to be added to all purchases?

 

No VAT tax and I just figured maybe they haven't updated menus to new prices, but I probably should have questioned it. On the positive side, I ordered a martini at the Martini Bar tonight expecting it to be $16 plus tax and gratuity, but the total was only $15.60. 🤷‍♀️

[RI-Bob]

Would the classic drink package cover non-alcoholic drinks like a virgin frozen pina colada?  Anyone know. 

[Guest]

I have a question.

I’ve recently read that you can now only upgrade to Premium from Classic if both passengers upgrade. Is this correct? I literally just upgraded myself for the first week of my B2B before Christmas. Unsure if I’ll be able to do the second week now!

[CruiseCrew123]

Yes that is one of the new changes . You will both have to have the same package for the 2nd week unless you upgraded before the new policy was announced 

[jaapie]

8 minutes ago, CruiseCrew123 said:

Yes that is one of the new changes . You will both have to have the same package for the 2nd week unless you upgraded before the new policy was announced 

When was this change announced? On January 9 I upgraded one of us to premium for our upcoming February cruise, so wondering if I just got in under the wire. 

[CruiseCrew123]

Around that time ! 

[DaKahuna]

13 hours ago, RI-Bob said:

Would the classic drink package cover non-alcoholic drinks like a virgin frozen pina colada?  Anyone know. 

 

 Yes, according to the package description.

 

[breadandbutter]

On 1/24/2023 at 5:36 PM, SRQbeachgirl said:

We didn't buy an alcohol package since DH doesn't drink and I don't drink enough to justify the cost, so I just pay as I go. Last night in the MDR I ordered a glass of wine that was listed at $11. When they brought the receipt it had morphed into $21 with tax, gratuity, etc. 🤔 I noticed DH's eye starting to twitch as he looked across the table at the receipt so I refrained from adding an extra tip. 🤣

And you didn't query this?

[SUESEABE]

Celebrity-Cruises-Beverage-Packages.pdf 

 

Am I blind or what...not seeing Jameson in neither the Classic package nor the Premium package. Anyone know which package for Jameson?

[greendoc]

On 1/24/2023 at 3:26 AM, I_Like_Cruising said:

On celebrity, you pay the difference. so if something is $35, you pay the $18 difference 17+18=35

 

I am very disappointed with Celebrity and their change in selection of wines for the Premium package. We only drink wine and upgrade to the Premium so that we can have quality wine with our meals and afterwards. It seems to get a glass of Decoy which is now $19 we will need to pay the extra $2 and tax even though we have the Premium package. While others might think that we should just select another wine, there are very few good red wines on their list. We will be Elite Plus on next cruise and have been very faithful to Celebrity over the years. Surely management can take a look at this issue as we are not the only ones concerned with this change. Stop nickel and dimeing! 

[Rmoosh]

On 1/23/2023 at 6:38 AM, wrk2cruise said:

 

There were new menus in the Sky Lounge which had the Zero Proof Package which is why I'm sure they were newly printed.   It still listed Montaudon which is what you are probably referring to which hasn't been available since the restart.   Cattier was readily available although they were trying hard to push me to Chandon on the first night in the MDR.   When I repeatedly said no they all of a sudden found Cattier.  I've had this happen to me on multiple sailings.

 

Our dinner table had a chat with the Cellar Master regarding availability of premium wines by the glass where we got the standard "supply chain" excuse.   He said they place the order but have no control over what they get.  We sort of called BS as corporation that buys as much wine as RCG they certainly have more than a bit of leverage over their suppliers.

 

One of the people at our table had been served a wine at lunch then at dinner they were out.   This was turn over day on  a B2B.   He later returned to the table and said they were loading 3 cases and 1 case would be reserved for them.

I heard similar things - you’re lucky it’s the last bottle, and I found some more …..

[jelayne]

11 minutes ago, Rmoosh said:

I heard similar things - you’re lucky it’s the last bottle, and I found some more …..

This thread is a year old and the Info on drink packages is out dated.  Packages were changed earlier this month, moving some wines out of the premium package.  Same for some liquors.

[tabby50894]

On 1/25/2023 at 1:43 AM, Glitterati said:

I have a question.

I’ve recently read that you can now only upgrade to Premium from Classic if both passengers upgrade. Is this correct? I literally just upgraded myself for the first week of my B2B before Christmas. Unsure if I’ll be able to do the second week now!

In the past, I was able to upgrade just myself because my husband doesn't drink, but was unable to do so in November. However, if we downgraded his package to the non-alcoholic package, I was able to upgrade mine. Naturally there was no refund associated with his package 😉, but I was able to take advantage of a sale, $6.99 a day for the upgrade. So all good.

[Jillianr1976]

I wish we could find an updated beverage pdf, It'd clear up a good amount of confusion. 

[SHIP TRAVELER]

I agree that there are a lot of bad lists out there and that there are some changes.  I thought I recently saw Tito's vodka change to premium.  We upgraded on a sale for our February cruise because I like Jack Daniel's Black and Baileys Irish cream.  Pretty pedestrian choices but not on the classic package and no real substitutes in my opinion.  Also a Jim Beam Old Fashion can't hold a candle to a Maker Mark Old Fashion, (again in my humble opinion)

[Oceangoer2]

On 1/24/2023 at 5:36 PM, SRQbeachgirl said:

We didn't buy an alcohol package since DH doesn't drink and I don't drink enough to justify the cost, so I just pay as I go. Last night in the MDR I ordered a glass of wine that was listed at $11. When they brought the receipt it had morphed into $21 with tax, gratuity, etc. 🤔 I noticed DH's eye starting to twitch as he looked across the table at the receipt so I refrained from adding an extra tip. 🤣

How could it morph?  Service charge and tax and grats?  Will have to reconsider not buying a classic pkg...we were going to 'pay as we go' as you did.  We're not heavy drinkers but include lunch/dinner wine/beer and juice/water throughout the day, the pkg. purchase might be a better option.

[SRQbeachgirl]

On 1/19/2024 at 2:44 PM, Oceangoer2 said:

How could it morph?  Service charge and tax and grats?  Will have to reconsider not buying a classic pkg...we were going to 'pay as we go' as you did.  We're not heavy drinkers but include lunch/dinner wine/beer and juice/water throughout the day, the pkg. purchase might be a better option.

 

Yes, the service charge, tax, and gratuity almost doubled the cost of the drink. Probably explains why I spent so much time in the casino, since I get free drinks when playing.

[miched]

They ran out of Woodford and claimed it was a supply issue.   I took a picture of many bottles on the self in the duty free shop.   Showed it to the same BT and he said all we can do is serve what they give us.   Not his fault.

 

Happy cruising 🌊🚢🇺🇸🌅

Edited January 21 by miched

[DaKahuna]

11 minutes ago, miched said:

They ran out of Woodford and claimed it was a supply issue.   I took a picture of many bottles on the self in the duty free shop.   Showed it to the same BT and he said all we can do is serve what they give us.   Not his fault.

 

Happy cruising 🌊🚢🇺🇸🌅

 Celebrity is not allowed to purchase from the duty free shop onboard and serve to guest. 
 

[miched]

29 minutes ago, DaKahuna said:

 Celebrity is not allowed to purchase from the duty free shop onboard and serve to guest. 
 

 

29 minutes ago, DaKahuna said:

 Celebrity is not allowed to purchase from the duty free shop onboard and serve to guest. 
 

 

29 minutes ago, DaKahuna said:

 Celebrity is not allowed to purchase from the duty free shop onboard and serve to guest. 
 

I know that but that  isn’t the issue.  If the shop has it why doesn’t Celebrity have it?    
Apparently it isn’t a supply issue for the store.   The supply issue is that Celebrity doesn’t want to supply it and uses that for an excuse.

The last cruise that I was on I was in the Retreat Lounge.   This one couple came in and ask the BT if he remembered them from some a while ago. as they were the couple that had that special bottle of Scotch.   I asked the Bt about it and he said that when they were in a port someone from the ship went into the port and purchased some bottle reserved just for them.   He said he didn’t know all of the story but he was told to only serve it to those two guests and keep the bottle out of sight.  
 

Happy cruising  🌊🚢🇺🇸🌅

Edited January 21 by miched

[DaKahuna]

Just now, miched said:

 

 

I know that but that  isn’t the issue.  If the shop has it why doesn’t Celebrity have it?    
Apparently it isn’t a supply issue for the store.   The supply issue is that Celebrity doesn’t want to supply it and uses that for an excuse.

 

Happy cruising  🌊🚢🇺🇸🌅

The supplier for the duty free store and for Celebrity are different.  It is my understanding the duty free store is a separate and independent entity all together. 
 

[Ex-Airbalancer]

36 minutes ago, miched said:

They ran out of Woodford and claimed it was a supply issue.   I took a picture of many bottles on the self in the duty free shop.   Showed it to the same BT and he said all we can do is serve what they give us.   Not his fault.

 

Happy cruising 🌊🚢🇺🇸🌅

That is a weird thing to do.

Putting the bartender on the spot for something he has no control over