Beverage Package Prices Just Keep Going Up And Up!

[Retired LEO]

With the free drinks for Diamond, Diamond +, and Pinnacle plus all the free booze in the Casino, someone's got to pay for it. 

 

[BirdTravels]

39 minutes ago, nasa1974 said:

I hope Princess doesn't follow what Royal is doing. For less than $500 per person (for 7 days) you can get a Princess Plus added to your cruise and it includes the daily gratuity, Wi-Fi and beverages. The Princess Premium is less than $600.  Where Royal is around $700 per person for 7 days just for drinks.  Just saying.  Ouch!!!

Royal should follow NCL an include a beverage package and 1 or 2 specialty dinners with almost every reservation. 

[lcpagejr]

24 minutes ago, BirdTravels said:

Royal should follow NCL an include a beverage package and 1 or 2 specialty dinners with almost every reservation. 

And we pay thru the nose for service charges based on inflated drink package costs...Then you get onboard and there is one bar server ... and it takes forever to get drinks.

[PhillyFan33579]

8 hours ago, Dayman9966 said:

Our Oasis of the Seas sailing for June started out at $63.99 and now up to $85.99!!  I get they have to make up for lost money, but it's starting to get to the point where it makes no sense to purchase it.  With 18% taxes/tips, it's about $1,400 for 2 people on a 7 day sailing.  At $200 per day, it almost forces you to drink your face off every day, with the exception of specialty coffees and no alcoholic drinks.  If they dropped it to $69.99 they would have many more people signing up in my opinion.

RCI is not interested in how many people purchase the deluxe package like you mentioned in your last sentence. They are interested in maximizing profit from selling the deluxe package. Keep in mind drink packages were created to benefit the cruise line, not the passengers. 

[sgmn]

7 hours ago, taglovestocruise said:

Specialty coffee in the morning, OJ with breakfast, two or three waters through out the day, afternoon cocktails, a cocktail in the show room , a glass of wine with dinner, late night cocktails in the pub or bar.  You are already way over $100 pp.    

Personally I'm happy enough with the included coffee/tea/water/flavoured waters during the day. On a lot of our cruises, especially the Med ones, there are very long port days where I'm off the ship with maybe just one sea day, so I'll have a beer or glass of wine on shore with lunch.

Even if I didn't get my diamond drinks I think I would still 'pay as you go'.

I guess whilst people are still prepared to pay $80 plus pppd they will continue to slowly push the prices up until they reach the point where not many are buying 

Edited February 21, 2023 by sgmn

[DrProfessor]

9 hours ago, ARandomTraveler said:

I buy the refreshment package and if I want alcohol I just pay out of pocket. There is no scenario under which the alcohol package would be worth it for me. With the refreshment package at $31.99/day now, even that isn't really worth it anymore. 
 

 

 

This is what we usually get (the refreshment package), since we rarely drink alcohol.  We might get a glass of wine with dinner, but coffee, water, soda and mocktails make up the rest of our drinking on a cruise.  However, at the current pricing for even the refreshment package, we will be switching to the soda package and then just paying for the rest.  After our next 3-day in May, we'll be diamond anyway and get the vouchers after that.  The refreshment package used to be on sale for $18/day/pp.  Now, it just doesn't make sense for us.  I am hoping that RC doesn't eventually do away with the voucher system because it is perfect for us - which means they probably will mess with it at some point.

[EmilyJay]

13 hours ago, Bateau_de_croisiere said:

 

Newbie that just booked an Alaska trip on the Brilliance September 3, 2023. That combined soda and internet package would be great, but I don't see it offered (as a bundle) in my paid add-on choices. Is that combo exclusive to other routes?

I'm on a June Alaska sailing, the soda + internet package combo has only just come up on my added extras about 2 weeks ago so it might randomly appear for you.

 

The Drinks package is showing up as £92.45 on board price on my sailing ... Works out about $112 I think per day! Currently with 15% off £78.58 to buy online now. They can keep their package at that price!!! 

Edited February 21, 2023 by EmilyJay

[topnole]

8 hours ago, Retired LEO said:

With the free drinks for Diamond, Diamond +, and Pinnacle plus all the free booze in the Casino, someone's got to pay for it. 

 

The “free” booze in the casino more than pays for itself.  The loyalty drinks are another matter.  

[topnole]

10 hours ago, ARandomTraveler said:

It doesn't surprise me how much people will pay for it anymore. I was priced out 10 years ago, and have never spent so much out-of-pocket that I've regretted not buying it.

 

My next cruise has it priced at only $58.99/day (+18%), the catch is that you have to buy it for 12 days. 
 

I've been shocked at how many people buy it at the current prices, and the fact that they're able to raise the price again shows that they haven't reached the breaking point yet.

 

I buy the refreshment package and if I want alcohol I just pay out of pocket. There is no scenario under which the alcohol package would be worth it for me. With the refreshment package at $31.99/day now, even that isn't really worth it anymore. 
 

 

The refreshment package is more of a rip off than the alcohol package IMO.  If you want booze you have to buy it.  There are plenty of viable options that are included that are non alcoholic.  Juices, water, flavored waters, coffee, tea, etc.   If you drink booze, there is zero choice but to pay up one way or another.  If you don’t, you can certainly enjoy many options.  I cruised for years with only consuming the free non alcoholic options.  Always had great cruises and enjoyed what was offered for free.  

[Ocean Boy]

13 hours ago, vjmatty said:

It's a test to see how high it can go before people stop buying it.  It used to be a good deal for the majority of passengers, but the light and moderate drinking crowd is getting priced out to where it isn't worth it.  Unless you're drinking more than 2-3 cocktails a day, you're probably better off a la carte.

Three cocktails a day at @ $16.52 (including the 18%) is $49.56.

[TwoMisfits]

4 minutes ago, Ocean Boy said:

Three cocktails a day at @ $16.52 (including the 18%) is $49.56.

 

That, plus a cup of specialty coffee is about the daily price I want to pay for the spouse (about $60/day)...

[sgmn]

39 minutes ago, EmilyJay said:

 

The Drinks package is showing up as £92.45 on board price on my sailing ... Works out about $112 I think per day! Currently with 15% off £78.58 to buy online now. They can keep their package at that price!!! 

That's high. Our Symphony in May is £60 (discounted through the planner)

[Engineroom Snipe]

I have interacted with fellow passengers onboard and this is a big discussion point with cruisers who I find on their first cruise.

 

Most of them really enjoy the alcoholic package for the first day and first sea day. They have been waiting for a long time to go on a vacation and there is much pent-up energy.

 

About the third day, should I meet up with them in the jacuzzi or pool, their drinking rate has slowed considerably. They discuss how after the first few days of eating and drinking, they would reconsider getting the package knowing there would be high-action days and low recharge days. They are, in a polite way, "Saturated and need some recovery time."  😁

 

I do not think this question will ever be answered definitively in my lifetime of cruising. Everyone has a different take on packages in general, whether they be food, beverage, cabanas, or excursions.

 

There is no one size that fits all.  🤔

[gavvy]

Wonder in April £81.82 (about $100 inc tip), Glad I got it for the £43 offer last year.

 

It's made me rethink cruising with royal going forward.  I may try MSC or NCL to see what they are like.

[Scotico]

So we purchased the Deluxe beverage package and the total for the 2 of us on our 8 day cruise was $1400.  We could not justify spending that much since we are not heavy drinkers and will be traveling with kids.  We will be bringing wine onboard instead and purchasing drinks fi we really want one.  One thing we really need is the specialty coffee and waters.  Do you all find the refreshment package a good value.  We will be purchasing mocktails and plenty of the sparkling waters along with coffees and fresh juices.  Also it's 31.99 PP per day and that's with 10% off.  Do you all ever find it cheaper once you board?

Edited February 21, 2023 by Scotico

[cindobeast]

Our Wonder cruise has it at 82.99 😱 we are going to get it because we like the peace of mind of pre paying and can definitely get our money's worth. Bottomless mimosas in the morning with fresh squeeze OJ let's goo!

[vjmatty]

12 hours ago, S.A.M.J.R. said:

 

I got the Deluxe during one cruise years ago (so before the prices exploded).  I think I broke even over the week... because I was TRYING to break even.  I definitely drank more than I would have normally.  Yes, I'm a light weight.  No, I don't have an interest in getting buzzed, much less drunk.  

 

 

I tried to make sure I broke even the last time I had the deluxe package, and ended up getting the worst heartburn I've ever had halfway through the cruise.   Even without getting drunk, apparently my body can't take the alcohol it used to.  Since then I usually limit myself to one glass of wine each meal and maybe one cocktail sometime during the day or one sometime at night.

[neverbeenhere]

Is someone suggesting that I try to corner the market on Rum runner "bags"?

[Tree_skier]

2 hours ago, Scotico said:

We will be purchasing mocktails and plenty of the sparkling waters along with coffees and fresh juices.  Also it's 31.99 PP per day and that's with 10% off.  Do you all ever find it cheaper once you board?

No, it is never cheaper on board.  As for 31.99, that is the price that I see right now on all my booked cruises.  During the recent sale it had dropped to 27.99. If your cruise isn't for a while, wait for the next sale and then purchase it.  4.00 a day isn't much but it is better in your pocket than theirs.  

[Jasukkie]

Wow, the refreshment package used to be $18, no way would I pay over $30/day. The free water is fine. Get a coffee card if that's your thing. Pay for a couple of sodas a day. Consider how many port days you have too. If you aren't onboard, you can't use your package. 

 

 

[Bateau_de_croisiere]

If you buy sodas outright in the main dining room or a specialty restaurant (no beverage package), are refills included for free? If not, I assume I'll do the movie theater route, no ice in my pop please.

Edited February 21, 2023 by Bateau_de_croisiere

[sgmn]

20 minutes ago, Bateau_de_croisiere said:

If you buy sodas outright in the main dining room or a specialty restaurant (no beverage package), are refills included for free? If not, I assume I'll do the movie theater route, no ice in my pop please.

I presume if you buy a coke or similar in a restaurant or bar it will be a can

[baileybrad]

6 hours ago, RCFirstTimer said:

 

This is what we usually get (the refreshment package), since we rarely drink alcohol.  We might get a glass of wine with dinner, but coffee, water, soda and mocktails make up the rest of our drinking on a cruise.  However, at the current pricing for even the refreshment package, we will be switching to the soda package and then just paying for the rest.  After our next 3-day in May, we'll be diamond anyway and get the vouchers after that.  The refreshment package used to be on sale for $18/day/pp.  Now, it just doesn't make sense for us.  I am hoping that RC doesn't eventually do away with the voucher system because it is perfect for us - which means they probably will mess with it at some point.

Great points. I remember the $18 RR on sale price. The price for that did not stay in the $20s very long. Our Diamond drinks are our salvation right now. If that goes away not sure what we would do.

[NightOne]

14 hours ago, BirdTravels said:

Royal should follow NCL an include a beverage package and 1 or 2 specialty dinners with almost every reservation. 

 

No, No, and NO 😞

[EmilyJay]

6 hours ago, sgmn said:

That's high. Our Symphony in May is £60 (discounted through the planner)

That's a bit of a better price! I've been watching the price on my planner and I think it went down to around £60-65 at Christmas time, since then it's gone up + up.