Anyone cruised without drinks package?

[MommaBear55]

We've never gotten the drink package. We did get the wine package back when that existed, but it's much cheaper for us to bring in our two bottles of wine and buy our drink or two a day. 

[SEA DOGY]

4 hours ago, Sunshine3601 said:

Maybe you want to look at purchasing the Refreshment package that includes, bottled water, specialty coffees & teas, mocktails, soda and fresh squeezed juices.     Then bring onboard your own wine and pay for beer or cocktails as you go.   

 

All cabins on Anthem have a tea kettle in the cabin and you can grab free tea bags from several different venues (windjammer, solarium bistro, cafe 270, etc etc).

 

How many port days?   

Due they have mini refrigerators? 

[Frapaccino]

Hi thanks for all your replies, we have 6 cruising days that includes day 1 and day 14. Deluxe drinks. Package has changed overnight, now £72 each, pricing reflects buy one get one 50% so not much difference, still over £2000 (uk £!) 

Crazy drinks package can cost more than the cruise! 

 

Not sure if they have fridges, with the bottle of wine each wondering if the

restaurants will charge corkage? 
 

Still undecided. 

[Frapaccino]

6 hours ago, oddly excitered said:

Just off Anthem a couple weeks ago, the cheapest we saw on the package would have cost $1190 for our 8 day cruise for 2 people. 

We brought on 2 wine bottles and pre purchased the case of water for the room, 25 bucks, 6pack of beer with the cooler at 39 bucks,(the new cooler is really good quality) and our total bar bill at end of cruise was $600. We drank what we wanted, when we wanted and that was plenty!

I do not enjoy being totally inebriated during vacation but enjoy afternoon drinks. The package always makes me want to "get my moneys worth" and actually detracts from the relaxing enjoyment I am looking for.

Thanks that still §74 per person per day, assuming it’s US § wondering if they take into account the currency exchange or as that would bring it down to around £57 a day which is a bit better so could maybe wait for discount? We cruise in July from Southampton. 

 

Totally get the peace of mind, my son will be 18 so may benefit from the drinks package.

 

Previous  cruises (RCI and NCL) we were able to order multiple drinks on one card, wondering is that the same? We’re a party of 12, 6 adults 6 kids. Have read no sharing as could result in package being cancelled without refund, does that happen? 

 

many thanks 

[sgmn]

32 minutes ago, Frapaccino said:

Thanks that still §74 per person per day, assuming it’s US § wondering if they take into account the currency exchange or as that would bring it down to around £57 a day which is a bit better so could maybe wait for discount? We cruise in July from Southampton. 

 

Totally get the peace of mind, my son will be 18 so may benefit from the drinks package.

 

Previous  cruises (RCI and NCL) we were able to order multiple drinks on one card, wondering is that the same? We’re a party of 12, 6 adults 6 kids. Have read no sharing as could result in package being cancelled without refund, does that happen? 

 

many thanks 

You can prebuy the Evian 12/24  litre bottles in the planner from around £20 in your cruise planner, though the iced ships water is fine. They'll be waiting in your room when you board.  Also there's a coffee card for £28 (15 specialist coffees) to prepurchase.  On UK sailings there's a kettle in your room. 

My next cruise, BCN to Southampton my drink package is £54.50 pppd so the price is dynamic and changes pre cruise depending how many they've sold. I think in the UK the price includes the 18% gratuities , in the USA its added on at the end of the purchase process. 

You can bring a limited amount of soda on with you as well as your bottle of wine. 

 

It's a strict no-no to share a package. Also both adults in a room must purchase a package 

 

There is a small fridge in your room.  Your room steward will bring you daily bucket of ice and wine glasses if you ask him 

 

Edited March 11 by sgmn

[oddly excitered]

48 minutes ago, Frapaccino said:

Thanks that still §74 per person per day, assuming it’s US § wondering if they take into account the currency exchange or as that would bring it down to around £57 a day which is a bit better so could maybe wait for discount? We cruise in July from Southampton. 

 

Totally get the peace of mind, my son will be 18 so may benefit from the drinks package.

 

Previous  cruises (RCI and NCL) we were able to order multiple drinks on one card, wondering is that the same? We’re a party of 12, 6 adults 6 kids. Have read no sharing as could result in package being cancelled without refund, does that happen? 

 

many thanks 

Probably not going to be any meaningful discounts before July, drinking age is 21 here so your son will not benefit.

They will only allow 1 drink per sea pass card if you have the package. without the package you can buy the whole ship a round if you wish! I cannot comment on punishment for sharing as I have not witnessed this, but I would be surprised if anyone would notice a bit of sharing if it's not obvious. 

There is drink of the day specials which can save you some and domestic beers cost less than mixed drinks.

[sgmn]

18 minutes ago, oddly excitered said:

Probably not going to be any meaningful discounts before July, drinking age is 21 here so your son will not benefit.

 

Pax is on ship ex  Southampton.  Drinking age in UK is 18

[Mick B]

Hi,

Never purchased a drinks package, but been given one for free a few times in the past. I think those days are gone.

 

When we first started sailing we did lots of 12 to 14 night cruises which were port heavy. Therefore on most days we were off the ship and liked to enjoy a drink at the port of call. At night we would just have a glass of wine with our dinner and possibly have a seconds drink later that evening.

Sometimes bottles of wine were given away as prizes in the casino or for taking part in things like Love and marriage.

There was the captain's night where you could get many glasses of sparling wine down you. Also, there was the art auction where you could get some free drinks too.

 

Also, depending on what C&A tier you are, there were some nice private functions where buzz was aflow!

 

Then when we turned Diamond we have not just a free bar from 5 until 8 each night, but also 3 free drinks at the same time. I used to nip down to the Casino bar during this time and get 2 glasses if red wine and take them back to our cabin and put them in the fridge. In fact, I would fill the fridge with all 6 free drinks during the HH and return to the DL and then take a drink to the MDR. Then if there was still time after dinner, go back to the DL and have more drinks and then take the last one to the show. That meant we still had 3 drinks each to last until whenever, and on some occasions the following morning if it was a sea day.

 

I tried every trick possible to get as many drinks as possible for free and not buy a drinks package. And I wasn't being tight - I used the money saved to have an extra cruise each year.

 

When we turned D+ we got a bottle of wine in our cabin each cruise, plus if it was one of our birthdays during the cruise, we got another.

 

RCI did away with the HH after Covid, but now puts 6 vouchers on our sea pass.

So, we now normally follow the following 5 free drinks per day...

 

A Kraken-Colada or drink of the day around 1430.

 

A glass of sparkling wine (Prosecco or Chandon) in the MDR around 1900.

 

A glass of whiskey or a Tequila Sunrise in the Crown Lounge (if early from the MDR) or something similar in the Theatre at 2000.

 

A rum punch sort of drink in a bar around 2200 or try something new!

 

And finally either a Disaronno or a Side-Car/French Connection drink around midnight.

 

As you can see from above, having the 5 free drinks per day goes more than far enough. I will be around 106 by the time I get to Pinnacle, so won't worry now about what my 6th drink may be.

 

As you can see, I do not waste my vouchers on beer or soda.

 

We have spent a lot of money over the years cruising with RCI, so if they want to give us some free drinks, then thank you!

 

BTW, It is possible to work out that if we do a 14 night cruise and both use the 5 vouchers to the max, then we are getting around $2000 worth of free drinks. Therefore, whilst this happens, I cannot foresee a reason to purchase a drinks package.

 

It may be worth anyone who has done a few cruises with RCI who has not joined the C&A program to do so as they will backdate your cruises and you may find you are not far from 80 points. You may find that if you like JS and above you will get double points and that may pay you if it then takes you over 80 as the next cruise after that you will be Diamond and get 4 free drinks a day.

 

I would never suggest cruising to get the points as we have always cruised to go to the places we wanted to go to, but if you are close to the 80 point mark then doing a short cruise to get there or even a B2B where you won't get the free drinks on the first leg, but should on the second may be another option and may work out cheaper than buying a package too.

 

At the end of the day, it's up to you what you want to do and how you go about doing it, but there are ways to enjoy drinks without splashing out on a package, unless you really want to just drink as much as you like.

 

Mick.

 

 

 

[little britain]

3 hours ago, Frapaccino said:

Hi thanks for all your replies, we have 6 cruising days that includes day 1 and day 14. Deluxe drinks. Package has changed overnight, now £72 each, pricing reflects buy one get one 50% so not much difference, still over £2000 (uk £!) 

Crazy drinks package can cost more than the cruise! 

 

Not sure if they have fridges, with the bottle of wine each wondering if the

restaurants will charge corkage? 
 

Still undecided. 

* There will be a sale around 4/7 … if you buy now and the price drops then, you can cancel and rebook. 
* Yes there are fridges (and kettles) on cruises from Southampton.

* Yes your 18 yr old will be able to drink ( so he will probably smash the package lol).

* You can bring on 2 bottles per cabin, and they never charge corkage. If they say they will just take bottle back to cabin, open it and pour yourself a glass and walk into dining room with it! 
* Strictly no sharing of packages allowed and if one in the cabin buys the package, then all in cabin must have package. Perhaps rearrange the sleeping arrangements to put the heavy drinkers in same cabin ( on paper at least)
*You can buy the package a few days into the cruise… I know many people “overdo” it on the first day and then slow down! Especially with a lot of port intensive days. Coming back on at 6pm then “having” to do 6-7 drinks to get your monies worth when you’re exhausted isn’t worth it. 


 

 

[barbeyg]

Even before our free Diamond drinks, we never bought the drink package.  There were several days where we would have 4-6 drinks, but there were also days we were onshore and didn’t drink nearly as much onboard.  If you drink less onboard on those days, the package is more pricey.  If you still drink the same, or get bottled water, espresso coffee drinks in addition to alcohol, etc., then the package could be your best bet. 

[Sunshine3601]

6 hours ago, SEA DOGY said:

Due they have mini refrigerators? 

Yes, there are mini fridges but they are more like coolers.  They get cold enough for wine, soda or chill water bottles.   And room steward can fill daily ice bucket and bring glasses.

 

I have never been charged a cooking fee.

Edited March 11 by Sunshine3601

[Beer Belly]

Boss Lady and I ran the numbers, considering we will spend most of our time on the ship, just visiting the Port in Nassau Bahamas, then Coco Cay, worse case scenario, we break even without the worry of watching our account.

[lovesthebeach2]

6 minutes ago, Beer Belly said:

Boss Lady and I ran the numbers, considering we will spend most of our time on the ship, just visiting the Port in Nassau Bahamas, then Coco Cay, worse case scenario, we break even without the worry of watching our account.

I just stopped by this post to say I love your screen name and photo….😜

[TwoMisfits]

Since it never hit my spouse's mental budget, we'll be cruising without a drink package.

 

I don't drink (we have separate cabins), and he doesn't drink anything but coffee, water, beer, and alcohol, so it was all or nothing.  Since the price was more alcohol than he would drink, we'll bring on 2 bottles of wine (for him) and 12 bottles of water each, and he'll get an evening drink every night (on top of the glass of wine, b/c it's all for him).

 

I'll save about $60/day from the lowest the drink package ever got...

[little britain]

^^ correction to my earlier post.. it’s now one bottle per person. Before anyone calls me out on this! 

[cruiseguy1016]

6 minutes ago, little britain said:

^^ correction to my earlier post.. it’s now one bottle per person. Before anyone calls me out on this! 

 

I was about to correct you, not call you out 😀, to help eliminate some potential confusion.

[snaefell]

We are all different,we have never found a drinks package to be worth the expense for us.

We both enjoy a drink although I don't drink tea or coffee,neither of us drink soda & are both happy drinking the water out of the tap.

We certainly don't go short when it comes to drink & always end up with a bill way short of what we would have paid for a drink package.

 

 

[leaveitallbehind]

Put me in the category of "no".   We have neve purchased it but, as with others, we are D+ and the combined 10 drinks for my wife and I are plenty. (And yes they are combinable - she can use hers for me and visa versa.  And any extras at the end of the day can be cashed out for container beverages to take back to the stateroom for another day).  If more are needed of anything the a la carte pricing for each would be far less than any package would justify.  

 

Edited March 11 by leaveitallbehind

[I Love RCI]

6 hours ago, little britain said:

* You can bring on 2 bottles per cabin, and they never charge corkage. If they say they will just take bottle back to cabin, open it and pour yourself a glass and walk into dining room with it! 

If you ask the waiter to open the bottle in the restaurant, then they *may* sometimes charge the corkage fee. You can do what little britain said. We try to avoid the issue by opening the bottle ourselves in the room and then taking the bottle to dinner with us. We have not had a problem doing it that way, but YMMV. 

[Snowbird_in_training]

We’ve done it both ways.   On a port intensive cruise, like the Med, we typically do not purchase the drink package.   When cruising the Caribbean with sea days and Royal owned private stops, we get it.   We’ve found that we do drink lots more on a cruise with  sea days and it allows us to experiment with drinks. On the port intensive cruises, we just don’t drink as much.   Off the ship by 8, back at 6, not much time to nurse even a slight hangover.  

[gerif]

1 hour ago, I Love RCI said:

If you ask the waiter to open the bottle in the restaurant, then they *may* sometimes charge the corkage fee. You can do what little britain said. We try to avoid the issue by opening the bottle ourselves in the room and then taking the bottle to dinner with us. We have not had a problem doing it that way, but YMMV. 

The corkage fee has absolutely nothing to do with who actually opens the bottle. It is something that is charged by a facility when you bring a bottle of wine that is otherwise sold by them. This is commonly misconceived. Having said that, I’ve yet to hear of anyone being charged this on a cruise. 

[I Love RCI]

1 hour ago, gerif said:

The corkage fee has absolutely nothing to do with who actually opens the bottle. It is something that is charged by a facility when you bring a bottle of wine that is otherwise sold by them. This is commonly misconceived. Having said that, I’ve yet to hear of anyone being charged this on a cruise. 

On the ships, yes it does matter. And yes, we were once charged a corking fee for bringing our own wine and having them (the waiter) open it (although, it was several years back - RCCL could have had a different approach to the policy then vs now; or, it could have been related to that waiter/maître de as it was in a specialty restaurant). To remove any doubt, we either do as mentioned above, or just fill up a glass with a big pour and bring it to dinner. 

[Mum2Mercury]

To answer your original question, ABSOLUTELY people cruise without the drink package.  I think MOST people cruise without the drink package.  Before you decide to pay that large amount of money, consider: 

 

- How many days will be at-sea vs. ashore?  You won't drink as many drinks (alcoholic or otherwise) on shore days. 

- You're allowed to bring 12 non-alcoholic beverages + 1 bottle of wine onboard.  Realistically, each person can bring this much. 

- You can bring 1-2 drinks back from each shore stop.  They don't look twice at aluminum cans, but they check bottles. 

- Without cost you can get tea (iced or hot), coffee (iced or hot), lemonade, fruit punch, and juice or milk at breakfast.  The water onboard is purified same as bottled water. 

- If you're not picky about cocktails, the ship offers a "special of the day" every day, and it's a couple dollars cheaper. 

- If you're sailing on a ship with a Playmakers, they offer a pitcher of beer for a good price. 

- The pool bar (only the pool bar) on all ships offers a Bucket of Beers, which is like paying for 4 /getting 5.  

- When you're doing your calculations, don't forget to add 18% to your total.  That's significant.  

- If you want the drink package for convenience but will only drink a few drinks each day, add up your anticipated amount and buy that much On Board Credit.  You've just created your own right-sized drink package.  

 

 

 

 

 

Edited March 11 by Mum2Mercury

[BND]

20 hours ago, KLMB said:

We are D+ and sometimes buy the drink package depending on the ship. Since we fly to the port,  it's harder to bring cokes, water and wine on board.  Besides the 5 drinks/day, we drink specialty coffee, fresh juice, lots of water, soda, shakes and I like to sip a silly martini and then order something else. If my diet coke gets watered down, I can order another can with fresh ice.  I've calculated the costs, and either break even or come out ahead, depending on the itinerary and ship.  Of course the price is always top consideration, each cruise is different.

We drive or take the train but never carryon anything.  With 635 pts we get 3 amenities on most cruises which we use for wine.  We absolutely use our vouchers for whatever we want and the whole idea that it's "wasted" to use on anything but alcohol is ridiculous.  It's not wasted if you use it. We also end the day with unused vouchers left over.  I know that'll give a few a heart attack haha.

[little britain]

@Mum2Mercury OP is on Anthem from Southampton. There is no 18% added. It is built into the price fyi