Premier/Plus: Upcharges for high call liquor in cocktails taking you over package limit?

[janiebee]

Hello all!  I have an alcohol/package pricing question for all the cocktail drinkers out there.  

 

My BFF and I are first timers on Princess and relative newbs to cruising in general, heading out for 14 days on Enchanted in July.  We have splashed out for Premier and are eager to party like it's 1989 😁.  I am a cocktail person by preference (I like wine and beer but they don't like me much afterward...as much as clear spirits do, anyway) and am looking forward to trying the many options, with new combinations I've wondered about and higher-call spirits than I would normally spring for at home (I never normally order above the decent-quality call labels, and for sure not in a cocktail).  Apparently I'm looking forward to it more than the food, based on how much time I've now spent eyeballing their drinks menus online!  That Good Spirits menu!  🤩 

 

So my question is this:  does anyone know how Princess calculates the upcharge for ordering one of their cocktails with a better spirit than the one it's normally served with?  There are a few things I'd like to order made with a bottle from the higher shelves, but if it's already maybe a $16 or $18 cocktail, can the high-call liquor just count as another whole drink on top of that, so it counts for 2 against my daily limit?  I'd be fine with that -- my liver and other essential organs won't take 15 drinks a day no matter how much my taste buds might want it.  Or do they just add a cost on top of the cocktail price so that you end up with an actual charge (the overage) on your account?  Because I don't want to do that if it's going to cost more actual money -- I work for the government 😬 and already the Premier package is a splurge.  

 

So I thought someone on here might know.  If it's going to cost more actual money, perhaps I'll curtail my mad decadent dreams of having every margarita made with Patron Platinum and every Bellini made with proper champagne and just save those for the solo experience they are best appreciated as anyway.

 

Thanks!

 

[clarky213]

If the high end spirit you want in the cocktail is included within the Premier price limit ($20), then there would be no upcharge for the cocktail even if it had 2 or more items within the limit.

[Kellyann]

We have the  Plus package so how will we know when ordering drinks, that it is not covered with our package?  Do I rely on bartender to tell us or should we ask each time we order?  Does anyone know the $limit that goes along with Plus package drinks?

[memoak]

8 hours ago, janiebee said:

Hello all!  I have an alcohol/package pricing question for all the cocktail drinkers out there.  

 

My BFF and I are first timers on Princess and relative newbs to cruising in general, heading out for 14 days on Enchanted in July.  We have splashed out for Premier and are eager to party like it's 1989 😁.  I am a cocktail person by preference (I like wine and beer but they don't like me much afterward...as much as clear spirits do, anyway) and am looking forward to trying the many options, with new combinations I've wondered about and higher-call spirits than I would normally spring for at home (I never normally order above the decent-quality call labels, and for sure not in a cocktail).  Apparently I'm looking forward to it more than the food, based on how much time I've now spent eyeballing their drinks menus online!  That Good Spirits menu!  🤩 

 

So my question is this:  does anyone know how Princess calculates the upcharge for ordering one of their cocktails with a better spirit than the one it's normally served with?  There are a few things I'd like to order made with a bottle from the higher shelves, but if it's already maybe a $16 or $18 cocktail, can the high-call liquor just count as another whole drink on top of that, so it counts for 2 against my daily limit?  I'd be fine with that -- my liver and other essential organs won't take 15 drinks a day no matter how much my taste buds might want it.  Or do they just add a cost on top of the cocktail price so that you end up with an actual charge (the overage) on your account?  Because I don't want to do that if it's going to cost more actual money -- I work for the government 😬 and already the Premier package is a splurge.  

 

So I thought someone on here might know.  If it's going to cost more actual money, perhaps I'll curtail my mad decadent dreams of having every margarita made with Patron Platinum and every Bellini made with proper champagne and just save those for the solo experience they are best appreciated as anyway.

 

Thanks!

 

Anything over the limit will be charged the difference between the cost and your limit plus 18% on that difference

[memoak]

14 minutes ago, Kellyann said:

We have the  Plus package so how will we know when ordering drinks, that it is not covered with our package?  Do I rely on bartender to tell us or should we ask each time we order?  Does anyone know the $limit that goes along with Plus package drinks?

If you are ordering from a menu you will know the price otherwise just ask the bartender what fits in your package. The plus package limit per drink is $15

[skynight]

The menus show the prices. Almost all drinks are $20 or less. If you order something above $20 you are charged the difference plus 18%. If not on the menu ask. It's the same for the plus fare with the $15 limit. Around 80% of all drinks are $15 or less. It's mainly wines that are between $15 and $20.

[KKB]

8 hours ago, janiebee said:

Hello all!  I have an alcohol/package pricing question for all the cocktail drinkers out there.  

 

My BFF and I are first timers on Princess and relative newbs to cruising in general, heading out for 14 days on Enchanted in July.  We have splashed out for Premier and are eager to party like it's 1989 😁.  I am a cocktail person by preference (I like wine and beer but they don't like me much afterward...as much as clear spirits do, anyway) and am looking forward to trying the many options, with new combinations I've wondered about and higher-call spirits than I would normally spring for at home (I never normally order above the decent-quality call labels, and for sure not in a cocktail).  Apparently I'm looking forward to it more than the food, based on how much time I've now spent eyeballing their drinks menus online!  That Good Spirits menu!  🤩 

 

So my question is this:  does anyone know how Princess calculates the upcharge for ordering one of their cocktails with a better spirit than the one it's normally served with?  There are a few things I'd like to order made with a bottle from the higher shelves, but if it's already maybe a $16 or $18 cocktail, can the high-call liquor just count as another whole drink on top of that, so it counts for 2 against my daily limit?  I'd be fine with that -- my liver and other essential organs won't take 15 drinks a day no matter how much my taste buds might want it.  Or do they just add a cost on top of the cocktail price so that you end up with an actual charge (the overage) on your account?  Because I don't want to do that if it's going to cost more actual money -- I work for the government 😬 and already the Premier package is a splurge.  

 

So I thought someone on here might know.  If it's going to cost more actual money, perhaps I'll curtail my mad decadent dreams of having every margarita made with Patron Platinum and every Bellini made with proper champagne and just save those for the solo experience they are best appreciated as anyway.

 

Thanks!

 

 

33 minutes ago, Kellyann said:

We have the  Plus package so how will we know when ordering drinks, that it is not covered with our package?  Do I rely on bartender to tell us or should we ask each time we order?  Does anyone know the $limit that goes along with Plus package drinks?

Order what you want. Bartenders know what package you have, and what drinks fall under each package. They will let you know if it is over, and whether you want to pay the difference or go with a different drink that falls under your plan.

 

If you order above the limit of your package, they will charge you the difference. 

And each alcoholic drink counts as 1 (and only 1) against your 15 daily drinks.

(They won't give you a better liquor & count 2 towards your daily limit)

Edited March 15 by KKB

[Familycruzer11]

I suspect you will find many higher end brands fall within the premier limit - and are some of the highest available brands on the ship.  Of course there are bottles of wine, champagne, etc that will be above what comes with the package, but you will be charged the difference of what your package covers ($20 for premier) and the cost of the higher brand + 18% of that price difference.  

 

I think you will be pleasantly surprised by what the premier will include.

[janiebee]

Thank you all!  That gives me hope that my plan of nonstop extra-fancy drinks will work. 😊  I’m sure I was overthinking it (professional habit). As long as the bartender will tell me that something I’m ordering is going to cause an actual charge to my onboard account, I’ll be fine. I can just decide then if it’s worth it. I just don’t want to get to the end of the cruise (or forget to check my account often enough) and have racked up a bill that I didn’t intend to have. 
 

Much appreciated! 

[janiebee]

Thanks!  I am looking forward to exploring every bar (eventually…) to see what their unique offerings may be. 
 

Just have to work on my advance plan for some kind of minimal moderation though. 😬  I also love snorkeling, which they have in every port on our itinerary, and don’t want to miss any port days because I got a little too excited about the awesome cornucopia of booze. 😂

[memoak]

1 hour ago, Familycruzer11 said:

I suspect you will find many higher end brands fall within the premier limit - and are some of the highest available brands on the ship.  Of course there are bottles of wine, champagne, etc that will be above what comes with the package, but you will be charged the difference of what your package covers ($20 for premier) and the cost of the higher brand + 18% of that price difference.  

 

I think you will be pleasantly surprised by what the premier will include.

Some of the highest liquors on the ship are well over $100 per shot. Best to ask before you just point and say give me that. We drink Woodford bourbon and Grey Goose vodka which fits in the plus package because that is what we like. The occasional wine at Vines that is a few dollars over the limit is no big deal

[NavyVeteran]

1 hour ago, janiebee said:

Thank you all!  That gives me hope that my plan of nonstop extra-fancy drinks will work. 😊  I’m sure I was overthinking it (professional habit). As long as the bartender will tell me that something I’m ordering is going to cause an actual charge to my onboard account, I’ll be fine. I can just decide then if it’s worth it. I just don’t want to get to the end of the cruise (or forget to check my account often enough) and have racked up a bill that I didn’t intend to have. 
 

Much appreciated! 

 

1 hour ago, janiebee said:

Thanks!  I am looking forward to exploring every bar (eventually…) to see what their unique offerings may be. 
 

Just have to work on my advance plan for some kind of minimal moderation though. 😬  I also love snorkeling, which they have in every port on our itinerary, and don’t want to miss any port days because I got a little too excited about the awesome cornucopia of booze. 😂

Don't rely on the bartender always volunteering the information about the price - you may need to ask. Instead of exploring every bar, you may be better off finding one that has most of what you want. Then tell the bartender that you are looking for the best options that are within the package. He may have some specific recommendations. I've found that a bartender who knows me can give better service than one who doesn't.

[janiebee]

1 hour ago, NavyVeteran said:

 

Don't rely on the bartender always volunteering the information about the price - you may need to ask. Instead of exploring every bar, you may be better off finding one that has most of what you want. Then tell the bartender that you are looking for the best options that are within the package. He may have some specific recommendations. I've found that a bartender who knows me can give better service than one who doesn't.

 

Very good advice, thanks!  Based on the drink menus, I will probably start at Good Spirits and Take Five and see if I can't find a great bartender or three to start haunting... got a couple of favorite concoctions of my own I'd like to request if I can find a willing mixologist who isn't too busy. 

 

Assuming I find one, what's a normal-ish way to cash-tip them to show my extra appreciation, for those who do that?  Leave them some $ every time I go there?  Give it to them at the end of the whole voyage?  How do people do that on top of the pre-paid gratuities (for those who choose to)?   Seems like from message boards that some people do choose to cash tip for outstanding service. But I don't really want to walk around with a bunch of cash on the ship.  Hoping to mostly just have my medallion and my phone to keep track of.  Just curious what others might do (or have seen) in that regard with bartenders.

 

Thanks!

[NavyVeteran]

1 minute ago, janiebee said:

 

Very good advice, thanks!  Based on the drink menus, I will probably start at Good Spirits and Take Five and see if I can't find a great bartender or three to start haunting... got a couple of favorite concoctions of my own I'd like to request if I can find a willing mixologist who isn't too busy. 

 

Assuming I find one, what's a normal-ish way to cash-tip them to show my extra appreciation, for those who do that?  Leave them some $ every time I go there?  Give it to them at the end of the whole voyage?  How do people do that on top of the pre-paid gratuities (for those who choose to)?   Seems like from message boards that some people do choose to cash tip for outstanding service. But I don't really want to walk around with a bunch of cash on the ship.  Hoping to mostly just have my medallion and my phone to keep track of.  Just curious what others might do (or have seen) in that regard with bartenders.

 

Thanks!

Some people like to tip up front "to guarantee good service". I've always found that not necessary. I find I get excellent service, particularly at a bar where the bartender gets to know me. You have already tipped 18% when you purchased your package, so you don't have any obligation to tip more. I don't carry around cash either, so I don't tip each time. I usually spend most of the cruise at the same bar once I find one I like. In that case, I will leave a cash tip on the last night of the cruise.

[janiebee]

22 minutes ago, NavyVeteran said:

Some people like to tip up front "to guarantee good service". I've always found that not necessary. I find I get excellent service, particularly at a bar where the bartender gets to know me. You have already tipped 18% when you purchased your package, so you don't have any obligation to tip more. I don't carry around cash either, so I don't tip each time. I usually spend most of the cruise at the same bar once I find one I like. In that case, I will leave a cash tip on the last night of the cruise.

 

I like that plan.  Thanks! 

[memoak]

39 minutes ago, janiebee said:

 

Very good advice, thanks!  Based on the drink menus, I will probably start at Good Spirits and Take Five and see if I can't find a great bartender or three to start haunting... got a couple of favorite concoctions of my own I'd like to request if I can find a willing mixologist who isn't too busy. 

 

Assuming I find one, what's a normal-ish way to cash-tip them to show my extra appreciation, for those who do that?  Leave them some $ every time I go there?  Give it to them at the end of the whole voyage?  How do people do that on top of the pre-paid gratuities (for those who choose to)?   Seems like from message boards that some people do choose to cash tip for outstanding service. But I don't really want to walk around with a bunch of cash on the ship.  Hoping to mostly just have my medallion and my phone to keep track of.  Just curious what others might do (or have seen) in that regard with bartenders.

 

Thanks!

Please remember the bartenders are very busy and propsbly will not have ingredients you need for your special drinks.

 

[janiebee]

I do understand that, for sure. I’m a good and respectful customer, having been a food and cocktail server many times in my life. I would never ask for anything much above bog standard unless it were very slow at that moment and I felt like the bartender was friendly and likely willing. And never anything really odd or troublesome to make. Just fun and easy combos of common ingredients that I’ve already seen on their liquor lists they may not normally put together. But I’d never ask if it’s busy or they didn’t seem interested in that sort of interaction. And yes, I get that there may be zero bartenders on a cruise ship who are.  Just hoping I might find one if I play my cards right some afternoon or late night.