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High price for Deluxe Drink Package - on the fence

bmswart3

By bmswart3,
in Royal Caribbean International

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bmswart3

bmswart3

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We are cruising on Anthem in late August out of Southampton. But, we are struggling with a decision about the Deluxe Drink Package and I would love to crowd source some outside opinions. Right now the Deluxe Drink Package is $81.99 per day, so $573 before gratuity. (I am not factoring in gratuity because I'm paying that either way, with or without the package) I'm trying to figure out if its "worth it". There are SOOO many calculators out there and I have looked at them all and I just can't quite justify the price. I love the convenience of the drink package and not having to count drinks, look at prices, etc, but at such a highly daily cost I really think we would end up paying more for the package than the drinks. I also read that the wine machines at Vintages aren't included in the price, and while I understand the why, that is very disappointing, because if I have the package, why would I bother with the machines. And then I would be potentially missing out on opportunities to try some new things. I know I will have a tea from the cafe every day, and my husband will have coffee and we love the option of grabbing bottled water from the nearest bar so there is value there. Drink wise we aren't super heavy drinkers, but we do have maybe 3 or 4 at the most a day on port days and perhaps one or two more on sea days. I gravitate to higher end wines, so I will most likely be paying over the $14 for better wines. Hubby drinks whiskey, Gentleman Jack, but again, probably not the 6 a day that's needed to "make it worth it". So, I'd love to hear everyone's thoughts. I do enjoy the convenience of the drink package and we tend to get it on our cruises...but, this price point really has me rethinking. I thought maybe it would drop for 4th of july sales, but, its still hanging strong at the $81.99 mark. In anyone's experience is this likely to drop before we set sail? Any input/thoughts appreciated. Thanks! 

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Fishfan0073

Fishfan0073

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Besides the price of drinks and the math there are 2 reasons we almost always but the drink package.  One I know what my bill on the ship will be pretty much before I step on.  Second, the ability to try new things and just throw them away if we do not like them.  My wife is not the most adventurous when it comes to trying new things, but with the drink package I have gotten her to try all kinds of things.  It becomes a game for me sometimes and I do not have to worry about how many times she makes that bitter beer face when trying a cocktail.  

 

I really like not have to keep track when I am on vacation of how much $$ I am spending, and the package which we always buy prior to sailing allows me to do this.  There is not much else on the ship besides the casino (which I bring cash) we usually spend money on.  

 

I have also done the math and for me it breaks down to 1 specialty coffee per day, 2-3 bottles of water per day, 5 drinks per day and 1 glass of wine per day.  I am a Gin drinker and really like Hendricks which is not currently listed on the Royal site as included in the package but they never charge me anything for it.  My wife is currently on the Grey Goose Moscow Mule wagon.  So we both like the higher end alcohols and have never felt like we do not get our moneys.  

 

I hope this helps

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TheInnocentAge

TheInnocentAge

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49 minutes ago, bmswart3 said:

Any input/thoughts appreciated. Thanks! 

Based solely on what you said above and your anticipated daily drink intake, I would lean towards not getting the package in your case. But as Fishfan just posted, it's nice to have the flexibility of trying new drinks out without worrying that you just spent $12 or $14 on something you don't like.

 

You didn't mention if your C&A status allows for any free drinks (a D+ gets 5 per person per day), or whether you're staying in a suite that may allow for the 'suites happy hour' (usually 5pm to 8pm-ish), and/or the 11am to 11pm drinks that are available in the Coastal Kitchen on some ships.

 

The last time we bought the drink package it was $42 per day, but that was back in 2019 I believe. Between the D+ drinks and the nightly happy hours, it's just not needed anymore for us.

 

Whatever you choose, have an amazing cruise!  

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HBE4

HBE4

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Posted (edited)
31 minutes ago, Fishfan0073 said:

Second, the ability to try new things and just throw them away if we do not like them.  My wife is not the most adventurous when it comes to trying new things, but with the drink package I have gotten her to try all kinds of things.  It becomes a game for me sometimes and I do not have to worry about how many times she makes that bitter beer face when trying a cocktail.  

 

 

This!  I usually get the DDP and just about break even give or take $30-$40 either way.  But I'll always try some new specialty  cocktail or drink of the day & not worry that I just blew $14 on something I'm not going to finish.

 

For me, it's all about the convenience.  However, if I was "losing" $200 or $300, then I might feel differently but so far, I've always been within my break even range.

Edited by HBE4
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Another_Critic

Another_Critic

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3 minutes ago, awhfy said:

Do know that paying gratuities on cabin/dining steward doesn’t count for beverage packages. That $81 per day also has a 20%,per day added to the total 

I think what they meant was that if they buy a drink at $14, they will also have to pay the gratuity.  They are simply making the math easier to compare the drink package vs. ala carte.

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Fishfan0073

Fishfan0073

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23 minutes ago, awhfy said:

Do know that paying gratuities on cabin/dining steward doesn’t count for beverage packages. That $81 per day also has a 20%,per day added to the total 

Yes, but the OP stated and I agree you are paying the gratuity on the beverage either way.  Package or not

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S.A.M.J.R.

S.A.M.J.R.

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1 hour ago, Fishfan0073 said:

Second, the ability to try new things and just throw them away if we do not like them.

And of course, you can do that if you buy a la carte also.  

 

"But then I fell like I'm wasting money!"  -- A valid point.  BUT, if you don't drink enough after buying the package, you're wasting money.  

 

So it really comes down to how much to you (general) REALISTICALLY think you'll drink.  No one can answer that except for that individual. 

The individual should also take into account (in my opinion), if they're going to get tired/burned out on the alcohol (sacrilege to some, I'm sure).

 

"But water and juice and coffee is included, not just alcohol".  It's also included in the package that's $50-60/day CHEAPER.  So, are you (again, general), going to drink enough alcohol to justify that $50-60/day extra?  Four alcoholic drinks a day, every day. 

 

I tried it once, and I was ALWAYS counting my drinks, because I wanted to make sure I wasn't wasting money.  I'd rather throw out a drink I don't like (which I've done) and "waste" $15 than come up short on the week and possibly waste $50-100. 

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bmswart3

bmswart3

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35 minutes ago, smokeybandit said:

Remember drinks are more expensive on the British cruises, so that $81.99 may get you more bang for your buck than you would in American cruises.

 

Hmmm, I've never cruised out of a non-American port...this is news to me. Do you mean they charge more? Or drinks are higher end and worth more? 

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smokeybandit

smokeybandit

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Just now, bmswart3 said:

Hmmm, I've never cruised out of a non-American port...this is news to me. Do you mean they charge more? Or drinks are higher end and worth more? 

The max price for any package-covered drink in England is $15. In US ports, it's only $14.

So your drinks are more expensive a la carte, so they'd add up to that $81.99 faster than they would out of US ports.

But that data point may not be of use if you're already used to sailing out of England.

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cruisinfly

cruisinfly

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I enjoy having the deluxe beverage package but I find the price has gotten far too high for me to justify. For my latest cruise, I did purchase the refreshment package on sale for $22 per day. This will cover my bottled waters, coffees, fresh squeezed OJ, smoothies, mocktails, and shakes. I won't be drinking much, if any, alcohol. (My ultimate dining package does include 40% off bottles of wine when in specialty dining, so I may buy a bottle once or twice.)

 

I find the RCL doesn't really use much alcohol in their cocktails. It almost feels like they water down the booze added to their mixed drinks.

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Starry Eyes

Starry Eyes

Posted
Posted (edited)
33 minutes ago, bmswart3 said:

2 sea days (plus embarkation day) and 4 port days

All in all, I think you should pass at that price.  If it does not include the wine dispensers (which clearly interest you) and the math does not add up and you have more port days than sea days, it does not sound like a great choice for you at that price.

If you don’t purchase the packages, is it workable to bring two bottles of wine plus your allowance of your favorite nonalcoholic beverage?  That will keep your bill down.

Edited by Starry Eyes
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snaefell

snaefell

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We have never considered the drinks package as good value for money,we don't drinks sodas or speciality coffees,are quite happy drinking water out of the tap & happy enough to make a tea or coffee in the cabin when we want one,the cabin steward was perfectly happy to supply sachets of coffee when asked on Anthem recently.

On that 12 night cruise we had drinks whenever we felt like it,usually beer but my Wife did occasionally have the cocktail of the day or a Jamesons & our bill came to £316,way below the cost of a drinks package.

Interesting how people bang on about food waste but are quite happy to bin drinks!😆😆

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PhillyFan33579

PhillyFan33579

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3 hours ago, Fishfan0073 said:

Yes, but the OP stated and I agree you are paying the gratuity on the beverage either way.  Package or not


One thing people tend to overlook is you only pay gratuity on the daily amount of the drink package. So if I buy the drink package at $75 a day, I pay 18% gratuity on $75. Now if I drink 6 drinks a day at $14 each without the drink package, I am paying 18% gratuity on $84 (6x14). I realize this is a simple example, but you can also save money gratuity wise if you decide the deluxe drink package makes sense for you to buy. 

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HBE4

HBE4

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1 hour ago, crzndeb said:

People throwing away perfectly good alcohol 🤦🏼‍♀️ LOL

 

I get what you're saying & don't disagree with it. 

 

But I'm at the age where the pounds go on quickly and come off slowly. 🙂

 

My new motto: Life is to short to waste good calories on bad drinks 😉

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