High price for Deluxe Drink Package - on the fence

[S.A.M.J.R.]

6 hours ago, PhillyFan33579 said:

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. 

On the flip side, if you got the package and only have 5 drinks a day, you "used" $82 (5x14+18%), but you spent $88 (75+18%). 🙂

[sgmn]

Everyone has different wants/needs. Personally I'm happy with PAYG. 

I got a deal on the evian bottled water for £18 for 12 1litre bottles. But the ships iced water/flavoured water/tea/coffee/hot chocolate is fine too. I do get four diamond drinks a day, but even before we were Diamond we didn't drink enough to warrant paying for the DP. 

There's a reason why RC push the DP.  I would guess most people don't get their monies worth. 

As for UK prices being higher, is that because they include gratuities? Can't remember it's been a few years since I've cruised from Southampton.

 

[Aaron3]

20 hours ago, 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? 

Drink price includes gratuities from UK port

[Fishfan0073]

On 7/3/2024 at 11:06 PM, S.A.M.J.R. said:

On the flip side, if you got the package and only have 5 drinks a day, you "used" $82 (5x14+18%), but you spent $88 (75+18%). 🙂

That $6.00 difference is money well spent when I don't have to think about what my bill will be at the end of the cruise.  Even if it is $6.00 per day X 7 days = $42.00 still a worth the worry free mentality.  

[S.A.M.J.R.]

15 minutes ago, Fishfan0073 said:

That $6.00 difference is money well spent when I don't have to think about what my bill will be at the end of the cruise.  Even if it is $6.00 per day X 7 days = $42.00 still a worth the worry free mentality.  

And that's fine.  I agree there is some benefit to having the package, other than the cost.  

 

To *ME*, I want to make sure I at least get close to breaking even.  The one time I had the Ultimate package, I needed to make sure I averaged 4 alcoholic drinks each day.  Easy at the start of the cruise, and on sea days.  Toward the end of the cruise and port days, yea, got a little difficult.  AND I was stressing over making sure I got my money's worth.  

 

At this point, the ultimate package does NOT make sense for ME.  And this is always what I advocate when people ask "is it worth it"... it's totally up to the individual.  You need to have a realistic expectation of what/how you drink. 

[PhillyFan33579]

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

And that's fine.  I agree there is some benefit to having the package, other than the cost.  

 

To *ME*, I want to make sure I at least get close to breaking even.  The one time I had the Ultimate package, I needed to make sure I averaged 4 alcoholic drinks each day.  Easy at the start of the cruise, and on sea days.  Toward the end of the cruise and port days, yea, got a little difficult.  AND I was stressing over making sure I got my money's worth.  

 

At this point, the ultimate package does NOT make sense for ME.  And this is always what I advocate when people ask "is it worth it"... it's totally up to the individual.  You need to have a realistic expectation of what/how you drink. 

I assume you are talking about the deluxe drink package (not sure what the ultimate package is). Keep in mind the package covers a lot more than just alcohol drinks. Personally I hate coffee but I have friends who probably come close to breaking even with the amount of coffee they drink every day, without even counting drinks with alcohol.  

[S.A.M.J.R.]

8 hours ago, PhillyFan33579 said:

I assume you are talking about the deluxe drink package (not sure what the ultimate package is). Keep in mind the package covers a lot more than just alcohol drinks. Personally I hate coffee but I have friends who probably come close to breaking even with the amount of coffee they drink every day, without even counting drinks with alcohol.  

Yes, sorry, I keep mixing up the deluxe drink package with the ultimate dining package. 

 

Regarding other drinks, the refreshment package runs ~$50-60 cheaper per day than the deluxe, and includes EVERYTHING the deluxe does with the exception of the alcohol.  So you need to average at least four ALCOHOLIC drinks every day to justify the deluxe.  At least IMO. 

 

If someone is getting the deluxe, getting enough coffee, water, and soda to justify the price, and not getting alcohol, I'd still say they're wasting money. 

[PhillyFan33579]

19 minutes ago, S.A.M.J.R. said:

Yes, sorry, I keep mixing up the deluxe drink package with the ultimate dining package. 

 

Regarding other drinks, the refreshment package runs ~$50-60 cheaper per day than the deluxe, and includes EVERYTHING the deluxe does with the exception of the alcohol.  So you need to average at least four ALCOHOLIC drinks every day to justify the deluxe.  At least IMO. 

 

If someone is getting the deluxe, getting enough coffee, water, and soda to justify the price, and not getting alcohol, I'd still say they're wasting money. 

Looking at the price difference between the deluxe and refreshment packages is a good approach. People frequently comment on this site that the deluxe drink package includes a lot more than just alcoholic drinks, which I agree with 100 percent. However, if you are only having a few alcoholic drinks per day it wouldn’t make financial sense to buy the deluxe drink package. Most of the people I cruise with do not fall into that category. I have friends who are prime in the casino, diamond or diamond plus, and they still buy the deluxe drink package every cruise. 

[S.A.M.J.R.]

1 minute ago, PhillyFan33579 said:

Looking at the price difference between the deluxe and refreshment packages is a good approach

People frequently comment on this site that the deluxe drink package includes a lot more than just alcoholic drinks, which I agree with 100 percent. However, if you are only having a few alcoholic drinks per day it wouldn’t make financial sense to buy the deluxe drink package. Most of the people I cruise with do not fall into that category. I have friends who are prime in the casino, diamond or diamond plus, and they still buy the deluxe drink package every cruise. 

God, I wish we could break up quotes.

 

First, WHY is it not a good approach to look at the price difference between packages?  Let's take your coffee person.  Let's say they drink 20 cups of coffee in a day, and one alcoholic drink.  Are you saying it's better that they get the deluxe package (at $75/day), when the refreshment package covers all the coffee, and the alcoholic drink is an extra $14 (so <$40/day)?  

 

It doesn't make financial sense to buy the deluxe unless you're going to have (purchase) at least four drinks a day every day of the cruise.  You can drink all of that on day 1 if you want.  

 

Just because others buy the deluxe doesn't mean it makes sense for everyone.  

 

I'm not going to begrudge anyone who feels they need to get the deluxe package.  BUT, if you looking at it financially, it comes down to how much you drink.  

 

It does give you the benefit of knowing how much your bar bill will be at the end of the cruise.  And that is worth "something".  

 

If you think you'll have four alcoholic drinks for each day of the cruise, sure, go for it!  If not, there are other options. 

[PhillyFan33579]

Just now, S.A.M.J.R. said:

God, I wish we could break up quotes.

 

First, WHY is it not a good approach to look at the price difference between packages?  Let's take your coffee person.  Let's say they drink 20 cups of coffee in a day, and one alcoholic drink.  Are you saying it's better that they get the deluxe package (at $75/day), when the refreshment package covers all the coffee, and the alcoholic drink is an extra $14 (so <$40/day)?  

 

It doesn't make financial sense to buy the deluxe unless you're going to have (purchase) at least four drinks a day every day of the cruise.  You can drink all of that on day 1 if you want.  

 

Just because others buy the deluxe doesn't mean it makes sense for everyone.  

 

I'm not going to begrudge anyone who feels they need to get the deluxe package.  BUT, if you looking at it financially, it comes down to how much you drink.  

 

It does give you the benefit of knowing how much your bar bill will be at the end of the cruise.  And that is worth "something".  

 

If you think you'll have four alcoholic drinks for each day of the cruise, sure, go for it!  If not, there are other options. 

If I wasn’t clear, I agreed with your approach to compare the price of the refreshment package to the price of the deluxe drink package. Similar to what you said, if I only drank two alcoholic drinks a day, it would be wiser to get the refreshment package and pay for the two drinks every day.  

[S.A.M.J.R.]

19 minutes ago, PhillyFan33579 said:

If I wasn’t clear, I agreed with your approach to compare the price of the refreshment package to the price of the deluxe drink package. Similar to what you said, if I only drank two alcoholic drinks a day, it would be wiser to get the refreshment package and pay for the two drinks every day.  

God, I apologize.  I TOTALLY misread your post.  I saw "isN'T a good approach".  That's not what you wrote.  And I looked over it three times.  I am so sorry. 

[goldfish65]

Maybe on this cruise, pay as you go, and see if you wished you had the package. 

 

One point people make about the alcohol package, is they can try new drinks and if they don't like them simply get another and that saves them money. But I think without the package, if you order a drink and don't like it, a bartender will replace it and not charge you. 

[S.A.M.J.R.]

1 minute ago, goldfish65 said:

Maybe on this cruise, pay as you go, and see if you wished you had the package. 

 

One point people make about the alcohol package, is they can try new drinks and if they don't like them simply get another and that saves them money. But I think without the package, if you order a drink and don't like it, a bartender will replace it and not charge you. 

Or, you can buy a drink, don't like it, then throw it out.  Yes, you've "wasted" $14.  OK.  But how many drinks are people throwing away if they have the package?  If you (general) don't drink enough to cover your package price, how much money are you "wasting" there?  

[Mum2Mercury]

On 7/3/2024 at 11:57 AM, bmswart3 said:

I love the convenience of the drink package and not having to count drinks, look at prices, etc,

Consider making your own package.  Calculate how many drinks you'd probably drink, and buy yourself that amount OBC.  Boom -- you have a right-sized package, though you'd still have to count drinks.  

On 7/3/2024 at 11:57 AM, bmswart3 said:

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.

Thoughts:

- Basic tea (hot or iced) and coffee are included in the price of the cruise.  

- You can bring 12 bottled waters on the ship, or you can order a case sent to your room.  

- The ship's water is purified just like bottled water, so you can bring a refillable bottle and fill it with the cups of ice water that're always at the ready in the Windjammer (or from the container in the Promenade Cafe).  

On 7/3/2024 at 11:57 AM, bmswart3 said:

I gravitate to higher end wines, so I will most likely be paying over the $14 for better wines.

In addition to being allowed to bring on 12 non-alcoholic beverages, you're each allowed to carry on one bottle of wine.  

On 7/3/2024 at 11:57 AM, bmswart3 said:

its still hanging strong at the $81.99 mark. In anyone's experience is this likely to drop before we set sail? 

Honestly, it's summer.  It's not likely to drop too much.  

If they offer something like Buy-One-Get-One-Half-Off (or similar), look at the bottom line -- not the % off.  

[Mum2Mercury]

On 7/4/2024 at 9:50 AM, sgmn said:

There's a reason why RC push the DP.  I would guess most people don't get their monies worth. 

So true, so true.  And they DO push the drink package, even once you're onboard.  

20 hours ago, Fishfan0073 said:

That $6.00 difference is money well spent when I don't have to think about what my bill will be at the end of the cruise.  Even if it is $6.00 per day X 7 days = $42.00 still a worth the worry free mentality.  

Disagree.  The price difference for me would be more $6, but even if I saved just $42, that's a meal on the road home for my husband and me.  

[snaefell]

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

God, I wish we could break up quotes.

 

First, WHY is it not a good approach to look at the price difference between packages?  Let's take your coffee person.  Let's say they drink 20 cups of coffee in a day, and one alcoholic drink.  Are you saying it's better that they get the deluxe package (at $75/day), when the refreshment package covers all the coffee, and the alcoholic drink is an extra $14 (so <$40/day)?  

 

It doesn't make financial sense to buy the deluxe unless you're going to have (purchase) at least four drinks a day every day of the cruise.  You can drink all of that on day 1 if you want.  

 

Just because others buy the deluxe doesn't mean it makes sense for everyone.  

 

I'm not going to begrudge anyone who feels they need to get the deluxe package.  BUT, if you looking at it financially, it comes down to how much you drink.  

 

It does give you the benefit of knowing how much your bar bill will be at the end of the cruise.  And that is worth "something".  

 

If you think you'll have four alcoholic drinks for each day of the cruise, sure, go for it!  If not, there are other options. 

20 coffees a day.....do you get any sleep?😆😆

[S.A.M.J.R.]

8 minutes ago, snaefell said:

20 coffees a day.....do you get any sleep?😆😆

Actually, I don't drink coffee and try to avoid caffeine.  I was trying to say someone who "gets their money's worth" out of the deluxe package without getting enough alcohol is wasting money. 

[scubaslayer]

11 minutes ago, snaefell said:

20 coffees a day.....do you get any sleep?😆😆

Laughs in the hospital lab. My typical workday is 4 cups by 5am, tea at 8, energy drink or more coffee/tea at 10, soda/tea/energy drink with lunch, and at least some other giant highly caffeinated beverage by 3pm with water in between. If it were just coffee I could easily hit 20 cups in a day.

 

And yes I sleep just fine after all of that caffeine at work but more importantly I am awake for my commute to and from and the entire 12 hour shift on my feet.

 

Of course on a cruise I dink far less caffeine, rest, and reset myself while eating better. I do get my money's worth out of the refreshment package though. I have bought a shot or 2 to add to my mocktail on occasion. Vacation is about what you enjoy and value. I am like S.A.M.J.R. though and my brain insists on analyzing the money breakdown for is it worth it or not for everything. We will probably never get the DBP because it would require (depending on price) 4 to 5 alcoholic beverages each every single day for us to break even or be slightly ahead and I would require myself to do that and my vacation would be less enjoyable for it.

 

[Fishfan0073]

I was just reading the rest of the posts here and realized this thread is just like all of the others here about the DBP.  It boils down to you, and you alone, whether or not you will get the value of any beverage package.  I would assume everyone on CC has an opinion on this topic and we all know the old adage about opinions.  If you feel like it has value to you buy it and if you feel like it does not have value don't buy it.  Value is a perception and perception is reality.  

 

Either way you decide have a great time and enjoy your vacation. 

[PhillyFan33579]

11 minutes ago, Fishfan0073 said:

I was just reading the rest of the posts here and realized this thread is just like all of the others here about the DBP.  It boils down to you, and you alone, whether or not you will get the value of any beverage package.  I would assume everyone on CC has an opinion on this topic and we all know the old adage about opinions.  If you feel like it has value to you buy it and if you feel like it does not have value don't buy it.  Value is a perception and perception is reality.  

 

Either way you decide have a great time and enjoy your vacation. 

I agree that ultimately the decision comes down to the individual. I think these threads can be helpful to someone who has never cruised before, but in general it’s never wise to ask for financial advice online. 

[bmswart3]

1 minute ago, PhillyFan33579 said:

I agree that ultimately the decision comes down to the individual. I think these threads can be helpful to someone who has never cruised before, but in general it’s never wise to ask for financial advice online. 

Just as an FYI, I wasn't actually asking financial advice. I prefer to look at most of my decisions from different perspectives. Therefore, it made to sense to ask others' opinions so I could see those different ways of looking at it. In the end, I will make my own decision, but crowd sourcing different opinions so you don't get roadblocked by your view of things doesn't seem "unwise" to me, it seems to make the most sense to ensure you can make the most informed decision. I have found this thread to be both informative and interesting. I've relished the opportunity to see how others use the package and how others view the cost-value proposition for themselves. 

[pghflyer]

I just got off Vision and saved significant money over the package by enjoying the $11 drinks of the day and $9.50 Foster Oil Cans (25 oz, 2 beers), and the $99, 10-drink punch card.

 

I don't begrudge people who buy the package, but we can't even come close to making that math work for us with their current pricing model.

Edited July 8 by pghflyer

[moviegal]

I have sailed with a drink package and without a drink package, and I will never sail again without one. Yes, it is very expensive. Yes, it's sometimes not easy to "get your money's worth." But I see it as entertainment, and there's value in that.

 

When I cruised without a package, I had planned to buy what I wanted and not worry about the price. Well, that didn't happen. I ended up getting one coffee, a couple of sodas, and maybe three cocktails the entire week. With a drink package, it's always fun to try new cocktails (no anger at wasting money and no obligation to drink them if I don't like them, and it's a great way to try new things), and I constantly have several espresso drinks / special teas / water and sodas per day. I also love fresh juice, so that's a plus.

 

I guess I see it as entertainment value, but I like hanging out at the bars and chatting with people. And I find it fun to try lots of new liquors and cocktails and the like.

[akcruz]

On 7/6/2024 at 10:22 AM, Mum2Mercury said:

- You can bring 12 bottled waters on the ship, or you can order a case sent to your room.  

- The ship's water is purified just like bottled water, so you can bring a refillable bottle and fill it with the cups of ice water that're always at the ready in the Windjammer (or from the container in the Promenade Cafe).  

 

My perspective on water.  Yes I can bring or order bottles of water but that doesn't help me.  We always have extras in the room but don't want to either carry them around with me or run back to get them.  I try to do 1 alcoholic drink, bottle of water, another drink, another water.  If I had to run back each time to the cabin that would not happen.  

 

Yes, the onboard water is treated but for me it causes my ankles to swell.  Have heard they strip out some of the nutrients and it does impact some.  I have tried sticking to bottled whenever possible and no swelling, all else is the same.  Yes I know the cook with the water, etc etc.   Besides again not carrying a reusable bottle around with me or running to fill it up when I want water.

 

Bottom line with all of this is do what works for you. 

[CSMITHFL]

Great thread so far. We are Loyal to Royal and every cruise we've bought the DP. Our 9 NT New England in Aug 2024 is 5 days in port and balance at sea. The cost does vary with the sales discount up until embark. I've always been to chicken to wait and try for better deals on the ship. Has anyone seen an advantage to waiting until the day of or second day of the cruise to buy the package? I'm assuming the cost of a standard cocktail is $14; what is the cost of a domestic beer?