Here is my 2 cents……
The included SM package includes a fair number of wine and beer selections with lunch and dinner (including after dinner port wines etc). Not super high end stuff, but decent in my view.
They are pretty lax with what constitutes “with lunch or dinner”. If you are ordering in any restaurant or at waves or the terrace anytime when food is being served, they will probably serve you regardless of what you order (or when). You could easily order wine or beer with an order of wings at waves at 3:00pm.
The prestige select upgrade option may be appealing for a number of reasons:
- the cost is $30 pp per day, including gratuities … so if you like to order 2 or more drinks each day outside of the “wine and beer with lunch and dinner” inclusions, the additional cost is probably justified.
- the package includes most mixed drinks, liqueurs etc. except the really high end stuff (think Remy) and drinks at some special events (i.e. a scotch tasting event)
- although you are limited to one drink at a time (cuts down on abuse - see last point below) if a particular drink is included, you can order a double (or triple if that’s your thing) regardless of additional cost (I like to enjoy a double Baileys on ice on our balcony each evening).
- you don’t have to upgrade for the entire cruise, you can start at any point (but once you start, you must upgrade for the duration)
- if you purchase the upgrade on board, all passengers in your cabin do NOT need to upgrade (unlike most other lines) and Oceania relies mostly on the honour system to prevent people from abusing this.