ULTIMATE Premium & Ultimate Drink Package Thread

I research the heck out of everything and deciding on going with one of the drink packages is what I've been looking into. There have been some great threads and links posted lately. To help me keep track, I thought I'd set up a master thread of sorts with the links and links to recent threads about the packages. Hope this proves helpful.

RCCLs latest PDF doc on the packages: http://media.royalcaribbean.com/content/shared_assets/pdf/menus/beverage_packages.pdf

Highlights: no longer need everyone in a cabin over 21 to purchase packages, bottled water (up to 500ML) included, Coke free style cups are provided for unlimited fountain soda.

List of drinks and current (early 2014) pricing: http://www.shipcruise.org/royal-caribbean-alcohol-policy-drink-prices/

Awesome photos of many drink menus, most with prices that match the link above: http://cruisewithgambee.com/royal-caribbean-drink/

Fodor's Article on Cruise Line Pacakges: http://www.fodors.com/news/cruise-ship-drink-packages-are-they-worth-it-7380.html

TripAdvisor Thread on the Packages: http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g1-i10703-k6487686-Royal_Caribbean_Drinking_Pass-Cruises.html

Recent CC Threads on the Pacakges:

Are Packages Worth the $$$: http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1987370

Are These Prices Accurate: http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1987115

Ultimate vs Premium Package: http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1982305

Drink Package Price Change (exchange rates): http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1986851

(Poor) Experience With Drink Package: http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1985407

Hey Great Idea! Thanks

Add this one, it has great FAQ info.

If purchasing the package recommend all guests print this and bring a copy with them whilst RCCL is still ironing out the kinks / communicating policies/ training staff fleet wide.

Big fan of the new packages and have used the premium one 3 times last year.

I like the flexibility it provides albeit I am fortunate to have C&A Concierge lounge privileges as well.

http://www.royalcaribbean.co.uk/_images/Royal%20Alcohol%20Beverage%20FAQ%20All%20Ships%20Web%20Nov%2013_tcm16-27947.pdf

Add this one, it has great FAQ info.

 

If purchasing the package recommend all guests print this and bring a copy with them whilst RCCL is still ironing out the kinks / communicating policies/ training staff fleet wide.

 

Big fan of the new packages and have used the premium one 3 times last year.

 

I like the flexibility it provides albeit I am fortunate to have C&A Concierge lounge privileges as well.

 

http://www.royalcaribbean.co.uk/_images/Royal%20Alcohol%20Beverage%20FAQ%20All%20Ships%20Web%20Nov%2013_tcm16-27947.pdf

Great add. What I am hoping to do is post after our cruise thoughts on getting the most out of the package. I am interested in those like you that have used the packages, what was a "good day" like? Could be how you got the most out of it $ wide, or, it could be an odd assortment of drinks tried (or both). I've also seen varied posts about doubles. We have a nice aft balcony that we'd like to enjoy some of these drinks on and would love doubles towards the end of the night as night caps without having to haul ourselves back for single drinks.

Add this one, it has great FAQ info.

 

 

 

If purchasing the package recommend all guests print this and bring a copy with them whilst RCCL is still ironing out the kinks / communicating policies/ training staff fleet wide.

 

 

 

Big fan of the new packages and have used the premium one 3 times last year.

 

 

 

I like the flexibility it provides albeit I am fortunate to have C&A Concierge lounge privileges as well.

 

 

 

http://www.royalcaribbean.co.uk/_images/Royal%20Alcohol%20Beverage%20FAQ%20All%20Ships%20Web%20Nov%2013_tcm16-27947.pdf

Does the crown and anchor lounge on the oasis class ships still offer complimentary cocktails or is it at a 25% discount? I know the diamond nightly event offers complimentary wine and champagne just wondering about cocktails and beer?

Sent from my iPhone using Forums mobile app

Great add. What I am hoping to do is post after our cruise thoughts on getting the most out of the package. I am interested in those like you that have used the packages, what was a "good day" like? Could be how you got the most out of it $ wide, or, it could be an odd assortment of drinks tried (or both). I've also seen varied posts about doubles. We have a nice aft balcony that we'd like to enjoy some of these drinks on and would love doubles towards the end of the night as night caps without having to haul ourselves back for single drinks.

My best 2 days: 1 I tried every brand of scotch they had on board. (some twice)

Second day, i did all the fu fu drinks. I got more than my money's worth out of the premium package. The only negative to these packages. I enjoy taking a bucket back to the room and read on my balcony. no buckets available with the package. Think I need to find a waiter and give a good tip and have them ring me up several brews in succession and take them back to the room.

Does the crown and anchor lounge on the oasis class ships still offer complimentary cocktails or is it at a 25% discount? I know the diamond nightly event offers complimentary wine and champagne just wondering about cocktails and beer?

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums mobile app

Concierge Lounge Free drinks: Wine, beer, Champagne, various cocktails (not all), Soda, Etc

Diamond Lounge: Free soda, beer, house wine, and basic mixed drinks in Diamond Lounge during nightly cocktail hours

Free soda and house wine in Nightly Diamond Event. (All other drinks 25% off.)

On Oasis, and if there are enough Diamonds on board, they will usually move the nightly cocktail hour to the Blaze nightclub on deck 4.

Not sure how they handle the prices then after they move it (I am usually in the CL.)

Adding the Tipping Your Bartender Thread to the mix: http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1985464

Awesome agree to disagree back and forth. And a question, I see the Cerveza-Rita on one of the bar menus linked in the first post (possibly from the promenade Pubs). Does anyone know if these are "standard" and something you can get from the pool bar (or elsewhere) on most ships?

a couple of questions if anyone has experience with this. On Cococay and Labadee, I know the package is good at these ports, but does it pay for the drinks in the souvenir mugs or do you pay extra for this. and does it cover the "shot of the day" that you can get in the different take home shot glasses each day?

Thank you AeroBaldness for doing this. I love reading all the package info and having them in one place really helps.

Joni

a couple of questions if anyone has experience with this. On Cococay and Labadee, I know the package is good at these ports, but does it pay for the drinks in the souvenir mugs or do you pay extra for this. and does it cover the "shot of the day" that you can get in the different take home shot glasses each day?

Consensus from a few of the other threads is that they come with an extra cost and, if you don't want the "up charge" for the glass to be sure to say so before ordering. (same goes for those after dinner shots in the RCCL shot glasses).

Consensus from a few of the other threads is that they come with an extra cost and, if you don't want the "up charge" for the glass to be sure to say so before ordering. (same goes for those after dinner shots in the RCCL shot glasses).

thanks! I don't mind paying extra for the shot glasses. already have a coco cay mug but definitely want the coco locos :) we have 3 sea days plus a coco cay day on our next cruise so i definitely think i will get my money's worth on the premium package. thx for the help!

Excellent idea for a thread!

I found new drink menu pic online!

And more.

Some more.

Last ones.

Hubby and I discussed the all-you-care-to-drink packages after our last NCL cruise in November. Our take is that if we are cruising, just the 2 of us, the package is probably not going to be worth the cost, as we are not heavy drinkers on our own. A drink by the pool, sharing a bottle of wine with dinner, we are not going to get our money's worth.

Our last cruise however, we were with a large group of family, and most of them are heavy drinkers. We were able to hang out with the crowd, and not worry about how many drinks we were ordering. Don't like the drink? NP - order another - or go to a different bartender if we wanted the same drink, but a better version. We definitely got our money's worth!

Our next cruise this summer, we will think about this again. We'll be traveling with another couple, and hubby tends to drink a lot of beer with his buddy. My friend and I tend to drink mojitos and fu-fu's so it may be worthwhile, as we'll have 3 sea days plus Coco Cay.

Can we buy the drink package on day 2? Just read somewhere that you have to buy before or on day 1.

Can we buy the drink package on day 2? Just read somewhere that you have to buy before or on day 1.

You are supposed to be able to buy the drink package on any day when there are at least 4 days left in the cruise.

Do you have to carry your souvenir cup with you to get soda around the ship? And is there any where you specifically can't use the drink package? Like for example, to get a milkshake, etc.? I am pretty sure I heard you can't use it at Starbucks

Do you have to carry your souvenir cup with you to get soda around the ship? And is there any where you specifically can't use the drink package? Like for example, to get a milkshake, etc.? I am pretty sure I heard you can't use it at Starbucks

You need the souvenir cup to get soda from a Freestyle (100+ flavors) machine. You can also use your SeaPass card to get soda from bars and restaurants, but your choices will be limited to a half-dozen or so flavors. Milkshakes are not included in any package. The drink packages also cannot be used for room service or the mini-bar in the stateroom.

Do you have to carry your souvenir cup with you to get soda around the ship? And is there any where you specifically can't use the drink package? Like for example, to get a milkshake, etc.? I am pretty sure I heard you can't use it at Starbucks

Do not need to carry the cup around with you, unless wanting to use the 'Free-style' machine.

I know that Pibb Xtra and the Root Beer at Johnny Rockets are not supposed to be included in the beverage packages. They explained this as it was only available at this one outlet on the ship. It would be interesting to know if this has now changed with the Royal Replenish being offered.

Milkshakes are not listed as an included 'beverage' on the package info-sheet.

I was wondering if anyone knows if Red Bull is part of any of the drinking packages? I have seen some people say it is, but I called RCCL today and they said it wasn't. Can anyone help clarify this for me. We are going on the Liberty of the Seas.

Concierge Lounge Free drinks: Wine, beer, Champagne, various cocktails (not all), Soda, Etc

 

Diamond Lounge: Free soda, beer, house wine, and basic mixed drinks in Diamond Lounge during nightly cocktail hours

 

Free soda and house wine in Nightly Diamond Event. (All other drinks 25% off.)

 

On Oasis, and if there are enough Diamonds on board, they will usually move the nightly cocktail hour to the Blaze nightclub on deck 4.

 

Not sure how they handle the prices then after they move it (I am usually in the CL.)

I'm sorry if this sounds like a stupid question, but what is the difference between the Diamond Lounge and the Nightly Diamond Event??