Are there threads AGAINST getting the Beverage Package?

[warmwinds]

I've seen all the threads about how great the beverage packages are, but I still don't think they are right for us, but I also don't want to miss out.

 

We are Elite, and Aqua Class - so we'll get specialty coffees and bloody Mary's etc., free with breakfast...we'll get 2 bottles of water every day...and we'll get free cocktails every night before dinner.

 

We will sometimes go to a different lounge before dinner and have ONE drink each (husband a fancy martini, me either the drink of the day or a glass of wine).

 

With dinner we drink wine - usually get a bottle of white and red and drink them over 2-3 days. Our tastes run to the lower end range - maybe in the $30s for a bottle, and we usually use the Elite discount coupons. So maybe 7 bottles of wine all week.

 

If we had unlimited drinks, we MIGHT get something at the pool, but we'd be doing it because it was "there" - I'm usually so full from all the food extra drinking just doesn't usually play into it.

 

I'm just being realistic about what we do...and I've done the math and it just doesn't seem work for us. Yet the consensus is that this is a "don't miss" deal.

 

Anyone gotten the beverage package (especially Elites in AQ) and thought you wasted your money? Or felt you drank more than you wanted to just to get your money's worth?

[Big_G]

I've seen all the threads about how great the beverage packages are, but I still don't think they are right for us, but I also don't want to miss out.

 

We are Elite, and Aqua Class - so we'll get specialty coffees and bloody Mary's etc., free with breakfast...we'll get 2 bottles of water every day...and we'll get free cocktails every night before dinner.

 

We will sometimes go to a different lounge before dinner and have ONE drink each (husband a fancy martini, me either the drink of the day or a glass of wine).

 

With dinner we drink wine - usually get a bottle of white and red and drink them over 2-3 days. Our tastes run to the lower end range - maybe in the $30s for a bottle, and we usually use the Elite discount coupons. So maybe 7 bottles of wine all week.

 

If we had unlimited drinks, we MIGHT get something at the pool, but we'd be doing it because it was "there" - I'm usually so full from all the food extra drinking just doesn't usually play into it.

 

I'm just being realistic about what we do...and I've done the math and it just doesn't seem work for us. Yet the consensus is that this is a "don't miss" deal.

 

Anyone gotten the beverage package (especially Elites in AQ) and thought you wasted your money? Or felt you drank more than you wanted to just to get your money's worth?

 

We loved it but it's not for everyone. I'm a beer snob so I was right at home in Michael's Club and you're right, you will drink more just because it's there. We didn't over do it but we definitely had a few more than usual. Do what's right for you.

[CathyCruises]

It doesn't work for us either. First of all DH doesn't drink. I may have a pina colada at the pool (they're about $6); I like a martini before dinner but can get that with Elite coupons, and I like a glass of wine with dinner and usually order a bottle every few days. But now that I think about it, can probably use an elite coupon for that too and just carry my glass in.

 

We don't care about bottled water, and we are okay with the iced tea, coffee, orange juice, and selection at Elite breakfast. I think I would drink too much if it was all included!

[warmwinds]

We don't bring drinks out of the Elite cocktail hour - the Elite coupon I was talking about comes in your sheet of coupons, something like a 10-15% discount on a bottle of wine, and we get two of those.

[Bobal]

I'll give you my take on the beverage package for what it's worth :) We've sailed on Celebrity 3 times (as Elites due to our RC D+ status) and bought the drinks package our first two times (in Concierge class) but not for our last cruise (in AQ)

 

We like a beer (or two ;)) at lunchtime, a few pre-dinner drinks and wine with our meal (and maybe a drink afterwards depending on whether we go to the casino, a show or whatever). We are usually happy with the ship's water and will fill a bottle to take off the ship but, on the package, we really liked the convenience of picking up a bottle of water for on-deck or to take off the ship. We also enjoyed picking up a cappuccino at Cafe el Bacio.

 

The first two times we bought the beverage package as they were running a 10% off deal. We decided to hold off buying one on our last cruise. We sailed in Aqua for the first time and were really pleased to hear that due to the number of Elites onboard they were operating the Elite voucher system. We dine late and don't wish to get all dressed up at 5pm to attend a cliquey function. On that basis (and since there was no 10% offer) we didn't choose the package. It was nice to have our bottles of water from AQ to take off, we popped into the Elite breakfast for a cappuccino and the voucher system was great for us. It was also nice to buy a wine package and take advice from the sommelier (we are also only 'basic' wine drinkers) rather than have to order by the glass.

 

Our last cruise was very port intensive so we knew we would be off the ship quite a lot, we were also able to buy a bucket of beer (5 for the price of 6), some of which we kept back and put on ice for a later time.

 

We were interested to see how our drink consumption (and spend) would compare between having a package and not having one, and we concluded we certainly drank more with the package, but then we also had the Elite vouchers last time so it's difficult to make a direct comparison.

 

I'm not sure if I've made this more confusing that it needs to be but I would say that if you are sailing in AQ and no 10% deal is on offer, if it's a port-intensive cruise and if you either get the Elite vouchers or are happy to attend the Elite event the package may not work out to be worth it for you.

 

We're sailing on an itinerary in November which has more sea days and are considering a package for that one, just wish they would introduce the 10% offer (or Elite vouchers across the board)

[Alsmez]

We considered buying the package for my husband on our Equinox sailing a couple of years ago, but after a couple of days on the ship, we added up our drink costs and realized there would be no point for him. He is very into craft beer, and their selection at that time was so substandard that he mostly drank the wine we had brought on board with us or the occasional mixed drink. Though he enjoys soda as well, he liked the (included) iced tea better, so he wasn't spending money on cans of soda like I thought he would be, and the Caribbean weather was too hot for multiple cups of coffee throughout the day.

 

However, when the 123Go promotion became available, we jumped at it for our upcoming cruise on Reflection. Although we still might not "break even," we know our bar tab would be higher than the $200 OBC or free gratuities they were offering as alternatives, and this will allow us a little more leeway in not finishing something we don't care for, etc. We also won't have to go through the hassle of buying wine in Miami to take onboard with us, etc. It's not something I would pay for, but I'm sure I will enjoy having it when it's free! :D

[CathyCruises]

We don't bring drinks out of the Elite cocktail hour - the Elite coupon I was talking about comes in your sheet of coupons, something like a 10-15% discount on a bottle of wine, and we get two of those.

 

I was talking about the 3 drink vouchers per night that Elite guests receive on some cruises. I may use one of those for a glass of wine and if I haven't finished it I may carry it into dinner with me. My understanding is that the vouchers can be used in a variety of bars, but that you can only order drinks that are on the Elite menu.

[warmwinds]

Ok, I understand now. We've not yet been on a cruise where the Elite cocktail hour was not held in the big front lounge, and they discouraged you from taking drinks out of there.

 

I HOPE our next one is on the voucher system, that would be great!

[Ex-Airbalancer]

I was talking about the 3 drink vouchers per night that Elite guests receive on some cruises. I may use one of those for a glass of wine and if I haven't finished it I may carry it into dinner with me. My understanding is that the vouchers can be used in a variety of bars, but that you can only order drinks that are on the Elite menu.

Do you think there will be coupons fot your TA sailing?

[warmwinds]

Thanks for all the different perspectives. I think we'll just stick with what we do. We could not get 123 either on this cruise or the next we've booked, we seem to hit the times when they are not offered, but I'll keep a look out if they change the dates - I'd be willing to try it if it were free, too!

[fredflint]

I would not buy it since I really don't drink and all the extra calories wasted for sugary drinks would not do well with my don't gain weight on a cruise plan. I have never gained and usually lose ( OK it was due to seasickness ONCE ).

[CathyCruises]

Do you think there will be coupons fot your TA sailing?

 

By all indications. Last year's TA had a TON of Elites, no reason to think this will be any different. We won't know until we board, I guess. It's too bad Eric doesn't drink; three coupons going to waste each night;)

[sunshine nana]

We get a bottle of wine with dinner. We sometimes get a pre-dinner drink at a bar and very rarely an after dinner drink if we are listening to music. We never have a drink during the day, do not drink bottled water or specialty coffee. We have to watch calories. We really liked the wine package we had last year. We found a red we liked and were able to get it everywhere from the package that we ate dinner (Blu or specialty).Our bar bill would never be more than $55 per day combined, and usually only about $30,so it would depend on how much the other 2 offers were at the time.Does anyone know if the free gratuities includes the butler's tip if you are in a suite?

[fleckle]

We are not big drinkers either. We thought about getting a beverage package but decided against it as it would be so easy to end up ordering extra drinks just because they are readily available. We do not need all those extra calories. We are also fine with drinking the regular water.

 

When I think of how long I would need to walk or run on a treadmill to burn off the calories from just one extra drink :eek: it is simply not worth it to me.

[Tenn4ever]

We are not big drinkers either. We thought about getting a beverage package but decided against it as it would be so easy to end up ordering extra drinks just because they are readily available. We do not need all those extra calories. We are also fine with drinking the regular water.

 

When I think of how long I would need to walk or run on a treadmill to burn off the calories from just one extra drink :eek: it is simply not worth it to me.

 

 

Same for us. It doesn't pay at all for us to get a beverage package. We may have one alcoholic drink a day. I may have two but not more than that. Plus, we may buy a glass of wine or a beer while in port for lunch which, of course, the beverage package would not cover. We don't drink soda at all and the water is fine. That's what we drink with dinner at home.

[smtcan]

We had never considered a drink package because we are very moderate drinkers and the Elite Happy Hour drinks are enough for us. Incidentally we have never found that event to be cliquey, we have met many congenial people there.

 

For our Fall TA we decided to try the Classic Package on the 1,2,3 deal. With all the sea days, we will enjoy having palatable coffee at times other than the Elite Breakfast and will be able to spread our drinks throughout the afternoon and evening.

 

I doubt if we will come close to the daily cost of the package, and will probably never pay for one, but it seemed a good opportunity to try something different.

 

Sheila

[Algebralovr]

I went back and forth for our next cruise. For the last couple of cruises, DH has had a non-alcohol premium and I've had the premium. When I added up all the drinks we had in the Cafe al Bacio (we both love good tea and drink a couple of pots of Chai daily) along with the others we did have, we do fine on the non-alcohol. BUT when I ran the numbers based on the OBC we were to get, I found it was less expensive for us to take the Classic from X, pay the upcharge to get the Premium package for both of us than any other choice. I found that I really like a class of wine after dinner, and the wine I like is $12 per glass. When I add that to a couple of pots of chai a day, a can of soda daily (I don't drink coffee and need my fix), etc, I actually came out ahead on the package under the promotion.

 

Again, though, we've done 2 sailings on Celebrity, know what we like and plan to do, and I did the math. Plus, a lot of what we drank really wasn't all that bad for us!

[Happy Cruiser 6143]

I've seen all the threads about how great the beverage packages are, but I still don't think they are right for us, but I also don't want to miss out.

 

We are Elite, and Aqua Class - so we'll get specialty coffees and bloody Mary's etc., free with breakfast...we'll get 2 bottles of water every day...and we'll get free cocktails every night before dinner.

 

We will sometimes go to a different lounge before dinner and have ONE drink each (husband a fancy martini, me either the drink of the day or a glass of wine).

 

With dinner we drink wine - usually get a bottle of white and red and drink them over 2-3 days. Our tastes run to the lower end range - maybe in the $30s for a bottle, and we usually use the Elite discount coupons. So maybe 7 bottles of wine all week.

 

If we had unlimited drinks, we MIGHT get something at the pool, but we'd be doing it because it was "there" - I'm usually so full from all the food extra drinking just doesn't usually play into it.

 

I'm just being realistic about what we do...and I've done the math and it just doesn't seem work for us. Yet the consensus is that this is a "don't miss" deal.

 

Anyone gotten the beverage package (especially Elites in AQ) and thought you wasted your money? Or felt you drank more than you wanted to just to get your money's worth?

 

You've done the math and figured our (correctly) that it doesn't work for you.

 

One size does not fit all. For some it's a good deal, for others not.

[Merriem]

We are also elite, and do not drink that much. So we would go to Michael's Club and have something, but the math did not add up for us. I am sure it is a good deal for some.

[Ex-Airbalancer]

By all indications. Last year's TA had a TON of Elites, no reason to think this will be any different. We won't know until we board, I guess. It's too bad Eric doesn't drink; three coupons going to waste each night;)

 

On the fall TA on the Equinox they did not use the coupons

[Christine Frances]

We watch calories all year and we never ever worry about it on a cruise!:D We deal with it when we get home if there are a few extra pounds.:(

[CathyCruises]

On the fall TA on the Equinox they did not use the coupons

 

I could be wrong, but I think it has started since then. And maybe they won't have it, which is okay too. . .but I like the idea.

[Ex-Airbalancer]

I could be wrong, but I think it has started since then. And maybe they won't have it, which is okay too. . .but I like the idea.

 

There was a cruise before ours that had coupons , there a lot elites lining up at 4:30 in front of the lounge last year

[C 2 C]

Vouchers were used on our Reflection Transatlantic as well as our two 14 day Eclipse cruises in Jan and Feb.

 

I would not be at all surprised if vouchers soon replaced the "Elite lounge" ... in the next 6 months or so on all ships.

[CathyCruises]

There was a cruise before ours that had coupons , there a lot elites lining up at 4:30 in front of the lounge last year

 

I'd never do that--I don't need the free drink that badly! Plus, we have late seating, so at 5 or 6 I am showering and getting dressed! We'll just have to see how it works out. I like the idea of being able to go anywhere I want (just about) rather than being in the Sky Lounge and not able to find a seat.

 

How many Elites did you have on your last TA?