Drink Packages-- Worth it?

[forevertravel]

We are booked on our first Oceania cruise next year. I'm torn between getting the package or not. We are Regent cruisers and spoiled with never having to sign for a drink. That said, I wonder if it'll be worth it for me. I think we'll get it for my husband since he likes to get a beer at lunch and sometimes during the day. I usually don't drink at lunch but have cocktail before dinner, wine with dinner, and perhaps cocktail during the show or at bar after dinner. I think maybe I should simply pay by the drink. On the other hand, I understand you get a better selection of wines if you have the package. I'll hate not to have as good a selection as my husband. Perhaps is better for both of us to pay by the drink and buy wine bottles at dinner. A bit of a quandary. My husband is also used to having a refrigerator stocked with his favorite beer. I don't know if he has the package if he can order more than one beer to keep in refrigerator. Decisions....decisions. As I said we are spoiled with Regent never having to sign for a drink and getting drinks whenever we wish.

[JimandStan]

The "or through room service" bit is interesting as I assume room service is available all day (although can be a little slow for drinks). Does this mean if we went back to our cabin we could order drinks any time? It would work for pre dinner drinks while dressing.

 

Is the asterix important?

 

Room service IS available all day, but the House Select Package only covers standard luncheon or dinner times (breakfast is specifically excluded).

 

The Beer or Wine must be ordered in conjunction with a meal, so if one was not intending to dine in the Stateroom, then they would not be served there.

[RachelG]

forevertravel, I was in the same quandry as you, but I went ahead and bought the drinks package for both of us. I did some math. If we have 1 drink before dinner, a couple of glasses of wine with dinner, and a drink after at the show, I think it will break about even when you look at the price they charge for a glass of wine and add in the 18% gratuity. And my husband likes his girly drinks at the pool in hot weather.

 

So we bought the package, and I am not going to fret about it anymore. I will report back after the cruise on whether I thought we got our moneys worth.

[Travelcat2]

We are also Regent customers that sailed on the Riviera in May (gorgeous ship). We purchased the package even though it would cost approximately the same amount for us to purchase the drinks. Our reasoning was:

 

1. We did not want to sign for drinks.

 

2. The amount of passengers at Happy Hour was overwhelming and we did not want to be part of that experience.

 

3. We wanted Oceania to have the "feel" of being all-inclusive.

 

When doing the math, keep in mind the 18% gratuity that is added on to each drink (and is included in the package).

[LHT28]

I understand you get a better selection of wines if you have the package. I'll hate not to have as good a selection as my husband.

 

You get the same menu for drinks with or without the package :rolleyes:

 

You can buy the whole bottle which may be a better selection than by the glass but they are NOT included in the drink package

Edited December 11, 2013 by LHT28

[Breakwater]

I purchased the premium package last year while on the Riviera and found it to be worthwhile for how much I drink. More importantly, having the package frees you up from having to sign for each drink purchased and creates the feeling and mindset of an all inclusive cruise. After all, it is a vacation so why not splurge, you deserve it! :)

[beardedshark]

Room service IS available all day, but the House Select Package only covers standard luncheon or dinner times (breakfast is specifically excluded).

 

The Beer or Wine must be ordered in conjunction with a meal, so if one was not intending to dine in the Stateroom, then they would not be served there.

 

Thanks Jim or Stan. As i suspected really but worth a try:D

[CVA34]

Hello all, found this on O's webpage for beverage package

 

 

HOUSE SELECT - $39.95 Per Guest Per Day (Gratuity Included)

Wine & Beer

 

This package includes beer and a selection of wines by the glass during lunch and dinner in any dining venue or through room service.*

 

PRESTIGE SELECT - $59.95 per Guest Per Day (Gratuity Included)

Wine, Beer & Spirits

 

This UNLIMITED package includes beer, a selection of wines by the glass, most top shelf spirits and cocktails, all of which may be ordered at any onboard venue as well as through room service.*

 

Beverage packages may also be purchased onboard during your cruise.

 

My question is...does "purchased onboard during your cruise" mean at any time during the cruise like maybe 1/2 way into the cruise and only good for the remainder of the cruise.

 

Thanks

Dennis

[Wendy The Wanderer]

 

Beverage packages may also be purchased onboard during your cruise.

 

My question is...does "purchased onboard during your cruise" mean at any time during the cruise like maybe 1/2 way into the cruise and only good for the remainder of the cruise.

 

Thanks

Dennis

 

No, I don't think so. They advertised it on our recent cruise for a few days, in the Currents, then the ads stopped; I think there was some kind of notice that it was your last chance to buy it.

[westmount]

The drink package is great if you simply don't want to bother worrying about signing for drinks while you are on a fabulous cruise. You are supposed to be relaxed and in control. We took the package last year for 34 days in the South Pacific, and while it cost us quite a lot, as I don't drink until 5 and ended up ordering wines by the bottle on the auction days, it allows one to stop worrying about beating the system.

I prefer the cruise lines that are all inclusive, as few want to be known as the cruise drunk, but the packages do in fact make life pretty easy and the drinks are usually doubles instead of measured pay as you go ones.

 

Oceania is a great line with fantastic values, and as I have only six days until I board the Regatta next Saturday will let you guys decide the value of packages, I don't want to be bothered trying to beat the system while on vacation, life is too short.

Westmount

[LHT28]

I don't want to be bothered trying to beat the system while on vacation, life is too short.

Westmount

 

What system are people trying to beat :confused::confused:

 

You buy the package drink all you want or you "pay as you" go & drink as much as you want to pay for :rolleyes:

[corpkid]

No, I don't think so. They advertised it on our recent cruise for a few days, in the Currents, then the ads stopped; I think there was some kind of notice that it was your last chance to buy it.

 

It's about 2 to 3 days into the cruise before the option is removed. Also, we had many martinis at martinis and they were of a good size. Not sure what thimble sized drinks everyone else was being served but we didn't complain!!! :)

[westmount]

At the end of the day, if you like wine with your meals and a cocktail beforehand, the package is a pretty good deal. I just found that if you were on the full package, the bartenders made the drinks as strong as you can take, and if you were buying them one at a time, there was more ice than anything else.

To each his own, same as excursions, convenience vs savings.

Westmount

[Mjflowers]

It's about 2 to 3 days into the cruise before the option is removed. Also, we had many martinis at martinis and they were of a good size. Not sure what thimble sized drinks everyone else was being served but we didn't complain!!! :)

 

If the drink seems thimble size, just order a double. With the package it don't matter:eek:

[doowopbob]

It's about 2 to 3 days into the cruise before the option is removed. Also, we had many martinis at martinis and they were of a good size. Not sure what thimble sized drinks everyone else was being served but we didn't complain!!! :)

 

 

We were on a 14 day cruise on Regatta last Nov. We signed up for the plan on day 7 for the rest of the cruise. It use to be you could sign up anytime during a cruise for the remainder of the cruise. I hope this hasn't changed. We have two upcoming cruises and would like to sign up for the second half of each.

[JimandStan]

We were on a 14 day cruise on Regatta last Nov. We signed up for the plan on day 7 for the rest of the cruise. It use to be you could sign up anytime during a cruise for the remainder of the cruise. I hope this hasn't changed. We have two upcoming cruises and would like to sign up for the second half of each.

 

I would not count on it. The Beverage Packages have always basically been "All or nothing at All". Some exceptions may have been made, but "half a cruise, twice" seems to be pushing the envelope.

Edited December 17, 2013 by JimandStan

[moggyhill]

corpkid the martinis in all venues BUT martinis bar are thimble size, I only drink martinis and I now will only drink at martinis bar because you get more for your money, especially during happy hour:D

[Hawaiidan]

We were on a 14 day cruise on Regatta last Nov. We signed up for the plan on day 7 for the rest of the cruise. It use to be you could sign up anytime during a cruise for the remainder of the cruise. I hope this hasn't changed. We have two upcoming cruises and would like to sign up for the second half of each.

 

As Jim and Stan said...your chances are slim and none.

[ORV]

As Jim and Stan said...your chances are slim and none.

 

Then on the other hand, on our recent, as in less than a month ago, Transatlantic on Riviera, the beverage package was still being advertised about day 7 or 8 out of 14 days.

 

I don't think there's a hard and fast rule on the beverage package. There does seem to be a cutoff on the Internet package around the 3rd day.

[corpkid]

corpkid the martinis in all venues BUT martinis bar are thimble size, I only drink martinis and I now will only drink at martinis bar because you get more for your money, especially during happy hour:D

 

We just loved that bar that's pretty much the only place we congregated so I can't really speak to the others (and the other bars I did have a cocktail in, they were of the mixed type like a negroni or vodka/soda). However, I agree, Martini's pours a great martini and happy hour was a great deal. :)

[corpkid]

Hmmm.. I have two cruises on Marina in as many years coming up and will be curious to see when they pull the option to go with the package. I can say on our recent 10 day Baltic (which was incredibly port-intensive) it was gone on day 2. I asked. I do wish they would offer it more ala carte but that's probably not in their best bottom line interest.

[Winters Gate]

I and my wife will book a cruise on the Riviera, we like to drink when we are on vacation so Prestige Select will suit us fine.

It says that it comes under the regular bar opening hours, what times is it? Is there for example possible to order a Bloody Mary for breakfast? And what about the room service, if you order a cheese plate and want to drink 2-3 glasses of wine, then do the room service guy have to run back and forth with the glasses or can he get it all at once? Can I order just drink to stateroom or is it only when eating?

Edited February 5, 2014 by Winters Gate

[JimandStan]

I and my wife will book a cruise on the Riviera, we like to drink when we are on vacation so Prestige Select will suit us fine.

It says that it comes under the regular bar opening hours, what times is it? Is there for example possible to order a Bloody Mary for breakfast? And what about the room service, if you order a cheese plate and want to drink 2-3 glasses of wine, then do the room service guy have to run back and forth with the glasses or can he get it all at once? Can I order just drink to stateroom or is it only when eating?

 

The ships service bars are open virtually 24/7 except on turn around day when they are closed at midnight for inventory and such. Even then, with the Prestige Package, you will still be able to get a drink until the bars in the lounges close for the night (2Am AT THE LATEST).

 

Yes, your breakfast Bloody Mary will be included!

 

Room Service Drinks may only be ordered one at a time, but the Room Service Waiter may have the bottle in the hall Pantry, rather than running back to the bar if you tell him that you will want a few.

 

It's fine to order drinks on their own.

 

With the Prestige Beverage Package the passenger is served whenever and wherever; with the House Select Package the Passenger is only served during luncheon and dinner service (breakfast is specifically excluded).

 

Hope that this helps~

Enjoy your cruise!

Edited February 5, 2014 by JimandStan

[Travelcat2]

We feel that the Prestige package is just fine (not great but fine). Did not know you could order a Bloody Mary for breakfast. I'll have to remember that on our next Oceania cruise.

 

Someone earlier asked about the thimble size martinis. They are served in the lounge with the name I can't remember (not very helpful am I?) It is the bar with the jeweled bar stools -- next to the casino. We more or less became used to them. While we did order doubles most of the time, occasionally it was nice to have a "petite" martini before inner.

 

I found the wine package fairly poor. While there are a lot of wines available, if you like a specific type (cabernet in our case), there are not many choices.

 

We may not drink enough to cover the cost but the convenience makes all of the difference to us.

[Wendy The Wanderer]

It's funny, we didn't notice the thimble-sized martinis in bars other than Martini's. We figured it this way--once the server saw our cards with the drink package, he just brought us doubles. In any case, they were all a good size.