Drink Package-how did you like it?

[Deely]

is there a limit of how many bottles of water you can have, or within a certain time period? Like, do you have to wait so long before getting another bottle? DH drinks several litres of water a day so we just need to know if there's a best way of making sure he can still drink this amount under the package.

[Clarea]

is there a limit of how many bottles of water you can have, or within a certain time period? Like, do you have to wait so long before getting another bottle? DH drinks several litres of water a day so we just need to know if there's a best way of making sure he can still drink this amount under the package.

No limits, no minimum time period between drinks.

[LeesSummitCruiser1]

tip about the bottled water...the first two days, go bar to bar for about 20-30 minutes to different bars getting bottled water, then take it allllllll back to your room in you newly cleaned out fridge (ask your room steward to clean it out for you). then when its a port day or your back in your room the morning after drinking and REALLY need some water, you have a good supply

 

i found the morning of a port day, getting ready to leave and being like "Oh shoot, I have to go to bars to get bottled water" made my morning more hectic...plus its likely you will need more than 2 on each port day

 

 

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Or you could take a refillable bottle on board and use the distilled water that comes out of the tap. Ship water had probably been through better quality control than any bottled water. Another option is buying a bottle of water on shore if you need to at a 1/4 to half the price you pay on the ship. I do water treatment for a living and the water on cruise ships is as good or better than any tap water you get at home.

[GaryT-UK]

I'm undecided between the $40 Select or $55 Premium package. Has anyone an opinion on whether the extra $15 is worth it? I mainly drink beer (which I think is cheaper), but like a couple of glasses of wine at night, and wouldn't be too upset at having the $12 glasses instead of the $8 ones, or even the odd cocktail as I'll be in the Caribbean. I also like the convenience of picking up bottles of water during the day - but is that worth a lot extra per day? I've had the experience in the past of drinking just to get my money's worth, which stops being fun, but I've also tried pay as you go, where sometimes you skip that extra cheeky afternoon drink just because you have to pay for it, so I'm fairly sure I'll go for one of the packages.

[sharse]

is there a limit of how many bottles of water you can have, or within a certain time period? Like, do you have to wait so long before getting another bottle? DH drinks several litres of water a day so we just need to know if there's a best way of making sure he can still drink this amount under the package.

 

I drank a ton of bottled water, as well. Each time I passed by a bar, whether I wanted it right then or not, I'd ask for a bottle of water. I always had a few stockpiled in my room, or in my bag. They will not give you two at a time (which is a bit ridiculous in my opinion, but it is what it is) but it is pretty easy to stockpile them. When it was really hot, I'd ask for one, stand there at the bar and drink the whole thing, then ask for another. :)

[beancounterbeth]

Question......I don't drink soda but my husband does. Would he have to carry around that cup in order to get soda or could he just ask for a soda and still get it because we paid for the package? I can see carrying around that cup being too annoying and us not doing it. Or at least could he get a soda at dinner? That cup is kinda cheesy.

[Clarea]

Question......I don't drink soda but my husband does. Would he have to carry around that cup in order to get soda or could he just ask for a soda and still get it because we paid for the package? I can see carrying around that cup being too annoying and us not doing it. Or at least could he get a soda at dinner? That cup is kinda cheesy.

You can get soda from any bar or restaurant by showing your SeaPass card. However, if you want to use the Freestyle Coke machines (and your ship has them), then you must use the cup.

Edited May 15, 2014 by clarea

[Skam]

I have bought the soda fountain package am I right in thinking we have to carry a plastic container around or does it work on a card?

[Clarea]

I have bought the soda fountain package am I right in thinking we have to carry a plastic container around or does it work on a card?

You don't have to use the plastic container unless you want to use the Freestyle Coke machine, should your ship have those. Your SeaPass card is all that is needed for soda from a bar or restaurant. There are only about 6 different soda choices using the card.

Edited May 15, 2014 by clarea

[onyourtoes]

Think about it this way, if the average drink costs 8.50, tip would bring it up to around 10. Have a couple of cocktails over the course of the day, maybe throw in a beer and a couple sodas and you'll hit your $55.

It feels like a lot to me, but when I do the math I know I'll end up ahead by buying it.

 

 

Since I don't drink that much, it would be a waste for me:(. Now, if they had a casino package - Whoo Hoo :D

[Skam]

You don't have to use the plastic container unless you want to use the Freestyle Coke machine, should your ship have those. Your SeaPass card is all that is needed for soda from a bar or restaurant. There are only about 6 different soda choices using the card.

 

 

That's great thanks

 

 

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[pinkmama100]

I think my husband and I will do the package for our Thanksgiving Allure cruise

 

My husband drinks like 5 bottles of water a day. I can drink tap but with package I can at least get bottles. Also since it includes the fresh oj he can do that each morning then his mocha from Lattitudes. Then wine or cocktail before dinner then during and at shows. So pretty sure he will get his fill. Me-between water and frozen drinks at pool then a few cocktails at night I will get mine too.

 

We have never had the package but also usually conservative as to not have a huge bill but I will buy mine this month and his next month. That's what I do either excursions too. One a month. I hate paying for all that at once. I did it that way for our Alaska cruise and I enjoy the planning/paying for something once a month.- keeps the excitement

[Funbobby68]

Just back off 7 nights with ultimate package , was nice to have and having a speciality coffee with a shot was gr8 , but I won't get it again , first off I'm a drinker currently not needing a 12 step program but the drinks are just to strong or to sweet to enjoy , and the challenge to stay ahead of the curve got a bit tiring on day 4 or so , all the food and all the drink just sucks all the energy out of ya so my next trip I will pay as u go and should save some money and feel better in general after day four or so

Just my opinion

 

 

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[sparelink]

Does anyone know if the select package includes bottled water?

[SCOOP]

I welcome myself back after a 2 year absence. Booked Brilliance today. I am wondering...how does Royal defeat cheaters in the drink package. Example, I get a beer for myself, I leave the wife by the pool. I then give my beer to my wife, 5 minutes later I get another beer for myself under my same card where I purchased the drink package. I would not do this but how to they fool proof people who try this?

[Clarea]

Does anyone know if the select package includes bottled water?

No bottled water in the Select package.

[John&LaLa]

Not sure it makes financial success for those with lounge access. Especially if you bring two wines aboard and get a third as your cabin gift. There has been discussion about a different rate for D and above, but I doubt that will happen

 

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[Sitzmark]

Does anyone know if the select package includes bottled water?

 

Bottles of Sparkling water are available with the replenish or the ultimate packages.

[AidlEskimo]

my wife and I had the premium package on our last cruise.

 

she wasnt a big drinker, so I felt compelled to get my monies worth.

 

although port days we hardly drank on the ship at all, just night drinks for 3-4 hours

 

of course last day was light to no drinking to prepare to disembark

 

it was nice and convenient, but I would have liked to see a breakdown at the end of cruise to see the actual amount the bar tab came to be. if anything for decision on the next cruises.

 

is royal still doing happy hours? that seems like a more cost effective way to enjoy cocktails prior to dinner, then relax and have 2 more after

[John&LaLa]

my wife and I had the premium package on our last cruise.

 

she wasnt a big drinker, so I felt compelled to get my monies worth.

 

although port days we hardly drank on the ship at all, just night drinks for 3-4 hours

 

of course last day was light to no drinking to prepare to disembark

 

it was nice and convenient, but I would have liked to see a breakdown at the end of cruise to see the actual amount the bar tab came to be. if anything for decision on the next cruises.

 

is royal still doing happy hours? that seems like a more cost effective way to enjoy cocktails prior to dinner, then relax and have 2 more after

 

Always happy hour in DL :D

 

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[mike45orlando]

We are in the middle of B2B on Freedom. Drink only beer so it's the select package. We saved $400 last week and expect the same this week.

[Markw]

My wife and I are home this morning from this weeks Freedom Cruise. We both bought the Premium Package. I am more of a drinker than her and we had our kids with us so I was a little leery about purchasing. As for whether or we or RCCL came out ahead I would say I probably came out a little ahead while my wife fell short. I read these post for weeks leading up to the cruise and I have a point to make that is not usually made. Cruising, to me, is about having whatever you want whenever you want it. The package took away a small level of stress and made the cruise more enjoyable and convenient. I cannot emphasize enough how nice it is to grab a bottled water whenever you walked by a bar. I will say that I get a little dehydrated on these cruises due to the lack of water and not having it readily available. Walking around, I always had a water with me. I would get one to take to the room at bed time and drink it as soon as I woke up. I felt better the whole week than usual. As for the alcohol, I am mainly a beer drinker. It is nice to grab one any time and to try new things that you might not otherwise. I also had mixed drinks at dinner that I might not have normally had. I think people get too hung up on the dollar value point of view and lose sight of the convenience and care free attitude it creates. I goes nicely with the notion of "free food" and "free deserts" that we all experience. You don't see people calculating whether or not they made their food "quota". Nothing is free and believe it or not, we are paying for our food as well. It is also nice not to have every drink you had all week listed on your account that is viewable to everyone on the stateroom TV. I did say that my wife fell short of her "quota" but she probably had a few that she wouldn't have otherwise as well as trying some new things. TIP for those considering ULTIMATE over PREMIUM. The Premium does not include the coffee. The free coffee in the Promenade is actually quite good but they serve it in very tiny cups. If you are one who likes large coffees in the AM or PM, plan on making several coffee trips to fill these tiny cups. They also don't have those little cardboard protectors to keep from burning your hands. You'll have to wrap with napkins. The Starbucks has nice large cups with those cardboard things. ANOTHER TIP. Review your final statement carefully. Either on your TV or by getting a copy the night before you leave. I was charged twice for drinks in the MDR that should have been included in the package. It was only $14 but that was enough for me to stand in line at guest services to have them removed.

[readytolose]

if you have 2 8 dollar glasses of wine, thats 56 dollars, so you are a dollar ahead

 

You realize it is 55$ a day right?

[CaptainD]

My wife and I are home this morning from this weeks Freedom Cruise. We both bought the Premium Package. I am more of a drinker than her and we had our kids with us so I was a little leery about purchasing. As for whether or we or RCCL came out ahead I would say I probably came out a little ahead while my wife fell short. I read these post for weeks leading up to the cruise and I have a point to make that is not usually made. Cruising, to me, is about having whatever you want whenever you want it. The package took away a small level of stress and made the cruise more enjoyable and convenient. I cannot emphasize enough how nice it is to grab a bottled water whenever you walked by a bar. I will say that I get a little dehydrated on these cruises due to the lack of water and not having it readily available. Walking around, I always had a water with me. I would get one to take to the room at bed time and drink it as soon as I woke up. I felt better the whole week than usual. As for the alcohol, I am mainly a beer drinker. It is nice to grab one any time and to try new things that you might not otherwise. I also had mixed drinks at dinner that I might not have normally had. I think people get too hung up on the dollar value point of view and lose sight of the convenience and care free attitude it creates. I goes nicely with the notion of "free food" and "free deserts" that we all experience. You don't see people calculating whether or not they made their food "quota". Nothing is free and believe it or not, we are paying for our food as well. It is also nice not to have every drink you had all week listed on your account that is viewable to everyone on the stateroom TV. I did say that my wife fell short of her "quota" but she probably had a few that she wouldn't have otherwise as well as trying some new things. TIP for those considering ULTIMATE over PREMIUM. The Premium does not include the coffee. The free coffee in the Promenade is actually quite good but they serve it in very tiny cups. If you are one who likes large coffees in the AM or PM, plan on making several coffee trips to fill these tiny cups. They also don't have those little cardboard protectors to keep from burning your hands. You'll have to wrap with napkins. The Starbucks has nice large cups with those cardboard things. ANOTHER TIP. Review your final statement carefully. Either on your TV or by getting a copy the night before you leave. I was charged twice for drinks in the MDR that should have been included in the package. It was only $14 but that was enough for me to stand in line at guest services to have them removed.

 

Well stated!

[CaptainD]

For those who are still trying to figure out the value of buying individual drinks vs. buying a package, here is a breakdown of individual drink prices:

 

Basically, there are a couple of wines by the glass for $7, some are $8, but most are $9, and some are higher.

Fru-fru drinks, including hard teas/lemonades average $8.

Frozen fru-fru drinks average $7.50, as do champagne cocktails and bloody mary-type drinks.

Martinis average $9.

After dinner drinks average $6.75.

American beers average $5.

Beers of the world average $4.75.

Plus a 15% gratuity for all the above.