Classic drinks package contents downgraded?

[vulcan1971]

Given that USA customers would have no reason or interest to book their cruise through the UK website, I think the target audience being sought after with this promotion is considerably smaller and European/British. Any promos that USA customers choose are at the Classic Package level (and up) already.

[ghstudio]

The list is missing entire "groups" of spirits, such as Canadian whiskey.

 

It also don't have no moonshine (which we can buy legally in Florida)

[Pushka]

There is also a list easily available on the Celebrity website.

 

 

 

https://secure.celebritycruises.com/celebrity/media/celebrity/shared_assets/pdf/Classic-Premium-Bev-Pckgs.pdf

 

 

Thankyou - I had not seen it like that before. All printed. :)

[DaisyFire]

I can imagine that the introduction of the "Select" package allows them to offer something at a lower price point now that the price of the Classic has gone up. I envision that might be the option included as a promo in the future.

 

Maybe they are seeing how it flies with the UK passengers first!

 

From the site referenced by Vulcan, it looks like that is in fact the case as the chart indicates three levels of perk options depending upon cabin type.

 

A quick review of the select vs. classic lists indicates a few key differences... some types of beverages are limited to a specific list of standard or 'house' brands, others have a lower price point cap, while yet others are completely missing (namely specialty coffees and teas) - so it is very likely that this is a lower price to allow more choice for those who don't want to pay the entry point for the classic package.

 

I did a grid to compare - but am not sure how the PDF of it will attach.

Celebrity Drink Package Compare.pdf

[Cruiseline Virgin]

We upgraded from the Classic to the Premium, just because of saving us headaches, walking around with printed out drink lists, of what is in or what is not in..

 

We are not drinkers... What is the definition by the way, I drink 3 bottles of water a day, that makes me a (water) drinker? ;)

 

I think just for saving headaches, discussions with bar tenders, the upgrade is worth it for us

[Pushka]

We upgraded from the Classic to the Premium, just because of saving us headaches, walking around with printed out drink lists, of what is in or what is not in..

 

We are not drinkers... What is the definition by the way, I drink 3 bottles of water a day, that makes me a (water) drinker? ;)

 

I think just for saving headaches, discussions with bar tenders, the upgrade is worth it for us

 

 

Same. It is wonderful freedom. But as previously posted I want to make sure we get the quality spirits when we order the cocktails.

[OzKiwiJJ]

From the site referenced by Vulcan, it looks like that is in fact the case as the chart indicates three levels of perk options depending upon cabin type.

 

A quick review of the select vs. classic lists indicates a few key differences... some types of beverages are limited to a specific list of standard or 'house' brands, others have a lower price point cap, while yet others are completely missing (namely specialty coffees and teas) - so it is very likely that this is a lower price to allow more choice for those who don't want to pay the entry point for the classic package.

 

I did a grid to compare - but am not sure how the PDF of it will attach.

 

That's a very clear and informative grid, DaisyFire. It's a shame Celebrity don't show something like that on their webside.

 

Thanks.

[Cruiseline Virgin]

Special brands is a challenge in European ports I can believe. Celebrity will only guarantee "Canadian Whiskey" "Tequila", just to avoid "law suits" with bartenders from guests who demand their special favorite brand.

 

Sometimes I think Americans are worse than Germans, when it comes to complains and I am German. I work in the hotel industry and the first thing a German says when he complains: "I have paid for that" regardless of circumstances, etc...:rolleyes:

[ailetoile]

There was another thread about this not too long ago. I'll say again in this thread that there IS a Select drinks package on RCCL ships and it looks like it has somehow started to make its way over to Celebrity. I have to wonder whether this is a marketing mistake that somehow slipped through the cracks, or whether Celebrity is just making a mess of introducing a third alcoholic beverage package.

 

If we could just get some confirmation either way from the Celebrity rep I would be happy to update that FAQ I've been maintaining... :rolleyes:

[Barry ATL]

We upgraded from the Classic to the Premium, just because of saving us headaches, walking around with printed out drink lists, of what is in or what is not in..

 

We are not drinkers... What is the definition by the way, I drink 3 bottles of water a day, that makes me a (water) drinker? ;)

 

I think just for saving headaches, discussions with bar tenders, the upgrade is worth it for us

 

We upgraded along the same lines. It does not make econimical sense for us to upgrade, but we did not want the hassle. Also, we decided that we would make the drinking part of the adventure. We are going to try drinks we have never had before. This way if we do not like it, we can order something else. If I am paying for a $15 drink, I feel obligated to drink every drop even if I don't like it. So, for us, the premium package is like the MDR. We will order stuff we have never had before with the thought in the back of our minds, we can always get something esle "at no additional charge."

[Pushka]

We upgraded along the same lines. It does not make econimical sense for us to upgrade, but we did not want the hassle. Also, we decided that we would make the drinking part of the adventure. We are going to try drinks we have never had before. This way if we do not like it, we can order something else. If I am paying for a $15 drink, I feel obligated to drink every drop even if I don't like it. So, for us, the premium package is like the MDR. We will order stuff we have never had before with the thought in the back of our minds, we can always get something esle "at no additional charge."

 

 

Yes, I never thought about selecting drinks you might not normally try and end up disliking - or loving it. No risk.

[kevinyork]

Why do I have a niggling suspicion that although the new 'Select' package is currently offered with just Oceanview cabins that in the near future Celebrity will move the boundaries and Balconys will be offered with the Select package.

 

 

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[roygg]

Why do I have a niggling suspicion that although the new 'Select' package is currently offered with just Oceanview cabins that in the near future Celebrity will move the boundaries and Balconys will be offered with the Select package.

 

 

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Similar thought, why does Concierge not get the premium package ? Since there is certainly a "premium" for the cabin !

[Mynki]

Similar thought, why does Concierge not get the premium package ? Since there is certainly a "premium" for the cabin !

 

Most of the perks for CC class are really only fluff. I agree there is certainly a premium for CC class cabins due to their location, but in terms of luxury I suspect Celebrity are making a clear distinction between suite / AQ and CC. Just my 2 pence anyway.

 

I note that the three tier drinks packages only appear on selected cruises for 2015 and 2016 and are only offered on bookings made between 02/06/15 and 30/06/15. I suspect they're testing this out to see how well received it is with a view to extending globally if successful?

[greydog]

We upgraded along the same lines. It does not make econimical sense for us to upgrade, but we did not want the hassle. Also, we decided that we would make the drinking part of the adventure. We are going to try drinks we have never had before. This way if we do not like it, we can order something else. If I am paying for a $15 drink, I feel obligated to drink every drop even if I don't like it. So, for us, the premium package is like the MDR. We will order stuff we have never had before with the thought in the back of our minds, we can always get something esle "at no additional charge."

 

I agree about premium pkg providing freedom to experiment with cocktail types. Please be aware that you should wait at least 10? minutes before next order on same card.

 

I have seen reports on this board that computer software screens for 'abuse' of drink's pkgs, e.g symptoms of sharing drinks with others. Examples would include, under either pkg, a drink ordered under pkg and another drink on same card within a couple minutes from a different bar. HAPPY CRUISING

[denatravels]

I agree about premium pkg providing freedom to experiment with cocktail types. Please be aware that you should wait at least 10? minutes before next order on same card.

 

 

 

I have seen reports on this board that computer software screens for 'abuse' of drink's pkgs, e.g symptoms of sharing drinks with others. Examples would include, under either pkg, a drink ordered under pkg and another drink on same card within a couple minutes from a different bar. HAPPY CRUISING

 

 

I think if you taste it at the bar, this issue may be eliminated, since the bartender is there. If you leave the original drink on the bar, I don't think they can claim you were sharing it.

[greydog]

I think if you taste it at the bar, this issue may be eliminated, since the bartender is there. If you leave the original drink on the bar, I don't think they can claim you were sharing it.

 

I'll bet they would take a dim view of multiple trial unfinished sampling of drinks even in front of a bartender. Please report back on your experiment. Good Luck

[denatravels]

I'll bet they would take a dim view of multiple trial unfinished sampling of drinks even in front of a bartender. Please report back on your experiment. Good Luck

 

 

I never said multiple drinks. I wouldn't recommend ordering six drinks and leaving them on the bar. But 1-- yes-- I've done it and I had no problem at all. There was also SO much wind during my last cruise that there were a lot of drinks that people lost if they let go of them. Never had an issue or saw an issue with someone else.

[villauk]

Why do I have a niggling suspicion that although the new 'Select' package is currently offered with just Oceanview cabins that in the near future Celebrity will move the boundaries and Balconys will be offered with the Select package.

 

 

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Exact same feeling - no speciality coffees/teas included until you pay for those higher priced cabins ;). Wait for it: Our customers asked for more choice, so we've answered :rolleyes:. Warning to those UK pax booking during this offer - if there's a question on the post cruise survey relating to 'did you enjoy your included select beverage package?', please reply that it wasn't as good as the classic :p.

Edited June 6, 2015 by villauk

[Evangaline]

You can get martinis made with any of the classic brands, except at the Martini Bar. NONE of the drinks at the Martini bar are in the classic because they are all BIGGER drinks.

 

You can get a martini (with the classic package) at any other bar on the ship.

 

You can get the small size martinis at the Martini Bar. We did it many times on the Summit last fall.

[Bery]

On 5-10-15 Summit to Bermuda, we were denied Classic (smaller) Martinis at the Martini Bar. Bartender said he could serve us Beefeaters on the rocks but the Martini bar did not have "the smaller Martini glasses". He directed us to get our Martinis at the Casino bar and we did. We carried our cocktails to the seating across from the Martini bar. This was a first for us. We have sailed the Summit every May and have always had waiter service for our Classic Martinis at this venue until this year.

[kevinyork]

On 5-10-15 Summit to Bermuda, we were denied Classic (smaller) Martinis at the Martini Bar. Bartender said he could serve us Beefeaters on the rocks but the Martini bar did not have "the smaller Martini glasses". He directed us to get our Martinis at the Casino bar and we did. We carried our cocktails to the seating across from the Martini bar. This was a first for us. We have sailed the Summit every May and have always had waiter service for our Classic Martinis at this venue until this year.

 

 

Oh these inconsistencies really irritate me.

 

 

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[Evangaline]

On 5-10-15 Summit to Bermuda, we were denied Classic (smaller) Martinis at the Martini Bar. Bartender said he could serve us Beefeaters on the rocks but the Martini bar did not have "the smaller Martini glasses". He directed us to get our Martinis at the Casino bar and we did. We carried our cocktails to the seating across from the Martini bar. This was a first for us. We have sailed the Summit every May and have always had waiter service for our Classic Martinis at this venue until this year.

 

wow. That is truly silly. So at some point between November 2014 and May of 2015 some nitwit decided to take all the small martini glasses out of the Martini Bar because....now let me think, said nitwit thought once in the casino we would not be able to control ourselves and would start emptying our pockets into the slot machines or... we will pay for the premium drink package.

 

You know what? I am so sick of this stuff from cruise lines. I'm really on the verge of giving up cruising. There are a lot of vacation options out there. This really ruins the Martini Bar. I WILL NOT get give into these slippery tactics and buy a premium package. Quite frankly, the entertainment on these M-class ships is pretty marginal and the Martini Bar is one thing we liked to do. After this upcoming cruise, I think I am done with Celebrity.