Do you buy a drink package, and why?

[Queen of Oakville]

We've been kind of spoiled with "included" drink packages on celebrity. it's nice drinking what you want and not seeing a bill.

 

BUT we are not big drinkers.

 

I felt compelled on the last cruise to get my money's worth - gained too much weight from all those yummy cocktails!

 

Hubby asked if I wanted to get drink packages for our Oasis cruise. I think for us, a la cart is the way to go. Hubby will get a soda card (or whatever they call it now). He'll get his money's worth out of that. A glass of wine or two at dinner for me doesn't justify the cost of a package.

[LizzieandLuke]

Hubby gets Premium and daughter gets soda - they both get their money's worth or close enough to it. I don't want my hubby counting pennies on vacation. I drink the wine I bring on board or treat myself to the drink of the day as that is all I need. My son only drinks milk and juice so he doesn't need it either. Thank God we don't all have to order the same package.

[Frankmac]

No problem getting drinks after midnight with the package..I can vouch for at least till 3am at the bars that are open the last nite...:D

 

Good to hear. :D:D

[GUT2407]

Does anyone know when the drinks package actually ends? Is it 12 midnight on the last night or can you continue using it into the early hours of, what in effect would be, the 8th day?

 

 

Have certainly used a soda package at breakfast last day.

[Dis]

if you wait to buy a drink package while on board, do they ever offer any special pricing?

[maggie11]

Remember though if you are in a suite and have access to a Suite Lounge, no need to buy beverage packages unless you want a drink wherever you are. We were never bothered by going up to the Suite Lounge for our drinks - complimentary beer, wine and champagne from 11 - 11 and mixed drinks added in from 5:30 - 8:30. Also, this is where I got my soft drinks. We still had the occassional frozen drink or cocktail of the day but boy did this cut our drink tab down.

[Clarea]

if you wait to buy a drink package while on board, do they ever offer any special pricing?

I've seen specials on drink packages on some sailings, but not all.

[American Bear]

No we don't for the following reasons,,,

We almost always take cruises that have more port days then sea days, which means less time for drinking.

We are members of the casino club and are D+ and the benefits of the D+ happy hour with the free drinks in the casino are more then enough for us.:D

[BND]

Remember though if you are in a suite and have access to a Suite Lounge, no need to buy beverage packages unless you want a drink wherever you are. We were never bothered by going up to the Suite Lounge for our drinks - complimentary beer, wine and champagne from 11 - 11 and mixed drinks added in from 5:30 - 8:30. Also, this is where I got my soft drinks. We still had the occassional frozen drink or cocktail of the day but boy did this cut our drink tab down.

 

What ship were you on? CL has the same happy hour times as the DL and it's certainly not 11-11.

[Clarea]

What ship were you on? CL has the same happy hour times as the DL and it's certainly not 11-11.

Souinds like the Suite Lounge (not the CL) on Oasis and Allure.

[BND]

Souinds like the Suite Lounge (not the CL) on Oasis and Allure.

 

Ah, okay, but the pp makes it sound like it's the CL, which is what most people think of with suites especially since the suite lounge is a new concept. Obviously, they haven't been in a suite on other ships. We had a JS on Allure. We have been in a GS on both EX and FR.

Edited June 25, 2015 by BND

[gaechann]

Replenish for me. Freshly squeezed orange juice, specialty coffees, cold bottled water on request and the occasional frozen cocktail. I really do make the most of this and easily spend more than the daily amount. I always keep a bottle of water by my bed and fill a large water bottle (takes more than one to fill it) for excursions. I get access to one of the lounges in the evening which takes care of my meagre alcohol needs :p

 

 

This works for me too whereas my friend has LOTS of drinks each day especially the many sea days we usually cruise to get anywhere here Down Under so the Ultimate Package works well for her as the first cruise she spent more than $2000 over 16 days!

[h20skibum]

Kind of surprising the spread on the responses. Everything grouped on both ends.

 

I couldn't imagine remembering much about the cruise if I had a 1000 to 2000 bar bill. I think my bar bill on the last cruise was less than 100, but most drinks were bought while ashore, or taking advantage of the free drinks.

[Paulette3028]

We don't buy a drink package. We are not soda drinkers at all, nor are we heavy alcohol drinkers. Since we are Diamond Level in C&A we have the lounge or 3 drink coupons to use at any bar during lounge hours. I do enjoy the latte machine in the DL so there is no need to buy a package for the specialty coffees.

 

If we want a drink during the day poolside or somewhere else, we just order it and pay for it. We can bring two bottles of wine on board and we do, to have in our cabin on our balcony during the cruise.

 

Buying a drink package just would make no financial sense for us.

[mlmbar]

Had premium package and it was well worth it. What I really liked was getting bottled water whenever I wanted it. I drink a lot of water especially in the sun. What I find offensive is people implying that you have to be a heavy drinker to get your money's worth. At the price of the drinks, it does not take many drinks and bottles of water to reach the daily price.

[mrobstad]

I just checked out the numerous packages. It's nice to have choices. I wish other lines would follow suit.

[Paulette3028]

Had premium package and it was well worth it. What I really liked was getting bottled water whenever I wanted it. I drink a lot of water especially in the sun. What I find offensive is people implying that you have to be a heavy drinker to get your money's worth. At the price of the drinks, it does not take many drinks and bottles of water to reach the daily price.

 

Don't be offended when people say you have to be a heavy drinker to get your money's worth.......I don't drink bottled water, either. I wish the cruise line would have water fountains where I could easily refill my personal water bottle, but of course that probably would 'cut into' their sales of beverage packages.

[BND]

For the majority of people it's really psychological. Those thinking it's nice not having to think about counting pennies, etc. probably are spending more than they would if they went ala carte, but RCI accomplished with them what they wanted to. For those that think they're not drinking a lot if they're breaking even on the package, really? Anything more than 8 drinks a week for woman and 14 a week for a man is considered heavy drinking by the CDC. That's not being offensive. It's just a fact. It's only offensive to those that want to think drinking 4-5 alcoholic drinks a day isn't unhealthy. I'm just the messenger lol :rolleyes:

 

There are plenty of people who proudly post they drink more than 4-5 alcoholic drinks a day so I'm not talking about those that buy packages for water and juice, but let's face it, most buy the ultimate and premium packages purely for the alcohol.

 

RCI did not create these packages for the customer's benefit. They created them for their bottom line period. It was purely a business decision.

 

I'm also not sure why the poll has both ala carte and I don't buy one when those are the same thing. So, we need to combine those for a true picture of those that don't buy packages, which was the question.

Edited June 27, 2015 by BND

[barbeyg]

No drink packages here. We will be sailing AK next, and on port days, simply won't have more than a glass of wine at dinner, if that. We don't do fancy coffee. Even with the high prices, we won't spend more than $200-250 on the entire cruise for beverages.

[h20skibum]

For the majority of people it's really psychological. Those thinking it's nice not having to think about counting pennies, etc. probably are spending more than they would if they went ala carte, but RCI accomplished with them what they wanted to. For those that think they're not drinking a lot if they're breaking even on the package, really? Anything more than 8 drinks a week for woman and 14 a week for a man is considered heavy drinking by the CDC. That's not being offensive. It's just a fact. It's only offensive to those that want to think drinking 4-5 alcoholic drinks a day isn't unhealthy. I'm just the messenger lol :rolleyes:

 

There are plenty of people who proudly post they drink more than 4-5 alcoholic drinks a day so I'm not talking about those that buy packages for water and juice, but let's face it, most buy the ultimate and premium packages purely for the alcohol.

 

RCI did not create these packages for the customer's benefit. They created them for their bottom line period. It was purely a business decision.

 

I'm also not sure why the poll has both ala carte and I don't buy one when those are the same thing. So, we need to combine those for a true picture of those that don't buy packages, which was the question.

 

Better break out the asbestos suit before the flames start.

 

I agree I could have worded the last two choices better. However, when I thought of the last one, it was intended for those that do not buy any drinks of any kind onboard. I have one SIL that is that way. And I could probably put DW in that category, since she always has me buy her drinks.:)

[CruisingLover]

With all the posts railing against the cost of drinks, will you buy a drink package. If so, which one, and why? If not, do you buy à la carte, or skip paid drinks all together?

 

The current costs are:

 

Ultimate $55 or $455 per person per week with grats.

Premium $49 or $405 per person per week with grats.

Select $35 or $289 per person per week with grats.

Replenish $19 or $157 per person per week with grats.

Refresh $6 or $50 per person per week with grats.

 

Do you know if they add gratuity to the Bottled Water Package?

[Clarea]

Do you know if they add gratuity to the Bottled Water Package?

Yes, gratuity is added to the bottled water package.

[CruisingLover]

Yes, gratuity is added to the bottled water package.

 

Thanks Bob!

[dhill]

With all the posts railing against the cost of drinks, will you buy a drink package. If so, which one, and why? If not, do you buy à la carte, or skip paid drinks all together?

 

The current costs are:

 

Ultimate $55 or $455 per person per week with grats.

Premium $49 or $405 per person per week with grats.

Select $35 or $289 per person per week with grats.

Replenish $19 or $157 per person per week with grats.

Refresh $6 or $50 per person per week with grats.

 

sure why not:)

[Desert Cruizers]

My husbands drinks beer while I seldom drink except for an occasional wine or Pina Colada so we buy the lower package and it has worked out best for him. Tried to talk him into the package on our first of 3 cruises last year but he declined until we showed him what he was spending. The last two cruises, he bought the package.