papaflamingo Posted February 4, 2016 #101 Share Posted February 4, 2016 Lots of interesting comments. I, too, hate the huge increase in drink prices. One of the things that I used to tell people about cruising was that the drinks were fairly cheap when compared to a resort or hotel. Not anymore. But, luckily for me, I am a lot older and just don't drink that much anymore. And being D+ I get free drinks during happy hour, so I hardly buy any drinks anymore. So...no package for me. So some thoughts. For all those who think RCCL is "ripping" you off. Go on another cruise line. No, you aren't a "captive" audience. You chose the cruise and paid for it willingly. And why? Well, cruise prices, although rising as the economy gets better, are still quite low as compared to when I began cruising in 1998, and the ships offer so much more. BUT the Cruise line still needs to profit. So they make it up in drinks, specialty dining, etc. Some see this as "nickel and diming," but others see it as the ability to pay for what they want to do and not for what they don't want to use. For those who think they'd be better off in an all inclusive cruise, then look at it this way. If you buy the drink package, your cruise IS all inclusive (except specialty dining and shore tours). So would you prefer that RCCL raises the price of every cabin by $60 per day and make drinks free? Not me. My last cruise was a 10 night. We bought a total of 3 drinks and a 7 bottle wine package. So I DON'T want the prices to go up the amount of a drink package. Anyway, one more comment. Yes $12 is ridiculous for a drink. And yes, you can go to your local Mexican restaurant and get a Margarita for $6-$8. But do you get a free show? do you get free transportation to a Caribbean Island? Do you get a free dinner with that Margarita? No. So if you say you can get a drink cheaper at your local watering hole, no doubt. But you don't get anything else with it. Plus as you go to nicer and nicer restaurants, the cost of drinks and wine goes up exponentially. I know, RCCL dining isn't as "good." True. But the cost of booze doesn't go up for the restaurant just because they serve better food. But the cost of doing business does. So they need to pay for those executive chefs, top ingredients, etc. So they charge more. Just like the cruise line. Gotta make money somehow. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IndyKid Posted February 4, 2016 #102 Share Posted February 4, 2016 I'm always curious about why these drink price threads get people so cranked up. They way I see it, you fit into one of 3 groups: You don't drink much alcohol (or even none at all) on a cruise so prices don't matter You drink lots on a cruise so the package is a reasonable (and maybe even a good) deal You drink a little bit but not enough to justify the package. Group 3 is the only group that should really care about the prices and given the relatively few drinks that they would have throughout the cruise, they may pay an extra $50(??) in drinks for the week from higher prices. As someone else noted, factor this into the cost of the cruise, order drinks when you're thirsty, and enjoy your cruise! I don't drink much on a day to day basis, coffee and soft drinks and a beer once in a while. But get me to a wedding reception or a holiday party and it's no holds barred! I got the premium package for me and the wife for our upcoming trip on the Allure. Not cheap, mind you, but I look at it this way: It's vacation, I've worked hard and put in the long hours, so I deserve it. I can drink all I care to and not worry about having to drive home, so long as I can remember where my cabin is:D So, Bartender, hit me again! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tbill Posted February 4, 2016 #103 Share Posted February 4, 2016 The drink prices are over the top, IMO. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Cruise Junky Posted February 4, 2016 #104 Share Posted February 4, 2016 I'm always curious about why these drink price threads get people so cranked up. They way I see it, you fit into one of 3 groups: You don't drink much alcohol (or even none at all) on a cruise so prices don't matter You drink lots on a cruise so the package is a reasonable (and maybe even a good) deal You drink a little bit but not enough to justify the package. Group 3 is the only group that should really care about the prices and given the relatively few drinks that they would have throughout the cruise, they may pay an extra $50(??) in drinks for the week from higher prices. As someone else noted, factor this into the cost of the cruise, order drinks when you're thirsty, and enjoy your cruise! You need to add a 4th group. Canadians that are looking at longer cruises than 7 days. Just add 40% to all of your prices and times it by 12 or 14 days. :eek::eek: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grandgeezer Posted February 4, 2016 #105 Share Posted February 4, 2016 Lots of interesting comments. I, too, hate the huge increase in drink prices. One of the things that I used to tell people about cruising was that the drinks were fairly cheap when compared to a resort or hotel. Not anymore. But, luckily for me, I am a lot older and just don't drink that much anymore. And being D+ I get free drinks during happy hour, so I hardly buy any drinks anymore. So...no package for me. So some thoughts. For all those who think RCCL is "ripping" you off. Go on another cruise line. No, you aren't a "captive" audience. You chose the cruise and paid for it willingly. And why? Well, cruise prices, although rising as the economy gets better, are still quite low as compared to when I began cruising in 1998, and the ships offer so much more. BUT the Cruise line still needs to profit. So they make it up in drinks, specialty dining, etc. Some see this as "nickel and diming," but others see it as the ability to pay for what they want to do and not for what they don't want to use. For those who think they'd be better off in an all inclusive cruise, then look at it this way. If you buy the drink package, your cruise IS all inclusive (except specialty dining and shore tours). So would you prefer that RCCL raises the price of every cabin by $60 per day and make drinks free? Not me. My last cruise was a 10 night. We bought a total of 3 drinks and a 7 bottle wine package. So I DON'T want the prices to go up the amount of a drink package. Anyway, one more comment. Yes $12 is ridiculous for a drink. And yes, you can go to your local Mexican restaurant and get a Margarita for $6-$8. But do you get a free show? do you get free transportation to a Caribbean Island? Do you get a free dinner with that Margarita? No. So if you say you can get a drink cheaper at your local watering hole, no doubt. But you don't get anything else with it. Plus as you go to nicer and nicer restaurants, the cost of drinks and wine goes up exponentially. I know, RCCL dining isn't as "good." True. But the cost of booze doesn't go up for the restaurant just because they serve better food. But the cost of doing business does. So they need to pay for those executive chefs, top ingredients, etc. So they charge more. Just like the cruise line. Gotta make money somehow. You are not getting a free show or transportation, that's built in to the cost of the cruise. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare John&LaLa Posted February 4, 2016 #106 Share Posted February 4, 2016 You need to add a 4th group. Canadians that are looking at longer cruises than 7 days. Just add 40% to all of your prices and times it by 12 or 14 days. :eek::eek: I'm not certain, but don't Australians have it just as bad Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mark290 Posted February 4, 2016 #107 Share Posted February 4, 2016 Lots of interesting comments. I, too, hate the huge increase in drink prices. One of the things that I used to tell people about cruising was that the drinks were fairly cheap when compared to a resort or hotel. Not anymore. But, luckily for me, I am a lot older and just don't drink that much anymore. And being D+ I get free drinks during happy hour, so I hardly buy any drinks anymore. So...no package for me. So some thoughts. For all those who think RCCL is "ripping" you off. Go on another cruise line. No, you aren't a "captive" audience. You chose the cruise and paid for it willingly. And why? Well, cruise prices, although rising as the economy gets better, are still quite low as compared to when I began cruising in 1998, and the ships offer so much more. BUT the Cruise line still needs to profit. So they make it up in drinks, specialty dining, etc. Some see this as "nickel and diming," but others see it as the ability to pay for what they want to do and not for what they don't want to use. For those who think they'd be better off in an all inclusive cruise, then look at it this way. If you buy the drink package, your cruise IS all inclusive (except specialty dining and shore tours). So would you prefer that RCCL raises the price of every cabin by $60 per day and make drinks free? Not me. My last cruise was a 10 night. We bought a total of 3 drinks and a 7 bottle wine package. So I DON'T want the prices to go up the amount of a drink package. Anyway, one more comment. Yes $12 is ridiculous for a drink. And yes, you can go to your local Mexican restaurant and get a Margarita for $6-$8. But do you get a free show? do you get free transportation to a Caribbean Island? Do you get a free dinner with that Margarita? No. So if you say you can get a drink cheaper at your local watering hole, no doubt. But you don't get anything else with it. Plus as you go to nicer and nicer restaurants, the cost of drinks and wine goes up exponentially. I know, RCCL dining isn't as "good." True. But the cost of booze doesn't go up for the restaurant just because they serve better food. But the cost of doing business does. So they need to pay for those executive chefs, top ingredients, etc. So they charge more. Just like the cruise line. Gotta make money somehow. The shows, transportation and dinner are not free on a cruise. They are included in the price to board. If the Mexican restaurant you used as an example charged a $1500 cover charge the analogy with be more accurate. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Cruise Junky Posted February 4, 2016 #108 Share Posted February 4, 2016 I'm not certain, but don't Australians have it just as bad Yep...we're about par with the Australian dollar now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Cruise Junky Posted February 4, 2016 #109 Share Posted February 4, 2016 But to add on to what I said above Australians have some options. There are some of the major cruise lines that sell and have onboard spending in Australian $$ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cabansail Posted February 4, 2016 #110 Share Posted February 4, 2016 I think that RCI is encouraging overconsuption and missing out on the revenue it could make from drinks. Those who do not drink much will not take a package and the high individual prices will reduce their modest purchases, quite a few to zero. Not much profit here. The big drinkers will get a package but they will get the value from it, thus reducing the unit price. The high prices tempts some to break the rules (sharing packages and smuggling) and while that is not honest it does occur. This reduces the profits again. A better model would be one that facilitates a safe level of alcohol consumption but discourages over consumption, or at least makes those that drink a lot pay for it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gkbiiii Posted February 4, 2016 #111 Share Posted February 4, 2016 With the MSC Status Match I am a Black Card/C&R Diamond: thus having a second cruise with MSC is sounding like a good deal. Their drink prices are MUCH more reasonable than RCCL's and MSC does have attractive ships. When the new Seaside comes to Miami, it will be a game changer! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big_G Posted February 4, 2016 #112 Share Posted February 4, 2016 I think that RCI is encouraging overconsuption and missing out on the revenue it could make from drinks. Those who do not drink much will not take a package and the high individual prices will reduce their modest purchases, quite a few to zero. Not much profit here. The big drinkers will get a package but they will get the value from it, thus reducing the unit price. The high prices tempts some to break the rules (sharing packages and smuggling) and while that is not honest it does occur. This reduces the profits again. A better model would be one that facilitates a safe level of alcohol consumption but discourages over consumption, or at least makes those that drink a lot pay for it. After one cruise you're an expert on cruise ship alcohol consumption? :confused: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare bobmacliberty Posted February 5, 2016 #113 Share Posted February 5, 2016 I think that RCI is encouraging overconsuption and missing out on the revenue it could make from drinks. I'm pretty sure that RCI knows MUCH better than we do how to maximize their revenue from drinks. Any business of any size that has at least one Business School grad understands price elasticity. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cabansail Posted February 5, 2016 #114 Share Posted February 5, 2016 After one cruise you're an expert on cruise ship alcohol consumption? :confused: I saw enough. Others on board who sailed regularly said it's usually a lot worse. Would not like to be on one like that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big_G Posted February 5, 2016 #115 Share Posted February 5, 2016 I saw enough. Others on board who sailed regularly said it's usually a lot worse. Would not like to be on one like that. One cruise is anecdotal. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cabansail Posted February 5, 2016 #116 Share Posted February 5, 2016 One cruise is anecdotal. How many cruises do I need to go on to confirm it? It was nice enough as a holiday but there are many other options out there. Many things I did like. Being in close proximity to a high proportion of drunks is something that put me off. Examining the way alcohol is promoted shows that this is actually encouraged. If I came across another bargain I may be tempted to do it again but they are probably rare. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare John&LaLa Posted February 5, 2016 #117 Share Posted February 5, 2016 How many cruises do I need to go on to confirm it? It was nice enough as a holiday but there are many other options out there. Many things I did like. Being in close proximity to a high proportion of drunks is something that put me off. Examining the way alcohol is promoted shows that this is actually encouraged. If I came across another bargain I may be tempted to do it again but they are probably rare. Maybe a cruise out of the US, the Caribbean is quite lovely this time of year Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cabansail Posted February 5, 2016 #118 Share Posted February 5, 2016 Maybe a cruise out of the US, the Caribbean is quite lovely this time of year I am sure it is. The US is not really on my list of places I want to visit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Goodtime Cruizin Posted February 5, 2016 #119 Share Posted February 5, 2016 Cruises are a good lifestyle for alcoholics and the Packages suit them well. Personally I have a problem with the fact that the packages encourage you to drink every day and at quite a high level to justify the prices. We decided to just take the two bottles of wine and buy drinks if we wanted them. We never actually wanted any at the inflated prices, so the account was empty. Did not miss it at all. If the prices were reasonable we may have had the occasional drink. Did meet quite a few people who could not survive without drinking. Lots of drunks in the lifts sharing their boozy breath with all around. The amount of alcohol abuse is what puts me off going on another cruise. Then that's your problem. Either learn to take the stairs or as you say, stop cruising. Your post is out of line. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cabansail Posted February 5, 2016 #120 Share Posted February 5, 2016 Your post is out of line. How is it out of line? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Goodtime Cruizin Posted February 5, 2016 #121 Share Posted February 5, 2016 How is it out of line? Please be careful when taking the stairs, don't trip & fall. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garnetpalmetto Posted February 5, 2016 #122 Share Posted February 5, 2016 I am sure it is. The US is not really on my list of places I want to visit. Why thank you. Your post has helped me remove Australia from my list of places I'd like to visit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cabansail Posted February 5, 2016 #123 Share Posted February 5, 2016 Please be careful when taking the stairs, don't trip & fall. Thanks for your advice and concern. A comment which is perfectly "in line" Why thank you. Your post has helped me remove Australia from my list of places I'd like to visit. Sounds like a good arrangement to me. It's not a nice place and you would not like it very much. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Fun Researcher Posted February 5, 2016 #124 Share Posted February 5, 2016 (edited) Cruises are a good lifestyle for alcoholics and the Packages suit them well. How is it out of line? It sounds like you are calling all of us who love cruises alcoholics. You didn't see that? Dan Edited February 5, 2016 by The Fun Researcher Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cabansail Posted February 5, 2016 #125 Share Posted February 5, 2016 It sounds like you are calling all of us who love cruises alcoholics. You didn't see that? Read it again. "Cruises are a good lifestyle for alcoholics" and I stand by that. I did not say that all who go cruising are alcoholics, as that is clearly not the case. The normalisation of high levels of alcohol consumption and the option of an almost unlimited supply for a single fee must be attractive to alcoholics. The excuse can be "I am just getting the value out of my package" etc. Maybe my comments have hit a raw nerve with some. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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