Why purchase Drink Package if.....

[GUT2407]

GUT2407 was mapping out his drinking day in $AUS where drink prices are higher as I believe they build in rather than add on the 15% gratuity:

 

 

Thanks Fishywood

 

Yes I was using Aus Prices, but not my drinking day just a moderate example, I stick to the soda now and get great value even before I toss in the odd mocktail and shake.

 

The real issue is will a person drink enough to get value and that you don't need to be a booze hound to get value, but everyone needs to do the sums for themself and it comes down to will you spend more than the package costs.

 

There is also the fixed cost and convenience factors.

[Bethwte]

You're thinking is not unsound. The AIBP is merely a great convenience, (but unless you have deep pockets AND are quite at home quaffing 5-7 drinks daily), not a great value. Pay as you go. Your pocketbook and liver will thank you.

 

It really depends, especially re: the liver thing. I never do the fancy chocolate or espresso martini things at home, but on a cruise I figure hey, why not. With my favorite only having a splash of Irish creme and creme de menthe in it, it's not really all that alcoholic. It's very easy to knock those types back without feeling it.

 

My thighs however, probably aren't too happy with me! lol

[easyboy]

GUT2407 was mapping out his drinking day in $AUS where drink prices are higher as I believe they build in rather than add on the 15% gratuity:

Thanks for clarifying. I initially thought it was in US$.

[GUT2407]

Thanks for clarifying. I initially thought it was in US$.

 

 

My fault sorry, I didn't think to change to US$

[caribill]

Your $14 cocktails will not fit within the AIBP - need to be $10 or less per drink - that will work for 90% of all drinks on Princes

 

Poster is from Australia and on the Australia based ships they use Australia $$ and the pricing and limit is higher than the US $10 on the non Australian based ships. I am not sure if it is Australia $14, but that sounds about right.

 

Of course the price of the package on those ships in Australia $$$ is higher than US $56/day.

Edited April 9, 2016 by caribill

[Notquite50]

Thanks again! I think we will purchase the pkg. I seems from everyones comments that it really is quite easy to reach the max $$ needed to break even each day. Or goal is to make this trip as easy as possible so I think this is the choice for us :-)

[crochetcruise]

We always get the drink package, we do not drink nearly as heavily as what you've suggested, and I think we at least break even.

 

Look at this alternative to yours, which is much easier on the liver;):

 

2 coffees at cafe $6

Fresh squeezed OJ $3

Bottle of water to take on excursion $3

1 Glass of wine with lunch $8

Afternoon coffee $3

2 bottles of soda $5

Pre-dinner cocktail $14

1 glass of wine with diner $8

Cocktail watching show $14

Specialty tea before bed $3

Bottle of water for beside bed overnight $3

 

That's $70. Without the lunch wine, you're still at $62 and way ahead. ;)We drink lots of cappuccinos, lots of water (we'll each drink 2 on an excursion that involves much walking), and not an inordinate amount of alcohol. I think what lots of people overlook is the cost of sodas, waters, and coffees. You don't have to be a big alcohol drinker to make this package at least a break even proposition. :cool:If you're a teetotaler or you're satisfied with tap water and the standard coffees and teas, you should not get it. Otherwise you might want to run the numbers on what you're actually going to get.

 

THANK YOU! With your post and Gut's, I have been able to work out that the Soda and More Package, and calculating 1 full price and 1 $1 drink at Happy Hour in the morning, a Cocktail at the PES function, a Cocktail with Dinner-plan 8.30 pm dining, I have Anytime Dining, and 1 full price and 1 $1 drink at Happy Hour in the evening, I need to organise On Board Credit for 12 Cocktail-over 3 nights with Mocktails and Sodas in between. It could easily happen that I find I don't tolerate alcohol very well, my preferred choice isn't available, although Vodka is-I like Crème de Menthe, a liqueur based on Vodka. That's the guesstimated consumption, but if I don't feel ok, I'm sticking to Mocktails and Sodas!

 

Thanks to another Cruise Critic poster, who posted the "Northern Winter" schedule for Australia based cruises, I now have my next cruise selected. I want the 6 night Melbourne-Adelaide-Port Lincoln, Kangaroo Island-Melbourne cruise. Will pick the TA's brains re access at Adelaide, so I have the option of the 4 night if my budget won't co-operate! The TA's already told me, "Once you're SURE you want to cruise again, buy a Future Cruise Deposit aboard, and also BOOK YOU CRUISE and ask for the booking to be transferred to me. I promptly said, "I'd better take your card with me," and she promised I'd have several in my Documents Pack.

 

If I find out on the Friday the combination of a Cocktail for Sailaway; a Pre-Dinner Cocktail, 1 with my Dinner and a Nightcap and refill at the Happy Hour is too much, I will slow my consumption. I could cut the Pre-Dinner and 2nd Nightcap without too much concern, just keep a record of what I've tried-noting Likes or Dislikes. There's sure enough variety to choose from.

 

My balance is also a possible limiting factor, I daren't risk ruining my cruise by stupidly getting tipsy and having a fall. Sodas and Mocktails should do no more damage than a visit to the Ladies Room at more frequent intervals-a sneaky way to get me exploring the ship too!

 

Must get in on the Princess website, and see if I can locate tours for Port Lincoln and Kangaroo Island, found the Adelaide tour the other day.

[land lover]

I have had the UKP on many cruises.....and they just look at my card with its sticker and give me my request with AIDP what do they do?

[millie-may]

Gelato is not included on the Regal anymore. Just got off on Sunday and had to pay for it :(

 

Hi, are Princess still doing the silver and gold wine packages. They were up to 7 bottles varying in price depending on quality of wine. I am on the Regal in August/September and usually buy one.

Did you have a good cruise. Any tips? This will be our first time on the Regal. Thanks

[Marisawrite]

Thanks again! I think we will purchase the pkg. I seems from everyones comments that it really is quite easy to reach the max $$ needed to break even each day.

 

I don't think it would be easy for everyone, it depends so much on your drinking habits which is why you need to add it up.

 

We're from Sydney where we're big coffee drinkers, but we have a particular taste in coffee - it's highly unlikely we'll find the Princess coffee drinkable so that's off the menu. Neither of us likes sugary sodas and I avoid aspartame-sweetened drinks.

 

We've only been on one cruise with Royal Caribbean, and we always had a couple of free fruit juices at breakfast and took one back to the cabin, so that gave us a headstart in keeping hydrated. Each day there was a half-price cocktail or a two-for-one deal at happy hour, that we could have for pre-dinner drinks. We were happy to drink the ship's water, or buy water when we were in port. So our main drinks expenditure was one or two wines with dinner, and maybe a drink in the evening during the entertainment.

 

If we bought the drinks package we probably could drink a lot more to get our money's worth, but I can't see how that would be good for our health!

[Marisawrite]

Hi, are Princess still doing the silver and gold wine packages. They were up to 7 bottles varying in price depending on quality of wine. I am on the Regal in August/September and usually buy one.

 

I would love to know that too! I was assuming Princess didn't have any wine packages since they're not mentioned as a Beverage Package that you can pre-purchase. If it's available, I wonder why they don't let you buy it ahead of time?

[Pushka]

One thing we enjoyed about the package (on Celebrity) was that we could try different wines/cocktails we would not try at home, and if we did not enjoy them, then we could try another.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums mobile app

[Alaskan Joe]

Here is my initial rev of a beverage package evaluator - if you see items that are incorrect/missing, please let me know so I can improve this spreadsheet. All of the soda/water/juice prices are estimates for now, I can't seem to find current actual prices. Hope this is useful!

Attached Files Princess Beverage Package Evaluator rev0 posted 5-7-2014.xls (67.5 KB, 16387 views)

 

This is from another thread on CC I am not sure if the prices are the same?? This looks like it was made 2 yrs ago. Just plug in what you might drink a day and the spreadsheet will tell you 'Yes or No'

 

As for my wife and I, its a no brainer for her because she drinks the $7+ fruity drinks and wines. Now as for me it going to be close with alcohol because I just drink beers (once in a blue moon a fruity drink) but then you get unlimited soda, coffee,+ so I probably will go for it. The best part about Princess is that if my wife gets it I do not have too. As for Carnival anyone in the cabin that is over 21yrs of age has to get it if one person does:mad: total rip off because some people just do not drink.

[easyboy]

Here is my initial rev of a beverage package evaluator - if you see items that are incorrect/missing, please let me know so I can improve this spreadsheet. All of the soda/water/juice prices are estimates for now, I can't seem to find current actual prices. Hope this is useful!

Attached Files Princess Beverage Package Evaluator rev0 posted 5-7-2014.xls (67.5 KB, 16387 views)

 

Thanks.

[OzKiwiJJ]

Poster is from Australia and on the Australia based ships they use Australia $$ and the pricing and limit is higher than the US $10 on the non Australian based ships. I am not sure if it is Australia $14, but that sounds about right.

 

Of course the price of the package on those ships in Australia $$$ is higher than US $56/day.

 

That depends on the exchange rate of the day. :D The Australian package is AU $59 for AUD currency cruises which, at todays exchange rate, is US $43.63. And the AU $59 is inclusive of grats. Cocktails on AUD cruises are AU $14.

 

On our recent Golden cruise, which was a USD cruise, we were able to buy the AIBP for AU $61.99 (US $45.84 today) and the cocktails were US $10 grats included.

 

We typically have:

freshly squeezed orange juice,

espresso coffees,

a couple of glasses of wine (or DH has a couple of beers) with lunch when onboard,

a cocktail (or two) before dinner,

three glasses of wine with dinner,

sometimes a liqueur after dinner,

plus lots of bottled water.

 

We feel we get good value for money. It also gives a 40% discount on bottled wine, and we did take advantage of that a couple of times to get premium wines to go with our meal.

[OzKiwiJJ]

I would love to know that too! I was assuming Princess didn't have any wine packages since they're not mentioned as a Beverage Package that you can pre-purchase. If it's available, I wonder why they don't let you buy it ahead of time?

 

They didn't when they first brought out the package but it is available to pre-purchase now. However the Princess website usually screws up the pricing as it assumes it's a USD price and adds gratuities and/or tries to convert it to AUD or something.

 

My next cruise shows it for AU $73.75 but I'm certain I will be able to buy it onboard for AU $59. Apparently they do refund the difference in the end though. It only takes a minute or two to buy onboard so we'll wait until we board. If you want to prepay, just buy OBC - but ring Princess to do so because I think the website is showing a wrong price for that too. It's showing AU $125 for what is presumably US $100 and I guess they reconvert it back to AUD - who knows what you'll end up with - AU $125 or US $100 converted back to AU at the current exchange rate.

Edited May 6, 2016 by OzKiwiJJ

[Lucky TGO]

Here is my initial rev of a beverage package evaluator - if you see items that are incorrect/missing, please let me know so I can improve this spreadsheet. All of the soda/water/juice prices are estimates for now, I can't seem to find current actual prices. Hope this is useful!

Attached Files Princess Beverage Package Evaluator rev0 posted 5-7-2014.xls (67.5 KB, 16387 views)

 

This is from another thread on CC I am not sure if the prices are the same?? This looks like it was made 2 yrs ago. Just plug in what you might drink a day and the spreadsheet will tell you 'Yes or No'

 

As for my wife and I, its a no brainer for her because she drinks the $7+ fruity drinks and wines. Now as for me it going to be close with alcohol because I just drink beers (once in a blue moon a fruity drink) but then you get unlimited soda, coffee,+ so I probably will go for it. The best part about Princess is that if my wife gets it I do not have too. As for Carnival anyone in the cabin that is over 21yrs of age has to get it if one person does:mad: total rip off because some people just do not drink.

 

That package evaluator is pretty good. Thank you, Joe

Tony

[easyboy]

That depends on the exchange rate of the day. :D The Australian package is AU $59 for AUD currency cruises which, at todays exchange rate, is US $43.63. And the AU $59 is inclusive of grats. Cocktails on AUD cruises are AU $14.

 

On our recent Golden cruise, which was a USD cruise, we were able to buy the AIBP for AU $61.99 (US $45.84 today) and the cocktails were US $10 grats included.

That pricing difference is significant!!

[Marisawrite]

They didn't when they first brought out the package but it is available to pre-purchase now. However the Princess website usually screws up the pricing as it assumes it's a USD price and adds gratuities and/or tries to convert it to AUD or something.

 

My next cruise shows it for AU $73.75 but I'm certain I will be able to buy it onboard for AU $59.

 

Are you talking about the wines package? I'm beginning to think it must be on Australian cruises only then, because I definitely can't see it listed on the main Princess website anywhere. There's a "Wine Cellars" section but it just lists individual wines.

 

We're off to the Baltic this time

[crochetcruise]

They didn't when they first brought out the package but it is available to pre-purchase now. However the Princess website usually screws up the pricing as it assumes it's a USD price and adds gratuities and/or tries to convert it to AUD or something.

 

My next cruise shows it for AU $73.75 but I'm certain I will be able to buy it onboard for AU $59. Apparently they do refund the difference in the end though. It only takes a minute or two to buy onboard so we'll wait until we board. If you want to prepay, just buy OBC - but ring Princess to do so because I think the website is showing a wrong price for that too. It's showing AU $125 for what is presumably US $100 and I guess they reconvert it back to AUD - who knows what you'll end up with - AU $125 or US $100 converted back to AU at the current exchange rate.

 

That price of USD$100 costing AUD$125 is correct, my Cruise Personalizer is showing that price for both On Board and Casino Credits. I'm within 10 weeks of making my final Cruise Fare Payment, then will concentrate on On Board Credit; Casino Credit; Welcome Aboard Photo Package; Culinary Delights and Soda and More Package-will probably buy this aboard, have read it may be cheaper, and it's an excuse to explore the ship anyway! :D

[OzKiwiJJ]

Are you talking about the wines package? I'm beginning to think it must be on Australian cruises only then, because I definitely can't see it listed on the main Princess website anywhere. There's a "Wine Cellars" section but it just lists individual wines.

 

We're off to the Baltic this time

 

No, the All Inclusive Beverage Package. It's listed on this page of the Princess website. http://www.princess.com/ships-and-experience/food-and-dining/beverages/ Click on View Packages and Details.

 

There are two AIBP prices - one for USD cruises and one for Australian cruises.

[nbsjcruiser]

Why would someone purchase a drink package if instead money can be placed in an OBC account. Am I missing something??? Maybe I don't understand, but from reading the posts here on CC, I am under the impression that I can gift myself OBC and then use that money for the spa, alcoholic drinks, soda, water, etc. and then whatever I don't use will be refunded to me.

Am I right? Because I've been trying to justify the cost of the drink package and from my calculations we need to drink about 7 drinks a day ( YIKES! Will I even remember the cruise:D) not to mention the days we are off the boat not drinking anything until the evening. We definitely want to just enjoy ourselves and not nickel and dime decisions we make while on board - so if a drink package is a better decision please let me know. Thanks in advance!

 

If you don't drink a lot then the drink package is not worth purchasing. Neither DW or I drink that much so its something we pass on.

[Monroe1955]

we booked a 20 day Caribbean Cruise in October this year and got the All Inclusive Beverage package for free...The cost for a 20 day was 1127.00 per person...The price of the cruise was in line with other sailings, there are 6 of us going, I felt like if we would have to pay for this we would not have gotten the package, so looking forward to trying drinks we normaly would not try...SAIL ON...

[cowgrrl]

We didn't buy the All-Inclusive but we always buy the Beverage & more package for our kids when we cruise. It may not be the best deal AFA what they drink every day but it allows us to lock their cards so they can't purchase anything but they can still go get drinks with their Teen Club friends.

[GUT2407]

You're right, around six to eight drinks a day to break even.

 

So you need to think about what you are likely to drink.