Are Beverage Packages Worth the Costs?

[LovescatsNC]

Cruising on Adventure of the Sea early December. Am considering a premium beverage package. Cost is almost $400 per person. is it worth the expense? Does it cover most alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages on the cruise?

We aren't BIG drinkers but a couple of cocktails plus wine with dinner. Do you need 2 packages? or will one package work?

[spookwife]

Packages are per person, period and cannot be shared. Break even point is 7-10 drinks per day.

 

 

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[Krazy Kruizers]

On HAL, we do not feel it is worth buying the drink packages as we are not big drinkers.

And HAL does require that each person over the age of 21 staying in the same cabin buy the package -- no sharing.

[Langley Cruisers]

Cost is almost $400 per person. is it worth the expense?... We aren't BIG drinkers but a couple of cocktails plus wine with dinner....

 

I think you've answered your own question. "Big" drinkers buy the package, occasional drinkers do not. As stated, there is a break-even point depending on what you are drinking. In my own personal opinion, I feel an alcohol package would cause me to drink more than I might normally do. If the break-even is 7 drinks a day, that can be a lot to accomplish, especially on a port day verses a sea day. I feel I would always have to have a drink in my hand to make sure I "got my money's worth". I know others don't feel this way, but I do.

 

Here is an interesting link comparing the prices of the packages with the individual drinks. I hope it helps.

 

http://www.cruisewithgambee.com/royal-caribbean-drink-package/

 

.

[paul929207]

For some these packages are a great deal. For others they are a waste of money. In the section for your cruise line, someone should have the cost of drinks. You can then calculate your costs

[LHT28]

depends on your definition of " not big drinkers"

 

;)

 

DH & I might have 1 drink a day sometimes 2 to me that is not a big drinker

Edited September 11, 2016 by LHT28

[6rugrats]

If one was an alcoholic, they're probably always a good deal. Most people, even on vacation, don't drink enough to make them a good financial value.

 

If you have a couple cocktails a day and wine, it wouldn't be worth it.

[MicCanberra]

I would suggest not, however, on most cruise lines you can purchase once on board, so go for a day and see if you come close to the daily cost. If so buy the package, if not, just keep putting it on your tab as you go.:D

Edited September 11, 2016 by MicCanberra

[broberts]

The fact that cruise lines are pushing beverage packages is a fairly good indication that they make more money from them than selling drinks à la carte. Which suggests that most people do not drink even the break even quantity.

 

On the other hand, some people find it more convenient. And for those pre-paying, a lower on-board bill.

 

One should factor in port days. Seven drinks on a sea day is one thing. Consuming same in half the time might be a challenge.

Edited September 11, 2016 by broberts

[GUT2407]

Depend on your drinking habits.

[MicCanberra]

The fact that cruise lines are pushing beverage packages is a fairly good indication that they make more money from them than selling drinks à la carte. Which suggests that most people do not drink even the break even quantity.

 

On the other hand, some people find it more convenient. And for those pre-paying, a lower on-board bill.

 

One should factor in port days. Seven drinks on a sea day is one thing. Consuming same in half the time might be a challenge.

 

Good point,

Also drinking heavily every day for a week or so will have consequences on more than just inebriation levels, liver damage and weight gain for a start.:eek:

[Langley Cruisers]

In the section for your cruise line, someone should have the cost of drinks. You can then calculate your costs

 

Yes, I gave a link in the post directly above yours. :)

[cb at sea]

Each package is PER PERSON...you can't "share". If that's all you drink, just buy your drinks "a la carte"....you don't need a package.

[navybankerteacher]

Good point,

Also drinking heavily every day for a week or so will have consequences on more than just inebriation levels, liver damage and weight gain for a start.:eek:

 

You also should consider the fact that you can be cut off if you appear to have exceeded your own limit. Think about a long port day - you get back on at 5:00 or 5:30 -- getting in your 7 or so "break-even" drinks might be tough to do - without showing sufficient signs to get cut off.

 

I suppose if I liked the notion of getting buzzed every day for a week or so I might be able to make the drink package "worth it" ---- but I have better things to do with my time (and my liver).

[Grandma Dazzles]

You might want to ask this question on the RC board for specifics on the Adventure

 

Agree with other posters that this question is very subjective. It really does depend on how much you choose to drink! A glass of wine will be $8-12 plus 18% gratuity. Mixed drinks around $10 and frozen drinks around $12, again plus 18% gratuity.

 

Also, do you plan on drinking specialty coffee, fresh squeezed OJ, soda, bottled water? Those items will probably be included in the package - in other words it's not just the alcoholic drinks that add up. Plan on how much you want to spend on non-alcoholic drinks.

 

There are plenty of free non-alcoholic drinks, but if you must have bottled water, soda, etc. you might be better off with a package.

[MicCanberra]

You might want to ask this question on the RC board for specifics on the Adventure

 

Agree with other posters that this question is very subjective. It really does depend on how much you choose to drink! A glass of wine will be $8-12 plus 18% gratuity. Mixed drinks around $10 and frozen drinks around $12, again plus 18% gratuity.

 

Also, do you plan on drinking specialty coffee, fresh squeezed OJ, soda, bottled water? Those items will probably be included in the package - in other words it's not just the alcoholic drinks that add up. Plan on how much you want to spend on non-alcoholic drinks.

 

There are plenty of free non-alcoholic drinks, but if you must have bottled water, soda, etc. you might be better off with a package.

 

Good points about the non-alcoholic drinks but they have packages for that as well. That may work out better for some people and they can just buy the one or two alcoholic drinks on top of it.

[4x4bob]

I told my Son that we have the drink package on our Cruise to Alaska next year.

 

He said Why? Don't you want to remember the Cruise?

 

We only have it because it was a perk for the Cruise.

 

Bob

[Grandma Dazzles]

Good points about the non-alcoholic drinks but they have packages for that as well. That may work out better for some people and they can just buy the one or two alcoholic drinks on top of it.

 

OP referred to RC premium package which includes fountain soda, bottled water, juice, etc. as well as alcoholic drinks, which was why I said they might be better off with a package. It is really something people need to think through, especially if they drink a lot of soda etc. in addition to the alcohol.

[MicCanberra]

OP referred to RC premium package which includes fountain soda, bottled water, juice, etc. as well as alcoholic drinks, which was why I said they might be better off with a package. It is really something people need to think through, especially if they drink a lot of soda etc. in addition to the alcohol.

 

Agreed. the packages work for some, but definitely not for all.

[Langley Cruisers]

There are many drinks on RCI which are included in the cruise fare; one can purchase a single can of soda for about $3.00, if desired.

[Sequim88]

We have a beverage package on our HAL Alaska cruise next June as part of a promotion. In theory we could have booked the cruise without it for $150 less pp so instead of $362 for 7nt for the package the "real" cost is $150 (not counting other promotion features). Normally we would not do a package but break even comes out to three drinks a day which we would do anyway so no pressure to get our money's worth. But at full price that would be overkill.

[MicCanberra]

We have a beverage package on our HAL Alaska cruise next June as part of a promotion. In theory we could have booked the cruise without it for $150 less pp so instead of $362 for 7nt for the package the "real" cost is $150 (not counting other promotion features). Normally we would not do a package but break even comes out to three drinks a day which we would do anyway so no pressure to get our money's worth. But at full price that would be overkill.

 

The convenience of having the package will make it very worthwhile as well.

[TravelinGert]

Cruising on Adventure of the Sea early December. Am considering a premium beverage package. Cost is almost $400 per person. is it worth the expense? Does it cover most alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages on the cruise?

We aren't BIG drinkers but a couple of cocktails plus wine with dinner. Do you need 2 packages? or will one package work?

 

They no longer require everyone of age sharing a cabin to have the same drink plan on most cruises, but you can't share one drink plan. You might get away with it for cocktail hour, but it would certainly not be allowed for the wine with dinner.

 

Cocktails start at I around $10 each plus mandatory gratuity. Wine starts at around $8 a glass plus gratuity, and I forgot the lowest per bottle price. Guessing it was around $40~ish. I didn't read the thread, but I'm sure someone's provided exact figures already if you've supplied your cruise line. You can carry on two bottles of wine. If you buy wine in the dining room one night and you can carry your glasses back with you, wash them out, and re-use them to take the wine you brought with you into the dining room for free. If you take the bottle in with you, they will charge you the corking fee.

 

Bottom line is you can easily enjoy 2 cocktails and 2 glasses of wine each for around $60~ish per evening on board. One night you'll be in port until late enough to enjoy cheaper cocktails at a port side bar before you come back aboard for dinner. You could easily just pay by the glass and come out cheaper than 2 premium drink plans. There is a plan I think on all cruises where you get so many bottles of wine. My spouse doesn't drink it so I'm short on the details. I would guess if you were able to buy a 5 or 6 bottle of wine package and then paid individually for your cocktails that would be the cheapest option available for you.

Edited September 13, 2016 by TravelinGert

[Grandma Dazzles]

They no longer require everyone of age sharing a cabin to have the same drink plan on most cruises, but you can't share one drink plan. You might get away with it for cocktail hour, but it would certainly not be allowed for the wine with dinner.

 

Cocktails start at I around $10 each plus mandatory gratuity. Wine starts at around $8 a glass plus gratuity, and I forgot the lowest per bottle price. Guessing it was around $40~ish. I didn't read the thread, but I'm sure someone's provided exact figures already if you've supplied your cruise line. You can carry on two bottles of wine. If you buy wine in the dining room one night and you can carry your glasses back with you, wash them out, and re-use them to take the wine you brought with you into the dining room for free. If you take the bottle in with you, they will charge you the corking fee.

.

 

Sharing a package is not allowed, and monitored by bar staff, including cocktail hour.

 

OP is sailing on RC. RC does not charge a corkage fee. You can take two bottles of wine on board with you. Should you choose to take a bottle to the dining room there is no corkage fee. Staff will also hold the bottle for you should you not finish and want to save for another night.

Edited September 14, 2016 by Grandma Dazzles

[MicCanberra]

Great that they do not charge for corkage on the wine outside of your cabin.:D