Is it worth buying a drinks package?

[awestover89]

For me it's not all about breaking even or saving money by buying the package. I drink enough where it is definitely worth while. My girlfriend maybe not. Even if she doesn't I like it that you can get a drink if you want without deciding if its worth $12 or I can try a drink and if I don't like it I can put it down without feeling like I just wasted money. Makes for a more relaxing cruise for me.

 

I think that is largely where we are right now. On our last two cruises we decided to try one drink each day, so the package didn't make sense, but if we didn't like the drink then it felt like such a major waste. We are doing the package in January to try it and see.

[archaeopteryx]

For me it's not all about breaking even or saving money by buying the package. I drink enough where it is definitely worth while. My girlfriend maybe not. Even if she doesn't I like it that you can get a drink if you want without deciding if its worth $12 or I can try a drink and if I don't like it I can put it down without feeling like I just wasted money. Makes for a more relaxing cruise for me.

 

I totally agree. If I don't have a drinks package, I will debate before every drink if I really want to spend $X amount on the drink. With the package, I just get it, and if I don't like it, I don't force myself to finish it, I leave it and order another.

[Desert Cruizers]

My husband drinks only Beer, however all I can get for him now is the deluxe package. I might have an occasional wine or pina colada but based upon the # of beer he might drink on an average/day, we still come out ahead with the package vs buying individually. If he drink less then 4 bottles/day then we wouldn't go the package.

[gliles]

The first time time we did the drink package, we were afraid we wouldn't remember the cruise but we behaved and enjoyed. It was really nice to know we didn't have to be scared of those pieces or paper slid under the door the last night. We tried lots of drinks we otherwise wouldn't have. We'll never not do the package.

 

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[ColoradoGurl]

It's an interesting psychology the way different people evaluate the drinks packages. It sounds like a lot of people simply like the idea of paying ahead and not having to hesitate while at the bar, deciding whether each drink is worth buying.

 

For some, the need to check prices and feeling like they are racking up a huge bar bill is enough to keep them from drinking on vacation, even if the resulting bar bill is only $100, but paying $400 upfront for that same $100 of liquor is worth the extra $300 for peace of mind and relaxation. There's certainly something to be said for the added value that is not directly related to the cost of the alcohol.

 

I can see how this makes sense for people, and must be where Royal Caribbean is making some of their profit, since they'd surely lose money if the only people buying the packages were those who drink 49 drinks (or whatever).

 

I often think I would buy the package for the same reason, but in reality my drink consumption has been so low for so many years and so many vacations (including all inclusive land vacations), that I know I just won't stress over the bar bill because it is guaranteed to be so low.

 

Food for thought though for people who are on the fence; maybe assign a value to the peace of mind aspect of the trip and not just the exact dollar value of the drinks you'll buy, because that seems to be worth something to a lot of people.

 

 

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[matj2000]

It's an interesting psychology the way different people evaluate the drinks packages. It sounds like a lot of people simply like the idea of paying ahead and not having to hesitate while at the bar, deciding whether each drink is worth buying.

 

For some, the need to check prices and feeling like they are racking up a huge bar bill is enough to keep them from drinking on vacation, even if the resulting bar bill is only $100, but paying $400 upfront for that same $100 of liquor is worth the extra $300 for peace of mind and relaxation. There's certainly something to be said for the added value that is not directly related to the cost of the alcohol.

 

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My wife wanted a package last cruise and I talked her out of it.

 

Her bar bill for the week ended up less than $125.

 

I saw No added-value over-paying ahead of time.

 

And got plenty of relaxation & peace of mind saving $300.

[ColoradoGurl]

 

My wife wanted a package last cruise and I talked her out of it.

 

 

 

Her bar bill for the week ended up less than $125.

 

 

 

I saw No added-value over-paying ahead of time.

 

 

 

And got plenty of relaxation & peace of mind saving $300.

 

 

 

Personally I agree, and peace of mind isn't worth the extra cost to me either, but I can see how for some people, it is. While some people look strictly at the cost vs. number of drinks ordered, others might be inclined to contemplate the value of the intangible part of it too. Seems silly to those who don't think that way, but people pay more money for convenience all the time (maybe not $300, but still...)

 

 

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[riclop]

I'm sure this has been asked on numerous occasions but cant find a link to it.

 

Each day I will probably drink 2 - 3 glasses of wine, plus one or 2 gin and tonics or cocktails of the day. I am not a coffee drinker so don't need speciality coffees.

 

I can't find a link that gives me the actual prices of drinks on the ship (Vision of the Seas) so dont know whether it is worth purchasing a package or not. I realise you have to add on tax etc but again not sure whether they add this on extra for the packages.

 

I will be going in November this year and have never been with RCCL before

 

Any help would be really appreciated.

Only you can answer that.

[alaskaaug232016]

If you drink like I do, it's the deal of the century.... And I only really drank 5 out of the 7 days on my cruise last month....the part I like now is that I got to expand what I drink. The plan previously limited you to $10 per drink.... Now it's $50, so I was drinking some 25 year old rum at $20 per shot...amongst other surprises the bartender introduced me to.

 

 

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[tray]

I just looked at the wine list that a fellow cruiser was kind enough to post, and I saw one of the white wines I like on the menu for $15 per glass. Does anyone know if there is a dollar limit on the new deluxe drink package for wine, Crown, Grey Goose, etc? Thx!

[Nottoold]

I buy it, and it includes soda, bottled water, specialty coffee plus all your drinks. 4-5 drinks a day, plus soda/water etc pay for it easily. Buy now before they remove the sale price. You could always change you mind and get a refund.

 

 

I agree! When I saw the price I jumped on it . Wasn't the old price around $65 or so just for the alcoholic drink?

 

 

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[happygo]

It's been several years since we have been on RCL. We've done mainly NCL and have gotten really spoiled with the free drink package. I checked my RCL messages at the right time and got the 20% off. It still hurt a bit considering the price of our upcoming Thanksgiving cruise on Harmony. But I will never cruise again without the drink package. I drink far, far more than I ever would on land but damn I love it!! Couple Bloody Marys with breakfast, several drinks throughout the day at the pool, wine at dinner, etc. I'm on vacation!!! It's easy for us to do 10 a day so totally worth it!!! :D

[vacationlover_mn]

We try to drink lots of water on our cruises, so having that in our packages helps us to break even :)

 

 

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[Clarea]

I just looked at the wine list that a fellow cruiser was kind enough to post, and I saw one of the white wines I like on the menu for $15 per glass. Does anyone know if there is a dollar limit on the new deluxe drink package for wine, Crown, Grey Goose, etc? Thx!

I've seen the same $12 limit as the previous Premium and Ultimate packages.

[Laney219]

Bob.. what do you make of the post of $50/$20 shot?!

 

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[Clarea]

Bob.. what do you make of the post of $50/$20 shot?!

Can't find that post.:confused:

[chandom]

Can't find that post.:confused:

#34

 

Based on that person's post history. I think they are talking about Carnival's drink package.

[Philly Steve]

We found, the more sea days you have, the better value a drink package can be, especially if the price has been reduced. :)

[Clarea]

Bob.. what do you make of the post of $50/$20 shot?!

 

Does not make sense based on what's been released by the cruise line:

 

http://creative.rccl.com/Sales/Royal/General_Info/FAQs_Beverage_Package_Relaunch.pdf

 

 

#34

...

Thanks.:)

Edited September 14, 2016 by clarea

[Laney219]

Thanks chandom and Bob!

 

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[jmaedcruise]

Personally I agree, and peace of mind isn't worth the extra cost to me either, but I can see how for some people, it is. While some people look strictly at the cost vs. number of drinks ordered, others might be inclined to contemplate the value of the intangible part of it too. Seems silly to those who don't think that way, but people pay more money for convenience all the time (maybe not $300, but still...)

 

 

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The peace of mind is worth it to me, this is exactly why I bought the drink package for my husband and I for our next cruise. Last time we agonized over drink prices and this time we will be able to try whatever we want without much thought - what a better way to vacation!! It is paid for ahead of time (at a sale price which made me happy) and we don't have to worry about a big bill at the end. We may not "get our money's worth" every single day of the cruise but I'm sure we will come out ahead on some days ... probably most days now that the Starbucks kiosk is incuded!!

[cookie2703]

Good thread :) Everything everyone has said has been part of convos I've had with friends and family members that are seasoned Cruisers. My dad gets the free drink package on Celebrity (his line of choice 2-3x a year) all the time, so in joining us on RCL in Feb, he couldn't imagine not having it. Knowing myself and my husband, we both drink top shelf, me wine at dinner. If we price 2 drinks at the pool and 2 drinks at dinner, are we at the $750 I paid (new plan 20% off), not quite but we're close. Close enough for me to opt for that "carefree" feeling of pre paying. As others said, it's not about alcohol either. When I price that I'm not including prem coffee (Starbucks girl here) bottled water, prem juice I can give to my kids etc. Can't wait :)

 

 

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Edited September 14, 2016 by cookie2703

[poleman88]

Hi, we are booked on Serenade of The Seas for a 10 day in March, 2017. The drink package cost for us is $1350.00 Canadian. Roughly $57.00/day plus the 18%.

[Nukesquad]

Does not make sense based on what's been released by the cruise line:

 

http://creative.rccl.com/Sales/Royal/General_Info/FAQs_Beverage_Package_Relaunch.pdf

 

 

 

Thanks.:)

 

Yeah, that release seems consistent. With the old package, there were only a few items I couldn't get without having to pay more for (e.g. Patron Platinum & JW Blue). I like me some bourbon, and I was able to partake in the Basil Hayden, Baker's, Booker's, etc. at no charge. Now, I couldn't get a double of those brands since the price would go over, but with the package I didn't think that was necessary.

[boscobeans]

I'm sure this has been asked on numerous occasions but cant find a link to it.

 

Each day I will probably drink 2 - 3 glasses of wine, plus one or 2 gin and tonics or cocktails of the day. I am not a coffee drinker so don't need speciality coffees.

 

I can't find a link that gives me the actual prices of drinks on the ship (Vision of the Seas) so dont know whether it is worth purchasing a package or not. I realise you have to add on tax etc but again not sure whether they add this on extra for the packages.

 

I will be going in November this year and have never been with RCCL before

 

Any help would be really appreciated.

 

Remember where you are on a cruise. You are not in the comfort of your own home with a fridge and so many other items that have become commonplace.

 

For one or two days keep an accurate log of what you drink from morning to night, include everything.

 

Think about the fact that you will also be on vacation, relaxing, dining out, sunning, attending shows, evening strolls and even hanging out in the casino.

 

Look at the results and balance your consumption against the package prices. I have always found it, at least for me and my wife, more economical to get packages, mine alcohol and hers just replenishment.

 

bosco