Are drink packages worth it?

[ColoradoGurl]

We always buy the package- we aren't big drinkers- but we are on vacation and I like the feeling of an all inclusive type rate. I have seen people carry on cartons of water and try to smuggle in alcohol. I do not understand that- you are on a "luxury" vacation and if you save a few dollars is it worth dragging water with you or being caught with alcohol? Not for my back or my DH's. To each his/her own.

 

 

I've brought a case of water on before and it wasn't hard at all. The cases are not heavy, and they take them from you with your luggage and bring them to the room for you. If someone buys the drink package with it in mind that they are getting the most value from the bottled water, then they could easily carry on their own case or two for $6-$12 instead of paying $150 or $400 for a drink package and then justifying the price by saying "I might only buy one alcoholic drink a day, but I easily got my money's worth in all the bottled water I drank." I mean, I guess if someone finds $144 or $394 of value in being able to order bottled water, so be it. Everyone sees value differently.

 

 

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[BobbyD]

I have only had the drink package on Celebrity and it was included as a perk. I thoroughly enjoyed it. Celebrity swipes your card but there is nothing to sign. What about RCI? I am thinking of getting the package for my upcoming Allure cruise. Does the price, 20% off or otherwise, include the tax and not the gratuity or the other way around? I don't drink a lot of soda but a couple of bottled waters a day along with a few drinks by the pool, wine with dinner, an Irish Coffee with dessert along with a drink or two at an evening show, I think it might definitely be worth it.

[akcruz]

I have only had the drink package on Celebrity and it was included as a perk. I thoroughly enjoyed it. Celebrity swipes your card but there is nothing to sign. What about RCI? I am thinking of getting the package for my upcoming Allure cruise. Does the price, 20% off or otherwise, include the tax and not the gratuity or the other way around? I don't drink a lot of soda but a couple of bottled waters a day along with a few drinks by the pool, wine with dinner, an Irish Coffee with dessert along with a drink or two at an evening show, I think it might definitely be worth it.

Depends on the ship, how busy it is, and a few other things I can't figure out. If you get a slip it will show $0, you can sign and return either crossing out the tip section or adding an ADDITIONAL tip. When you purchase the package all tips, taxes, etc are already included.

 

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[sweetlove13]

I like that with the drink package I can try anything I want & if I don't like it I didn't waste $10 on it. Definitely lets me try new things. I also like that I can stockpile water by grabbing one st every bar I pass. Between the Caribbean sun, extra walking, extra salt in the food & a medication I take that makes me thirsty I can drink 6-8 bottles a day sometimes

 

 

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[spsweet311]

We just came back from Oasis (Oct 1), and for the first time had the Drink Pkg. Neither of us are even "social" drinkers, if I have one drink per month at home, that's probably a lot. That said, I definitely feel we got our money's worth.

 

 

 

Sea Days, morning specialty Coffee or Smoothie from the Spa, lying about the pool, easily one (sometimes two - and not always alcoholic, which of course are cheaper), Dinner - always had a glass of Wine, Shows/Lounges in the Evening 2 per night. And usually a Bottle of Water from time to time with the Drink Order.

 

 

 

Port Days, Ok, maybe I "missed" that one I would have had at the Pool, but we were usually back on the ship by mid afternoon, and would have at minimum the Coffee (Latte) or a Smoothie.

 

 

 

For us, I just didn't want to have to Sign the Bill each time seeing $9, $10... (Plus 18%) and wonder if I should have another drink when we went to Trivia in the evening to the Comedy Show later (or wherever).

 

 

 

And I never felt a "buzz" from over consuming, just make sure you get a Bottle of Water when you order as well.

 

 

 

It's a personal decision, and much discussion about what's the "Break-even", for us, I felt it was well worth it, and will do it again on our next sailing - especially given the 20% Discount being offered.

 

 

 

I bought a deluxe package for myself but DH doesn't drink alcohol. I see you mentioned smoothies - are they legit juice smoothies or the ones out of the carton? My husband is a protein shake a day kinda guy so this might be a good option for him. Have you seen a menu?

 

 

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[Clarea]

I bought a deluxe package for myself but DH doesn't drink alcohol. I see you mentioned smoothies - are they legit juice smoothies or the ones out of the carton? My husband is a protein shake a day kinda guy so this might be a good option for him. Have you seen a menu?

 

We were told on Oasis that any beverage with protein powder is not included in any beverage package.

[ColoradoGurl]

Duplicate

Edited November 2, 2016 by ColoradoGurl

[ColoradoGurl]

I like that with the drink package I can try anything I want & if I don't like it I didn't waste $10 on it. Definitely lets me try new things. I also like that I can stockpile water by grabbing one st every bar I pass. Between the Caribbean sun, extra walking, extra salt in the food & a medication I take that makes me thirsty I can drink 6-8 bottles a day sometimes

 

 

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But if the majority of what you're drinking with the package is bottled water, you could have brought that on the ship yourself and saved $400. A case of water is $6 and you can bring it on the ship with you, or bring a reusable water bottle and have it filled up. If the water is extra above and beyond the 5 drinks a day it takes to break even, then great, but I keep hearing people use the water as part of their break even calculation; that's an expensive bottle of water.

 

 

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[S.A.M.J.R.]

But if the majority of what you're drinking with the package is bottled water, you could have brought that on the ship yourself and saved $400. A case of water is $6 and you can bring it on the ship with you, or bring a reusable water bottle and have it filled up. If the water is extra above and beyond the 5 drinks a day it takes to break even, then great, but I keep hearing people use the water as part of their break even calculation; that's an expensive bottle of water.

 

 

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It's the same logic that says "let's pay $400 for a drink package, only drink $300 worth, just so I don't waste $10 because I got a drink I didn't like.":D

 

IMO, if you think you're going to break even (or at least get close), sure, go ahead and get the drink package.

 

You want the "all inclusive feel"? Put the money into OBC when you board.

[Cruise a holic]

I do not think most people would bring the bottled water that they brought on board with them to the ships restaurants with meals. Also, my DH enjoys Pelligrino sparkling water with meals, and I like Evian flat. So bringing multiple cases of water on board, wouldn't work for us, and I assume others.

 

Also, I do enjoy trying new drinks, both alcoholic and non-alcoholic. We both enjoy a cappuccino after dinner. So many benefits to having the drink package. Also, on most of the sailings, you can get a discount between 20 and 30% off of the package.

 

To each his/her own.

[akcruz]

But if the majority of what you're drinking with the package is bottled water, you could have brought that on the ship yourself and saved $400. A case of water is $6 and you can bring it on the ship with you, or bring a reusable water bottle and have it filled up. If the water is extra above and beyond the 5 drinks a day it takes to break even, then great, but I keep hearing people use the water as part of their break even calculation; that's an expensive bottle of water.

 

 

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Part of it is the convenience of not lugging a case or 2 of water onboard, and being able to grab a bottle wherever I am on the ship without having to go back to the cabin to get one. Between the 2 of us we will drink at least a case worth on a 7 day cruise, probably a lot more.

 

We fly in for almost all cruises and sometimes don't have the ability to easily buy water, and with many ports not taking it without being in a duffel, that means we need to lug another duffel.

 

We have also tried bringing reusable bottles and refilling, but for some reason the ship water makes me swell so stick to bottled whenever possible.

 

If the package doesn't work for you and bringing water on does go for it.

 

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Edited November 2, 2016 by akcruz

[Ships R Great]

Is your card marked somehow? You just present the card when you order? Never done this so don't know the ins and outs of it.

[Cruise a holic]

The package is typical indicated on your card by letters embossed on the bottom. If you purchase on board, you get a sticker. I believe it is also loaded onto your card.

[spsweet311]

We were told on Oasis that any beverage with protein powder is not included in any beverage package.

 

 

 

We would bring our own. But non protein smoothies - just fruit, are?

 

 

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[Clarea]

We would bring our own. But non protein smoothies - just fruit, are?

That's what we were told in the Vitality Cafe.

[Skinnyfisher]

Personally feel drink packages are well worth it

Bloody Marys or mimosas at breakfast

Beer or three during the day

Mixed drinks or wine from about noon on

Don't forget the occasional late nite when the ship has an event in the promenade or a club for late night adventures.

 

I do not know if all offers will get to 30% off, but I held out on the drink packages for our cruise on Liberty of the Seas until about 2 weeks out and they had a 72 hour sale on a weekend and grabbed them up then. Only down side is I don't know that all ships will offer that discount.

 

Also recommend paying all gratuities up front before the cruise, then only thing to worry about is all the extras that you will inevitably want on board!

 

HAPPY SAILING

Edited November 7, 2016 by Skinnyfisher
Had an oops

[kerrycoco1]

Following

 

 

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[jamesr3939]

Is your card marked somehow? You just present the card when you order? Never done this so don't know the ins and outs of it.

 

There is a sticker on your card. We just got off Allure and ours had a "UP" sticker on the bottom right corner. I assume that was for the Ultimate Package I originally purchased before it went away and became the "Deluxe".

 

I would guess it's flagged on your card and in your account as when they swiped it my tab always read $0.00.

 

They always had me sign and the activity showed on my shipboard account, but always as $0:00.

[4774Papa]

Personally feel drink packages are well worth it

Bloody Marys or mimosas at breakfast

Beer or three during the day

Mixed drinks or wine from about noon on

Don't forget the occasional late nite when the ship has an event in the promenade or a club for late night adventures.

 

I do not know if all offers will get to 30% off, but I held out on the drink packages for our cruise on Liberty of the Seas until about 2 weeks out and they had a 72 hour sale on a weekend and grabbed them up then. Only down side is I don't know that all ships will offer that discount.

 

Also recommend paying all gratuities up front before the cruise, then only thing to worry about is all the extras that you will inevitably want on board!

 

HAPPY SAILING��

 

Perhaps the drink packages are worth it for people that start drinking for breakfast, but we generally don't start until happy hour. Also, we primarily drink wine and not the frozen drinks.

 

Also, we drink the ship's tap water, don't drink expensive coffee or much anyway.

 

I always take my final bill, add up all alcoholic drinks and the most we have ever spent for both of us on a 14 day cruise was about $500.

 

Sure it is convenient to have a drinks package, especially if you are oblivious to how much you would consume and pay for otherwise. Most cruise lines charge at least $50 or more a day for the packages, for a 14 day cruise, that would amount to $1400 for two persons, almost three times what we normally spend. That is a lot for convenience.

 

Also, for people that drink all day, are you concerned about your health at all. My doctor tells me that I should not drink more than 2-3 alcoholic drinks a day.

[cruisinatdawn]

Does anyone have a link of the cocktails, and liquors that are included? I saw one, a few weeks ago, before we booked and I've been searching ever since, and can't find the thread.

 

 

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[Clarea]

Does anyone have a link of the cocktails, and liquors that are included? I saw one, a few weeks ago, before we booked and I've been searching ever since, and can't find the thread.

 

https://www.royalcaribbean.co.uk/assets/pdf/discover-cruise-holidays/bars-drinks-packages/RCCL-TradeDrinksFlyer-V4.pdf

[cruisinatdawn]

Thank you!

 

 

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[BekkaW]

Perhaps the drink packages are worth it for people that start drinking for breakfast, but we generally don't start until happy hour. Also, we primarily drink wine and not the frozen drinks.

 

Also, we drink the ship's tap water, don't drink expensive coffee or much anyway.

 

I always take my final bill, add up all alcoholic drinks and the most we have ever spent for both of us on a 14 day cruise was about $500.

 

Sure it is convenient to have a drinks package, especially if you are oblivious to how much you would consume and pay for otherwise. Most cruise lines charge at least $50 or more a day for the packages, for a 14 day cruise, that would amount to $1400 for two persons, almost three times what we normally spend. That is a lot for convenience.

 

Also, for people that drink all day, are you concerned about your health at all. My doctor tells me that I should not drink more than 2-3 alcoholic drinks a day.

 

As you mentioned yourself, the package covers much more than alcohol. For those of us who do enjoy specialty coffee and bottled water it's not a bad deal. I will typically drink 2 glasses of wine, a cocktail and maybe another drink at the casino after dinner. When I add the coffee, water and soda the sale price of $42 was less than what I will spend.

 

Your Dr's advice is great for everyday life but having a few extra on vacation won't hurt most people!