first time cruiser drinks package & entertainment tips please

[captainkevey]

first time cruiser on the oasis of the seas july this year can anyone help not big alcholic drinkers three adults 1 child ,i was thinking of just getting the soda/coffee package and paying as you go on anything alcoholic would only be some beers each evening and some wine maybe ? also the entertainment at night in theaters ? do you have to book the seats ? and the foam rider is that bookable or just turn up ? thanks for you help guys .

[Cro_and_Swan]

On RC Brilliance of the Seas (and I gather it's the same on most ships) ... ice, water, hot coffee (regular and decaf), hot tea, iced tea, lemonade and one fruit flavored ( 'sugar water') type beverage are available free of charge at a few different drink stations. Water/tea/coffee are also included with your meals in the main dining room. I found the iced tea in the MDR to be extremely strong and asked the waiter to mix it half & half with water and it was fine.

 

I had read the 'what drinks are free' info prior to the cruise but just was not sure exactly what would be available or when/where etc. so my travel partner and I both opted for the $8.50 per day soda package ... but I definitely could have done without it. I would have been just fine with the 'freebies' and probably drank more ice water than anything else while on board. On the other hand, he drinks almost nothing but Diet Coke so the package was well worth it for him.

 

We both had a couple of mixed drinks/frozen drinks from the bar over the course of the cruise and I had a glass of wine with dinner a few nights, but nothing that would come near making the 'alcohol' package worthwhile for us.

 

For some travelers the specialty coffee card (or a package that allows for specialty coffees) might be well worthwhile ... but I was happy with (free) room service coffee every morning and then coffee from the various self-serve areas and MDR at other times of day. There was always milk/cream and sugar/sweetener available. Sometimes hot milk, half & half, and hot chocolate packets. I didn't do do it on the cruise, but at work, I occasionally mix a few spoonfuls of hot chocolate mix into a cup of 'regular' coffee for an improvised mocha.

[rdsxgrl28]

first time cruiser on the oasis of the seas july this year can anyone help not big alcholic drinkers three adults 1 child ,i was thinking of just getting the soda/coffee package and paying as you go on anything alcoholic would only be some beers each evening and some wine maybe ? also the entertainment at night in theaters ? do you have to book the seats ? and the foam rider is that bookable or just turn up ? thanks for you help guys .

 

On the entertainment - yes book ahead. It usually opens about 100 days out. The comedy show fills up very fast so we make sure we grab that one first. If you can find some Cruise Compasses from a similar cruise you can figure out what night you want to do shows. There are activities you may want to attend that conflict with some scheduling.

 

As for alcohol, I wouldn't buy the package if you are gonna drink less than 8-10 drinks a day, just not worth it. Sometimes they sell punch cards worth 10 drinks onboard, & those you can share.