Before you buy that Drink Package...

[Bead Pirate]

...there are some changes you might want to be aware of.

 

We boarded the Oasis yesterday (3/12) and got our usual sky loft room, typical Spring Break Cruise as they kids and teens are running wild in the elevators, hallways, etc. All as expected (part of cruising during Spring Break). My wife and I cruise the Oasis 3-4 times a year (was last on in September). We both have been bartenders in a former life and really enjoy a good cocktail made with great liquor. I am a Bourbon guy and she is a Scotch person. We always buy the deluxe drink package.

 

So I sat down at the Casino table last evening and order a Knob Creek on the rocks (drink of choice), the server brings me a short pour and says "well you got the last of it". I figured he meant that the bottle had been emptied and I said no worries I will just switch to Wild Turkey. The server informed me that that was gone as well...

 

Now I am starting to get curious so I ask for more details. Turns out that this cruise is the transition cruise and brands are now going to be replaced. Gone from the ship are Knob Creek, Wild Turkey, Woodford, and Bookers. The new Bourbon selections are Jack, Buffalo Trace and (get this) Four Roses!

 

These are not what I consider top end selections and certainly not what I drink on a regular basis (your opinion on this may vary). The problem is that I do not like paying $60+ bucks a day to drink Four Roses!

 

So I ask to see the Beverage Manager and he comes over in about 10 minutes. He explains to me that it is not just Bourbon but that many of the Scotches, Vodkas and Tequilas are changing, after all "everybody has the drink package now" (what that has to do with anything is beyond me).

 

About this time the lady sitting next to me at the card table says "If you think that choice is bad you ought to see what they are passing off as booze in the diamond lounge and during the cocktail hours". She said the vodka available at these events was New Amsterdam (??? never heard of that one).

 

I noticed that Sabor had no Patron on the shelves at lunch today and did indeed see the New Amsterdam bottles sitting at the bar.

 

Interesting discussions in Coastal Kitchen this morning as the two couples at the table beside us were discussing going to customer service to see if they could downgrade their package from Deluxe.

 

Just putting this out there for those of you who like the higher end products , you might want to just do the ala-carte thing.

 

I will survey the choices at the pub, dazzles and blaze tonight and see what else is gone...

[Cauzneffct]

Interesting. I'm curious if they're limiting the selection at all the bars, or if some bars (particularly themed bars) will keep a better selection.

 

I'm a scotch drinker myself and I'd already resigned myself to a limited selection. This probably just limits it further.

[naughtybuoy]

Hey don't knock Four Roses! It's not bottom shelf...lol

[NouCruzer]

...there are some changes you might want to be aware of. Gone from the ship are Knob Creek, Wild Turkey, Woodford, and Bookers.

 

 

That would be a shame if many of the upper end selections disappear. I initially thought that you meant Drink Package in the title of the post; now I realize that you may have just mispelled "Dreck"

[Jarmo]

I would put Knob, Wild Turkey, Buffalo Trace, and Four Roses (the basic stuff, the single barrel is pretty high end) in pretty much the same class price wise.

 

 

New Amsterdam is a better, cheaper, Absolute (imo).

 

Keep us posted on what higher end stuff you see elsewhere on the ship. Hendrick's and Ketel/Goose are at the top of my list.

[Woodmnky]

Interesting. I'll be following for more info. I too wonder if certain bars will still stock higher end products, but the lack of Patron at Sabor is not looking good.

[Spacecaydet]

Not liking this. I'm not anywhere near Diamond but I'd be giving them an ear full if I was and they were passing New Amsterdam off as the vodka for their best customers.

 

Also, while I do agree that Four Roses is near the quality I don't believe any of the mentioned come close to Bookers and I typically would choose Knob over trace any day of the week. I'm really hoping that select bars still carry a wider selection of "nice" ones.

[cstimmons]

Trace is my absolute favorite. I was glad they had it on liberty a month ago. My only problem was that only a few bars on ship were stocking it so it was really inconsistent. It's right up there price wise with knob Creek (also a fav)

[NewSalt]

New Amsterdam is under $20 for 1.75 l. What's next? Kirkland's?

[chandom]

Not sure where it ranks, but Blanton's was available at the Champagne Bar in January.

 

If you see Tony at the Champagne Bar, ask him is opinion on the New Amsterdam vodka.

 

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[Spacecaydet]

Blanton is beautiful. It's absolutely top shelf and retails about 57-65 for the 750ml. But it's not the price it's the taste that sets it apart. Do you know if that fell in the $13 price cap? Even if it doesn't thanks for the tip!

 

 

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[bilyclub]

New Amsterdam is under $20 for 1.75 l. What's next? Kirkland's?

 

I guess this will literally put a bad taste in my mouth.

 

http://whiskeygoldmine.com/best-vodka-reviews-forum/vodkas-avoid-amsterdam-vodka-smirnoff-whipped-cream-flavored-vodka/

[chandom]

Blanton is beautiful. It's absolutely top shelf and retails about 57-65 for the 750ml. But it's not the price it's the taste that sets it apart. Do you know if that fell in the $13 price cap? Even if it doesn't thanks for the tip!

 

 

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Was covered back in January

 

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[iriemon]

I was on Freedom of the Seas last week and Kettle One was gone and depending on the bar you got Bailey's or a substitute

[George C]

Thanks for info, have not had this happen on any of our cruises other than on wine, would not want to cruise spring break or summer (also Liberty is largest we have sailed on so far)

[famof4togo]

I hope this isn't the case for us on our upandcoming...I can't drink like I did in college I need the top shelve stuff these days lol

[naughtybuoy]

Do they carry Macallan 12 year?

[FPP777]

Might have to cancel and try to smuggle a 750 of Blantons and go cash for the rest.

[PhoenixCruiser]

I wonder if this is another "spring-break/holiday cruise" change?

[crusinthrough]

I thought the drink package changed to one selection, one price, Deluxe. Did this change again? I liked not having to choose between two packages.

 

 

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[Clarea]

I thought the drink package changed to one selection, one price, Deluxe. Did this change again? I liked not having to choose between two packages.

Still only one alcoholic package: Deluxe.

[skohrs]

Do they no longer have the better brands on the ship at all, or just not with the drink package? If it is not on the ship at all, how would paying a la carte instead of buying the package help? I can't believe that you cannot order Patron at a bar if you are willing to pay.

[GoCards73]

The Four Roses on Harmony a few weeks ago was the Single Barrel. I saw a bottle at one of the bars early in the week so started ordering it at dinner. The way the servers looked at me like I had four heads when I asked for it told me it was a new offering onboard.

[George C]

Do they no longer have the better brands on the ship at all, or just not with the drink package? If it is not on the ship at all, how would paying a la carte instead of buying the package help? I can't believe that you cannot order Patron at a bar if you are willing to pay.

 

We had no problem getting Patron or 12 year McAllen on our last few cruises, large selection of 12 year old scotch all covered by drink package. I paid a few dollars extra for Johnny Walker Platinum which is 18 years old , so if you want something like that for about 15 a drink with package you just pay 3. Lots of top shelf stuff is covered 100 percent

[Funbobby68]

Wonder if they swapped it out for the boat gas offerings ,due to spring break

 

 

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