Deluxe drink package

[maryjaden]

My husband and I usually get the drink package on a cruise of 7 days. Sometimes we are ahead, sometimes behind. My thought is if you can afford the cruise, you should be able to purchase the drinks.

[ColoradoGurl]

Let me guess, this is your first post? Lol

 

 

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Edited May 10, 2017 by ColoradoGurl

[Mikew0805]

And this is why they are continually putting the prices up on the drinks packages - to compensate for all the people trying to cheat the system :mad:

 

LOL that you think THAT is the reason that the prices go up. :')

[martyap]

A couple of years ago we shared a MTD breakfast table with a few couples, strangers. One husband and wife specifically ordered eight pieces of bacon each. When her breakfast came and only seven pieces of bacon were on her plate, she loudly complained.

 

We recently both had the refreshment package on the Allure and it was convenient to each get the non alcoholic beverages we like without counting drinks to see if we "got our money's worth." I think these drink packages encourage people to consume more than they should and I'm sure we all have stories about that......I observed several on our recent Allure sailing.

 

 

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[Are we there yet?]

"Always do what is right. It will gratify half of mankind and astound the other.”

― Mark Twain

Nice quote.:)

[vacationlover_mn]

I'm confused though. I see people talking about adding a tip, but the online checkout adds 18% to the price of the package. My understanding was that was the tip built into it when you go to get your drinks. If you're having to tip, which I do when ordering a la carte, that would make the package that much more expensive, and what's the point of the 18% then?

 

 

I add a little tip in the MDR, or if I'll be in the same spot in the Solarium for a while, to get better service :). It really seemed to help my service on HOS.

 

 

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[OuterLimits]

What's the drink price limit on HOS? I heard it was $13, not $12, on Oasis-class ships? Is that true? I'm trying to decide if it's worth it or if I'm still going to get nickel and dimed by RCCL every time I order a drink (looking at drink menu prices). Many common drinks on HOS are $13.

[forevercamiamom]

What's the drink price limit on HOS? I heard it was $13, not $12, on Oasis-class ships? Is that true? I'm trying to decide if it's worth it or if I'm still going to get nickel and dimed by RCCL every time I order a drink (looking at drink menu prices). Many common drinks on HOS are $13.

$13 on Oasis class

 

Loyal2Royal

MOTS 11/04, NOTS 4/18,

Allure 9/17, Anthem 4/18

[Hey Tina]

I love CruiseCritic. Asking this question is like posting elsewhere on the internet a question like "Do you recline your seat on an airplane, why or why not?" and seeing the absolute madness in the replies. I'm adding this "to share or not to share a drink package" question to my very short list of questions that makes the internet absolutely freak out. I love it.

[Hey Tina]

A couple of years ago we shared a MTD breakfast table with a few couples, strangers. One husband and wife specifically ordered eight pieces of bacon each. When her breakfast came and only seven pieces of bacon were on her plate, she loudly complained.

 

We recently both had the refreshment package on the Allure and it was convenient to each get the non alcoholic beverages we like without counting drinks to see if we "got our money's worth." I think these drink packages encourage people to consume more than they should and I'm sure we all have stories about that......I observed several on our recent Allure sailing.

 

 

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Sorry but what does your bacon story have to do with anything?

[lovelycruiser87]

Sorry but what does your bacon story have to do with anything?

 

 

Hahahahaha I read it twice thinking I was missing something.

 

 

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[martyap]

Sorry but what does your bacon story have to do with anything?

 

 

Many passengers feel they are not satisfied until they reach their mythical quota number......8 pieces of bacon at breakfast, 13 beers a day, etc. I watched one gentleman at 7:30am in CP with a beer in one hand and a cup of coffee in another.......and many who seemed attached to the hip with their unlimited plastic soda cups. The point I was making is you can enjoy your beverage package without constantly calculating if you hit the daily amount you paid for it..........just like you can ask for more bacon if you finished your regular portion.

 

 

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[ray98]

This is why Carnival has taken the step to make all adults in the cabin buy the package. Sad they had to make that decision but there is no shortage of people willing to steal what they can.

 

Even if theft doesn't swing your moral compass, I can't imagine sneaking around the ship trying to get drinks for two people without being caught for the duration of a cruise. Just being served normally while relaxing on deck, at dinner or in a lounge can't happen because you have to keep up the scheme. That would kill a good portion of our relaxing time.

[mitchymoo]

I didn't get a package last cruise & husband gave me a few drinks but 2/3 days in I realised it was cheaper to just get one as I had to pay for individual drinks during dinner each night etc

 

 

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[slyster]

Like many here, I prefer to do the right thing. My wife and I always get our own drink package though she probably doesn't drink as much as me and doesn't get her moneys worth. Prices do go up and it's most likely because of how many people cheat the system. I don't care what other people do and if they choose to sneak or cheat, that's on them, but when the bottom line ends up affecting me, that's not fair. :rolleyes:

 

"Everybody does it" doesn't make it right.

[cococruiser]

We have purchased deluxe package for both of us on our upcoming cruise. I wouldn't like to sneak about getting drinks- but each to their own. I'm looking forward to going for dinner, to a bar, show etc and being free to order what we would like. Sharing a package would take that joy away. I think for longer than a 7 night cruise, I would pay as I go. I'm not sure I could keep getting my money's worth for more than 7 nights! I could give it a try though :) !

 

 

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[constable145]

Is truly necessary for both my husband and I to both get a drink package. I know I should ask but is there a way around this if I just want a few drinks here and there and he buys the package for him and gives me drinks. I know I know... don't judge me but surely I'm not the only one thinking about this or has done it. #dontjudgeme

 

 

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Please don't eff it up for the rest of us.. Just pay per drink.

 

Please

 

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[galavant3]

Many passengers feel they are not satisfied until they reach their mythical quota number......8 pieces of bacon at breakfast, 13 beers a day, etc. I watched one gentleman at 7:30am in CP with a beer in one hand and a cup of coffee in another.......and many who seemed attached to the hip with their unlimited plastic soda cups. The point I was making is you can enjoy your beverage package without constantly calculating if you hit the daily amount you paid for it..........just like you can ask for more bacon if you finished your regular portion.

 

 

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Excellent point. We both get a beverage package, in part to potentially save money. But primarily because we really enjoy the "luxury line" feel of not having to sign for every drink. Knowing there will be no added beverage cost at the end of the cruise allows us to just relax and enjoy.

 

We don't tract our drinks to determine whether or not we got our money's worth. Too much effort! For me, trying to share a beverage package would cause anxiety...and after all, it is vacation.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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[constable145]

Excellent point. We both get a beverage package, in part to potentially save money. But primarily because we really enjoy the "luxury line" feel of not having to sign for every drink. Knowing there will be no added beverage cost at the end of the cruise allows us to just relax and enjoy.

 

We don't tract our drinks to determine whether or not we got our money's worth. Too much effort! For me, trying to share a beverage package would cause anxiety...and after all, it is vacation.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Royal often makes you sign for every drink..

 

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[forevercamiamom]

Yes, it's less about breaking even/ahead of the game and more about shutting off the accountant and relaxing with out fear of a huge bill or being caught!

Well worth it to me!

 

Loyal2Royal

MOTS 11/04, NOTS 4/18,

Allure 9/17, Anthem 4/18

[Christinampl]

People do get caught. I "got caught" myself so I know this. It was the last night of our 10 day cruise on Rhapsody last summer and all of our Seapass cards were on the table we were all sitting at in the lounge. We ALL had purchased drink packages so there was no reason to "cheat." My friend had ordered a drink and wasn't paying attention and must have handed our server my card so that was charged and then he went out to dance. About 5 minutes (or less) later, I went to the bar to order a drink with my card and the bartender flipped out and said I had JUST ordered a drink. I had no clue what she was talking about since I KNEW I had not ordered a drink. She told me unless I was going to bring her back the drink that had been purchased she would make sure I was not served the rest of the cruise. I let her know under no circumstances would I be taking a drink from a person I did not know because I still did not know it was my friend who had "purchased" a drink on my card. I stormed upstairs to the casino bar and got my drink from the bartenders who had been so great (and that we sailed with earlier that year on a different sailing). I found out once I got back downstairs what had happened once I saw my friend with his blue drink that was what the original bartender was so mad about in the first place.

 

I get why she was mad but it was an honest mistake and we ALL paid for the drink packages and certainly had proof. She handled it in a way that would have embarrassed someone (even if they were in the right as we were) since she was VERY loud and aggressive about it. Fortunately for me, I have thick skin AND I knew I wasn't doing anything wrong. I cannot imagine getting busted if I was being sneaky.

[TimeToGetNauti]

FYI. If you have the drink package you can only get one drink at a time. That being said, if you and your husband want to relax with a glass of wine or something, you would really have to go out of your way to get your husband a glass also. My husband is not a big drinker but I didn't want to have to think about every drink I got so I purchased the drink package. I got him 1 beer the entire 7 days. I don't think that is a stretch. I also wasn't drinking anything at the time so it wasn't an issue. And I probably only had 5-6 drinks a day. Royal still made money on us. In that situation I did not feel guilty about that 1 beer. I personally would not feel comfortable if it was much more than that.

[taxgal]

One reason I like the drink package is I buy before I go--so my cruise is paid for, no surprise on the last day. We enjoy a few drinks a day (we're not driving!) and the water/soda is an added benefit. We sometimes tip a buck or two while sitting at a bar--this is the only time a year we sit at a bar. I don't need to keep track of receipts and make sure I was charged correctly.

[Sarahsmomi]

For my upcoming cruise I purchased the deluxe drink package for my husband, and the non-alcoholic package for myself. I don't drink all that much, but I do enjoy wine. On RCL you can bring two bottles of wine on board per cabin, so I plan on enjoying my wine, along with my non alcoholic beverages (thinking virgin daiquiris etc) and if I want to purchase the odd drink it's no big deal to pay for a couple a day if needed, especially if we are at a show or sitting at the bar together.

This way I also get free water all day as well

PS: my husband can also purchase a bottle of wine at a discount with his package, in case he wants to share what I brought on board...he'll be able to make it up to me lol.

[Hey Tina]

Many passengers feel they are not satisfied until they reach their mythical quota number......8 pieces of bacon at breakfast, 13 beers a day, etc. I watched one gentleman at 7:30am in CP with a beer in one hand and a cup of coffee in another.......and many who seemed attached to the hip with their unlimited plastic soda cups. The point I was making is you can enjoy your beverage package without constantly calculating if you hit the daily amount you paid for it..........just like you can ask for more bacon if you finished your regular portion.

 

 

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It's so bizarre that you think what you would do what everyone else should do. I have never in my life noticed how many bacon pieces or ice cubes or butter packets or refills or whatever else someone has requested because it literally has nothing to do with me. If someone asks for 8 bacon and the waiter agrees to bring 8 bacon it's not odd for them to complain. Why would they agree to bring it and not do it? That's the weird part. Who cares if they need 8 bacon and 13 beers a day to reach their mythical quota? Get your bacon and beer and I'll get whatever I need and all is good.