Royal testing to bring back same drink package for all

[nealstuber]

We came back to Royal when they came to Galveston with Voyager/Freedom class ships. As a strictly wine/beer drinker they had a package that was right for me.

Now that package is gone and instead paying 30 bucks a day, I'm looking at paying 110 since DW does not drink. This would not bother me nearly as much if the bar service at the pools, casino, and MDR had not deteriorated during the same time with increasing expectations of extra tips on top of the 18% (which used to be 15%).

 

The overall product has gotten appreciably worse with more cabins on the same ship, public spaces converted to cabins and pay venues. Prices are higher for less.

Will probably do one more with them to make Diamond and transfer my status to MSC.

 

 

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[wingman2014]

I believe they will refund the cost of the package for any reason within the first two days of the cruise,

BOB,

Have you had any experience with Royal Gifts , purchasing the scotch and soda package that's delivered to your state room ? suppose to be delivered on our first day.

[Ocean Boy]

So you're not a pregnant nunn or a former mormon recently converted to islam? Well...you got me. Sometimes I post out of boredom. BTW, did you know that bartender Issac (Love Boat) hates drink packages and makes everyone sign slips?

I never saw him make anyone sign a slip nor did I ever see him ask anyone for a seapass. All he ever did was hand them a drink.

[Ocean Boy]

I may have to resign myself to the fact that we are just going to have to have another kid. I just have to get the timing right so that we can get one pregnancy to cover two cruises and stay under the 24 week rule as well as make sure that menopause doesn't kick in. Got to go find a flow chart......

[ColoradoGurl]

The fact does remain that you can choose not to drink, but for those that like to have a few alcoholic drinks whilst on vacation, but cannot justify the hefty price tag of an alcoholic beverage package it certainly feels like gouging.

 

 

 

The removal of the beer and wine package, so now you must purchase the top package,(a minimum of $55 per day - soon to be $110 per day if the 'trial' to bring back 'all in cabin must purchase' goes fleet wide), could that not be classed as gouging to some extent?

 

 

 

Are they raising their prices to a level that is considered much higher than is reasonable or fair?

 

That is subjective to the individual. To me it has reached that point. To some, maybe not, to others, clearly not.

 

 

I don't think it's price gouging until the majority of customers stop buying it. For me, $55 a day and only having to buy one package is too high, and I already don't buy it because I could never get my money's worth. I don't think it's gouging, I just don't think it has $55 worth of value to me.

 

I wouldn't even consider buying it until the price went down to $35-ish dollars a day. I wouldn't get my money's worth out of it even at that price, but it would start to have some value to me that I would consider paying it. So they lost me as a potential buyer from the start. Now that they're requiring 2 people to buy it, they're starting to lose you, because you now feel it doesn't have value, but sooooo many people still do.

 

It's not gouging as long as most of their customers are still willing to buy it. Honestly I think people would still buy it at $75 a day. It would take it reaching $100 before they start to see a decline in sales, even with the requirement that all adults buy it.

 

 

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[Spacecaydet]

You can't order one drink and two seconds later order a different drink at the same place.

 

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Wait...so why CAN'T I do this? This is actually 100% allowable and while the arbitrary 2 second time frame does seem short, you can order a new drink just as soon as the server comes back around to your table our your place at the bar. I've done this more times than I can count. Makes for a great way to bring a few beers or glasses of wine back to your room's balcony. You're description of sharing drink packages makes it seem 200% harder than it really is. Of course, I wouldn't know from personal experience.

Edited July 13, 2017 by Spacecaydet
grammar

[Ocean Dancer]

I think there is a 5 minute rule for ordering again on the drink package..........but we've ordered a drink and a bottle of water at the same time with no problem.

[Clarea]

I think there is a 5 minute rule for ordering again on the drink package..........but we've ordered a drink and a bottle of water at the same time with no problem.

The only beverage time limit I know of is that for using the Freestyle machines.

[Ocean Dancer]

The only beverage time limit I know of is that for using the Freestyle machines.

The WORD around the ship on our last cruise was floating around at 5 minutes. We never ordered alcohol that fast anyway.:halo:

[Biker19]

The only beverage time limit I know of is that for using the Freestyle machines.

+1, you could do a shot and then order drink right after.

[Beachdude]

The WORD around the ship on our last cruise was floating around at 5 minutes. We never ordered alcohol that fast anyway.:halo:

I have, sometimes I try something new and it taste terrible. I never had a problem sending it back for my usual Scotch. :o

 

I guess I'm one who abused the drink package, but I wasn't taking advantage of the alcohol. Sometimes Sally would forget her coke card, so I ordered one from my package. I guess we are being punished now. This was even big news on USA Today.

 

Burt

[ggo85]

My DH cannot drink alcohol due to medication he takes. I did the package one time -- on our last cruise. Since we're D+, we already have the evening drinks (which my DH doesn't use). I figured I wouldn't break even on the package but wanted to be able to have a beer by the pool or a drink outside the Diamond hours without having to ask myself "do I really want to pay $X to have a drink right now?"

 

I ended up not breaking even (it was fairly close due to wine in the MDR at dinner) but still liked the ability to drink without signing and the guilt-free approach if I wanted an extra drink. So might have done it again, especially on a sea-day intensive cruise.

 

If my DH has to pay for a package knowing he will drink NOTHING (he doesn't even drink soda, OJ or specialty coffee -- he's fine with tap water and regular coffee), it's a total waste of money.

 

So, I'll skip the package. I'll save money since, when I pay as I go, I will definitely drink less than the value of a package. And RCCL will lose money -- on me at least. And maybe the bars won't be quite as crowded. So a win/win/win.

 

The above said, I'm saddened that the cheating of some will ruin it for those who have legitimately bought and used one package but will definitely lose out financially if both/all have to buy.

 

I also wonder whether this will cause the "light" drinkers to drink a lot more (b/c they have the package) or more folks to drink less (b/c they forego the package and pay by the drink)?

[Beachdude]

I also wonder whether this will cause the "light" drinkers to drink a lot more (b/c they have the package) or more folks to drink less (b/c they forego the package and pay by the drink)?

 

I made a fool of myself the first time we had a drinking package several years ago. I was too focused on trying to get my moneys worth and ended up drunk in front of our table mates. That was a lesson learned. Don't change your drinking habits to make up the difference in cost. You could make some memories that you'd rather forget.

 

The only reason I get the package now is because I enjoy the better more expensive top shelf Scotch. If RCI takes them off the package, I will have no need to purchase the package.

 

Burt

[kevinyork]

Can I just interject a little...for all the negative comments on here it's an insular forum. Please post your unhappy comments on twitter and Facebook. They have instant impact and force a reaction. They hate negative social media and such posts stopped Celebrity cutting back on their drinks package inclusions a few years back when people threatened cancelling their cruise. Celebrity reversed their decision within 3 days. Companies live or die by social media these days and their social media teams feed back current issues daily to their PR teams. Just a thought if you really want to stop this change.

 

 

One feedback form is just that, one Facebook or twitter post reaches thousands of potential customers.

 

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[Beachdude]

Forums are not social media?

 

Burt

[Biker19]

Forums are not social media?

That's so 2010s like MySpace, come on, get with the program.

[AmandaKaye79]

Wait...so why CAN'T I do this? This is actually 100% allowable and while the arbitrary 2 second time frame does seem short, you can order a new drink just as soon as the server comes back around to your table our your place at the bar. I've done this more times than I can count. Makes for a great way to bring a few beers or glasses of wine back to your room's balcony. You're description of sharing drink packages makes it seem 200% harder than it really is. Of course, I wouldn't know from personal experience.

 

 

 

Possibly. But you couldn't sit there and order a drink at your seat, give it to someone else sitting with you and expect not to get caught. I'm just saying it would be a hassle. Not that people couldn't order a drink. Hand it off. Then order another one and walk away. Although to many times of this would surely raise suspicion.

 

 

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[LindaLiz]

You're not the first person to tell me that here.

 

Heck, I got C's in math but it's not that hard. If the 2 people don't drink $600 (or whatever the current rate is) of booze/water/juice etc for a week, then don't get the drink package.

 

We got the package the last 2 out of 3 cruises. Last time we didn't - between the CL, Diamond drinks and Club Royale free drinks, it made more sense. Our upcoming cruise we are going with friends and are doing the package since they are - makes it easier if we start doing shots :eek: and we know we'll spend less time in the casino. My point is, think of your needs and choose accordingly. This "pilot program" isn't the end of the world. As others have said, the cheats screwed it up for those of us who play by the rules.

 

I just became Diamond after my cruise in March. What are the Diamond drinks? Do we get something each day? I couldn't find info on the Crown and Anchor Society page. Thanks for your input.

[NoWhiners]

I think there is a 5 minute rule for ordering again on the drink package..........but we've ordered a drink and a bottle of water at the same time with no problem.

 

Possibly but not my experience. We were on Radiance in April and after dinner one night, I wanted some Amaretto. I went to the bar in the atrium (or whatever they call that big middle area that does up several decks) and i asked if I could have a double (on the drink package). Bartender said no, so I got a single. I could barely see the amount of Amaretto she poured, the ice made it seem like more. So, I walked over to DH, handed him my drink and went right back to new bartender and asked for an Amaretto. She said something like "so soon?" and I replied that since the pours were so small and I couldn't just start with a double, I needed to get another drink. She gave me the 2nd drink (no ice), and did pour a bit more than the first one. The whole operation took about 2 minutes. Then, I dumped the 2nd into the first and finally had a proper sized after dinner Amaretto :)

[time4u2go]

Wouldn't that also be defined as gouging at some point?

 

Or do you believe gouging is not possible?

No, that's not gouging.

 

And I definitely do believe gouging is possible. A common example is when a company or service spikes up their prices right after a disaster of some sort.

 

This drink package change is most definitely not gouging.

[time4u2go]

I think there is a 5 minute rule for ordering again on the drink package..........but we've ordered a drink and a bottle of water at the same time with no problem.

I'm guessing any forced delay between drinks is inversely proportional to the tip. ;)

[Ocean Dancer]

I'm guessing any forced delay between drinks is inversely proportional to the tip. ;)

What do you mean by that?? We have never ordered, or had the need to order another drink within a half hour...........usually much longer.:*

 

What would a tip have to do with us? We have made friends with many bartenders on many ships.

[time4u2go]

What do you mean by that?? We have never ordered, or had the need to order another drink within a half hour...........usually much longer.:*

 

What would a tip have to do with us? We have made friends with many bartenders on many ships.

I was making a joke! I was saying that if a bartender tried to make someone wait between drinks that the bartender would probably reduce that wait time if they got a nice tip.

[Ocean Dancer]

I was making a joke! I was saying that if a bartender tried to make someone wait between drinks that the bartender would probably reduce that wait time if they got a nice tip.

[mickeychicky]

So, maybe those cruising those sailings should boycott buying the drink package all together. Send a message....

 

A drink package for a 7 day cruise is like almost $500 (if you pre-purchase) then multiply that by the others people in your cabin (over 21) whether they drink or not. You are usually onshore 3 days on a day cruise, and you may or may not drink while onshore. So three days, if you choose to get off the boat, you aren't using the beverage package to its fullest. When I come back onboard from my shore excursions I rarely ever drink; I come back, I eat dinner and go to bed early because I'm exhausted. So there is what $150.00 from my drink package I am not using.

 

The other 4 days I am onboard, at sea, I am not going to drink $350 worth of alcohol. So, the drink package is just being wasted anyway. And then add on to that the other person/people in my cabin that probably don't drink at all.

 

If they end up keeping this ridiculous rule, then they might want to consider doing the "Free Ultimate Beverage Package" like NCL has done or has made it one of their "offers" on their sailings. Or come up with Single Cruiser Cabins so that those that don't want to buy the package aren't being forced to....they are just going to be alone in their own cabin.

 

Not everyone traveling together drinks, or maybe they are a recovering alcoholic that can't drink. I mean, that's kind of disrespectful on RCCL's part. BAD MOVE RCCL. I love ya, but this is a bad move.