Best time to upgrade drinks package

[Rozza1980]

I want to upgrade my drinks package from classic to prem. is the cost the same onboard as calling ahead?

[ghstudio]

Just upgrade on the ship...same price and any bartender/bar waiter or guest services can do the update. That also gives you a chance to see if you really want to upgrade....you may find your liquors of choice are part of the classic package.

[jody75]

If you are planning a Mediterranean cruise from either UK, Spain or Italy which doesn't stop at a non EU port ( Kotor, Gibraltar ) you will pay 10-12% extra. You can avoid this charge if you upgrade online prior to the cruise, same applies to specialty dining charges.

 

For all other cruises book onboard and do it on Day 2, saving some money and reaffirming whether you need to upgrade.

[ClaudiaB]

We talked to the bartender at lunch when we embarked in Barcelona. We weren't aware of the added tax on the beverage package. She said she would do the premium package for us but wait until the evening until we were sailing to "turn it in." And she did. We wanted to upgrade on board to use our OBC.

[jody75]

We talked to the bartender at lunch when we embarked in Barcelona. We weren't aware of the added tax on the beverage package. She said she would do the premium package for us but wait until the evening until we were sailing to "turn it in." And she did. We wanted to upgrade on board to use our OBC.

If your cruise in totally within the EU, the VAT is applied at all times whether you are in Spanish, French, Italian or International waters. Your cruise probably called into Gibraltar that's the loophole which allowed you to avoid the tax.