Over thinking all the extras!

[geomancer]

Don't do it. Think about what the cruise lines #1 priority is. To make money. Not just a little money, but all the money you have. So, now that you know that, think about the reason behind why they push drink packages SO HARD? Is it because they want you to save money? Or is it because they think it will boost the bottom line? I think everyone knows which it is.

 

What many people fail to remember is: Most of your days are in ports. Not on the ship. Your drink package doesn't work off the ship (unless the port happens to be owned by the cruise line). These ports have stores that sell drinks. Drinks that you can bring back with you. The only thing the lines care about is alcohol.

 

Each of your kids would have to drink a minimum of 3 soft drinks, every single day, including embarkation day, just to break even. To really "save" money they'd have to drink at least 4. And that's just the soda package, it gets worse with the refreshment package.

[ToddnMichelle]

took our 2 boys when they were 12 and 14. we did like a few of the others have mentioned, gave them a set amount of cash to spend onboard, made sure they understood how to check their spending and let them have at it. worked out well and wouldn't hesitate to do it again.

[DrD]

Don't do it. Think about what the cruise lines #1 priority is. To make money. Not just a little money, but all the money you have. So, now that you know that, think about the reason behind why they push drink packages SO HARD? Is it because they want you to save money? Or is it because they think it will boost the bottom line? I think everyone knows which it is.

 

What many people fail to remember is: Most of your days are in ports. Not on the ship. Your drink package doesn't work off the ship (unless the port happens to be owned by the cruise line). These ports have stores that sell drinks. Drinks that you can bring back with you. The only thing the lines care about is alcohol.

 

Each of your kids would have to drink a minimum of 3 soft drinks, every single day, including embarkation day, just to break even. To really "save" money they'd have to drink at least 4. And that's just the soda package, it gets worse with the refreshment package.

 

Yes but the kids love the freestyle machines. They are very popular. My boys really look forward to it, they even plan what kind of soda they're gonna make. They enjoy trying different concoctions. They do get tired of it after just a few days but for me it's still worth it.

 

My attitude has always been why spend thousands on a vacation, then go cheap on board? To save $100 on a vacation that probably costs $5000 when all is said and done seems penny wise and pound foolish.

 

I'm paying $6000 just for flights on my next cruise, so I really don't mind splurging on the extras. It's not everyday, or every year, or every lifetime that I will get to cruise the med with my boys.

[CP3o]

Yes but the kids love the freestyle machines. They are very popular. My boys really look forward to it, they even plan what kind of soda they're gonna make. They enjoy trying different concoctions. They do get tired of it after just a few days but for me it's still worth it.

 

 

I agree with this and even when older and not carrying cups around but getting sodas whenever they want was a certain freedom 'on vacation' thing to enjoy. I quickly accepted the per day cost of a soda package when realized it was less that ONE adult drink for me.

 

Also, as kids get older and are out doing their own thing, I like to remind them......... now, in college, and in 20's......... really from now on, once set a drink down to shoot hoops or dance or anything that leaves drink unattended, it's done, don't go back to it.

 

Much easier for a kid to do that with a soda card instead of a $2 soda paid for out of his vacation fund allowance. One kid typically gets his money's worth out of it, the other doesn't, but I like them to feel like have the option to indulge while on vacation. I'd save limits for the arcade ;)

[momofmab]

I'm one of those people who doesn't think the packages are worth it. I'm not a 5 or 6 alcoholic drink a day drinker and my kids don't drink soda. I'm sure they could be talked into more than one of the "virgin" frozen drinks, but thinking about all the sugar in those - no thanks. My husband is a soda drinker, so he gets a package. I also brought cans of his favorite soda (packed them in a suitcase) and also bottled water to drink in the room and to take off the ship at ports (we're fine with drinking the ship's water at meals). My kids and I also like regular coffees from Starbucks, so I bought each of us a pre-loaded GC - with "when it's gone, it's gone" instructions.

 

On our recent cruise, the kids had 2 or 3 frozen drinks during the week, no soda and 2 trips to Ben & Jerry's. I had 2 or 3 alcoholic drinks by the pool for the week. I think we came out ahead vs. packages ;)

[3monkeys4me]

I didn't read all the replies.

 

Our kids are 14, 12 and 8. We have only done one cruise with them in the past and on that one only the oldest was old enough to purchase things on her own. This time we will let both the older kids. At this point we are not planning on a beverage package for the kids. They don't really drink soda and the refreshment package really adds up with 3 kids. While they do find the freestyle machines fun they have them at several of the restaurants we regularly go to so the novelty has worn off and really they just want water 98% of the time anyway. We will just tell them they can have one fun beverage on port days and 2 fun beverages on sea days. My oldest loves her sweet coffee drinks so we will likely get her the coffee card and then she can have that and an extra drink on seas days if she wants. We also give them a budget for the trip of what we are willing to give them for spending money. This amount varies depending on the trip, but they know it ahead of time. They can use that to purchase extras or souvenirs. A couple of years ago we noticed they were using up every last penny offered to them just because they could. Now we have a policy that any leftover money they have at the end of the trip gets deposited to their savings account and they have become a lot more careful about purchases. Anything they want beyond what we agree to ahead of the trip comes out of their own money that they save from birthdays or in the case of the other two odd jobs they do for neighbors (my daughter babysits/petsits and my son does dog walking and mows lawns).

 

 

Both my husband and I are pretty much on the same page. We don't mind paying for fun experiences but we don't like paying for a lot of stuff. If I see something I truly love I'll buy it. My husband does like to spend some time in the casino so we will be budgeting for that. We both do like to have a few cocktails but it is pretty rare either of us will have more 3 drinks a day so a alcohol package isn't really a great deal for either of us.

 

So anyway, all that to say is I would just make sure whatever you decide it is clear tot he kids at the start of the trip and then stick to your guns! If at the end of the trip you find yourself with a little extra in the budget you can either do a fun splurge at the end of the trip or save it for the next trip!

Edited May 11, 2018 by 3monkeys4me

[cb at sea]

You can buy ANYTHING without a package. If you want them to get A "fruity" drink, you can buy one....no need to pay for "unlimited" anything. Same with soda, buy a can and split it.

There is plenty to drink at no charge....Ice water, coffee, tea (iced or hot), lemonade, milk and juice during breakfast is all included.

[Rjh8842]

Not worrh it. You can get lemonade, water, hot chocolate and a few other drinks for free. Also something that we do as a treat is they get sparkling apple cider at dinner a couple of nights. Since we do do not drink wine we can bring the sparkling cider on board instead. The one thing I do think is worth it is 1 or 2 photos.

[slyster]

I just wanted to chime in. Someone else mentioned buying things pre-cruise and that's what we do too. We purchase drink packages so we don't have to worry about the cost on board. We are close to breaking even. We purchase specialty restaurants ahead of time as well as shore excursions. I budget for that. When I get on board I really reduce the cost for "extras". By the end, I have spent very little except maybe on a photo or souvenir from the ship. I budget my souvenir spending off the ship as well.

 

Just something to think about in terms of budgeting ahead and paying for things before you board.

[Grandma Dazzles]

 

Each of your kids would have to drink a minimum of 3 soft drinks, every single day, including embarkation day, just to break even. To really "save" money they'd have to drink at least 4. And that's just the soda package, it gets worse with the refreshment package.

 

I agree that everyone has to make their own decision based on price and what they drink, but your pricing is way off.

 

Soda package, depending on ship, possible sales, etc. is approximately $8.50 per day.

 

A can of soda, with tip, is around $4. Obviously, break even is not 4 drinks.

 

Again, not sure of price of refreshment package, can vary, but many people like it for the bottled water - great to take ashore, again around $3 a bottle. Some people like specialty coffees, fresh squeezed juice, virgin cocktails. It's a question research and math.

[Laurin612]

...Much easier for a kid to do that with a soda card instead of a $2 soda paid for out of his vacation fund allowance. ;)

 

One thing I wanted to mention is that a can of soda on board is now about $4 per can with gratuity added.

[lbjen]

First cruise, only I got a soda package, kids and husband didn’t bother and didn’t miss it. Second cruise, we all got free soda packages from our TA, kids and husband still drank the free stuff most of the time!

[marci22]

I was once in line behind a family with school age kids at the end of a cruise and they were settling their on board account. It was over $6,000. The father nearly passed out. That's where the "oh that sounds like fun" attitude will get you. The photos, specialty restaurants, BINGO games, drinks, excursions, really add up.

 

I don't see how that's even possible. The kids must have been bidding at the art auction.

[asalligo]

It is their vacation also, so I try to let my kids spend at about the same level we do. They are now 20 and 17, but when we cruised in their younger years, I would buy them each a drink package and let them spend $20 a day each on whatever they wanted. If they did not spend it, they could stack it until later in the cruise or a port. That covered everything they wanted and neither overspent that money.

[LillCruiser]

I just wanted to chime in. Someone else mentioned buying things pre-cruise and that's what we do too. We purchase drink packages so we don't have to worry about the cost on board. We are close to breaking even. We purchase specialty restaurants ahead of time as well as shore excursions. I budget for that. When I get on board I really reduce the cost for "extras". By the end, I have spent very little except maybe on a photo or souvenir from the ship. I budget my souvenir spending off the ship as well.

 

 

 

Just something to think about in terms of budgeting ahead and paying for things before you board.

 

 

 

I do plan to do this. I believe I will work at some odd jobs I have and see just how close that gets me to where I want to be with paying everything before we go. Squirreling away some extra cash may just get me to where I’d need to be for the indulgences onboard.

 

And I agree that it’s their vacation too, and rest assured I won’t be ordering up drink after drink and telling them all they can have is water or tea. I just needed to know if it is as “necessary” as it seems here at home as it will feel on the boat.

[reallyitsmema]

I do plan to do this. I believe I will work at some odd jobs I have and see just how close that gets me to where I want to be with paying everything before we go. Squirreling away some extra cash may just get me to where I’d need to be for the indulgences onboard.

 

And I agree that it’s their vacation too, and rest assured I won’t be ordering up drink after drink and telling them all they can have is water or tea. I just needed to know if it is as “necessary” as it seems here at home as it will feel on the boat.

 

You can indulge them on board by letting them order two desserts at dinner, get another free soft serve on the pool deck, get that extra free bag of chips at Park Café. It all doesn't have to cost you a extra penny if it is above what they are usually allowed.:D

[CruiseGal999]

We leave in 36 days and I’m going crazy - and driving my husband crazy - with all the extras offered. First time with the family on a cruise and I’ve read just about all I can on the boards. This cruise is something we saved for, so adding on extras is also something I want to be financially aware of and careful to not overspend.

 

We have a fabulous sounding excursion booked so that is taken care of, but tell me, with kids ages 16, 12, and 11 how important are things like the refreshment packages? Sitting here on my couch at home, the idea of my kids being able to order a frosty non alcoholic beverage sounds so fun! Then the reality of the cost seems like there is no way it could be worth the money. Ice cream at anytime, buffets of food, MDR dining experience- that should be pretty awesome in itself, right?

 

Have you sailed with kids around that age? What extras were worth the $ and what wasn’t?

 

First ... I have to say I am NOT a parent. But reading this and so many other threads about drink packages for kids, I have to ask.

 

Do kids (9 - 12 - 16) really drink sodas? I mean like 2 or more a day? Maybe 1 or 2 a week ... I just can't imagine kids drinking soda.

 

There is ice tea, ice water, and lemonade, available all day/night that doesn't cost additional money.

[Grandma Dazzles]

First ... I have to say I am NOT a parent. But reading this and so many other threads about drink packages for kids, I have to ask.

 

Do kids (9 - 12 - 16) really drink sodas? I mean like 2 or more a day? Maybe 1 or 2 a week ... I just can't imagine kids drinking soda.

 

There is ice tea, ice water, and lemonade, available all day/night that doesn't cost additional money.

 

Yes! Kids drink way too much soda. Check around you next time you go out to eat, go to a ball game, mall, etc. My grandkids get soda as a "treat" but they are definitely in the minority when we are out, including going to grade/high school games, after school shows, etc.

[reallyitsmema]

First ... I have to say I am NOT a parent. But reading this and so many other threads about drink packages for kids, I have to ask.

 

Do kids (9 - 12 - 16) really drink sodas? I mean like 2 or more a day? Maybe 1 or 2 a week ... I just can't imagine kids drinking soda.

 

There is ice tea, ice water, and lemonade, available all day/night that doesn't cost additional money.

 

Yes, kids drink soda, but as has been said by many in this thread, the freestyle machines have many non soda choices.

[LillCruiser]

Yes, kids drink soda, but as has been said by many in this thread, the freestyle machines have many non soda choices.

 

 

 

My kids do not really drink it at all other than as a treat. My original post was more about the extras like the non alcoholic fun drinks. And my 16 year old son enjoys an occasional Mocha coffee. I’m not considering the soda package, I’m considering the Refreshment package.

[gobo2]

Mine are grown, but my best advice is to manage expectations frequently, before leaving home, before leaving the room for the day, before bed. Talk about what treats are “free” (already paid for in the cruise price) and what cost extra. Even young kids can grasp that money isn’t unlimited. I used to link good behavior (going to the kids club or leaving the pool without flipping out) with rewards like arcade tokens and face painting. Three soda packages is a crazy amount of sugary drinks, imho. There is almost unlimited soft serve and fun pool time every day. ! That in itself would have made me the happiest kid in the world.

Now get off my lawn.

[LillCruiser]

Now get off my lawn.

 

 

 

That really made me laugh!

[Mildred]

We have always purchased drink packages for our sons when cruising. This way you will know the actual cost and not have the anxiety they will be ordering soda or mock-tails (non-alcholic) from every bar/venue on the ship. Peace of mind is very important to me. Your children will meet up with other teens/tweens and socialize not under your direct supervision. It will be hard for them to resist joining in to go for a beverage/snack after an activity.

[reallyitsmema]

My kids do not really drink it at all other than as a treat. My original post was more about the extras like the non alcoholic fun drinks. And my 16 year old son enjoys an occasional Mocha coffee. I’m not considering the soda package, I’m considering the Refreshment package.

 

I know that you are considering the refreshment package, I was responding to the non parent that always adds parenting advice to these threads.

 

Not sure if you realize all the non soda options that are in the freestyle machines. Your son access to Powerade, Vitamin Water and Minute Maid Lemonade too, all in either a regular or sugar free version. There are lots of different flavors of them too. My son liked the Fanta sodas because they had sugar free grape soda, which is something you don't see.

 

We get the refreshment package every sailing for the Mochas, bottled water, bottled San Pellegrino sparkling water and fresh squeezed OJ. Throw in a couple of non alcoholic frozen drinks and we get way more than our monies worth.

[LillCruiser]

I know that you are considering the refreshment package, I was responding to the non parent that always adds parenting advice to these threads.

 

 

 

Not sure if you realize all the non soda options that are in the freestyle machines. Your son access to Powerade, Vitamin Water and Minute Maid Lemonade too, all in either a regular or sugar free version. There are lots of different flavors of them too. My son liked the Fanta sodas because they had sugar free grape soda, which is something you don't see.

 

 

 

We get the refreshment package every sailing for the Mochas, bottled water, bottled San Pellegrino sparkling water and fresh squeezed OJ. Throw in a couple of non alcoholic frozen drinks and we get way more than our monies worth.

 

 

 

Gotcha! Thank you for that.

 

See that’s my line of thinking too. I really enjoy coffee and all the comments on the boards about crappy coffee have me concerned. Plus I do like vacation to feel indulgent. But I also like to be smart with my money. But most everyone that has posted doesn’t seem to have any regrets with their purchase for the kids. :)