Is the drink package a good idea?

[boatseller]

If you're a teetotaler, NO.

If you have to 'calculate' the 'value' of the package to 'get your money's worth', NO. That's all you'll worry about. Even if you don't get it, you'll still worry but at least you wouldn't have already spend the money.

If you just know it's a good deal for you, YES.

If the price is low or no consequence and want one less thing to worry about, YES.

[Stayinggolden83]

Whether or not the drink package is a good idea depends on you, your tastes, and your budget. No one can tell you what is good for you.

 

However. I will tell you why the drink package is a good choice for me:

1. When I drink, I drink liquor. My drinks of choice are a gin & tonic and a margarita. Both of those drinks are at least $10-$12 on a ship. Four of those, and I'm good for the day. And for me, four is a reasonable amount. Especially on a sea day. One or two by the pool, typically two with dinner, and maybe one while we're seeing a show or hanging out in the casino. On a port day, I'll probably only do 3. But am I losing money? No. Because I also plan on doing smoothies from Vitality for breakfast, a bottle of water to take off the boat, and probably diet coke at some point.

 

2. I don't drink wine, so the two bottles we're allowed to bring with us does me no good.

 

3. I like having the opportunity to try new things without wasting (my) money. At home when I go out, I always stick to similar drinks because at $13 each, I'd hate not to like what I order. But with the drink package, if I decide to be adventurous and don't like what I order, I don't feel obligated to drink it.

 

4. We pay for everything we can regarding the cruise before we go. So since the money is already spent and the credit card bill is already paid, I can order cocktails to my hearts content without worrying what I'm spending, which is what I did on the last cruise I took when I DIDN'T order the package. On that cruise I was so focused on making sure I spent less than I would have spent on the package that I didn't get a drink when I wanted one. Everything is paid for now, and our cruise is in December. I'll have wasted so much money on other random things between now and then, that the money spent on the drink package won't even be a thought.

[BillieJeanKaraokeKing]

The choice for us is generally as simple as whether we are going transatlantic or not. If there are more sea days than port days, we'll comfortably be better off with a package to cover soda, coffee and alcohol. If it's a trip round the Med with plenty of stops, we'll leave it and no doubt have a couple of bevvies apiece in port.

[oldguysandgalls]

Good Lord ! The drink packages are expensive!

[DiamondSuiteCruiser]

To us it is worth it. If you drink a specialty coffee or two a day, plus several bottles of water, a glass of wine at dinner, and a few drinks after dinner, and maybe an occasional soda or fresh squeezed OJ. It is so worth it to us! Only you can determine how much you will use it and only you can determine if it is worth it. Some use it to the fullest, some are happy with the included offerings only. Way out the pros and cons for you.

[edspec]

Yes indeed, wouldn't cruise without it.

[SharkCruiser24]

I love cruising with the drink package. I’m allergic to beer to all my drinks are $12+ so after 4 or 5 drinks a day I break even. Plus I love trying different drinks without worrying about wasting money on something I don’t like.

 

 

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[dwayneb236]

Also how many sea vs port days should be included in your calculation of is it worth it.

 

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This was our issue. Was hard to get our "minimum" on port days. We did it and enjoyed just being able to get what we wanted when we wanted but at times it was a chore to feel like you had to keep on drinking to get your moneys worth. Doubt we'll do it again unless the price is amazing. I'll miss it.

[JaniceB]

Thank you all for the responses, very helpful. Don't think I will get the package since I found out that my wife who is a diabetic is required to get one also. In speaking to Royal the rep said that she could get the refreshment package instead but that is a couple of hundred dollars and she does not drink soda either.

 

Royal should let you get the package if you want it and provide a doctors note for your wife. Why would they offer soda to a diabetic?

[dswallow]

Royal should let you get the package if you want it and provide a doctors note for your wife. Why would they offer soda to a diabetic?

Well, there's such a thing as flavored waters and sodas that don't have sugar, available from the Coke Freestyle machines.

[kingkopes]

The peace of mind and freedom is worth it for me. (I only get the refreshment package since I'm not a drinker).

Morning Red Bull

Morning Specialty coffee

Soda(s) with lunch

Virgin drink(s) by the pool

Soda(s) with snack

Virgin drink before dinner

Soda(s) with dinner

Virgin drink(s) for shows

Water for the room and for port days

 

That's a minimum of 9 drinks a day that I would be paying for individually without the package... WORTH IT! haha

[jenniferop]

maybe we are in the minority = since it seems so many people say they can't drink enough to "break even". the 1 time in all our cruises we didn't get the drink package we spent WAY over what it would have cost us...not because we are huge drinkers or party people just because it's easy to do on vacation. DH gets a couple bloody Marys' with breakfast I get a couple mimosas (those glasses are tiny but still cost $8 each) plus then a couple specialty coffees after breakfast... later in the afternoon hubby gets a few beers and I get a couple mixed drinks - if we play trivia its a few more, if we go ashore its bottled waters. while getting ready for dinner another couple bottled waters to take to the cabin. then a glass of wine before dinner - a glass of wine after dinner...a couple mixed drinks for the show and maybe a night cap and a bottle water for the cabin for night time. VERY easy to do and not be "drunk" all day. Just enjoying vacation and not worrying about what we drink when we drink it or how much it will cost. to each their own but we will continue to buy the packages (love it when they go on sale or are included with NCL) Next up in 2 weeks is Yacht Club on MSC - free mini bar :)

[IzznOll17]

Don't forget the daily 'shooter' after dinner and milkshakes from Johnny Rockets! All included in the package!

 

It's also handy if you like an extra shot of your chosen liquor in your chosen specialty coffee.

 

I'm able to use a lounge when on a cruise, but aside from my 3 drinks in any/most bars i find that restricts my evening, so when a package is attached to the cruise I'll take advantage. I'm literally just back and didn't get one ( 1 reason being that my wife doesn't drink) but took advantage of a drink card - this was printed in error on the cruise compass and took a great deal of effort to get one! That tells me that their day is numbered and imho I believe that as the status pyramid wedge gets thicker and rises further (ie more people become D & D+) they'll simply do away with the lounges (which are generally small) and possibly add more drinks to your card - 5?

I've noticed a massive change in financial tactics in the last few cruises - they're not too fussed about people who are seasoned cruisers too much, they are actively targeting young families!

These type of threads will keep this forum alive till the day the seas dry up - simplify do what you want to do, you work for your money - spend it how you like!

[tcrandal]

We haven't done the drink package on Royal, as even though we like our drinks, especially on vacation, I don't think we'd break even unless we really tried, and that isn't a good idea. We wouldn't normally purchase bottles water or coffee drinks, although I probably would if we did the beverage package, so I wouldn't factor that in. We just couldn't drink enough on sea days to make up for the lack of drinking on port days. Plus I just can't see spending that much on booze for a vacation, as its nearly half the cost of the cruise itself. I would however love the idea of not having to think about drinks and money (besides the max dollar amount covered), as I find myself not getting as many drinks as I'd like as to stay in our budget.

 

We bring on the allowed 2 bottles of wine, get individual drinks when we want them (especially on sea days), and look out for the drink card. Last cruise it was $79 / 10 drinks including gratuity, so an awesome savings for a $12+grat drink. Even that had us buying more drinks than we probably would of, to use up the card in the 2-3 days left, but as the cost was so low, it was about even. We also tend to drink in port as we like to try local food (especially seafood) and beverages for lunch and such, plus buy bottles to take home (the best souvenir!). I think last cruise our bar bill was $200-300 for the two of us for the week (including the drink card, but not duty free alcohol).

 

So for us it is not a good deal. If you think you'd average 4 specialty drinks (martinis, blended drinks, etc, which are $11-13) every day, it probably would be. Less so if you drink beer or simple mixed drinks. There are only a handful of wine options which stay under the max, although you would only have to pay for any overage, so if you drink a lot of wine it could still be a good deal.

 

This is exactly how we cruise as well. Between time in ports away from the ship, and consecutive days of drinking, we simply would not ever exceed the price of the package, and don't subscribe to the process of paying beforehand so I don't need to worry about it. I wouldn't worry about exceeding the cost, as I would know how many drinks we have, and would have done the calculations to support it. Also, I could likely exceed the drink # a couple days, but my wife would be well under, so since you have to buy it for every adult in the cabin, this would also factor in as a loss for us.

 

Nothing wrong with those that just want to pay a bit more in advance (in most cases, except those hardcore partiers and drinkers that have the resolve to drink that much per day) so they don't have to worry about it, it's similar to overpaying your taxes so you get a refund at the end of the year. It's why the dining plan works at Disney too... And then you end up eating desert at every meal just to try and make the cost turn out favorable on your side.

 

We bring two bottles of wine onboard, hit up drink specials, and would rather not have the "I need to drink 3 more drinks today to make this package worthwhile" attitude the whole trip.

 

To each their own. Bottom line is there is no right or wrong, it is completely dependent on how many drinks you want and your mental approach to vacation and what brings you the most peace. :)

[JaniceB]

Well, there's such a thing as flavored waters and sodas that don't have sugar, available from the Coke Freestyle machines.

Good to know.

[jpcello]

This has probably been asked before but we are taking the Anthem this October and I am trying to decide whether to get the drink package. I can't seem to find out what the drink prices are for decent quality cocktails and wine. Any insight will be appreciated.

 

Tom N

 

Last cruise was the first time we did the drink package. For us it was worth it. Paid $43/pp/day + grat. We only had 3 port days (7-day cruise) and we actually stayed on the ship 2 of those 3 days. We also drink lots of coffee (good coffee). On the last day I pulled up our account to see how much we actually drank (alcohol & coffee - they didn't track bottled water). We definitely came out ahead. Honestly though, we drank more than we would have typically drank without the drink package.

 

Almost every drink on the menu (typical martinis, margaritas, bloody mary's etc.) is $12 (within the limit). Wine choices were limited @ $12. All the cocktails are made with decent brands.