"Easy Drinks" vs "Drinks on Us" Package

[miataman19]

On 1/22/2019 at 6:09 AM, redspain said:

Is it safe to say that if you have the new easy unlimited package, you could just request a shot of say Bacardi on ice and then request a coke afterwards and mix your own Bacardi-coke and not the captain morgan spiced rum and coke that is only included with the easy package? Or request a virgin strawberry daiquiri and a shot of malibu and make your own cocktail? Would this work?

Just off Divina and I saw people doing this all the time. Trying to see if we have to rebook or can we upgrade to the Easy Package with free WiFi from the Drinks on Us.

[sparks53]

Below is a photo of the easy package description we took on our Divina Caribbean Cruise form Miami

on the 10/01/19

It clearly states in the cocktails section mixed drinks with house spirit brands, so that leaves things pretty

wide open. We had no problem getting Pina Colada's. It is also not the case that the system is programmed

so the waiters swipe your card and it tells them if your drink is included in your package. It is up to them to 

decide.

Edited January 23, 2019 by sparks53
date mistake

[Preziosa]

With drink on us, Can you then order Virgin cocktail, such like Strawberry Daiquiri...

[exm]

So to summarize:

 

DOU

- More beer options

- Need to pay gratuity per drink (is this really confirmed?)

 

EP

- Limited beer options

- More coffee options

- No need to pay gratuity per drink

 

Is that about right?

[miataman19]

Just got off the phone with my TA. He contacted MSC and you can upgrade from the Drinks on Us package to the Easy package with free WiFi for $112 per cabin. So for $56 pp you get the WiFi and dont have to pay the 15% service charge per drink as we would have had to do if we kept the DOU package. We have 2 cabins with a 24 and 21 year old in the other cabin so this upgrade was a no brainer.

[exm]

9 minutes ago, miataman19 said:

Just got off the phone with my TA. He contacted MSC and you can upgrade from the Drinks on Us package to the Easy package with free WiFi for $112 per cabin. So for $56 pp you get the WiFi and dont have to pay the 15% service charge per drink as we would have had to do if we kept the DOU package. We have 2 cabins with a 24 and 21 year old in the other cabin so this upgrade was a no brainer.

 

Wasn't it cheaper to simply rebook? Looks like rates have mostly stayed flat.

[PTC DAWG]

Already have the Easy Package and Free Wifi......still curious as to the upgrade to the premium drink package...will be calling soon enough.  

 

I think I found the answer on this thread....

 

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2620892-msc-drink-package-upgrade-easy-to-premium/

Edited January 23, 2019 by PTC DAWG

[TomC21]

On 1/15/2019 at 4:47 PM, Bubbaloo311 said:

Thank you for posting this - although I am still utterly confused.  We just booked for June on the Seaside with the All In promo with WiFi.  My mom likes things like Cosmos - can be made with well brand spirits - but can you get a mixed drink.  Things like a pina colada or frozen daquiri.

 

If not what is the cost to upgrade?  But also where can I find current drink prices to know if it's worth upgrading or are we better off just buying a few drinks a la carte?

 

The Seaside looks beautiful with lots of cool bells and whistles I think my kids will like - but I am starting to feel like maybe we should cancel between bad reviews (which I take with a grain of salt) and just feeling like it's pulling teeth to get accurate info.  Sorry for the vent - but I am honestly just so confused about things it has left a sour feeling in the pit of my stomach ...  Thanks for any clarification.

 

 

 

type in your browser   msccruisesusa.com

once you’re on MSC’s home page, scroll to the bottom of the page and click on the (all inclusive cruises) link

Once that page loads, scroll down to the (all inclusive alcoholic beverage package) and click on that link.

this brings up all of the drink packages. They indicate if you bought the package prior to the cruise, the 15% service charge is already included. If you buy on board you’re subject to the 15% service charge. When I booked my cruise, it included the Easy Package and standard internet. It’s no longer available for my cruise, but the prices dropped significantly. So they factor the package into the price of the cruise.

 

 

Edited January 23, 2019 by TomC21

[TomC21]

https://www.msccruisesusa.com/en-us/Manage-Your-Booking/All-Inclusive-Packages.aspx

[ready2cruzagain]

4 minutes ago, TomC21 said:

https://www.msccruisesusa.com/en-us/Manage-Your-Booking/All-Inclusive-Packages.aspx

 

Thank you for the link, I have been looking for it and could not find it.

[TomC21]

2 hours ago, sparks53 said:

Below is a photo of the easy package description we took on our Divina Caribbean Cruise form Miami

on the 10/01/19

It clearly states in the cocktails section mixed drinks with house spirit brands, so that leaves things pretty

wide open. We had no problem getting Pina Colada's. It is also not the case that the system is programmed

so the waiters swipe your card and it tells them if your drink is included in your package. It is up to them to 

decide.

 

i don’t have any paperwork that shows the Easy Package including “mixed drinks with house spirit brands). So I hope it’s also included for our Caribbean sailing on the Seaside in November.

thanks!

Edited January 23, 2019 by TomC21

[miataman19]

1 hour ago, exm said:

 

Wasn't it cheaper to simply rebook? Looks like rates have mostly stayed flat.

I think that's what he did. Our cabin was a few dollars more when I checked this morning. I'm going to double check with him tomorrow. 

[croaziera]

From my January 10-20, 2019 MSC Divina cruise:

[ssmea03]

There was a comment on FB today, that MSC are no longer allowing upgrades from free promotional packages. Namely you can no longer upgrade easy unless you've paid for easy in full. Has anyone else heard of this?

[casnet]

 

On 1/23/2019 at 2:56 PM, miataman19 said:

Just got off the phone with my TA. He contacted MSC and you can upgrade from the Drinks on Us package to the Easy package with free WiFi for $112 per cabin. So for $56 pp you get the WiFi and dont have to pay the 15% service charge per drink as we would have had to do if we kept the DOU package. We have 2 cabins with a 24 and 21 year old in the other cabin so this upgrade was a no brainer.

 

Is that for the whole cruise or per day?

[Epos Man]

that will be per day

[miataman19]

9 hours ago, casnet said:

 

 

Is that for the whole cruise or per day?

 

9 minutes ago, ikea logistics said:

that will be per day

That would be $112 per cabin for the entire 7 day cruise. I'm not sure if he just re booked or that is an upgrade price. Whichever it is I'm only paying an extra $224 and getting the Easy pkg. and WiFi for both cabins. A nice upgrade from the DOU.

[Epos Man]

[Epos Man]

17 minutes ago, miataman19 said:

 

That would be $112 per cabin for the entire 7 day cruise. I'm not sure if he just re booked or that is an upgrade price. Whichever it is I'm only paying an extra $224 and getting the Easy pkg. and WiFi for both cabins. A nice upgrade from the DOU.

there was / is no upgrade available for DOU to Easy as the Easy is the direct replacement for the DOU offer

[sailco]

Is bottled water included in any of the packages? All I can see is "premium bottled water" (mineral water). Can you take bottled water on board with you?

[exm]

We have 3 cabins (all connecting). Our travel agent (BJ Travel also had a $150 promotion when we booked), so for us to re-book it would be 3 x $112 = $336, and then we would lose the $150 so $486. I'm estimating we will be spending app $300 in gratuities for drinks, and internet (6Gb for 4 adults) is $175 so in total it's a wash.

 

What am I getting with the EP? Just coffee that's included? But I"m losing on our precious Corona bottles (yes, we like those)?

 

Why isn't this easier?