Thoughts on Drinks package vs Pay as you go and Prime On RCL

[jinx73]

Hello I'm debating whether to keep the drinks package I have or to just pay as I go and utilize the free drinks in the casino for the trip.  Anyone struggled with this choice, and what decision did you make.  I don't want to be bound by the casino for drinking, I'm on the Harmony, but I won't mind buying my own drinks as needed to go along with the casino drinks and I think I can come out ahead doing so. 

[OHCruisinDad]

We utilize the casino drinks coupled with the Diamond/Concierge lounge drinks including the 3 put on our card each day for "happy hour" (5 - 830).  If we have anything during the day outside of the lounge or casino we pay as we go.  It's much cheaper than buying a drink package.

[CTSandy]

We do a combo of casino, bringing two bottles of wine, and paying as we go.  Just completed a cruise to Alaska on Ovation of the Seas and only purchased drinks a few times - definitely worked out cheaper for us than buying a drinks package.  In fairness, neither my friend nor I normally drink that much, we usually have a glass of wine with dinner and a frozen thing on a day that we spend in the solarium.

[ToroAzul]

I've been thinking about this as well. With the way pricing is going for drink packages (and the economy booming) I may go back to byob/casino drinks. 

 

Spending a grand on booze for a week for two people is insane. 

[jinx73]

I decided to stick with the pkg, the cruise was comped through the casino, and luckily I'm by myself so only have to pay for one. The good thing is, I drink a fair amount so I don't have to worry about value's worth and for the convenience as I want to try a lot of spots on this cruise rather then all the time in the casino i think it makes sense.

Thanks for the responses though.

[Flonightey]

Do you recall how much he drink package was on ovation? 

[fla gang]

On 8/21/2019 at 2:09 AM, OHCruisinDad said:

We utilize the casino drinks coupled with the Diamond/Concierge lounge drinks including the 3 put on our card each day for "happy hour" (5 - 830).  If we have anything during the day outside of the lounge or casino we pay as we go.  It's much cheaper than buying a drink package.

Agree 100%

[lazydayz]

On 8/30/2019 at 2:00 AM, fla gang said:

Agree 100%

 

I agree with this as well.  Once you hit Diamond, there is little reason to purchase the drink package. 

[PigsCanFly]

I also do not purchase a beverage package for alcohol.  ( We do each get a soda beverage package, my caffeine source).  I utilize the free drinks in the casino when I am there (ie. when it is open😉) and use the 3 drinks on the diamond happy hours occasionally.  I will buy a drink during a show once or twice during a week.

The C&A status also offers some deals like a bogo draft and/or a discount.  Wife and son do not drink alcohol, so the "everyone in the room" would also preclude me from buying an alcohol package.

 

[Justaddvodka68]

On 8/21/2019 at 2:09 AM, OHCruisinDad said:

We utilize the casino drinks coupled with the Diamond/Concierge lounge drinks including the 3 put on our card each day for "happy hour" (5 - 830).  If we have anything during the day outside of the lounge or casino we pay as we go.  It's much cheaper than buying a drink package.

 

We normally get the package, as it's a perk on NCL, so I thought I'd want the package on Royal as well. but it's expensive! 

 

I saw on here where Royal sells a package of 10 drinks for a price, around $80.  I'm going to purchase two of those, in case we want a bloody mary in the morning or something with dinner, and utilize the casino for evening drinks.  Should work out cheapest and keep the tab under control. 

 

 

[OHCruisinDad]

15 hours ago, Justaddvodka68 said:

 

We normally get the package, as it's a perk on NCL, so I thought I'd want the package on Royal as well. but it's expensive! 

 

I saw on here where Royal sells a package of 10 drinks for a price, around $80.  I'm going to purchase two of those, in case we want a bloody mary in the morning or something with dinner, and utilize the casino for evening drinks.  Should work out cheapest and keep the tab under control. 

 

 

The 10 drinks for $80 is typically offered mid-cruise as a drink card.  I've seen it on many of the smaller class ships (Vision and Radiance class) but it is not always offered on every cruise.

[bcsurvivor2001]

Been a couple years since last cruise - but didn’t realize they had FREE drinks in the Casino (like Vegas????).  Going on Allure in January and also debating whether drink package is worth it - as it will be upwards of $960 for both of us with the gratuity 😬

[lazydayz]

7 hours ago, bcsurvivor2001 said:

Been a couple years since last cruise - but didn’t realize they had FREE drinks in the Casino (like Vegas????).  Going on Allure in January and also debating whether drink package is worth it - as it will be upwards of $960 for both of us with the gratuity 😬

 

Not everyone gets free drinks in the casino. You need to qualify then you get free drinks for the rest of the year (ends on March 31), and I think for the next 12 months after that due to your earned status. It is pretty easy to qualify at the prime level. 

[Wally Alligator]

On 9/10/2019 at 11:40 PM, PigsCanFly said:

Wife and son do not drink alcohol, so the "everyone in the room" would also preclude me from buying an alcohol package.

 

Friend of mine does not drink so he orders his wife's drink package by phone.  Explains he only drinks soda and they have him purchase the soda package. 

[jinx73]

It was a nice choice to go with the drink pkg last cruise, as we were stuck on the ship due to Hurricane Dorian and the drink pkg was extended at no additional charge.  I have a cruise coming up in December, where I think I'm going to just use the casino prime drinks instead of purchasing a pkg.  and pay for an occasional drink if I want one.  We'll see how it goes this time.

[Sunshine3601]

We are both Casino Prime and Diamond so we do the same as said above - use our 3 free drinks from diamond happy hour then get free drinks from casino for evening or sea days (whenever casino is open).    Just because you get the drink from the casino doesn't mean you have to sit and play in the casino right then.    Some sea days I will stop by get a cocktail - dacquiri or rum punch and take it up to the pool deck.    We always get our bottled water from casino (free) when casino is open for play.   Of course, we like to sit and play in casino in the evening so the bartenders and wait staff get to know you.    Have fun and good luck in the casino!

[Bronx12]

On 11/4/2019 at 7:41 PM, Sunshine3601 said:

We are both Casino Prime and Diamond so we do the same as said above - use our 3 free drinks from diamond happy hour then get free drinks from casino for evening or sea days (whenever casino is open).    Just because you get the drink from the casino doesn't mean you have to sit and play in the casino right then.    Some sea days I will stop by get a cocktail - dacquiri or rum punch and take it up to the pool deck.    We always get our bottled water from casino (free) when casino is open for play.   Of course, we like to sit and play in casino in the evening so the bartenders and wait staff get to know you.    Have fun and good luck in the casino!

 

Ditto! We never purchase the drink package 🙂