First time on Viking Drinks question

[Racdan]

 Hope you experienced Viking cruisers can help with the following questions.

1.  What is the cost of the Silver drinks package (I cannot seem to find it on the Viking website)

2.  Has anyone got a photo of the drinks menu re cost

3.  Do Viking have a Happy Hour (my DH is twittering about this in my ear as I type)

Hope to be on a caribbean cruise this November left it until the last minute due to my husbands hip replacement problems haven't had a decent holiday for two years so badly in need of some R & R.

Thank you in anticipation of all your help

 

 

Edited September 22, 2019 by Racdan

[TayanaLorna]

1 hour ago, Racdan said:

 Hope you experienced Viking cruisers can help with the following questions.

1.  What is the cost of the Silver drinks package (I cannot seem to find it on the Viking website)

2.  Has anyone got a photo of the drinks menu re cost

3.  Do Viking have a Happy Hour (my DH is twittering about this in my ear as I type)

Hope to be on a caribbean cruise this November left it until the last minute due to my husbands hip replacement problems haven't had a decent holiday for two years so badly in need of some R & R.

Thank you in anticipation of all your 

Cost depends on length of your cruise and come out to be $20 per day per person.  It includes tips and both people in cabin must take the package.  I think I attached a photo of The Viking Living Room bar menu.  It's the same for all bars.  There is no happy hour however you are sometimes handed a glass of bubbly as you return from an excursion.  If you join your CC Roll Call you will be invited to a Meet & Mingle with free drinks and appetizers.  Even if you don't get the package, you will be offered free house wine or beer of the day with lunch and dinner.  So approx 11:30-2:00 and 6:00-9:00 you get beer and wine in any of the dining venues.  Pours are generous and often.  So depending on what, where and when you want to drink...Oh the SS package also includes soda, fancy coffees, juice etc. any time.  Water bottles are plentiful and free no matter what.  Plus you have water carafs in your room refilled twice per day.  Think this about covers it.

onboardbeveragemenu_oceans.pdf

[Vineyard View]

Great menu. Thank you for posting updated. Does anyone know if Viking is offering any caffeine free sugar fee yet?  In the past there was coke and coke light, but no caffeine free. 

[Cisterna]

2 hours ago, Racdan said:

 Hope you experienced Viking cruisers can help with the following questions.

1.  What is the cost of the Silver drinks package (I cannot seem to find it on the Viking website)

2.  Has anyone got a photo of the drinks menu re cost

3.  Do Viking have a Happy Hour (my DH is twittering about this in my ear as I type)

Hope to be on a caribbean cruise this November left it until the last minute due to my husbands hip replacement problems haven't had a decent holiday for two years so badly in need of some R & R.

Thank you in anticipation of all your help

 

 

In my opinion, if you like a choice of wine ~ other than red or white, would like a morning cocktail, Bloody Mary, mimosa, screwdriver etc, Cocktail or beer poolside, before dinner or after dinner cocktail , evening nightcap ...You get my drift. It is worth it!   3 drinks ( a person) other than your beer or wine with your meals a day, including tips ~ it is a bargain!

[Peregrina651]

Just to be clear, all coffee except that which includes alcohol, tea and hot chocolate are free 24/7. There are cans of soda in your minibar, replenished daily except in V. Minibar contents may be consumed anywhere on the ship. 

 

BYO policy is liberal; you can bring potables potent or otherwise and consume them anywhere on board. Bartender will even give you glasses and ice. There is no corkage fee in the dining room.  In fact, Viking encourages you to sample the local tipples--beers, wines, liqueurs, etc. 

 

People seem to go for the package for two reasons: either it saves them money or they like the convenience. 

[SrCruizer]

FYI, if still not sure about the SSP, you can wait until the day you board the ship, and that day only, to make your final decision. Talk to one of the bartenders. I believe they can get you signed up.

[Mich3554]

We took our first cruise last year with Viking and turned down the SS package.  Neither of us drink a lot and found we could get a refill of wine from lunch or dinner and take it with us.  I think our bar tab at the end of our 11 day trans Atlantic trip was just over $100, a far cry from the $440 that the package would cost us.  We didn’t deprive ourselves, just didn’t drink enough to make it worthwhile.  

 

[Liz Masterson]

I suspect your itinerary might figure into the calculations.  I think I'd probably have a few more drinks on a sea day.  Maybe a mimosa with breakfast,  a poolside drink, a cocktail before and or after dinner.  But If I'm up early and out the door excursioning I'm not drinking on the ship.  I don't think having the drinks I described while on holiday is over doing it.  It's a holiday... and I'm sure a nap after lunch would be a welcome indulgance! 🙂

 

[Vineyard View]

6 hours ago, Peregrina651 said:

 

BYO policy is liberal; you can bring potables potent or otherwise and consume them anywhere on board

 

People seem to go for the package for two reasons: either it saves them money or they like the convenience. 

The BYOB policy is awesome. The itinerary could have an impact on what is available to bring on board depending on which part of the world you are sailing. 

 

I would just add that other very very big reason that people go for the SSP is the opportunity to enjoy upgraded and greater selection of wines. 

Edited September 23, 2019 by Vineyard View

[Cisterna]

3 hours ago, Liz Masterson said:

I suspect your itinerary might figure into the calculations.  I think I'd probably have a few more drinks on a sea day.  Maybe a mimosa with breakfast,  a poolside drink, a cocktail before and or after dinner.  But If I'm up early and out the door excursioning I'm not drinking on the ship.  I don't think having the drinks I described while on holiday is over doing it.  It's a holiday... and I'm sure a nap after lunch would be a welcome indulgance! 🙂

 

HA ~ After the nap it's time for those cocktails!! 

[Capt_BJ]

the package also expands your wine/beer choices ... rather than being limited to the wine of the day you can choose any of the 'by the glass' and there are a bunch.  We often saw a fresh bottle being opened for our 'glass' choice. Ditto the 'included beer' is typically draft (for or last Ocean it was Carlsburg for the light altho the dark was something local and canned) .. package lets you pick any . . .

[caskale]

1 hour ago, Capt_BJ said:

the package also expands your wine/beer choices ... rather than being limited to the wine of the day you can choose any of the 'by the glass' and there are a bunch.  We often saw a fresh bottle being opened for our 'glass' choice. Ditto the 'included beer' is typically draft (for or last Ocean it was Carlsburg for the light altho the dark was something local and canned) .. package lets you pick any . . .

We were allowed to choose any beer without buying the package in February.

[philw1776]

1 hour ago, caskale said:

We were allowed to choose any beer without buying the package in February.

Same experience at Pool Bar on my cruise.  Dark beers offered changed.  Not a beer drinker but I made an exception.

[Cisterna]

Well ... the inconsistencies drive me crazy - I don't want to worry about it so I'm just going to buy the SS package and call it a day!  Thanks for the input! 

[TayanaLorna]

Drink it up

This one's for you

It's been a lovely cruise

 

I'm sorry it's ended

Sad but it's true

It's been a lovely cruise

 

- Jimmy Buffet

[CILCIANRQTS]

44 minutes ago, TayanaLorna said:

Drink it up

This one's for you

It's been a lovely cruise

 

I'm sorry it's ended

Sad but it's true

It's been a lovely cruise

 

- Jimmy Buffet

 

Another ParrotHead - yes!!

 

CILCIANRQTS - Changes In Latitude, Changes In Attitude...etc.

Margarita’s are on me!!

 

 

[CCWineLover]

4 hours ago, TayanaLorna said:

Drink it up

This one's for you

It's been a lovely cruise

 

I'm sorry it's ended

Sad but it's true

It's been a lovely cruise

 

- Jimmy Buffet

 

Ah yes!  Love it, TayanaLorna! 

Brings back memories....

[TayanaLorna]

1 hour ago, CCWineLover said:

 

Ah yes!  Love it, TayanaLorna! 

Brings back memories....

May you always remember

These moments are shared by few

🌴

We cruised on our own sailboat for 30 years.  The last 15 in the Caribbean.  Would sing this song when returning from a season.  Just sold the boat in July.  Lorna Doone, a Tayana 37.  She was a classic.

[Flashman181]

Seems to me that one issue with Silver Spirits Beverage pack is that both passengers have to sign up for whole cruise ? Would be much more inclined to just sign up for the days at sea and not the whole cruise 🙂 

[Peregrina651]

6 hours ago, Flashman181 said:

Seems to me that one issue with Silver Spirits Beverage pack is that both passengers have to sign up for whole cruise ? Would be much more inclined to just sign up for the days at sea and not the whole cruise 🙂 

 

Yes, both pax have to sign up for it.

 

I don't know that there is any cruise line that allows you to buy a package for just the days you want it; it is all or nothing.

 

[pacruise804]

I think some lines might allow a purchase on the second day, but I've also never heard of ordering just for certain days.  I've also heard of some lines having drink "tickets" where you would pay a set price for 10 drinks at a discounted rate.  (Caveat, I've only sailed mainstream lines to this point).

 

My husband and I plan to get the package for our cruise next year.  We might not save any money, but I suspect we will be close.  We have 4 full sea days plus embarkation and should be onboard by 5:00 at most ports.  We are using Viking Air which will have us arrive the day of our cruise (not thrilled about that, but that's what trip insurance is for) so it won't be convenient to bring anything with us and we will enjoy trying new drinks.

 

I didn't see cider listed on the menu.  Does anyone know if cider is available, what brand(s), and if it counts as beer?

 

Also, are there any sweet wines, like Moscato?

Edited October 10, 2019 by pacruise804

[TayanaLorna]

I saw a comparison of drinks and/or wine bottle package costs for a bunch of the major Cruise lines.  They were all way more then the Viking Silver Spirits package. 

 

I don't recall cider but there were sweet wines and port available.

[Cisterna]

On 10/8/2019 at 6:59 AM, Peregrina651 said:

 

Yes, both pax have to sign up for it.

 

I don't know that there is any cruise line that allows you to buy a package for just the days you want it; it is all or nothing.

 

Windstar Does! We were shocked and very happy. I don't drink as much as hubby so he got it and I didn't! 

[Vineyard View]

We totally enjoyed the SSP on our just completed trip!  Did we drink more than we would have? Absolutely!  But it was delightful to enjoy a Grey Goose martini in the explorers lounge before dinner, then enjoy a selection of wines from various parts of our world, and then occasional port or after dinner drink. 

We also enjoyed a martini mixing class that was included with the package and at a cost to those that did not have it. There were several tastings of wine as well as spirits classes that were included.

it was fun to try different things, and often the servers in the restaurants came up with ideas to try that we would not have otherwise.  

[deec]

Glad to hear some of the tastings were included in the SS package.  We rarely go to those since we always  figure we have already paid for the liquors.  I really enjoy tasting some cocktails that are new to me.  the costs of the drinks are reasonable per menu costs but if you are drinking something straight or on the rocks. a double is usually what you need ...

 

VV glad to see you are "cruising" again.  Just returned from France's Finest and had a great time!!!  The SS package just for the upgraded wine choices was worth it!!!!