Do without drink package

[momofmab]

I've never bought it.  My husband doesn't drink, so I'm not going to get plastered by myself.  I've always just paid by the drink (maybe having a couple of beers by the pool & a drink with dinner each day).

 

In a couple of weeks I'll be on a ship with 22 family members, most of whom drink.  I've thought about getting the package, but it's a 5-nighter with 2 port stops (we will be getting off the ship at both ports).  I just can't see it making sense with essentially only 3 days of full-day onboard drinking.  I know I can order drinks at night on port days, but I'm not a fancy mixed drink drinker, or a wine drinker - and my kids will be on board with us, so not a "girls gone wild" type of a trip.

 

I realize other non-alcoholic drinks are included but we bring water onboard and I don't drink juices or smoothies.  If I could've gotten it for $18/day, it would have been a no-brainer.  Plus we have a nice OBC and nothing really to use it on - it should cover my "per drink" costs for the cruise.

[Blondynka]

My husband and I have always both gotten the package. It covers water and fancy coffees as well and it's always been worth it. This January, I am pregnant so I obviously won't be drinking. Because I am pregnant they made an exception and allowed us to purchase one deluxe package for my husband as long as we got the refreshment package for me. Mocktails and kids menu here I come 🤣

Edited November 29, 2019 by Blondynka

[Ken at the beach]

3 hours ago, molly361 said:

I only bought it because it was $18 per day.(Beverage gate)   Have it now for all 2020 trips.  Not sure if we will even keep it at that price.  Will see how the test run goes in Feb🍺

And thanks again for the heads up on that.  I got it for the 4 cruises I had booked at the time.  

[LuCruise]

We are the opposite as we never got the drink package outside of soda or refreshment for DH.  But then the $18 gift came along for our two cruises for next year.  Bonus.  Then it got us thinking...it would be nice if we had the package for the one cruise that we are going on without our kids (coming up in 2 weeks). So DH and I treated ourselves to the DBP.  We purchased it and then rebooked it at a drop on Labor Day weekend.  We paid in CAD but it works out to $45 USD.  Seems like this is a good deal for today's prices.  (And the Black Friday deal brought the price back down to the same).

 

DH can probably break even.  I know I won't drink enough to break even, but it's being able to try new drinks and things that I wouldn't order otherwise.  And then treat myself to a specialty coffee (maybe with some bailey's in it)

 

Having said that...at the prices we're seeing today, it's unlikely that we'll purchase it again, and will return to bringing 2 bottles of wine on board and buying drinks as we go.  But glad we'll have an opportunity to try the DBP for the next few cruises.

[cb at sea]

The cost of a "shot" vs. a drink isn't that much.

[sparks1093]

15 hours ago, Biker19 said:

I think the RCI bean counters have a lot more info that anyone here does and know what they are doing.

Exactly. One must remember that the goal of the beverage packages is to make money for Royal. Guests can certainly save money with it but it's like the house in the casino, the law of averages is on their side.

[kernow]

We never buy it on Royal, we had it once 'included' in the booking and that just confirmed to us that to buy it would be a total waste of money. We use the C and A drinks in the evening and might buy the odd beer or coke during the day plus we take on our 2 bottles of wine and have wine as our D+ amenity. 

 

We do buy a package on MSC where it's much cheaper and we don't get loyalty drinks.

[spookwife]

19 hours ago, 2yves said:

How many of us are going to go without the drink package if we can't get a good deal?  Has anyone tried bringing their own low calorie mixer from home and a mug.  Purchase double shots only?  If so, how has it worked out for you?

 

I have never  purchased a drink package.      even before my liver went kablooey and I had to stop drinking.  

 

deals are irrelevant.    I only drank alcohol( and even then only wine) at dinner.   during the day it was mostly the flavored waters or  the included lemonade.   I got my wine from the Lounge( Diamond or  Suite/Concierge)  mr spook got his Jack and Coke there as well.   he'd maybe buy 3 beers total over the course of a week.  

 

 

 

 

[JCBAY4]

With 4 port days, there is no way we could justify +/- $700 for drinks for 7 days.  With happy hour or other specials, I figure we will spend about $400.

[Joebucks]

21 hours ago, ScubaCat3 said:

With the high prices currently in place for the deluxe beverage package there will be lots of people who find out they don't need it as much as they thought they did. Royal is leaving a lot of money on the table from those who would purchase at a slightly lesser price. Maybe they will eventually figure that out.

 

I'd take it a step further and even say how many people find out they don't need it even at the lower price.

 

The obsession over alcohol and "paying one price" sometimes overshadows actual logic. Few will admit that they bought it and barely used. They will fight to the death at how liberating it felt though.

[sparks1093]

1 hour ago, Joebucks said:

 

I'd take it a step further and even say how many people find out they don't need it even at the lower price.

 

The obsession over alcohol and "paying one price" sometimes overshadows actual logic. Few will admit that they bought it and barely used. They will fight to the death at how liberating it felt though.

This is exactly what the marketers are hoping for.

[SRF]

5 hours ago, Joebucks said:

 

I'd take it a step further and even say how many people find out they don't need it even at the lower price.

 

The obsession over alcohol and "paying one price" sometimes overshadows actual logic. Few will admit that they bought it and barely used. They will fight to the death at how liberating it felt though.

 

We have tried it both ways.

 

Without it, we drank less.  

 

With it, we drink more, and, on sea days, easily make money on having the package.  Port days are about break even.

 

Fresh squeezed OJ at breakfast.  2 bottles of water each.

 

Sea days, 3 - 4 drinks during the day.   Wine with dinner.  Frozen mudslide during the show.  A nightcap before bed.

 

Port days, lose the 3 - 4 drinks during the day, but have one or two cocktails before dinner.