NEW MSC Drink Packages (2021 onwards)

[DCGuy64]

20 minutes ago, jrw2324 said:

Its just annoying they are not offering it or giving us a reason why. I do like to drink and will be at the private island 9am-11pm so it could be a long day ! I like to prepay and have no surprise bills and would love for them to give us a reason why we cant.

How soon is your cruise? I was under the impression that the Caribbean cruises (which is presumably where you're going since you mentioned the private island) weren't starting until September. Has that been moved up? Is there some urgency in getting the drinks package now? As @KennyFla said, give them time. It's possible they can't do it now because they're still figuring things out for the US restart.

[drsel]

1 hour ago, jrw2324 said:

Its just annoying they are not offering it or giving us a reason why. I do like to drink and will be at the private island 9am-11pm so it could be a long day ! I like to prepay and have no surprise bills and would love for them to give us a reason why we cant.

Usually the short Cruises tend to be booze Cruises, so they may not offer  drink packages on such Cruises.

Because it may not be so profitable if people consume more than 10 drinks per person per day.

 

On some Carnival cruises, I have seen many people foregoing sightseeing at the ports,  whenever they have the drinks package.

They sip cocktails at the poolside whole morning and afternoon and in the lounge bars/casino whole evening and night

Edited July 13, 2021 by drsel

[jrw2324]

1 hour ago, DCGuy64 said:

How soon is your cruise? I was under the impression that the Caribbean cruises (which is presumably where you're going since you mentioned the private island) weren't starting until September. Has that been moved up? Is there some urgency in getting the drinks package now? As @KennyFla said, give them time. It's possible they can't do it now because they're still figuring things out for the US restart.

we are going at the beginning of September just trying MSC our for a weekend cruise.

[DCGuy64]

2 minutes ago, jrw2324 said:

we are going at the beginning of September just trying MSC our for a weekend cruise.

Have a great cruise 🚢 . We liked the MSC Ocean Cay very much. I’d keep checking back on the website occasionally to see when they update the drink packages. You still have more than a month and you can add them pretty much any time. 

[jrw2324]

1 minute ago, DCGuy64 said:

Have a great cruise 🚢 . We liked the MSC Ocean Cay very much. I’d keep checking back on the website occasionally to see when they update the drink packages. You still have more than a month and you can add them pretty much any time. 

Ok will do, did you by chance do one of the cabanas ? there is also little info on these. Wondering if they deliver food and drinks to the cabanas, the problem is it does not tell you where you will be and you have no idea how far from anything you are going to be.

[DCGuy64]

1 minute ago, jrw2324 said:

Ok will do, did you by chance do one of the cabanas ? there is also little info on these. Wondering if they deliver food and drinks to the cabanas, the problem is it does not tell you where you will be and you have no idea how far from anything you are going to be.

We did not, actually I don’t remember seeing them. We were probably the 3rd or 4th ship to visit OC when it opened. We were in the YC area of the island and stayed there the whole time. 

[jrw2324]

1 minute ago, DCGuy64 said:

We did not, actually I don’t remember seeing them. We were probably the 3rd or 4th ship to visit OC when it opened. We were in the YC area of the island and stayed there the whole time. 

we looked at yacht club and i want to book it, however we have friends coming and they did not want to spend the extra so we are not goingot book it this cruise, did you enjoy yacht club ? its def something by wife and I want to do

[jules815]

We're now just about 90 days before our cruise on Meraviglia in the YC. 

 

According to our most recent booking confirmation we received just yesterday, it still says:

PRIVILEGES
− Dedicated priority check−in and check−out
− Butler service available 24 hours
− Dedicated concierge available 24 hours
− Room service available 24 hours
− Unlimited beverage selection in MSC Yacht Club areas and in all bars and restaurants
of the ship according to the drink selections available in the different venues
−Premium Internet Package, up to 4 GB (depending on the length of the cruise).
− Complimentary access to the Thermal Suite in the MSC Aurea SPA
− Relaxation amenities in each suite (including bathrobe and slippers)
− Most rewarding experience for MSC Voyagers Club points

 

Now, if we go by that, don't you think that would mean anything available in the YC lounge, including the premium alcohol (mainly Hendricks for my husband) and bubbly? 

 

 

 

 

 

[MarkusToe]

The magic words are "drink selections available in the different venues"

 

This do not mean everything...., inside YC bubble, you will get everything by the glass available.... outside not...

Edited July 13, 2021 by MarkusToe

[MouseBerry]

Hi,

the "privilege" description in Germany is pretty much the same phrase.

My guess is that unlimited refers to the fact that you can order as much (#of drinks) as you like.

This is not a matter of course as other cruise lines have a limit for the amount of drinks (a quite high limit which isn't a real restriction for a normal person).

To my knowledge you won't get  every drink by glass in the YC included in the package. Some drinks will have a price tag on the YC bar menu and those are not included. These are the very high price ones.

Outside of the YC it is as @MarkusToe mentioned, it depends on which "drink selctions available in different venues" and I would extend this to "according to your arrangement".

E.g. in the Champagne Bar a lot of  drinks are *available*, but most of them are not included in the YC arrangement. I.e. your selection is limited.

 

What bothers me is not the limitation of drink packages and the YC experience. I could handle this and do my math. What bothers me is the uncertainty what is included. In a perfect world MSC would send you a digtal copy of all bar menu with a mark what is included and what isn't.

 

I don't know why MSC transforms a luxury experience like YC to such a bad "they try to fool me" experience.

 

skoal

MouseBerry

 

[JohnJayJotaJames]

15 hours ago, MouseBerry said:

I don't know why MSC transforms a luxury experience like YC to such a bad "they try to fool me" experience.

I agree. On the Seaview we asked the Champagne bar if a glass of champagne was still included for YC guests as so every cruise is different on MSC. They said yes! So every night we passed by and had a glass of champagne. (just one!) We drink very little. On our last night we noticed the champagne had been charged to our account. We questioned concierge who said it definitely wasn't included and we would be charged. They didn't even ask for the charge to be signed for. I think that now they have a $ value for drinks to be included it will make it simpler for YC guests. 

[KennyFla]

18 hours ago, jrw2324 said:

Ok will do, did you by chance do one of the cabanas ? there is also little info on these. Wondering if they deliver food and drinks to the cabanas, the problem is it does not tell you where you will be and you have no idea how far from anything you are going to be.

For our October cruise, the cabanas are $500 per day.  That seems a little crazy.  You already get food and drinks by being Yacht Club.

[jules815]

1 hour ago, KennyFla said:

For our October cruise, the cabanas are $500 per day.  That seems a little crazy.  You already get food and drinks by being Yacht Club.

The cabana prices are outrageous. I mean, they're nice and all, but not that nice. 

 

Are umbrellas included on the YC beach at Ocean Cay? 

[gamecoc430]

Are ALL guests in a small group that eat dinner at the same table really required to have a drink package?  I fully understand all cabin occupants having a drink package, and I understand not sharing our drink package with others.  But really!  MSC would rather 6 of us NOT buy a drink package because 2 others of us don't drink.  Just because we're dining at the same table.  Doesn't make much business sense to me!

[Até]

On 7/14/2021 at 9:39 AM, jules815 said:

The cabana prices are outrageous. I mean, they're nice and all, but not that nice. 

 

Are umbrellas included on the YC beach at Ocean Cay? 

The cabanas really aren't that nice compared to offerings on other private islands.  Umbrellas are available for YC guests.

 

42 minutes ago, gamecoc430 said:

Are ALL guests in a small group that eat dinner at the same table really required to have a drink package?  I fully understand all cabin occupants having a drink package, and I understand not sharing our drink package with others.  But really!

That is MSC's official policy but I've actually never seen it enforced and have sailed many times with others at the table having a different or no package.  I'm not sure if MSC would catch it if you linked the bookings but if they balked you could un-link the bookings then re-group to one table with the maître d' on the first afternoon.

[drsel]

18 hours ago, gamecoc430 said:

Are ALL guests in a small group that eat dinner at the same table really required to have a drink package?  I fully understand all cabin occupants having a drink package, and I understand not sharing our drink package with others.  But really!  MSC would rather 6 of us NOT buy a drink package because 2 others of us don't drink.  Just because we're dining at the same table.  Doesn't make much business sense to me!

I think that those who want to buy the drink package should go ahead and buy it.

you will not have any problem at the dinner table

[renysmom]

I am beyond confused. Lol

 

We are booked in an Aurea cabin in April 2022. What drink package comes with Aurea  for that time period?  I have read there’s going to be a change in packages for winter 2021 based on cabin level, my confirmation says we currently have the easy plan. Just trying to figure out if in April that will be the case, or is it converting to easy plus. 
 

Thanks

 

 

[Beamafar]

It’ll be the new ‘Easy’ package:

 

Winter 2021 Drink Package Comparison.pdf

[georgemoe]

On 9/19/2021 at 2:25 AM, Beamafar said:

It’ll be the new ‘Easy’ package:

 

Winter 2021 Drink Package Comparison.pdf 212.32 kB · 33 downloads

 

I'm a bit confused like Renysmom. I've tried to follow this and it was my understanding "Aurea" would be upgraded to Easy Plus in November. Not the "New Easy". New Easy looks worthless.

 

Is there a comparison to of the Old Easy to the New Easy?

[Beamafar]

3 hours ago, georgemoe said:

 

I'm a bit confused like Renysmom. I've tried to follow this and it was my understanding "Aurea" would be upgraded to Easy Plus in November. Not the "New Easy". New Easy looks worthless.

 

Is there a comparison to of the Old Easy to the New Easy?

According to MSC, and an Aurea booking I have, Aurea will only get the new Easy package included (unless part of a promotion that runs here for Med cruises, where Premium Extra is included for some categories and Aurea is ‘upgraded’).  I totally agree that the new Easy is worthless and Aurea is no longer worth booking. 
 

Here’s the current comparison chart:

 

Summer 2021 Drink Comparison Chart.pdf

Edited September 21, 2021 by Beamafar

[JezzaC]

I have booking for April 2022 with Aurea experience and drinks package included is Easy. I will upgrade it to better one since as everyone is saying Easy is worthless.

[thepla]

Frozen cocktails easy plus Dubai cruise. In planner it shows as part of pacage in PDF comparison it shows only in Carribean not other areas of world. Does anyone know if incuded?

 

Plus it is weird that minor's package does not include frozen cocktails but it does include alcohol free cocktails.

[deliver42]

I just upgraded my drink package yesterday for the Aurea. It cost $154.00 for both of us.

[ALWAYS CRUZIN]

Are all adults in the state room required to purchase the easy package if only one wants it?

[Beamafar]

Unfortunately, yes.