Drink package upgrade

[Projunior]

9 hours ago, the penguins said:

For most passengers upgrading is a bad deal. Far cheaper to just pay the extra on the odd drink that's not included in the basic. You only pay the difference which can be just a dollar a drink plus the tip on the dollar. 

We sailed on the Summit three weeks ago. The wines by the glass listed on the MDR wine list for the Classic Package topped out in price at $9 since, of course, that is the maximum drink price for the Classic Package. Several of the wines on the MDR Premium Beverage list were $14/glass. Had I only the Classic Package, my two $14 glasses a night with my dinner would have cost me $10/night or $70/week. I paid $60 to upgrade, so I came out ahead without even factoring in the french martinis I had in the casino (given the upcharge for Chambord as it is not on the Classic liqueur list).

 

I guess I am not "most passengers" since it worked out well for me.

[Luckiestmanonearth]

1 hour ago, Projunior said:

We sailed on the Summit three weeks ago. The wines by the glass listed on the MDR wine list for the Classic Package topped out in price at $9 since, of course, that is the maximum drink price for the Classic Package. Several of the wines on the MDR Premium Beverage list were $14/glass. Had I only the Classic Package, my two $14 glasses a night with my dinner would have cost me $10/night or $70/week. I paid $60 to upgrade, so I came out ahead without even factoring in the french martinis I had in the casino (given the upcharge for Chambord as it is not on the Classic liqueur list).

 

I guess I am not "most passengers" since it worked out well for me.

😂 my palette is not so sophisticated so the $9 a glass wine would be ok for me

[Keys Kathy]

14 minutes ago, Luckiestmanonearth said:

😂 my palette is not so sophisticated so the $9 a glass wine would be ok for me

Perhaps if you were drinking the better wine, you would like it better.

[D C]

4 hours ago, Projunior said:

We sailed on the Summit three weeks ago. The wines by the glass listed on the MDR wine list for the Classic Package topped out in price at $9 since, of course, that is the maximum drink price for the Classic Package. Several of the wines on the MDR Premium Beverage list were $14/glass. Had I only the Classic Package, my two $14 glasses a night with my dinner would have cost me $10/night or $70/week. I paid $60 to upgrade, so I came out ahead without even factoring in the french martinis I had in the casino (given the upcharge for Chambord as it is not on the Classic liqueur list).

 

I guess I am not "most passengers" since it worked out well for me.

Another "not most passengers" here.

 

2 glasses of premium package wine with dinner and a premium scotch or bourbon nightcap more than justify the premium upgrade. 

[helen haywood]

Disclaimer:  haven’t been on a ship since February 2020 but sometimes the wine menu in the MDR or elsewhere wouldn’t have a Sauvignon Blanc in the Classic Package price point.  But when I said I had the Classic Package and would like a glass of SB I was always given one.  Those menus don’t list everything.

[work4cruzn]

We also always upgrade. We enjoy the martini bar every evening before dinner and I also prefer the premium Pinot Noir wine with dinner. My friend is a coffee lover and enjoys Bailey's which is not on the classic. Since I upgrade, I always make sure to call my premium liquor for my mixed drinks. It has been so long since we have cruised that I don't know how much I can drink anymore but I am willing to try and find out 😂

[D C]

1 hour ago, work4cruzn said:

We also always upgrade. We enjoy the martini bar every evening before dinner and I also prefer the premium Pinot Noir wine with dinner. My friend is a coffee lover and enjoys Bailey's which is not on the classic. Since I upgrade, I always make sure to call my premium liquor for my mixed drinks. It has been so long since we have cruised that I don't know how much I can drink anymore but I am willing to try and find out 😂

It's important to remember to call it.  DW used to forget to throw "Patron" in front of "Margarita" when she ordered.  

[Keys Kathy]

Very smart, Dave, otherwise they will make it with well. 

[hawkesbaynz]

My wife has me wandering the ship looking for the branded sparkling waters and Zero Red Bull to stock up the fridge. Also she will demand Kiwi Sauvignon Blanc and premium gins. Not forgeting the breakfast smoothies from Aqua Spa Cafe. All Premium Package but I would be happy with the classic but happy to go along with her...

[paulajj]

4 hours ago, D C said:

It's important to remember to call it.  DW used to forget to throw "Patron" in front of "Margarita" when she ordered.  

Good tips!

 

I’ve upgraded my pkg for the martinis.

Does it make a noticeable difference in mixed drinks like that? I’m not a big drinker and would never know the different brands to ask for. (except now I’ll ask for Patron!) 

[D C]

7 minutes ago, paulajj said:

Good tips!

 

I’ve upgraded my pkg for the martinis.

Does it make a noticeable difference in mixed drinks like that? I’m not a big drinker and would never know the different brands to ask for. (except now I’ll ask for Patron!) 

A Patron Margarita is definitely better than a well margarita 😄

 

We upgrade mainly for the wine and spirits.  Far better whisky selection with the upgrade.  I think I average maybe a single drink from the martini bar per cruise.   

 

[ambrtonj]

10 minutes ago, D C said:

A Patron Margarita is definitely better than a well margarita 😄

 

We upgrade mainly for the wine and spirits.  Far better whisky selection with the upgrade.  I think I average maybe a single drink from the martini bar per cruise.   

 

 

The first time I ordered one for my wife was the last time that she drank a "regular" Margarita. 

[LadyBerard]

Cruising (hopefully) on the Constellation on 11/7 and had paid the $120 total for two of us to upgrade to premium beverage package.  Then we upgraded to drinks and more.  🙂  I sure hope our cruise does not get canceled.  Haven't cruised on Celebrity for quite a while and I'm really looking forward to it.

[lnuzzo]

On 7/30/2021 at 2:11 PM, HskrCrsr said:

 

Note that upgrading to Elevate supposedly converts the fare to prevailing rates, so if the price for the cruise has increased since original booking, upgrading via Elevate or Indulge can cost a pretty penny:

If a guest books Always Included and sometime later decides they want to add on the Elevate or Indulge package, will they have to shift to prevailing rate, or will we protect the original Always Included rate they booked at?

If a guest would like to upgrade from Always Included to the Elevate or Indulge package after the original booking is made, their reservation will be converted to prevailing Always Included pricing on the day the package is added.

 I found this out yesterday, I asked about adding Indulge to our lift and shift from last year that we booked with all 4 perks included.  I was told to do that the perks we had already paid for would be removed (good bye $300 OBC) and would be replaced by $600 OBC ( and increase of $300)

 

instead we opted to use the captains club discount to upgrade our Beverage and Internet packages for just shy of $500 for both.  I am not sure who built the indulge package, but it doesn’t seem to make mathematical sense. 🙄

Edited August 6, 2021 by lnuzzo

[HskrCrsr]

7 hours ago, lnuzzo said:

 I found this out yesterday, I asked about adding Indulge to our lift and shift from last year that we booked with all 4 perks included.  I was told to do that the perks we had already paid for would be removed (good bye $300 OBC) and would be replaced by $600 OBC ( and increase of $300)

 

instead we opted to use the captains club discount to upgrade our Beverage and Internet packages for just shy of $500 for both.  I am not sure who built the indulge package, but it doesn’t seem to make mathematical sense. 🙄

There are some situations where the upgrade makes sense, primarily shorter cruises and for someone who was going to upgrade drinks and wifi anyway. For longer cruises or when one of those upgrades is not wanted, Elevate and Indulge often cost more than they save. And if it comes with a shift to prevailing rates, it will usually make even less sense.

 

Happy sailing!

[lnuzzo]

2 hours ago, HskrCrsr said:

There are some situations where the upgrade makes sense, primarily shorter cruises and for someone who was going to upgrade drinks and wifi anyway. For longer cruises or when one of those upgrades is not wanted, Elevate and Indulge often cost more than they save. And if it comes with a shift to prevailing rates, it will usually make even less sense.

 

Happy sailing!

 We always upgrade our Beverage package, as we love wine and prefer the call brand alcohol.   that is us, and we like to enjoy our vacation.  This is the first cruise we will both have WiFi, and since we are paying for it we want it to allow more that just reading online.   Our cruise is 9 nights, but the difference in OBC just doesn’t make sense.

Edited August 6, 2021 by lnuzzo

[Coochuck]

Will the bartender's make frozen drinks on the pool deck with the classic package, or do  you have to upgrade?

[paulajj]

7 minutes ago, Coochuck said:

Will the bartender's make frozen drinks on the pool deck with the classic package, or do  you have to upgrade?

Pina coladas and the like are included in the classic pkg 🙂 

[canderson]

I think with the Premium package, you get two umbrellas in your Piña Colada. 😊

[HskrCrsr]

39 minutes ago, canderson said:

I think with the Premium package, you get two umbrellas in your Piña Colada. 😊

Pair-asols, then?

[canderson]

Ouch.  -2 Captain's Club points for you!

[T^2]

I think I have part of this figured out, but the other part has me completely stumped at this point.

 

What I think I understand (referencing only drink packages), I can go with the "Always Included" for "no additional" cost.  Upgrade classic drink package to premium for ~$12/day/person OR upgrade to Elevate for $30/day/person.  Understanding there are additional perks with the Elevatee package.

 

This is the part I haven't gotten figured out:

Looking at the Celebrity app for a Dec cruise, the data I have seen hasn't been consistent on different days.  So, assuming some of the data is not necessarily correct 5 months out.  But, with that caveat, looking at the MDR wine menu, is has a grouping of wine by classic package, by premium package, and Elevate package.  The elevate package has a couple of wines for $16/glass.

 

Has anyone cruised lately that can confirm there are now at least three different drink packages?  Is there an "Elevate" drink package that gets more expensive drinks than the Premium drink package.  I posted on the Dec roll call that several of the martinis (again on the app) are showing a price of $16.  I know it is only $1.20/drink extra with the premium package but ...

 

Tim

[taylortime05]

16 hours ago, lnuzzo said:

 We always upgrade our Beverage package, as we love wine and prefer the call brand alcohol.   that is us, and we like to enjoy our vacation.  This is the first cruise we will both have WiFi, and since we are paying for it we want it to allow more that just reading online.   Our cruise is 9 nights, but the difference in OBC just doesn’t make sense.

I am in the process of finalizing a 9 night cruise on Equinox 9/17/21.  I know we want to upgrade the Beverage package.  Are you saying it's a better deal to just upgrade the package versus take their elevate or indulge package?    Once I finalize the cruise I can compare all the options.  

[D C]

34 minutes ago, taylortime05 said:

I am in the process of finalizing a 9 night cruise on Equinox 9/17/21.  I know we want to upgrade the Beverage package.  Are you saying it's a better deal to just upgrade the package versus take their elevate or indulge package?    Once I finalize the cruise I can compare all the options.  

That's what I get from everything I've read.   I just looked at options for our November 7n and the 2 bottles of wine with bad reviews and the casino credit aren't worth the extra $ to us.    The wine tastings could be interesting but there's very little info about them. 

[T^2]

I offer the following analysis for the group to critique:

 

I added the 20% gratiuty to the drink package upgrade to "get more" value out of the deal, since it is a cost savings.

 

Obviously, I did not include just the upgrade from Classic (All Included) to Premium as a separate line item at either $10 or $12 / day.

Tim

Edited August 7, 2021 by T^2
Clarification