Drink Package - What is *Actually* On the Ship?

[CruiserMickey]

I have seen the list of spirits for the Deluxe Drink Package, but I am wondering what people are *actually* served on ships right now. Are premium spirits available, or is RC defaulting to cheaper spirits as a cost cutting measure? I don’t mind paying for a premium drink, but I want to make sure that I am actually getting what I am paying for. 
 

Thanks for any first hand current knowledge you can share!

[crzndeb]

You can look at drink menus on the app, and see what is served. Everything up to $14 is included on your drink package, which includes most premium spirits. What spirits are you particularly asking about? You can ask for whatever you want.
If it’s over $14, they will charge the difference plus 18% gratuity.

Edited February 4, 2023 by crzndeb

[CruiserMickey]

39 minutes ago, crzndeb said:

You can look at drink menus on the app, and see what is served. Everything up to $14 is included on your drink package, which includes most premium spirits. What spirits are you particularly asking about? You can ask for whatever you want.
If it’s over $14, they will charge the difference plus 18% gratuity.

Thanks…I know all of that, but I am hearing and reading first-person accounts of what is advertised as being a part of the drink package is not actually what is being served. That’s why I am asking what the current stock is like. I don’t want to pay for a drink package thinking I can get a martini made with Belvedere (advertised) but is instead made with Absolut or Tito’s (I am allergic to both).

[George C]

Drink package covers about 95 percent of the liquor, lots of 12 year old scotch, upper levels of vodka, gin and bourbon. We sometimes go over on wines .

[BirdTravels]

1 hour ago, CruiserMickey said:

Thanks…I know all of that, but I am hearing and reading first-person accounts of what is advertised as being a part of the drink package is not actually what is being served. That’s why I am asking what the current stock is like. I don’t want to pay for a drink package thinking I can get a martini made with Belvedere (advertised) but is instead made with Absolut or Tito’s (I am allergic to both).

Look at the RCCL app on your phone to see what the bar menu includes for your sailing. If you ask for a specific martini, the bartenders won't "slip you something else". 

[CruiserMickey]

23 minutes ago, BirdTravels said:

Look at the RCCL app on your phone to see what the bar menu includes for your sailing. If you ask for a specific martini, the bartenders won't "slip you something else". 

 

I appreciate where you are coming from, but this is NOT my first-hand experience from my last cruise on Celebrity where many of the “premium” wines on the menu were not available and only lower tier “classic” wines were offered without another up charge.
 

I am hearing from others who have had the premium beverage package on Celebrity (remember…two tiers, so different than RC) that the top shelf liquors have NOT been available.

 

I want to know what is actually on board Royal Caribbean now and if RC is having the same supply or cost cutting issue that Celebrity is.

[Spurschick]

28 minutes ago, CruiserMickey said:

 

I appreciate where you are coming from, but this is NOT my first-hand experience from my last cruise on Celebrity where many of the “premium” wines on the menu were not available and only lower tier “classic” wines were offered without another up charge.
 

I am hearing from others who have had the premium beverage package on Celebrity (remember…two tiers, so different than RC) that the top shelf liquors have NOT been available.

 

I want to know what is actually on board Royal Caribbean now and if RC is having the same supply or cost cutting issue that Celebrity is.

Never saw any of that on my x cruise last month. Got what I requested every time.

[Spurschick]

2 hours ago, CruiserMickey said:

Thanks…I know all of that, but I am hearing and reading first-person accounts of what is advertised as being a part of the drink package is not actually what is being served. That’s why I am asking what the current stock is like. I don’t want to pay for a drink package thinking I can get a martini made with Belvedere (advertised) but is instead made with Absolut or Tito’s (I am allergic to both).

If you go in the app you will see exactly what cocktails are made at what bars with what ingredients. Never had any ingredient substituted

 

they have always said if they don’t have an ingredient they can’t make it.

[Donsyb]

There was an issue with a lot of wines not being available on oasis in December. They were having supply issues.

 

from what I saw they had most of the premium spirit brands, and if you want a specific brand I would tell them. There were some reports around the time that some bourbons/ whisky’s were t available, but I don’t drink that so didn’t pay any attention.

[matj2000]

The OP is asking if they actually carry the premium liquor onboard the ships

 

The ones they advertise to sell the drink packages.

 

I know over the years the beer selection has been greatly reduced.

 

And many wines are unavailable.

 

 

 

 

 

[SteelCityCruiser10]

11 hours ago, CruiserMickey said:

I have seen the list of spirits for the Deluxe Drink Package, but I am wondering what people are *actually* served on ships right now. Are premium spirits available, or is RC defaulting to cheaper spirits as a cost cutting measure? I don’t mind paying for a premium drink, but I want to make sure that I am actually getting what I am paying for. 
 

Thanks for any first hand current knowledge you can share!

I doubt you will have any issues finding belvedere but it it’s going to depend on the exact stocking situation of your ship on your sailing dates.  Just make sure you specify you want belvedere when ordering.  

 

For example, On EX last month Buffalo Trace was a bit limited.  The pub would run out but the pool bar or casino bar would have it etc etc Maybe a different story if you’re looking for something rare.

 

I always try to find a good bartender the first day and let them know what I like & that i’ll be a frequent customer 😉  and they will make sure they have it (if it’s known to be on the ship is the key) for you.  A few bucks never hurts too.  That’s been my personal experience. Hope that helps cheers 🍻 

[Ret MP]

11 hours ago, crzndeb said:

You can look at drink menus on the app, and see what is served. Everything up to $14 is included on your drink package, which includes most premium spirits. What spirits are you particularly asking about? You can ask for whatever you want.
If it’s over $14, they will charge the difference plus 18% gratuity.

The website still says $13.  I sure hope that RCCL's management/IT is doing its usual and not keeping up with the latest and greatest information,  I hope you are correct.  

 

OP - You shouldn't have a hard time finding the drink of choice, brand may be a different story, for example: (Eagle Rare 17 Year Old Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey $2089.99 a bottle (not RCCL's price, not even sure if you can get it on RCCL)) 

[smokeybandit]

You won't know what's in stock until you board.

[Nunagoras]

3 hours ago, matj2000 said:

The OP is asking if they actually carry the premium liquor onboard the ships

 

The ones they advertise to sell the drink packages.

 

I know over the years the beer selection has been greatly reduced.

 

And many wines are unavailable.

 

 

 

 

 

That's exactly what the OP has asked! Problem is: On these so complex days of supply chain issues, the best answer we can do is that really nobody knows. In some ships they may be full of wine and short of spirits while the next ship may be full of spirits and empty of wine. It's a case by case scenario. Either way and industry wise: Menus and real availability are being on shorter side for quite a while right now for sure! Have a nice day!...

[Harrisonkid]

This week there is Buffalo Trace on board the Odyssey 

[twinmommy08]

Certain brands may be unavailable due to supply issue. I found a situation  on Ovation where a type of wine was available in one venue but not another. Apparently RC doesn’t share supply? I heard a couple complain about a type of bourbon not available due to supply issue. 
 

I wouldn’t buy a package just for a liquor. You’re probably better buying a la cart in that case. 

[mk-ultra]

On a DX package, you'll find most everything covered.  It's not like dive-bar "well" alcohol.  Their idea of "well" (gin for instance) appears to be Tanqueray.  Bombay Sapphire, Hendrick's, etc. all available at or under the $14 DX drink limit. 

 

My last 7 night cruise, I only think I busted the $14 limit 3 times, usually for a good wine I recognized.

 

As others have said: supply chain issues.  They've gotten better, but they're occasionally out of even common things.

Edited February 4, 2023 by mk-ultra

[DallasGuy75219]

6 minutes ago, twinmommy08 said:

 I found a situation  on Ovation where a type of wine was available in one venue but not another. Apparently RC doesn’t share supply?

One bar may have gotten the last stock onboard, so there's no more when another runs out.

 

It can also be an issue with motivation and/or having someone available to go to stores to get whatever they're out of during the service day.  Sometimes they're "out" of something one day, then it magically reappears the next day after overnight stocking.  They weren't really out; they just didn't want to bother with getting more, or didn't have someone to send, when they ran out.

 

 

[CruiserMickey]

2 hours ago, SteelCityCruiser10 said:

I always try to find a good bartender the first day and let them know what I like & that i’ll be a frequent customer 😉  and they will make sure they have it (if it’s known to be on the ship is the key) for you.  A few bucks never hurts too.  That’s been my personal experience. Hope that helps cheers 🍻 

Thank you…that is exactly what we do. Cheers!

[CruiserMickey]

1 hour ago, Ret MP said:

OP - You shouldn't have a hard time finding the drink of choice, brand may be a different story, for example: (Eagle Rare 17 Year Old Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey $2089.99 a bottle (not RCCL's price, not even sure if you can get it on RCCL)) 

Thanks…I’m not looking for anything that special or expensive. I just want to know that I can find what I can drink without having an allergic reaction. Believe me, if I could drink cheap wine or spirits, I would be happy with whatever the bartender served me. Unfortunately I have to be careful with what I order and consume due to some brands making me ill.

[CruiserMickey]

1 hour ago, smokeybandit said:

You won't know what's in stock until you board.

Thanks, I understand that. All I was wondering is if there are currently any issues with stock.

[CruiserMickey]

54 minutes ago, twinmommy08 said:

 

Certain brands may be unavailable due to supply issue. I found a situation  on Ovation where a type of wine was available in one venue but not another. Apparently RC doesn’t share supply? I heard a couple complain about a type of bourbon not available due to supply issue. 
 

I wouldn’t buy a package just for a liquor. You’re probably better buying a la cart in that case. 

 

Thanks for the feedback. On my last cruise I did a la cart, which was fine. Package or not, I am just wondering about supply issues and the current situation. 

[Seville2Cabo]

12 minutes ago, CruiserMickey said:

Thanks for the feedback. On my last cruise I did a la cart, which was fine. Package or not, I am just wondering about supply issues and the current situation. 

First I've heard of reactions to different brands.  Any idea what is in those brands that give you a reaction? Do you have the same issue with other liquors?  Just curious.  

[CruiserMickey]

8 minutes ago, Seville2Cabo said:

First I've heard of reactions to different brands.  Any idea what is in those brands that give you a reaction? Do you have the same issue with other liquors?  Just curious.  

 I have no idea what it is. Sulphites, maybe? It is so weird and can ruin an evening if a drink is mixed with certain brands of vodka. I don’t drink often, so am reluctant to try anything when I don’t know if I will react with the ingredients. 🤷🏻‍♀️

[smokeybandit]

1 hour ago, CruiserMickey said:

Thanks, I understand that. All I was wondering is if there are currently any issues with stock.

It's gotten a lot better, but even on Mariner over Christmas I had to switch whiskeys twice during the trip because they had limited stock.

Edited February 4, 2023 by smokeybandit