Buying Drink Package with Elite Happy Hour?

[Dreamcruise27]

10 minutes ago, Rustyman said:

We’ve always had the Premium package but booked an “extra holiday in August last year on the Silhouette, are Elite and soon to be Elite + so decided to try the free drinks with no package.

On day one we had booked Murano so bought a bottle of wine with dinner, $40 after Elite discount. Every other night we hit the bars from 5-7 and drank beers, G and T’s and cocktails, me Manhattans and my wife Cosmopolitans. Just before 7 ordered glasses of Merlot for dinner, they were palatable. By the way we also took 2 bottles of wine each on board at embarkation in our carry on luggage with no problem, these were available as extra drinks when we fancied.

we left the ship after a 13 night cruise with a $40 bill. Now that sounds as if we were skimping but we really didn’t, what the front loading does though is send you to bed earlier than May be the case. A wee tip for anyone taking full advantage of the Elite drinks is to remember you can order drinks in the 2 hour window and take them to your room for later consumption.

We have upcoming cruises booked and have Premium Packages booked for them as of course there are no time restrictions but if you don’t want to splash the cash then Elite drinking is perfectly doable and to be honest was quite good fun.

May I ask what drinks are available to be taken from Elite hour? For example, is there a limit on how many bottles of water we can request?

[Georgia_Peaches]

We “needed” a drink package in addition to/instead of the Elite cocktails. We drink way more (wine) than the 2 hour window offers…and  that is not even offered on embarkation day. Not to mention that the elite happy hour menu is limited. This is specific to us though. I’m not sure I could determine if others needed to buy a package or not. Best advice is to assess your own drink consumption and go from there. 

Edited January 10 by Georgia_Peaches

[Rudy888]

We like a glass of wine with lunch and maybe 2 at dinner. We are Ellte but the limited selection doesn't work for us. Everybody is different. What works for one doesn't work for someone else.

[Rustyman]

16 minutes ago, Dreamcruise27 said:

May I ask what drinks are available to be taken from Elite hour? For example, is there a limit on how many bottles of water we can request?

There is an Elite drinks menu available if you search for it, you are restricted to this menu and your status as printed on our card means the bar tenders are aware of your eligibility. Re waters, we took 16 bottles on board with us at embarkation, on the Elite package there was no restriction on the number we ordered between 5 and 7pm.

 

[Rustyman]

8 minutes ago, Georgia_Peaches said:

We “needed” a drink package in addition to/instead of the Elite cocktails. We drink way more (wine) than the 2 hour window offers…and  that is not even offered on embarkation day. Not to mention that the elite happy hour menu is limited. This is specific to us though. I’m not sure I could determine if others needed to buy a package or not. Best advice is to assess your own drink consumption and go from there. 

We also drank way more wine than the 2 hour window allows. Red wines last well in the room covered with a beer mat and if your room is close to a bar then result!

[dleahy4444]

3 hours ago, 81Zoomie said:

We took a short cruise over Christmas and used the Happy Hour (available at most of the bars) for the first time.  You can easily collect water and soda for the next day in one run from back to front or top to bottom of the ship’s bars.  The drinks at HH were generally fine.  The wine, however, is very low end.  We brought wine onboard to cover the first night with no HH.  We did see servers walking through the casino, so that strategy will work for a random drink.  The Elite coffee/breakfast is a great option for a quiet breakfast including cappuccino, mimosas, and bloody Mary’s. It all worked fine for a short cruise with the exception of the wine.  However, given that the package wines have all been “promoted” to appear premium or above, finding a drinkable wine can be a challenge even with a package now.  First world problem… I know.

I thought that Elite comped drinks were only available between 5-7 in bars. Are they also available ( mimosas and Bloody Marys)at the Elite breakfast? Is there a separate venue for the Elite breakfast? Is that daily? Also someone mentioned buying a bottle of wine with the elite discount at dinner. Do you have to specify the discount when you order it or is it applied automatically. Thanks 

[Georgia_Peaches]

7 minutes ago, dleahy4444 said:

I thought that Elite comped drinks were only available between 5-7 in bars. Are they also available ( mimosas and Bloody Marys)at the Elite breakfast? Is there a separate venue for the Elite breakfast? Is that daily? Also someone mentioned buying a bottle of wine with the elite discount at dinner. Do you have to specify the discount when you order it or is it applied automatically. Thanks 

Most bars, not World Class Bar tho. As for dinner, you can grab a glass of wine and carry it in to the MDR. If you order a bottle the discount should apply automatically apply based on the word “elite” on your card but I always mention it anyway. Elite breakfast is usually in Tuscan on S class. Le Grand Bistro on E class though it could vary. You will receive a list of benefits and their locations in your stateroom. 

[dleahy4444]

2 minutes ago, Georgia_Peaches said:

Most bars, not World Class Bar tho. As for dinner, you can grab a glass of wine and carry it in to the MDR. If you order a bottle the discount should apply automatically apply based on the word “elite” on your card but I always mention it anyway. Elite breakfast is usually in Tuscan on S class. Le Grand Bistro on E class though it could vary. You will receive a list of benefits and their locations in your stateroom. 

Thank you for your response. Last questions: are mimosa and/or bloody Mary’s served free of charge at the elite breakfast? What time is it usually held? This will be my first time using Elite perks so I’m not sure how they work. Thanks for your patience 

[Northern Aurora]

16 minutes ago, dleahy4444 said:

I thought that Elite comped drinks were only available between 5-7 in bars. Are they also available ( mimosas and Bloody Marys)at the Elite breakfast? Is there a separate venue for the Elite breakfast? Is that daily? Also someone mentioned buying a bottle of wine with the elite discount at dinner. Do you have to specify the discount when you order it or is it applied automatically. Thanks 

 

The location of the Elite and above daily coffee house style breakfast can vary given the class of the ship.  For example, we left the Edge last month and it was in one of the four MDRs.  Location will be confirmed on the info sheet in your stateroom upon boarding.  Mimosas and bloody mary's are available.

[Northern Aurora]

1 minute ago, dleahy4444 said:

Thank you for your response. Last questions: are mimosa and/or bloody Mary’s served free of charge at the elite breakfast? What time is it usually held? This will be my first time using Elite perks so I’m not sure how they work. Thanks for your patience 

 

Yes, the mimosas and bloody mary's are free of charge at the Elite and above coffeehouse style breakfast.  As are lattes and so forth.  The breakfast is 8 to 10 AM.  Depending on the number of Elite and above on the ship the Captain's Club host/hostess and possibly more of the CC team will be there so it is a good venue if you have a question for the host/hostess.

[dleahy4444]

8 minutes ago, Northern Aurora said:

 

Yes, the mimosas and bloody mary's are free of charge at the Elite and above coffeehouse style breakfast.  As are lattes and so forth.  The breakfast is 8 to 10 AM.  Depending on the number of Elite and above on the ship the Captain's Club host/hostess and possibly more of the CC team will be there so it is a good venue if you have a question for the host/hostess.

Thank you! Good to know

[cococruiser]

Great thread! We are cruising in a couple of weeks. We are elite and this will be our first cruise without a package. It’s just my husband and I, if we were with friends (if they weren’t elite)  I think we’d need to take the package. It’s a 12 night cruise with around 6 days off the ship on excursions. I really don’t think the package would be worth it. We plan to take a bottle of wine on board each. We bought a few bottles of wine in the Black Friday sale for dinners. The other nights we will avail of the 20% elite wine discount.  We will use the HH each day that it’s available.  For the rest of the time, we will pay as we go. I think it will work for us as this cruise is more about touring. A new experience for 2 passengers who have only ever had the premium package!

[Duanerice1]

We go without as the couple of drinks at night are fine.  Obviously we don’t drink much lol. We will usually take one into dinner with us and that’s all we need with dinner 
 

The occasional coffee or extra drink we might want is nowhere near the cost for the package.   We’d have to drink a lot to hit that mark.   Plus we bring 2 bottles of wine with us.  
 

lately I’ve been taking a French press and some good coffee. Just order hot water with breakfast room service.  Would rather not have to get dressed to get good coffee…. 

[Steve H]

I will say that used to like to have the package. The last cruise we were on was the first without the package. We had the Elite breakfast drinks and used the 2 hours to stock up on beer and water, by asking for them unopened and put them in the fridge. For dinner we got wine and carried it in the dining room lots of people do it. I had rum and cokes before dinner. It was way cheaper to pay as you go whenever you wanted a drink than to buy the package, especially since the package can sometimes run over a thousand each. 

[drakes2]

6 hours ago, jelayne said:

DH tried to take a partial glass of OJ out and was told No.

 

I do it all the time. Usually there by 8 get a small plate of fruit and a mimosa then order a second mimosa and take it to the MDR to enjoy with a full breakfast. Never been stopped 

[Georgia_Peaches]

25 minutes ago, Steve H said:

I will say that used to like to have the package. The last cruise we were on was the first without the package. We had the Elite breakfast drinks and used the 2 hours to stock up on beer and water, by asking for them unopened and put them in the fridge. For dinner we got wine and carried it in the dining room lots of people do it. I had rum and cokes before dinner. It was way cheaper to pay as you go whenever you wanted a drink than to buy the package, especially since the package can sometimes run over a thousand each. 

This is such a smart strategy. Has me rethinking what we might do the next time we are without the package. My hesitation is with the price increases on wine by the glass. At least with the package one only pays the difference. Idk…still assessing. We have our last suite booked this year, which included the package. After that, we plan to stick with a standard verandah so learning how others work through this is very helpful. 

[drakes2]

6 hours ago, 39august said:

I.ve seen a couple of comments about planning to carry out drinks from Elite Breakfast, but I am pretty sure that you are not allowed to do this. Last time I asked the answer was "No". 

Why set yourself up? Just walk out with your drink. 

[drakes2]

5 hours ago, jayoldschool said:

I didn't on my recent cruise. Never missed the package. Between Elite breakfast, and cocktail hour, I was happy. Bought an occasional afternoon drink, a bottle of wine at dinner. Also brought on two bottles, and had one in my cabin when I arrived.

I also bring on 1 bottle and receive 2 additional in my cabin. Elite plus so take advantage of the drinks at the Elite breakfast and HH. Never gone thirsty. There are also plenty of opportunities for Elite members for free drinks at various venues throughout the cruise.  I don't ever miss not having a drinks package

 

[Hawkstar33]

5 hours ago, Purplsmurf said:

I am struggling as well. Sailing with my daughter in April. I am elite, but she isn’t. Premium package was on sale for $55 ish/day. She drinks martinis $17/ea and champagne $17/ea. That really adds up and would be a no brainer to get the drink package. Unfortunately we both have to buy it. I did purchase it when it was on sale, but trying to decide whether or not to keep or cancel it. So much for a free cruise from the casino 😂

Get the classic package and have her switch it up for the trip, and try a nice Bay Breeze.  LOL

[Purplsmurf]

43 minutes ago, Hawkstar33 said:

Get the classic package and have her switch it up for the trip, and try a nice Bay Breeze.  LOL

I would still have to pay for 2 classic packages……and now they aren’t on sale. I have a couple of months to think about it 😂

[daydreamer16]

4 hours ago, cococruiser said:

Great thread! We are cruising in a couple of weeks. We are elite and this will be our first cruise without a package. It’s just my husband and I, if we were with friends (if they weren’t elite)  I think we’d need to take the package. It’s a 12 night cruise with around 6 days off the ship on excursions. I really don’t think the package would be worth it. We plan to take a bottle of wine on board each. We bought a few bottles of wine in the Black Friday sale for dinners. The other nights we will avail of the 20% elite wine discount.  We will use the HH each day that it’s available.  For the rest of the time, we will pay as we go. I think it will work for us as this cruise is more about touring. A new experience for 2 passengers who have only ever had the premium package!

Come back & let us know your experience!

[jelayne]

8 hours ago, frteach said:

We are struggling with this situation for our upcoming Caribbean cruise. We are Elite and are wondering about a package, which would be the Classic for us. Even that is expensive. Last year on an RC cruise we liked having our Elite drinks, 4 each, available any time or place we wanted to use them. That was plenty for us, and they weren't even used every day. Our habits and medications have evolved to the point where I don't think a pkg is cost effective for us. I do enjoy a latte or cappuccino every morning and late afternoon at the cafe. The fancy waters and a few sodas would also be used. Does anyone know if the non-alcohol pkg includes virgin cocktails, as if does on RC?

The zero proof does include mocktails. 

[Cruisin4ABruisen]

My wife and I recently made it to Elite and decided to test out the benefits on a 7 night cruise. Typically, we get the premium package, but on this cruise we didn’t get any package. We paid for drinks if we wanted them outside the happy hour, but generally were fine with the HH drinks, plus whatever was offered at the elite events. We made friends with a few bartenders, and that worked in our favor to get a few discounts or good upgrades. The first day, we ended up paying around what the drink package would cost, but every day after that was significantly less. I’d say try it out and see if it works for you, even if you buy drinks you’ll probably come out ahead. 

[sollan]

We are Elite+ and decided NOT to get any drinking package. With the elite breakfast, HH and 20% off of a bottle of wine at dinner we didn't miss the package at all.

We had beer and some drinks at lunch and evening if we wanted.

Total bar cost just over 800 usd for both of us. With the Classic package it would have cost us over 2000 usd... .🥶

 

[Ex-Airbalancer]

50 minutes ago, sollan said:

We are Elite+ and decided NOT to get any drinking package. With the elite breakfast, HH and 20% off of a bottle of wine at dinner we didn't miss the package at all.

We had beer and some drinks at lunch and evening if we wanted.

Total bar cost just over 800 usd for both of us. With the Classic package it would have cost us over 2000 usd... .🥶

 

Also with Elite + , you don’t even have need elite breakfast since you can get free cappuccinos at Bacio and other locations 

Drink Alcohol in the morning is not for me