Classic drink package

[LindaConn]

Going on Constellation in May,2024…looks like minimal drinks are covered under the Classic Drink Package which we have….does anyone know know which cocktails are covered…and are the basic wines…white, red, rose and Prosecco covered…keep seeing different answers to these questions. If you just want a cocktail , can you order, for example, a classic cosmopolitan….and will they make one with cheaper vodka…I see posts where cruisers say the bartenders shake their heads when asked…true?

[leaveitallbehind]

Here is the most recent listing of what alcohol brands are included with each package.  If a brand you want is in the premium package and you have the classic, you would just pay an upcharge to use that brand in a drink.  There is no limit to the variety or types of drinks you can order - just limitations with the classic package as to what brands are included to mix them.

 

The file is in pdf format so you may have to download it.

Celebrity drink packages.pdf

Edited March 27 by leaveitallbehind

[DarrenM]

17 hours ago, LindaConn said:

Going on Constellation in May,2024…looks like minimal drinks are covered under the Classic Drink Package which we have….does anyone know know which cocktails are covered…and are the basic wines…white, red, rose and Prosecco covered…keep seeing different answers to these questions. If you just want a cocktail , can you order, for example, a classic cosmopolitan….and will they make one with cheaper vodka…I see posts where cruisers say the bartenders shake their heads when asked…true?

I recently watched a vloggers video onboard Celebrity Infinity where they had the classic drinks package and tried a bar crawl drinking only cocktails.

 

There was only one cocktail that appeared to be included in their drinks package and (May be wrong here) I think it came from the casino bar.

 

To fully enjoy the cocktails on celebrity ships I highly recommend upgrading to the premium drinks package.

We found, at their prices, we were £1000 in credit at the end of our cruise. We drank a lot though. To be fair, they are just too nice to.

[Cruisingirl2012]

We have always booked classic drink package and never had a problem getting a good cocktail.  If you are picky on the brand of alcohol you get, perhaps upgrading is best. 

[cruisestitch]

This is from a recent dining room menu. But other bars and restaurants have other menus.  

[mafig]

1 hour ago, Cruisingirl2012 said:

We have always booked classic drink package and never had a problem getting a good cocktail.  If you are picky on the brand of alcohol you get, perhaps upgrading is best. 

It's been a few years since we've been on Celebrity.

But otherwise I agree with you.  

[leaveitallbehind]

1 hour ago, DarrenM said:

There was only one cocktail that appeared to be included in their drinks package and (May be wrong here) I think it came from the casino bar.

That is not correct.  Refer to my first response and the attached pdf describing the classic v premium packages and you will see that the packages are not cocktail based, but are alcohol brand based in terms of what brands of each type of alcohol is included with each.  The classic is more well brand oriented and the premium is more top shelf oriented. The bartenders will make any cocktail you want from each package and the only restrictions are the brands of alcohol included. 

 

If you ask for a cocktail that may require a specific brand and it is not included in the classic package, they simply charge an upcharge for the out of package brand.  And the only difference between the US and UK packages that I am aware of is the target drink price threshold with each package, with the UK being slightly higher

Edited March 28 by leaveitallbehind

[cruisestitch]

The difference between US and UK pricing is that for cruises out of the UK, the gratuity is included in the price and the drink package allowance is adjusted upwards accordingly

 

 

[DarrenM]

34 minutes ago, leaveitallbehind said:

That is not correct.  Refer to my first response and the attached pdf describing the classic v premium packages and you will see that the packages are not cocktail based, but are alcohol brand based in terms of what brands of each type of alcohol is included with each.  The classic is more well brand oriented and the premium is more top shelf oriented. The bartenders will make any cocktail you want from each package and the only restrictions are the brands of alcohol included. 

 

If you ask for a cocktail that may require a specific brand and it is not included in the classic package, they simply charge an upcharge for the out of package brand.  And the only difference between the US and UK packages that I am aware of is the target drink price threshold with each package, with the UK being slightly higher

Not saying this is wrong, as I genuinely dont know, but when on Celebrity Beyond last year, the drinks menus just had a price next to them, for example, one cocktail in Eden was $18.

 

I ordered two, and when the drinks were made handed my passcard over to pay, or check against drinks package. They didnt ask to see which package I had prior to choosing the brand of alcohol to put in.

 

Seems a rather complicated way of organising drinks to be honest.

 

Was different when ordering from a waiter. Obviously.

 

But I prefer to go to the bar. Its the british in me.

[DarrenM]

and to be brutally honest would anyone genuinely know which brand of Rum had been used in a cocktail when mixed with other alcohol and fruit?

 

I know I wouldnt, and I wouldnt care either.

[DarrenM]

and those vloggers I mentioned are very experienced vloggers too. They have got it very wrong as well.

[leaveitallbehind]

38 minutes ago, DarrenM said:

Not saying this is wrong, as I genuinely dont know, but when on Celebrity Beyond last year, the drinks menus just had a price next to them, for example, one cocktail in Eden was $18.

 

I ordered two, and when the drinks were made handed my passcard over to pay, or check against drinks package. They didnt ask to see which package I had prior to choosing the brand of alcohol to put in.

The card has your package identified in it, so the bartenders know when you order your drinks.  I can't answer for the Eden menu other than to think it was indicating that likely the brands used were premium package based and that there would be an upcharge for the classic package.  Or it may have just been the a la carte pricing for those without a package. 

 

But if you look at the pdf I attached it clearly identifies the brands of each liquor type used in each package and at the top, the indicated target drink prices included with each.

Edited March 28 by leaveitallbehind

[PTC DAWG]

The drinks on the menu in Eden are what they are.  Only one or two is included in the premium package, the rest you pay the difference plus the gratuity.

 

You can order a lesser alcohol and soda etc that will probably be on the classic package, just not from the Eden drink menu....

[RichYak]

21 hours ago, LindaConn said:

does anyone know know which cocktails are covered…

This is too much stress. Just think about it this way: the classic package gives you a $10 discount ($17 discount with premium) on each beer/wine/cocktail you order. Worrying about what is or isn't "included" aka less than $10 is too much work.

 

If you're going to be drinking mostly premium cocktails with top shelf liquor, or regularly ordering premium water, then it probably makes $ense get the premium beverage package. Otherwise, stick with the classic and drink whatever you want.

[Oxo]

Do you mix your drinks using water, soda, etc., or drink it straight? If you mix it, your wasting your money. JMHO! 

Edited March 28 by Oxo
Sorry, copied from previous post. Other name ignore.

[PTC DAWG]

51 minutes ago, RichYak said:

This is too much stress. Just think about it this way: the classic package gives you a $10 discount ($17 discount with premium) on each beer/wine/cocktail you order. Worrying about what is or isn't "included" aka less than $10 is too much work.

 

If you're going to be drinking mostly premium cocktails with top shelf liquor, or regularly ordering premium water, then it probably makes $ense get the premium beverage package. Otherwise, stick with the classic and drink whatever you want.

This^^^

[RICCruisers]

1 hour ago, DarrenM said:

Not saying this is wrong, as I genuinely dont know, but when on Celebrity Beyond last year, the drinks menus just had a price next to them, for example, one cocktail in Eden was $18.

 

I ordered two, and when the drinks were made handed my passcard over to pay, or check against drinks package. They didnt ask to see which package I had prior to choosing the brand of alcohol to put in.

 

Seems a rather complicated way of organising drinks to be honest.

 

Was different when ordering from a waiter. Obviously.

 

But I prefer to go to the bar. Its the british in me.

Eden is a unique restaurant. They have their own menu of drinks and all are priced over the Classic and almost all are priced over the Premium package. And in my opinion, all are not worth drinking. In addition to the ones listed, you can receive any type of drink you prefer. Most regular cocktails like martinis, cosmos, gin or vodka and tonic, rum and coke etc can all be ordered from the Classic package as long as you request it to be made with brands available in the Classic package. If you choose “top shelf” liquors then they will be over the Classic. You should always tell the bartender which liquor you want and ask if it’s included in whichever palate you have. 

[bikerunner]

2 hours ago, DarrenM said:

Not saying this is wrong, as I genuinely dont know, but when on Celebrity Beyond last year, the drinks menus just had a price next to them, for example, one cocktail in Eden was $18.

 

I ordered two, and when the drinks were made handed my passcard over to pay, or check against drinks package. They didnt ask to see which package I had prior to choosing the brand of alcohol to put in.

The Eden drinks that are on the special cocktail list are set they mostly will not switch out which rum etc that goes in each one as they are set by the alcohols in them.  

 

2 hours ago, RichYak said:

This is too much stress. Just think about it this way: the classic package gives you a $10 discount ($17 discount with premium) on each beer/wine/cocktail you order. Worrying about what is or isn't "included" aka less than $10 is too much work.

Agree, people tend to overthink way to much, If you have the classic just go to any bar, besides WCB and order a rum and coke, vodka soda etc you will be all set  Personally i have fun on first night at WCB and watch the issues with people who go up and try to order a basic drink, and mostly getting told to go to the next bar etc, then the customer throwing a temper tantrum, didnt happen my last cruise.  They cant understand that the bar only serves 10 or so different drinks, and none on classic level.  Tho they do serve beer and wine now

[PTC DAWG]

1 minute ago, bikerunner said:

The Eden drinks that are on the special cocktail list are set they mostly will not switch out which rum etc that goes in each one as they are set by the alcohols in them.  

 

Agree, people tend to overthink way to much, If you have the classic just go to any bar, besides WCB and order a rum and coke, vodka soda etc you will be all set  Personally i have fun on first night at WCB and watch the issues with people who go up and try to order a basic drink, and mostly getting told to go to the next bar etc, then the customer throwing a temper tantrum, didnt happen my last cruise.  They cant understand that the bar only serves 10 or so different drinks, and none on classic level.  Tho they do serve beer and wine now

WCB will serve you any booze they have on the rocks too..obviously they charge accordingly…premium covers any that I have ever ordered. 

[LindaConn]

What is WCB?

[39august]

World Class Bar. Any regular cocktail, not martini at the Martini Bar, is usually covered in the classic package. Just made with "well" liquor. If you order a bloody mary with premium vodka, you will pay premium price. If just ordering a cocktail without naming a premium liquor, it will be covered on the classic package. Have done this many times.

[DarrenM]

13 minutes ago, RICCruisers said:

Eden is a unique restaurant. They have their own menu of drinks and all are priced over the Classic and almost all are priced over the Premium package. And in my opinion, all are not worth drinking. In addition to the ones listed, you can receive any type of drink you prefer. Most regular cocktails like martinis, cosmos, gin or vodka and tonic, rum and coke etc can all be ordered from the Classic package as long as you request it to be made with brands available in the Classic package. If you choose “top shelf” liquors then they will be over the Classic. You should always tell the bartender which liquor you want and ask if it’s included in whichever palate you have. 

This seems like a hassle to me, when I am just out enjoying myself, and lets just say, getting rather tipsy.

 

I always get the premium drinks package, so I am not going to tell the bar staff, to make my drink with cheaper alcohol.. I am having too much fun to care either way.

 

Others have mentioned Eden, and their cocktails. I loved them last year on Beyond. And could have sat there all night supping away. The easiest way to view it for me was that a premium drinks package allowed me to have any cocktail upto $18. A few were $20. This meant we had to pay the $2. This doesnt bother me in the slightest, and was far preferable to asking them to make it with cheaper booze.

[DarrenM]

1 hour ago, RichYak said:

This is too much stress. Just think about it this way: the classic package gives you a $10 discount ($17 discount with premium) on each beer/wine/cocktail you order. Worrying about what is or isn't "included" aka less than $10 is too much work.

 

If you're going to be drinking mostly premium cocktails with top shelf liquor, or regularly ordering premium water, then it probably makes $ense get the premium beverage package. Otherwise, stick with the classic and drink whatever you want.

This is how I view it.

 

I am on holiday. The last thing I can be bothered with asking what brand of alcohol is in every drink.

[DarrenM]

and anyway, there is no Eden or WCB on my next cruise on constellation. Which I have to say is a disappointment to me.

[justcrusn]

In our experience, you don’t usually have to ask for “cheaper” brands, but you must be very careful to request the higher priced brands. For instance ask for a margarita.

Unless you specify what to make it with, you get the house brand.

Or a vodka martini, they make it with absolut for instance not bad, but if you want grey goose you have to be specific with the server (and hope it was made).

The premium package was a bit of a pain at say the pool bar, to get what you paid for.

At the martini bar or world class bar or any venue with unique drinks, they usually were higher priced by default.