How Does Celebrity Compare for Drink Package Pricing?

[Tom and Ingrid]

I've been seeing a bunch of questions lately (and going way back) regarding the pricing of the packages, the benefit of Classic vs Premium, and the need to pay attention and cancel/rebuy when a better sale comes along.

 

I've never really dug to much into the pricing side of it and used to get it as part of the various package deals, but nowadays, as both an Elite and a light drinker (and a cheap guy), I have fallen into the "don't really want/need it" category.  But I do like it when we have it, so I try to pay attention and will consider it when/if it makes sense for us again.

 

But the pricing is what got me wondering about other cruise lines and what their drink packages run and how they compare. How does it stack up against other lines like RCL (identical?), or Princess or MSC or HAL or others in the general ballpark?  If the same price, similar options/quality? If different, also different options & quality? Better or worse deals?

[Georgia_Peaches]

Drink packages on Princess are cheaper than Celebrity but they have a drink maximum (alcoholic) per day where as Celebrity does not.  If you buy a drinks package when on sale in the cruise planner, you can get a pretty good discount (on Celebrity).  Currently, the premium package is listed at 35% off, so $65 per day.  

 

MSC's drink packages are also less than Celebrity's but we've always had one included in the price of our cruise when booking Yacht club so I haven't paid a lot of attention to how it stacks up with regard to inclusions.

 

NCL's package is "free" in that you still pay taxes and gratuities...so not really free but significantly cheaper than the other cruise lines.  You can upgrade your package as well.

Edited May 22 by Georgia_Peaches

[Tierun]

RCL and NCL are both more expensive. MSC is the best priced. Celebrity is middle of the pack. 

[JLMcruise]

We felt nickeled and dimed on HAL. Not impressed with theirs. Nothing to do with with the 15 drink limit per day of any type of drink. It took a long time to get drinks because the staff has to have you sign for every drink. When you are at dinner  if you want a "top off" of wine" you have to order another glass which generally took 15 minutes or more. After dinner was over you had to wait to sign your statement so we could not get up and leave but has to wait for the waiter to bring the receipt for you to sign. Celebrity is much easier just pick the package for you - classic or premium. No waiting on signing for every drink. On HAL you cannot order more than 2 drinks per card at one time. On HAL,  one night we ordered a double (we were taking it back to our room for the evening) and a bottle of water. The bartender stated he would have to charge us for the water because you can only order 2 drinks at a time. He was going to charge us for the water. This was only our 6th drink (soda, coffee included) of the day. I stated we were taking the drinks back to our room for the night and like to have a bottle of water for the night (which is a can with a pop top lid). I had to tell him to cancel the water. After he handed us our double - we then ordered the water. The bartender had an attitude. HAL should not include water as a third drink.

[NutsAboutGolf]

2 hours ago, Tierun said:

RCL and NCL are both more expensive. MSC is the best priced. Celebrity is middle of the pack. 

 

For RETAIL pricing meaning flash sales and promos do NOT apply, in order of MOST expensive:

NCL

X

RCI

MSC & Princess (tied)

CCL

HAL

 

Then all of the MAJOR luxury lines which charge no more than $30/day

[robbinsca]

Like the OP we are light drinkers. I wouldn’t consider getting the drink package on Celebrity. I am such a lightweight that the last time I had 4 drinks in a single day was back during my time living in the fraternity house. $65 (even $30) a day for just liquor doesn’t float my boat.
 

My DW likes to have the soda package on Royal and NCL, but I just drink the Iced Tea and Lemonade. NCL does charge a daily “free drinks” gratuity that is more than I would spend on drinks.

 

The one exception I make is for the Princess Plus package. $60 a day not only gets you “only” 15 alcoholic drinks, (maybe 2 for me) but also unlimited sodas, bottled water, juices, but also WiFi and gratuities and a couple of other items. That package does give you your money’s worth IMHO.

 

 

[the penguins]

9 hours ago, Georgia_Peaches said:

Drink packages on Princess are cheaper than Celebrity but they have a drink maximum (alcoholic) per day where as Celebrity does not.  If you buy a drinks package when on sale in the cruise planner, you can get a pretty good discount (on Celebrity).  Currently, the premium package is listed at 35% off, so $65 per day.  

 

MSC's drink packages are also less than Celebrity's but we've always had one included in the price of our cruise when booking Yacht club so I haven't paid a lot of attention to how it stacks up with regard to inclusions.

 

NCL's package is "free" in that you still pay taxes and gratuities...so not really free but significantly cheaper than the other cruise lines.  You can upgrade your package as well.

At the prices quoted Princess would seem to be by far the cheapest as for £50 (approx $65 ) you get the drinks, WiFi and grats plus a few odd extras like special desserts at dinner.

[ExArkie]

This comparison is from last year.

 

https://www.cruisecritic.com/articles/the-best-cruise-line-drink-packages-compared?source=133828&suppressTabs=1&gad_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAADlvVIZKD9LVDlN59_mTXjlMDsCN6&gclid=Cj0KCQjw0ruyBhDuARIsANSZ3wpD6YlMS62kCmirz3DYg0t22GYHIIWNC9jf75vtqa5m5S06PZ2NwmEaArXkEALw_wcB

[asctony]

Drink packages on Princess are cheaper than Celebrity but they have a drink maximum (alcoholic) per day where as Celebrity does not. 

Princess limit is 15 alcohol drinks per day. Plus, in Princess' Plus pkg equal to Celebrity Classis plg Princess has many high end drinks that are only in Celebrity Premium pkg.

Gratuities are included in Princess'. Celebrity use to include Gratuities, but not now! That is at least $216 for 7 days.

[the penguins]

3 hours ago, asctony said:

Drink packages on Princess are cheaper than Celebrity but they have a drink maximum (alcoholic) per day where as Celebrity does not. 

Princess limit is 15 alcohol drinks per day. Plus, in Princess' Plus pkg equal to Celebrity Classis plg Princess has many high end drinks that are only in Celebrity Premium pkg.

Gratuities are included in Princess'. Celebrity use to include Gratuities, but not now! That is at least $216 for 7 days.

X doesn't have specific drink limit but it does include a condition that drinking must be responsible. We have seen passengers escorted back to their cabin being told very clearly that they must remain there until the following morning and that any attempt to leave their cabin would result in more drastic action being taken. All done very quietly and without fuss.

[scidee]

The best bang for your buck is Viking.  Beer and wine are included with lunch & dinner.  $25 per day will get you top shelf spirits all day.  No limit.  No extra grats.  Water is always in your cabin and replenished. 

[Ex-Airbalancer]

1 minute ago, scidee said:

The best bang for your buck is Viking.  Beer and wine are included with lunch & dinner.  $25 per day will get you top shelf spirits all day.  No limit.  No extra grats.  Water is always in your cabin and replenished. 

You also pay a lot more for a cabin 

[PTC DAWG]

3 minutes ago, scidee said:

The best bang for your buck is Viking.  Beer and wine are included with lunch & dinner.  $25 per day will get you top shelf spirits all day.  No limit.  No extra grats.  Water is always in your cabin and replenished. 

Should be, I’ve priced their cruises..

[CNSfromHI]

When comparing costs, it's important to remember that both Celebrity packages (Classic/Premium) include water, coffees, juices, sodas and teas, as well.

 

Even if you only want something from the latter, there will still be a cost involved, whether per-beverage or via one of Celebrity's NA packages.

 

Regardless of what price you pay on any cruise line, it's probably fair to say it's not losing money on any beverage you choose 😉

 

cjr

[ExArkie]

1 hour ago, scidee said:

The best bang for your buck is Viking.  Beer and wine are included with lunch & dinner.  $25 per day will get you top shelf spirits all day.  No limit.  No extra grats.  Water is always in your cabin and replenished. 

Silversea, Seabourn, and Regent include the better stuff and at any time of the day, not just meals. I'm not sure why we should be comparing all-inclusive fares on a question about drink packages.