Has anyone used the pre-paid beverage packages? I'm not a drinker at all and when I do purchase a drink it is usually a non-alcoholic frozen drink. However, the new packages that are now available included non-al frozen drinks as well as soda and water. I would only purchase one package. If I wanted to get a non-alc drink along with water in one "purchase", will I be denied because of the fine print that says no sharing packages? I would not be sharing, I just like to have a bottle of water to actually quench my thirst after a sugary drink. Anyone?
Pre-paid Beverage packages
- Thread starter ICV
- Start date
BruinSteve
Environmental Compliance Officer
Just a note on beverage packages in general...
I broke down the alcohol packages for a discussion on another message board:
Remember, you have much more flexibility paying "by the drink" as you can drink premium stuff one day and well drinks the next...If you buy the lower priced standard drink package, you can rule out drinking anything premium--unless you pay for it on top of your package...and, if you purchase the premium package and desire to drink any lower priced drinks, you need to drink far more than six to break even...
And, what's such a good deal about "breaking even"? It's hardly worthwhile paying for something in advance and committing to it unless you are going to get at least a reasonable amount of savings...
The cruise lines don't offer these packages to lose money...alcohol is a MAJOR profit center. They have calculated their package prices so as to assure themselves a sizeable profit...Occasionally someone drinks "more than their money's worth", but, for the most part, the cruise line wins by selling these packages...
It's not just "my opinion" but cold, hard business accounting fact...Package pricing is based on the actual statistics gathered on cruise after cruise..
When I pull up "Beverage Packages" on my reservation on the website, it states for the "Classic" package, the price of $616 for the cruise...When I click on it, I get this:
Classic Package
*Product Price: 708.40 USD Per Person
*All prices in USD are subject to change without notice. A 15% service charge will be added to Soda, Wine, Water, Classic and Premium Package prices at checkout. Packages are sold on a per cruise basis, are not sold on a per day or any other basis, and no refunds will be issued for unused amounts. Packages may not be shared, and do not include beverages sold in gift shops, mini-bar or room service. Ordered packages may be modified up to four days prior to sailing by canceling and reordering the package. Cancellations or refunds will not be issued onboard the vessel after embarkation day. Availability of beverage packages varies by ship. You must be at least 21 years of age to purchase any alcoholic package and to consume alcohol. See the terms of our guest alcohol policy. Other terms and conditions apply.
That $708.40 price equates to the $616 WITH the 15% service charge already included. $616 as a base price is $44 per night.
The description of the package is:
>>Classic Package
Upgrade your cruise experience and pay one price to enjoy all of the benefits of our Classic Non-Alcoholic package as well as all Beers up to $5 per serving and spirits, cocktails and wines by the glass up to $8 per serving.<<
Assuming one ALWAYS drinks the maximum allowed $8 drink, $44 per night equates to five and one-half drinks per night.
Martinis onboard are $10+ and, therefore, fall outside the "Classic" package.
Among the menu cocktails, many are above the $8 price and, therefore, unavailable on the "Classic" package. Of those that are available, here is the price list:
Wild Berry Mojito 7.5
Pyrat Mojito 7.5
X Sangria 7.5
Three Breeze 7.0
Sevilla 7.0
Cherry Caipiroska 7.0
Mojitos: each 6.0
_ Classic
_ Raspberry
_ Mango
_ Watermelon
PinaColada 6.0
Margaritas, frozen: each 6.0
_ Grapefruit
_ Raspberry
_ Strawberry
_ Watermelon
_ Peach
Lava Flow 6.0
Frozen Bellini 6.0
Mai Tai 7.5
Pink Coconut 7.5
Eureka 7.0
Summer Solstice 7.0
Prestige Cocktail 7.0
Apple Nog 7.0
Irish Coffee 7.0
Note that they generally cost between $6 and $7.50...
Assuming you are drinking an average $7 drink each time, six drinks would otherwise cost you only $42 per night...So, you are STILL losing money on the package until that SEVENTH drink...If your drink of choice is, say, a Margarita, Pina Colada or Mojito, it would take EIGHT drinks per night to get onto the plus side of the ledger.
If one is drinking beer on that package, it would limit you to the following choices:
Coors Light 4.5
Beck's 5.0
Heineken 5.0
Heineken Light 5.0
Samuel Adams 5.0
Franziskaner 5.0
Dos Equis 5.0
Grolsch 6.0
Red Stripe 5.0
Miller Lite 4.5
Budweiser 4.5
Bud Light 4.5
Michelob Light 4.5
Amstel Light 5.0
Corona 5.0
Corona Light 5.0
Smirnoff Ice Malt 5.0
Bacardi Ice Malt 5.0
Strongbow Cider 5.0
San Miguel 5.0
Tiger 5.0
...and it would require 9-10 beers per night just to break even.
So, let's switch over to the "Premium" package...
$756 for the cruise PLUS gratuity...$869.40
This equates, pre-gratuity, to $54 per night...but now, you are allowed drinks up to a $12 maximum...
This, of course, expands your wine list to the many wines over $8 per glass...Here's the rest of the list:
[WHITE WINES:]
Paul Jaboulet, Viognier 5.5 m
Roux, Pouilly-Fuisse' 9.0 m
Michel Redde, Pouilly-Fume' 8.5 m
Barton, Sauternes 7.0 m
Selbach, Riesling 6.0 m
SA Prum, Riesling Essence 6.0
Pacific Rim, Riesling 9.0 m
Benziger, Chardonnay 9.0
St. Francis, Chardonnay 8.0 m
Celebrity, Chardonnay 9.0 m
Wente, Chardonnay 8.5
Il Borro, Chardonnay 9.5
Sothern Right, Sauvignon Blanc 6.5 m
Babich, Sauvignon Blanc 8.5
Southern Right, Sauvignon Blanc 6.5
Cakebread, Sauvignon Blanc 10
Fantinel, Pinot Grigio 7.0
Corte Giara, Pinot Grigio 7.0
Bollino, Pinot Grigio 7.5 m
[RED WINES:]
Antinori, Chianti Classico Riserva 9.5
Tenuta di Nozzole, Chianti Classico Riserva 8.5
Nickel & Nickel, Pinot Noir 11.5 m
Kendall Jackson, Pinot Noir 8.0
Grove Mill, Pinot Noir 11.0
Wente, Cabernet Sauvignon 7.5
Celebrity, Cabernet Sauvignon 9.0 m
Heritage, Cabernet Sauvignon 7.5
Pian de Nova, Cabernet Sauvignon 10.5
Heron's Nest, Cabernet Sauvignon/Pinotage 5.5 m
Bodegas Renacer, Malbec 6.0
Antinori, Sangiovesse 12.0
Calina, Carmenere 8.5
Marques de Concordia, Tempranillo 6.5
Il Borro, Super Tuscan 9.0 m
Fantinel, Merlot 7.0 m
Rutherford, Merlot 8.0 m
Superieur, Chateau Castera 8.5 m
Peter Lehmann, Shiraz 8.0 m
[DIGESTIFS:]
Fonseca, Port 7.0 m
Warre's 1982, Port 11.0
Dry Sack, Sherry 6.0
Harvey's Bristol Cream Sherry 6.0
Tio Pepe, Sherry 6.0
Courvoisier VS, Cognac 7.0
Courvoisier VSOP, Cognac 8.5
Carlos I, Brandy 7.0
Lepanto, Brandy 9.5
Armagnac Cles de Ducs VSOP 6
Armagnac Cles de Ducs XO 9.0
[SAKE:]
Hana Lychee Sake 7.0
Hana Fuji Apple Sake 7.0
Black and Gold 6.0
[ROSE'/BLUSH WINES:]
Colombo, Rose' de Provence 6.5 m
Beringer, White Zinfandel 5.5 m
Tenuta Guada al Tasso, Scalabrone 7.0
[SPARKLING WINES:]
Domaine Chandon, Brut 8.5
Celebrity, Brut 8.0
Domaine Carneros, Brut 9.0
Fantinel Prosecco, Spumante 7.0 m
Montesina, Spumante 10.5
[LIQUEURS:]
__ [at least at Michael's Club:]
Extase XO 12.0
Benedictine 6.0
Drambuie 6.0
Sambuca 7.0
Massenez Framboise 10.0
Massenez Kirsch 10.0
Massenez Poire 10.0
Note that you are still only adding wines that generally go for $8.50 or $9 per glass. Say you are drinking $9 wines, at $54 per night, that's still equal to SIX glasses per night...
Your available cocktail list now includes these entries not available on the "Classic" board:
Patron Silver Margaritas: each 8.5
_ Classic
_ Coyote
_ Peach
_ Mango
_ Strawberry
_ Watermelon
_ Green Apple
Equinox 8.5
Pacific Navel 9.0
Adelita 9.0
Taylor Made 9.0
Casino Royale 9.0
Hawaiian Blossom 9.0
Ritz Cocktail 9.0
Prosecco Punch 9.0
Mai Tai (delux w Pyrat XO rum) 9.0
Sunset Breeze 9.0
Ocean Breeze (Murano signature drink) 9
Tru Blu (Blu signature drink) 9.0
Fragoli Toscano (Tuscan Grille signature drink) 9
Of course, you are still looking at, for the most part, $9 drinks...So, again, SIX drinks per night merely breaks you even...unless you slum it and order a regular margarita once or twice!
Of course, you can exclusively drink those $10 martinis and you can edge slightly over par at drink #6.
No matter how you slice it, with the Classic or with the Premium package, with the tip figured into the package price or just using the base pricing, you are commiting to an average of AT LEAST six drinks a night just to break even...
But you are also paying ahead of time, commiting to keeping up the drinking and committing to a certain level of drinks...
I broke down the alcohol packages for a discussion on another message board:
Remember, you have much more flexibility paying "by the drink" as you can drink premium stuff one day and well drinks the next...If you buy the lower priced standard drink package, you can rule out drinking anything premium--unless you pay for it on top of your package...and, if you purchase the premium package and desire to drink any lower priced drinks, you need to drink far more than six to break even...
And, what's such a good deal about "breaking even"? It's hardly worthwhile paying for something in advance and committing to it unless you are going to get at least a reasonable amount of savings...
The cruise lines don't offer these packages to lose money...alcohol is a MAJOR profit center. They have calculated their package prices so as to assure themselves a sizeable profit...Occasionally someone drinks "more than their money's worth", but, for the most part, the cruise line wins by selling these packages...
It's not just "my opinion" but cold, hard business accounting fact...Package pricing is based on the actual statistics gathered on cruise after cruise..
When I pull up "Beverage Packages" on my reservation on the website, it states for the "Classic" package, the price of $616 for the cruise...When I click on it, I get this:
Classic Package
*Product Price: 708.40 USD Per Person
*All prices in USD are subject to change without notice. A 15% service charge will be added to Soda, Wine, Water, Classic and Premium Package prices at checkout. Packages are sold on a per cruise basis, are not sold on a per day or any other basis, and no refunds will be issued for unused amounts. Packages may not be shared, and do not include beverages sold in gift shops, mini-bar or room service. Ordered packages may be modified up to four days prior to sailing by canceling and reordering the package. Cancellations or refunds will not be issued onboard the vessel after embarkation day. Availability of beverage packages varies by ship. You must be at least 21 years of age to purchase any alcoholic package and to consume alcohol. See the terms of our guest alcohol policy. Other terms and conditions apply.
That $708.40 price equates to the $616 WITH the 15% service charge already included. $616 as a base price is $44 per night.
The description of the package is:
>>Classic Package
Upgrade your cruise experience and pay one price to enjoy all of the benefits of our Classic Non-Alcoholic package as well as all Beers up to $5 per serving and spirits, cocktails and wines by the glass up to $8 per serving.<<
Assuming one ALWAYS drinks the maximum allowed $8 drink, $44 per night equates to five and one-half drinks per night.
Martinis onboard are $10+ and, therefore, fall outside the "Classic" package.
Among the menu cocktails, many are above the $8 price and, therefore, unavailable on the "Classic" package. Of those that are available, here is the price list:
Wild Berry Mojito 7.5
Pyrat Mojito 7.5
X Sangria 7.5
Three Breeze 7.0
Sevilla 7.0
Cherry Caipiroska 7.0
Mojitos: each 6.0
_ Classic
_ Raspberry
_ Mango
_ Watermelon
PinaColada 6.0
Margaritas, frozen: each 6.0
_ Grapefruit
_ Raspberry
_ Strawberry
_ Watermelon
_ Peach
Lava Flow 6.0
Frozen Bellini 6.0
Mai Tai 7.5
Pink Coconut 7.5
Eureka 7.0
Summer Solstice 7.0
Prestige Cocktail 7.0
Apple Nog 7.0
Irish Coffee 7.0
Note that they generally cost between $6 and $7.50...
Assuming you are drinking an average $7 drink each time, six drinks would otherwise cost you only $42 per night...So, you are STILL losing money on the package until that SEVENTH drink...If your drink of choice is, say, a Margarita, Pina Colada or Mojito, it would take EIGHT drinks per night to get onto the plus side of the ledger.
If one is drinking beer on that package, it would limit you to the following choices:
Coors Light 4.5
Beck's 5.0
Heineken 5.0
Heineken Light 5.0
Samuel Adams 5.0
Franziskaner 5.0
Dos Equis 5.0
Grolsch 6.0
Red Stripe 5.0
Miller Lite 4.5
Budweiser 4.5
Bud Light 4.5
Michelob Light 4.5
Amstel Light 5.0
Corona 5.0
Corona Light 5.0
Smirnoff Ice Malt 5.0
Bacardi Ice Malt 5.0
Strongbow Cider 5.0
San Miguel 5.0
Tiger 5.0
...and it would require 9-10 beers per night just to break even.
So, let's switch over to the "Premium" package...
$756 for the cruise PLUS gratuity...$869.40
This equates, pre-gratuity, to $54 per night...but now, you are allowed drinks up to a $12 maximum...
This, of course, expands your wine list to the many wines over $8 per glass...Here's the rest of the list:
[WHITE WINES:]
Paul Jaboulet, Viognier 5.5 m
Roux, Pouilly-Fuisse' 9.0 m
Michel Redde, Pouilly-Fume' 8.5 m
Barton, Sauternes 7.0 m
Selbach, Riesling 6.0 m
SA Prum, Riesling Essence 6.0
Pacific Rim, Riesling 9.0 m
Benziger, Chardonnay 9.0
St. Francis, Chardonnay 8.0 m
Celebrity, Chardonnay 9.0 m
Wente, Chardonnay 8.5
Il Borro, Chardonnay 9.5
Sothern Right, Sauvignon Blanc 6.5 m
Babich, Sauvignon Blanc 8.5
Southern Right, Sauvignon Blanc 6.5
Cakebread, Sauvignon Blanc 10
Fantinel, Pinot Grigio 7.0
Corte Giara, Pinot Grigio 7.0
Bollino, Pinot Grigio 7.5 m
[RED WINES:]
Antinori, Chianti Classico Riserva 9.5
Tenuta di Nozzole, Chianti Classico Riserva 8.5
Nickel & Nickel, Pinot Noir 11.5 m
Kendall Jackson, Pinot Noir 8.0
Grove Mill, Pinot Noir 11.0
Wente, Cabernet Sauvignon 7.5
Celebrity, Cabernet Sauvignon 9.0 m
Heritage, Cabernet Sauvignon 7.5
Pian de Nova, Cabernet Sauvignon 10.5
Heron's Nest, Cabernet Sauvignon/Pinotage 5.5 m
Bodegas Renacer, Malbec 6.0
Antinori, Sangiovesse 12.0
Calina, Carmenere 8.5
Marques de Concordia, Tempranillo 6.5
Il Borro, Super Tuscan 9.0 m
Fantinel, Merlot 7.0 m
Rutherford, Merlot 8.0 m
Superieur, Chateau Castera 8.5 m
Peter Lehmann, Shiraz 8.0 m
[DIGESTIFS:]
Fonseca, Port 7.0 m
Warre's 1982, Port 11.0
Dry Sack, Sherry 6.0
Harvey's Bristol Cream Sherry 6.0
Tio Pepe, Sherry 6.0
Courvoisier VS, Cognac 7.0
Courvoisier VSOP, Cognac 8.5
Carlos I, Brandy 7.0
Lepanto, Brandy 9.5
Armagnac Cles de Ducs VSOP 6
Armagnac Cles de Ducs XO 9.0
[SAKE:]
Hana Lychee Sake 7.0
Hana Fuji Apple Sake 7.0
Black and Gold 6.0
[ROSE'/BLUSH WINES:]
Colombo, Rose' de Provence 6.5 m
Beringer, White Zinfandel 5.5 m
Tenuta Guada al Tasso, Scalabrone 7.0
[SPARKLING WINES:]
Domaine Chandon, Brut 8.5
Celebrity, Brut 8.0
Domaine Carneros, Brut 9.0
Fantinel Prosecco, Spumante 7.0 m
Montesina, Spumante 10.5
[LIQUEURS:]
__ [at least at Michael's Club:]
Extase XO 12.0
Benedictine 6.0
Drambuie 6.0
Sambuca 7.0
Massenez Framboise 10.0
Massenez Kirsch 10.0
Massenez Poire 10.0
Note that you are still only adding wines that generally go for $8.50 or $9 per glass. Say you are drinking $9 wines, at $54 per night, that's still equal to SIX glasses per night...
Your available cocktail list now includes these entries not available on the "Classic" board:
Patron Silver Margaritas: each 8.5
_ Classic
_ Coyote
_ Peach
_ Mango
_ Strawberry
_ Watermelon
_ Green Apple
Equinox 8.5
Pacific Navel 9.0
Adelita 9.0
Taylor Made 9.0
Casino Royale 9.0
Hawaiian Blossom 9.0
Ritz Cocktail 9.0
Prosecco Punch 9.0
Mai Tai (delux w Pyrat XO rum) 9.0
Sunset Breeze 9.0
Ocean Breeze (Murano signature drink) 9
Tru Blu (Blu signature drink) 9.0
Fragoli Toscano (Tuscan Grille signature drink) 9
Of course, you are still looking at, for the most part, $9 drinks...So, again, SIX drinks per night merely breaks you even...unless you slum it and order a regular margarita once or twice!
Of course, you can exclusively drink those $10 martinis and you can edge slightly over par at drink #6.
No matter how you slice it, with the Classic or with the Premium package, with the tip figured into the package price or just using the base pricing, you are commiting to an average of AT LEAST six drinks a night just to break even...
But you are also paying ahead of time, commiting to keeping up the drinking and committing to a certain level of drinks...
BruinSteve
Environmental Compliance Officer
Problem is that most itineraries, most days, you're not even ON the ship morning, noon and night...
When I cruise, I often drink OFF the ship (wine tasting, rum and tequila factory tours, etc. and drinks at lunch onshore)...Then, onboard, I get lots of FREE drinks...Someone usually sends me a bottle of wine or champagne in the cabin, sometimes it's part of the deal in certain category cabins...Then there are FREE drinks at the Captain's Reception and the Captains Club returning guest reception...We are Elite Captains Club members--so we get FREE drinks from 5-7 each night in Michael's Lounge...We often get invited to dine at the Captain's Table one formal night--and there's free drinks there...My recent cruise was over New Year's...and they pass out free champagne for the countdown...
...So I'd have to polish off SIX DRINKS a night IN ADDITION to all of that free drinking!!!
Been there and done that. 
Just thought that in case someone was really trying to think about everything that should be included in the process of time on a cruise that there is indeed a lot more time than "Night time" Longer repo cruises might lend themselves to more time available to imbibe. Back in the day would have been no problem at all for some of us. Now ? not so much.
Just thought that in case someone was really trying to think about everything that should be included in the process of time on a cruise that there is indeed a lot more time than "Night time" Longer repo cruises might lend themselves to more time available to imbibe. Back in the day would have been no problem at all for some of us. Now ? not so much.
We have never puchased a beverage package. We are non drinkers so during the day we can easily find juice, etc in the buffet areas for free. On past cruises I've usually purchased the special non alcoholic drink of the day in the evening & even if I purchase a soda or 2 each day it has never come close to adding up to the price of the beverage package. On our April cruise we have 3 port days & won't even be on the ship needing to purchase drinks. If your non alcoholic package is approx $200 plus tip on top of this, you will have to purchase approx $28 a day in bottled water, soda, etc to break even & with being off the ship for 3 of those days I think you are going to lose on this deal--just depends on how much you think you will consume in a day.
This is incredibly informative. Thank you for sharing. I have always wondered. Now that I feel more informed about the drink package situation, I think I'll just stick to paying for the drinks as I go. This way I won't feel committed to X amount of drinks for or X dollars per night.
Totally agree!! :doubleup: He is not counting the rest of the day. How about a mimosa with breakfast or a few drinks by the pool? Not everyone gets free drinks while on board (not there yet). :egyptian:
How about the rest of the day? One or two mimosas with breakfast, Miami Vice or Bahama Mama by the pool? Chardannay with lunch? Not everyone gets free drinks while on board, so I particulaly find that I save money with the beverage package. For the evening/night, you are talking about five to six drinks during that time alone....shows, at clubs, casino, ect....Don't mind commiting to keeping up the drinking. The only time a year I can do it! :cheer:
12/15/12 on Celebrity's Reflection. "End of Time Cruise"--definately going to party (just in case)..lol!!
12/15/12 on Celebrity's Reflection. "End of Time Cruise"--definately going to party (just in case)..lol!!
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Then for sure you will need the drink package...lol...
Just finished a 15 night cruise with 10 yes count them 10 sea days. Now there was a cruise if there ever was a time to use the/a package it was then. I haven't really sat down and looked at my Onboard tab just yet but when I do I'll do the math and post it here... just know that it was pretty big....
Just finished a 15 night cruise with 10 yes count them 10 sea days. Now there was a cruise if there ever was a time to use the/a package it was then. I haven't really sat down and looked at my Onboard tab just yet but when I do I'll do the math and post it here... just know that it was pretty big....
Well I still haven't done the math
BUT X has a promo on right now called 1-2-3 for Ocean view and above you have the Choice of 2 out of three things they are throwing in if you book in a certain time frame. Grats/Drink Package/$300 OBC. If you are thinking about these things check with their web site or your TA
19 FEB 2012 UPDATE Sale is over
BUT X has a promo on right now called 1-2-3 for Ocean view and above you have the Choice of 2 out of three things they are throwing in if you book in a certain time frame. Grats/Drink Package/$300 OBC. If you are thinking about these things check with their web site or your TA
19 FEB 2012 UPDATE Sale is over
BruinSteve
Environmental Compliance Officer
when they're running a promotion like this, what it does is to change the formula...Try to figure out if you are drinking $300 worth during the cruise... Don't think in terms of full package price...It's only worth the full package price if you drink enough to make it worth that...Otherwise, the $300 OBC may be the btter option...
Lillianecruzlovr
New Member
Celebrity is having a promotion that expires on October 6, 2013..for a choice of either: $200 on board credit or classic beverage package (that beverage package is worth like..$700). . . and if you have an airfare included, the on board credit is $300, I believe.
