Tuesday, April 9, 2024

I Bought a Cruise Ship Drink Package Here's What I Discovered

are drink packages worth it on a cruise

Guests who will enjoy seven or more alcoholic beverages will likely find Cunard's Beers, Wines, and Spirits Option to be a solid value. Costa does not allow any drinks to be brought onboard from ashore. In addition, Costa's non-inclusive MYCRUISE fare is bare bones, with limited nonalcoholic beverages available throughout the day. My Drinks Plus includes all of the above, plus a wider selection of beers, premium cocktails and top-shelf liqueurs, unlimited bottled water and mini bar drinks. Purchased packages may be modified up to four days prior to sailing by canceling and reordering the package.

How Much Do Drinks Cost on a Cruise Ship?

are drink packages worth it on a cruise

Some cruise lines don’t allow any alcohol to be brought on board (Costa, Windstar, MSC) and some allow unlimited (Crystal, Regent, Silversea), but most fall somewhere in between. Depending on the cruise line, any alcohol purchased in port will be held by staff until the end of the cruise. The two major exceptions are Carnival Cruise Line and Princess Cruises. Both cruise lines have a 15-drink limit per 24 hours on alcoholic beverages. Although you must be aware of the limit, we don’t think most passengers will reach it.

Best small ship cruise lines

Only you know whether it’s the right purchase or not based on your habits and style of cruising. Drink package in hand, I ordered a second pint of ThirstyFrog in the Atrium Bar while listening to the strings trio play classical hits. Seeing the bill print out with a balance of $0.00 was a bit of a rush I wasn’t expecting. I’ve been on luxury cruises where the alcohol is included, but this is Carnival!

How much is a Royal Caribbean drink package? (2024) - Royal Caribbean Blog

How much is a Royal Caribbean drink package? ( .

Posted: Mon, 13 Nov 2023 08:00:00 GMT [source]

What's included in a Celebrity drink package?

If you plan to spend the day in port, you will consume fewer beverages than on sea days, but you’ll still be paying full price for the beverage package. With the My Drinks Plus package, you’ll receive premium cocktails, mini bar purchases, prestigious liquor brands, and bottled Corona and Becks. Suite guests receive the My Drinks Plus plan complimentary with their accommodations. The bar tab functions as a pre-paid onboard credit, which guests can use to purchase drinks on the ship or at the cruise line’s private island Beach Club at Bimini. Fountain soft drinks ordered from a bar are cheap on Holland America at $2.50 (plus tip) each, but that's for a small glass.

Following Incident, Carnival Says Gambling ‘Strictly Forbidden’ Outside of Casino

are drink packages worth it on a cruise

So when you purchase the package, you'll see an additional gratuity charge tacked on to the total (typically around 18%, depending on the cruise line). So a $60 package, for example, will end up costing around $71 per day. Princess does not specifically say that all passengers in a cabin have to purchase the drink package. So if there is a $15 per drink limit, it will cover drinks up to that amount. If you want a beverage that's more than $15 per glass, then you'll pay extra for the amount over $15. At last check, the package costs between $75-94 per day (Royal Caribbean charges different prices depending on the specific cruise, so your price will vary), plus an 18% service charge.

At a pace of one drink per hour, you’ll have a dozen drinks over the course of the day. Even the cheapest alcoholic drinks will result in a drink package being worth the money. A corkage fee applies to personal bottles consumed in public areas of the ship. The second package, Prestige Select, includes unlimited spirits, beer, wine and Champagne in bars and restaurants, anytime and anywhere during the sailing. Both packages entitle the purchaser to 20 percent off wine-pairing dinners at La Reserve, available aboard Marina, Riviera and Vista.

Do I Have to Pay Gratuity on the Drink Package?

Often yes, if one person in a cabin buys the package, all adults will need to as well. That said, the rules do vary depending on the cruise line you sail. I didn’t like that I felt tempted to “game” the system by drinking more or higher-cost drinks. Without a financial incentive to stop drinking, overindulgence is almost a given. Worse, they may end up in a situation where they feel compelled to drink – and that’s never a good thing.

Pros of Buying a Drinks Package Pre-Cruise

Thinking of purchasing a drink package, but just aren’t entirely sure it’s the right idea? The Bar Tab is available to purchase prior to boarding and acts as a prepaid onboard credit specifically redeemable for drinks. The Bar Tab can be used anywhere on the ship and at The Beach Club at Bimini. For passengers sailing on non-All Included Celebrity cruise deals, there are three add-on drinks programs to choose from. Carnival's Bottomless Bubbles program is a strictly soda package, with adult and child pricing available, and includes all-you-can-drink soda and juice for the duration of your cruise.

Cruises

This package may also be used onboard and during port visits to Great Stirrup Cay. Celebrity's Zero Proof Package includes nonalcoholic drinks such as sodas, fresh juices, premium coffees and teas, premium bottled water, vitamin water and Red Bull editions, along with zero proof cocktails. Outside of that, you’re paying (with the exception of Disney, which offers free soft drinks). If you’d like a little more variety, you can purchase basic beverage packages that include soft drinks for a fairly cheap price.

I found cruisers on social media who said you can upgrade to the Elite package from the Signature bought within the Have It All package. They said as long as nobody in the cabin has ordered a drink on the Signature Package, it can be upgraded at embarkation at any bar. If you're considering a Holland America drink package for your next cruise, here's everything you need to know before making your purchase. Cruises offer a fantastic way to relax and explore new destinations while enjoying the comfort and luxury of a floating resort. One aspect of cruising that many travelers consider is the option of a drink package. Celebrity supplies free drinks (alcoholic and non) for anyone actively playing in the casino.

The tap water on board is drinkable; bring your own refillable bottle, and you won't need to purchase bottles of water. The buffet area and all restaurants offer free drip coffee, iced tea, hot tea, hot cocoa, milk, lemonade and punch. This package is included with suites in The Retreat and is an easy upgrade for those who choose the All-In fares.

As you consider which package works best for your drinking habits, be sure to factor in the ports and the itinerary as a whole. Sea days tend to be higher drink consumption days, so a seven-night cruise with two sea days may bump up your needs a bit. Stops at private islands may mean even higher consumption because you're away from the air-conditioning for much of the day. Cruises in warm weather areas like the Caribbean will increase your thirst overall. Packages do not include beverages ordered from room service, bought in onboard gift shops or consumed from the minibar in your cabin. Many Celebrity cruisers have found it necessary to order their drinks specifically as "premium" beverages or to order by brand to avoid getting drinks made with the cheapest liquors.

Otherwise, beverage packages are only available to purchase onboard on embarkation day. Alcoholic drinks are limited to 15 beverages per 24-hour period, but nonalcoholic beverages are unlimited. This package may be used onboard and during port visits to Great Stirrup Cay. Unlike mainstream all-inclusive drink packages, Margaritaville At Sea categorizes beverage packages by interest with a set number of beverages. The Boat Drinks package includes 10 alcoholic drinks ranging from beer, cocktails and wine.

So don’t worry that having a bottle of water in between drinks is going to limit how many cocktails you can have. Princess places a limit of 15 alcoholic drinks per 24 hours, going from 6 a.m. If you try to exceed this limit, then the cruise line says it’s “at the discretion of shipboard management and crew” but will be charged the menu price.

At $54.95, if you don't drink anything but the $11 drinks allowed by the package, you'd need to drink five per day to break even. Before you settle on a drink package, know that it's not your only option for discounted alcohol or inclusive pricing. Holland America offers some add-on items that can be used to supplement or entirely replace a drink package under certain circumstances. That is a lot, but that figure doesn’t include things like bottled waters, coffees, or sodas, which can also add up quickly. While most people simply order one drink at a time, there are times where you might want to order more.

No comments:

Post a Comment

Layout

Table Of Content Color tokens Evolving the Microsoft Fluent Design System Creating hierarchy with empty space Featured in Development Specia...