Drink Package was best cruise deal ever!

[boyerd]

Let me start by saying we are not big drinkers per say, however on a cruise, we do like to enjoy ourselves, after all it is a carribbean vacation! We were on the Connie last January and purchased the Premium Drink package prior to boarding. Initially we were concerned that with so many port days we might not get our money's worth.

Not only did we get our money's worth and more, there were other perks that we didn't anticipate. Aside from no slips to sign etc, often around the pool when a frozen drink started melting often the staff would ask if they could just make a new one. We tried many different types of drinks esp Martinis that we might not have bought otherwise. If we tried a new drink and didn't like it it was replaced with another drink of our choice without question.

In order to show you why we felt this was a great deal I will describe a typical day. Disclaimer... based on this, some may think that we are heavy drinkers...if that is the case , while we appreciate your perspective and opinion please do not comment on our consumption ( this is our first post and we have seen some petty unnecessary replies). The purpose of this information is not to expose our consumption for review and/or public scrutiny, but to demonstrate to those who like to let their hair down a little and are wondering from a ecocnmic standpoint is it worth purchasing a package.

0830-Latte with one and half shots of Bailys..........$10.00
1100-large water............................................. ..$ 3.50
1230- Frozen drink............................................. .$6.50
1430- Beer.............................................. ..........$5.00
1600- Frozen drink............................................. .$6.50
1800- Glass of wine while dressing for dinner............$10.00
1930- Martini and dancing prior to dinner.................$12.00
2030- Dinner ( 4 different types of wine by the glass as suggested with each course by sommommlier-not all entirely consumed)..$ 40.00
2215- Specialty Coffee..........................................$ 8.00
2300- Dancing/Bar/Show/Casino Cocktail.............................$10.00
2400- Nightcap.(wearever..maybe brought back to balcony) $10.00

Total...$121.50 ( Drink prices are approx by memory-please don't bust me for not remembering exact price..probably cause I drank too much..Ha ha)

Cost per day...$55.00
Remenber this is for one person double the savings when we each bought one!

Only difference on port days was that we had two beers when back on ship as compared to 3 poolside drinks. Many nights we actually stayed out dancing etc later and maybe had another one...or if really hot day at the pool and having fun with poolside neighbors maybe snuck in an extra beer!

If you think this might come even close to a typical carribbean vacation day for you, then you can see what a true value it is. The other convieniences were no slips to sign, bar servers, waiters and sommoliers knowing your preferences and offering drink suggestions and special cocktails that we had never tried before. We told our assit waiter the first night about the specialty coffee and we had it served with our dessert every night...no hassles. It really added to the vacation atmosphere that we enjoy!

Hope this helps!

[Debi_D]

Well said!!! I would like to add, seeing all those 0.00 on your final bill at the end of the cruise was a real plus. We too love the drink package!

[red919]

ITA!

And I was lucky enough to buy the drink package for my upcoming cruise BEFORE the price increase.

[boyerd]

Wha increase! I thought it was only speciallty restaurants that went up?

[Idahobaker]

Originally Posted by boyerd

Wha increase! I thought it was only speciallty restaurants that went up?

Yep, premium package went up by $60. It'll probably go up again.

[Blanco-Grande]

Originally Posted by boyerd

Wha increase! I thought it was only speciallty restaurants that went up?

they went up about $100 but dropped 2 days ago about $50

[Maz_1]

Well said. We purchased the Premium drinks, we are not big drinkers but I can confidently say that it was worth our while & we will definitely purchase the premium drinks package again next year.

[dennbr9]

Hope your liver feels it was a good deal too:-)

[librarylady19]

Here's a link to the drink menu from the Molecular Bar. I plan to try all of them

http://schplinky.smugmug.com/Solstic...26_fyRPu-XL-LB

[Canadian Villager]

Originally Posted by Maz_1

Well said. We purchased the Premium drinks, we are not big drinkers but I can confidently say that it was worth our while & we will definitely purchase the premium drinks package again next year.

My wife and I have just signed up for the Celebrity Equinox for Feb 21, 2013. We have never sailed Celebrity before and we have never had the opportunity for a drinks package. If you do not sign chits, how do they know that you have a package and what package you have?

[prim8keeper]

Originally Posted by Canadian Villager

My wife and I have just signed up for the Celebrity Equinox for Feb 21, 2013. We have never sailed Celebrity before and we have never had the opportunity for a drinks package. If you do not sign chits, how do they know that you have a package and what package you have?

If you purchase it ahead of time it says it on your sea pass and I presume it comes up when they swipe it as well in the computer. If you buy the package once you board they place a sticker on your sea pass.

[Debi_D]

Originally Posted by red919

ITA!

And I was lucky enough to buy the drink package for my upcoming cruise BEFORE the price increase.

I know it is tough pill to swallow but it is still a better deal. We try to pay it in advance so we don't have a large bill at the end of our trip.

[38anchor]

Thanks for putting together such a comprehensive list. We have booked the premium package for our upcoming Silhouette and after reading your post I know we have made the right decision.

Just one question though.... where do you get the

0830-Latte with one and half shots of Bailys..........$10.00

at 8.30 in the morning. Sounds delicious. I am presuming it must be Cafe al Bacio?

[boyerd]

Originally Posted by 38anchor

Thanks for putting together such a comprehensive list. We have booked the premium package for our upcoming Silhouette and after reading your post I know we have made the right decision.

Just one question though.... where do you get the at 8.30 in the morning. Sounds delicious. I am presuming it must be Cafe al Bacio?

That's the spot...open at 0700

[Moomintroll]

Your post has me re-thinking my decision to not go with the premium package!
I have a question - are the "drink of the day" frozen drinks in the souvenir glasses included? I thought the limit is $12 per drink and they are $10?

Thank you for sharing your experience!

[dzcruisers]

Originally Posted by 38anchor

Thanks for putting together such a comprehensive list. We have booked the premium package for our upcoming Silhouette and after reading your post I know we have made the right decision.

Just one question though.... where do you get the at 8.30 in the morning. Sounds delicious. I am presuming it must be Cafe al Bacio?

Don't forget you can get sodas in the can and fresh juices and bottles of water with dinner or to take back to your cabin. He left out a lot of extras besides alcohol that it includes. We always got big bottles of water to take when we went ashore.

[kitkat9438]

Originally Posted by boyerd

Let me start by saying we are not big drinkers per say, however on a cruise, we do like to enjoy ourselves, after all it is a carribbean vacation! We were on the Connie last January and purchased the Premium Drink package prior to boarding. Initially we were concerned that with so many port days we might not get our money's worth.

Not only did we get our money's worth and more, there were other perks that we didn't anticipate. Aside from no slips to sign etc, often around the pool when a frozen drink started melting often the staff would ask if they could just make a new one. We tried many different types of drinks esp Martinis that we might not have bought otherwise. If we tried a new drink and didn't like it it was replaced with another drink of our choice without question.

In order to show you why we felt this was a great deal I will describe a typical day. Disclaimer... based on this, some may think that we are heavy drinkers...if that is the case , while we appreciate your perspective and opinion please do not comment on our consumption ( this is our first post and we have seen some petty unnecessary replies). The purpose of this information is not to expose our consumption for review and/or public scrutiny, but to demonstrate to those who like to let their hair down a little and are wondering from a ecocnmic standpoint is it worth purchasing a package.

0830-Latte with one and half shots of Bailys..........$10.00
1100-large water............................................. ..$ 3.50
1230- Frozen drink............................................. .$6.50
1430- Beer.............................................. ..........$5.00
1600- Frozen drink............................................. .$6.50
1800- Glass of wine while dressing for dinner............$10.00
1930- Martini and dancing prior to dinner.................$12.00
2030- Dinner ( 4 different types of wine by the glass as suggested with each course by sommommlier-not all entirely consumed)..$ 40.00
2215- Specialty Coffee..........................................$ 8.00
2300- Dancing/Bar/Show/Casino Cocktail.............................$10.00
2400- Nightcap.(wearever..maybe brought back to balcony) $10.00

Total...$121.50 ( Drink prices are approx by memory-please don't bust me for not remembering exact price..probably cause I drank too much..Ha ha)

Cost per day...$55.00
Remenber this is for one person double the savings when we each bought one!

Only difference on port days was that we had two beers when back on ship as compared to 3 poolside drinks. Many nights we actually stayed out dancing etc later and maybe had another one...or if really hot day at the pool and having fun with poolside neighbors maybe snuck in an extra beer!

If you think this might come even close to a typical carribbean vacation day for you, then you can see what a true value it is. The other convieniences were no slips to sign, bar servers, waiters and sommoliers knowing your preferences and offering drink suggestions and special cocktails that we had never tried before. We told our assit waiter the first night about the specialty coffee and we had it served with our dessert every night...no hassles. It really added to the vacation atmosphere that we enjoy!

Hope this helps!

I agree with everything you said! Sounds like the exact same experience I had. PRICELESS!!! We'll be getting it again in December on the Summit. Can't wait.

[jackdec]

Originally Posted by kitkat9438

I agree with everything you said! Sounds like the exact same experience I had. PRICELESS!!! We'll be getting it again in December on the Summit. Can't wait.

Hi Kathy. Is there a charge for Drinking water during your meals. Or is this free. We are big water drinkers and wonder if there is a charge for water. You have now got me thinking that a drinks package might be money well spent. Where can we find the different packages for the Equinox.
Dec

[bighairtexan]

Your glass will be kept filled w/ ice water poured from a pitcher. If you like bottled water then you are charged for it.

[njaloha]

Originally Posted by bighairtexan

Your glass will be kept filled w/ ice water poured from a pitcher. If you like bottled water then you are charged for it.

I hope this doesn't sound daft but here goes anyway; where does the water come from? Are there huge tanks of it in the bowels of the ship or is it manufactured through a desalination process?