Disappointed

Wine & Beer package on Seranade of the Seas served us wine you can buy at Walmart for 2.99 a bottle. Paying 44.00 a day was truely not worth it.

Wine & Beer package on Seranade of the Seas served us wine you can buy at Walmart for 2.99 a bottle. Paying 44.00 a day was truely not worth it.

 

Thats exactly how they are making BANK on the alcohol packages. Truth is, those 7-8 dollar beers can also be bought at Wal Mart for less than a buck a piece.

Maybe Wal-Mart should start a cruise line.

Maybe Wal-Mart should start a cruise line.

 

According to some here, they already have. Their ships have big whale tails on them :D:o:rolleyes:

Wine & Beer package on Seranade of the Seas served us wine you can buy at Walmart for 2.99 a bottle. Paying 44.00 a day was truely not worth it.

 

Not sure what your tastes are in wine, but I prefer reds, and there were a couple in the $8 range that were decent, like the Cline Zinfandel. That's not a premium wine, and you might find it at Walmart for $8, but not $2.99 a bottle. But they do have some much better wines in the $10 - 12 per glass range. I don't think the Select Package is all that worthwhile for a wine drinker, unless they just like to go for quantity. So, I basically agree with your "not worth it" conclusion.

According to some here, they already have. Their ships have big whale tails on them :D:o:rolleyes:

 

I for one applaud their no frills price tags. Getting more for less can only be a good thing. Overpaying is not.

Generally speak, everything is overpriced when you have a captive audience. Sporting events, theme parks, yadda, yadda, yadda. Cruise ships really are no different.

 

I'm not the candidate for the drink package, but, for those who do buy enough drinks on board it can be a decent value.

...everything is overpriced when you have a captive audience. Sporting events, theme parks, yadda, yadda, yadda. Cruise ships really are no different...

 

Exactly, CK. Look how much people will pay for a beer and a hot dog at a baseball game? Ridiculous, yet we pay it.

Royal is getting further and further away from all-inclusive. It would be nice to not have to worry about having additional $$$ for onboard charges.

Not sure what your tastes are in wine, but I prefer reds, and there were a couple in the $8 range that were decent, like the Cline Zinfandel. That's not a premium wine, and you might find it at Walmart for $8, but not $2.99 a bottle. But they do have some much better wines in the $10 - 12 per glass range. I don't think the Select Package is all that worthwhile for a wine drinker, unless they just like to go for quantity. So, I basically agree with your "not worth it" conclusion.

 

yup. Vinatges has excellent wines to choose from but none of them are in the $8 range. currently we get by with the Concierge Lounge offerings( not big drinkers during the day at all) before dinner and buying piecemeal after dinner

 

next cruise we do have a substantial OBC for the first time so am seriously considering buying the drink package to give it a try and if our drinking habits change

I have bought the ultimate package in the past and got to choose my own wine. Does the wine and beer package force you to accept what they bring you without a choice? Couldn't you pick another wine?

Generally speak, everything is overpriced when you have a captive audience. Sporting events, theme parks, yadda, yadda, yadda. Cruise ships really are no different.

 

I'm not the candidate for the drink package, but, for those who do buy enough drinks on board it can be a decent value.

 

 

I would agree with what you said, and would add,,,

A ball game, a visit to a theme park, etc., are one day affairs, a cruise is 3, 5, 7 days and longer.

We used to go to 4-6 ball games a year, grab a couple beers and hot dogs, but when everything went up crazy, we cut back, and no longer go.

 

My thinking is that RCL's drink pkge. prices = about 15 mixed drinks a day at a decent local pub, and I simply don't want to drink that much everyday to make it worthwhile, so I won't spend anything for drinks. (Luckily we got or casino club, and D+ benes. for a few free drinks.:D)

And when/if those free drinks go away, we'll do like we did with the ball games, walk away!:)

Edited May 22, 2015 by American Bear

Wine & Beer package on Seranade of the Seas served us wine you can buy at Walmart for 2.99 a bottle. Paying 44.00 a day was truely not worth it.

 

Why don't you the name of the wine. I don't think it is the same that you can buy at Walmart for $2.99.

 

So, give the name of this cheap wine that they charge $44.00 a bottle.

 

I will follow up and ask the cruise line why they get there wine from Walmart.

 

Anyone want to guess if the OP gives us the wine name and year.

According to some here, they already have. Their ships have big whale tails on them :D:o:rolleyes:

Having just returned from the cruise line to which you are referring, I disagree! Wine under the whale tail was better than what I was offered on the RCI cruise immediately before even with the Premium package. Funny isn't it that the $12 wines are not available, but the less expensive ones are:( Mind you then you had to find a bar where you could get served :eek:

 

I for one applaud their no frills price tags. Getting more for less can only be a good thing. Overpaying is not.

I agree!

Wine & Beer package on Seranade of the Seas served us wine you can buy at Walmart for 2.99 a bottle. Paying 44.00 a day was truely not worth it.

You think that's bad we were on the Liberty, my wife woke up with a headache and had to pay $12.00 for 24 tablets of Tylenol:eek::eek::eek:

Exactly, CK. Look how much people will pay for a beer and a hot dog at a baseball game? Ridiculous, yet we pay it.

 

It's entirely different to pay big prices for drinks at a ballgame...it lasts a couple hours...not an entire week!!!

It's entirely different to pay big prices for drinks at a ballgame...it lasts a couple hours...not an entire week!!!

 

That's pretty lame to claim it "entirely" different and name only the duration of time as the difference. It's common for prices to be relatively high in a "captive audience" situation, whether it is hours or days. So, there are both similarities and differences.

I have bought the ultimate package in the past and got to choose my own wine. Does the wine and beer package force you to accept what they bring you without a choice? Couldn't you pick another wine?

 

You still order your choice of wine, but the package only covers up to $8 per glass. There are several wines listed for $7 or $8. They are not high end wines, but generally not too bad. You can also order higher-priced wines with the package and only pay the difference between the price and the $8 package max. (So, if you ordered a $12 glass, you'd have to pay $4 + 18%.)

 

Edit: Just to clarify, that's with the Select Package, that includes beer & wine, but not other drinks. The Premium Package covers wines up to $12 per glass.

Edited May 22, 2015 by Paul65

You think that's bad we were on the Liberty, my wife woke up with a headache and had to pay $12.00 for 24 tablets of Tylenol:eek::eek::eek:

 

Liked.

Wine & Beer package on Seranade of the Seas served us wine you can buy at Walmart for 2.99 a bottle. Paying 44.00 a day was truely not worth it.

 

Why don't you the name of the wine. I don't think it is the same that you can buy at Walmart for $2.99.

 

So, give the name of this cheap wine that they charge $44.00 a bottle.

 

I will follow up and ask the cruise line why they get there wine from Walmart.

 

Anyone want to guess if the OP gives us the wine name and year.

LOOK AROUD! Let's face it you're not sailing on a Regent ship. ;)

Paying the wine and beer prices on a cruise is no worse then paying a cruise fare and then paying a surcharge to eat in a shopping mall chain fast food hamburger joint.

Why don't you the name of the wine. I don't think it is the same that you can buy at Walmart for $2.99.

 

So, give the name of this cheap wine that they charge $44.00 a bottle.

 

I will follow up and ask the cruise line why they get there wine from Walmart.

 

Anyone want to guess if the OP gives us the wine name and year.

 

It's Deja Vu all over again

You still order your choice of wine, but the package only covers up to $8 per glass. There are several wines listed for $7 or $8. They are not high end wines, but generally not too bad. You can also order higher-priced wines with the package and only pay the difference between the price and the $8 package max. (So, if you ordered a $12 glass, you'd have to pay $4 + 18%.)

 

Edit: Just to clarify, that's with the Select Package, that includes beer & wine, but not other drinks. The Premium Package covers wines up to $12 per glass.

 

I believe it is only the Premium package that allows for the difference between the actual cost and package limit (it was this case when the packages were introduced, but might have changed). Are you certain that you were able to only pay the difference with the Select package?

It's entirely different to pay big prices for drinks at a ballgame...it lasts a couple hours...not an entire week!!!

Yes it is a bit different - at a ball game they only have to stock enough alcohol (and keep it appropriate serving temperatures) for a few hours. Cruise ships have to store, chill etc for much longer. Those that dont want to pay the prices at ballgames only have to wait a couple of hours until they can get out to an alternative venue. On a cruise ship you are a captive audience until the next port which may or may not charge a lot for drinks. When you have a captive audience prices tend to be higher. No competition + high demand = high prices. The majority of capitalists would do the same until such time as demand drops enough for it not to be profitible