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WOW - bar drinks prices increased by up to 40%


icsys
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As mentioned on other drink threads... We were on Explorer last week and notices a huge increase in bar drink prices compared to a cruise just three months ago.

 

There was only one bar menu throughout the ship (with exception of Pub which has its own A3 sheet) which listed limited offerings and pushing the drinks packages...

 

ALL cocktails priced at $10 +18%

American premium beers all $6.00 +18%

Beers of the world $5.50 +18%

 

You could ask for drinks not on the menu, such as a B52 or Black Russian, but they were charged at $10 +18%

Bar waiter said that ALL cocktails now start at $10

 

Compared to our Allure cruise last November, bar prices have increased by as much as 40% !!

 

For instance:

B52, was $6.50, now $10

Black Russian, was $6.50, now $10

Ultimate cosmopolitan, was $7, now $10

 

 

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[ATTACH]342720[/ATTACH]

 

Sorry about the small pictures. The forum software reduces them to a max size of 620x280

 

One person on another thread said that on their recent Quantum cruise, the cocktail prices were the same... $11.80 ($10 +18%)

 

I'm guessing this bar price increase will go fleet wide.

Edited by icsys
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Yeah, I think RCCL is trying to get everyone to buy a package. :(

 

It will not work with me. In fact, I will drink even less now if all cocktails are starting at 10.00 + the tip and I wont be tipping extra like I did in the past.

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As mentioned on other drink threads... We were on Explorer last week and notices a huge increase in bar drink prices compared to a cruise just three months ago.

 

There was only one bar menu throughout the ship (with exception of Pub which has its own A3 sheet) which listed limited offerings and pushing the drinks packages...

 

ALL cocktails priced at $10 +18%

American premium beers all $6.00 +18%

Beers of the world $5.50 +18%

 

You could ask for drinks not on the menu, such as a B52 or Black Russian, but they were charged at $10 +18%

Bar waiter said that ALL cocktails now start at $10

 

Compared to our Allure cruise last November, bar prices have increased by as much as 40% !!

 

For instance:

B52, was $6.50, now $10

Black Russian, was $6.50, now $10

Ultimate cosmopolitan, was $7, now $10

 

 

[ATTACH]342719[/ATTACH]

[ATTACH]342720[/ATTACH]

 

Sorry about the small pictures. The forum software reduces them to a max size of 620x280

 

One person on another thread said that on their recent Quantum cruise, the cocktail prices were the same... $11.80 ($10 +18%)

 

I'm guessing this bar price increase will go fleet wide.

 

Icsys, can't really see the menu descriptions. Does that $10 include top shelf? I usually drink Grey Goose, Belvedere, or Ketel one. I usually buy the ultimate package which has a $12 pre-tip max. I would be pissed if I have to belly up more cash every time I order a cocktail if top shelf is a higher price.

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We'll take a couple free cocktails as Diamond and call it good, don't need to get crocked and drunk and pay RCCL a fortune to do so whether it's up front on a package or by the drink.......

 

Of course the cheer leaders will say that the onboard prices are similar to those on land. I was just at a local bar and had 1.00 bottles. Will NEVER see that on RCCL.....ever........ they want 5-6.00 for a BEER! Oh and don't forget the 18% "service charge"......

 

They are making a fortune on booze. And people will still say the rules about bringing liquor onboard are just about liability, not profit. Too funny.

Edited by bouhunter
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Guess this falls under "if you buy a package you don't notice or care" and "if you don't buy a package you probably will soon".

 

No, this falls under " I'll take the free drinks for being a Diamond member, and save the couple hundred dollars I normally spend". We don't need alcohol to make cruising a great time.

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It will not work with me. In fact, I will drink even less now if all cocktails are starting at 10.00 + the tip and I wont be tipping extra like I did in the past.

 

Me too. My husband and I have no more than one drink each per day. We don't need the extra sugar and calories, and he is a bit limited by the medication he takes. A package would never work for us.

 

We already stopped going to the casino because of the smoke in there. While it's not a huge loss for the cruise line, there are others like us, and the loss mounts. We will simply not buy any drinks at all if the price keeps going up, and will consider another cruise line if the price of the cruise rises to include all the alcohol one can consume. If the price rises but includes EVERYTHING (soda, premium tea/coffee/etc.), then we might not be so irritated.

 

Beth

Edited by bethc1952
My spelling isn't so good today LOL!!!
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Of course the cheer leaders will say that the onboard prices are similar to those on land. I was just at a local bar and had 1.00 bottles. Will NEVER see that on RCCL.....ever........ they want 5-6.00 for a BEER! Oh and don't forget the 18% "service charge"......

 

They are making a fortune on booze. And the cheerleaders still say the rules about bringing liquor onboard are just about liability, not profit. Too funny.

 

Totally agree. I wasnt going to go there but since you did, Im sure it wont be long before they show up. :D

 

I have never paid 12.00 for Margarita or 7.00 for a beer ANYWHERE on land :rolleyes:

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Same higher prices on Freedom last week.

 

Thanks, I had been trying to find this out since I'll be on Freedom in a couple weeks.

 

It really does seem like they are pushing the packages hard. They probably realize that there are many moderate drinkers out there who are on the fence about buying a package and this is the best way to nudge them forward. I know some occasional drinkers will boycott drinking on board due to the higher prices, but I bet the majority of them will still have their one or two cocktails per day.

 

I find it funny that many (including myself in this) rationalize making a drink package "worth it" by calculating how much our drinks would cost us individually, when in reality both prices (individual drink and drink packages) are too damn expensive. The price of enjoying a vacation... and yes, I know alcohol isn't needed to enjoy it... just an expression :)

Edited by Restless24
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Totally agree. I wasnt going to go there but since you did, Im sure it wont be long before they show up. :D

 

I have never paid 12.00 for Margarita or 7.00 for a beer ANYWHERE on land :rolleyes:

 

Yep they are making a LOT of money on booze. It's mind boggling how much money some people spend, whether on a package or by the drink. And we like to drink........but would never spend what RCCL would like us to. We'll do it other places at other times, will just take our free Diamond cocktails and call it good! Ha!

Edited by bouhunter
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Totally agree. I wasnt going to go there but since you did, Im sure it wont be long before they show up. :D

 

I have never paid 12.00 for Margarita or 7.00 for a beer ANYWHERE on land :rolleyes:

 

This isn't a defense of raising the drink prices, but merely an observation... You really have never paid that amount for a drink on land? Granted it's not at every bar... But if you haven't paid $7 for a beer or $12 for a margarita ANYWHERE on land ever, I'm going to have to assume you've never drank a drink at any hotel bar, any "trendy" club, any big major city, or any tourist destination ever... Because that is not that exorbitant of a price as to make it unfathomable.

 

Also, to the poster taking about $1 swill beers at their local hole in the wall drinking spot, just stop. Totally ridiculous comparison. The beers that I drink even at home cost more than $1 each at the State minimum prices.

 

Now back to the topic of the thread... I will likely be drinking slightly less on the cruises I don't have a package on if this does indeed go fleet-wide... But it's certainly not going to ruin a vacation. Relax people. Lol

 

 

Sent from my SM-N910P using Forums mobile app

Edited by OSULabRat
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Icsys, can't really see the menu descriptions. Does that $10 include top shelf? I usually drink Grey Goose, Belvedere, or Ketel one. I usually buy the ultimate package which has a $12 pre-tip max. I would be pissed if I have to belly up more cash every time I order a cocktail if top shelf is a higher price.

 

Red Bull and vodka is listed as made with Kettel One - $10.

Ultimate Cosmo is listed as made with Grey Goose - $10

 

There are fifteen drinks listed... all $11.80 inclusive of tip.

California Cooler

Torched Sherry sangria

Captains Caipirinha

Guava Rita

The Grand Margarita

Tango 10 Collins

Goombay Smash

Frozen Mojito

JW Black Rob Roy

Ultimate Mai Tai

Appletini

Ultimate Cosmopolitan

Washington Apple

Long Island Iced Tea

Red Bull and Vodka

 

If you wanted a drink that was not on the list and you wanted to know how much beforehand you would need to ask the price.

Edited by icsys
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Also, to the poster taking about $1 swill beers at their local hole in the wall drinking spot, just stop. Totally ridiculous comparison. The beers that I drink even at home cost more than $1 each at the State minimum prices.

 

 

No, it is not ridiculous. I'm talking about the SAME BOTTLED BEER that RCCL is charging 6-7.00 for:rolleyes: Not "swill", whatever that is......You are being ridiculous.:rolleyes:

Edited by bouhunter
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Yep they are making a LOT of money on booze. It's mind boggling how much money some people spend, whether on a package or by the drink. And we like to drink........but would never spend what RCCL would like us to. We'll do it other places at other times, will just take our free Diamond cocktails and call it good! Ha!

 

Another reason I'm happy to be a flowrider junkie. Can't drink during the day since flowriding and drinking is not a good mix. Then once the flowrider closes I have the DL and vouchers for the evening.

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