Royal Caribbean -New Alcoholic Beverage Packages

[Elizanessie]

RCCL announcement today.

As an enhancement to Royal Caribbean International’s beverage program, we are excited to announce the launch of three Beverage Package options, giving our guests a no-hassle way to enjoy an all-inclusive beverage experience during their cruise holiday

Beverage packages are only available to book onboard on the following ships:

Independence of the Seas – available from 14th March 2011
Grandeur of the Seas - available from 13th March 2011
Legend of the Seas – available from 14th March 2011

Our customers will be able to enjoyable paying one set price for a wide variety of beverage choices

Beer Package: In this package customers can enjoy all beer brands onboard, by draft, can or bottle and house wines by the glass. Price: $29.00 per guest, per day

Classic Package: In the package customers can enjoy all of the benefits of the beer package as well as a list of spirits; brand names include Smirnoff, Beefeater and Johnny Walker and cocktails using the selected spirits available. Price $39.00 per guest, per day.

Premium Package: In the package customers can enjoy all of the benefits of the classic package as well as a list of premium spirits; brand names include Absolute, Bombay Sapphire and Johnny Walker Black and cocktails using the selected spirits available. Price $49.00 per guest, per day.

All above prices include gratuities and are based on per guest per day basis.

[Evelyn9597]

This sounds like a great idea! Even though I'm not a big drinker, I'd probably buy one of these packages just so I don't have to sign those flippin drink slips ALL the time

This may be a factor for me in deciding to book IOS for 2012

[secondhandrose]

Originally Posted by Host Elizanessie

RCCL announcement today.

As an enhancement to Royal Caribbean International’s beverage program, we are excited to announce the launch of three Beverage Package options, giving our guests a no-hassle way to enjoy an all-inclusive beverage experience during their cruise holiday

Beverage packages are only available to book onboard on the following ships:

Independence of the Seas – available from 14th March 2011
Grandeur of the Seas - available from 13th March 2011
Legend of the Seas – available from 14th March 2011

Our customers will be able to enjoyable paying one set price for a wide variety of beverage choices

Beer Package: In this package customers can enjoy all beer brands onboard, by draft, can or bottle and house wines by the glass. Price: $29.00 per guest, per day

Classic Package: In the package customers can enjoy all of the benefits of the beer package as well as a list of spirits; brand names include Smirnoff, Beefeater and Johnny Walker and cocktails using the selected spirits available. Price $39.00 per guest, per day.

Premium Package: In the package customers can enjoy all of the benefits of the classic package as well as a list of premium spirits; brand names include Absolute, Bombay Sapphire and Johnny Walker Black and cocktails using the selected spirits available. Price $49.00 per guest, per day.

All above prices include gratuities and are based on per guest per day basis.

I can't believe it. So all our moaning about the price of drinks may have paid of. R.C.I. have at last realised that the majority of cruisers from the U.K. perhaps would not return to their ships year in year out with such heavy drinks prices. Our golden Wedding Celebration with all the family in July will after all not have to be a dry celebration. Looking forward to how these new packages break down when buying rounds of drinks. Any ideas?/

[Elizanessie]

Originally Posted by secondhandrose

Looking forward to how these new packages break down when buying rounds of drinks. Any ideas?/

I would guess that in order for a free drink to be "purchased" the cruiser's card would need to be swiped...and then swiped again and charged for those in the round who haven't bought the Package.

Hopefully more details will become available very soon.

[ds0907]

I,m only guessing but on thomsons ships if you want the all inclusive package everyone in your booking party has to have it because of obvious reasons , so I suspect RCI will do the same otherwise it would be wide open to abuse.

[insidecabin]

Not checked the full details of this yet.

For comparison you can look at Celebrity version.

http://www.celebritycruises.com/beve...ges&cS=SIDENAV

RCCL have been running this on Celebrity for some time now it seemed to work well on our last trip for those that took it.

On celebrity you can book the package part way through so if you have a port intensive at the start you can save a few days worth.

Azamara has a reduced price versions which was introduced recently(they include soft drinks coffees/teas, wine with meals and tips in cruise price)

One advantage over the UK ships like Thomson AI is it is avaialble on an individual basis not cabin.

Sharing allthough easy to do is not a feature of these packages.

[DEEDIA]

My two penneth on this is $30 a day on Beer, I think our last trip on the Indy a Bottle of Beer cost $6.00 so that would equate to 5 Bottles a Night. £20 for 5 Bottles, in our Local Supermarket I can buy the same Bottle for £1.50 or when on offer £1.00. I do not think I will be taking up the Package offer. I can have a Drink but no need to have a bath. You guessed I'm not a Big Drinker.

[sidari]

A much better idea would be to have a system similar to the OBC system, you buy a package at amount X and regardless of how many people are in your round the cost is deducted from the total amount.

So if there was only 2 of you and you had paid say $150 for 7 nights the figure reduces for every drink you buy and is charged to your seapass card ... so 2 drinks at say $7 each reduces your balance accordingly and does not matter if you buy for 6 people on one night .....

This would be a far better idea and cannot be abused because when you have spent your $150 you would either have to pay more in at customer services or have no more drinks.

[insidecabin]

Originally Posted by sidari

A much better idea would be to have a system similar to the OBC system, you buy a package at amount X and regardless of how many people are in your round the cost is deducted from the total amount.

So if there was only 2 of you and you had paid say $150 for 7 nights the figure reduces for every drink you buy and is charged to your seapass card ... so 2 drinks at say $7 each reduces your balance accordingly and does not matter if you buy for 6 people on one night .....

This would be a far better idea and cannot be abused because when you have spent your $150 you would either have to pay more in at customer services or have no more drinks.

DUH : THats how it works now on all ships

[secondhandrose]

Originally Posted by DEEDIA

My two penneth on this is $30 a day on Beer, I think our last trip on the Indy a Bottle of Beer cost $6.00 so that would equate to 5 Bottles a Night. £20 for 5 Bottles, in our Local Supermarket I can buy the same Bottle for £1.50 or when on offer £1.00. I do not think I will be taking up the Package offer. I can have a Drink but no need to have a bath. You guessed I'm not a Big Drinker.

I myself and DH and DD are very very light drinkers due to health problems and G/ Daughter 19 doesn't touch the stuff .But Son and Son-inlaw like a beer or 3. When I booked this cruise for our Golden Wedding I didn't know about the drinks prices and was somewhat taken aback. We have cruised on P.O. and the drinks prices were very fair. I guess I just want everything to go well for us ..as we won't ever be able to treat our family to a cruise ever again. Unless we live to be 109 and start saving now Ha Ha
S.H.R.

[insidecabin]

Originally Posted by secondhandrose

I myself and DH and DD are very very light drinkers due to health problems and G/ Daughter 19 doesn't touch the stuff .But Son and Son-inlaw like a beer or 3. When I booked this cruise for our Golden Wedding I didn't know about the drinks prices and was somewhat taken aback. We have cruised on P.O. and the drinks prices were very fair. I guess I just want everything to go well for us ..as we won't ever be able to treat our family to a cruise ever again. Unless we live to be 109 and start saving now Ha Ha
S.H.R.

They should be treating you.

Should be handy if the higher consumers can make use of the package

We have never had a problem taking a few drinks with us for cabin consumption.

[Marge Clarke]

Do you think the package is good value as what do they charge for glass of wine on board

[newport dave]

From my experience of Mariner of the Seas last October, I'd definately buy the $29 beer package if I was on the above mentioned ships. At about $6 for a beer it doesn't take long to have 6 in a day and you've already made a saving. A couple around the pool, take one back to your room while you get ready, one with your dinner, then another 3 or 4 easily in a bar /show afterwards. That's seven or eight there no problem.

[sidari]

Dave ... So what you are saying is its great for Heavy Drinkers then ... but a waste of time for those who do not drink very much!

Insidecabin ... I know how it works on cruise ships, i was giving an alternative for people who drink less but may want to use their OBC for tours and buying other things DUH.

[jadzhea]

Originally Posted by sidari

Dave ... So what you are saying is its great for Heavy Drinkers then ... but a waste of time for those who do not drink very much!

Insidecabin ... I know how it works on cruise ships, i was giving an alternative for people who drink less but may want to use their OBC for tours and buying other things DUH.

I wouldnt say what Dave mentioned would be classed as a heavy drinker!! I dont drink like that every day, but could quite easily do it on holiday cos thats what they are for...
So I think we will probably by the drinks package, then I wont be worried about the cost of a few beers. If the option is there, I would probably buy it every other day, or on days we are not in port
Jane

[DEEDIA]

I agree with Sadari I might buy a package if it was for the Cabin, as not a Big Drinker D/H is a Diabetic why would I buy a package when I would be out of pocket, I will stick to how I purchase drinks.

[ISLANDCRUSO]

Just a point on the Drinks packages! if you buy one do you have to pay for everyday of the cruise ? or as suggested by jadzhea pay for days you want them ? $29 a day would be good if it was for 2 people... Also can only 1 person from a couple purchase a package or do both have to buy one each ?

[insidecabin]

The package on Celebrity is on a PP not per cabin/booking basis so I suspect RCI will be the same.


Just to remind people that the level of drinking required to make this worth while is considered as "binge" in the uk allthough some would consider this "light weght"


pays your money takes your choice

[DEEDIA]

What would happen if you bought a package, but was not a big drinker, would they refuse to serve you if you showed signs of being drunk. If they did would that make the contract null and void.

[Belfast Castle]

Sounds like great news - but is this deal only available to the card holder -
or could I buy a drink for a friend or acquaintance using the same card?