You are right about Carnival using it to make money, I sometimes wish there other options. Meanwhile since my daughter and I are not true drinkers at home every time we go back and forth on if we should get it. For us, sometimes it boils down to just getting it and not thinking about it. Most times we do not get the drink package. Since we fly into the port city it is just easier to purchase the bottled water, and yes I know we can fill up in the buffet. Also without the package, we bring two bottles of wine for me (each of us carrying on a bottle).