New Beverage Packages

We recently returned from a cruise. All three of the packages were offered at check-in. We debated on just getting a wine package, but in the end, got the full beverage package. Overall, we were glad we did. Sure, maybe we're heavier drinkers than we thought. ;) But we were on vacation, and we easily drank more than the $52/day per person. Occasionally we had a mimosa for breakfast (order extra bubbly in the minibar the night before, and room service OJ...bars not open that early), and then whenever we came back to the ship we had a drink or two (either lunch or afternoon if we were gone all day). Then after a nap/rest/sunning/etc/, we typically had a few drinks sitting up on deck with the crowd waiting for Sail Away, then a couple/few glasses of wine at dinner (hard to keep track, because as others said, they just kept coming to refill us). Sometimes after dinner we'd go to a performance or to the casino/bar and have another drink....or maybe back to the room for a nightcap before bed.

 

For us, it was nice to just order whatever we wanted and not worry about prices or about always signing receipts (although sometimes we did need to for inventory purposes). We tried some new drinks that we might not typically order if we were paying for each drink. It was also nice not to get a gigantic bill of drinks when we checked out. :D I'd have to double check the bill, but I think that the 15% service charge on drinks was included in the $52/day package, so that helped cover the cost as well. As mentioned, after the first or second day, the crew seemed to know who had the package, so we didn't even need to say anything other than to order our drinks.

 

Obviously it's not for everyone, but for people who do enjoy their beverages on vacation, it could be a good option.

I believe they offer the packages for purchase the first two days. Maybe we'll gauge our consumption the first day and see how we do? My husband is the one who keeps insisting we don't need the package but how much do you want to bet that he'll cave? Ha ha!! I'll be sure to report back with our final decision!

Are the wine packages available on all the ships? We are doing our first WS on the Star Breeze - 28 days from Lisbon in November.

I think the 15% service charge is added to the cost of the package, not included...

I think the 15% service charge is added to the cost of the package, not included...

It definitely is.. the gratuity is also added to each and any single beverage that you purchase. Although we were not all that restrained in our alcohol consumption, on all of our Windstar cruises, we found that we spent considerably less paying for individual drinks.

Are the beverage packages offered on the TA's? We just booked a BS on the Star Pride (SJ to Lisbon) for a CRAZY low price and it looks like we may spend almost as much on the drinks as we did for the price of the whole cruise!

We might purchase a bottle of wine at dinner once or twice but probably not every evening

In case you don't know, the wine waiters will label unfinished bottles of wine with your room number so that you can enjoy the rest of it the following evening. We're not big drinkers and find this system works well for us.

I think the 15% service charge is added to the cost of the package, not included...

You're right. It's the price plus 15%. Mine was a perk that included this charge, so I mixed them up. You don't get charged another 15% on top of this every time you order a drink.

In case you don't know, the wine waiters will label unfinished bottles of wine with your room number so that you can enjoy the rest of it the following evening. We're not big drinkers and find this system works well for us.

This is really good to know. So for wine it would seem it's more cost effective to buy bottles and then just drink what we can and drink the rest the following day.

The beverage package. The other two are wine packages.

rugrats, do you know if the package price say $52.00 /day includes gratuity or is it added based on the price per drink and the actual number of drinks that day, Also is there a gratuity charge on Mini fridge usage. So I assume cabin mini fridges are stocked whether a package is purchase or not.

Thanks in advance

Our first cruise with Windstar Nov-18-17 now out of Barbados.

Mike

rugrats, do you know if the package price say $52.00 /day includes gratuity or is it added based on the price per drink and the actual number of drinks that day, Also is there a gratuity charge on Mini fridge usage. So I assume cabin mini fridges are stocked whether a package is purchase or not.

Thanks in advance

Our first cruise with Windstar Nov-18-17 now out of Barbados.

Mike

Mike2344 - we will be on that cruise as well for our first Windstar cruise! We are actually starting on Nov 4 out of Lisbon, and staying on until Dec 1! From what my TA said, you pay the 15% on the whole package, whether you drink 3 drinks a day or 10. Not sure on the mini-fridge - hopefully somebody else knows!

Mike2344 - we will be on that cruise as well for our first Windstar cruise! We are actually starting on Nov 4 out of Lisbon, and staying on until Dec 1! From what my TA said, you pay the 15% on the whole package, whether you drink 3 drinks a day or 10. Not sure on the mini-fridge - hopefully somebody else knows!

Thanks azcruise, We may wait and pay as we go for Saturday and reevaluate for 6 day purchase, some one posted you can purchase the 2nd day onboard . Must check out excursions on Windstar website.

Congrats on boarding on Nov-4 till Dec-1 that will be quite the cruise.

Mike2344 - we will be on that cruise as well for our first Windstar cruise! We are actually starting on Nov 4 out of Lisbon, and staying on until Dec 1! From what my TA said, you pay the 15% on the whole package, whether you drink 3 drinks a day or 10. Not sure on the mini-fridge - hopefully somebody else knows!

The alcoholic beverages in the mini-bar are included in the drink package, Otherwise you are charged for whatever you use, plus the 15% gratuity, just as you are charged for drinks in the bars or the DR, plus the usual gratuity. As already stated, the 15% gratuity is also added to the total cost of the beverage package.

Thanks Lobes1 For the info,

Thanks azcruise, We may wait and pay as we go for Saturday and reevaluate for 6 day purchase, some one posted you can purchase the 2nd day onboard . Must check out excursions on Windstar website.

Congrats on boarding on Nov-4 till Dec-1 that will be quite the cruise.

The Windstar FAQ page says the packages can be added in the first two days of the cruise:

https://www.windstarcruises.com/voyage-plan/faqs/#BeveragePackages

I think that is a change from the old package which had to be bought the first day.

When we cruised last spring, there was a table for asking questions about the package and signing up for it in the lounge where check-in was. You should be able to get any remaining questions answered there.

We've never purchased a package and felt we came out quite a bit ahead buying individual drinks. But, since the package contains fairly decent Single Malt Scotch, and I do like good scotch, does anyone have a recent price for Dalmore, or Glenmorangie, Highland Park? It seems they were about $9.00 several years ago. If they are $10 or over it would only take 5 drinks per day to make (10+1.5=11.5) X 5 = $57.50/day.

The package that includes cocktails is 52 dollars per person per day and both in the stateroom have to take it.

Is this true, that both people in the state room have to take the full beverage package if one of them takes it? I haven't seen this mentioned elsewhere in reference to WS new beverage packages. This would really be unfortunate since I was planning on purchasing it, but my partner was not, as she rarely drinks hard liquor.

Is this true, that both people in the state room have to take the full beverage package if one of them takes it? I haven't seen this mentioned elsewhere in reference to WS new beverage packages. This would really be unfortunate since I was planning on purchasing it, but my partner was not, as she rarely drinks hard liquor.

I thought that they removed that requirement when they introduced the new beverage packages. I don't see anything saying that both must purchase now.

They also changed it to say you must purchase it within the first two days while the old package had to be bought on the first day IIRC.

What is the prices for popular drinks ? Do they include top shelf liquor ? Need info to make smart decision.:cool: