Premium Package

[Jerry and Shelly]

Does the Premium Package include martinis from the Martini Bar, and molecular drinks from (I guess) the Molecular Bar? I know that it covers up to $12 per drink, but are there other drinks not covered?

[mjyanne]

Does the Premium Package include martinis from the Martini Bar, and molecular drinks from (I guess) the Molecular Bar? I know that it covers up to $12 per drink, but are there other drinks not covered?

 

I had no problem ordering any martini at the Martini Bar. I had Vodka Martini's (Grey Goose and Belvedere), Lemon Drop and Appletini martini's. I also had a Tanned Russian from the Molecular Bar (kind of like of Pina Colada without the frozen mix). All were included in the Premium package.

 

Basically any drink under $12 (except any souveiner glass drinks). I also ordered after dinner drinks in the MDR (Baileys, Amaretto, Butterschotch Snapps, etc) also with no problem.

[eyecantwait]

I also had a Tanned Russian from the Molecular Bar (kind of like of Pina Colada without the frozen mix). All were included in the Premium package.

.....sigh......the Tanned Russian was my favorite.....

Angela

[Canuckdoc]

I had no problem ordering any martini at the Martini Bar. I had Vodka Martini's (Grey Goose and Belvedere), Lemon Drop and Appletini martini's. I also had a Tanned Russian from the Molecular Bar (kind of like of Pina Colada without the frozen mix). All were included in the Premium package.

 

Basically any drink under $12 (except any souveiner glass drinks). I also ordered after dinner drinks in the MDR (Baileys, Amaretto, Butterschotch Snapps, etc) also with no problem.

 

 

 

Sounds like you had Fun!

 

What would you tell the rest of us about the premium package?

 

Worth it or not?

Or need we ask

[DWIN1050]

I am still unsure of the answer about when to buy the premium package. I definitely want to buy one. Do you pay tax if you buy it online from Celebrity at least 4 days before you sail?

If you buy the package after you leave port and are in international waters, will they refund back what you spent in port until you buy the package?

 

Thanks anyone who can help.

[mjyanne]

Sounds like you had Fun!

 

What would you tell the rest of us about the premium package?

 

Worth it or not?

Or need we ask

 

Whether or not the package is worth it will be an individual decision. However, it allowed me to experiment with different drinks without worrying whether or not I liked them.

 

As for the cost, I drank (daily) 2 - 3 Vitamin Water ($4), (2) Evian Bottled Water (Both small and large bottles); 1 or 2 Cafe Mocha ($4); and anywhere from 2 - 5 alcohol drinks over the course of the day. I doubt if I broke even but that wasn't my goal. I just wanted to be able to drink whatever, whenever without worrying about my bill.

 

The only down side was 90% of the time we still had to sign a receipt (make sure you check to see that haven't charged you) and you can only get one drink at a time (I tried to get a Rum and Coke and a Vitamin water for DW (she had the premium non-alcohol package). Because I didn't have her card with me they wouldn't allow that.

 

I also found bar service consistently slow throughout the ship but not because of the package (just slow in general).

 

If you drink top shelf liquors or want to experiment, recommend the Premium Package.

 

I also bought my package pre cruise so not sure how tax is assessed if you purchase before entering international waters.

 

I did tip twice (once at the Martini Bar and once at the Molecular Bar) for outstanding service.

 

BTW the Martini's are actually almost two drinks since they pour in a glass and give you the shaker with the remainder (almost another full drink). And never did I feel cheated on a pour (really have never had that problem on any cruise). In fact I had one Rum and Coke that barely had room for the coke.

 

Bottom line--I like the package deals since they cap my cost.

[maitlandmom]

myjanne, do you know if they had the Vitamin Water Zero?

[cynbar]

Just curious --- what types of drinks are over the $12 limit and therefore not included? Are there many of them? A cocktail in excess of that is a pretty expensive drink, but I'm just wondering if those buying the Premium Package were disappointed in their choices very often.

[DWIN1050]

The martini flights in the martini bar, some glasses of wine and some of the very high end liquor are the only items greater than $12. There is still a large selection of wine and good liquor within the limit. I only drink top shelf liquor and their selection within the price range would definite get me anything I wanted.

[Jobeth66]

Just curious --- what types of drinks are over the $12 limit and therefore not included? Are there many of them? A cocktail in excess of that is a pretty expensive drink, but I'm just wondering if those buying the Premium Package were disappointed in their choices very often.

 

From looking at the bar menus, it would be some wines by the glass, and liquors/scotch/brandy/whiskey. Some of those can get quite expensive!

[mjyanne]

myjanne, do you know if they had the Vitamin Water Zero?

 

No Vitamin Water Zero. Also only 3 flavors to choose from: Dragonfruit; Fruit Punch and Tropical Citrus.

[Chooz2Cruz]

I, too, would love to be able to not think about the tab for each and every drink, but I have a hard time getting over $560 pp for a 10 day cruise! With 2 of us at $1100, one of us could go on another cruise for that amount! I think it is just too much per day.......If it were more like $30-$40 per day, that would be a little easier to swallow! No wonder everyone wants to smuggle liquor on board!

[jg51]

Does the Premium Package include martinis from the Martini Bar, and molecular drinks from (I guess) the Molecular Bar? I know that it covers up to $12 per drink, but are there other drinks not covered?

 

Hello, "Jerry and Shelly."

Please review the following linked post, which I just added to another thread, a few minutes ago. It should help you quite a bit ...

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showpost.php?p=25176604&postcount=10

[bighairtexan]

Oddly enough, I don't drink at home. But on a cruise I love the "umbrella drinks" during the day, wine w/ dinner, after dinner drinks, specialty coffee's, a nightcap, etc. I've never had a bar bill that didn't come close to or surpass the cost of my cruise fare. On the other hand, my BF loves Bud Light... ICKY YUCK... and an occasional glass of wine. For me, the Premium Alcohol package, as expensive as it sounds, would be a good buy. For my BF, probably none of them would be a worthwhile purchase. It's nice that they are giving all these options for us to choose from (including no package). WTG Celebrity!

[jg51]

Basically any drink under $12 (except any souveiner glass drinks).

 

Please pardon me for nitpicking, Mike, but -- just so that no one will be misled -- it's actually "any drink under $12.01"! Twelve-dollar drinks are included in the Premium Package.

[Jobeth66]

I, too, would love to be able to not think about the tab for each and every drink, but I have a hard time getting over $560 pp for a 10 day cruise! With 2 of us at $1100, one of us could go on another cruise for that amount! I think it is just too much per day.......If it were more like $30-$40 per day, that would be a little easier to swallow! No wonder everyone wants to smuggle liquor on board!

 

Remember, that $56/day includes the 15% service fee, so it's really closer to $48. I'd spend that, easy. I went through the menus and worked out what I would be likely to spend, even on a port-intensive itinerary like I'm looking at, and it's a no-brainer for me. I'd do more than half of that just pairing wines at dinner, and since I am looking to get the package, pairing wines is now an option. :)

[jg51]

[Oh, what the heck! There are so many questions being raised that I am just going to copy my recent post into this thread (because some may not use the link that I provided above).]

 

Please excuse the length of this post. If not interested in all or part of it, please scroll by quickly. Thanks.

 

Hello, everyone.

In order to help you decide whether or not a package would be "worth it" (to use one member's words), you need to know what will be available and at what price-per-glass.

 

Here is a series of lists of the various kinds of beverages found on 2010 menus aboard the Solstice. (I presume that the same/similar menus will be found aboard Equinox, etc..) Photos of the menus are on the Internet and have been linked by other CC members in the recent past. I copied all this info from those photos (more than forty pages!). The numbers after the items' names are the prices in dollars. I did not bother to copy the (very few) items that have prices above $12 per glass -- most of which are sold at Michael's Club.

 

---------------------------------------------------------

 

===> Coffees and Teas (at Cafe al Bacio and/or the Lawn Club):

 

[ESPRESSO AND HOT CHOCOLATE:]

Ristretto or Espresso [half or single shot] 3.0

Espresso Doppio [double shot] 4.0

Espresso Macchiato [w. steamed milk] 3.0

Hot Chocolate 4.0

 

[ESPRESSO-BASED:]

Cappuccino 4.0

Caffe Latte 4.0

Caffe Americano 4.0

Caffe Mocha 4.0

White Chocolate Mocha 4.0

Caramel Macchiato 4.0

La Crème 5.0

Caffe Viennese 6.0

Espresso Ai Frutti Di Bosco 6.0

Espresso Crocante 6.0

Espresso Caraibico 6.0

Espresso Melba 6.0

Caffe Shakerato [iced] 5.0

Ice Bianco Espresso 5.0

Affogato [w choc syr over gelato] 5.0

Caffe Frappe w. Chocolate. Iglu 5.0

Caffe Frappe w. Vanilla Iglu 5.0

[For 0.5 more, add splash of almond, amaretto, caramel, cherry,

cinnamon, coconut, hazelnut, Irish crème, raspberry, vanilla]

 

[TEAS:]

Earl Gray 4.0

English Breakfast 4.0

Estate Darjeeling 4.0

Bombay Chai 4.0

Formosa Oolong 4.0

Vienna Cinnamon 4.0

Raspberry Nectar [caff-free] 4.0

Ginger [caff-free] 4.0

Citrus Mint [caff-free] 4.0

Chamomile Tisane [caff-free] 4.0

Jasmine Green [low caff] 4.0

African Solstice [caff-free] 4.0

Ceylon Organic [iced] 5.0

Pomegranate Blackberry [iced] 5.0

White Ginger Pear [iced] 5.0

Republic of Tea Darjeeling [uS] 6.0

Rep. of Tea Blackb. Sage [uS] 6.0

Rep. of Tea Passion Fruit [uS] 6.0

Rep. of Tea Ginger Peach [uS] 6.0

Rep. of Tea Raspb. Quince [uS] 6.0

Rep. of Tea Mango Ceylon [uS] 6.0

Arizona Premium Ice Tea 3.0

-------------------------------------

 

===> Non-Alcoholic Beverages (other than Coffee/Tee):

 

[sELF-DISPENSED BEVERAGES (NO EXTRA CHARGE) (NOT NECESSARILY AVAILABLE ALL DAY):]

Water

Ice Tea

Lemonade

Fruit Punch

Passaguava (Passionfruit/Guava) Juice [at AquaSpa Cafe]

Orange Juice

 

[FRESH-SQUEEZED AND BOTTLED JUICES:]

Orange Juice 2.5

Pineapple Juice 2.5

Tomato Juice 2.5

Apple Juice 2.5

Grapefruit 2.5

Cranberry 2.5

 

[sOFT DRINKS:]

Coca Cola 2.0

Coke Zero 2.0

Diet Coke 2.0

Fanta Orange 2.0

Sprite 2.0

Diet Sprite 2.0

Barq's Root Beer 2.0

Ginger Ale 2.0 [brand unknown to me]

Tonic Water 2.0 [brand unknown to me]

 

[OTHER NON-ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES:]

San Pellegrino Premium Water 2.5

Evian Premium Water 2.5

Perrier Premium Water 2.5

Evian/San Pellegrino (large) 4.0

O'Doul's Non-Alcoholic Beer 5.0

Buckler Non-Alcoholic Beer 6.0

Red Bull Energy Drink 5.0

Red Bull Light Energy Drink 5.0

__ [Next 1 at least at Oceanview Bar:]

Jungle Man 7.5

__ [Next 2 at least at Pool Bar & Lawn Club:]

Metromint Chocolate Water 3.5

Metromint Spearmint Water 3.5

__ [Next 3 at least at Oceanview & Pool Bars:]

Glaceau Vitaminwaters:

Power-C (Dragonfruit) 3.5

Energy (Tropical Citrus) 3.5

Revive (Fruit Punch) 3.5

__ [Next 3 at least at Passport Bar:]

Winter Solstice 4.0

Rainbow Punch 4.0

Raspberry Lemonade 4.0

__ [Next 4 at least at Pool Bar & Lawn Club:]

Hint Strawberry Water 3.5

Hint Tropical Punch Water 3.5

Hint Mango Water 3.5

Hint Watermelon Water 3.5

 

-------------------------------------

 

===> Wines and Liqueurs served by the glass:

 

[WHITE WINES:]

Paul Jaboulet, Viognier 5.5

Roux, Pouilly-Fuisse 9.0

MichelRedde, Pouilly-Fume 8.5

Barton, Sauternes 7.0

Selbach, Riesling 6.0

SA Prum, Riesling Essence 6.0

Pacific Rim, Riesling 9.0

Benziger, Chardonnay 9.0

St. Francis, Chardonnay 8.0

Celebrity, Chardonnay 9.0

Wente, Chardonnay 8.5

Il Borro, Chardonnay 9.5

So'nRight, Sauvign. Blanc 6.5

Babich, Sauvignon Blanc 8.5

So'n Right, Sauvign. Blanc 6.5

Cakebread, Sauvign. Blanc 10

Fantinel, Pinot Grigio 7.0

Corte Giara, Pinot Grigio 7.0

Bollino, Pinot Grigio 7.5

 

[RED WINES:]

Antinori,Chianti Clas'co Riserva 9.5

Tenuta diNozzole, Chianti C.R. 8.5

Heron's Nest, CS/Pinotage 5.5

Nickel&Nickel, Pinot Noir 11.5

Kendall Jackson, Pinot Noir 8.0

Grove Mill, Pinot Noir 11.0

Wente, Cabernet Sauvignon 7.5

Celebrity, Cabernet Sauv 9.0

Heritage, Cabernet Sauvign 7.5

Pian de Nova, Cabernet Sau 10.5

Bodegas Renacer, Malbec 6.0

Antinori, Sangiovesse 12.0

Calina, Carmenere 8.5

M de Concordia, Tempranillo 6.5

Il Borro, Super Tuscan 9.0

Fantinel, Merlot 7.0

Rutherford, Merlot 8.0

Superieur, ChateauCastera 8.5

Peter Lehmann, Shiraz 8.0

 

[DIGESTIFS:]

Fonseca, Port 7.0

Warre's 1982, Port 11.0

Dry Sack, Sherry 6.0

Harvey's Bristol Crm Sherry 6.0

Tio Pepe, Sherry 6.0

Courvoisier VS, Cognac 7.0

Courvoisier VSOP, Cognac 8.5

Carlos I, Brandy 7.0

Lepanto, Brandy 9.5

Armagnac Cles de Ducs VSOP 6

Armagnac Cles de Ducs XO 9.0

 

[sAKE:]

Hana Lychee Sake 7.0

Hana Fuji Apple Sake 7.0

Black and Gold 6.0

 

[ROSE'/BLUSH WINES:]

Colombo, Rose'deProvnce 6.5

Beringer, White Zinfandel 5.5

Tenuta Guada al Tasso,

Scalabrone 7.0

 

[sPARKLING WINES:]

Domaine Chandon, Brut 8.5

Celebrity, Brut 8.0

Domaine Carneros, Brut 9.0

FantinelProsecco, Spumante 7.0

Montesina, Spumante 10.5

 

[LIQUEURS:]

__ [at least at Michael's Club:]

Extase XO 12.0

Benedictine 6.0

Drambuie 6.0

Sambuca 7.0

Massenez Framboise 10.0

Massenez Kirsch 10.0

Massenez Poire 10.0

[The availability of at least some of the following seems likely, but is not certain to me at this time, and the prices are unknown to me: Frangelico ... Cointreau ... Curacao ... Grand Marnier ... Bailey's Irish Cream ... Amaretto ... Southern Comfort ... Anisette ... Ouzo ... Pernod ... Midori ... Limoncello.]

 

-------------------------------------

 

===> Beer/Ale/Stout/Cider:

 

Coors Light 4.5

Beck's 5.0

Heineken 5.0

Heineken Light 5.0

Samuel Adams 5.0

Franziskaner 5.0

Dos Equis 5.0

Grolsch 6.0

Red Stripe 5.0

Murphy's Stout 6.0

Hoegaaden 6.0

Guinness Stout 6.0

Newcastle Brown Ale 6.0

Boddington's Ale 6.0

Leffe Blonde 5.0

Stella Artois 6.0

Peroni 6.5

Miller Lite 4.5

Budweiser 4.5

Bud Light 4.5

Michelob Light 4.5

Amstel Light 5.0

Corona 5.0

Corona Light 5.0

Stella Artois 6.0

Bohemia 6.0

Carlsberg 6.0

Sapporo Reserve 6.0

Dogfish Head Brown Ale 6.5

Dogfish Head 90 Min. Imperial 6.5

Kingfisher 6.5

Singha 6.5

Warsteiner 6.5

Smirnoff Ice Malt 5.0

Bacardi Ice Malt 5.0

Flying Dog Wheat Ale 6.5

Flying Dog Pale Ale 6.5

Magic Hat #9 Ale 6.5

Magic Hat Lucky Kat Ale 6.5

Brooklyn Brown Ale 6.5

Brooklyn Lager 6.5

Woodpecker Cider 6.5

Strongbow Cider 5.0

San Miguel 5.0

Tiger 5.0

Tsingtao 6.0

Kirin Ichiban 6.0

Hitachino Red Rice 8.0

Hitachino Classic Ale 8.0

Hitachino Ginger Ale 8.0

 

-------------------------------------

 

===> Martinis at Martini Bar and/or Ensemble Lounge:

 

[$10 EACH UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED:]

Sapphire Ginlet

Skinny Martini

Tropitini

Sunset Martini

Sapphire French75

Eurekatini

Decadence Express

Caipirtini

Classic Martini

Apple M.

Fresca M.

Peartini

Raspberry Lemonade M.

Lychee M.

Flirtini

Margaritatini

Almond Joy M

Paradise M

Blue Wave M

French M

Sapphire London Club

Jaliscotini

Banana Split M.

Cognac Blue M.

Twenty-Year Martini 11.0

Cosmopolitan

Summer Solstice M.

Pomegranate

Sapphire Collintini

Navy Martini 9.0

Dynasty M. [silk Harvest signature drink] 9.0

 

-------------------------------------

 

===> Miscellaneous Cocktails (i.e., Mixed Drinks):

 

[DAILY SPECIALS:]

Sunday - London Ice Tea 5.0

Monday - Yellow Jacket 5.0

Tuesday - Big Apple Martini 5.0

Wed'day - FullMoon Margarita 5.0

Thursday - Old Temptation 5.0

Friday - Metropolitan 5.0

Saturday - Red Sand 5.0

 

[MOLECULAR BAR SPECIALTIES:]

Coming Up Roses 12.0

Berry Patch 12.0

Cazarita 12.0

Dragonfly 12.0

Hawaiian Lava 12.0

South of the Rio 12.0

Tanned Russian 12.0

Watermelon Felon 12.0

Pisco Cocktail 12.0

Ginger Mojito 12.0

Autumn Breeze 12.0

Lucky Cat 12.0

 

[OTHER COCKTAILS LISTED ON MENUS:]

Wild Berry Mojito 7.5

Patron Silver Margaritas: each 8.5

_ Classic

_ Coyote

_ Peach

_ Mango

_ Strawberry

_ Watermelon

_ Green Apple

Pyrat Mojito 7.5

X Sangria 7.5

Three Breeze 7.0

Equinox 8.5

Pacific Navel 9.0

Sevilla 7.0

Cherry Caipiroska 7.0

Adelita 9.0

Taylor Made 9.0

Mojitos: each 6.0

_ Classic

_ Raspberry

_ Mango

_ Watermelon

PinaColada 6.0

Margaritas, frozen: each 6.0

_ Grapefruit

_ Raspberry

_ Strawberry

_ Watermelon

_ Peach

Lava Flow 6.0

Frozen Bellini 6.0

Mai Tai 7.5

Pink Coconut 7.5

Casino Royale 9.0

Hawaiian Blossom 9.0

Ritz Cocktail 9.0

Prosecco Punch 9.0

Eureka 7.0

Summer Solstice 7.0

Prestige Cocktail 7.0

Cuzco (in a souvenir glass) 12.0

Rose' Sangria 7.0? [pitcher: 28.0]

Mai Tai (delux w Pyrat XO rum) 9.0

Apple Nog 7.0

Sunset Breeze 9.0

Irish Coffee 7.0

Ocean Breeze (Murano signature drink) 9

Tru Blu (Blu signature drink) 9.0

Fragoli Toscano (Tuscan Grille signature drink) 9

 

["STANDARD" COCKTAILS NOT LISTED ON MENUS, BUT PROBABLY AVAILABLE (AT UNKNOWN PRICES):]

Black Russian

Harvey Wallbanger

Whiskey Sour

Manhattan

Brandy Alexander

Sidecar

Singapore Sling

Stinger

Zombie

Tom Collins

Blue Hawaii

Daiquiri

Link Up

Orange Tundra

Rum Swizzle

Tequila Sunrise

Bloody Mary

Mimosa

French Connection

Paradise

Hayride

Bay Breeze

Goldeneye

Four Men In a Boat

-------------------------------------

[jg51]

I am still unsure of the answer about when to buy the premium package. I definitely want to buy one. ... If you buy the package after you leave port and are in international waters, will they refund back what you spent in port until you buy the package?

 

Hello, "DWIN1050." I had the same question a few days ago. Two separate CC members, who had personal experience, answered our question in the affirmative: X will cancel the charges that had been recorded (on your account) for drinks ordered, on Embarkation Day, prior to purchase of a package in international waters.

 

What I don't know, however, is the answer to your other question: "Do you pay tax if you buy it online [or by phone] from Celebrity ... before you sail?"

I would suggest doing this:

~~ Call "X" and ask a vacation planner to tell you your current taxes-and-fees figure.

~~ Then ask to have a package added to your reservation.

~~ Then ask for an update on the taxes-and-fees figure. If it has gone up, you know that you've been charged a U.S. sales tax -- and you may want to ask to have the package canceled (so that you can purchase it tax-free on Embarkation Day).

[mjyanne]

Hello, "DWIN1050." I had the same question a few days ago. Two separate CC members, who had personal experience, answered our question in the affirmative: X will cancel the charges that had been recorded (on your account) for drinks ordered, on Embarkation Day, prior to purchase of a package in international waters.

 

What I don't know, however, is the answer to your other question: "Do you pay tax if you buy it online [or by phone] from Celebrity ... before you sail?"

I would suggest doing this:

~~ Call "X" and ask a vacation planner to tell you your current taxes-and-fees figure.

~~ Then ask to have a package added to your reservation.

~~ Then ask for an update on the taxes-and-fees figure. If it has gone up, you know that you've been charged a U.S. sales tax -- and you may want to ask to have the package canceled (so that you can purchase it tax-free on Embarkation Day).

 

I did NOT pay tax when I prepurchased the package.

[Jobeth66]

Whether you pay tax on a pre-purchase may depend on where you live. If you live somewhere that Celebrity has a commercial presence, you may have to pay tax. IE - I live in Jersey, and they sail out of Bayonne, so I may be subject to sales tax if I pre-purchase. If someone lives in, say, Iowa, where Celebrity has no corporate presence, they may not get charged sales tax.

 

(Note - I'm not sure if that's how it works, but it seems like it might be logical. Can anyone from a port state comment? NJ, FL, LA, CA, etc.?)

[BKFlowerMound]

Got off the Solstice on Sunday. My wife and I both got the Premium package.

 

We purchased the packages at Cafe al Bacio 5 minutes after boarding the ship. There was no tax on it or the kids soda cards that we purchased at the same time. No wait and it was easy.

 

We are not big drinkers. Looking at are old statements, we have always spent less than $400 total (including wine) during a 7-cruise. But, both of us are cheapskates and have passed up getting what we wanted. This time we wanted to enjoy ourselves more and not think about what a drink costs. And we did. It was a lot of fun.

 

We loved the Molecular Bar. Junior Merlino was on the cruise for the first part of the week and we tried some of his new off menu drinks. They are all $12 and included. Truthfully, about the only thing not included was some Cognacs, some Champagnes, and some dessert wines. You couldn't order the Martini Flight, but you could order each of the drinks in the flight and take two sips out of each.

 

I detected no hesitation from the staff about the cards. I think that the staff is getting their tips from the package. I usually had to sign a slip for an alcoholic drink or a coffee but usually didn't for a nonalcoholic drink or for wine in the restaurant. Had no problem getting two drinks if I had my wife's card.

 

It was fun and made the cruise much more enjoyable.

[jg51]

Thanks for the good news, "BKFlowerMound."

 

If I'm not mistaken, you sailed out of Ft. Lauderdale, correct?

I'm pretty sure that Florida has no state income tax. I don't know about their sales tax situation in general, but it sounds as though they have a good (no-tax) arrangement with Celebrity on these packages. I hope that Italy will have the same (unlike Spain, according to what some folks have recently posted).

[Jobeth66]

Thanks for the good news, "BKFlowerMound."

 

If I'm not mistaken, you sailed out of Ft. Lauderdale, correct?

I'm pretty sure that Florida has no state income tax. I don't know about their sales tax situation in general, but it sounds as though they have a good (no-tax) arrangement with Celebrity on these packages. I hope that Italy will have the same (unlike Spain, according to what some folks have recently posted).

 

I'd like to hear from someone from Jersey on this - since the cruise I'm looking at is out of Barcelona, I'd get hit with the tax unless we wait until we're out to sea. However, I'd prefer to pre-buy my package, if I don't have to worry about paying NJ sales tax.

[punkinlr]

I'd be interested in hearing anything about the other packages available as well. DH and I will be on the Eclipse Jan 2011 - He's more of the Premium Pkg kind of guy while I am more in to sodas/waters/wines.... Thanks for whatever scoop anybody has!

[BKFlowerMound]

JG and Jobeth, we sailed out of Ft. Lauderdale. We had a similar experience with the soda cards in Seattle (Infinity and Zaandam) and Los Angeles (Sapphire Princess). No sales tax collected in any of the three. I even asked about it and they looked at me like I had three heads such that I now wonder if this is not a real issue anywhere in the US. I can't speak to what New Jersey will do with pre-cruise sales for residents (or whether it would be legal to actually collect it) or whether Spain will collect tax on Barcelona departures. The New Jersey issue ought to be something that can be resolved with a phone call to customer service.

 

We waited until we were on the ship because we wanted to use OBC.