Evaluating a beverage package? Here is a beverage list with prices, as of mid-2010.

[Feelin' Nauti']

You would only pay the tax while the ship is in port in Florida (or other US port) and not after the ship gets 3 miles off shore. But one of our friends purchased it as soon as we boarded and I am almost certain that he said he paid the same price I did.... so not sure you will be paying tax at all.

On X site it states A 15% service charge will be added but nothing about Tax.

So to me you do not have to pay extra for taxes on the package, whether you pre-order or when your on the ship out to sea.

Edited November 24, 2010 by Feelin' Nauti'

[nikless]

On X site it states A 15% service charge will be added but nothing about Tax.

So to me you do not have to pay extra for taxes on the package' date=' whether you pre-order or when your on the ship out to sea.[/quote']

 

that's my read on it...no taxes regardless of how/where you purchase. We purchsed pre cruise on line and paid only the 15% gratuity.

[Janthere]

Hi,:) I was on the cruise too. Did we meet? I didn't buy a package

for this cruise. I didn't end up drinking enough to buy one. Actually

my bill at the end of the cruise was really low....so in my case it

was better that I did not buy it for this sailing.:)

Hope you had a great cruise too:D

 

Hi Lois R - no i don't think i had the pleasure of meeting you on board. We did have a fantastic cruise though - i now have new favourite ship!!

[beppy]

that's my read on it...no taxes regardless of how/where you purchase. We purchsed pre cruise on line and paid only the 15% gratuity.

 

So, if I can this all straight... :confused:First of all thanks so much for the great list of what's what. That was a huge job. It made me decide to buy the premium package because then my martinis are covered. Does this mean that for a 7 day cruise, if the premium package runs at about $350, then for each drink I order, I will see a 15% gratuity on my stateroom account even after the $350 is paid? Sorry I'm so dense, it must be all the martinis that have eventually caught up to me.

Thanks,

[SusieV]

So, if I can this all straight... :confused:First of all thanks so much for the great list of what's what. That was a huge job. It made me decide to buy the premium package because then my martinis are covered. Does this mean that for a 7 day cruise, if the premium package runs at about $350, then for each drink I order, I will see a 15% gratuity on my stateroom account even after the $350 is paid? Sorry I'm so dense, it must be all the martinis that have eventually caught up to me.

Thanks,

 

No, you pay a 15% gratuity once, on the price of the package, and nothing thereafter.

[beppy]

Thanks - looks like all 8 of us will get the premium package now.

[hdogbc]

I spoke with a rep from Celebrity and she told me that if you purchase the beverage package part way through your cruise you would still be charged for the entire cruise. I questioned her because their own FAQ page on their website states you will pay for the remainder of the cruise. She told me it was just worded wrong....any one else call and speak to someone and get the same answer?

[marinerq]

Maybe I missed it somewhere in this tread, but does anyone know the price for shots (tequila, vodka, rye?) Also, if you buy Classic Alcohol and have a martini or drinks above $8, do they charge full amount or the difference?

[marinerq]

I spoke with a rep from Celebrity and she told me that if you purchase the beverage package part way through your cruise you would still be charged for the entire cruise. I questioned her because their own FAQ page on their website states you will pay for the remainder of the cruise. She told me it was just worded wrong....any one else call and speak to someone and get the same answer?

 

Actually thats what they told me too, they charge full amount regardless of number of days or the package. It would make sense since most would buy packages for sea days only.

 

I am inclined just to buy and forget about it. It is worth it if you have over 6 drinks a day. 2 glasses of wine at dinner, a couple of beers or margaritas in the afternoon, an espresso or two thru the day and a drink or two during show or in a bar will not send me to AA, and makes package very attractive.

Edited November 27, 2010 by marinerq

[nikless]

Maybe I missed it somewhere in this tread, but does anyone know the price for shots (tequila, vodka, rye?) Also, if you buy Classic Alcohol and have a martini or drinks above $8, do they charge full amount or the difference?

Anything not covered by the package is charged to your SeaPass - the full amount for the drink.

[2beachgoers]

Here is our experience with the package......

My husband bought the classic alcohol package before we sailed with the thought of upgrading to premium onboard if desired.

They did offer the packages on board, telling us that it would be priced from the day it was bought, until the last day, so it could be bought midway through, but you could not just choose particular days or end it before the cruise ended. We were also told it could be upgraded to the premium package for the remainder for just the difference in price although he did not try to do so.

My husband, from the first drink, loved not having to sign for anything or keeping track of the little slips of paper. He said that was worth a few dollars just in the simplicity of it. He loved not finishing a warm beer, but just ordering another one. He loved trying a different glass of wine with each course at dinner without worrying about the cost. He ended up liking a couple different wines he would never have tried without the package.

 

So the first drink he ordered on the first afternoon, a rum and coke, the server substituted premium rum - when we questioned him about the extra cost, he said he was out of the classic rum that is part of the package, but that he wasnt going to send us away without a drink.

At dinner the first night, the sommelier was happy to see he had the package, and kept coming back to bring him wines by the glass until he found one he liked. At no time during the cruise did we get less service because of the package.

At the pool the next day, he went to get a bottle of water and came back with Evian (even though it isnt included). The bartender said thats all he had so not to worry about it. He probably got 2 bottles of water each day, and 8 ended up Evian by the end of the 5 days. That bartender did hold him to one drink at a time though, he would not give him water in addition to his beer. My husband went back 15 minutes later for his water.

At dinner the third night, I ordered two glasses of wine in addition to my husband's glasses and the sommelier at the end of the night when I tried to pay for it said not to worry about it since he had the package. The servers at the pool even said the same thing not to worry about it they'd be happy to get me something even though I didnt have the package.

At dinner the last night, my husband ordered a 9 dollar glass of wine, and again at the end of the night was told not to worry about it, "close enough" she said.

 

So, overall, my husband said he would always buy the package for the simplicity of showing the card and getting a drink. We did keep count of the drinks, and he came out under on embarkation day, just about right on the two port days, and on the sea days he got his moneys worth. For me it would not have been worth the price of the package since I only have a couple glasses of wine with dinner a couple times a week, and I dont drink the coffees or teas or soda.

 

I dont know if what we experienced with the exceptional service is normal or we were lucky, but it really made our cruise, and it will definitely encourage us to return to Celebrity. We are going on a Royal Caribbean cruise in April and are saddened that they dont offer packages like this.

[beppy]

Hi JG51,

My daughter is coming on this cruise with us and this is her first cruise where she can drink. She only drinks Daquiris. She is seriously considering the classic beverage package. Do you know if Daiquiris are under $8? She claims that with the non-alcoholic choices and with wine at dinner it is well worth her $ but only if the daquiris are covered (she's a scientific research specialist) . Since she is still at University, the $ matters. I told her you would be the one to ask. Thanks.

[EtherlyCC]

Hi all, we have returned from our Millenium cruise 2 weeks ago and both of us had the classic drinks package. I have to say that this is fantastic, we were never without a drink and most of the waiter know after a day or so that you have a package. At dinner (we were on anytime dinning) both Sommeliers were great. They knew after 2 nights what we drank and would bring a bottle of the wine put it in a ice bucket and would tell us that they were not taking it back and we would have to finnish it, serfice to say we always did.

 

At the pool bar it was the same, always there with a Corona or a bloody ceasar or whatever we wanted. I agree with previous posters that if the classic spirit was not available they would give you premium, I had a lot of Barcardi 8 and better throughout. And as for replenishing a beer when warm, priceless (as previously stated). All in all our 11 night trip we worked out that we were well ahead even on port days.

 

We also are back to RCI in MArch and are dissapointed that the drinks packages are not available.

 

Same company, I wonder if they might introduce it on all RCI ships as well?????

 

Any questions just ask and i will try to accomodate.

 

Graeme

[NSgal]

Hi all, we have returned from our Millenium cruise 2 weeks ago and both of us had the classic drinks package. I have to say that this is fantastic, we were never without a drink and most of the waiter know after a day or so that you have a package. At dinner (we were on anytime dinning) both Sommeliers were great. They knew after 2 nights what we drank and would bring a bottle of the wine put it in a ice bucket and would tell us that they were not taking it back and we would have to finnish it, serfice to say we always did.

 

At the pool bar it was the same, always there with a Corona or a bloody ceasar or whatever we wanted. I agree with previous posters that if the classic spirit was not available they would give you premium, I had a lot of Barcardi 8 and better throughout. And as for replenishing a beer when warm, priceless (as previously stated). All in all our 11 night trip we worked out that we were well ahead even on port days.

 

 

Any questions just ask and i will try to accomodate.

 

Graeme

 

Glad to hear about your good experience with the Classic package. I was wavering between the Classic and Premium because I have been reading that the wine choices were not that good with the Classic. Did you find you had enough to choose from? Also, were most cocktails under the $8 mark?

[cardinals218]

I will provide a very detailed premium alcholic beverage package review when I have the time later this week, just off the Eclipse. Anyway, just wanted to post that yes, Jager is included in the classic package although I heard through other people onboard it wasn't always stocked at all bars.

[khalubear]

I just want to say thank you to everyone for helping (NOT) decide whether or not to buy the package. We are going on an 11 day itinerary (Equinox , Feb 8) and I had made up my mind NOT to buy the package.

 

Now with all the posts, espcially about the martinis, wonder if I am really going to drink over $600 worth of drinks? :D:rolleyes::confused:

[x5wjm]

I just want to say thank you to everyone for helping (NOT) decide whether or not to buy the package. We are going on an 11 day itinerary (Equinox , Feb 8) and I had made up my mind NOT to buy the package.

 

Now with all the posts, espcially about the martinis, wonder if I am really going to drink over $600 worth of drinks? :D:rolleyes::confused:

 

There are about 30 Martinis on the list, so that's only 3 per night!

We had the premium package on our cruise, & can heartily recommend it. It's great not to have to sign a slip and try something 'just because you can.' We decided that we probably wouldn't have spent that much if we'd bought each drink but it ended up very good value indeed.

Go for it - you won't regret it!!

[beppy]

I am sure you won't believe this, but one of the reasons we stick with Celebrity is their awesome martinis. Our favourite is the martini bar on the Century. They are expensive, but covered in the premium package. The only other cruise line that comes close to making a decent martini is Carnival. HAL can't make a good drink and although we love their ships, that is a downer. This sounds like one of those snobby posts - and and we're very relaxed folks - just appreciate a great drink. Try the Martini Delight! It is also amazing how the martini bar people seem to bond on all our cruises and we have a great time. My goal next cruise - have one of each of the 30 martinis! Luckily we are on a b2b.

[kitkat9438]

Hi JG51,

My daughter is coming on this cruise with us and this is her first cruise where she can drink. She only drinks Daquiris. She is seriously considering the classic beverage package. Do you know if Daiquiris are under $8? She claims that with the non-alcoholic choices and with wine at dinner it is well worth her $ but only if the daquiris are covered (she's a scientific research specialist) . Since she is still at University, the $ matters. I told her you would be the one to ask. Thanks.

 

Yes daquiries are covered under the package. Tell her to buy it and enjoy!

[kitkat9438]

I just want to say thank you to everyone for helping (NOT) decide whether or not to buy the package. We are going on an 11 day itinerary (Equinox , Feb 8) and I had made up my mind NOT to buy the package.

 

Now with all the posts, espcially about the martinis, wonder if I am really going to drink over $600 worth of drinks? :D:rolleyes::confused:

There's an excellent "calculator" provided by Poolboyclay where you can put in the drinks you might purchase and it will give you a total. Just keep in mind that the package covers everything, not just alcohol. When you figure in coffee, water, smoothies, fresh squeezed juices, etc., it really comes out great. Here's the link to the calculator, post #247. I selected the google link and then saved it in excel. It works like a charm.

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1243495&highlight=package+evaluator&page=7

[Beachspider]

I would like to thank everyone for the info on the two beverage packages! It's the only way to go ~ Happy to hear that Celebrity offers the plan When I went to Alaska on RCL we did not have this plan~ I can tell you I had plenty of "slips" at the end of my cruise !!!! Do you recommend ordering the plan before you cruise?? Thanks, beachspider

[CruiseVA]

I also want to put out a huge Thank You to everyone here.

 

I pulled the trigger last night on the drink packages for our Jan cruise. Once I realized that just one Martini a day would pay for the difference between the Classic & the Premium Alcoholic package, it was easy choosing the packages for us.

Edited December 2, 2010 by CruiseVA

[kitkat9438]

I also want to put out a huge Thank You to everyone here.

 

I pulled the trigger last night on the drink packages for our Jan cruise. Once I realized that just one Martini a day would pay for the difference between the Classic & the Premium Alcoholic package, it was easy choosing the packages for us.

 

I agree! Plus, while some are getting the better liquor and water that is not covered under the Classic package, I want to make sure I can enjoy it all, with no worries! It's an awesome deal to me and that's why we went for the premium as well.

[kitkat9438]

I would like to thank everyone for the info on the two beverage packages! It's the only way to go ~ Happy to hear that Celebrity offers the plan When I went to Alaska on RCL we did not have this plan~ I can tell you I had plenty of "slips" at the end of my cruise !!!! Do you recommend ordering the plan before you cruise?? Thanks, beachspider

 

I did just because I want it paid for ahead of time. One less thing to worry about. Unless of course you have a huge OBC, then that would make a difference and you would have to wait until you board to buy it.

[burrma]

[quote=EtherlyCC;27026336

with your name on it. Can I ask where to find this graphic? Won't use it on CC but on one of my samples of a great door sign.

Thanks