Drink Package was best cruise deal ever!

[vermonter16]

[quote name='testing...123']So typical... the poster clearly is not intending to have her husband drink the beverage - she justs wants two in her room so she doesn't have to run back to the bar. Probably not following "policy" but also not a thief in my mind.

Her question is about whether or not this will cause suspicion because her husband doesn't have the package. It probably will but just because you do something that looks suspicious doesn't make you a thief.

My suggestion is to avoid it and either ask for another drinik with the current one in hand or wait until you are finished and run back to the bar.[/QUOTE]

I think the comment was related to another poster who wanted to share the package with their husband, not the OP who initially posted the question about wanting to have two drinks in her room.

[sussanahrose]

Would some kind person please explain the bar setup package - understand it's around $80 and you get a bottle of your choice of spirit, mixers and ice but is this just ONE bottle of spirits for the duration of the cruise, if so, it's a very expensive bottle, and on the other hand a very cheap alternative to going to the bar!!?

Appreciate helpful comments, thanks. Edited February 8, 2012 by sussanahrose

[BuckGood]

[quote name='boyerd']Let me start by saying we are not big drinkers per say, however on a cruise, we do like to enjoy ourselves, after all it is a carribbean vacation! We were on the Connie last January and purchased the Premium Drink package prior to boarding. Initially we were concerned that with so many port days we might not get our money's worth.

Not only did we get our money's worth and more, there were other perks that we didn't anticipate. Aside from no slips to sign etc, often around the pool when a frozen drink started melting often the staff would ask if they could just make a new one. We tried many different types of drinks esp Martinis that we might not have bought otherwise. If we tried a new drink and didn't like it it was replaced with another drink of our choice without question.

In order to show you why we felt this was a great deal I will describe a typical day. Disclaimer... based on this, some may think that we are heavy drinkers...if that is the case , while we appreciate your perspective and opinion please do not comment on our consumption ( this is our first post and we have seen some petty unnecessary replies). The purpose of this information is not to expose our consumption for review and/or public scrutiny, but to demonstrate to those who like to let their hair down a little and are wondering from a ecocnmic standpoint is it worth purchasing a package.

0830-Latte with one and half shots of Bailys..........$10.00
1100-large water...............................................$ 3.50
1230- Frozen drink..............................................$6.50
1430- Beer........................................................$5.00
1600- Frozen drink..............................................$6.50
1800- Glass of wine while dressing for dinner............$10.00
1930- Martini and dancing prior to dinner.................$12.00
2030- Dinner ( 4 different types of wine by the glass as suggested with each course by sommommlier-not all entirely consumed)..$ 40.00
2215- Specialty Coffee..........................................$ 8.00
2300- Dancing/Bar/Show/Casino Cocktail.............................$10.00
2400- Nightcap.(wearever..maybe brought back to balcony) $10.00

Total...$121.50 ( Drink prices are approx by memory-please don't bust me for not remembering exact price..probably cause I drank too much..Ha ha)

Cost per day...$55.00
Remenber this is for one person double the savings when we each bought one!

Only difference on port days was that we had two beers when back on ship as compared to 3 poolside drinks. Many nights we actually stayed out dancing etc later and maybe had another one...or if really hot day at the pool and having fun with poolside neighbors maybe snuck in an extra beer!

If you think this might come even close to a typical carribbean vacation day for you, then you can see what a true value it is. The other convieniences were no slips to sign, bar servers, waiters and sommoliers knowing your preferences and offering drink suggestions and special cocktails that we had never tried before. We told our assit waiter the first night about the specialty coffee and we had it served with our dessert every night...no hassles. It really added to the vacation atmosphere that we enjoy!

Hope this helps![/QUOTE]

Thanks so Much! We are Booked on the 14day TA Solstice on the 15th of April and were thinking of doing the Bev Pack...We were going to do the Classic but after looking at the prices and what you get for each we have decided on getting the Premium Package instead!

[saatuk]

[quote name='sussanahrose']Would some kind person please explain the bar setup package - understand it's around $80 and you get a bottle of your choice of spirit, mixers and ice but is this just ONE bottle of spirits for the duration of the cruise, if so, it's a very expensive bottle, and on the other hand a very cheap alternative to going to the bar!!?

Appreciate helpful comments, thanks.[/QUOTE]


You get ONE ONLY one-litre bottle and you choose it when you buy the package. Yes, it's an expensive bottle, but it's convenient. :) You also get some mixers. I've only done this once, but my room steward asked me which mixers I'd like. There was also a small box of snacks, which was pistacchio's, etc. The ice is replenished regularly (if there's a knock at the door it's probably more ice).

[Lsimon]

[quote name='sussanahrose'].... is this just ONE bottle of spirits for the duration of the cruise, if so, it's a very expensive bottle, and on the other hand a very cheap alternative to going to the bar!!?...[/quote]

The cruise line is in the business of generating revenue for beverages at rates comperable to those charged at higher end bars, lounges, restuarants or resorts which, unfortunately, are much higher than those charged for bottled beverages at land based retail stores. While the package price is indeed extremely expensive in comparison to such retail pricing it is not so bad when you compare it to the alternative on-board prices of beverages.

[englishgal]

THis is rather a late query,do hope someone reads it!

Can my other half get his malt whiskey on the premium package?

Hoping someone knows this

Thanks

[anniegb]

[quote name='englishgal']THis is rather a late query,do hope someone reads it!

Can my other half get his malt whiskey on the premium package?

Hoping someone knows this

Thanks[/quote]

From what I read on the sticky, single malts are available in the Molecular Bar - it does not specify which malts - just single malt.

Annie

[Sloop-JohnB]

[quote name='Quinn_Inuit']Very interesting idea, thanks! Do they have that wine package on the Solstice?[/quote]

TO QUINN INUIT,

The automated machines in Cellar Masters are indeed available on the Solstice, you have to purchase a card from one of the Bartenders / Sommeliers in that venue.

The Wine Packages for use in the Dining Room can vary a bit from ship to ship (different wines or packages available... on the Solstice they have the "Taste of the Vineyards Package"*). So although they can be bought on-line in most instances... they are truly best bought on the ship. This can be done easily after you board... they usually have tables set up the first day somewhere on the ship that informs passengers about the various beverage packages... alternatively, you can just talk to the Maitre D' or Sommelier in your assigned Main Dining Room.

*NOTE - Taste of the Vineyards and other Wine Packages are listed on Celebrity's Website. As well, for the S-Class Ships, (and in particular the Solstice) you can find a list of the wines that are available under that package, by looking for my recent posting entitled - *2012 Celebrity Wine List (Main Dining Rooms)* here on this the CC CELEBRITY BOARD

Hope this is helpful,

Cheers!

EDIT - Have located the topic that I referred to above (2012 Celebrity Wine List - Main Dining Rooms)... the link is [url]http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1566983[/url] and you will find the info regarding the Taste of the Vineyards offerings in Section X... which appears within Posting # 11 therein. Edited February 8, 2012 by Sloop-JohnB
EDIT to add EDIT NOTE

[BuckGood]

All the Talk on here makes me Really Thursty!! We are going to do the TransAtlantic Cruise on the Solstice in April and do alot of All Inclusive Cruises, so by doing the Bev Package and open seating Dinner deal we will feel right at home as if we were on an All Inclusive Cruise!
Thanks for All the suggestions and Ideas!
If anyone else is booked for the !5th April TransAtlantic on the Solstice say Hi!

[Quinn_Inuit]

If we were doing a Transatlantic cruise, we'd totally hook up with a beverage package. As-is, we intend to be off the ship so much that I doubt we'll get our money's worth. We'll probably just have wine with dinner and the occasional random drink.

[quote name='Sloop-JohnB']TO QUINN INUIT,

The automated machines in Cellar Masters are indeed available on the Solstice, you have to purchase a card from one of the Bartenders / Sommeliers in that venue.

The Wine Packages for use in the Dining Room can vary a bit from ship to ship (different wines or packages available... on the Solstice they have the "Taste of the Vineyards Package"*). So although they can be bought on-line in most instances... they are truly best bought on the ship. This can be done easily after you board... they usually have tables set up the first day somewhere on the ship that informs passengers about the various beverage packages... alternatively, you can just talk to the Maitre D' or Sommelier in your assigned Main Dining Room.

*NOTE - Taste of the Vineyards and other Wine Packages are listed on Celebrity's Website. As well, for the S-Class Ships, (and in particular the Solstice) you can find a list of the wines that are available under that package, by looking for my recent posting entitled - *2012 Celebrity Wine List (Main Dining Rooms)* here on this the CC CELEBRITY BOARD

Hope this is helpful,

Cheers!

EDIT - Have located the topic that I referred to above (2012 Celebrity Wine List - Main Dining Rooms)... the link is [URL]http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1566983[/URL] and you will find the info regarding the Taste of the Vineyards offerings in Section X... which appears within Posting # 11 therein.[/quote]

That's very helpful, thank you. And that wine list post is epic.

I'll look into those once we're on board. Do you know if some or all of those packages/Cellar Masters are available in Blu?

[Montemoo]

Could some kind person give me advice please. I have just purchased a Premium Drink Package which included 15% gratuity. In order to get the best service I would normally tip the bar attendant. What is suggested per drink or order? $1 Aus. seems a bit much to me but would appreciate guidance.

[librarylady19]

We generally tipped $1 US per drink.

[krisshona]

Thank You for your details ... we are on our first cruise and have purchased the premium package just fot the flexibility ... some have siad they have seen an attitude among bartenders towards drink package customers ... did you fing that true ?

[tunaman2011]

[quote name='englishgal']THis is rather a late query,do hope someone reads it!

Can my other half get his malt whiskey on the premium package?

Hoping someone knows this

Thanks[/quote]

Greetings

Michael's club had a selection of single malts. I have seen the Michaels spirits menu posted on various threads, but I don't have it bookmarked.

Good Sailing
Tom

[Lsimon]

[quote name='tunaman2011']Greetings

Michael's club had a selection of single malts. I have seen the Michaels spirits menu posted on various threads, but I don't have it bookmarked.

Good Sailing
Tom[/quote]

I have a link to a menu another poster made from a cruise 2 seasons ago:
[url]http://schplinky.smugmug.com/Solstice-2010/Bar-Menus/12454637_sZk2zn#!i=892281619&k=QqYdb[/url]
I'd guess it's changed a bit since 2010 but the list should give you an idea of what they have there. You won't find the more expensive items on the list at all of the bars and lounges on the ship but they will have several of the more moderately priced whiskies. Edited February 9, 2012 by Lsimon

[librarylady19]

Greetings

 

Michael's club had a selection of single malts. I have seen the Michaels spirits menu posted on various threads, but I don't have it bookmarked.

 

Good Sailing

Tom

 

Here's the Michaels menu from Silhouette. I expect the menu would be similar on all ships featuring the new concept:

 

http://beyondships.com/files/Michael_s_Club_Menu.pdf

Edited February 9, 2012 by librarylady19

[CTCruiser72]

anyone know if a craft beer from Michael's can be had during Michael's off hours?

[clampsa]

Thank You for your details ... we are on our first cruise and have purchased the premium package just fot the flexibility ... some have siad they have seen an attitude among bartenders towards drink package customers ... did you fing that true ?

 

 

We've had the premium package for our last 3 cruises and I can

unequivocally say that we've never had any sort of attitude thrown our way. Quite the opposite in fact. Once they see you are on the package they are quite helpful in offering drink suggestions and letting you try new things. I think they like the idea that they don't need to "sell" you on the idea of the drink but rather just make it for you so you can try it. So definitely never seen any bartender attitude. I am quite sure that we will never cruise another cruise line unless they have a similar package set up we are such big fans of it.

[daxwise]

THis is rather a late query,do hope someone reads it!

 

Can my other half get his malt whiskey on the premium package?

 

Hoping someone knows this

 

Thanks

 

I hope I don't come across as smug - if so I apologize in advance.

 

Since whiskey is served by the glass the Premium Alcohol Package will cover it, or at least the initial 12$ of the glass. If it costs more than that (Midleton Very Rare is 25$) you pay the difference from 12$ and up.

To me Midleton is just about the only whiskey that's drinkable so I'll have a few of those, and the package will cover almost half of it :p

 

 

Without ever having the package before I now feel like an expert after reading up on all the 23 pages of extremly useful information.

Thanks to you all for helping us decide and insure this is a convenient and hassle free deal offering a lot of freedom and allowing us to sift through the entire drinks menu (if we wanted)...

[germanyboy]

There is a Celebrity premium alcohol beverage calculator I found online, and converted to an Excel sheet, so I can use it over and over.

 

Put in # of days of cruise, # of port days, and your estimate of how much of something you would drink per day (max and min per day, or 1 per cruise, to sample stuff.

 

It gives you a total and tells you how much it would be for min and max consumption. My package I bought in January (10% off sale was $726, including 15% service charge).

 

Old price list, so if they cost more now, your savings are even greater

 

 

Estimate came out to

 

Total per trip over 13 days High #$919.50 low # $757.00

Total per trip minus 50% on port days $716.50 $597.75

 

and DON'T FORGET TO ADD Gratuity of 15% tothese totals If I bought them individually

 

 

I really want to sample a lot of new things, and I drink lots of vitamin water and frappachinos.

 

It will not upload to cruise critic, because it is an excel spreadsheet.

 

email me if you want it.

 

jerald cross at comcast dot net NO SPACES

 

Enjoy the spreadsheet!

[germanyboy]

I finally found the original online program posted by poolboyclay in 2010

You can download and save your own excel file.

 

Beverage package evaluator Updated version 1.4

 

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=FL2DXCF6

 

online version in Google https://spreadsheets.google.com/ccc?...4T2Vocnc&hl=en

[daxwise]

I finally found the original online program posted by poolboyclay in 2010

 

 

You can download and save your own excel file.

 

 

 

Beverage package evaluator Updated version 1.4

 

online version in Google https://spreadsheets.google.com/ccc?...4T2Vocnc&hl=en

 

Megaupload has been closed down (but I still had to try the link) but the google docs version does the trick.

 

Thanks mate..!!

[germanyboy]

daxwise

 

Yes, I found out megaupload was down.

 

You're welcome

[Quinn_Inuit]

You know, I'm not sure that linked spreadsheet is set up properly. Either that or some key documentation is A.W.O.L. Anyone have a different version?

[clampsa]

You know, I'm not sure that linked spreadsheet is set up properly. Either that or some key documentation is A.W.O.L. Anyone have a different version?

 

Ok so I'm thinking I wasn't the only person then who opened up the file to simply find what looked to be a blank excel sheet? I was trying to figure out what the magic was :)