When to purchase Bev Package?

[vermonter16]

TO VERMONTER16,

 

You need to check out the STICKY at the top of this the CELEBRITY BOARD for more info in regards to pricing... (and so you can "do the math")

 

Specialty Drinks (like Margaritas, Pina Coladas and such) range in price from $ 6 to $ 9

 

So to answer your Question...

 

Some would be, some not.

 

Cheers!

 

I know...I've been looking at that but the prices are 2010 prices so not sure if they've increased, etc. You see....I'm not sure what drinks are $9.... I'll keep looking though and browsing through that thread. I think I got frustrated and gave up :). I've even looked at the spreadsheet.... If I could have someone report back what the average frozen concoction drink at the pool is....but you know what - I'll probably just go for the premium anyways.

[oldmovieguy]

Great post Sloop-John-B

 

Just to add to the mix. We booked a premium package last year and very happy with it we were, we paid before we cruised so all was done and dusted before we boarded. This year on our Med cruise we have $500 on board credit so having checked with RCL a few minutes ago this is the deal. We cannot utilise the OBC by phone or on line, we have to board and pay at one of the stations (tables) set up around the ship offering the drinks packages. When we are on board we pay in dollars and CAN utilise the OBC at time of purchase, there is no local sales tax charged and the price in dollars is as charged if we had booked from a US address. If you book from a UK address you pay in pounds.

Now in the time honoured way of Cruise Critic, someone will contradict me on everything I have written here, so be it, but I know what we will be doing and that is to pay on boarding. See you in the Bar

[Sloop-JohnB]

I know...I've been looking at that but the prices are 2010 prices so not sure if they've increased, etc. You see....I'm not sure what drinks are $9.... I'll keep looking though and browsing through that thread. I think I got frustrated and gave up :). I've even looked at the spreadsheet.... If I could have someone report back what the average frozen concoction drink at the pool is....but you know what - I'll probably just go for the premium anyways.

 

TO VERMONTER16,

 

Based on recent cruisers input...

 

Pricing hasn't evidently changed much (at all?) from the time the STICKY was posted by JG51 back in July 2010.

 

So... from the STICKY... regarding the "fancier" concoctions...

 

 

===> 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

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

 

It is my plan on my upcoming cruise, to photograph all the Menus I can get my hands on... so as to give as much CURRENT info as possible to folks considering one of the Beverage Packages... and like JG51 did, I will post a topic that gives info on the 2012 pricing (as of January 2012)

 

My sailing is next week... so you might want to check back in here on the CELEBRITY BOARD early February to see what I've posted about current prices.

 

Cheers!

[Sloop-JohnB]

Great post Sloop-John-B

 

Just to add to the mix. We booked a premium package last year and very happy with it we were, we paid before we cruised so all was done and dusted before we boarded. This year on our Med cruise we have $500 on board credit so having checked with RCL a few minutes ago this is the deal. We cannot utilise the OBC by phone or on line, we have to board and pay at one of the stations (tables) set up around the ship offering the drinks packages. When we are on board we pay in dollars and CAN utilise the OBC at time of purchase, there is no local sales tax charged and the price in dollars is as charged if we had booked from a US address. If you book from a UK address you pay in pounds.

Now in the time honoured way of Cruise Critic, someone will contradict me on everything I have written here, so be it, but I know what we will be doing and that is to pay on boarding. See you in the Bar

 

TO OLDMOVIEGUY,

 

Lol, no contraction from me. That is exactly as I understand things to be done when one wishes to use an OnBoard Credit to pay for a Beverage Package (book when aboard)

 

Infact, someone has a topic going right now here on the CC CELEBRITY BOARD on what is the best value for UK Residents in light of Exchange Rates (those who must pay in local currency when booking online with Celebrity)... and the concensus is to purchase an Onboard Credit so that they can get the best bang for their buck when they pay up their Ship Board Accounts after their cruises.

 

Cheers!

[vermonter16]

TO VERMONTER16,

 

Based on recent cruisers input...

 

Pricing hasn't evidently changed much (at all?) from the time the STICKY was posted by JG51 back in July 2010.

 

So... from the STICKY... regarding the "fancier" concoctions...

 

 

 

It is my plan on my upcoming cruise, to photograph all the Menus I can get my hands on... so as to give as much CURRENT info as possible to folks considering one of the Beverage Packages... and like JG51 did, I will post a topic that gives info on the 2012 pricing (as of January 2012)

 

My sailing is next week... so you might want to check back in here on the CELEBRITY BOARD early February to see what I've posted about current prices.

 

Cheers!

 

 

You're the bomb! I did see that...and thank you for refreshing my memory. Although I had seen it and looked at it....it didn't sink in until now. And - hey - whatever info you can get on your sailing is awesome! Again - you're the bomb! Thanks!

[lemons]

RE - BEVERAGE PACKAGES AND TIPPING, TAXES AND FEES

 

Based on my extensive research on this topic, I offer up the following that might be helpful based on some of the recent Questions in this thread...

 

1- The Daily Rates are $ 44 US per person per day for the Classic Alcohol Package PLUS 15% Service Fee (which is really the TIP)... and the Premium Alcohol Package is $ 54 US per person per day PLUS the 15% Service Fee.

 

The Classic Package covers ANY individual beverags (not just alcoholic ones) up to $ 8** and the Premium Package covers ANY individual beverages up to $ 12. With the Premium Package IF you purchase an individual beverage that is priced higher than $ 12** then your onboard account is charged for the difference (so buy a $ 15 glass of French Champagne, and you are charged just the $ 3 difference, and not the whole $ 15)

 

*NOTE - If you are purchasing the packages from any of Celebrity's NON US Websites, then pricing can be much greater to make up for Celebrity's calculation of the Exchange to US Dollars (which is often over-inflated)... so I would recommend that one wait and purchase right on the ship.

 

**NOTE - As well BASE DRINK PRICES can be different for European Sailings as the tips are added into the prices shown onboard due to the VAT Tax.

 

2- Beverage Packages basically mean you are purchasing in advance of use... so the 15% covers all the tips required... (However if one wants to tip Bar Tenders, Sommeliers and Servers MORE while on board they can certainly do so)

 

3- When purchasing a package on-line there is currently a "computer glitch" on the Celebrity Website, when you select a package it will show the 15% Service Charge being added twice... although in reality, your credit card will only be charged once.

 

4- If you purchase a package on board the ship while in port (ie Embarkation Day) ... IT IS POSSIBLE that you will be charged Sales Taxes on top of the package for the jurisdiction in which the ship is docked. (Just like if you purchase individual drinks on board a ship while it is docked). In the majority of cases, Celebrity will take your order for the Beverage Package BUT not charge it to your account until the ship is in International Waters, so as to avoid your having to pay the local Sales Taxes. If you find that your Beverage Package has Sales Taxes added to it, you can certainly speak to Celebrity about that (some folks say in SOME instances they've had the sales taxes removed)

 

5- One can purchase the Beverage Packages on board the ship while on your cruise, once you see how much you are consuming prices are prorated (so NO one cannot pick and choose). Buying Onboard though is a limited time offer... so better to purchase sooner rather than later if you think the Beverage Packages would be beneficial.

 

Hope this is helpful,

 

Cheers!

 

Yes. Extremely helpful. Thanks for the details and breakdown.

 

MSL

[ukbriang]

Celebrity are currently giving UK customers about $1.58 to the pound on their conversions where if we buy currency it is only about $1.48. Makes sense to buy onboard credit or purchase the beverage packages online before boarding.