Overview of drink packages

[Feelin' Nauti']

I now must go back to my TA and ask about comp Classic drinks pkg!

Good luck with that......unless your TA had group space reserved during either round 1 or 2 of the 123 Go Promotion or during the pick your perk promotion and they had some kind of clause allowing them to fill in the names on the reservation at a later date, you will not be able to partake in any free drink promo. Now that you know about X, keep update don the boards and you'll be able to hop on board if they ever bring the promos back.

Can he cancel and rebook his cruise get the classic package?

[SNJCruisers]

I now must go back to my TA and ask about comp Classic drinks pkg! Can he cancel and rebook his cruise get the classic package?

Yes' date=' but he will have to meet all of the pricing and category requirements and hopefully he did not originally book through a TA that has a cancellation penalty.[/font']

[Cardiff Owl]

Great amount of info - I'm just back from Barcelona cruise of Eastern Med with Venice stopover. We had the Classic Alco Package and found it good value and a relaxing way to enjoy all our drinks purchases. We always had a bottle (70 cl) every day to go on ports of call or start a day at sea sunbathing. Then typically ports of call involved a couple of cooling drinks (2 or 3) on return to the ship, 2 or 3 glasses of wine (+ dry martini) and took one of the wines to our dinner in the MDR, this was followed most nights by a few relaxed drinks (3 or 4) in the theatre & / or casino. When the ship was at sea we probably enjoyed a few more including frozen cocktails from the Mast Bar and non of the drinks ever topped the package allowance. That said my wife had to stick to Pignot Griggio instead of her normal Sauvigon (?) Blanc, but the wine was fine and more than acceptable to both of our tastes. There was no fuss when we entered and sat at the MDR with wine glasses already full.

We were 1st time cruisers so very unsure of how the process would work, but we found that it didn't matter what drinks arrangements people were on, everyone was treated the same. Would do it again, at the drinks available within the Classic is not really restricted because there is always an acceptable option.

[GoBlueTom]

thank you for an outstanding job with your beverage list!

[dawne577]

Could someone explain the difference between a premium and specialty coffee?

[Lsimon]

Could someone explain the difference between a premium and specialty coffee?

This is a question that not even Celebrity has a clear answer on!! I'll repeat a post I made in another thread about which coffees are covered under which plan:

Short answer, depending on the staff on your cruise most, and possibly all, of the coffees will be covered under the classic plan:There is a lot of confusion and inconsistency on what a specialty coffee is and if it is included in the classic vs. premium package or not.

Here is a copy of the Cafe al Bacio menu (

click here for menu)

. On the Silhouette last December I specifically asked which coffees are NOT covered by the classic package and was told that everything is included in the classic package except the coffees on page 5 of the menu under "Other Favorites" and those on page 6 under "More Favorites". I asked the same question on the Eclipse last March and was told that ALL the coffees listed in the menu were covered by the classic package. Bottom line: All the standard, or slightly fancy, coffees are included in both packages including espresso, latte, mocha, cappuccino and others. Certain coffees which include some extra ingredients may or may not be covered by the classic package depending on the interpretation of the rules on your particular sailing so you won't know for sure until you sail.

Edited September 21, 2013 by Lsimon

[Schluetz]

Yep, just finished reading, over 4 days, all 28 pages. Great OP. Excellent answers to every question. Thank you very much. And thanks to many who shared their personal experiences! And the spread sheets! Awesome!

 

I have no questions remaining. None. Zero. Every possible question has been covered. 99% of it was covered in the first 10 pages. But I couldn't stop reading. Like watching a movie that was so bad I just had to see how bad it could get.

 

I am amazed at the patience of so many of the people posting here answering questions. Thank you to the OP and Sloop and Simon And many others for answering the same questions over and over and over and over and over and over.

 

To anybody who has a question remaining I recommend this: read the OP; read Celebrity's Beverage package page - all of it. Yes, even the real small letters!; Read the first 8-10 pages of this thread; if necessary keep reading; use common sense. You will have the answer to your question!

 

If you have a question, Please do not start your post by saying "I've read the posts" and "I've searched all over" and then ask a question that is answered in the OP and the Celeb Bev terms! Or 20 times in the thread. You didn't look, you didn't read, you didn't search, you didn't think.

 

"Does the $8 limit on drinks include gratuity?"

"What if I have a package and go over the daily limit?"

"Does the classic package include G&T?"

"Does the Premium Package include wine at dinner?"

"Can we share?"

 

Seriously!?!? A little consideration for the people who are kind enough to take the time to answer the question the first time and are kind enough to share their knowledge would be reasonable.

 

That being said, nobody who will ask the same question over and over again will read this anyway. At least I've gotten it off my chest.

 

To all, have a great Cruise. Enjoy the beverage packages (or not)!

 

One more thing.... If I have the Premium Alcohol Package, can I get tap water?

[Fouremco]

Yep, just finished reading, over 4 days, all 28 pages. Great OP. Excellent answers to every question. Thank you very much. And thanks to many who shared their personal experiences! And the spread sheets! Awesome!

 

I have no questions remaining. None. Zero. Every possible question has been covered. 99% of it was covered in the first 10 pages. But I couldn't stop reading. Like watching a movie that was so bad I just had to see how bad it could get.

 

I am amazed at the patience of so many of the people posting here answering questions. Thank you to the OP and Sloop and Simon And many others for answering the same questions over and over and over and over and over and over.

 

To anybody who has a question remaining I recommend this: read the OP; read Celebrity's Beverage package page - all of it. Yes, even the real small letters!; Read the first 8-10 pages of this thread; if necessary keep reading; use common sense. You will have the answer to your question!

 

If you have a question, Please do not start your post by saying "I've read the posts" and "I've searched all over" and then ask a question that is answered in the OP and the Celeb Bev terms! Or 20 times in the thread. You didn't look, you didn't read, you didn't search, you didn't think.

 

"Does the $8 limit on drinks include gratuity?"

"What if I have a package and go over the daily limit?"

"Does the classic package include G&T?"

"Does the Premium Package include wine at dinner?"

"Can we share?"

 

Seriously!?!? A little consideration for the people who are kind enough to take the time to answer the question the first time and are kind enough to share their knowledge would be reasonable.

 

That being said, nobody who will ask the same question over and over again will read this anyway. At least I've gotten it off my chest.

 

To all, have a great Cruise. Enjoy the beverage packages (or not)!

 

One more thing.... If I have the Premium Alcohol Package, can I get tap water?

Like it or not, that is the reality of discussion boards. If you are going to get frustrated reading the same questions and answers over and over again, you'd best not spend your time reading here.

 

Should you decide to stay, however, you can head over to the formal dress and smoking threads where posts are far less repetitive! :D

[Schluetz]

Like it or not, that is the reality of discussion boards. If you are going to get frustrated reading the same questions and answers over and over again, you'd best not spend your time reading here.

 

Should you decide to stay, however, you can head over to the formal dress and smoking threads where posts are far less repetitive! :D

 

I'm not frustrated, Fouremco. :) It is actually oddly entertaining somehow. I tried to resist the urge to point out the repetition but I just couldn't resist!

 

I might start a spread sheet showing how man times the same questions can be asked!

 

53 days to the Equinox, Drink Package in hand! (does that include gratuity?);)

[SNJCruisers]

53 days to the Equinox, Drink Package in hand! (does that include gratuity?);)

Only on the tap water. :rolleyes:

[Number34]

I have searched, could not find an answer so have decided to risk posting the question here:)

I am booked on a cruise in July 2104. Deposit paid and now I seem to be getting weekly emails from Celebrity letting me know that it is not long until I go and that I need to buy my drinks (and dining) packages. I have decided to go with the premium package but wondered what advantages (apart exchange rate fluctuations as I am in UK) there are in paying in advance?

[mpbmark]

I have searched, could not find an answer so have decided to risk posting the question here:)

I am booked on a cruise in July 2104. Deposit paid and now I seem to be getting weekly emails from Celebrity letting me know that it is not long until I go and that I need to buy my drinks (and dining) packages. I have decided to go with the premium package but wondered what advantages (apart exchange rate fluctuations as I am in UK) there are in paying in advance?

 

Not sure of UK pricing but Celebrity has decided to increase the price of the package by $5.00 per day if purchased on board as opposed to buying pre cruise. Additionally, if bought before the cruise the charge goes onto your credit card. If purchased on board the charge goes on your sea pass account. If you have a lot of OBC, it might make sense to wait until boarding even though it costs a bit more.

[kevinyork]

I have searched, could not find an answer so have decided to risk posting the question here:)

I am booked on a cruise in July 2104. Deposit paid and now I seem to be getting weekly emails from Celebrity letting me know that it is not long until I go and that I need to buy my drinks (and dining) packages. I have decided to go with the premium package but wondered what advantages (apart exchange rate fluctuations as I am in UK) there are in paying in advance?

 

Yes, now more expensive to buy onboard. Also until recently you could gift yourself on board credit and get 1.6 dollars to the pound saving you 8% but that advantage has now gone. If you want a drinks package its cheaper to book in advance.

[SNJCruisers]

If you want a drinks package its cheaper to book in advance.

Or just wait until 12:01 AM EST on Black Friday and book the 1-2-3 Go Promotion and get the Classic package for free.

[Number34]

Or just wait until 12:01 AM EST on Black Friday and book the 1-2-3 Go Promotion and get the Classic package for free.

But I already have a booking, can I go back to my TA (I used one in the US)and ask them to cancel and rebook to get a new offer?

[Lsimon]

But I already have a booking, can I go back to my TA (I used one in the US)and ask them to cancel and rebook to get a new offer?

 

I don't know about the UK, but in USA you can get the promo added for most sales but if the prices have increased then you have to take current prices and will also lose any prior promo OBC. At cleat that has been the case in the past.

[Number34]

I don't know about the UK, but in USA you can get the promo added for most sales but if the prices have increased then you have to take current prices and will also lose any prior promo OBC.

 

This seems to be the case, I contacted my TA and she is going to add the promo to my booking. I am assuming I can upgrade to the premium drinks package when I board so what is best to go with it? Free gratuities or $300 OBC?

[mpbmark]

This seems to be the case, I contacted my TA and she is going to add the promo to my booking. I am assuming I can upgrade to the premium drinks package when I board so what is best to go with it? Free gratuities or $300 OBC?

 

Just do the math. Generally, gratuities are less than $300 but it depends on the length of the cruise. :cool:

Edited November 30, 2013 by mpbmark

[biggerbearmom]

This is given to you when you check in:

 

 

Sent using the Cruise Critic forums app

[Number34]

Thanks to both of the previous posters - the math adds up as I have been invoiced $341 for the prepaid gratuities which means I have saved $41 to put towards the Premium package when I board.

[mpbmark]

Thanks to both of the previous posters - the math adds up as I have been invoiced $341 for the prepaid gratuities which means I have saved $41 to put towards the Premium package when I board.

 

You're welcome. Seems your choice is now obvious. :D

 

What's interesting is one can upgrade after boarding based upon the pre-cruise beverage package rate of $54 per day and not the on board rate of $59 per day. :cool:

[Lsimon]

You're welcome. Seems your choice is now obvious. :D

 

What's interesting is one can upgrade after boarding based upon the pre-cruise beverage package rate of $54 per day and not the on board rate of $59 per day. :cool:

 

There was some speculation that the on board upgrade price for those who had the classic package in advance and upgraded to premium on board would pay $15/night (Plus gratuity charge) rather than the $10. This was supported by an initial statement here on Cruise Critic by the official celebrity poster. Later this official Celebrity Cruises poster corrected that statement and said the upgrade price on board is $10/pp/night plus gratuity. So fare I've only read of a handful of actual on board experiences since the new pricing structure was introduced and all have been at the $10 price. I have not read of a single experience where someone was actually charged the $15 rate.

[mycouch]

Question to the drinks-experts on the soda package:

 

I'd like to stock up some cans in the room for excursions, late-night thirst or whatever.

 

Do they always open the can before handing it over at the bar or do I get a closed can? :confused:

[SNJCruisers]

Question to the drinks-experts on the soda package:

 

I'd like to stock up some cans in the room for excursions, late-night thirst or whatever.

 

Do they always open the can before handing it over at the bar or do I get a closed can? :confused:

I was handed an unopened bottle of beer when I asked them not to open it, so I would have to assume that the same would be true with regards to soda.

[Muushka]

We just got off of a cruise with the package. The only time they opened the can was in the dining room or if the soda was not cold, they poured it into a glass of ice.