All Inclusive Drink Package available on Star Princess NOW

[IECalCruiser]

Every one who cruises is different, but this sort of drink package makes no financial sense for us. I drink mostly water, hot and iced tea and an occasional soft drink and DW adds one or two fresh brewed coffees a day. We might have one cocktail in the evening and a bottle of wine lasts us two days in the DR for dinner. Not counting gratuity, our cost averages much less than $20/person per day.

[dforeigner]

I absolutely LOVE the way Princess has included bottled water, soda AND the premium spirits and cocktails together! :) Celebrity doesn't do that and their price JUST on the bottled water is crazy high! :eek:

 

That is odd! My premium package included sodas, bottled water, specialty coffee, fresh juices, wine by the glass, and premium spirits. The new package allows you to go over the max allowed price of a drink and you only have pay the difference.

[Pamster]

How would this work if only one person in the party gets a drink package? For example, let's say just me and my hubby didn't. Does this mean that I can order a bottle of wine and share it with my hubby (or anyone else for that matter?) If so, it would make sense to order one drink package just to cover a bottle of wine and a couple of drinks per day, plus coffee and water.

 

Hubby would pay for his own individual drinks (which would not be that much because apart from a beer or two, he would drink wine with me).

 

Perhaps I am figuring this wrong.

FTB?

 

If the Group Booking Packages information is any indication, wines will only be served by the glass. So you wouldn't buy a bottle of wine, you would be served wine by the glass - and your husband wouldn't get a glass. A bottle of wine wouldn't be included in the package. If you bought a bottle of wine separate from the package, then he could certainly partake of that.

 

My question is whether both parties in a cabin must buy the package. Cruiselines vary on this. Celebrity does not require that, unless you get it as part of the 123-Go promotion, and I think that's just for their convenience in that both parties in the booking choose the same promotion. However, if you buy the package separately, only one person has to buy it. However, Carnival (I think it was) requires that all adults in the cabin purchase it - which is more along the lines of this Group Booking Package - and makes me wonder if that's the direction that Princess will go. If so, that will be very disappointing, since my husband doesn't drink at all, to have to purchase a package for him in order to get one for myself. That is, unless, the packages don't have to be the same. Like Bar Package for me, Soda Package for him. Guess we'll have to wait and see.

[avcruz]

If the Group Booking Packages information is any indication, wines will only be served by the glass. So you wouldn't buy a bottle of wine, you would be served wine by the glass - and your husband wouldn't get a glass. A bottle of wine wouldn't be included in the package. If you bought a bottle of wine separate from the package, then he could certainly partake of that.

 

The OP says that you can buy a bottle of wine for 40% off. I would think if I did that, there's nothing to stop me from sharing it with my spouse at dinner or for that matter having one glass and taking the rest back to my cabin .

[Sox Fan Cruiser]

Sign me up! They will be losing money with me! :).

 

I would gladly pay for this. My bar tab is always a lot more than the cruise. And no, I'm not falling down drunk on my cruises!!

[OCruisers]

Is there a limit on the number of drinks you're allowed to have each day?

 

LuLu

~~~~

[pablo222]

Sign me up! They will be losing money with me! .

 

As princess has been doing this with groups previously, I'm

sure they know the price point which is profitable. And, if they

err -- they can simply adjust as needed.

 

I think it's going to be a little like food / buffet on the ship.

The first day-or-two, everything looks great, and a lot of folks

really over-eat. A few days into the cruise, people settle down

to more rational eating.

 

I think the same with liquor. People will really get their money's

worth the first few days, then calm down. Particularly if they are

sick -- sea-sick, too-much-drinking, too-much-sun, etc.

[The4OfUs]

Is there a limit on the number of drinks you're allowed to have each day?

 

LuLu

~~~~

 

On Allure of the Seas, no - but in talking to the bartenders they thought that Carnival limits you to 10 a day, and that RCCL was the only one without limits?

 

On RCCL everyone over 21 in a cabin has to have the package, because of the severe abuse - one person in a cabin "sharing" with several others. If the bartenders saw you sharing your drinks from the package, they were supposed to report you and tell you to stop - and if you had more than one warning they removed the package from your account (without giving the money back). We were hearing horror stories of people with one package ordering 5 drinks at a time, so the rule was put in place. :(

[caribill]

How would this work if only one person in the party gets a drink package? For example, let's say just me and my hubby didn't. Does this mean that I can order a bottle of wine and share it with my hubby (or anyone else for that matter?) If so, it would make sense to order one drink package just to cover a bottle of wine and a couple of drinks per day, plus coffee and water.

 

 

I would not want to confuse the group pakages (see post by coo359a2)with the new individual package that KruzPrincess is telling us about.

 

For the group package, it must be purchased for everyone in the group, even for people that might not utilize one drink from the package.

 

It is unclear so far if the new package must be purchased by all in the same cabin.

[Cruise Junky]

On Allure of the Seas, no - but in talking to the bartenders they thought that Carnival limits you to 10 a day, and that RCCL was the only one without limits?

 

On RCCL everyone over 21 in a cabin has to have the package, because of the severe abuse - one person in a cabin "sharing" with several others. If the bartenders saw you sharing your drinks from the package, they were supposed to report you and tell you to stop - and if you had more than one warning they removed the package from your account (without giving the money back). We were hearing horror stories of people with one package ordering 5 drinks at a time, so the rule was put in place. :(

 

I think the Carnival limit is 15. RCL changed their packages about a month ago. Not everyone in the cabin needs to purchase them now.

 

Good for Princess, hope it goes fleet wide

[OCruisers]

On Allure of the Seas, no - but in talking to the bartenders they thought that Carnival limits you to 10 a day, and that RCCL was the only one without limits?

 

On RCCL everyone over 21 in a cabin has to have the package, because of the severe abuse - one person in a cabin "sharing" with several others. If the bartenders saw you sharing your drinks from the package, they were supposed to report you and tell you to stop - and if you had more than one warning they removed the package from your account (without giving the money back). We were hearing horror stories of people with one package ordering 5 drinks at a time, so the rule was put in place. :(

 

But is there a limit on Star Princess? :confused:

 

LuLu

~~~~

[Ellipooh]

I have to say, I'm pretty excited for this option. I don't drink a lot of alcohol but I'll do one of these packages and probably break even. I'll definitely do it for the convenience and freedom of choice as compared to the S&M card I was planning to get. I sure hope it's made available for my April cruise!

[Pamster]

If the Group Booking Packages information is any indication, wines will only be served by the glass. So you wouldn't buy a bottle of wine, you would be served wine by the glass - and your husband wouldn't get a glass. A bottle of wine wouldn't be included in the package. If you bought a bottle of wine separate from the package, then he could certainly partake of that.

 

The OP says that you can buy a bottle of wine for 40% off. I would think if I did that, there's nothing to stop me from sharing it with my spouse at dinner or for that matter having one glass and taking the rest back to my cabin .

 

Yeah, that sounds reasonable.

[seamanfs]

Agree with you.....for two of us that would be almost $700 for a 7 day cruise. If we drank that much, we'd miss the entire cruise:D:D:D

 

I"m thinking the same thing!!! Can't imagine us spending that kind of money on drinks but to each his own!! Princess will like it for sure!

[avalon1025]

I find the drink packages very convenient and always enjoyed them on Celebrity, which the premium package includes everything. After juice at breakfast, a coffee, a few bottles of water or vitamin water by the pool a glass of wine at diner and an after dinner drink, it's so worth it. Happy to see Princess is catching up

 

And to those that think it's too pricey, no one is making anyone purchase one. I applaud Princess for offering the option

Edited December 8, 2013 by avalon1025

[bachcruise]

Great news! I'm hope they don't require everyone in the cabin to purchase it though.

[whataboutport]

Bf and I are drinkers and still I can't see this as being worth it. It's nearly half the cost of the cruise itself! We ended up getting the 350ml bottles from room service and our OB bill for just the alcohol was only about $200 for the both of us. Granted we don't order virgin drinks, coffees, etc. We're usually simple call drinks, or on the rocks, nothing fancy. No frozen, whipped, sugared up the wazoo, etc calorie bombs with 1 oz of booze. No wonder people gain weight on cruises! All drinking their calories.

 

We got 8 bottles of Bacardi for $15 each, and 3 bottles of Crown (once they ran out of Bacardi LOL) for $20 each. That's $180 plus the 15% is $207. That was for the both of us; so per person about $103 for the week.

 

Each bottle is about 12 oz (rounding up). Normal person that is about 8 1.5 oz drinks. For us, we avg 1.5 bottles/night, seeing as how we got 11 bottles on a 7 night cruise. So even though we drink a lot, we only drink at night (drinking during the day makes me sleepy). I don't see how the alcohol package is worth it. You'd have to be drinking all day and night to make up the cost. And if not alcoholic beverages, than calorie bombs. Sodas and juices no nothing to quench thirst. In fact it makes it worse. I'm no snob when it comes to water either. Doesn't bother me to not drink bottled water. Where do you think that ice comes from?

 

We got our nightly buzz on for about $100/pp for the week and that's without smuggling. Alcohol package is $350 for the week and both people in the cabin have to get it. Too much!

[Pamster]

Bf and I are drinkers and still I can't see this as being worth it. It's nearly half the cost of the cruise itself! We ended up getting the 350ml bottles from room service and our OB bill for just the alcohol was only about $200 for the both of us. Granted we don't order virgin drinks, coffees, etc. We're usually simple call drinks, or on the rocks, nothing fancy. No frozen, whipped, sugared up the wazoo, etc calorie bombs with 1 oz of booze. No wonder people gain weight on cruises! All drinking their calories.

 

We got 8 bottles of Bacardi for $15 each, and 3 bottles of Crown (once they ran out of Bacardi LOL) for $20 each. That's $180 plus the 15% is $207. That was for the both of us; so per person about $103 for the week.

 

Each bottle is about 12 oz (rounding up). Normal person that is about 8 1.5 oz drinks. For us, we avg 1.5 bottles/night, seeing as how we got 11 bottles on a 7 night cruise. So even though we drink a lot, we only drink at night (drinking during the day makes me sleepy). I don't see how the alcohol package is worth it. You'd have to be drinking all day and night to make up the cost. And if not alcoholic beverages, than calorie bombs. Sodas and juices no nothing to quench thirst. In fact it makes it worse. I'm no snob when it comes to water either. Doesn't bother me to not drink bottled water. Where do you think that ice comes from?

 

We got our nightly buzz on for about $100/pp for the week and that's without smuggling. Alcohol package is $350 for the week and both people in the cabin have to get it. Too much!

 

How do you know that both people in the cabin have to get it? I haven't seen any details about the package anywhere. Do you have a link to that information?

 

And some people like to be out and about the ship, not drinking in their cabin, so to be able to buy drinks in bars or in the casino, or wine with dinner, would change the calculations regarding whether this is worth it or not, for each individual. And would have nothing to do with frozen, whipped, calorie bombs.

[SeaCBear]

We had the Premium Beverage package on Celebrity and it included all that you mention below, and more. Fresh juices, sparkling water, bottled water, premium coffees and teas (including cappuccinos, espressos, etc.), premium alcohol, wines up to $12, etc. We thought it was great value.

 

I was told in June that Princess would be introducing an alcohol package soon - hopefully it's finally happening.

 

 

I absolutely LOVE the way Princess has included bottled water, soda AND the premium spirits and cocktails together! :) Celebrity doesn't do that and their price JUST on the bottled water is crazy high! :eek:

[JimmyVWine]

There is a misconception in thinking that you have to get fall down drunk before you can break even. People have to consider that even a can of your favorite soft drink can cost you $4.00 with with gratuity. We enjoyed specialty coffee, fresh juice, and we drank bottled water on the ship and we grabbed a few bottles on the way off the ship to drink in port. If you are sitting at the pool and your beer gets warm you can order a fresh one.

 

All very true. But go ashore just one day out of seven for a lengthy port day and you blow the math out of the water. On a port intensive cruise the math doesn't come close to adding up. If you get off the ship at 8:00 and return at 4:00, it becomes harder and harder to realize any value. I suspect that as people do the math in their heads, they are envisioning sea days. But if you have only 2 of those over the course of a 7 day cruise, or 3 over the course if a 10 day cruise, you have to re-do the calculations. As Pam points out, this has been weighed and studied. It cannot be positive financial gain for both line and passenger. One has to win and one has to lose. Care to guess which one loses? Sure, just as at any all-you-can-eat establishment, there will be outliers from the ranks of competitive eating who come out ahead. But 95% of the rest of us lose. So too here.

[Cruise Junky]

All very true. But go ashore just one day out of seven for a lengthy port day and you blow the math out of the water. On a port intensive cruise the math doesn't come close to adding up. If you get off the ship at 8:00 and return at 4:00, it becomes harder and harder to realize any value. I suspect that as people do the math in their heads, they are envisioning sea days. But if you have only 2 of those over the course of a 7 day cruise, or 3 over the course if a 10 day cruise, you have to re-do the calculations. As Pam points out, this has been weighed and studied. It cannot be positive financial gain for both line and passenger. One has to win and one has to lose. Care to guess which one loses? Sure, just as at any all-you-can-eat establishment, there will be outliers from the ranks of competitive eating who come out ahead. But 95% of the rest of us lose. So too here.

 

I think I remember reading that on Celebrity, which in my opinion have the best packages, 10% of cruisers bought them. Of course before they started giving them away for free. So absolutely, not for everyone. This was a calculation I did for an average sea day... Beer with lunch and frozen pool drink could be removed for a sample port day.

 

Cappuccino

4

Fresh Squeezed OJ or Smoothie

4

Bottled Water

3

1 Beer with Lunch

5

1 frozen bev by the pool

7

Pre Dinner Martini

10

2 glasses of wine with dinner

16

Perrier with dinner

4

After dinner Cappuccino

4

After Dinner Drink with a Show or Casino

7

64

Edited December 8, 2013 by Cruise Junky

[tgmtgm]

Bf and I are drinkers and still I can't see this as being worth it. It's nearly half the cost of the cruise itself! We ended up getting the 350ml bottles from room service and our OB bill for just the alcohol was only about $200 for the both of us. Granted we don't order virgin drinks, coffees, etc. We're usually simple call drinks, or on the rocks, nothing fancy. No frozen, whipped, sugared up the wazoo, etc calorie bombs with 1 oz of booze. No wonder people gain weight on cruises! All drinking their calories.

 

We got 8 bottles of Bacardi for $15 each, and 3 bottles of Crown (once they ran out of Bacardi LOL) for $20 each. That's $180 plus the 15% is $207. That was for the both of us; so per person about $103 for the week.

 

Each bottle is about 12 oz (rounding up). Normal person that is about 8 1.5 oz drinks. For us, we avg 1.5 bottles/night, seeing as how we got 11 bottles on a 7 night cruise. So even though we drink a lot, we only drink at night (drinking during the day makes me sleepy). I don't see how the alcohol package is worth it. You'd have to be drinking all day and night to make up the cost. And if not alcoholic beverages, than calorie bombs. Sodas and juices no nothing to quench thirst. In fact it makes it worse. I'm no snob when it comes to water either. Doesn't bother me to not drink bottled water. Where do you think that ice comes from?

 

We got our nightly buzz on for about $100/pp for the week and that's without smuggling. Alcohol package is $350 for the week and both people in the cabin have to get it. Too much!

 

 

To each his own. I like the convenience that a drink package provides. Do I get the best of the cruiseline every single day of a cruise? Probably not. But that's not the point. It gives the cruise a true all-inclusive feel, and I appreciate that.

 

For those guests who find it too expensive or not for them, don't partake in it. Easy as that.

 

Tony

[miss honey]

I am also glad to see Princess is listening to its customers and aiming to please. This will also free up money to be spent elsewhere on the ship.

[parisbully]

Where can I find the info on Princess website. Did a search and can not find.

[Pam in CA]

I am also glad to see Princess is listening to its customers and aiming to please.

I don't want to burst your bubble but they're doing it to make money. :) They make more with a package than selling individual drinks.