All Inclusive Drink Package available on Star Princess NOW

[Pamster]

. Also, and this is big, he said if there are two people in the cabin they both must purchase the package.

 

I really hope they reconsider this when they roll it out to other ships. This requirement would definitely dissuade me from buying the package. I'm not going to back an alcohol package for someone who doesn't drink.

[reedprincess]

OK, everyone, I talked to a couple bar people. There is only one bar where you could buy the package and I talked to the bartender there. He said it is ALL-INCLUSIVE up to $10. That includes bottled water, soda, etc. Also, and this is big, he said if there are two people in the cabin they both must purchase the package. I haven't taken the time to read all the posts on the thread today because of slow computers, but I hope this helps. If you read the Celebrity boards you know people love, love, love these packages. I personally would never get my money's worth, but some people will. Oh, and they said they believe it will go on...that this is not the only cruise it will be on.

 

Just want to remind everyone that they say it's only on the Star Princess right now. I doubt you will find info on the Princess site as it appears to be a trial.

 

Excellent, thanks for the update KruzPrincess! It makes no difference to us about the requirement for both (or all) in a cabin to buy it, we would both buy it anyways.

They will probably eventually do away with that requirement after they have tested it out some more, as RCI did after a less than a year. Celebrity never had the requirement, even from the beginning, and obviously it has worked out well for them, they are over 3 years with packages and going strong. I would venture to guess Princess would follow suit once they work out the kinks in the program. Will definitely be looking for where to purchase once we get onboard next cruise (20th). If you could let us know which bar - and whether it is only available day one, that would be great! Otherwise - this will be our ship familiarization tour on the first day! (have been on Star before several times, but it's a good enough excuse! lol)

Thanks again!!

[reedprincess]

I was waiting for Princess to catch on to this. We had this package as a perk on Celebrity a couple of times. Although we had previously thought it was just way too expensive, we now think it is almost a necessity on any cruise. Yes, the price is high but this allowed us to not worry about any large bill at the end of the cruise.

This was a typical day and not at any one time were we even fuzzy, much less drunk (I am approximating the price as we were not charged):

 

Coffee drink from the specialty coffee bar downstairs - $5

Bloody Mary from the bar - $7

Mimosa at breakfast / brunch - made with fresh squeezed OJ - $5

Bottle of water x 2 for the room - $6

Beer or soda with lunch - $4

Tea after lunch at the coffee house - $4

Glass of wine or cocktail for sitting out on the balcony - $8

Club soda up on deck / by the pool - $4

 

We are already just about at the $44 per day charge and it is only 3 PM.....and not drunk at all.

 

Small martini before dinner - $8

Glass of wine with dinner - $8

Port wine after dinner - $7

 

Still not fall down silly or even feeling a little fuzzy and way over the $44 they charged. Still walking in a straight line.

 

Cocktail at the show - $8

Nightcap at the piano bar - $8

 

QUOTE]

 

Looks very similar to what we may do in a day, except no coffee/teas - those would be more water for us, and wine with dinner would be a cocktail instead. It does add up quickly, and easily, especially when you factor in everything else besides booze.

The packages seem to have had little affect on overall drinking habits/drunks onboard either Celebrity or RCI, and we have cruised many a time with both since packages cam eon-line with Celebrity over 3 years ago, and RCI last spring. The only cruises we've been on where someone has had to be escorted from the bar to their room by security for overdrinking have actually been on Princess cruises, twice. Go figure.

For some people, the packages can be good fits, whether from a budgeting aspect, a convenience aspect or because they actually will drink near are at that much - but no, the lines would not offer them if they didn't make money for the cruise line. I have no problem with them making money, while my experience is more convenient.

Will definitely be having this package on our next cruise (19 days away on Star), with all those sea days, it will come in handy!

[notentirelynormal]

What if the second (or third) person in the room is a minor? Families cruising with kids but they had to book two cabins. I wonder have that would be handled.

 

The group package talked about in the beginning has been available for at least 20 years and even the kids had to buy into it which made it a stupid deal. I'm pretty sure the 5 YO is not going to drink enough to make it pay.

[Iamcruzin]

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 agree that most people probably would be better off to pay as they go and even the 8 dollar a day soft drink plan that Princess offers now wouldn't benefit most on an intensive European itinerary. The three sea day Caribbean itineraries 4 sea days if you don't get off for Princess Cays, are a different story. Personally I don't care if others break even or not and it seems that many are willing to pay for a package just for the feeling of an all inclusive vacation. From my personal experience I can tell you that if they offer a drink package like Celebrity that includes all beverages they will loose money on me and my wife. We have had beverage expenses of up to $800 for alcohol and non alcohol products until I got wise and purchased the UKP that Princess offered. At least I wasn't paying for each soft drink. I could easily drink 3 cokes at lunch considering the small glass that is filled with more ice than coke. Celebrity is in it's second year of offering free drink packages as a promotion so they must be filling ships and turning a profit or else they wouldn't continue to offer it.

[pablo222]

Thanks for the update. Totally lame that both have to buy it. That will turn a lot of people off. RCL just revised theirs to do away with that rule.

 

There have been many, many posts here about people sharing coke

stickers, or buying one for all their kids (because the kids don't

drink that much); or getting brewed coffee for multiple people.

 

I doubt that these people suddenly become honest when they

buy a liquor package.

[Cruise Junky]

There have been many, many posts here about people sharing coke

stickers, or buying one for all their kids (because the kids don't

drink that much); or getting brewed coffee for multiple people.

 

I doubt that these people suddenly become honest when they

buy a liquor package.

 

But it didn't work on RCL and Celebrity never had that policy, thought Princrss might have picked up on that. Hopefully that rule is only for the trial

[wonderpig]

Forgive me if this has already been posted, but I don't want to look for a post and use my minutes.

 

All Inclusive Beverage Package - says first time offered.

 

$49 per person, per day.

 

Package includes any individual beverage below $10.

A 15% gratuity will be added.

Bottled wines under $100 available at 40% discount.

Select beverages only available in certain locations.

 

Doesn't include mini-bar items, in-room service, beverages over $10 and a couple other stipulations.

 

ONLY AVAILABLE ON DAYS 1 AND 2.

It says only available on the Star Princess, so it may be a test event.

I agree with Pam......at this rate, I'd have to drink 6 drinks a day to make it worth the money.......wouldn't remember the trip!

[Cruise Junky]

I agree with Pam......at this rate, I'd have to drink 6 drinks a day to make it worth the money.......wouldn't remember the trip!

 

If you can't handle 6 drinks in a 16 hour period then you're obviously not their target market, but there's no need to insult the one's that are.

[Mom33]

I agree with Pam......at this rate, I'd have to drink 6 drinks a day to make it worth the money.......wouldn't remember the trip!

 

If you can't handle 6 drinks in a 16 hour period then you're obviously not their target market, but there's no need to insult the one's that are.

 

That wasn't necessarily an insult. She may be describing her tolerance level. I have an even lower threshhold. Half a glass of wine is someone elses 6 drinks. ;) The new program would never work for me.

[chamima]

I like drinks by the pool during the day - my husband doesn't.

If we could get the package just for me and then use the 40% off wine (which he DOES like) it might work for us.

I'll be one of those waiting to see how this is implemented on other ships.

[Iamcruzin]

I agree with Pam......at this rate, I'd have to drink 6 drinks a day to make it worth the money.......wouldn't remember the trip!

 

Once again the assumption is that passengers are only drinking alcoholic beverages. Maybe you only drink what Princess provides for free which is sugarless iced tea, water, milk, hot tea and horrible syrup coffee from a tap. If you are happy with that or if you just don't consume a large amount of pay for liquids at any given meal then I wouldn't recommend a package of any kind for you. However, if you purchase specialty coffee, juice, bottled water for excursions, soft drinks at lunch and a couple of cocktails through out the day then it could be worth it. On Celebrity my wife and I would have at least 3 glasses of wine each at dinner which probably is equal to a bottle of wine that they charge $30 and up for. Now it may sound like a lot of wine but the cruise line doesn't fill the glass to the rim like the passengers who bring on a case of two buck chuck, pour it in a glass in their room and carry it into the dining room to avoid paying the corkage fee.

 

If they start selling drink packages you will see a lot less passengers lined up for the free cocktail events.

[Sunviking]

I think that the drink package sounds like a pretty good deal if it includes all the things that have been indicated like sodas, bottled water, specialty coffees, etc as well as wine, beer and cocktails. Since it's optional, people who don't feel they would get their money's worth don't have to buy it. I may be a little more cynical than some other people though. Over the years I've seen people with free laundry bragging here on CC about sending other people's laundry out or allowing others to use their free internet minutes when we used to get that. Based on that, I can understand why Princess would require both adults in a cabin to purchase a package. If there is a way to abuse the system, there will surely be someone who will figure out a way to do it and then brag about it here.

[Iamcruzin]

There have been many, many posts here about people sharing coke

stickers, or buying one for all their kids (because the kids don't

drink that much); or getting brewed coffee for multiple people.

 

I doubt that these people suddenly become honest when they

buy a liquor package.

 

On Celebrity they also place a sticker on your card if you don't prepay for the drink package before you sail. The difference is that for every drink you order they swipe your card. This keeps track of how much you are drinking. You can order two drinks at one time but you must have your card and the card of the other person you are getting the drink for. I wouldn't be surprised if your picture showed up on the screen when they swiped your card.

[wonderpig]

If you can't handle 6 drinks in a 16 hour period then you're obviously not their target market, but there's no need to insult the one's that are.

 

Really wasn't meant as an insult....I can enjoy 2 or 3 drinks, but with this package, I would need to double my intake just to make it worthwhile!

[Pam in CA]

There have been many, many posts here about people sharing coke stickers, or buying one for all their kids (because the kids don't drink that much); or getting brewed coffee for multiple people.

 

I doubt that these people suddenly become honest when they buy a liquor package.

I agree with you. It amazes me that people come on CC to brag about how they've shared the unlimited drinks with others and they feel justified because no one said anything.

That wasn't necessarily an insult. She may be describing her tolerance level. I have an even lower threshhold. Half a glass of wine is someone elses 6 drinks. ;) The new program would never work for me.

It definitely wouldn't work for me. I drink the tap water (I even swap out the bottled water in my mini-bar set-up since I don't want it), drink coffee only on occasion and the ship's coffee is fine with me when I do, rarely have a mocktail, have maybe a drink at night (Platinum/Elite lounge at $5/drink), and a bottle of wine lasted me most of my Royal T/A and that was with help from my friends. Maybe this is why I never gain weight on a cruise. :)

 

To each his/her own. I sure hope they don't raise the cost of individual drinks as currently, they are a lot less than on Celebrity.

Edited December 9, 2013 by Pam in CA

[Pamster]

There have been many, many posts here about people sharing coke

stickers, or buying one for all their kids (because the kids don't

drink that much); or getting brewed coffee for multiple people.

 

I doubt that these people suddenly become honest when they

buy a liquor package.

 

You're likely correct about that. However, it might not be as easy to cheat with a beverage package as a coke sticker. RCCL does limit the number of drinks that you can buy at one time to 1. And I would expect that the crew in the places where you can buy alcoholic beverages possibly is more aware of the use of the cards that those dispensing cokes or coffees, due to the difference in the cost of the product itself.

 

I find it interesting that RCCL changed their requirement that both passengers in a cabin have to purchase the package if one does. And they made that change less than a year after they first implemented the alcohol beverage packages. So I think that limitation must have impacted the sales in some way. I know it would have for me.

[caribill]

......at this rate, I'd have to drink 6 drinks a day to make it worth the money.......wouldn't remember the trip!

 

That's the idea. If you can't remember the trip, you might book another cruise.

[Cauzneffct]

You're likely correct about that. However, it might not be as easy to cheat with a beverage package as a coke sticker. RCCL does limit the number of drinks that you can buy at one time to 1. And I would expect that the crew in the places where you can buy alcoholic beverages possibly is more aware of the use of the cards that those dispensing cokes or coffees, due to the difference in the cost of the product itself.

 

I believe the OP mentioned that the package was only available at one bar. Im not sure if that meant could only be purchased there, or only "redeemed" there. If its the latter, and there's a 1-at-a-time limit, that would curtail sharing of the card. If it could be used at any bar, then one could easily grab one drink at, say, the Mermaid's Tail and then walk to the Calypso to grab another for a friend. I guess they could build some sort of alert into the system (provided that you swipe your card) that a second drink was bought within a certain time period, but I doubt they'd go to the trouble.

[Pamster]

I believe the OP mentioned that the package was only available at one bar. Im not sure if that meant could only be purchased there, or only "redeemed" there. If its the latter, and there's a 1-at-a-time limit, that would curtail sharing of the card. If it could be used at any bar, then one could easily grab one drink at, say, the Mermaid's Tail and then walk to the Calypso to grab another for a friend. I guess they could build some sort of alert into the system (provided that you swipe your card) that a second drink was bought within a certain time period, but I doubt they'd go to the trouble.

 

Very true. Although a lot of people order drinks while seated in a bar or lounge, or served in the atrium, or another location. The servers are quite excellent at learning who you are and what you usually drink, I'm sure they'd learn just as rapidly those who did and didn't have a package.

[Mulege]

I agree with you. It amazes me that people come on CC to brag about how they've shared the unlimited drinks with others and they feel justified because no one said anything.

It definitely wouldn't work for me. I drink the tap water (I even swap out the bottled water in my mini-bar set-up since I don't want it), drink coffee only on occasion and the ship's coffee is fine with me when I do, rarely have a mocktail, have maybe a drink at night (Platinum/Elite lounge at $5/drink), and a bottle of wine lasted me most of my Royal T/A and that was with help from my friends. Maybe this is why I never gain weight on a cruise. :)

 

To each his/her own. I sure hope they don't raise the cost of individual drinks as currently, they are a lot less than on Celebrity.

 

How many Celebrity cruises have you been on?

[jennifers490]

How many Celebrity cruises have you been on?

 

i just got off of celebrity equinox, they still charge 6.00 for my caipirinha and princess is over 8 :( for me it didnt pay to get celebrity's package since most drinks are same or cheaper than princess with exception of their martini bar where they offer half price drinks after 11--i drank a lot and still it would be less than the package.

 

since princess i think started charging more for drinks i'm happy they would start offering this option--they also measure the alcohol and celebrity and rccl dont and make their drinks a lot stronger :)

Edited December 9, 2013 by jennifers490
spell

[jennifers490]

You're likely correct about that. However, it might not be as easy to cheat with a beverage package as a coke sticker. RCCL does limit the number of drinks that you can buy at one time to 1. And I would expect that the crew in the places where you can buy alcoholic beverages possibly is more aware of the use of the cards that those dispensing cokes or coffees, due to the difference in the cost of the product itself.

 

I find it interesting that RCCL changed their requirement that both passengers in a cabin have to purchase the package if one does. And they made that change less than a year after they first implemented the alcohol beverage packages. So I think that limitation must have impacted the sales in some way. I know it would have for me.

 

you really cant cheat easily on celebrity , it actually comes up in the computer if you've ordered drinks too closely together time wise so you cant even just go to different bars--otherwise they would lose money i'm sure. they do swipe each drink and you get a giant printout of all of them at the end with a 0.00 so you can see the damage you would have done :)

 

i know if there wasnt the requirement for both passengers to get it i would get it on my next princess caribbean but i know it wouldnt be worth it for my aunt who will share the cabin so i probably won't get it.

[tgmtgm]

There y'go. It is a convenience package, not a money-saving package. If it is worth the extra cost to you (and it IS an extra cost for most), then go for it. It's nice to have a choice.

 

Just don't try to sell it as a cost savings. For most people, it is not.

 

 

On the contrary- it can be a cost savings if you partake in a enough paid for beverages- alcoholic and otherwise.

 

And for the record, I'm not trying to sell squat. I could care less if you or any other guest onboard purchases a drink package. I'm just advocating for the option for myself and other like minded individuals who see value in it.

 

Tony

[tgmtgm]

If you can't handle 6 drinks in a 16 hour period then you're obviously not their target market, but there's no need to insult the one's that are.

 

Exactly! And yes, it was an insult- read the title at the top of the post- "Then you have to go to THOSE meetings..." Not difficult to decipher what that implies.

 

Tony