Drink Package-how did you like it?

[mildew1951]

I've read the whole of this thread to date and really appreciate the wealth of advice and input.

 

We have a 15 day cruise on VOTS next April from Perth to Singapore so hot steamy (drinking) weather all the way and only 3 days in port. seriously considering the Premium package at $55 per day. Mainly drink beer (Corona) but like a whiskey or 3 in the evening with a mixer. Also the occasional glass of red with dinner. Not much on water or straight soda and not fussed about coffee or OJ. I'm thinking I can get more than value from a package as I would easily drink five or six beers a day plus the other stuff.

 

This will be our first cruise in Diamond so happy to see the 3 free drinks each day and understand we have the happy hour (or 3.5 hours) as an alternative.

 

Does the package apply during port days. I'm a little confused on this one given the comments in previous posts.:confused:

[Clarea]

...Does the package apply during port days. I'm a little confused on this one given the comments in previous posts.:confused:

Yes, the package applies on port days.

[mildew1951]

Yes, the package applies on port days.

 

Thanks again Bob (if I remember your name correctly).:)

[Clarea]

Thanks again Bob (if I remember your name correctly).:)

Yes, correct, and you're welcome.:)

[cairokid]

We've just returned from 12 days on Brilliance of the Seas. We decided not to get the drinks package but opted for a wine package instead.

 

What we discovered on board was that the King & Country pub offers a bucket of 5 good beers for $20 and my husband got this every sailing day. As a beer drinker this suited him fine and he didn't need to get it if we were in port and off the boat for the day. You didn't have to drink all the beers yourself or all in one day.

 

Much more flexible than the drinks package so if you're mainly a beer drinker it is useful to know.

[BamaGuy44]

Well, it's 5-6 drinks each day, every day. Which can be harder to do on days when you're in port. And by the end of the cruise you may not want to look at another daiquiri for a while. I think for the average person it's difficult to justify financially, although I understand the whole "convenience" argument.

 

 

That's only taking into consideration alcohol though. throw 2-3 bottled water/coffee/sodas a day in there and you can get to $55 pretty easily even with only a few alcoholic drinks. Plenty of "average" people can get their money's worth without much effort on a standard Caribbean cruise.

 

And if one of your port days is Labadee or Coco Cay where you can use the package it's even easier.

[brenderlou]

We got the pkg for the first time in March for our Oasis cruise. Definitely paid for itself between cocktails, sodas and coffee. We'll be doing the drink pkg from now on.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums mobile app

[heyabbott]

They make money off the packages so,if you have to think about whether it's worth it it's not. If you look at the price and automatically think what a great deal it is, then buy it.

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums

[tonyt]

We've just returned from 12 days on Brilliance of the Seas. We decided not to get the drinks package but opted for a wine package instead.

 

What we discovered on board was that the King & Country pub offers a bucket of 5 good beers for $20 and my husband got this every sailing day. As a beer drinker this suited him fine and he didn't need to get it if we were in port and off the boat for the day. You didn't have to drink all the beers yourself or all in one day.

 

Much more flexible than the drinks package so if you're mainly a beer drinker it is useful to know.

 

Does anyone know if the bucket of beer is available on Freedom?

[medic368]

Havent been on freedom for a couple of years but yes buckets were available in one of the bars on the prominade and soft side coolers were available on the pool deck. As for the packages we had the premium on our last trip on jewel and will be getting it again in nov on NOS. Definately got or 55/day easy and bottled water wasnt included then so im sure we will cut into the profit margin a little on this trip.

 

Sent from my SM-T210R using Forums mobile app

[Wheeljack]

The Premium Package is (for us) worth it alone, just so we don't have to check our charges after every evening. It depends from person to person of course, but $55 a day adds up really quickly.

 

Drinks vary from $8 to $12-$13. Then add a beer here and there and the occasional glass of wine into the mix.

 

My only gripe is that Foster's (our favorite beer) is not included and I think that is because it comes in 0,8l oil cans as opposed to 0,33cl bottles. They offer a decent variety of beers anyway so it is definitely not a dealbreaker but still... :)

[trace1208]

did i misunderstand in my reading that if one person in a cabin anyone over 21 must purchase a package. I purchased for myself, but my mom held off because i read that she and my dad would have to, and my dads not a big drinker, but if only my mom can, i will buy her the package!!!

 

Just to be clear, Im in a room with my two kids, and my parents have their own cabin

[TheInnocentAge]

did i misunderstand in my reading that if one person in a cabin anyone over 21 must purchase a package. I purchased for myself, but my mom held off because i read that she and my dad would have to, and my dads not a big drinker, but if only my mom can, i will buy her the package!!!

 

Just to be clear, Im in a room with my two kids, and my parents have their own cabin

 

That used to be the rule, but not anymore. One adult in a cabin can get the package and the other may choose not to.

[trace1208]

That used to be the rule, but not anymore. One adult in a cabin can get the package and the other may choose not to.

 

thanks, its definitely something to consider, we leave on thursday, so if she decides to get it, ill buy it on board

[rene1103]

is there a blocked time during an order of drinks? I mean when i order a drink at solarium bar and a few minutes later at the casino is that possible? Or is there a "waiting time" between the two orders?

[Clarea]

is there a blocked time during an order of drinks? I mean when i order a drink at solarium bar and a few minutes later at the casino is that possible? Or is there a "waiting time" between the two orders?

No waiting time for drinks, except for the use of the Freestyle machines. I believe the Freestyle machines impose a 15 minute wait after use.

Edited July 15, 2014 by clarea

[BAV2005]

is there a blocked time during an order of drinks? I mean when i order a drink at solarium bar and a few minutes later at the casino is that possible? Or is there a "waiting time" between the two orders?

 

 

From what I've read, no time limit. But if it happens too often they may get suspicious. But I doubt anyone is really paying attention honestly

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

[Beardface]

Sometimes I was provided a receipt to sign, other times not. Not sure how they split the tips but I assumed it was based upon how many drinks they sold and that’s why we had to sign a $0.0 receipt. It’s also possible the bartenders were fishing for additional tip. I did give some additional tip and that paid off big time from the perspective of prompt service. As soon as my bartender saw me he came right over. It pays to develop that relationship early.

 

Asked about this on the Oasis. If the bartender has his/her name on the receipt, the tip is to that bartender. Otherwise, it gets split up.

[tallblond]

It actually costs more than $55 because they add their tip to it automically. I don't drink alcohol but I do buy my son the "soda package". It's too late to buy it now (you don't buy anything on line within 7 days of sailing) but it is better to buy it ahead of time because then the coke imprint is on your sea pass. When you purchase it on board you get a sticker on your sea pass card and it can come off. I don't drink so I don't purchase a package but I have heard they have made it a rule if one adult in the room buys a package then all adults have to. That is NOT RIGHT!

[steveru621]

It actually costs more than $55 because they add their tip to it automatically. I don't drink alcohol but I do buy my son the "soda package". It's too late to buy it now (you don't buy anything on line within 7 days of sailing) but it is better to buy it ahead of time because then the coke imprint is on your sea pass. When you purchase it on board you get a sticker on your sea pass card and it can come off. I don't drink so I don't purchase a package but I have heard they have made it a rule if one adult in the room buys a package then all adults have to. That is NOT RIGHT!

 

Things have changed a little. One person in a cabin can choose the package and the $55 includes the base tip.

[Beardface]

It actually costs more than $55 because they add their tip to it automically. I don't drink alcohol but I do buy my son the "soda package". It's too late to buy it now (you don't buy anything on line within 7 days of sailing) but it is better to buy it ahead of time because then the coke imprint is on your sea pass. When you purchase it on board you get a sticker on your sea pass card and it can come off. I don't drink so I don't purchase a package but I have heard they have made it a rule if one adult in the room buys a package then all adults have to. That is NOT RIGHT!

 

You get a sticker on your SeaPass even if you reserve it early. Doesn't mean anything, because its all stored electronically on their system, and all they have to do is swipe your SeaPass, and they can see if you have a Package.

 

Wife and I had the sticker for the Oasis. It basically rubbed off within a day or so, but it didn't mean anything.

[YadaYadaJodi]

It actually costs more than $55 because they add their tip to it automically. I don't drink alcohol but I do buy my son the "soda package". It's too late to buy it now (you don't buy anything on line within 7 days of sailing) but it is better to buy it ahead of time because then the coke imprint is on your sea pass. When you purchase it on board you get a sticker on your sea pass card and it can come off. I don't drink so I don't purchase a package but I have heard they have made it a rule if one adult in the room buys a package then all adults have to. That is NOT RIGHT!

 

Sounds like your experience is with the soda package. For the soda package you're right they do add 15% gratuity to the cost quoted and also if you pre-order you might get the coke imprint on your sea pass card and avoid the sticker. However for the Premium Drink package (& the Ultimate, Select & Replenish), the price quoted per day includes the gratuity (can't answer why they are different from the soda package :rolleyes:) and you will wind up with a sticker on your card even if you pre-order.

 

And not everyone in the cabin has to buy a package and those that do, do not have to buy the same one.

Edited July 15, 2014 by YadaYadaJodi

[AlexanderBeetle]

Does your sail day count as 1 day? What about disembarkation? When I look at the calendar in my reservation (on RC's site) they show 5 days on a 4 night cruise, so how many days am I being charged for if I buy the package?

 

disclaimer: I have not read all 16 pages of this thread.

[TheInnocentAge]

Does your sail day count as 1 day? What about disembarkation? When I look at the calendar in my reservation (on RC's site) they show 5 days on a 4 night cruise, so how many days am I being charged for if I buy the package?

 

disclaimer: I have not read all 16 pages of this thread.

 

Sail day counts, but not disembarkation day. You would be charged for four nights.

[AlexanderBeetle]

Sail day counts, but not disembarkation day. You would be charged for four nights.

 

Thank you.