WOW - bar drinks prices increased by up to 40%

[Deptacon]

[Reijo]

I was on the 2/26 sailing of Explorer. I ordered a Pina Colada and paid a pricey $14.00 (and some change). I couldn't believe it. It was and WILL be my last!!!!

[Trich64]

We purchased our premium drink package back in mid January(we are Canadian's and our dollar was falling fast) This was before the increases, do you think we'll have to make up the difference, 3%, on our drinks? It is what it is...just curious:confused:

[NavyCruiser]

Yeah....

 

No price increase for water, tea & coffee...

[flyerjay11]

This is really going to make me question cruising with RCCL next time we go. In fact, I'm probably going to question cruising at all since the industry trend is in this direction. Wife doesn't drink and I enjoy some drinks, but not enough that drink package would make sense (even if my wife did drink since everyone in stateroom needs to buy). 2-3 per day is usually it, some days more, some less. In general, I feel like a lot of the extras that used to make cruising really awesome have slowly been getting watered down and now it isn't that much better than other vacation options. Probably will cruise again, but before I used to get really excited thinking about it, now I'm not as enthusiastic. I guess that is their goal - to capture that "consumer surplus" and convert it into their profit.

 

From RCCL's latest 10-K that was just filed last month, it is clear they are making a lot of money from the drink packages.

 

"Despite the difficulties in the Caribbean, the Company grew 2014 Net Yields by 2.4% on a Constant Currency basis. Net ticket revenue yield improved 1.4% while onboard revenue yield increased by 3.8% on a Constant Currency basis. Onboard revenue continues to be a bright spot with beverage packages, specialty restaurants and internet packages driving strong growth in the Caribbean and Europe, while gaming and retail are fueling our growth in Asia. This, coupled with our investments in ship revitalizations and technology, has helped continue onboard’s strong growth trajectory."

 

"$45.5 million increase in onboard revenue attributable to higher spending on a per passenger basis primarily due to our ship upgrade programs and other revenue enhancing initiatives, including various beverage initiatives, the addition and promotion of specialty restaurants, the increased revenue associated with internet and other telecommunication services and other onboard activities"

 

Surprisingly the increase in onboard revenue only equates to about $1.24 per person per day. I'd think it would be more, but this is for RCCL corporate, not just the Royal brand. It still adds up...

[pspercy]

So, still waiting to find out if a "simple" mixed drink like a gin & tonic is now $10 ?

[peteukmcr]

So, still waiting to find out if a "simple" mixed drink like a gin & tonic is now $10 ?

Me too

[steamboats]

We purchased our premium drink package back in mid January(we are Canadian's and our dollar was falling fast) This was before the increases, do you think we'll have to make up the difference, 3%, on our drinks? It is what it is...just curious:confused:

 

No, already purchased packages stay on the 15%.

 

steamboats

[The_Big_M]

At 10.00 plus 18% I doubt the "per drink" customers will be tipping as much as they used to.............. I suspect these higher individual drink prices and all inclusive packages aren't going to be that good for the servers when it comes to extra cash tips:rolleyes:

 

Not with extra tips, but given the tip rise, and the increase in base price, their tips will be much more - assuming sales volume stays the same.

[The_Big_M]

(even if my wife did drink since everyone in stateroom needs to buy). .

 

That's no longer the case, changed a couple of years ago.

[Clarea]

We purchased our premium drink package back in mid January(we are Canadian's and our dollar was falling fast) This was before the increases, do you think we'll have to make up the difference, 3%, on our drinks? It is what it is...just curious:confused:

Royal usually honors the price you paid at the time of purchase.

[bobmacliberty]

 

or maybe this?

 

[Deptacon]

or maybe this?

 

 

 

 

 

I think mine have the possibilities of higher quality contents....

[grand isle joe]

....Well RCL has to make up the money they are losing with all those drink vouchers they "comp" the D and D+ members. A business has to meet the bottom line and all those under the illusion of ever getting something "free" are living in La-La land.............

[icsys]

So, still waiting to find out if a "simple" mixed drink like a gin & tonic is now $10 ?

Me too

 

How much did you pay for a simple mixed drink?

We have never bought one, only beers, wines and the usual cocktails, so don't know personally.

 

Because of the price of a Black Russian, my wife asked how much it would be for just a vodka straight (she had the soda package), the server replied 'if you want to put your own coke in $7" (plus the tip).

 

I guess the best person to answer your questions would be someone onboard a ship right now.

[Ocean Boy]

....Well RCL has to make up the money they are losing with all those drink vouchers they "comp" the D and D+ members. A business has to meet the bottom line and all those under the illusion of ever getting something "free" are living in La-La land.............

 

You keep blaming this on the D and D+ drinks. However, nothing has really changed recently except that now they can get what they were already drinking before at a bar outside of the DL. So I don't really see this as the driving force behind the price increases.

[Ocean Boy]

So, still waiting to find out if a "simple" mixed drink like a gin & tonic is now $10 ?

 

Me too

 

Ok, since everyone keeps asking. Last week on Independence a vodka tonic was $8.26 inclusive of gratuity. I did not specify brand of vodka.

[peteukmcr]

Ok, since everyone keeps asking. Last week on Independence a vodka tonic was $8.26 inclusive of gratuity. I did not specify brand of vodka.

 

 

Many thanks. Sounds like $7 plus 18% gratuity. Seems to me like a slight rise in the price I last paid for a basic mixed drink in October 2014 which was $6.75 plus 15% gratuity.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Edited March 12, 2015 by peteukmcr

[Big_G]

Ok, since everyone keeps asking. Last week on Independence a vodka tonic was $8.26 inclusive of gratuity. I did not specify brand of vodka.

 

That kind of flies in the face of the OP's claim of a minimum $10 for all cocktails but it's a relief to hear. We just booked Freedom for this May and was hoping not to have to wait to find out for myself.

 

Thanks

[zteamtwo]

I agree. $7 plus 18% for a simple mixed drink is a reasonable charge. Perhaps Royal (or the bartenders) are "pushing" the "upscale" $10 "multiple liquor" drinks to increase revenue and tips.

[ryano]

That kind of flies in the face of the OP's claim of a minimum $10 for all cocktails but it's a relief to hear. We just booked Freedom for this May and was hoping not to have to wait to find out for myself.

 

Thanks

 

The OP was speaking of Explorer only though and then concluded with this statement "I'm guessing this bar price increase will go fleet wide."

 

Maybe those prices just havent been rolled out to Indy yet :)

 

I was hoping they havent rolled out to Freedom yet either but I have already read different. There are reports of simple mixed drinks costing 11.80 now. I guess I will see for myself when I get onboard in 30 days.

Edited March 12, 2015 by ryano

[tanner2]

Hey guys I'm new to RCI and have couple of questions .

How much is a bucket of beer, Bud light , coors ? Can you bring sodas on board with you like on carnival ? In the casino if you play enough to get to 2000 points (etc.) do the give you a free drink card ????? Sorry for all the questions :confused: Thanks :)

[Clarea]

Hey guys I'm new to RCI and have couple of questions .

How much is a bucket of beer, Bud light , coors ? Can you bring sodas on board with you like on carnival ? In the casino if you play enough to get to 2000 points (etc.) do the give you a free drink card ????? Sorry for all the questions :confused: Thanks :)

Regarding bringing beverages on board, you are only allowed two bottles of wine per stateroom. However, many report being able to bring soda. Just note that during the spring break period, they are more likely to enforce the prohibition on beverages other than wine.

[Big_G]

I agree. $7 plus 18% for a simple mixed drink is a reasonable charge. Perhaps Royal (or the bartenders) are "pushing" the "upscale" $10 "multiple liquor" drinks to increase revenue and tips.

 

I've been a victim of that once. I shouldn't have been surprised but needless to say we avoided that bartender for the rest of the cruise.

 

The OP was speaking of Explorer only though and then concluded with this statement "I'm guessing this bar price increase will go fleet wide."

 

Maybe those prices just havent been rolled out to Indy yet :)

 

I was hoping they havent rolled out to Freedom yet either but I have already read different. There are reports of simple mixed drinks costing 11.80 now. I guess I will see for myself when I get onboard in 30 days.

 

We'll be waiting to hear. Have a great cruise.:D

[icsys]

That kind of flies in the face of the OP's claim of a minimum $10 for all cocktails but it's a relief to hear. We just booked Freedom for this May and was hoping not to have to wait to find out for myself.

 

Thanks

 

As has already been clarified by myself and others, I was referring specifically to Explorer bar prices. Nothing is flying in my face and my 'claims' are fact. Others who have sailed recently on Explorer have confirmed the same prices.

 

I regard a cocktail as containing multiple liquors, fruit juices and/or other ingredients.

I do not regard a simple drink such as a gin and tonic, vodka and coke, rum and coke, whisky and dry etc... as a cocktail. Those drinks were never mentioned in the original post!

 

Regarding prices going fleet wide, there are reports in this thread of Legend, Freedom, Vision, Navigator and Brilliance having similar or higher prices for cocktails

 

To be clear, this isn't going to spoil future cruises, we will just drink much less. In fact I will be drinking beer.

Edited March 12, 2015 by icsys