$12 Drinks? No thanks!

[OzKiwiJJ]

I spent quite a bit of time trying to check out the drinks prices before our cruise, including studying that infamous and inaccurate list, but could not decide whether to purchase packages before we boarded. Incidentally the Ultimate package started at AU $84 when I booked the cruise but increased to AU $99 two weeks before embarkation date.

 

When we boarded we looked at the package prices - US $57 for Premium, US $67 for Ultimate - these covered cocktails and wines by the glass up to $14, and included the 18% gratuities. We checked the drinks lists. The R Bar had an additional cocktail list to the one shown earlier on this thread, but all cocktail prices were $14, and wine by the glass was up to $14. We went to the MDR and checked the wine lists. There were two - the main wine list with wines by the glass that were mostly between $9 (I think that was the lowest) and $14, and a separate Australian/NZ wine list where the wines by the glass were cheaper, $8-$9 I think. However this wine list did not have many wines that we enjoy drinking. The ones we wanted were on the main wine list and cost between $11 and $14 per glass.

 

Typically on a cruise we would drink:

1-2 glasses of wine with lunch depending on how fast the meal service is.

A cocktail late afternoon by the pool.

A cocktail before dinner - we'd chosen the late sitting.

2-3 glasses of wine with dinner - we usually share a bottle and finish it when buying wines by the bottle.

The occasional after dinner cocktail or cognac if we decide to stay up for some music or dancing.

 

On port days we'd drink drink at least $67 worth a day, and on sea days at least $92, if we bought individual drinks. Choosing the packages was a no-brainer. I had the $57 Premium package and DH, who also likes espresso coffee and fresh orange juice, had the Ultimate package. Of course then we ended up having an extra cocktail by the pool, and maybe two before dinner if we were dressed and ready early, so we did get good value for our money. Luckily it was only a 9 day cruise ;)

 

The Ultimate package worked out around AU $85 after currency conversion, we didn't lose by much in waiting until we checked the prices onboard. In fact we saved based on the dearer price closer to the cruise.

 

However the overall cost was double that of our previous cruise and consequently made this cruise less cost-effective than our previous one. We're not wealthy so have to budget for our cruising. The high drinks prices will mean that we are less likely to choose RCI in future and other Aussies may feel the same way with the current exchange rates. That may not mean much to RCI at present, the Aussie cruise market is growing rapidly so there are plenty of new cruisers to draw from, but it may impact them when they try to fill the 5000 passenger Ovation in December 2016.

[OzKiwiJJ]

Forgot to mention that with the packages we never had to pay any extra for our drinks, the package covered everything that we wanted to drink and there were no wines by the glass priced higher than what the package covered.

 

One negative was that a couple of the limited selection of premium wines by the glass that we wanted to drink were not available on our cruise which did limit our selection.

 

The cocktails appeared to be generous serves, often free-poured. Sometimes they were very strong. One day we decided to have Californian Coolers by the pool but asked if the Sprite could be replaced with club soda to cut the sweetness a little. We watched the barman make the drink and there was very little room for the soda when he got to that stage. It was so strong we asked for an extra club soda to water it down. ;)

[OzKiwiJJ]

 

Then go shopping, make sure you're comparing apples, and pick the best fit for your budget and circumstances.

 

This is the key. Prices vary by cruise and by region. I'm still learning what to look for. We booked our Rhapsody cruise last minute, just before the drinks prices went up, so we had a serious case of sticker shock once we realised how expensive drinks would be. Totally wiped out any savings from the last minute deal. :(

[link99]

Well add 7.5% on top of the 18% if your buying individual drinks in the Bahamas or even on Coco Cay. Starting Jan 2015 they charge A VAT now on drinks and other items. Someone just posted their receipt from coco cay and a link with the tax increase info.I think the tax would apply while docked to, such as in Nassau. More money out of our pockets.

[A2Mich]

Well add 7.5% on top of the 18% if your buying individual drinks in the Bahamas or even on Coco Cay. Starting Jan 2015 they charge A VAT now on drinks and other items. Someone just posted their receipt from coco cay and a link with the tax increase info.I think the tax would apply while docked to, such as in Nassau. More money out of our pockets.

 

 

But it's ok---its capitalism at its finest.....[emoji39]

[LMaxwell]

Is it possible...just possible, this is saving RCI a ton of waste? If it did I think that's a good thing as waste is always a nasty line item on a P&L. One of the selling points of the drink package has been freedom to try a new drink and just toss if not to your taste. And at old pricing where breakeven was 7 or 8 drinks I believe people felt encouraged to break even and consume and/or waste more than they typically would.

 

Now that the breakeven point is 4 - 5 drinks maybe some portion of people will moderate more and not feel a need to order 7 or 8 a day to breakeven??

 

RCI get more $$$ upfront because a package appears a bit more reasonable now.

 

A la carte buyers may cut back but who cares? If RCI can get $25 serving two drinks instead of three drinks that's pretty shrewd business.

 

Then again I could be totally wrong and RCI could match Celebrity new package pricing and we repeat this whole show again in 2 or 3 years.

 

[emoji51] [emoji568]

[Setting sail for fun]

Very interesting..... I don't think I have ever selected a cruise based on DRINK PACKAGES! Or the color of the ship.

[awestover89]

I'm sorry. That's what I get for assuming :o

 

...

 

dp

 

No worries, usually a pretty safe assumption when somebody says "my husband" :cool:

[Goodtime Cruizin]

Hmmmmm I wonder why the doubting Thomas's haven't returned.

 

If you're speaking to me, I was traveling all day. I did not leave the thread. I'm thankful that someone finally posted an image.

 

My point in my earlier posts was there was one line commentaries about $14 & then $15 drinks being the norm. I requested some support of this and no one provided it but quickly attempted to blast me for asking. Which BTW, this doesn't bother me in the least.

 

Someone correct me, but typically speaking, the drinks on the drink menu have always been a higher price than a standard Crown, Jack or Makers type of drink. At least this has been my experience.

 

As far as saving for my drinks on my future cruises. I've already purchased the drink pkgs. It works for us. Finally, someone mentioned Chilis. Their margarita they call Presidente' uses 1800 tequila and last week's price was $10.50. IMO, paying a $1.50 more for something very similar while at sea, on a beautiful cruise ship, while on vacation, is not really that much out of line. But each to their own.

[cruisin-m]

Perhaps you need to open that link and READ it:

 

Here's the part you need to read reproduced below and highlighted bold for your convenience:

 

 

 

I would also point out that this website is also not called 'Cruise INSULTS'.

Why some people feel the need to insult other people by posting "if you cant afford to drink on a cruise, don't drink" is beyond me.

 

Here is the only menu that was available (with the exception of the Pub) on a recent Explorer cruise:

 

 

FACT:

You could ask for ANY cocktail not on this menu but the price was minimum $10 plus gratuity ($11.80)

I am not suggesting prices are being exaggerated but there are reports that some ships charge more than others for drinks.

 

 

I believe that shipcruise.org was actually getting its information and quoting from this thread:

http://cruiseforums.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2179789

 

Gone are the days when Royal Caribbean had an exciting and colourful cocktail/drinks menu that used to inspire me to try and work my way through it! Now they have a lame, boring and completely lacking menu with overpriced cocktails. :p

 

Good thing I have a complimentary drinks package on my upcoming Explorer cruise but still what's the point of even having a package if they don't have any drinks for you to pick from?

 

Seems like a stupid idea to me, if I didn't have the drinks package for free I would be getting on RCCL ships and thinking how lame the cocktail menu is and actually not bothering with a package because of how limited/bad the options are to pick from, I mean why pay for unlimited drinks when really it's very limited... the menus would basically scare me out of buying a package.

[OzKiwiJJ]

Gone are the days when Royal Caribbean had an exciting and colourful cocktail/drinks menu that used to inspire me to try and work my way through it! Now they have a lame, boring and completely lacking menu with overpriced cocktails. :p

 

Good thing I have a complimentary drinks package on my upcoming Explorer cruise but still what's the point of even having a package if they don't have any drinks for you to pick from?

 

Seems like a stupid idea to me, if I didn't have the drinks package for free I would be getting on RCCL ships and thinking how lame the cocktail menu is and actually not bothering with a package because of how limited/bad the options are to pick from, I mean why pay for unlimited drinks when really it's very limited... the menus would basically scare me out of buying a package.

 

The R Bar on Rhapsody had an extra cocktail list, still not great but beware the Bittersweet Harmony (I think that's what it's called), it is bright orange as it has Aperol in it. It's lethal! Very, very nice though.

 

However the barstaff will make cocktails that aren't on the list - we had brandy alexanders, and they will modify the cocktails - I had the Tanq 10 collins with citrus vodka instead of the gin.

 

If you have a kindle or a smartphone you can load a Kindle app on, buy a cocktail book so you can show recipes to the bar staff in quiet times.

[boscobeans]

The last time I was involved with a bar on land was about 20 years ago when I owned one. I do not drink anyplace but on a ship, at home or friends homes and have no idea what the current prices are at a decent neighborhood bar.

 

Compared to 20 years ago the prices, at least to me, do not seem to be that far out of hand.

What do drinks usually go for these days at a restaurant or bar?

 

bosco

[Paul65]

The R Bar on Rhapsody had an extra cocktail list, still not great but beware the Bittersweet Harmony (I think that's what it's called), it is bright orange as it has Aperol in it. It's lethal! Very, very nice though.

 

It seemed on Serenade that just about every bar had its own specialty cocktail menu - the R Bar, the Schooner Bar, the Crown & Castle Pub for sure each had a special menu. R Bar had an emphasis on fresh ingredients, Schooner tended to be twist on classic cocktails, Crown & Castle had an beer cocktails and some British theme drinks.

 

Of course, at any of those bars, you could order standard drinks, but they each had their own menu of specialties.

[LuckiStac13*Majesty*]

At least the tax goes away, once you're out to sea. :D The sad part is that the "Ultimate" probably means you paid extra for some kind of premium rum, which (in my opinion) is a waste in a drink like a pina colada or strawberry daiquiri.

 

No - it's just a marketing ploy to get you to think you're paying an arm and a leg for something special :)

[Paul65]

What do drinks usually go for these days at a restaurant or bar?

 

It can vary quite a bit, but $10 - 12 is not at all unusual. You may find casual bars and restaurants where drinks may go for more like the $7-8 range. Usually, in my experience, a cocktail won't be much less than that, unless it's some sort of "Happy Hour" special.

[Cindy]

However the barstaff will make cocktails that aren't on the list - we had brandy alexanders, and they will modify the cocktails - I had the Tanq 10 collins with citrus vodka instead of the gin.

 

It seemed on Serenade that just about every bar had its own specialty cocktail menu - the R Bar, the Schooner Bar, the Crown & Castle Pub for sure each had a special menu. R Bar had an emphasis on fresh ingredients, Schooner tended to be twist on classic cocktails, Crown & Castle had an beer cocktails and some British theme drinks.

 

Of course, at any of those bars, you could order standard drinks, but they each had their own menu of specialties.

 

I found the same thing on Serenade last month as Paul65. Each bar had a unique menu. A Brandy Alexander was one of the drinks I remember getting in the Schooner Bar.

Edited April 16, 2015 by Cindy

[Ocean Boy]

At least the tax goes away, once you're out to sea. :D The sad part is that the "Ultimate" probably means you paid extra for some kind of premium rum, which (in my opinion) is a waste in a drink like a pina colada or strawberry daiquiri.

 

Execpt on one of the cruises that we took on Adventure where one of the bars continued to charge the tax while out at sea. When I inquired about it at Guest relations I was told that they were supposed to charge tax. When I then pointed out that this was the only bar charging tax and inquired as to what government this tax was being turned over to the response that I got was a blank stare.

[Paul65]

Execpt on one of the cruises that we took on Adventure where one of the bars continued to charge the tax while out at sea. When I inquired about it at Guest relations I was told that they were supposed to charge tax. When I then pointed out that this was the only bar charging tax and inquired as to what government this tax was being turned over to the response that I got was a blank stare.

 

I've run across that kind of thing before (not necessarily on a cruise ship) - where a person you're asking doesn't really know the answer to your question, but they tell you something anyway. Then, if you call them on it, it's an awkward pause . . . . ;)

[boscobeans]

It can vary quite a bit, but $10 - 12 is not at all unusual. You may find casual bars and restaurants where drinks may go for more like the $7-8 range. Usually, in my experience, a cocktail won't be much less than that, unless it's some sort of "Happy Hour" special.

 

Paul65,

 

Thanks for the reply. I guess the shipboard prices are not that bad.

 

We set our prices based on a set of standard industry pricing formulas and if I remember correctly (20yrs) a bottle of wine sold for 3 X the retail price and a 2 ounce drink for a $25/ bottle of liquor went for from $8-$9.

 

bosco

[American Bear]

The last time I was involved with a bar on land was about 20 years ago when I owned one. I do not drink anyplace but on a ship, at home or friends homes and have no idea what the current prices are at a decent neighborhood bar.

 

Compared to 20 years ago the prices, at least to me, do not seem to be that far out of hand.

What do drinks usually go for these days at a restaurant or bar?

 

bosco

 

RCL's new drink prices are extremely high, compared to other cruise lines, or average neighborhood bars. To note RCL also upped gratuity 3% to 18% also.

Some cruisers from large cities who are used to paying much higher prices for everything may not see a difference, but others surely will.

 

Some drink a lot on a cruise, and will opt for the drink pkges., but if the recent increases in RCL's drink prices are indicative of anything, its the drink pkges. prices will also go up!:eek:

[dpostman]

The last time I was involved with a bar on land was about 20 years ago when I owned one. I do not drink anyplace but on a ship, at home or friends homes and have no idea what the current prices are at a decent neighborhood bar.

 

Compared to 20 years ago the prices, at least to me, do not seem to be that far out of hand.

What do drinks usually go for these days at a restaurant or bar?

 

bosco

 

Prices sort of fall in line with upper scale restaurants and cocktail bars where you may have 2 or 3 cocktails at most, but if you compare a cruise with a Vacation Destination where drinks are consumed all day, the prices are usually not that high in those locations.

 

dp

Edited April 16, 2015 by dpostman

[American Bear]

It can vary quite a bit, but $10 - 12 is not at all unusual. You may find casual bars and restaurants where drinks may go for more like the $7-8 range. Usually, in my experience, a cocktail won't be much less than that, unless it's some sort of "Happy Hour" special.

 

 

Its very unusual except in fancy restaurants/bars here on the Gulf Coast of Florida.

Most restaurants/bars charge $7-$8. as you said, but also have 'happy hours' where drinks/beers are half price.

And some of these 'happy hours' run all day, so you're really paying $3.50-$4. a drink!:D

 

On a B2B cruise we took on the MSC Divina out of Miami, we bought voucher books that were,,,

14 mixed drinks for $72.='$5.14 a drink gratuity included':eek:

15 beers for $52.='$3.47 a beer gratuity included':eek:

 

On Carnival you can order a bottle of liquor pre-cruise to your room,,,

example,,1 liter bottle of vodka, 22 shots for $75.='$3.41 a shot':eek:

 

RCL's liquor prices are ridiculous!

And watch, next the free drinks for D, D+, Pinnacle, and Casino Club members will be 'BYE-BYE'!:eek:

[Clarea]

Its very unusual except in fancy restaurants/bars here on the Gulf Coast of Florida.

Most restaurants/bars charge $7-$8. as you said, but also have 'happy hours' where drinks/beers are half price.

And some of these 'happy hours' run all day, so you're really paying $3.50-$4. a drink!:D

 

On a B2B cruise we took on the MSC Divina out of Miami, we bought voucher books that were,,,

14 mixed drinks for $72.='$5.14 a drink gratuity included':eek:

15 beers for $52.='$3.47 a beer gratuity included':eek:

 

On Carnival you can order a bottle of liquor pre-cruise to your room,,,

example,,1 liter bottle of vodka, 22 shots for $75.='$3.41 a shot':eek:

 

RCL's liquor prices are ridiculous!

And watch, next the free drinks for D, D+, Pinnacle, and Casino Club members will be 'BYE-BYE'!:eek:

That's a good deal, I'd be taking advantage of that.:)

[ATC cruiser]

And watch, next the free drinks for D, D+, Pinnacle, and Casino Club members will be 'BYE-BYE'!:eek:

 

 

I doubt that, the perks they give, like drink vouchers or buy a photo, get a photo for half price, cost RCI very little.

[frankdp]

OK, so that explains it quite nicely......

 

I could understand a moderate price increase, maybe 10%, but this is a bit insane. But we should all remember though, this is their (RCI) ball so they have every right to make the rules. I'm all about free market economics (I'm the owner of two retail stores) and if the market will bear this increase more power to them.

 

For many folks, I suppose this is not a huge deal. For others, my wife and I included, this is a very big deal. We drink 5 to 10 drinks each on sea days and maybe half of that on port days and I will be very uncomfortable with these prices.

 

We have a cruise booked on Oasis in a sky loft suite in October and I will be looking around at other possible choices. I know that NCL is offering free drink package, free ultimate dining, payed grats and one more free thing that I can't recall for booking in their Haven suites.

 

I love RCI and specifically Oasis class but there are limits to the financial abuse I'll take.