Royal testing to bring back same drink package for all

[LisaAtlCruiser]

I don't blame Royal at all for doing this! To many people were sharing a package and then posting online all proud of themselves....and telling others how to get away with it.

 

All in all, good move Royal! Sad that a few bad eggs had to ruin it for the rest of us though!

[The Grumpus]

No, they will allow you to buy just the one drink package, or at least that is what they allowed in the past when everyone in the cabin had to buy the drink package.

 

 

Cool. Now I just have to get my wife pregnant! [emoji12]

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

[reallyitsmema]

Cool. Now I just have to get my wife pregnant! [emoji12]

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

 

I am sure Ellis would love a sibling!:D

[Sailor_Sally]

Is royal consciously trying to send people to other lines ? Because it sure seems that way with all the changes .

[The Grumpus]

I am sure Ellis would love a sibling!:D

 

 

She has been requesting one lately. [emoji16]

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

[LisaAtlCruiser]

Is royal consciously trying to send people to other lines ? Because it sure seems that way with all the changes .

 

Other lines already have this policy.

[The Grumpus]

Wish they would bring back the Select Package.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

[Hey Tina]

From an official source:

 

On July 7th, Royal Caribbean will be running a pilot program to test a change to the purchase of the Deluxe Beverage Package and Sip + Stream combo.

This pilot program will be for eight Harmony of the Seas sailings starting September 30, 2017 through November 18, 2017. Please see the specific dates below:

 

9/30/2017

10/7/2017

10/14/2017

10/21/2017

11/4/2017

11/11/2017

11/18/2017

 

Royal Caribbean’s Deluxe Beverage Package gives a guest nearly unlimited refreshment options at one set price; cocktails, beer, wine by the glass, soda, juice, and more. Since introducing the package, we have noted an increase in the amount of beverages that are being shared between those who have purchased the package and those who have not. Since the package price is intended to cover consumption by a single guest, we are revising our purchase policy and bringing it in line with industry standards.

 

As of July 7th, any guest cruising on select Harmony of the Seas sailings who wishes to purchase the Deluxe Beverage Package or Sip + Stream combo must do so along with all other guests 21 years of age or older who are booked in the same stateroom.

 

and they said you couldn't be trusted....:'):'):')

[Mande30]

Will everyone have to purchase the same package? My husband gets deluxe. And I usually get refresh or whatever they call the non-alcoholic one, the middle one. Do you think this will suffice?

[bouhunter]

 

Thanks for the laugh:p

[Husky1987]

Other lines already have this policy.

 

Cruise Critic boards are full of "the grass is always greener" posts.

 

It's funny that any cruise line gets CC folks on board the way people complain around here.

[wolfganghowell]

Your logic and common sense have no place here.

 

You're not the first person to tell me that here.

 

Heck, I got C's in math but it's not that hard. If the 2 people don't drink $600 (or whatever the current rate is) of booze/water/juice etc for a week, then don't get the drink package.

 

We got the package the last 2 out of 3 cruises. Last time we didn't - between the CL, Diamond drinks and Club Royale free drinks, it made more sense. Our upcoming cruise we are going with friends and are doing the package since they are - makes it easier if we start doing shots :eek: and we know we'll spend less time in the casino. My point is, think of your needs and choose accordingly. This "pilot program" isn't the end of the world. As others have said, the cheats screwed it up for those of us who play by the rules.

[bouhunter]

This is a terrible rule to implement after a booking has been paid in full. Example - the 9/30 sailing final payment (penalty period) was this past Sunday. 23 friends are discussing arrangements, shows etc. and haven't completed the cruise personalizer - to include the purchasing of spa/alcohol packages, etc. In one cabin, the wife doesn't drink - noting that this family has 3 cabins (two with children) and could have put themselves separately with a child in order to allow the husband to buy his own drink package and not force the wife into buying one. You think now they will change names on the cabins in order to allow the husband to buy a package? Should have been notified in advance and/or implemented before final payment date. Have another wife just recently had gastric surgery - she won't need an alcohol package, and now the husband will need to buy two packages or not buy it at all. This family also had 2 cabins and could have arranged names differently so they could have been accommodated.

 

Nothing stopping one person from buying individual drinks. It can't really cost much more unless they plan on pounding down a lot of booze EVERY day. It's not that "terrible".

[time4u2go]

What if one of the adults is pregnant? Does RCCL still make them buy the booze package?

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

Only if the adult is male. ;)

[MrYellowDuck]

All in all, good move Royal! Sad that a few bad eggs had to ruin it for the rest of us though!

 

It's not ruined for our family. While we have occasionally shared a package (deluxe of the non-alcoholic variety - I forget the tier names) with others having a soda package it has never made sense financially even to have a soda package each in terms of cost versus just buying the drinks. Since we're not crack-pot crazy we'll now save money by not ever buying one upgraded package.

 

This policy is about being able to charge those with an alcohol addiction more. Where a package makes sense for one of two in a cabin it will almost always be true that this remans true when two are bought. Heavy drinkers will grumble but they will pay because that's the nature of their addiction.

 

RCL has the data to determine whether they will collect more money overall or not. In determining elasticity the argument will be that the alcoholics have no choice but to carry on and those that aren't by-and-large have either the soda-package or nothing.

[smilesonfaces]

Just checked my planner and yes this is true. All people aged over 21 have to buy the same package. Really quite angry about this. Husband doesn't drink so now I am expected to pay double for mine. Shouldn't change the rules after a booking has been made. Furious ! And it has stayed the same price too. And no we weren't planning on sharing it. I was waiting until next month until I had the money to pay for the package. Looks like it is a dry cruise for me !

[Cruzin-K]

Just checked my planner and yes this is true. All people aged over 21 have to buy the same package. Really quite angry about this. Husband doesn't drink so now I am expected to pay double for mine. Shouldn't change the rules after a booking has been made. Furious ! And it has stayed the same price too. And no we weren't planning on sharing it. I was waiting until next month until I had the money to pay for the package. Looks like it is a dry cruise for me !

 

So because you don't want to pay for the package, you're just not going to drink at all? Seems like you're punishing yourself more than the cruise line, who will not go broke because you don't buy a few drinks every day. You don't have to have a package to drink you know. They have this neat system where you order a drink, and then pay when they bring it to you. Unless you're the type to slam down 8 or more drinks (or whatever the break even point is) every single day, you're not going to pay much more buying drinks as you go instead of having a package.

[smilesonfaces]

So because you don't want to pay for the package, you're just not going to drink at all? Seems like you're punishing yourself more than the cruise line, who will not go broke because you don't buy a few drinks every day. You don't have to have a package to drink you know. They have this neat system where you order a drink, and then pay when they bring it to you. Unless you're the type to slam down 8 or more drinks (or whatever the break even point is) every single day, you're not going to pay much more buying drinks as you go instead of having a package.

At $12 for a glass of wine and $10 for a cocktail you don't need to be a hardened drinker for the package to save you money. I am annoyed more because it affects existing bookings if the rules are to be changed then it should be for new bookings only.vThese are the things that influence your choice when you are choosing your cruise. I don't like a company assuming I am dishonest and sharing a package. I have already purchased a refreshment package I will stick to that. It will probably do me good !

[wolfganghowell]

This policy is about being able to charge those with an alcohol addiction more.

 

Wow. Just...wow. So anyone that buys the drink package is an alcoholic? :eek: Or am I misinterpreting this?

 

Heavy drinkers will grumble but they will pay because that's the nature of their addiction.

The people grumbling are the lighter drinkers. The "heavy drinkers" are already getting their money's worth.

 

Thanks for telling us that you have shared a package. It all makes sense now. :rolleyes:

[Hey Tina]

Wow. Just...wow. So anyone that buys the drink package is an alcoholic? :eek: Or am I misinterpreting this?

 

The people grumbling are the lighter drinkers. The "heavy drinkers" are already getting their money's worth.

 

Thanks for telling us that you have shared a package. It all makes sense now. :rolleyes:

 

I'm pretty sure the person who said they'd shared was MrYellowDuck.

[Husky1987]

Just checked my planner and yes this is true. All people aged over 21 have to buy the same package. Really quite angry about this. Husband doesn't drink so now I am expected to pay double for mine. Shouldn't change the rules after a booking has been made. Furious ! And it has stayed the same price too. And no we weren't planning on sharing it. I was waiting until next month until I had the money to pay for the package. Looks like it is a dry cruise for me !

 

Dry cruise? Here's a tip: The $64.90 a day you've obviously already budgeted for your drink package will still buy you plenty of drinks.

[wolfganghowell]

Yes it was - he also apparently inferred that anyone that buys the package is an alcoholic. Second poster today who's made that kind of statement. Must be the full moon. ;)

[nelblu]

At $12 for a glass of wine and $10 for a cocktail you don't need to be a hardened drinker for the package to save you money. I am annoyed more because it affects existing bookings if the rules are to be changed then it should be for new bookings only.vThese are the things that influence your choice when you are choosing your cruise. I don't like a company assuming I am dishonest and sharing a package. I have already purchased a refreshment package I will stick to that. It will probably do me good !

 

See the thread on "room service" change.

[smilesonfaces]

Dry cruise? Here's a tip: The $64.90 a day you've obviously already budgeted for your drink package will still buy you plenty of drinks.

I am in the UK the deluxe drinks package is £35 ($43) The refreshment package I bought and planned to cancel was £15 ($19) the difference is $24 i.e less than the price of 2 glasses of wine. I am not a big drinker a few cocktails and a few glasses of wine in the evening and I already have to subsidise those who over indulge.

[Maxit]

Will wait to see how the trial goes. My thoughts is they will probably implement it. It exists on most other lines. Just reverting back to when it first came out .

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums