jeanine Posted September 4, 2017 #1 Share Posted September 4, 2017 Trying to decide between Beverage Package or Excursions. Which one should we take? We enjoy wine at dinner and lunch too! Does it include sparkling wine? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mura Posted September 4, 2017 #2 Share Posted September 4, 2017 There are many threads on this subject. If you just want to drink wine with your meals, you don't need to upgrade to the prestige package. Just note that you will choose from a number of glasses of wine (you can get refills) -- it's a more limited list. If you want wine by the bottle (which they hold for you for future consumption) I would skip the package. If you like to go to the bar for a cocktail, or just to order any kind of drink outside of meal times, then the upgrade would probably be preferable. Note: we've never taken the package because DH doesn't drink more than maybe a half glass of wine with dinner, and we don't go to the bars. Big reason is that I prefer to order wine off the wine list rather than be limited to the glasses they provide. However, from what I have read here on CC, most people seem satisfied with the selections. We ourselves have taken the excursions although on our upcoming cruise on Marina in November we aren't taking either because we are meeting friends and relatives in several ports, and as I've indicated we don't find the drink package to be of value to US. Mura Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Caroldoll Posted September 5, 2017 #3 Share Posted September 5, 2017 We don't take either as we like to go to the bar before dinner. We pay for the Prestige package so we don't have to think about it, and I know someone will come on and tell you with alcohol, Oceania has a horribly small pour. On the tours we like some of the longer ones that you have to pay for, so we just do not take anything. It all comes out in the wash. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tv24 Posted September 5, 2017 #4 Share Posted September 5, 2017 There are many threads on this subject. If you just want to drink wine with your meals, you don't need to upgrade to the prestige package. Just note that you will choose from a number of glasses of wine (you can get refills) -- it's a more limited list. If you want wine by the bottle (which they hold for you for future consumption) I would skip the package. If you like to go to the bar for a cocktail, or just to order any kind of drink outside of meal times, then the upgrade would probably be preferable. Note: we've never taken the package because DH doesn't drink more than maybe a half glass of wine with dinner, and we don't go to the bars. Big reason is that I prefer to order wine off the wine list rather than be limited to the glasses they provide. However, from what I have read here on CC, most people seem satisfied with the selections. We ourselves have taken the excursions although on our upcoming cruise on Marina in November we aren't taking either because we are meeting friends and relatives in several ports, and as I've indicated we don't find the drink package to be of value to US. Mura Good summary. Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
janecambridge Posted September 5, 2017 #5 Share Posted September 5, 2017 Trying to decide between Beverage Package or Excursions. Which one should we take? We enjoy wine at dinner and lunch too! Does it include sparkling wine? The package you refer to includes champagne by the glass too at lunch and dinner... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hambagahle Posted September 9, 2017 #6 Share Posted September 9, 2017 We have chosen the House Beverage Package as our OLife "perk" and will upgrade to the Prestige Package the day after we board. Why the day after? Because you are charged for the upgrade per day of the cruise and I see no point in paying the additional amount when I shall not be on board at lunch time on the first day to take advantage of it! (Also we get a good selection of alchohols and wines in our suite) Like Carolldoll I get us the full package because I do not like having to sign for drinks and figure out tips and in general bother with lots of little charges to check on my bill. Lazy me - I know! I had a chat with the Head Bartender on Riviera on our last cruise about drink sizes. This came up because we ordered martinis and they were served in little carafes - so essentially we had two for one. He said that during "happy hours" they do cut the drinks size but since we had the full package we were not availing ourselves of the happy hour drink and so the "normal" size was poured. Interesting... Santé everyone! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jembut Posted September 14, 2017 #7 Share Posted September 14, 2017 Hi Hambagahle, It's good to know that you can upgrade the house beverage package to the prestige package. What do they charge to do this as I'm wondering how many drinks you need to have away from meals to make this worthwhile? Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LaCroisiereS'amuse Posted September 14, 2017 #8 Share Posted September 14, 2017 Hi Hambagahle, It's good to know that you can upgrade the house beverage package to the prestige package. What do they charge to do this as I'm wondering how many drinks you need to have away from meals to make this worthwhile? Thanks. It's an extra $20 per day :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
petcoke Posted September 14, 2017 #9 Share Posted September 14, 2017 Hi Hambagahle, It's good to know that you can upgrade the house beverage package to the prestige package. What do they charge to do this as I'm wondering how many drinks you need to have away from meals to make this worthwhile? Thanks. $20 per day about 2 drinks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hambagahle Posted September 15, 2017 #10 Share Posted September 15, 2017 $20 per day times TWO in our case. But we could easily have more than two drinks outside our suite - margarita or bloody mary before lunch, martini before dinner and a calvados afterwards. Plus it gives that great feeling of not having to count the cost. Cost is nailed down once you get the upgrade! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare LHT28 Posted September 15, 2017 #11 Share Posted September 15, 2017 Hi Hambagahle, It's good to know that you can upgrade the house beverage package to the prestige package. What do they charge to do this as I'm wondering how many drinks you need to have away from meals to make this worthwhile? Thanks. remember the house select package is only Champagne/ wine by the glass & beer with meals So if you like a couple of cocktails or spirits during the day the $20 pp pd is a good deal Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeanine Posted September 15, 2017 Author #12 Share Posted September 15, 2017 Do you think the olife drink pkg is a better deal compared to the 4 olife tours? Our cruise is a 8 day port intensive med cruise. Rome to Venice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeanine Posted September 15, 2017 Author #13 Share Posted September 15, 2017 I meant Olife, Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buggins0402 Posted September 15, 2017 #14 Share Posted September 15, 2017 Do you think the olife drink pkg is a better deal compared to the 4 olife tours? Our cruise is a 8 day port intensive med cruise. Rome to Venice. It depends. Are you comfortable doing some ports DIY or on excursions set up by someone on your roll call? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeanine Posted September 15, 2017 Author #15 Share Posted September 15, 2017 Only 2 ports we would consider tours. In Aristoli Greek island and Catania in Sicily. Other ports we will do ourselves Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare LHT28 Posted September 15, 2017 #16 Share Posted September 15, 2017 Do you think the olife drink pkg is a better deal compared to the 4 olife tours? Our cruise is a 8 day port intensive med cruise. Rome to Venice. If port intensive you may be off the ship during lunch so no advantage there if you drink several glasses of wine with dinner it may work for you We rarely do ship's tours so we take the OBC as we may only have 1-2 drinks a day you have to do what works best for YOU JMO Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigmjh Posted September 28, 2017 #17 Share Posted September 28, 2017 Can one person upgrade to the prestige package and other stay with the house package? DW likes her wine anytime of day ... or night ... while I only have a couple glasses with dinner and maybe one with lunch. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YoHoHo Posted September 28, 2017 #18 Share Posted September 28, 2017 Can one person upgrade to the prestige package and other stay with the house package? DW likes her wine anytime of day ... or night ... while I only have a couple glasses with dinner and maybe one with lunch. Yes, you will be able to do that. Purchase the upgrade at Reception. But if you will only have two or three glasses of wine a day, maybe two on port days, then a package might not be as cost effective as pay as you go. That said, there is convenience in have the package and perhaps your basic package is your preferred O-Life choice so a non-issue anyway. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snook657 Posted October 17, 2017 #19 Share Posted October 17, 2017 Just wondering - with a drinks package do you still pay the extra 18% gratuity/fee per drink? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andee Posted October 17, 2017 #20 Share Posted October 17, 2017 We now drink very little due to DH's unstable heart and my struggles to stay at a healthy weight. I selected the excursions for this cruise (even though we generally tour on our own or arrange private tours) and "bought" $1216 in excursions; the OBC would have been $800. Sent from my SM-G930V using Forums mobile app Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChucktownSteve Posted October 17, 2017 #21 Share Posted October 17, 2017 Yes one person in the cabin can upgrade the liquor package while the other person doesn't. We did that on our last O cruise. Another thing I noticed when I upgraded was the way the bar tenders treated me with the top package. They used a shot glass to measure the liquor for those paying by the drink however they free poured for my top shelf drinks having the upgraded package. They didn't have the free excursions under OLife when I cruised, however I thought I read on the boards that the included tours are limited to the minimal ones. The better ones you still have to pay for. Maybe someone more experienced can either confirm or correct me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andee Posted October 17, 2017 #22 Share Posted October 17, 2017 Only a few shore excursions were not included. Some I booked would have cost $179 pp. Sent from my SM-G930V using Forums mobile app Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare LHT28 Posted October 17, 2017 #23 Share Posted October 17, 2017 Just wondering - with a drinks package do you still pay the extra 18% gratuity/fee per drink? NO it is included in the daily package rate Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare LHT28 Posted October 17, 2017 #24 Share Posted October 17, 2017 They didn't have the free excursions under OLife when I cruised, however I thought I read on the boards that the included tours are limited to the minimal ones. The better ones you still have to pay for. Maybe someone more experienced can either confirm or correct me. When did you cruise last? The free excursions have been in effect for a couple of years now ...(someone will correct me if wrong) Most of the free ones were up to $199 so if you chose the higher priced ones you can come out ahead of the OBC Some free ones are shorter in length but did see a few that were 5hrs or more Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChucktownSteve Posted October 17, 2017 #25 Share Posted October 17, 2017 When did you cruise last?The free excursions have been in effect for a couple of years now ...(someone will correct me if wrong) Most of the free ones were up to $199 so if you chose the higher priced ones you can come out ahead of the OBC Some free ones are shorter in length but did see a few that were 5hrs or more Three years ago. It was a 2014 Med cruise on the Marina. Have there been many O changes (other than OLife since then?) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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