EeyoreFan1967 Posted November 29, 2017 #1 Share Posted November 29, 2017 I'm debating purchasing this beverage package (around $1500) for our family of 4 for our 7 night Alaska cruise in May. We enjoy our cocktails before/after dinner and maybe a few glasses of wine with dinner. My son and husband enjoy sodas and specialty coffees more than alcoholic drinks generally. We will be off the ship almost 3 full days enjoying the ports. I'm not sure if it's worth it to purchase the package...not sure if we will even break even financially, but OTOH, we won't have to think about what we order, which is a great concept when on vacation. What are your experiences and would you personally recommend the package, please vote, yay or nay. Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Krazy Kruizers Posted November 29, 2017 #2 Share Posted November 29, 2017 We had the Signature Beverage package twice via the Explore4 promotion. One time I kept track of the price of the drinks we had each day including a couple of bottles of water to take ashore. As we do not drink a lot and don't sodas, it is not worth our buying any of the packages. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alberta Quilter Posted November 29, 2017 #3 Share Posted November 29, 2017 I'm one of the no votes but I wanted to say that choosing to purchase the package really depends on one's beverage intake while on vacation. As long as one gets their money's worth, ie. covers the cost of the package per day, it can be a great deal. For us, it isn't. Just know that the wine offered under the SBP is not, IMO, very good. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare The-Inside-Cabin Posted November 29, 2017 #4 Share Posted November 29, 2017 I'm debating purchasing this beverage package (around $1500) for our family of 4 for our 7 night Alaska cruise in May. We enjoy our cocktails before/after dinner and maybe a few glasses of wine with dinner. My son and husband enjoy sodas and specialty coffees more than alcoholic drinks generally. We will be off the ship almost 3 full days enjoying the ports. I'm not sure if it's worth it to purchase the package...not sure if we will even break even financially, but OTOH, we won't have to think about what we order, which is a great concept when on vacation. What are your experiences and would you personally recommend the package, please vote, yay or nay. Thanks! Nay, You won't even come close to breaking even, let alone make money on this deal if you drink as described. Plus you will end up thinking about what you order MORE not less....you will end up mentally counting your drinks and your families drinks...."Are you sure you don't want another latte, we need to get our money's worth" , You may find yourself drinking more (and thinking about what you order more) than you would otherwise.....you will always be thinking in the back of your head - I need 3 more drinks today to get ahead.. Only get this if you have routinely spent more than $1500 on drinks on other cruises Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TAD2005 Posted November 30, 2017 #5 Share Posted November 30, 2017 The bottom line is will the package pay for itself ? I am referencing the Signature Beverage Package (SBP) not the elite package. The average cocktail price on HAL ships is $7.95, a little more for call brands, but rarely exceeding the $9 limit. If you pay out of pocket, a $7.95 drink will cost you $9.14 with the service charge. The SBP, purchased online, ahead of the cruise, costs $44.95 per day plus 15% service charge. That is $51.70 per day. If you divide $51.70 by $9.14, you get 5.6. So, after 5 or 6 drinks, you are drinking free. Only you can determine your personal beverage consumption. And don't use what you normally do at home. You are on vacation, the captain is doing the driving, so you can let go a bit. On long cruises with many sea days, we find the SBP to be a good value. On short cruises with a port every day, not so much. You decide. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VennDiagram Posted November 30, 2017 #6 Share Posted November 30, 2017 Only you can tell whether it is worth it to you or not. For us, no. For others, yes. You seriously need to do the math. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RocketMan275 Posted November 30, 2017 #7 Share Posted November 30, 2017 Buying a beverage package is like buying an extended warranty. You guarantee your costs won't exceed a certain amount but you also guarantee that you will lose money. The cruise lines don't price these things where they will lose money. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DeeniEncinitas Posted November 30, 2017 #8 Share Posted November 30, 2017 For us we have gotten the Explore 4. When we did our 24 day Med cruise I kept all receipts out of curiosity to see how much we would of spent. $1,600. It would of cost us sooo much more buying the package and as others have said,It wouldn’t even breaking the bank! We couldn’t drink enough to come close. All our waters, coffee and cocktails. So with our next cruise in February we’re doing 28 days South America got the Explore 4 again!! Good luck on decision making for yourself! Denise:) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richjoxyz Posted November 30, 2017 #9 Share Posted November 30, 2017 We don't drink enough to make it worth it monetarily. If we did have it we would tend to drink more than usual in an attempt to get our money's worth. That is probably not a good thing for us. So...for us it's a no. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare POA1 Posted November 30, 2017 #10 Share Posted November 30, 2017 Beverage HAL Price HAL SBP HAL EBP Mineral Water 1.5L $3.95 Yes Yes Mineral Water 0.5L $1.95 Yes Yes San Pelligrino 1.0L $4.50 Yes Yes Perrier 750ml $3.25 Yes Yes Juices - All $2.75 Yes Yes Soda - All $2.25 Yes Yes Red Bull $4.50 Yes Yes Red Bull Sugar Free $4.50 Yes Yes WINE HAL Price HAL SBP # HAL EBP # House Sparkling $6.50 1 1 Prosecco $6.75 1 1 Other Sparkling $9.50 0 1 Champagne $12.50 0 1 Pinot Grigio $6.50-$11.00 1 2 Chablis $13.50 0 1 Chardonnay $6.50-$9.75 2 4 Riesling $7.25-8.50 2 2 Moscato $8.50 1 1 Sauv Blanc $8.50-$9.75 1 2 Barbera $9.75 0 1 Claret $13.50 0 1 Malbec $8.50 1 1 Merlot $6.50-$12.25 1 2 Cabernet Sauv $6.50-$9.75 3 5 Shiraz/Syrah $7.25-$14.75 2 3 Pinot Noir $9.75 0 2 Zinfandel $6.50 1 1 White Zin $6.50 1 1 Dessert Wine $7.95 1 1 Number Wines Available 19 34 BEER 12 oz HAL Price HAL SBP HAL EBP Amstel Light $5.95 Yes Yes Beck's $5.95 Yes Yes Blue Moon $5.95 Yes Yes Corona $5.95 Yes Yes Guinness Stout $6.25 Yes Yes Heineken $5.95 Yes Yes Molson $5.95 Yes Yes Sam Adams Boston Lager $5.95 Yes Yes Stella Artois $5.95 Yes Yes BEER 16 oz HAL Price HAL SBP HAL EBP Boddington's $6.25 Yes Yes Bud $6.25 Yes Yes Bud Light $6.25 Yes Yes Bud Light Lime $6.25 Yes Yes Coors Light $6.25 Yes Yes Grolsch $7.25 Yes Yes Michelob Ultra $6.25 Yes Yes Miller Genuine Draft $6.25 Yes Yes Miller Lite $6.25 Yes Yes CIDER'S/OTHER HAL Price HAL SBP HAL EBP Crispin Cider $5.75 Yes Yes NA Beer $4.25 Yes Yes Rekordling Pear $6.50 Yes Yes Rekordling Strawberry/Lime $6.50 Yes Yes Smirnoff Ice $5.25 Yes Yes Strongbow Cider $5.75 Yes Yes VODKA HAL Price HAL SBP HAL EBP Absolut $7.25 Yes Yes Absolut Citron $7.25 Yes Yes Absolut Mandarin $7.25 Yes Yes Absolut Vanilla $7.25 Yes Yes Belvedere $9.95 Excluded Yes Chopin $9.95 Excluded Yes Finlandia $6.25 Yes Yes Grey Goose $7.95 Yes Yes Grey Goose Citron $7.95 Yes Yes Grey Goose 'Orange $7.95 Yes Yes Grey Goose La Poire $7.95 Yes Yes Ketel One $7.50 Yes Yes New Amsterdam $6.95 Yes Yes Skyy $6.75 Yes Yes Skyy Pineapple $6.75 Yes Yes Smirnoff $6.75 Yes Yes Stolichnaya $6.75 Yes Yes Tito's $6.75 Yes Yes Vox $6.95 Yes Yes RUM HAL Price HAL SBP HAL EBP Appleton $7.25 Yes Yes Bacardi $7.00 Yes Yes Bacardi 8 $7.00 Yes Yes Bacardi Gold $7.00 Yes Yes Bacardi Limon $7.00 Yes Yes Bacardi Oakheart $7.00 Yes Yes Bacardi Razz $7.00 Yes Yes Brugal $6.75 Yes Yes Captain Morgan $6.75 Yes Yes Cruzan $6.75 Yes Yes Gosling's Black Seal $7.25 Yes Yes Malibu $6.75 Yes Yes Myer's Dark $6.75 Yes Yes Pyrat XO $6.75 Yes Yes BOURBON HAL Price HAL SBP HAL EBP Buffalo Trace $6.75 Yes Yes Jack Daniels $7.50 Yes Yes Jack Daniels Honey $7.50 Yes Yes Jim Beam $6.75 Yes Yes Jim Beam Red Stag $6.75 Yes Yes Knob Creek $7.95 Yes Yes Maker's Mark $7.95 Yes Yes Tatoosh $7.95 Yes Yes Wild Turkey 101 $6.75 Yes Yes RYE/IRISH WHISKY HAL Price HAL SBP HAL EBP Canadian Club $6.75 Yes Yes Crown Royal $7.00 Yes Yes Jameson Irish $6.75 Yes Yes Seagram's 7 Crown $6.75 Yes Yes Seagram's VO $6.75 Yes Yes Tatoosh Rye $7.95 Yes Yes SCOTCH HAL Price HAL SBP HAL EBP Aberfeldy $7.75 Yes Yes Ballentine's $6.75 Yes Yes Chivas Regal $7.25 Yes Yes Cutty Sark $6.75 Yes Yes Dalmore $10.25 Excluded Yes Dewar's 12 Year Old $7.25 Yes Yes Dewar's White $7.00 Yes Yes Glen Deveron $8.50 Yes Yes Glenfiddich $10.25 Excluded Yes Glenlivet $8.95 Yes Yes Glenmorangie $9.95 Excluded Yes Highland Park $11.95 Excluded Yes J&B $6.75 Yes Yes Johnnie Walker - Black $7.75 Yes Yes Johnnie Walker - Red $7.00 Yes Yes Laphroaig $8.95 Yes Yes Macallan Select Oak $11.95 Excluded Yes GIN HAL Price HAL SBP HAL EBP Bols Dutch Jenever $6.75 Yes Yes Bombay $6.75 Yes Yes Bombay Sapphire $7.50 Yes Yes Hendricks $8.00 Yes Yes Tanqueray $7.50 Yes Yes Tanqueray 10 $7.50 Yes Yes TEQUILA HAL Price HAL SBP HAL EBP Cabo Wabo Blanco $9.95 Excluded Yes Cazadores Anejo $9.95 Excluded Yes El Jimador Silver $7.75 Yes Yes Herradura Reposado $9.95 Excluded Yes Herradura Silver $9.75 Excluded Yes Jose Cuervo 1800 $7.75 Yes Yes Jose Cuervo Gold $6.95 Yes Yes Patron Anejo $13.95 Excluded Yes Patron Reposado $11.95 Excluded Yes Patron Silver $9.95 Excluded Yes APERITIF HAL Price HAL SBP HAL EBP Aperol $6.50 Yes Yes Campari $6.50 Yes Yes Dubonnet $6.00 Yes Yes Pernod $6.25 Yes Yes Vermouth $6.00 Yes Yes COGNAC/ARMAGNAC HAL Price HAL SBP HAL EBP Armagnac $8.95 Yes Yes Courvoisier Napoleon $10.95 Excluded Yes Courvoisier VS $7.50 Yes Yes Courvoisier VSOP $8.50 Yes Yes Hennessey VS $7.95 Yes Yes Hennessey VSOP $9.95 Excluded Yes Hennessey XO $19.95 Excluded Excluded Remy Martin VSOP $10.95 Excluded Yes Remy Martin XO $18.95 Excluded Excluded DIGESTIF HAL Price HAL SBP HAL EBP Aquavit $5.95 Yes Yes Grappa di Alexander $6.75 Yes Yes Grappa di Cabernet $6.50 Yes Yes Grappa di Prosecco $6.25 Yes Yes Limoncello $6.50 Yes Yes Villa Massa Limoncello PGI $7.00 Yes Yes LIQUEUR HAL Price HAL SBP HAL EBP Amaretto Disaronno $6.75 Yes Yes Baileys Irish Cream $6.95 Yes Yes Chambord $6.25 Yes Yes Cointreau $6.75 Yes Yes Crème de Menthe $6.25 Yes Yes D.O.M. Benedictine $6.50 Yes Yes Drambuie $6.95 Yes Yes Frangelico $6.75 Yes Yes Galliano $6.25 Yes Yes Grand Marnier $6.95 Yes Yes Jagermeister $6.75 Yes Yes Kahlua $6.75 Yes Yes Patron Cafe XO $11.95 Excluded Yes Patron Citronage $6.25 Yes Yes Sambuca $6.95 Yes Yes Southern Comfort $6.95 Yes Yes Tia Maria $6.75 Yes Yes PORT/SHERRY HAL Price HAL SBP HAL EBP Dow's LBV $7.95 Yes Yes f-larvey Bristol Cream Sherry $6.00 Yes Yes Graham's Six Grapes $9.95 Excluded Yes Sandeman $6.50 Yes Yes Smith Woodhouse Reserve LBV $6.50 Yes Yes Tio Pepe Sherry $6.25 Yes Yes Warre's Otima $6.50 Yes Yes Warre's Warrior Tawny $9.95 Excluded Yes Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scamper Posted November 30, 2017 #11 Share Posted November 30, 2017 This listing was impressive. Great work. Should be made a sticky because you know, in about a week's time, someone is going to create a thread asking what wines, beers, and liquors are on the beverage package. Sent from my XT1254 using Forums mobile app Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare dogo88 Posted November 30, 2017 #12 Share Posted November 30, 2017 If you consume more than 4-5 drinks daily, this includes bottled water, speciality coffees, and alcoholic beverages you'll do better with the package. Plus there will not be any bills or receipts to check over at the end of the cruise. It's a lot less of a hassle. We always either get the Explorer 4 package which includes the SBP or purchase it. Dan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lcookie Posted December 1, 2017 #13 Share Posted December 1, 2017 From the sound of it seems like you would not get the benefit of the drink packages. I have run the numbers each time we cruise and always end up not getting a package. For me it is like trying to over indulge just to break even. My advice would be to take that money you would spend on the package and lace our onboard account before hand. If you use it all it well. If you don't you get the pocket the remainder or apply it to other onboard expenses. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stratixman Posted December 1, 2017 #14 Share Posted December 1, 2017 Value of a drink package is very relative. We have had drink packages (some bundled with promos) on both Celebrity and Holland, most recently being last year when on the Konigsdam. Though each line's beverage packages vary, in almost every case when comparing the value of the package to the cost of pay as you go, we have found that we maye broke even on the packages once or twice. A couple of thoughts to ponder: 1) would having a package that costs as much as you describe encourage a heavier alcohol consumption than other wise you/your family members would indulge in, perhaps to their detriment? And would that be ok? 2) would all those in your party consume sufficient beverages (of whatever type) so as to break even on the package price? and 3) how much additional for beverages would you contemplate spending when off the ship on port days, which adds to the total cost for beverages over the 7 day cruise (especially consider the amount of time spent ashore which reduces the amount of time to chug alcoholic drinks on board). My guess is that the cruise lines have done sufficient research to conclude that at the stated price of the drink package the majority of buyers will not break even. In our case a major consideration is that my wife imbibes far less than I do, so being forced to buy her package if I buy one is really less economic approach than just paying on the fly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ernieb Posted December 1, 2017 #15 Share Posted December 1, 2017 My DW and I mainly drink Champaign while on board. Champaign is not included on either of the wine packages. We may also want a cocktail made with the higher end liquors. We have therefor decided that the elite drink package will give us the best value for our money. Also we recently completed a cruise on the Silversea Muse and really enjoyed the fact that there was no need to sign for each drink. While neither of us will approach the maximum of 15 drinks allowed under the packages, we probably will easily have enough to more than break even on the package. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare POA1 Posted December 2, 2017 #16 Share Posted December 2, 2017 My DW and I mainly drink Champaign while on board. Champaign is not included on either of the wine packages. We may also want a cocktail made with the higher end liquors. We have therefor decided that the elite drink package will give us the best value for our money. Also we recently completed a cruise on the Silversea Muse and really enjoyed the fact that there was no need to sign for each drink. While neither of us will approach the maximum of 15 drinks allowed under the packages, we probably will easily have enough to more than break even on the package.Could it be because you are looking for something that doesn't exist? There is a Champagne on the Elite Beverage Package list. It's Nicholas Feuillatte Brut. (Blue label.) There is no champaign. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare The-Inside-Cabin Posted December 2, 2017 #17 Share Posted December 2, 2017 My DW and I mainly drink Champaign while on board. Champaign is not included on either of the wine packages. We may also want a cocktail made with the higher end liquors. We have therefor decided that the elite drink package will give us the best value for our money. Also we recently completed a cruise on the Silversea Muse and really enjoyed the fact that there was no need to sign for each drink. While neither of us will approach the maximum of 15 drinks allowed under the packages, we probably will easily have enough to more than break even on the package. Even with the elite package, I still think you have to present your card and sign. It's been a while since I had a package, but I don't think you can avoid the signing process whether or not you have the package. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hflors Posted December 2, 2017 #18 Share Posted December 2, 2017 I voted "NO" to a beverage package. Though dh and I do drink more than normal on a cruise we would never come close to 15 per day. Also I always order a bottle of our favorite liquor and bring ample mixers as we enjoy sitting in our cabin and having a drink together. Dh usually gets a latte in the morning we each have a drink before dinner some times we order a bottle of wine and maybe a drink after dinner. If we are on a warm weather cruise we may get a drink at the pool in the afternoon. That is about all. No way would we even come close to a 'break even point". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare *Miss G* Posted December 2, 2017 #19 Share Posted December 2, 2017 Even with the elite package, I still think you have to present your card and sign. It's been a while since I had a package, but I don't think you can avoid the signing process whether or not you have the package. I haven't had to sign for anything on my last two cruises. You just give them your card and your drink appears. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare The-Inside-Cabin Posted December 2, 2017 #20 Share Posted December 2, 2017 I haven't had to sign for anything on my last two cruises. You just give them your card and your drink appears. Do they bring you back a receipt? Even without the package, I don't think I signed, but they just handed me a receipt..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lizzie68 Posted December 2, 2017 #21 Share Posted December 2, 2017 Do they bring you back a receipt? Even without the package, I don't think I signed, but they just handed me a receipt..... Yes, they bring you a receipt, but its been years since we had to sign for a drink on HAL. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EeyoreFan1967 Posted December 2, 2017 Author #22 Share Posted December 2, 2017 Beverage HAL Price HAL SBP HAL EBPMineral Water 1.5L $3.95 Yes Yes Mineral Water 0.5L $1.95 Yes Yes San Pelligrino 1.0L $4.50 Yes Yes Perrier 750ml $3.25 Yes Yes Juices - All $2.75 Yes Yes Soda - All $2.25 Yes Yes Red Bull $4.50 Yes Yes Red Bull Sugar Free $4.50 Yes Yes WINE HAL Price HAL SBP # HAL EBP # House Sparkling $6.50 1 1 Prosecco $6.75 1 1 Other Sparkling $9.50 0 1 Champagne $12.50 0 1 Pinot Grigio $6.50-$11.00 1 2 Chablis $13.50 0 1 Chardonnay $6.50-$9.75 2 4 Riesling $7.25-8.50 2 2 Moscato $8.50 1 1 Sauv Blanc $8.50-$9.75 1 2 Barbera $9.75 0 1 Claret $13.50 0 1 Malbec $8.50 1 1 Merlot $6.50-$12.25 1 2 Cabernet Sauv $6.50-$9.75 3 5 Shiraz/Syrah $7.25-$14.75 2 3 Pinot Noir $9.75 0 2 Zinfandel $6.50 1 1 White Zin $6.50 1 1 Dessert Wine $7.95 1 1 Number Wines Available 19 34 BEER 12 oz HAL Price HAL SBP HAL EBP Amstel Light $5.95 Yes Yes Beck's $5.95 Yes Yes Blue Moon $5.95 Yes Yes Corona $5.95 Yes Yes Guinness Stout $6.25 Yes Yes Heineken $5.95 Yes Yes Molson $5.95 Yes Yes Sam Adams Boston Lager $5.95 Yes Yes Stella Artois $5.95 Yes Yes BEER 16 oz HAL Price HAL SBP HAL EBP Boddington's $6.25 Yes Yes Bud $6.25 Yes Yes Bud Light $6.25 Yes Yes Bud Light Lime $6.25 Yes Yes Coors Light $6.25 Yes Yes Grolsch $7.25 Yes Yes Michelob Ultra $6.25 Yes Yes Miller Genuine Draft $6.25 Yes Yes Miller Lite $6.25 Yes Yes CIDER'S/OTHER HAL Price HAL SBP HAL EBP Crispin Cider $5.75 Yes Yes NA Beer $4.25 Yes Yes Rekordling Pear $6.50 Yes Yes Rekordling Strawberry/Lime $6.50 Yes Yes Smirnoff Ice $5.25 Yes Yes Strongbow Cider $5.75 Yes Yes VODKA HAL Price HAL SBP HAL EBP Absolut $7.25 Yes Yes Absolut Citron $7.25 Yes Yes Absolut Mandarin $7.25 Yes Yes Absolut Vanilla $7.25 Yes Yes Belvedere $9.95 Excluded Yes Chopin $9.95 Excluded Yes Finlandia $6.25 Yes Yes Grey Goose $7.95 Yes Yes Grey Goose Citron $7.95 Yes Yes Grey Goose 'Orange $7.95 Yes Yes Grey Goose La Poire $7.95 Yes Yes Ketel One $7.50 Yes Yes New Amsterdam $6.95 Yes Yes Skyy $6.75 Yes Yes Skyy Pineapple $6.75 Yes Yes Smirnoff $6.75 Yes Yes Stolichnaya $6.75 Yes Yes Tito's $6.75 Yes Yes Vox $6.95 Yes Yes RUM HAL Price HAL SBP HAL EBP Appleton $7.25 Yes Yes Bacardi $7.00 Yes Yes Bacardi 8 $7.00 Yes Yes Bacardi Gold $7.00 Yes Yes Bacardi Limon $7.00 Yes Yes Bacardi Oakheart $7.00 Yes Yes Bacardi Razz $7.00 Yes Yes Brugal $6.75 Yes Yes Captain Morgan $6.75 Yes Yes Cruzan $6.75 Yes Yes Gosling's Black Seal $7.25 Yes Yes Malibu $6.75 Yes Yes Myer's Dark $6.75 Yes Yes Pyrat XO $6.75 Yes Yes BOURBON HAL Price HAL SBP HAL EBP Buffalo Trace $6.75 Yes Yes Jack Daniels $7.50 Yes Yes Jack Daniels Honey $7.50 Yes Yes Jim Beam $6.75 Yes Yes Jim Beam Red Stag $6.75 Yes Yes Knob Creek $7.95 Yes Yes Maker's Mark $7.95 Yes Yes Tatoosh $7.95 Yes Yes Wild Turkey 101 $6.75 Yes Yes RYE/IRISH WHISKY HAL Price HAL SBP HAL EBP Canadian Club $6.75 Yes Yes Crown Royal $7.00 Yes Yes Jameson Irish $6.75 Yes Yes Seagram's 7 Crown $6.75 Yes Yes Seagram's VO $6.75 Yes Yes Tatoosh Rye $7.95 Yes Yes SCOTCH HAL Price HAL SBP HAL EBP Aberfeldy $7.75 Yes Yes Ballentine's $6.75 Yes Yes Chivas Regal $7.25 Yes Yes Cutty Sark $6.75 Yes Yes Dalmore $10.25 Excluded Yes Dewar's 12 Year Old $7.25 Yes Yes Dewar's White $7.00 Yes Yes Glen Deveron $8.50 Yes Yes Glenfiddich $10.25 Excluded Yes Glenlivet $8.95 Yes Yes Glenmorangie $9.95 Excluded Yes Highland Park $11.95 Excluded Yes J&B $6.75 Yes Yes Johnnie Walker - Black $7.75 Yes Yes Johnnie Walker - Red $7.00 Yes Yes Laphroaig $8.95 Yes Yes Macallan Select Oak $11.95 Excluded Yes GIN HAL Price HAL SBP HAL EBP Bols Dutch Jenever $6.75 Yes Yes Bombay $6.75 Yes Yes Bombay Sapphire $7.50 Yes Yes Hendricks $8.00 Yes Yes Tanqueray $7.50 Yes Yes Tanqueray 10 $7.50 Yes Yes TEQUILA HAL Price HAL SBP HAL EBP Cabo Wabo Blanco $9.95 Excluded Yes Cazadores Anejo $9.95 Excluded Yes El Jimador Silver $7.75 Yes Yes Herradura Reposado $9.95 Excluded Yes Herradura Silver $9.75 Excluded Yes Jose Cuervo 1800 $7.75 Yes Yes Jose Cuervo Gold $6.95 Yes Yes Patron Anejo $13.95 Excluded Yes Patron Reposado $11.95 Excluded Yes Patron Silver $9.95 Excluded Yes APERITIF HAL Price HAL SBP HAL EBP Aperol $6.50 Yes Yes Campari $6.50 Yes Yes Dubonnet $6.00 Yes Yes Pernod $6.25 Yes Yes Vermouth $6.00 Yes Yes COGNAC/ARMAGNAC HAL Price HAL SBP HAL EBP Armagnac $8.95 Yes Yes Courvoisier Napoleon $10.95 Excluded Yes Courvoisier VS $7.50 Yes Yes Courvoisier VSOP $8.50 Yes Yes Hennessey VS $7.95 Yes Yes Hennessey VSOP $9.95 Excluded Yes Hennessey XO $19.95 Excluded Excluded Remy Martin VSOP $10.95 Excluded Yes Remy Martin XO $18.95 Excluded Excluded DIGESTIF HAL Price HAL SBP HAL EBP Aquavit $5.95 Yes Yes Grappa di Alexander $6.75 Yes Yes Grappa di Cabernet $6.50 Yes Yes Grappa di Prosecco $6.25 Yes Yes Limoncello $6.50 Yes Yes Villa Massa Limoncello PGI $7.00 Yes Yes LIQUEUR HAL Price HAL SBP HAL EBP Amaretto Disaronno $6.75 Yes Yes Baileys Irish Cream $6.95 Yes Yes Chambord $6.25 Yes Yes Cointreau $6.75 Yes Yes Crème de Menthe $6.25 Yes Yes D.O.M. Benedictine $6.50 Yes Yes Drambuie $6.95 Yes Yes Frangelico $6.75 Yes Yes Galliano $6.25 Yes Yes Grand Marnier $6.95 Yes Yes Jagermeister $6.75 Yes Yes Kahlua $6.75 Yes Yes Patron Cafe XO $11.95 Excluded Yes Patron Citronage $6.25 Yes Yes Sambuca $6.95 Yes Yes Southern Comfort $6.95 Yes Yes Tia Maria $6.75 Yes Yes PORT/SHERRY HAL Price HAL SBP HAL EBP Dow's LBV $7.95 Yes Yes f-larvey Bristol Cream Sherry $6.00 Yes Yes Graham's Six Grapes $9.95 Excluded Yes Sandeman $6.50 Yes Yes Smith Woodhouse Reserve LBV $6.50 Yes Yes Tio Pepe Sherry $6.25 Yes Yes Warre's Otima $6.50 Yes Yes Warre's Warrior Tawny $9.95 Excluded Yes Thanks for this, it helps a lot! Saved for future reference. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EeyoreFan1967 Posted December 2, 2017 Author #23 Share Posted December 2, 2017 Nay, You won't even come close to breaking even, let alone make money on this deal if you drink as described. Plus you will end up thinking about what you order MORE not less....you will end up mentally counting your drinks and your families drinks...."Are you sure you don't want another latte, we need to get our money's worth" , You may find yourself drinking more (and thinking about what you order more) than you would otherwise.....you will always be thinking in the back of your head - I need 3 more drinks today to get ahead.. Only get this if you have routinely spent more than $1500 on drinks on other cruises I think whether we get the package or not, it will be hard not to think about the cost. That is the dilemma. If we do get it we will be thinking of getting our money's worth, while if we don't get it, we might be overly conscious of what we are spending and choose not to order something we might really want. Well, not me so much, I will get what I want ;p...but the hub and the kids might be more focused on cost...? At least, I am concerned they will be. I wish we could answer the question about our routine beverage spending on other cruises. This is our first one as a family and my son's first cruise as a drinking-age adult. We are so excited to be finally doing this trip together!! :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EeyoreFan1967 Posted December 2, 2017 Author #24 Share Posted December 2, 2017 The bottom line is will the package pay for itself ? I am referencing the Signature Beverage Package (SBP) not the elite package.The average cocktail price on HAL ships is $7.95, a little more for call brands, but rarely exceeding the $9 limit. If you pay out of pocket, a $7.95 drink will cost you $9.14 with the service charge. The SBP, purchased online, ahead of the cruise, costs $44.95 per day plus 15% service charge. That is $51.70 per day. If you divide $51.70 by $9.14, you get 5.6. So, after 5 or 6 drinks, you are drinking free. Only you can determine your personal beverage consumption. And don't use what you normally do at home. You are on vacation, the captain is doing the driving, so you can let go a bit. On long cruises with many sea days, we find the SBP to be a good value. On short cruises with a port every day, not so much. You decide. Yeah I've done this math already and it STILL so hard to decide. If I look at the costs of the drinks including juices, bottled water, up-charged coffee drinks (lattes and cappuccinos) and cocktails...it really adds up. But how can I decide for sure in advance if we're all going to be in the mood to go to BB King's each night for an hour or two after dinner or if we want those pre-dinner cocktail in the Crow's Nest? We might fall a few bucks short of breaking even, we might break even...but we won't have to worry or stop ourselves from having that latte because we don't want to pay for it...you know? Though overwhelming CC'ers recommend NO package. When my kids are here over Christmas maybe we will sit down with the price list and go day by day and decide what we would IDEALLY order and figure out if it makes sense. I should also calculate carrying on some water and soda and 4 bottles of wine and comparing those numbers as well, since that is an option. Thanks for your input! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EeyoreFan1967 Posted December 2, 2017 Author #25 Share Posted December 2, 2017 Value of a drink package is very relative. We have had drink packages (some bundled with promos) on both Celebrity and Holland, most recently being last year when on the Konigsdam. Though each line's beverage packages vary, in almost every case when comparing the value of the package to the cost of pay as you go, we have found that we maye broke even on the packages once or twice. A couple of thoughts to ponder: 1) would having a package that costs as much as you describe encourage a heavier alcohol consumption than other wise you/your family members would indulge in, perhaps to their detriment? And would that be ok? 2) would all those in your party consume sufficient beverages (of whatever type) so as to break even on the package price? and 3) how much additional for beverages would you contemplate spending when off the ship on port days, which adds to the total cost for beverages over the 7 day cruise (especially consider the amount of time spent ashore which reduces the amount of time to chug alcoholic drinks on board). My guess is that the cruise lines have done sufficient research to conclude that at the stated price of the drink package the majority of buyers will not break even. In our case a major consideration is that my wife imbibes far less than I do, so being forced to buy her package if I buy one is really less economic approach than just paying on the fly. I don't imagine we will drink much in ports, maybe just a quick stop in a local restaurant at each of the three ports for a small taste of local fare IF we even have time. We have big long excursions planned. Which also means that on our port days, our on-ship drinking time will be very limited. Good point about your wife's habits versus yours. We have two cabins, one for my son and daughter, one for my hubby and me. If I chose cabin mates based on drinking habits, I would have split us by gender. Still an option to do that on paper, maybe. Hmmm... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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