Drinks Package Yes or No--it depends

[atonal1]

I just got back from the June 28th 9-night sailing on Anthem of the Seas. I did not buy a beverage package for this cruise. On my previous cruises, (Serenade 10 night and Freedom 6 night) the cost of the beverage package was around $400. $400 is the maximum that I will spend for drinks. On the Serenade I sailed solo, (and earned Diamond status) and on Freedom it was before both people 21+ in the room had to buy the package. SinceI had the beverage package on Freedom, I never went to the Diamond lounge, nor did I try to get the 3 free drinks loaded on my seapass.

 

Prior to Anthem’s departure, the lowest price for thebeverage package was $42 per night. On the ship it was $60 per night. OnAnthem, I went to the Diamond lounge 8 out of 9 nights for happy hour. Duringhappy hour, there was no limit to the number of drinks, and you did not need touse your seapass. If you finished dinner before 8pm, you could still get your 3basic rail drinks at any bar.

 

My bill for drinks at the end of the week was $293. That included one bottle of wine, and $93($79 + 18%) for the 10 drink card sold on day 8. My girlfriend also bought abottle of wine and a few drinks to the tune of about $100, so both of us spentabout $400. That’s less that the cost of a beverage package for one.

 

So is a beverage package worth it? I would say it depends on your C & A status, the cost per day, and if you drink a lot. When I had the beverage package, I would drink 5-6 drinks per day to make sure I got my money’s worth. Utilizing the Diamond lounge, I was still able to drink 5-6 drinks per day, at a much lower cost. I will say that if the package went down to $40 per night, I would have purchased it.

Edited July 10, 2018 by atonal1
spelling

[sgmn]

Thanks for your post. We also will be diamond on Anthem for the first time in September. We usually 'pay as we go' anyway. Happy with the free drinks during the day and just a couple of drinks in the evening. So the happy hour drinks will be a bonus for us this time. Though I was tempted when it went down to $39 a day plus tax in our planner.

Interesting that the drink card wasn't for sale until day 8 of the nine day cruise.

 

I think a lot depends on the itinerary - with our cool weather port intensive cruise such as the Canada and New England cruise we shall be off the ship a lot anyway during the day.

[DISFANS3]

Drink package was great for last cruise, next cruise more ports less sea day, going to pass on drink package..

[caszos]

I think that break even point may sound great for someone who has diamond benefits but without that, the breakeven point is a lot different.

[Ourusualbeach]

Thanks for your post. We also will be diamond on Anthem for the first time in September. We usually 'pay as we go' anyway. Happy with the free drinks during the day and just a couple of drinks in the evening. So the happy hour drinks will be a bonus for us this time. Though I was tempted when it went down to $39 a day plus tax in our planner.

Interesting that the drink card wasn't for sale until day 8 of the nine day cruise.

 

I think a lot depends on the itinerary - with our cool weather port intensive cruise such as the Canada and New England cruise we shall be off the ship a lot anyway during the day.

 

The 3 free drinks are valid only during happy hour. There are no free drinks during the day,

[Grandma Dazzles]

You are pretty much discussing alcoholic drinks.

 

Many people get the package because it includes bottled water, specialty coffee, soda, fresh squeezed OJ, etc. that's what makes the package worth it to many passengers.

 

It's not always all about the alcohol.

[sparks1093]

Since this will be our first cruise with Royal we are almost as far away from Diamond as you can get (the only way to be further away is to never have sailed with Royal). We will be trying the drink package for the first time ever on this cruise also. I suspect that we will find it worth it.:)

[George C]

Even though we have access to diamond and suite lounge we get drink package , really do not care for wine in lounge and limited hours.

[ramja96]

You are pretty much discussing alcoholic drinks.

 

Many people get the package because it includes bottled water, specialty coffee, soda, fresh squeezed OJ, etc. that's what makes the package worth it to many passengers.

 

It's not always all about the alcohol.

 

^^THIS^^ Not everyone who gets a drink package is "an alcoholic".:rolleyes:

[sellwingri]

I’ve never bought the drink package on any of my Royal Caribbean cruises. I’m diamond plus so I get my 3 free drinks in the evening and am a signature member of Casino Royale so I drink for free in the casino. I usually buy very few drinks but am cruising with a friend (usually cruise with my DH) next month who is gold. Since it’s now a requirement that all in the cabin get the package, we’ll see how it goes. Plan to spend a lot of time in the Schooner this cruise!

[rukkian]

I’ve never bought the drink package on any of my Royal Caribbean cruises. I’m diamond plus so I get my 3 free drinks in the evening and am a signature member of Casino Royale so I drink for free in the casino. I usually buy very few drinks but am cruising with a friend (usually cruise with my DH) next month who is gold. Since it’s now a requirement that all in the cabin get the package, we’ll see how it goes. Plan to spend a lot of time in the Schooner this cruise!

 

You can go without, you just have to call, cannot just buy one over the phone.

[DrD]

Look, let's just be honest, the biggest benefit to the drink package is it give one an excuse to drink more. Just like we all eat more when food is included. We all want to get our money's worth.

 

The thing about us drinkers, is that we love to have excuses to over do it. It can be friends egging us on, a bad day at work (stress,) a good day at work (celebration,) or having to drink our money's worth.

 

I certainly drank ALOT more when I bought the drink package, and loved it.

[snaefell]

I love the way everybody assumes that people who read these posts know what they are talking about,just booked our first RCI Cruise & most of these posts might as well be in a foreign language,I just want a clue what they sell on board & how much they will fleece me for buying them!

[rukkian]

I love the way everybody assumes that people who read these posts know what they are talking about,just booked our first RCI Cruise & most of these posts might as well be in a foreign language,I just want a clue what they sell on board & how much they will fleece me for buying them!

Some discussions do get involved. Many of us would be glad to help. I would suggest opening a new topic with exactly the questions you would like answered, then we (more the others that have more info) can give the info you sell and help clarify.

 

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[Goodtime Cruizin]

^^THIS^^ Not everyone who gets a drink package is "an alcoholic".:rolleyes:

 

This again.

 

It's also why the package is called DELUXE.

[CruisingNole]

^^THIS^^ Not everyone who gets a drink package is "an alcoholic".:rolleyes:

 

I get pretty drunk every day on a cruise, but also put back quite a few bottles of water, juice and coffee.

 

I guess I fall into both categories? ;)

[AnnaDarel]

I'm required to buy the soda package because I'm a Diet Coke vampire. The booze drink package isn't that much more, really.

[whitsmom]

We are getting the Deluxe packing this time as we are going with friends and not our kids and grands. We figured that we will use it a little more due to that. This will also give us a chance to try some new drinks without worrying that we didn't like it.

You can always get the replenish package and just add a shot when you want something stronger (which is what we do when traveling with the grand kids).

[ONECRUISER]

Technically it would have been $20 per person plus the 18%, so about $47 if I'm doing my late at night math right.

 

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Incorrect, read it again. Poster said at $42 would not buy package, but at $40 a day they would. So that's why was asked if "$2" a day is make or break point...

[Milwaukee Eight]

I’ve never bought the drink package on any of my Royal Caribbean cruises. I’m diamond plus so I get my 3 free drinks in the evening and am a signature member of Casino Royale so I drink for free in the casino. I usually buy very few drinks but am cruising with a friend (usually cruise with my DH) next month who is gold. Since it’s now a requirement that all in the cabin get the package, we’ll see how it goes. Plan to spend a lot of time in the Schooner this cruise!

 

 

 

In the Casino with the comp, you at least get a good choice of the products you choose to drink. In the DL or on SeaPass Diamond drinks, you do not.

 

 

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[Milwaukee Eight]

Look, let's just be honest, the biggest benefit to the drink package is it give one an excuse to drink more. Just like we all eat more when food is included. We all want to get our money's worth.

 

 

 

The thing about us drinkers, is that we love to have excuses to over do it. It can be friends egging us on, a bad day at work (stress,) a good day at work (celebration,) or having to drink our money's worth.

 

 

 

I certainly drank ALOT more when I bought the drink package, and loved it.

 

 

 

I generally agree with you but not on this one. Drink package allows you to drink the alcohol of your choice. Not some of the garbage that is a Diamond Drink. Not to mention the water.

 

 

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[awestover89]

Incorrect, read it again. Poster said at $42 would not buy package, but at $40 a day they would. So that's why was asked if "$2" a day is make or break point...

 

$2 per day, per person, for a 10 day cruise. The person I quoted said that $20 wasn't enough to justify the work the OP put into it. I was just pointing out it wasn't $20, but $40 plus gratuity that they would have saved if the package price was $40 per person per day.

[LBumb]

I am diamond and get the drink package. diamond lounges are getting too crowded. I like this part of my expense paid before the cruise. I like the freedom to have what I want where I want

[watson61]

I'm going on Allure in August and will be getting the drink package. I've been on about 12 cruises and this will be the first time. It's a Caribbean cruise so I know I'd drink more anyway than I will on my Canada/NE cruise in October. I got it for $47/day (not including gratuity). I don't think it would be worth it to pay more, not for me anyway. In the future, I'll pay much more attention to the discounts - in the past, I'd just see the regular price of $58/day or so and figure it wasn't worth it. I do like the idea of not having to think about it, since it's prepaid. Also love that it includes bottled water and lattes at Lattetudes. Too bad it doesn't include Starbucks, though.

[snaefell]

Some discussions do get involved. Many of us would be glad to help. I would suggest opening a new topic with exactly the questions you would like answered, then we (more the others that have more info) can give the info you sell and help clarify.

 

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I have done that with little helpful response,I am trying to find a list of drinks available on board(both in bars & spirits delivered to the cabin) & their prices along with the prices of the various 'select' dining areas,to me it is difficult to decide if drinks packages are worth the money if I have no idea how much the drinks are.