Standard drink package

[ghstudio]

I am Onboard the eclipse and I was asked by someone on CC what liquors were used if you have the standard drink package. I asked the bartender in the sky lounge and I was surprised...and not in a positive way. The ship bars have house/well brands..none of which I recognized...vodka, gin, tequila, whiskey and rum...for those with the standard drink package.

 

Now that I know those “unknown to me” brands are there, I’m going to watch my classic package drinks being made a little more closely.

 

 

 

 

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[vulcan1971]

I am Onboard the eclipse and I was asked by someone on CC what liquors were used if you have the standard drink package. I asked the bartender in the sky lounge and I was surprised...and not in a positive way. The ship bars have house/well brands..none of which I recognized...vodka, gin, tequila, whiskey and rum...for those with the standard drink package.

 

Now that I know those “unknown to me” brands are there, I’m going to watch my classic package drinks being made a little more closely.

 

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So, I always wondered if a 3rd tier would come into play one day to help those concerned about cost to have an option. When it arrived, I never gave it much thought, but thank you for your post and looking forward to hearing what you have to say when you come back to post.

[jkgourmet]

What on earth are you talking about? These liquor brands are neither unknown or "3rd tier"!

 

https://www.celebritycruises.com/things-to-do-onboard/onboard-packages/beverage-packages/premium-classic-and-standard

[Purplsmurf]

What on earth are you talking about? These liquor brands are neither unknown or "3rd tier"!

 

https://www.celebritycruises.com/things-to-do-onboard/onboard-packages/beverage-packages/premium-classic-and-standard

They don’t even specify on the website what brand of liquors are used for the standard package. Since the OP is on board and has seen them I can believe that they are “3rd tier”. Personally, I prefer to drink a liquor that I have at least heard of.

[vulcan1971]

What on earth are you talking about? These liquor brands are neither unknown or "3rd tier"!

 

https://www.celebritycruises.com/things-to-do-onboard/onboard-packages/beverage-packages/premium-classic-and-standard

 

Don't be so quick to question if you are not clear on what was being said....

 

Thank you for the link to the post. For the benefit of the thread, I have lifted the text and pasted here.

 

 

 

 

Standard Package

 

$45 USD/per night*

Enjoy all the spirits listed in the Standard Package.

An 18% service charge is added to each check. Wines by the bottle are discounted by 10%.

VODKA

A selection of house vodkas

GIN

A selection of house gins

TEQUILA

A selection of house tequilas

WHISKEYS

A selection of house whiskeys

COCKTAILS

A selection of Bloody Marys, daiquiris, and piña coladas made with house spirits

RUM

A selection of house rums

LIQUEURS & COGNACS

A selection of house liqueurs and cognacs

BEERS

• Bud Light
  
• Budweiser
  
• Dos Equis
  
• Heineken
  
• Heineken Light
  
• Tiger
  

WINES

A selection of cabernet sauvignons, chardonnays, merlots, sauvignon blancs, and red blends

NON-ALCOHOLIC

• Still water
  
• Fountain sodas
  

 

 

 

As you can see, only beers are listed by name; however, the brand of liquor is not. Probably that is what ghstudio was referring to. And for the record, there are 3 tiers (Premium, Classic, & Standard). My use of the phrase 3rd tier to describe the standard package was only that there were literally 3 tiers... and not that it was a 3rd world type of classification. I think you implied that with your own post. Please don't project onto the conversation what was not said.

[jelayne]

Just off the Equinox, with the Premium beverage, where a bartender tried to make me a pina colada using the well brand of rum, it was Skol. I have heard of it, seen it in locals bars and have probably had it in a drink or two.

When I wouldn’t accept Skol, he suggested Bacardi (Classic pkg) brands) I responded Barcardi 8. He smiled and gave me Premium package liquors from then on.

[vulcan1971]

Just off the Equinox, with the Premium beverage, where a bartender tried to make me a pina colada using the well brand of rum, it was Skol. I have heard of it, seen it in locals bars and have probably had it in a drink or two.

When I wouldn’t accept Skol, he suggested Bacardi (Classic pkg) brands) I responded Barcardi 8. He smiled and gave me Premium package liquors from then on.

 

jelayne - thanks for posting. :)

[helen haywood]

If you have the Premium package you absolutely have to specify the alcohol brand you want or it will be made with the well brands. People assume that the sticker on your card denoting PAL would automatically mean your pours were call brands but we have found that is not the case more often than not....

[Lady_Gamecock]

If you have the Premium package you absolutely have to specify the alcohol brand you want or it will be made with the well brands. People assume that the sticker on your card denoting PAL would automatically mean your pours were call brands but we have found that is not the case more often than not....

This is an excellent suggestion; I guess I'll have to create a listing and maintain it on my mobile devices. Even then, unless I go to the bar myself, I can't guarantee they'll use the liquor I request unless I can tell the difference.

 

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[Sandy1975]

I am Onboard the eclipse and I was asked by someone on CC what liquors were used if you have the standard drink package. I asked the bartender in the sky lounge and I was surprised...and not in a positive way. The ship bars have house/well brands..none of which I recognized...vodka, gin, tequila, whiskey and rum...for those with the standard drink package.

 

Now that I know those “unknown to me” brands are there, I’m going to watch my classic package drinks being made a little more closely.

 

 

 

 

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I always watch when my drink is been made (if at thepool I get up and go to the bar). Many years ago when I was on a 5 day cruise on the Constellation, I had the classic package and at the time it was pretty good (kettel one, bacardi 8, mount gay rum were covered). I asked for a bacardi 8 with a splash of coke and I noticed the bartender grabbed a bottle that was not bacardi 8. When he handed the drink to me, I tasted and told him that it is not Bacardi 8, he said it was. I told him I saw him making my drink and pointed to the bottle he grabbed and I then asked him to show me said bottle. He refused at first saying I was confused and I said, just showed me the bottle anyways and please throw this drink away, it is not what I ordered. The bottle was a brand I never heard of before and the drink tasted awful but that doesn't mean much, right? I went to another bar and asked about that brand and it happened to be the house brand. I never asked anything ftom that bartender again, even when I saw him in another ship.

[ghstudio]

Standard package “brands” on the eclipse today:

 

Barton’s gin

Barton’s vodka

Ron calvados rum

Bar code tequila

William Lawson’s scotch

 

They apparently do vary as they get new stock...

 

Personally, I’ve never heard of any..but I guess if you are getting mixed drinks, well they are probably ok.

 

Btw...the bartenders were all a bit anxious showing me the bottles...in 3 different bars which I found a bit strange.....

 

 

 

 

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[Sandy1975]

This is an excellent suggestion; I guess I'll have to create a listing and maintain it on my mobile devices. Even then, unless I go to the bar myself, I can't guarantee they'll use the liquor I request unless I can tell the difference.

 

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Yes, I like rums so I know what Zacapa, Barcardi 8, Flor de Cana and Pyrat taste like so I can tell if I am ordering from a bartender. Vodka is more difficult but if it has a bite I know is not grey goose.

[Lady_Gamecock]

Yes, I like rums so I know what Zacapa, Barcardi 8, Flor de Cana and Pyrat taste like so I can tell if I am ordering from a bartender. Vodka is more difficult but it has a bite yo it I know is not grey goose.

Your 100% correct. I can detect when they use Absolute vs Grey Goose - I'm not a fan of Absolute at all.

 

 

 

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[DancerOT]

I always request a specific brand and then I watch them make it. I have stopped more than one bartender when they grab the wrong bottle. They often apologize. I try to give them the benefit of the doubt that they accidentally grabbed the wrong bottle. But, then again, I have never had a bartender argue with me.

[250373]

I am very disappointing reading the postes above... Even on a vacation you have to stay on your guard not to be abused We pay the asked price for our package, why take advantage of the customers who are respecting their part of the deal? We pay, you pour, deal! I must be ready for a vacation because I feel exhausted just thinking about "the argument" that we will/might get ourselves into everytime we go for a drink... ☹️

 

That being said, we have the Classic package and received the promo 20% off to upgrade. Is it worthed?

Can I have the 10$+ drinks made with the brands included in the Classic package, when possible?

 

Thanks!

[Sandy1975]

I am very disappointing reading the postes above... Even on a vacation you have to stay on your guard not to be abused �� We pay the asked price for our package, why take advantage of the customers who are respecting their part of the deal? We pay, you pour, deal! I must be ready for a vacation because I feel exhausted just thinking about "the argument" that we will/might get ourselves into everytime we go for a drink... ☹️

 

That being said, we have the Classic package and received the promo 20% off to upgrade. Is it worthed?

Can I have the 10$+ drinks made with the brands included in the Classic package, when possible?

 

Thanks!

Not all BT are like this and sometimes it is just an honest mistake. This happens on land too so I am just used yo watching drinks been made.

Depending on what you like to drink, I think the 20% off to upgrade is worth it. I like sparkling water and my husband likes Vitamin C and Honest Tea so we upgrade to have access to this in addition to brands we are accustomed to and enjoy.

[crazee4cruzin]

The last cruise I went on, I had a premium package. You definitely had to ask for the brand of liquor. Otherwise they would give you well brands. I was very disappointed as they ran out of or didn't have premium Brands available at every bar. :cool:

[helen haywood]

You’d have to run the numbers to see if it makes sense for you to upgrade. Since you now only pay the difference it is cheaper for us to pay for the occasional drink over the Classic price point.

 

 

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[Cirdan]

What I doesn't like of this thread: it is just about "well known brands", and no comments about taste of the drinks.

 

 

For wine and (Scotch) whisky, well known brands are just much expensive for the quality: they are industries and not artisan stuffs, much about distribution network and marketing. The good: one knows well the quality (no surprise on both directions). On the other hand, there are many very good products made by smaller producers. Just not large to have a world wide distribution (and many doesn't care), so maybe it is well known locally (country specific).

 

 

Ships companies could make good deals with many smaller producers (large quantities, and they could buy around the world and bring in the right port for free (and all tax-free).

 

 

So what about quality of house drinks? Is it really so low (like the cheap booze vodka/disinfectant which also students hate but for the price) or are there some gems? I really like to discover the world and good new drinks/brands (but a single very bad drink will ruin following drinks).

[jagoffee]

I am very disappointing reading the postes above... Even on a vacation you have to stay on your guard not to be abused �� We pay the asked price for our package, why take advantage of the customers who are respecting their part of the deal? We pay, you pour, deal! I must be ready for a vacation because I feel exhausted just thinking about "the argument" that we will/might get ourselves into everytime we go for a drink... ☹️

 

That being said, we have the Classic package and received the promo 20% off to upgrade. Is it worthed?

Can I have the 10$+ drinks made with the brands included in the Classic package, when possible?

 

Thanks!

 

I am not sure it is so uncommon to receive the “well liquor” when ordering a rum and coke or a gin and tonic.

From my experience, it is very common and there is nothing dishonest about it. If one wants Barcadi 8 and coke, you have to ask for it specifically. If you order one brand and they serve you another that is unethical. Although it has been reported that it does happen, I would not think it was very common. Personally it has never happened to me.

Edited August 27, 2018 by jagoffee

[jkgourmet]

Y'all are correct. I had no idea there was a "standard" package. Our last four cruises with Celebrity have included the "classic" package as a perk. Which is pretty much the reason we stay with Celebrity. I'm another cruise line, we would be paying for tha, making the overall cost HIGHER for us because we book the cheap seats. (If you book suites, etc YMMV)

 

My bad.

[grumpwun]

Not sure if this is an appropriate place for this response, but when I upgrade to the Premium Beverage Package I always tell the bartender which brand I prefer. They will oblige with no problem. If you visit the same bar and or bartender after a couple of drinks they know which brand you prefer.

 

Here are a couple of attachments that may help.

1- is a Excel sheet to determine if a package is worth the additional cost.

 

2- Listing of the brands per package.

CEL_Beverage_Packages_Flyer page 1.pdf

CEL_Beverage_Packages_Flyer page 2.pdf

Celebrity Drink Costs.xls

[QT911]

I will be going on my 1st Celebrity Cruise (Infinity) - since we are talking about drinks. Can someone answer these questions:

1) When we dock at ports (Cozumel & Key West) - if we opt not to get off ship, are the bars open and alcohol served? How about breakfast/lunch options?

2) I saw pictures of some on-board drink menus, can I assume that I can just tell the waitstaff (dinner/lounges/theater etc) or bartender what I want but make it a Classic Pkg eligible version? I don't need fancier liquors but if I can still get some variation of that drink, I'll be fine.

3) Does Classic Pkg come with any bubbles option (cava, champagne etc) for mimosas?

[sykimball1498]

I will be going on my 1st Celebrity Cruise (Infinity) - since we are talking about drinks. Can someone answer these questions:

1) When we dock at ports (Cozumel & Key West) - if we opt not to get off ship, are the bars open and alcohol served? How about breakfast/lunch options?

2) I saw pictures of some on-board drink menus, can I assume that I can just tell the waitstaff (dinner/lounges/theater etc) or bartender what I want but make it a Classic Pkg eligible version? I don't need fancier liquors but if I can still get some variation of that drink, I'll be fine.

3) Does Classic Pkg come with any bubbles option (cava, champagne etc) for mimosas?

 

The bars should be open if you do not leave the ship but I think the casino and it's bars are closed if I remember correctly. Also, the number of bars open will be less but you can still get a drink somewhere (usually the outside bars are open like pool bar, sunset bar, etc). The breakfast has buffet and MDR seating on port days but only buffet or Mast Bar and Grill for free dining venues on port days. There might be other pay options available like Sushi on 5 but not sure.

 

I am not sure about question #2. While some may help you out, others are sticklers for the recipe. I do know that no other drinks are available at the world class bar so you do need the premium package for those drinks at that bar. Martini bar is also kind of that way for the Martini's as they are a larger size but you can get other drinks in the classic package at this bar, just not the martini's

 

You can get Mimosa's on the classic package but they are made with sparkling wine or prosecco I believe. No actual champagne on the classic but their alternatives are just fine for bellinis and mimosas.

[Iamthesea]

Y'all are correct. I had no idea there was a "standard" package. Our last four cruises with Celebrity have included the "classic" package as a perk. Which is pretty much the reason we stay with Celebrity. I'm another cruise line, we would be paying for tha, making the overall cost HIGHER for us because we book the cheap seats. (If you book suites, etc YMMV)

 

My bad.

 

The TA that we book through always has a specials that include the Classic or Premium Package, depending on what type of cruise. The package is either offered by the TA, or Celebrity. The promo normally says "A Classic Package for Two" .

I noticed on their latest promotion that they are wording the package differently. It now says " a Drink package including alcohol, specialty coffees & teas" I am wondering if this means that the package grade is being lower and the promo will now include only the Standard Package. :(