Cost of wine and drinks

[jbinbi]

Am on the sky princess for a june cruise and got a call from Princess today to upsell me on the packages.

 

750 pp for drink package (10 or 11 days). I don't drink much, and for half the days we will be doing excursions. I sometimes have wine or beer with dinner, or maybe a drink at night. What is the cost per drink if not on the package?

 

Same as Internet, I am considering that if I have intl package on my phone, I can just use it on the every other day I am on land?

 

Also I have a shipboard credit which must be used on the boat and she said long lines to use this as everyone rushes to do so? 

 

Can you negotiate these prices?

 

Now I am considering that maybe I should have gone with Viking, where this is all inclusive.

[voljeep]

ship, date, length, itinerary ?

[Thrak]

Shipboard credit will be deducted by the amount of your gratuities every day. Depending on the amount it can quickly be depleted. It is also used to pay for your drinks. No lines involved for either of those things.

[Cruiser_1977]

There are several reviews and threads that have menus in them. I have a few menus from the Royal 7 day Mexican Riviera cruise in my review. As for internet, I found while in port in Mexico my data, phone, text plan worked. I only paid for WIFI ($20) for the last sea day.

Edited January 20, 2020 by JennyB1977

[fluffybunny22]

Princess is so busy they can't answer their phones but they're calling people and offering to sell them the perks associated with the current sale?

[Colo Cruiser]

Who at Princess is calling you on a booked cruise trying to sell you packages??  🙄

Did you book with a PVP?

There is a current Promo BSE (Best Sale Ever) where you can add these items for much less. 

 

It is not Mexico. There is no negotiation on prices.

[fluffybunny22]

16 minutes ago, voljeep said:

ship, date, length, itinerary ?

11 night Baltic sometime in June. I'm on the 6/8 sailing. We already have Sip and Sail so no one has called me trying to push drink packages. I also bought the 1 device internet package prepaid for $75. Have OBCs so no clue why someone would be trying to scare the OP into not using it.

[skynight]

19 minutes ago, jbinbi said:

Am on the sky princess for a june cruise and got a call from Princess today to upsell me on the packages.

 

750 pp for drink package (10 or 11 days). I don't drink much, and for half the days we will be doing excursions. I sometimes have wine or beer with dinner, or maybe a drink at night. What is the cost per drink if not on the package?

 

Same as Internet, I am considering that if I have intl package on my phone, I can just use it on the every other day I am on land?

 

Also I have a shipboard credit which must be used on the boat and she said long lines to use this as everyone rushes to do so? 

 

Can you negotiate these prices?

 

Now I am considering that maybe I should have gone with Viking, where this is all inclusive.

It sounds like Princess is offering to add the Best Sale Ever Package to your already booked 11 night cruise. This package includes the Premium Beverage Package, unlimited wi-fi. You can not negotiate, but you can investigate. The price to add really depends on what promo you originally booked. Some idea of prices with 18% gratuity

Martini - $11.80

Straight whiskeys & Liqueurs - $9.50

Beers - $7.00

Wines by the glass - $14 for an ok wine. A few less, some more.

I don't really understand what is meant by long lines on board. If it means long lines to purchase beverage package on boarding day that's false. So many locations and not many people waiting. If it means the internet package you do this on your device yourself. To get the assistance of an internet manager then there can be lines on boarding day.

Viking - Maybe. Sure they provide a great cruise. Did you compare the cost? Could be very close.

[Cruise Raider]

If you purchase the drink package, are you saying they are trying to sell you a package for $1500 per couple for the entirety of the cruise?  That's a lot.  

You can purchase a wine bottle package and buy a few buckets of beer for a much better price if hat is all you are going to drink.  The wine bottle packages are sold on sailings of 10 days and more (inconsistently, though) and with gratuities added for a 12 bottle case, it comes to $400.  They will open and store any wine that you get in the MDR and since you bought it onboard, you can consume it wherever you choose.  You just have to obtain it from the dining room, though.  You cannot order a bottle of wine from your package from a bar or lounge.  The bottle packages come in quantities of 7, 10 and 12.  The price per bottle goes down a little bit with each step up in the number of bottles in the package. 

You can also bring wine onboard with you ... the first two bottles are corkage free and are supposed to be consumed in your stateroom.  You will pay $15 corkage for all bottles beyond your 2 bottle limit and these will obtain a sticker and you can take them to the dining room for consumption.  You are really not supposed to take the bottle to a bar / lounge with you but, you are allowed to pour a glass from your cabin and take it with you.... you've paid the corkage on it, after all.   

A bucket of beer can be purchased to where you can get 5 beers for the price of 4 (about $26 per bucket when all is said and done) ... and you don't have to open them all at once.  You can take them back to your cabin with you (same thing goes for picking up a bottle of wine from the MDR for your cabin).   So, 20 beers for the entirety of the cruise will cost you just over $100.  Canned sodas can also be purchased for 5 for 4. Not exactly sure on the price because I never have bought them but I think it is about $2 or $2.50 a can.  

A coffee package will set you back about $32 - $36 and includes 15 specialty coffees / teas and I think unlimited brewed coffee (?) ... but the Royal class ships already have brewed coffee.  On other ships, they serve coffee from a syrup concentrate.  yuk!  Although ... I must admit, it is better than it used to be.  Maybe a new kind of syrup. 

Bottled water for your room can be purchased ahead of time on your personalizer for $7 or $8 for a 12 bottle package.  

The beverage package is convenient but there is no need to shell out that much money for it.  There is really no negotiation on the prices although they have a great promo currently where you can add the beverage package, internet and Wifi onto your current booking for $40 a day pp.  So, $800 per couple for all those perks is a great deal if your sailing qualifies for this promo.  

 

As far as internet, I would only buy it if your ship is equipped with the Medallion Net WiFi.  It can be purchased ahead of time or on the first day for less than $10 a day for one device and $15 a day for a 4 device unlimited package.  As above, if it's included in the add on promo ... that's the best deal going if these perks are of interest to you.  

 

 

 

 

 

[jbinbi]

Thanks to everyone who replied so far. More details:

 

Booked the Baltic cruise on Sky Princess. We have only put down the deposit, need to pay in full in 2 more months. We have a balcony stateroom.

 

Have gotten 2 calls in the last few days, btw, they come up as potential spam, but they left a message. I then got this email after the 2nd voicemail they left, so I called back to speak with my Princess cruise specialist. She explained the various drink packages I could purchase, either the total package for around 750 for the cruise, the coffee package for about $23 a day (of no real interest to me, I have just 1 cup with breakfast purely for the caffeine), or just the soda package for about 14 a day. They did not mention a wine only package, what you explained would be of interest to me.

 

I asked about the internet packages, Internet is 75 for one device for the cruise, or 14 a day for 4 devices. Brand new boat, so I guess it is medallion.

 

I guess when I reserved online, the deal they had was an onboard credit we could use of $150 PP.

 

I am assuming they were calling to : 1)get me to pay in full, 2)sell me excursions (but we are already using outside tour companies), 3)upsell the drink and internet package.

 

When I called back, I got right to her. She did not offer a combo package, if I could get internet and wine/beer for 800 a couple, that would be awesome, don't know how to find that, when i login, i don't see that.

 

email I got from the specialist after 2nd voicemail she left is below

---------------------------------------------

As your cruise is quickly approaching make the most of your time in port with Princess. By reserving your shore excursions directly with me, we can offer you Best Price Guarantee, Guaranteed Return to Ship, and fun in the sun for everyone.

 

As your Cruise specialist working directly for Princess, I have access to the best shore excursions voted by Cruise Critic with the best supporting detailed information. Whether traveling independently or with a small group I can help assist in planning and reserving your shore excursions.

 

Call me directly to secure your booking as time is running out!

Edited January 21, 2020 by jbinbi

[jbinbi]

On 1/20/2020 at 5:09 PM, Cruise Raider said:

 

You can purchase a wine bottle package and buy a few buckets of beer for a much better price if hat is all you are going to drink.  The wine bottle packages are sold on sailings of 10 days and more (inconsistently, though) and with gratuities added for a 12 bottle case, it comes to $400.  T

 

As far as internet, I would only buy it if your ship is equipped with the Medallion Net WiFi.  It can be purchased ahead of time or on the first day for less than $10 a day for one device and $15 a day for a 4 device unlimited package.  As above, if it's included in the add on promo ... that's the best deal going if these perks are of interest to you.  

 

 

I am interested in the wine package. We are travelling with another couple. How do I go about purchasing it, and can we all share from it at dinner? They did not offer this when they called me, only the total drink package, the coffee package, or the soda package. thanks

 

 

 

[voljeep]

On 1/20/2020 at 4:29 PM, jbinbi said:

Also I have a shipboard credit which must be used on the boat and she said long lines to use this as everyone rushes to do so? 

without reading the complete thread - has you TA mentioned the BEST SALE EVER perks of "adding" the PBP (drinks) , Grats - about 14.50 pp pd or so, and unlimited internet one device at a time per person … I'm guessing no based on the above statement

 

sorry  if this doesn't apply to your specific cruise … or does it ?

[jbinbi]

OK, logged in, checked on packages, not Best Sale Ever promo I see.

 

on sky, in june, doing baltic.

Edited January 23, 2020 by jbinbi

[fluffybunny22]

4 minutes ago, jbinbi said:

Not sure I understand, don't know what TA is, don't PBP , Grats are...

 

How do I find out what packages are available on my cruise. When I log in, I don't see any of these. On sky in June doing baltic.

Travel agent. premium beverage package and gratuities.

[jbinbi]

got it. went online, see that BSE price with drinks/internet/grat is 3k pp , I paid 2700. I only put down a refundable deposit, I guess I should cancel and get it all changed? Or should I call a TA to do this

[voljeep]

4 minutes ago, jbinbi said:

got it. went online, see that BSE price with drinks/internet/grat is 3k pp , I paid 2700. I only put down a refundable deposit, I guess I should cancel and get it all changed? Or should I call a TA to do this

call the ta to ADD ON … not refare --- promo code BEST

 

OR MAYBE BSE is better to refare 

Edited January 23, 2020 by voljeep

[jbinbi]

Ah. OK. Many thanks.

 

Also, if only one has the drink package, how does that work. I can order all the wine I want for dinner, but can't give the glass to my wife?

[fluffybunny22]

2 minutes ago, jbinbi said:

Ah. OK. Many thanks.

 

Also, if only one has the drink package, how does that work. I can order all the wine I want for dinner, but can't give the glass to my wife?

No sharing. 15 alcoholic drinks per day.

[Cruise Raider]

3 minutes ago, jbinbi said:

Ah. OK. Many thanks.

 

Also, if only one has the drink package, how does that work. I can order all the wine I want for dinner, but can't give the glass to my wife?

 

On the Best Sale Ever promo, you each get the same perks.  

If only you have the beverage package, you are able to order wine by the glass and no, you can't share with your wife.  The package is limited to 15 alcoholic drinks per day per person.  

You can order a bottle of wine for a 25% discount if you have the package and your wife can drink that.  You probably would want to use your package and just allow her to have the bottle of wine.  

 

[voljeep]

2 minutes ago, fluffybunny22 said:

No sharing. 15 alcoholic drinks per day.

BSE will be for both added to cruise fare

[jbinbi]

thank you all. i can't drink 15 drinks a day. even if it water!

 

it looks like it is worth it to spend $300 more to get the BSE to have drinks and internet. It is 10 days, I would probably have 2 drinks a day, and internet, so that breaks evenish. Without internet I would just use phone in port and buy internet on sea days.

[Cruise Raider]

47 minutes ago, jbinbi said:

I am interested in the wine package. We are travelling with another couple. How do I go about purchasing it, and can we all share from it at dinner? They did not offer this when they called me, only the total drink package, the coffee package, or the soda package. thanks

 

You cannot purchase it ahead of time but ask for it in the dining room.  

The restrictions are as follows:

It is supposed to be sold on cruises of 10 days or more.  We've  gotten it on 7 night sailings. Some have reported that their 10 night cruises didn't have it available ... but it should be.  

You can share the wine package with anyone you choose.  The bottles are either served in the MDR or specialty restaurants but we were able to get it at Alfredos.  We had no luck getting a bottle for our room at the buffet.  You are not able to get a bottle at Vines or any other bar or lounge on the ship.  I would imagine that they frown upon you taking the bottle to a public venue but, you are more than welcome to pick up a bottle or two from the MDR to take to your room.  From there, they do allow you to take a glass to a show or lounge ... I think they just don't want you to take the bottle to a place where they also sell wine by the glass.  It's probably inconsistently enforced, though.  After all, you've purchased the bottle on from them while on the ship.  

With all that being said, it really is a decent deal to buy it this way and they have some very nice wines on the list.  Cannot remember if I noted it or not but for the 12 bottle package, including gratuity, it comes to just over $33 per bottle, it is a dollar or two more if you buy 10 bottles and a couple dollars more per bottle if you purchase the 7 bottle package.  If you any bottle over the $45 limit, they simply charge you the difference.  My neighbor loves the Rombauer Chardonnay at $55 + gratuity per bottle without the package.  Within the 12 bottle package, it cost her $33 + $10 for a total of $ 43 per bottle.  There is no land based restaurant where you could get that ... not around here, anyway.  

I really wish they would sell these packages in our personalizer.  It would alleviate so many of the questions as to whether it is available on one's particular sailing.  

[Cruise Raider]

11 minutes ago, jbinbi said:

thank you all. i can't drink 15 drinks a day. even if it water!

 

it looks like it is worth it to spend $300 more to get the BSE to have drinks and internet. It is 10 days, I would probably have 2 drinks a day, and internet, so that breaks evenish. Without internet I would just use phone in port and buy internet on sea days.

 

You would each have to get it as an add on.  For a 10 day cruise, it would be $40 more per day pp to get those three add ons.  So, $800 per couple.  

If you refare and it is only $300 ... then, yes, it is an awesome deal ... just do it!!  Your gratuities alone will be at least $270.  

[leck57]

33 minutes ago, jbinbi said:

thank you all. i can't drink 15 drinks a day. even if it water!

 

it looks like it is worth it to spend $300 more to get the BSE to have drinks and internet. It is 10 days, I would probably have 2 drinks a day, and internet, so that breaks evenish. Without internet I would just use phone in port and buy internet on sea days.

 

Seems like Princess have been a little less than upfront by trying to see you the Beverage package but not mention the BSE sale stuff. As others have said, go for that. We are on the same ship in the Baltics in July and I had the Bev package and unlimited Net (we can't include the grats down here - why I don't know) for only $30 pp per day. I note you said that you can't drink 15 drinks per day but the package includes speciality coffees, sodas as well.

[senior lady]

1 hour ago, jbinbi said:

OK, logged in, checked on packages, not Best Sale Ever promo I see.

 

on sky, in june, doing baltic.

I'm doing this cruise June 19 / 20   I got the promo pkg.  There was only $400 difference between no perk or with.   The Best sale ever runs till the end of Feb.   My final payment is due the middle of March.

Not sure why you wouldn't have been offered it.   I'd call back and ask for the " non perk price" and the promo price then you can decide.