drink package or pay daily?

[smith6]

Not sure if its worth it for us to sign up for a drink package. We are just basic beer drinkers and maybe a couple of frozen drinks per day. What is the cost per day for a package. Any assistance would be helpful. Thanks

[Ourusualbeach]

1 minute ago, smith6 said:

Not sure if its worth it for us to sign up for a drink package. We are just basic beer drinkers and maybe a couple of frozen drinks per day. What is the cost per day for a package. Any assistance would be helpful. Thanks

The price varies by ship and sailing.  Check your cruise planner.

[Heatherco]

It depends on the sailing.  Prices will be under Cruise planner.  Drinks onboard are roughly $14 with tip.  Figure out how much you would drink and take it from there.

Edited February 1, 2020 by Heatherco

[taglovestocruise]

A good sale price in the cruise planner would run $48.00 + 18% gratuity pp pd. everyone in the cabin over 21 would need the package. Pay as you go and look for a 10 drink punch card priced at 80.00, not worth it for beer drinkers,  towards the end of the cruise. You can share a drink card. A gin and tonic runs 9.75 and a martini about $15.00,  beers about 8 bucks.. happy cruising

Edited February 1, 2020 by taglovestocruise

[BunnyHutt]

Really depends on pricing and your personal consumption habits. 

 

- when I went with my husband and children a few years ago, we just went with the refreshment package for all and we bought adult beverages a la carte as we really only drank one or two per day, if that, and a bottle of wine for the week. 

 

- when my girlfriend and I did a girls trip this past summer, we got the DBP and, with our OBC, we paid about $40/day/person. Definitely got our money’s worth. 😉

 

- sailing with my kids but without my husband over NYE later this year and I bought myself the DBP... but only because I was able to get in on the $18/day deal. Otherwise I would be going a la carte. 

[cb at sea]

If you'll be drinking 3 beers and a "couple' frozen drinks....then a package will be the better deal  RCI charges a PREMIUM on any booze nowadays.  A "frozen" drink will run in the $12-15 range......it ain't cheap.  Beer used to be affordable...but they've jacked up the prices to something you'd find at a NFL game.  

[LB_NJ]

Do a search on beverage package in this forum.  This same question is asked every day or two.

[Ontario cruise duo]

You have to also take into consideration how many port days and whether you will be off the ship on those days.

On our cruise in December we were off the ship for 4 port days, so in my opinion, not worth getting the drink package for us unless you can drink at least 6 - 7  drinks (other than beer, which is the cheapest drink) in say 6 hours.  We were sure to have a drink or 2 off of the ship while in port at a much reduced price than they would have otherwise cost us onboard.

 

 

[momofmab]

As a fellow beer drinker, I don't think it is worth it unless you can get it on a good sale (and it helps if you like all the other non-alcoholic drinks that come with it, like soda, the fresh squeezed OJ, bottled water, coffee, smoothies...)  I agree with taking the number of port days into consideration as well as what type of drinker you are.  

[jk04]

When on a cruise, DH usually drinks Crown and Coke, Bloody Mary's, and beer.  I usually stick with pop and water.  But, will also grab smoothies and shakes.  Where I have to look at the price is I do like to get frozen drinks like Mudslides or a Bailey's Banana Colada.  Even if I get the Refreshment Package the cost of the frozen drinks can add up by the end of the cruise.

 

Although still expensive, the $48 - $52, plus tip, range for us is the max for a drink package.  That works out to about 4 call drinks a day for him ($14 cost) but he also gets bottled water, soda with dinner, and a smoothie after his run.  The package is still expensive for what I drink but does give me the flexibility to order two frozen drinks a day, try a drink of the day if it sounds interesting, and not have to worry about the bar bill after the cruise.

 

We are taking my son, DIL, and GD on their first cruise in November and floored at the $69 pd + tax price being offered.  Hoping that comes down or it will be a dry cruise 😆

[boscobeans]

15 hours ago, smith6 said:

Not sure if its worth it for us to sign up for a drink package. We are just basic beer drinkers and maybe a couple of frozen drinks per day. What is the cost per day for a package. Any assistance would be helpful. Thanks

Remember the package includes bottled waters, soda, shakes, special coffees, smoothies and juices.

I will drink at least 3 draft Newcastles a day (2 with dinner) along with a bottle of Pellegrino and one or more in the schooner lounge. At least one mixed drink at a show and one (or more) in the casino to end the day. There is also one or two fresh OJ 's in the AM and a bottle or two of water during the day.  Might seem like a lot but we cruise the Caribbean and seem to drink a lot more than when at home.

My wife rarely if ever has any alcohol so she gets the Replenishment package and enjoys her frozen MOCKTAILS and other beverages as well. If she wants a real drink she gets one of the three at happy hour for Diamond.

 

It is really good for us and easy to use with no receipts etc.

 

[charlesspinney]

We always get a drink package.  The number one reason is the convenience of having everything paid for before we cruise.   If you like to get bottled water whenever you want it or get that special coffee you like at every meal without worrying about that final bill. And then there's the drinks.  There's morning drinks such as mimosas, bloody marys or if you're from my area of the world,  caesars.  Then there's the afternoon drinks. With meals you can pair your wine with each course and enjoy a port with the cheese course. You are on holidays. Enjoy!

[Magicat]

Morning caesars can be had for a discount in Windjammer in the mornings.  There are drink specials during the day.  If you are a mass market beer drinker, they usually have a bucket of beer special.  Our research shows that for us, a drink package priced around $35/day would be worth it (depending on sea days).  A price of $40.00 would be our maximum before we opt out of  purchasing it.  But being D+ helps with the costs.

On another note, in the past we have purchased the drink package and enjoyed the convenience.  We also splurged on items we wouldn't have regularly like fresh oj in the Jam for breakfast or not fighting for coffee in the Diamond lounge.  An added plus was we could be comfortably medicated throughout the day instead of sipping water during the day and binge drinking for 3 hours in the evening.