Anyone else decline the open bar option?

[julig22]

On 6/24/2021 at 8:14 PM, Sailing12Away said:

Although I haven't tried it myself, I'm pretty sure that they would be willing to switch it from an alcohol package to a soda only for slightly less money. No harm in trying with a phone call.

Uh, that's a big no.  I once tried to substitute the "free" bottle of wine that they give you for a couple of Pepsi's (I'm allergic to wine...).  Big fat NO - but they did offer to substitute an alcohol-free bottle.

[trivimp]

The in-room bottle of wine isn't the same thing.  If you only want soda, then the most cost-effective thing to do is to decline the beverage package at booking, but then purchase the Adult & Teen Soda package separately.  It comes out to $9-ish per day, instead of $20 for the regular beverage package.  

Edited July 27, 2021 by trivimp
typo

[Sailing12Away]

3 hours ago, julig22 said:

Uh, that's a big no.  I once tried to substitute the "free" bottle of wine that they give you for a couple of Pepsi's (I'm allergic to wine...).  Big fat NO - but they did offer to substitute an alcohol-free bottle.

So yes, they are willing to compromise and make substitutions.

[julig22]

1 hour ago, Sailing12Away said:

So yes, they are willing to compromise and make substitutions.

They are not willing to substitute a soda package, as you suggested.  It would be fantastic if they would offer one as an alternative to the drink package (and I have made that suggestion more than once).

[Luckynana]

On 6/6/2021 at 8:51 AM, saltsandknit said:

My mother declines the drink package and internet. She doesn’t drink alcohol or soda. She doesn’t use the internet. 
We use everything I am really happy it is all offered. Drink packages on other lines are around 800$ for 2 for a week. 

It's a lot more than that on our Royal Caribbean cruise next April.  $58 pp per day.  

[trivimp]

15 hours ago, julig22 said:

They are not willing to substitute a soda package, as you suggested.  It would be fantastic if they would offer one as an alternative to the drink package (and I have made that suggestion more than once).

They do have an alternative, it's called the Adult & Teen Soda Package.  See my post above.  

[julig22]

2 minutes ago, trivimp said:

They do have an alternative, it's called the Adult & Teen Soda Package.  See my post above.  

Of course you can BUY a soda package.  But you can't substitute for the "free drink" promo.  I'd be more than thrilled to pay the gratuities on a soda/water package if they would offer that as an alternative.

[trivimp]

So even though it's half the price of the standard promotional bev package, you won't get it because it doesn't have the word "free" attached to it?  Suit yourself 

[julig22]

46 minutes ago, trivimp said:

So even though it's half the price of the standard promotional bev package, you won't get it because it doesn't have the word "free" attached to it?  Suit yourself 

I won't get it because it isn't cost effective for me,  just like many wouldn't get the beverage package if it wasn't "free" (only paying gratuities). If it were a promo and the only cost were gratuities it might be worth it.  

Going back to my original comment, they won't substitute, as someone suggested, even though it's half the price.

[kayjaypea42]

NCL is the only place I DO take the drink package (Free at Sea version).  It equates to roughly $20 a day, which is like a drink and a half.  If I have a glass of wine at dinner and a cocktail at some point in the day (and on Caribbean cruises, I tend to do that), it is worth it for me.  I am not a big drinker -- I absolutely hate the feeling of getting drunk -- but a drink at the pool and one at dinner and MAYBE a cocktail before or after dinner or at a show pays for the drinks pkg. Now, if we were talking Royal Caribbean's pkg? No chance in Hell would I take that thing.  I don't drink 6 drinks a day every day... omg. (And that math is if it's on sale.)

[latebloomer56]

1 hour ago, kayjaypea42 said:

NCL is the only place I DO take the drink package (Free at Sea version).  It equates to roughly $20 a day, which is like a drink and a half.  If I have a glass of wine at dinner and a cocktail at some point in the day (and on Caribbean cruises, I tend to do that), it is worth it for me.  I am not a big drinker -- I absolutely hate the feeling of getting drunk -- but a drink at the pool and one at dinner and MAYBE a cocktail before or after dinner or at a show pays for the drinks pkg. Now, if we were talking Royal Caribbean's pkg? No chance in Hell would I take that thing.  I don't drink 6 drinks a day every day... omg. (And that math is if it's on sale.)

Would have done it but they said all adults in the cabin must take the offer came to 554. so I know the boys may have a beer but mainly soda, hubby doesn't drink so just not worth it for us. Once on board will get them each a soda package because they will drink 3-4 a day.

[PTC DAWG]

This is nothing more than a simple math equation. 

[Liljo22]

46 minutes ago, PTC DAWG said:

This is nothing more than a simple math equation. 

Agreed.  The lowest cocktail is $9.95($11.94 with tip).  You would need to drink two a day for it to be worth it for you.  If you don't, its not worth it. 

 

Now you can argue the cost of the room with perks vs a sailaway rate.  If you don't want the perks, you have to decide if not getting to choose your room location is worth the savings.  For some people it doesn't matter.  For others, getting stuck under a restaurant or the pool deck can ruin a vacation.

 

For us, we are pretty heavy drinkers on a cruise so we normally get the drink package even if we have to pay for it on other cruise lines.  Given this, I factor the price of NCL with the perks against other cruise lines plus their package.  NCL for what I have found is usually significantly cheaper.  Sometimes NCL with the perks is cheaper than others base fare(looking at you Liberty of the Seas).  
 

A balcony on the Breakaway in March is $4627.20 for my family of 4(two kids) with the perks.  A balcony on the LOTS without drinks is $6187.20.  For the record, I would not pay either of these prices.  I paid $3,000 last March for my family of 4 on the Getaway with perks.  

Edited July 28, 2021 by Liljo22

[Trimone]

Never refused, always try to drink the ship dry….we did on a Asia cruise 

[Lovecruise247]

On 6/7/2021 at 7:13 PM, Jamesatgsu said:

If not taking advantage of the offer, seems like you'd do the cheaper bare bones rate or book Carnival/MSC/RCL.

I got the FAS balcony because with this promotion, we got 3x points.  Just couldn’t resist!

[Lovecruise247]

On 7/28/2021 at 4:34 PM, Trimone said:

Never refused, always try to drink the ship dry….we did on a Asia cruise 

I still can’t believe it that we are declining the drinks package.  My problem is, I would still only drink an alcoholic drink occasionally; but then, I would drink a soda here, a virgin drink there, & before you know it you’ve taken in a thousand extra calories!

[Lovecruise247]

On 6/10/2021 at 10:23 AM, spanishguy1970 said:

I don't know you tell me that

 

On 7/27/2021 at 1:23 PM, Sue Do-Over said:

This is our situation, too.  We get PLENTY to drink in the casino.  Sure wish we could trade the drink package for a couple more dining credits, tho!

There was a time when they used to let you “double up”.  So, if you didn’t want the drink package, you could double up your shore excursion package.  I thought that was very fair.  But they don’t do that anymore.