Help me decide - Classic or Premium Drink Pkg.

[the penguins]

7 minutes ago, NJRonbo said:

 

The coffee from Cafe al Bacio is part of the classic package...correct?

Yes

[Ex-Airbalancer]

I guess it comes down to is. What you think is the “best bang for your dollar” 

 

I imagine most upgrades are made with OBC , we have 2 TAs next year and will probably upgrade to premium package with OBC 

I believe it a better wasting of OBC than dinning in specialty restaurants 😁

[CaroleSS]

58 minutes ago, NJRonbo said:

 

The coffee from Cafe al Bacio is part of the classic package...correct?

Yes

 

From the FAQs: Non-premium bottled water, soda, and specialty coffees & teas are included in the Classic Drink Package. 

[drakes2]

3 hours ago, Mark_K said:

Because Celebrity makes more money if you pay for the Premium package but drink the cheaper stuff.

It’s the same ordering mixed drinks around the pool and at most bars.  If you don’t specify “I’d like an xxxx made with yyyy”, you’ll get Classic quality liquor regardless of the package you have

I watch them make my martinis and specify GG. Usually that's what they use anyway.  I also order a large San Pellegrino at dinner most times drink it all and keep a few on hand in my cabin along with some Evian water.  Once I ordered a Cabernet at dinner which they did not have and waiter offered a substitute so I asked if it was part of the Premium package and he said its actually available on both packages.  Like we're all idiots or something. 😆 

[Kelownadon]

32 minutes ago, drakes2 said:

I watch them make my martinis and specify GG. Usually that's what they use anyway.  I also order a large San Pellegrino at dinner most times drink it all and keep a few on hand in my cabin along with some Evian water.  Once I ordered a Cabernet at dinner which they did not have and waiter offered a substitute so I asked if it was part of the Premium package and he said its actually available on both packages.  Like we're all idiots or something. 😆 

I don’t follow the logic regarding your comment about the waiters response. The waiter appears to be answering your question truthfully. Why the thinking that you are an idiot somehow?

[drakes2]

4 minutes ago, Kelownadon said:

I don’t follow the logic regarding your comment about the waiters response. The waiter appears to be answering your question truthfully. Why the thinking that you are an idiot somehow?

The waiter is telling me that even though I have the premium package I can drink the wines on the basic package.  So they are offering a wine valued at $9 even though one has paid for an upgrade. Many guests don't know the difference. 

[cruisestitch]

19 hours ago, drakes2 said:

I don't believe that to be true.  Why would they assume you only have the CP when many guests upgrade. 

Because they are in a hurry, mostly 

[the penguins]

4 hours ago, Ex-Airbalancer said:

I guess it comes down to is. What you think is the “best bang for your dollar” 

 

I imagine most upgrades are made with OBC , we have 2 TAs next year and will probably upgrade to premium package with OBC 

I believe it a better wasting of OBC than dinning in specialty restaurants 😁

Our OBC is always converted to cash via the casino

[Ex-Airbalancer]

1 hour ago, the penguins said:

Our OBC is always converted to cash via the casino

Since Celebrity is providing the OBC , I prefer to send on the ship 

[drakes2]

1 hour ago, Ex-Airbalancer said:

Since Celebrity is providing the OBC , I prefer to send on the ship 

So do I since its in USD. Even though I can use my OBC now since I booked cruise in Canadian the rates are more favorable if used on-board. 

[tartana]

I was pleasantly surprised to see that canned sodas are still included on the classic package.  Not that we drink many of them, but I was kind of surprised they still offer them.  Also, the Cafe el Bacio is one of my favourites morning and evening, and it's kind of part of the deal breaker for me in making sure I have at least the Classic. 

[drakes2]

42 minutes ago, tartana said:

I was pleasantly surprised to see that canned sodas are still included on the classic package.  Not that we drink many of them, but I was kind of surprised they still offer them.  Also, the Cafe el Bacio is one of my favourites morning and evening, and it's kind of part of the deal breaker for me in making sure I have at least the Classic. 

Love Cafe El bacio.  I also love the teas and usually order an Aspen coffee most mornings. 

   

[Mike45LC]

On 12/6/2022 at 11:15 AM, RichYak said:

I would imagine so as long as they make it with one of the cheaper rums.

A Dark and Stormy should be made with Gosling’s Black Seal rum.  

[the penguins]

12 hours ago, drakes2 said:

So do I since its in USD. Even though I can use my OBC now since I booked cruise in Canadian the rates are more favorable if used on-board. 

 

13 hours ago, Ex-Airbalancer said:

Since Celebrity is providing the OBC , I prefer to send on the ship 

Not all OBC comes from Celebrity, we get some from our Travel Agent, and even when it does they are not "giving" it to you it's part of what you paid.

Part of ours also  comes from our shares and is a reward for staying loyal despite X not currently paying any dividends.

Aart from that we do spend all our OBC on the ship i.e. we play roulette but choose to play in a manner that gives us close to a 50/50 bet and we keep our winnings. 

You also only choose to give some of OBC back to X i. e. you drink some (most?) of it 

It's all about choice 

[Ex-Airbalancer]

3 hours ago, Mike45LC said:

A Dark and Stormy should be made with Gosling’s Black Seal rum.  

On RCL Voyager they ran out of Gosling so they switch to Zacapa 23, which very nice 

than they ran out of Zacapa 23, than we were on to Kraken which I thought was better than Gosling 😁

 

[Illsticktocrusing]

My upcoming cruise will be the first in a long time not upgrading to the premium package.  I prefer Tito’s and the Riesling that are covered under the classic.  When I do have a beer or two (or three), I prefer Blue Moon which will be an upcharge plus the Bailys in my after dinner coffee.  Based on the top of my head math, I should come out ahead on the majority of days 😃

[Wineaux007]

Based upon all of the above yada, yada, yada, the OP can now make an intelligent decision on whether or not to upgrade.  😉

[SUESEABE]

@the penguins Re:  Post #58, How do you convert OBC to cash in the casino? We will be on Reflection in March for a 7 day cruise and we have alot of Celebrity OBC. I booked 2 rooms and was able to get $900 for daughter's family cabin and $600 for our cabin. Since we have AI I don't think that we can spend it all (what a wonderful problem😂). Being able to convert to cash in casino would be a good solution for us. We will also be getting some more OBC from our TA.

[the penguins]

4 hours ago, SUESEABE said:

@the penguins Re:  Post #58, How do you convert OBC to cash in the casino? We will be on Reflection in March for a 7 day cruise and we have alot of Celebrity OBC. I booked 2 rooms and was able to get $900 for daughter's family cabin and $600 for our cabin. Since we have AI I don't think that we can spend it all (what a wonderful problem😂). Being able to convert to cash in casino would be a good solution for us. We will also be getting some more OBC from our TA.

Oh you can you can. If you happen to have anything left give it to a member (s) of the crew, you can get a form at Guest Relations.

[mugwood]

I have always taken the premium upgrade for the convenience and don’t consider the financials.

as I get older, I don’t drink as much.

I didn’t get near break even for it last month I’m sure, although I don’t keep tally.

With the beer choice restricted at many bars, you have to trawl the bars to get some of the premium beers if you have a preference. Ended up with Bud and Michelob for convenience more often than not. In the restaurants, they did try to find whatever was asked for from the menu- be it Blue moon or Samual Adams, but it meant being half way through dinner a couple of times before settling for the same old. the lack of the premiums did bother me though and may consider sticking with the classic next time.

probably the biggest benefit for the premium is you frequent the world class bar or martini bar regularly. I preferred the world class bar myself.

[Super_Tuscan]

On 12/5/2022 at 11:37 AM, LadyBerard said:

Hi everyone.  I'm trying to decide whether or not to upgrade our Classic beverage pkg. Does anyone know the actual cost difference from a mixed drink made with Titos or Absolute to one made with Grey Goose or Ciroc vodka?  

Typically it's an additional $1-$3 for a cocktail or wine not on the Classic menu. We upgraded to the Premium package this past October and found that even as much as we drink, it was a waste of money. I paid $220 to upgrade our package on a 14 day transatlantic. The only time we ordered a wine or drink that wasn't on the Classic menu was at the Martini Bar and wine at dinner. It takes quite a bit of $1-$3 charges to just cover the additional $220 we spent for the upgrade.

[20165]

19 minutes ago, Super_Tuscan said:

Typically it's an additional $1-$3 for a cocktail or wine not on the Classic menu. We upgraded to the Premium package this past October and found that even as much as we drink, it was a waste of money. I paid $220 to upgrade our package on a 14 day transatlantic. The only time we ordered a wine or drink that wasn't on the Classic menu was at the Martini Bar and wine at dinner. It takes quite a bit of $1-$3 charges to just cover the additional $220 we spent for the upgrade.

Do they give you a receipt to sign for the additional charge and if so, is there a place to write in a tip?

[High on the Seas]

9 hours ago, SUESEABE said:

@the penguins Re:  Post #58, How do you convert OBC to cash in the casino? We will be on Reflection in March for a 7 day cruise and we have alot of Celebrity OBC. I booked 2 rooms and was able to get $900 for daughter's family cabin and $600 for our cabin. Since we have AI I don't think that we can spend it all (what a wonderful problem😂). Being able to convert to cash in casino would be a good solution for us. We will also be getting some more OBC from our TA.

Just go to the casino cashier and they will get someone to assist. We did this last February and my wife took some for the slots and I took some chips for blackjack. It is money you have to gamble with and cannot be cashed in for real money until you play the promotional amount. Any winnings can be cashed in for real $$$. 

[NorthStarStateCruiser]

17 minutes ago, High on the Seas said:

Just go to the casino cashier and they will get someone to assist. We did this last February and my wife took some for the slots and I took some chips for blackjack. It is money you have to gamble with and cannot be cashed in for real money until you play the promotional amount. Any winnings can be cashed in for real $$$. 

Or you could save the hassle and risk of gambling the money and just do a room charge on one of the slot machines then pull the money out right away and take the ticket to the cage to get the cash.  The charge shows up on your onboard account and the OBC will offset that charge.

[Super_Tuscan]

1 hour ago, 20165 said:

Do they give you a receipt to sign for the additional charge and if so, is there a place to write in a tip?

Yes and yes.