etruriaguy Posted October 30, 2023 #76 Share Posted October 30, 2023 14 hours ago, Zeg said: For what it’s worth just yesterday booked a 2025 cruise on Queen Anne and paid $70 pppd for the drinks package. Hope that’s helpful. We are on qm2 on Nov 19th transatlantic in a few weeks and literally just bought the package a few moments ago for the week as well for $70pppd. Glad it’s been reduced back down. For us it’s worth it now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sucramdi Posted October 30, 2023 #77 Share Posted October 30, 2023 The rumoured increase turned out to be new pricing for shorter voyages, which previously didn't have a drinks package available. For the 5+ night voyages the price hasn't changed since it went from $69 to $70 pppd. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
techteach Posted October 31, 2023 #78 Share Posted October 31, 2023 This is a 3 day cruise September, 2024. $85.00 per day. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Winifred 22 Posted October 31, 2023 #79 Share Posted October 31, 2023 This September it was 90$ for the 3 night Le Havre trip when they first introduced it. Didn’t seem to be any shiortage of takers judging by the queues to purchase on the lido deck the first afternoon. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Underwatr Posted October 31, 2023 #80 Share Posted October 31, 2023 There has always been more of a party atmosphere (for Cunard) on the short cruises compared to longer itineraries. I assume some bean counter has done the math and concluded that they'd need to raise prices on the short trips to clear a profit compared to selling only by the drink. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AUH Posted December 9, 2023 #81 Share Posted December 9, 2023 Onboard prices on the eastbound crossing which left yesterday are as follows: $80 for beer, wine and spirits $40 for premium soft drinks $15 for specialty hot drinks $12 for soft drinks I was originally not intending to buy a drinks package, but after factoring in the 15% service charge for PAYD and now that we are on day 2 (meaning I am only buying it for the six full days at sea), it does suit my consumption profile after all. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Pushpit Posted December 9, 2023 #82 Share Posted December 9, 2023 (edited) The pre-purchase prices on a westbound Crossing, just after you dock into Southampton, are slightly higher now: per night (so x 7 for most Crossings) $72 for beer, wine, spirits and premium soft drinks $36 for premium soft drinks (includes hot drinks) $13.50 for speciality hot drinks $10.80 for soft drinks Edited December 9, 2023 by Pushpit Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare D&N Posted December 9, 2023 #83 Share Posted December 9, 2023 Currently on the UK site: https://www.cunard.com/en-gb/activity-types/bars-and-lounges/a-world-of-drinks It shows options where the price drops from 15 nights and then again from 85 nights. $49.50/day for someone sailing 85 nights or more seems very good value. Providing they don't plan too many dry days! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluemarble Posted December 9, 2023 #84 Share Posted December 9, 2023 Here's my attempt to document the drinks package price changes in charts which I hope are relatively easy to follow. I find it useful to document things such as this for future reference. Previous Drinks Package Pricing Beers, Wines and Spirits Option Pre Voyage On Board Voyages less than 5 nights $85 $90 Voyages 5 nights or more $70 $75 Soft/Hot Drinks Options Pre Voyage On Board Premium Soft Drinks Option $30 $35 Speciality Hot Drinks Option $12.50 $15 Soft Drinks Option $10 $12 New Drinks Package Pricing Beers, Wines and Spirits Option Pre Voyage On Board Voyages less than 5 nights $85.50 $95 Voyages 5-14 nights $72 $80 Voyages 15-84 nights $67.50 $75 Voyages 85 nights or more $49.50 $55 Soft/Hot Drinks Options Pre Voyage On Board Premium Soft Drinks Option $36 $40 Speciality Hot Drinks Option $13.50 $15 Soft Drinks Option $10.80 $12 3 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HopefulCruiser123 Posted December 21, 2023 #85 Share Posted December 21, 2023 I am a very light alcohol consumer. My husband really enjoys good alcoholic cocktails and will not be shy about ordering what he wants. We will probably order a bottle of wine with dinner a couple of nights (and take what we don't consume back to our cabin), and I "might" have a ridiculously garnished cocktail once or twice during our cruise or a glass of wine here or there. Since both adults in the same cabin must have identical packages, and since the bottles of wine wouldn't be covered anyway, I think it makes sense for us to purchase the premium soft drink packages and then pay as we go for alcoholic beverages. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Pushpit Posted December 21, 2023 #86 Share Posted December 21, 2023 1 hour ago, HopefulCruiser123 said: I am a very light alcohol consumer. My husband really enjoys good alcoholic cocktails and will not be shy about ordering what he wants. We will probably order a bottle of wine with dinner a couple of nights (and take what we don't consume back to our cabin), and I "might" have a ridiculously garnished cocktail once or twice during our cruise or a glass of wine here or there. Since both adults in the same cabin must have identical packages, and since the bottles of wine wouldn't be covered anyway, I think it makes sense for us to purchase the premium soft drink packages and then pay as we go for alcoholic beverages. You will find it quite difficult to make the Premium Soft Drink package viable, unless you drink quite a significant amount of soft drink and premium coffee/tea and / or alcohol-free mocktails. None of these packages are bargains, and in your shoes I'd do the sums carefully. Most people will, I strong suspect, save money by simple "pay as you go". Even the basic soft drink package, which was $10 a night until recently, is a tough one to cover. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LittleFish1976 Posted December 21, 2023 #87 Share Posted December 21, 2023 3 hours ago, Pushpit said: You will find it quite difficult to make the Premium Soft Drink package viable, unless you drink quite a significant amount of soft drink and premium coffee/tea and / or alcohol-free mocktails. None of these packages are bargains, and in your shoes I'd do the sums carefully. Most people will, I strong suspect, save money by simple "pay as you go". Even the basic soft drink package, which was $10 a night until recently, is a tough one to cover. One Frobisher juice - $3.60 One small bottle of water - $3.90 One Mocktail (Banana Mama) $5.75 Total = $13.25 + tax (15%) = $15.23 I know you can get a 'juice' free in the buffet but it may be what one feels like in a bar. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2Oldpeopleinlove Posted December 23, 2023 #88 Share Posted December 23, 2023 I kept track this last time, and after waiting until the second day to buy in and adding the 15%, we did slightly better than break-even. For us the point is the luxury of not having to think about what things cost, as we habitually do in our frugal “real lives.” 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Winchester Ranger Posted December 25, 2023 #89 Share Posted December 25, 2023 The latest update is that you book the drinks package first and then decide later if you want to add the cruise as an optional extra. 1 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mayflower1 Posted December 26, 2023 #90 Share Posted December 26, 2023 Can anyone please advise me what is the choice of Wines in Queens Grill if one buys the Drinks, Wine & Spirits Package. We have not bought a Package in the Past and generally only drink Red Wine with Meals but do like Spirits before/after Dinner. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maggielou362 Posted December 27, 2023 #91 Share Posted December 27, 2023 On 12/25/2023 at 10:47 PM, Winchester Ranger said: The latest update is that you book the drinks package first and then decide later if you want to add the cruise as an optional extra. Great tip, @Winchester Ranger. Makes sense to me. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Judyrem Posted January 6 #92 Share Posted January 6 I just purchased the drink package for the July TA crossing for 72$. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Pushpit Posted January 6 #93 Share Posted January 6 4 hours ago, Judyrem said: I just purchased the drink package for the July TA crossing for 72$. I think this is in line with post #84 above, so it's good to know the prices there are still correct. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare MrsPeel55 Posted January 8 #94 Share Posted January 8 On 12/21/2023 at 2:31 AM, Pushpit said: You will find it quite difficult to make the Premium Soft Drink package viable, unless you drink quite a significant amount of soft drink and premium coffee/tea and / or alcohol-free mocktails. None of these packages are bargains, and in your shoes I'd do the sums carefully. Most people will, I strong suspect, save money by simple "pay as you go". Even the basic soft drink package, which was $10 a night until recently, is a tough one to cover. we almost bought the premium soft drinks package for later next year sailing for 35 a day each of us (can't remember right now but I'm almost sure is US $), thought about buying after reading this thread, we thought if we pay now, will be saving if the package increases price.... then to be sure, we looked at the final bill we payed in September. Our conclusion was as you point out: No way we would be spending $35 a day each in soft drinks, the alcohol we drunk, the most expensive were the bottles of wine at MDR,I can't drink much alcohol as my medication galore doesn't much allow, then the amount of soft drinks we would consume would never amount to £35 a day each.... my daughter pointed out that with the amount of on board credit we have this time, we could cover drinks with that and still have some money left for hairdressers and maybe something else without having too spend of our own money.... 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
corporate services Posted January 11 #95 Share Posted January 11 We have just returned from the Christmas QV cruise and our onboard account was eye wateringly high, mostly due to alcohol purchased, but we also got duped into buying a spa package! We also made the mistake of letting the sommelier in the Britannia restaurant choose the wine so ended up drinking ridiculously priced bottles of wine, lesson learned there. With regard to drinks packages do I understand correctly that bottles of wine purchased in the restaurant are not included, what about if you buy wine by the glass in the restaurant? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
corporate services Posted January 11 #96 Share Posted January 11 Also, what is to stop just one person purchasing the drinks package and then buying drinks for everyone in their group? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare D&N Posted January 11 #97 Share Posted January 11 (edited) 11 minutes ago, corporate services said: We have just returned from the Christmas QV cruise and our onboard account was eye wateringly high, mostly due to alcohol purchased, but we also got duped into buying a spa package! We also made the mistake of letting the sommelier in the Britannia restaurant choose the wine so ended up drinking ridiculously priced bottles of wine, lesson learned there. With regard to drinks packages do I understand correctly that bottles of wine purchased in the restaurant are not included, what about if you buy wine by the glass in the restaurant? You may have noticed the last pages of the wine list where there were wines by the glass. Or of course you might not have seen it if you let the sommelier choose. Currently anything up to $13.50 on that list is included plus other drinks to that value (max 15 alcoholic per day). If you decide to buy bottles as well you pay the list price plus 15% service less 20% discount. We plan to do that with wines in the $60 to $90 range next time, splitting a bottle between two nights with our meal and having list wines by the glass once our taste buds are numbed. Everyone in the room must buy the same package. Sommeliers and waiters will be on lookout for anyone doing what you ask, it's clear in the Ts&Cs. Edited January 11 by D&N Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PORT ROYAL Posted January 11 #98 Share Posted January 11 1 minute ago, corporate services said: Also, what is to stop just one person purchasing the drinks package and then buying drinks for everyone in their group? Nothing to stop the physical purchase of a full round of drinks for all one’s friends/group. Done it numerous of times. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
exlondoner Posted January 11 #99 Share Posted January 11 1 minute ago, PORT ROYAL said: Nothing to stop the physical purchase of a full round of drinks for all one’s friends/group. Done it numerous of times. Isn’t that cheating? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Host Hattie Posted January 11 #100 Share Posted January 11 2 minutes ago, exlondoner said: Isn’t that cheating? Not if you're actually buying them but you can't charge drinks for others on your package. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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