Celebrity Cruises’ new drink packages were unveiled last week. They consist of:
- The Classic Non-Alcoholic Package ($14.95) includes sodas, bottled and fresh-squeezed juices, bottled water and premium coffees.
- The Premium Non-Alcoholic Package ($18.40) is the Classic Non-Alcoholic Package plus specialty coffee, name-brand bottled water, energy drinks, flavored water, smoothies and frozen non-alcoholic drinks.
- The Classic Package ($44.85) is the Classic Non-Alcoholic Package plus $5 and under beers, select spirits, cocktails and wines by the glass $8 and under each.
- The Premium Package ($56.35) is the Premium Non-Alcoholic Package plus all beers, all spirits, cocktails and wines by the glass $12 and under each.
Now you might think that added options would be welcome… or maybe you are more in line with most of the comments that we’ve been reading in the blog-o-sphere, which have been predominantly negative. One commenter signaled this as an explanation of obese people on cruises (yeah, I didn’t get that correlation either), while another was obviously using his solar calculator in the dark, purporting he would have to drink a case of beer per day to get his money’s worth. Now in reality, if you were only drinking $5 beers, you would start to more than break even at 8 beers.
Now I realize that 8 beers a day on a 7 day cruise is a lot of beer, but this is also assuming that you are having beer with your fruit loops, beer with your lunch, beer with your dinner and a cup of warm beer to ensure a good night’s rest. There are attractive beverage options, besides beer, that you would otherwise have to purchase ala carte, that are also included in the packages. Let’s say, for example, you are sailing on the Celebrity Eclipse and you would like to have some freshly squeezed juice and a specialty coffee in the morning with breakfast. You might also like to stay hydrated and drink 2 or 3 bottles of water during the day. Maybe you like a soda with lunch and a frozen beverage by the pool. It’s also nice to have a glass of wine with dinner. If you have one beer a day, at this rate, the package was a deal.
These drink packages are not for everybody. Neither are they the incredibly horrible, guy in a ski mask, deal that many are making it out to be. While on a cruise you are part of a captive audience, like a movie theater, a ball game, a concert or a night out dancing. When you are a captive audience you will pay a premium for refreshments. Trust me, I feel your pain on this, but it is what it is: a value proposition for some and rip off to others.
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Tags: Alcohol, Bar, Celebrity cruises, Celebrity Eclipse, cruise, cruise experience, drink packages, drinks, specialty coffee, travel experience
As someone whose bar bill was more expensive than the actual cruise ticket, I think it’s not a bad deal. You’re on vacation so you’re going to cut loose… Wine with dinner and a couple of cocktails at the lounge in the evening will certainly cost more than the drink package. TRUST ME on that one!
“As someone whose bar bill was more expensive than the actual cruise ticket” << LOL. We need to go on a cruise with you:) You’re right though. People will and should cut loose on vacation…this just gives cruisers another option.
Try going out on South Beach with $45: You can get 3 drinks and a dirty look from the bartender because you stiffed him on the tip.
By far the most concise and up to date information I found on this topic. Sure glad that I navigated to your page by accident. I’ll be subscribing to your feed so that I can get the latest updates. Appreciate all the information here
I likes Ones New style boss
hey Friend , i read w/ u article.
Think it’s convenience over breaking even.
When you start to analyze how much one consumes during a cruise day –
Water for excursion days, drinks by the pool, coffee mid afternoon, few glasses of wine during dinner, then one or two, possible three at a show, casino or by the bar with friends- drinks add up.
I will be ordering the premium package on my cruise…….and will try my darnedest to get my money’s worth.
It’s good to have goals.
[...] few notes / caveats: Many cruise lines have beverage packages (see this post: Drink packages on a cruise) that are worth looking in to. Most of the luxury cruise lines such as Seabourn, Sea Dream, etc. [...]
I just got off a Celebrity cruise to Roatan and Cozumel. I can personally attest that the package was a deal. I tended to hang out in the martini bar after dinner. At 14 dollars a martini, I could easily outdrink the daily cost after four martinis. Not to mention the beer, water, soft drinks, etc during the day. We actually figured out that if we had paid a la carte instead of through the package, our bar tab for the week would have been easily over 1200. I know, I know, I sound like a lush. However, when on a cruise, it is time to let loose.