TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums Afloat Royal Caribbean drink packages

I have heard mixed reviews about the drink packages and wanted to get some feedback from others.

My wife sometimes gets the soda package for about $50 on 7 n cruises when there are at least two days at sea, or at sea and at Labadee or CocoCay. In general, I think that the drink packages are way too expensive. You really have to drink a lot of the items in the package to justify buying a package. I also think, just my opinion, that buying an alcoholic drink package encourages drinking more than is really wanted - but once you get the package, you have the challenge to make it pay off.

Thanks Snorkeller! I like a challenge! Lol! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Clapping.gif" alt="" />

Almost everyone we know that has purchased a drink package, especially wine, has said they wouldn't do it again because they really could not consume all that much. We did purchase a wine package for a family cruise when we had 6 adults at the dinner table. That worked very well.

Sue

We went on an 8 day RCI cruise in April. We got 1 of the non-alcohol packages and felt we got our money's worth. The alcohol packages seemed too expensive for us.

We went on a 12 night RC Caribbean cruise in January 2014 and we bought the premium drink package. Did we break the boat? no....but it certainly was convenient. They put a sticker on your sea pass card and you simply show it when you order...no signing. The package does not include the drink of the day....in the special glass...but we don't want those glasses anyway. So simply tell them you want the drink of the day in a regular glass.
The package includes wine by the glass....which of course is not the best wine...but it was acceptable.

The nice part of having the package is trying new drinks...if you don't like it...get another one.

You did not ask but I also recommend buying the photo cd package...I believe it was about $350...and then for an additional $100 you get all the prints they automatically print every day. We went with my parents...so every picture of the 4 of us was in together was in our package. So we gave my parents many of the pictures and we still had the CD to print more pictures if we wanted them.

Since we knew every picture was included we got our picture taken every time we saw them set up in the evenings and at each port.

Friends of ours went on the same cruise two weeks later and our pictures were used as samples. They said we were all over the ship...lol

I was on a cruise last week and they now make you wait around to sign, even for a bottle of water.

even if you have the drink package? We signed for nothing in January. they simply looked at our sea pass for the sticker.

Check and see if your cruise line allows you to order from your stateroom.
We are doing the western Carib in Jan. on RCL and they will not allow room service, so it's not worth it for me.

We were just on a NCL cruise and by going through Vacation To Go the liquor package was included "free". Our whole cruise for two with an ocean view / liquor pkg for two / and $150 on board credit and port fees came out to: $1,704.60. Great deal and we booked 6 wks out. So my advice is to 'look around' for great deals. If you are retired and can 'go' any time it's the best way to get the best deals. You can always 'upgrade' to a better cabin for hardly anything. As far as -- did we feel we got out money out of the drink package (if we had paid for it) probably not as neither of us are BIG drinkers but then, it was included and we did keep track of how many drinks we had and it was 'close'. Would we pay for the liquor package? Probably not but if we go through Vacationstogo.com again - I will ask about it. Just saves alot when you know you have to pay the final bill before you get off the ship!

Just got back (yesterday), RCCL out of New Orleans. Ultimate drink package = Cocktails, wine, beer, and of course soda and water for free-Just show your Sea Pass card with the sticker and off you go. No signing anything. Went to the same two or three bars, and didn't even have to show the card after the third day- They knew us. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/dine.gif" alt="" />

Also, just booked an Alaska Cruise on NCL Jewel for August 2015. Special now is a free Ultimate Drink package with the booking of Oceanview or Balcony cabin. Package is for both of us. Also includes a $50.00 onboard credit.
If you book an inside cabin, no drink package but you do get a $25.00 onboard credit.