How To Buy A Drink Package For Your Norwegian Cruise
Its pretty easy, really. ;Once youve booked your cruise, simply head over to ncl.com. ;Then up in the right-hand corner, log in to myNCL.com with your username and password. ;That will take you to Explore & Plan. From there, in the left-hand column, choose Beverage Packages. ;Simply choose your package and pay for it. It will be automatically added to your account.
Are There Other Benefits To Drink Package Beyond Saving Money
The biggest point of the packages is that they can save you money if you plan to drink your fill on a cruise. But there are some other benefits beyond just the potential money saved.
As mentioned above, some people enjoy that they can get the package and not have to worry about the bill. Instead of keeping a tally of what they’ve spent, they can just relax and know exactly what they are paying each day. That gives some peace of mind.
But there is another benefit — the option of trying new things without worrying about the cost. Head to a bar normally to try something new, and you pay out of pocket whether you love it or hate it. With the drink package, you can try drinks you normally wouldn’t order without the risk.
If you happen to not like it, you didn’t pay anything extra thanks to the package. You can head right back and order something else. That’s a bonus that many people don’t realize.
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Is There A Limit On Royal Caribbean Drink Packages
There is no limit on a Royal Caribbean drink package in terms of how many drinks a guest may consume in a day or throughout the cruise.
The only limit on a drink package is that you may only order one drink per order, per drink package.
If multiple people are ordering a drink with a drink package, the bartender or waiter may take each guests’ SeaPass card to place the order.
There are a few other drink package rules that you should be aware of as well.
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Do You Need To Tip For Drinks Purchased With A Carnival Beverage Package
All Carnival drink packages have an extra 18% gratuity on top of the list price. So, you wont need to tip your bartender or server each time you order a drink with your beverage package youve already pre-paid your tips.
However, you can always add an extra tip for your favorite bartenders, if you choose.
Why To Never Order Wine By The Glass
Never ever order by the glass on a cruise, even if youre only going;to have one;glass of wine with dinner. Heres why: if you order a bottle of wine and dont finish it, your server will gladly re-cork it for you so that you can enjoy the rest of that bottle on another night, at no additional charge. Also, most cruise ships even permit the server to send whats left of the bottle to another bar or even to your stateroom.
As is the case with any land-based;restaurant, wine;by the bottle on cruise ships offers significant savings compared to ordering by the glass. So as long as youre able to finish an entire bottle during the length of your entire cruise, theres really no reason to ever order by the glass.
Those $7 glasses of wine may seem like a good deal, but itll add up to $42 over the course of six glasses. Thats over $50! On our last cruise the $7-per-glass wine was priced at $29-per-bottle. So ordering the bottle will ultimately get you that same wine for far less money. Just finish the bottle another night or whenever youre ready.
Pro Tip: By a Wine Package Instead
Most all cruise lines offer;wine packages in which;you commit to a certain number of bottles throughout your sailing, at a reduced price. Typically the more wine you commit to, the greater the price reduction. So try to estimate how much wine youll go through on the front end of the cruise, which will lessen the blow to your onboard account by departure day.
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Do I Have To Pay Gratuity On The Drink Package
Gratuity is added on to the cost of the package. So when you purchase the package, you’ll see an additional gratuity charge tacked on to the total . So a $60 package will end up costing around $71 per day.
When you use the package at the bar, you aren’t charged an additional gratuity. It’s already taken care of with the cost you paid for the package. There may be a line for an additional tip on the receipt if you are feeling generous.
Do I Have To Buy A Drinks Package For Every Day Of The Cruise
Sadly its not possible to buy packages for specific sea days as a drinks package can only be purchased for the entire duration of your cruise. If your cruise itinerary is planning a lot of time docked and youll be off exploring the wonders ashore, then a drinks package may not be worth investing in. If you return on board at 5 pm, and then you have dinner and then time to enjoy your drinks, you have to account for how much you drink. If you can drink enough during this limited period to reach breakeven, then maybe its worth the investment.
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Be A Loyal Cruiser To Get Rewarded With Free Drinks
If youve come back on the same cruise line for a second cruise, you may be rewarded for your loyalty with a bottle of champagne, a few drink tickets, and perhaps a cocktail party. Cruise a few more times on that same cruise line and you may find complimentary happy hours every single night!
Cruise lines are quite fond of treating their loyal patrons with booze. Even if youve only cruised once prior with the ship, there is usually a loyalty party event that includes complimentary drinks. So if this is your second or greater instance of cruising with the same cruise line, then be sure to check what alcohol perks you may be entitled to.
Weve found that Royal Caribbean and Celebrity have some particularly enticing loyalty perks for cruisers who enjoy free drinks! In addition to exclusive parties with free drinks, Celebrity rewards their Elite Captain Club members with a daily cocktail hour with unlimited free drinks from 5:00-7:00 at most bars and lounges. Meanwhile, Royal Caribbean rewards Diamond members of the Crown & Anchor society by loading free drink tickets onto their SeaPass card.
So it can really pay off for drinkers to be loyal to those lines!
Royal Caribbean Drink Package Prices
The Deluxe Package is Royal Caribbean’s unlimited alcohol package and its prices begin at $57 per day, per person excluding gratuity.;
The Refreshment Package offers unlimited non-alcoholic drinks and begins at $26 per person, per day excluding gratuity.
If you want just to have as much soda as you like, Royal Caribbean’s Classic Soda Package is for you.;;The price for the Classic Soda Package begins at $8.50 per day, per guest excluding gratuity.;
You can pre-purchase your drink package online or via the phone.;;Onboard, the drink packages;are available for purchase throughout the voyage with at least 4 days remaining. A drink package must be purchased for the duration of the cruise; prorated price based on date of purchase.
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Are Cruise Drink Packages Worth It
Whether or not a drink package is worth it depends on how much — and how often — you drink. We would guess that for most people, the cost don’t justify purchasing an all you can drink package.
You can use our drink package calculator to see if it’s worth it for you.
Consider that a beer on the ship costs between $6-8, including gratuity. For a drink package running $60 per day, you’d have to drink about 8-10 beers each and every day — including on days when you are in port — to get your money’s worth.
If you like more expensive drinks like cocktails, the math works a little more in your favor. A $10-14 cocktail means you’d have to drink about 5-7 drinks every day to make it worth your while.
Many people might be able to keep this sort of pace up for a couple of days, but it can be tough to do that for every day of your cruise. Also keep in mind if you have to spend more to purchase the drink package for everyone in the cabin, even if they don’t want it.
There is one benefit to consider, even if you don’t come out ahead financially. Some passengers love knowing exactly what they will spend with the package and not having to worry about every nickel and dime they spend on drinks.
With the drink package you aren’t going to be surprised by a high bill at the end of your cruise. You’ll know exactly what you’re spending right upfront.
Have you purchased a drink package before? Was it worth it? Let us know in the comments below.
New Premium Plus Beverage Package
If you only buy top shelf alcohol, this is the package for you. The Premium Plus Beverage Package includes beverages by the glass for Veuve Clicquot, Patrón Añejo, Hendricks Gin and more.
Also included in your by-the-glass package are unlimited soft drinks, beers, spirits, cocktails, wines and select bottles of wine with dinner.; In addition, still and sparkling water, energy drinks, and specialty coffees are included.
An interesting option about the Premium Plus package is that if you purchase the Premium Beverage Package, you can ask to upgrade to the Premium Plus when you are onboard.
COST:;$128 per person per day plus 20% gratuity and beverage service charge.;
Total cost for a seven-day cruise:; $1075.20 per person.;
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How Much Are Drinks On A Carnival Cruise If You Buy Them Individually
If youre considering buying a drink package for your first Carnival cruise, youre probably wondering what the menu prices are if you buy drinks individually.
Here are typical menu prices for a variety of drinks on Carnival:
- Beer: $6 $8 per glass
- Wine $8 ;$14 per glass
- Mixed drinks: $7 $20
- Specialty soft drinks: ;$2 $5
- Bottled water: $1.25 $5
Why All Inclusive Cruises
Cruising can take you from place to place in no time at all, usually overnight, so you will have plenty of time to explore a variety of exciting locations. With your accommodation, food and entertainment all in one place what could be better? All inclusive cruises take the worry out of any additional costs to your holiday, allowing you to take advantage of a range of onboard activities included in your all inclusive package. Take an all-inclusive cruise to avoid any nasty end of holiday bills!
Psst: All inclusive cruises are great all year round – take the stress out of Christmas and New Year dinner by enjoying celebrations on board! See what Easter cruises, Christmas cruises and New Year’s Eve cruises we have on offer.
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Disney Cruise Beer Package
There is a Disney Cruise Beer Package which will give you a discount on a 6 pack of beer. You will pay for only 5 and get a 6 pack for $30. As with all Disney cruise beverages, you will have to add a 15% gratuity onto these prices.
The imported beer choices are:
6 Pack of Heineken Beer $30.006 Pack of Guinness Beer $30.006 Pack of Corona Beer $30.006 Pack of Pub Ale $30.00
If you prefer a Disney cruise domestic beer package here are your choices:
6 Pack of 16 oz Aluminum Bud Light $30.006 Pack of 16 oz Aluminum Bud Light Lime $30.006 Pack of 16 oz Aluminum Budweiser $30.006 Pack of 16 oz Aluminum Michelob Ultra $30.006 Pack of 16 oz Aluminum Miller Light $30.006 Pack of 16oz Aluminum Coors Light $30.00
How to Order a Disney Cruise Drinks Package
The beer and wine drinks packages are easy to order when you are on board the ship. However, you can also pre-order any drinks package at Disney Gifts and Amenities.
It is so easy to order onboard though we never do this. However, it would be useful if you need to budget prior to the cruise and know that your expenses are already taken care of.
Have Cheap Drinks On A Cruise But Dont Miss Out On The Fun
Part of the fun of drinking on a cruise is the social element, hanging out the numerous bars, lounges, and clubs on these awesome ships. The nightly parties can be a blast. Drunken karaoke sessions are hilarious.
Yet some of the aforementioned cruise tips for cheap drinks may confine passengers to drinking in their staterooms. Thats boring. Youre on a cruise go out and have fun!
So be sure to utilize those cruise happy hours, daily drink specials, tasting activities, and beverage package deals in order to truly make the most;of your vacation, as you drink your way across the open seas!
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Do Cruise Line Drink Packages Work In Port
In most cases, the drink package only works on the ship. That’s because most ports of call aren’t affiliated with the cruise line. So when you port in Cozumel, you are headed into Mexico — not an extension of the cruise ship.
That said, drink packages work in some private islands that are run by the cruise line. For instance, CocoCay — Royal Caribbean’s private island — allows you to use the package while in port. MSC’s Ocean Cay also allows you to use your drink package in port.
This isn’t the case everywhere, however. Notably, Harvest Caye — operated by Norwegian — doesn’t offer the use of drink packages. Carnival’s Half Moon Cay and Princess Cays also don’t offer the use of the onboard drink package.
Bottom line: Your drink package won’t work in ports of call, but there is a possibility if you are visiting a private island run by a cruise line.
Keep in mind being able to use the package in port is a BIG deal. It’s essentially an extra day that you can get your money’s worth versus spending out of pocket when you are off the ship.
Carnival Cruise Line Non
Bottomless Bubbles is Carnival Cruise Lines unlimited soda package. For one flat fee, cruisers can enjoy all the fountain soda and juices they want with this package.
The pricing of this package is $8.50 for adults and $5.95 for children aged 17 or under .
Like the alcoholic drink package, you can only order one drink at a time, either a 16 ounce glass of soda or a 10 ounce glass of juice. Soda choices on the Carnival drink menu for 2020 include Pepsi products, Tonic Water, and Club Soda. Similarly, for juices, cruisers have the option of Orange Juice, Cranberry Juice, Tomato Juice, Pineapple Juice, and Grapefruit Juice.
Again, like the Cheers Program, this package does NOT work off the ship, even at Half Moon Cay or Princess Cays. Bottled water and specialty coffee are also not part of this package. Other exclusions include beverages sold in souvenir glasses, beverages sold at the gangway, and room services orders.
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The Truth About Cruise Line Beverage Packages
It sounds pretty enticing. Pay once prior to sailing and enjoy unlimited booze for the duration of your cruise. Its easy to see the appeal of an all you can drink package – no more worrying about running up a huge bar tab. Simply head to the bar, order what you like and enjoy. If you like a tipple, surely its a no-brainer. But not so fast Not all prepaid drinks packages are made equal and each one has its own restrictions. Is an inclusive alcoholic beverages package right for you? That depends. Firstly, lets look at the cost. They run for $50-60 per person per day , which means you will need to down quite a few drinks a day to make it worthwhile financially. Based on $10 cocktails, you would need to drink at least 6 each day. Youll need to do the math to work out whether unlimited drinks on cruises offer any cost benefits, or check out one of the online drinks package calculators. Also factor in port of call days. You are required to buy the beverage package for every day of your cruise but you will likely not make full use of it with a full-day excursion on shore.
Inclusive Drinks On A Luxury Cruise
Only the ultra-luxury cruise lines offer a true all-inclusive product which means no bloated bar tab to pay off on checkout. Simply order what you want and enjoy. These lines, which include Regent Seven Seas, Seabourn, Silversea and Crystal Cruises, include gratuities and all alcoholic and soft drinks in the cruise fare, including Champagne, so overall, its a more civilized, hassle-free and transparent way to cruise for a price. Obviously, you are not selecting a cruise on a high-end line simply to avoid high drinks prices. Its not just mainstream label drinks included; you also get high-end whiskies and premium wine vintages. ;
Premium lines like Azamara Club Cruises adopt a slightly different drinks policy with standard spirits, international beers, and a small selection of wines included in the cruise fare. There is the option to upgrade to a premium beverage package offering high-end liquors, Scotch and Champagne by the glass. There is also a Wine Connoisseur Package. On Oceania Cruises you get complimentary still and sparkling water, soft drinks, specialty coffees and teas with a choice of two alcoholic drinks packages. Enjoy unlimited drinks during lunch and dinner or at any time throughout the day.
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