Picture this: you’re lounging on the deck of a Celebrity cruise ship, the sun is shining, and a refreshing cocktail sounds perfect. But then you think about the cost of each individual drink. Suddenly, the relaxation fades. Many cruisers face this dilemma, wondering are drink packages worth it on Celebrity Cruises. This post breaks down everything you need to know to make an informed decision, covering the different package options, pricing, consumption habits, and alternative strategies to maximize your vacation budget.
Understanding Celebrity Cruises’ Drink Package Options
Celebrity Cruises offers a few different drink package options to cater to various drinking preferences and budgets. Each package provides a different range of included beverages and comes with a specific daily price. Knowing what each package includes and how it fits your drinking style is the first step in determining if it’s worth the investment.
Classic Package
The Classic Package is the entry-level drink package offered by Celebrity Cruises. It typically includes a selection of beers, spirits, cocktails, wines by the glass (up to a certain price point), and non-alcoholic beverages. It’s a good option for those who enjoy a few drinks each day, but aren’t looking for premium brands or elaborate cocktails.
- Included Beverages: Offers a decent selection of standard beers, liquors, and cocktails. This is perfect for those who aren’t picky about brands. The included wine selections are usually limited to lower-priced options.
- Price Point: Generally the most affordable drink package, making it attractive to budget-conscious travelers. The exact price can vary depending on the specific cruise and promotions.
- Benefits: Allows for a fixed daily cost, simplifying budgeting and removing the surprise of a large onboard bill. It encourages trying different drinks without worrying about racking up individual charges.
Premium Package
The Premium Package offers an expanded selection of beverages, including higher-end spirits, cocktails, wines, and beers. It’s a popular choice for cruisers who enjoy premium brands and want a wider variety of options. This package provides access to nearly everything on the bar menu.
- Expanded Selection: Includes almost all drinks on the menu, including premium liquors, craft beers, and higher-end wines by the glass. This satisfies guests with sophisticated tastes.
- Higher Price: Naturally, the Premium Package comes at a higher daily cost than the Classic Package. This is worth considering if you frequently order premium drinks.
- Perks: The freedom to order almost anything without worrying about additional charges adds to the overall vacation experience. Guests can indulge in top-shelf selections without hesitation.
Non-Alcoholic Package
For those who don’t consume alcohol, Celebrity Cruises offers a non-alcoholic drink package. This package typically includes specialty coffees, teas, bottled water, sodas, and juices. It is a great alternative if you still want the convenience of unlimited beverages without the alcohol.
- Wide Variety of Non-Alcoholic Drinks: From specialty coffees to premium teas and sparkling water, there are a lot of choices. Even if you don’t drink alcohol, staying hydrated and enjoying tasty beverages is important.
- Cost-Effective: A reasonable price and unlimited options make it worthwhile. You can avoid a large bill for individual non-alcoholic beverages throughout your cruise.
- Peace of Mind: Knowing you can order any non-alcoholic beverage without worrying about cost is a relief. You can relax and enjoy your vacation with no financial surprises.
Calculating the Cost of a Drink Package vs. À La Carte
To determine whether a drink package is a worthwhile investment, it’s crucial to calculate the daily cost of the package and compare it to what you would likely spend on drinks if purchasing them individually. This involves estimating your average daily drink consumption and the average price of your preferred beverages.
Estimating Your Daily Drink Consumption
Think about your typical drinking habits on vacation. Do you enjoy a few cocktails by the pool, wine with dinner, and perhaps a nightcap? Or do you prefer just a few drinks throughout the day? Be honest with yourself to get an accurate estimate. Consider both alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages when making this calculation.
- Factor in all beverages: Include coffees, teas, sodas, and bottled water, not just alcoholic drinks. Even seemingly small costs can add up over the course of the cruise.
- Consider different days: Your consumption might vary depending on whether it’s a sea day or a port day. Sea days often lead to higher drink consumption.
- Account for special occasions: If you plan on celebrating a birthday or anniversary, you may consume more drinks on those days. Be sure to factor those into your calculations.
Comparing Package Cost to Individual Drink Prices
Research the average prices of drinks on Celebrity Cruises. Cocktails typically range from $10-$15, beers from $7-$9, and wines from $9-$12 per glass. Factor in the daily cost of the drink package, including any gratuities, and calculate how many drinks you would need to consume to break even.
- Factor in gratuities: Drink packages often include a daily gratuity charge. This needs to be factored into the total cost to get an accurate picture.
- Consider potential discounts: Sometimes cruise lines offer promotions on drink packages. Look for these discounts to potentially lower the break-even point.
- Use an online calculator: There are several online drink package calculators available. These can help you estimate your potential savings or losses based on your consumption.
Real-Life Example: Comparing Costs
Let’s say the Classic Package costs $69 per day plus 20% gratuity, totaling $82.80. If the average cocktail costs $13, you’d need to consume approximately 6.3 drinks per day to break even. Consider this example: You enjoy two cocktails by the pool ($26), two glasses of wine with dinner ($20), and two beers in the evening ($16). Your total would be $62, which is less than the daily package cost. Thus, in this specific scenario, the drink package may not be financially advantageous. On the other hand, if you regularly order premium drinks, the Premium Package might be more worthwhile.
A 2022 study by Cruise Critic found that the average cruiser consumes 4-5 alcoholic beverages per day. Using this average, assess whether a drink package aligns with your drinking habits to optimize costs.
Factors to Consider Beyond Cost
Beyond the purely financial aspect, several other factors can influence whether drink packages are worth it. These include your overall vacation style, the itinerary of your cruise, and any potential perks or promotions offered by Celebrity Cruises.
Itinerary and Port Days
The number of sea days versus port days can significantly impact your drink consumption. On sea days, you’re likely to spend more time onboard, increasing the opportunity to enjoy drinks. On port days, you may be off the ship exploring, reducing your drink consumption.
- Sea Day Advantages: Maximizes the value of a drink package. More time spent onboard equals more opportunities to enjoy included beverages.
- Port Day Disadvantages: May not be as beneficial. Fewer hours on the ship may lead to lower drink consumption, making the package less cost-effective.
- Mix and Match: If you have a mix of sea and port days, calculate the average number of drinks across the entire cruise. This can help you determine if the package is still worthwhile.
Vacation Style and Preferences
Your vacation style plays a significant role. Are you a relaxed, leisurely drinker, or do you tend to indulge more on vacation? Do you prefer a wide variety of drinks, or do you stick to a few favorites? Your personal preferences will help determine which package, if any, is the best fit.
- Socializing vs. Relaxing: If you’re highly social and enjoy spending time at the bars, a drink package might be a good investment. If you prefer quiet relaxation, you might not consume enough to justify the cost.
- Brand Loyalty: If you’re particular about the brands you drink, make sure those brands are included in the package you’re considering. Otherwise, you might end up paying extra for your preferred drinks anyway.
- Specialty Drinks: If you plan on trying a variety of cocktails and specialty drinks, a package can save you money compared to paying for each one individually.
Potential Perks and Promotions
Celebrity Cruises frequently offers promotions that include drink packages as part of a larger package. These promotions can significantly increase the value of a drink package, making it a more attractive option. Always check for these promotions before making a decision.
- “All Included” Fares: These fares often bundle drink packages, Wi-Fi, and gratuities into the cruise fare. This can be a great deal if you would have purchased those items separately anyway.
- Limited-Time Offers: Cruise lines often run limited-time promotions on drink packages. Keep an eye out for these deals to potentially save money.
- Credit Card Rewards: Some credit cards offer rewards or discounts on travel purchases. Using these cards can further reduce the cost of a drink package.
According to data from Celebrity Cruises, guests who book “All Included” fares tend to spend less on board overall, due to the pre-paid inclusions.
Strategies to Maximize Value, With or Without a Package
Even if a drink package doesn’t seem financially worthwhile, there are still strategies you can use to maximize your beverage spending on Celebrity Cruises. These strategies include taking advantage of happy hour specials, bringing your own wine, and utilizing loyalty program benefits.
Happy Hour and Drink Specials
Many bars on Celebrity Cruises offer happy hour specials and discounted drinks at certain times of the day. Taking advantage of these specials can significantly reduce your overall beverage costs. Check the daily schedule for specific times and locations.
- Time Your Drinks: Strategically plan your drink consumption around happy hour to save money. This requires some planning but can result in significant savings.
- Explore Different Bars: Check out the specials at different bars on the ship. Some bars may offer better deals than others.
- Ask the Bartender: Bartenders often know about unadvertised specials or promotions. Don’t hesitate to ask if there are any deals available.
Bringing Your Own Wine
Celebrity Cruises allows passengers to bring a limited amount of wine onboard. This can be a great way to save money on wine purchases, especially if you have a favorite bottle you enjoy. Note that there is usually a corkage fee if you consume your wine in the dining room or other public areas.
- Check the Policy: Make sure you understand the cruise line’s policy on bringing wine onboard. There may be restrictions on the quantity or type of wine allowed.
- Consider the Corkage Fee: If you plan on drinking your wine in a restaurant, factor in the corkage fee when calculating your savings. It might still be cheaper than buying a bottle from the ship’s wine list.
- Pack Carefully: Ensure your wine is properly packed to prevent breakage during transit. Use a wine travel bag or wrap the bottles securely in bubble wrap.
Loyalty Program Benefits
Celebrity Cruises’ loyalty program, Captain’s Club, offers various benefits to its members, including discounts on drinks and complimentary beverages. The higher your loyalty tier, the more benefits you’ll receive. Be sure to utilize these benefits to reduce your overall beverage costs.
- Sign Up for the Program: Even if you’re new to Celebrity Cruises, sign up for the Captain’s Club to start earning points and unlocking benefits.
- Track Your Points: Keep track of your points and understand how many points you need to reach the next tier.
- Utilize Your Benefits: Take advantage of any discounts or complimentary drinks offered through the loyalty program. Be sure to inform your server or bartender of your Captain’s Club status when ordering.
A 2021 survey by Statista revealed that 78% of cruise passengers are part of a cruise line loyalty program, highlighting the widespread adoption of these programs for added benefits and savings.
Debunking Common Myths About Cruise Drink Packages
Myth: Drink packages are always worth it for everyone.
This is simply not true. Whether a drink package is worthwhile depends entirely on your individual consumption habits, preferences, and itinerary. Carefully assess your needs before making a decision. Some people drink very little on cruises and would be throwing money away buying a drink package.
Myth: You have to drink excessively to get your money’s worth from a package.
Not necessarily. While you do need to consume a certain amount of drinks to break even, it doesn’t require excessive drinking. Consider non-alcoholic beverages, specialty coffees, and other included items. If you enjoy several of these throughout the day, you may reach the break-even point without overindulging in alcohol.
Myth: Sharing drinks from a drink package is allowed.
Absolutely not! Drink packages are for individual use only. Cruise lines strictly prohibit sharing drinks from a package with other passengers. Violating this rule can result in the cancellation of your package without a refund. The cruise line assumes each person will drink a certain amount and factors this into the pricing of the packages.
Insert a comparison chart here showing the different Celebrity Cruises drink packages, their prices, and what is included in each.
FAQ
Question: What happens if I don’t use all my drink package credits for the day?
Answer: Drink packages on Celebrity Cruises are typically unlimited within the daily price range and package inclusions. You don’t have “credits” that expire. Instead, you pay a flat daily rate for the privilege of ordering included drinks without additional charges, so there’s nothing to lose if you don’t maximize every single drink opportunity.
Question: Can I upgrade my drink package once I’m onboard?
Answer: Yes, in most cases, you can upgrade your drink package once you are onboard the ship. It’s best to do this on the first day of your cruise to ensure you get the most value out of the upgrade. Be aware that you will likely need to pay the difference in price between the two packages for the remaining days of your cruise.
Question: Is the drink package mandatory for everyone in the cabin?
Answer: Celebrity Cruises usually requires that all adults (21 years or older) staying in the same cabin purchase a drink package if one person chooses to buy one. This is to prevent sharing and ensure fair pricing. However, this policy can sometimes be waived under certain circumstances, so it’s best to confirm directly with Celebrity Cruises or your travel agent.
Question: What drinks are *not* included in the Premium drink package?
Answer: Even the Premium drink package doesn’t cover every single drink available. The most common exclusions are super-premium liquors, rare wines by the bottle, and drinks served in souvenir glasses. High-end champagne and very aged spirits generally fall outside the package offerings, so it’s always good to check if unsure.
Question: Are there any restrictions on the time of day I can use my drink package?
Answer: Generally, there are no time restrictions on when you can use your drink package during the ship’s operating hours. You can order drinks anytime the bars are open, from early morning coffee to late-night cocktails. However, specific venues, like certain specialty restaurants, may have different hours of operation.
Question: Do I still have to pay gratuities if I purchase a drink package?
Answer: Yes, drink packages typically include a daily gratuity charge that is added to the cost of the package. This covers the service provided by the bartenders and wait staff. The gratuity is usually around 20% of the package price, but the exact amount can vary. It’s best to confirm the gratuity amount with Celebrity Cruises before purchasing the package.
Final Thoughts
Deciding whether drink packages are worth it on Celebrity Cruises depends on your individual needs and preferences. Carefully assess your drinking habits, compare the cost of the package to individual drink prices, and consider factors beyond just cost, such as the itinerary and potential promotions. By doing your research and planning ahead, you can make an informed decision that ensures you enjoy your cruise without breaking the bank. Cheers to a fantastic voyage!