Imagine yourself lounging by the pool on a luxurious Celebrity cruise ship, the sun warming your skin. A refreshing cocktail sounds perfect, but a nagging question pops into your head: How much are drinks on Celebrity cruise ships? Understanding the beverage costs before you set sail can significantly impact your onboard budget and overall experience. This guide will provide a comprehensive breakdown of drink prices, package options, and strategies to save money, ensuring you can relax and enjoy your vacation without worrying about unexpected expenses.
Understanding Beverage Pricing on Celebrity Cruises
Celebrity Cruises offers a variety of beverage options, each with its own price point. From basic sodas and juices to premium cocktails and fine wines, understanding the cost structure is essential for planning your onboard spending. Knowing what to expect can help you decide whether to purchase a beverage package or pay as you go, ultimately optimizing your cruise experience.
Standard Drink Prices
Understanding the baseline cost of individual beverages helps in making informed decisions. These prices serve as a benchmark against which you can evaluate the value of different beverage packages. Knowing the approximate cost of your preferred drinks allows you to estimate your potential spending and determine if a package aligns with your consumption habits.
- Sodas and Juices: Typically range from $3 to $5 per drink. These are a standard offering and a simple way to quench your thirst.
Many cruise lines offer free water, coffee and tea but soft drinks and juices are an extra cost. If you are a big soda drinker, buying a package will likely save you money over the course of your cruise.
- Beers: Prices vary depending on the brand, but expect to pay between $7 and $9 for domestic and imported beers. A wide variety is usually available.
Beer lovers often find that purchasing a beer package or a general alcoholic beverage package is a worthwhile investment. With so many options onboard, trying different beers is part of the cruise experience.
- Wines by the Glass: Start at around $10 and can go up significantly for premium selections. The price reflects the quality and rarity of the wine.
Wine enthusiasts should carefully review the wine list and consider if a wine package would be more economical. Some packages offer a wide selection of wines by the glass at a fixed daily rate.
- Cocktails: Generally priced between $12 and $15, depending on the ingredients and complexity of the drink. These are a popular choice for poolside relaxation.
Cocktails are a significant expense for many cruisers. Given the cost of individual cocktails, a beverage package can provide substantial savings, especially if you plan on enjoying several throughout the day.
Factors Influencing Drink Prices
Several factors contribute to the cost of beverages on Celebrity Cruises. Understanding these influences can provide insight into why prices are set and how they may vary. These factors include sourcing, preparation, and other things that increase the price of drinks.
- Ingredient Quality: Higher quality ingredients, such as premium liquors and fresh fruits, often lead to higher prices. This ensures a superior taste and overall experience.
Celebrity Cruises aims to provide a luxurious experience, often using top-shelf ingredients in their cocktails. This focus on quality is reflected in the pricing of the drinks.
- Location on the Ship: Prices might vary slightly depending on the bar or venue. Specialty bars with unique offerings may have higher prices.
For example, a martini bar that uses premium spirits and handcrafted mixers may charge a bit more than a standard bar on the pool deck.
- Specialty and Themed Drinks: Unique cocktails or themed beverages offered at specific events may command a premium price. This adds to the novelty and exclusivity.
Drinks served during special events like formal nights or themed parties may feature unique ingredients or presentations, justifying a slightly higher cost.
Exploring Celebrity Cruises Beverage Packages
Celebrity Cruises offers various beverage packages designed to cater to different drinking preferences and budgets. These packages provide a fixed daily rate for unlimited drinks within certain parameters. Understanding the different packages and their inclusions is essential for determining the best option for your needs.
Classic Beverage Package
The Classic Beverage Package is one of the most popular options, offering a range of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages. It includes beers, wines by the glass, spirits, cocktails, sodas, juices, and specialty coffees. This package is a good starting point for those who enjoy a moderate amount of drinks throughout the day.
- Inclusions: Covers drinks up to a specific price point, usually around $9 per drink. This includes a variety of popular choices.
The Classic Package is designed to offer a good selection of standard drinks, ensuring that most popular options are included without breaking the bank.
- Typical Cost: Generally priced around $69 per day, plus gratuities. This can vary depending on promotions and the length of your cruise.
The daily cost makes the package worthwhile if you typically enjoy more than a few alcoholic drinks, plus non-alcoholic beverages, each day.
- Who it’s Best For: Suitable for those who enjoy standard cocktails, beers, and wines without needing top-shelf liquors. It’s a good balance of cost and options.
If you’re content with standard brands and don’t require premium options, the Classic Package offers excellent value and a wide variety of choices.
Premium Beverage Package
The Premium Beverage Package offers a more extensive selection of beverages, including top-shelf liquors, premium cocktails, and higher-end wines. This package caters to those who prefer the finest drinks and want to indulge in a wider range of options. It provides the highest quality and selection possible.
- Inclusions: Covers drinks up to a higher price point, often around $15 per drink, offering access to premium brands and cocktails.
The Premium Package opens up a world of top-shelf liquors, handcrafted cocktails, and fine wines, ensuring you have access to the best the cruise has to offer.
- Typical Cost: Usually around $89 per day, plus gratuities. This reflects the increased value and premium options available.
While more expensive than the Classic Package, the Premium Package can be worthwhile for those who appreciate high-end drinks and want the widest selection possible.
- Who it’s Best For: Ideal for those who prefer top-shelf liquors, premium wines, and handcrafted cocktails, and are willing to pay for the enhanced experience.
If you’re a connoisseur who appreciates the finer things in life, the Premium Package provides unparalleled access to the best beverages onboard.
Non-Alcoholic Beverage Packages
For those who don’t consume alcohol, Celebrity Cruises offers non-alcoholic beverage packages. These packages provide unlimited access to sodas, juices, specialty coffees, and other non-alcoholic drinks. They are a cost-effective way to enjoy a variety of refreshing beverages without incurring individual charges.
- Classic Soda Package: Provides unlimited access to sodas and juices. This is a great option for families with children or those who prefer non-alcoholic options.
This package ensures you stay hydrated with a wide range of soft drinks and juices throughout your cruise, without having to worry about accumulating individual charges.
- Premium Non-Alcoholic Package: Includes specialty coffees, teas, bottled water, and premium juices. This package caters to those who enjoy a wider range of non-alcoholic beverages.
For those who enjoy lattes, cappuccinos, and premium juices, this package provides excellent value and allows you to indulge in your favorite non-alcoholic drinks.
- Cost: Non-alcoholic packages typically range from $18 to $30 per day, depending on the inclusions. This makes them an affordable alternative to individual purchases.
These packages are a cost-effective way to enjoy a variety of non-alcoholic drinks without exceeding your budget.
Strategies for Saving Money on Drinks
While beverage packages offer a convenient way to budget for drinks, there are other strategies to save money on beverages while cruising. These tips can help you enjoy your favorite drinks without overspending. From pre-cruise planning to onboard strategies, many methods can help.
BYOB (Bring Your Own Beverages) Policy
Celebrity Cruises allows passengers to bring a limited amount of alcohol onboard. Understanding and utilizing this policy can significantly reduce your beverage costs. Be sure to check the latest rules to ensure compliance. Bring a bottle of wine or two per stateroom to enjoy privately.
- Wine: Passengers are generally allowed to bring two bottles of wine per stateroom at embarkation. This can be a great way to enjoy your favorite wines without paying onboard prices.
Bringing your own wine allows you to enjoy a nice bottle in your stateroom or at dinner without incurring extra charges. Be sure to pack it carefully to prevent breakage.
- Liquor: Bringing hard liquor onboard is usually restricted. It will typically be held until the end of the cruise.
While you can’t bring your own liquor, taking advantage of the wine policy can still significantly reduce your overall beverage costs.
- Corkage Fees: If you bring your own wine to the dining room, a corkage fee may apply. This fee covers the cost of serving the wine.
Factor in the corkage fee when deciding whether to bring your own wine to the dining room. It may still be more economical than purchasing a bottle onboard.
Happy Hour and Drink Specials
Take advantage of happy hour specials and drink promotions offered at various bars and venues onboard. These specials can provide significant discounts on select drinks. Check the daily cruise schedule for information on these offerings.
- Daily Specials: Many bars offer daily drink specials, featuring discounted cocktails or beers. These specials are a great way to try new drinks at a lower price.
Keep an eye out for the daily specials and plan your drinking around these promotions to save money.
- Happy Hour: Certain bars may offer happy hour with reduced prices on select drinks. These are usually during off-peak times.
Happy hour is a great way to enjoy discounted drinks and socialize with other passengers before dinner.
- Bundle Deals: Some bars offer bundle deals, such as buckets of beer at a discounted price. This is a good option for groups or those who plan to drink multiple beers.
Bundle deals can provide significant savings if you plan to enjoy several drinks throughout the day.
Loyalty Programs and Discounts
Celebrity Cruises’ loyalty program, Captain’s Club, offers various benefits, including discounts on beverages. Higher tiers often receive greater discounts. Make sure to register and take advantage of these benefits.
- Membership Tiers: Higher tiers of the Captain’s Club offer increasing discounts on beverages. Check your membership level to see what discounts you qualify for.
Loyalty is rewarded with better perks and discounts, making it worthwhile to climb the ranks of the Captain’s Club.
- Onboard Credits: Some promotions offer onboard credits that can be used towards beverage purchases. This can significantly reduce your overall spending.
Take advantage of promotions that offer onboard credits to enjoy drinks without additional costs.
- Automatic Gratuities: Beverage packages often include automatic gratuities, but individual drink purchases may have gratuities added. Factor this into your cost calculations.
Understanding how gratuities are applied can help you accurately estimate your beverage costs.
Debunking Common Myths About Cruise Drink Costs
Many misconceptions surround the cost of drinks on cruise ships. Addressing these myths can help you make informed decisions and avoid surprises. Understanding the truth can lead to better planning and a more enjoyable cruise experience.
Myth: All Drinks are Exorbitantly Expensive
While some premium drinks can be costly, many affordable options exist. Standard drinks, happy hour specials, and beverage packages provide cost-effective alternatives. The cost of drinks is highly variable.
For example, a simple soda or juice may only cost a few dollars, while a handcrafted cocktail with top-shelf liquor will be more expensive. Knowing your preferences and planning accordingly can help you manage your spending.
Myth: Bringing Your Own Drinks is Always Cheaper
While bringing your own wine can save money, it’s not always the most cost-effective solution. Corkage fees, limited quantities, and potential restrictions can offset the savings. Consider all factors before deciding. It may be more advantageous to purchase the drink package.
Also, consider the convenience factor. Bringing your own drinks requires planning and packing, while purchasing a beverage package allows you to enjoy unlimited drinks without the hassle.
Myth: Beverage Packages are Always a Good Deal
Beverage packages are only beneficial if you consume enough drinks to justify the daily cost. If you’re not a heavy drinker, paying for individual drinks might be more economical. Calculate your potential consumption before purchasing. A vacation is for relaxing and not keeping track of drinks.
For instance, if you only plan to have a couple of drinks per day, a beverage package might not be worth the investment. However, if you enjoy multiple cocktails, beers, and specialty coffees, a package can provide significant savings.
Real-Life Examples and Case Studies
Examining real-life scenarios can illustrate how different strategies impact overall beverage costs. These examples provide practical insights into optimizing your onboard spending. Seeing how others have managed their budgets can help inform your own approach.
- Family of Four: A family of four, including two adults and two teenagers, opted for the Classic Soda Package for the teenagers and paid for individual drinks for the adults. They took advantage of happy hour specials and brought two bottles of wine onboard. Their total beverage cost was significantly lower than purchasing individual drinks for everyone.
This approach balanced cost savings with the flexibility to choose individual drinks for the adults, while ensuring the teenagers had unlimited access to sodas and juices.
- Couple on a Romantic Getaway: A couple purchased the Premium Beverage Package and fully utilized its benefits, enjoying top-shelf cocktails and fine wines throughout their cruise. While the package was more expensive, they felt it enhanced their overall experience and allowed them to indulge without worrying about individual drink costs.
For this couple, the Premium Beverage Package was a worthwhile investment that contributed to a more luxurious and enjoyable vacation.
- Solo Traveler on a Budget: A solo traveler brought their own wine onboard, took advantage of daily drink specials, and mostly drank water. They avoided purchasing a beverage package and kept their total beverage costs to a minimum.
This strategy demonstrates how to enjoy a cruise without breaking the bank, by prioritizing cost-effective options and limiting alcohol consumption.
Sample Scenarios: Planning Your Cruise Drinks Budget
Consider these sample scenarios to better understand how to plan your cruise drinks budget. These examples provide a step-by-step approach to estimating your potential spending. These steps can help you make informed decisions.
- Scenario 1: The Moderate Drinker
This traveler enjoys 2-3 alcoholic drinks per day, plus several sodas or specialty coffees. They should consider the Classic Beverage Package, as it covers most of their preferred drinks at a fixed daily rate.
- Scenario 2: The Premium Indulger
This traveler prefers top-shelf liquors and fine wines and wants the widest selection possible. The Premium Beverage Package is the best option, providing access to the finest drinks onboard.
- Scenario 3: The Budget-Conscious Cruiser
This traveler is looking to minimize their spending on drinks. They should bring their own wine, take advantage of happy hour specials, and avoid purchasing a beverage package. Sticking to free options like water and coffee can also help reduce costs.
FAQ
How much does a beer cost on Celebrity Cruises?
The price of beer on Celebrity Cruises typically ranges from $7 to $9 for domestic and imported brands. Prices may vary slightly depending on the specific bar or venue on the ship. A wide variety of beers are usually available.
Are there non-alcoholic drink packages available on Celebrity Cruises?
Yes, Celebrity Cruises offers non-alcoholic drink packages, including the Classic Soda Package and the Premium Non-Alcoholic Package. These packages provide unlimited access to sodas, juices, specialty coffees, and other non-alcoholic drinks, making them a cost-effective option for those who don’t consume alcohol.
Can I bring my own alcohol on a Celebrity cruise?
Celebrity Cruises allows passengers to bring two bottles of wine per stateroom at embarkation. However, bringing hard liquor onboard is generally restricted and will be held until the end of the cruise. Check the latest policies on the Celebrity Cruises website for specific details and any updates.
What is included in the Celebrity Cruises Classic Beverage Package?
The Classic Beverage Package on Celebrity Cruises includes a variety of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages up to a specified price point, usually around $9 per drink. This includes beers, wines by the glass, spirits, cocktails, sodas, juices, and specialty coffees, offering a good balance of cost and options for moderate drinkers.
How can I save money on drinks while cruising with Celebrity Cruises?
There are several strategies to save money on drinks while cruising, including bringing your own wine (within the allowed limits), taking advantage of happy hour specials and drink promotions, utilizing loyalty program discounts, and carefully considering whether a beverage package aligns with your consumption habits. Sticking to free options like water and coffee can also help reduce costs.
Are gratuities included in Celebrity Cruises’ beverage packages?
Yes, beverage packages on Celebrity Cruises often include automatic gratuities. However, individual drink purchases may have gratuities added separately. It’s important to factor this into your cost calculations to accurately estimate your overall beverage expenses.
Final Thoughts
Understanding how much are drinks on Celebrity cruise ships is crucial for planning your onboard budget and ensuring a stress-free vacation. By exploring the pricing structure, beverage package options, and cost-saving strategies outlined in this guide, you can make informed decisions that align with your preferences and budget. Remember to enjoy responsibly and savor the experience of cruising with Celebrity Cruises.