Imagine yourself lounging on the deck of a Celebrity cruise ship, the sun warming your skin, with a refreshing cocktail in hand. Sounds perfect, right? But before you get too carried away, it’s wise to consider the cost of those drinks. Understanding how much is a drink package on Celebrity Cruises is crucial for budgeting and making the most of your vacation. This post will break down the different drink packages available, their prices, and whether they’re truly worth the investment for your cruising style.
Understanding Celebrity Cruises Drink Packages
Celebrity Cruises offers a range of drink packages designed to cater to different tastes and budgets. These packages can significantly simplify your onboard spending and potentially save you money, especially if you plan on enjoying several beverages each day. It’s essential to understand the different options and what they include to determine which package best suits your needs and preferences.
Classic Package
The Classic Package is Celebrity’s entry-level drink package. It offers a selection of beers, spirits, cocktails, and wines by the glass, typically priced up to $9 per drink. This package also includes non-alcoholic beverages like sodas, juices, and premium coffees and teas.
- Price: Expect to pay around $69-$75 per person per day, plus gratuities. Gratuities are typically automatically added to the package price at the time of purchase.
- Inclusions: A variety of popular spirits, beers, and wines, as well as non-alcoholic options. This covers a wide range of basic drink choices, making it suitable for casual drinkers.
- Exclusions: Drinks priced over $9, premium brands, and drinks served in souvenir glasses. Anything considered “top shelf” will generally not be covered.
Gratuities are essentially tips for the bartenders and other service staff who will be providing your drinks. Including them upfront allows for a more all-inclusive budgeting experience.
Many popular cocktails and beers are included in this package. You are not limited to bottom-shelf options within the package’s specified price range per drink.
If you prefer more expensive liquor brands or higher-end wines, you’ll need to pay the difference between the package maximum and the drink’s price or opt for a higher-tier package.
Premium Package
The Premium Package is the more comprehensive option. It expands the selection of alcoholic beverages to include premium spirits, cocktails, wines by the glass, and beers, generally up to $15 per drink. It also includes everything in the Classic Package.
- Price: This package typically costs between $85-$95 per person per day, plus gratuities. The increased price reflects the expanded selection of drinks offered.
- Inclusions: All drinks from the Classic Package, plus an extended range of premium brands and specialty cocktails. This provides a wider choice for more discerning drinkers.
- Exclusions: Drinks priced over $15, very rare or top-shelf liquors, and drinks served in souvenir glasses. Exceptions are generally rare.
This higher cost can be justified if you regularly enjoy higher-priced drinks, as paying for them individually could quickly exceed the daily package cost.
Premium brands include higher-quality liquors like Grey Goose vodka, Bombay Sapphire gin, and premium scotch options. It caters to those with more refined tastes.
While the Premium Package covers most readily available drinks, extremely rare or high-end liquors will likely require an additional charge or be excluded entirely.
Zero Proof Package
For those who don’t consume alcohol, Celebrity offers a Zero Proof Package. This includes specialty coffees, teas, premium bottled water, juices, soda, and non-alcoholic cocktails.
- Price: The Zero Proof Package is typically priced around $30 per person per day, plus gratuities. This represents a significant cost saving compared to the alcoholic packages.
- Inclusions: An array of non-alcoholic beverages, including premium juices, bottled water, specialty coffees, teas, and zero-proof cocktails. This gives you more than just the standard sodas and juices.
- Exclusions: Alcoholic beverages. Naturally, any drink containing alcohol is excluded from this package.
This package caters to individuals who prefer non-alcoholic beverages, such as those who don’t drink alcohol, are designated drivers, or simply enjoy a variety of soft drinks and juices.
The inclusion of specialty coffees and teas, like lattes, cappuccinos, and premium tea blends, adds significant value for coffee and tea enthusiasts.
If you decide to consume alcohol on occasion, you will need to pay for those drinks separately at the bar prices.
Factors Affecting Drink Package Prices
The price of a drink package on Celebrity Cruises isn’t set in stone. Several factors can influence the final cost, including the time of year, the length of the cruise, and any promotions being offered. Understanding these factors can help you secure the best possible deal.
Cruise Length
The length of your cruise directly impacts the total cost of a drink package. Longer cruises will naturally result in a higher overall price, as you’ll be paying for more days. However, the per-day price may be slightly lower on longer voyages compared to shorter ones.
- Shorter Cruises: Cruises of 3-5 days might have a slightly higher per-day package price due to the shorter timeframe.
- Longer Cruises: Cruises of 7 days or more often have a lower per-day package price, making them a more cost-effective option for frequent drinkers.
- Promotional Offers: Keep an eye out for special promotions that might offer discounted drink packages on specific cruise lengths.
Cruise lines often apply a premium to shorter cruises to maximize revenue, which can affect the price of add-ons like drink packages.
The longer duration allows cruise lines to spread the cost of the package over more days, resulting in a lower daily rate.
Cruise lines frequently run promotions that include discounted or even complimentary drink packages as incentives to book certain itineraries or staterooms.
Time of Year
Similar to airfare and hotel rates, the time of year can significantly influence drink package prices. Peak season, such as holidays and summer months, tends to see higher prices due to increased demand. Off-season travel often offers lower rates.
- Peak Season: Cruises during holidays (Christmas, New Year’s) and summer months typically have higher drink package prices.
- Shoulder Season: Traveling during the shoulder season (spring and fall) can often result in lower drink package prices.
- Off-Season: Cruises during the off-season (e.g., hurricane season in the Caribbean) may offer the lowest drink package prices, but be aware of potential weather disruptions.
Increased demand during these periods allows cruise lines to charge a premium for all aspects of the cruise, including drink packages.
These months offer a balance between pleasant weather and fewer crowds, leading to more competitive pricing.
While prices are lower, it’s crucial to weigh the risk of adverse weather conditions that could impact your cruise experience.
Promotions and Bundles
Celebrity Cruises frequently runs promotions and offers bundles that include drink packages as part of the overall cruise fare. These promotions can represent significant savings compared to purchasing a drink package separately.
- Always Included: Celebrity Cruises often offers a promotion called “Always Included,” which bundles a Classic Drink Package, Wi-Fi, and gratuities into the cruise fare.
- Other Promotions: Keep an eye out for limited-time offers, such as discounted drink packages or onboard credit that can be used towards drinks.
- Bundle Options: Consider booking a higher-level suite or stateroom, as these often come with complimentary drink packages or other valuable perks.
This promotion simplifies the booking process and provides excellent value for many cruisers, particularly those who planned to purchase these items anyway.
Subscribing to Celebrity Cruises’ email list and following them on social media can help you stay informed about the latest promotions and deals.
While the upfront cost of a higher-level stateroom is greater, the included amenities can often offset the difference and provide a more luxurious experience.
Calculating the Value of a Drink Package
Determining whether a drink package is worth the cost requires a bit of math. You need to estimate how many drinks you’ll consume each day and compare that to the cost of purchasing drinks individually. Consider your drinking habits, the length of your cruise, and the specific inclusions of each package.
Estimating Your Daily Drink Consumption
The first step is to honestly assess your average daily drink consumption. Think about how many alcoholic beverages you typically consume on vacation, as well as non-alcoholic drinks like sodas, juices, and specialty coffees.
- Consider Your Vacation Style: Are you likely to spend your days lounging by the pool with cocktails, or will you be busy with shore excursions and activities?
- Factor in Non-Alcoholic Drinks: Don’t forget to include non-alcoholic drinks, especially if you enjoy specialty coffees, sodas, or bottled water.
- Track Your Spending: On a previous cruise or vacation, try tracking your drink spending to get a more accurate estimate of your average daily consumption.
Your planned activities will heavily influence your drink consumption. Active days might lead to fewer drinks, while relaxation-focused days might increase your intake.
These drinks can add up quickly, and the Zero Proof Package might be a worthwhile option even if you only occasionally drink alcohol.
This real-world data can provide valuable insights into your spending habits and help you make a more informed decision about purchasing a drink package.
Comparing Package Cost to A La Carte Prices
Once you have an estimate of your daily drink consumption, compare the cost of the drink package to the cost of purchasing those drinks individually. Use the average prices of drinks onboard Celebrity Cruises as a guideline.
- Average Drink Prices: Expect to pay around $8-$10 for a beer, $10-$14 for a cocktail, and $9-$15 for a glass of wine on Celebrity Cruises.
- Calculate Break-Even Point: Divide the daily cost of the drink package by the average price of a drink to determine how many drinks you need to consume each day to break even.
- Factor in Gratuities: Remember to factor in gratuities when calculating the total cost of purchasing drinks individually. Gratuities are typically added to each drink purchase.
These prices can vary depending on the specific drink and the bar or restaurant where it’s served, but they provide a reasonable benchmark for comparison.
For example, if the Classic Package costs $75 per day and the average drink price is $10, you would need to consume 7.5 drinks per day to break even.
Including gratuities in your calculations will provide a more accurate comparison between the package cost and the a la carte prices.
Case Studies and Examples
Let’s look at a couple of real-life scenarios:
- Scenario 1: Sarah enjoys 3 cocktails, 2 beers, and 2 specialty coffees each day. Using average prices, her daily spend without a package would be roughly $66 for cocktails, $20 for beers, and $10 for coffees, totaling $96. Adding 18% gratuity brings the total to $113.28. The Premium Package at $90 + gratuities might be worthwhile.
- Scenario 2: John prefers water, but he enjoys one glass of wine with dinner and a beer in the evening. His daily drink cost is unlikely to exceed $25, making a drink package unnecessary.
Tips for Saving Money on Drinks
Even if you decide not to purchase a drink package, there are still ways to save money on drinks while cruising on Celebrity Cruises. Consider taking advantage of happy hour specials, bringing your own wine, and utilizing onboard credit.
Happy Hour Specials
Many bars on Celebrity Cruises offer happy hour specials with discounted drink prices. Take advantage of these specials to enjoy your favorite beverages at a lower cost.
- Check the Daily Program: The daily program will list the times and locations of happy hour specials throughout the ship.
- Early Bird Specials: Some bars offer early bird specials with even deeper discounts on select drinks.
- Ask Your Bartender: Bartenders are often knowledgeable about current promotions and can recommend the best deals.
Reviewing the daily program each day will help you plan your drinking schedule and take advantage of the best deals.
Arriving early can help you avoid crowds and secure the best prices on your favorite beverages.
Don’t hesitate to ask your bartender for recommendations or information about any ongoing specials or discounts.
Bringing Your Own Wine
Celebrity Cruises allows passengers to bring their own wine onboard, subject to a corkage fee. This can be a great way to save money if you enjoy drinking wine with dinner.
- Corkage Fee: Celebrity Cruises charges a corkage fee per bottle of wine consumed in the dining room or other public areas.
- Quantity Limits: Check Celebrity Cruises’ website for any restrictions on the number of bottles of wine you can bring onboard.
- Enjoy in Your Stateroom: You can also enjoy your own wine in your stateroom without incurring a corkage fee.
The corkage fee is typically around $25-$30 per bottle, but it’s still cheaper than purchasing wine by the glass onboard.
There are typically limits on the quantity of alcohol you can bring onboard to prevent excessive consumption and potential disruptions.
This provides a more private and relaxed setting for enjoying your wine without any additional charges.
Utilizing Onboard Credit
If you have onboard credit, consider using it towards the purchase of drinks. This can effectively reduce the cost of your drinks and make a drink package more appealing.
- Earn Onboard Credit: Onboard credit can be earned through various promotions, such as booking a specific stateroom or using a certain credit card.
- Apply to Your Account: Make sure to apply your onboard credit to your account before the end of the cruise.
- Track Your Spending: Monitor your onboard account regularly to ensure that your credit is being applied correctly.
Take advantage of these opportunities to accumulate onboard credit that can be used towards your drink purchases.
Unused onboard credit typically cannot be redeemed for cash or transferred to future cruises.
This will help you stay on top of your spending and avoid any unexpected charges at the end of the cruise.
Debunking Common Myths About Drink Packages
There are a few common misconceptions surrounding cruise line drink packages. Let’s address some of these.
- Myth: Drink packages are always a good deal.
- Myth: You can share a drink package with someone else.
- Myth: Drink packages cover every drink onboard.
Reality: This depends entirely on your consumption habits. If you only have a few drinks per day, purchasing them individually might be cheaper.
Reality: Cruise lines strictly prohibit sharing drink packages. If one person has a package, everyone in the cabin of legal drinking age usually has to purchase one as well.
Reality: Packages have price limits and exclusions. High-end liquors and souvenir glasses are often not included.
How to Purchase a Drink Package on Celebrity Cruises
You can purchase a drink package on Celebrity Cruises either before your cruise or once you’re onboard. Purchasing in advance is often recommended, as it can save you money and allow you to start enjoying your drinks right away.
Pre-Cruise Purchase
Purchasing a drink package before your cruise allows you to budget more effectively and potentially take advantage of pre-cruise discounts. You can typically purchase drink packages through Celebrity Cruises’ website or by contacting their customer service department.
- Visit the Website: Log in to your Celebrity Cruises account on their website.
- Navigate to “My Reservations”: Find your upcoming cruise booking.
- Add Drink Package: Look for the option to add a drink package to your reservation.
- Select Package: Choose the drink package that best suits your needs and preferences.
- Complete Purchase: Follow the prompts to complete the purchase and pay for the drink package.
Onboard Purchase
If you prefer to wait until you’re onboard to decide whether to purchase a drink package, you can do so at various bars and restaurants throughout the ship. However, keep in mind that the price may be higher than purchasing in advance.
- Visit a Bar or Restaurant: Approach a bartender or waiter at any of the onboard bars or restaurants.
- Inquire About Drink Packages: Ask about the different drink packages available and their prices.
- Select Package: Choose the drink package that best suits your needs and preferences.
- Provide Information: Provide your stateroom number and other necessary information.
- Complete Purchase: Pay for the drink package and begin enjoying your drinks.
Insert a comparison chart here, showcasing the inclusions and exclusions of each drink package.
FAQ
How much does the Classic Drink Package on Celebrity Cruises cost?
The Classic Drink Package typically costs between $69 and $75 per person per day, plus gratuities. This package includes a variety of beers, spirits, cocktails, and wines by the glass, typically priced up to $9 per drink, as well as non-alcoholic beverages.
Is the Premium Drink Package worth the extra cost?
Whether the Premium Drink Package is worth the extra cost depends on your drinking preferences. If you enjoy premium brands and specialty cocktails, the extended range of options included in the Premium Package may justify the higher price. It generally costs $85-$95 per person per day, plus gratuities.
Are gratuities included in the price of Celebrity Cruises’ drink packages?
No, gratuities are typically not included in the base price of Celebrity Cruises’ drink packages. Gratuities are usually added to the package price at the time of purchase, covering the service provided by bartenders and other staff.
Can I upgrade my drink package after purchasing it?
Yes, in most cases, you can upgrade your drink package after purchasing it, either before your cruise or onboard. Contact Celebrity Cruises’ customer service or speak to a bartender or waiter onboard to inquire about upgrading your package and the associated cost.
What happens if I don’t use all of my drink package benefits?
Unfortunately, any unused benefits from your drink package are not refundable. Drink packages are designed to provide unlimited drinks within the specified parameters, but any drinks you don’t consume are not credited back to your account.
Do all guests in a stateroom have to purchase a drink package?
Celebrity Cruises generally requires all adults of legal drinking age in a stateroom to purchase a drink package if one person is buying one. This policy is designed to prevent sharing and ensure that everyone who wants a package purchases one fairly.
Can I use my onboard credit to purchase a drink package?
Yes, you can typically use your onboard credit to purchase a drink package. This is a great way to lower the overall cost of the package, especially if you have a significant amount of onboard credit accumulated. Just apply the credit when making your purchase.
Final Thoughts
Ultimately, deciding whether to purchase a drink package on Celebrity Cruises depends on your individual drinking habits and preferences. By carefully considering the different package options, estimating your daily consumption, and comparing the cost to a la carte prices, you can make an informed decision that maximizes your enjoyment and minimizes your spending. Remember to look for promotions, utilize onboard credit, and enjoy the fantastic array of beverages Celebrity has to offer! Knowing how much is a drink package on Celebrity Cruises and how it fits your travel plans will lead to a smoother and more enjoyable vacation.