Watch This Before You Buy a Drinks Package: Is It Worth It?

[@aussiejohn5835]

I sailed with 8 family members on Ovation for a 14-night cruise. 6 of them paid almost $1700 each for the drinks package and spent the entire cruise trying to drink "their moneys worth." They drank themselves into a state of legless intoxication every day, and they were never cut off by the bar staff. I personally think the drinks packages encourage this and cause so much aggressive behaviour.

[@TheCruiseandTravelGuy]

I think drinks packages, especially at higher costs, can do as you say and contribute to people wanting to get their monies worth and then drinking more than they should. This was not something I personally noticed with Princess Cruises, where their Plus package costs $65 per day and includes internet, soft drinks, waters etc.

[@aussiejohn5835]

@The Cruise and Travel Guy I didn't notice that on my Princess Cruise in 2019, but the passengers on my cruise were mostly retirement age and middle-aged and definitely not party animals. 😅

[@CyeOutsider]

That's a crazy amount of drinking and you wonder if they got much more than hangovers out of that cruise 😬😬

[@michaelbithell9163]

For the Deluxe Drinks package on Royal Caribbean, my partner and I worked the breakeven costs BEFORE buying the package. At the time of purchase, it was sitting at $100AUD and we worked it out that we would only have to drink 5 cocktails a day to break even. So, if we only had a couple of cocktails a day, plus all the fresh juices, soft drink and coffee that we would have throughout the day, then it will worth it for us. I didn't get the package a few years ago and immediately regretted it 😅so didn't want to make the same mistake again haha

[@lesliemckay2835]

I agree with you. I purchased a drinks package on my first ever cruise. Since then I have not. I am not a big drinker. I only having a coffee martini at 10:00am on sea days only, Vodka and tonic pre dinner, and a glass of wine with dinner. I tend to go on port intensive cruises, so it would not be used much. Your comments will be much appreciated by new cruisers, and even some veterans I am sure. Thanks.

[@TheCruiseandTravelGuy]

Thanks Les, glad to have your reinforcement of my comments!

[@wendykoek6757]

I am not a big drinker as I only drink 1 coffee and maybe a ginger ale also maybe a Mocktail as well along with some water that would be about it for me

[@jazzamcc]

I rarely drink booze. I just jumped up to Diamond Plus with Royal and will struggle to use 5 drinks per day. I usually get a coffee or 3 from the DL. I do love the free drinks with Royal as it does save $$. On my recent cruise, I was owed money due to credits for missing ports.

[@johnclark290]

Does the p and o explorer over tours of the gally and the bridge

[@TheCruiseandTravelGuy]

I don’t think they do, I don’t recall seeing it as an option on any of my recent P&O cruises.

[@deanchappel5596]

That was a very good explanation Adrian. I find that I can't drink anywhere near the amount that ofthr ships buy plan. Plus wife does not drink so it's ridiculous to purchase for her when a soft drink package will suffice. The free at sea gimmick that NCL offer for us is not worth it. We are best of buying cruise at base rate, that should have been mentioned, this saves you thousands on cruise price. Cheers Dean.

[@TheCruiseandTravelGuy]

Thanks Dean.

[@raypitcher2592]

I like a drink or two when cruising but the drinks packages are way too much for me. As you eluded to, they are to make the cruise line money and I'm sure they do. Thanks for the explanation though. It would have helped newbies to the cruise life very well. Keep up the good work Adrian.

[@TheCruiseandTravelGuy]

Thanks Ray.

[@brettn4337]

Great video, Adrian. We've decided against the alcohol drinks package on the 10 night P&O cruise we have coming up. With 4 shore days, it just isn't worth it. Saying that, we will probably get the refreshments package as it has a variety of non alcoholic drinks. Different question for you (possible future video ?) What travel insurance do you use for cruises at the moment. They seem to vary greatly in price (I understand everyone has different circumstances) Cheers

[@alicruiserandtraveller]

Good call out I'm trying to choose a travel insurance at the moment and chose nib for our latest and it didn't cover ports missed which previously pre covid was covered

[@TheCruiseandTravelGuy]

Thanks for watching, Brett. Glad you enjoyed the video. Regarding travel insurance, I have an annual policy with CoverMore - it presented good value since I travel frequently. It's worth shopping around though. Without specifically recommending any one insurer, I have used 1 Cover in the past and found they were good too.

[@paulmclaren1036]

i am going to try on my next cruise 11 nights to NZ not to buy the drinks package. Even though i like a drink, i always feel like you said in your video, push myself to get to the break even for the value, and i pretty much just drink scotch and coke, about 10 is my lot per day and im done, i am sure i will drink less without the package but if i had the odd night drinking more then so be it.

[@edvaira6891]

No… a seven night cruise requires 48-52 cocktails total…few folks are THAT binge a drinker unless you don’t do ANYTHING off ship

[@michaelrennie4589]

Hey Adrian...loved the outtakes..good on you !!

[@raypitcher2592]

Yeah, his tongue does run away on him a bit. I've suggested he tries speech therapy but no....(just kidding)

[@TheCruiseandTravelGuy]

haha thank you Michael!

[@TheCruiseandTravelGuy]

🤣 @Ray - but then it would be no fun for anyone haha

[@carlread3494]

Are you related to Anita Tassone?

[@TheCruiseandTravelGuy]

No, I don’t know Anita.

[@travelwithdebandnick]

we have only so far been on 2 x 4 night cruises with p&O so dont get the offer to buy a deluxe drink package, but nick and i have bought a refreshment drink package both cruises and mum bought a soft drink one on our last cruise :) we really like them, as we dont drink much alcohol, maybe 2 cocktails each day (we find the mocktails actually better to be honest). our last cruise the passionfruit mocktail was amazing :) we just love the convience of them though :) were big barista coffee drinkers and i can even get my small 3 shot skinny latte on the package :) and if we want an alcoholic we just buy one :) ...... now saying this, our first cruise we paid $19 per day, our second cruise we paid $25 per day but our next cruise on ovation of the seas is crazily expensive for the same package.... i got it for myself for a total of $77 for the 3 day cruise but have yet to purchase nicks and ive looked at the price now and its $148 to buy it, almost $50 per day for a few soft drinks, coffees , juices and mocktails.... maybe i should get both nick and mum a soft drink one and a coffee card and pay seperately for anything else as there is no possibilty of him drinking $50 per day of drinks. its such a shame, i should have bought them both when i got mine. as 1 of those 3 days of the cruise we are in the port of eden.

[@calumshaw]

Princess drinks packages; Princess Plus cost Aud$65 per day, Princess Premier cost Aud$95 per day (whatever cruise you're on) however the packages include some On-board credit and wi-fi which on our last 3 cruises (Baltic, Iceland, NZ) post covid has improved dramatically. So it's not just the value of drinks you have the consider, what's your electronic communications really worth and that's different for almost every traveller. What is annoying is that all guests in a stateroom must buy the same package.

[@slimpickens01]

There are pros and cons Personally I want zero balance at the end of the trip. Prepaying for drinks is a plus. I look at it like being at an All Inclusive resort, balance is key and ports of call is another factor. For the 7 day Eastern Caribbean cruise with 5 stops is a hard NO on the package

[@TheCruiseandTravelGuy]

Totally agree

[@kathryncashner3294]

I've never purchased an alcohol package on any line simply because we drink relatively little. Packages that run $69-139 USD per person per day + 18% gratuity has never made sense for us. I DO like the Virgin Voyages "Bar Tab" deal. For each $300 you pay in advance toward your bar tab, VV will add $50-$125 depending on the current offer. You can purchase as many tabs as you want on a given cruise and you can share it with anyone you want. Since VV cruise fares include all gratuities, the price taken off the tab is the posted price except in those ports that have a local tax. Prices are about the same as other lines that then add gratuity! So the only question is whether we will drink $300 US in alcohol, specialty coffee/tea/hot chocolate/smoothies/and cold pressed juices during the length of the cruise. If you don't spend your entire tab by the last night, you can buy a round for your new best friends or buy a bottle of something from the bar to take home. (Customs regulations permitting, obviously). Sodas, brewed coffee, teas, and water are included in the cruise fare. Of course you can also purchase beverages with any onboard credit you have or have it charged to your folio. There is just no way that the two of us would drink $140 per day......but we might drink $300 depending on the length.

[@TheCruiseandTravelGuy]

The Bar Tab is a great concept, especially for those that tend to pace themselves haha.

[@Tarathathe77wookiee]

Going on P&O Explorer in April. My husband and myself don't drink. He likes the occasional soft drink, ice coffee or juice. I tend to only drink pepsi max/Coke no sugar, water and have a milkshake now and then. I think I'll just add to my onboard spending and pay for drinks that way. Thank you for posting this as I've watched several Cruise Package videos. Yours has convinced me its just not worth it.

[@TheCruiseandTravelGuy]

Thanks for watching! Glad you found it helpful.

[@leannepetersohn6885]

My 11 year old daughter and I are going on Pacific Explorer next month, and I have been wondering whether a drinks package would be worth purchasing. Based on your comments, I think I'll just add to my onboard credit so we can buy drinks using that. I'm not a drinker, and my daughter doesn't drink many soft drinks, so a drinks package just wouldn't be worth it for us. Thank you so much for your recommendations about this, it has been very helpful.

[@TheCruiseandTravelGuy]

Thanks so much for watching and I'm glad the video helped you make a decision regarding the drinks packages. Enjoy your cruise!

[@chrisbates8064]

We're cruising in October with Carnival. Whilst we both enjoy a drink or three, the cost of the package is simply too high to represent any thing like good value for us. Managing a hangover for a day on land is challenging now.... consecutive days at sea? Pfft!

[@TheCruiseandTravelGuy]

haha yes it's definitely wise to consider where you may be nursing that hangover! For me, it's not worth ruining a day ashore for.

[@theplettz4569]

For me, our RCI package was well worth it. For our 19-night cruise back in October, we got the drinks package. It was expensive but worth it. No worrying about the drinks bill at the end of the trip and there were a couple of slow days where I wouldn't get too sloshed. I think we paid about $70 AUD a day on RIC as it was on special. I would not ever buy a Carnival package. Too much in terms of pricing and too many restrictions. At least with RCI, I can have a big one for a night or two and not be restricted to 15. The Princess Plus is pretty compelling, though.

[@TheCruiseandTravelGuy]

I think the RCI package is very good value at $70AUD per day. Very similar to Princess Plus actually, though that does include internet and some other benefits as well.

[@alicruiserandtraveller]

Just got off ovation and we booked a drinks package then cancelled and rebooked at a much cheaper price of $94 au per day for a 8 night cruise thanks to cyclone Gabrielle we got our money's worth with fresh juice ice coffees and drinks 👍

[@TheCruiseandTravelGuy]

Sounds like it worked out very well! At $100 per day, I think it's a fair buy if you regularly take advantage of the delicious cocktail menu haha.

[@neilhadley4722]

What happens with the automatic gratuities at the bar with cruise lines like Royal Carribean, do you get a charge for each drink purchased with the drinks package?

[@TheCruiseandTravelGuy]

From Australia, the drinks package cost is inclusive of all tipping/gratuities so there are no extra charges.

[@markeaston7353]

Excellent analysis thanks Adrian. The Princess Plus bundled package is the only one that works for us and we buy it every time.

[@TheCruiseandTravelGuy]

Thanks Mark. Princess Plus is definitely compelling value.

[@summertimeimages1416]

Princess Plus is so worth it. Just get it with your next sailing.

[@TheCruiseandTravelGuy]

Totally agree. It's excellent value.

[@gerardsavage2506]

Hi Adrian your videos are great With the drink packages on P and O having a package of 15 drinks is it compulsory for 2 people in a cabin to buy 1 each or can just buy 1 which in some cases is sufficient per day thanks keep up the good work

[@TheCruiseandTravelGuy]

Thanks Gerard! With P&O, one guest in a cabin can buy the drinks package and the second guest doesn't have to buy one at all. However, sharing isn't allowed and they keep a close eye on that onboard.

[@gerardsavage2506]

Thanks Adrian

[@CyeOutsider]

I found that we drank a lot on the first day, then less and less as the days wore on. We are not huge drinkers generally so drinking every day on even a 5 day cruise was a struggle. I have another 5 day cruise booked for early next year and am still thinking about whether a drinks package is really worth it

[@TheCruiseandTravelGuy]

I think you hit the nail on the head - it's quite hard to keep drinking daily to the point that a drinks package makes financial sense.

[@CyeOutsider]

​@TheCruiseandTravelGuy We ended up going 'pay as you go' with our alcoholic drinks and it worked out fine.

[@ryac2336]

I'll be on the Pacific explorer in April, do they have beer buckets available or happy hour? Pretty much anyway to make drinking cheaper?

[@TheCruiseandTravelGuy]

Hi Ry - P&O from memory used to do buckets of beer but I can't for the life of me remember if they still do. They don't have happy hour onboard. If your cruise is 7 nights or longer, check out the drinks package cost and try and do the math to see if you think it will be worth it. If you drink beers mostly, I think you could maybe get away without it.