Celebrity Beverage Packages

Most cruise lines now offer beverage packages which makes the transition easier rather than purchasing individual beverages on-board. Speaking from experience when I did my first long haul Mexican Riviera cruise with Norwegian cruise lines on-board the Norwegian Star I did not think to pre-book a beverage package. More foul me as myself and my partner are not big drinkers and we didn’t think it would be appropriate to pre-book a beverage package, however our bar bill over the course of 1 week came to over $1000, the equivalent to £650 at the time of the exchange rate.

Now personally I wouldn’t have thought a bar bill after 1 week would be so much, however the American cruise lines can be quiet expensive for drinks whilst on-board. Having the odd glass of wine with dinner and a few cocktails during the day and maybe a few beers in the evening was probably the most we would drink. However on the odd day I would say to the bar attendant surprise me! Again more foul me as he gave me a cocktail with a receipt of nearly $30 plus the 15 surcharge.

Most cruise lines seem to offer beverage packages now which I think is an excellent idea as you can pay through the nose whilst on-board. Here are some of the beverage packages that Celebrity offer giving you an idea as to how much per day you can spend on drinks packages.

Classic non-alcoholic package – This Classic Beverage Package enables you to enjoy unlimited freshly squeezed and bottled juices, premium coffees and teas and non-premium bottled water, as well as soft and canned drinks. This can be pre-booked at a cost of $18 per person per day (£12 per person per day).

Premium classic non-alcoholic package – Indulge with unlimited access to a wide selection of non-alcoholic beverages including all fountain and canned soft drinks, as well as premium bottled water, speciality coffees and teas, non-alcoholic frozen drinks and smoothies, Red Bull energy drinks and speciality Vitamin Water.  This can be pre-booked at a cost of $22 per person per day (£15 per person per day).

Classic Alcoholic Package – Upgrade your cruise experience and pay one price to enjoy all of the benefits of our Classic Non Alcoholic package as well as all beers up to $6 per serving, wines up to $9.00 per glass and spirits and cocktails $8 per glass. Plus, with purchase of this Classic Package, you can enjoy a 15% discount on all wines by the bottle purchased on board, even our prized Reserve Wine list and Rare Wine list.  This can be pre-booked at a cost of $55 per person per day (£38 per person per day).

Premium alcoholic Package – For the ultimate in value and convenience, our premium package provides all the benefits of our Premium Non-Alcoholic Package. In addition, you can enjoy our Beer, Spirits, Cocktails and Wines by the Glass up to $13 per serving. Plus, with purchase of this Premium Package, you can enjoy a 20% discount on all wines by the bottle purchased on board, even our prized Reserve Wine list and Rare Wine list.  This can be pre-booked at a cost of $65 per person per day (£48 per person per day).

It seems to be coming ever so much more popular to pre-book beverage packages which in a way I think is a great idea but hope this does not affect any enjoyment on-board the cruise from customers getting to drunk and hurting themselves. Although I can honestly say that all cruise customers take into account safety on-board.

What are your thoughts on-board beverage prices and surcharges on-board American owned cruise lines? Do you agree that by pre-booking a beverage package you can save money?