lenaapple1974 Posted December 22, 2015 Report Share Posted December 22, 2015 First post here! I just found the podcast, and have been hooked. I have not sailed RCCL yet, but have two trips booked for 2016. Enchantment on May 6 and Allure on Aug 28! Super excited, especially listening to everyone's experiences. I have previously sailed three lines since 2012, and must admit I am hooked on cruising. I expect Royal to not disappoint! That leads me to my questions. 1. Drink Packages - there really doesn't seem to be much info about these different packages. For the first time, I see I am able to pre-purchase online. It was not there previously so I started to mess around. It does not offer me the discount that I booked with. (1/2 price off the second pkg), so I assume I must book this with an agent? Does anyone know how this works? I am not totally sure what type of drink package to get at this point. I'd love to take advantage of the specialty coffee for sure, and I like drinks like frozen drinks over all others, but I am not a drinker. My husband is a beer drinker. Does anyone have any advice about these packages? Is it still true that we do not have to get the same packages? We certainly have different tastes! I myself wonder if it is worth a package for myself. How much do the coffee drinks cost if not? I know lots of questions. LOL But $67 a day if I read correctly is a bit much! Not sure I can justify this, though not having to worry after is a plus regardless. 2. Gifts. On every ship I go on, I purchase the resin ship model. Is this available for Enchantment, and can I purchase it ahead of time? Cost? OK! I won't bog down the lines here. Can't wait to hear from everyone, and look forward to reading everything here! Matt 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DocLC Posted December 22, 2015 Report Share Posted December 22, 2015 1. Drink Packages - there really doesn't seem to be much info about these different packages. For the first time, I see I am able to pre-purchase online. It was not there previously so I started to mess around. It does not offer me the discount that I booked with. (1/2 price off the second pkg), so I assume I must book this with an agent? Does anyone know how this works? I am not totally sure what type of drink package to get at this point. I'd love to take advantage of the specialty coffee for sure, and I like drinks like frozen drinks over all others, but I am not a drinker. My husband is a beer drinker. Does anyone have any advice about these packages? Is it still true that we do not have to get the same packages? We certainly have different tastes! I myself wonder if it is worth a package for myself. How much do the coffee drinks cost if not? I know lots of questions. LOL But $67 a day if I read correctly is a bit much! Not sure I can justify this, though not having to worry after is a plus regardless. 2. Gifts. On every ship I go on, I purchase the resin ship model. Is this available for Enchantment, and can I purchase it ahead of time? Cost? OK! I won't bog down the lines here. Can't wait to hear from everyone, and look forward to reading everything here! Take a look here: http://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/royal-caribbean-beverage-packages and/or search drink packages as Matt has also posted an in-depth look at all of the packages. With regards to the discount, if memory serves, you do have to book it directly over the phone with Royal and I believe it was limited to the premium package. You can upgrade to the ultimate, but I'm unsure if you can do this now or if you'd have to wait until you're onboard. The ultimate will give you soda and specialty coffees; if that doesn't interest you, then the premium will be sufficient. For you, it sounds like the Royal Replenish will fit you best: soda, virgin cocktails, bottled water, and specialty coffees at about $22 per day. This be a cheaper option than buying the premium at half off and then upgrading to the ultimate especially if you're not much of a drinker. I've always seen ship models in the onboard shops. I want to say they run $25-$30 or so. Welcome to the boards and to Royal Caribbean. lenaapple1974 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Posted December 22, 2015 Report Share Posted December 22, 2015 Welcome to Royal Caribbean Blog! If you have a half off the second package deal, I would definitely consult whomever you booked your cruise with. That is not something Royal Caribbean typically offers. If you are not a drinker but want the specialty coffees, you want the Royal Replenish package. It offers you unlimited non-alcoholic beverages, including premium coffee and teas. If your husband prefers beer, then the Select drink package should work. It includes unlimited beer and wine (no cocktails or mixed drinks). A list of coffee prices can be found here: http://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/2015/09/02/starbucks-royal-caribbean-cruise-ships And yes, it is true you do not have to get the same package. In fact, if you only get the package and your husband does not, that's okay too. And yes, the ship models are available for sale on the ship and no where else. If you want it, be sure to buy it onboard. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JasonD Posted December 22, 2015 Report Share Posted December 22, 2015 Take it from someone who is desperately searching for the models of one's before I started collecting (Enchantment being one of them) make sure you buy it on board. you dont want to be like me begging people to buy one for you (which never works :-( ) Matt 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lenaapple1974 Posted December 26, 2015 Author Report Share Posted December 26, 2015 Welcome to Royal Caribbean Blog! If you have a half off the second package deal, I would definitely consult whomever you booked your cruise with. That is not something Royal Caribbean typically offers. If you are not a drinker but want the specialty coffees, you want the Royal Replenish package. It offers you unlimited non-alcoholic beverages, including premium coffee and teas. If your husband prefers beer, then the Select drink package should work. It includes unlimited beer and wine (no cocktails or mixed drinks). A list of coffee prices can be found here: http://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/2015/09/02/starbucks-royal-caribbean-cruise-ships And yes, it is true you do not have to get the same package. In fact, if you only get the package and your husband does not, that's okay too. And yes, the ship models are available for sale on the ship and no where else. If you want it, be sure to buy it onboard. My deal was back in March, 50% off second person, 50% off 2nd drink pkg and 50% off deposit, plus up to $300 onboard credit. I booked both Enchantment and Allure with this deal. I do not think I will be doing drink pkgs for Allure based on everyone else's blog opinions for so many days of feeling like they have to catch up. lol Three of my family members booked as well through the RCCL site though. The confirmation is bogus... and only states the onboard credit and deposit amount. They seem so out dated, and the rep I spoke to has no idea what the heck is going on, and keeps quoting things from something obviously being read. They don't know what my reservation was booked under, which should be in my reservation. Sounds slightly scammish. (<-- making words up) She doesn't even see my onboard credit! Not worried about that since I have the email. I am actually going to go to a travel agent and see what they say to do, b/c honestly, their system is so out dated. I have heard this before, but didn't believe it til now. I also have a $50 gift card I need to worry about applying. Thankful I read up on that already. I am also thankful I am a planner, and that I am worrying about this months in advance. I am trying not to worry about it too much, as it only saves me $30. At this point, I was just infuriated that they had no info about anything to do with my reservation other than the date. I should not have to look for my confirmation email to tell them what my reservation includes once they have my res#. I have sailed three other lines, and not one issue there. Having said that - I will try to remember to update here once I figure out how to deal with this. Maybe it can help someone. My advice is save everything, screen shots etc to prove the date and what should be included in your deal. edit: Bookings 5 days or longer. BUT, this rep should know this and should have stated this. Still, it goes for the second booking on Allure, which she adamantly told me no. Glad this is still showing on the internet. Everyone saying it doesn't happen made me feel like I was nuts. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lenaapple1974 Posted December 26, 2015 Author Report Share Posted December 26, 2015 P.S. This is the deal I purchased under: http://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/2015/03/10/royal-caribbean-offering-new-bogo-deal-passengers-and-drink-packages edit: And here is the link to RCCL website with the offer. http://www.royalcaribbean.com/cruise-deals/offers/bogo50-premium?cabinClassType=BALCONY Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Posted December 27, 2015 Report Share Posted December 27, 2015 As you noted, the terms and conditions say it applies only to 5-night or longer cruises, so this deal would not have applied to your Enchantment of the Seas cruise, but it should have applied to Allure of the Seas. In the future, I recommend booking with a good travel agent because in situations like this, a travel agent would be the one "fighting" for you instead of you having to do all the leg work. And travel agents cost nothing extra! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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