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Deluxe Beverage For 1?


LaurenLewie

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Hello!

I just spent the last 75 minutes on the phone with Royal Caribbean trying to purchase a deluxe beverage package for myself. My mother who is also cruising with me doesn't drink more than 1-2 drinks a day AT THE MOST and receives free drinks from the casino bar. She does not need a deluxe beverage package so RC said that she can get a refreshment package instead. The problem is she wont utilize this package either. She doesn't drink coffee/coffee drinks, she wont drink the juices and if she really wanted any other drink she'll just pay for it out of pocket. The problem is, RC won't let me just get a deluxe package as a stand alone transaction, plus if i want to pay for my package I shouldn't also have to pay for hers as well. After 75 minutes on the phone i just hung up because i was so frustrated. 

Has anyone else experienced this? Anyone have any luck being able to just buy a deluxe package without having to get a refreshment package for other guests? 

I really want the deluxe package- I know I'll utilize TO THE MAX. But if I can't get it then I won't drink because I'll be reluctant to pay per drink. 

It doesn't really seem fair that another person's personal choices affect how you experience your cruise. 

Any help or guidance would be appreciated. Thanks!

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29 minutes ago, LaurenLewie said:

Anyone have any luck being able to just buy a deluxe package without having to get a refreshment package for other guests? 

No.  The very fact that Royal allows you to purchase the refreshment package in lieu of the deluxe package is somewhat unusual.  Most lines require everyone in the cabin above the age of 21 to purchase the UBP if anyone does.  If you want the UDP, you will have to purchase either the UDP or refreshments pkg for your mother.  That's just the way it is.  Nobody gets around this rule.

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A few years ago one person could buy the DX but people cheated and shared one package.  In some cases four college kids were sharing one package so you can see how some people would abuse this. 

As a result they had to implement a policy like the other cruise lines already had - everyone over 21 must buy it of anyone does.  

To handle special cases under certain circumstances they do allow for medical or religious factors to have an exception but this requires the DX and refreshment package to be purchased.

I understand that isn't desirable for you but the problem is that if they allowed what you want then people would spread the word and it would be abused.  The power of social media is working against you.  People find a loophole, abuse it then brag about it and the masses now exploit the loophole.

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I accidentally got around it once last year. Not sure if it would still work or not but you can try if you want.

1. Booked reservation for 2 adults in the cabin.

2. Booked Beverage Package for both adults.

3. Had my TA change the reservation for the 2nd person from an adult to child.

4. RCL system "auto-detected" that a child had an adult drink package and cancelled it on its own (I literally hadnt even though about it but got the refund and went to see why).

5. Changed the child back to an adult.

6. System did not require a package purchase for the 2nd passenger.

We had about 20 people going across multiple rooms and were shuffling passengers around to try and get everyone on board, the drink package thing was more of an "oh that was interesting observation".

 

 

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Not sure what the pricing is for your cruise, but with our recent cruise the cost of the refreshment package was just slightly more than the $13 a cocktail costs without the DBP.  If you think about it like that, and you plan on using the DBP “to the max” as you said, you could purchase the DBP for you and the refreshment package for your mother, and more likely than not still save money and come out ahead, plus anything she uses her package for would be a bonus on top of that.  Depending on the cost of the DBP per day, you probably only have to order 4-5 cocktails a day to break even, not to mention coffees, bottled water etc.

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5 hours ago, Geoff P said:

Not sure what the pricing is for your cruise, but with our recent cruise the cost of the refreshment package was just slightly more than the $13 a cocktail costs without the DBP.  If you think about it like that, and you plan on using the DBP “to the max” as you said, you could purchase the DBP for you and the refreshment package for your mother, and more likely than not still save money and come out ahead, plus anything she uses her package for would be a bonus on top of that.  Depending on the cost of the DBP per day, you probably only have to order 4-5 cocktails a day to break even, not to mention coffees, bottled water etc.

right now the refreshment package is priced at $22 a day. I’ll keep watching the cruise planner to see if the price drops. It’s a 7 night cruise so $22 plus gratuity/ day can add up for someone who mostly drinks water and has an occasional glass of wine. 
 

thank you for your post ?

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7 hours ago, LaurenLewie said:

right now the refreshment package is priced at $22 a day. I’ll keep watching the cruise planner to see if the price drops. It’s a 7 night cruise so $22 plus gratuity/ day can add up for someone who mostly drinks water and has an occasional glass of wine. 
 

thank you for your post ?

If you are on an Oasis class ship refreshment package is not going lower than $22.. Last year lowest was $19 but this year I have tracked it and $22 has been the lowest I have seen.. 

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13 hours ago, WAAAYTOOO said:

Just wanted to make sure you understand that the refreshments package will NOT cover wine.  Only the Deluxe Beverage Package includes wine.  The refreshments package covers only non-alcoholic beverages.

Yes I know that. I’m just making the point that someone who may only drink a glass of wine at dinner, doesn’t drink coffee or soda pop, that a deluxe package or a refreshment package isn’t really needed and a waste of money for her. But if I want the deluxe package she would have to get it. 

I’m thinking I may get the punch card. It won’t be the deluxe package but it will save me from worrying about “how much have I spent” if I were to pay/drink. 

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9 minutes ago, LaurenLewie said:

Yes I know that. I’m just making the point that someone who may only drink a glass of wine at dinner, doesn’t drink coffee or soda pop, that a deluxe package or a refreshment package isn’t really needed and a waste of money for her. But if I want the deluxe package she would have to get it. 

I’m thinking I may get the punch card. It won’t be the deluxe package but it will save me from worrying about “how much have I spent” if I were to pay/drink. 

The punch card is usually only offered in the middle / end of the cruise and some sailings its not offered at all. It depends on the sailing

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You basically just need work out if the drinks package would be good value if the price was increased by $22 per day.

You won't get RC to change their decision, so forget that plan.

"I really want the deluxe package- I know I'll utilize TO THE MAX. But if I can't get it then I won't drink because I'll be reluctant to pay per drink."

This makes zero sense. Do you think RC will care that you don't drink just because you don't like their rules?

You're going on a cruise to have a good time. Work out how many chargeable drinks you would have per day when on vacation, then decide if the drinks package is good value with the extra $22 per day. If it is, then buy it. If not, just pay as you go.

It's not really that difficult....

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I get the part about not having to worry about what you're spending. The best advice I can offer you is to set an amount for a bar bill you're okay spending and make that your budget. That's my plan for my next set of cruises. The first leg the DX makes total sense but the 2nd leg seems overkill. I'm setting aside a certain amount of cash to leave on my seapass for whatever alcohol I may want. Worst case scenario I have to +/- a few bucks but at least it's been budgeted for.

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On 2/29/2020 at 5:13 PM, jticarruthers said:

I accidentally got around it once last year. Not sure if it would still work or not but you can try if you want.

1. Booked reservation for 2 adults in the cabin.

2. Booked Beverage Package for both adults.

3. Had my TA change the reservation for the 2nd person from an adult to child.

4. RCL system "auto-detected" that a child had an adult drink package and cancelled it on its own (I literally hadnt even though about it but got the refund and went to see why).

5. Changed the child back to an adult.

6. System did not require a package purchase for the 2nd passenger.

We had about 20 people going across multiple rooms and were shuffling passengers around to try and get everyone on board, the drink package thing was more of an "oh that was interesting observation".

 

 

As a Travel Agent, I would be very cautious about doing anything like that as that is not ethical and if you have a Agent that does that, then I don't know how long that agent may be in business but if Royal ever found out they would not be pleased and they would be talking with the head of that agency that agent works for.  It could lead to the Agency losing access to the Royals agent booking site as well as the agent being fired.   That would not be a good choice for me.   The rules are there for a reason and they should be followed as required.

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26 minutes ago, VinceC said:

As a Travel Agent, I would be very cautious about doing anything like that as that is not ethical and if you have a Agent that does that, then I don't know how long that agent may be in business but if Royal ever found out they would not be pleased and they would be talking with the head of that agency that agent works for.  It could lead to the Agency losing access to the Royals agent booking site as well as the agent being fired.   That would not be a good choice for me.   The rules are there for a reason and they should be followed as required.

As i said the intent had nothing to do with the alcohol package (we actually ended up buying the second one back again) and was purely around trying to get everyone on board the ship without violating the "one name must remain the same throughout rule".

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21 hours ago, Uncwmark said:

OP -- check your private messages.  I discovered what I think is a pretty easy loophole to resolve your issue... 

There are many loopholes, but the loopholes are the reasons the Deluxe Beverage Package continues to go up in price.  The rules are in place for a reason.  By breaking them you are only costing more to those who are legitimately following the policies that are place.  Yes there are many different options to beat the system, but why should It cost my fellow cruiser more money.  Unethical and unfair to those who are following the correct policy.   

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1 hour ago, VinceC said:

There are many loopholes, but the loopholes are the reasons the Deluxe Beverage Package continues to go up in price.  The rules are in place for a reason.  By breaking them you are only costing more to those who are legitimately following the policies that are place.  Yes there are many different options to beat the system, but why should It cost my fellow cruiser more money.  Unethical and unfair to those who are following the correct policy.   

The loophole I discovered doesn't cost you (or any fellow cruiser) to see the price of your drink package increase as I don't use for unintended purposes.  Would you agree that there are many viable and justifiable reasons why one person in a cabin would like to purchase the drink package and another wouldn't (like, perhaps, a medical condition that prevents a spouse from drinking alcohol)? 

I'm not taking advantage of the loophole to extort 'free' drinks from RCCL; merely finding a way around what I (and the OP) find to be an unfair policy.  I'd be willing to bet that if you found yourself in a similar position to OP and me, you'd feel the same way.   

For what it's worth, the reason I didn't post the 'loophole' publicly was, to your point, because I'm aware some might use it to take advantage and "share" a drink package.  

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9 minutes ago, Uncwmark said:

I'm not taking advantage of the loophole to extort 'free' drinks from RCCL; merely finding a way around what I (and the OP) find to be an unfair policy. 

Royal isn't dumb.  They know when people start exploiting a loophole to break the rules.  Promoting it is only going to get additional rules added and those that truly warrant an exception such as for medical or religious grounds will be subject to more restrictions or possibly denied entirely like some other cruise lines already do for them.  This is how that eventuality starts.

 

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25 minutes ago, twangster said:

Royal isn't dumb.  They know when people start exploiting a loophole to break the rules.  Promoting it is only going to get additional rules added and those that truly warrant an exception such as for medical or religious grounds will be subject to more restrictions or possibly denied entirely like some other cruise lines already do for them.  This is how that eventuality starts.

 

Which is exactly why I didn't promote it on a public board... 

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