WannaCruise Posted November 7, 2020 Report Share Posted November 7, 2020 I'm sure like a lot of you, I love talking about cruise stuff. Most of the posts these days are depressing with the current situation. So I thought I'd start a fun post. There is the common question "Are drink packages worth it?". We mostly cruise with our kids so don't purchase it, but DH and I have gone on a couple cruises on our own. On our last cruise we purchased the package for the first time. We have also purchased it for our summer cruise...if it goes as it was a good price (comparing to the standard rate). It's not generally worth it for me price-wise, especially if our kids are on the cruise, but I do enjoy the freedom of grabbing drink and if the price is right, that alone is worth it. DH can break even or make it worth it financially. So I thought for fun...I'd start a post of "what is your day like on a cruise in terms of drinks"? Royal has such fun ones, plus the usual wines, beers, hard liquor. I'll go first (based on the one time we had the package) morning coffee with baileys - grab after breakfast and walk viewing the ocean with it afternoon fun drink by pool or schooner's bar with trivia - mai tai or blue lagoon or some cocktail afternoon ice coffee (maybe) bottled water dinner drink - try a new wine or mojito evening fun drink (usually after the show so I'm not running to the washroom lol) - try something new from menu, or Kraken colada, etc. How about others? Can be with or without the drink package...with our without the suite/diamond lounge (not us). PPPJJ-GCVAB, Ogilthorpe, IRMO12HD and 1 other 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
USFFrank Posted November 7, 2020 Report Share Posted November 7, 2020 With the Refreshment Package, I always got the fresh squeezed orange juice at Windjammer at breakfast time. On Freedom of the Seas, I enjoyed watching them put the oranges into the that big juicer machine and getting the freshest tastiest orange juice ever. Never saw the juicers in action on the other cruises though, but I could tell the juice was freshly squeezed recently. JLMoran, PPPJJ-GCVAB, Ian T and 1 other 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RWDW1204 Posted November 7, 2020 Report Share Posted November 7, 2020 To always have one in my hand. LOL JT2, WannaCruise, JLMoran and 10 others 8 1 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WannaCruise Posted November 7, 2020 Author Report Share Posted November 7, 2020 37 minutes ago, USFFrank said: With the Refreshment Package, I always got the fresh squeezed orange juice at Windjammer at breakfast time. On Freedom of the Seas, I enjoyed actually watching them put the oranges into the that big juicer machine and getting the freshest tastiest orange juice ever. Never saw the juicers in action on the other cruises though, but I could tell the juice was freshly squeezed recently. The fun drinks that I get tend to have a lot of sugar so wouldn't typically add freshly squeezed OJ, but our next ship if Freedom (where we got the package), so maybe I'll give it a try. USFFrank 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
teddy Posted November 7, 2020 Report Share Posted November 7, 2020 We will probably seem lame. We drink coffee, water, and whatever lemonade-type drink is available. It's boring but keeps our costs down. 4ensic, Linda R, PRebecca and 2 others 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WannaCruise Posted November 7, 2020 Author Report Share Posted November 7, 2020 5 minutes ago, teddy said: We will probably seem lame. We drink coffee, water, and whatever lemonade-type drink is available. It's boring but keeps our costs down. Nothing wrong or boring with that at all. That's us more often (with the excepting of the one time we got the drink package)...and will carry our own wine onboard. teddy 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FionaMG Posted November 7, 2020 Report Share Posted November 7, 2020 3 hours ago, teddy said: We will probably seem lame. We drink coffee, water, and whatever lemonade-type drink is available. It's boring but keeps our costs down. That's us too. At most we would maybe buy a soda or a beer at dinner time but as new diamonds on our last cruise we were able to eliminate that added expense. WannaCruise, 4ensic and teddy 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HeWhoWaits Posted November 7, 2020 Report Share Posted November 7, 2020 Typical day for me: 8-10 bottles of water (or equivalent amount of Vitamin Water from Freestyle machines) 2-3 soda package cups filled with Powerade Zero 2-3 soda package cups filled with diet soda of some sort 5-6 glasses of iced tea at lunch/dinner (it's not great iced tea, but it meets the need) 1-2 cups of coffee (might be more if the coffee on a particular trip is unusually good) 1-2 glasses of juice at breakfast A glass of scotch in either the Suite Lounge or Diamond Lounge A couple glasses of wine with dinner Whatever freebies or near freebies are offered at a liquor tasting, art auction, or Mimosa special in the casino on a sea day WAAAYTOOO, PPPJJ-GCVAB, WannaCruise and 2 others 3 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tonyfsu21 Posted November 7, 2020 Report Share Posted November 7, 2020 No drink package necessary for me. I grab red stripes from either the Suite lounge, Diamond Lounge or casino bar for 7 straight days. By day 7 I swear off alcohol until the next voyage & I replace beer with the Peloton at home. WannaCruise, WAAAYTOOO, Mrs. RoyalMoyal and 3 others 4 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leroyr55 Posted November 7, 2020 Report Share Posted November 7, 2020 Excuse the legs. WannaCruise and PPPJJ-GCVAB 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KathyC Posted November 7, 2020 Report Share Posted November 7, 2020 Hmmm had to think about this, if we have a pattern or not. On a sea day on a Royal ship when NOT sailing with friends: (water bottles throughout the day) My hubby will get a specialty coffee for breakfast - sometimes I will just cause I have the package, not that I want it. He may spike his, I don't. Later in the morning we'll have something refreshing by the pool/hot tub/solarium/on balcony. After lunch, there will be something frozen in the hot tub. Pre-dinner martini Hubby will have a whisky with dinner After dinner, we'll get beers in the pub or mixed drinks for the show. If we're hanging out in Schooner will be a mixed drink. Last of the evening is a Toasted Almond to settle the stomach before bedtime. On a Celebrity ship sea day: (water bottles throughout the day) Specialty coffee in the morning Martini Bar the rest of the day. (Maybe a specialty herbal tea in the afternoon.) WannaCruise, WAAAYTOOO, JLMoran and 1 other 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pooch Posted November 7, 2020 Report Share Posted November 7, 2020 So glad I’m not the only one starting my day with a little Baileys in my coffee!! Pattycruise, Okgladgal, Ogilthorpe and 6 others 4 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JasonL Posted November 7, 2020 Report Share Posted November 7, 2020 This has definitely changed over the years. Started out with free drip coffee and whatever flavored water,tea,lemonade was offered. Then I started adding in a couple special occasion evening drinks. The last couple cruises I pre-purchased a coffee card so we could get specialty coffees every morning and started getting whatever I wanted to drink in moderation. My next cruise(God willing) to Alaska I made my first DBP purchase and I'm excited to get loose WannaCruise, PPPJJ-GCVAB, 4ensic and 2 others 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoAnn Detor Posted November 7, 2020 Report Share Posted November 7, 2020 Afternoon drink by the pool. WannaCruise and Ogilthorpe 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ogilthorpe Posted November 8, 2020 Report Share Posted November 8, 2020 We start the day with a cocktail at lunch (or two ...) including specialty coffees at dessert. I didn't mention breakfast since it has been many years since we have been up for breakfast on a cruise!We take full advantage throughout the day with drinks at various venues and plenty of seltzer to go. More cocktails and wine at dinner and drinks at the clubs and the casino until the early morning, often with a nightcap at casino bar at closing. WannaCruise 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RickinSTL Posted November 8, 2020 Report Share Posted November 8, 2020 Wake up-- I need my Diet Dr. Pepper.. They had it on Harmony in the Freestyle Machines.. If not ill drink a few glasses of coke Mid morning (1000ish) I gotta have a few Tito's Bloody Marys.. Around twoish.. I guess its Bud Light time until Dinner.. After dinner... Tito's Dirty Martinis or Tito's and Cranberry.. Depending on the night.. Maybe a few shots of Patron mixed in Last year I made the bright decision after a nap to start the Afternoon with Tito's and Red Bull.. Drank those up until dinnertime.. Around 11pm i lost my wings and crashed hard.. Couldn't find our cabin (should have listened to my wife).. lol mdgwow, PPPJJ-GCVAB, Linda R and 9 others 1 1 10 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JLMoran Posted November 8, 2020 Report Share Posted November 8, 2020 For me, my days are pretty consistent: Breakfast - Fresh-squeezed OJ and a grande cappuccino from the cafe One or two days of the trip I'll follow that up with a jalapeño bacon Bloody Mary Another cappuccino around mid-day On embarkation day and port days I always get a reposado or añejo margarita for sail-away On sea days I might get one beer around lunch time, if the ship has a decent import option; if not, I'll get a lighter drink like "She's a Geisha" (sold only at Izumi) On port days I always get two bottles of water when I leave the ship At dinner - 2 glasses of wine (either bottles I brought with me, or if I bought the DBP then slightly more-expensive options that are mostly covered it) After dinner - A glass of Bailey's on the rocks with a shot of espresso mixed in; kind of a reverse Irish coffee And then I'll be drinking bottled or ship's tap water around all of that through the day. Ogilthorpe and mdgwow 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WannaCruise Posted November 8, 2020 Author Report Share Posted November 8, 2020 12 minutes ago, JLMoran said: One or two days of the trip I'll follow that up with a jalapeño bacon Bloody Mary Can't say I've ever heard of that...sounds um...interesting....and really different! Sounds like a neat twist on a Bloody Mary. RickinSTL, Ogilthorpe and mdgwow 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vanelli56 Posted November 8, 2020 Report Share Posted November 8, 2020 Bloody Mary for 1st breakfast Irish Coffee for 2nd breakfast VRB (vodka redbull) for the lull Long island iced tea for 1st lunch pina colada for 2nd lunch (water... lots of water) Coconut mojito lava flow for the down time Wine with first dinner beer with 2nd dinner ask bartender to surprise me before entertainment (water.... lots of water.... and more water) old fashioned gatorade sleep.... shower... repeat. CHEERS! JT2, Ogilthorpe, RickinSTL and 10 others 7 3 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JLMoran Posted November 8, 2020 Report Share Posted November 8, 2020 1 hour ago, WannaCruise said: Can't say I've ever heard of that...sounds um...interesting....and really different! Sounds like a neat twist on a Bloody Mary. When the ship has the Bloody Mary bar set up in the atrium, they have a half-dozen or so ingredient options besides the choice of vodka. Jalapeños, bacon, possibly Old Bay, I forget what else. I saw the bacon and jalapeños that was just USCG Teacher, JT2, WAAAYTOOO and 3 others 4 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
melmar02 Posted November 8, 2020 Report Share Posted November 8, 2020 We always get the DBP, and I like to think we take advantage of it. Mostly we like not having the big bill at the end of the cruise. Sea days look like this: DH gets me coffee from the suite lounge in the morning, and I usually only have one cup a day, so no benefit there. Fresh squeezed OJ at breakfast (sometimes) Bottle of water Bloody Marys in the casino mid morning Bottle of water Water, soda, or lemonade at lunch A Lava Flow (or two) by the pool Bottle of water Jalapeno Grapefruit Daiquiri at the Schooner Bar with trivia Bottle of water Lemon drop in the suite lounge (no benefit again) Glass of wine at dinner Bottle of water IRMO12HD, WannaCruise and Ogilthorpe 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ditchdoc Posted November 8, 2020 Report Share Posted November 8, 2020 Hummm ..... Morning Coffee Coffee Coffee Afternoon Perhaps a beer or some frozen concoction Evening Before dinner drink Wine with dinner After dinner drink Throughout the day Water Diamond perks usually cover the cost of drinks Ogilthorpe and WannaCruise 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
monctonguy Posted November 9, 2020 Report Share Posted November 9, 2020 I cant list all my drinks in a day.....it would clog up this thread...its a long long list.......... But it averages around 20-25 per day, more on the first few days, less on the last few days...a couple of those are water or poweraede though.....lol........ emmef, Lovetocruise2002, Linda R and 14 others 6 9 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy & Sheryl Unwin Posted November 9, 2020 Report Share Posted November 9, 2020 Oh my, this could get interesting.... Thinking about our last time on Navigator First thing is morning coffee, OJ and fruit delivered to the JS. out to the balcony More coffee with second breakfast in the MDR, down to the R bar, for Bloody Mary then stroll around the walking track Back to the R bar, jack and coke takes me through to lunch Glass of wine with lunch in the MDR Back to the R Bar to let lunch settle and wash down with another Jack and Coke Mini Golf Back to the R Bar - more jack and coke Change for dinner Dinner in the MDR- 2 glasses of wine Showtime - Jack and coke Back to the R bar - Jack and coke or two or three Sleep time Just to see how the drinks package worked out, we kept a real count on Navigator. Remember there were two of us contributing here not just me Monday☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆14 × 13 = $182Tuesday☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆16 x 13 = $208Wednesday☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆20 x 13 = $260Thursday☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆8 x 13 = $104$754 Consumed $432 Drinks package $322 Balance in our favour PRebecca, RickinSTL, JasonL and 5 others 5 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PRebecca Posted November 9, 2020 Report Share Posted November 9, 2020 speciality coffee first thing in the AM, with a bottle of water. then colada's by the pool, or whatever the drink is around the pool that day, several! I'll try anything more specialty iced coffee, and water around lunch time I like to go to a couple bars and ask them to make me whatever they like to make- whether it's their speciality drink or just some fun new drink they enjoy or whatever, it's a "surprise me" moment and they seem happy to comply. more iced coffee and water on the rocks drinks with dinner; again either specialty frozen or anything on the rocks my drinks are all virgin, and i have a blast trying new things! WannaCruise 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JBC Posted November 10, 2020 Report Share Posted November 10, 2020 On 11/7/2020 at 10:32 AM, RWDW1204 said: To always have one in my hand. LOL This! 4ensic, RWDW1204 and Ogilthorpe 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cruisegirl1976 Posted November 10, 2020 Report Share Posted November 10, 2020 Well.. it's always 5 o'clock somewhere.. so.. morning it's either a mimosa, or what ever drink of the day is.. afternoon.. continue with drink of the day or mojito, lava flo.. night.. beer.. WannaCruise and Ogilthorpe 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MommaMcLovin Posted November 10, 2020 Report Share Posted November 10, 2020 It is fun to think back - 2 Mimosas to start the day, coffee, water then on to at least 2 drinks of the day by pool, more water, I usually get a water with each drink 2 wines at dinner 4 -5 drinks in evening down at the casino, love the casino bar and staff!! but be sure and get pizza before it closes WannaCruise, Ogilthorpe and RickinSTL 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MuttMutt Posted November 10, 2020 Report Share Posted November 10, 2020 Didn't buy the drink package on my first cruise. Honestly I am not a big drinker to begin with and with the things that were happening in my life at that point I don't think it was a great idea. I did carry my insulated drink container and the staff had no issue filling it up for me at meals. Hopefully even with the new protocols they can do that for me on the next one. WannaCruise and Ogilthorpe 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Floski Posted November 11, 2020 Report Share Posted November 11, 2020 On 11/7/2020 at 10:32 AM, RWDW1204 said: To always have one in my hand. LOL I love the reply and the gif....fabulous movie! Ogilthorpe and RWDW1204 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Floski Posted November 11, 2020 Report Share Posted November 11, 2020 I love drinking. Our first two cruises we were sans DBP; the last two with. I looooove the fresh squeezed OJ and try to have it every morning. The Solarium being my spot, I go there as much as I can, but I don't think they have the FSOJ, although I'm sure they'd go get me some if I asked. I start drinking around 11:30-12, and until the evening I don't care what I have. Of course, being ancient, I always forget the drinks that I hear everyone talk about (especially shots). But I don't care, just bring it on. I generally don't drink anything during dinner. After dinner, it's pretty much straight, neat liquors. I love trying high-end bevs, especially bourbons. I'm hoping Harmony will have Blanton's when we sail in Feb (yes, we will, dammit!). Oddly, I have never stepped foot in the wine bars in 4 cruises. I like German whites, but don't know a bloody thing about wine, so I'm a little intimidated by going in there. Wife doesn't like wine at all, so it will be just me. I'm disappointed that it appears that we won't be allowed to venture into the ports, as I love going into downtown Charlotte-Amalie and buying lots of rum. BTW, if you like a good, smooth rum, try Havensight when you're in St. Thomas. With the DBP, I never drink beer while onboard (mostly because their craft menu is awful), but I'm hopeful that, when we get to Coco Cay, they will still have the collaboration with Funky Buddha, which is a great brewery. Lord, I hope I can remember to drink more water next time. WAAAYTOOO, WannaCruise, IRMO12HD and 2 others 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FManke Posted November 11, 2020 Report Share Posted November 11, 2020 On 11/7/2020 at 2:07 PM, HeWhoWaits said: Typical day for me: 8-10 bottles of water (or equivalent amount of Vitamin Water from Freestyle machines) 2-3 soda package cups filled with Powerade Zero 2-3 soda package cups filled with diet soda of some sort 5-6 glasses of iced tea at lunch/dinner (it's not great iced tea, but it meets the need) 1-2 cups of coffee (might be more if the coffee on a particular trip is unusually good) 1-2 glasses of juice at breakfast A glass of scotch in either the Suite Lounge or Diamond Lounge A couple glasses of wine with dinner Whatever freebies or near freebies are offered at a liquor tasting, art auction, or Mimosa special in the casino on a sea day Sounds like you know the ins and outs of every bathroom on board. Ogilthorpe, whitsmom, USFFrank and 1 other 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
krhardy Posted November 12, 2020 Report Share Posted November 12, 2020 Hmmm...it really depends on what I have planned for the day. If I want to do the "active" stuff like Sky Pad, Flow Rider, Zip Line, etc (I may be a grandma, but age is just a number!), then I don't have my first beverage until I'm done with those things (an injury would definitely put a damper on the vacation!). Typically, something like this: 8:00...escape the snoring log of a husband and stumble down to the Cafe Promenade for a specialty hot tea (life is tough for those of us who don't drink coffee). Get a bottle of water or 2 for good measure 8:30...first breakfast...maybe with a mimosa and another bottle of water 9:00...morning run (gotta burn off all the dessert and drinks!) followed by another bottle of water 10:00...second breakfast when my husband finally emerges. Definitely a mimosa here The rest of the day depends on what I'm doing...if we're hitting up the trivia (don't challenge me at 80s music trivia...I'll win), then it's time to start looking at the specialty drink menus in whatever venue we're in. Fallback drink is a Dark & Stormy. On Mariner, we loved to camp out in the Bamboo Room and try the different rums! 12:30~ish...time for lunch and more water After lunch...pool deck and whatever tiki drinks the very sweet cabana boy will bring me. Along with water. All the water We do late seating dinner, and I usually have a glass or 2 of wine with that. After dinner...time to hit whatever entertainment and a nightcap. Jill, Ogilthorpe and WannaCruise 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Floski Posted November 13, 2020 Report Share Posted November 13, 2020 4 hours ago, krhardy said: if we're hitting up the trivia (don't challenge me at 80s music trivia...I'll win) USFFrank, Ogilthorpe and RWDW1204 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
USFFrank Posted November 13, 2020 Report Share Posted November 13, 2020 5 hours ago, krhardy said: The rest of the day depends on what I'm doing...if we're hitting up the trivia (don't challenge me at 80s music trivia...I'll win) 50 minutes ago, Floski said: Yes, please, I sooooo need to win more key chains 7 hi-liters. I'll be waiting at the Schooner Bar. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RickinSTL Posted November 13, 2020 Report Share Posted November 13, 2020 On 11/10/2020 at 7:12 PM, Floski said: Oddly, I have never stepped foot in the wine bars in 4 cruises. I like German whites, but don't know a bloody thing about wine, so I'm a little intimidated by going in there. Wife doesn't like wine at all, so it will be just me. I'm disappointed that it appears that we won't be allowed to venture into the ports, as I love going into downtown Charlotte-Amalie and buying lots of rum. BTW, if you like a good, smooth rum, try Havensight when you're in St. Thomas My wife cannot drink wine because its a trigger for migranes.. I love Havana club dark rum.. omg.. i wish i could find it somewhere in the Caribbean. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Floski Posted November 13, 2020 Report Share Posted November 13, 2020 3 minutes ago, crisgold52 said: One has to wonder how gathering to drink any of the aforementioned drinks will work I the nes normal. I would not expect to see huge maskless swathes of guests sipping things in large congregate settings. The new normal is here and it will change the way how such rinks are to be drunk and when. Thanks for ruining my good drunk. Jill, 4ensic, RWDW1204 and 2 others 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ogilthorpe Posted November 14, 2020 Report Share Posted November 14, 2020 Anyone else out there willing to join me in considering the term "new normal" to be profanity? RickinSTL, Lovetocruise2002, RWDW1204 and 2 others 2 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lovetocruise2002 Posted November 14, 2020 Report Share Posted November 14, 2020 13 minutes ago, Ogilthorpe said: Anyone else out there willing to join me in considering the term "new normal" to be profanity? Yes! And let’s add the terms “mitigate” and “elephant in the room” to that list too! RWDW1204 and Ogilthorpe 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Floski Posted November 14, 2020 Report Share Posted November 14, 2020 2 hours ago, Lovetocruise2002 said: Yes! And let’s add the terms “mitigate” and “elephant in the room” to that list too! "no sail order" and "socially distance" Two out of a gazillion RWDW1204, Lovetocruise2002 and Ogilthorpe 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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