Drink Packages (Alcohol)

[WAYNO]

A vent, and maybe even a question...

The hard drink package, must be bought for everybody sharing a room.  Problem is, my wife truly does not drink.  Not even a drop.

 

So, a thousand dollars for two drink packages.  I already have free drinks in the casino when it's open, and we each have 4 drink vouchers per cruise (Diamond perk).  They've made an exception in the past, and sold me a single drink package, but now they say absolutely not.

 

Anybody else questioning this dilemma?

[AshleyDillo]

If you call you can order a mixture of packages. You have to do this if you're trying to purchase a drink package + VOOM internet and a non-internet one.  But if you only need one alcoholic package (Deluxe) you can order the other 21+ parties in your cabin the Refreshment Package. It just requires a phone call since the system isn't set up to allow it.

[Bob Burd]

What Ashley said is what I did for my upcoming cruise.  Just takes a phone call.

[Pooch]

So you have free casino drinks and EIGHT drink vouchers per day since you can use your wife’s, and you still want/need the drink package?

[GKMCruising]

7 minutes ago, Pooch said:

So you have free casino drinks and EIGHT drink vouchers per day since you can use your wife’s, and you still want/need the drink package?

Yeah, why not just buy her the refreshment package for unlimited juice/soda/mocktails? Take her drink vouchers and get your drinks off those, and save yourself some cash. Even if you went over by a couple drinks, it'd still be cheaper than a full package for yourself.

[WAAAYTOOO]

3 minutes ago, GKMCruising said:

Yeah, why not just buy her the refreshment package for unlimited juice/soda/mocktails? Take her drink vouchers and get your drinks off those, and save yourself some cash. Even if you went over by a couple drinks, it'd still be cheaper than a full package for yourself.

VERY good idea.

[WAYNO]

I thought that was 4 per person total, not per day.  If so, then I oughta be okay.  And ordering single packages  on the phone? Guess it depends on who answers, as on the phone I was also told multiple times I had to buy two of the same packages if there are two people in my room.

[Pooch]

Nope it’s 4 per day per person and you can use hers.  And I don’t know who you called, nor do I doubt you were given that bad answer, but there are multiple threads here and on that other board stating a phone call will allow you to buy a drink package for 1 party and the refreshment package for the other.  It’s actually becoming pretty common.

[JC Pats]

11 hours ago, WAYNO said:

 And ordering single packages on the phone? Guess it depends on who answers, as on the phone I was also told multiple times I had to buy two of the same packages if there are two people in my room.

Technically true - but if you say your wife doesn’t drink, they’ve always been able to accommodate as long as the refreshment package is bought for her. If they refuse again, ask for a supervisor. 

[bryresangel]

13 hours ago, WAYNO said:

I thought that was 4 per person total, not per day.  If so, then I oughta be okay.  And ordering single packages  on the phone? Guess it depends on who answers, as on the phone I was also told multiple times I had to buy two of the same packages if there are two people in my room.

You can order just one refreshment package via the website. That's what we do because hubby doesn't drink soda, mocktails, etc.

[VickR]

Hi guys! Following this topic, we sail Symphony Dec 4th.

Same situation here hubby doesn’t drink, but I do! It’s still possible to call Royal and get a Alcohol package mixed with a Beverage package?

Also did anyone had problems calling Royal? My call have been dropped and never connect.

[TNTcruisers]

Hode up

 

What is this talk about vouchers per day? Free drinks at the casino? 

My husband and I both drink and have bought the packages on other cruises, but we're talking about paying per drink this year as we have cut back a lot - I am intrigued.

[Pooch]

Not sure about the casino, but vouchers are for Diamond & up.

[Atlantix2000]

14 hours ago, TNTcruisers said:

Hode up

What is this talk about vouchers per day? Free drinks at the casino? 

My husband and I both drink and have bought the packages on other cruises, but we're talking about paying per drink this year as we have cut back a lot - I am intrigued.

If you are a frequent cruiser and work your way up to the Diamond or higher level of the Crown and Anchor loyalty program, you earn vouchers.

If you spend enough time/money in the casino, they will offer you free drinks (because they want you to stay).  You won't get a free drink just for playing one hand of blackjack.

Basically, you'll get free drinks if Royal is getting enough of your money a different way!!!

[Momof4crazytocruise]

Sounds like they've got you sorted out with Diamond vouchers and Casino drinks, but if that weren't the case, I would run the numbers and just see if what you would drink added up to more or less than buying 2 packages. When you look at the actual cost versus what you alone are drinking, it probably makes sense to just forgo the package and just buy ala carte. On my last cruise, with my friend who only drinks wine at dinner, and *very* occasional cocktail, there was no sense in buying two packages. We brought her wine on board, she paid for her 1 or 2 cocktails and daily latte, and I paid as I went - and it definitely came out less than if I had bought 2 packages. 

[MaryCS62]

On 10/30/2021 at 7:26 AM, Pooch said:

Nope it’s 4 per day per person and you can use hers.  And I don’t know who you called, nor do I doubt you were given that bad answer, but there are multiple threads here and on that other board stating a phone call will allow you to buy a drink package for 1 party and the refreshment package for the other.  It’s actually becoming pretty common.

Nope, have to do it all the time -- older DD can't drink for medical reasons, but likes the mocktails, so we get her the refreshment package (she's 31, but disabled, so she travels with us.) If she shares a room with her sister, we get them one full package & 1 refreshment package.  After our upcoming cruise, she, DH & I will all be diamond, so no need for drink package.  We can use her vouchers for alcohol, and just get her the refreshment package for the mocktails, juice, soda, etc

[Pooch]

Yes, that’s what I meant. OP was told over the phone it was not possible but it is.

[WAYNO]

46 minutes ago, Pooch said:

Yes, that’s what I meant. OP was told over the phone it was not possible but it is.

It's only possible if you get a receptionist that says it's possible.  Sometimes a person just gets tired of calling, hoping for a person that will sell you a single  Deluxe package with a single Refreshment package. 

 

In the meantime, we're getting ready for a cruise Sunday, and I'll worry about drinks on the February cruise and try again when the dust settles from this cruise.   Hurray and hurry!  Oasis. 11/7/21.  7-day, Perfect Day, Sint Maartens and USVI.

[Pooch]

Or you might find the complementary drinks to which you are entitled are enough & you don’t need the package?

[WAYNO]

1 hour ago, Pooch said:

Or you might find the complementary drinks to which you are entitled are enough & you don’t need the package?

Should be.

[Sean G]

I was just on a 7-day cruise out of Miami and met a couple with the same situation. The husband called and explained the situation and then he just had to send them a letter certifying that the wife didn't drink alcohol. He said it was pretty easy. 

[Ampurp85]

I had similar issues with the reps. It was 5 adults of which only 2 are actual drinkers. The cost of the DBP would have added over $2k to our bill. After 3 calls we got it to 2 DBP and 3 refresher packages which was still $1700. We decided a la carte was better as we stayed in a suite.. We used the suite lounge and then brought a few drinks a day when we were at shows or ports. We only spent $491 and had about 2.5 drinks extra each day. You have vouchers and it should work out fine.