There is no point in hiding it; one of the most debated topics about the cruise world is definitely the so-called “drink packages.”
As you probably know, drinks are among the few things that are not included in the cruise fare, so all passengers are looking for ways to get them at an affordable price.
Is it worth buying a drink package, or is it not? Over the years, I’ve heard and read all sorts of opinions on the matter.
However, in this article, I want to make it clear once and for all. Are drink packages really a scam? Let’s take a look at the things that cruise lines usually try to hide from you.
1. You’re Paying for “Free” Drink Promotions
The first thing I want to clarify is that the offers with drinks included in the cruise price are practically just smokescreens.
What they don’t tell you is that these packages often come with higher base cruise fares or, even worse, with gratuities that will be added to the final price.
To avoid falling for these kinds of “disguised offers,” I recommend that you monitor the price of the cruise you are interested in several months in advance.
This way, you can keep an eye on the price and see if a promotion is really worthwhile or not.
2. Drink Packages Are Designed for Overconsumption
Another thing that many passengers underestimate and that cruise lines never say is that drink packages are totally designed for overconsumption.
If you don’t drink more than the average person, you probably won’t get your money’s worth.
The idea behind this move is quite simple. Since cruise lines cannot afford to lose money, they set the daily cost of a drink package high enough that most cruisers must drink far more than they typically would to break even.
Would you be able to do that? Only you can know since you know your habits.
Just consider that on a cruise, you might drink more than usual since you are on vacation and will have a lot of free time to have fun.
3. Drink Packages Always Cost More on the Ship
I don’t know why no one says this, but I guarantee you that the prices of beverage packages are very different on the ships.
Some people may think, “I’ll wait to buy the package and think about it on the ship.” This is actually not a good strategy.
To get the drink package at the best price,e you must always book it before departure, either through the company’s website or through your travel agent.
As you can imagine, prices vary a lot depending on the cruise line, but usually, onboard drink packages can cost 10–30% more than if purchased in advance. For instance, a package priced at $70/day online might cost $80–$90/day onboard.
4. Carefully Read the Terms
This advice doesn’t apply only to drink packages, but, in general, whenever you purchase something, you should always carefully read the terms and conditions.
Why do you need to be especially careful? Because some packages include only some types of drinks and exclude others.
For example, some packages do not include liquor or fine wines, for which you have to pay extra.
So before you buy a package, read carefully what is included and make your own evaluations.
5. Port Days Shrink Your Usage
Another thing that might be useful to consider is the amount of port days and sea days during your cruise.
It’s quite easy to figure out: the more days you spend in port, the less you’ll use the drink package, as you’ll be spending many hours ashore.
Consequently, if your itinerary includes several port days, it might be useful to have a drink package since you will spend all your time on the ship, where there are plenty of bars to order from!
6. The Gratuities Add Up Quickly
The last thing you need to consider is that, basically, all cruise lines charge mandatory gratuities or a service fee when you order drinks.
They are usually around 15%–18%. This isn’t always advertised upfront, and it can add hundreds of dollars to your final bill.
It’s essential to consider this when you do your calculations to decide whether it is worth purchasing the drink package. I have also included it in the list of the 10 drink package mistakes you should never make on a cruise.
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