jerseygirl
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Post by jerseygirl on Oct 13, 2022 15:58:23 GMT -5
I rarely use a travel agent but do for cruises. Often a free drinks package is included
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saveinla
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Post by saveinla on Oct 13, 2022 16:15:26 GMT -5
I thought soda was free, although its been a while since Ive been on a cruise
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chiver78
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Post by chiver78 on Oct 13, 2022 16:30:17 GMT -5
it's like $109/day on NCL, and that's not even premium stuff. it's capped at $15, you pay the overage as you go. of course, if you're not going over $15, you're fine. if you want top shelf, that package is $138/day (I just looked it up, this is a new thing).Β I'm with MPL about not feeling guilty about leaving a drink if I'm trying something new and don't like it. and, it's nice to be able to add a little BAM! to a Starbucks iced tea without having to stop and sign two different checks.Β It must vary by cruise/ship because ours was $60/day yesterday, today it's $71/day but the sales change constantly, I was told to wait for Black Friday because it's often 30-40% off for that. NCL doesn't do sales like that. plus, our trips are classified a little differently than a "regular" cruise. they were still calling us a charter, even though NCL owns the management company for the music cruises. as such, we weren't allowed to purchase drink packages until the last few years. it was such a pain. having to stop and sign for every drink, when the bar staff is already not moving fast (Carnival bar staff rocks!) was just irritating.
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chiver78
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Post by chiver78 on Oct 13, 2022 16:31:58 GMT -5
I thought soda was free, although its been a while since Ive been on a cruise nope, that's part of bar service. juices in the am/iced teas after breakfast and desalinated water fountains in the buffet lines. coffee, too. everything else is bar service. *I've only sailed Carnival, Princess, and NCL. can't speak for other lines, but I'd imagine it's similar.
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CCL
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Post by CCL on Oct 13, 2022 16:45:35 GMT -5
Generally the smaller ships cost more. My sonβs in laws are big cruisers and only ever take Carnival because they enjoy the night clubs, dancing, casinos, shows, etc. In fact theyβve cruised so much they no longer bother getting off at the ports anymore, or squeeze in a weekend sale where there is no port at all, just a big swing out into the ocean and then back to the dock - because theyβre both party animals who love the nightlight.Β DH and I, on the other hand, are introverts who need a lot of quiet time. Weβve been on two cruises, one in the Caribbean and one leaving from Boston, going up the cost past Halifax and Prince Edward Island, and up the St Lawrence to Quebec, then Montreal. Both were Windstar, which are smaller (about 800 to 1000 passengers) and they cater to an older, more sedate set of clients. (DH and I were often among the youngest on board, and weβre not spring chickens). The focus is not on night life (although they have music, small shows, a tiny casino) but what you can do in the ports. Because itβs a smaller ship it can get to ports that are too small to allow the big ships in, or up rivers too shallow for one of the big ships. Each stop had a variety of activities you could pay to go on, or you could just get off the boat and wander around on your own (like we did in Β Quebec).Β I did notice several older/ frail people, one wheelchair bound, both men who appeared to be traveling with their wives. I never saw them on any of the excursions we went on, donβt know if they stayed on the ship the whole time, or if they attended one of the bus tour type excursions that required minimal walking.Β Wind star has very good food, but my only complaint was that the two ships we were on had only two evening restaurants, the main dining room with three course meals, or a fancier dining room with an extra fee. After 8 a few days I would have preferred the option of just getting a burger or a big salad. Room service was available but only what was being served in the dining room that night was available on the menu. However, since then, I heard theyβve expanded their ships and included other evening dining venues like pasta and hamburgers.Β Cruise critic is good - before we picked windstar we saw a horrible review of it by a younger woman who complained the night life was dull and the fellow passengers older and quieter than she liked and that made us think weβd probably like that cruise line LOL. Right now weβd like to go to Alaska but Windstar cruises there are very expensive, thinking of taking a slightly larger (say 2000 person) cruise ship there. Cheaper.Β You should check out the Holland America Alaska cruises.
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happyhoix
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Post by happyhoix on Oct 13, 2022 19:14:14 GMT -5
Generally the smaller ships cost more. My sonβs in laws are big cruisers and only ever take Carnival because they enjoy the night clubs, dancing, casinos, shows, etc. In fact theyβve cruised so much they no longer bother getting off at the ports anymore, or squeeze in a weekend sale where there is no port at all, just a big swing out into the ocean and then back to the dock - because theyβre both party animals who love the nightlight.Β DH and I, on the other hand, are introverts who need a lot of quiet time. Weβve been on two cruises, one in the Caribbean and one leaving from Boston, going up the cost past Halifax and Prince Edward Island, and up the St Lawrence to Quebec, then Montreal. Both were Windstar, which are smaller (about 800 to 1000 passengers) and they cater to an older, more sedate set of clients. (DH and I were often among the youngest on board, and weβre not spring chickens). The focus is not on night life (although they have music, small shows, a tiny casino) but what you can do in the ports. Because itβs a smaller ship it can get to ports that are too small to allow the big ships in, or up rivers too shallow for one of the big ships. Each stop had a variety of activities you could pay to go on, or you could just get off the boat and wander around on your own (like we did in Β Quebec).Β I did notice several older/ frail people, one wheelchair bound, both men who appeared to be traveling with their wives. I never saw them on any of the excursions we went on, donβt know if they stayed on the ship the whole time, or if they attended one of the bus tour type excursions that required minimal walking.Β Wind star has very good food, but my only complaint was that the two ships we were on had only two evening restaurants, the main dining room with three course meals, or a fancier dining room with an extra fee. After 8 a few days I would have preferred the option of just getting a burger or a big salad. Room service was available but only what was being served in the dining room that night was available on the menu. However, since then, I heard theyβve expanded their ships and included other evening dining venues like pasta and hamburgers.Β Cruise critic is good - before we picked windstar we saw a horrible review of it by a younger woman who complained the night life was dull and the fellow passengers older and quieter than she liked and that made us think weβd probably like that cruise line LOL. Right now weβd like to go to Alaska but Windstar cruises there are very expensive, thinking of taking a slightly larger (say 2000 person) cruise ship there. Cheaper.Β You should check out the Holland America Alaska cruises. . Yes thatβs one Of the ones weβve looked at. Kind of like to do a rail trip through the Canadian mountains and then a cruise though - that probably has to wait for retirement.
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CCL
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Post by CCL on Oct 13, 2022 19:16:44 GMT -5
We're thinking of doing that one, too.
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wvugurl26
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Post by wvugurl26 on Oct 13, 2022 19:28:33 GMT -5
Carnival and RC you had to pay for soda or have a drink package.
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Post by minnesotapaintlady on Oct 13, 2022 20:14:13 GMT -5
It must vary by cruise/ship because ours was $60/day yesterday, today it's $71/day but the sales change constantly, I was told to wait for Black Friday because it's often 30-40% off for that. NCL doesn't do sales like that. plus, our trips are classified a little differently than a "regular" cruise. they were still calling us a charter, even though NCL owns the management company for the music cruises. as such, we weren't allowed to purchase drink packages until the last few years. it was such a pain. having to stop and sign for every drink, when the bar staff is already not moving fast (Carnival bar staff rocks!) was just irritating. Oh, I'm off today, had my covid booster yesterday and feel like shit. I mean RC. But when we went with NCL the drink package was part of the deal. You could pick one thing like free drink package or free gratuities...
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chiver78
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Post by chiver78 on Oct 13, 2022 21:02:56 GMT -5
NCL doesn't do sales like that. plus, our trips are classified a little differently than a "regular" cruise. they were still calling us a charter, even though NCL owns the management company for the music cruises. as such, we weren't allowed to purchase drink packages until the last few years. it was such a pain. having to stop and sign for every drink, when the bar staff is already not moving fast (Carnival bar staff rocks!) was just irritating. Oh, I'm off today, had my covid booster yesterday and feel like shit.Β I mean RC.Β But when we went with NCL the drink package was part of the deal.Β You could pick one thing like free drink package or free gratuities... I figured we were missing each other. π those "you pick your perk" things aren't options for my trips, unfortunately.
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CCL
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Post by CCL on Oct 13, 2022 21:42:05 GMT -5
Carnival and RC you had to pay for soda or have a drink package. Our drinks, including beer & wine were included thru our travel club.
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nidena
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Post by nidena on Oct 13, 2022 22:45:27 GMT -5
My dad and stepmom went on a uniworld cruise. They loved it. It's a boutique line that has a very limited number of passengers per cruise vs the thousands that might sail on Carnival or the other larger ships.
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justme
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Post by justme on Oct 13, 2022 22:58:56 GMT -5
The drink package on Viking is a running discussion on CruiseCritic. It is VERY reasonable, $20pp/per day and both in the cabin must get the package. Viking also includes sodas, wine and beer at lunch and dinner as standard, no charge. For all but the lowest level, there is soda that is refilled daily in the mini fridge in the cabin. Specialty coffees are free all day long. We do not deny ourselves anything, but as the prices are so reasonable, we have yet to make taking the package financially worthwhile. On our 54 day cruise last year, there were only a handful of days where both of us drank over $20/day. Calculating back, our booze tab tends to run 1/3-1/2 of what the package would cost us. Our 15 day river cruise, our alcohol tab was $88 (the house wines were much better on the river cruises IMO). The drink package would have cost us $600. I donβt like the idea of needing to feel like I must drink something, or I am wasting my money. How much are the drinks to buy though? With Royal Caribbean it's like $14 a drink. I'm not a heavy drinker but was downing several a day at least on the cruise. Especially when you could get something new and if you didn't like it not feel guilty about finishing it. I would pay a $20/package in a heartbeat.
But, the all alcohol package is more like $60/day with RC.
So Royal jumped their prices this year and they're the only one with dynamic pricing. I went on one of their smaller ships for nye and paid $50 and 4 months later on a new ship I paid $65 and the cruise this month is a weekend one (which is always higher) at $77. All before their 20% gratuity. I will say historically their black Friday pricing is usually some of the best you can get for their drink package. But based what I've seen I wouldn't plan on anything lower than 65 plus gratuity.
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justme
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Post by justme on Oct 13, 2022 23:02:07 GMT -5
It must vary by cruise/ship because ours was $60/day yesterday, today it's $71/day but the sales change constantly, I was told to wait for Black Friday because it's often 30-40% off for that. NCL doesn't do sales like that. plus, our trips are classified a little differently than a "regular" cruise. they were still calling us a charter, even though NCL owns the management company for the music cruises. as such, we weren't allowed to purchase drink packages until the last few years. it was such a pain. having to stop and sign for every drink, when the bar staff is already not moving fast (Carnival bar staff rocks!) was just irritating. That's your problem lol 99% of NCL customers get it as the free at sea package so they only pay 20% of the package price. (Which explained their pricing until Royal lost their minds and decided to see how close they could go to NCL) It was just below $20 a day now it's just a bit over because they just increased it this year. It's totally worth it for the 2 alcoholic drinks (3 if you only drink beer) and you're saving money. It's honestly part of the reason I've never pulled the trigger on the concert cruises you do. The idea is great - the price tag is what I pay for 3 cruises. Or more.
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justme
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Post by justme on Oct 13, 2022 23:03:36 GMT -5
I thought soda was free, although its been a while since Ive been on a cruise nope, that's part of bar service. juices in the am/iced teas after breakfast and desalinated water fountains in the buffet lines. coffee, too. everything else is bar service. *I've only sailed Carnival, Princess, and NCL. can't speak for other lines, but I'd imagine it's similar. Royal and MSC and HAL are the same. Though my mom tells me HAL has a nightly buy one get one happy hour - though that was pre covid.
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chiver78
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Post by chiver78 on Oct 14, 2022 0:22:53 GMT -5
NCL doesn't do sales like that. plus, our trips are classified a little differently than a "regular" cruise. they were still calling us a charter, even though NCL owns the management company for the music cruises. as such, we weren't allowed to purchase drink packages until the last few years. it was such a pain. having to stop and sign for every drink, when the bar staff is already not moving fast (Carnival bar staff rocks!) was just irritating. That's your problem lol 99% of NCL customers get it as the free at sea package so they only pay 20% of the package price. (Which explained their pricing until Royal lost their minds and decided to see how close they could go to NCL) It was just below $20 a day now it's just a bit over because they just increased it this year. It's totally worth it for the 2 alcoholic drinks (3 if you only drink beer) and you're saving money. It's honestly part of the reason I've never pulled the trigger on the concert cruises you do. The idea is great - the price tag is what I pay for 3 cruises. Or more. oh, I'm well aware our pricing sucks. but, I don't book more than 1x/yr at full price. π
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finnime
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Post by finnime on Oct 14, 2022 3:48:02 GMT -5
I hadn't really thought about entertainment aboard ship. Live music is great.
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azucena
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Post by azucena on Oct 14, 2022 7:35:36 GMT -5
That's your problem lol 99% of NCL customers get it as the free at sea package so they only pay 20% of the package price. (Which explained their pricing until Royal lost their minds and decided to see how close they could go to NCL) It was just below $20 a day now it's just a bit over because they just increased it this year. It's totally worth it for the 2 alcoholic drinks (3 if you only drink beer) and you're saving money. It's honestly part of the reason I've never pulled the trigger on the concert cruises you do. The idea is great - the price tag is what I pay for 3 cruises. Or more. oh, I'm well aware our pricing sucks. but, I don't book more than 1x/yr at full price. π How do you find less than full price?
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wvugurl26
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Post by wvugurl26 on Oct 14, 2022 7:36:37 GMT -5
I think it's a thing where you pay for one and the company offers discounts on others. I don't think it's like a discount you can just find.
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chiver78
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Post by chiver78 on Oct 14, 2022 7:57:32 GMT -5
what wvugurl said. if there's a cruise that hasn't been selling well, for whatever reason, they will offer big discounts to folks that have paid full price for something else within that calendar year. I can share the link now, it's no longer a super secret thing like when they first started in order to fill some boats. linkto compare, I'll be sailing one itinerary in March for $400 (plus drink package, if my cabin decides so). my cabin at full price is $1415pp, plus $295 in taxes/fees. BUT, I'm also booked for January at $1280pp, plus $290 in taxes/fees.
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chiver78
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Post by chiver78 on Oct 14, 2022 8:00:18 GMT -5
I hadn't really thought about entertainment aboard ship. Live music is great. there's something completely freeing about standing on a cruise ship pool deck, sailing away from port, listening to your favorite artists tearing up the stage. there's a reason I'm still sailing, coming up on 20 years after my first.
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azucena
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Post by azucena on Oct 14, 2022 8:41:52 GMT -5
Thanks for sharing. I'd love to do a Christian music cruise someday.
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chiver78
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Post by chiver78 on Oct 14, 2022 8:52:34 GMT -5
NEEDTOBREATHE and Switchfoot have sailed my trips a number of times.
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Post by The Walk of the Penguin Mich on Oct 14, 2022 10:06:01 GMT -5
I rarely use a travel agent but do for cruises. Often a free drinks package is included I never do. I have a Viking agent I call directly and heβs always taken care of me.
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azucena
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Post by azucena on Oct 14, 2022 10:10:01 GMT -5
NEEDTOBREATHE and Switchfoot have sailed my trips a number of times. Oooo - keep me posted should one come up again.
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Post by minnesotapaintlady on Oct 14, 2022 10:19:11 GMT -5
I will say historically their black Friday pricing is usually some of the best you can get for their drink package. But based what I've seen I wouldn't plan on anything lower than 65 plus gratuity. Well, it was $60 last week, so hoping for better than that Black Friday. It didn't say anything about extra charge for gratuity on the package. Right now they have the non-alcoholic package for $20/day and the soda one for $8. I might just get the kids each the beverage package and me the soda one and I buy alcohol. They like teas and coffee and shakes. All I drink is Diet Pepsi. LOL (or I guess those damn Coke products on RC)
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resolution
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Post by resolution on Oct 14, 2022 18:27:20 GMT -5
oh, I'm well aware our pricing sucks. but, I don't book more than 1x/yr at full price. π How do you find less than full price? My parents used to book a lot of discounted cruises through www.gracescruises.com/ . I think she updates the specials every week.
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justme
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Post by justme on Oct 15, 2022 0:34:42 GMT -5
I will say historically their black Friday pricing is usually some of the best you can get for their drink package. But based what I've seen I wouldn't plan on anything lower than 65 plus gratuity. Well, it was $60 last week, so hoping for better than that Black Friday. It didn't say anything about extra charge for gratuity on the package. Right now they have the non-alcoholic package for $20/day and the soda one for $8. I might just get the kids each the beverage package and me the soda one and I buy alcohol. They like teas and coffee and shakes. All I drink is Diet Pepsi. LOL (or I guess those damn Coke products on RC)
FYI if you're wanting the drink package with royal the best advice is to buy it then check back for lower prices and cancel rebook when it gets lower. $60 is one of the better rates I've seen posted this year by them. You'll see the gratuity added when you add the drink packages to your cart. It's 20% with royal. So a $60 package is really $72. Also just so you know a shot of alcohol with them is the price of a drink. In other words you don't save money getting a virgin Pina coloda with their refreshment package and asking for a shot of rum. It might not be exactly equal, but you're not saving a significant amount. BTW NCL just recently started switching all their ships to coke so you're not missing anything going on royal. Though royal does let you bring up to 12 non alcoholic drinks on when you board.
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justme
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Post by justme on Oct 15, 2022 0:45:15 GMT -5
oh, I'm well aware our pricing sucks. but, I don't book more than 1x/yr at full price. π How do you find less than full price? Unless you're doing a charter cruise like the music cruises it's never "full price" meaning the brochure price. It'll vary by line, ship, itinerary, and time of year what's a good price vs not so good. If you're flexible last minute booking can see some of the best prices. If the sailing isn't selling they will often discount the price to fill the ship. Charters cost so much more for two reasons. 1) cruise lines only let you take over the entire ship if you pay for it. They have a set amount that they'll accept (millions) and the company doing the charter has to pay it all up front and they're in charge of selling/pricing so they have to many sure they get enough money. And 2) they have to pay for entertainment on the ship so your fare covers that too. Notably charters don't get the promos. So like NCL normally gives you free drinks and free specialty dining, but charter cruises don't get that.
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Post by The Walk of the Penguin Mich on Oct 15, 2022 10:50:27 GMT -5
Reading the prices of drinks and packages on other lines, I see why everyone thinks the Viking package is such a deal. In addition, you can bring your own alcohol on board. When we got onto the ship in Chile, we had gone wine tasting in the area between .Santiago and Valparaiso, where we boarded. We bought nearly a case of wine at all the vineyards we hit. No corkage fee when we took bottles to dinner either.
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