Heard the one about the new drinks packages now available on Celebrity Cruise ships? No, it's not the start of a joke, although many people clearly believe it is after looking at the prices.
The beer package costs from £20.75 per person per night, the spirits packages cost from £31 per person per night for the classic version, or £45.50 for the premium one. Both prices include gratuities (15% on each drink bought, regardless of whether it is served or you go to bar and get it yourself) and allow unlimited consumption during the cruise.
The packages can be bought ahead of the cruise, in pounds sterling (hence the "from" price I think as I'm assuming it depends on the exchange rate) or on board in dollars.
News of the packages has certainly caused a stir. Cruise Critic has helpfully worked out you'd need to drink between five and seven beers a day to get your money's worth, asks if it will cause "risky binging" and has had plenty of none-too-favourable comments from members.
Many of USA Today's Cruise Loggers likewise are not enthralled."Oh great, encourage the boozers to drink more," writes one. "The price of the package is so high, purchasers will inevitably work real hard to get their money's worth, and that is bad for everyone involved," writes another.
The packages certainly do look expensive, but how about if you split them between two? Against the rules I know, but is there really anything to stop the holder buying a drink, giving it to the wife, husband, partner, whoever, and then heading off to another bar (no point in being blatently obvious) to get another? They might be able to see on the till that you've just had a drink, but it would be a brave waiter who dared to suggest you join AA.
Unlimited beers for two for the duration of a cruise? Now that starts to look like good value.
My bigger problem with these packages are that they are too specific. I like a beer or two in the day, but a few glasses of wine in the evening, so I'd have buy-as-I-go, as I do now, which is expensive, especially when the gratuity is added to every drink, or purchase the Taste of the Vineyards package, which costs from £68.25.
They don't say how many bottles you get for that so I've no idea if it's good value. But I do know that if added to a beer package my pocket really would start to hurt. And that would be the time for Cruise Critic to really start worrying about binge drinking.
By the way, re USA Today. Am I the only one who wonders about the Cruise Logger who wrote:
"Everyone keeps talking about how much they would have to drink all day but all the prices refer to "PER NIGHT"!!! If this is only limited to nightime, that makes it rediculously (sic) expensive."
Is he for real? Has he really always thought that the daytime part of his cruise was free because he pays a per night rate? He's in for a nasty shock one day.
Jane Archer
