Royal Caribbean Tries Three New "All You Can Drink" Packages on Three Ships

Most people have heard the expression "all you can eat". When you're on a cruise ship, that phrase can certainly be one that comes to mind often. Are you ready for "all you can drink" packages? Okay, to be fair, all inclusive drinking has pretty much always been offered on several luxury cruise lines like Silversea, Seabourn, SeaDream Yacht Club, and Regent Seven Seas. The price of booze is included in the cruise fare, so there's no need to purchase a separate package. Many mass market cruise lines already offer soda packages that allow passengers the chance to drink soft drinks to their heart's content. On most cruise ships, however, the cost of a cocktail or a glass of beer or wine costs extra and includes a mandatory tip. The cost of drinking alcohol can add significantly to the cost of a cruise, especially for those who really enjoy their liquor.

Perhaps noticing that some cruisers were "jumping ship" in favor of more inclusive cruise lines, Royal Caribbean recently unveiled three new drinking packages on three of its ships: The Independence of the Seas, currently based in England, Asia based Legend of the Seas, and Panama and Spain based Grandeur of the Seas. According to Gene Sloan's Cruise Log on USA Today, on these three ships, passengers will be able to purchase one of three packages that run from $29 to $49 per day per person. The "Pleasure" package costs $29 per day and includes all the house wine and beer a passenger wants, plus a 25 percent discount on other liquors and wines. The "Classic" is $39 per day and includes cocktails, house liquors, certain wines by the glass, beer, and the 25 percent discount on premium liquors and wines. And the "Premium" is $49 per day and includes everything in the Pleasure and Classic packages as well as premium liquors, wines that cost up to $10 per glass, and a 25 percent discount on wines over $10 per glass and specialty liquors. None of the packages include non-alcoholic drinks or specialty coffees.

Celebrity Cruise Lines, which is owned by Royal Caribbean, is also offering all you can drink packages. According to an article written by "The Jetpacker" on Reuters.com, Celebrity's all inclusive drinking packages offer four choices, two of which include alcoholic beverages and two of which don't. A quick visit to Celebrity Cruise's Web site indicates that their all inclusive beverage packages are more widely available across the fleet.

I have no doubt that some people will embrace these new packages with open arms (and mouths). Let's face it. A lot of people enjoy cruising because it's somewhat an all inclusive experience. Cruise fares include meals, but they don't usually include the cost of beverages, aside from water. Those who like to drink alcohol typically do so to relax. Who wants to be reminded of how much an alcoholic beverage costs when so many other aspects of cruising are included in the cruise fare? Cruisers who would enjoy limitless booze, as well as the amenities offered on mass market cruise lines that aren't typically on the luxury lines-- things like water slides and FlowRiders-- might love the convenience of the new drink packages. Younger folks might enjoy the all inclusive option that comes with a cruise line that attracts a younger demographic than luxury lines typically do.

That being said, however, I'm not sure these packages are a true bargain as much as they are a convenience. Paying up to $49 per person per day for an "all you can drink" package on a cruise that lasts as long as ten days would add a significant cost to the cruise. I also wonder, and am sure Royal Caribbean does too, about people who might abuse all inclusive drinking privileges and cause problems on the ship. The high cost of drinking surely restrains some people from overindulging too much while on their cruise. On the other hand, people who really want to drink too much probably will regardless of whether or not they have to pay for each drink.

My husband and I do enjoy occasional alcoholic beverages, but I might still prefer to sail a luxury line that already includes alcoholic beverages in the fare. That way, I can drink whatever I want, alcoholic or not, and not have to worry about what it costs. Actually, I like luxury lines for reasons other than unlimited drinking. I prefer smaller ships because they are more intimate and usually offer better food and service. But if I were traveling with people who preferred a mass market line, I might consider purchasing one of the beverage packages.

Time will tell how the new drink packages work out for Royal Caribbean. If they are a hit, perhaps they'll be offered on more ships, including those that are based in the United States. But for now, if you're an American and want to drink limitless booze on a Royal Caribbean ship without signing for it, you'll probably have to travel abroad.

Sources

Hough, J. (March 17, 2011) "Let The Party Begin? Royal Caribbean to Offer Some "All-You-Can-Drink" Packages" Retrieved from: http://www.consumertraveler.com/today/let-the-party-begin-royal-caribbean-to-offer-some-all-you-can-drink-packages/

Sloan, G. (March 2011) "Royal Caribbean Rolls Out 'All-You-Can-Drink' Packages" Retrieved from: http://travel.usatoday.com/cruises/post/2011/03/royal-caribbean-cruise-ship-beer-wine-drinks-package/147873/1

Tuttle, Brad (March 18, 2011) "Introducing the New "All You Can Drink" Cruise" Retrieved from: http://current.newsweek.com/budgettravel/2011/03/introducing_the_new_all_you_ca.html

The Jetpacker (March 18, 2011) "Royal Caribbean Introduces "All You Can Drink" Packages" Retrieved from: http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/03/18/idUS93766381820110318

www.celebritycruises.com

www.royalcaribbean.com