Price for Drink Package Goes Up

Yes it has happened!  The All Inclusive Drink Package has gone up.  Also a few changes have happened too.

• First the price has gone up to $59.99 US plus the tip making it a total of $68.99 US per day.  
• The name is now the Premier Beverage Package which makes me wonder if there is another drink package that is in the works.
• It includes cocktails that are at a price of $12 and under - use to be $11.
• It now only includes bottled water that is 500 ml, but if you are dining at a Specialty Restaurant you get a litre bottle.
• Canned sodas and bottled juices are no longer included.
• For the items that are not included in the Premier Beverage Package you will receive 25% discount on them (Canned soda, large bottles of water - use to be free.  Bottles of wine, which you previously got a 40% discount on).
• The package now will only be sold prior to the cruise and only on embarkation day.  Previously it was for sale on board the first and second day.
• There is also a limit of 15 alcoholic drinks per day.  
• The package is a final sale once purchased on board, or 3 days prior to sailing if purchased online.
• Only one beverage is allowed per passenger per order, including non alcoholic drinks.
• Packages may not be shared and are non-transferable and non-refundable. 

I have to say I am really not surprised with the changes. Princess was late to the game for drink packages and it was the cheapest price for a beverage package from other comparable lines with comparable offerings.  (Celebrity is $65 for their premium which is closests to Princess,  Holland America is $64 a day).

For us we always enjoy the drink package but it is an expensive perk for us as we just drink too much and then the added price because of the exchange rate. One of the things we really enjoyed was the large sparkling water and even buying bottles of wine.  So since we now don't get the large bottles of water and the bottled wine discount is only 25% off it really just doesn't make sense to buy the package.

However booking a cruise that has a sip and sail promo may be more enticing.  Note we have the drink package for our 49 day South America trip in 2019 - YEAH.

Here are the details of Princess' new Premier Beverage Package from their website.

THE PREMIER BEVERAGE PACKAGE

Terms & Conditions 2017

The Premier Beverage Package is offered at $59.99 USD per day plus a 15% service charge (totaling $68.99 per day) for all itineraries except Australia. For all Australia-based vessels, the package is $86.99 AUD per day including the service charge. The full amount due for the complete voyage will be charged at the time of purchase. 

Your Premier Beverage Package includes:

• All beer, wine by the glass and cocktails $12.00 USD and under as listed on our menu(s) or $16.00 AUD and under for ships based in Australia
• Bottled water (500ml only)
• Fountain sodas, fresh juices ( if available), specialty coffees and teas, Red Bull energy drinks
• Gong Cha items (if available) 
• Frappe’s at Coffee & Cones
• Smoothies and milk shakes (if available) 
• Enjoy the convenience of your beverage package on our Private Islands and all food and beverage venues that offer beverage service
• The package includes an extra 25% discount on the following items that are otherwise excluded from the package:

All bottles of wine 

• One-liter bottles of water (if dining at a specialty venue, a large one-liter bottle of water, still or sparkling, is covered by the package)
• Canned soda, and bottled juices 
• Purchase information and package details and qualifications:
• Guests must purchase the Premier Beverage Package for every day of sailing. Partial or prorated packages or segments will not be accepted. 

The package may be pre-purchased up to 4 days prior to boarding the vessel. It is not available for pre-purchase within 3 days of sailing but is offered on board on embarkation day. It is not sold after embarkation day. 

Package sales are final within 3 days of sailing or once purchased on board.

The package is not available for voyages of fewer than 7 nights for Australia-based itineraries or fewer than 2 nights for all other itineraries. 

Please note that age restrictions will apply for purchases of the Premier Beverage Package. 

Terms and Conditions

Alcoholic drinks are limited to 15 beverages per 24-hour period (6 a.m. to 6 a.m.) Alcoholic drinks requested above the daily limits are at the discretion of the shipboard management and crew and charged at regular menu prices. Non-alcoholic drinks do NOT have this limitation, nor do they count towards this maximum. 

Only one beverage is allowed per passenger per order (alcoholic or non-alcoholic).

Items selected that exceed the $12.00 USD or $16.00 AUD price are charged at full menu price. Alcoholic drinks requested above the daily limits are at the discretion of the shipboard management and crew and charged at regular menu prices 

Packages may not be shared and are non-transferable and non-refundable. 

Guests that pre-purchased the All-Inclusive Beverage Package prior to September 19, 2017 or that took advantage of the 2017 Sip + Sail promotion will have terms and conditions of the Premier Beverage Package apply.

Exclusions and Limitations:

Please note that there are some exclusions from the Premier Beverage Package: Spirits or bottled wine or any items offered in retail venues or shops on board. Beverages offered via self-service or vending machines. Souvenir glassware is excluded but is available for the additional charge of the glass only. 

The Premier Beverage Package cannot be combined with other programs, promotions, onboard specials, or events, such as: group or charter events, room service items, minibar items, special or private events such as cocktail parties, wedding receptions or similar functions, wine tastings, chefs tables, buckets of beer, buy one get one type offers, specialty dining cover charges, food items for sale such as ice-cream etc. 

Pricing is subject to change without notice, and for vessels designated in a foreign currency (Australia as an example) packages purchased in advance may vary from onboard pricing due to timing and currency fluctuations. Guests will NOT incur additional charges, nor be issued any credits or refunds for such currency variances.

Not all exclusions or limitations can be foreseen or published here and may exist or be implemented without notice.

Shipboard management reserves the right to add additional restrictions, revoke or cancel the Premier Beverage Package at any point during a guest’s voyage for any reason with or without a prorated refund. Additional actions may be taken if guests:

• Become intoxicated 
• Provide beverages to the other guests or do not comply with the terms, conditions and limitations of the package
• Exhibit behavior that is inappropriate, a safety risk to themselves or others, or become offensive or disruptive to the other cruise guests or staff
• Exceed or attempt to circumvent the daily limits and service limitations outlined 

Boarding Ruby Princess

As many of you know we are sailing the Ruby Princess on a 7 day Mexican Riviera.  Port stops include Mazatlán, Puerto Vallarta and Cabo San Lucas.

We arrived at the pier really early.  Much earlier than we thought we would.  Everything went so smoothly. We had breakfast at the hotel, we packed up our bags and at 10:45 we were ready.  Check out was 11 so we just decided to check out and make our way to the port.

We used Uber to get to the pier (cost was $38) and traffic was minimal – being a Saturday and all.

We arrived at the pier at 10:45 , dropped off our bags and we were in the Preferred Check In line a few minutes later.  The queue for non preferred was long, this voyage. 

Only five minutes later we are in the Elite lounge sitting down and Lisa comes us to introduce herself! So nice to meet online friends and make them in person friends!

Around 11:15 they boarded the In Transit, then there was a large wedding party that boarded and then Elites boarded. We were on board by 11:30!  

Of course just as we are walking up the gangway who do we see!  Ali and her Mom! Our first thought is they are on visiting, but as we catch up to them we are so happy to hear they are on for the week!  What a lovely surprise.

The rooms were ready so we just dropped off our bag and went down to the International Café (IC) for a cup of tea and cappuccino. 

Okay had to find out about lunch in the dining room.  
I am happy to report that Da Vinci on the port side is open for all passengers for lunch on embarkation.  Da Vinci starboard side is for Club Class.

As soon as we enter the dining room we recognize the head waiter and we are welcomed with a hug. Then as we are sitting there we see Hugo a waiter we have known for many years and many ships. He heads home in a few days so we are glad that we got to see him.

Back in our cabin our bags are delivered! We are unpacked and settled by 1:30 – that is the earliest we have ever been settled in a few years. 

Officers on board are: 
Captain Marco Fortezze, Staff Captain Michele Bartolomei, Chief Engineer Andrea Scantamburlo, Hotel General Manager Melania Parnisari, Senior Doctor Jacobus Deon Venter, Entertainment Director Lisa Ball, Cruise Director Duke Christopher, Customer Services Director Elke Pointecker, Food & Beverage Director Sandra Belchior, Staff Engineer Mauro Boracchi, Environment Officer Georgi Kiryakov, Executive Housekeeper Lorena Ferrini, Executive Chef Giovanni Sisto, Maitre d’Hotel Jean Paul Musiu

When I log onto Princess @ Sea I see a new option for ordering breakfast for the next morning. Excellent! You can set the time and exactly what you want – so far the menu looks exactly like the old paper one but it makes it easy to adjust and add or remove items.

Oh we also ran into Mark Cornish – Deputy Cruise Director.  Haven’t seen him in a while.

Also Drink Package has gone up to $52 per day.

Flight - Embarkation in Los Angeles

We once again booked a pre hotel at the Fairmont Vancouver Airport with points as our flight the next morning is very early.

We are assigned a room on the 7th floor with a view of the mountains and the gates with planes arriving and leaving.

We head downstairs to the main terminal for dinner at the White Spot.

Back in the room I take advantage of the amazing tub and soak the day's stresses away.

The room is so comfortable and this bed is divine.

Our flight is at 6:35 am.  But with no checked bags we can just head to the security and then customs.

The line for security is very long.  I believe this is because the security just recently opened up.  Thankfully we have Nexus and we are able to bypass the long line and head to a dedicated line.  Two people ahead of us is much better than 100 ahead of us.  Best $50 we ever spent on Nexus (Global Entry).

Flight was easy and smooth.  Seemed like everyone around us was getting on the ship with us.  I sat next to two nice men who were sailing for the first time.  It was great to chat with them and enjoy their excitement.

We arrived in LA and I used Uber for the first time ever.  My friend Monika said it was easy, cost effective and so we decided to try it.  She was so right.  

We requested a car and we met our driver at the Ride Share pick up spot on the Arrival's area.  The final cost came in at $29 US.  Much cheaper than Primetime shuttle ($17 per person) and not having to deal with waiting for a van to fill and deal with others.  A taxi is usually around $70 US!  We will definately use Uber again.  

If you are interested in Uber click here to get a $15 credit on your first ride.  

We had the driver drop us off in San Pedro at the drug store to pick up some essentials and then we walked to the pier (about 20 min.).

We arrived at the pier around 11:30.  Probably one of the worst times to arrive but we knew we just had to go with the flow and enjoy the experience.

Of course we arrived and filled out the necessary health forms.  Up the escalator and a short queue for priority boarding (maybe 20 people).  This time the regular queue for non priority boarders was very very long (at least a 100).

After getting our cruise cards we went thru security -- no issues with us.  But if you do have liqour in your bag they will confuscate it, unless it is wine.  To learn more about bringing wine on board click here.  

They had already started boarding and we were directed to board the ship right away.  

In all it was about 20 minutes from sidewalk to ship.  Not bad considering we arrived at a very busy time.

After dropping our suitcase (we just brought carry on bags) in the cabin we headed to the dining room for lunch.  Boy it has been a long time since we have had lunch in the dining room on embarkation day but boy how nice it is too.

We confirmed a table for Daniel's section for 7:45 in Da Vinci Dining room.  He is the whole reason we booked this voyage -- to surprise him.

We had be discussing getting the drink package for a while and we decided to go with it.  On a shorter voyage like this we can justify it, but on a more port intensive longer voyage we just can't manage to continually drink that much.

After Muster Drill we head up for the sailaway.  Great weather, excellent music by the and Nexus and a chance to see Anna again.

At 5 pm we head to the elite lounge in Skywalkers.  We meet a lovely couple -- Arlene and Tim and we chat over a few drinks.  

All Inclusive Drink Package - My Thoughts

Recently Princess joined many of the other cruise line by introducing an All Inclusive Drink Package.

The cost for this package is $50 a day plus tip = $56.35 per day.  It is sold only on the first and second day of the cruise.  Note if you buy it the second day you will be charge for the entire voyage, including the first day, so buy it as soon as you can.  Note the price and details have changed as of September 2017 see this new blog for more details.

From Princess' page it is describe as 


Take advantage of our All-Inclusive Beverage Package which includes any individual beverage item, such as soda, water, cocktails, spirits, wines, beers, coffee and tea, up to $10 (retail value). Bottles of wine are NOT included in the package; however, when purchased in bars, dining rooms or specialty restaurants, will be available at 40% discount from the menu price. Applicable to all bottles below $100 retail. Note: This package is available for consumption at all bars, public areas and dining venues (not room service and excludes mini bar items). Terms and conditions may apply.

When you buy the package they will put a little sticker on your cruise card.  In the above picture you can see the small blue sticker with the Princess Logo.

When you order a drink the put in your portfolio number and order the drink.  The system knows you have the package and does keep track of how many drinks you are ordering.  

You should each order the drink package. You are not allowed to order and share with others.  Note people have been contacted by officers when issues arise of blatant abuse, ie. drink sharing.  I am not sure what the consequences are though.  If you have had an issue let me know, I am curious.

We have not gotten the drink package since it came into effect.  But we recently did a short three day cruise and thought since we had a good amount of on board credit it may be worth getting, to try it out.  I giggled and said "it is research for my blog".  

I did not buy it ahead of time.  If you buy ahead of time thru your cruise personalizer you will have to pay for it right then.  When you check in, your cruise card will already have the sticker on it.  For us this time we just went to one of the MANY tables set up all over the ship that was selling all the drink package options.

Drink prices are quite fair and comparable to many restaurants at home. Here is a link to the Martini Bar drink menu.  Vines Bar Menu.   And here is a link to pictures of many of the bar menus on board.  

Here is my experience with the drink package

The Positives:

• We loved the freedom the package brought.  No worries about the added costs of each drink.  No worries if we didn't care for the drink we felt free to just leave it. This happened when I ordered a special margarita that I thought I would try but it was way too sweet for me.
• I loved trying different drinks that I would never try and even fell in love with some new ones.
• Crew were so helpful with recommendations for us to try.
• We certainly drank more than the cost per day (oh that could be a negative too).
• Love the freshly squeezed orange juice every morning.
• We didn't hesitate to get bottled water or sparkling water when regular tap water.
• The Elite Mini Bar set up we usually get we were able to trade it in for two coffee cards for use on another cruise.

The Negatives:

• It made us drink more than we normally would.
• We always were aware of how much we had drank and whether we had reached the threshold of $50
• We drank bottled water or sparkling water when we could of just had regular tap water, so felt a little guilty about that.
• Drank more soda (usually at lunch) when normally I would of drank water.
• Certainly consumed more calories.
• Thought it was odd that some items were not included in the package.  ie. the small bottles of wine sold at Horizon Court for $5.  When I tried to get one they said sorry not included.
• The cost is high for us considering we rarely drink $50 each per day normally.  

The crew are not getting as much of the tip pool as they would if we just ordered the drink by drink.  Plus they are much much busier.

Certainly noticed a lot more intoxicated passengers (but there is no way to know whether this was because of the drink package).

So in the end would I get it again.  YOU BET, but it would probably have to be on a shorter cruise with many sea days. I don't think I could justify it on a ten day or longer unless I had a lot of on board credits.

The other night we discussed the drink package and we both agreed that if we just ordered whatever drink we wanted whenever we wanted one (instead of feeling the need to meet the threshold) we would probably still come out ahead.

I would certainly jump at the chance to get the drink package thrown in on a cruise booking if it was offered.  

In the end you yourself have to weigh out whether it is right for you.  It is great for some and not so great for others.