When it comes to drinking alcohol on cruise ships, there are rules that even the most avid cruise ship baffle, considering it a “rip-off.”
Drink packages are a common service on cruises where guests can pre-pay to have the cost of alcoholic drinks covered at the ship’s bars and restaurants.
However, there are often pitfalls, which can be very frustrating.
If one person wishes to purchase a drink package, everyone in the same stateroom must purchase and sharing is strictly prohibited, even though the package is charged per person per day. Masu.
Australian couple Christine and Dave Russell, who have been on multiple cruises a year for the past 10 years, realized how onerous the rules were when Russell decided to quit drinking 12 months ago. Ta.
This meant Russell had to pay $111 (US$72) per day on three Carnival cruises and miss out on purchasing drink packages.
“If you double that and only one person drinks it, that’s a lot of money,” she told news.com.au.
“I’m not going to drink $100 worth of soft drinks a day. I generally don’t drink soft drinks, I only drink water.”
Ms Russell called the rules “frustrating” and “annoying”.
Carnival’s policy is “Cheers!” A drink package containing up to 15 alcoholic and other non-alcoholic beverages per day must be purchased for each adult assigned to the same stateroom.
Sharing is not allowed.
News.com.au contacted a number of major cruise lines sailing around Australia with similar conditions, including Carnival Cruise Lines, P&O Cruises, Cunard, Princess Cruises, Celebrity Cruises and Royal Caribbean. , no one could explain why. .
Carnival Australia, the parent company of seven Australian and New Zealand cruise brands including Carnival, P&O, Cunard and Princess, said it instead takes the responsible service of alcohol seriously and drinks packages are optional.
A Carnival Australia spokesperson said: “Our beverage packages are completely optional, allowing guests to purchase beverages individually at competitive prices, allowing them to customize their cruise experience according to their personal preferences. ” he said.
“Our drink package terms are consistent with common industry standards that have been in place for many years and reflect other hospitality industries when selecting set menus and drink packages.
“If you are pregnant or do not drink alcohol, there is no need to purchase a drinks package. We have a wide range of non-alcoholic drinks available.”
adam glazer consumer championThe travel industry advocate for troubled Australian customers told news.com.au the rules were “unreasonable” and “a profiteering exercise”.
He believes drink packages on cruises are a great idea, but said cruise lines shouldn’t pressure people to buy a package if they don’t want to.
Glaser, who sails on cruisers himself, said it was “unfortunate but not surprising” that cruise lines did not explain the reason for the rule.
“They haven’t said why, because they don’t have an explanation that looks reasonable,” he said.
“I am fighting for this change because drink packaging should be a personal option.”
“If someone has consumed alcohol, they should be able to purchase a drinks package without any other person on the plane being obligated to purchase the same package.”
“I’ve met a number of people who are quite frustrated by this situation.”
He believes cruise lines that decide to go against tradition and “do away with ridiculous rules” will have an advantage over opponents.
Virgin Voyages and Disney Cruise Line, which launched their first seasons in Australia this summer, have both ditched traditional drink packages.
Instead, Virgin allows guests to prepay a “bar tab” and earn bonus onboard credit for doing so.
The company touts its offering as different from other cruise brands, saying: “We don’t have restrictive drink packages with unreasonable rules.”
Disney perks include bottled wine packages and refillable beer steins, with guests receiving a 21-ounce glass stein and the cost of a 16-ounce beer at any bar on the ship that serves draft beer. You can refill it with.
Royal Caribbean is taking a slightly different spin on the traditional rule that people staying together must purchase the same drink package.
If guests in their stateroom do not drink alcohol, they must purchase a “refreshment package” which includes soft drinks, coffee, tea, juice and non-alcoholic cocktails.
Travelers have had mixed reactions to the cruise drinks package online, with some warning it’s not worth it and others explaining how it was worth their money.
An Australian TikTok user who goes by the handle “jasmintiexo” created a detailed breakdown of all the drinks he ordered on his eight-day Royal Caribbean cruise.
It said she was able to get drinks worth $1,151.50 (about $1,760) for $520 (about $795).
Find out what rules Australia’s leading cruise brands apply to drink packages below.
carnival cruise line
If you purchase Cheers!, the adult assigned to the same stateroom must also purchase an alcoholic beverage package. Rates start at $111 (US$72) per person per day.
Alcoholic beverage limit is 15 drinks per day.
Sharing is not allowed.
If a drink package is part of an offer received from Carnival, it will only apply to the first and second adult in the cabin. If the second passenger is under the age of 18, a “Bottomless Bubbles” package (soft drinks and juice) will be allocated to her for $7.50 (approximately $5 USD) per day.
Carnival Cruise Line told news.com.au: “If one of the guests sailing with you chooses not to purchase a package, you can always enjoy a la carte drinks.”
celebrity cruise
The same drink package must be purchased for all guests of legal drinking age staying in the same stateroom. Packages cannot be shared.
Instead, a non-alcoholic drink package will be added to youth ages 13-17, pregnant guests, recovering alcoholics, or guests who are unable to consume alcohol due to medical issues.
Alcohol package prices start at $89 ($136) per person, per day.
Cunard
Each adult assigned to the same stateroom must purchase the same drink option.
Sharing is not allowed.
For cruises of five to 14 nights, “Beer, Wine, and Spirits” packages start at $72 ($110) per person, per day.
P&O Cruises
If two or more guests over the age of 18 share a cabin, all guests must purchase the same drink package.
Alcoholic beverage limit is 15 drinks per day. Sharing of drink packages is prohibited.
Alcohol packages start at $99 (US$65) per person, per day.
princess cruise
The requirement for multiple guests to purchase alcoholic beverage packages is not included in the updated Terms and Conditions.
However, Princess Cruises states in its FAQ that the third and fourth guests in the same stateroom are not required to purchase the selected package for the first and second guests in the stateroom, and will be selected by default. This means that the first two guests must purchase the same package.
Alcoholic beverages are limited to 15 drinks per day and cannot be shared.
Alcohol packages start at $110 (US$72) per person per day.
royal caribbean
If you purchase the Deluxe Beverage Package, it must be purchased by all guests of legal drinking age in the same stateroom.
Packages cannot be shared.
If guests in your stateroom do not drink alcohol, you must purchase a “refreshment package.”
This includes soft drinks, coffee, tea, juices and non-alcoholic cocktails.
Fares may vary depending on flight status.
Alcoholic beverage packages are said to cost between $56 ($86) and $105 ($161) per person per day, while “refreshment packages” cost $29 ($44) per person per day (All prices exclude tips).
