What are the differences between the beverage packages onboard Celebrity Cruises? Is it worth it to upgrade? How much does it cost? What other packages are available? These are very common questions and I will do my best to provide quick and easy answers.
Classic Package
You can choose from an array of beers, spirits, cocktails, liqueurs, frozen drinks and wines by the glass up to $10 per serving. This package also includes a 15% discount on all wines by the bottle. This package will cover coffee and tea at Cafe al Bacio, bottled water and sodas. Most drinks at the Martini Bar, World Class bar are outside this package, as are most drinks in Eden. And remember…the minibar in your cabin is not included in any package!
$89 per person per day
There will be a discounted price available online in your cruise planner if purchased prior to sailing. It is usually a 7% discount, with occasional promotions.
If you are purchasing this package and not just upgrading and you are a Captain’s Club member, you will receive a discount according to your level. Classic and Select members receive a 10% discount, Elite receive a 15% discount and Elite Plus receive a 20% discount. Zenith members receive a complimentary premium package.
Premium Package
With this package, you will receive all classic package items, PLUS: Specialty coffees & teas, craft & artisan beers, spirits, cocktails, frozen drinks, premium bottled water and wines by the glass up to $17 per serving. Also take a 20% discount off all bottles of wine! And again, cabin minibar is NOT included!
$109 per person per day
There will be a discounted price available online in your cruise planner if purchased prior to sailing. It is usually a 7% discount, with occasional promotions.
If you are purchasing this package and not just upgrading and you are a Captain’s Club member, you will receive a discount according to your level. Classic and Select members receive a 10% discount, Elite receive a 15% discount and Elite Plus receive a 20% discount. Zenith members receive a complimentary premium package.
What is included in each package?
This link will show you the brands included in the Classic and Premium packages. The Premium Plus package shown on the PDF is no longer available, but the included brands is correct. https://www.celebritycruises.com/content/dam/celebrity/pdf/Celebrity-Cruises-Beverage-Packages.pdf
Can I upgrade from Classic to Premium? What is the cost?
Yes, of course you can upgrade! By upgrading to the Premium Package, you can start your day with fresh-squeezed juice and a premium coffee, sip only top shelf by the pool, and enjoy champagne toasts anytime you want. This package also entitles you to enjoy a 20% discount on wines by the bottle and drinks up to $17 ($20 for sailings departing from UK and AUS ports).
The current cost to upgrade is $20/day plus the 20% gratuity, which totals $24/person/day. If upgrading prior to sailing, there will be a 5% savings or $18.99/day (per the website). We have done the math on previous cruises and the upgrade always pays itself off within the first few days. Remember, this covers WAY more than just alcohol! Fresh squeezed juice in the morning and premium bottles of water are worth it just by themselves! I’m not a water snob, but those aluminum cans they are currently using are dangerous! I’ve cut my hand several times trying to open them.
If you are a Captain’s Club member, you will receive a discount according to your level. Currently, for US passengers, you must call in prior to sailing to receive this discount. They are in the process of providing this upgrade option online but it has not been fully rolled out yet. Otherwise, you can upgrade at any bar onboard at any time during your cruise, but you will not receive the discount.
Classic and Select members receive a 10% discount, Elite and Elite Plus receive a 15% discount and Zenith members receive a complimentary premium package. If you are calling from the US or Canada, the phone number is 800-722-5941 and from the UK 0800 240 4323. Other country phone numbers can be found in “Manage My Reservation” on the Celebrity website.
If you decide to NOT upgrade, when you purchase a drink outside of the package, you will be charged the difference in price, plus the 20% gratuity.
Remember….you MUST upgrade prior to sailing in order to receive this discount!
Zero Proof Package
Refresh with premium bottled water from Evian, Perrier, San Pellegrino, & Panna, Specialty Coffees & Organic Teas, Red Bull Energy Drink, Frozen Smoothies, Zero Proof Cocktails, Coca-Cola selections, offerings from Vitamin Water, and Bottled Iced Teas.
$30 per person per day
There will be a discounted price available online in your cruise planner if purchased prior to sailing. It is usually a 5% discount, with occasional promotions.
Wines by the Bottle Packages
These packages are currently not available to book pre-cruise.
PREMIUM WINES BY THE BOTTLE PACKAGE – (3, 5 or 7 bottle selections)
Choose from a selection of excellent wines including a medium to full-bodied Sancerre, Jacques Dumont, France to a bold, yet elegant Crianza, Palacios Remondo, ‘La Montesa’, Spain and much more. When purchasing Wines by the Bottle Package, your wine bottle follows you. Knowledgeable sommeliers deliver your bottle to any venue on board, including your stateroom. All wines will be poured in the highest quality Riedel glasses.
CLASSIC WINES BY THE BOTTLE PACKAGE – (3, 5 or 7 bottle selections)
Choose from an array of wines ranging from a medium-bodied Penfolds Koonunga Hill Chardonnay, Australia to a sturdy, flavorful Cabernet Sauvignon, Beringer, ‘Founders’ Estate’, California, and many more. When purchasing Wines by the Bottle Package, your wine bottle follows you. Knowledgeable sommeliers deliver your bottle to any venue on board, including your stateroom. All wines will be poured in the highest quality Riedel glasses.
*Wines from a pre-selected wine list. †Select vintage wines may require additional fee.
Are drink packages worth it?
A cappuccino or specialty coffee from Cafe al Bacio starts at $5. Various beers start at $6 or $7 at most onboard bars, with special offers for buckets. A glass of wine starts at $9….and that’s just the starting point.
Since the Classic Package starts at $89 per day, if you order a morning coffee, an orange juice, two beers at the pool, and a glass of wine or two with dinner for yourself, you’re already paying almost half of the daily fee when you could easily take advantage of an unlimited selection per day of beers, spirits, cocktails, liqueurs, frozen drinks, and wines by the glass, and get 15% off all wines by the bottle with a beverage package. Add in an after dinner beverage or two and you are well on your way to saving money! Not to mention an afternoon coffee or tea and the numerous bottles of water you should be drinking during the day!
Ultimately, the guests who find cruise drink packages the most worthwhile are those who don’t want to worry about getting an unexpected bill at the end of the cruise. The convenience of knowing that your drinks are already paid for can help you relax into your well-deserved vacation.
Passengers can also take two bottles of wine per guest (over 21 if embarking in the US or Puerto Rico) onboard at embarkation. The bottles MUST be in your carry-on bags. It’s smart to protect those bottles from breakage.
Celebrity Cruises offers a wide variety of beverages on their ships. They serve Coca-Cola® products but allow guests to carry on any non-alcoholic drink of their preference, including bottled water, even if that particular selection is also offered on board. Non-alcoholic beverages may not exceed 12 standard cans, bottles or cartons per stateroom. Guests are only permitted to bring aboard what they are able to personally hand-carry onto the ship. It can not be in checked luggage. Please note that any personal beverages you bring aboard must be stored in your stateroom. Your room’s minibar can hold a very limited number of items and is only a cooler, not a refrigerator.
In terms of alcoholic drinks, on embarkation day, guests are allowed to bring a maximum of two bottles of wine or champagne with them per guest. No other alcoholic beverages are permitted to be carried on. Remember, there is a $25.00-per-bottle corkage fee for guests who choose to consume this alcohol in any of the ship’s bars, lounges, or restaurants. This corkage fee does not apply to those who have a Classic or Premium Beverage Package.
All information has been taken directly from the Celebrity website and is accurate as of December 19, 2022. Prices can (and do!) change, so be sure to check current costs.
Happy Sailing!
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