Unlimited Drink Packages?

[Dug720]

On the Fantasy back in December I got a "Passport" at Skyline. You get something like 6 drinks from their drink menu for the price of 5. Plus you can spread out the drinks over the course of the cruise; so not all at once. I thought it was a good deal and worth it.

And you don't HAVE to get all different drinks. If you like the first one and just want to get that for each drink, you can do that.

 

[Krissy22222]

I think DCL doesn't need to make as much profit on drinks as other cruise lines because they make so much more on photos than the other cruise lines. When I sailed Alaska on Norwegian they were trying to sell photos but their quality was terrible and they had some sad looking "characters," an eagle, lumberjack, etc.

 

[lizabu]

Keep an eye out on Castaway Cay towards the end of the day. I recall taking the sad walk back to the ship with both hands full.

On the ship in the afternoon too. I remember sitting by the adult pool and it was that time in the afternoon when there aren't a lot of people around and those that are around are nodding off in their deck chairs when a server with 2 for 1 drinks came through. Everyone perked up real fast.

 

[cmwade77]

I would love a non-alcoholic mixed drink package. We don't drink alcohol, but like things like smoothies, the non-alcoholic drink of the day, etc.

 

[Lesley Wake]

What alcohol is included on the cruise? I hear about the "Drink of the day" and have seen specialty cocktails on people's menu postings, but are those still OOP? I've never taken a cruise (disney or otherwise).

 

[PrincessShmoo]

What alcohol is included on the cruise? I hear about the "Drink of the day" and have seen specialty cocktails on people's menu postings, but are those still OOP? I've never taken a cruise (disney or otherwise).

The only "free" alcoholic beverages would be the ones served during the Captain's Gala night, if your cruise has one. From server's trays in the atrium.

All other alcoholic beverages have a cost, including the specialty cocktails on the dinner menus. Drink of the Day is usually just a slightly larger (but less alcohol) drink in a souvenir glass.

 

[Geomom]

What alcohol is included on the cruise? I hear about the "Drink of the day" and have seen specialty cocktails on people's menu postings, but are those still OOP? I've never taken a cruise (disney or otherwise).

The only alcohol included is at the Captain's Reception in the atrium (normally on formal night), and things like the DVC Member gathering have glasses of champagne/mimosas at them. The specialty cocktails on the menu are not free, and not discounted. There are 'drinks of the day' listed on the navigator that are discounted drinks.

 

[Lesley Wake]

The only alcohol included is at the Captain's Reception in the atrium (normally on formal night), and things like the DVC Member gathering have glasses of champagne/mimosas at them. The specialty cocktails on the menu are not free, and not discounted. There are 'drinks of the day' listed on the navigator that are discounted drinks.

Thanks-thats what I figured, but thought I'd ask the experts!

 

[AquaDame]

If you find you don't like mixed drinks they also have red and white wine during the captain's reception.

 

[BMICKEY]

On the Fantasy back in December I got a "Passport" at Skyline. You get something like 6 drinks from their drink menu for the price of 5. Plus you can spread out the drinks over the course of the cruise; so not all at once. I thought it was a good deal and worth it.

We will look into that! Thanks!

 

[cmwade77]

The only "free" alcoholic beverages would be the ones served during the Captain's Gala night, if your cruise has one. From server's trays in the atrium.

All other alcoholic beverages have a cost, including the specialty cocktails on the dinner menus. Drink of the Day is usually just a slightly larger (but less alcohol) drink in a souvenir glass.

That's not entirely true, you can also get a free drink at the DVC member party or the DVC presentation and also sometimes the cooking demonstrations.

 

[Neptune's Fork]

I was referring to alcoholic drinks. I've noticed when purchasing mixed drinks, they are light on a pour so not really worth the cost. I get why Disney probably doesn't have alcoholic drink packages since they have a larger number of children traveling - keeps less drunks around LOL Thanks all for the help....

That could also be a reason to need a drink package.

 

[Msidescooter]

I've read many times, that an extra tip to the bartender makes for much better pours. Especially if you frequent the same lounge/bar and they get to know you.

I will verify this as 100% true. On each of our cruises we've made nice with a bar tender and frequented their location throughout our cruises. They get more liberal with pours as the week goes on. We've even found one of our bar tenders on another ship two years later and she continued making our drinks strong and giving us various shots to try out.

On another note, they survey guests every once in a while about the interest in drink packages. From conversations with the crew, they're unlikely to offer it because the unlimited drink atmosphere isn't exactly what they're going for. But it is Disney and if there is enough demand they'll happily take people's money.

 

[kiford]

I've noticed when purchasing mixed drinks, they are light on a pour so not really worth the cost.

Not when I've purchased them. I think that the pre-made drink of the day might be but not ones that I go to the bar for. I remember DH buying an alcoholic coffee from the Cove Cafe and he asked for milk in it. The bartender recoiled in horror and said "you can't do that, it ruins the drink, here have a shot of Bailey's in it instead, it's just like milk" and proceeded to put yet more alcohol into it without charging us for it. Granted, yes, I do tip over and above the 15%, typically go to the same bartender, and buy regularly so maybe it makes a difference.

The only "free" alcoholic beverages would be the ones served during the Captain's Gala night, if your cruise has one.

And at the Gold/Platinum reception although I believe that they're cutting back on the cruises that they host that now.

My main concern with drink packages is that they tend limit what's available under it. I prefer to drink higher end spirits and wines so: (a) I wouldn't take advantage of it because I'd rather pay for what I really want; and (b) I'd be afraid that they'd skimp on availability of the higher end products in order to make room for the moderate-priced stuff that would be available under the drink package. It's pretty much why we don't buy the wine package. It pretty much limits your selection to mid-priced wines (I think there may be different packages with some higher end ones but I don't want to be limited at all). Of course, the other reason is that DH and I never want the same wine at the same time because we pair with entrees and we never eat the same things.

 

[pezgirlroy]

And also if you are in Concierge at the receptions at night.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

I believe that they're cutting back on the cruises that they host that now.

Yes, it's only on cruises of 8 nights and longer.

 

[barbarossa_hoosier]

I would love a non-alcoholic mixed drink package. We don't drink alcohol, but like things like smoothies, the non-alcoholic drink of the day, etc.

Along those lines: I think(?) - hopefully someone can confirm/refute - that the coffee bar offers a similar 6-for-5 deal (perhaps with a punch card, or something?), for coffee drinks.

 

[Dug720]

Along those lines: I think(?) - hopefully someone can confirm/refute - that the coffee bar offers a similar 6-for-5 deal (perhaps with a punch card, or something?), for coffee drinks.

It is a punch card where you get a free one once the punches are filled. BUT the free one cannot be one with alcohol - even if all your purchased ones were. (Like how you can earn a free Dominos's pizza after ordering so many, but even if all of them were gluten-free, the free one cannot be. Which is annoying because while alcohol in coffee is a choice, the need to eat gluten-free is not.)

 

[barbarossa_hoosier]

It is a punch card where you get a free one once the punches are filled. BUT the free one cannot be one with alcohol - even if all your purchased ones were. (Like how you can earn a free Dominos's pizza after ordering so many, but even if all of them were gluten-free, the free one cannot be. Which is annoying because while alcohol in coffee is a choice, the need to eat gluten-free is not.)

Domino's really does that? Wow, that's pretty crappy of them. (I've noticed their rewards program seems to have gone downhill a bit, overall.) I like what Papa John's is doing now: you can basically get anything on the menu with your rewards points, instead of just a free pizza.

 

[mamajab]

Absolutely true about getting to know the bartenders! Our last cruise, DH had just gotten out of the hospital, wasn't moving around a lot, so he settled in at the pool bar, got to know the bartenders very well. Partway through the cruise, he got knocked over by an unruly kid rushing out of the elevator. After I helped him to a lounger by the pool, I went to the bar to get him a drink. The bartender looked over, asked "Is it for him?" and prepared the drink without me even asking.