May it’s the top of the Purchase One, Get One low cost provided onboard Royal Caribbean cruise ships for the favored drink package deal?
Nothing has been formally introduced as a matter of coverage, however on two totally different ships this week, cruisers reported not seeing the BOGO deal provided when a drink package deal is bought onboard.
Learn extra: Royal Caribbean drink packages costs and data
On Enchantment of the Seas and Freedom of the Seas, the flyer for getting a drink package deal does not have a BOGO supply.
Thomas Budzyn wrote on Fb, “a minimum of on Freedom of the Seas, there is no such thing as a longer a BOGO sale for the drink package deal.”
One other cruise on Enchantment of the Seas confirmed he was seeing the identical factor on Enchantment of the Seas.
Don Goldstein reported on Icon of the Seas he was seeing the identical factor, “The bar tender at Overlook on Icon instructed us that Royal was not doing drink package deal BOGOs bought onboard.”
The BOGO supply basically provides a 50% low cost on the price of a drink package deal when shopping for it for 2 passengers. It was provided when shopping for a drink package deal onboard the ship on the primary or second day of the cruise.
To be clear, the pre-cruise low cost continues to be being provided, and that is an remark made simply onboard a few ships by a couple of cruisers.
With out the low cost, every drink package deal bought onboard a ship would price a minimum of $100 per individual, per day for the Deluxe Beverage Package deal.
Furthermore, Royal Caribbean requires all adults in the identical stateroom to purchase the Deluxe Beverage Package deal if a minimum of one grownup does so. There isn’t any such rule for the Royal Refreshment or Soda packages.
The rationale the rule is in place is to stop sharing of drink package deal advantages.
E book on-line earlier than the cruise to get the very best value
Whether or not or not Royal Caribbean has a BOGO low cost on its ships, you are doing your self a disservice by ready to e book a drink package deal onboard.
Royal Caribbean repeatedly gives a considerable low cost when a drink package deal is bought earlier than the cruise begins. It’s normal to see 35-45% off the price of a drink package deal on-line.
Relying on the promotion provided, you’ll be able to often get the Deluxe Beverage Package deal for round $60-$80 per individual. It varies from crusing to crusing, however the value provided within the Royal Caribbean app or web site is at all times cheaper than shopping for it onboard.
Learn extra: Greatest time to buy a Royal Caribbean drink package deal
For instance, on a latest Icon of the Seas crusing, the Deluxe Beverage Package deal was on sale for $76.99 as an alternative of $110 per individual, per day. Royal Caribbean says its 30% off financial savings.
You possibly can at all times re-price the drink package deal when shopping for it on-line, all the way in which up to a couple days earlier than your cruise. This lets you cancel and rebook if the worth drops. Its a big benefit for shoppers.
My advice is to by no means wait to purchase the drink package deal on the ship due to the upper price ticket, and now the added danger of the BOGO low cost not being accessible.
Learn how to maximize a drink package deal buy
Whether or not you purchase a drink package deal onboard or on-line, there are a couple of simple ideas for getting essentially the most out of your beverage package deal.
Your drink package deal works at extra locations than simply bars. In addition to ordering a drink on the Pub, Schooner Bar, or on the pool, you can too get drinks at specialty eating places, the Foremost Eating Room and even Excellent Day at CocoCay or Labadee.
This not solely extends the worth of a drink package deal, however you’ll be able to pattern the particular cocktails discovered at specialty eating places. Some favorites embrace the Mason Jar, 150 Central Park, Jamie’s Italian and Wonderland.
Ask for prime shelf liquor. While you order a drink, do not simply ask for the drink by title. Slightly, ask for the drink by title and specify the liquor you need with it.
In case you do not do that, you would possibly find yourself with a generic liquor as an alternative of one thing higher. Increased-end spirits are usually smoother and have a greater taste. Plus, it is included along with your drink package deal, so do not be afraid to ask for the next high quality vodka, tequila, or rum.
Do not overlook different drinks included. Whilst you is likely to be centered on cocktails, beer, and wine, you also needs to take a look at the non-alcoholic drinks to get extra worth out of your drink package deal.
Premium coffees, teas, tender drinks, and bottled water are included within the Deluxe Beverage Package deal and Royal Refreshment package deal, and it’s best to order these to make it simpler to “break even” on a drink package deal buy price.
Replenish on bottled water. My favourite trick for maximizing the drink package deal is to get further bottles of water.
Bottled water is tremendous useful to have across the ship and on shore. It is a good suggestion to ask for a bottle of water alongside along with your common drink order as a way to begin stockpiling bottles in your cabin.
Having further bottles of water supplies a handy solution to keep hydrated in your cruise. Plus, you’ll be able to deliver bottled water with you off the cruise ship into port when on a shore tour.