Hi Guys, I’m glad that FINALLY someone is blogging about this unacceptable situation that Celebrity has forced upon their passengers. We were on the Beyond in January (met Jon & Joyce. They love you guys.) the drinks even with the premium package were not all covered either. I think it’s disgusting having to pay an up charge plus 20% gratuity on wines or cocktails that were included just last year on our Solstice cruise. We left Princess a few years ago just after reaching Elite status to go with Celebrity as they had just introduced their wonderful drinks package. It’s too late to cancel our cruise on the Summit in May, but we looked at what Princess is offering now and we are jumping ship (so to say 😂) and going back. On their Premier package , Princess offers gratuities, high speed wifi, free room service, two specialty dinings, a photo package, all drinks including service charges, fitness classes and reserved theatre seating all for a lesser price than Celebrity’s premium drinks package alone! Shall I say “no brainer” Enjoy the rest of your cruise. Cheers 🥂 Keith & Lorraine
I became Elite black card with Princess cruise line 15 years ago. My husband and I tried Celebrity back then and really loved it and the drinks menu etc so we only cruised with Celebrity for the past 14 years. We are going back to Princess and booked an NCL and a HAL cruise for the next several months. Their drink packages were much better and to be honest, I am so disappointed with Celebrity right now I cannot even talk about it. My Dad and I leave for Singapore in a few weeks to board the Celebrity Solstice for 29 nights and I must say had we not already paid in full for this cruise, I would have cancelled it and booked with another cruise line. Celebrity is losing its loyal customers and they maybe they don't care. Maybe they will make enough on new customers etc to make up for the loss of their loyal customers. After this upcoming cruise, we have already cancelled the other cruises we had with Celebrity and booked with other cruise lines. We are excited to try Holland America as they had an offer when we booked our Africa cruise for 38 nights to the "have it all" which we only paid the taxes and gratuties for the drinks package. Celebrity DO BETTER.
You're obviously cruisers for some time choose the premier lines to travel with, especially while on long voyages Worked on princess lines for years in the shops you should know what you're booking by now.
You can order any cocktail you want with the lower shelf liquor at the classic price, it’s just not on the menu. We just got off the Ascent. We had premium but my sister had classic and she had all kinds of cocktails, frozen cocktails and they even made her a martini at the martini bar using a bottom shelf vodka which surprised us.
That’s great to hear they made her a martini! But yes- we share the list at the end of the video of liquors that you can get with the classic! At least it does provide some options!
I like to drink when I’m on a cruise, but more and more I’m tending not to even buy a drink package. I’m finding it less expensive to just buy the cocktails I want when I want them. This situation with celebrity is a BIG disappointment and definitely a no go for me.
There was a lower limit on non alcoholic drinks on the classic package too, I think it was $5? Red Bull wasn’t included and that’s Declan’s drink. We upgraded to premium, and that made it worth it for both of us!
We cruise with Celebrity in October, we will not be buying an alcoholic drink package. Thank you for helping us decide. This seems so deceitful on the company's behalf.
Yeah sadly this is pretty much what I've seen on recent Celebrity cruises. An expensive drink package that doesn't include much in the way of drink choices is not good. I remain a big fan of the overall cruise experience on Celebrity (ships, service, staterooms, etc.) but the corporate decisions over the past year or so re various price increases combined with a bait-and-switch approach - advertise and sell one thing, deliver something less and/or more expensive in terms of new upcharges - are rather dreadful.
Thank you for your honesty. This is what people want addressed, not the BS that its all perfect. If you have a channel about cruising you should include the failures too. I watch a couple on cruises and its all rosy ALL THE TIME
Celebrity also removed daily gratuities from their packages last year, so unless you’re someone who is going to drink 9+ beers a day then ok get the package but otherwise the package just doesn’t make sense! I won’t be fooled into upgrading to premium either!
I was on Celebrity Summit back in December 2023. I ended up upgrading to the premium drink package after checking online reviews of Celebrities drink prices. Since when is Bailey's a top shelf liquor? At least prior to sailing, Celebrity put their premium drink package on sale at 50% off for their Black Friday Thanksgiving sale - so this provided me justification to upgrade. I was able to tell from other passengers reactions that their favorite spirit was not included in the standard drink package. NCL's Free At Sea offering is much better and includes a lot more choices than Celebrity's standard package.
I believe RCCL used to have such a package, but that is gone now. Either because of the reactions like this post/video or lack of interest. Thanks to those that knew you can get a spirit and soda (maybe not of you choosing) for this package. Seems you could plan for one fun drink with an upcharge, then move to the well and soda option. I worked in our 20's
Come on guys, you've been on Celebrity enough to know that Celebrity doesn't post a full list of available cocktails on the menu, obviously because they want to steer you towards upgrading to Premium. If you'd simply asked for a Pina colada, mai tai, or any one of many cocktails, the bartender would have made it, but with spirits under the classic package, and you would have passed out before you got to the third bar. You also have to know that Celebrity are very aggressive and tricky about trying to get people to upgrade packages, making it as painful and inconvenient as possible to stay with classic or with no package. It's the same on every cruise line--they don't post a complete menu of cocktails at a bar, just as there isn't one on bars on land--that's what the bartender is there for, to make you a drink you'll love. There are also secret drinks, like the Weng Weng on HAL. For beers, menus also rarely reflect what's available, since you can only get what's in their fridge, so you again have to ask a bartender what they have--I found a dozen or so Aussie beers on a Princess ship that had just returned from there. The best menus are on Princess, I've found, especially with the many options you can have delivered to you in their app. Both they and HAL do the best job of making most beers and cocktails available under a classic package, and they focus on getting wine and spirits snobs to pay for high-end liquor.
What you have to know is that any of the bars you can ask for a cocktail (ie. Cosmo) and they can make it with liquor that fits in yor drink package. At the Martini bar you can get any of them and you get a smaller serving than the premium package.
We mention this in the video as well. However, they changed the martini bar policy, you no longer can get them in smaller glasses. Only the three that are options for Happy Hour for Elite and up passengers which are Cosmos, Vodka/Gin Martini (straight) and Apple Martinis. We did love when you could get any in the small glasses! Those were the days 😌
Hello guys, Great job as no bloggers have spoken about this cheap out situation that’s been happening on Celebrity. We have just finished our cruise with friends on the Ascent and also thought it was hard for them on the classic package to actually find a cocktail in any menus. We had the premium package but the had the classic and they really felt like none of the menus at any bar had a choice for them besides beer, 1 or 2 wines and Prosecco. It made them feel like the were like second class passengers so much so that at one point they wanted to upgrade until I told them to order the classics and never mind looking into the menus. Thanks again great video Sea ya Eric
Thank you so so much for finally vlogging about this!!! Celebrity's so shady about what drinks are included in the classic package. When I was on the ship, I kept on asking what cocktails were included in classic, and no one seemed to know.
Thanks so much for this very informative video! We are booked on our first Celebrity cruise in 3 week - will definitely upgrade to the Premium Drink package!
When I go on a cruise, I just get a few drinks over the week and it's always under $100.00. Obviously, I'm not a big drinker but I think it's terrible that all of the cruise lines are making so many cut backs.
Thanks for this video. I’m already mad at Celebrity and how they are treating solo travelers so not surprised at their nickel and diming. I have a celebrity cruise in May and another next year. I will not be looking at cruising on celebrity going forward but looking at cruises on Princess.
We were on Celebrity’s Silhouette about a year ago and noticed exactly what you guys ran in to. We were in The Retreat so we had the Premium drink package and now we ALWAYS suggest the upgrade from the Classic drink package. It’s well worth it. Thanks for sharing!!! 👍🏾
Hi, I've just returned from a cruise on the Celebrity Solstice. I noticed the cocktails menu that used to be available is no longer there but, I did have the basic drinks package and was able to have a few different cocktails including pina colada, pineapple daiquiri, strawberry daiquiri, bloody mary, Mexican (something, can't remember). I think there are a lot you can have, but the problem is, you need to ask for what you want, then ask if it's included in your package. If, like me, you don't usually drink cocktails, then you don't know what you can ask for because you don't know all the names. My wine of choice is sauvignon blanc, and it was always more than my package allowed on the menus. Then I discovered that Cellar Masters had it for less, so I got it there. After that, I ordered it from the sommelier at dinner, and even though it only showed the higher priced one on the dinner menu, she brought me one that was included in the basic package. The point is...ask, and you just might get what you want.
We were looking forward in Jan to drink Decoy red wine which was $14.00 on November Beyond & it is now $19.00 & the premium pkg up to $17.00. Quite a rip off.
Thanks for doing this! Went on my first cruise recently. It was celebrity. I enjoyed it. However, I thought that drink options were rather limited and you confirmed it.
Did you guys try asking for a standard... vs menu drink... like a martini using whatever is included in the classic package. I never ordered off the menu..
I'm confused - I booked a long time ago for our upcoming cruise and the classic drink package came with my cruise. I also had a decent onboard credit so upped it to the premium cocktail package. A couple months after I did that - I was on my cruise planning site and saw that the premium package had gone WAY down so I called and cancelled my first package and purchased it again with the low price - saving about $200. Now I think it's about $9 extra per person per day. I really wanted the premium for the smoothies each morning - and then the martinis! I also thought that if you had a package and say you could spend $10 on the drink, but the drink you wanted was $14 -- you just paid the extra $4.
Celebrity lost me with their treatment of solo cruisers. Even though they rescinded some of the triple solo occupancy charges, their prices are still too high.
We are non soda and non alcohol folks. We drink water, coffee, sometimes specialty coffee and sometimes Club Soda. It's a bummer that one of us cannot get the one soda package, when the other is water only......we called Celebrity....no budge
Yes--the zero proof packages are ridiculously expensive and never go on sale (beyond the pre sail 10% off) and you can no longer bring on board your own non alcoholic beverages (which is unfair, since drinkers can bring a limited amount of wine). It's absurd to us to think of drinking $30 of sodas a day. We bring Via packets, flavored hydration packs and insulated Stanley cups. We will be trying the new water package this time--though at $40 for a case of small water bottles, that's also a bit overpriced, too.
Hey guys, we have been cruising with slippery for a long time usually in the retreat class. They have made major changes, including removing the butler from the sky suites and not including tips and drinks in the original payment. They also promised me a babysitter, for the evenings which we would pay extra for for my one year-old granddaughter. That service is gone after I had booked two sky suites at incredibly high price. Needless to say, this will be our last celebrity cruise. They've also changed the rewards where they used to give you free drinks, if you were in the elite class from 7 to 5 that is gone I don't know what's the matter celebrity but there's too many cruise companies out there to put up with this kind of treatment.
Wow. We cruised Celebrity in 2022 and there were surely some cocktails that were $10 or less. Specifically a frozen drink-French Caribbean, seems like there was a rum punch and some others. We upgraded 2 of our Celebrity cruises. Thanks for sharing! ~Amanda
Just disembarked Solstice in Hong Kong. We had the Premium drinks package and the selection of included wines was poor. Cocktail choices were fine...but the range of Gins has been dramatically cut back. 50% of menu listed beers were not available even on embarkation day. WEAKEST part of the cruise. My survey feedback today reflected just that view. We have a 6 day Celebrity Ascent booked, but other than that we have now booked NCL and Princess instead.
We just came off Celebrity Edge. We didn't like it. The cocktails were below average and we couldn't get the same taste twice! The food was great and shows good BUT we'll stick with Royal!
I never had the classic package, I always upgrade to the premium package pre cruise as it is cheaper to upgrade prior to cruising. I love the martinis and they are not included in the classic package. I am happy to upgrade as celebrity will generally have flash sales prior to cruising and you can receive an additional upgrade.
I was just on the Solstice and purchased the Non Alcoholic package. They have so many tasty Mocktails at ALL the bars! I wonder if you had the Classic Alcohol package if you could order a Mocktail and add a favourite Alcohol shot to it....
My husband bought the Premium drink package on the Beyond for our next cruise. I quit drinking alcohol for health reasons. It should be interesting. I do love the bottled water and speciality coffee.
Thankyou for the very informative video. Last year I was on rhe Reflection and I got many drinks with the lower tier drink package. I am leaving March 16 to go on the Apex and am really disappointed after seeing your video. I am disabled and make barely any money and really can't afford to pay those prices. My 92 year old mom I care for is paying my way for our family reunion cruise. This will be my 2nd and probably last cruise I will be able to take. I am very disappointed with Celebrity's drink package now.
Hi guys - what an enlightening video ! And you're both such good sports keeping upbeat as you went along on your mission 🙂 Question: in the end, you found only 1 cocktail that worked with your drink package called a "Mexican Firing Squad." What were the ingredients in it ? Thanks kindly and happy cheerful travels !!! m.
We used to like Celebrity and loved the new Edge class ships. BUT, the last couple of years things changed drastically. So many cuts in services and what's on offer (food/drinks selection), plus the price increases, especially in The Retreat. And to rub salt in wound, for a lot of people these changes were made between booking and sailing, so you book expecting one thing, then when you board you get something else. My plan was actually to not cruise for a few years in the hope things would settle down, but my wife loves cruising too much, so we're trying the Yacht Club on MSC this year. If we're not happy with that, then we'll try some of the outright luxury lines where the whole ship is The Retreat or the Yacht Club. Especially since sailing with them cost about the same as in The Retreat on Celebrity these days. I still think it's time to just go back to nice all inclusive land holidays, just have to convince the wife.
You can still have Classic cocktails like margaritas or rum and diets, just no craft cocktails off the menus (which we agree isn’t a good decision for Celebrity). We still get our go-to Captain and Diet Coke but would love being able to have at least one option for craft cocktails at the bars to try as well. ☺️
If you do buy the upgraded, try things you might not order. My wife and I did that several times taking only 1 or 2 sips and ordering something else. I would also say buy the basic then wait for offers to upgrade. We upgraded at half the normal price.
Great video, super helpful info. Really surprised that Celebrity’s package is so limited. Reminds me of the cheapest drink package, Brindiamo, on Costa. It’s includes a smaller selection of drinks than the Intenditiore, or deluxe package.
You guys are great. Sorry the pub crawl was so sad. I won't be buying that package. I might not buy any package. I may just wait to get to port and give the locals my money.
My wife and I ordered a number of different cocktails on our 5 night cruise on the Summit in January and none were over $10. No complaints here, but gratuities were also included in our add on package. Thats now gone.
Another ridiculous thing happening on Celebrity now is the internet. My wife and I are Elite on Celebrity so we have lots of cruises completed. Our last Celebrity cruse was 3 weeks ago. We had the basic WIFI included with our package. In the past this was always sufficient for us as all we want to do is check texts and email, and post some pictures. My wife loves to take pictures on our cruises and post them on Facebook. Weren't we shocked when her internet got shut off. After visiting the internet cafe we were told that posting on social media was not included in the basic package. WTF. Here we are attempting to promote Celebrity and cruising in general and they are not allowing it. They want you to upgrade to the premium package. The irony is that when you are at the nightly shows an announced plays advising you that non flash pictures and video's are allowed and are encouraged to post on social media........yet there basic package blocks that. Celebrity really needs to wake up and recognize that there demographic does not want to be nickel and dimes like this.
That’s wild! So sorry that happened to you. We always have premium wifi for obvious reasons so we never get to see the true difference between basic vs. premium WiFi. (Though we’ve heard it’s a lot!)
So disappointed to hear this. We sailed on the Sillouette for 10 days our 40th anniversary in march of 2023. We thoroughly enjoyed the classic package. My favorites were the specialty coffees at El Bacio. They are $17 now! Time to try Princess.
We sail Celebrity all the time. We've always hated their drink menus. Not enough choices if you wish to try something new. Now it's even harder with the basic beverage package barely covering the choices. Not a happy camper.
I hope Celebrity stops doing this! I did upgrade our package on our May cruise (thank you, Jared, for getting us a great deal on Aqua Class). My husband loves the Zero Proof option and we both like sparkling water, so that’s also included with Premium. Thank you for the “field trip” around the ship to show this shift on the menus. I guess the answer is to ask the bar staff to make an included drink, but that puts the burden on the staff to handle the issue. Not right. I have a feeling I’ll be glad I upgraded so my Old Fashioneds won’t suffer. I took a quick look at what whiskys and bourbons were included and it’s sparse at best.
I am not surprised to see this. I’ve not sailed Celebrity but have wanted to but they already charge 300% for solo and seeing this nope. I’ll stick with VV and Princess.
Yikes! My hubby and I are going on the Infinity end of 2024 and we got the classic drinks package. Fortunately we aren’t big drinkers but my hubby does enjoy an occasional beer/ale and I like a glass of wine at dinner. We really do enjoy our fruh fruh coffees though so it’s a good thing those are included.😅 Thanks so much for this video and thanks for taking one for the team. 😄🍹 One quick clarification. We have the all included package that comes with basic WiFi, classic drinks package and gratuities. Would I need to pay gratuities over and above what’s included in my All Included package? This is our first cruise and we’re NEW to this. Thanks so much for your advice.
I was on Ascent in February. I had heard there was a big change to what was included and upgraded to Premium 2 weeks before our cruise. The list was quite limited on the classic package.
Thanks for your video. We love Celebrity and we always get the Premium package and love Celebrity's wine and food pairing. Celebrity's wine offerings for Premium has definitely been trending down (...Decoy Cab, where are you...?) ...but we are concerned that there is a "step-change" down again. We asked LHB and were told that changes are coming, whatever that means. We have four booked cruises (3 Aquaclass and Premium, plus a cruise on Ascent w/ Premium drink, 43 nights total). We shall see, but if you can uncover the truth, we would appreciate that!
Looks like that's a pretty useless drink package! Wow! I'm a huge Celebrity fan but thank you for the head's up! What we usually do is order the NON-alcoholic packages to include all waters, mocktails, specialty coffees and then budget in a few hundred for cocktails. We don't drink as much anymore but we both have 2-3 per day. Still cheaper than paying for a full alcoholic package.
ask the bartenders. They may make you drinks and not charge more. Try saying I have the drink plan and do not want to pay extra. Ask them to surprise you with a cocktail I have had good luck with this method.
They should raise the limit of the Classic drink package to drinks & wines by the glass up to $12 per serving. That's foul - the classic drink package is not even worth it. We pretty much only sail in the Retreat in wich the Premium drink package included, but what they've done is not right.
This helps me justify why I purchased the Premium on my April sailing. I am so glad I bought it early enough for a decent price. I don't drink a ton, but even the specialty coffee costs can catch up to you.
Meanwhile I sailed on Princess not long ago and virtually everything on the bar menus, including craft cocktails, were included in the plus package (their equivalent to classic). Celebrity are no longer good value due to all the cutbacks and I will no longer sail them.
Are shots included in the classic package? Drink packages should include all cocktails with only top shelf excluded. I definitely expect to pay $13 - $18 per cocktail on a cruise. Then when I order on land, I feel like I'm getting a great deal. LOL! Thanks for trying and showing the truth! 🚢
WOW!! That is unfortunate that ONLY one cocktail is covered under the classic package. Guess I'll be upgrading to Premium each time I am sailing w/o momma T since she doesn't drink and stick to Classic and pay the upcharge when I cruise with her
OMG .. Ive purchased a bought a drinks package on Princess thought I'd be able to have able to have Margaritas all the time, now I'm scared , after paying for this - I might not be able to...AAAhhhh...is princess the same, I've not booked a drink package before, kinda smuggled wine on board!!! gonna go to their website to see, thanks guys, you are always so informative and hilarious... love your videos
Have you guys tried princess yet? I think you would really like the plus or premier packages. Also if you go above the $15 or $20 max you only have to pay the difference.
I’ll make use of the elite happy hour and the casino for free drinks outside of the classic package. I guess I am not surprised that more curtailments have arrived for 2024.
We definitely do the same in the casino! Though, Happy Hour is back to a select list now with the cocktails being Manhattan, Side Car, Kir Royal, Mimosa, Vodka/Gin Martini, Apple Martini, Cosmo, or Screwdriver. There are also 9 house wine selections, but we rarely do those 😅
We just sailed on the Reflection two weeks ago. We had the Classic Package but did purchase about 5 Bloody Mary's for which we paid the difference. That worked for us since we usually drink wine.
I am just off the Reflection and saw this as well. Even the Premium package does not cover all drinks at all bars anymore. (Other than the high end stuff that it never did)
Did a Celebrity Mediterranean cruise last Sept with the basic drinks package and it was so underwhelming. I rarely finished the cocktails I had and was quickly bored with the limited offerings as they were the same at all the bars. Holland Americas basic drinks package was much better and choices changed per bar I believe. Brutal Celebrity has now made it even worse.
First time Celebrity cruiser. Thanks for the tip. Going in October will probably upgrade wife likes martinis and I am crown and diet and like old fashioned
WOW.....makes you really wonder if these drink packages are worth it or not. Honestly, just drinks.....I could not hold my own if I tried to drink my way thru the package, so I would "pay as I go" and get what I want, rather than resort to "just the $10 drink".
Had the classic drink package on the Beyond last month. Loved the Sauvignon Blanc wine at dinner most nights - very good included wine. Also had gin and tonic, mojitos, and frozen margaritas and dirty banana drinks included with classic package. Enjoyed the cappuccino and espresso and chai tea latte at Cafe El Bacio. So there are some choices, if you aren’t a big drinker. The classic drink package was included when we booked our cruise. We also got cans of soda and cans of water, which we would be charged for if we didn’t have the classic drink package.
Yes! Definitely Classic cocktails that you can request off the menu made with those liquors included in the Classic package. We still get our Rum and Diets (just with less selection in rums than 3 months ago 😅).
Well this is disappointing. We were on the Equinox May 2023 and this was not the case. We are schedule on the Celebrity Beyond this May. It seems, and please clarify that Coke products are not included in the Classic Package but the Premium, again not the case last year . Thanks for taking the investigative journey for us, it really is beneficial!
Hi Guys, I’m glad that FINALLY someone is blogging about this unacceptable situation that Celebrity has forced upon their passengers. We were on the Beyond in January (met Jon & Joyce. They love you guys.) the drinks even with the premium package were not all covered either. I think it’s disgusting having to pay an up charge plus 20% gratuity on wines or cocktails that were included just last year on our Solstice cruise. We left Princess a few years ago just after reaching Elite status to go with Celebrity as they had just introduced their wonderful drinks package. It’s too late to cancel our cruise on the Summit in May, but we looked at what Princess is offering now and we are jumping ship (so to say 😂) and going back. On their Premier package , Princess offers gratuities, high speed wifi, free room service, two specialty dinings, a photo package, all drinks including service charges, fitness classes and reserved theatre seating all for a lesser price than Celebrity’s premium drinks package alone! Shall I say “no brainer”
Enjoy the rest of your cruise.
Cheers 🥂
Keith & Lorraine
As you said, it’s an absolute no brainer! 👏👏👏
❤ YES! Take a look at the new Sun Princess especially as a much better option.
I became Elite black card with Princess cruise line 15 years ago. My husband and I tried Celebrity back then and really loved it and the drinks menu etc so we only cruised with Celebrity for the past 14 years. We are going back to Princess and booked an NCL and a HAL cruise for the next several months. Their drink packages were much better and to be honest, I am so disappointed with Celebrity right now I cannot even talk about it. My Dad and I leave for Singapore in a few weeks to board the Celebrity Solstice for 29 nights and I must say had we not already paid in full for this cruise, I would have cancelled it and booked with another cruise line. Celebrity is losing its loyal customers and they maybe they don't care. Maybe they will make enough on new customers etc to make up for the loss of their loyal customers. After this upcoming cruise, we have already cancelled the other cruises we had with Celebrity and booked with other cruise lines. We are excited to try Holland America as they had an offer when we booked our Africa cruise for 38 nights to the "have it all" which we only paid the taxes and gratuties for the drinks package. Celebrity DO BETTER.
Good heavens! You should have your own RUclips channel if you don’t. Have fun but be safe!
You're obviously cruisers for some time choose the premier lines to travel with, especially while on long voyages
Worked on princess lines for years in the shops you should know what you're booking by now.
You can order any cocktail you want with the lower shelf liquor at the classic price, it’s just not on the menu. We just got off the Ascent. We had premium but my sister had classic and she had all kinds of cocktails, frozen cocktails and they even made her a martini at the martini bar using a bottom shelf vodka which surprised us.
That’s great to hear they made her a martini! But yes- we share the list at the end of the video of liquors that you can get with the classic! At least it does provide some options!
Ever since they changed CEO, they have become outragously greedy. She really is a piece of work.
Have fun guys! I quit drinking 48 days ago.
I like to drink when I’m on a cruise, but more and more I’m tending not to even buy a drink package. I’m finding it less expensive to just buy the cocktails I want when I want them. This situation with celebrity is a BIG disappointment and definitely a no go for me.
There was a lower limit on non alcoholic drinks on the classic package too, I think it was $5? Red Bull wasn’t included and that’s Declan’s drink. We upgraded to premium, and that made it worth it for both of us!
We cruise with Celebrity in October, we will not be buying an alcoholic drink package. Thank you for helping us decide. This seems so deceitful on the company's behalf.
There's no deceit all they did was look at a Menue. All they had to do was ask for the drink made with Clasic package liquor
Yeah sadly this is pretty much what I've seen on recent Celebrity cruises. An expensive drink package that doesn't include much in the way of drink choices is not good. I remain a big fan of the overall cruise experience on Celebrity (ships, service, staterooms, etc.) but the corporate decisions over the past year or so re various price increases combined with a bait-and-switch approach - advertise and sell one thing, deliver something less and/or more expensive in terms of new upcharges - are rather dreadful.
We agree with you. We still love this product, just don’t love this one particular factor of what they are offering.
I feel like these cruise companies are pushing me to all-inclusives on land :(
@@JJCruisemy mom and aunt and I go ala carte
Thank you for your honesty. This is what people want addressed, not the BS that its all perfect. If you have a channel about cruising you should include the failures too. I watch a couple on cruises and its all rosy ALL THE TIME
There's no honesty in the vidio
Celebrity also removed daily gratuities from their packages last year, so unless you’re someone who is going to drink 9+ beers a day then ok get the package but otherwise the package just doesn’t make sense! I won’t be fooled into upgrading to premium either!
I was on Celebrity Summit back in December 2023. I ended up upgrading to the premium drink package after checking online reviews of Celebrities drink prices. Since when is Bailey's a top shelf liquor? At least prior to sailing, Celebrity put their premium drink package on sale at 50% off for their Black Friday Thanksgiving sale - so this provided me justification to upgrade. I was able to tell from other passengers reactions that their favorite spirit was not included in the standard drink package. NCL's Free At Sea offering is much better and includes a lot more choices than Celebrity's standard package.
It is so much fun watching you two walk around the ship looking for cocktails. ❤🎉
Thank you so much for watching!
It is ridiculous to offer a package that nothing is included. Shame on Celebrity
I believe RCCL used to have such a package, but that is gone now. Either because of the reactions like this post/video or lack of interest. Thanks to those that knew you can get a spirit and soda (maybe not of you choosing) for this package. Seems you could plan for one fun drink with an upcharge, then move to the well and soda option. I worked in our 20's
Wow. I have never sailed Celebrity but as a frequent purchaser of drink packages on other lines, a $10 limit is insane. I would have been mad LOL.
Agree
Celebrity leadership needs to have a shake up. I’m cruising elsewhere until that happens. Shame! Celebrity was my go to for many years.
Come on guys, you've been on Celebrity enough to know that Celebrity doesn't post a full list of available cocktails on the menu, obviously because they want to steer you towards upgrading to Premium. If you'd simply asked for a Pina colada, mai tai, or any one of many cocktails, the bartender would have made it, but with spirits under the classic package, and you would have passed out before you got to the third bar. You also have to know that Celebrity are very aggressive and tricky about trying to get people to upgrade packages, making it as painful and inconvenient as possible to stay with classic or with no package. It's the same on every cruise line--they don't post a complete menu of cocktails at a bar, just as there isn't one on bars on land--that's what the bartender is there for, to make you a drink you'll love. There are also secret drinks, like the Weng Weng on HAL. For beers, menus also rarely reflect what's available, since you can only get what's in their fridge, so you again have to ask a bartender what they have--I found a dozen or so Aussie beers on a Princess ship that had just returned from there. The best menus are on Princess, I've found, especially with the many options you can have delivered to you in their app. Both they and HAL do the best job of making most beers and cocktails available under a classic package, and they focus on getting wine and spirits snobs to pay for high-end liquor.
I love this video showing the truth and hopefully celebrity sees how ridiculous their offering is
We hope so too! At least we could get our captain and diets all week 😅.
All they did was look at a menue, all they had to do was present the room card and request a drink
What you have to know is that any of the bars you can ask for a cocktail (ie. Cosmo) and they can make it with liquor that fits in yor drink package. At the Martini bar you can get any of them and you get a smaller serving than the premium package.
We mention this in the video as well. However, they changed the martini bar policy, you no longer can get them in smaller glasses. Only the three that are options for Happy Hour for Elite and up passengers which are Cosmos, Vodka/Gin Martini (straight) and Apple Martinis.
We did love when you could get any in the small glasses! Those were the days 😌
@JJCruise Oh no! Ugh....less and less @ Martini bar. ( I did reply before I heard you address the rest.)
Hello guys, Great job as no bloggers have spoken about this cheap out situation that’s been happening on Celebrity. We have just finished our cruise with friends on the Ascent and also thought it was hard for them on the classic package to actually find a cocktail in any menus. We had the premium package but the had the classic and they really felt like none of the menus at any bar had a choice for them besides beer, 1 or 2 wines and Prosecco. It made them feel like the were like second class passengers so much so that at one point they wanted to upgrade until I told them to order the classics and never mind looking into the menus.
Thanks again great video
Sea ya
Eric
Thank you so so much for finally vlogging about this!!! Celebrity's so shady about what drinks are included in the classic package. When I was on the ship, I kept on asking what cocktails were included in classic, and no one seemed to know.
Thanks so much for this very informative video! We are booked on our first Celebrity cruise in 3 week - will definitely upgrade to the Premium Drink package!
When I go on a cruise, I just get a few drinks over the week and it's always under $100.00. Obviously, I'm not a big drinker but I think it's terrible that all of the cruise lines are making so many cut backs.
Why offer an alcoholic drink package if they price most of the menu cocktails at a greater price than you can order!!
Finally! An honest explanation of what is and is not included in the classic package.
Thanks for this video. I’m already mad at Celebrity and how they are treating solo travelers so not surprised at their nickel and diming. I have a celebrity cruise in May and another next year. I will not be looking at cruising on celebrity going forward but looking at cruises on Princess.
Same!!!! I’ve had enough with solo gouging and ridiculous rates. No more after my already scheduled ones
I love Princess!
@@donnaschuepbach3830 I have never been on Princess but I can’t wait to try it out😊.
We were on Celebrity’s Silhouette about a year ago and noticed exactly what you guys ran in to. We were in The Retreat so we had the Premium drink package and now we ALWAYS suggest the upgrade from the Classic drink package. It’s well worth it. Thanks for sharing!!! 👍🏾
Hi, I've just returned from a cruise on the Celebrity Solstice. I noticed the cocktails menu that used to be available is no longer there but, I did have the basic drinks package and was able to have a few different cocktails including pina colada, pineapple daiquiri, strawberry daiquiri, bloody mary, Mexican (something, can't remember). I think there are a lot you can have, but the problem is, you need to ask for what you want, then ask if it's included in your package. If, like me, you don't usually drink cocktails, then you don't know what you can ask for because you don't know all the names. My wine of choice is sauvignon blanc, and it was always more than my package allowed on the menus. Then I discovered that Cellar Masters had it for less, so I got it there. After that, I ordered it from the sommelier at dinner, and even though it only showed the higher priced one on the dinner menu, she brought me one that was included in the basic package. The point is...ask, and you just might get what you want.
I bet they hope most people do not notice these changes.....
We were looking forward in Jan to drink Decoy red wine which was $14.00 on November Beyond & it is now $19.00 & the premium pkg up to $17.00. Quite a rip off.
I think they should raise the limit from $10 to at least $14, geeze. Great vlog!
Great video 👍 exposing the drink package got ya! Great reporting, love it.....
Thanks for doing this! Went on my first cruise recently. It was celebrity. I enjoyed it. However, I thought that drink options were rather limited and you confirmed it.
Thanks for the update on the classic pkg. we always purchase it, now rethinking the upgrade.
Did you guys try asking for a standard... vs menu drink... like a martini using whatever is included in the classic package. I never ordered off the menu..
I'm confused - I booked a long time ago for our upcoming cruise and the classic drink package came with my cruise. I also had a decent onboard credit so upped it to the premium cocktail package. A couple months after I did that - I was on my cruise planning site and saw that the premium package had gone WAY down so I called and cancelled my first package and purchased it again with the low price - saving about $200. Now I think it's about $9 extra per person per day. I really wanted the premium for the smoothies each morning - and then the martinis! I also thought that if you had a package and say you could spend $10 on the drink, but the drink you wanted was $14 -- you just paid the extra $4.
Excelent reporting! I'm an Elite + with Celebrity, I wonder how the (free) prices on those drinks are. Can't wait to find out.
Celebrity lost me with their treatment of solo cruisers. Even though they rescinded some of the triple solo occupancy charges, their prices are still too high.
We are non soda and non alcohol folks. We drink water, coffee, sometimes specialty coffee and sometimes Club Soda. It's a bummer that one of us cannot get the one soda package, when the other is water only......we called Celebrity....no budge
We’re sorry to hear that!
Yes--the zero proof packages are ridiculously expensive and never go on sale (beyond the pre sail 10% off) and you can no longer bring on board your own non alcoholic beverages (which is unfair, since drinkers can bring a limited amount of wine). It's absurd to us to think of drinking $30 of sodas a day. We bring Via packets, flavored hydration packs and insulated Stanley cups. We will be trying the new water package this time--though at $40 for a case of small water bottles, that's also a bit overpriced, too.
Hey guys, we have been cruising with slippery for a long time usually in the retreat class. They have made major changes, including removing the butler from the sky suites and not including tips and drinks in the original payment. They also promised me a babysitter, for the evenings which we would pay extra for for my one year-old granddaughter. That service is gone after I had booked two sky suites at incredibly high price. Needless to say, this will be our last celebrity cruise. They've also changed the rewards where they used to give you free drinks, if you were in the elite class from 7 to 5 that is gone I don't know what's the matter celebrity but there's too many cruise companies out there to put up with this kind of treatment.
We love to book the suites on the larger Celebrity ships. It doesn’t get any better.
It looks like there isn't a reason to buy a drink package, the cruise prices have increased also.
Come on Celebrity! You can do at least one included cocktail at each bar what a scam!
We agree, one per bar should be doable!
Wow. We cruised Celebrity in 2022 and there were surely some cocktails that were $10 or less. Specifically a frozen drink-French Caribbean, seems like there was a rum punch and some others. We upgraded 2 of our Celebrity cruises. Thanks for sharing! ~Amanda
I’m going on a Celebrity cruise this month and did not get the drink package. We’ll buy a la carte as we go. This is the reason we didn’t get it!
Just disembarked Solstice in Hong Kong. We had the Premium drinks package and the selection of included wines was poor. Cocktail choices were fine...but the range of Gins has been dramatically cut back. 50% of menu listed beers were not available even on embarkation day. WEAKEST part of the cruise. My survey feedback today reflected just that view. We have a 6 day Celebrity Ascent booked, but other than that we have now booked NCL and Princess instead.
We just came off Celebrity Edge. We didn't like it. The cocktails were below average and we couldn't get the same taste twice! The food was great and shows good BUT we'll stick with Royal!
I never had the classic package, I always upgrade to the premium package pre cruise as it is cheaper to upgrade prior to cruising. I love the martinis and they are not included in the classic package. I am happy to upgrade as celebrity will generally have flash sales prior to cruising and you can receive an additional upgrade.
Good reminder to request specific brands in your drinks
Or you will be sorry 🤣
I was just on the Solstice and purchased the Non Alcoholic package. They have so many tasty Mocktails at ALL the bars! I wonder if you had the Classic Alcohol package if you could order a Mocktail and add a favourite Alcohol shot to it....
Great investigative reporting!!
My husband bought the Premium drink package on the Beyond for our next cruise. I quit drinking alcohol for health reasons. It should be interesting. I do love the bottled water and speciality coffee.
Thankyou for the very informative video. Last year I was on rhe Reflection and I got many drinks with the lower tier drink package. I am leaving March 16 to go on the Apex and am really disappointed after seeing your video. I am disabled and make barely any money and really can't afford to pay those prices. My 92 year old mom I care for is paying my way for our family reunion cruise. This will be my 2nd and probably last cruise I will be able to take. I am very disappointed with Celebrity's drink package now.
Hi guys - what an enlightening video ! And you're both such good sports keeping upbeat as you went along on your mission 🙂 Question: in the end, you found only 1 cocktail that worked with your drink package called a "Mexican Firing Squad." What were the ingredients in it ? Thanks kindly and happy cheerful travels !!! m.
Just come off the Celebrity Solstice on a 12 night Asia Cruise, so glad we upgraded to the premium package for drinks😊
So much fun following your quest for drinks.
We used to like Celebrity and loved the new Edge class ships. BUT, the last couple of years things changed drastically. So many cuts in services and what's on offer (food/drinks selection), plus the price increases, especially in The Retreat. And to rub salt in wound, for a lot of people these changes were made between booking and sailing, so you book expecting one thing, then when you board you get something else. My plan was actually to not cruise for a few years in the hope things would settle down, but my wife loves cruising too much, so we're trying the Yacht Club on MSC this year. If we're not happy with that, then we'll try some of the outright luxury lines where the whole ship is The Retreat or the Yacht Club. Especially since sailing with them cost about the same as in The Retreat on Celebrity these days. I still think it's time to just go back to nice all inclusive land holidays, just have to convince the wife.
Why they offer a drink package that u cannot even have any of their drinks. Seems like a scam for real
You can still have Classic cocktails like margaritas or rum and diets, just no craft cocktails off the menus (which we agree isn’t a good decision for Celebrity).
We still get our go-to Captain and Diet Coke but would love being able to have at least one option for craft cocktails at the bars to try as well. ☺️
If you do buy the upgraded, try things you might not order. My wife and I did that several times taking only 1 or 2 sips and ordering something else.
I would also say buy the basic then wait for offers to upgrade. We upgraded at half the normal price.
Great video, super helpful info. Really surprised that Celebrity’s package is so limited. Reminds me of the cheapest drink package, Brindiamo, on Costa. It’s includes a smaller selection of drinks than the Intenditiore, or deluxe package.
You guys are great. Sorry the pub crawl was so sad. I won't be buying that package. I might not buy any package. I may just wait to get to port and give the locals my money.
My wife and I ordered a number of different cocktails on our 5 night cruise on the Summit in January and none were over $10. No complaints here, but gratuities were also included in our add on package. Thats now gone.
We know there have been a number of changes lately! Hoping for less changes in the future.
Another ridiculous thing happening on Celebrity now is the internet. My wife and I are Elite on Celebrity so we have lots of cruises completed. Our last Celebrity cruse was 3 weeks ago. We had the basic WIFI included with our package. In the past this was always sufficient for us as all we want to do is check texts and email, and post some pictures. My wife loves to take pictures on our cruises and post them on Facebook. Weren't we shocked when her internet got shut off. After visiting the internet cafe we were told that posting on social media was not included in the basic package. WTF. Here we are attempting to promote Celebrity and cruising in general and they are not allowing it. They want you to upgrade to the premium package. The irony is that when you are at the nightly shows an announced plays advising you that non flash pictures and video's are allowed and are encouraged to post on social media........yet there basic package blocks that. Celebrity really needs to wake up and recognize that there demographic does not want to be nickel and dimes like this.
That’s wild! So sorry that happened to you.
We always have premium wifi for obvious reasons so we never get to see the true difference between basic vs. premium WiFi. (Though we’ve heard it’s a lot!)
We always upgrade to the premium pkg because you also get premium coffee drinks & cocktails, as well as, speciality water.
So disappointed to hear this. We sailed on the Sillouette for 10 days our 40th anniversary in march of 2023. We thoroughly enjoyed the classic package. My favorites were the specialty coffees at El Bacio. They are $17 now! Time to try Princess.
We sail Celebrity all the time. We've always hated their drink menus. Not enough choices if you wish to try something new. Now it's even harder with the basic beverage package barely covering the choices. Not a happy camper.
Thanks for sharing! I will also be jumping ship after our next cruise w/Celebrity. A sad situation, indeed.
I hope Celebrity stops doing this! I did upgrade our package on our May cruise (thank you, Jared, for getting us a great deal on Aqua Class). My husband loves the Zero Proof option and we both like sparkling water, so that’s also included with Premium. Thank you for the “field trip” around the ship to show this shift on the menus. I guess the answer is to ask the bar staff to make an included drink, but that puts the burden on the staff to handle the issue. Not right. I have a feeling I’ll be glad I upgraded so my Old Fashioneds won’t suffer. I took a quick look at what whiskys and bourbons were included and it’s sparse at best.
I am not surprised to see this. I’ve not sailed Celebrity but have wanted to but they already charge 300% for solo and seeing this nope. I’ll stick with VV and Princess.
Yikes! My hubby and I are going on the Infinity end of 2024 and we got the classic drinks package. Fortunately we aren’t big drinkers but my hubby does enjoy an occasional beer/ale and I like a glass of wine at dinner. We really do enjoy our fruh fruh coffees though so it’s a good thing those are included.😅
Thanks so much for this video and thanks for taking one for the team. 😄🍹
One quick clarification. We have the all included package that comes with basic WiFi, classic drinks package and gratuities. Would I need to pay gratuities over and above what’s included in my All Included package? This is our first cruise and we’re NEW to this.
Thanks so much for your advice.
So they also cut the cocktail menu in half at the Sky lounge. The ones they cut were the nicer more expensive ingredients cocktails. Not happy Jan
Thank you for the video!
Thanks for watching and commenting! 🥳
We “normally” get the Premium Package for the Martinis. But this is not a good thing. They are becoming NCL….
I was on Ascent in February. I had heard there was a big change to what was included and upgraded to Premium 2 weeks before our cruise. The list was quite limited on the classic package.
Thanks for your video. We love Celebrity and we always get the Premium package and love Celebrity's wine and food pairing. Celebrity's wine offerings for Premium has definitely been trending down (...Decoy Cab, where are you...?) ...but we are concerned that there is a "step-change" down again. We asked LHB and were told that changes are coming, whatever that means. We have four booked cruises (3 Aquaclass and Premium, plus a cruise on Ascent w/ Premium drink, 43 nights total). We shall see, but if you can uncover the truth, we would appreciate that!
I know you're on the Sun Princess and Im watching late.
I always ask by brand. I haven't been on Celebrity in a year it's to bad they made those cuts.
Looks like that's a pretty useless drink package! Wow! I'm a huge Celebrity fan but thank you for the head's up! What we usually do is order the NON-alcoholic packages to include all waters, mocktails, specialty coffees and then budget in a few hundred for cocktails. We don't drink as much anymore but we both have 2-3 per day. Still cheaper than paying for a full alcoholic package.
We still love Celebrity, but definitely something they have recently changed that we think is highly noticed and upsetting a lot of guests. 😅
ask the bartenders. They may make you drinks and not charge more. Try saying I have the drink plan and do not want to pay extra. Ask them to surprise you with a cocktail I have had good luck with this method.
They should raise the limit of the Classic drink package to drinks & wines by the glass up to $12 per serving. That's foul - the classic drink package is not even worth it. We pretty much only sail in the Retreat in wich the Premium drink package included, but what they've done is not right.
This helps me justify why I purchased the Premium on my April sailing. I am so glad I bought it early enough for a decent price. I don't drink a ton, but even the specialty coffee costs can catch up to you.
Meanwhile I sailed on Princess not long ago and virtually everything on the bar menus, including craft cocktails, were included in the plus package (their equivalent to classic). Celebrity are no longer good value due to all the cutbacks and I will no longer sail them.
Are shots included in the classic package? Drink packages should include all cocktails with only top shelf excluded. I definitely expect to pay $13 - $18 per cocktail on a cruise. Then when I order on land, I feel like I'm getting a great deal. LOL! Thanks for trying and showing the truth! 🚢
WOW!! That is unfortunate that ONLY one cocktail is covered under the classic package. Guess I'll be upgrading to Premium each time I am sailing w/o momma T since she doesn't drink and stick to Classic and pay the upcharge when I cruise with her
When were the changes to the menu prices/beverage package made?
OMG .. Ive purchased a bought a drinks package on Princess thought I'd be able to have able to have Margaritas all the time, now I'm scared , after paying for this - I might not be able to...AAAhhhh...is princess the same, I've not booked a drink package before, kinda smuggled wine on board!!! gonna go to their website to see, thanks guys, you are always so informative and hilarious... love your videos
Have you guys tried princess yet? I think you would really like the plus or premier packages. Also if you go above the $15 or $20 max you only have to pay the difference.
I always upgrade for the martinis but this video shows me the the premium drink package is absolutely worth it especially when you get it on sale
Yes! We think premium is always the way to go!
I thought I would be good on apex with the regular drink package but I was spoiled on icon. I may need to upgrade now!!
@@jennifereverson7098it depends on how many drinks and what the cost is of the upgrade
I’ll make use of the elite happy hour and the casino for free drinks outside of the classic package. I guess I am not surprised that more curtailments have arrived for 2024.
We definitely do the same in the casino! Though, Happy Hour is back to a select list now with the cocktails being Manhattan, Side Car, Kir Royal, Mimosa, Vodka/Gin Martini, Apple Martini, Cosmo, or Screwdriver. There are also 9 house wine selections, but we rarely do those 😅
We just sailed on the Reflection two weeks ago. We had the Classic Package but did purchase about 5 Bloody Mary's for which we paid the difference. That worked for us since we usually drink wine.
Why not ask the bartender if they can make the cocktail with classic liquors?
I am just off the Reflection and saw this as well. Even the Premium package does not cover all drinks at all bars anymore. (Other than the high end stuff that it never did)
Thanks for letting us know it’s on Reflection now as well!
Did a Celebrity Mediterranean cruise last Sept with the basic drinks package and it was so underwhelming. I rarely finished the cocktails I had and was quickly bored with the limited offerings as they were the same at all the bars. Holland Americas basic drinks package was much better and choices changed per bar I believe. Brutal Celebrity has now made it even worse.
going on celebrity beyond in may 2024, thanks for the video, i will get the upgrade before the cruise!
And they had a Legionnaires Disease incident on the Ascent which they are trying to bury.
The drink packages are a scam. You end up paying the $2-$5 difference. We can’t drink 15 drinks each. It’s just better for us to pay a la carte.
Just got back from the Ascent I am a frequent celebrity traveler and I was so upset by the drink prices it is horrible!! Why Celebrity??
We agree- we don’t understand or appreciate this 2024 change.
@@JJCruise time to cruise other cruise lines!!
Drinks aside the food on my last two celebrity cruises left a lot to be desired. Back to Princess we go.
First time Celebrity cruiser. Thanks for the tip. Going in October will probably upgrade wife likes martinis and I am crown and diet and like old fashioned
Oooh we definitely recommend the upgrade then! Have a wonderful first Celebrity Cruise!
WOW.....makes you really wonder if these drink packages are worth it or not. Honestly, just drinks.....I could not hold my own if I tried to drink my way thru the package, so I would "pay as I go" and get what I want, rather than resort to "just the $10 drink".
Had the classic drink package on the Beyond last month. Loved the Sauvignon Blanc wine at dinner most nights - very good included wine. Also had gin and tonic, mojitos, and frozen margaritas and dirty banana drinks included with classic package. Enjoyed the cappuccino and espresso and chai tea latte at Cafe El Bacio. So there are some choices, if you aren’t a big drinker. The classic drink package was included when we booked our cruise. We also got cans of soda and cans of water, which we would be charged for if we didn’t have the classic drink package.
Yes! Definitely Classic cocktails that you can request off the menu made with those liquors included in the Classic package. We still get our Rum and Diets (just with less selection in rums than 3 months ago 😅).
Well this is disappointing. We were on the Equinox May 2023 and this was not the case. We are schedule on the Celebrity Beyond this May. It seems, and please clarify that Coke products are not included in the Classic Package but the Premium, again not the case last year . Thanks for taking the investigative journey for us, it really is beneficial!