DRINKS PACKAGES; VALUE FOR MONEY?

One of the most common complaints in recent years has been the price of on board cruise drinks packages. Check any website, and you'll see a litany of woes recorded by passengers who feel that they have been short changed to a lesser or greater extent over these. The subject of whether they constitute actual value for money will vary according to what you expect to get out of it.

One common complaint is that so called 'all inclusive' packages are not always as 'inclusive' as claimed. Many premium range spirits, wines and champagnes have an added supplement attached, a fact that many people do not like. And, even on the more mass market lines, many all inclusive menus are studded with extra charge items. For many people, this can be maddening in the extreme.

Against that, it should be remembered that many-though not quite all- cruise lines serve drinks in what amount to an almost double pour, compared to the average local pub prices. And, while individual drinks prices can, indeed, be expensive, they still compare more than favourably to any equivalent land based hotel.

In addition, cruise lines usually include speciality teas and coffees- or at least a selection- in with the all inclusive package. What does tend to get people in a lather is the added, 15% service charge. However, this still applies even to drinks priced separately.

Still, if you're a dedicated party animal, or even if you simply enjoy a few glasses of wine with dinner, then a drinks package can work out well for you. And there are other advantages to buying a drinks package to factor in as well. Once the fee is paid, there's no more worrying about the size of your bill.

On the other hand, drinks packages must be bought by all occupants of the same cabin, and you are almost always limited to one drink at a time. Should you want to gift a drink to another person, then you'll be charged the normal bar price as displayed. And wine can only be served by the glass as a rule, not by the bottle.

These points made, a drinks package in general will work out as a more than good deal, and more and more cruise lines are offering them with the passage of time. With a few obvious niggles as outlined above, the balance still comes down about right in most cases.