It’s enough to drive you to drink! Teetotallers are being penalised for their partners’ drinking. Cruisers are being forced to buy two of the same alcohol package deals, whether they drink or not.
Even though one passenger abstains, under most cruise line T&Cs the first two adults (aged 18 or over 21 on some international voyages) must buy the same package.
“Both adult guests in Australia are normally required to purchase the same beverage package,” Royal Caribbean responded on its Facebook page about its unlimited drinks package. “If a guest would like to discuss beverage package options in more detail, we advise them to reach out to the contact centre – this has always been the case.”
Drinking for one
And in another bizarre rule, the drinks packages must only be used by the person who bought it. Meaning you can’t give your wife a glass of bubbles or your husband a beer. That risks having your drinks packaged cancelled.
The requirements are a bid to stop two people in the same cabin sharing one drinks package (since they are limited to the number of glasses, what’s wrong with that?). For some passengers, it’s a sobering extra cost. It could be up to AU$100 per day if a partner just drinks water and has the occasional coffee.
“Drinks packages are expensive enough for those of us who take advantage of it,” said one passenger who is about to embark on a Royal Caribbean cruise.
”But my wife doesn’t drink alcohol, or mocktails or soda, so why should she be obliged to purchase something that’s going to be a complete waste of money.”
Of course, it’s all about what cruise lines describe as “on board spend”. Royal Caribbean recently told shareholders on board spend was soaring, so it’s became an important source of income.
But as lines battle “inclusive” offerings like Oceania, Viking and Azamara where wine and beer are free at meal times, how long can it last?
“If cruise companies are only worried about customers who are taking advantage of the system, then there is something wrong with the system,” says Adam Glezer of Consumer Champion. “Cruise companies should have no right to force their customers to pay for something that they are not going to use”.
Is the packaged cruise fare fair?
Princess Plus fare includes the cruise fare packaged with the Plus Beverage Package and Wi-Fi. Princess also recently been ramped up its Wi-Fi prices. The Plus Beverage Package applies to the first two stateroom guests aged 18 or over (21 on some international voyages).
The internationally-available Plus Beverage Package is US$64.99 (about A$100 on current exchange rates) per day. Then add 18% service charge and that totals $76.70 per day (or $AU118) for all itineraries. For locals departing on Australian-based vessels, the Plus Beverage Package is A$110 per day (US$71), including an undisclosed service charge.
Your shout? Not allowed
On Carnival each adult assigned to the same stateroom must purchase the CHEERS! drink package. The T&Cs state if it is part of an offer received from Carnival, then it applies to the 1st and 2nd adults in the cabin. If the 2nd passenger is under 18, then a Bottomless Bubbles package (AU$7.50 Child or AU$9.95 Adult) is assigned.
Want to shout your new cruise friends at the table? Not a chance. Only one alcoholic drink may be ordered at a time. No sharing is permitted.
Under the Carnival terms if you are on the CHEERS! program, you cannot (even by paying) purchase sharing cocktails (aka fishbowls), floaters, pitchers (jugs), tubes and buckets.
Royal Caribbean says in terms of sharing a bottle of wine, guests can bring one bottle on per person and share in the main dining room at their table.
Consumer advocacy lawyer Joseph Arida from Arida Lawyers said that the lines are not forcing passengers to buy any package.
“There is an option to not purchase any drinks packages at all, but just pay as you go,” he says. “But if there was a clause inserted into the contract, that had the effect of forcing two people to purchase the same package, that could potentially amount to an unfair term under the Australian Consumer Law.
“However, the pre-sale representations made and the contract as a whole will need to be taken into consideration.”
Arida suggests Australian consumers contact the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission if they think the terms are unfair.
What the ACCC says
A spokesperson for the ACCC said:
- · The Australian Consumer Law applies to businesses that sell travel packages to consumers in Australia.
- · Under the Australian Consumer Law, businesses must not engage in false or misleading conduct in the sale or promotion of a service.
- · False or misleading conduct can include the omission of key pricing information that will impact a consumer’s purchasing decision.
- · Cruise lines should clearly disclose all relevant package options, pricing, and terms and conditions clearly and upfront, before a consumer decides to buy a particular cruise voyage.
- · The Australian Consumer Law also prohibits unfair contract terms. Contract terms in standard form contracts are unfair if they:
- cause a significant imbalance in the rights and obligations of the parties under the contract
- are not reasonably necessary to protect the legitimate interests of the party who gets an advantage from the term, and;
- would cause financial or other harm to the other party if enforced.
What do you think? Are drinks package rules in the spirit of cruising? Comment below.
Royal Caribbean are such a rip off. You buy one it automatically charges two. I had done the transpacific cruise in oct 2019 caught covid was bed ridden had bought two drink packages didn’t use them was too sick and they wouldnt even refund one of them. Ive done 16 cruises since 2015 and its getting worse.
I have been on over 30 cruises and never buy a drinks package. Used to buy a coffee card for $35 for 15 coffees and unlimited hot chocolate but can’t get that now. I always take a bottle of port or muscat on board. I drink alcohol at the ports I visit and get free WiFi there. I do 4 or more cruises each year by not getting drinks packages
I’m am an elite cruiser with princess and recently found this out. I booked 2 mini suite cabins for 4 people. I don’t drink and one person in other cabin didn’t drink either, but I was allowed to buy 2 beverage packages, one for my husband and one for my sister in other cabin. I get a free mini bar set up at start of cruise as well. My husband brought me a couple of mocktails but I was charged. Also the package included a couple of dinners at the pizza place (which used to be free), and we went for a pizza and ordered 1 pizza, I was charged, (we only went once, not twice). My husband is not a big drinker, maximum 5 drinks on a big day, so no more beverage package for him. I understand that there are people that abuse it and spoil for the rest of us, but perhaps a better idea would be to reduce the number of alcohol drinks per day. On the package as well, was 2 free fitness classes and another 2 dinners, both of which we didn’t use.
Most of the comments here are based on misunderstanding or personal viewpoints.
1. Nobody makes you pay extra
2. A drinks package if it was included free includes water, softdrink, coffee and juices usually
3. It generally take 5-7 drinks per day to make a alcohol drink package on par with paying per drink.Between breakfast and evening incl 3 meals etc and with coffee juice water and alcohol if you choose its not excessive
4.All cruise bookings easily show the option with drinks and other benefits as a option you must elect
RCL requires the non alcohol person to have the refreshments package. They would not not do it with just the soda package. We asked. No go. Therefore they have missed out on over $4000. As my wife doesn’t drink much the drinks bill should be less than $1000.
I like a beer, my wife likes a wine, but to pay $65 a day is way over the limit. We did the world cruise on Princess last , and doing it again this year. At $65 a day, let me see, this will be over $13000 for the trip. Get serious Princess, your grog prices are way over the top.
A bottle of wine in Dan Murphy’s cost $20, on the ship it cost $60. A Guinness cost $2 a can, on board, $11 and as I make my own beer at 80cents a long neck, I will abstain from drinking as is my usual habit on board. If I am that desperate for a beer I will have one in any of the ports of call.
Whatever happened to the duty free drinks of yesteryear?
Australia’s Consumer Affairs and Border Force authorities should require that ALL cruises departing from Australian ports that sell drinks packages must, prior to purchase, get buyers to sign a form acknowledging that:
1. If they have a significant injury onboard while under the influence of significant alcohol and require medical treatment/helicopter evacuation from the ship – then their cruise insurer will most likely deny their claim.
2. That the cruise line can be required, under court order, to provide precise details of the alcohol purchases linked to their cabin card.
3. The end result is that the booze package can easily end up costing $100k plus.
As to forcing others in a cabin to buy booze packages – our Liquor and Gaming authorities shoild shut that down under Responsible Service of Alcohol Laws.
If ANY Aussie licensed venue tried the same rort on any customers they’d lose their license within seconds.
The same standard should apply to any cruise line operating from an Australian port – no exceptions.
We totally agree with Ron Anderson’s comment. We are Elite status cruisers with Princess, having done 13 cruises so far. On the last two cruises we needed wifi so paid for it but was a ridiculous price. On every other cruise we’ve been on during the last eight years with Princess, wifi has been included for Elite status guests. Not any more. Obviously loyalty is worth nothing any more.Also it is a total rip off to expect non- alcohol drinkers to buy such packages.Also who wants to eat extra desserts every day? Not me – or consume numerous soft drinks- it’s battle enough maintaining a healthy weight and lifestyle, and there are plenty of good food and drink options to choose from. Shame on you Princess Cruises for the price gouging.. Very disappointed.
Billie, not true. We just got off a Princess cruise. Two people in the same cabinMUST get the same package… Plus package was $65 per day and Premium $95 per day. Now gratuities are not even included. Very expensive for very little. The package included “2 causal dining” meals; but Coral Princess did not have such dining options!!! Go figure. I got covid and was isolating and they would not even bring me meals or water. I was told I would have to pay $23 fee for ocean dining” plus price of room service and food. Also a $7.50 charge if ordering from my phone! What the hell? If the covid didn’t kill me, starvation would. My husband and I were thoroughly disgusted. Service charges on everything you buy too. Despicable !! No activities to speak of, all money grabbing. We were so disappointed, even our balcony cabin curtains had holes in them. I’m a nurse and have had 5 covid vaccinations, did a surgical scrub before every meal and still got covid onboard. The tables Horizon buffet were never cleaned between passengers, ,slop was everywhere, rails were not cleaned, saw one passenger lift e soup ladle to his mouth to taste the soup and then drop it back into the soup ewwwe! People coughed over food, dropped serving implements into the food, used the same implements for several different dishes then leave them in The food. A breeding ground for infections and illness. At least on P & O the food is-behind Perspex and served by staff. Both Princess and P & O are owned by Carnival so why differing standards???? We had heard so much about Princess but we’re shocked at the reality of sailing with them.
ALWAYS make sure that you tick the STANDARD package on Princess.
Having said that, the rip off with drink prices (package or not) PLUS the additional service charge (even for the Robot made drinks!) has made us remove ourselves from cruising.
Along with tipping it is just not on!
I had to get a doctors letter I don’t drink never have don’t drink soft drinks only tea coffee and water have to supply to the cruise company before paying for the other person with me who drinks have be on PO CARNIVAL PRINCESS MSC & have not paid for extra drink packages .
Easy way round buying 2 packages. My wife does not drink alcohol so YES I did get passed off on our first cruise. So, what to do. — Wait til you are on board and buy one package. They would rather sell one than none at all. I have done this on 15 cruises. Give it a go.
MSC used to sell beer and spirits/cocktail booklets. A beer booklet for instance would be for 20 beers, each time you purchased a beer your used a ticket from the booklet. So if you were a casual drinker one booklet would cover the voyage, if you needed more beers just purchase another booklet. The alchol prices were quite reasonable, not like the ripoff prices now. This was much more sensible option but no longer, alcohol packages are far more profitable, and alcohol bought without a package ridiculously expensive.. The cruise companies get their alcohol tax free but charge like they have to pay it.
These measures taken by cruise lines to increase their revenue has turned us off to cruise in future.
Many of the so-called special cocktails are just sugary concoctions with few non-sweet options available. On my recent Virgin cruise, it was hard to detect any actual alcohol in most of the cocktails on offer. Better to order old standbys.
We cruise with Princess and only pay for the standard cruise fare. When looking at cruise prices the Princess site defaults to Princess Plus where you get the drinks package – you need to tick the Princess Standard box for the cheaper fare. We sailed last year and it was amazing the number of people who just said the drinks package was included in the price! This is because the default setting gives you Princess Plus fares. We were on-board for 17 days and our total expenses were under $1,000 (mostly for drinks and coffees), and our on-board credit came off of that, so we only ended up paying about $200! Had we bought the drinks package (our on-board credit would not have been used) and the package would have cost us $2,200 so our advice is to just buy the drinks “as you go” on any cruise.
The drinks package is JUST NOT WORTH IT… even at the inflated onboard drinks prices….unless you are an alcoholic or someone intent on drinking the daily limit of drinks….and then I would have to ask WHERE IS RESPONSIBLE SERVICE OF ALCOHOL.?
I personally might have a glass of wine on the odd occasion, and my husband likes ONE beer with his dinner. At the end of 2023, we were recently on a 13 day Princess cruise and DID NOT take the drinks package despite the regular emails pushing the benefits of the package.
We bought the allowable one bottle of wine each on board with us, plus cans of flavoured mineral water. The beer was $10.50, so for 13 days total cost $136.50.
If we had both been forced to purchase a drinks package, the daily cost would have been more than our total cruise drinks bill..
Clearly in the past, people have been buying drinks for others, and the cruise lines have missed out on that revenue and are trying to stop that happening. But given the cruise lines have imposed daily drink limits on the drinks packages, why is that still a problem?
One would assume the cruise lines have costed their packages to cover the drink limit, so why is it a problem?
This is something I love about Virgin Voyages. No drinks package, no problem. I recently went with a friend, I don’t drink alcohol, but he does. We could each prepurchase some bar tab, I bought a small amount for coffees/mocktails etc, he bought a bigger amount for alcohol and we could run separate accounts in the same room. Perfect.
I have just returned from a Princess cruise in which the drink package was included in the deal. I do not drink alcohol and so I did not benefit at all from the package. I do suggest that they could provide a special deal for people who don’t drink alcohol. Maybe a coffee and soda package
Drinks Packages are a Rip off !!
As a rare drinker I find the drinks packages on cruises to be a real turn off. If I have to buy an alcoholic package because my husband would like the occasional drink, I then feel obliged to drink far more than I otherwise would to get some value from it. He also drinks far more than he otherwise would at home. For the occasional drinker, alcohol packages are prohibitively expensive. They are obviously catering to a big drinker. I would like to see a cheaper package available that includes only a few alcohol drinks at a realistic price. I do want coffee, juice and soft drinks and mocktails and maybe 1 or 2 alcoholic drinks a day at most. If a card was available with a small number of alcoholic drinks on it that I could spread out over the cruise that would suit me perfectly. A card of 10 for a 10- 14 day cruise perhaps. That would make me feel a lot less resentful to the cruise companies for gouging me for a drinks package. Currently, if a drinks package is not included in my promotional cruise, I will either buy a soft drink and coffee package (if I feel it is a reasonable price) or will just drink supplied drinks with meals or water.
As we do not drink alcohol or use wifi, then there is no need for us to purchase them. We believe and have seen some people sitting at the bars from beginning to end of a cruise., They are encouraging people to drink alcohol
To be honest I’m looking at alternatives to Princess/Carnival. I don’t drink but everything seems to be based on alcohol. On top of which there used to be plenty of activities on cruises but now it’s all associated with funnelling money to on board paid services.
I want a relaxing holiday, not continually be grifted to pay for bad valued extras.
We don’t drink enough alcohol to warrant paying for any drinks package. On a recent cruise our drinks bill between us was half the cost of one package. Don’t bother with WiFi either, wait till we’re on land and text. Soon, cruising will become too expensive for us if packages become compulsory.
Can we order wine with our evening meal
I think it is very unfair to make passengers who do not drink alcohol buy a package they will not use. My husband only ever drank Diet Coke and I would possibly drink one or two drinks a day on board.
These charges are discriminating against non-drinkers, and that money could easily be spent elsewhere on board.
Please take a long look at these charges and make them fair to everyone, including being able to buy a drink for a friend etc.
I have never drank alcohol so I think the mandatory drink packages stink. Surely they can give customers a different color wrist band that cannot be taken off to distinguish between alcohol drinkers and non-alcohol drinkers. Simple solution but not used as it effect’s profit
My wife I have had twenty + Cuises we have took 3 in the last 14 months alone this knickel and diming good customer is totally getting out of hand. My wife does not drink alcohol, and only drinks tea coffee and water and I only Drink moderately. A glass of wine with lunch 2 glasses of Red with dinner. It’s just a way of getting the money back lost in Covid. We have 2 cruises booked this year so but are seriously looking at all-inclusive Hotels, enough is enough.
There are people who abuse the drinks packages and spoil it for others, so the rules have to be introduced.
The drinks packages on a whole are rorts, no one “drinks” $70plus of alcohol,coffee or soda a day! If for the sake of drinking only alcohol with the amount calculated they would be continually drunk.
Also how is it that some cruiselines automatically include free alcohol and others dont? it just goes to show the massive discrepancy in the actual cost of the alcohol.
We don’t purchase the drinks package now, we worked out the costs on an average over our last 5 cruises and the drinks package was more than twice as much as the drinks we consumed.
I MAY have 1 alcoholic drink a day, so the package is out for me. I find it cheaper to take my one 1 fee free bottle of wine on board and then, depending on the length of the cruise, take a couple of extra bottles of my choice and pay the corkage fee. For coffee, I take my own coffee sticks and just add hot water from the drinks station in the buffet area. Wifi? – I am on holiday for goodness sake. I don’t want my head continually looking at a mobile phone, or similar, screen. If I need it, I will pay for 24 hrs. Room service? I have 2 reasonably good legs thank you. I guess I am the sort of passenger cruise lines no longer want.
Have been cruises on Princess for a while, Elite members, and I think the package deal stinks, as does the internet deal, we are going on a world cruise this April it will be the last cruise with Princess as all the costs have gone mad, taking all the loyalty perks of us, for giving our good service to them Greedy, Greedy Greedy, should be ashamed of yourselves, look after your loyalty base of members
Drink Packages are a total “RIP OFF”. Especially forcing both parties to purchase & no sharing.
If you are on a cruise with multiple stops, you would never get to use the value of the drinks package.
We never buy them & pay as we go. We are way ahead.
Definitely Not
These drinks packages are the biggest rip off I have seen. I cannot drink most alcohol as I am allergic to sulpha, so my husband who can drink has to pay top dollar – $US20 for a beer!!
Princess plus is $65.00 per person per day (aust) no added service fee. Also RCL 1 person can buy the full drinks package and the 2nd can get a “soda” package just need to call them.