Celebrity Cruises has announced that it is increasing the prices for its beverage packages as of December 19th. According to the cruise line, the Classic Package, which includes a selection of beers, wines, and cocktails, will now cost $89 per person per day, up from its previous price of $69 per person per day.
The Premium Package, which includes a broader range of premium beverages, will now cost $109 per person per day, up from its previous price of $84 per person per day. Celebrity Cruises is one of several cruise lines that has increased prices for beverage packages lately, citing a competitive environment and positioning itself in line with competitors.
Another Cruise Line, Another Price Hike
One of the most popular activities for cruise lines, as of late, seems to be to make onboard offerings more expensive. The latest cruise line to bring hikes is Celebrity Cruises. The cruise line, which operates under the Royal Caribbean Group, has increased prices for all three drinks packages available onboard.
First of all, the Classic package. This beverage package includes drinks up to a cost of $10 per glass and offers a discount of 15% on bottles of wine. Spirits included are the basics, such as Dewar’s whiskey, Beefeater Gin, Captain Morgan Rum, and Absolut Vodka. Also included are standard beers such as Budweiser, Bud Light, Heineken, and Moretti.
The Classic Package previously cost just $69 per person per day, but for cruises booked with a beverage package after December 19, this will now cost $89 per person per day. The price hike does not affect anyone who purchased the beverage package before December 19.
The Premium beverage package has also seen a significant increase. Available for all drinks that have a menu price of up to $17, the new price is $109 per person per day, up from $84 per person per day.
For that $109, guests can enjoy premium spirits such as Grey Goose and Belvedere Vodka, whiskies such as Gentleman Jack, The Glenlivet, Jack Daniel’s Black, and Macallan, and premium beers, cocktails, and wines. Guests also get a 20% discount on bottles of wine.
Last but not least, guests who have no interest in drinking alcohol can still purchase the Zero Proof Drink Package. However, this package used to cost just $25 per person daily. This has now gone up to $30 per person per day.
Included in this non-alcoholic package are premium bottled water from Evian, Perrier, and San Pellegrino; Specialty Coffees & Organic Teas; Red Bull; Frozen Smoothies and Zero Proof Cocktails; Coca-Cola selections; offerings from Vitamin Water and Bottled Iced Teas.
For all beverage packages, a 20% service charge will be added to all drink page prices at checkout.
Why Did Celebrity Raise Pricing?
As with everyone else, the cruise industry is feeling the pinch coming from rising inflation worldwide. However, Celebrity Cruises says it has made the decision to up pricing for a different reason.
“Celebrity Cruises is constantly reviewing our competitive environment, and this adjustment positions us in line with our competitors.”
In effect, the cruise line saw an opportunity after cruise lines such as Princess Cruises and Norwegian Cruise Line hiked prices recently.
Old Pricing Still Available Onboard for Now
While the prices for pre-purchased beverage packages have been raised on December 19, onboard the Celebrity Cruises ships, the old pricing will remain at the old prices until after the holiday cruises.
Celebrity Edge, Celebrity Solstice, Celebrity Equinox, Celebrity Eclipse, Celebrity Constellation, and Celebrity Infinity will implement the new pricing on January 2, 2023.
On January 3, Celebrity Beyond, Celebrity Silhouette, and Celebrity Millenium will start using the latest pricing. Then on January 4, Celebrity Summit; on January 7, Celebrity Apex; and on January 8, Celebrity Reflection.
