Topic: Celebrity Eclipse

We are going on a Baltic cruise in 2011 on the Eclipse. Never been cruising before and rapidly becoming confused. Please help, its our Ruby Wedding present to each other so we hope for a really special time. Drinks pacages are they worth it if so which one? We like soft drinks ,coffee, wine and the odd G ndT! Also it seems excursions are pricey too, St Petersburg seems a must are others worth it? Saving hard for this holiday and grateful for some experienced we just want to get it right. Any tips for novice sailors thanks

I am also doing this cruise next year.

Personally I don't think the package is worth it. I checked my bar bill for a two week Celebrity cruise this year and it was £600 . The drinks package would work out at over £800 if my calculations are correct.[ For two passengers].

Water, lemon squash, iced tea,fruit punch and hot beverages are complimentary anyway.
A bottle of wine is around £22 and if you don't drink it all they will have it waiting on the table the following night.

The drinks packages may be worth considering:
Classic package - drinks up to $8. Cost $44.85 per person per day
Premium package - drinks up to $12. Cost $56.35 per person per day.

These cover all drinks up to the prices specified including cocktails, spirits, wine by the glass, with the exception of beer on the Classic package it only covers beer up to $5.

If you drink Wine with your meal, you can easily spend $40 per night on a bottle of wine. With the package, you can of course order wine by the glass providing its within the correct price range on your drinks package. Regular Coffee is FOC but the packages includes specialty coffees such as Latte and Cappuccino which would normally be charged and bottles of water.

The premium package is only worth it if you like the special premium blend of whisky or brandy and the more expensive martini cocktails.

The packages do not cover items from the mini bar nor drinks order via Room Service. Its really up to you to try and work out whether its of value to you - for example wine by the glass is around $7 to $8. A Gin &Tonic $6.50. There is a full price list of drinks posted somewhere on the forum if you search for it.

Don’t forget you can take two bottles of wine on board per stateroom on Embarkation day only.

QUOTE:

We are going on a Baltic cruise in 2011 on the Eclipse. Never been cruising before and rapidly becoming confused. Please help, its our Ruby Wedding present to each other so we hope for a really special time. Drinks pacages are they worth it if so which one? We like soft drinks ,coffee, wine and the odd G ndT! Also it seems excursions are pricey too, St Petersburg seems a must are others worth it? Saving hard for this holiday and grateful for some experienced we just want to get it right. Any tips for novice sailors thanks

Have a look at my rolling review covering the Celebrity Solstice class ships and apart from what they look like there is an up-to-date price list for the drinks they serve. http://billblyth.co.uk/SolsticeClass.html

Are the drinks packages plus 15% or is it included ?

I am still trying to work out how a couple could spend £800+ in two weeks but I suppose it must be possible !

As far as I am aware the prices I have quoted include the grats.

I don't think the packages are worthwhile unless you can drink at least the daily charge. we usually drink a bottle of wine between us for the first few nights then the wine lasts 2 nights. we will have a couple of other drinks each night and our bill is usually about $400.
tea, coffee, water and Americian lemonade are on tap in the self-service restaurant 24/7. you can also order from room service anytime for free.
look up Bill's rolling review and this will give you a good idea on what you are going to spend.
hope you have a great cruise. we are on the Eclipse in Sept and cannot wait as she looks such a beautiful ship, and we so enjoy Celebrity.

Thankyou everyone it's good to get experienced views. They are so helpful what a good site this is .I am sure I will have lots more questions at the moment I am just enjoying the research I can't believe we are actually going on a cruise and the Eclipse sounds great . I look forward to reading more of your tips and experiences.

St Petersburg is much better and cheaper booked with one of the Russian companies. Do not worry about a visa, the tour company include you in a group one. Look in the Q/A section re St Pete's or just enter St Petersburg in search and you will learn all you need to know about local run excursions. Trust me (and loads of others on this site), you won't be disappointed. For the record, we used Alla tours last year and had a wonderful time.

Hi

It depends how much you drink - with a martini at $10 plus tax and a beer at $6 or $7 - we are seriously considering the package. Going to check out what we spend on the next one and will then add up whether its worth it or not

Jan