One of the pre-cruise dilemmas that every cruise planner faces is whether he or she should book MSC Cruises drink packages or should pay for each drink directly at the bar tab. And it is mostly connected with the double thoughts that is your pocket will have to suffer, or you are making a smart travel move to go with this package. So to help you out to come out of this situation we have explained each and every important details related to the cruise lines drink packages below.
MSC has streamlined over the past little while. The old Easy and Easy Plus packages have been eliminated and if you book now the following will be what's available:
One of the major point that you should remember is that Premium Extra Package is already included in your fare when you have booked in Yacht Club. Don't have to purchase it as an individual product. All the rest choose based on exactly how they intend to use the onboard drinking water, rather than how they think they "should" drink.
That's where things start to get a little confused, though, as the price is variable and depends on the specifics of your sailboat, sailing distance, location and booking time. Here is an approximation of the average price you can expect to pay (gross):
|
Package |
Approx. Price (per person/day) |
Best for |
|
Premium Extra |
$60–$100 |
Regular drinkers, cocktail and wine fans |
|
Alcohol-Free |
$20–$35 |
Non-drinkers, families, designated drivers |
|
Minors |
Lower flat rate, varies by sailing |
Kids and teens |
There are a few points to note about this table: The expense increases nearer your sail date and on-board purchases are invariably more expensive than off-board.
The deal packages offered by MSC's frequently come with discounts of 20–40%, and booking a MSC drink package well in advance instead of at the bar is often the better deal.
It is also best to log in to your MyMSC account prior to sailing as pricing opportunities will often only be noticed once signed in.
The Premium Extra Package is actually very extensive. It applies to any beverage that costs up to $16, and in reality most of the items found on a bar's menu:
What it does not cover, however, is a shorter, but important list:
If an item, such as a drink, you order exceeds the maximum, you are not responsible for paying the entire item, you only have to pay the maximum minus the item's cost. A small, but killer nugget of trivia, as some other lines will bill you the full amount when you cross even one dollar over.
It is the most crucial part where most people overlook - and then at check-in get caught out. There are a few basic rules that will apply throughout:
Your cruise experience will be much more smoother and memorable once you have clear knowledge about these rules.
The goal of offering MSC drink packages is to help make the experience on their ships more convenient, predictable and enjoyable. For those who enjoy a morning cup of coffee, a cocktail on the poolside or a glass of wine while taking in dinner, a trip package can help eliminate a lot of the uncertainty behind vacation spending.
Some of the significant reasons for buying a drink package prior to sailing:
One of the greatest rewards may be not only the potential saving, but it's also about not having to think about what's available and affordable or how much it costs all the time.
The decision to go for an MSC drink package depends on your drinking preferences and the way you plan to travel. If you take cocktails, wine, beer, specialty coffees and soft drinks all day long, the Premium Extra Package may be an effective method of saving money and convenience. Lighter drinkers could, on the other hand, save money if they choose to pay on the spot. The answer is to come up with a realistic idea of how much you are spending on each drink and compare it to the price of the package before you book it.