Cruise passengers have been urged to check one thing before buying a drinks package in order to help them cut up to £750 on their next holiday.
Whilst cruising is typically seen as a lavish way to see the world, tourists can make their trip even more special by adding on extras, with most companies selling drinks packages.
These packages allow customers to have an unlimited amount of soft or alcoholic drinks of their choice at any bar located throughout the ship for free.
To many, the deal sounds particularly tempting, however Jenni Fielding, a cruising holiday influencer who typically goes by the name Cruise Mummy, suggested passengers take care before buying the extra.
In a blog post on her website, Jenni wrote: “I’ve worked in the cruise industry since 2015, and I’ve taken a lot of cruises. Although I do love a drink (or seven), I’m also pretty frugal. Every time I book a cruise, I do the maths and work out whether to buy the drinks package or not. So far, I’ve bought one on 50 % of my cruises.”
According to the expert, passengers should consider a number of factors before they decide whether to buy a drinks package offered by the cruise line, including how many different types the company offers.
In addition to the most expensive packages, which allow passengers to order any drink available on the ship without incurring an additional charge, many now offer niche packages for lower prices.
Tourists should start by checking what drinks are included in each package and how many of them they plan to drink each day they are on board – including during port days, where most of their time will be spent off the ship.
Cruise Mummy also recommended that passengers check how much drinks typically cost on board for tourists who do not have a drinks package.
Whilst it may be tempting to opt for a package, some cruise lines already offer drinks at very reasonable prices, meaning that passengers would need to order a large number to justify the cost.
To help passengers weigh up the difference, Cruise Mummy’s website features a ‘drinks package calculator’, which can show which option would be cheaper in the long run.
