As someone who loves to indulge in a good drink or two while on vacation, I was intrigued when I heard about Fred Olsen’s all-inclusive drinks package upgrade. The idea of having access to a wide range of drinks without having to worry about the cost definitely appeals to my desire for freedom and relaxation. However, I also know that these packages can come with a hefty price tag, so I wanted to do some research and figure out if the upgrade is really worth it.
In this article, I’ll be diving into all the details of the Fred Olsen All-Inclusive Upgrade, including what’s included, the cost and duration, what’s covered and excluded, premium options, other packages, booking and availability, and ultimately, whether or not it’s worth it for your cruise experience.
So, grab a drink (or maybe wait until you’ve read the article) and let’s explore whether or not the Fred Olsen all-inclusive drinks package is truly worth the investment.
- The All-Inclusive Upgrade for drinks on Fred Olsen cruises costs £24.99 per person, per night for cruises lasting six nights or more, and £35 per person, per night for shorter cruises or Speciality Sailings.
- The package includes selected house wines and spirits, selected beers and ciders, a cocktail or mocktail of the day, and soft drinks. Premium drinks can be purchased at 50% off.
- The upgrade does not include wines by the bottle, premium beers and wines, the full range of cocktails and mocktails, bottled water, champagne, Prosecco, and dessert wines.
- The package can be recouped for around 4-5 alcoholic drinks per day, making it worth it for those who intend to drink on their cruise, especially for beer drinkers. However, it may not be worth it for those who only have occasional cocktails or stick to soft drinks.
What’s Included
So, what’s included in the Fred Olsen All Inclusive Upgrade? Well, for £24.99 per person, per night on cruises lasting six nights or more, I can enjoy a wide variety of drink options.
The package includes selected house wines and spirits, selected beers and ciders, a daily cocktail or mocktail, and soft drinks. Tea and coffee are also included in restaurants and buffet areas.
Compared to other cruise lines, the Fred Olsen All Inclusive Upgrade offers a great drink selection without breaking the bank. While some premium drinks are not included, 50% off is given for these options when the package is purchased.
The upgrade is definitely worth it for those who plan on drinking during their cruise, especially for beer drinkers. It also provides a set cost for drinks, eliminating the need to worry about individual prices.
Cost and Duration
I can’t help but consider the duration and cost when deciding on whether to purchase the package for drinks on my cruise with Fred Olsen. The All Inclusive Upgrade costs £24.99 per person, per night on cruises lasting six nights or more, and £35 per person, per night for shorter cruises or Specialty Sailings. This means that for a week-long cruise, the upgrade will cost an additional £174.93 per person. While this may seem like a lot, it’s important to consider the value that the package provides.
To help put things into perspective, I’ve created a table comparing the cost of the All Inclusive Upgrade to individual drink prices on board. As you can see, the cost of the package can be recouped for around 4-5 alcoholic drinks per day. This means that the package may be more cost-effective for those who enjoy multiple drinks per day. When comparing Fred Olsen’s All Inclusive Upgrade to competitors, it’s important to note that the package is competitively priced and offers a great value for those who intend to drink on their cruise. However, for those who only have occasional cocktails or stick to soft drinks, the package may not be worth it. There are alternatives to the All Inclusive Upgrade, such as booking individual drinks or purchasing one of the champagne or wine packages offered by Fred Olsen.
| Drink | Individual Price | Cost with Upgrade |
|---|---|---|
| House Wine | £5.25 | Included |
| Beer/Cider | £3.95 | Included |
| Cocktail/Mocktail of the Day | £5.95 | Included |
| Soft Drink | £2.10 | Included |
| Premium Drink | £varies | 50% off |
What’s Covered
When considering the package for drinks on my Fred Olsen cruise, it’s important to understand what is covered.
The All-Inclusive Upgrade includes selected house wines and spirits, selected beers and ciders, a cocktail or mocktail of the day, and soft drinks. Tea and coffee are also included in restaurants and buffet areas.
However, it’s important to note that the upgrade does not include premium drinks like wines by the bottle, champagne, Prosecco, and dessert wines.
When compared to other cruise lines, Fred Olsen’s All-Inclusive Upgrade offers a more comprehensive drink selection than some of its competitors. The upgrade also provides a set cost for drinks, avoiding the need to worry about individual prices.
As someone who enjoys multiple drinks per day, the upgrade is worth it for me. However, for those who only have occasional cocktails or stick to soft drinks, the package may not be as cost-effective.
Exclusions
It’s unbelievable that the drinks package doesn’t cover premium drinks like wines by the bottle, champagne, Prosecco, and dessert wines, but it’s important to keep in mind that 50% off is given for these drinks when the upgrade is purchased. As someone who enjoys a glass of wine or a bottle of champagne every now and then, this limitation is disappointing. However, I can see why Fred Olsen has excluded these drinks from the package. They are likely more expensive and may not be as popular as the other drinks included in the package.
To emphasize this point, here’s a table that shows the drinks included in the All Inclusive Upgrade and their respective prices if purchased separately:
| Drink | Price |
|---|---|
| House Wine | £4.10 |
| House Spirit | £3.90 |
| Beer/Cider | £3.90 |
| Cocktail/Mocktail of the Day | £4.50 |
| Soft Drink | £1.95 |
As you can see, the drinks included in the package are reasonably priced, and the upgrade can save you money if you plan to drink frequently on your cruise. If you’re not interested in the included drinks or want to indulge in premium options, there are alcohol alternatives available, such as the champagne and wine packages. These packages offer a variety of wines and champagnes at a discounted price, and they can be purchased separately before sailing.
Premium Options
The champagne and wine packages offered by Fred Olsen provide a range of premium options at discounted prices. For those who enjoy a glass of bubbly, the Silver Champagne Package is a great option, offering four bottles of house champagne for £79, which works out to just under £20 per bottle.
The Gold Champagne Package steps things up a notch, with four bottles of premium champagne for £159, while the Platinum Champagne and Wine Package offers two bottles of premium champagne and four bottles of premium wine for £199. At the top end, the Diamond Champagne and Wine Package includes four bottles of premium champagne and six bottles of premium wine for £288.
When it comes to beer, Fred Olsen offers a range of options, from standard lagers like Carling and Fosters to more premium brands like Peroni and Corona. Comparing the prices of these beers on the ship, it’s clear that the All-Inclusive Upgrade is worth it for beer drinkers.
As a pint of Carling costs £4.20 without the upgrade, while a pint of Peroni costs £4.50. With the upgrade, however, both of these beers are included, allowing guests to enjoy as many pints as they like without worrying about the cost.
Other Packages
While the All-Inclusive Upgrade may be the best choice for those who plan on drinking throughout their cruise, Fred Olsen also offers other packages for those who have more specific preferences. These packages include the Silver, Gold, Platinum, and Diamond Champagne and Wine Packages, with prices ranging from £79 to £288 depending on the package chosen.
These packages offer a more premium selection of drinks and can be purchased before the cruise. They provide a set cost for drinks and may be more cost-effective for those who prefer higher-end options. Comparison with competitors and customer reviews show that Fred Olsen’s package options are competitive and well-received by guests.
Booking and Availability
When I booked my Fred Olsen cruise, I didn’t want to take any chances with the drinks package. I knew it was a popular option, so I made sure to reserve it in advance.
Booking flexibility is important, but I didn’t want to risk being disappointed by last-minute availability issues. By booking ahead of time, I was able to secure the package and avoid any last-minute stress.
Although it’s possible to book the All-Inclusive Upgrade on the ship, I didn’t want to take the chance of it being sold out. I also preferred to have the cost of my drinks accounted for before the cruise even began.
Booking in advance gave me peace of mind and made budgeting for my trip easier. While booking last minute can be tempting for the flexibility it offers, I recommend reserving the drinks package early to ensure availability and avoid any unnecessary stress.
Is It Worth It?
Honestly, I’m not sure if the drinks package is the best choice for me. While it may be worth it for some, I’m not a big drinker and tend to stick to soft drinks. However, after some research and consideration, I’ve come up with a list of pros and cons to help me make a decision.
Pros:
- The set cost for drinks eliminates the need to worry about individual prices, making budgeting easier.
- The 50% discount on premium drinks is a great perk for those who enjoy higher-end beverages.
- Compared to other cruise lines, the Fred Olsen All-Inclusive Upgrade is reasonably priced.
Cons:
- The package may not be worth it for those who only have occasional cocktails or stick to soft drinks.
- The upgrade must be paid for the duration of the cruise, tying guests into the package for the entirety of their trip.
- Some drinks, such as bottled water and premium wines, are not included in the package and must be purchased separately.
After weighing the pros and cons, I think the drinks package may be worth it for me. While I don’t plan on drinking heavily, the set cost for drinks and discount on premium beverages make it a good value. Additionally, compared to other cruise lines, the Fred Olsen All-Inclusive Upgrade is reasonably priced.
Are there any restrictions on where the All-Inclusive Upgrade can be used on the ship?
I was thrilled to learn that the all-inclusive upgrade on Fred Olsen ships can be used in any bar or restaurant. However, exclusions like premium drinks and bottled water do apply.
Can the drinks package be shared between guests?
Sharing drinks on a cruise is a great way to split costs and enjoy the experience with friends. However, it’s important to consider group dynamics and drinking etiquette before offering to share your drinks package with others.
Is there a limit to the number of drinks that can be consumed per day with the All-Inclusive Upgrade?
I tested the All-Inclusive Upgrade and found no limit to daily consumption. The package is an all inclusive value for those who plan on drinking frequently during their cruise.
Does Fred Olsen offer any non-alcoholic drink options with the All-Inclusive Upgrade?
Yes, Fred Olsen’s All-Inclusive Upgrade includes non-alcoholic options such as soft drinks, tea, and coffee in restaurants and buffet areas. It’s a great value for those who enjoy multiple drinks per day.
Is there a way to track how much has been spent on drinks with the All-Inclusive Upgrade?
Yes, there is a way to track spending with the All-Inclusive Upgrade on Fred Olsen cruises. The upgrade benefits include a receipt for each purchase and the ability to check the balance at any bar or restaurant.