AI Drinks - Page 5 - Cruises, Holiday Forums

AI Drinks

tidewatching

2005-06-05 22:11:28

Hi Guys

I agree with Tracey that is is strange to have to pay for bottled water on AI when you can drown yourself in liqueurs for nothing

We got AI free after a mailshot, but saw a late deal for our trip for about £150+, so it probably didn't work out much different taking longer travelling to the offer airport into account.

I liked it as there was total relaxation, we could just order when we wanted to, and not when we didn't. So would do it again, but it would probably have to be less than £130.

I noticed there was often a lot of ice in my drinks (first time EVER had ice in drambuie) and as I usually take ages to drink anything it probably looked as though I was leaving drinks, when it was melted ice and not much else.

One cruise there were a numenr of free courtesy cabins, but all on different decks

we found one in the end, but it was barely worth the time. Another trip we paid £30.00 for a day cabin. It was only available from about 10.00 am to 4.00pm (I think). but I would definately do it again if it fitted in with flight times. If you are with someone who likes to rest or spend some time in the cabin during the day, then I think it is probably worth it. Maybe especially for an older person who just likes a bit of privacy.

Cinderella44

2005-08-20 11:07:20

ALL INCLUSIVE DRINKS PACKAGE - IS IT WORTH IT?

Hi,

We are travelling on the Jewels of the Med Cruise on 20th October onboard the Destiny. We are a party of 3 with one child. At the time of booking Cruise Control did not offer the AI upgrade and I only found out it was available when I discovered this site.

I have enquired about upgrading to AI and have been quoted £130 per adult / £65 child. Is this value for money compared to paying ad-hoc for your drinks? I am assuming that we will be quite thirsty on board and I am quite partial to a cocktail or two in the evening. My sister is also found of a glass of wine (or 6).

Can anyone confirm what happens if you buy alcohol duty free or at local prices when you disembark in port - is it confiscated and returned at the end of the voyage?

Final question - if not all inclusive, do you pay cash for your drinks each round or is there an onboard charge account set up?

Many thanks in advance if you are able to reply.

dopaisley

2005-08-20 13:03:08

Hi Cinderella44.

AI can be worth it but it depends on what you drink. It works out that you need to drink about £20 per day. The price for a pint of beer is £2.40 ish so you would need to drink 10 pints a day, a bit much for some. But if you drink cocktails ( £2.95 ) or wine ( £2.30 ) a glass, then it doesn't take long to reach the £20 mark. Also consider the coffees, Espresso,cafe latte, cappuccino etc all priced at £1.60 ish, and cans of soft drink, coke etc at About £1.

Have never seen anyone have anything confiscated and returned at the end like some cruises.

You have an on board account, payable by cash or credit card, a cashless ship( except the casino)

I always go AI, don't make a masive profit like some

, but find I break even or make a small profit, but the biggest advantage is having paid up in front, all you do is sign for your drinks, and the result comes up zero, no thinking how much have I spent is it worth another one ie freedom of choice. Well worth it for me. If you are very low consumers or teetotal then I would say it would not be worth it.

Cheers

Dave

raych

2005-08-20 14:58:44

I think you also need to take the itinery of your cruise into account as well, because on some cruises you are ashore for the whole day on excersions and will not be using your all inclusive drinks.

sugarbabe61

2005-08-20 16:26:17

We debated long and hard last year over whether to take the AI. It was £99 then. Again we calculated how many drinks, how long you would be off ship etc etc. I am not a big drinker, and hubby will enjoy a beer or 3 if I am sunbathing and wine with his meal. Eventually we made a decision just to buy the AI as at least that way you have paid up front.

I probably did drink more than I normally do, in fact no probably about it, I did drink more than ususal and it was excellent going for pre dinner gin and tonics!! Then we would have wine (by the glass of course) with our meal, onto the show after so a couple more drinks. Then after the show into the disco so even a couple more!!!!

At the end of the week we added up all our pink receipts. Total cost £260 :shock:

so we saved ourselves £60.

hbrac

2005-08-20 19:16:28

We are not drinkers but I think for the 5 of us on soft drinks for the 2 weeks the AI was well worth it.The bar waiters were always hovering asking if you wanted a drink and of course the kids could just present their cruise card at the bar and get cokes etc.We were always around the ship from lunchtime for the rest of the day and night as we did not do any long exursions.

Cinderella44

2005-08-20 20:53:39

Hi All,

Many thanks for your replies. I think we will go for it as we will probably not be on excursions all day, every day and my sister drinks like a fish!Pre-dinner drinks and cocktails sound like a good idea to soak up some of the expenditure. My daughter can knock back a few cokes when she is ready so it will be good she can go to the bar by herslef and not need me to sign a bar reciept.

Hopefully the weather will still be warm enough to make us hot and thirsty so we get our moneys worth. Now the decision has been made I will take on the hurdle of getting through to Cruise Control to add on the upgrade.

Nat*

2005-08-22 17:54:44

The AI Package is well worth it! Whether you are by the pool or in the show lounge you can just get a drink without worrying bout how much it will cost etc! and its great for the kids too! They just hand in their card and sign the paper slip! easy! xxx

fatandy1942

2005-08-25 07:51:11

I always try and get the free AI by booking early, this year I have had to pay for it, but when you think a soft drink costs almost a pound, it soon adds up if you are a soft drink junkie.

I like an alcoholic drink too, but find the money really goes on soft drinks.

Its definately worth it, and it looks good when the ship bill is posted under your door looking at all those zero's whereas normally they would be costing you.

Andy

Nat*

2005-08-25 08:04:02

Very true andy! and certainly on a hot day you wouldnt want to be spending loads on soft drinks when you could have the AI Package and have as much as you want without worrying about the cost!! xxx

fatandy1942

2005-08-25 08:46:04

lol

and then still get bladdered in the evening

:twisted:

Nat*

2005-08-25 08:47:09

if you wish! :glynis

fatandy1942

2005-08-25 09:21:20

hic

:yuck

Would cover the experience

Nat*

2005-08-25 09:24:01

lol

Edited by Nat* 2006-03-11 18:07:59

maureenl

2005-08-25 23:24:39

Just back from the destiny and yes the ai is definalty worth it as its so hot during the day and you need to keep up the fluid intake.

Maureen

Helo

2005-08-26 18:19:53

We had the AI and i would recommend it as you dont worry about how much the drinks cost. The children ordered their own drinks and enjoyed trying the kids cocktails and as it was hot went through alot of coke etc.

I am sure you drink more when you go AI but it was nice trying the cocktail of the day and having a glass of wine with meals.
Most drinks are included.

Simon B

2005-08-27 15:21:00

I agree well worth it. I think i must of drunk at least 100 pints over the 2 weeks plus god knows how many cocktails and wine (starting to sound like an alcoholic now, lol)

neknit

2005-09-03 18:45:41

Worth every penny

maureenl

2005-09-03 22:25:50

Just remeber to order your wine by the glass not the bottle. Our son clocked up at least £100 worth of soft drinks that included many of the virgin cocktails which were delicious.

You wil find that you will drink a lot of soft drinks through the day and at £1 a time they will soon tally up. You need to pay for your water (bottled) hope you have a great cruise we did.

Maureen :glynis

Nat*

2005-09-04 07:35:49

The virgin cocktails are delicious!! :lol:

and as you say Maureen, whilst sitting by the pool you will want a few drinks and it could be an expensive holiday without the AI!!!

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