Searching for Best Chocolate Martini at Sea

click images to enlarge

Started on Celebrity Constellation

In 2001 we sailed on Celebrity Constellation to the Baltic - at least we began the cruise.  We'd spent two nights in London pre-cruise and boarded the ship.   We had planned a private excursion in St. Petersburg, Russia with folks we met online. Shortly after sailing, the phone rang in our cabin - it was my niece with bad news.   My mom had passed away.  Our cruise was about to end abruptly.  BTW, this is an excellent reason to purchase travel insurance.

Since we had the tickets for the Russia excursion, we contacted the others that were going with us.   We broke the news to them that we'd be disembarking at the first port of call, Oslo.  Immediately, they said, come meet us for a drink in the Martini Bar.   I'd never had martinis before, but agreed.

This is where I had my first chocolate martini.   I don't have any pictures - we weren't really in the mood as you might imagine.   From that point on, I've tried chocolate martinis on most cruises. I think to myself "Mom this one's for you."   I'm pictured above 3 years later when we concluded our trip on Constellation.

Most Memorable Martinis

We sailed on Celebrity Century in 2007, right after it was refurbished. An ice bar was added which served martinis. Once again we met a group of passengers online and we'd meet with them each night before dinner.

We'll never forget the bartender, Leo, and his assistant, Enrico. The first night I ordered a chocolate martini and I told Enrico that I liked them to be creamy. Leo made the perfect chocolate martini. They wrote our names in the ice bar and from then on, they knew us by name each evening. We didn't even have to give them our room key - they already would have the receipt filled out with our information. The tables and chairs would be arranged for our little group, awaiting our arrival.

One night, we didn't show up for our pre-dinner cocktail. When they saw us later that evening, they told us they were all concerned. It turned out that we'd made dinner reservations at one of the specialty dining venues at our usual meeting time.

Sometimes we'd arrive early and Leo wasn't there. Enrico would try to make the chocolate martini but he just couldn't get the proportions correct, and he'd say we'd have to wait until Leo arrived. Memories like this are priceless. Their friendly service has stuck with us all these years. Enrico had previously been a butler, but when there were no openings when his contract was renewed, he took this new role. We are so happy that he did.

Some Top Contenders

Here are some of our favorite chocolate martinis. Three of them are from the Royal Caribbean family of cruise lines - Royal (Allure of the Seas), Celebrity (Century), Azamara (Journey). The final entry here: Carnival Triumph.

We've started a Pinterest board, "Margaritas, Martinis, & More" where we will post some of our favorite martinis and other drink creations from our cruise vacations.

What's Your Favorite 

Do you like chocolate martinis as well?  Perhaps you'd like to join us in our quest to find the perfect one onboard a cruise ship.

New Favorite Is Born

Celebrity Edge had an extensive martini menu but they didn't have my favorite milky Chocolate Martini.   We did try the Snowflake Martini which is made with Grey Goose Vanilla, White Chocolate, Heavy Cream, Liqueur, and Creme Cocoa.  It was a close second to my traditional choice. If you ask, they will make the traditional martinis that aren't on the menu as well.

Since we had the premium drink package, martinis were included. Each night we experimented with several different martinis   My new favorite is the Coconut Cream-Tini.   It's made with Bacardi, Coco Lopez and Vanilla.   Other favorites included  Bananas Foster and Toffee Apple.  The image to the right has just a sampling of the many choices on their martini menu. 

Make sure to check out the rest of our Martini Bar pictures from Celebrity Edge.

(Updated 10/16/21)

In less than a month we will be sailing on Celebrity Apex, sister ship of Edge.  We can't wait to be sharing martinis with our friends in their atrium bar.  Be sure to watch our blog and social media platforms for our latest quest for the best chocolate martini at sea.

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Understanding Cruise Beverage Packages

Drink Packages Comparison Chart 

This chart shows a comparison of several similar drink packages on popular cruise lines. The choice is yours whether to go with a package or a la carte pricing.  This post will discuss some of the factors that will weigh into your decision.  Your travel professional can offer some additional guidance.

Before we get into the pros & cons, you need to understand that not all beverage packages are alike. You will want to ask for the current package pricing options. Sometimes there are discounts available if you purchase them prior to your cruise. But, the most important question will undoubtedly be "Is a Package Right For You on This Cruise?"

Common Considerations

Most packages have a maximum number of drinks allowed each day of your cruise. In most cases, that's around 15 drinks. That sounds like a lot of drinks, and for some people it would be, but keep in mind it may include soda, bottled water, and specialty coffees as well as beer, wine, and cocktails.

Your beverage consumption habits will dictate the value you will get on a daily basis. Soda will be around $1.50 while some cocktails and wine will be $13 or more. There is also a maximum drink price which varies by cruise line, so you could still end up with a bar tab over and above the package depending on your drink selection and the number of drinks you order on a given day.

Let's Do Some Math

You can see from the chart that most packages average around $60.  Figuring 15 drinks per day, that gives us a $4 per drink cost.  The more drinks that you purchase priced over $4, the larger the value you receive by selecting the package over pay as you go pricing.

Cruise Length & Itinerary Impact

If you are on  a cruise with several sea days, you'll get more value with a beverage package, since you'll be spending more time onboard the ship. On the other hand, a port intensive cruise, like a Mediterranean cruise, might not offer sufficient time onboard to take advantage of a package.  The destination may also factor into the benefit realized from any beverage package.  You'll drink a lot more in hot and humid Caribbean than in Alaska.

Consider All Your Options

We've only compared the deluxe beverage options here.  Sometimes, a cheaper package may be the right choice for your cruise if you don't plan on consuming the higher end beverages.  If you drink beer, but don't think you want to consume 15 drinks a day, you might just purchase a bucket of beer or similar offer as you go.

Keep in mind that in most cases, if one passenger in the cabin purchases a package, all others in the cabin must have one as well.   Norwegian Cruise Line takes that a step further, your children, that you hid away across the hallway in an inside cabin, will also need a soda package.

Opportunity to Experiment

You are sitting poolside when you spot an exotic cocktail walking by you on its way to another passenger.   The waiter asks you if you want to try one.   If you have a beverage package, you say, sure why not.   Without a package, you might not be willing to experiment; you'd stay with your old faithful choice instead.

Hopefully we've given you a better understanding of cruise beverage packages.   We suggest keeping watch on your emails prior to your cruise because you may find an offer you just can't refuse.  Regardless of whether you purchase a package or individual drinks on your next cruise, please drink responsibly so that you and your traveling companions can have a safe and enjoyable trip.

 

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Searching for Best Chocolate Martini at Sea

click images to enlarge

Started on Celebrity Constellation

In 2003 we sailed on Celebrity Constellation to the Baltic - at least we began the cruise.  We'd spent two nights in London pre-cruise and boarded the ship.   We had planned a private excursion in St. Petersburg, Russia with folks we met online. Shortly after sailing, the phone rang in our cabin - it was my niece with bad news.   My mom had passed away.  Our cruise was about to end abruptly.

Since we had the tickets for the Russia excursion, we contacted the others that were going with us.   We broke the news to them that we'd be disembarking at the first port of call, Oslo.  Immediately, they said, come meet us for a drink in the Martini Bar.   I'd never had martinis before, but agreed.

This is where I had my first chocolate martini.   I don't have any pictures - we weren't really in the mood as you might imagine.   From that point on, I've tried chocolate martinis on most cruises. I think to myself "Mom this one's for you."   I'm pictured above 3 years later when we concluded our trip on Constellation.

Most Memorable Martinis

We sailed on Celebrity Century in 2007, right after it was refurbished. An ice bar was added which served martinis. Once again we met a group of passengers online and we'd meet with them each night before dinner.

We'll never forget the bartender, Leo, and his assistant, Enrico. The first night I ordered a chocolate martini and I told Enrico that I liked them to be creamy. Leo made the perfect chocolate martini. They wrote our names in the ice bar and from then on, they knew us by name each evening. We didn't even have to give them our room key - they already would have the receipt filled out with our information. The tables and chairs would be arranged for our little group, awaiting our arrival.

One night, we didn't show up for our pre-dinner cocktail. When they saw us later that evening, they told us they were all concerned. It turned out that we'd made dinner reservations at one of the specialty dining venues at our usual meeting time.

Sometimes we'd arrive early and Leo wasn't there. Enrico would try to make the chocolate martini but he just couldn't get the proportions correct, and he'd say we'd have to wait until Leo arrived. Memories like this are priceless. Their friendly service has stuck with us all these years. Enrico had previously been a butler, but when there were no openings when his contract was renewed, he took this new role. We are so happy that he did.

Some Top Contenders

Here are some of our favorite chocolate martinis. Three of them are from the Royal Caribbean family of cruise lines - Royal (Allure of the Seas), Celebrity (Century), Azamara (Journey). The final entry here: Carnival Triumph.

We've started a Pinterest board, "Margaritas, Martinis, & More" where we will post some of our favorite martinis and other drink creations from our cruise vacations.

What's Your Favorite 

Do you like chocolate martinis as well?  Perhaps you'd like to join us in our quest to find the perfect one onboard a cruise ship.

 

National Plan A Cruise Month Promotions 

Cruise lines are offering special promotions and pricing on popular cruises to encourage consumers to plan their next cruise vacation now. We'll be featuring promotions on our website and social media.

Choose Cruise Month (click for mini-series)

Follow Us On

        

Sign-up for Exclusive Email Offers

Where have you explored? 

Gather your travel and food pics and join us every Wednesday night for the latest installment of #FoodTravelChat