Dining on a River Cruise

What's a typical evening onboard a river cruise like? 

When we last left our exploration of a river cruise, in River Cruise Anatomy - Safety First,  we'd had our safety briefing, welcome cocktail party, and port talk from the Cruise Director.  It's now time for our first meal onboard the vessel.  We'll use our Avalon Waterways Rhine & Moselle river cruise for real examples throughout this mini-series.

click images to enlarge - more pics in albums

Dining on a River Cruise

Dining on a river cruise is very similar to the large cruise ship experience, but on a smaller scale.  

Each evening the menu will offer starters, appetizers, main courses, and desserts that are unique, as well as selections that are always available.

On Avalon, several wine and beer selections are also offered - some for free, and others at reduced pricing. Most other lines are similar.

Our Dinner Selections

• Lamb's Lettuce with Potato-Bacon Dressing
• "Zuricher Geschnetzeltes" Pan fried strips of Veal Loin in Creamy Mushroom Sauce served with Rosti Potatoes
• Classic Vanilla Custard with Berries
• Freshly Sliced Fruit

View the rest of the menu in our photo album: Artistry 2 - Embarkation Dinner

Dining Room with a View

Dining on an Avalon river cruise is open seating.  There were several different size tables for you to select from.   Pictured here was a typical table for six. 

You'll notice the large picture windows in the background.   We had a front row seat for all the action as our ship entered one of the 35 locks we'd traverse during the cruise.  If you look at the rest of the pictures in our photo album, you'll see that we were lowered quite a few feet before our ship exited the lock.  Also, the sun was setting making for an enjoyable backdrop.

The evening isn't over - stay tuned to see what's next.

 

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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.

 

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 

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.

 

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 

Best Pizza at Sea

click images to enlarge

Alfredo's Pizzeria

Princess Cruises Alfredo's Pizzeria is named for their Master Chef, Alfredo Marzi and voted "Best Pizza at Sea" by USA TODAY.  This charming sit-down venue, located mid-ship on Deck 5, offers an enticing menu of freshly prepared individual-size pizzas along with beer and wines by the glass.

Hand-Tossed Pizza

Hot Out of the Oven

The open kitchen design allows you to watch as the chefs create pizza by hand and serve them straight out of the oven.

Alfredo's isn't the only place to get pizza onboard Sapphire Princess.   Prego Pizzeria is located on Deck 14 forward.   It serves pizza by the slice to the sun worshipers hanging out on the main pool deck. 

If an individual pizza is too much for you, bring someone with you to Alfredo's and you can share.  Pictured here is the Sapphire Princess: Tomato Sauce, Fresh Mozzarella, Cherry Tomatoes, Parma Ham, and Shaved Parmesan.

Our schedule, Sunday January 21st, called for a late afternoon arrival in Penang, Malaysia.  We planned to enjoy this nice sit down pizza lunch so that we'd have something to eat before our shore excursion, which included dinner at the local hawker food stands.  We agree with USA TODAY's assessment, and highly recommend Alredo's when you are onboard a Princess ship.

Click on the image to the left for more Blog posts about this trip.

Related Album:

Sapphire Princess Dining

Additional photos can be found on our Southeast Asia Shutterfly page

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