Extended Weekend Getaways If you’re looking to getaway for a short period of time, whether it’s to celebrate a bachelorette party or for a big birthday milestone like a 30th or 50th, then you may be considering what you want to do or experience.
Some like the simple experiences, like a city escape, seeing all the landmarks and tourist hotspots, whilst others like to see the nightlife with an open bar readily available.
Everyone is different, and depending on the type of occasion you’re celebrating, your needs might look significantly different from those of another group of travelers.
Talking of open bar packages, are they generally worth it for short getaway trips? Well, yes, they are. It’s worth it for 2-4 days if you consume a relatively good amount of drinks within the group. They’re most cost-effective for leisurely trips with high on-board activity.
Let’s take a look at some considerations when choosing an open bar experience for your next short getaway trip.
Break-even point
Regardless of where you have your open bar package, it’s important to weigh up the cost of the open bar versus what you’d actually be drinking daily. For example, you may need to drink 4-5 cocktails or beers to justify the cost.
Soft drinks are cheaper, so if you have guests who are non-alcoholic drinkers, you might need to rely on heavier alcoholic drinkers to break even the cost everyone pays.
Convenience
Packages help to eliminate the stress of checking costs. It also offers a pay-one-price experience that, if you’ve got a group who are all like-minded when it comes to paying equally for the package, then it can work well. You may need to request different pricing, though, for the group if not everyone drinks alcohol.
Included extras
Many packages will also include extras like coffees, bottled water, and soft drinks or mocktails. That can add value for those who are not drinking heavily or don’t drink at all. It can also help justify the cost of the package to those who don’t drink, especially if there are so many additional extras available to take advantage of.
Port day exception
On shorter cruises, where this is applicable, you may not be on the ship long enough to make the package worthwhile, not unless you’re willing to drink yourself under the table every day. That also doesn’t make much fun for those around you or for your experience of the cruise itself if you don’t remember any of it.
Cost savings
Purchasing packages in advance makes it more cost-efficient than buying when you’re there.
Getting the most out of open bar packages while on a short getaway
To help maximize the use of an open bar package, here are some helpful tips worth knowing. 
- Order premium and specialty drinks
- Utilize any included activities
- Leverage the happy hours
- Maximize your daily limits where possible
- Understand any T&Cs
- Check policies on bringing your own drinks
Are open bar packages worth it? Well, for the most part, yes, they are. However, it’s good to weigh up the costs with your party before committing.
