Nearly every major cruise line offers a prepaid beverage package, allowing passengers to pay a set daily charge for a predetermined number of adult libations. Disney stands out as the one line that deliberately avoids offering a drink package, preferring instead to discourage overconsumption in what is undeniably a family-friendly cruising atmosphere.
Guests may still purchase alcoholic beverages while onboard and will find several specially themed venues for doing so. For passengers who enjoy this opportunity to unwind, the Disney Cruise beer mug, officially known as the “Disney Cruise Beer Mug Savings Package”, provides a similar cost saving alternative to drink packages offered by other lines. Here is how it works.
Overview of the Disney Cruise Line Beer Mug
Disney Cruise Line’s refillable beer mug offers guests a convenient and sustainable way to enjoy their drinks throughout the cruise. The mug’s reusable nature minimizes waste and adds a unique, themed collectible element that reflects the magic of Disney.
Introduced to enhance the onboard experience while supporting sustainability, the Disney Cruise beer mug has evolved over time in response to guest feedback. Today, the mug represents Disney’s commitment to providing sustainable options as well as a deep understanding of guest priority and interests. The Disney Cruise beer mug remains a popular collector item amongst Disney Cruise Line enthusiasts.
Disney Beer Mug Features
The Disney Cruise Line beer mug is made of glass and resembles a tall stein, though much narrower in nature. On the front is the Disney logo in red, stacked on top of the Disney Cruise Line logo in red and white.
You will generally find the same mug design onboard each of Disney’s ships. However, if you are lucky enough to sail an early voyage of a new ship, you may find a commemorative mug available. Once the existing stock is depleted, however, the ship usually reverts to the standard mug artwork.
Each mug comes with a sturdy handle, making it easy to hold, and despite being made of glass, the mug is hardy and capable of bearing up to a beating. We did, in fact, drop one once, and it survived without a scratch or chip.
Disney Cruise Refillable Beer Mug Experience and Savings
The Disney Cruise refillable beer mug offers guests a cost saving alternative to buying individual drinks, inside a keepsake souvenir. The mug holds 20 ounces, so the equivalent of a tall pour.
The Disney Cruise beer mug can be purchased nearly anywhere onboard that sells draught beer. You may also pre-purchase a mug by buying the Beer Mug Savings Package through Onboard Gifts and Amenities up to 3 days prior to sailing. I am nine months out from my next sailing on Disney Cruise lines and have already purchased our mug, knowing it will be delivered to my stateroom on embarkation day.
One question guests often ask is if the first pour is included in the cost of the mug. While, you will be asked to pay for your first pour in addition to the cost of the mug (currently $15.25), you’ll be charged the price for 16 ounces of beer in a non-souvenir mug, while receiving 20 ounces. At present that refill price equates to around $3.95 for domestic beer and $4.25 for imported beers, according to information published on the Plan Disney answer site. Each time you fill your Disney Cruise Line beer mug thereafter, you will receive 20 ounces of beer for the price of 16, in essence receiving 4 free ounces.
Guests also question whether they need to carry the mug around with them to take advantage of refills. The answer is no. When you are done with your mug at one location, you may turn it in for a token or card. The next time you wish to fill a refillable beer mug on your Disney Cruise, simply present the token. Your bartender will provide you with a fresh mug and a 20 ounce pour. On the last night of your cruise, you may return your used mug and request a fresh mug to take home with you.
You may use your Disney Cruise beer mug for a wide variety of draught beer. While selections can vary by sailing, you’ll usually find popular brands like Budweiser, Blue Moon and Samuel Adams. You may also use your mug for any hard cider on draught.
When using the Disney Beer Mug Savings Package, it’s important to keep in mind that refillable mugs may only be used at bars and restaurants onboard your ship. You may not receive refills while visiting ports, even Disney’s own islands, Castaway Cay and Lighthouse Point.
Maximizing Your Disney Cruise Beer Mug Savings
The Disney cruise beer mug is designed to be both a souvenir and a savvy way to manage onboard drink costs. By using this collectible mug instead of buying individual beverages, guests can avoid the higher cumulative expense of purchasing single drinks throughout the cruise.
To maximize your savings, it helps to adopt a few smart strategies. First, consider pre-ordering your Disney Cruise refillable beer mug as soon as you book your cruise. Doing so offers a price protection guarantee. Should Disney increase the price of the mug, something that happens when beer suppliers raise their prices, you will already be locked in for the lower cost.
Next, be sure to use the mug anytime you order an eligible drink, to take full advantage of the available cost savings. Over the course of your cruise, these costs can quickly add up.
When planning your Disney Cruise budget, be sure to keep gratuities in mind. While all guests do pay an automatic daily gratuity for serving staff and stateroom attendants, the funds are not shared with bartenders. That’s why you’ll see a 15% gratuity added to all bar tabs, including Disney cruise beer mug refills.
Is a Disney Cruise Beer Mug Worth the Cost of Purchase?
Whether you will get your money’s worth out of purchasing a Disney Cruise Beer Mug Savings Package depends on your own consumption habits as well as the length of your cruise. Since you receive 20% more beer each time you refill your mug, you’ll break even when purchasing your fourth beer at current pricing.
This is where the length of your cruise comes in. While a traveler who only drinks a beer a day would never consume 4 beers on a 3-night cruise, that same one-beer-a-day traveler would consume enough alcohol over the course of a 7-night cruise to justify the cost.
When considering whether a Disney Cruise beer mug purchase is worth it, also take into consideration the value of the souvenir mug and whether you might take it back again with you on subsequent cruises. Determining the answers to these questions will help you estimate the total value of the Disney Cruise Beer Mug Savings Program and how you will benefit.
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