Beer. Mug vs Pre-Buy

[ktscott01]

OK I did some math for buy bottles vs mug.

Edit. Updated to show most likely to get 20oz of beer in mugs.

Assuming you download the order form for the 16oz bottle of Bud Coors Light @ 6 bottle for $30 and I read somewhere the draft is $5.75 for light domestic.
4 day trip

Mug = $5.75 (16oz price for 20oz) + 15% tip = $6.61 or $.3306 per oz
Bottle = $5.00 (16oz) + 15% tip = $5.75 or $.3594 per oz

4 mugs a day * 88oz * 4 day trip = 352oz + [add 3 mugs over trip to bring totals closer] = 380oz
6 bottles a day * 96oz * 4 day trip = 384oz

380 * .3306 = $125.64 + $14.95 mug = $140.59 or $.3700 per oz
384 * .3594 = $138.00 = $138.00 or $.3594 per oz

$2.59 less to order bottles. So slightly cheaper to order the bottles for 4 days.

Yes bringing is the cheapest option but if you plan to drink more or prefer less carry on. Plus we can debate full pours, having a cap on a bottle, going flat, carrying the mug, etc...

 

[Quellman]

Thanks for the math calculations. It really is close.

With the notes here, it appears the mug is really only 21 oz.

You can also bring the mug or the token back on multiple cruises as well, so your savings can be greater over time. I wonder if my wife will believe me when I say it is time for another cruise so I can save more money with my beer mug?

 

[ktscott01]

Thanks for the math calculations. It really is close.

With the notes here, it appears the mug is really only 21 oz.

You can also bring the mug or the token back on multiple cruises as well, so your savings can be greater over time. I wonder if my wife will believe me when I say it is time for another cruise so I can save more money with my beer mug?

Good catch. I'll update the math.

 

[ktscott01]

21oz Math Perfect Pour (source for 21oz mugs)
Mug = $.3194oz
Bottle = $.3594oz
4 days
Mug - 18 Mugs = 378oz = $119.03 + 14.95 = 133.98 = .3544 oz
Bottle - 24 cans = 384oz = $138 = 138.00 = .3594 oz

Save $4.03 with mugs and a perfect pour.

20oz Math Assuming you will get some head on your beer.
Mug = $.3306oz
Bottle = $.3594oz
4 days
Mug - 19 Mugs = 380oz = $125.64 + 14.95 = 140.59 = .3700 oz
Bottle - 24 cans = 384oz = $138 = 138.00 = .3594 oz

Save $2.59 with cans.

 

[tigerchic89]

nice, I had no idea the prices were that close!!!

 

[phinz]

My mug has more than paid for itself over the past few years, and we've only done one 4-day cruise (and most likely never will again unless it's a b2b with a 3-day or a boat-2-boat Dream/Fantasy with a Friday night layover). On a 7-day cruise your prices will be skewed toward the mug obviously. It is interesting that the numbers are that close, but at the same time it doesn't surprise me given the short cruise.

 

[Neptune's Fork]

The other advantage of the mug is you can sample other beers with it, when you want to. With the other, you've already bought what you're going to drink. So if you like to try different ones the mug gives you that flexibility. Also that mug is heavy, so your beer won't blow off the table if you're up on deck.

 

[Sytrace]

OK I did some math for buy bottles vs mug.

Edit. See the math 3 post below. The mugs are not 22oz

Assuming you download the order form for the 16oz bottle of Bud Coors Light @ 6 bottle for $30 and I read somewhere the draft is $5.75 for light domestic.
4 day trip

Mug = $5.75 (16oz price for 22oz) + 15% tip = $6.61 or $.3006 per oz
Bottle = $5.00 (16oz) + 15% tip = $5.75 or $.3594 per or

4 mugs a day * 88oz * 4 day trip = 352oz + [add 1 mug to totals closer] = 374oz
5 bottles a day * 96oz * 4 day trip = 384oz

374 * .3006 = $112.41 + $14.95 mug = $127.36 or $.3405 per oz
384 * .3594 = $138.00 = $138.00 or $.3594 per oz

So slightly cheaper to order the mug for 4 days.

Yes bringing is the cheapest option but if you plan to drink more or prefer less carry on. Plus we can debate full pours, having a cap on a bottle, going flat, carrying the mug, etc...

The bonus in the beer mug is that you can bring it back with you on future cruises for the same refill price. I got the beer mug for my husband on cruise number 5 (7 night cruise) and he has brought it back on 5 more cruises (3 of which were 7 night cruises, and the other two were 4 night cruises) He forgot it a couple of times though...but sure loves using it at home too. He puts it in the freezer and will have a nice ice cold beer by the pool and pretend he is on the ship. It is so cute.

 

[tigerchic89]

Has anyone done the 6 for 5 battle/can package? Are those delivered to your room? Can you get a punch card type thing and order each beer in a bar/club/MDR?

 

[sandydk]

It never occurred to me that you could take the mug or token on future cruises! I was debating getting my husband a mug.

 

[ktscott01]

Here is the math for a 7 day cruise assuming you only get 20oz in the mug.

20oz Math 7 day cruise
Same starting price per oz and now over 7 days instead of 4. (I made the oz close so I added 6 mugs over the 7 days)
Mug = $.3306oz (without mug price included)
Bottle = $.3594oz
7 days
Mug - 34 Mugs = 680oz = $224.83 + 14.95 = 239.78 = .3526 oz
Bottle - 42 cans = 672oz = $241.50 = 241.50 = .3594 oz
$1.73 cheaper for the mug over the 7 days.

 

[Anchors Away 2016]

Somewhere, an accountant is very PROUD. Two different choices, nearly the same price. One will appeal to those who like the experience/taste/variety of a draft beer another that will appeal to those who like the convenience/comfort/consistency of a bottle, but either way, Disney gets almost EXACTLY the same amount of money, and that stays true over various lengths of stay and consumption levels. Plus, both options are front-loaded cost-wise so if a person ends up drinking less than they expected it doesn't cut down the expense as much.

I'm telling you, this is master-class in pricing right here.

But hey, it also gives cruisers a break over the full price and allows them to pick mugs or bottles based on what they like to drink, not the cost, so it is good for customers too.

 

[ktscott01]

Quick math says if you want Corona (or similar[meaning not light cold domestic]) the mug might be the better option. I'm taking a guess its $1 more for draft. Plus the bottles are 12oz not 16oz.
Corona (Imported) Math 4 day cruise
Mug = $.3881oz (without mug price included)
Bottle = $.4792oz
4 days
Mug - 8 Mugs = 280oz = $108.68+ 14.95 = 123.63 = .4415 oz
Bottle - 24 cans = 288oz = $138.00 = 138.00 = .4792 oz
Mugs are $14.38 cheaper over the 4 days.



If anyone has confirmed prices I can update everything.

 

[undertheradar]

I can't follow the math. The first post lists 5x16 oz = 96 oz. My math says that 5x16=80. Which number is being used to calculate the per ounce price?

 

[tigerchic89]

you pay for 5, get the 6th free. so 5x the price, 6x the volume

 

[phinz]

Don't forget that, in the end, if you bought the mug then you also get a mug to bring home if you choose to do so, but when you buy cans/bottles the only thing you get to take home is a beer belly.

 

[Drusilla99]

Has anyone done the 6 for 5 battle/can package? Are those delivered to your room? Can you get a punch card type thing and order each beer in a bar/club/MDR?

We've done the packages before. They are delivered to your room, so if you want to drink it out and about, you gave to take it with you. You also can't have glass by the pools, so you need to get a plastic cup from the bar to put it in. It was kind of a pain because we weren't going to carry beers into bars or into dinner. A punch card would have been much nicer.

 

[ktscott01]

I can't follow the math. The first post lists 5x16 oz = 96 oz. My math says that 5x16=80. Which number is being used to calculate the per ounce price?

Good catch. My mistake. The math is for 6 bottles, not 5. Corrected.

 

[MABrentwood]

This is the best thread I have read on here in awhile. Just to clarify - it is okay to use the mug token (I brought the card home, not the mug) on another cruise? I still have mine, but I was slightly afraid to be silently judged....
I guess as long a you tip all is good?

 

[phinz]

it is okay to use the mug token (I brought the card home, not the mug) on another cruise?

Yes. I've taken a card home plenty of times and brought it back, using it *literally* as soon as I boarded and crossed the lobby to Bon Voyage. No judgment whatsoever.