Unlimited alcohol and beer packages announced

Caribbean resorts excel at our favorite budget ménage a trios - food, alcohol and accommodation all rolled into one sweet price. Cruises allow you to nibble and cuddle for one price but add ons for sipping can kill your vacation budget.

Celebrity Cruise Alcohol PackagesCelebrity is getting in on the threesome fun. This week they announced a per-night alcohol package that allows guest to imbibe to their heart's content.

Pre-selecting beer, wine or alcohol packages isn't news. Typically, you'll receive a discount incentive (5 bottles for the price of 4, for example). Pre-paid soda packages across all cruise lines are unlimited for the duration of your cruise, but Celebrity is the first to mirror this offering for alcohol.

Before you belly up to the bar, have a closer look at the tab. The beer package is $34.50 per day per person from a set menu of domestic and imported beers. Less expensive beers outweigh pricier imports. Liquor packages start at $51.50 per night ($76 for premium spirits).

To get your money's worth, count on 5-7 beers per day. If drinking that much beer each day for a week (or longer) doesn't faze you, consider port days when you're drinking on land and only return in time for your evening meal - still have to fit all that beer in. Don't forget to factor in wine with your meal and maybe a fancy cocktail once in a while.

According to Celebrity spokespeople, the packagesSipping & Sailing were priced and organized based on what cruisers are already drinking... Apparently Budweiser drinkers who consume copious amounts each day populate Celebrity cruises, right?

While we applaud Celebrity for being  bold and venturing into this seemingly risqué territory, we wonder who's getting the best end of this deal. Clearly the set price and flexibility of choice is weighted heavily in Celebrity's favour.

And we have to wonder about packages priced so high - will it entice cruisers to drink more just to get their money's worth. Sounds like a lot more evacuating the dance floor, and not because Cascada's in the house.

If you missed your chance in college, Celebrity's ménage a trios might be worth checking out - after all you're more experienced and know what you want now.

Personally, I need a drink.