Vibrantvirgo81 Posted September 24, 2016 #1 Share Posted September 24, 2016 I just read on another board that they give out welcome drinks (in souvenir cups) but they aren't free and don't really tell you that beforehand. Is that accurate? Also, if I get the drink package would it be included? Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cruiser Who Knows Nothing Posted September 24, 2016 #2 Share Posted September 24, 2016 (edited) Never mind. Edited September 24, 2016 by Cruiser Who Knows Nothing Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruzelover55 Posted September 24, 2016 #3 Share Posted September 24, 2016 I just read on another board that they give out welcome drinks (in souvenir cups) but they aren't free and don't really tell you that beforehand. Is that accurate? Also, if I get the drink package would it be included? Sent from my iPhone using Forums NO, the drinks in any sort of souvenir glasses are not included in the Cheers! package. And, NO they are not free. They greet you as you board and have them on a tray, but are not free. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BallFour4 Posted September 25, 2016 #4 Share Posted September 25, 2016 (edited) I just read on another board that they give out welcome drinks (in souvenir cups) but they aren't free and don't really tell you that beforehand. Is that accurate? Also, if I get the drink package would it be included? Sure they tell you.They are bar waiters. On some NYE cruises we've been handed champagne on deck, but free drinks when boarding a Carnival ship hasn't been an option, and we go back to 1976 on the Mardi Gras. . Edited September 25, 2016 by BallFour4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Domino D Posted September 25, 2016 #5 Share Posted September 25, 2016 (edited) I just read on another board that they give out welcome drinks (in souvenir cups) but they aren't free and don't really tell you that beforehand. Is that accurate? Also, if I get the drink package would it be included? Sent from my iPhone using Forums It's true they have welcome drinks in souvenir cups It's true they aren't free It is not true they do not tell you in advance They will walk up and ask you if you would like a welcome drink. If you say yes they will ask you for your card to charge your account. I suppose they don't open with "Would you like a $9.00 drink" but it's not like they let you drink it and then charge you, nor do they try in any way to act like the drinks are free. When the guy at the stadium says "Ice cold beer", I don't assume they are complimentary. Edited September 25, 2016 by Domino D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vibrantvirgo81 Posted September 25, 2016 Author #6 Share Posted September 25, 2016 Domino D thank you! The other post I read implied they were sneaky about it. I thought it was a bit exaggerated but ya never know sometimes! Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
funinthesun1964 Posted September 25, 2016 #7 Share Posted September 25, 2016 (edited) I just read on another board that they give out welcome drinks (in souvenir cups) but they aren't free and don't really tell you that beforehand. Is that accurate? Also, if I get the drink package would it be included? Sent from my iPhone using Forums I haven't been on a ship where I've seen the souvenir cups in quite some time. Mostly now they are just in a regular glass. I suppose it can still depend on the ship. There are waiters on embarkation day on the Lido deck, where you are instructed to go straight away to have your lunch. These drink waiters are carrying around "fun ship special" drinks on their trays and will come around as you are eating your lunch and will ask if you would like one. They are not advertised in any way as free. In fact, some of the waiters will have a card standing on their trays also that advertises "drink of the day - Fun Ship Special" and the cost. Carnival has a drink of the day every day on Lido, but they are certainly not free. I have heard of Christmas and New Years' week Carnival cruises where you are handed a glass of champagne at no charge, but this is only what I've heard, not experienced myself. Not sure if it is even still happening. If the drink comes in a regular glass though, yes it would be included in the drink package. Have fun on your cruise. Edited September 25, 2016 by funinthesun1964 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare jimbo5544 Posted September 25, 2016 #8 Share Posted September 25, 2016 I haven't been on a ship where I've seen the souvenir cups in quite some time. Mostly now they are just in a regular glass. I suppose it can still depend on the ship. There are waiters on embarkation day on the Lido deck, where you are instructed to go straight away to have your lunch. These drink waiters are carrying around "fun ship special" drinks on their trays and will come around as you are eating your lunch and will ask if you would like one. They are not advertised in any way as free. In fact, some of the waiters will have a card standing on their trays also that advertises "drink of the day - Fun Ship Special" and the cost. Carnival has a drink of the day every day on Lido, but they are certainly not free. I have heard of Christmas and New Years' week Carnival cruises where you are handed a glass of champagne at no charge, but this is only what I've heard, not experienced myself. Not sure if it is even still happening. If the drink comes in a regular glass though, yes it would be included in the drink package. Have fun on your cruise. It is true that they give champagne (free) when you board on NYE cruises and also on NYE itself. Highly recommend going on a NYE cruise, Sent from my iPad using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rainbowflag Posted September 25, 2016 #9 Share Posted September 25, 2016 It is true that they give champagne (free) when you board on NYE cruises and also on NYE itself. Highly recommend going on a NYE cruise, Sent from my iPad using Forums The cruise listed as a NYE which is two weeks before NYE on December 16th: Carnival Pride 12/16 (7 day New Years Eve Cruise) will there be free welcoming champagne on December 16th as well or no? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
okeytaco Posted September 25, 2016 #10 Share Posted September 25, 2016 I do believe, even with Cheers, you are charged tax on drinks until you get into open water. It's only a dollar or two. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
funinthesun1964 Posted September 25, 2016 #11 Share Posted September 25, 2016 I do believe, even with Cheers, you are charged tax on drinks until you get into open water. It's only a dollar or two. Correct, you are charged tax on drinks until open waters. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Domino D Posted September 25, 2016 #12 Share Posted September 25, 2016 Correct, you are charged tax on drinks until open waters. I'm not sure you should be on a truly "free" drink. If you are using Cheers or one of the other packages, then you are purchasing a drink, and the package does not include tax. Therefore you would have to pay tax while in US waters because you are "purchasing" a drink. There is no tax on a truly free drink. Otherwise chains like Embassy Suites would have to charge you a per drink tax. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare jimbo5544 Posted September 25, 2016 #13 Share Posted September 25, 2016 The cruise listed as a NYE which is two weeks before NYE on December 16th: Carnival Pride 12/16 (7 day New Years Eve Cruise) will there be free welcoming champagne on December 16th as well or no? I am not sure, can only speak for NYE cruises. If it was listed that that way I would guess yes Sent from my iPhone Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
funinthesun1964 Posted September 25, 2016 #14 Share Posted September 25, 2016 I'm not sure you should be on a truly "free" drink. If you are using Cheers or one of the other packages, then you are purchasing a drink, and the package does not include tax. Therefore you would have to pay tax while in US waters because you are "purchasing" a drink. There is no tax on a truly free drink. Otherwise chains like Embassy Suites would have to charge you a per drink tax. You are charged tax on drinks even if you have the Cheers package. These drinks are not free; but rather pre-paid. Yes, I agree with you that you would not be charged tax on a FREE drink. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paper1122 Posted September 25, 2016 #15 Share Posted September 25, 2016 I have seen drink waiters on RCL have their card turned around and hand people drinks, then once they take a sip they ask for their card. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tef43 Posted September 25, 2016 #16 Share Posted September 25, 2016 Way way way back in the day, Carnival had a "welcome aboard rum swizzle party," where they were free. NOT during embarkation however. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shipbound2 Posted September 25, 2016 #17 Share Posted September 25, 2016 I'm not sure you should be on a truly "free" drink. If you are using Cheers or one of the other packages, then you are purchasing a drink, and the package does not include tax. Therefore you would have to pay tax while in US waters because you are "purchasing" a drink. There is no tax on a truly free drink. Otherwise chains like Embassy Suites would have to charge you a per drink tax. Number one nothing is free on a CCL cruise, however I've found the welcome drinks are pretty strong I guess that is done to get passengers fired up but drinks on other days seen to be weaker and I have complained, if you are paying 10 dollars plus for a drink it should have a kick. Gary Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sanmarcosman Posted September 25, 2016 #18 Share Posted September 25, 2016 Way way way back in the day, Carnival had a "welcome aboard rum swizzle party," where they were free. NOT during embarkation however. Yes, at the Captain's Welcome Reception in the evening which was a photo op to promote the selling of photos. I never tasted any rum in the swizzles but it was a fun night and I miss it. Thanks for the memory. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare jimbo5544 Posted September 25, 2016 #19 Share Posted September 25, 2016 What would separate Carnival from any other cruise line in this regard? Actually, on NYE cruises you get free champagne when you board and on NYE (so while infrequent, there are free times). I have seen nothing different on the pours from day one to any other day....but that is just me. Sent from my iPad using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MMastell Posted September 25, 2016 #20 Share Posted September 25, 2016 Yes: You pay for the souvenir drinks. They are about $9. I haven't had one in about the last 20 or so cruises. I did have a bunch of souvenir cups at one time. They were from various cruise lines. After a few years they went for 10 cents at a garage sale. Take care, Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2wheelin Posted September 25, 2016 #21 Share Posted September 25, 2016 So if you wait until on board to purchase cheers (with gift cards) will you be charged tax on that entire amount if still in port? Would negate the saving I would think. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare jimbo5544 Posted September 25, 2016 #22 Share Posted September 25, 2016 Way way way back in the day, Carnival had a "welcome aboard rum swizzle party," where they were free. NOT during embarkation however. We started in 96, and I don't remember this even then. Sent from my iPad using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tef43 Posted September 25, 2016 #23 Share Posted September 25, 2016 (edited) We started in 96, and I don't remember this even then. 1983-1984 thereabouts. I *did* say "way way back in the day." Edited September 25, 2016 by tef43 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Domino D Posted September 25, 2016 #24 Share Posted September 25, 2016 So if you wait until on board to purchase cheers (with gift cards) will you be charged tax on that entire amount if still in port? Would negate the saving I would think. Not if you do not consume any drinks while in port. If you do drink, you would owe tax on the drinks you consume. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Domino D Posted September 25, 2016 #25 Share Posted September 25, 2016 Number one nothing is free on a CCL cruise, however I've found the welcome drinks are pretty strong I guess that is done to get passengers fired up but drinks on other days seen to be weaker and I have complained, if you are paying 10 dollars plus for a drink it should have a kick. Gary So would you prefer "Fare inclusive"? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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