beofotch

Hello All - thank you for taking the time to share your opinions and experiences. It is great to validate, that even though contrary to what we were hoping, that it is clear there are no exceptions in fact and in actual anecdotes. I can explain to them that is the reality of the situation and that I can offer them as my gift the on board credit equivalent of the cheers package for 1.

Here are a couple updates:

1) I should have mentioned in the OP that I called Carnival and a Travel Agent a few days ago when reflecting on this. For them the Inside 4B for all 5 came to $1690 all-in. The cheapest 2 cabin configuration was $2,200 since for some reason they didn't do 3 people in 4Bs and so it had to be for a higher cabin class (although still inside). Thus they are looking at $600 more for split cabins with a $300 savings on the unused Cheers package.

2) They normally go to the beach and cram many family members in a room and have no reservations about the tight quarters.

3) They value on their vacation the chance to let loose and a splurge like a Cheers package is something they never get to enjoy in their day to day and would truly make this special and remarkable for them.

Overall what an amazing day and age we live in when a modest family can enjoy something as spectacular as transit to tropical places, food and drink waiter service, and comfortable lodging on a budget. As someone who has felt the magic of cruising, I am tickled pink for them to enjoy their first cruise.

Hello,

I am trying to help a family friend and her family book their first ever cruise. They are going for an entry-level interior room on the Carnival Elation for 5 nights this August. There would be 5 of them in the cabin. 2 Adults age 35, her mother-in-law age 65, and their two kids ages 10 and 13. They know it will be tight space but are excited that a configuration like this can make this experience in their budget.

They would like to take advantage of the Cheers program. And I have even offered to pick up the tab for one of the Cheers programs for them as a gift. However, they have run into a snag. They only want or need 2 cheers packages, one for her and one for her husband. Her mother-in-law takes medication that doesn't allow her to drink and would not participate or "sneak" beverages from them as part of this program. However, the Cheers program Terms and Conditions note all adults in the same cabin must participate. And buying two cabins instead of one takes this vacation opportunity out of their budget. In a worst case I suppose they can just buy as they go on alcohol but I believe it will cost them considerably more, especially when factoring in specialty coffees, energy drinks, and sports drinks.

My question for the sages here:

A) If the mother-in-law is booked as a "Senior" as that a different category from "Adult" and could exempt her from this restriction?

B) Has anyone first-hand or anecdotally found ways to get the Cheers package for only some of the adults in a cabin? For example, could they book 4 of them in the cabin, buy the Cheers packages, and then later add the mother-in-law?