Another CHEERS question :)

[katiel53]

Thank you! I think we will just try and have them charge us for her drinks seperate if possible, or trying to convine her to drink a lot more and buy her the program. I am not interested in breaking the rules or cheating the system. I guess I thought it was more of a 15 drink a day coupon card, which someone pointed out was not the case.

 

 

I so wish it were a 15 drink card and we would then buy it. My DH might be able to drink 7-8 a day and I could probably drink the same, but 15 a day is too much for us.

 

I did post on John Heald's page a while ago that I wished that had a way to just do the 15 drinks and that they could be shared, but it's not in Carnival's best interest to do that.

 

I know there are a lot of schemers trying to find ways around the system. OP, I don't think you are one, but based on some of the comments on CC, they are trying all the time and that's going to ruin the entire program just like they have ruined other things.

 

I keep hoping that there will be something like a drink ticket or card that allows sharing, but somehow, I don't think it will happen.

[laxlove6]

No, if you read the rules card that they give you, it clearly states there is no sharing of drinks and if you are caught, they will suspend you from the program and offer no refunds.

 

 

Never seen this anywhere. I would like to see them suspend someone's card and not refund the $350 for the week. Wake up.

 

Obviously they don't want people standing at the bar ordering drinks for other people in front of even more people.

 

I'm sure a drink for someone's mom or dad here or there is no problem.

[bingomamma19]

Now I feel bad. I really thought it was okay since I thought they were my 15 drinks. The server at the pool even saw my DH handing the drink to the lady. He wanted her to try the Miami Vice and asked the server for one. Won't be doing this again at all!! I was so focused on the drink limit when we read about the cheers program. Well that was the first time we did the program , now we know. We never share our sodas at buffets so really we try to abide by the rules.

 

 

Dont feel bad. Since the 15 drink issue came up, alot of people are confusing that limit with a "drink coupon" type of situation.

 

There are also many people here telling others to go ahead and buy others a drink with the cheers card-not sure if they are aware of the rules or just wanting to tell others wrong on purpose. There are probably servers and bartenders that look the other way also, but I sure wouldnt want someone to get stopped and lose their cheers priviledges and money they paid for it.

[bingomamma19]

Never seen this anywhere. I would like to see them suspend someone's card and not refund the $350 for the week. Wake up.

 

Obviously they don't want people standing at the bar ordering drinks for other people in front of even more people.

 

I'm sure a drink for someone's mom or dad here or there is no problem.

 

I can only speak to how clear it was represented to my sons last week (and me for the casino drinks on us card). I sure dont want to be the one to test it.

 

Also, if all these people are going to just misuse the program and ignore the rules, Carnival will eventually increase the price or discontinue it.

 

If they intended for the drinks to be shared with others, they would not require all adults in the cabin to purchase the program.

[laxlove6]

another thing is that carnival is going to have to keep up with the beverage packages offered by other cruise lines or risk heavy drinkers and huge $$$ going to other cruise lines that offer an all you can drink package.

[bingomamma19]

another thing is that carnival is going to have to keep up with the beverage packages offered by other cruise lines or risk heavy drinkers and huge $$$ going to other cruise lines that offer an all you can drink package.

 

 

I only wish they did think that way--I am a casino player, and their casino perks stink--I understand they are much better on other cruise lines.

 

Now if you want to talk pure profit --casino's are it. I highly doubt drinkers are dropping thousands of dollars in a few days. Believe me, there are quite a few moderate to heavy gamblers on these cruises.

 

But I do like Carnival for the value otherwise.

[Travelbyrob]

People will find a way to break the rules. It's human nature.

 

Or they feel rules don't apply to them...

[klmorg]

People will find a way to break the rules. It's human nature.

 

Or they feel rules don't apply to them...

 

Or they are not aware of the rule...

[RickinNYC]

Why stop with your mom?

 

If you go into a buffet you and hubby and your mom do you buy two dinners and have her eat off your plate?

 

The drinks are for your consumption only.

 

There are so many ways to answer the OP's question, whether yes or no, without coming across as judgmental or worse. Yours is most definitely not one of them. :rolleyes:

[Crusin Karen]

OP, hope you could make your decision based on the info you got here and hope your mom (and you!) have a great cruise! :) I am going to highjack your thread for a sec::o

· Applicable state and local taxes will be charged to the guest folio when this program is used within US waters.

Someone posted the rules and this is one of them. We will be in Port Canaveral on our next cruise. Does this mean if I buy a drink on the Cheers program while in FL we will be charged tax? :eek::confused::eek:

[bingomamma19]

OP, hope you could make your decision based on the info you got here and hope your mom (and you!) have a great cruise! :) I am going to highjack your thread for a sec::o

 

· Applicable state and local taxes will be charged to the guest folio when this program is used within US waters.

Someone posted the rules and this is one of them. We will be in Port Canaveral on our next cruise. Does this mean if I buy a drink on the Cheers program while in FL we will be charged tax? :eek::confused::eek:

 

 

Yes, only for the drinks bought in a us port/us waters. Its like $0.70 per drink.

[Crusin Karen]

Yes, only for the drinks bought in a us port/us waters. Its like $0.70 per drink.

Okay, thanks....now how do I know if I am in U.S. waters?? :eek::o:p:confused::rolleyes:

[Hmc2013]

Okay, thanks....now how do I know if I am in U.S. waters?? :eek::o:p:confused::rolleyes:

 

You roll out your 12 mile tape measure and try to touch shore....

[MANDALOUWHO]

OP, hope you could make your decision based on the info you got here and hope your mom (and you!) have a great cruise! :) I am going to highjack your thread for a sec::o

 

· Applicable state and local taxes will be charged to the guest folio when this program is used within US waters.

Someone posted the rules and this is one of them. We will be in Port Canaveral on our next cruise. Does this mean if I buy a drink on the Cheers program while in FL we will be charged tax? :eek::confused::eek:

 

HIJACK AWAY! I hope you get your answer :)

[Suntanz]

Well, I will purchase the Cheers program on my cruise. My wife is registered in another room with the kids, so it will only be me buying the program. I will not drink anywhere near 15 drinks per day, probably less then 10. My wife is not a big drinker, so I will probably use my card to get her a couple of drinks each day. I will let everyone know how it works.

[nic1]

In reading other threads on this same topic I am still unclear if you can actually purchase drinks outside of the cheers program. It sounds like you get up to 15 and are done. No more... regardless of paying full price with card. Thus, making the act of buying a drink for someone else or multiple drinks for a group not possible (even on your own dime).

 

Hope this makes sense... I am very unsure of how this will work for me and our group. :confused: Makes it almost seem not worth the effort!

[Crusin Karen]

You roll out your 12 mile tape measure and try to touch shore....[/quoteI thought you were going to say: if you are charged tax, you are in U.S. waters! :p

 

In reading other threads on this same topic I am still unclear if you can actually purchase drinks outside of the cheers program. It sounds like you get up to 15 and are done. No more... regardless of paying full price with card. Thus, making the act of buying a drink for someone else or multiple drinks for a group not possible (even on your own dime).

 

Hope this makes sense... I am very unsure of how this will work for me and our group. :confused: Makes it almost seem not worth the effort!

It is MY understanding from the posts I have read, that you can purchase more than 15 drinks, but drink #16 and on would be full price, and you can have over 15 drinks IF YOU ARE NOT INTOXICATED. I think they can deny drinks to you over the limit if they think you have "had enough." That is just what I get from the few threads I have read since they implemented the 15 drink rule. :confused:

[Cavners5]

Does this include Non-alcoholic drinks also, and soda...I went to CCL's website, but was very confused.:eek: My DH and I are traveling with our kids, in two separate cabins, and were just wondering if this was worth it. We are not big drinkers at all. Is there a soda card still offered?

[alimo84]

I personally don't think there is anything wrong with buying someone a drink if you purchased the plan! My husband and I will both be doing the plan in May and if my mom was going on the cruise as well, I would have no problem getting a drink for her now and then!

 

I found this site earlier that states the plan in more details and has a chart table that breaks it down at the end :)

http://www.***********/info/carnival/barprogram.php

[mlrm]

Cruising on the Freedom in March with a group of family. Hubby is already sold on the CHEERS program. He will for sure drink his 15 drinks a day. I, on the other hand, won't even come close. Even with me not being a drinker it still makes sense for us to do this.

 

My question involves sharing. Can you buy a drink for someone else on this program? If I ask for a drink, show my S & S card, then give the drink to my mom are they goigng to say anything? I realize we could be sneaky and do this, but I am wondering how sneaky we would have to be.

 

I am very much a follow the rules person and if the drinks were unlimited I would not do this, but because I get 15 drinks a day I don't see why I couldn't "buy" a drink for my mom (like I would even if I was paying cash) ya know? If this is totally unacceptable, would it confuse the waiters to actually buy her a drink, before my 15 max is reached? I am trying to decide if it makes sense for us to buy her the unlimited drink package too or if we could essentially split one.

 

I am sure I am way overthinking this (as I tend to do) but like I said before I like to know the rules before I go into something. Has anyone had any experience with this? Thanks!

 

My wife and I just got off the Pride. We had the Cheers program. While on board we met 2 nice couples. We wanted to buy them some drinks. I told the waiter that we wanted to "Buy" four drinks for our friends. The waiter came back and delivered the drinks to our friends and insisted that he wasn't going to let us purchase them. We had no intention of scaming the system, the waiter just rang them up on our cheers program.

[Slippery when wet]

I have been reading these forums to try to understand the cheers program as best as I can, so thank-you all for the "positive" informing and fun information.

 

Boo Hiss to Mr. "glass is half empty-didn't understand the buy my mom a drink question!! " haha (seemed pretty straight forward for the rest of the population!)

 

I am confused about the 15% gratuity.

 

Do we have to pay an additional 15% for each and every drink x 15 drinks potentially a day over and above the $49.95?

 

or is that 15% included in the $49.95

 

Also: Did you see anyone with travel mugs getting drinks filled?

We always bring travel mugs, to keep drinks cold, and stop them from spilling and saves from countless trips to the bar if they are serving their drinks in little cups.

 

Cheers!!!!!

 

:)

Slippery

[LauraKRN]

Yes, I beleive you can show both the cards to get each of you a drink if you both bought the program. But what the OP is asking (and many others) is can you buy a non cheers person a drink with your card (using your 15 drink limit under the cheers program)--that is not allowed.

 

Now, can people get away with it if you take it away from the server and hand it to someone out of sight--sure, but you are taking the chance of getting caught and having your cheers card suspended with no refund of your costs at all.

 

here are the rules from Carnival.com--read the 4th bullet down--pretty clear--the rules cards on board have even more details.

 

The following restrictions apply:

 

· Guests must purchase the program for the entire cruise - this program is not offered on a per day basis.

 

· Guests must be 21 years or older to consume alcohol on Carnival ships.

 

· Each adult (21 years or older) assigned to the same stateroom must purchase the program.

 

· Only one drink at a time may be ordered. No sharing is permitted.********Here is your answer*******

 

· Applicable state and local taxes will be charged to the guest folio when this program is used within US waters.

 

· Carnival reserves the right to refuse service for any reason.

 

· Program is non-refundable.

 

How does the tax work? Does this mean we should wait to get out of US waters to purchase and if so what about getting drinks for sail away?

[HeatherC430]

How does the tax work? Does this mean we should wait to get out of US waters to purchase and if so what about getting drinks for sail away?

 

You pay tax on the drinks you purchase while in U.S. waters, so, any drinks purchased before sailaway are charged the tax. It really wasn't enough to matter. Looking back at my sail n sign statement, the charges were...0.58, 0.40, 0.54, 0.46, 0.70...you get the drift. 10 drinks purchased on the cheers program (between the both of us) cost us 5.42 in tax before sail away.

[HeatherC430]

I am confused about the 15% gratuity.

 

Do we have to pay an additional 15% for each and every drink x 15 drinks potentially a day over and above the $49.95?

 

or is that 15% included in the $49.95

 

:)

Slippery

 

You pay the 15% gratuity on the package itself - Several times we added extra time to the receipt when signing if we got exceptionally good service - or if I had cash I'd give the server an extra dollar or two. You do not HAVE to tip extra unless you want to. We did notice better service when tipping extra (in comparison to when we didn't tip extra) as I'm sure that was no coincidence.

[HeatherC430]

In reading other threads on this same topic I am still unclear if you can actually purchase drinks outside of the cheers program. It sounds like you get up to 15 and are done. No more... regardless of paying full price with card. Thus, making the act of buying a drink for someone else or multiple drinks for a group not possible (even on your own dime).

 

Hope this makes sense... I am very unsure of how this will work for me and our group. :confused: Makes it almost seem not worth the effort!

 

After your 15 is reached (if it comes to that) you can still purchase drinks in addition to that (assuming they don't find you to be "too drunk" to continue serving you. For example, one night that both mine & DH's cards were maxed, we were still able to purchase the Beer Tubes at the RedFrog (2 of them in fact) at 29.12 a pop! Not sure about individual drinks? Maybe the beer tubes are a loophole?