Cheers program in Galveston

[tk22]

Anyone actually cruised out of Galveston on the Magic and purchased the Cheers alcohol program ------ can it be purchased on the first day? I read on another post that due to Texas liquor laws, it couldn't be purchased the first day. I just got off the phone with Carnival and was told she saw no restrictions as to Texas, so it should be able to be purchased the first day. Anyone out there know for sure?????

[pbsteve]

it appears to be debated on whether you can buy it when the casino opens (once you hit international waters) or the second day, but you cannot because of state law buy it right when you get on board.

[Tiki Roost]

We were unable to purchase the Cheers Program on The Magic, we had to wait for Monday morning. It was a discounted program but we were a little disappointed. Now we are gun shy, does this happen on any of the other ships - eg. out of Florida or New Orleans? Does anyone know? Thanks!

[YorN]

We were unable to purchase the Cheers Program on The Magic, we had to wait for Monday morning. It was a discounted program but we were a little disappointed. Now we are gun shy, does this happen on any of the other ships - eg. out of Florida or New Orleans? Does anyone know? Thanks!

 

No, just Texas due to their 19th century alcohol regulations.

[burnsrod1]

Just off the Magic two weeks ago. Couldn't purchase the Cheers program until Monday morning (day 2).

Edited October 7, 2014 by burnsrod1

[Bookbug53]

it appears to be debated on whether you can buy it when the casino opens (once you hit international waters) or the second day, but you cannot because of state law buy it right when you get on board.

 

People can debate but this is what Carnival says in the description of Cheers:

 

The following restrictions apply:

• Package must be purchased for the entire duration of the voyage – it is not sold on a per day basis

• CHEERS! is only sold to guests 21 years of age and older and agree not to give to minors

• Each adult assigned to the same stateroom must purchase the package

• Only one drink at a time may be ordered using CHEERS! - sharing is not permitted

• Guests may purchase a round of drinks for themselves and friends. One drink will count towards the CHEERS! package and the remaining drinks will be charged to the guest’s Sail and Sign account

• Package allows for up to 15 alcoholic drinks per 24 hour period (6:00am-6:00am); once the limit is reached, the guest will not be served any additional alcoholic drinks

• Package allows for unlimited soda and non-alcoholic frozen cocktail

• Carnival reserves the right to refuse service for any reason

• Applicable state and local taxes will be charged to the guest folio when this package is used within US waters. The tax is based on the particular state’s tax structure and the cost of the individual drink purchased (not the daily package rate). For example: if the drink price is $5 and the tax is 10%, the guest’s Sail & Sign card will be charged $0.50 for tax. This applies to all US ports (embarkation home ports and ports-of-call)

• Due to Texas State laws, CHEERS! will not be offered until the second day of the cruise for voyages departing from our Texas home ports. In this case, please know the daily rate will be based on the full cruise duration price but only charged from day 2 forward. Guests may purchase drinks in the usual manner.• Package not available for purchase on cruises sailing from Australia

• Package is non-refundable

 

Now their claims that it is due to Texas state law is debatable as RCCL sells their beverage packages as soon as you board in Galveston. :rolleyes:

[okgirl]

It's absolutely true that Cheers can't be purchased until day 2 but only in Galveston. The other weird thing about Galveston is that they don't have all wines and liquors available upon embarkation. Again, because of TABC the ships have to wait until they reach international waters to serve anything that doesn't have a Texas tax stamp on it.

 

Also, Galveston is the only home port where you have to pay taxes on any liquor that you bring back, whether purchased on the ship or in a port.

[Jennaferg22]

Which law is it that carnival is going by to not let guest use cheers day 1? I've googled every way I can think and can't find a thing. How can one cruise line allow it and one not? I already know about the select drinks and liquor available till 12 nautical miles out so please nothing about that. If some one know the answer please help! Thanks :)

[RHilla619]

It appears that Galveston rule now applies to NYC sailings as well, kind of a bummer because I love getting right on the package as soon as I board. Also weird that Carnival seems to be the only line following that rule.

[Papa_Bear_]

Actually 31 of the 50 states have some type of restrictions along these lines it's just NY and TX are the ones the have cruise ship ports. In Texas the statue is 16 TAC 45.103

© Retail licensees and permittees may not: ; (4) sell, serve, or offer to sell or serve an undetermined quantity of alcoholic beverages for a fixed price or "all you can drink" basis; (5) sell, serve, or offer to sell or serve, alcoholic beverages at a reduced price to those consumers paying a fixed "buy in" price;

[cruzelover55]

Actually 31 of the 50 states have some type of restrictions along these lines it's just NY and TX are the ones the have cruise ship ports. In Texas the statue is 16 TAC 45.103

© Retail licensees and permittees may not: ; (4) sell, serve, or offer to sell or serve an undetermined quantity of alcoholic beverages for a fixed price or "all you can drink" basis; (5) sell, serve, or offer to sell or serve, alcoholic beverages at a reduced price to those consumers paying a fixed "buy in" price;

 

Say if you board Saturday, you can start your Cheers! Sunday 6am as it goes from 6-6. The unfortunate thing is you will pay Texas tax on your drinks on embarkation day. And most domestic beers are 16 ozs, AFTER, you reach normal rules on Day 2. !st day, mostly 12 ozs. Also, I see no benefit to buy duty free liquor in the shops. TABC is waiting to tax you as soon as you leave the ship. Makes duty free not make any sense. Law or no law, the statue you quote seems to be enforced, at the discretion of the occasion, at least here in Galveston. We have Mardi Gras parades and many venues where you pay a price to watch from a downtown balcony and drink "all you can". Not a defense from me for any of this. In fact, I think it suks to have to pay taxes on "duty free" liquor. We no longer bother to buy it. Just saying...

[jandjtexas]

3 states have the same rules, not just Texas.

 

Due to state laws, we cannot sell CHEERS! until the second day of the cruise for voyages departing from our Texas, Alabama and New York home ports.

[Jennaferg22]

But what is this rule? And how come other cruise lines don't have to abide by it? What's the name of the law or where can I find it ?

[isadelia]

People can debate but this is what Carnival says in the description of Cheers:

 

 

• Due to Texas State laws, CHEERS! will not be offered until the second day of the cruise for voyages departing from our Texas home ports. In this case, please know the daily rate will be based on the full cruise duration price but only charged from day 2 forward. Guests may purchase drinks in the usual manner.•

 

Now their claims that it is due to Texas state law is debatable as RCCL sells their beverage packages as soon as you board in Galveston. :rolleyes:

 

Can you clarify this, or anyone with experience? Will the cost for a 7 day cruise be 7 days (even though you don't use it on day 1) or will it only be for 6 days?

[Jennaferg22]

You won't pay for day one.

[Rod in Az]

Can you clarify this, or anyone with experience? Will the cost for a 7 day cruise be 7 days (even though you don't use it on day 1) or will it only be for 6 days?

 

Yes, from experience, you only pay for 6 days, not seven. You can purchase Cheers after 6am on day 2, and will be charged for that day and the remaining 5 days of the cruise.

 

All drinks you purchase before 6am on day 2 are charged at the menu price.

[isadelia]

Yes, from experience, you only pay for 6 days, not seven. You can purchase Cheers after 6am on day 2, and will be charged for that day and the remaining 5 days of the cruise.

 

All drinks you purchase before 6am on day 2 are charged at the menu price.

 

Thank you! Follow up question. With the new changes being $49.95/day if you purchase pre-cruise and $54.95/day if you purchase on board, what would you be charged if you purchase pre-cruise for Galveston? 6 or 7 days?

[Rod in Az]

Thank you! Follow up question. With the new changes being $49.95/day if you purchase pre-cruise and $54.95/day if you purchase on board, what would you be charged if you purchase pre-cruise for Galveston? 6 or 7 days?

 

Either way you pay for 6 days. When I went to purchase Cheers on line for our upcoming cruise (Breeze from Galveston May 29th) it automatically defaulted to 6 days. The 15% gratuity is automatically added as well.

 

$344.66 per person purchased pre-cruise

$379.16 per person purchased on-board

[StolidCruiser]

But what is this rule? And how come other cruise lines don't have to abide by it? What's the name of the law or where can I find it ?

 

See post 10 for Texas.

 

In Texas the statue is 16 TAC 45.103

© Retail licensees and permittees may not: ; (4) sell, serve, or offer to sell or serve an undetermined quantity of alcoholic beverages for a fixed price or "all you can drink" basis; (5) sell, serve, or offer to sell or serve, alcoholic beverages at a reduced price to those consumers paying a fixed "buy in" price;

 

If other lines aren't abiding by the rule, perhaps they behave the same way passengers do regarding shorts in the MDR. :)

[isadelia]

Either way you pay for 6 days. When I went to purchase Cheers on line for our upcoming cruise (Breeze from Galveston May 29th) it automatically defaulted to 6 days. The 15% gratuity is automatically added as well.

 

$344.66 per person purchased pre-cruise

$379.16 per person purchased on-board

 

Perfect! Thanks so much for your help. We're looking at the Breeze out of Galveston too, just haven't bit the bullet yet.

[KidShalene]

I'm curious what will happen for my NYE cruise this year out of Galveston on the Freedom. I've been told from past guests on NYE cruises that the free champagne is flowing all day/night on NYE. If we're sailing out of Galveston actually on NYE day, wonder if they will still provide free champagne to all guests?

[cruzelover55]

I'm curious what will happen for my NYE cruise this year out of Galveston on the Freedom. I've been told from past guests on NYE cruises that the free champagne is flowing all day/night on NYE. If we're sailing out of Galveston actually on NYE day, wonder if they will still provide free champagne to all guests?

 

I don't know for sure, but, don't see how the Texas law would apply to that, one way or the other. Something given free is not taxable, and also shouldn't have anything to do with the "all you can drink" part of the law. But, I am wrong more times than I am right.:)

[Pops, Esq.]

I don't know for sure, but, don't see how the Texas law would apply to that, one way or the other. Something given free is not taxable, and also shouldn't have anything to do with the "all you can drink" part of the law. But, I am wrong more times than I am right.:)

 

I think you are probably right on this one. I believe the TABC would allow the cruise line to serve alcohol for "free" to its passengers. Just like some hotels have a "manager's reception." Although since the TABC has a specific rule about hotel packages being allowed, some enforcement officers could see it differently.

[cruisinpips]

Say if you board Saturday, you can start your Cheers! Sunday 6am as it goes from 6-6. The unfortunate thing is you will pay Texas tax on your drinks on embarkation day. And most domestic beers are 16 ozs, AFTER, you reach normal rules on Day 2. !st day, mostly 12 ozs. Also, I see no benefit to buy duty free liquor in the shops. TABC is waiting to tax you as soon as you leave the ship. Makes duty free not make any sense. Law or no law, the statue you quote seems to be enforced, at the discretion of the occasion, at least here in Galveston. We have Mardi Gras parades and many venues where you pay a price to watch from a downtown balcony and drink "all you can". Not a defense from me for any of this. In fact, I think it suks to have to pay taxes on "duty free" liquor. We no longer bother to buy it. Just saying...

 

Quote:

"Also, Galveston is the only home port where you have to pay taxes on any liquor that you bring back, whether purchased on the ship or in a port"

 

Paying taxes on the liquor is sort of voluntary at the port. They have a "booth" set up and a sign that asks if you purchased liquor, with an arrow pointing to the persons behind the wall who are collecting taxes. If anyone just simply keeps walking past, they have zero chance of knowing who does and doesn't have liquor they purchased while in port or on the ship. I for one refuse to pay Texas taxes for the privilege of carrying my liquor into their state, only to board a plane and take it home. (Same would apply if I were driving home). If I drink while in Texas, I have no problem paying applicable taxes, but next time I debark, I will do as I did last time...Keep walking and smiling. :D:D

[chengkp75]

It appears that Galveston rule now applies to NYC sailings as well, kind of a bummer because I love getting right on the package as soon as I board. Also weird that Carnival seems to be the only line following that rule.

 

But what is this rule? And how come other cruise lines don't have to abide by it? What's the name of the law or where can I find it ?

 

In fact, RCI's unlimited drink package can be sold ahead of time for a Galveston sailing, not while docked in Galveston. The package does not take effect until the ship is outside the 12 mile limit, so it does meet the Texas law, and also appears to provide unlimited drinks sooner than Carnival. They also have a limited selection of alcohol to serve until the ship reaches international waters, as it all has to be Texas tax stamped.

 

I believe what RCI does is charge you for each drink until the ship is outside 12 miles, and then credit that back and apply the package cost.

Edited March 29, 2016 by chengkp75