How popular is the Cheers program?

[bigdog1958]

We loved it for the budgeting aspect alone. I think we came close to our limit one day, and the rest of the time we probably broke even.

 

We use it to make the cruise feel more like an all-inclusive vacation, and it worked for us. We budget it in when we plan a cruise and it makes the cost not a huge deal.

 

We did purchase it on the first sea day after our sail away in NOLA, so the first night is when we consumed our carry-on wine allowance and used up the remainder of our drink coupons from our August 2012 cruise. This time I will probably deal with buckets of beer on the first day and enjoy our carry-on wine.

 

NOLA sailings they still charge you tax on the first days drinks until you get well down river from the city (I think someone said they pull it off after they hit a certain point down river).

 

In most ports there is a tax on drinks until you get into international waters, however, that is not based on the cheers program. You are taxed on any drinks you order whether you are on the cheers program, or you buy them individually

[cruizinisthebest]

I dont how people can handle 15 drinks a day. I would be horizontal most of the time. And than to do it day after day?

 

Guess we are all different.

 

I don't either. And I'm no lightweight.

 

I plan to get the package on my next cruise strictly so I can know my bar tab is paid for. I may also try some drinks I normally might not have. I won't be preoccupied worrying about the daily limit. That's for sure.

[WLHyatt]

In most ports there is a tax on drinks until you get into international waters, however, that is not based on the cheers program. You are taxed on any drinks you order whether you are on the cheers program, or you buy them individually

 

Yep.

 

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[HappyAboard]

So when is the best time to buy Cheers when leaving from Miami? If I get it I would probably want it right away. Please explain the issue around the taxes.

[LittleJeanne]

I tried it this past fall on a 5 day cruise. I was traveling solo. So, I only had to pay for 1 person to have the cheers program. I usually drink the cocktails that are around $8-9 so it really didn't take a lot for me to be able to get my money's worth. I don't think I ever went over 10 drinks spread throughout the day.

 

In most areas of the ship I had no problem with getting service. As a matter of fact, many times it seemed to me like once the servers realized that I had the sticker on my card they seemed to come by more often. Probably the most difficult area to get service was in the casino while sitting at the slot machines. Also getting wine with dinner wasn't as easy as I'd hoped either.

 

I usually enjoy the after dinner shots that they bring through the dining room in the little specialty glasses. These weren't covered with my card. However, one of the guys at my table wanted one of the after dinner coffee's with liquors in them. We worked out a trade on a couple nights. I purchased his coffee and he purchased my specialty shot. That was technically against the rules. So we only did it on a couple nights.

 

Hubby and I are going to Hawaii this year. We sat down the other day and added up the cost for the 2 of us for that trip, considering that once we get there about 5 days will be pretty port intensive, we decided it wouldn't be worth it for us on that trip. But boy you should have seen hubby's eyes roll back in his head when I told him what the cost would be for that trip!

[Matt8085]

So you're saying that 15 drinks wasn't enough? I'm confused lol

 

Wouldn't it still be worth it though? 15 beers at say, 6 bucks a pop? Or do they actually shut you off when you hit 15?

[jlindemer]

So when is the best time to buy Cheers when leaving from Miami? If I get it I would probably want it right away. Please explain the issue around the taxes.

 

 

We purchased this last March on the Victory. We paid $57.44 per day per person for the plan AND gratuities. Then, while in port (or at Key West) they charged us the tax on the actual price of the drink. If the drink you received on cheers was $7.25 on the menu you would pay the tax on that price. I can't remember the tax rate. I would think it is around 7%.

 

 

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[Thommy_Boy]

Wouldn't it still be worth it though? 15 beers at say, 6 bucks a pop? Or do they actually shut you off when you hit 15?

 

They shut you off after 15 free drinks. But there is a way around that. At drink 13 and on you tell the bartender you want to pay for the drink, not use Cheers.

 

Basically save your last 2 drinks of the day for your free ones. If you mess up the count and hit your limit, they will not even let you pay for anymore.

 

There was a guy on my last cruise who 15 was not enough. The bartender was nice enough to explain how to get around it.

 

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[nitro2448]

They shut you off after 15 free drinks. But there is a way around that. At drink 13 and on you tell the bartender you want to pay for the drink, not use Cheers.

 

Basically save your last 2 drinks of the day for your free ones. If you mess up the count and hit your limit, they will not even let you pay for anymore.

 

There was a guy on my last cruise who 15 was not enough. The bartender was nice enough to explain how to get around it.

 

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How are you getting 15 free drinks ?

[Thommy_Boy]

How are you getting 15 free drinks ?

 

By free I meant prepaid by buying the Cheers program.

 

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[Thommy_Boy]

One guy I know who was doing a B2B bought it on the first cruise but not the second. He said having Cheers made him feel like he had to get 15 drinks per day and he did not like it.

 

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[nitro2448]

So when is the best time to buy Cheers when leaving from Miami? If I get it I would probably want it right away. Please explain the issue around the taxes.

 

 

We personally buy ours on day two, my wife really isn't a big drinker anyway. We figure we probably won't spend over $100 on drinks that first day so we just buy a few drinks out right the first day.

[bigdog1958]

We purchased this last March on the Victory. We paid $57.44 per day per person for the plan AND gratuities. Then, while in port (or at Key West) they charged us the tax on the actual price of the drink. If the drink you received on cheers was $7.25 on the menu you would pay the tax on that price. I can't remember the tax rate. I would think it is around 7%.

 

 

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The tax per drink has nothing to do with the cheers program. When you are not in international waters the local area may tax your purchase.. You will pay the tax on each drink you order whether you are on the cheers program or if you buy your drinks individually... the tax is the same either way...

[shoppingfever]

We are really torn too about rather or not to purchase it. I would love the freedom of trying new drinks and not feeling guilty if I hated it and didn't drink it. On the other hand, I love collecting cups and really want to get as many of the souvenir cups that I can and those are not part of the Cheers program.

[1kaper]

We are really torn too about rather or not to purchase it. I would love the freedom of trying new drinks and not feeling guilty if I hated it and didn't drink it. On the other hand, I love collecting cups and really want to get as many of the souvenir cups that I can and those are not part of the Cheers program.

 

I would imagine there is still a way to buy the cups. I'd even just pay the full price for one drink a day (unless you are looking for a bunch) just to get the glass.

Would they be covered under the 25% off drinks over $10?

[shoppingfever]

[quote name='1kaper']I would imagine there is still a way to buy the cups. I'd even just pay the full price for one drink a day (unless you are looking for a bunch) just to get the glass.
Would they be covered under the 25% off drinks over $10?[/quote]


From my understanding they are covered. I am just looking for one so your suggestion is probably what we should do.