I'm back! And I have it Cheers Card!

[JStarbrite]

Well it's been a few years, and I've seen a major change on this board. The number one topic is no longer how to smuggle alcohol on board, but rather if the Cheers Card is worth the investment.

 

To me, it is brilliant of Carnival to finally implement this on their cruises. They know that people who heavily imbibe are going to smuggle in their own alcohol, so why not at least get a piece of the action and possibly make it up on others that are not going to make their daily 6 to 8 drink quota. For me the $56 is well worth the investment of not having to go through the stress and guilt of smuggling alcohol in your suitcase. It only takes six or eight drinks a day to break even, and you're allowed 15 a day. This includes nonalcoholic drinks also. Think about how much money you spend on the liquor that you smuggle in, the rum runners that you purchase, and the times you get caught and confiscated. Then figure in the cost of the sodas to mix them, or the soda card, or the hassle of going up on the Lido Deck to get the juice, and running back to your cabin every time you need to refill your alcohol. I usually spend at least that much just ordering drinks in the dining room, the casino, at the shows or the piano bar, where it just wouldn't be practical to smuggle your own booty in.

 

To me it is well worth it to know exactly how much my bar tab is going to be, and relax and be served. Let Carnival keep count. It's better than getting an extra thousand dollars tacked onto your tab at the end of the cruise. Those who do not drink six or eight drinks a day, just purchase your drinks separately.

 

We will be sailing on the Paradise on January 29, my second cruise during a Super Bowl. It will be great to relax, and have a cocktail wherever I want, whatever I want, guilt free.

[sallyb]

Only works if both adults are drinkers.

[YubaSutter]

We don't have stress or guilt when we smuggle alcohol. The $56/day you quote is really $112/day because we travel with two adults in our cabin. We already own the rum runners. Our cost to bring on 3 liters of booze and a case if soda is less than $50. Thanks for your sermon, but I'd rather BYOB. It would save me over $700.

[gsu_paintballer]

Only works if both adults are drinkers.

 

This is what sucks about the policy. Unfortunately, it has to be this way because there are some classes of people that will refuse to follow the rules.

[kona_wahine]

Personally, if I want a bottle in the room I will just preorder from Bon voyage. Maybe more than smuggling, but way less a hassle and the chance of getting it confiscated. Cheers is too expensive. No way I could drink enough to make it feasible.

[Drazil65]

Too expensive for us (aka too cheap to pay that for booze!!!). We bring on our what we are allotted and then order a couple of bottles from Bon Voyage of anything else we will want. Saves a ton of money for us and we do not have to wait in line if we make it in the room or get a DOD a couple of times during the week, maybe (DH not a fan of those types of drinks :rolleyes:).

 

Just too much money and would feel pressure to get my money's worth and for me that means I would not be lucid enough to enjoy cruise!!!!

[10Jan54]

we have done the many different ways of having our drinks, smuggling, purchase bottles for room, just buy as we want and then cheers. CHEERS for Cheers! It is the easiest way to go. :)

[ryansmith18]

We don't have stress or guilt when we smuggle alcohol. The $56/day you quote is really $112/day because we travel with two adults in our cabin. We already own the rum runners. Our cost to bring on 3 liters of booze and a case if soda is less than $50. Thanks for your sermon, but I'd rather BYOB. It would save me over $700.

 

Yeah, I had a good laugh at the idea of feeling "stress and guilt" about smuggling alcohol onboard. That's ridiculous.

 

My two cents: if Carnival would do away with the rule that if one person in the stateroom gets the package then everybody has to get the package, then I'd be all over it. I don't have a problem knocking back several beers over the course of the day with two or three cocktails as well. My wife, on the other hand, doesn't even come close to breaking even. So I'd essentially be drinking for two just to break even.

 

Until that changes, we'll continue smuggling.

[etwright]

Cheers works for us. :cool::D:cool:

 

So far have broke even or made out...

[CruisinCrow]

This is what sucks about the policy. Unfortunately, it has to be this way because there are some classes of people that will refuse to follow the rules.

 

It doesn't HAVE to be that way. On Royal Caribbean people in the same cabin can get different packages (or no package).

[N00B]

Let Carnival keep count. It's better than getting an extra thousand dollars tacked onto your tab at the end of the cruise.

 

Yes, it's about $80 better than getting a thousand dollars tacked on to your tab. Wayyyy better. /sarcasm

[CanadianDee]

How much is an average alcoholic drink on Carnival? We're not big drinkers and lack the motivation to smuggle, but I'll probably try a couple that catch my fancy.

[cmecruise1962]

But I was with my teenage son and his friend, so only I had to buy it. I have smuggled (meh) and purchased from Bon Voyage and I did slightly better than breaking even, although I will say that I drank more than I would have because of it.

 

I was never loud, obnoxious or out of control, but I would have a bloody mary in the AM, a couple of martinis at night (LOVED the Alchemy bar) and a good glass of wine with dinner (sometimes even an after dinner coffee drink!) Plus, a beer or two by the pool and a frozen drink or two...and then of course, a couple of drinks in the casino...

 

Hi! My name is Cmecruise1962 and I am an alcoholic cruise-aholic!!!!

[bjd2]

But I was with my teenage son and his friend, so only I had to buy it. I have smuggled (meh) and purchased from Bon Voyage and I did slightly better than breaking even, although I will say that I drank more than I would have because of it.

 

I was never loud, obnoxious or out of control, but I would have a bloody mary in the AM, a couple of martinis at night (LOVED the Alchemy bar) and a good glass of wine with dinner (sometimes even an after dinner coffee drink!) Plus, a beer or two by the pool and a frozen drink or two...and then of course, a couple of drinks in the casino...

 

Hi! My name is Cmecruise1962 and I am an alcoholic cruise-aholic!!!!

 

 

This is hilarious!!

 

I like Cheers too :D

[spikester]

I love Cheers too! I definitely break even, and I like how I can order what I want without pinching pennies to keep the costs down.

[jesscruiser]

How much is cheers for a seven day cruise now?

 

 

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[tgmtgm]

I've purchased Cheers in the past, won't do so again. There's just something inherently wrong with paying $56 per day and not being able to have bottled water or coffee included. Carnival needs to take a few lessons from all the other cruise lines that offer drink packages that are truly all inclusive.

[Disconnections]

This is what sucks about the policy. Unfortunately, it has to be this way because there are some classes of people that will refuse to follow the rules.

 

It doesn't HAVE to be that way. On Royal Caribbean people in the same cabin can get different packages (or no package).

 

Nearly every other cruise line that offers a similar package does not have this same requirement.

[JStarbrite]

Yeah, I had a good laugh at the idea of feeling "stress and guilt" about smuggling alcohol onboard. That's ridiculous.

 

Sorry, I'm a moral person who tries his best not to cheat, steal, lie, or scam. When I do, I feel guilty and ashamed. Sorry if you feel that that is ridiculous and funny.

 

Yes, other cruise lines have more lenient policies on their programs, but look at what they charge for the cruise itself, whether you drink or not.

 

Both the wife and I drink on vacations, myself more than her. I'm sure I will make up for any shortcomings on her part!

 

I too like to have a bloody Mary for breakfast on sea days, a couple of mojitos on deck, a martini before dinner, wine with dinner, and a cordial after. Then maybe a couple of beers at the casino or shows. That's a lot to smuggle! I also like to be adventuresome and try a new concoction every now and then. Cmecruise1962, you can be my sponsor!

[Disconnections]

Yes, other cruise lines have more lenient policies on their programs, but look at what they charge for the cruise itself, whether you drink or not.

 

If you really think Carnival is always the cheapest option, you need to do more research.

[JStarbrite]

If you really think Carnival is always the cheapest option, you need to do more research.

 

Show me the way Master! So many have said all inclusive is the way to go. I have 3 people, air, food, drink, entertainment, top notch service, and excursions for around $2,000 TOTAL. That's extra because grandma has a cabin of her own, and OCEAN VIEW.

 

I will be seriously taking notes on a cheaper, yet better way

 

Tell me a cheaper, similar cruise experience, and I will try it.

 

I'm not just looking for cheap, just the best value for the$$

[Disconnections]

Show me the way Master! So many have said all inclusive is the way to go. I have 3 people, air, food, drink, entertainment, top notch service, and excursions for around $2,000 TOTAL. That's extra because grandma has a cabin of her own, and OCEAN VIEW.

 

I will be seriously taking notes on a cheaper, yet better way

 

Tell me a cheaper, similar cruise experience, and I will try it.

 

I'm not just looking for cheap, just the best value for the$$

 

I'm not a travel agent.

[thephillykid]

We are going on an upcoming Freedom 12 day cruise, and it would be around $1350 for the two of us for cheers. This is crazy. I'd rather take some booze on at the beginning of the cruise and get some more along the way than spend that much, along with the occasional bucket of beers by the pool.

[gsu_paintballer]

Show me the way Master! So many have said all inclusive is the way to go. I have 3 people, air, food, drink, entertainment, top notch service, and excursions for around $2,000 TOTAL. That's extra because grandma has a cabin of her own, and OCEAN VIEW.

 

I will be seriously taking notes on a cheaper, yet better way

 

Tell me a cheaper, similar cruise experience, and I will try it.

 

I'm not just looking for cheap, just the best value for the$$

 

Just got off a Celebrity cruise in an Aqua Class balcony for $2,000 for a seven day with the drink package included.

 

Going next year after Thanksgiving for $2,200, which includes tips, drink package, and $300 OBC.

[alreadypacked]

Yeah, I had a good laugh at the idea of feeling "stress and guilt" about smuggling alcohol onboard. That's ridiculous.

 

My two cents: if Carnival would do away with the rule that if one person in the stateroom gets the package then everybody has to get the package, then I'd be all over it. I don't have a problem knocking back several beers over the course of the day with two or three cocktails as well. My wife, on the other hand, doesn't even come close to breaking even. So I'd essentially be drinking for two just to break even.

 

Until that changes, we'll continue smuggling.

 

I hear you.

 

I wanted to buy Cheers, but my two roommates (girls cruise) didn't. Carnival would not sell Cheers to me alone... but they'd happily sell it too me if I paid for my two roommates as well--who barely drink on cruises!!

 

It was a bit of a raw deal to me because DH and I had cruised Celebrity and Princess the last two years (taking a break from Carnival) and I got used to having a beverage package--even when DH didn't partake.

 

My sail & sign on my recent "return cruise" to Carnival was three times that of roommate 1 and twice that of roommate 2. It left a bitter taste in my mouth. I could have saved money with the package. And I didn't even come close to 15 drinks a day. As others have stated, you don't need to drink that much for Cheers to be a good deal.

 

Other lines seem to make a profit with their beverage packages without enforcing such a rule. Surely loss of revenue due to potential sharing is built into the price. And I don't buy the stereotyped "low class" Carnival cruisers are likely to be heavy drinkers line of thinking. I saw just as much drinking going on on the higher-end lines.

 

The other lines even include bottled water and specialty coffee drinks on their packages--and still seem to make a profit otherwise I doubt they'd continue the programs. Carnival does not include bottled water but they said I could have all the soda I wanted! I do not drink soda. I don't drink specialty coffee either, but I prefer bottled water to tap water for a couple of reasons and would have enjoyed that.

Edited December 26, 2014 by alreadypacked