Drink package regrets?

[Vibrantvirgo81]

Has anyone purchased the alcohol package and regretted it? I'll be traveling with my son so I don't plan on getting drunk but maybe a drink with meals and one by the pool. I also noticed it covers specialty coffees and I like the fru-fru stuff. I'm just so torn!

Thanks! [emoji3]

 

 

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[springs741]

IF you are only planning a couple with dinner and a couple by the pool I don't think the Cheers package will benefit you. You need to drink about 7 adult beverages to break even.

[Saint Greg]

I would just figure if you're likely to spend $50/day on drinks. Figure $8.50-10.50 per cocktail, $3.50 per grande specialty coffee, $1.25 per bottled water...I forget how much sodas and sports drinks were. If you're going to have at least 4-5 cocktails a day I'd probably do it.

Edited September 24, 2016 by Saint Greg

[Vibrantvirgo81]

How much should the gratuity be if I don't get the package?

 

 

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[65stang]

How much should the gratuity be if I don't get the package?

 

 

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15% gratuity will automatically be added to your drink order, however, if you get great service you can always add more. Adding a little extra goes a long way.

Even if you do get the Cheers program you can add more to the gratuity. Again a little extra goes a long way.

Edited September 24, 2016 by 65stang

[easyboy]

Has anyone purchased the alcohol package and regretted it? I'll be traveling with my son so I don't plan on getting drunk but maybe a drink with meals and one by the pool. I also noticed it covers specialty coffees and I like the fru-fru stuff. I'm just so torn!

Thanks! [emoji3]

Have not regretted it. I use it a lot too on non-alcoholic beverages and not worry on my drinks bill at end of cruise.

[cruzelover55]

We have always gotten it since the beginning. This time with the extras, plus the increased price allowed towards alcoholic drinks, it was a win-win. If I was paying "by the the drink" I would have never gotten the specialty coffees, which were wonderful, or the milkshakes, that were so-so. We went to the Steakhouse bar for just a drink. I knew their drinks were more expensive. Have to admit the $25. glass of champagne didn't taste much different than the less expensive. And I ordered port a time or two, forget what it cost but it was pricey. But, it was fun, knowing it was prepaid and could, and did, order things just to try them. And if I did not like, wait 5 minutes and get another. The cucumber martini I got at the Alchemy bar was awful, tasted like cucumber and sweet and sour mix. Instant indigestion. I could be wrong, but, as their drink prices have increased I feel you can break even with just 5. We always got wine with dinner and you would be surprised at how quickly it all adds up. I really feel we got our monies worth and don't regret it at all. We really enjoyed it. And by the way just came back 09/17/16. so this is current info.:)

[jabcruiser]

Has anyone purchased the alcohol package and regretted it? I'll be traveling with my son so I don't plan on getting drunk but maybe a drink with meals and one by the pool. I also noticed it covers specialty coffees and I like the fru-fru stuff. I'm just so torn!

Thanks! [emoji3]

 

 

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We did 15 day Hawaii cruise couple years ago on Carnival and purchased the drink package because 10 sea days and figured would pay for itself with only 5 port days when off ship and not drinking nearly as much. Anyway, probably turned out almost a wash on that itinerary but for us would be money loser on shorter port intensive cruises. DH definitely came out ahead, but I am not that big of a drinker and found I had to force myself to drink more than I really wanted so as not to "lose" money on the package. Anyway, together probably came out as a wash. All depends on how much you drink so each individual must make decision based on their lifestyle. I found good thing on Carnival was you could upgrade to top shelf liquor usually without exceeding the drink cost limit under the package. This was two years ago so not sure about current Carnival prices. We have sailed on HAL recently and their cost limit is much lower ($8 drink) so can't really upgrade liquor and stay under price limit. I did enjoy having the package on the HI cruise, but don't think we would do it again. I usually do a bloody mary or Mimosa in am, couple pina coladas in afternoon by pool, pre and post dinner drinks and that about it except maybe glass wine with dinner. Have fun whatever you decide but you might be a light enough drinker the package might not be worth it. But with specialty coffee, water, soft drinks maybe it would!

Jane

[Liverpoollovely]

Has anyone purchased the alcohol package and regretted it? I'll be traveling with my son so I don't plan on getting drunk but maybe a drink with meals and one by the pool. I also noticed it covers specialty coffees and I like the fru-fru stuff. I'm just so torn!

Thanks! [emoji3]

 

 

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I have never regretted it, myself and my family get it any time we cruise now as you can get water, coffees, milkshakes, non alcoholic drinks ontop of the alcoholic drinks

[ray98]

I have never regretted it. The freedom to order what I want when I want without worrying about budget increases the enjoyment of my cruise so it is worth it for me in the end.

[KCpumkin]

Has anyone purchased the alcohol package and regretted it? I'll be traveling with my son so I don't plan on getting drunk but maybe a drink with meals and one by the pool. I also noticed it covers specialty coffees and I like the fru-fru stuff. I'm just so torn!

Thanks! [emoji3]

 

 

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Just remember if 1 adult buys it ---> Everyone over 21 in your cabin must buy it :rolleyes:

[robin13]

I just got back from sailing on The Freedom out of Galveston and I did buy the package after much thought. I did have OBC of $150 so that did help with my decision and plus the fact that out of Galveston the drink package doesn't kick in until day 2. I did enjoy ordering whatever I wanted but found myself making sure that I did drink at least 7 drinks a day. Most days I drank 10 but really never got "drunk". I didn't regret getting the drink package at all but if you are not a big drinker then just pay as you go as you will pay much less in the long run.

[telebax51]

We bring our allotted 2 bottles of wine onboard and throughout the cruise about 1/2 dozen specialty drinks and we are fine.

[bigdawgmatty]

On my last 7 day cruise my cabin mate did not think Cheers would be worth the cost. We made an agreement that we wouldn't get Cheers but he would reimburse me for anything I spent (in drinks) over $400 minus any amount the he ended up "under" $400 on the final bill. Well, my final bill for drinks ended up being $720 and his was $880. So...I spent $400 and he spent $1200.

 

Your results may vary. And yes...I accepted the reimbursement because I fought tooth and nail to get him to agree to get Cheers but he wouldn't budge.

 

 

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[Domergirl]

On my last 7 day cruise my cabin mate did not think Cheers would be worth the cost. We made an agreement that we wouldn't get Cheers but he would reimburse me for anything I spent (in drinks) over $400 minus any amount the he ended up "under" $400 on the final bill. Well, my final bill for drinks ended up being $720 and his was $880. So...I spent $400 and he spent $1200.

 

Your results may vary. And yes...I accepted the reimbursement because I fought tooth and nail to get him to agree to get Cheers but he wouldn't budge.

 

 

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This is awesome! What a great idea.

 

I've only gotten Cheers once, on the Magic out of Galveston. I absolutely loved it. We were sailing with our kids, so I couldn't drink too much, but I really love Alchemy bar, and having Cheers let me try lots of new things without worrying that I was wasting $$ if I didn't like them. I also loved the Vodka Ting in the Red Frog Pub, and I doubt I would have tried that if not for Cheers.

 

Our situation is a little unusual...my husband usually earns free drinks in the casino by the first night of the cruise. So it doesn't make sense for us to buy Cheers most of the time, since we'd have to buy it for him, and that would be a waste. Sometimes, though (like our cruise on the Magic), we book rooms across the hall from each other. With 3 kids, booking for 5 people often means booking two rooms. In that case, I can buy it, and he doesn't have to...so he just gets his drinks in the casino. I will totally do Cheers again any time we are in this situation...because I just loved the freedom to try new drinks. I especially recommend it if you are sailing on a ship that has an Alchemy Bar.

[erinmarie424]

On my last 7 day cruise my cabin mate did not think Cheers would be worth the cost. We made an agreement that we wouldn't get Cheers but he would reimburse me for anything I spent (in drinks) over $400 minus any amount the he ended up "under" $400 on the final bill. Well, my final bill for drinks ended up being $720 and his was $880. So...I spent $400 and he spent $1200.

 

Your results may vary. And yes...I accepted the reimbursement because I fought tooth and nail to get him to agree to get Cheers but he wouldn't budge.

 

 

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I convinced my friend to get cheers in April by telling her I'd pay the difference for any day she didn't hit $50.... As we ordered our pre-dinner cocktails the first night (#4 for the day) she said "yeah I don't think you're going to owe me anything for drinks" lol

 

 

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Edited September 24, 2016 by erinmarie424

[erinmarie424]

...

 

 

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Edited September 24, 2016 by erinmarie424

[simplelife]

We have never gotten it, because our total drink bill has always been less than $100 per day average between the two of us (a few days we spent more than that, but port days usually much less.) In April we're going on a 4 day out of New Orleans, with only 1 port day, Cozumel (and we are back on board early afternoon). We are thinking of getting it for that trip, as we expect to be mostly aboard ship.

 

 

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[summersigh]

Has anyone purchased the alcohol package and regretted it? I'll be traveling with my son so I don't plan on getting drunk but maybe a drink with meals and one by the pool. I also noticed it covers specialty coffees and I like the fru-fru stuff. I'm just so torn!

We never buy the drink package because we never drink the more than 6-7 drinks daily you need to drink to break even much less get to the # where they are "free". We "pay as we go" with our SS card.

[Spoot]

I've gotten the cheers package since the very beginning. Never not broken even! Love it! With the introduction of all the speciality drinks, it makes it even more worth it. Only problem is my next cruise out of San Juan only has one sea day so it will be harder then to break even...

 

 

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[b74]

The Cheers package was not worth it for me because my wife doesnt drink. I ended up saving a ton of money by buying vodka from the fun shops, prior to our cruise. Its overpriced ($75 for a 1 liter), but still way cheaper than drinking the weak bar drinks. The bottle was waiting in our room when we boarded. I brought a yeti tumbler and that kept my ice cold for each day. Saw a ton of other people carrying yetis as well. Also saw several people ordering nonalcoholic drinks and then pouring in booze from own from flasks. Cruise staff didnt care the least.

 

We did bring the allowed 2 bottles of wine inside my carry on backpack. They never even checked the backpack after it went thru the xray. Could have just put vodka in there too.

[Briitini]

Zero regrets especially when I was ordering $18 martinis

 

 

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[Bob NC]

Ya know what?

 

The arguments I see for or against the Cheers program sometimes look a little ridiculous.

 

The only reason I say that is it usually looks like a binary choice, "I either pay $800 for me and my wife or I don't pay anything."

 

Well, there's something in between there.

 

If you drink very little, Cheers is not a good choice.

 

If you do drink, ya'll are going to spend a significant amount on alcohol.

 

When it comes down to the choice of Cheers or not, we are not talking about huge amounts of money, we are talking about different ends of the spectrum being $15 or $20 per day apart.

 

If you are the kind that knows at every second how much change you have in your pocket, don't buy Cheers.

 

If, on vacation, a plus or minus of a few dollars a day isn't going to ruin your life, buy Cheers.

[fivetwoseven]

I usually spend the same amount with or without the Cheers package...

 

I don't like the pressure of having to "drink my moneys worth" when I purchase the Cheers package. Especially after port days when I might have had a few drinks at the beach. When I get back on the boat, I feel that I have to drink seven drinks to make the package worthwhile.

[cruzelover55]

The 1st time we purchased it, we did drink more than we usually would. But, since the new program with the specialty coffees (they are super yummy), shakes, waters, etc.. I only kept up with the amount on the 1st day of use. I only drank 7 drinks with alcohol in them, that day, but, my total price for the day would have been $94.15, PLUS the 15% that would have been added to EACH drink versus the 15% of the Cheers! package. I do usually go the the same bartender, when possible, and since I know they are getting hosed on the Cheers! program, tip wise, I give them $1. in cash, about every other drink. My husband did that every drink. I see a lot of people post that the drinks are weak. I actually asked my bartender to stop pouring mine so strong. He said that that was the 1st time anyone had ever made that request. I watched and saw that it was never a "measured" shot, the pour would overflow the measure device and then was done a second time. If I want an early morning bloody mary, I don't want 4 ozs of booze in it. Maybe it is my age, but. I would like to drink many things over many hours, and don't want a "buzz" on the 1st drink.;)