Carnival gold member, but never done drink package

[agreenway6]

What's up everyone? As a disclaimer I did go to Carnival's FAQ before asking this question but didn't get a definite answer.

 

Going to purchase the drink package for the first time (this will be my 6th Carnival cruise). Since we are departing Galveston, we are not able to use the drink package until the day after sailing away. If I purchase the package before I board, would it be the same price if I purchased it the day after sailing away? Or would it theoretically be cheaper doing the latter way? If it's cheaper purchasing it the second day, it doesn't make much sense purchasing it before we leave since we won't be able to use it until the second day, anyway.

 

ALSO!

 

Can you buy a shot with the package? I know you can't buy more than 1 with the package, but we're going with a big group of friends (they're getting married on the ship!) and it would be cool if we could all take shots together using the drink package?

 

Thank you in advance for the time!

 

Cheers

[robc1972]

Running the numbers on drink costs and package prices I have come to the conclusion that the carnival drinks package is not worth the money and its cheaper to pay as you go.

[agreenway6]

Running the numbers on drink costs and package prices I have come to the conclusion that the carnival drinks package is not worth the money and its cheaper to pay as you go.

 

I'm a mixed/frozen drink guy, and 5-7 Pina Coladas would already be worth the price, and I plan on getting to the 15 drink per day limit!

[heather9844]

Hey there! I wrote an article on the pros and cons of Carnival's drink package for Cruise Radio. To save myself time from re-typing everything out, I'm gonna copy the link here. I promise I'm not trying to self-promote or anything! Just wanna help you out with your decision :)

http://cruiseradio.net/pros-cons-carnivals-cheers-beverage-program/

 

 

Carnival Vista, April 2018

Carnival Valor, February 2017

Carnival Freedom, July 2016

Carnival Liberty, April 2016

Carnival Triumph, November 2015

Oasis of the Seas, March 2015

Carnival Magic, December 2013

Carnival Conquest, August 2011

Vision of the Seas, December 2006

[heather9844]

OH and also, I got married on a Carnival ship in July! So if there is anything in there I wasn't clear on or if your friends have any wedding-related questions, please let me know!

 

 

Carnival Vista, April 2018

Carnival Valor, February 2017

Carnival Freedom, July 2016

Carnival Liberty, April 2016

Carnival Triumph, November 2015

Oasis of the Seas, March 2015

Carnival Magic, December 2013

Carnival Conquest, August 2011

Vision of the Seas, December 2006

Edited December 13, 2016 by heather9844

[heather9844]

Ok I'm sorry I am blowing up this thread.... But I wanted to make sure your questions were answered.

 

To clarify:

- Yes, it includes shots. That will count as 1 drink against your 15 per day limit.

- Yes, it is more expensive on the ship. It is $50/person/day if you purchase ahead of time and $55/p/d if you buy it on the ship.

- If you plan on drinking 5 or more drinks per day, I believe yes it's worth it and it pays for itself. It is ESPECIALLY worth it if you also drink things like energy drinks, specialty coffees, milkshakes, Gatorade, soda, etc., because those are included as well.

 

Ok I'm sorry... I'm done posting all over this thread for now!

[tonit964]

Running the numbers on drink costs and package prices I have come to the conclusion that the carnival drinks package is not worth the money and its cheaper to pay as you go.

 

That may be the situation for you, but apparently not for the OP. I'm sure they ran the number's too.

[heather9844]

That may be the situation for you, but apparently not for the OP. I'm sure they ran the number's too.

 

 

Agreed. Plus, like I said, if you drink at least 5 alcoholic beverages per day you will at least break even, because drinks on the ship run $8-12 each + tip. And if you're also drinking soda, energy drinks, milkshakes, fancy coffees, etc., it's absolutely worth it, because otherwise you have to pay out of pocket for those as well. But hey -- to each their own!!

[ginnstars]

If I purchase the package before I board, would it be the same price if I purchased it the day after sailing away? Or would it theoretically be cheaper doing the latter way? If it's cheaper purchasing it the second day, it doesn't make much sense purchasing it before we leave since we won't be able to use it until the second day, anyway.

 

Yes and no. Yes your still only paying for 4 days vs the full 5 days your traveling because yes, you can't use it the first day you board.

AND No, it's not the same if you prepay, because the cost is less if you buy before boarding. If I remember correctly it's like $5per person per day less if you repurchase. Only you can judge if its worth the extra cash to wait. For me, I would rather use that $20 and throw it towards a slot for some fun. :cool:

 

You won't be able to buy "rounds" for your friends, but yes, shots are included. My husband does them all the time. Be sure to check out the specialty shots too. They had some in the Punchliner club one night on our last cruise on Carnival.:)

 

We loved having the Cheers program. :p We've done it on all our Carnival and our Princess (a Carnival Corp. line) cruises. If you like to taste the fruity drinks or have a glass of wine with your dinner. It's well worth it. Between the orange juices in the morning, sodas, the Rum Punches, the wine with dinner, and my must-have-after-dinner espresso (with dessert of course). It more than has paid for itself, because remember, its not just liquor you are getting.

 

My only advice is....drink LOTS of water so you don't get dehydrated. :D Which should be easy because bottle water is included. (except the ones you get at the gangway or in the room) Again...pays for itself. :D

 

Enjoy your cruise and tell your friend we say congrats!;)

[meester_jamie]

Hey there! I wrote an article on the pros and cons of Carnival's drink package for Cruise Radio. To save myself time from re-typing everything out, I'm gonna copy the link here.

http://cruiseradio.net/pros-cons-carnivals-cheers-beverage-program/

this , from link above ..

 

Carnival recently increased the value (not the price) of its Cheers! beverage package for adults, which has in turn increased the number of cruisers interested in purchasing the program. But is the Cheers! package right for you?

 

Here are some pros and cons to help you make your decision.

Pros:

1. Worry-free

Since you prepay for your drink package (including 15% gratuities), drinking on your cruise becomes worry-free. You no longer have to worry about an alcohol budget and trying to ration how many drinks you have per day to stay within it. The Cheers! program gets you 15 drinks per day, each valued up to $50. So kick your feet up and keep the drinks pourin’.

 

2. Top shelf liquor

Thanks to that rule that each drink can be valued up to $50, you can now order top shelf liquors in your cocktails and frozen drinks. Mix your martini with Grey Goose VX, which is normally $15 per shot, or have a neat glass of Hennessy XO – also a $15 shot, also included in the program.

 

3. Wine

With Carnival’s newest changes to the program, you can now order any glass of wine valued under $50, which is the majority of wines. If you want to order the bottle, your Cheers! package will get you 25% off. How’s that for a sweet deal?

 

4. Basically all-inclusive

In addition to alcohol, now included in Carnival’s Cheers! program are sodas, zero-proof frozen cocktails, energy drinks, specialty coffees, hot tea, 500 mL bottled water and other non-alcoholic bottled beverages, so there’s almost not a drink on the ship that’s not included in your program. Not to mention, you also get 25% off the menu price for any spirit or glass of wine above $50, off wine and champagne by the bottle, and off beverage seminars and classes.

 

5. Controlled budget

By prepaying your drink package, you know exactly how much you’re spending on alcohol, which makes it a lot easier to budget for other things like excursions, pictures, or souvenirs once you’re on the ship. You won’t have to check your expense account to budget enough for alcohol or cut out other expenses to make room if you want to drink more because you’ve already paid for it!

 

 

Cons:

1. Everyone in the cabin has to purchase it

Before you get too excited about the Cheers! program, you better check with your cabin mate first, because if one person wants the Cheers! program, everyone in that cabin over 21 has to purchase the program as well. So if another adult cruiser in the same cabin is refusing to buy the package, you might have to opt out and miss out on the perks.

SET CRUISE PRICE DROPS HERE!

 

2. Port-intensive cruises

Does your cruise itinerary spend more days in port than at sea? You may want to consider how much time you’ll be spending in port versus how much time you will be on the ship taking advantage of the program. If you’re going on a 3-day sailing that spends two of those days in ports, would the program still be worth it?

 

3. Doesn’t start until 2nd day for cruises out of Texas, Alabama, and New York

This one is important: If you’re sailing on a cruise out of Texas, Alabama, or New York, your Cheers! program will not go into effect until the second day of your cruise due to state laws beyond Carnival’s control. That means all drinks you buy on that first day go on your Sign & Sail account, which takes away slightly from that worry-free feeling of knowing everything is pre-paid.

 

4. Some drinks not included

Okay, so one of the pros is that the program is “all-inclusive,” but that is admittedly a bit of a misnomer, as there are a few things that aren’t included. Drinks served in the souvenir glasses or served through room service are not included, nor are bottles of liquor. And those buckets of beers you see groups ordering on the lido deck? Those are out, too.

 

5. You can’t buy a round

If you’re traveling with a bunch of friends and family and plan to “buy them a round,” keep in mind that the Cheers! program won’t cover this. Actually, it will only cover your drink, and then you will be charged separately to your Sign & Sail account for all the other drinks. And if your friends or family all have the program as well, then it just doesn’t make sense for you to pay extra when they’ve already paid for their drinks to be included. Not to mention it can be a pain when you’re all sitting together at the Comedy Club and the bartender comes around and you have to each get out your Sign & Sail card for separate bills instead of one generous friend offering to pay for that round.

[code_d]

Cheers is absolutely worth it if all over 21 parties in the cabin get more than 5 alcoholic drinks per day and drink specialty coffees or teas, sodas or sparkling waters, juices, milkshakes, bottled waters and energy drinks. You only pay for the days used so out of Galveston you pay as you go day one then the package kicks in day 2 and you pay for the remaining days. You absolutely can buy rounds for friends of anything that do not count against the cheers 15 number. Just have to do it before you reach the 15. They will let you know when you are close. $55/day is very easy to reach unless all you drink is iced tea, lemonade, regular coffee, and water from the tap.

[tallnthensome]

Running the numbers on drink costs and package prices I have come to the conclusion that the carnival drinks package is not worth the money and its cheaper to pay as you go.

Yeah, if you plan on drinking two Budweisers a day maybe. My wife and I make sure the cruise lines are sorry they sold us the drink package as we drink twice what we paid for it! :)

[JaniceB]

As far as a shot goes just make sure it has been 5 minutes since your last drink or they will make you wait. My advice would be to order your drink and then 5 minutes later your shot. Sometimes I get a drink and then order a shot to put in my drink if it is weak.

 

The bartenders will usually tell you when you are getting close to your max

Edited December 13, 2016 by JaniceB

[agreenway6]

You guys are the best!

[kshees]

We also went out of Galveston in May and we waited until the 2nd day to purchase it. They prorated it because of the Texas law. We think it is worth it just simply because we will try new things and not worry if we don't like it. I also like the sweet frozen drinks but then I like wine at dinner. We don't come close to our limit but for us it is worth it especially now that they have added bottled water and coffees. Shots are included in the package too. Have fun.

[BahamaMama1214]

4. Basically all-inclusive

In addition to alcohol, now included in Carnival’s Cheers! program are sodas, zero-proof frozen cocktails, energy drinks, specialty coffees, hot tea, 500 mL bottled water and other non-alcoholic bottled beverages, so there’s almost not a drink on the ship that’s not included in your program. Not to mention, you also get 25% off the menu price for any spirit or glass of wine above $50, off wine and champagne by the bottle, and off beverage seminars and classes.

 

On the new plan, do the non-alcoholic beverages count towards the 15 drink limit, or are they additional beverages?

[springs741]

On the new plan, do the non-alcoholic beverages count towards the 15 drink limit, or are they additional beverages?

Only alcoholic drink count towards the 15 drink limit.

[heather9844]

Nope. Unlimited non-alcoholic drinks!

[Wanna_Cruize]

One or two more areas to consider.

 

As far as port intensive cruises go, I'm going to find out soon. We're going on a 8 night Southern Caribbean cruise with only 1 sea day. I figure I'll still be able to get in 1-2 mimosas, and 2-3 glasses of wine with dinner. Along with specialty coffee & bottled water, and drinks in the shows, casino, etc. I certainly won't be able to hit 15 drinks per day, however I'm confident I can reach the break-even point each day, especially since I can 'splurge' on better quality wines than if I was purchasing it by the glass. Also, I order a better quality glass of champagne w/OJ on the side, rather than the standard mimosa.

 

One benefit of the Cheers rather than bringing on 2 bottles of wine, and purchasing the wine package is that one person can have white and the other one red, which is harder to do when drinking by the bottle.

 

I'm just happy to not have to play the 'should I order a drink, I want to, but how high is my bill, what if I don't like the drink, which wine is the cheapest, etc. Not having to worry about it is great, and paying for it ahead of time means the bill under my door may not induce a heart attack on the last night.

 

Also, it's not a zero-sum game, $700 per couple for a 7 night cruise vs. nothing. We would bring 2 bottles onboard, and would have to pay corkage of say $20 to open each bottle in the MDR, plus the $30/40 for the wine itself. Then purchase a wine package for dinner, and we usually got the 2nd tier, so another $200 there. DH always gets the sparkling water to drink, so I'd buy that before we boarded, so I think $30 for that and now another $10 for bottled water (24 bottles). Also, I'd purchase a bottle of liquor for another $85 to have in the cabin & mix our drinks. So, I'm over $400 right here. Not to mention perhaps smuggling some other stuff on board, specialty creamer and flavorings for coffee, etc. All that is gone now.

[JaniceB]

I agree no worries about ordering a drink just how many orders for my DH that matter, LOL!

[ray98]

Running the numbers on drink costs and package prices I have come to the conclusion that the carnival drinks package is not worth the money and its cheaper to pay as you go.

 

 

Maybe for YOU....not for everyone. I can 100% say we saved money by going with the drink package every time we used it.

[dorchrislen]

can I order a Long Island Iced Tea or other "menu" item from Alchemy and get it with Cheers? or am I limited to drinks with just one type of alcohol and 1 shot in them? Thanks!

[heather9844]

can I order a Long Island Iced Tea or other "menu" item from Alchemy and get it with Cheers? or am I limited to drinks with just one type of alcohol and 1 shot in them? Thanks!

 

 

Any drink on a menu is absolutely included. What might not be included is like for example if you get a margarita at Blue Iguana but ask them to add a liquor such as Grand Marnier. This is because it's already a menu drink plus you're adding another liquor. I hope that makes sense.

[agreenway6]

We also went out of Galveston in May and we waited until the 2nd day to purchase it. They prorated it because of the Texas law. We think it is worth it just simply because we will try new things and not worry if we don't like it. I also like the sweet frozen drinks but then I like wine at dinner. We don't come close to our limit but for us it is worth it especially now that they have added bottled water and coffees. Shots are included in the package too. Have fun.

 

When you purchased it on the 2nd day, did it immediately go into effect? Or did you have to wait?

[heather9844]

When you purchased it on the 2nd day, did it immediately go into effect? Or did you have to wait?

 

 

It immediately goes into effect, yes. I did this on my last cruise.