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My experience with Cheers

tdh8359

By tdh8359,
in Carnival Cruise Lines

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tdh8359

tdh8359

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I recently sailed on the Carnival Valor and just wanted to relay what my experience with the Cheers program was. For the most part it was great, no problems except the 1 day I was about to hit my 15 drink limit. I have read over and over that once you hit your 15 drink limit you are cut off from getting any more drinks even if you want to pay, so around drink 13 or 14 just start paying for your drinks. Well this didn't not work for me, the bartenders in 2 different bars would not let me buy a drink, at least for myself. They told me in one bar that if I wanted to buy a drink for someone that didn't have the Cheers program that would be fine. In other words I would have to find a stranger to buy a drink for since my wife already had the Cheers program. I was not happy and debated with them if this was correct to no avail. Rather than finding a stranger to go along with this I just maxed out at 15 drinks. Don't know if this was a one time deal or not just wanted to get my experience with program out there. Has anyone had a different or similar experience?

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smokesmom

smokesmom

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Happened to my husband. Same ship. We had Cheers and then he also happened to qualify for "Drinks on Us" at the Casino. One late evening he was told he was getting close to the 15 limit. Was told that when he reached it he couldn't use the Casino voucher, Cheers, or buy one after that. He's never gotten to the 15 limit on any other ship when we purchased Cheers so we don't know what would have happened.

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tdh8359

tdh8359

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Happened to my husband. Same ship. We had Cheers and then he also happened to qualify for "Drinks on Us" at the Casino. One late evening he was told he was getting close to the 15 limit. Was told that when he reached it he couldn't use the Casino voucher, Cheers, or buy one after that. He's never gotten to the 15 limit on any other ship when we purchased Cheers so we don't know what would have happened.

 

I also qualified for the "Drinks on Us" program, they said since I had the Cheers program there was no real benefit to casino drink card so they gave me 2 vouchers to order the upcharge items in the MDR which I was happy to do.

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bjd2

bjd2

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We got close one night in the casino and asked the bartender if we could buy one. He nodded his head and said, "so you want to buy one for a friend?", and kept nodding until we looked at each other and said, "yes, we'd like to buy one for a friend".

 

All good after that.

 

All bars might not work like that, but if you want to buy one, they don't need to know who it's for (IMHO).

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tdh8359

tdh8359

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We got close one night in the casino and asked the bartender if we could buy one. He nodded his head and said, "so you want to buy one for a friend?", and kept nodding until we looked at each other and said, "yes, we'd like to buy one for a friend".

 

All good after that.

 

All bars might not work like that, but if you want to buy one, they don't need to know who it's for (IMHO).

 

The bartender at the Casino bar told me they would need to have the friends sail and sign number if I was buying for them. I didn't feel comfortable asking a stranger for his sail and sign card number.

Edited by tdh8359
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rocketship

rocketship

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Some bartenders are picky about it for sure, but not all of them. The key is to not ask to "buy one for yourself." You need to walk up and be buying for a friend. Most of the time they wont care and not ask. If they do ask, you can point in a general direction and say he is over there. If they continue pushing, just say he was just here, but your not sure where he went or you are meeting him in the comedy club or whatever. I have been flat turned down once. I have been sold probably 100 times though. It really helps if you go to someone who remembers you and you tip a dollar or so a drink.

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CLS/KAS

CLS/KAS

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Some bartenders are picky about it for sure, but not all of them. The key is to not ask to "buy one for yourself." You need to walk up and be buying for a friend. Most of the time they wont care and not ask. If they do ask, you can point in a general direction and say he is over there. If they continue pushing, just say he was just here, but your not sure where he went or you are meeting him in the comedy club or whatever. I have been flat turned down once. I have been sold probably 100 times though. It really helps if you go to someone who remembers you and you tip a dollar or so a drink.

 

Ah, yes,....the tip...

find a bartender, and take care of him/her...

they will take care of you...that's after all, the reason why they are on the ship...

also, have backup (as mentioned) in your room.. I pre-order..takes care of the problem :D

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tdh8359

tdh8359

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Ah, yes,....the tip...

find a bartender, and take care of him/her...

they will take care of you...that's after all, the reason why they are on the ship...

also, have backup (as mentioned) in your room.. I pre-order..takes care of the problem :D

 

I tipped a dollar for every drink I got so that shouldn't have been an issue. Really didn't think I needed a backup with a 15 drink minimum. We did carry on wine for the first night however.

Edited by tdh8359
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easyboy

easyboy

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Some bartenders are picky about it for sure, but not all of them. The key is to not ask to "buy one for yourself." You need to walk up and be buying for a friend. Most of the time they wont care and not ask. If they do ask, you can point in a general direction and say he is over there. If they continue pushing, just say he was just here, but your not sure where he went or you are meeting him in the comedy club or whatever. I have been flat turned down once. I have been sold probably 100 times though. It really helps if you go to someone who remembers you and you tip a dollar or so a drink.

I like your technique. Will try that before the limit.

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AdGuyMG

AdGuyMG

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If they do ask, you can point in a general direction and say he is over there. If they continue pushing, just say he was just here, but your not sure where he went or you are meeting him in the comedy club or whatever.

 

Bravo! Sounds like a Tony Award winning performance.

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d12j28

d12j28

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Is it or is it not a 15 drink max with or without Cheers? 15 drink max rather you had Cheers or not, was my experience on the Valor.

With Cheers they will cut you off at #15. Without Cheers there is no specific #.

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Alaskan Joe

Alaskan Joe

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With Cheers they will cut you off at #15. Without Cheers there is no specific #.

 

:confused: I swore the bartender told us it did not matter if you had Cheers or Not, 15 max?:confused: However we all know that one cruise personnel's answer maybe different then another's.:eek:

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