Cheers or a' la carte?

[Drazil65]

If you drink wine you can each bring a bottle with you on the cruise, then you could always purchase one of the wine packages (Crusin the Vineyards) and that will give you another 5 bottles for the week. Those 7 bottles plus a few ala carte items from one of the bars would probably make a lot more sense for the 2 of you financially. DH and and I use this method for all of our 7 day cruises and we spend somewhere around $400 - $500 total (that included specialty coffees and milkshakes and wine packages) for the week.

 

Just another option and have a blast on your cruise!!!

[Smithkids5521]

This will be my first cruise, and after reading all these posts, I have to ask, what does a bottle of water cost on board? Coffee? Gatorade? I had looked at the Cheers program and couldn't see how my daughter and I could possibly spend $800 on drinks. Now, however, I'm starting to wonder. Can anyone give me some idea what the individual drinks cost?

 

I debated over purchasing Cheers for our upcoming trip, but I was able to buy some discounted Carnival gift cards and pay for it that way (if you're not familiar just do a quick search here for AARP, Verizon or All State Rewards), so the $800 cost for Cheers turned into only $720. :)

 

For me personally, I like the idea of Cheers mainly to be able to try new drinks. In the past, if I ordered a drink and didn't care for it I would feel bad because I had wasted $12... but now if I don't care for it, I'll just order something else (as long as I don't go over my 15 drinks). And on top of that when you throw in a nice milkshake (with some baileys or Kahlua sounds delicious) and add a few Honest Tea or energy drinks to bring back to the cabin or take off ship for my excursion, the breakeven point is very close. But even if I don't break even I like the fact that I won't have to look at my bar tab- because there will be none. I'll just order whatever suits my fancy and enjoy my cruise. ;)

 

I hope you and your daughter have a wonderful cruise!

[Smithkids5521]

Does the 15 drink limit only apply to drinks with alcohol? Or is it a combination of everything including water, milkshakes, etc?

Just alcohol :)

[cruisemom67]

We have never purchased cheers, but we are not HUGE drinkers. We bring on our bottles of wine (one each), and may buy a bottle or two while on board. Plus we get a free drink coupon for being Platinum, and a Platinum/Diamond party with free drinks. After all of that, it doesn't make sense for us to buy cheers as I don't drink during the afternoon (no judgement, I just would be asleep by 6 p.m. if I did!), so 2-3 drinks a day is plenty for me. I don't like the way I feel if I drink more than that, and I usually go on cruises to have great memories, so those two things keep my drinking to a minimum. But if you plan to drink more than 5 drinks a day, it would be worth it. I just don't want to feel "I have to" drink more to get my money's worth.

[SNJCruisers]

But even if I don't break even I like the fact that I won't have to look at my bar tab- because there will be none. I'll just order whatever suits my fancy and enjoy my cruise. ;)

That's another way to look at the program...it's a value to you, Diana. Enjoy that spiked milkshake if you cruise on a ship with the Shake Spot.

[venym19]

This will be my first cruise, and after reading all these posts, I have to ask, what does a bottle of water cost on board? Coffee? Gatorade? I had looked at the Cheers program and couldn't see how my daughter and I could possibly spend $800 on drinks. Now, however, I'm starting to wonder. Can anyone give me some idea what the individual drinks cost?

 

I know my husband & I went on a cruise and he doesn't drink at home at all. I do. We didn't purchase Cheers due to cost, however he really liked the Miami Vice and he had plenty of those. So we spent the rest of our cruise limiting ourselves because we had a budget. This time we purchased Cheers and love the fact that our drinks will be taken care of. To break even you need at least 6/per day roughly so I know we will hit that easily. It's definitely personal preference.

[beerman2]

Yes, I do realize there are more hours in the day than those spent in port. I just do not choose to spend those hours binge drinking at this point in my life, so a la carte works best for me :)

If your back on board at 4 , like many ports, and are up to midnight and have 1 drink an hour for those 8 hrs it is far from Binge drinking.

 

If it doesn't work for an individual that's all well and good.

But the exaggeration of "binge drinking" isn't a fair comparison.

[Cruisegiggler]

I did Cheers on a recent cruise on Magic, it worked for me. Even though we were in port 4 of the 7 days, between speciality coffees, milkshakes, 1.5lt bottles of water and an easy 5+ drinks with dinner, casino, shows it worked for me and my cabin mates. We like most everyone on here went back and forth but in the end being able to get any drink we wanted, any time we wanted and break even at ~$50/day, it was worth it.

[RenoNanaOz]

I drink quite a bit and I never get the cheers. I find after doing the math that me and the wife do not drink 30 drinks a day and with port days. I usually get a all you can drink excursion or resort. I'm pretty wasted when I get back so I tend to take it easy until like 2 the next day. So it doesn't usually make too much sense for me.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

I agree with you, that's how we do it as well. With drinking in port on our excursions or free lancing LOL. By the time we get back to the ship it's nap time.

[SNJCruisers]

I agree with you, that's how we do it as well. With drinking in port on our excursions or free lancing LOL. By the time we get back to the ship it's nap time.

If it's your first it second time in a port and you wish to imbibe...go for it, you're on vacation. But, after cruising the Caribbean 25 times we mainly cruise for the ship these days so relaxing on deck with a cold beer during the day while others are in port makes for a nice day.

 

Sent from my XT1254 using Forums mobile app

[VASOXFANN]

If your back on board at 4 , like many ports, and are up to midnight and have 1 drink an hour for those 8 hrs it is far from Binge drinking.

 

If it doesn't work for an individual that's all well and good.

But the exaggeration of "binge drinking" isn't a fair comparison.

 

But if you are back on board at 4, take a nap, have 1-2 glasses of wine at early seating dinner, and go to bed at 10 to be rested for an early morning excursion...how much time does that leave (and how many drinks need to be downed to break even?)

 

I don't cruise to drink. Having a drink package made me obsessed with getting my money's worth, which was tiresome.

[texasgirl73]

 

I don't cruise to drink. Having a drink package made me obsessed with getting my money's worth, which was tiresome.

 

 

This is exactly how I feel. I have no idea how much I will want to drink. I may very well feel like not drinking at all on a couple of days. Paying ahead of time made me feel like I had to since I hate wasting money. This last time without Cheers I was just prepared for the bill at the end. I had realistic expectations so there was no "sticker shock." For those who are certain that they will feel like drinking multiple drinks every day Cheers makes sense but for others who only drink when the mood strikes it's better to pass.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

[Isasprings]

We have never purchased cheers, but we are not HUGE drinkers. We bring on our bottles of wine (one each), and may buy a bottle or two while on board. Plus we get a free drink coupon for being Platinum, and a Platinum/Diamond party with free drinks. After all of that, it doesn't make sense for us to buy cheers as I don't drink during the afternoon (no judgement, I just would be asleep by 6 p.m. if I did!), so 2-3 drinks a day is plenty for me. I don't like the way I feel if I drink more than that, and I usually go on cruises to have great memories, so those two things keep my drinking to a minimum. But if you plan to drink more than 5 drinks a day, it would be worth it. I just don't want to feel "I have to" drink more to get my money's worth.

I do the same thing 2 or 3 drinks per day I am not a huge drinker.

[cindyg1963]

Thanks everyone for your input!

 

My daughter is still in college drinking mode (*LOL*), but after spending a weekend with her and her friends, this mama realized I am well beyond keeping up with the younger crowd when it comes to alcohol. What used to be a three day weekend of drinking has turned into one wild night and three to recover.

 

The Irish side of me says "I'll drink you under the table" while the Scottish side of me says "I ain't payin' for it"!

[Alaskan Joe]

If you drink a lot then get Cheers! As for me I drink mostly beer, but I do drink a few frozen fruity drinks during a 7 day cruise. So doing the math my beers are between $5-7 so I have to drink 9 beers to break even (which is what I normally do, break even). The problem is you have to do this everyday:o. My DW and I usually get the drink package (she makes out on them, for she drink high ended liquors). In fact our Princess cruise we just took their drink package includes ALL drinks, even specialty coffees ie; lattes and such, so it was well worth the cost. However Carnival is not ALL drinks and if one person in the cabin gets Cheers then everyone over 21yrs of age in the state room has to get it:mad:. The best part about the drink package is before you set sail you know what your bar tab is going to be, no guessing. Now with all that said our next cruise is the 14 day Alaskan cruise in Aug 2018 on the Splendor. 14 days straight I do not think I could drink my 9 beers or 6 plus a couple of frozen fruity drinks everyday. Don't get me wrong my DW and I can drink but 14 days straight:o. So we probably will not get it for this cruise, but hey we have 479 days to decide:confused:......LoL. Which ever you choose have fun and don't get too drunk that you fall overboard.

[Shanterpia]

I believe that the cheers program includes specialty coffees and what not now.

 

Sent from my SM-G930T using Forums mobile app

[SNJCruisers]

However Carnival is not ALL drinks and if one person in the cabin gets Cheers then everyone over 21yrs of age in the state room has to get it:mad:.

Just to let you know Joe, Carnival changed the program last year. It now includes everything. 15 alcoholic drinks up to 50.00 each, which is not realistic since there are only a few specific items between 15.00-20.00.(Grey Goose VX, Roca Patron tequila, Pyrat Cask rum & a champagne in the steakhouse) It also includes unlimited non alcoholic drinks including bottled water (still & sparkling), hot & cold espresso based coffees, vitamin water, energy drinks, Honest Tea iced teas, soda, juice, and even milkshakes. The every person over 21 rule still does apply though. 14 days of it though is a bit much.....about 8 is the max for me.

[Kyndal93]

I always get the drink Package. For me it's worth it. I'll have a few fruity drinks during the day, a couple drinks at dinner, and then beer until the casino closes at 4am. Lol. But, it really just depends on you! If you drink more than 6 drinks a day, then get it forsure

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

[ray98]

We have always averaged well over $50pp a day for the variety of drinks covered by Cheers. Most of the stuff we drink is near $10 a drink so it adds up fast without the package. That coupled with the freedom from budget concerns that come with the package it is a no brainer for us.

[Computer Nerd]

Does the 15 drink limit only apply to drinks with alcohol? Or is it a combination of everything including water, milkshakes, etc?

 

15 drink limit applies to alcohol. Everything else is unlimited (if your bladder can handle all that liquid).

[Alaskan Joe]

Just to let you know Joe, Carnival changed the program last year. It now includes everything. 15 alcoholic drinks up to 50.00 each, which is not realistic since there are only a few specific items between 15.00-20.00.(Grey Goose VX, Roca Patron tequila, Pyrat Cask rum & a champagne in the steakhouse) It also includes unlimited non alcoholic drinks including bottled water (still & sparkling), hot & cold espresso based coffees, vitamin water, energy drinks, Honest Tea iced teas, soda, juice, and even milkshakes. The every person over 21 rule still does apply though. 14 days of it though is a bit much.....about 8 is the max for me.

 

Thanks for the update on the changed program for Cheers. I was for sure we are not getting Cheers for our 2 weeks in Alaska. However in light of this news we just may have to think about it:confused:. Still around 9 beers a day for 2 weeks:o not sure I could hang. Now don't get me wrong I drink beer everyday, but Its only 2 beers for the most part some days maybe a couple more. Decisions, Decisions, Decisions:confused:.

[tlwg04]

I hope to be able to afford Cheers on my next cruise.......:o

[SNJCruisers]

I hope to be able to afford Cheers on my next cruise.......:o

Do a search on the boards as to how you can obtain 10% off Carnival gift cards through four different venues to help with the 57.50 cost per day for Cheers including gratuity.

 

Sent from my XT1254 using Forums mobile app