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Moby0215

By Moby0215,
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Moby0215

Moby0215

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I've been on numerous cruises on NCL but never on Carnival. Contemplating a cruise on Carnival Pride because I live in Baltimore and I have a "free" cruise certificate from my local casino. Wondering about the beverage package and/or beverages in the casino. On NCL they have the beverage package for free (just pay gratuity). I am guessing that is not the case on Carnival?

 

 

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Saint Greg "Live from...." Rare

Saint Greg

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The beverage program is 49.99/day. They tack 15% gratuity on it so about $57.50 after that. With it you get up to 15 alcoholic beverages per day and unlimited specialty coffee, shakes, soda, sports drinks, water.

 

https://help.carnival.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/1106/~/cheers%21-beverage-program

 

I recently priced a NCL cruise with the "free" beverage program and the cost came out about the same as a Carnival Cruise with Cheers.

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Moby0215

Moby0215

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The beverage program is 49.99/day. They tack 15% gratuity on it so about $57.50 after that. With it you get up to 15 alcoholic beverages per day and unlimited specialty coffee, shakes, soda, sports drinks, water.

 

https://help.carnival.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/1106/~/cheers%21-beverage-program

 

I recently priced a NCL cruise with the "free" beverage program and the cost came out about the same as a Carnival Cruise with Cheers.

 

 

 

Yes, but keep in mind I don't pay the price of the cruise as I get them "free" through the casino. So the $57.50 pppd (or a total of $805) would be an extra cost that I would never have to pay on NCL. Just trying to figure out if it is even worth taking this cruise or if I should just stick with NCL for now.

 

 

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A&Jfamily

A&Jfamily

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Yes, but keep in mind I don't pay the price of the cruise as I get them "free" through the casino. So the $57.50 pppd (or a total of $805) would be an extra cost that I would never have to pay on NCL. Just trying to figure out if it is even worth taking this cruise or if I should just stick with NCL for now.

 

 

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We are not gamblers but I do know that if you reach a certain amount gambling they will comp your drinks.

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Normal 1

Normal 1

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Drinks on us in the Casinos on Carnival takes 1500 points. Not sure if points are equivalent to dollars spent or not. I have qualified the last 2 cruises I have been on. I am not a big gambler but both times I hit fairly big the first couple nights on slots. Put some of the win I got back in but still walked off with more than 1,000 of their money. Not a big drinker so likely was the cheapest drinks on us qualifier they ever had.

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BTHodgeman

BTHodgeman

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On NCL if you are booked through the casino they automatically give you the casino drink card regardless of your status. Don't have to earn it. How much do you have to play to earn it?

 

To get a Drinks on Us card for your current cruise, you'll need to earn 1,500 slot points, which is $3,750 through the slot machines ($2.50 per point).

 

However, since you are cruising on a land-based casino's free cruise offer, I would encourage you to e-mail the casino in advance and ask if they can extend a Drinks on Us Card based on you having received the offer from another casino. It worked for me several years back, and I've heard of it working for others as well.

 

Also, earning 5,000 points on your cruise will net you an automatic Drinks on Us card during your next cruise and you will also likely receive a bounce-back offer on the last night valid for a free interior cabin on a sailing within the next 6 months.

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easyboy

easyboy

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The beverage program is 49.99/day. They tack 15% gratuity on it so about $57.50 after that. With it you get up to 15 alcoholic beverages per day and unlimited specialty coffee, shakes, soda, sports drinks, water.

 

https://help.carnival.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/1106/~/cheers%21-beverage-program

 

I recently priced a NCL cruise with the "free" beverage program and the cost came out about the same as a Carnival Cruise with Cheers.

I agree and deals can be deceiving. Whenever we encounter "free" packages on drinks, dining and gratuities, we also check the bottom line price if it really makes a difference.

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SkyPiglet

SkyPiglet

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Even if you do get the "Drinks on Us" perk in the casino, you will only get those drinks while playing in the casino (while it is open), from the waitstaff who circulate there. In my experience, it does NOT work if you walk up to the casino bar. If they are ever have larger crowds than they are staffed for, it may take a while to get drink service. Also, it does not extend to the bars (Alchemy, Red Frog, etc) in the rest of the ship. My wife usually manages to get the "Drinks on Us," but we are trying Cheers this time. Just a few things to keep in mind :)

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sparks1093 Great Review Rare

sparks1093

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Yes, but keep in mind I don't pay the price of the cruise as I get them "free" through the casino. So the $57.50 pppd (or a total of $805) would be an extra cost that I would never have to pay on NCL. Just trying to figure out if it is even worth taking this cruise or if I should just stick with NCL for now.

 

 

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So if you got a comped cruise on NCL you'd still be eligible for the Free at Sea promotions?

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sparks1093 Great Review Rare

sparks1093

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I noticed that nobody has mentioned that if you do get the Cheers package, every person in your cabin over 21 has to buy it. They don't want one person getting it and giving drinks to their cabin mates.

 

Same rule on NCL (although with the "free" package it's everyone over 21 has to get it and pay the gratuity for it, but if someone has to buy it [because they didn't get it "free"] then all in the cabin over 21 have to purchase the UBP).

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drvmywifecrzy

drvmywifecrzy

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So if you got a comped cruise on NCL you'd still be eligible for the Free at Sea promotions?

Yes and even better if they have 3rd and 4th guest free they are truly free, not even an admin fee. And you can call for upgrades a few days before your cruise and try your luck

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sparks1093 Great Review Rare

sparks1093

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Yes and even better if they have 3rd and 4th guest free they are truly free, not even an admin fee. And you can call for upgrades a few days before your cruise and try your luck

 

Seems like a no brainer to me then.

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Moby0215

Moby0215

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So if you got a comped cruise on NCL you'd still be eligible for the Free at Sea promotions?

 

 

 

That is correct. So it looks like I won't be giving Carnival a try cause even with the free cruise cert I would have to pay over $800 for the drinks package.

 

 

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BNBR

BNBR

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That is correct. So it looks like I won't be giving Carnival a try cause even with the free cruise cert I would have to pay over $800 for the drinks package.

 

 

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If it's one OR the other (Carnival OR NCL) - then I get just sticking with NCL due to the drink package. How does that promotion work from your casino - they give you a voucher that can be redeemed for any cruise line?

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Moby0215

Moby0215

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If it's one OR the other (Carnival OR NCL) - then I get just sticking with NCL due to the drink package. How does that promotion work from your casino - they give you a voucher that can be redeemed for any cruise line?

 

 

 

This particular voucher is only valid on Carnival. But I'm not gonna use it if I have to pay out of pocket for drinks. I routinely receive vouchers for NCL or I can even just call NCL casinos at sea and get the "free" room with drinks package included. It's not a good deal for me if drinks aren't included.

 

 

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