Moby0215 Posted July 25, 2017 #1 Share Posted July 25, 2017 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? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Saint Greg Posted July 25, 2017 #2 Share Posted July 25, 2017 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moby0215 Posted July 25, 2017 Author #3 Share Posted July 25, 2017 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. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A&Jfamily Posted July 25, 2017 #4 Share Posted July 25, 2017 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. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk We are not gamblers but I do know that if you reach a certain amount gambling they will comp your drinks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Saint Greg Posted July 25, 2017 #5 Share Posted July 25, 2017 We are not gamblers but I do know that if you reach a certain amount gambling they will comp your drinks. Drinks on us https://www.carnival.com/onboard/drinks-on-us Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moby0215 Posted July 25, 2017 Author #6 Share Posted July 25, 2017 Drinks on us https://www.carnival.com/onboard/drinks-on-us 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? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Normal 1 Posted July 26, 2017 #7 Share Posted July 26, 2017 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BTHodgeman Posted July 26, 2017 #8 Share Posted July 26, 2017 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
easyboy Posted July 26, 2017 #9 Share Posted July 26, 2017 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SkyPiglet Posted July 26, 2017 #10 Share Posted July 26, 2017 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 :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RWolver672 Posted July 26, 2017 #11 Share Posted July 26, 2017 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare sparks1093 Posted July 26, 2017 #12 Share Posted July 26, 2017 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. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk So if you got a comped cruise on NCL you'd still be eligible for the Free at Sea promotions? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare sparks1093 Posted July 26, 2017 #13 Share Posted July 26, 2017 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). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drvmywifecrzy Posted July 26, 2017 #14 Share Posted July 26, 2017 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 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare sparks1093 Posted July 26, 2017 #15 Share Posted July 26, 2017 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moby0215 Posted July 26, 2017 Author #16 Share Posted July 26, 2017 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. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BNBR Posted July 26, 2017 #17 Share Posted July 26, 2017 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. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk 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? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moby0215 Posted July 26, 2017 Author #18 Share Posted July 26, 2017 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. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Please sign in to comment
You will be able to leave a comment after signing in
Sign In Now