Cheers cost analysis

[boomhower]

2 hours ago, Razorbakfan said:

Is it a 15 drink per person limit, or 15 per couple per day?

 

 

per person

 

[mkmaj]

On 12/9/2018 at 6:35 PM, beerman2 said:

LOL , that's what NCL has perks, that include drinks and specialty Dining included for gratuity's.

 

 

Having sailed NCL the past two times, I'm really looking forward to Cheers on our upcoming Carnival cruise because there is a LOT more included. I am going to live it up on fancy coffee, bottled water, maybe even a milkshake or two!

[iggyc]

Use aarp or Allstate gift cards and pay with discounted $$.  That’s how we pay for our package and our cruise. Saved 10% on upcoming cruise or $200 and $120 on cheers for 4 people.  Cheers would have been around $1200 for the 4 of us.  But the discounts brought it down to $880 or $220 /5 days for $44 a day.   That’s how I justify it.   

 

[MommytoAsquared]

I'm not a big drinker so I've never gotten the package, but when staying at all-inclusive resorts, I like being able to try new drinks.  If I don't like it, I just dump it out and get something different.  If I had paid for that drink, I would make myself finish it.  Or if I just want a fresh drink, I get a fresh drink, something I would not do if paying $8-$9 for a drink.  I can see that as being an advantage to Cheers!.

[ricew001]

On 12/24/2018 at 12:37 AM, MommytoAsquared said:

I'm not a big drinker so I've never gotten the package, but when staying at all-inclusive resorts, I like being able to try new drinks.  If I don't like it, I just dump it out and get something different.  If I had paid for that drink, I would make myself finish it.  Or if I just want a fresh drink, I get a fresh drink, something I would not do if paying $8-$9 for a drink.  I can see that as being an advantage to Cheers!.

You've touched on one of the best things about Cheers. I'm a very picky drinker and I find myself getting bad drinks on land and feeling obligated to drink them. I did not want to feel like that on vacation! I really enjoyed that on Cheers if my pina colada became watered down by the pool then I just got me another one!

The other great thing about Cheers is the savings: I also used my 10% off Carnival gift card to purchase Cheers and I bought it prior to cruising, so I was saving money in those two ways. Plus it was already paid for when I stepped on the ship - didn't have to worry about the bill at the end. 

So to me Cheers is a mindset too - I don't worry about tossing a bad drink and I don't worry about the "final bill" at the END of the cruise.

 

[meester_jamie]

I found same drinks at different bars , different prices ,, 

if you get a cheers drink in casino , walk to next bar where “friends” are waiting ,, and leave that drink in front of them, then order another ... just saying ,, nuff said!

 

if you hang out at alchemy, you want cheers!

 

you can try drinks and if you don’t like it ,, try another! Or get them to alter it a bit ,, more heat,, more of something else ,, 

Deal Closer!  

Forty is the new twenty!

The Remedy!

The Quick Fix!

 

Edited December 28, 2018 by meester_jamie

[MississippiMom]

On 12/11/2018 at 12:33 PM, Joebucks said:

 

The problem for me is I want drinks the most during the day when relaxing by the pool/beach. I wouldn't say that is uncommon for many. So what do I do when off the boat? I either buy more drinks on land, don't drink, or I start designing my vacation around Cheers. These Cheers "schedules" never account for that. They are more for here is how you drink your money's worth. By the time I come back, I usually need to rehydrate/rest and drinks really aren't at the top of my to-do list. This is why I believe there is a night and day difference between port and sea days with Cheers. That scenario seems like a stretch where people are getting 4 drinks by the time they get back on and dinner. Especially as a daily thing.

I feel like I should jump in with a different perspective.  I HATE the way I feel when I mix the sun with alchohol. I am hydrating with water or, maybe, a lemonade, when sitting by a pool or on the beach.  But I like to enjoy “a pretty” cocktail (or two) with a meal, and I love a fancy nightcap.  These drinks run between $10 - $15 in our local area restaurants, so I suspect I will be charged that, at a minimum, on the cruise ship.  The Cheers package will also cover the indulgence of a milk shake, a specialty coffee, a bottled water, or a bottled tea, which are all things I would enjoy.  I am not the cruiser who is ordering a beer, a glass of house wine, or black coffee, so the math might actually work for me, even on port days.

[kanadakid]

On 12/8/2018 at 8:31 AM, robc1972 said:

Can always just get a rum runner and bring on some booze to mix with the coke you bring on and save a ton of money.

 

When I cruised S Caribbean last year, (I forget what port, but it had a casino right at the pier) I walked out of the casino and abruptly into an older couple who were busy siphoning a bottle of hooch into a plastic pouch. I thought it would be rude to take a pic for my FB page, but did stutter "Can you just DO that?" and the old girl looked up (She had to have been 75 if she was a day) without spilling a drop and said Heck yes! They charge so much so the booze - we buy these on Amazon; there's 5 different sizes!" She said we have rum, vodka, cream liquer etc and we save a fortune!"  I had to laugh at how brazen they were!

[pacruise804]

On 12/27/2018 at 1:22 PM, ricew001 said:

You've touched on one of the best things about Cheers. I'm a very picky drinker and I find myself getting bad drinks on land and feeling obligated to drink them. I did not want to feel like that on vacation! I really enjoyed that on Cheers if my pina colada became watered down by the pool then I just got me another one!

The other great thing about Cheers is the savings: I also used my 10% off Carnival gift card to purchase Cheers and I bought it prior to cruising, so I was saving money in those two ways. Plus it was already paid for when I stepped on the ship - didn't have to worry about the bill at the end. 

So to me Cheers is a mindset too - I don't worry about tossing a bad drink and I don't worry about the "final bill" at the END of the cruise.

 

I'm curious (and realize your results may not represent others): do you not finish many drinks, and if so do you come close to 15 many days? 

 

There were several interesting drinks on the Pride when we sailed, but I don't do anything coconut so that rules out several drinks (as described) plus was raised that you finish anything you order/take so I struggle some with the concept of not finishing a drink unless it is really nasty - I even finished the disgustingly sweet Kiss on the Lips.  (I struggle at the buffet too since the servers and I have a different opinion of a "small" piece of a dessert to try.)

[Joebucks]

8 hours ago, pacruise804 said:

I'm curious (and realize your results may not represent others): do you not finish many drinks, and if so do you come close to 15 many days? 

 

There were several interesting drinks on the Pride when we sailed, but I don't do anything coconut so that rules out several drinks (as described) plus was raised that you finish anything you order/take so I struggle some with the concept of not finishing a drink unless it is really nasty - I even finished the disgustingly sweet Kiss on the Lips.  (I struggle at the buffet too since the servers and I have a different opinion of a "small" piece of a dessert to try.)

 

People will scrounge together anything they can think of to justify this purchase. I can't remember the last time I didn't like a drink that much, let alone wish I bought access to every drink in case. I really only hate anything coffee flavored like Baileys/Kahlua, and know not to order it. Many bartenders will make you a new drink if you are polite and really don't like what you ordered, or they can even "fix" a drink.

[meester_jamie]

10 hours ago, Joebucks said:

Many bartenders will make you a new drink if you are polite and really don't like what you ordered, or they can even "fix" a drink.

 

True !

But I love Baileys lol ,,  I think it is vermouth that I have to avoid ,, lol

 

[ProgRockCruiser]

On 1/3/2019 at 2:44 PM, pacruise804 said:

I'm curious (and realize your results may not represent others): do you not finish many drinks, and if so do you come close to 15 many days? 

 

You don't need to hit 15 to make it worth your while - as mentioned, if you have 5 or 6 fancy drinks, especially at Alchemy Bar, you will likely have had enough to pay for the package that day (i.e. "break even"), so every drink after that is "free".

 

But I usually get to over a dozen a day, anyway, and I finish my drinks...

 

15 hours ago, Joebucks said:

 

People will scrounge together anything they can think of to justify this purchase.

 

Justify?  Nope - I drink enough that I am guaranteed to save money by purchasing the Cheers! package, even on the busiest/longest port days.  Yeah, I could not have as many drinks while I cruise, but why would I want to do that?  In fact, I did that on my very first pleasure cruise over a decade ago - my then girlfriend (now ex-wife) was not very indulgent, and discouraged me from going to get a refill, so I maybe had four drinks a day, max.  Did it ruin the experience?  No.  But it sure didn't enhance it...

 

The specialty coffees are a nice bonus with the Cheers! package, along with the bottled water.  I must admit I still haven't had an energy drink on board.

[CaneDawg]

I can never get because my spouse doesn't drink at all. If you do not get the cheers. Check out the Happy hour deals on certain days at the red frog pub. I'd get a whole pitcher of the special for like $8 with very little ice and put in the minifridge and refill a smaller glass with ice all day 🙂

 

[DesireeH]

We just purchased the CHEERS package for a cruise next week, I'm pretty sure we'll get our money's worth. If not, at least we can try new things. Does anyone know if you can use it right when you board or do you have to wait until your room is ready? If our boat leaves at 4:30 and we board at noon, we can use it at noon?

[j1d1]

3 minutes ago, DesireeH said:

We just purchased the CHEERS package for a cruise next week, I'm pretty sure we'll get our money's worth. If not, at least we can try new things. Does anyone know if you can use it right when you board or do you have to wait until your room is ready? If our boat leaves at 4:30 and we board at noon, we can use it at noon?

 

You can use it as soon as you board as long as you aren’t leaving from Texas or New York. You’ll use your boarding pass until you have your sail and sign card.

[DesireeH]

3 minutes ago, j1d1 said:

 

You can use it as soon as you board as long as you aren’t leaving from Texas or New York. You’ll use your boarding pass until you have your sail and sign card.

Thank you so much! We’re leaving from California. 

[pacruise804]

On 1/4/2019 at 3:31 PM, ProgRockCruiser said:

 

You don't need to hit 15 to make it worth your while - as mentioned, if you have 5 or 6 fancy drinks, especially at Alchemy Bar, you will likely have had enough to pay for the package that day (i.e. "break even"), so every drink after that is "free".

 

But I usually get to over a dozen a day, anyway, and I finish my drinks...

 

 

I'm familiar with the break even, we almost hit it on our heavy days but not even close on our light days.  My question was in response to the argument for Cheers that you don't have to worry about not finishing a drink if you don't like it (taste or melting too quickly).  I was curious if those who do that run the risk of hitting 15.

 

On 1/4/2019 at 4:48 PM, CaneDawg said:

I can never get because my spouse doesn't drink at all. If you do not get the cheers. Check out the Happy hour deals on certain days at the red frog pub. I'd get a whole pitcher of the special for like $8 with very little ice and put in the minifridge and refill a smaller glass with ice all day 🙂

 

 

My husband and I both drink some, but not enough to justify Cheers.  We are similar to you in searching out other deals like pitchers, samplers, buckets, and fish bowls.  If you are a heavier drinker though, Cheers might still make sense even if only one of you drinks.  In ProgRockCruiser's case of 12/day even if his wife only gets a specialty coffee, soft drink, or virgin drink each day and they would still break even.

 

If the cost of Cheers for your stateroom is less than the beverage charges would be a la carte, then Cheers makes sense.  If buying a la carte you would spend several hundred less (drinking habits being equal), then Cheers doesn't financially make sense.  If you find enough value in the all-inclusive aspect of it to offset the price difference it still might make sense.  I'm glad we have options.

[Joebucks]

On 1/4/2019 at 4:48 PM, CaneDawg said:

I can never get because my spouse doesn't drink at all. If you do not get the cheers. Check out the Happy hour deals on certain days at the red frog pub. I'd get a whole pitcher of the special for like $8 with very little ice and put in the minifridge and refill a smaller glass with ice all day 🙂

 

 

I was bummed out too because my other half doesn't drink either. I fight hard to get her to drink a few. I thought this was a bad thing, but it's a lot easier on the wallet!

[cmukid87]

16 minutes ago, Joebucks said:

 

I was bummed out too because my other half doesn't drink either. I fight hard to get her to drink a few. I thought this was a bad thing, but it's a lot easier on the wallet!

I found that this also allows me to throw extra $ at shore excursions or getting drinks on said excursions.  There is no hurry for me to get back on the ship while in port to try to break even, get my moneys worth, etc. so we can find neat places ashore to grab a drink, food, etc.  I've found really nice local spots to grab a few cheap beers or mixed drinks before heading back to give the cruise line more of my money.

[AandBmom]

On 12/7/2018 at 2:17 PM, bartleby112 said:

so understand the rules.  Not supposed to get drinks and give them to my wife etc.  But is this really enforceable? 

 

I think their workaround is making every adult in the room get it.   This means me and my friends cannot get a room and i buy the cheers and get them drinks all day. 

 

What could they possibly do if i went up and get a mojito and walk around the corner and give it to my wife?  I guess if they followed me they could give me a little hell. But if i drink 10 drinks a day (not happening) and i slip a drink or 2 to the wife over the length of the cruise they probably wouldn't catch on.

We've always done this. 

[wolft927]

Cheers is a Choice. Now My opinion if you are going to have 5 or 6 drinks a day I would get the drink package. It includes all the specialty coffea, milkshakes, bottles water, soda etc...Plus honestly I love when i walk on the SHip I never worry about my bar bill, peace of mind is worth it to me. Again just my opinion. 

[Jamesatgsu]

1 hour ago, wolft927 said:

Cheers is a Choice. Now My opinion if you are going to have 5 or 6 drinks a day I would get the drink package. It includes all the specialty coffea, milkshakes, bottles water, soda etc...Plus honestly I love when i walk on the SHip I never worry about my bar bill, peace of mind is worth it to me. Again just my opinion. 

Not worrying about the bar bill is the real value.

 

If you want to drink cheap, look for happy hour specials and bring your own (wine/champagne). I'm not getting it next time , but I think I'll miss it a little bit.