Still debating Cheers for first time cruiser

[Sersee]

Ok soooo I’m still debating it. I know it’s definitely convenient and I have the money saved up for my husband and I. I have tried using the calculators but that’s hard because I don’t know what I will drink and when.

 

 

We are definitely drinkers. I love my frozen cocktails when I’m vacation. I do like cold beer in the summer. I’m not much for wine. I will drink eater and I like  a cold soda here and there with my lunch.

 

Im thinking of winging it and seeing how much I spend and just won’t go over the Cheers package I saved for. We are a heavy port cruise as well with four of them.

 

I can order water from the fun shops right?  I know we have refrigerators but they are filled with mini bar items right?  I thought i read the steward can remove them so you can use it? We are on the Breeze.

 

 

Also if you buy your drinks, how much do you typically tip per drink? 

 

How much cash cash do you tend to bring on board?

[bfree32]

Based upon your comments, get the package. The only reason I wouldn't, would be if you stopped at a lot of ports and therefore would be off the ship on multiple days. 2 Pina Coladas, 1 club soda, a bottle of water, 1 drink with dinner and 2 in casino/show will easily pay for the package.  

[bearybubba]

We are debating this as well. We are not big drinkers but we like to have fun on vacation. We’ll be on the Magic next year with 3 ports.

[HerbertandB]

Yes, you can order water from the Fun Shops.  There aren't any mini-bars any more, depending on the ship/room you should have a refrigerator you can use for the water.

 

We think of ourselves as drinkers but there was no way we would have broken even with buying cheers on our 7-day cruise with 4 port days.  We had our 2 bottles of wine and drank what we wanted when we felt like it and still only spent about a quarter of the cost of cheers.

[Nic6318]

Hi

 

you say, "we are definitely drinkers". This says it all to me. These packages are made for you. 

 

It's quite easy. If you are going to drink 4-5 alcoholic drinks a day, you will at least break even. Consider you will be able to order any other non alcoholic as well. 

 

It appears that most who are in your shoes tend to drink more than they would normally, just because they feel they have "already paid for it". If this is a concern for you, the you would need to use some restraint. 

 

Otherwise, you say you already have the money saved. 

 

Tips are already added to the bill, whether you buy the package or not. You may give more if you choose.

 

The cabin fridges are empty.

 

If you choose not to buy the package... you can carry on 1 bottle of wine per person, and 12 pop cans. There are wine packages as well that you may purchase. You can also choose to buy a bottle (or two) of alcohol for your cabin. That works for some.

 

On the ship everything is charged to your account (no cash). Off the ship you can use credit cards for any large purchase. How much cash you choose to bring onboard would depend on how much you like to tip (extra), and if you were going to gamble. In the casino the slot machines will allow you to charge you onboard account but if you want to play the table games, they will charge 3% if you want to do the same.

[coevan]

pretty sure you order water from room service, not the Fun shop

 

We tip $1 per drink

 

Cash depends if you gamble or not. You really only need cash for taxis, on shore meals, buying souvenirs, and any on shore purchases.

 

mini fridges are empty

 

From your description, get Cheers, especially with the shakes, sodas, waters and other free soft drinks. 

[Sersee]

Im trying to compare it to when I went to an all inclusive resort.  We enjoyed frozen beverages  while in the pool and definitely had a couple of beers.  

 

I wont drink more than I usually would because I bought the package.  At home I don’t  day drink to often. Maybe a beer while sitting in my porch in late afternoon. But on vacation I will but that’s normally what we do in vacay.  But I also tend to go to bed earlier because I’m tired from the sun.

i don’t think that will be the case on a cruise though.

 

We are heavy port wise. We have 4 of them.  

 

 

I did not know that drinks without cheers also already has gratuity built in.

[Sersee]

10 minutes ago, HerbertandB said:

Yes, you can order water from the Fun Shops.  There aren't any mini-bars any more, depending on the ship/room you should have a refrigerator you can use for the water.

 

We think of ourselves as drinkers but there was no way we would have broken even with buying cheers on our 7-day cruise with 4 port days.  We had our 2 bottles of wine and drank what we wanted when we felt like it and still only spent about a quarter of the cost of cheers.

That’s my concern with the 4 port days. 

[ALWAYS CRUZIN]

You say you love your frozen drinks. Consider how many you will drink on the cruise vs the cost for a package that both must purchase. If you like a frozen drink lets say one a day. Not worth it. What we do is purchase the soda package. Water is included with it. Only one needs to purchase it. you are told not it is for your use only.  If I want a mixed drink. I get the soda and then pay for the liquor to put in it. Usually about $5.00. Let's say a screw driver. get the OJ and pay for the Vodka. Only a suggestion nothing more.

[HerbertandB]

3 minutes ago, Sersee said:

That’s my concern with the 4 port days. 

 

We did have some drinks in port too - but they were pretty cheap. (Of course, we're used to spending $15-$20 on cocktails in Las Vegas so YMMV)

 

[coevan]

6 minutes ago, Sersee said:

I did not know that drinks without cheers also already has gratuity built in.

 

 

You also prepay gratuities with Cheers, we still tip $1

 

6 minutes ago, Sersee said:

That’s my concern with the 4 port days.

 

 

don't let port days put you off, you can still drink enough to come out even easily. Bloody Mary or Mimosa before you leave. Grab a couple of free waters from the bar. When you return, you'll probably go right to the Lido deck for a drink, have a pre dinner drink, some wine with dinner, and a few after dinner drinks. 

[Sersee]

3 minutes ago, twodaywonder said:

You say you love your frozen drinks. Consider how many you will drink on the cruise vs the cost for a package that both must purchase. If you like a frozen drink lets say one a day. Not worth it. What we do is purchase the soda package. Water is included with it. Only one needs to purchase it. you are told not it is for your use only.  If I want a mixed drink. I get the soda and then pay for the liquor to put in it. Usually about $5.00. Let's say a screw driver. get the OJ and pay for the Vodka. Only a suggestion nothing more.

Bottled water comes with the soda package? I thought it didn’t.  You can share a soda package? Is it different for adults than kids?

[n6uqqq]

And maybe a couple of drinks before going to Friends of Bill 🤣

[Sersee]

2 minutes ago, coevan said:

 

 

You also prepay gratuities with Cheers, we still tip $1

 

 

 

don't let port days put you off, you can still drink enough to come out even easily. Bloody Mary or Mimosa before you leave. Grab a couple of free waters from the bar. When you return, you'll probably go right to the Lido deck for a drink, have a pre dinner drink, some wine with dinner, and a few after dinner drinks. 

I didn’t think of it that way!  I probably will come back grab a drink and get ready for dinner. Then have a drink at dinner and depending what we do one or two after. 

[coevan]

1 minute ago, Sersee said:

Bottled water comes with the soda package? I thought it didn’t.  You can share a soda package? Is it different for adults than kids?

 

 

no you can not shares the soda package, however you can bring a 12 pack of soda at every port. Yes, bottle water is included with Cheers and we always grab waters from bars to keep our fridge stocked

[lasekeye]

Bottled water multi - packs are from the Fun Shops, we always pre-order them from the Carnival website & usually they are in the room before we board (once they came later, around sail away time?)

 

We never have Cheers Pkg, we just don’t drink enuf to bother, esp on a port intensive cruise.  When we are at an All Inclusive Resort hanging around the pool/beach all day then sure, we would have some type of “cold beverage “ in our hands most of the time as it’s already paid for with the Vacation.

While on a cruise, where I’m paying aprox $9 per drink.....no way....water or free lemonade/iced tea or soda we bring on board is fine for us.

 

 

[ALWAYS CRUZIN]

1 minute ago, Sersee said:

Bottled water comes with the soda package? I thought it didn’t.  You can share a soda package? Is it different for adults than kids?

·         $8.50 a day + 18% gratuity

·         Soft drinks:  Coke, Diet Coke, Coke Zero, Caffeine Free Coke, Sprite, Sprite Zero, Orange Fanta, Mr. Pibb, Barqs Root Beer, Tonic Water, Club Soda, Ginger Ale

·         Juices: Orange Juice, Cranberry Juice, Tomato Juice, Pineapple Juice, Grapefruit Juice 

Restrictions:

·         Non-transferable and may not be shared. Guests or family members who would like to enjoy soft drinks through this program must purchase their own sticker.

·         One beverage serving, per sticker, will be served at a time.

·         Soft drink is served by the glass (16 ounces); juice is served by the glass (10 ounces).

·         Cannot be used through room service or the Interactive TV system, where applicable, or the minibar, where applicable.

·         Program is only applicable for onboard purchases.

·         Program is not offered on Europe itineraries.

 When i ask for one at the bar they just hand it to me.

Might take the place of the tonic or soda water. no idea.

[Sersee]

8 minutes ago, HerbertandB said:

 

We did have some drinks in port too - but they were pretty cheap. (Of course, we're used to spending $15-$20 on cocktails in Las Vegas so YMMV)

 

Ya Haha Vegas is expensive ordering drinks!

[coevan]

1 minute ago, lasekeye said:

Bottled water multi - packs are from the Fun Shops, we always pre-order them from the Carnival website

 

 

True, but once on board you get water from room service

[lasekeye]

Ahhh, ty coevan 

we always pre buy.

[Sersee]

6 minutes ago, coevan said:

 

 

no you can not shares the soda package, however you can bring a 12 pack of soda at every port. Yes, bottle water is included with Cheers and we always grab waters from bars to keep our fridge stocked

I thought so. I was wondering because one of the replies said bottled water came with the soda package which I thought it did not. I didn’t think you could share it either 

Edited July 14, 2019 by Sersee

[ALWAYS CRUZIN]

7 minutes ago, n6uqqq said:

And maybe a couple of drinks before going to Friends of Bill 🤣

OK now you reminded me. Who the heck is Friends of Bill????

[Sersee]

6 minutes ago, twodaywonder said:

·         $8.50 a day + 18% gratuity

·         Soft drinks:  Coke, Diet Coke, Coke Zero, Caffeine Free Coke, Sprite, Sprite Zero, Orange Fanta, Mr. Pibb, Barqs Root Beer, Tonic Water, Club Soda, Ginger Ale

·         Juices: Orange Juice, Cranberry Juice, Tomato Juice, Pineapple Juice, Grapefruit Juice 

Restrictions:

·         Non-transferable and may not be shared. Guests or family members who would like to enjoy soft drinks through this program must purchase their own sticker.

·         One beverage serving, per sticker, will be served at a time.

·         Soft drink is served by the glass (16 ounces); juice is served by the glass (10 ounces).

·         Cannot be used through room service or the Interactive TV system, where applicable, or the minibar, where applicable.

·         Program is only applicable for onboard purchases.

·         Program is not offered on Europe itineraries.

 When i ask for one at the bar they just hand it to me.

Might take the place of the tonic or soda water. no idea.

Ok you’re confusing me haha. You were just saying that bottled water came with the soda package. You said only one has to buy it and you aren’t told it’s only for your use. But this doesn’t say that and I don’t see bottled water.

 

Sorry if I am misunderstanding! My understanding is basically you can’t share any package and bottle water only comes with Cheers? 

[coevan]

3 minutes ago, Sersee said:

Ok you’re confusing me haha. You were just saying that bottled water came with the soda package. You said only one has to buy it and you aren’t told it’s only for your use. But this doesn’t say that and I don’t see bottled water.

 

Sorry if I am misunderstanding! My understanding is basically you can’t share any package and bottle water only comes with Cheers? 

 

 

you are correct, no water with Bubbles, "must purchase their own sticker" is pretty clear

[ALWAYS CRUZIN]

This what i said after posting the list. 

When I ask for one at the bar they just hand it to me.

Might take the place of the tonic or soda water. No idea.

 

Actually you do know the tap water at the bar is super filtered.

They will fill your container with no problem.