Jump to content
Cruise Critic Community

Free booze!

PhotoMike

By PhotoMike,
in Carnival Cruise Lines

 Share

Recommended Posts

lowroller

lowroller

Posted
Posted
16 hours ago, angiem0217 said:

Wow that’s a great deal! I have a casino offer but that’s just free drinks while playing. I have never seen them offer the beverage package free


Sent from my iPhone using Forums

I just booked a casino offer that included booze anywhere on the ship!

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites
SNJCruisers

SNJCruisers

Posted
Posted

Showed up in mine with no problem.  But the promo is smoke and mirrors.  For a late September 4 day cruise out of NY to Bermuda, the difference for a basic inside cabin was 140.00 more with the Cheers inclusion.  This is 140 spread over only 3 days since day 1 is not included.  So, you're paying 46.67 per day, saving about 40 bucks or 10 bucks a day.  As usual, what seems to be great on the surface turns out to be meh when you peel back the layers.

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites
PhillyFan33579

PhillyFan33579

Posted
Posted
3 hours ago, SNJCruisers said:

Showed up in mine with no problem.  But the promo is smoke and mirrors.  For a late September 4 day cruise out of NY to Bermuda, the difference for a basic inside cabin was 140.00 more with the Cheers inclusion.  This is 140 spread over only 3 days since day 1 is not included.  So, you're paying 46.67 per day, saving about 40 bucks or 10 bucks a day.  As usual, what seems to be great on the surface turns out to be meh when you peel back the layers.


Good post. I always find it interesting how companies (not limited to the cruise industry) come up with marketing promotions that on the surface sound great, but if you do a little more research like you did you discover the promotion isn’t so great after all. It’s similar to NCL’s basic marketing strategy of selecting “free” upgrades when booking a cruise. When you compare the total cost to prices on other cruise lines including similar upgrades, the price difference between competing cruise lines is usually minimal. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites
MRVEGAS711

MRVEGAS711

Posted
Posted

While I'm glad they are finally taking a NCL approach to alcohol pricing and packages, it funny how much more the FREE DRINKS room costs and, like NCL, the kicker will be when you book. You'll see an additional $250-$300 in Gratuities pop up which will make the room cost almost par with the bubbles package.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Joebucks

Joebucks

Posted
Posted
17 minutes ago, PhillyFan33579 said:


Good post. I always find it interesting how marketing promotions on the surface sound great, but if you do a little more research the promotion isn’t so great after all.

 

Simplified that for you

Link to comment
Share on other sites
foggyphils

foggyphils

Posted
Posted

Something else to think about is that the higher price will have a ripple affect on other things. Like price of insurance. And if you don’t get insurance or something happens that’s not covered by insurance, you’ll lose more money than if you book the lower fare. And if the cruise gets cancelled due to corona, that’s more money tied up in FCC if you don’t take the refund. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites
SNJCruisers

SNJCruisers

Posted
Posted
3 hours ago, angiem0217 said:

I was sent a free inside cabin with drinks in the casino. It’s a great deal just don’t know when I should book for


Sent from my iPhone using Forums

EASY...    Pick a date at the far end of your choice parameters and also choose the newest ship that you have a choice of, unless you can drive to a port, then choose the newest ship that sails out of that port so that you don't need to fly.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
smurf1635

smurf1635

Posted
Posted
21 hours ago, MRVEGAS711 said:

While I'm glad they are finally taking a NCL approach to alcohol pricing and packages, it funny how much more the FREE DRINKS room costs and, like NCL, the kicker will be when you book. You'll see an additional $250-$300 in Gratuities pop up which will make the room cost almost par with the bubbles package.

Nope, gratuities were included. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites
mnh

mnh

Posted
Posted

I booked Freedom for August 26th.   My PVP gave me all the options because as he said you’re really still paying for the free cheers package. But it just made it easier for me to book it all together!

Link to comment
Share on other sites
ethereal65

ethereal65

Posted
Posted (edited)
On 3/27/2020 at 2:16 PM, lowroller said:

I just booked a casino offer that included booze anywhere on the ship!

 

I got a similar one as well.  It said 'TERMS APPLY'.  Still trying to figure out what terms there are 😞 If anyone knows, I'd appreciate it.  Otherwise I'm calling Carnival later to see if they can tell me anything.  It doesn't say 'CHEERS' or 'DRINKS ON US' so assuming it's not quite the same.

It  was the cheapest of the others by nearly $500.

 

Screen Shot 2020-04-03 at 9.33.36 PM.png

Edited by ethereal65
Link to comment
Share on other sites
woodey

woodey

Posted
Posted

VIFP CLUB MEMBERS-ONLY OFFERS

LIMITED-TIME OFFERS

  • girl sliding down a zipline in the caribbean

    Early Saver Sale

     

    • Up to 30% off cruises
    • Up to $100 onboard credit per room
    • Book with 2-for-1 deposits
    • Free room upgrades
    • Sailings June 2020 and beyond
    • Hurry! Ends Tuesday, April 14th
  • two kids snorkeling in the ocean with fish

    Pack & Go Sale

     

    • Up to 45% off cruises
    • Select sailings through August 2020
    • Hurry! Ends Sunday, April 5th
  • calm beach in the caribbean

    Triple Play Sale

     

    • Up to 30% off cruises
    • Up to $100 onboard credit per room
    • Free room upgrades
    • Select sailings through July 2020
    • Hurry! Ends Tuesday, April 14th

TRENDING

  • coral reefs off of the bahamas island

    The Bahamas Short Cruises Sale

     

    • Enjoy sailings, snorkeling, strolling pearly pink-sand beaches, and swimming through crystalline turquoise seas.
    • Up to 30% off cruises
    • Up to $100 onboard credit per room
    • Book with 2-for-1 deposits
    • Free room upgrades
    • Sailings June 2020 and beyond
    • Hurry! Ends Tuesday, April 14th
  • carnival magic ship lit up at night

    Funtastic Holiday Cruises Sale

     

    • Enjoy fun Holiday traditions at sea during some of your favorite holidays including Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years
    • Up to 30% off cruises
    • Up to $100 onboard credit per room
    • Book with 2-for-1 deposits
    • Free room upgrades
    • Sailings June 2020 and beyond
    • Hurry! Ends Tuesday, April 14th
  • Picure of John Heald with Carnival funnel in the background

    Sail with John Heald

     

    • Hit the seas with cruise legend John Heald on sailings featuring unique live entertainment and events with the man himself
    • Don't miss this rare opportunity! Limited sailings available
  •  
Link to comment
Share on other sites
buellblaster

buellblaster

Posted
Posted

We booked in March this and it really isn't free. 3 of u s without this promo wa like $133.00 each. With this promo, was $4??.00 each. We saved about $60 each to book this promo. Hey $60 bucks is $60 bucks. Be sure to compare apples to apples.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
ethereal65

ethereal65

Posted
Posted
On 4/10/2020 at 3:43 PM, buellblaster said:

We booked in March this and it really isn't free. 3 of u s without this promo wa like $133.00 each. With this promo, was $4??.00 each. We saved about $60 each to book this promo. Hey $60 bucks is $60 bucks. Be sure to compare apples to apples.

 

Not sure if you meant the 'plan now, pay later' offer, but assuming you did.  Sorry if I'm dumping info you aren't interested in.

 

I compared against other offers in my list and here was the breakdown for single person in extended balcony for my selected sailing:

 

Plan Now, Pay Later: $720 fare ($500 FunPlay, $400 OBC, Cheers (approx. $360 value))

Premier Cruise: $1172 fare (Premier checkin, exclusive casino games, Drinks On Us)

Premier Cruise Offer #2: $1096 (same as above, but no pre-selection of stateroom)

Pack & Go: $1158

Early Saver: $1338 ($100 OBC, room upgrade)

Cruise Into Savings: $1434

Fun Select: $1738

 

Depending on how you want to evaluate the 'value' of each, personally, I think the drinks everywhere offer wound up being better, not just for the free drinks, but because with the OBC and FunPlay my fare is essentially rolled into cash in hand on the boat ($861.64 fare after fees - $900 in OBC/FunPlay + no drink expenses).  Realistically, yes, I will spend that money on board. As always, depends on how you want to look at it.

 

Also, confirmed with them that Free Drinks Everywhere really means everywhere - the rep who I spoke with started telling me the details of the CHEERS program - I asked 'So, it's CHEERS.'  He said yes.  So winner winner.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
lowroller

lowroller

Posted
Posted
On 4/4/2020 at 2:32 PM, ethereal65 said:

I got a similar one as well.  It said 'TERMS APPLY'.  Still trying to figure out what terms there are 😞 If anyone knows, I'd appreciate it.  Otherwise I'm calling Carnival later to see if they can tell me anything.  It doesn't say 'CHEERS' or 'DRINKS ON US' so assuming it's not quite the same.

It  was the cheapest of the others by nearly $500.

 

Screen Shot 2020-04-03 at 9.33.36 PM.png

I do not see the "free drinks everywhere" in my cruise docs. I'm printing my offer that I booked under, which gave us $400 obc, $1000 casino cash, and drinks everywhere offer. Assuming our cruise still sails on 7/25

Link to comment
Share on other sites
ethereal65

ethereal65

Posted
Posted
6 hours ago, lowroller said:

I do not see the "free drinks everywhere" in my cruise docs. I'm printing my offer that I booked under, which gave us $400 obc, $1000 casino cash, and drinks everywhere offer. Assuming our cruise still sails on 7/25

 

Don't know about the likelihood of sailing, but I'll keep my finger's crossed for you.

 

My documents do not say the 'free drinks everywhere' either, nor does it say Cheers (It was listed as a purchase last time, since I did actually purchase it).  I assume it's much like Drinks On Us, where you it's something that's part of the fare code and they have a list of who gets it.  DOU you usually have to wait and get when casino opens and they give you the card.  Perhaps when you board and go to the bar to order your drink it will be like Cheers and they'll give you the sticker.  If anyone knows the process I'd really like to hear about it.

 

But I'm doing the same, printing my offer to have as reference in case there's an issue. 

 

Have fun!

Link to comment
Share on other sites
buellblaster

buellblaster

Posted
Posted
On 4/11/2020 at 10:01 PM, ethereal65 said:

 

Not sure if you meant the 'plan now, pay later' offer, but assuming you did.  Sorry if I'm dumping info you aren't interested in.

 

I compared against other offers in my list and here was the breakdown for single person in extended balcony for my selected sailing:

 

Plan Now, Pay Later: $720 fare ($500 FunPlay, $400 OBC, Cheers (approx. $360 value))

Premier Cruise: $1172 fare (Premier checkin, exclusive casino games, Drinks On Us)

Premier Cruise Offer #2: $1096 (same as above, but no pre-selection of stateroom)

Pack & Go: $1158

Early Saver: $1338 ($100 OBC, room upgrade)

Cruise Into Savings: $1434

Fun Select: $1738

 

Depending on how you want to evaluate the 'value' of each, personally, I think the drinks everywhere offer wound up being better, not just for the free drinks, but because with the OBC and FunPlay my fare is essentially rolled into cash in hand on the boat ($861.64 fare after fees - $900 in OBC/FunPlay + no drink expenses).  Realistically, yes, I will spend that money on board. As always, depends on how you want to look at it.

 

Also, confirmed with them that Free Drinks Everywhere really means everywhere - the rep who I spoke with started telling me the details of the CHEERS program - I asked 'So, it's CHEERS.'  He said yes.  So winner winner.

I didn't get the $500 free play but like I said, we did save some money with the cheers offer. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites
lowroller

lowroller

Posted
Posted
On 4/12/2020 at 12:06 PM, ethereal65 said:

 

Don't know about the likelihood of sailing, but I'll keep my finger's crossed for you.

 

My documents do not say the 'free drinks everywhere' either, nor does it say Cheers (It was listed as a purchase last time, since I did actually purchase it).  I assume it's much like Drinks On Us, where you it's something that's part of the fare code and they have a list of who gets it.  DOU you usually have to wait and get when casino opens and they give you the card.  Perhaps when you board and go to the bar to order your drink it will be like Cheers and they'll give you the sticker.  If anyone knows the process I'd really like to hear about it.

 

But I'm doing the same, printing my offer to have as reference in case there's an issue. 

 

Have fun!

It seems to me that the card was in my room already? I do not recall getting a sticker added last cruise. But I don remember at one point they added a sticker.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Please sign in to comment

You will be able to leave a comment after signing in



Sign In Now
 Share
Go to topic listing
  • Forum Jump
    • Categories
      • Welcome to Cruise Critic
      • ANNOUNCEMENT: Set Sail Beyond the Ordinary with Oceania Cruises
      • ANNOUNCEMENT: The Widest View in the Whole Wide World
      • New Cruisers
      • Cruise Lines “A – O”
      • Cruise Lines “P – Z”
      • River Cruising
      • ROLL CALLS
      • Cruise Critic News & Features
      • Digital Photography & Cruise Technology
      • Special Interest Cruising
      • Cruise Discussion Topics
      • UK Cruising
      • Australia & New Zealand Cruisers
      • Canadian Cruisers
      • North American Homeports
      • Ports of Call
      • Cruise Conversations
×
×
  • Create New...