Cheers price increase...Does that mean drink prices too?

[mrak]

It is well known that Cheers package prices are about to go up. Do we expect that menu prices are going to increase as well? Has anyone seen any information indicating they will? Sorry if this has been asked and answered. I tried a search. Thanks in advance!

[tallnthensome]

That would only make sense .

[bguppies]

 

Price incresee across the board are a no brainer.

I'm scared what prices for everything will be by the time I cruise in September and December.

[cruisingguy007]

Already happening. Drinks seemed higher than I remember vs Jan 2020. It's like $0.50-$0.75 or so more already on lots of things. It's a way for them to push folks into the drink package as well, customers perceive it as a higher value when the drinks cost more (they see savings vs costs). It makes the drink package price increases appear (optically anyway) more attractive. There is a balance though and I think many lines are underestimating passengers tolerance to ever increasing drink prices. It may backfire when some throw in the towel, work around it (drinking in ports or excursions exclusively) or resort to smuggling because the savings are so significant as to not be ignored. Time will tell but peoples appetite for these increases may wane eventually. Some of the other lines are already in outer-space with their prices that I wouldn't even consider buying one. Hopefully, Carnival doesn't follow them over the cliff. It only makes the lines that bundle all the extras (tips, wifi, drinks, dining etc) more attractive.         

Edited April 28, 2022 by cruisingguy007

[mrak]

Basically, I am trying to decide if it is worth buying Cheers for our July before May 1st when the prices increase. This will be our first time in Alaska, after doing 20 cruises to tropical ports, which tend to be more of a party atmosphere. But even if we arent partying on the Alaska cruise, if drink prices increase, it will only take 4-5 drinks average per day to break even.

[cruisingguy007]

13 minutes ago, mrak said:

Basically, I am trying to decide if it is worth buying Cheers for our July before May 1st when the prices increase. This will be our first time in Alaska, after doing 20 cruises to tropical ports, which tend to be more of a party atmosphere. But even if we arent partying on the Alaska cruise, if drink prices increase, it will only take 4-5 drinks average per day to break even.

 

Everyone is different. Are you drinking 4-5 because of it, or in-spite of it? To some, spending 1K on drinks for two for a week is insane, others (especially in large metros), that may be what they spend in a week (or more) already at bars/clubs. No one can answer for you. Only you know your budget and consumption patterns. I can't go hard everyday anymore (the older I get the harder it is, even on vacation when I'm extra motivated) so it's not worth it for me. A few bottles to the cabin and some drinks here and there is better for me. I can go hard some days and easy on others. Excursions make a difference too, gotta get some sleep the day before and get up early. Lots of considerations. No one can answer for you unless you've already decided to buy it, then yes, buying for cheaper is better lol.  

Edited April 28, 2022 by cruisingguy007

[mrak]

2 minutes ago, cruisingguy007 said:

 

Everyone is different. Are you drinking 4-5 because of it, or in-spite of it? To some, spending 1K on drinks for two for a week is insane, others (especially in large metros), that may be what they spend in a week (or more) already at bars/clubs. No one can answer for you. Only you know your budget and consumption patterns. I can't go hard everyday anymore (the older I get the harder it is, even on vacation when I'm extra motivated) so it's not worth it for me. A few bottles to the cabin and some drinks here and there is better for me. I can go hard some days and easy on others. Excursions make a difference too, gotta get some sleep the day before and get up early. Lots of considerations. No one can answer for you unless you've already decided to buy it, then yes, buying for cheaper is better lol.  

All good points. We have just come to like the convenience of knowing what your bill be without worrying about it. Not necessarily going hard the whole time, but a few specialty coffees, bottles of water or gatorades, a drink here or there, wine with dinner, drink at a show, and before you know it youve already spent the same as a day on the drink package. But never having been to Alaska, we aren't sure we will even breakeven, unless drink prices go up significantly.

[sgttami]

5 minutes ago, mrak said:

All good points. We have just come to like the convenience of knowing what your bill be without worrying about it. Not necessarily going hard the whole time, but a few specialty coffees, bottles of water or gatorades, a drink here or there, wine with dinner, drink at a show, and before you know it youve already spent the same as a day on the drink package. But never having been to Alaska, we aren't sure we will even breakeven, unless drink prices go up significantly.

I think I drank more on my Alaska cruise than any other.  Met some party people and had a blast!

[Saint Greg]

24 minutes ago, mrak said:

Basically, I am trying to decide if it is worth buying Cheers for our July before May 1st when the prices increase. This will be our first time in Alaska, after doing 20 cruises to tropical ports, which tend to be more of a party atmosphere. But even if we arent partying on the Alaska cruise, if drink prices increase, it will only take 4-5 drinks average per day to break even.

 

I was wondering about it as well since this is my first time to Alaska. But once I found out Tracy Arm and Victoria are basically sea days, it became a no brainer to buy the package.

[cruisingguy007]

3 minutes ago, Saint Greg said:

 

I was wondering about it as well since this is my first time to Alaska. But once I found out Tracy Arm and Victoria are basically sea days, it became a no brainer to buy the package.

 

I'd agree with that. More sea days and/or staying on the boat = more drinking time and more recovery time. 😁 

[ray98]

Yup....everything is going up.  No way they would leave the individual drink prices alone.

 

[cruisingguy007]

9 minutes ago, sgttami said:

I think I drank more on my Alaska cruise than any other.  Met some party people and had a blast!

 

I've seen this reported by others as well, many times actually. Some talk about their endless games of cards or board games, I think I'd take the drink package too over the "bored" games 😁.  

[cruisingguy007]

17 minutes ago, Saint Greg said:

 

I was wondering about it as well since this is my first time to Alaska. But once I found out Tracy Arm and Victoria are basically sea days, it became a no brainer to buy the package.

 

Looking forward to your review when you get back! Wife wants to do Alaska but I'm on the fence about it. Freezing my nuts off on vacation isn't my idea of a optimal vacation. It'll be interesting to read your perspective on the trip. 

[tallnthensome]

8 minutes ago, cruisingguy007 said:

 

Looking forward to your review when you get back! Wife wants to do Alaska but I'm on the fence about it. Freezing my nuts off on vacation isn't my idea of a optimal vacation. It'll be interesting to read your perspective on the trip. 

That's being very narrow minded ..... You live in California. Do you go someplace warm to get away from someplace warm? Alaska blows away most any Caribbean and Bahamas cruise .... It was 90 degrees in Alaska a couple years ago. 

[Saint Greg]

30 minutes ago, cruisingguy007 said:

 

Looking forward to your review when you get back! Wife wants to do Alaska but I'm on the fence about it. Freezing my nuts off on vacation isn't my idea of a optimal vacation. It'll be interesting to read your perspective on the trip. 

 

I'll have a live thread on here. I'm flying to Seattle three weeks from Sunday.

[cruisingguy007]

1 hour ago, tallnthensome said:

That's being very narrow minded ..... You live in California. Do you go someplace warm to get away from someplace warm? Alaska blows away most any Caribbean and Bahamas cruise .... It was 90 degrees in Alaska a couple years ago. 

 

No, I go to places that have things/weather that I like (namely very large resort pools and beaches). What can I say? The cold/snow was great when I was a kid, now, not so much. I do love watching shows on Alaska on the large 4K in the warm California sun though, looks like an awesome place! 😁  

Edited April 28, 2022 by cruisingguy007

[Tiger0613]

I think the temperatures in Alaska and Victoria were in the 60s on the May 8, 2017 Legend sailing.  It was the first sailing of the season.  It was an 8 day, and we were in Ketchikan and Victoria for 12 hours each.  There was light rain on and off in Ketchikan.  You will likely go to Endicott Arm instead of Tracy Arm.  Tracy Arm is usually blocked in early May.

 

The casino shut down at 7:00pm on the last night since Victoria is so close to US waters.

Edited April 28, 2022 by Tiger0613

[SNJCruisers]

3 hours ago, mrak said:

Basically, I am trying to decide if it is worth buying Cheers for our July before May 1st when the prices increase. This will be our first time in Alaska, after doing 20 cruises to tropical ports, which tend to be more of a party atmosphere. But even if we arent partying on the Alaska cruise, if drink prices increase, it will only take 4-5 drinks average per day to break even.

After an Alaskan excursion, there are many coffee drinks with alcohol that you could consume to warm up.  

[melz1010]

22 hours ago, mrak said:

Basically, I am trying to decide if it is worth buying Cheers for our July before May 1st when the prices increase. This will be our first time in Alaska, after doing 20 cruises to tropical ports, which tend to be more of a party atmosphere. But even if we arent partying on the Alaska cruise, if drink prices increase, it will only take 4-5 drinks average per day to break even.

I think the saying is, if you buy at least 5 drinks a day, you will save money. Between mimosas in the morning, drinks by the pool, drinks at dinner and then just hanging by the bar. You can exceed 6 drinks throughout an entire day. The only time it gets tricky is port days. You're not on the ship to utilize it as much BUT some will still have several beers or cocktails in the evening as well after a long port day. 

[Daddyfto]

Drink costs are ridiculous $7 fo a beer plus 18%?  I will buy the cheers package today only because my November cruise came with a $500 on board credit and I will enjoy as it might be my last cruise