How we made the most of Cheers on Carnival Splendor

Did you tip in cash or on the charge slip? (There has been discussion here about cash tips going to the individual and those on the slip being split, so I'm still unsure the "best" way to handle.)

I was told by a great bartender on Carnival if you add the dollar to the slip, or give it in cash, then that particular server keeps it.

On Princess, I was told that if it is added to the slip, it is pooled for all servers working that particular venue.

Same thing with cocktail servers on the decks. We got 2 great seats on deck 11 and the neighbor said it takes for ever to get a drink. Since we had been tipping dollars in cash, the server appeared within 5 minutes to get our drinks. She said how did you do that? We said we always tip a dollar. She scowled, "the tips are included, why tip?" I thought the answer was obvious.

Same thing with cocktail servers on the decks. We got 2 great seats on deck 11 and the neighbor said it takes for ever to get a drink. Since we had been tipping dollars in cash, the server appeared within 5 minutes to get our drinks. She said how did you do that? We said we always tip a dollar. She scowled, "the tips are included, why tip?" I thought the answer was obvious.

We have always tipped the wait staff and bartenders very well. Never had a problem getting a drink.

We have always tipped the wait staff and bartenders very well. Never had a problem getting a drink.

Same here.

Great tips. We discovered the Piper Heidseick as well at the steakhouse. Also the Red Frog had a $25 shot of Pyrat rum that is amazing. Not sure if over the 7 days I got all my money's worth on Cheers but would do it again now that we know how to maximize use without killing our liver.

Do you know which Pyrat Rum was 25.00????

Just got back from the Carnival Splendor for the 8 day Southern Caribbean itinerary. Loved the ship and the crew, nothing but nice things to say about the experience.

 

Thought I would share a few notes on how my wife and I felt we got the most out of Cheers while on board.

 

Great tips, thank you! Also had to comment that I love your username.

We purchased the Cheers package for our cruise next week on Splendor. I guess I need to make a trip to the bank and get a lot of dollar bills.:)

Thanks for all the tips.

I have a question on the Cheers restrictions. It states 15 "alcoholic drinks per 24 hour period". If you have bottled water, soda or specialty coffee are they included in the 15 drink limit?

TIA

I have a question on the Cheers restrictions. It states 15 "alcoholic drinks per 24 hour period". If you have bottled water, soda or specialty coffee are they included in the 15 drink limit?

 

TIA

No. non-alcoholic drinks are not included in the alcoholic drinks limit.

We purchased the Cheers package for our cruise next week on Splendor. I guess I need to make a trip to the bank and get a lot of dollar bills.:)

 

Thanks for all the tips.

Every single cruise, we've taken a minimum of $75 in singles and usually get more onboard. We agree with all the previous posters - better service, better pours and very cheerful bar staff when we sit down! :D:D

Just got back from the Carnival Splendor for the 8 day Southern Caribbean itinerary. Loved the ship and the crew, nothing but nice things to say about the experience.

 

Thought I would share a few notes on how my wife and I felt we got the most out of Cheers while on board.

 

A) The Steakhouse has a nice rose champagne by Heidsieck that is $20 per glass and very nice. We each had 3 glasses with dinner on embarkation day and this alone made that day a big value.

 

B) Roca Patron Silver: $15 per shot at the pool bar. Incredibly smooth, goes down like water.(Also goes great stirred into a Margarita after 5 minutes ;) ) Don't forget to pace yourself !

 

C) Order your favorite frozen beverage, wait 5, and ask for an additional shot of your favorite ultra premium liquor on the side to stir in since they frozen drinks can taste pretty weak.

 

D) Asking for Pellegrino at the beginning of our MDR meals and request the large bottle of still water with dessert to bring back to the room or off with you in port.

 

E) Hitting the coffee bar before breakfast as well as after dessert/before night activities to get some pep.

 

F) We noticed that once we started tipping $1 per drink (in addition to the auto gratuity ofc) we started (1) receiving increasingly generous pours by the bartenders as the trip progressed and (2) being given priority when bars were busy with MDR waits /busy comedy club nights, etc.

 

Now if we could just go back...

This is great advice! We already prepaid Cheers & with all the enhancements it definitely shouldn't be a problem for us to get the most out of it. We also have made steakhouse reservations so I'll be looking out for that wine!

Thanks!

Every single cruise, we've taken a minimum of $75 in singles and usually get more onboard. We agree with all the previous posters - better service, better pours and very cheerful bar staff when we sit down! :D:D

Reminds me of when we were able to go to past guest parties as "Gold". We would take a stack of dollar bills and we had servers falling over us to give us our drinks. My DH said it was like fishing and chumming the water. We probably passed out about $10-$15, but probably got a dozen drinks while the people around us were lucky to get a couple.

No, you don't have to tip extra, but it will probably get you better service and may get you a better drink.

This post should be a sticky at the top of the page!!! F is the only one that I have tried.

 

Thanks for the excellent advice.

We have never had a Cheers package on any of our cruises and always tipped over and above when presented with the bill to sign. Most noticeable in the MDR is that the bar staff and the shot guy IMMEDIATELY would find their way to our table! The bartenders were definitely more attentive.

We will have Cheers on our upcoming cruise, do they still present you with a check to sign and add the extra tip or should we carry singles to tip?

my wife is a big wine drinker. she sometimes has a hard time finding good wine at the bars on the ship. and depending on what bar she is on the ship the selection is always limited. (we do tip extra on the cheers and most times the bartender will chase down a bottle for her and bring it back to the bar so she can have it) some bars have bottles of a wine she likes then other bars don't. and sometimes at some of the bars the wine tastes off like it has been open for a long time.

with that being said my tip for the cheers package and drinking wine is this. my wife discovered on our last cruise on the pride that david's steak house has a full service bar. we have eaten many times at the steak house and knew there was a bar but never thought of going there to order a drink. we were watching a movie on the lido deck and she wanted wine but did not feel like going to the bars on the 2nd and 3rd deck to get some. i suggested going to the bar at the steak house and see if you can order wine there since they have a better selection anyway. she did and the bartender was more than happy to serve her. and said he is usually very bored because no one goes to the bar he only makes drinks for the waitresses to deliver to the tables. he said that he was open an hour after the steak house hours say they close. she went back probably 4 more times that night and ordered wine then left with it. i would imagine all the steak houses have a bar that you can order from even if you are not eating at the restaurant.

The part of tipping the bartender on top of the regular amount is the best tip anyone should take from this. Just an example as to why.

I have yet to sail under the enhanced Cheers since it changed shortly after my last cruise. However, I have always left a dollar or two for the bartender after ordering drinks on Cheers. One of the bartenders we always went to also worked in the coffee bar. My wife decided she wanted a spiked coffee which at the time was not covered. The barista/bartender charged my wife the three dollars for a regular coffee and counted the alcohol separately so Cheers would cover it.

I have always made out with Cheers but now thanks to allot of the tips on here will be trying different rums and more premium shots to go in my drinks.

We have never had a Cheers package on any of our cruises and always tipped over and above when presented with the bill to sign. Most noticeable in the MDR is that the bar staff and the shot guy IMMEDIATELY would find their way to our table! The bartenders were definitely more attentive.

 

We will have Cheers on our upcoming cruise, do they still present you with a check to sign and add the extra tip or should we carry singles to tip?

Yes, you will sign for each drink. We tip in cash, but you can also add it to your S&S.

Every single cruise, we've taken a minimum of $75 in singles and usually get more onboard. We agree with all the previous posters - better service, better pours and very cheerful bar staff when we sit down! :D:D

sorry, but isn't that kind of silly. you can get ones any time at guest services and the casino. I tip a lot of ones but only bring what was in my pocket, why take a wad of ones.

sorry, but isn't that kind of silly. you can get ones any time at guest services and the casino. I tip a lot of ones but only bring what was in my pocket, why take a wad of ones.

Why is it silly? We do the same thing. Saves us from standing in line to get ones.

I too prefer to get my singles at my bank than deal,with guest services... Easier to come with them!

If you are a tea lover do it. They had bad quality Lipton even for Afternoon tea in DR :eek:

Wish I had brought my own. The last time we cruised Carnival, they had Earl Grey, Mint tea etc. I was shocked to discover they'd downgraded to just bad Lipton.

Just got back from the Carnival Splendor for the 8 day Southern Caribbean itinerary. Loved the ship and the crew, nothing but nice things to say about the experience.

 

Thought I would share a few notes on how my wife and I felt we got the most out of Cheers while on board.

 

A) The Steakhouse has a nice rose champagne by Heidsieck that is $20 per glass and very nice. We each had 3 glasses with dinner on embarkation day and this alone made that day a big value.

 

B) Roca Patron Silver: $15 per shot at the pool bar. Incredibly smooth, goes down like water.(Also goes great stirred into a Margarita after 5 minutes ;) ) Don't forget to pace yourself !

 

C) Order your favorite frozen beverage, wait 5, and ask for an additional shot of your favorite ultra premium liquor on the side to stir in since they frozen drinks can taste pretty weak.

 

D) Asking for Pellegrino at the beginning of our MDR meals and request the large bottle of still water with dessert to bring back to the room or off with you in port.

 

E) Hitting the coffee bar before breakfast as well as after dessert/before night activities to get some pep.

 

F) We noticed that once we started tipping $1 per drink (in addition to the auto gratuity ofc) we started (1) receiving increasingly generous pours by the bartenders as the trip progressed and (2) being given priority when bars were busy with MDR waits /busy comedy club nights, etc.

 

Now if we could just go back...

I see you said it cost $20 per glass for the rose champagne, but is there not a limit on the drink $?? I thought you could get anything $12 and under on the cheers package?? I know other cruise lines have a cap ($) on what you can order.

Alaskan Joe - the new limit is $50 per drink.

Alaskan Joe - the new limit is $50 per drink.

WoW $50 sweet:D

Marking my spot in this thread..

Not only is the OP's post super helpful, but there are several other helpful posts along the way. Thanks everyone!

I did cheers for the first time on my last cruise and specifically remember a conversation with my sister about how we needed to branch out and try something really special since it was already paid for..and we just couldn't think of anything. This is great info! I'll be checking out the steakhouse bar for wine next time for sure, along with some of the tequila and rum suggestions.

Just got back from the Carnival Splendor for the 8 day Southern Caribbean itinerary. Loved the ship and the crew, nothing but nice things to say about the experience.

 

Thought I would share a few notes on how my wife and I felt we got the most out of Cheers while on board.

 

A) The Steakhouse has a nice rose champagne by Heidsieck that is $20 per glass and very nice. We each had 3 glasses with dinner on embarkation day and this alone made that day a big value.

 

B) Roca Patron Silver: $15 per shot at the pool bar. Incredibly smooth, goes down like water.(Also goes great stirred into a Margarita after 5 minutes ;) ) Don't forget to pace yourself !

 

C) Order your favorite frozen beverage, wait 5, and ask for an additional shot of your favorite ultra premium liquor on the side to stir in since they frozen drinks can taste pretty weak.

 

D) Asking for Pellegrino at the beginning of our MDR meals and request the large bottle of still water with dessert to bring back to the room or off with you in port.

 

E) Hitting the coffee bar before breakfast as well as after dessert/before night activities to get some pep.

 

F) We noticed that once we started tipping $1 per drink (in addition to the auto gratuity ofc) we started (1) receiving increasingly generous pours by the bartenders as the trip progressed and (2) being given priority when bars were busy with MDR waits /busy comedy club nights, etc.

 

Now if we could just go back...

THANKS! Great tips!