How we made the most of Cheers on Carnival Splendor

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! I have been looking for ways to maximize Cheers on my upcoming Sunshine cruise in June. Had figured the steakhouse should have some nicer wines by the glass and this confirms it.

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.

Thanks for the great tips! We're booking Cheers for our cruise in June and there's still one thing I'm unclear on...

Are you still charged 15% gratuity on every drink you order? I know you're referring to adding an additional $1, but I was under the impression paying the full price of the cheers package (which has 15% added to the daily price) I wouldn't be charged the 15% on each item bought onboard. Am I misunderstanding here? Help me out :) Thanks!

(And we'll definitely be using your tips onboard!!!! )

We were recently on the Splendor, and the bar staff was phenomenal! We spent every night with our favorite bartenders, and it was the highlight of our cruise. We also had Cheers, and also tip one dollar on each round. And yes, those drinks get a little stronger. LOL Our cruise on the Splendor has been our favorite so far, and the amazing bar staff has a lot to do with it. :)

Thanks for the great tips! We're booking Cheers for our cruise in June and there's still one thing I'm unclear on...

 

Are you still charged 15% gratuity on every drink you order? I know you're referring to adding an additional $1, but I was under the impression paying the full price of the cheers package (which has 15% added to the daily price) I wouldn't be charged the 15% on each item bought onboard. Am I misunderstanding here? Help me out :) Thanks!

 

(And we'll definitely be using your tips onboard!!!! )

A 15% gratuity is added onto the price of the Cheers package. So that's on the $50 (prepaid) or $55 (bought onboard, yes, I'm rounding.) IMHO, if you buy more than $50 worth of drinks you should be tipping more. If you end up getting $100 worth of drinks in a day, and you're not added to the $7.50 they added when you purchase Cheers you're shorting the bartenders.

Great tips!!

That's awesome!! I'm so happy that you got your money worth and enjoyed it! I have decided to go ahead and get it for my next cruise!

: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 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.

Thanks for sharing your expertise - I'm definitely looking forward to making the most of our Cheers package!

A 15% gratuity is added onto the price of the Cheers package. So that's on the $50 (prepaid) or $55 (bought onboard, yes, I'm rounding.) IMHO, if you buy more than $50 worth of drinks you should be tipping more. If you end up getting $100 worth of drinks in a day, and you're not added to the $7.50 they added when you purchase Cheers you're shorting the bartenders.

I understand that when I purchase the cheers package that I'm paying $50 + 15% up front - And that I'm more than likely to actually get more than the $50 I paid for, therefore 'shorting' the bartenders as you say.

My question actually is, when I get a drink onboard, am I AGAIN charged 15% on the receipt?

I do plan on tipping additionally (usually in cash) but my question is not ethical in nature, just if I'm charged that 15% automatically or if the auto tip was considered 'paid' when I purchased Cheers. Thanks again!

I understand that when I purchase the cheers package that I'm paying $50 + 15% up front - And that I'm more than likely to actually get more than the $50 I paid for, therefore 'shorting' the bartenders as you say.

My question actually is, when I get a drink onboard, am I AGAIN charged 15% on the receipt?

Nope no 15% charge, each receipt you sign reflects $0.00, there is a line for additional gratuity.

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.

Also did the premium teas and coffee bar. Those add up without Cheers.

Does it include the premium teas at tea time?

These are such great tips! I don't even drink and you have sold me on the cheers package!

Just curious what might be considered a "premium"tea???

We bought the Cheers on an 11 day Dream, before the enhancements, and the price was substantial. However, we loved it and made out spending way more the $50 a day. Belvidere martinis were $10, the Layer Cake Cabernet was $10, we had at least 2 every night with dinner. Plus we had beers, Mojitos, fruity things, and more!!!!

I would get coffee at the coffee bar for breakfast. I would go back 5 minutes later and get Powerade and water to take on port days. Saves money from having to buy something in port. Plus the coffee bar had spiked coffee. I was not the only person getting a spiked coffee for breakfast.

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.

 

We learned early on that those who tip win all ties in the who's next race.

A 15% gratuity is added onto the price of the Cheers package. So that's on the $50 (prepaid) or $55 (bought onboard, yes, I'm rounding.) IMHO, if you buy more than $50 worth of drinks you should be tipping more. If you end up getting $100 worth of drinks in a day, and you're not added to the $7.50 they added when you purchase Cheers you're shorting the bartenders.

I'm sure the pre-paid tips are pooled and everything would average out.

We learned early on that those who tip win all ties in the who's next race.

We gave $5 to the casino bartender and the alchemy bartender the first day, and $1 every drink after that, and never had to wait more than a minute or two.

Great tips. I had Cheers on the Fantasy and I did the same thing as far as coffee. I also indulged in many mimosas during brunch on sea days. As far as the wine in the steakhouse, do you have to have reservations for that evening or can I go there and order a glass of good wine? I will be on the Splendor this Saturday.

[quote name=

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...[/quote]

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.)

Does it include the premium teas at tea time?

I'm not sure, but I don't think it applies at tea time. I do plan to bring my own premium tea bag for tea time.

I'm not sure, but I don't think it applies at tea time. I do plan to bring my own premium tea bag for tea time.

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