cheers questions > gratuity & tax

i tried searching but couldn't find the answer to my questions

when you signup for cheers does the bartender you purchase it through receive the whole 15% gratuity or is it spread throughout the servers as you purchase the drinks

also, i read somewhere to wait until the first sea day to purchase cheer to avoid the tax. didn't think much of it at the time...but after realizing the cost will be around $800 the tax thing seems more important now LOL we're sailing out of new orleans & i think our tax rate is around 9%. anyone purchased cheers sailing out of nola either on embarkation or the first sea day care to share the costs?

thanks!

My understanding is that the 15% gratuity goes into a tip pool and does not go to the server who you purchased the program from.. Second, there is NO tax on the cheers program no matter when you buy it. However, if you order drinks before the ship reaches international waters you are taxed on the individual drink. This applies to everyone and all drinks purchased, whether you have the cheers program or not

My understanding is that the 15% gratuity goes into a tip pool and does not go to the server who you purchased the program from.. Second, there is NO tax on the cheers program no matter when you buy it. However, if you order drinks before the ship reaches international waters you are taxed on the individual drink. This applies to everyone and all drinks purchased, whether you have the cheers program or not

Thanks SO much for the quick reply....exactly what I wanted to hear (read) haha

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I am trying to attach a very handy Cheer's program chart that a cruise critic member posted in their recent review that I found very handy, bear with me as I am not sure if it is uploading.

Oh good it worked!! So previous posters are correct

the tips are shared with all the drink servers throughout your cruise

tax is only added on the first day for drinks ordered while you are not in international waters

The chart attached I got from a recent review and I think it was very well done and very helpful as I was trying to convince myself to do the Cheers program on our Breeze cruise in Sept. And try to explain to others going with us how it all breaks down. I finally chose to do the program just to spoil ourselves and not to have to worry about the bar bill at the end of an 8 night cruise LOL AND to feel free to try new and different drinks !

The break even point for domestic beers is around 9 not 7 drinks as shown in the chart. 6.61 x 7 is only $46.27 and cost is $57.44 per day.

OH thanks, good to know. But honestly I think I will mostly be drinking premium drinks so then it is a good deal, but like I said before I just felt like treating myself to be able to try anything and not have to think about a "bar bill" at the end of the cruise. It will be my first time doing the Cheers program.

I just had the Cheers program on the breeze in May. I wanted to try all those different drinks and not have to worry about a bar bill also. Well I would not do it again, reasons why. We found that we were drinking just so we could break even or get close to that 15 mark. We also had 3 ports where we got off the ship for several hours and were really behind with the drinking, especially after going to Mr. Sanchos all day and drinking, we only had 2-3 drinks on the ship that day.

I tried to have several varieties of drinks, but there are only so many that you can drink, too sweet, so I would end up with my capt and diet, but you have to drink so many more of those to break even.

We had the Cheers program in January on the Dream. We tried a lot of different drinks and didn't have to worry about the bar bill. We saved around $300

We just had the Cheers program on Triumph May 24-29. We asked the waiter in the dining room how the tips are shared. He stated that those who serve more drinks receive a higher percentage of the tips. So it's not just an equal sharing of the tips, but a reward for hustling and working hard to get customers their drinks quickly.

wow I really have to think this out clearly. I finally talked myself into it now I don't know if I want to. Although we had dinner and met a couple that were on the Breeze a few months back and did the Cheers program and they just loved it, they said both of them are not big drinkers but on vacation and no driving they did enjoy having a drink when every they wanted and not have to worry about a big bill , especially when you want to sample all those different kinds of Martini's LOL some of them you might take a sip or two and say YUK. Having the cheers program I wouldn't feel bad not finishing the drink. As you can see I am like a ping pong ball on this subject LOL

We found it totally worth it, but only you will know if you will reach the break even point. 5 drinks or 7-8 beers, or a combination there of. We reached our break even point each day, so figured we saved money overall by doing it, even on port days. And like you stated, allowed us to try drinks to know (found out we are not martini people), but didn't feel like we wasted money.

My son reached 13 drinks a couple of times, but never got shut off. If you are not going to drink 5- 6 drinks, or 7-8 beers each and every day, then probably should just buy them as you get them.

The break even point for domestic beers is around 9 not 7 drinks as shown in the chart. 6.61 x 7 is only $46.27 and cost is $57.44 per day.

9 drinks per DAY?!?! Who drinks that much! :eek:

u can also give additional tip to ur server as they give you the drink.. you still sign a receipt each time and have a line for additional Tip. just off glory and my friends had cheers and a favorite bartender we always went to find and always gave her extra tips. also my friend maxed out at the 15 drinks on several days. he mostly did beer

9 drinks per DAY?!?! Who drinks that much! :eek:

I had 11 in a day twice. A couple of Mimosas at breakfast, a drink around lunch, one by the pool, a glass or 2 of wine at dinner. Plus getting the best drinks ever at Alchemy bar at night. 8-10 drinks is easy. Without bring sloppy drunk.

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

I bought it and would absolutely buy it again. I pretty much broke even on the alcohol (I like to have a bloody mary or two at brunch, and a few martinis with dinner, so you factor in some poolside drinks and there I am) but the classic cocktails? You can redeem your receipt for a $5 matching play coupon in the casino. Won a fair amount back using these at the roulette table. For me Cheers is as much a part of the cruise now as having a balcony is for some. :o