Josher61

moderation.

 

 

rotfl!

Ok, here's a question I haven't seen asked yet. It seems like the consensus is that once you hit your 15, you are completely cut off. Not to sound like a lush, but on a sea day I can easily hit the 15 and not be drunk. Beer while hanging with the wife by the pool, drinks around dinner, then shows or comedy club till midnight is 10-12 hours of drinking. At 1-2 drinks per hour the 15 limit is really easy to hit. Now my question:::

 

Do drinks purchased because they are over the $10 limit count toward the limit? What I am looking at is on sea days just buying a bucket of beer when I first go up to the pool deck. This would not fall under Cheers because it is well over the $10. Also pitchers in the Red Frog? How do they count toward the 15?

 

I just don't want to hit a sea day where I am slowly but steadily drinking all day and when we go to watch a show or hit the comedy club, suddenly I am cut off because I hit the limit.

 

OK, so here's my answer as I know it :) And first off...I hear you completely, so not thinking you're a lush lol! "Others" have reported varying answers. Good friends of mine who drink :D (so this is second hand info) they ordered buckets of beer from the bar and charged it to their S&S card during the afternoon. The bartenders kept telling them they couldnt order beer that way on Cheers. They kept saying..no we are paying for them. For a few guys...no issue. But for one fellow...later on when ordering regular cheers drinks he was cut off. He went to guest services, explained the situation, (who knows who drank the beer in those buckets??) and guest services agreed...and he was allowed to continue drinking. One wife was drinking something over $10...paying for it...discount...and she was told that was fine...it wasnt counting toward her 15. Its not supposed to. No different than ordering a bottle of wine at a discount...and that doesnt count towards your limit either.

 

So go figure...I think initially it all depends on the bartenders and what they believe the rules to be. I know the computer calculates your 15, but in the case of buckets how could they have been included?? They aren't on the program? Anything that is not allowed under the program should not be counted towards it. So to answer your question definitively...its hard because even though you should be allowed to...not all staff know/agree. But for sure...don't get cut off...then there is no option!

This question may have already been answered on this thread, but the thread is too long for me to read entirely, so, my here's my question

 

DH is booked with 2 of our children in one room

I am booked in another room with my mom and 1 child

My mom does not drink, but DH and I do.

 

Will Carnival let us change our rooms so that DH and I are in the same room and we would both buy the Cheers Program?

 

I would put yourself and your husband in the same room. Your Mom with the kids. So yes, you can do it that way so you can both buy it. The way you are now...your Mom has to buy it too if you do. Not sure why you are booked the way you are (past guest rates, senior etc) but have a chat with your PVP and explain why.

non alcoholic frozen drinks, do they count as one on your limit?

 

No, they are unlimited and don't count toward the 15.

A green card or ARC card as it is called now superceeds a passport. If your friend has the refuge papers or any other papers when he first entered the country I would bring those as well.

 

You're kidding right? There is not any other country that gives a darn about a green card OTHER than the US. Why would they?? This isn't about re entry into the US. Its about other countries allowing him in.

With the recent price increase with the program, the old numbers would need to be adjusted and of course it all depends upon what type of drink that you usually drink to determine whether the program is worth it to you or not. Some people say to get on board and after checking out the costs associated with the various drinks to then make a determination if it's worthwhile and purchase it on day two. I think just the opposite because you can do a lot of drinking on day 1 because of three things. One, the excitement of being on vacation. Two, the fact that you have nothing to do from 12-6 or 8 except have lunch, unpack and go to your lifeboat drill and thus you can enjoy many alcoholic concoctions during sailaway. Three, the following day is normally at sea, so you can sleep in if needed.

 

To break even.....

 

5 Upgraded Martini's @ 9.95 each

6 Classic Cocktails @ 8.75 each

7 Frozen Drinks @ 7.25 each

8 Crown or Jack & Coke @ 6.25 each

9 16 ounce Domestic Beers @ 5.75 each

10 12 ounce Import Beers @ 4.95 each

 

Hope this helps.

 

Plus...also included

 

soft drinks @ 1.95 each

non alcohol frozen drinks @ 4.75 each

 

for those times you aren't/don't feel like having alcohol :)

My worst encounter with this was on The Fantasy but I have experienced it on several cruises..ironically all CCL.

It is not pleasant. My iced tea on the Fantasy even smelled like sewage....obviously went to bottled sparkling water after one whiff of that.

 

I'd be going to straight alcohol after that :D

Hmmmm. Strange. Wonder why its on that ship and not others with the same design? Seem weird.

After you guys hit 15 drinks could you still purchase drinks ?

 

The answer to that has been overwhelming no...although there has been the odd report of people saying yes they could still "purchase" a drink. But that seems to be earlier when they changed the program and perhaps staff were not yet familiar with the new rules. So, I wouldn't count on it. If you find a staff member that is willing to do so, it would not be the norm. You are supposed to be cut off....completely....until the new day starts :)

Oh my...I would be gagging! So, if I may, is this problem only on the Dream? Or is it an issue with this class of ship? I'm an aft cabin gal and I would be totally bummed if I was smelling that! I've never encountered it (mainly sail Conquest class)

I've not been on the Sunshine but I'm sure others have posted about it. I cant answer for sure. The Pub food is apparently quite good. I was hoping to try it out but we are likely going on the Conquest now and they don't have the Pub :(

Thank-You....would you by chance have a picture of the menu for the Red Frog Pub and Blue Iguana Cantina??

 

http://www.carnival.com/onboard/bars-lounges/~/media/CCLUS/Images/pdf/RedFrogPubMenupdf.ashx

 

Thats for the pub. Im not sure there actually is one for the Blue Iguana. Perhaps someone else has a pic of it.

 

Just to mention in case: the Pub is only on a few ships and is different from the Red Frog Rum BAR. The bar does not have this menu. Only the Pub.

 

EDIT: I see you're headed on the Sunshine...has the Pub :) Lucky you!

Yes, confirmed by John Heald on FB today, it's now $49.99/day plus 15% gratuity on all ships sailing the U.S. (the European ones are/were still the lower price).

 

Confirmed long before today by Carnival and cruisers.

Have prices increased across the board? When I was on the Glory in March the cost was $42.99/day plus 15% gratuity for a total of $49.39/day. The above amounts mean the package has increased in price by $7/day plus the 15% gratuity. That's a $56.35 difference for a 7 night cruise. Considering this prices it above Royal Caribbean's similar offering ($55/day inclusive of gratuities), which is not as restrictive, it makes Carnival a less attractive option going forward.:rolleyes:

 

Yes, the Cheers program has increased in price. Approximately one drink cost per day. If that makes/breaks the difference in the program being beneficial to users is for each to decide I guess :) Perhaps the price comapred to RCL program makes it seem less attractive.... but I think there is more than a $7 per day difference in an alcohol program that people will base their decision upon.

So kind of off topic, he doesn't have citizenship in any country? How does that work? I have never heard of that before.

 

It's called being stateless...without any bond of nationality to any State. For whatever reason they do not have citizenship. They either lost their claim to citizenship or never acquired it in their birth country and have no claim to any other States citizenship.

[quote=iloveGESUS;39005185

I guess I created this thread in hope of hearing from other cruisers who have recently done this to give us reassurance that he will be okay to cruise. I did a lot of research and feel that he will be okay but I really don't know. Thank you all again.

 

-Julie

 

 

 

Julie, with all due respect, I think that would be a mistake. Your friend is stateless. All the examples provided here should not reassure you, the majority don't apply. I'm not trying to be harsh but a stateless person is a whole different ballgame than what most realize.

My thoughts: (and that's all they are)

 

The main issue that most people don't realize the big difference is: your friend is citizenshipless (if there's even such a word) and most rules and examples provided don't apply.

 

1) Seek advice from an immigration lawyer.

 

2) If your friend is indeed deemed "stateless" (and there is a difference between stateless and refugee) he may qualify for a laissez passer travel document. Information can be had from the UN regarding these.

 

3) An American citizen telling you they were never asked for their passports or ID or whatever is irrelevant. The person you are inquiring for is NOT an American citizen and may indeed be asked for his documents because thats exactly what foreign countries are looking out for.

 

4) Forget about the "closed loop" issue that applies to most Americans and allows them to travel to foreign countries without a passport...once again...this doesnt apply to your friend...they are not an American citizen. Any travel agreement, either worldwide, western hemisphere etc only apply to those who can prove citizenship.

 

5) A green card holder or LPR is only to do with being allowed to be in the U.S, it allows re-entry to the U.S. It does nothing for entry into another foreign country. No other country cares about a green card except for the issuing country; the U.S.

 

6) A green card does not prove citizenship. And that's the big problem for your friend. They cannot prove their citizenship and many countries are loathe to allow entry to anyone who cannot. Americans can travel on a cruise without a passport with only a birth certificate because it proves their citizenship. Your friend can't do that.

 

7) Each country that a cruise ship stops at has its own entry requirements. And those requirements will vary based on the origin country of your friend. Not so for Americans, I know. But when not an American, travelling on a cruise, considered in transit, those agreements go out the window if the country so wishes. And seeing as your friend does not have a passport, it is extremely difficult to be granted a visa if that country requires one.

 

8) It is difficult to travel being stateless. The best thing to do is become a citizen of a country and get a passport. Failing that, apply for a laissez passer. Thats how most stateless people wind up being able to travel when they are not yet citizens of a country.

 

9) Much of the information you will find offered here (online) by well intentioned people is garnered from US sites regarding travel. Your friend is not an American citizen and most of it doesn't apply.

 

10) Take any or none of my information I have offered but i urge you to take the first one. Seek the advice of a lawyer. Not a PVP, not the US customs/border agency, not online resources. Contact the UN. Thats the agency that can help stateless people with travel. There are organizations also that help those requiring travel documents.

 

I put this all out in point form not to be harsh, but to perhaps break it down better :) Best of luck.

[quote name='jimbo5544']Fake chocolate will have to go aways before it can compare with chainmaille dress:confused: sorry:([/quote]

I do agree :)

But you never know....maybe 5 years from now someone will say: remember that thread when shakybeef did that scientific survery to prove the chocolate was indeed a cutback and [I]had[/I] changed?? and we will laugh in remembrance :D

[quote name='ShakyBeef']


Nope not the chocolates. Although we noticed the change in the candies, like I said, they don't really matter to us. It was indeed the cutbacks (as well as the lack of variety in Carnival's Baltimore itineraries) that sent us to RCI, but the "chocolates" didn't make it onto the list of the straws that broke this camel's back.:cool:[/quote]


Regardless of your sailing choice :eek: you are [I]still [/I]to be commended for the very scientific work you performed yesterday :) And also for the input in helping make this one of "those" threads as discussed yesterday ;)

Depends on what you're drinking. With the foo-foo drinks, it's about 6-7 to break even. With beer, it's about 9-10, just to break even!

 

The OP's question was about "pretty pricey" drinks...not beer. So the question asked was answered.

You're right there is no tax on Cheers other than those drinks consumed prior to international waters. The PP is mistaken.

BTW if you are departing from a state with sales tax, i.e. Florida is 6%, wait until after you set sail before you purchase the program or you will be charged $18pp in tax. Not correct

 

 

I am confused on the 18.00 tax ? When I purchased the cheers program right after I boarded the ship, I was not charged a tax. However, I was charged a tax on each drink that I ordered until we were in international waters. Also my friends who were not on the cheers program also were charged the same tax per drink. I am suprised to hear you were charged a tax on the whole program, as I was not both times I used the program.

 

Bigdog you are correct...there is no sales tax on the program when it is sold. It is as you stated...and as you have actually experienced :)

OMG ShakyBeef that's hilarious! Thank you for your very scientific work!:D

I'm still wondering which ship this was. I missed your review. And still wondering if this is the only cutback you noticed that you feel is worthy of mentioning.

 

The last ship we were on was Ecstasy and I didn't do a review.

 

This thread isn't really about cutbacks, just chocolate.

 

Sorry, I guess the word "cutback" in your thread title threw me...I thought it was about a cutback....a chocolate one obviously.

I don't care whether they leave the chocolates or not.

 

What bothers me is that the quality of the chocolate has changed drastically. If you're going to provide chocolate then it should be good chocolate.

 

I would rather see a higher quality chocolate (Hershey's would be fine) offered in a bowl as you exit the dining room. Many people don't eat the chocolate and it's just a waste.

 

It's not a complaint - just something I noticed and thought I'd see what everyone else thought.

 

Nothing is free. You pay for everything in your cruise fare and on board spend.

 

 

I'm still wondering which ship this was. I missed your review. And still wondering if this is the only cutback you noticed that you feel is worthy of mentioning.