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Did you wish you’d purchased the Cheers package?


sweets2323
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We have cruised 4 times and had packages for the last two. I don't remember them being offered on our first, but it was a "free" choice with NCL on our 3rd cruise. Our 4th was with Princess and we had the Soda and More package.

 

Since we didn't know anything else, we didn't mind paying as we went - and one port day of the first cruise was a pub crawl and wouldn't have drank on ship that day or the next. The all-inclusive of NCL was nice, but we drank more than I think we usually would have and souvenir glass drinks were excluded there also (didn't think to ask for it in a regular glass) so it did seem limited.

 

Princess includes mocktails (but not specialty coffee) in their package. Unfortunately there was not a good selection of mocktails, and if you requested something that contained a bottled/canned soft drink (vs. mixer or fountain soda) as an ingredient they could not make it with the package. My husband also was very sick the last sea day (rough seas and migraine), so between port days and illness we would never have drank enough to cover the cost of the alcohol package - I'm not even sure we broke even on the soda & more (but maybe with ginger ale).

 

We did find ourselves limiting our drinks/not being as adventurous on Princess as NCL since we were paying by the drink for anything with alcohol. They did have a BOGO$1 happy hours, so we stuck with that mostly. The downside was it had to be the same drink.

 

For our Carnival trip next month we still cannot justify the cost of Cheers between port days or if we just don't feel like drinking, but do want to have the freedom to get whatever we want and not look at price. We got a $500 gift card to apply to our account and figure that will be more than enough for our drinking habits. We will also carry on the allowed 1 bottle of wine and 12 cans of soft drink each. A bonus to that is having exactly the brand/flavor we prefer.

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I am a very rare drinker, I like more fruity/froo froo drinks if I do drink. We cruised last Jan with our kids and did not get the cheers package. We brought 3 cases of Pepsi on board. I did not regret it one bit. We got the kids each a smoothie and shake. I had one strawberry daiquiri and one virgin daiquiri, that was it the entire 7 day cruise. I just drank my Pepsi and the lemonade provided. Like pp posted, we had bought a $500 gift card and had it on our account so that any drinks we wanted would be covered already. I ended up spending the majority of that card on pictures from Pixels as that is more "my thing".

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LOL...some people kill me.

 

 

"I only have one drink during a cruise so I don't buy the drink package"

 

Well no crap. Guess what....I don't really need the internet on a cruise so I don't purchase the unlimited internet package.:rolleyes:

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LOL...some people kill me.

 

 

"I only have one drink during a cruise so I don't buy the drink package"

 

Well no crap. Guess what....I don't really need the internet on a cruise so I don't purchase the unlimited internet package.:rolleyes:

I was thinking the same thing. Some people: I don't drinks alcohol, coffee or soda so Cheers isn't worth it. Can't believe people spend that much money etc. Just keep scrolling non drinker. Lol.

 

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I did the Celebrity Equinox earlier in the year and had the Premium drink package for 10 nights (5 port days). It came as a free perk. It was absolutely AMAZING to have this and we definitely drank much more than the package was worth. Speciality coffee at breakfast, maybe a mimosa or 2, probably 10 drinks a pieces during the day, dinner drinks, after dinner coffee/drink, nightclub drinks, bottled water, etc.

 

But I am going to pass on Cheers when I cruise in May. Going on a cruise out of San Juan with 7 ports in 7 days and it ultimately came down to us wanting to use that money we would of spent on Cheers and do different things on the islands, including food/drinks.

 

That said, we will probably budget $250 for drinks during the cruise and that should do us well. Still a nice savings of $500 from getting Cheers. Bring bottled wine as well . . . hell even if we overdo it and spend $500 on drinks, we still are saving in the end.

 

Evaluate what your plans are. If you plan on lounging around the ship all week, then Cheers makes a lot of sense. If you plan on being off the ship a lot and maybe have 4 out of 7 days in port, then its quite possible you won't reach that drink amount required to cover the package.

 

But I agree with others if you aren't drinkers than this really doesn't apply to you.

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We have done it both ways. When with the kids we drink less, but I always calculate how much we spent on drinks via the itemized bill and found that we probably spend half of what Cheers costs when with the kids and right around the cost of Cheers when we don't take them. The issue tends to become, we can both easily max the drinks on a sea day, and sometimes on a port day, but after 2-3 days of that we need a break, so lose out later in the cruise. It is just as easy to order whatever we want, when we want it and make out the same as if we had purchased the package over the duration. I understand that some want the 'carefree feeling' of having already paid for it, but my brain does not work that way. Whether I pay before, now or later, its the same money and therefore does not modify how much I spend on the ship. That makes it much easier to have the 14 drinks on one day and 1 the next without caring if I 'break even' or not.

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Nope, never.

 

And any thread on here relating to dining room attire, faster the fun or Cheers! is highly subjective and filled with responses from the extremes on both sides.

 

The simple advice that anyone can and should give you is to do what you think best. Only you can make the determination later on whether or not what you did or didn't do was worth it.

 

Most folks, myself included, typically read these threads with a bowl of popcorn if you get my drift.

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@Keys2Heaven - yes, of course the OP or whoever is reading this thread should do as they choose.

 

But some folks like to cast a wide net for opinions, hoping they get a response from someone that "clicks", and sometimes they or another reader will say "hmm, that sounds exactly like me, so this is now quite relevant".

 

If I was wondering whether the package was worth it, and saw someone respond similar to my own response, I could draw parallels and probably conclude that it is indeed worthwhile.

 

If I was someone like a family friend, who will have two glasses of wine on a "wild and crazy night", the drink package is very much not worthwhile.

 

I had not really considered the fancy coffees, etc, since I don't partake too much (they fill you up, taking away room for other drinks!), but I know folks that could probably get their money's worth on just those, based on observed consumption. So again, someone reading might realize that their caffeine habit might be a good match for Cheers, while then being able to have a "free" martini or two.

 

Horses for courses, and all that.

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@Keys2Heaven - yes, of course the OP or whoever is reading this thread should do as they choose.

 

But some folks like to cast a wide net for opinions, hoping they get a response from someone that "clicks", and sometimes they or another reader will say "hmm, that sounds exactly like me, so this is now quite relevant".

 

If I was wondering whether the package was worth it, and saw someone respond similar to my own response, I could draw parallels and probably conclude that it is indeed worthwhile.

 

If I was someone like a family friend, who will have two glasses of wine on a "wild and crazy night", the drink package is very much not worthwhile.

 

I had not really considered the fancy coffees, etc, since I don't partake too much (they fill you up, taking away room for other drinks!), but I know folks that could probably get their money's worth on just those, based on observed consumption. So again, someone reading might realize that their caffeine habit might be a good match for Cheers, while then being able to have a "free" martini or two.

 

Horses for courses, and all that.

 

Perhaps they should cast a wider net and use the search function to find an answer among the literally hundreds of threads that have been discussed ad nauseam about this and other subjects.

 

Draw whatever parallels you wish from the responses you read or have found via search, but only you can ascertain whether or not this is for you.

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Perhaps they should cast a wider net and use the search function to find an answer among the literally hundreds of threads that have been discussed ad nauseam about this and other subjects.

 

Draw whatever parallels you wish from the responses you read or have found via search, but only you can ascertain whether or not this is for you.

 

 

 

The search function isn’t the best. Better choice is to scroll past what doesn’t pertain/ interest one.

 

 

Yes it’s about choices/wants/needs!

 

 

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My DW does not drink alcohol, so since both pax in a cabin must have the Cheers program, I am better off without it. On our last cruise on Celebrity, the drink packages were per individual and there was no limit on how many beverages per day. In that case I got the "Premium" alcohol package (which included all non alcohol drinks as well) and my DW got the "Premium" non-alcohol package.

 

I drank more than I would have without it, and I drank brands I wouldn't have normally had in a mixed drink and i think it was a good value. If my DW drank or if it could be purchased individually I would get the Cheers package, as it is I will save money by doing 'pay as you go' vs paying for 2 Cheers packages.

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Raging alcoholics and professional drinkers here. We always get cheers. Sometimes we get close to our 15 drink limit and “buy rounds for our friends” so we can stash booze around the ship for later. Plus the convenience of being able to order a free Bloody Mary in the morning from whatever bar we passed out next to in a lounge chair/life boat is worth the convenience. Once the hangover shakes are gone, we head over to the coffee bar to get energized for another day of out of control drinking fueled by a strict 2 shots followed by a monster energy drink (also free) ratio to maximize our package. On port days we wake up an extra 30 minutes early to get a shot every 5 minutes so we can get in 6 shots before leaving for port. That way we’re ready for a fun day in the sun and warmed up for our all inclusive drinking and nacho excursion. On port days we rarely get in our full 15 but we will hit the bar before bed to fill our free water bottles up with booze for the morning (we pour that nasty water stuff out).

Cheers is totally worth it. ;p

 

(Sorry couldn’t resist...but we do get cheers ;) and love the convenience and ability to try whatever we want and not care about the bill )

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We paid for Cheers five months in advance - there was no question about it for us.

 

Will we each drink enough to make it worth it? Probably, but the truth of the matter is - We Don't Care - it's paid for and no longer a factor to be concerned about. We're on this trip to relax and not worry about anything, least of all whether we're gaming the system.

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Raging alcoholics and professional drinkers here. We always get cheers. Sometimes we get close to our 15 drink limit and “buy rounds for our friends” so we can stash booze around the ship for later. Plus the convenience of being able to order a free Bloody Mary in the morning from whatever bar we passed out next to in a lounge chair/life boat is worth the convenience. Once the hangover shakes are gone, we head over to the coffee bar to get energized for another day of out of control drinking fueled by a strict 2 shots followed by a monster energy drink (also free) ratio to maximize our package. On port days we wake up an extra 30 minutes early to get a shot every 5 minutes so we can get in 6 shots before leaving for port. That way we’re ready for a fun day in the sun and warmed up for our all inclusive drinking and nacho excursion. On port days we rarely get in our full 15 but we will hit the bar before bed to fill our free water bottles up with booze for the morning (we pour that nasty water stuff out).

Cheers is totally worth it. ;p

 

It sounded exactly like I feel about cruising . . . . then I realized you were being sarcastic. I'm currently detoxing in preparation to "RETOX" on my cruise next week. :halo:

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The search function isn’t the best. Better choice is to scroll past what doesn’t pertain/ interest one.

 

 

Yes it’s about choices/wants/needs!

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

 

However, being that this is a discussion forum and the OP's question did not specify that only those who have purchased Cheers! in the past respond, and since this is a free country, I can pretty much jump into any thread and respond.

 

And the search function works just fine.

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Nah hubby rarely drinks and if he does it's bubbly we bring with us. I am a craft beer drinker and let's face it most of the beer onboard is NOT anything to write home about. We wouldn't even come close to breaking even. We do drink coffees but rarely soda or milkshakes or "vitamin water"...so it's just not worth it for us. We do have drinks in the casino occasionally and mostly those are comped .

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However, being that this is a discussion forum and the OP's question did not specify that only those who have purchased Cheers! in the past respond, and since this is a free country, I can pretty much jump into any thread and respond.

 

And the search function works just fine.

 

 

 

Comment about getting the popcorn ready, which I’m guessing was about “here we go again “, hence my response.

 

I’m glad you have had good success with search function, I find it sends you all over the place and not specific to ? asked!

 

And it does amaze me pax asking others what do they think is good for them!

 

Only you/them/ourselves KNOW that answer!

 

 

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Raging alcoholics and professional drinkers here. We always get cheers. Sometimes we get close to our 15 drink limit and “buy rounds for our friends” so we can stash booze around the ship for later. Plus the convenience of being able to order a free Bloody Mary in the morning from whatever bar we passed out next to in a lounge chair/life boat is worth the convenience. Once the hangover shakes are gone, we head over to the coffee bar to get energized for another day of out of control drinking fueled by a strict 2 shots followed by a monster energy drink (also free) ratio to maximize our package. On port days we wake up an extra 30 minutes early to get a shot every 5 minutes so we can get in 6 shots before leaving for port. That way we’re ready for a fun day in the sun and warmed up for our all inclusive drinking and nacho excursion. On port days we rarely get in our full 15 but we will hit the bar before bed to fill our free water bottles up with booze for the morning (we pour that nasty water stuff out).

Cheers is totally worth it. ;p

 

(Sorry couldn’t resist...but we do get cheers ;) and love the convenience and ability to try whatever we want and not care about the bill )

 

This is amazing!!!! hahahaha love it

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